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What a week!

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The travel was riddled with fits and starts. I got cellulitis in my foot. My brother was admitted to the hospital.

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Whew!

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But things are looking up! My foot is much better. My brother was discharged from the hospital and is feeling much better. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

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Even with all this, we’ve had a wonderful week. We visited with family from out of town. I’ve spent time with the kids and grandkids. I've baked, cooked, and eaten yummy food. We went to my favorite BBQ restaurant last night. Dickie’s BBQ is wonderful, and the ribs are so tender that they fall off the bone.

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Garden Flowers - Hail Storms - A Moon and Stars Watermelon - Crocheting a Baby Afghan

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I’ve taken more photos than anything else, so I’ll just leave you a gallery of pictures I’ve taken. I’m enjoying my stay with dear family members, and I know it will pass all too quickly, so my posts will be sporadic.

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Family first.

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I pray that if you have the chance to visit family and friends this summer, you will walk away with wonderful memories that will carry you till you meet again.

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💜

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Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5

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***Gratitude Journal***   Today, I am grateful for the beauty and love surrounding me. I’d forgotten how beautiful the Colorado sky is and how wonderful it feels to hug my peeps.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-07-10T04:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/07/10/the-little-petunia-that-could.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/05/29/grandmas-hands.html", "title": "Grandma's Hands", "content_html": "\n
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I did the math…my grandma was only forty-eight years old when I was born. I gave her the first great-grandchild when she was just sixty-nine. She was always old to me because…grandmas are old. Or at least they were when I was growing up. Nowadays, grandmas write blogs and pull thirty-foot campers across the country by themselves. Not my grandma. She wore short-sleeved cotton housedresses with a belt and a hanky in the pocket. She made “jelly bread” if you were feeling sad. She swatted your butt if you tried to bounce chicken eggs on the back porch like ping pong balls. Don’t ask me how I know.

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Grandma never had anything fancy. She loved her rickety old house and always said it was the Taj Mahal compared to the way she was brought up. Her mama died when she was ten years old, and she basically raised her siblings. She worked hard and loved hard and wouldn’t know what a vacation was. She went past the Mississippi River only twice in her life. When I grew up and was married with my first child, my husband moved us to Denver. Grandma warned us to be careful because of all those rough and tumble cowboys and Indians roaming the streets out West. She didn’t know the streets were paved and there were skyscrapers there.

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My latest learning quest is how to bake bread with fresh-milled wheat. As in, grinding wheat berries at my home on a grain mill specifically for home use. Whole grain flour has many more nutrients than white flour in bags at the store. I’ve been baking this month with fresh milled flour I bought at The Dutch Cupboard in Columbiana, OH, a few weeks ago. It hasn’t been too hard to switch over, if you don’t count yesterday’s fiasco. I will admit, nothing makes bread like King Arthur Flour, but my Nutrimill Classic arrives today, and I am so excited to learn this.

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I slow roasted a pork butt yesterday and oh, my…it was so tender and tasty. After supper and the dishes were done, I mixed up a batch of cornmeal mush to slice and fry for breakfast this morning. I have a little sausage in the fridge, and I might just bake some biscuits and make a little sausage gravy to go with them. As I worked with my hands, it struck me how much they look like my grandma’s hands now. They should be with all I put them through every day. I’ve earned every wrinkle and strand of silver.

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Between my husband’s and my family, we have four kids plus spouses, six grandchildren…most of them with spouses…and four great grandchildren. It would be the greatest honor if they look at their hands one day and think…”OMGosh! My hands look just like GiGi’s.”

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I think I’ll make them some jelly bread when they come over next time. Wouldn’t that be nice?

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ᓚᘏᗢ

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Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their fathers. Proverbs 17:6 ESV

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***Gratitude Journal*** Today, I am grateful to look at my hands and see my mom’s and grandma’s hands in them. If I have a fraction of their goodness in me, I will be richly blessed.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-05-29T04:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/05/29/grandmas-hands.html", "tags": ["Family","Aging","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/05/21/keeping-the-light-on.html", "title": "Keeping the Light On", "content_html": "\n
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Sometimes this ol’ world seems pretty dark…darker than I’ve ever known it to be. It’s been dark before, but it always seems like the worst darkness is the one you’re walking through in the moment. I keep it my life’s mission to shine the Light of God into my little corner of the world. My sphere of influence may be small, but I pray my words are true and if there are those out there who need them, they find them. I pray I can reach people. I pray they find me. I pray.

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Sometimes my life seems filled with the mundane matters of life…the everyday busy work that keeps things going. Then I’ll get a message, a nudge, a God wink that someone needs to hear. To hear something they can’t hear by themselves. That’s when I feel deeply connected to the words I’m given to share.

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I received a text yesterday from Hubby #1. He’s doing really well after his heart and kidney transplants in the last year. He feels better than he has in a decade. He’s outside, doing things like shoveling two truckloads of mulch onto their landscaping. He’s happy as a clam to get out and LIVE again. There’s still a lot of healing to do yet. The decade of severe illness, as well as the trauma of the transplants themselves, has taken its toll and they both are working to heal the injuries no one but God can see. They have love, they have faith, and they have hope again.

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He sent me a text to see about getting together with my brother this summer. They haven’t seen each other in such a long time, he just wanted to check with me to see if there was anything he needed to know before a visit, like stamina, physical status, etc. I was touched that he would make a special trip to see my Bubby. Before Hubby #2 got so sick, he and his wife would drive the five hours to come pick up my brother just to take him out for a meal and spend some time together.

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This got me to thinking about the dynamic we have worked hard to nurture. I know this doesn’t work for everyone, and I know there are cases….probably more often than not…where it is healthier to just go your separate ways and that’s that. Even though my marriages weren’t always healthy when we were together, there was enough love there to work hard at creating a loving and supportive friendship that would last over our lifetimes. It was very important to me, not just for us, but for the kids and grandkids.

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When I married Mr. FixIt, Mrs. FixIt 1.0 came with the deal as far as I was concerned. I didn’t push, I didn’t have an agenda, there was no timeline. I just knew in my heart, that to get love, you must give love. I dearly love my husband’s first wife. We talk on the phone, sometimes every day, sometimes for an hour or more. We both know we have a mutual respect for our positions in the family, and the kids and grandkids feel that. They never feel like they’re in the middle or that they have to choose. Every time I get off the phone with her, I thank him for bringing her into my life…giving me such a good friend.

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I know it could have been a lot different. When my second marriage fell apart, I was broken. I prayed hard that God would heal my family. Of course, my idea was that we would get back together and be one big happy family. Then one day I realized…God DID heal my family. He taught me a way to grow love where hurt used to be. He showed me how to forgive where anger got in the way. He taught me how to share the ones I love with the ones they love. He gave me a family…a healed and whole family that’s more than TWICE the size it was before.

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He gave me another chance. Who am I to waste that gift? God kept the light on for me. He’ll keep it on for you, too.

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And…so will I.

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🩵🔆🩵

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“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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Gratitude Journal 
Today, I am grateful for the extended family God has given me that reaches across the divide of divorce to form a new kind of love and respect for each other.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-05-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/05/21/keeping-the-light-on.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/05/18/he-loves-mehe-loves-me.html", "title": "He Loves Me…He Loves Me Not", "content_html": "\n
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Do you remember your first crush? I do. His name was Brett…or, maybe it was Kevin. We rode the bus together on a school trip. We kinda had a moment. He reached out and took my hand as we looked out the window at the landscape blurring by. My heart about pounded out of my chest. I had absolutely NO idea what the protocol was on hand-holding. I mean, how hard to you hold his hand? I’m taking it the vice grip I settled on wasn’t it. How long do you hold hands? Is there a prescribed time, or do you just hang on till one of you has to pee or dies of embarrassment? I was probably fifteen…definitely a late bloomer.

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I knew NOTHING. My friend Ann told me about periods and that you get pregnant when a boy does something with his hand but I had no idea how THAT worked. My mom wanted me to stay in the dark and be an old maid. I probably would have if it hadn’t been for the other half of the school trip I was on.

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We were in Gatlinburg, TN staying at a Travel Lodge. There was a stream roaring right behind the motel. I’d never been on a bus. I’d never been away from my mother. I’d never seen the inside of a motel room. This was all SO exciting and my mind was racing. It seemed like my hand-holding faux pas nipped the crush in the bud. Teenagers are nothing if they aren’t adaptable.

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We were all running up and down the balcony walkways, talking and laughing and looking into everyone’s room to see what was happening. I was talking with someone when I looked in one of the rooms and there he was…my future husband. Oh…no, it wasn’t a crush thing. He wore striped pants and a polka dot shirt and he was calling his mom to let her know we were there safely. I didn’t see him as “my type.” The closest thing to “my type” that I could think of was Jay of Jay and the Americans. He was dreamy.

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But, as fate would have it, three years later that fellow and I were dating and at the VERY young age of nineteen, I became his bride and we moved to England for his tour of duty in the Air Force. Ours was the tender teenage love of the movies. He courted me relentlessly till I gave in and went out with him. Hubby #1…the father of Daughter #1. It was a complicated relationship and failed out of nothing more than naïveté and disillusionment.

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I remember those sunny days when we were first dating…the summer of ‘69…the Beatles…the Ed Sullivan Show…Armstrong walked on the moon. Woodstock. The Summer of Love. Firsts. Lots and lots of firsts. But running through it all is a memory of laying in the grass at the top of our hill pulling the petals off of daisies.

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He loves me. He loves me not. 

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If I’d only known then what I know now. Good thing it doesn’t work that way. I may not have my beautiful daughter and I wouldn’t be who I am now. I’ve said it before…I’ll say it again. We cannot rewrite history. I don’t think I would if I could. Besides, God put me where he wanted me. It may not have been for a lifetime, but it certainly was for some valuable life lessons.

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🩵

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“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”   ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today, I am grateful for all the lessons I’ve learned in life and for a loving God who waited for me patiently.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-05-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/05/18/he-loves-mehe-loves-me.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/05/14/never-too-late-to-change.html", "title": "Never Too Late to Change", "content_html": "\n
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I’m pretty far into the book of my life. There were so many things I wished I could change…do differently…start over. However, we can’t rewrite history. Those earlier chapters are written in stone, man. What I CAN do is craft a new ending by keeping God front and center in my life, and by putting more weight onto the right side of the scale.

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I’ve changed more than I could ever imagined. I abused alcohol, prescription drugs, food, money, people for far too many years. When the bottom fell out and I found myself alone and my husband moving on without me, I thought it was the end of my life. Getting to the other side of of all that darkness seemed insurmountable. But, it’s just like eating an elephant. You have to take one bite at a time. It took me losing everything to realize this.

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I worked hard to gain back the trust of those I hurt most…my family. It wasn’t easy. It took years of therapy and a lot of tears, apologies, and demonstrations of change to make things better between us. To be honest, I don’t think we’ll ever get back to the way we were before I “dropped my bracket.” That’s ok. There was far too much dysfunction in our previous relationships. The only thing to do was rebuild on a solid foundation. That happened after I sought out Jesus to help me.

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I’m looking forward to my trip in July and seeing my Colorado family. I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend time with them right where we stand today. Not decades ago when I was THAT person. Sometimes we are handed a do-over card…a chance to make things right and love the way God intended me to.

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I praise him for these gifts every day.

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🩵

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““But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”   ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   Today, I am thankful for do-overs and the opportunity to try to make things right with those I love and who love me.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-05-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/05/14/never-too-late-to-change.html", "tags": ["Family","Forgiveness","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/05/11/happy-mothers-daycongratulations-graduateswhat-is.html", "title": "Happy Mother’s Day…Congratulations Graduates…What is Wrong with this Tractor?!?!?!", "content_html": "\n
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Y’all, I was so excited to get out to the pole building yesterday morning (after our yummy breakfast of eggs and grits) to finish up the repairs on the tractor. I put the new wheels on the mower deck the we put it all back together so I could go on the test run. Imagine my disappointment…after all that work over three days…and the tractor is doing the very same thing. You can get it to back up, but it has no power moving forward. It looks like we either have a transmission issue or there’s something blocking the gas or brake pedal. 

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We had to give up around 1:00 because we needed to get to the graduation party. It was a simple affair at a local restaurant with some of the family. We really enjoyed seeing everyone and celebrating the new graduate.

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We’ll view more YouTube videos to see if there’s something else we can do. If you start getting into transmission problems on these things, it’s often less expensive in the long run to buy another tractor. We have to do SOMETHING soon or we’ll have to get someone out with a brush hog. We’ll decided today.

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We stopped on the way home from the party and bought a new storm door. Ours faces directly west and they don’t last more than a few years because of the extreme heat. We also bought potting soil and containers for the rhubarb and the extra tomato plants. By the time we got home, it was 8:30 and we were done for the day. I’ll be back tomorrow!

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I know Mother’s Day is sometimes littered with land mines. It isn’t always joyful…filled with sorrow or anger or longing. If you struggle through these holidays…I hear you. So I will say to all of you….no matter what…have a blessed day, get out for some fresh air, drink your water, and take a nap.

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God is good!

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🩵

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“Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.”  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭51‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today, I am grateful for the women in my life who mothered me, whether they were related to me or not. And I am grateful for the memories of my sweet mama.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-05-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/05/11/happy-mothers-daycongratulations-graduateswhat-is.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/04/27/a-fist-full-of-berries.html", "title": "A Fist Full of Berries", "content_html": "\n
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Monster strawberry from California.

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I had a really busy day yesterday and along the way, there was grocery shopping to be done. As I perused the produce section, these gorgeous GIANT strawberries captured my attention they brought back such strong memories of my childhood at my grandma’s farm.

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The Strawberry Field back on the hill at Grandma’s farm.

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Some time after my Uncle Sonny was killed when his fighter jet crashed in a German potato field in 1955, my grandparents needed something to focus on…a way to bring in extra money and ease their broken hearts. So, when my Uncle Bud was in college studying agriculture, he hatched a plan to turn a section of the fertile ground on top of the hill into a strawberry farm.

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Grandma in the hat and Nanny Goff in the overalls working the berry fields.

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My earliest memory of the strawberries was in the early ‘60s. I was 8 or 9 years old and banished from picking strawberries because I ate more than I carried to the sorting shed and I stepped on the runners. The runners make more plants which in turn produce more berries. No runners, no berries. I can so clearly remember the huge strawberries that grew in that rich soil. We had berries just like these and one filled my entire hand. You could only get five or six berries in a quart.

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Strawberry Pickers. That’s my PopPop in the hat driving the old Model A he converted into a tractor.

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I don’t know how many years we had berries. I do remember going to farmer’s market with my PopPop with the bed full of strawberry flats. We went two or three days a week and people knew when to expect us. They’d be standing there waiting for us to get there with these precious gems. They were so sweet and juicy, they hardly needed sugar.

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The berries were smaller in 1964. These were in the bed of PopPop’s truck.

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When we emptied the truck and headed back to the farm, PopPop always stopped at the old grocery store in Macfarlan and bought me some penny candy with his proceeds from the sale of those strawberries. According to my Uncle Bud, it was an awful lot of work with not a lot of return and they eventually gave it up.

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Another view of the strawberry field.

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Even though they turned to other endeavors, I will always remember those hot summer days and warm, juicy berries that stained my hands and cheeks. I smiled as I picked up a carton of berries and put them in the buggy. Warm memories on a cold and rainy afternoon.

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🍓

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 “Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.”   ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for my bonus family here in West Virginia. I am blessed with the friendship of the former Mrs. FixIt…a strong woman with a heart of gold.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-04-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/04/27/a-fist-full-of-berries.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/04/08/another-bit-of-time-travel.html", "title": "Another Bit of Time Travel", "content_html": "\n
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Where my grandparent’s lived in Pekin, IL - Credit: Zillow

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I’ve been combining two of my hobbies in one this month. When I sit down to sit with Mr. FixIt when he watches some of his shows, I pull out my laptop and work on Ancestry and Google Earth at the same time. One of the best tools to help you with genealogy is the US Census. The other day, I was searching backwards in my maternal grandparents’ life together to see where they lived before I came around. I knew they had lived in Indiana and Illinois before and during the Great Depression, so I decided to look up their addresses on Google Earth. 

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I couldn’t find their home in Mishawaka, Indiana where my mom was born. The address is now a modern home so it’s obvious the land has been developed. I did find their home in Pekin, Illinois and was thrilled to see it. According to the 1930 Census, PopPop and Grandma lived in a rental house for $20 a month. Mom was four years old and Uncle Bob was two. They were poor as church mice, but they owned a radio. I imagine my great grandfather bought it for them. PopPop was 31 and Grandma was 25. (They were 21 and 17 when they married.) They were both able to read and write although neither of them went past 8th Grade in school. He worked as a mechanic for a construction company and Grandma was a stay-at-home mom. Since the house I found on Zillow with the same address was built in 1887, I am certain this is the same house they lived in.

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They lived with two of PopPop’s brothers and their wives and families. At the time it was a boarding house. Grandma told stories about having to cook on a little stove on the landing between floors. It must have been nice for them to have family around, even though there wasn’t much privacy. During the Depression, they were happy to just have a roof over their heads. 

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When work petered out, they packed up and came back home to WV. They worked as sharecroppers in order to have a place to house their growing family. By the time they moved into the house at the farm, there were six children. Grandma told me her children would have starved to death if it weren’t for the two cows they had. They always gardened. They grew a patch of cane and a traveling man came every fall to squeeze the juice from the canes. Then she boiled that syrup down in the kitchen. My Uncle Bud says it used to rain in the house because of all the humidity that condensed on the underside of the tin roof.

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As long as I can remember, grandma made do with what she had. She was so frugal, she would patch the sheet where their toenails and PopPop’s beard wore the cheap cotton away. She saved up feedsacks and when she had enough of one print, she’d take it down to Aunt Myrt to have her make a dress or shirt for one of the kids. She might trade some butter or something from the garden as payment. Aunt Myrt never sewed with a pattern. You could show her a dress out of the Sears & Roebuck Catalog and she could make it in any size.

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When a blanket became too worn to use, she sandwiched it between two old patched sheets and she would have a new-to-her “quilt.” She and her sisters-in-law and some neighbor ladies would come over and help her tie the layers together with bright colored yarn. Their work clothes were always patched together but they usually had one outfit that served as their Sunday-Go-To-Meetin’ duds.

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I’ve even found pots that had a hole in them that my PopPop patched with two washers and a nut and bolt. They had an old grinding wheel that looked like a stationary bike. They once had a big copper pot they used for making applesauce and apple butter over an open fire in the backyard.

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One might say these were simpler times, and perhaps they were in some ways. But they weren’t necessarily easy times. I have to admit, I have become so used to everything being conveniently available on a shelf in a grocery store. I didn’t learn till recently you can make brown sugar by mixing white sugar with molasses! I’m turning 72 in a couple of months and I’m still learning new things…new ways to make things with ingredients instead of ready made. 

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You can look at these times as a crushing blow, a giant step backwards. You can get anxious or depressed or even disassociate yourself from it all. Or, you can treat it as a challenge…a game…see just how little you need to get by. You can learn to enjoy the simpler things. 

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You can find peace in many ways:

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You can go out and stand on the grass in your bare feet.

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You can read or write…stories, novels, cookbooks, journals.

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You can plant flowers or a garden and get your hands dirty.

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You can spend time with God every day…walking in the woods or a park, reading the Bible, praying.

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I think I’m going to become “Everyone’s Grandma” and teach the youngun’s some old timey skills. It’ll give me something to look forward to and help me contribute to a new beginning.

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🩵🌷🩵

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“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”   ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***  
Today I am grateful to have a platform where I can share my knowledge and help others become more self-sufficient in the coming months and years. I give God the glory through my work.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-04-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/04/08/another-bit-of-time-travel.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/04/04/time-travel.html", "title": "Time Travel", "content_html": "\n
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You can see our apartment building through the trees to the right. We called the large house to the left the Manor House. There was a small office around the right side of that building where we paid the rent.

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A couple of weeks ago, I had fun playing with Google Earth. I looked at all the places I’ve lived in the states. Then, we had breakfast with my friend Cindy…my neighbor in England. It got me wondering if I could “walk” around the villages and see if anything still looked familiar to me. So, today I’m taking you on a trip to the UK.

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”The Swan” pub about a mile from our apartment. There is a small garden to the left with market lights strung across. We used to meet Cindy and her husband there for Cornish Pasties and Guinness on Friday nights.

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Hubby #1 was in the Air Force stationed at RAF Greenham Common and RAF Welford (a bomb storage facility.) Greenham opened in 1942 and had four runways. It was used by the USAF during WWII and the Cold War. While we were there, it was primarily a mail sorting and storage facility. There was a clinic, a movie theater, a grocery store, a base exchange, a post office, and several other buildings. I arrived in July of 1973, the first year of the International Air Tattoo, a large scale international military air show. That’s where I first saw the Concorde. It flew right over our apartment and was extraordinarily LOUD. We left in late 1974. In 1980, RAF Greenham Common was one of two British bases that housed the USAF’s mobile nuclear armed cruise missiles. 

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A narrowboat on the River Kennet near The Swan. I have a picture of my mom holding Daughter #1 in my green and white Mini Cooper sitting right there in front of the gate. People rent narrowboats for their holiday (vacation) much like we would go camping.

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We rented a third floor flat in Thatcham, a small village near Newbury. It was quaint homes with small postage stamp gardens in front. Shopping was within walking distance and we carried a market basket with us for our daily shopping. I still have mine. Daughter #1 was born almost exactly a year after I arrived in country.

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Another narrowboat further along the Kennet and Avon Canal.

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The little shops that lined the streets were mesmerizing…especially the bakeries with their elaborate window displays of sweets. One of my favorite treats was “Walnut Whips,” a small crisp cookie with a whipped filling covered in chocolate and a walnut half on top. SO decadent. One of my favorite excursions was to a local shop for afternoon tea. This was traditionally a light mid-afternoon affair serving finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and pastries. This was especially lovely when I was pregnant. My GYN, Mr. Stallabrass, had an office in Reading at the Royal Berkshire Maternity Unit. After my appointments, I often took afternoon tea in a small cottage overlooking Windsor Castle. 

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We lived on the economy, not in base housing, so we experienced life as locals might…even though there was no mistaking the fact we were Yanks. Many of the locals didn’t care for us…especially the men. They held a grudge since the ward because Yanks came in and married the women and took them home to the States.

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Donnington Castle near Newbury

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We kept busy in our off time visiting the tourist sites like Donington Castle, Winchester Cathedral, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, Big Bend, the Tower of London. When my mom came to visit, we asked her what she wanted to do. My mother was quite naive to the ways of the world but she had an adventurous side. When she told me she wanted to go see a burlesque show, I was a bit taken aback, but we hopped a train to London and saw a show in the Soho District. I think mom was expecting something like Carmen Miranda. Instead, we got naked people swimming in a glass sided pool onstage. She wanted to wander through the shops. There were women posing in storefront windows and shops that sold “things we’d never seen before.” That’s where I drew the line and dragged her home. lol She was a hoot!

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One of my favorite stores was Marks & Spencer in Newbury. It was kind of like a Penneys.

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Many years later, when mom had passed, I picked up where she left off in building the family tree. The onset of the Internet made things so much easier to research and I was dumbfounded when I learned my PopPop’s ancestors came from a village not ten miles from where we lived in England. If I’d only known, I could have done research on site!

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You cannot go to England without visiting Stonehenge. It’s truly magical!

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My time living there left me with some of my most fond memories. I always thought I’d go back there and visit…maybe take my daughter there to see where she was born. I don’t know that I’ll ever get back there, but Google Earth lets me time travel from the comfort of my Big Red Chair…whenever I want.

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🩵🌷🩵

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“Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”” ‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for the memories of my travels abroad in my youth. They will keep me company in my final years.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-04-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/04/04/time-travel.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/25/old-friends-and-old-stories.html", "title": "Old Friends and Old Stories", "content_html": "\n
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I was so excited to see my friend and her husband yesterday. We had such a great time laughing and sharing photos and old stories. Mr. FixIt has never met them so we all had a big time visiting. It was really windy yesterday but beautiful. We came back to town and went to visit Mr. FixIt, Jr. and family. It’s always good to spend time with the kids. We were home before dark and I was ready to call it a day. I don’t know about you, but anymore…when I have the alarm set for an early morning wake up, I hardly sleep the night before. My subconscious is afraid I’ll sleep through it so I’m awake every half hour or so. Consequently, I was ready to write at 8:00 last night and bed shortly after.

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I took my friend one of the baskets I crocheted and tucked a couple of the homemade pop tarts I made Sunday evening. I wanted them to have something special and who doesn’t love a nosh when you’re staying in a cabin? We stopped at Menard’s on our way home. We needed a new solar light for the address post at the end of the driveway. We always find something there we didn’t know we needed till we saw it! lol

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I want to give you an update. Hubby #2 has finally been discharged after his kidney transplant and is home! I know several of you are on dialysis and/or waiting for a transplant and you may be wondering how he got through the system so quickly. I didn’t know this at first, but apparently, when you’ve already had a transplant and need another, you get bumped up the ladder. I think that’s done in order to protect and preserve the transplanted organ. He feels great and is so grateful. He told me he absolutely couldn’t have gone through this without God carrying him and all the prayers that went up for him. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for those prayers. I’m so happy we have this space to offer each other prayers and support when it’s needed. 

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The whole world may seem to be burning to the ground, but there is so much beauty at the same time and opportunities to express gratitude. Here are some pictures of the grounds of Marshmallow Ranch at sunset last night for your enjoyment!

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See you tomorrow!

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💚

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“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.”   ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   Today I am grateful that our prayers were answered and my daughters’ dad got to come home from the hospital after his kidney transplant. Hallelujah! 

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/25/old-friends-and-old-stories.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/21/handmade-with-love.html", "title": "Handmade With Love", "content_html": "\n
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If you’ve been following Girl Camper, you’ve seen the buzz about the upcoming auction to benefit their favorite charity…the Hold You Foundation that benefits the families of seriously ill children. There will be some hats from the Knit the National Parks book. I made the hat for Mesa Verde National Park in honor of my time living in Colorado. I’ll give you the link to the auction when I get it.

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We’re having a blast of cooler air blowing through. I was sleeping in the camper Wednesday night and woke up at 5:30 to the wind howling. I must have a little PTSD after that big storm in Kansas last summer because as soon as that camper started rocking I was up, dressed, and in the house in less than five minutes. I just crawled into bed and went right back to sleep. 

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It was the first day of spring. When I woke up, it was 61 degrees and by noon it was in the 40’s. The low for last night was predicted to be 30°. I’ll camp when it’s cold, but my cutoff is about 40°. I’ve had to sleep in the camper when the windchill was -28° and that’s rough. I made reservations for another campground in May. We didn’t get to camp at Leith Run last year. It is right on the banks of the Ohio River and they had a terrible flood last April that left eight inches of compacted mud over the entire park. That has happened at least three times that I know of since moving back to West Virginia. We love to camp there in mid week in the off season. It’s far less crowded and more peaceful.

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I heard from a dear friend yesterday. Cindy lived in the flat below me when we were in England. We were both new brides and our husbands were both in the Air Force. Military wives make their friends their family. Even more so when you live so far away from your own family. I think Cindy was 18 and I was 19. When I was pregnant with Daughter #1, Cindy surprised me with a baby shower. When I was opening gifts, there was a present from my mom! I was missing her so much and when I saw that my friend had sent a letter to my mom to coordinate gifts from my family stateside, I just burst into tears. She has always been special to me. She only lives a few hours away in Ohio, but this will be the first time we’ve seen each other since December of 2016. She will be about an hour from us on Monday so we are meeting in Athens for a long awaited visit. I am so excited to see her and her husband!

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I can’t believe it’s Friday already! Do. You have a fun weekend planned?

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💚

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“A friend loves at all times….”   ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for the friendships that stand the test of time. The kind of friend that picks up where you left off the last time you saw each other. The kind that forever owns a piece of your heart. That’s the kind of friendship to cherish and nurture.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/21/handmade-with-love.html", "tags": ["Family","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/17/success.html", "title": "Success!!!!!", "content_html": "\n
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Y’all are going to get so tired of reading about my bread baking adventures, but I finally got good results with the sourdough yesterday. The biggest problem I had before was using something other than King Arthur flour. I’ll not make THAT mistake again. My starter is happy and healthy again! Also, I didn’t use Vital Wheat Gluten this time. I think that was a contributing factor of the dense bricks I was making. Come to find out, that stuff is really for bread made with fresh milled flour. I am still looking into getting a grain mill but I’d really like to try baking with fresh milled flour before I make that big of an investment. 

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The main thing I did yesterday was watch my rise time. I think I was over proofing my dough so it ran out of gas too early. It didn’t take any time at all to make the first rise. I skipped the second rise and just shaped the dough. Once it rose, I popped it in the oven and got two nice, soft loaves of bread and eight killer cinnamon rolls. I made cream cheese icing this time and it was really good.

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Mr. FixIt was bowling last night so I had the evening to myself. I took my time baking, then I thoroughly cleaned the kitchen. Now I’m ready for the week. I need to start gearing up for the summer work load. I don’t like to go from the Big Red Chair to the tractor overnight. I want to get more walking in and build up my stamina. 

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I saw some more photos of the wedding yesterday. I can’t wait to see more…it was stunning! We had quite a bit of rain over the last couple of days. It’s good for the drought. We had such a dry summer last year. It cut down on our mowing but at what price? It’s rare to see so many forest fires in such a rainy state. This morning is knitting group then I’m going to try to finish the taxes and get that out of the way. Then I can focus on making our travel plans for the summer.

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I hope you are all safe from the storms over the weekend and you’re seeing signs of spring!

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☘️

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“Ask the Lord for rain in the spring, for he makes the storm clouds. And he will send showers of rain so every field becomes a lush pasture.” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for time in my kitchen and things turning out right. It feels good. We are so fortunate to have food, water, a warm bed, and a roof over our heads. 
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/17/success.html", "tags": ["Family","Baking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/16/were-back-in-business.html", "title": "We’re Back in Business!", "content_html": "\n
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I bought ten pounds of King Arthur flour Friday to try to salvage my sourdough starter. I figured out why it was doing so poorly. Last. Weekend I went to The Pig to buy flour and they didn’t have King Arthur. So, I bought White Lily. Without even thinking, I fed my starter and it got worse and worse every day till it hardly had any bubbles and didn’t smell nearly as good as it did before. I finally dawned on me…White Lily is bleached flour and the chlorine residue damages or even kills a starter. 

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I usually have a “mother” jar…a starter that is strong and healthy. You feed it, put a loose lid on it, and put it straight in the fridge where it stays. Every week or so, you feed it like normal but you don’t use it…you just keep it for insurance. The thing is…I fed it with the White Lily and it was NOT happy. I keep a jar of discard…the extra that’s left over when you’re baking. Again…it had White Lily in it. I tried to figure out what to do when I remembered I did an experiment a couple of months ago. 

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I often watch how-to videos on YouTube…most on baking and knitting. One of the videos I watched said when you pour out the discard into the discard jar, scrape all out except maybe a tablespoon or so, cover it with a tight lid, and stick it in the back of your fridge. It’ll last in there for months. To feed it, you put a little warm filtered water in the jar and using a scraper, soften and loosen and scrape off every little bit of starter that you can off the inside of the jar. Then put enough flour in to make a thick batter consistency. I put mine in the oven with just the oven light on and it keeps it the perfect temperature. 

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I was so excited when I checked it yesterday morning and it rose really well. I fed it again to make sure it was active. By afternoon, it had doubled and I was thrilled to see that activity. I fed it again before we went to the birthday party at the bowling alley last night. Since it was so robust, it more than doubled so I set up my levain before I went to bed because I need to bake again today.

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The evening out with family is just what the doctor ordered and I felt so much better after getting out for a while. The daffodils are blooming. The iris beds are putting out flat blades and I’m hoping the Black Iris will bloom this year. Mrs. FixIt 1.0 gave them to me and they are gorgeous. There are som buds on the trees. The peepers are singing. The birds and the bees are doing what birds and bees do. Well, actually…I haven’t seen bees yet, but the worms are doing the tango out in the lawn. I’ve never seen so many earthworms in a single yard before. I’ve heard that’s a sign of a healthy lawn. We had a lot of rain yesterday and a little bit of hail. That always makes me nervous since we had so much hail damage last summer. 

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I hope you are enjoying this beautiful spring weather as much as we are!

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💚

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“Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” ‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for family near and far. We are the ones that are always there for each other through thick and thin. I miss my Colorado family so much and can’t wait to see them this summer. I need to get over the mountains to see my WV family. And I love my FixIt family here in town. I am so grateful to have family to love and be loved by.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/16/were-back-in-business.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/15/i-missed-the-wedding.html", "title": "I Missed the Wedding!", "content_html": "\n
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Y’all…I had a long and busy day yesterday and by the time I got home, I was exhausted. The kitchen was a mess from all this sourdough stuff so I had to clean it before I fixed supper, then clean it after. You know how that is. Later, when I was ready to go out to the camper to write, I sent a note to my sister-in-law congratulating them for my nephew’s wedding. Then I said, “I’m really looking forward to seeing you on the live feed of the wedding tomorrow.” She responded, “We’re at the wedding now!”

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I was crushed and just burst into tears. I thought for sure it was on Saturday…or maybe I thought yesterday was Thursday…but when I looked at my calendar, there it was! I called Mr. FixIt in the house and cried on the phone with him. Sweet man came out and hugged me. My S-I-L sent me a few pictures. That lifted my spirits. It was a gorgeous setting and they are such a beautiful couple!

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It was just a long week with Mr. Virgo’s Angelversary, our friend’s health news, doing the income taxes, paying the other taxes, and then missing the BIG EVENT…it was just the straw that broke the camel’s back, so I’m cutting this short. A good night’s sleep will do wonders for my disposition. And now, since there isn’t a wedding tonight…I don’t have to miss our oldest WV granddaughter’s birthday party at the bowling alley tonight!

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I’ll be back tomorrow.

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💚

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“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.””   Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for my sister-in-law and her family. She is Hubby #2’s little sister. I know that in some divorces, you lose your spouse’s family as well. I would have none of that nonsense. She’s been my baby sister since I met her when we visited her dorm at college and wasn’t about to let anyone or anything split me away from them unless that’s what THEY wanted. I’m so proud of them all. 
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/15/i-missed-the-wedding.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/12/today-is-mr-virgos-th.html", "title": "Today is Mr. Virgo's 12th Angelversary", "content_html": "\n
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The time keeps marching forward… further away from the actual loss. That doesn't mean he's gone from my memory or my heart.

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For those of you who are grieving the loss of your special person, my heart is with you. Your grief is the worst in the world for the precise reason…it is YOURS. You watch the world around you in a dazed fog, trying to figure out which is worse…accepting their death or pretending they're just away on a trip. You feel like half of you is missing. You can't imagine living another day, let alone a week, a month, or years. I hear you. I didn't either. You move from thing to thing, mindlessly. You don't eat much, and when you do, it's likely a bowl of cereal standing over the sink. You spend money you shouldn't because you thing, \"Why not? There's no way I'm going to survive this so I might as well spend to soothe.\" That's not a viable coping strategy…trust me. You lose all the color from your world…there's no music, or feelings, or hope, it seems. But, let me tell you…there is hope. I'm here as proof.

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With less money, more wrinkles, and changes that can't even be described. But one day, you'll see colors. You'll hear music. and the tears will gradually be replaced with a gentle smile from a memory of your loved one. There will still be waves from time to time, but they don't drown you anymore.

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Ever forward.

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Ginny

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/12/today-is-mr-virgos-th.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Comfort","Change","Memories","Healing","Heaven"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/08/memories-of-my-moms-kitchen.html", "title": "Memories of my Mom’s Kitchen", "content_html": "\n
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Image created with Meta AI

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I’ve talked to you before about my mom’s kitchen. It had never been updated…not for want of me trying to convince her. I think Mr. FixIt has a hard time with change? That woman…as wonderful as she was…did not want anything changed, save for the occasional fresh coat of paint or maybe window curtains.

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When she died and I was left to fix the house up to sell, the kitchen was the first thing I tackled after the belongings were dispersed. I talked to Wanda Belle a lot in those months living in my childhood home. It was healing and cathartic and made me wish she would have let me do this for her.

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Mom was NOT a very good cook. I’ve told you the story of her making her hamburger gravy down by adding instant coffee, right? But there were two things she made that were out of this world…Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Potato Soup. They were legendary and she always fixed them for me when I came home to visit.

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I’ve tried to make my potato soup taste like hers to no avail. Maybe it tasted so wonderful because my tastebuds were young. Remember when you just just taste the green of a hot summer day? But, I’m more inclined to think the cake and the soup were so delicious because my mom made them for me. There was love in every bite. I miss that. I miss HER.

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There’s never an easy time to lose your mom. Mr. FixIt lost his mom when she was in her 50’s. My mom was 78, and I thought that was way too young to lose her. That’s only six years older than I am. I remember when I thought 78 was ancient. Thinking changes when you’re slipping into the last decade or two of your life. Suddenly 78 doesn’t sound so old.

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Mr. FixIt took good care of me yesterday. I sat in my Big Red Chair on a heating pad all day and he made supper…a grilled ham and cheese sandwich and a bowl of my potato soup warmed up. It was so warm and soothing. 

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Kinda like a hug from my mom.

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🩵

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“but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.”   ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for warm memories of my mom…I can look at my hands and see hers more and more as I age. I’m grateful for a loving husband that takes care of me when I’m not feeling strong. I’m grateful I can walk in the kitchen and pull fresh food from the fridge and pantry to feed us, draw fresh water from the tap with a twist of the wrist, a soft place to lay my head, and a safe roof over my head. I have been rich and I have been poor. The key to a good life is being grateful no matter where you’re standing.
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(Image created with Meta AI)

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/08/memories-of-my-moms-kitchen.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/01/coyotes-at-three.html", "title": "Coyotes at Three", "content_html": "\n
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I had a hard time getting to sleep Thursday night. I tossed and turned and just could not settle my mind and body. I finally started to drift off when a pack of coyotes started howling…close! The must have been down along the creek at the edge of the near field. It wasn’t long and they were off again, but if you haven’t heard that eerie ruckus, let me tell you…it makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck. I woke up every hour the rest of the night and awoke having a very weird dream. As I’m writing this Friday night at 10:00, I’m sure hoping I have a better night’s sleep.

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Mr. FixIt is trying to fix the lid on the console in his truck. We’ve been working on it for the last couple of weeks. A new one costs $700!!! And we can’t find just the piece that’s broken. I’ve suggested we use magnets to hold it closed so that’s the next thing we’ll explore. I mean…it’s a 2007. We’re not sinking a lot of money in it.

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We had a nice dinner for a change last night. I made Southern Shrimp and Grits. Oh, it is SO good. We had enough leftover to have a bit for lunch today. Daughter #2 is feeling a little better…still pretty tired. Hubby #2 had his dialysis catheter removed yesterday! His kidney numbers are looking so much better…almost completely normal. He told me last night that, in 2024, only 300 people over the age of 65 had dual transplants. A sobering thought…he is a member of an elite club and that privilege is not lost on him. He and his wife went to church right after the procedure yesterday to give thanks. We are all so grateful to still have him. And so appreciative of all your thoughts and prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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It’s supposed to be a little cooler here for a few days. I do believe Tuesday might be the first night I get to sleep in the camper! The low that night is predicted to be 53° and that’s quite comfortable for sleeping.

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And here it is….March!!! I always feel like I’ve finally made it through winter when March comes to West Virginia. Wahooooo!!!

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☘️

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“Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.”   ‭‭Hosea‬ ‭6‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for the good news about Hubby #2’s health. My kid’s dad is a pretty special guy and he is loved by so many. I’m so happy he gets another chance at life!
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-01T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/01/coyotes-at-three.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/02/27/baking-day-at-marshmallow-ranch.html", "title": "Baking Day at Marshmallow Ranch", "content_html": "\n
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I’m finally getting a rhythm with this baking. I’ve found a recipe that I like and can replicate if I keep myself on task and don’t get distracted by sparklies. I fed my starter on Tuesday afternoon when I got home from the farm. It had more than doubled by bedtime so I started the levain. A levain is an interim step between the feed and mixing the dough. You add starter, flour, and water. It’s really like a BIG starter. (This recipe uses a cup and a half of levain.) Then you cover it and let it set out on the counter overnight.

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I used my go-to Ruth’s Soft Sourdough Sandwich Master Recipe. I can make two loaves of bread, a small pan of cinnamon rolls, and a pizza from one batch of dough. It’s nice to get so much in return for a few hours in the kitchen. It all came out great but I think I let the cinnamon rolls bake about five or ten minutes too long. They were just a little tough. You can see the glaze is a rich caramel color. I added some coffee to it and it really added a new dimension to the flavor palette.

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There was a real feel of spring yesterday. It got up to 67° and was just lovely. Walking out in that just feels like velvet on your winter-parched skin. Mr. FixIt and I worked on the center console of his truck. The latch broke and we were trying to get the pieces out. So far, we haven’t found a place to buy the replacement latch…but we’ll keep looking.

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Daughter #2 came home from the hospital late yesterday afternoon. She’ll need oxygen and home nebulizer treatments for three weeks but she says she’s breathing much better now. Her wife is still pretty sick but she doesn’t have asthma so fortunately she’s not as bad. I sent them some ginger ale and Gatorade Tuesday night so they’d have it the rest of the week. #2 doesn’t have to go back to work till Saturday, so hopefully she’s feeling up to it. They’ve been very accommodating at work.

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It’s back to the taxes today. Argh…not my favorite time of year. I sure hope I find those external hard drives soon!

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🩵

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“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful that my daughter was discharged from the hospital and is on the road to recovery. Prayers answered! Continue praying for their health and for all who are suffering illnesses that are spreading.
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#Baking, #Sourdough, #Family, #Healing

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-02-27T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/02/27/baking-day-at-marshmallow-ranch.html", "tags": ["Family","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/02/25/at-home-in-the-country.html", "title": "At Home in the Country", "content_html": "\n
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When I was growing up in West Virginia, I could hardly wait to get out of there. I saw the place as old and behind the times. I wanted something…anything but what was here. When Hubby #1 joined the Air Force, I was thrilled to get out and see the world and live a more exciting life than what Appalachia could afford us. 

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Our first station was in England and was an amazing experience. But I was homesick…not so much for WV, but for my family. We decided to have a baby and Daughter #1 came along a year later. Life then took us to Colorado, the marriage fell apart, Hubby #2 came along and ten years later Daughter #2 followed. When marriage fell apart again and eventually Mr. Virgo entered the picture and I thought…this is where I’ll spend the rest of my days.

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Well, just like John Lennon said, life is what happens when you’re making other plans. Mr. Virgo died and West Virginia beckoned once again. My life came full circle. I had dreams of a home in the country, but it just didn’t pan out in Colorado. I thought I had become ever so sophisticated…being a doctor’s wife and living in the big city. The closest to living in the country I ever got was the first house Hubby #2 and I bought. A five bedroom log house on two acres with a commanding view of the Flattops Wilderness Area.

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Living with Mr. FixIt on our five acres is wonderful. But nothing compares to sitting on the front porch at my Grandma’s old house. It recharges me. As I sat out there yesterday afternoon…the sunbeams on my face…I searched my mind for other memories sitting on this porch. Sunday afternoons when the neighbors showed up for a visit and a cup of coffee with a sliver of pie. Sitting by my grandma stringing green beans for the canner. Watching my kids catch lightning bugs in a jar. 

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So much warmth and memories here. A life in the country is such a blessing. Spring is on the horizon and I’m here for it.

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🩵

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PS: After I wrote this last evening, Daughter #2 let me know she was being admitted to the hospital with this terrible respiratory illness that’s going around. Her wife stayed with her at the ER till they said they were admitting her and then went home. She’s coming down with the same thing. I would really appreciate it if you would send up some prayers for them both! 

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🙏🏼

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“The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.”   ‬‬ ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭41‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for the excellent care my daughter will receive at the hospital. I worked in the Professional Building there for years and it’s the best! I’m grateful she has much better coping strategies today to keep her anxiety in check. 
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-02-25T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/02/25/at-home-in-the-country.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Overcoming Obstacles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/02/24/shine.html", "title": "‘Shine", "content_html": "\n
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Screenshot
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I stumbled on this listing on FB Marketplace. For the bargain price of $300, you too can own a still! Gone are the days of bootleggin’ corn likker…or are they? This little home model says there might be some squeezin’s being made back in the hollers of the Appalachias. It’s still illegal to make…but, as long as you’re not runnin’ a big outfit, I doubt you’ll see any revenues coming to bust up your still.

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The name “moonshine” was coined to describe the making of home brew under the light of the moon. Moonshiners needed to work under the cover of darkness to keep their stills from being discovered. The still itself was made out of copper. It came apart in pieces to ensure a quick getaway if word got around the law was on your trail. 

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Bootleg, firewater, home brew, hooch, stump water, skull cracker, wildcat were all colloquial names for moonshine. It’s rose in popularity during Prohibition when home distillers made whiskey, filling Mason jars with the coveted elixir and “running” it through the hills to all manner of folks. Farmers, coal miners, young boys itching to be men too fast for their own good. There are numbers on the bottom of Mason jars and those ‘shiners would break every one of them that had a “13” on them. They figured that was bad luck and they were a superstitious lot.

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My Uncle Bud told me a story about my grandma. Seems Pop-Pop’s half-brother came for a visit one time, back in the day. That side of the family was a lot rougher than my side and Grandma wouldn’t have it. When the fella got out of his car, Grandmas saw him kinda sneak off to the crick. When he came back out, he adjusted his belt a little to let folks think he’d been down there “watering the grass.”

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You would have to get up pretty early to pull one over on my grandma. When the menfolk went around the back of the house and the half-brother was busy rolling a cigarette, Grandma walked out the front door and down to the crick to see what was what. Well, she found that jar of moonshine and smashed it to smithereens on the rocks. The fella’s precious hooch was snakin’ down the branch to feed the fishes.

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Oh, was that man fit to be tied when he went to take a snort and all he saw was shards of glass and a wet spot. But, I’m tellin’ you what, he had sense enough not to say a word to Grandma when he saw the icy glare she gave him. No sir…she wouldn’t abide such foolishness.

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Grandma called all liquor “hootypog.” Hudepohl Beer was established in 1885. It’s been one of the most beloved breweries in Cincinnati and is known for not only its delicious brews, but also the inspiration for the famous chant…”Who Dey” at Bengals games. Apparently, Grandma saw an ad one time for Hudepohl Beer and extrapolated it to cover all forms of alcohol. When Pop-Pop drove her to town every couple of weeks for groceries, she’d warn him if the driver in front of them was weaving, or if the car had a dent. She’d say, “Now, you back off away from that feller, Mart…he’s been in the hootypog!” PopPop would just smile and do as he was told. 

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Grandma always had a good story to tell. I guess the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it?

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💜

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“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful to still have the opportunity to hang out at my grandma’s house and feel the memories and the stories wash over me with every sound, sight, and smell.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-02-24T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/02/24/shine.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/02/22/stories-and-updates.html", "title": "Stories and Updates", "content_html": "\n
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First, I wanted to give you an update on Hubby #2. He had the kidney transplant on Monday and was released from the hospital yesterday. They’ve rented an Air B&B to stay close for doctor’s appointments for a while. He reported to me yesterday that the kidney is working like a charm. I want to thank you all for your continued prayers. God is good…all the time!

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I saw something come across my FB feed yesterday. There were some old photos of the area around the New River Gorge and the Hawk’s Nest Rock Overlook here in WV. I never visited this area till much later in life…probably in my forties. But as I was growing up, my grandma talked about Hawk’s Nest. I can’t quite remember what she used to say about it. She had a saying for everything. Like “A dime’s worth a smell o’ my jug.” Or “Wish in one hand, spit in the other…you get just as far.” When I would tell her about one of my hare-brained scheme about traveling somewhere, I seem to remember her saying “She’s a goin’ to Hawk’s Nest.” Meaning, it was a fool’s errand. She was a pip!

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I saved a portion of my bread dough the other day so I made homemade pizza for supper last last night. It’s so much better than restaurant pizza. I’m really enjoying all this baking. I was a little worried because I hadn’t weighed myself for a week or so. I was sure I’d gained weight from all these yummy baked goods. However, I got on the scale yesterday morning and it was exactly the same. I know I gained a few pounds after I got back from Colorado, but I’ve maintained the same weight all winter. I should be able to start losing in the spring when I become more active. 

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Warm weather is coming, kids! Hang in there!

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💜

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“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for Hubby #2’s healing and friendship. It took us a lot of work to mend some fences and the fact that he is doing this well is a miracle.
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#Family, #Healing, #Pizza

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-02-22T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/02/22/stories-and-updates.html", "tags": ["Family","Baking","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/02/13/dismantling-christmas-and-getting-good.html", "title": "Dismantling Christmas and Getting Good News", "content_html": "\n
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Ever since the Covid lockdown, I’ve left the Christmas tree up till Super Bowl Sunday. We were so excited by the game, I didn’t even think of it. Mr. FixIt had an appointment in town yesterday so I stayed home and started taking the Christmas decorations down. And of course, since I’m a multitasker, I started a triple batch of Kate’s Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread…my new go-to for baking bread, rolls, pizza crust, and cinnamon rolls. As I write this, it’s 11:00pm and I’m going to be up late baking again. Actually, I kinda like having the house quiet while I work on projects.

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I received some good news yesterday. Hubby #2 has been getting dialysis three times a week since his kidneys stopped working after his heart transplant. The last few weeks, he’s been having tests to see if he could get approved for a new kidney and he finally got the call Tuesday. He’s on the list! His transplant team are perfectionists so the kidney has to be an exact match. It could be this week, or next. We don’t know. But I know he covets your prayers so if you would please pray for the right donor for him, we would all be so appreciative.

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This last year has been very difficult for our family. With nearly losing my daughter’s dad and my other daughter’s mother-in-law, we’ve all grown so much closer. In 2000, my second marriage didn’t end well and there was a lot of lingering pain. As I was walking through all that, I decided my anger wasn’t helping anyone. So, whenever he popped into my mind, I prayed earnestly for his happiness and for God to heal my family. Being the instant gratification girl that I am, I wanted it done in a hurry…thank you very much. Over time, that prayer turned into my salvation as I came to Christ in 2004. 

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Hubby #2 went on to marry a wonderful Christian woman. And I met and married Mr. Virgo. We were both happy for the other, but there was still a difficult distance. As you know by my embrace of Mrs. FixIt 1.0, I wish always to have a familial relationship with my exes. I think it’s better for us and better for the kids. As you can imagine, facing the prospects of an early death created a spiritual journey for #2 and Jesus created an awakening in him that opened his heart to a renewed friendship with me. We text when he’s in dialysis. I share spiritual messages with him and I know how much he appreciates that. When I see a short video when a message, I copy it into a message and leave it in my phone. As the two days between dialysis pass, I add more so that when he’s at the kidney center, he’ll have good things to contemplate. This has healed both of our hearts immeasurably and takes me back to those early prayers in 2000.

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“Lord, heal my family.” And look what He’s done! More than I could have ever imagined. 

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God is Good…ALL the time!

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🙏🏼

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“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***  Today I am grateful for the friendship and fellowship I enjoy with my former husband. God not only healed my family…He gave us a totally new relationship. We are now brother and sister in Christ and I couldn’t ask for anything more beautiful than that. 

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-02-13T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/02/13/dismantling-christmas-and-getting-good.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Baking","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/02/10/fly-eagles-fly.html", "title": "Fly Eagles Fly!", "content_html": "\n
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OMGosh! Did y’all watch that Super Bowl game??? Mr. Virgo was a diehard Eagles fan so I have to root for them. I’m nearly hoarse from screaming with every sack and touch down. Now, don’t get me wrong…I really like the Chiefs and I think Mahomes is a talented quarterback. But, if they’re up against the birds…I gotta go with Philly.

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I’m always eager to see the Super Bowl commercials and I have to say…I loved all the messages of peace and love and kindness. I always love the commercials from He Gets Us. They had an uplifting message that spoke of Jesus’ attributes. This year’s message was about greatness. Jesus’ idea of what being great really means. You can find it HERE.

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I think the funniest commercial was for Doritos where the aliens are trying to “beam up” his bag of chips. I thought the puppy-monkey-baby was ridiculous. And, while I like some rap, I don’t care for Kendrick Lamar or explicit lyrics. Not that you could make out anything he said. I even went on the internet to get the lyrics for his playlist and, besides being riddled with profanity…I just didn’t get it. It was like reading Greek. I guess I’m too old for this. Edit: I actually read an article that explains it. I kept telling Mr. FixIt that it felt like a protest song but I wasn’t getting it. Turns an out, that’s exactly what it was. It was about racism. Now I I get it.

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I’m going to knitting group this morning and other than Mr. FixIt having a medical appointment on Wednesday, we don’t have anything scheduled. That is fine with me. When we don’t leave the house, I don’t add miles to my truck and I don’t spend money. Win-Win! 

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Hope you had a nice weekend. We’re supposed to get another snowstorm tomorrow into Wednesday so it’s nice to be cozy in the house.

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💜

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“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for the technology that allows me to see my Colorado family via FaceTime. I really miss them and I love catching up on Sundays. 
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#SuperBowl, #Eagles, #hegetsus

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-02-10T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/02/10/fly-eagles-fly.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/02/03/another-monday-morning.html", "title": "Another Monday Morning", "content_html": "\n
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No one told us when we were growing up that we’d get to a certain age and our family members and friends and peers would die at what seems like an alarming rate. I hate to admit I’m that person who looks at the obits…almost first thing in the morning. I’m not only looking locally, but I’m also checking the obits in the area where I lived in Colorado. It’s maudlin.

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Every week it seems there’s someone else. For Mr. FixIt, too. He was an engineer in one of the local plants and a lot of his workers were smokers and drank a bit. They lived a hard life so he’s lost a lot in the last few years. It’s sad to see so many of our classmates gone, as well. I keep track of them on our class page and the number keeps going up.

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We spent a lazy weekend at home. We have a family member in the hospital that we are praying for. I baked two dozen sourdough English muffins yesterday. I made them a little smaller this time…mainly to cut the calories per portion. But these are a little too small. They’ll still be eaten though. I need to make sourdough sandwich bread today. We’ve gone through two loaves in a little over a week. I store it in the fridge to reduce the risk of molding. I can’t believe my weight is staying stable with eating all this bread! As long as I don’t pack on the pounds over the winter, I can lose more when I get more active. We’ll be mowing before you know it.

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Time marches on, doesn’t it? I’m sharing a post from February 2020. The world didn’t know Covid yet, but it soon would. It’s about my elderly aunt that I came from Colorado to help in her last years. It’s another lesson in loss.

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\n[www.marshmallowranch.com/when-you-...](https://www.marshmallowranch.com/when-you-know-its-time/)\n
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“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

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‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***

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Today I am grateful for the friendship of the former Mrs. FixIt. She is such a dear person and I cherish her.

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#eldercare, #dementia, #family

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-02-03T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/02/03/another-monday-morning.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/01/13/bowling-with-the-birthday-boy.html", "title": "Bowling With the Birthday Boy", "content_html": "\n
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Our middle great-grandson turned five last week. He’s three-and-a-half feet of pure love. I raised girls. I didn’t have a clue what to do with boys till this one came along. He’s tender-hearted, artistic, and into Sonic the Hedgehog. He loves pizza and blue frosting on his cupcakes. He is Papaw’s boy, for sure. But when he sees me, he runs over and melts into me like a puddle of butter. He strokes my hair and lays his ear against my chest to hear my heartbeat. And best of all, he doesn’t squirm away from me when he’s done. He seems to understand I need to hug him just a few seconds longer and waits patiently till I let him go. When he climbs down off my lap, he turns to me with all that innocence and says, “I yuv you, GiGi.” Soft and quiet, like it’s our little secret. I could eat him up with a spoon!

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We can learn a lot from our great-grandchildren. They are our last chance to get it right. They don’t see a single ugly thing in the world. They know nothing about the dark things that jump out at us adults in the crevices of our minds. They aren’t anticipating worryful things like when the life we know starts spinning out of control. All they know is to love because they are not so far from the Source.

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I read a piece yesterday by Garrison Keillor of Lake Wobegon fame. The gist of the story was how he plans to live the next four years. He pointed out he doesn’t check his blood pressure every day. Nor does he check the balance of his IRA or the WNBA standings or the air quality index. So why should he stay glued to a social media feed or the so-called news to map out every move everyone is making? Then reading the commentary of folks who should know better but don’t because they weren’t taught the gentle art of critical thinking? He plans to read the news he trusts, digesting what he needs to know to be an informed citizen. Other than that, he’s going to do things like crossword puzzles and leave the rest of the lunacy alone.

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I get it. This is going to be a heck of a ride we’re about to embark on. Why make it hard on ourselves and chase every story down when most of it is a smokescreen anyway? I will stay informed, but I’m not going to obsess over every little thing or it will make me crazy. I’m reminded of the wonderful psychiatrist who pulled my fat out of the fire when my world tilted in 2000. My twenty-one year marriage was dying on the vine and all I could do was watch. I obsessed over everything my ex was saying to me, trying to figure out how I could “fix” this…even though there wasn’t any “this” to fix. I thought, if I had a diagnosis or a self-help book that could make me understand what was “wrong” with me, I could make it all ok again. This wonderfully insightful physician looked at me for a long moment and said, “You know, Ginny…sometimes you have to just go out there and live your life.”

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Wow…deep.

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He was absolutely right, you know. I couldn’t “make” anyone do anything…no matter how much I wanted them to or how much I prayed for reconciliation. I just needed to turn away and live my life. For my kids. And for me. There’s too much information out there. When did the world think we needed to know what the weather is in Bangladesh or Nairobi or Reykjavik at any given moment? I don’t need to read some dumb headline like, “Florida Man Arrested for Pooping on Opossum in Public”. (Seriously, that is a real headline!) Let me just live my life, plant my light on a hill, and do the best I can. That’s all I ask. I didn’t live all these years to die from stress. I can guarantee I will NOT be laying on my death bed and say, “Gosh, I just wish I would have spent more time worrying about what others do.”

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It was John Godfrey Saxe, an American poet, who said, “Laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion as we know how they are made.” In other words, “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.” Find a news source you trust to be the most honest and who tells it like it is, and turn off all that noise. Contrary to the opinions of some, that is NOT putting your head in the sand. Consider your health and well-being a valuable commodity. Where do you want to spend it? We only have an infinite number of days on this go ‘round. Why don’t you be a little more like Bubby and go bowling on your birthday…with Sonic the Hedgehog. And eat a blue cupcake!

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❄️🩵❄️

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“My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion,”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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#sanity #mentalhealth #currentevents #children #wisdom

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-01-13T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/01/13/bowling-with-the-birthday-boy.html", "tags": ["Family","Wisdom"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/08/08/a-good-heart.html", "title": "A Good Heart", "content_html": "\n
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A lot went on during our trip out west. Things I wasn’t at liberty to talk about at the time but I’ve since gotten permission to share. I haven’t told you a lot of things so I’ll go back in time to catch you up. Three years ago, we went to Colorado in September for my brother’s 70th birthday party. Hubby #2 was there with his wife because we’re all still family and we love each other. I noticed his ankles were really swollen. The first thought that came to mind was, “Something’s wrong with his heart.” I’ve worked in medicine much of my life…I know some things.

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A few months later, he called me to tell me he had a genetic abnormality that caused an enzyme secreted by the liver to harden his heart. There is no cure. There was only one option at the time and that was a medication. It wouldn’t cure the problem, but it could extend his life by a couple of years. The only thing was, the medicine was $125,000 a year. Big Pharma had the corner on the market for people with this very rare condition. We all prayed for him and the gears turned quickly. He was able to get the medication but it was still $1500 a month out of pocket. I’m just grateful he could afford the drug…too, too many cannot.

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The medication did its thing and Hubby #2 indeed had a pretty good couple of years. Till he didn’t. He had an elective surgery then things went downhill quickly. The day we left for our trip to Colorado, I got three calls. My brother was on his way to the ER with chest pain, elevated pulse, and his blood pressure was dropping. My son-in-law’s parents came down with covid. AND, my second husband was being admitted to the hospital for IV medication to get some of the excess fluid out of his body. 

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The trip didn’t get started on the right foot.

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Fortunately, my brother was fine. He just needed some fluids. We made other arrangements to give Ben and Sue time to get over Covid. But there was still no improvement with Hubby #2. He was told the medicine wasn’t working anymore and the only option left was a heart transplant. He called me again to let me know he had lived a good life…he was ready to go. There are three genetic mutations that could cause his disease. Two with bad news…one with good. He thought his genetic mutation was one of the bad ones. That meant, even if he went ahead and got a transplant, the enzyme would harden the new heart and he’d be in the same position in two more years. He didn’t want to get a heart that could truly help someone if he was just going to die anyway in a relatively short time.

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Twenty-four hours later, the entire situation changed. It turned out Hubby #2 had the wild gene…the good one. They were transferring him to Denver for an intensive three days of testing to see if he was a good candidate for a transplant. He told me he was so scared. I told him, “Listen…you’re a doctor. You know you get all the facts first then make a decision. Go. Get the testing. If you aren’t up for it, we’re behind you 100%. Nobody is going to hate you for your decision. If you decide to get the transplant, we’ll be right there making sure you have everything you need. We've got you. God’s got you.”

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His is a story of courage, bravery, and faith. Hubby #2 went on a rocky ride tangling with these three character traits when he looked death in the face. He had excellent mentors to counsel him on his walk. And he has a wife of strong faith to encourage him, to stand beside him and love him through all of this. He had a successful transplant on July 3rd…the day we got to Ben and Sue’s house. Counting the time before he was transferred to Denver, he spent eight weeks in the hospital. He was discharged from the hospital the day we left Colorado to come home. He still has to stay in Denver till three months after the surgery before he can go to his own house.

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I’m so proud of him. It took incredible strength to do what he did. And, I’m so happy for him. My heart breaks for the family who lost a loved one in order to save one of our own. I hope they find comfort knowing there are lives out there saved by their selfless and beautiful gift. I am forever grateful my children didn’t lose their dad and there wasn’t another widow among the ranks.

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God’s hand was on this situation from the beginning.

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Please, if you can…become a donor so you can help others have the chance to live better lives. It means the whole world to the recipients.

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💖

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“Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.”

\nProverbs 27:19 MSG\n
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#hearttransplant, #heartdisease, #family, #courage, #strength, #bravery, #faith

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-08-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/08/08/a-good-heart.html", "tags": ["Faith","Health","Family","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/06/22/loving-the-water.html", "title": "Loving the Water", "content_html": "\n
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When my mom was a young girl, she saved her baby sister from drowning while she herself did not know how to swim. Instead of taking it upon herself to learn how and avoid such situations in the future, she made darn sure she was never in or near the water again. She also made sure we stayed away from it, too. Thus, I spent the majority of my life scared to death of water.

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I did venture into the pool a little bit when I was a teenager. But my fear of water kept me from doing so many things I later learned to enjoy. I have only learned enough to be able to (more than likely) save myself from drowning. I’ve kayaked on the Ohio River and in a reservoir. And I’ve been on pleasure boats and sternwheelers. I’m much more comfortable in and around water than I used to be. Which comes in handy when you have a pool in your back yard.

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After my difficult day on Thursday, I needed a bit of a break yesterday. I slept in late. I fixed our favorite breakfast. Then Mrs. FixIt 1.0 came over in the afternoon for a visit. She needed a piece of plywood and Mr. FixIt fetched one for her from the “hardware store” we call the building out back. We made sure she brought her suit so we could swim. We spent a couple of hours out there till the sun was beating down on our heads and we called it quits.

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I fixed us a nice lunch and we just had such a lovely time. I really enjoy her company. She brought me a birthday present, too! All kinds of different doo-dahs for knitting that will come in handy when mowing season is over. Many people are surprised that the former wife and the current wife are friends. It doesn’t work for all women, but I think it’s healthier and better for everyone involved…especially the kids. Even though they are grown, it makes life so much easier for them when they don’t feel split loyalties.

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I’m enjoying this Ninja Creami. I’m experimenting with different recipes and ingredients. I had a chocolate ice cream last night that was very good, but I made it with coconut cream instead of dairy and there was so much fat in it, it coated the roof of my mouth and I don’t like that. It’s a work in progress and I’m bound to come up with the perfect combination for a creamy non-dairy ice cream. 

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Today is supposed be the last day of the heat wave that has gripped most of the country for the last week. The heat advisory is due to expire at 8:00 this evening and we may have storms tomorrow. That will cool things off a bit. And by a bit, I mean the high 80’s instead of the high 90’s. My friend Sharon’s funeral service will be held tomorrow afternoon. 

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Life is so precious and fragile and it goes by way too fast. Be sure to tell people you love them…early and often. We never know when it will be the last time and a missed opportunity weighs heavily on your mind.

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🩵

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“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

\nPsalm 4:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-06-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/06/22/loving-the-water.html", "tags": ["Family","Wisdom","Strength"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/06/16/a-full-day-of-fun.html", "title": "A Full Day of Fun!", "content_html": "\n
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I woke up at 5:30! The sun coming in the window and shining on my legs makes me hot and wakes me up. Then, of course, there are the Red-Shouldered Hawks making a ruckus bright and early. I had to get up at 7:00 anyway…what’s another ninety minutes, eh? I put away everything in the camper and got it ready to tow into town, then went in to make sure Mr. FixIt was up. Mr. FixIt Jr. was coming over to help his dad cut down trees while I took the camper into town.

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When I scheduled the appointment at one of the local RV dealers, I asked for the bearings to be repacked. I was assured they could do that. When I got there, the guy came right out and got to work. He said I didn’t have to unhook the camper and I could just sit in the truck. I was looking at my phone and caught a glimpse of the fellow crouched down by the wheel on the camper. I looked closer and all he was doing was putting axle grease in the fitting. When he came around to tell me he was finished, I questioned that because repacking the bearings is much more involved than that. He said I had a different kind of fitting and you don’t have to repack the bearings till you get your brakes checked. 

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He led me to the office to pay and when I saw the bill, I nearly swallowed my teeth! $107! To put 2-3 pumps of axle grease in the nipple? I don’t think so! I reminded the woman that I had asked for the bearings to be repacked and she had told me they would be. I told her if I would have known all he was going to do was pump grease into the hub, I could have done that myself. I was kind, yet firm. She listened and compromised and cut the bill in half. No need to burn bridges on either end. They were accommodating to get me in on short notice and I appreciated that.

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As I was leaving, I asked if she could direct me to the place when I could fill up the propane tank. It turns out, they fill them at the service center so I got that job done at the same time. The next stop was the tire shop. Again, I didn’t have an appointment, but they weren’t that busy and were able to fit me in. Having only one axle simplifies things because there are only two tires to change. They also checked the spare…and cleaned out the big wasp nest that was under the tire cover.

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Next up, the dump station. I found one closer than the one I usually use and that made things easier. But when I was getting out of the truck to get started, I reached for my camper keys and they weren’t where I normally keep them. I looked everywhere…no luck. I thought back and the only place I could have left them was at the camper dealership. Fortunately, I ordered some spare keys early this spring for just this reason. We got the camper with only one key, so if we lost that, we’d be out of luck. I stashed on in the truck, one on the camper key ring, and one on Mr. FixIt’s key ring. I got in the storage bay for my tools and cleaned the tanks…easy-peasy. When I was finished with the tanks, I circled back to the camper place and there were my keys! 

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I hurried home, unhooked the camper, and got it set up. Mr. FixIt & Son were cutting down trees when I got there. They called me over to video them cutting the big one down. It fell exactly where it was supposed to go. It was so big, it took them another couple of hours to cut it up and haul it over to the already huge brush pile. I went inside to finish with the cleaning and laundry so I could work on the meal for our family gathering. Everyone came over between 5:00 and 6:00. No one brought a bathing suit, but we still had a big time. 

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Mr. FixIt added extra chairs on the deck and we sat out there for supper. The smoked pork was wonderful! I only added wood chips twice so the smoky flavor was very subtle. I think the next time I’ll add a third load of chips to give it just a bit more smoke. Our daughter-in-law brought macaroni salad, baked beans, sliced cucumbers fresh from her dad’s garden, and a watermelon. Our granddaughter brought her homemade brownies. Mrs. FixIt 1.0 brought her yummy homemade coleslaw. We furnished the pork, chips, and four kinds of homemade ice cream. That Ninja Creami is a pretty cool gadget! I made chocolate, berry cheesecake, banana cheesecake, and pineapple sorbet. The banana cheesecake was my favorite but everyone had a little scoop of each to try them out. Served with a small brownie and topped with sugar free whipped cream in a can and it was really a nice meal. We sat out on the deck and talked for a couple of hours till it started getting a little chilly.

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Mr. FixIt had a wonderful visit with the family for Father’s Day…a day early. Now he can just rest today. So, we have leftovers, a clean house, and warm memories. It doesn’t get much better than that, does it?

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🩵

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““Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

\n‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-06-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/06/16/a-full-day-of-fun.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Holiday","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/06/15/finallyrain.html", "title": "Finally…RAIN!", "content_html": "\n
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Not my kitchen…but I‘d love to have one just like it!

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It’s been so dry here the last two or three weeks. I mean, it sprinkled a couple of times, but not enough to make the sidewalk wet. We kept getting storm warnings all day and it finally hit at 8:00…just as soon as Mr. FixIt left to run across town for some things at Piggly Wiggly. It’s been so hot this week and Sunday ushers in a week in the 90’s. 

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I have an appointment first thing this morning to get the wheel bearings repacked on the camper. It’s customary to get this done every 10,000 miles and we’re quickly pushing that. I went out last night before the rain hit and hooked up so all I need to do this morning is drive out I need to get back quickly because we’re having the WV family over this evening for a cookout. I saved the smoked pork for the occasion. I’m learning in this “seasoned age” to delegate. I don’t have to cook ALL the things to be the perfect hostess. I mixed up several bases for ice cream and put it in the freezer. Pineapple Cream, Banana, Berry Cheesecake, and Chocolate. A taste for everyone.

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One of the Facebook pages I follow focuses on Vintage Kitchens. Someone shared a photo with the message “If you’re feeling stressed right now, then here’s a Grandma kitchen to help you relax.” I love looking at these vintage kitchens and indeed, they do make me feel relaxed. We never had a pretty kitchen like these two photos at home or out at Grandma’s house. But I have been in homes that looked like this. Hubby #2 and I lived in three different houses in Denver that had vintage kitchens and I loved them.

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I think these kitchens suit me, being an earth mother country girl. If I had unlimited funds, I would build a house that is identical to Grandma’s. I’d build it on the lot we own on the outskirts of town. I’d paint it red with white trim and have a galvanized tin roof that plays the music from a gentle rain. I’d have wide plank flooring, white cabinets with windows in the doors. I’d have a deep, wide farm sink with a double window over it that looks out on the garden. I’d have a great reproduction vintage gas cookstove and a fridge to match. 

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It’s never too late to have dreams and it’s never too late to make them a reality. We are of an age where we live on a fixed income. So a windfall would need to manifest itself in order to make these dreams come true. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, right? I keep picturing my book, finished and doing well. This thing is NOT going to finish itself. I need to either make the commitment to publish it…or let it go. I’m not willing to just let it go, so I guess I’m going to have to double down and get it done. That may mean a sabbatical from writing this blog for a little bit while I focus on the book. I’m thinking I might do that this winter…after the mowing season is past us.

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🩵

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“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.”

\nProverbs 4:25-26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-06-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/06/15/finallyrain.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/29/field-day-at-marshmallow-ranch.html", "title": "Field Day at Marshmallow Ranch", "content_html": "\n
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All these little black and white dots are frog eggs suspended in a gelatinous substance that feeds and protects them till they grow their little tails and start swimming on their own.

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We got our usual lazy start yesterday. The weather app said the high would only be around 75° which is wonderful for working outside. The grass isn’t quite long enough to mow, so we knew our attention would be on the pool. We left it Monday evening with a chorus of green tree frogs and a little too dark for me to try to fish them out without them jumping on me. So, after our breakfast of grits and eggs, we headed out to get to work.

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I put the net on the leaf catcher and sucked up as much gunk as I could off the bottom. Once all the big stuff was up, all that was left was algae and it just filters right through the mesh bag. I switched to the skimmer to get what was floating and about that time, Mrs. FixIt 1.0 and our daughter came by on their way to the nursery on out the road.

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I had just discovered masses of gelatinous blobs containing hundreds of frog eggs. I dutifully scooped them up and carried them out to the ditch along the road so they could grow into more green tree frog and grace us with the song of their people. As I got a closer look, I noticed tadpoles swimming in the pool. This was getting serious. We have to do something before we’re overrun with these little boogers.

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I asked our daughter if she would like to take some of the eggs and tadpoles home to show the littles. She thought that was a great idea, so I got an old plastic container and filled it with water from the pool. Then slowly, scoop by scoop, I added egg masses and tadpoles. At one point, one of the tadpoles didn’t get in the jar and landed on our outdoor dining table. 

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I tried to scoop it up with the net but it was too awkward. And, there is a very long pole connected to the net. Before I knew what was happening, the long handle slipped out of my hand and hit the deck…at which point the contents of the net flipped up and hit me square in the face! Thankfully my first instinct was to shut my mouth. When I slowly opened my eyes to evaluate the situation, I realized there was a long stringy mass of frog eggs dangling form my nose!!!

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Being as cool and calm as I could muster, I scraped the eggs off my nose and the table top and dropped them into the container for the kids. Hokey smokes…I’m ALWAYS getting into something, aren’t I? lol We all had a very good laugh over that one. Off and on all day, I scooped more and more of the tadpoles out. We turned on the pump and the skimmer took care of the egg masses. 

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Next up was power washing the deck furniture. We live in such a humid environment that green algae grows all over everything if you don’t keep up with it. We didn’t use the deck that much last year, so nothing got cleaned up. Mr. FixIt sprayed down all of our furniture then I sprayed the glass topped table. I missed a few places so I’ll have to go over it with Windex and a scrubby today. 

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I don’t want to put out the new cushions till we get the deck power washed and sealed. And we can’t do that till after the pool is clean. We still need to stir up the bottom and sides of the pool with a broom then, in a day or two, we’ll be able to shut down the pump, put the new sand in it, add chemicals, and get the pump turned back on. That will be the end of the frogs in the pool! (I hope!)

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I fixed a wonderful pot of spaghetti and sauce for supper. It was cool enough to cook without heating up the whole house and we’ve missed having a real meal. After supper, we went out on the deck and sat listening for the tree frogs and watching the daylight fade away. I went in for a couple of bowls of cubed watermelon for our dessert. We were thrilled it was a good one. It was billed as seedless, but there were seeds. I like watermelon with seeds. I think they have more flavor.

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Once the lightning bugs came out and the cool of the evening came rolling in, we called it quits. It was a good, productive, and fun day visiting with our peeps and fishing out the peepers…even if I DID get egg(s) on my face! (See what I did there? lol)

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🤭

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“Their land teemed with frogs, which went up into the bedrooms of their rulers.”

\nPsalms 105:30 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/29/field-day-at-marshmallow-ranch.html", "tags": ["Family","Farm Life","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/27/decoration-day.html", "title": "Decoration Day", "content_html": "\n
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Before Congress standardized the holiday as “Memorial Day” in 1971, we called it Decoration Day. It was always on May 30th, then with the change in ‘71, it began being observed on the last Monday in May. That was the day we went to the cemetery and dressed the graves with flowers and placed American Flags for the Veterans.

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As long as I can remember, we dressed in our Sunday best clothes and went to visit my Uncle Sonny’s grave who was killed in Germany when his plane crashed on 5/5/55. I can’t remember him as the last time he saw me, I wasn’t a year old. But I’ve “known” him forever. As a matter of fact, he’s one of the special people I’ll be looking forward to meeting when I get to Heaven. 

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We also went to Ravenswood to visit my dad’s people. The thing I remember the most about that was having a picnic supper right in the cemetery. They set up sawhorses with platters of food and I’ve always thought that was so odd. Decoration Day was always a solemn affair for my family. The loss of my Uncle Sonny was a pain that seared itself into the fabric of our beings. A generational sadness that hummed just beneath the surface like an undercurrent of electricity.

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I didn’t put out flowers this year. Perhaps I’ll get some on sale after the holiday. Someone suggested you go back to the cemetery to retrieve your flower arrangements to use the following year. They aren’t cheap these days. We are supposed to have a much cooler day today than yesterday, so we may go out and visit Mr. FixIt’s people. 

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We didn’t get much of anything done yesterday. It was 85° and we had severe thunderstorm warnings from 4:00-9:00pm. It was just too hot to do much. I think we’re going to have to give in a buy a window air conditioner for the family room. There is absolutely no sense whatsoever to run the whole house AC when we aren’t back in that area. The only place we really need it is where we spend the most time.

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It’s getting to be too hot for cooking in the kitchen. It does nothing but heat up the house. So we eat a lot of salads and sandwiches when it’s this hot. We always have a hot breakfast though. I haven’t grilled out yet. And I’ve been thinking about getting some ribs or maybe a pork picnic roast for the smoker. Corn on the cob hasn’t been too bad for this time of year. Mr. FixIt bought a watermelon the other day and I’m looking forward to cutting into it today.

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And, just like that, tomorrow is June!

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🌼

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“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

\nMatthew 5:4 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/27/decoration-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/19/fireflies.html", "title": "Fireflies!!!", "content_html": "\n
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You can see a few fireflies in the hedgerow along the edge of the field. This was taken by the light of the moon.

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We saw the first fireflies of the season the night after the northern lights, up at the cemetery where Mom is buried with her family. We were amazed to see them so early, but…global warming, climate change, whatever you want to call it, it’s a real thing. I didn’t see any at the campground this week, but they are 173 miles north of us so they’re probably a couple of weeks behind.

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I got home from the campground at around 5:30 or so. Mr. FixIt wasn’t back from his golf outing yet so I ate my half of the Chinese food I picked up on the way home and went out to put the things away I bought earlier. Our Walmart store was a real mess when I got there. Something happened and ALL of their refrigerator and freezer cases, as well as the deli and bakery lost power. They were scrambling to put cardboard and plastic over all the shelves. They tied the freezer cases closed to preserve the cold. I was able to get a dozen eggs and some paper products and that was it.

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It was really gorgeous yesterday. Beautiful blue skies with huge puffy cotton-candy clouds. It was really warm…low eighties…but still comfortable. I stopped in Williamstown at my favorite dump station to empty the tanks. (Now, I ask you…how many women have a favorite dump station?) Things went smoothly…I have that chore down to a science now. When I got home, I pulled the camper around where the hookups are and filled the water tank. I was going to take a shower in the camper, then didn’t have the spoons to move everything out of the tub that I stored there for traveling. I just gave up and went inside for my ablutions. 

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There’s not a lot to do to get ready for today’s trip. Poor Mr. FixIt got himself in a pickle at the golf tournament. His ball went in an area that looked like it might have contained a pond at some point. He gauged the surface and it looked perfectly dry, however…his first step and he sunk way above his ankle. Of course, his second foot went in trying to maintain his balance and not fall into what was essentially a whole lot of muck. His son came to the rescue and grabbed his hand. His shoes came off and he had to reach down in there to get them. He finally got out and was a complete mess. A few bottles of water and golf towels later, he was presentable. That was the 3rd hole! Bless his heart. He was so sore last night and his hands were cramping up. We just don’t work like we used to. Good thing we’re going on this trip and he won’t be tempted to go out and do anything around the house.

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I told him we do NOT have to get up at the crack of dawn to get to the campground today, but I do want to get an early enough start to enjoy a little daylight when we get there. It’s about a 3-3.5 hour drive there normally, but that’s not towing a camper. It’ll be a good five hours with the camper, and we’ll need to stop at the grocery store along the way. There is no cell service up at this campground so we’ll have to check in at the general store. My missives may be sporadic, but I’m sure I’ll have stories to tell!

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As I came out to the camper last night to finally lay my head down for the night, the field was full of fireflies! Warm memories of catching fireflies with my cousins and storing them in a canning jar…convinced they would light up our rooms that very evening. This week, I get to hug my very favorite cousin that shares that memory with me.

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🩵

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“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

\nPsalms 4:8 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/19/fireflies.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/15/patience-is-a-virtue.html", "title": "Patience is a Virtue", "content_html": "\n
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Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been impatient. I couldn’t wait for Christmas and I had to look for presents. I couldn’t wait for the Easter Bunny, or my birthday, or anything else that might have a happy ending. So, after Mr. FixIt and I voted yesterday, I asked if he would care if I went camping a day early. He is so accommodating and of course he didn’t mind. So I had the camper hooked up and ready to go in an hour or two! I was so excited to see Gail and we chatted for a half hour or so then we both turned into pumpkins and had to say goodnight. I’ll get to camp here till Saturday so there’s plenty of time to visit.

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I soaked those vintage tablecloths in the Retro Clean solution for twenty-four hours then ran them through another wash and it’s amazing how well it worked. Almost all the stains came out and they’re so much brighter looking. I dried them, folded them carefully, and brought them with me to make some curtains while I’m here. 

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There is a symphony here in the woods. The frogs are calling like crazy. I saw a huge pileated woodpecker on my way up here. It was working on a rotted tree stump and looked all the world like Woody Woodpecker. I love my drive here as I follow the Ohio River the whole way. River boats and pleasure boat, fishermen floating along the banks hoping to get a mess for a fish fry. It’s the perfect time of the year to camp. Comfortably warm days with comfortably cool nights. Even though rain is in the forecast, it’s still a great place to be.

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The site I had reserved for Wednesday to Saturday was taken last night so I had to rent the one next to it. My site will open up today and I’ll just pull down one space and then I can set up the camper and unhook. 

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I received news on my way up here that my brother had to make another trip to the ER yesterday with a rapid heart rate. All his tests were negative so they sent him home, but he needs to drink more fluids. Please keep him in your prayers that he will drink more water so he won’t keep getting these wonky heart rhythms. Gail suggested they get him one of those machines that make sparkling water with flavors in it. I think that would really help him so I’ll check on that today. Bless his heart…he’s just aging so quickly and it hurts.

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🩵

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“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

\n3 John 1:2 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/15/patience-is-a-virtue.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Prayer"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/13/finding-peace-where-i-can.html", "title": "Finding Peace Where I Can Get It", "content_html": "\n
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I celebrated Mother’s Day in quite the organic way. Sleeping in the camper and waking up to the beautiful sounds of songbirds all around me was a lovely way to wake up. Mr. FixIt texting me a tender Mother’s Day greeting. Fixing a lovely breakfast of Popcorn Pancakes, turkey sausage and eggs. And a pot of decaf coffee! Going off coffee completely a couple years ago was healing to my body. I’ve replaced it with RYZE Mushroom Coffee, but I’ve still missed the occasional cuppa. Decaf has saved the day by allowing me coffee without all that buzz and acid.

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Not too long after breakfast, I told Mr. FixIt I wanted to go out and mow. He said, “Awwww, honey…you don’t need to do that.” Meaning, I didn’t need to spend Mother’s Day mowing as if it was just any other day. I smiled and said, “It’s not work…it’s meditation time!” It was a beautiful day. I started receiving messages from all my peeps to wish me a Happy Mother’s Day. Yet, it was getting along in the evening after supper and I still hadn’t heard from my girls.

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The old me would have jumped on the hamster wheel that is my brain and start imagining that they don’t love me. I would have ruminated on every minor and major mistake I ever made in parenting and concluded I was a failure at being a mom. This is what happens when you are the child of an alcoholic and suffer from childhood trauma and PTSD. Lots of therapy and personal growth has changed how I view things, how I deal with disappointments, how I live my life. It’s a much better landscape in my head these days. Once I let go of all expectations of how other people treat me or think about me or DON’T think about me…I became free to just accept the love that comes my way and give the love I have to others while keeping a generous portion for my “self”. 

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Then, lo and behold…I went out to gaze at my pollinator gardens and get some more pictures when Daughter #1 called. We had a long, lovely conversation and, this strong woman I raised (who keeps her cards close to her vest) told me she loved me. Within the hour, Daughter #2 called with the same message. I was barely off the phone when Daughter #3, my bonus WV daughter called and that made three! My daughter-in-law checked in first thing in the morning. My bonus son is a guy so, you know…it’s different with guys.

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Actually, Mr. FixIt Jr. did something for me this weekend. He was so impressed by my photos of the Northern Lights that he submitted them to the local TV station and they ran with the feature story about sightings. That was pretty cool! You can see it here: https://www.wtap.com/2024/05/12/northern-lights-reached-mid-ohio-valley-friday-night/

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Overall, it was probably my best Mother’s Day in a long time and for that I am most grateful. Allowing life to unfold as it will makes it so much sweeter. 

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🌸☀️🌸

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“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

\nProverbs 22:6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/13/finding-peace-where-i-can.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Love","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/12/in-search-of-the-lights.html", "title": "In Search of the Lights", "content_html": "\n
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I met the Former Mrs. FixIt and my bonus daughter yesterday at the library for the stitching class. The rest were doing a fun beach cross stitch and I elected to work on the sampler I salvaged from my needlework shop back in 2006. The border needed to be finished perfectly to get the rest of the stitches to fit exactly right. I was off by ONE THREAD. I was worried I would have to rip a lot of the stitches out, but when I took the time and counted threads, I found the error. I only had to rip out about an inch of stitches in order to correct the error and now it’s perfect!

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We went out for a late lunch together and celebrated Mother’s Day early. When I got home, I went out to pick a large bouquet of pink peonies and tucked the mum in that Mrs. FixIt 1.0 gave me. It was so nice to spend time together in an unhurried and relaxing way. 

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We caught some beautiful lights in the heavens Friday night. The news said more was in store last night. We’re going to go out to the cemetery when my family members rest in peace. The sky is open on top of that hill so we should get a beautiful view of the Northern Lights. I’m going to leave you with more of the photos I took last night. I hope to be back with more tomorrow.

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It’s Mother’s Day…a day that is hard for many people. Those who have lost their mom find it difficult to celebrate. Those who wanted to be a mom and couldn’t feel that every year. And those who have suffered the horror of losing their children are forced to endure the endless reminders of their loss. It can be a mixed bag. Happiness and sorrow can be held in the same hand.

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🩵

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“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

\nProverbs 31:31 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/12/in-search-of-the-lights.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/04/27/pancakes-pizza-and-plenty-of.html", "title": "Pancakes, Pizza, and Plenty of Sunshine!", "content_html": "\n
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I know, I know…I’ve told you this before, but these beds are SOOOOOOO comfortable. The old queen bed had very little support and it sagged in the middle. So Mr. FixIt and I rolled toward the center and had to fight to get up the incline and out of bed in the mornings. It was never restful and gave us both a backache. The twin beds are solid as a rock and the memory foam mattresses are just the right firmness to offer support and comfort. I am so happy we did this.

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We slept so well on Thursday night and woke up refreshed yesterday morning about 8:30. We drove over to Stack ‘em High Pancakes and had breakfast. The owners were there and I had a lovely visit with Kristine. I met her the first time Mr. FixIt brought me to the beach and we really clicked. It’s been fun touching base with her every year to see what she’s been up to with the business and the kids and all their sports. She is full of energy, just like I was as a young mom.

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Two-hundred twenty steps to the top of the Corolla Lighthouse.

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After breakfast, we headed up to Duck to meet up with the kids at the condo. We hung around for a while. I worked on the cross-stitch sampler and when I got the border all the way around, I was off by one thread! I think it’s in a spot that won’t be too conspicuous so we’ll see if anyone will notice it. 

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What a view!

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It was still windy yesterday so fishing or hanging out on the beach was not a viable option. We decided to drive up to the Corolla Lighthouse. We all walked up to the top and stood out on the observation deck. That was quite an undertaking for Mr. FixIt and me and we were both happy we could still accomplish the feat. We wandered around the grounds and the museum. We visited the gift shop and took all the pictures we wanted then headed back to the condo for pizza.

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Kissing Shadows

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We made it back to the camper around 7:30, but we couldn’t find an accessible spot to take a picture of the sunset. We’ll have better luck at our campsite further down the island. We move down there today. Then we can really set up the campsite the way we want it and be able to access our cooking utensils. We have salmon with broccoli, carrots, and asparagus to cook tonight!

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🌊🌊🌊

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”This is what the Lord says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord Almighty is his name:“

\nJeremiah 31:35 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-04-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/04/27/pancakes-pizza-and-plenty-of.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/04/26/ford-turkey.html", "title": "Ford 1, Turkey 0", "content_html": "\n
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This was the view at Oak Hollow Family Campground. When I checked out yesterday morning, the gal at the front desk was NOT happy that we snuck in after hours on another camper’s heels, nor that we took the site we thought was ours only to find we were supposed to be nine doors down. I mea culpaed my way out the door because we’re supposed to stay there again on our way home. This time we’ll be SURE to get there early!

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Yesterday was a perfect travel day. We both slept well and Mr. FixIt LOVES the new beds so I’ll call that a big win for the remodel! We split the trip in two days of 300 miles driving. We had no issues save for a bobble here and there. I forgot to update the GPS and there was a new interchange that it didn’t recognize. We got turned around a little here and there from that, but it recalculated and we were soon on the right path. 

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Somewhere on US 64, a hen turkey flew right in front of us and there was no way to safely avoid hitting her. I hated it so bad and when I looked back there was a sea of feathers. We talked about it and Mr. FixIt said if the bird would have been three or four inches higher, it would have hit the grille of our truck and break it. If it would have been a foot higher, it would have hit the windshield and bounced up to the front of the camper. That would have been a costly repair. 

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We finally got to the island around 3:30 in the afternoon. We were on the Croatan Highway heading to the campground when the light suddenly changed and the guy in front of me slammed on his brakes. I slammed on mine. And the guy in the one ton behind us not only slammed on HIS brakes…he slid into the middle turn lane at an angle and stopped about six inches off our bumper! Thank God we are all safe.

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Our campground is quiet considering it’s Bike Week down here. Of course, the fact that the temperature was in the low 50’s here today surely dampened the spirit of all but the hardiest of bikers. We met up with our son and daughter-in-law and the former Mrs. FixIt and her sister for dinner. They all came back to the camper to see the remodel and loved it.

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We went to the store for a few things then came back and settled in for the night. We’ll get together with the kids today and do something. It’s supposed to be sunny, but not very warm so fishing may not be on the agenda. But it’s sure to be fun!

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☀️

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”Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”“

\nLuke 6:38 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-04-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/04/26/ford-turkey.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/03/28/a-good-time-was-had.html", "title": "A Good Time Was Had", "content_html": "\n
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Tuesday night was clear as a bell and the stars were so close it felt like you could reach out and brush them around with your hand. When we got home from town, the moon was just short of rising of the far ridge across the two-lane blacktop. By the time I went out to write my post, the moon had come up and it was so bright out, I didn’t need the headlamp I always carry with me. 

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I wrote my post and as I crawled under the covers, the moon was shining through the camper window and I just had to get up and capture the moment. It didn’t disappoint! One shot and it was perfect. I love when I get good pictures to share with you all. I can paint pictures with my words, but it’s also magical to have the photographic evidence to back it up.

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I didn’t sleep very well Tuesday night. Even though the outdoor temp was in the 40’s, I was way too hot. Too many blankets, heavy jammies, and I needed to open the window I had closed earlier. When I finally drifted off, I slept blissfully deep and was rearing to go when I got up yesterday morning.

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I drove to town to pick up my bonus WV Daughter. We met her mom at Kreinik Manufacturing to check out their sale and take a tour of the factory floor. We were all really excited to see the place and I was happy to see the parking lot full. I picked up a a beautiful cross stitch kit for 32 count linen using silk thread. I still need to get the linen and I need a couple little items that are helpful for working with cross stitch. OMGosh! It’s been so many years since I’ve done that. I got so burned out on needlework when I had my shop. This is getting me excited to pick up my needle and thread. I also bought a couple of cones of pure silk yarn to make a little summer tee.

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Here’s a cool video showing some of the spinning machines that make the specialty threads that Kreinik produces. Some of these machines are over 100 years old and were used by Goodyear to spin the fibers that go in tires. These threads are used all over the world by needle artists, costumers, and fly fishermen.

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When we finished at Kreinik’s, we drove over to Mary B’s…one of our favorite little restaurants in town. We had a late breakfast and wonderful conversation till I finally had to take my leave and head off for errands. I wanted to get the oil changed and the tires rotated, but when I got there…I would have been the fifth person in line and that was a no go for me. I’ll try again on Friday. I paid the taxes and stopped to pick up the new dishwasher and headed home.

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Mr. FixIt and I unloaded the new appliance and stored it for when we are ready to install it. We found a space to put it under cover without it being IN the living room! Score! Mr. FixIt had been out all afternoon cutting up trees and we were both whupped. I cooked some spaghetti and heated up the sauce with Italian sausage and called it good. I couldn’t get it together to even pick up my crochet hook to work on the shark slippers.

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I’m so happy we don’t have to go anywhere today…unless something unforeseen should arise. I’m looking forward to a home day!

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🌷

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”My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.“

\nIsaiah 32:18 NIV\n
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Even though my main purpose of doing the taxes has been unfulfilled, my trip to The Farm hasn’t been for naught. I’ve been reading and knitting. And, I’ve been figuring out a way to send my posts as a sort of newsletter via email. There’s some prep work on my end before that becomes a reality, but I made some progress yesterday. With the way Facebook’s algorithms so haphazardly send my posts to people, many just are not receiving them. This might be a great solution. If you are interested in receiving these emails, you can scroll down on my website to the box that says “Become a Rancher” and register your email if you haven’t done so already. Thanks so much, y’all. You can help this little project grow by spreading the word to friends and family. I really appreciate it!

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I snapped a picture of the treasures I found in the old smokehouse. None of it is worth a thing to anyone save for the memories they bring to mind. There’s the bottom half of an old wooden box. And look at those welding goggles! I remember my Pop-Pop wearing those when he welded something on the old Model A that he turned into a farm truck. I’ll never forget that summer day in 1969 when he let me drive it down to the road and back. He wouldn’t let my boyfriend drive it because he didn’t trust his “lead foot.” 

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It was a temperamental beast. It didn’t have a muffler and when you cranked it up, it went “Crack! Crack! Crack!” You could hear Pop-Pop coming from way back on the hill. We had family come from Illinois that summer and it was a big deal to pile as many people in the back as we could and go for a ride back to see the old home place. The road was SO steep, we had to lay down in the truck bed with our feet on the tail gait. In some places we were nearly standing up!

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We had rain all night and most of the morning yesterday. I could hear the water roaring over the waterfalls up behind the barn so I grabbed my phone and went up to get some pictures. Along the way, there was a Mylar balloon stuck on some rocks in the creek. We’re ten miles from nowhere here so who knows where that thing started its journey. I walked the length of the creek to the road. There’s the frame of an old walking bridge that led to the garden across the creek and it’s rusted and sunk down several feet into the creek itself. There were all kinds of limbs, trees, mud and rocks caught up in it. The creek was running really high, so I got the shovel and worked on it awhile. I finally broke through enough to let the water rush out and in about fifteen minutes it was down by a foot. Crisis averted.

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There’s always something that needs doing here, and even though my family doesn’t own it anymore, I’m still the caretaker and do whatever I can to keep it up. I try to breathe life into the old girl, but I’m sure you’ve seen old houses that just die when their people are gone. I’ve seen it happen a lot here because it’s so damp and all. But I honestly think a home has a spirit of sorts and when its usefulness has passed, it just fades away. I hope to keep her as habitable as I can for as long as I’m able.

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There is one thing about this house that has always been a problem. It is so poorly insulated that it’s either too hot or too cold. The furnace kicks off and on all night and it’s located in the basement right underneath the bedroom I sleep in. I kept turning the electric blanket up and down all night. It’s only bothersome in the winter. There’s no air conditioning in the summer. Grandma used to open the back door and the front door and a cool breeze would come right down the holler. She called it “nature’s air conditioner.”

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The screen doors still squeak and slam shut with a bang. The sound of the rain on the roof is the same now as it was the very first time my mama carried me across the threshold into Grandma’s waiting arms. She would rock me and sing “Bye oh, bye oh…baby bye” to the tune of Rock of Ages. I, in turn, did the same with my children, my grandchildren, and now the great grandchildren. My kids remember summer trips here, but my grandkids don’t really have an interest in West Virginia. They are Colorado kids, born and raised. They’re a different breed.

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I am so blessed to have had this extra time visiting my past. I know full well most don’t have this opportunity and I am truly grateful to Frank and Beans for allowing me the courtesy. I’ve had my “farm fix” for a while and I’m ready to head back home today. Mr. FixIt is anxiously awaiting my return. I need to cook him a really good meal tonight!

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🩵

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”By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.“

\nProverbs 24:3-4 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-03-07T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/03/07/time-and-treasures.html", "tags": ["Family","Farm Life","Memories","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/03/06/the-farm.html", "title": "The Farm", "content_html": "\n
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Life at The Farm moves at a different pace. There’s no TV. The batteries in the clocks on the wall are long dead. You know it’s time to get up when the sun hits the top of the far ridge. And it’s time to go in when it sinks below that same ridge and the temperature drops precipitously. It wasn’t quite as warm yesterday as it was the day before, but it was still quite pleasant sipping my hot morning beverage on the front porch. The birds were ecstatic…billing and cooing and doing their sweet mating dances in the hedgerow along the creek. The sound of water from the last rains gurgled over the native sandstone and shale. It was divine…simply divine!

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I had planned to do the taxes yesterday. I downloaded my copy of TurboTax. I updated Quicken and created my yearend expense report, only to find my past tax returns are on the old laptop…which is at home. Not to be deterred, I set that aside and finished knitting a pair of socks in the afternoon sun. When I was finished, I took my camera and walked around looking for glimpses of spring around the farm.

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The first place I looked was obvious. The Daffodils blooming out back…their little faces turned eagerly toward the ever warming sun. All I could think of was my grandma’s happy smile as she cupped each little blossom in her work-worn hands. Each of her posies was a gift from God after the long dreary days of winter. And they were gifts to me, as well. I wandered up the creek toward the barn, the thick mat of ground cover spongy beneath my feet. It never really gets dry up the holler.

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The old smokehouse is leaning even further this spring. The dampness up there is rotting it away from the ground up. I peeked inside and found a couple of treasures to take along with me…an old alarm clock…a small wooden box…an interesting light that was probably used in a chicken coop at some point but rusted and surely unusable now. The kinds of things you might tuck away on a shelf or in a flower bed.

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Something caught my eye amongst the leaves alongside the old pigsty. It was such a bright scarlet red, I felt sure it must be something man made…a piece of plastic, or tape perhaps. I brushed the leaves aside and was pleased to find it was a living thing! It’s called Scarlet Elfcup and it’s a kind of fungus. I’ve never seen it before to my recollection and I was happy to get a picture of it for you to see.

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I came back down the driveway and checked along the bank, but there aren’t any wildflowers coming up that I could find. The Daffodils and Naked Ladies have about 6-8” tall leaves shooting up, but no buds yet. I swung around the end of the yard and up the creek bank to the enormous Flowering Quince. Their leaves are shooting out and the pink of future blooms could be seen popping out. I was so disappointed that I couldn’t find any of the Carolina Spicebush that used to grow there. I’m hoping it’s just not out yet. A few years ago, my uncle hired a couple of guys to clean out the creek banks and they all but decimated that bush. 

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It’s been a wonderful visit here. I went for a walk last evening and talked with the neighbors across the road. Then my cousin’s wife stopped by for a visit. Later, my niece that lives in NYC called and we talked for an hour. She has such an interesting job and I learned a lot from her. It has been way too long since we talked so we left the conversation with promises to touch base more often. 

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I’ll start another pair of socks today and work on our travel plans for the summer. I’m nearly finished reading this book. There’s always something else to do, isn’t there?

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☘️

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”For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.“

\nIsaiah 61:11 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-03-06T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/03/06/the-farm.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/02/25/watching-the-snow.html", "title": "Watching the Snow", "content_html": "\n
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It’s not too often I get up before Mr. FixIt but when I do, I make my cuppa and go sit in my Big Red Chair. When I woke up, there was a misty rain coming down and the world was myriad shades of grey. Within ten minutes, the rain turned to snow and big, puffy, marshmallow flakes came down so hard you couldn’t see across the road. I’m usually done with snow by this time of year, but this was so peaceful and perfect. I turned up the gas fireplace and picked up the book I’ve been reading. It was a good two hours before Mr. FixIt came in looking for me.  

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I doubt there are many married women who don’t covet those quiet moment in the house before the family gets up or after everyone has gone to bed. I know I do. I’ve been on my own a few times in my life, and while I am much happier with my sweetheart…I do like a little quiet time. There’s just entirely too much television noise in this house for my liking. When I get the back bedroom fixed up, I’ll be able to retreat in there and work or read or write when I need a break.

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When Mr. FixIt got up, he offered to make oatmeal for breakfast. Oats with blueberries and sourdough toast, to be exact. I enjoyed my breakfast and knitted for a few hours. I’m making headway on the second mitten for the raffle. Mr. FixIt brought in the mail and I received something I ordered to make a special pair of fingerless gloves for Little’s birthday. They are big into cosplay. I stumbled on this pattern earlier in the week and decided to make them. The gloves have metal scales on them…like a mermaid. I know they’re going to be a big hit!

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Some time in the afternoon, I was looking out the door and saw something on the ridge of the far hill. There were twenty-seven buzzards roosting in the trees. I’ve never seen them up there before. They hung around for over an hour and then when I thought to look again, they were gone. Interesting that they showed up on the 4,000th day. Buzzards symbolize death and rebirth, new vision, and letting go. Mr. Virgo always said if there was any way he could contact me from beyond, he would. The Bible tells us this isn’t possible, but I feel God will bring us warm feelings of our loved ones and impress memories on us that make us feel especially close to those we’ve lost. I stand on that…and the hope of seeing all my loved ones again.

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I made a big pot of chicken and noodles for supper. We’ll have leftovers today. Mr. FixIt will go bowling later tonight and I’ll sit in the Big Red Chair and knit to my heart’s content!

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🩵

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”But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.“

\nJames 1:6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-02-25T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/02/25/watching-the-snow.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","God"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/02/24/this-is-my-heart.html", "title": "This is My Heart", "content_html": "\n
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This guy right here…he’s been mine since the day I was born. I’m not sure my mom knew anything was wrong with Bubby till I was around two years old. A lot came down on my mom around then. Her brother was killed in a plane crash in Germany. And they told her my big brother had Cerebral Palsy and had intellectual disabilities. It was a hard time for her…for all of us. So much sadness. I didn’t understand what any of that meant at the time. He was just my Bubby. I was his champion. I interpreted his speech for others. I protected him from bullies. He was my whole world and I’ve loved him forever.

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Remember when I told you a couple of weeks ago that I had a couple of special people with health issues? One of them was my Bubby. They called me on a Wednesday afternoon and they told me he was in the ambulance heading to the hospital. His nurse said it was dire and could I come right away? Traveling from West Virginia to Colorado in the winter is wicked awful and bloody expensive. Of COURSE I would go, but I asked her to please wait to see what the ER doctor said. Thank God they were able to give him medication and get him straightened up, but the kept him overnight for observation, just to be sure he was ok. 

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He’s fine now. It was an abnormal heart rate due to a medication change. This time. But I know it’s likely there will be a time when I’ll have to make that emergency trip to be with him when he needs me. I can’t bring him here. It’s a matter of funding. If he changes to West Virginia funding, it could take ten years to find a placement. He’s much better being where he is with people who know him and love him.

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We had his annual review Thursday and it did my heart good to see him happy and doing well. We are both enjoying seeing each other on the Echo Show a couple of times a week. And, we’ll see him this summer during our annual trip to Colorado. In the meantime, the staff sends me pictures from time to time so I can see what he’s been up to. His latest adventure is ROCK CLIMBING!

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Isn’t this the coolest thing???

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Oh….my heart!

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🩵

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”A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.“

\nProverbs 17:17 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-02-24T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/02/24/this-is-my-heart.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Love","Aging","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/02/21/a-good-do-over.html", "title": "A Good Do Over", "content_html": "\n
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Way too big! Time for a do over!

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We had a less than stellar meal at iHOP a couple of weeks ago. Mr. FixIt contacted them via email and they offered us a complimentary meal as a replacement. I was writing my post last night and thought to myself, “I should ask Mr. FixIt to go with me and we can go to iHOP for breakfast.” It wasn’t fifteen seconds when he turned to me and said, “I should go in with you tomorrow and we can go to iHOP for breakfast.” This guy is so tuned into me, it’s scary! lol

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I had to go to town yesterday to deliver a lab specimen so we drove on up the river to get some pancakes. This time it was perfect! We always have good luck there…that one time was just a fluke. 

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When we got home, I started working on this pair of mittens that I’m knitting. I know you are supposed to knit a swatch, but I almost never do. Most of the time, I get by without a problem, but this time the mittens were coming out WAY too big. Now I’ll have to rip this one out and knit a swatch so I can get the size to come out right. I really hate frogging (ripping out) a project but sometimes it’s necessary. If you’re going to put all this time and effort and the expense of the yarn into a project, you want it done right. I’ll work on it more today.

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We had an unexpected death in our family this week. We weren’t terribly close, but I knew her and really loved her. She was so kind and generous and will be dearly missed. A mother will bury her daughter. I cannot imagine that pain. I have held sacred space for some who have lost their children and their grief seems like my times a million. Parents aren’t supposed to bury their kids…no matter what age they are and my heart breaks for these families.

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Our weather is warming this week. These are the sneak peeks of spring that we get in February. Back in 2018, we got so warm in February that the spring peepers started calling. Another symptom of the drastic weather changes we are seeing. These false springs give us hope of warmer days ahead. Mr. FixIt and I went outside last night to watch the moon. The sky was crystal clear so it will be another chilly night, but tonight might be warm enough to go “camping.” I love the mattress in the camper…memory foam and high count sheets. I camp like a girl!

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🩵

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”When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,“

\nPsalms 8:3 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-02-21T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/02/21/a-good-do-over.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/02/12/football.html", "title": "Football!!!", "content_html": "\n
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My latest basket!

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What a wonderful long weekend off! Sometimes you just need to unplug and recharge. Did I accomplish a ton? Nope, but I accomplished what was important. I chatted with my brother over his new Echo device. He things that is the coolest thing ever. Unfortunately, there is a setting on his end that when he calls me, it’s on my phone and not the Echo, so we need to adjust something. It may actually have to wait till the next time I’m there because my phone may have to be there.

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We went to our littlest great grand’s 2nd Birthday Party. What a sweetie pie! They live in a lovely house with very high ceilings and hardwood floors. Add a handful of screaming children driving little electric cards all the way around the kitchen island and it was chaos. THEN they served these little ankle biters cake and ice cream! It was crazy and happy and cuteness overload!!!

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We didn’t get to see these littles since last summer. So we brought their Christmas AND birthday gifts with us. I put the hat I made on the birthday boy and it was as though he’d never worn a toboggan before. He held his head very still and only moved his eyes. I felt sorry for him and took it off. He seemed terribly relieved. lol

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Mr. FixIt went to the bowling alley to visit with his friends midday since the Super Bowl was on last night. I sat on the laptop with my headphones on watching Big swim her heart out! She did really well and I could see Daughter #1 and Son-in-Law Extraordinaire on screen several times as they helped out. My SIL has a degree in photography so he was taking pictures of the swimmers. Those kids worked so hard for four straight days. I know they are exhausted and I think they have to go back to classes tomorrow. College athletics are rough and college athletes are tough. It builds good character.

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I finished another crocheted basket and even have enough yarn left to make another small one.  I also have another teddy bear knitted and ready to put together. I have knitting group today and I’ll work on another blanket, but this one is different. And complicated. Big time learning curve, but I’m up for the challenge.

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The rest of my weekend was spent relaxing. I slept in the camper for two nights. Not really “camping”, but still so much fun. I slept with the window opened and listened to an Eastern Screech Owl trilling down by the creek. It was really soft and low and was so soothing. There was a slight breeze. It rained off and on and I laid there on that memory foam mattress under the electric blanket and listened as it tapped gently on the roof. It was so soothing and I feel like I’ve been a week’s vacation.

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We don’t have anything to do till Thursday so we’re really looking forward to a good week…relaxing and enjoying our time together. 

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Go Chiefs!!!

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🩵

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.“

\nMatthew 11:28 NIV\n
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#SuperBowl, #KansasCityChiefs, #Football

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-02-12T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/02/12/football.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/02/04/a-beautiful-day-at-the.html", "title": "A Beautiful Day at the Farm", "content_html": "\n
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I woke up at 6:00 and thought…oh, no…I’m going to have to get up! But I fell back to sleep and didn’t wake up till 10:30! That’s more like it!!! Mr. FixIt called a few minutes after I opened my eyes. It’s uncanny…he “feels” me wake up. It doesn’t matter what time it is….he just “knows.” Before we were married and I was living out here on the farm, he texted me and asked if that bagel I had for breakfast was good. I hadn’t said word one to him about bagels…ever. But I had stopped at the store on my way home to the farm and saw them. I decided to buy a couple…and he KNEW! I accused him of doing video surveillance. lol

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I really enjoyed “having coffee” with some of you yesterday. Let’s do that more often as it fits into my schedule. I’m thinking Wednesday and/or Saturday mornings. That would be so much fun! I am thinking of other ways to interact with you, too. Perhaps those of you who are “makers” would like to do a project with me. I’ll have to think about it more and see what I come up with. 

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The weather was gorgeous here yesterday, although still a bit cool. I was on the phone for an hour or two with my friend Alice out in Colorado. She was with my brother and we got the Amazon Echo 8 set up for him. Now we can have visits together and see each other! As a matter of fact, we video chatted with each other twice yesterday! He is so excited. I can send pictures to his Echo and he got a great kick out of that!

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I worked on the market bag yesterday afternoon. I got an email from my dear friend Judy out in Colorado. She gave me a smocking machine last summer and that’s one of the things on my list to do so I think I’ll start watching some how-to videos on YouTube to refresh my memory. It’s been a very long time since I’ve smocked anything. I used to make smocked Christmas ornaments that are really beautiful.

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I’ll be heading home later this morning or early afternoon. I do so love being out here, but I equally love going home to my sweetheart! I hope you have a blessed day!

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🩵

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”Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?“

\nHebrews 13:5-6 MSG\n
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#Yarn, #Makers, #Brother

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-02-04T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/02/04/a-beautiful-day-at-the.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/02/01/a-touch-of-ukraine.html", "title": "A Touch of Ukraine", "content_html": "\n
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When you knit on a circular knitting machine, it’s a whole different ballgame than traditional needle work. You cast on stitches, you turn a crank and watch each of 48 needles rise, grab the arm, and take it down into the stitch. A hundred things can go wrong. The yarn has to be just right…smooth, but not too smooth. Thick, but not too thick. Even then the yarn may split or a stitch may drop. There’s a big learning curve but once you get the technique down, it can make beautiful things.

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You can’t place too much tension on the yarn, so you have to pull several lengths of yarn off of the ball and let it pool on the floor at your feet. My carpet is clean, but I still don’t like the idea of putting the yarn on the floor that’s going to be used by another person. So I’ve been trying to come up with something that would hold the yarn up off the floor and eliminate the tension issue. I’ve seen a yarn ball holder that consists of a spindle that allows the the ball to spin freely. I found one on Amazon and ordered it. 

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When the package arrived and I began to open the package, I read the bottom of the box. “Made in Ukraine.” My breath caught in my chest. Then it ached. I ran my finger over the smooth curve of the wood and thought, “Who made this?  When? Are you ok? Are you safe? Or….” It just made my heart hurt, but I loved that I could send some money their way and I’ll cherish the yarn spinner and pray for Ukraine while I use it.

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Today is Mr. FixIt’s birthday. Our son called yesterday morning and wanted to take his dad to Cabella’s. He was up for that and they had a wonderful time. He got a pair of heated gloves for his birthday…something he’s wanted for a very long time. While he was gone, I wove the strips together for the baby blanket I’ve been working on and started crocheting the border on it. 

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It was a beautiful day and today we’ll be celebrating my husband’s 72nd trip around the sun. I think I’ll make lamb chops for supper and baked apples for dessert! I am so grateful for his presence in my life and the world is a better place with him in it. 

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🩵

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”a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.“

\nEcclesiastes 3:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-02-01T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/02/01/a-touch-of-ukraine.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/29/a-cozy-day-at-home.html", "title": "A Cozy Day at Home", "content_html": "\n
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Mr. FixIt and I enjoyed a quiet day yesterday. I fixed my favorite breakfast…grits and eggs. We watch a few episodes of Bull then I went downstairs to play in my studio. I knitted up the pieces for a little teddy bear that I’ll piece together today at knitting group. He substituted on the bowling team last night so I had a quiet evening in front of the “fire.” I turned on a video of a crackling fireplace, made a nice cup of Massala Chai, and settled into the Big Red Chair. I was in hog heaven!

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It’s hard to believe this is the last week of January! We don’t have a lot on our schedule right now. An appointment in town today after knitting group. Mr. FixIt’s birthday is Thursday. I keep looking for a time on the calendar when I’m free enough to spend a few days at The Farm. Maybe I can get away this weekend for a couple of days. We’ll see.

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I purchased an Echo Show for my brother. It arrived this week and my friend Alice will be setting it up for him next weekend. I talked to him last night and told him we would be able to video chat soon and his main concern was making sure we had clothes on when we call. I reassured him and told him we don’t just drop in on each other. It’s sort of like a phone call…you don’t have to pick up. You just don’t answer if you aren’t presentable. He’s learned so much in the last twenty years since Mom died, but he has trouble comprehending some things.

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I am so grateful God brought him to this place in Colorado. For those of you who may not remember, my brother has cerebral palsy and had always lived at home with Mom. When she died after a brief illness in 2004, he wanted to come to Colorado to live near me. I went to the agency to enroll him for the residential program only to be told there was a ten year waiting list. I was not a Christian at that point, yet I prayed if this was His will, would He please intervene and get him accepted. Three days later, I received a phone call saying my brother had been approved for emergency funding since his primary caregiver had died. They said that wasn’t unusual…you just fill out a form and they approve it. However, they also had an unexpected opening in one of the houses which was highly unusual. But, here’s where it got really interesting…they called everyone on the ten year waiting list and no one could move in by the end of the month. So, if I could get him there…the spot was his! I was dumbfounded and that was the beginning of my search for a relationship with Jesus.

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God is so good to us…all the time!

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🩵

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”And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.“

\nPhilippians 4:19 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-29T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/29/a-cozy-day-at-home.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Gratitude","God"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/28/facing-food-and-enjoying-life.html", "title": "Facing Food and Enjoying Life", "content_html": "\n
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I was up super early yesterday because I needed to bake two pies, start a pot of chili, and get a pork roast in the open and have it all ready by 1:00 in the afternoon. The kids came early and I was happily sitting in the Big Red Chair working on the market bag I’m crocheting when they walked in the door. We visited for about half an hour and then the pork roast was ready to come out of the oven.

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The conversation flowed easily. The food was perfect. The gifts were well received. We asked the kids for an experience instead of gifts. We’ll get together soon for that. It was a delightful day. Everyone left before dark and we settled in for a quiet evening together. We discovered a show that’s been on for a few years called Bull. It’s a series about a psychologist who studies juries and how to choose the perfect jurors.

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This fascinates me because my younger daughter was on the Mock Trial Team in high school. They repeatedly placed in the state levels of competition and it was fascinating to watch the process play out. The actor who plays Bull is the same guy that played Tony DiNozzo on NCIS…a character I really like. Bull is a well thought out program that’s entertaining and exercises the mind…traits I appreciate in a show. 

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I know I am always telling you how much I hate television. Overall, that’s true. But I do like a show that makes you think, that isn’t aggressively violent, and has likable and relatable characters. Most of the time when I’m sitting in the Big Red Chair…writing, knitting, crocheting…I have my headphones on listening to soft spa music or campfires or rainstorms. True confession….I’m a selective television watcher. I don’t like to waste time when I could be doing something more constructive…but an occasional guilty pleasure never hurt anyone. And it’s calorie free!

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Speaking of calorie free…I baked two pies yesterday. An apple, and a peach. I used some apple pie filling from Amish Country and my home canned peaches. I purposefully kept the sugar content down to shave some calories, but I can guarantee you they were NOT lo-cal! I made crust from scratch and it was so tender and flaky. If I could pinpoint anything, I’d say I didn’t put quite enough salt in the pie dough. 

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As I’m sitting here writing this, and thinking of those two pies in there…I can hear them calling to me. I did have a slice of the peach pie in the afternoon. I don’t need to eat another piece. It will not taste a bit better than the first piece. Overindulgence is a slippery slope when you have issues with food as I’ve had in the past. Part of the Noom program is looking at the psychology behind the choices we make around food. It’s not about restrictions. It’s about freedom..freedom to choose. Freedom to be able to make missteps without the negative self-talk. “I ate that big piece of pie. I might as well admit it…I’ll never lose this weight. I have no self control.” These thought distortions are untrue and do not serve me. So, what am I going to do? I’m going to have my usual evening snack of yogurt and granola with blueberries.

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And today is a brand new day!!!

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🩵

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”How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.“

\nProverbs 16:16 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-28T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/28/facing-food-and-enjoying-life.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/27/christmas-in-january.html", "title": "Christmas in January", "content_html": "\n
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”Smoke on the Water” by Sue Lilly

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I was up early when the sun hit the trees on the far ridge with a golden glow. A single pine tree provided a stark contrast to the bright, sunny trees. It wasn’t long till the sky became more overcast. We didn’t get rain for the first time in days and it was really warm. I worked in the studio for a couple hours and didn’t accomplish much. I started making a baby and the yarn wasn’t right. It was way too light for the project. I’ll save it for something else.

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I was working with a different yarn, but I heard Mr. FixIt up rummaging around so I stopped and came up to fix breakfast. When I came upstairs, he was already cooking oatmeal…his specialty. He put fresh blueberries in it for me. He’s such a sweetie. I sat in the Big Red Chair and put babies together till it was time to start cleaning. 

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Mr. FixIt and I split up the duties. He’s a doll…he cleans the bathrooms! He is definitely a keeper! I was going to make cinnamon rolls to go with the chili for our family gathering, but Mr. FixIt’s birthday is next week so I told him I’d make him whatever he wanted…a cake or a pie. It took me ten minutes to get him to tell me what he really wanted instead of what he thought everyone else would want or what would be easier for me to make. He’s the most selfless person I know. We finally settled on pies…an apple and a peach. So I’ll be up bright and early baking pies and then I can put the pork roast in the oven.

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The family is coming over at 1:00 and I’m really excited to see them! We get stuck out here in the country and become hermits in the winter so it will be nice to have company and see the kids. Mr. FixIt bowls tomorrow night then we have a light week ahead. I mean…hear we are nearly at the end of January already. We will be mowing again before we know it so I need to step up my game and get more done before I won’t have the time to.

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As I was writing this last night, one of my high school friends read my post from yesterday. She lives along the river and saw the fog rolling in. She ran up to Fort Boreman Park and caught a beautiful photo of the “smoke on the water” and gave me permission to use it today. We live in such a beautiful and picturesque place, don’t we? 

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🩵

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”Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.“

\nProverbs 27:1 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-27T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/27/christmas-in-january.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/26/an-unexpected-excursion.html", "title": "An Unexpected Excursion", "content_html": "\n
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After being gone all day Wednesday, I thoroughly expected a stay-at-home day yesterday. After breakfast, I went downstairs and knitted two more babies and another strip for the baby blanket. Mr. FixIt got a call from the friend that was going to go to the funeral home with him last night saying he was sick as a dog and couldn’t go. He told Harry that was fine, he’d go alone. While I was cooking breakfast, he told me he was going anyway so Mike would know he cared.

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As I was sitting in my studio working, I kept hearing that over and over in my mind, so at 3:30 I headed upstairs. I jumped in the shower and Mr. FixIt stuck his head in the door and said, “Are you going with me?” 

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“I sure am. You want to make sure Mike knows you care? Well, I want to make sure you know I care about YOU!” 

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I could hear the love and appreciation in his voice. We can tell people we love them till the cows come home. But when we get to SHOW them…well, that’s the key to a rewarding life. We didn’t get home till late. The funeral home is about an hour away. It was raining hard and getting foggy. Mr. FixIt suggested we drive back on the Ohio side of the river, but that turned out to be a mistake. By that time it was raining harder and it was REALLY foggy. 

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We decided to stop in Marietta for supper at IHOP. We’ve been there numerous times for breakfast after church, but never in the evening. When our waitress came to our table twice to introduce herself and forgot to bring the water we requested from the first time, I had a sinking feeling this wasn’t going to be the best experience. We wanted breakfast food and we always ask for eggs over easy and extra crispy bacon. He had hash browns and I had pancakes.

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The eggs were barely cooked, the bacon was limp, and the pancakes were cold. I mean…cold. We asked to have the bacon crisped up and she took it away only to return less than a minute with oily bacon from dipping it in the deep fat fryer…which I can’t stand. It was still limp as a dish rag so I asked again to have it crispy. She took it away and about fifteen minutes later she brought us our check. I pointed out that we had never received the bacon and she was so apologetic. She asked about the rest of the meal and I was honest and told her what was wrong.

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Bless her heart…she discounted everything. It wasn’t all her fault…they were short staffed and she wasn’t the one doing the cooking. I told her I understood…I’ve been in situations where things didn’t turn out right myself. I smiled and told her not to take it personally. And I gave her a tip. I’m not sure about her restaurant, but I’ve known some to take the money out of the waitstaff’s tips to cover discounts and I didn’t want to short change her. After all, she was out there working, trying to make a living in a pretty thankless job. Waiting tables may not be the career field this young lady sticks with, but for now she’s learning valuable lessons.

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There is no good reason to become ugly to someone who is trying. There are far too many people these days who see nothing wrong with reading the riot act to someone for the smallest perceived infraction. Kindness goes a long way in this life and I will always try to take the high road in any given situation. 

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We finally got home around 8:30 last night…dangerously close to the hour when my brain becomes a pumpkin and my creativity goes out the window. I didn’t have any photos from yesterday and I sure wish I had a picture of the thick blanket of fog that settled on the river because it was remarkable. Instead, I’ll share one I took when I lived in big TOW-Wanda on the West Virginia side of the river back in 2015. That river is alive and looks different from minute to minute. It is fascinating and I truly loved living up there.

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We don’t have anyplace to go today, but our belated Christmas celebration with our son’s family is tomorrow. I need to bake the Cinnamon Rolls and pick up around the house. And, I’ll spend a little time making more babies!

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🩵

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”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.“

\nGalatians 5:22-23 ESV\n
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#Kindness, #Lessons, #Family

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-26T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/26/an-unexpected-excursion.html", "tags": ["Family","Growth","Kindness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/24/another-sunny-day.html", "title": "Another Sunny Day", "content_html": "\n
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The baby blanket I’m working on.

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The temperature got up to 46° yesterday and today will be in the 50’s. It’s a welcome change from the deep freeze we’ve been in for the last couple of weeks. I didn’t get quite as much done as I wanted to, but I did finish two more babies, a pair of mittens, and another strip of the baby blanket. We had a lovely day at home. Personally…at this time of year, it all starts feeling like the movie Groundhog Day. It’s pretty much the same day…over and over and over. 

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I keep myself busy, and I try to do lots of new and interesting things, but I have to admit…I do get bored easily. My mind is already three months down the road, thinking of the next camping trip. We’ll be taking the camper down to the beach in April and I can hardly wait. I was telling Mr. FixIt, with the warmer nights coming up I can get out and “camp” out here on our property. I love that because it’s free and I can cook in my own kitchen!

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Speaking of cooking, I fixed Gail’s Cabbage Roll Casserole yesterday. I had never had it till last summer but it’s become one of our favorites. Mr. FixIt often orders Cabbage Rolls when we eat at the diner. This tastes the same with much less work. And it’s so quick and easy to make. Is there anything better than fixing a meal for your sweetheart and have him smile and tell you it’s great? Mr. FixIt is so appreciative of everything I do for him and is quick to tell me so. 

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I’m really missing my mom this week. Today is her 20th Angelversary. It seems like forever since I’ve seen her. Somewhere in this house is a recording of her voice. On video and on a cassette tape. I sent her a children’s book and asked her to record herself reading it to Daughter #1, then mail them both to her for her birthday. I remember tucking the tape away in a drawer of an old roll top desk we had. Years later, when things were different in my life after Mr. Virgo died, I carefully put that cassette in a box of mementos where it sits today. I’ve dragged that box with me everywhere these last twenty years. Someday I’ll go through those boxes again and I’ll give that tape to my daughter. Bonus points if I find the book to go with it.

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I’m heading to town today to meet with some high school friends for lunch then do some shopping. It may be a rainy day, but at least it will be warm!

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🩵

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”However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.“

\nEphesians 5:33 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-24T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/24/another-sunny-day.html", "tags": ["Self Care","Family","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/20/winter-wonderland.html", "title": "Winter Wonderland", "content_html": "\n
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I awoke yesterday morning to a beautiful winter landscape. We had the kind of snow that frosts every little twig and makes the world look magical. It was nice knowing we didn't have anyplace to go so we could just stay in and enjoy the view. I fixed my favorite breakfast…grits and eggs…and headed down to the studio. I wanted to get some more mittens knitted up so I could sit in the Big Red Chair and do the handwork. 

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While I was downstairs, I could hear the snowblower as Mr. FixIt cleared the sidewalks. It continued to snow off and on throughout the day and covered the sidewalk again with a light dusting. We were scheduled to have more snow so who knows what we’ll wake up to this morning?

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I worked on a baby afghan during the week, and I wasn’t happy with the way it was turning out, so I ripped it out and started over. I decided to make the strips wider so I used the 48-needle machine and liked it much better. Then I cranked out a pair of rose-colored mittens in a wool/acrylic blend that the machine loves. I got one mitten finished before it was time to write my post.

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I really don’t mind the snow…especially if I don’t have to go anywhere in it. The house is toasty warm, but sometimes my hands get cold while I’m working so I put on the pretty fingerless gloves that my friend Gail knitted for me. She spun the yarn from alpaca and wool and they really help.I can knit with them on or type. The extra warmth helps with arthritis pain, too.

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The evening was topped off with watching Big’s swim meet from clear across the country. Here, she wins her first heat!!! What a treat this is…the icing on the cake of a perfect day!!!

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❄️🩵❄️

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”He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.“

\nPsalm 147:16 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-20T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/20/winter-wonderland.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Farm Life","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/10/rain-rain-rain.html", "title": "Rain, Rain, Rain!", "content_html": "\n
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I kept waking up during the night to the sound of rain on the tarp covering the air conditioner outside the bedroom window. I thought we might wake up to some snow, but it continued to rain all day. Those prayers I asked for last night helped. My brother was in the ER Monday night with flu symptoms and I was so worried about him. All of the tests they did on him were normal so they sent him back home. I did get a chance to speak with him for a few minutes when he was getting ready for bed. I was relieved to hear his voice, even though he sounded exhausted. 

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I contacted someone I’ve known for decades and asked if she could help my brother with some adapted electronics so we can FaceTime each other. Her daughter was injured in a skiing accident when she was five years old. Alice has dedicated her life to helping disabled people with technology to improve their lives. I’m looking forward to being able to visit with him more often. I think it will help both of us. With the weather as it is, and money being tight, I can’t get to Colorado to see him for a little while.

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I spent the day crocheting a mesh market bag. We were keeping tabs on someone special who had surgery yesterday and were so relieved to hear she came through the surgery ok. That is the other person I asked for you to pray for. So thank you all so much for those prayers. They were most appreciated.

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I put a pork roast in the oven mid afternoon and cooked it whole instead of cutting it up in chunks. I realized it would cook differently and when I was ready to serve supper, it wasn’t nearly done. We ended up having some leftovers and we’ll try again today. We’re supposed to get a lot more rain and some wind today so I’m blessed with another day to stay home and work on some projects. We actually saw some sunshine yesterday! What a treat!!!

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❄️

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”A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.“

\nProverbs 17:22 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-10T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/10/rain-rain-rain.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Prayer","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/09/the-queen-of-football.html", "title": "The Queen of Football!", "content_html": "\n
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I told you my WV family has a just-for-fun competition to guess who will win each college Bowl game. In case there is a tie, you have to choose who will play in and win the Championship Game and what the total score will be. We all share playful banter in a family chat room during the season and celebrate each other as we share our wins and losses. Well, guess what….much to my amazement…I WON! This year, the coveted Football Head trophy will live at our house till next year’s bowl games. It was SO much fun playing with this crazy family I stumbled into. I love these people!

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We had knitting group yesterday morning and we had the usual attendees. It’s always fun. I finally found a small table I can use for the knitting machines. It’s the perfect size and it was only $25. I still haven’t received the 22-needle machine I ordered in early December. If it doesn’t arrive tomorrow, I can request a refund on Wednesday. I’m really disappointed. One of the gals in our knitting group ordered hers the week after I did and received it last week. I know…first world problems. But when you order something and you pay your hard-earned money, you expect to get what you ordered in a timely fashion. Maybe it was on one of those cargo ships that have been attacked in the Suez Canal? Who knows?

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We’ve lost three classmates in the last couple of weeks. I have a few people who need big prayers today. God knows who they are and what they need, but I would truly appreciate it if you would keep them in your prayers. They mean so much to me.

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I didn’t get a lot of needlework done yesterday. I worked on two projects…a Tote of Many Colors and a net produce bag. I thought I’d clean my knitting machine last evening but it didn’t work well afterwards. I think I was too tired and got frustrated so I gave it up for the evening and came upstairs to watch the Michigan-Washington game. I’m hoping I don’t need to go anywhere the rest of the week and I can get some things done around here.

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❄️

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”The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.“

\nPsalm 145:18 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-09T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/09/the-queen-of-football.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Prayer"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/08/cuteness-overload.html", "title": "Cuteness Overload", "content_html": "\n
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Bubby was pretty excited to get his Toy Story book with sound effects!

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Our day was full from start to finish. We had family time and went to our great grandson’s fourth birthday party. You know how those things are…you sit around the playground in a fast food restaurant, happy children screaming with delight, parents trying to talk over the cacophony, with nothing on the menu you can eat except a wrap with no meat and a kid’s portion of applesauce.

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It’s all worthwhile when your little guy flashes his sweetest smile and climbs up in your lap for a hug. Then, he stroked my long hair and stared into my eyes and said…”

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“What you name?” 

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I was taken aback. “It’s me, honey. It’s your Gigi.”

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He looked confused and kept playing with my hair. Finally his mama whispered, “It’s been a long time since he saw you with your hair down.”

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I got it! I pulled my hair back like a ponytail and his little face lit up like sunshine. He gave me a big hug and said, “Gigi!!!!”  🩵melt 

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Bless his little heart. 

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When the party was over, we ran a few errands then Mr. FixIt went to the bowling alley to visit his buddies. I came on home and enjoyed the peace and quiet. I turned the TV to YouTube and started the fireplace video. I’m working on another “Tote of Many Colors.” We have knitting group this morning, and I don’t have anything else scheduled for over a week!!! Who is excited to stay home? THIS GIRL!

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It’s hygge time! Time to get cozy and spend long days in my winter cozies in my Big Red Chair…creating something out of nothing for all you beautiful people. This is what gets me through the depth of the dark days…creating. And, knowing each day gets incrementally longer.

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❄️

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”You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.“

\nPsalm 74:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/08/cuteness-overload.html", "tags": ["Family","Crafts","Hygge"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/06/its-my-rebirthday.html", "title": "It’s My Re-Birthday!", "content_html": "\n
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On January 6th every year I celebrate my re-birth day. This is the day I didn’t die. January 6, 2000 is the foundation upon which I have stacked every day since. The comparison of where I am now compared to where I was then is unbelievable. Sometimes I look back and it’s like all that happened to someone else. I don’t relive the events like I used to. I’m far less likely to share the whole story with new friends. It’s not who I am anymore.

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Looking back now with an understanding of my place somewhere on the autism spectrum, it’s no wonder I reacted the way I did when it happened. It was incredibly traumatic. If you want to read about it, I’ve posted it here in the past. Here’s one retelling, but I’ll not write about it again. I’ll just celebrate how far I’ve come. And, celebrate 24 years of sobriety.  https://www.marshmallowranch.com/the-pivoting-point/

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So, instead of dwelling on the not-so-good parts of the past, I asked my Mr. FixIt to go to the farm with me yesterday. Everything was in order. The table I was thinking might work, won’t. It wasn’t sturdy enough. I did bring home several bags of things my Aunt Peeps set aside for my Aunt Rosie. I went through it to make sure what was in it. Some of it goes to my uncle, and some to the step grandchildren of my aunt. And the rest goes to my cousin. 

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Since the table didn’t work out, we drove up to Harrisville to Arlo’s Antiques. They had two tables that would work. One was too expensive, and the other didn’t have a price so I need to call today and talk to the wife when she’s there. I would love that second table. It is so sturdy. It looks like something out of a chemistry lab. I have a feeling it’s going to be too spendy though. While we were there, we wandered around looking at everything and I found almost a complete two years’ worth of The Workbasket magazines. 

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I’ve been wanting to crochet a couple of doilies for the end tables we bought from an enterprising student from one of the local high schools. He buys things and fixes them up for resale. I think they’d be pretty with a big doily on it to protect the surface. I can’t remember if Mom got these or my Grandmother but I distinctly remember reading them every month. Between these and the Needleworks & Crafts magazines, my passion for all kinds of handwork was born.

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I need to get a hat and scarf made today to take to the Former Mrs. FixIt at our great grandson’s 4th Birthday Party tomorrow. I’ll also start another tote/basket and do that cooking I said I’d do yesterday! We’re hanging pretty close in case the weather gets dicey. Has it snowed where you are? Be safe out there!!!

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❄️

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”Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.“

\nProverbs 22:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-06T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/06/its-my-rebirthday.html", "tags": ["Family","Memories","Crafts","Healing","Mental Health"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/30/my-morning-with-god.html", "title": "My Morning With God", "content_html": "\n
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I’ll put icing on these today before we sit down with our chili and pulled pork sandwiches.

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Mr. FixIt and I both worked on the house yesterday. He’s great with the vacuum and…God bless him…he cleans the toilets. Let’s just say my aim is far more accurate. Why is it men can see a buck on the hillside three football fields away, but they can’t hit an 18” vessel when they’re standing right in front of it? Am I the only one this bothers? I didn’t raise boys…just husbands,, so I guess my tolerance is a little lower! lol

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I made cinnamon rolls yesterday. And some of that Orange Fluff that my friend Colleen served at our knitting group Christmas party. Then we got the call that my daughter-in-law tested positive for Covid, darn it! We decided to split the party. One half is coming tomorrow with the four littles, and the rest will come at a later date for their Christmas. While I’m really disappointed, it has cut my food prep in half.

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I was up early and for the first time in a long time, Mr. FixIt slept in late and I sat in my big comfy chair and did my Bible study in a quiet house. My dear friend Gail gave me a wonderful Bible for my daily study. It is the One Step Closer Bible that Candace Cameron Burge worked on in collaboration with DaySpring. Each page has space to write notes and capture your thoughts.

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I had my Ryze mushroom coffee, my fuzzy blanket on my lap and I was a happy camper. When I was a new widow, I couldn’t focus long enough to read the Bible and get much out of it. I figured God would understand and I was sure to absorb something. 

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I prayed and asked God to show me a way to find help for my pain. One day I picked up my Bible and prayed. I told God everything that was on my heart and what I was facing that particular day. I sat quietly for a moment, then opened my Bible randomly placed my finger on the page. I was stunned. The passage was exactly what I was asking for. God sent me an answer.

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I did this over and over, day after day thinking it must have been a fluke…a coincidence. But, no. Every time…there was my answer. Even when I was in so much pain I couldn’t even formulate the question, the Lord brought me comforting words every day. The key to this working is to go to the fountain for the drink. You can’t get fed if you don’t come to the table.

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I still do this and it still fills me with a sense of wonder that my God wants to meet me every day, exactly where I am…in the moment. The ultimate practice of mindfulness. It sets me up for a day where I feel balanced…wearing the full armor. And my day just goes so much better. I don’t have the corner on the market on this. I’ve spoken with others that do the same thing. I spoke to the Pastor at my home church in Colorado and he told me I couldn’t read the Bible this way. “It’s not an Ouija board to summon God!” I said, “No, it’s not. But it is my ‘phone booth’ where I get to talk to and hear from God during the most painful time of my life. So I would think you would encourage me to continue talking with Him every day…no matter how I go about it.” I feel very strongly about that. 

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You are so loved. You are enough. You are worthy. You are good. You are beautiful. And God loves you more than you could ever imagine. I know I got preachy here, but I felt compelled to tell you you’re doing a great job. Just keep going!

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🩵

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”No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.“

\n1 John 4:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-30T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/30/my-morning-with-god.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","God"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/27/ugh-another-trip-to-town.html", "title": "Ugh, Another Trip to Town", "content_html": "\n
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The full moon in a marbled sky.

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Honestly, I thought I was done with the going to town thing till NEXT YEAR, but no such luck. I needed a couple things for this weekend, and I wanted to get some yarn while it was on sale. We left about 11:00 and I was hoping to be back before dark but it was 7:00 before we got home and still didn’t get everything done. At least the stores weren’t elbow to elbow with people, but I still got overstimulated, my neck and back hurt, and I was just over it. Fortunately, I have the most patient husband on the planet.

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Mr. FixIt and I were looking for last minute gifts for our three little boys. One is big into Woody and Buzz Lightyear, and he’s such a sweet little guy. I bought him books that play sound effects from the Toy Story characters. The other two little boys are rough and tumble little guys who are all about monster trucks. But they get all that stuff from their parents, so we bought them matching sets of four GI Joe action figures. You never quite know what to get the kids when you don’t get to spend much time with them. Hopefully, between the toys and the hats and loaded Christmas stocking that I made, it will be enough for them.

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I “camped out” Christmas night. I thought for sure I would sleep like a baby, but it was actually hotter in the camper than it usually is in the house, so I tossed and turned a good portion of the night. It was still fun to spend at least one night out there in December. I think I’ve slept in the camper at least one night every month in 2023…one of my goals for the year!

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I saw this cute little book when we were shopping for the littles.

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Hopefully I can stay home the rest of the week/year. I have a surprise guest I’m interviewing today so I’m really excited for that and hopefully will be able to post it later this week Not much new around here other than that. I hope you all had a nice Christmas and maybe hit some of the sales yesterday. I don’t wrap gifts anymore. I bought those pretty boxes when they went on sale a couple of years ago, so everyone gets their stuff in their box, along with a cloth drawstring bag to take them home. Then the boxes stay here to be filled again next year. Trying to keep the expenses and waste down and maintain a smaller carbon footprint during the holidays.

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🩵

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”Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.“

\nRomans 12:10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-27T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/27/ugh-another-trip-to-town.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/26/its-boxing-day.html", "title": "It’s Boxing Day!", "content_html": "\n
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I had never heard of Boxing Day till I lived in England. Boxing Day is the tradition of rich families giving boxes of food and presents to the poor. It ostensibly lay started when the servants of the rich people had to work on Christmas Day to serve the family and the guests during the holiday festivities. Now it has become a day to not only box up things for the poor, but to go to after Christmas sales and extend the holiday joy for an extra day.

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I’m all about spreading the joy and partaking of it generously myself whenever I can.  Mr. FixIt and I had a wonderful, quiet day yesterday with lots of phone calls to and from family members. And, even though we PROMISED there would be no presents underneath the tree, we couldn’t resist gifting a little something to each other. I knitted Mr. FixIt a warm woolen hat and gave him the movies he’s been wanting. I got a pair of warm gloves, a new bubble level for the camper (Mr. FixIt accidentally broke mine), some fishing lures I looked at this fall, and the movie Oppenheimer.

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I fixed a great big Christmas breakfast and we watched football most of the day. I finished the last hat for the kids for Christmas and made a couple more for the shop. Instead of working my tail off making Christmas Dinner, we had hamburgers and air-fried French fries. And, for my Christmas treat…I had a nice piece of the fudge with walnuts and one of the Rolo Pretzel cookies that I made this week. Yummy. As I savored it, I asked myself if this was something I would want to sit down and eat a whole plate full and the answer was a resounding “No, thank you!” It will be interesting to see if the sugar makes me feel any different because I haven’t had it in ages. I’ve come a long way. This time last year, my eating was really out of control. This feels better,

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I hope you all had as pleasant a day as you could manage. I’ve learned to lower my expectations of this day. In the past, I would strive for the perfect Hallmark holiday…something right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Nowadays, I strive to find peace in the gentle moments between loved ones. I strive to seek joy in the quiet stillness of my studio or the sound of raindrops on the roof of the camper. And that’s just what I did!

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It got up to 66° yesterday and it started raining in the evening. The low was supposed to get in the mid fifties, so I asked Mr. FixIt if he would mind if I went “camping.” Of course, he didn’t. If his back and hip weren’t bothering him, he would have come out with me. What a treat to camp on Christmas Day! I brought a little sack of fresh fruit to snack on. I turned on the electric blanket and the little space heater, kicked back in the new recliner with a blanket over my lap, and wrote this post. *sigh* The only happier happy place than this is The Farm, but it will be at least another week before I can go out there for a little R&R.

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This week will keep us hopping as we tidy up and prepare for our family gathering on Saturday. So, as soon as I write this, I’m going to turn on the “burning fireplace” video on YouTube and sit here and knit. I may have set my sights low for Christmas this year, but it sure didn’t disappoint. It was a really great day!

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”Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!“

\n2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-26T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/26/its-boxing-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Grace","Love","Be Joyful!","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/22/getting-things-done.html", "title": "Getting Things Done", "content_html": "\n
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I woke up yesterday to my alarm that tells me when to put in my eye drops…long after I usually get up. I’ve been sleeping so soundly the last few months. I’ve never slept like this in my life and I attribute it to a combination of healthy eating, weight loss, and the mushroom coffee I’ve been drinking for the last nine months. I feel so good and when you sleep soundly, everything is in harmony.

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You know, I told you I wasn’t going to town again this year? Yeah, well that lasted till yesterday! Mr. FixIt had a prescription ready and I forgot to put blueberries on his list when he went to town on Wednesday. So I offered to buy him breakfast and then we could get the last things on the list and that would be it till after Christmas. (Crossing my fingers here!)

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We had a fun day together. A very late breakfast at Mary B’s set the stage. Their pancakes are pretty good. Not at good as Long Table’s Popcorn Pancakes, but still….pretty tasty! I treated myself to a little bacon with my pancakes and eggs. Hey, it’s Christmas, right? You can’t deny yourself the occasional indulgence.

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When we got home and I put things away, I headed to the studio to get some more gifts made. All the stockings for the West Virginia family are finished and filled. Hat and scarf sets are almost finished. The guys have hats and we’ll add to that at the after-Christmas sales. I want to make some quilted table runners so I’ll get to that today. Then I can sit down and just knit for fun!

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I always send my Colorado kids money, but I got gifts for the grands this year. I think they’ll love them! Kids get harder to buy for as they get older and money is always the perfect color and size! Next year, the Colorado peeps get handmade items like the WV family got this year. If you add the Colorado and West Virginia families together, we come up to 33 people! That’s a lot to make for every year. We’ve asked our kids to gift us experiences instead of stuff. We’d much rather have a dinner out with them than a tchotchke for the house or camper. We have everything we need. We need more time together. So that’s our wish…

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Time with family.

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🎄

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”Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.“

\nPsalm 127:3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-22T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/22/getting-things-done.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/16/every-day-brings-sweetness.html", "title": "Every Day Brings Sweetness", "content_html": "\n
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Mr. FixIt was already gone when I got up yesterday morning. I yawned and stretched. What was that sound that woke me. I listened closer and could hear voices and the sound of metal against metal. Ahhhh…the roofer dudes were back gathering the scrap from their roofing job. They cleaned up well, but we’ll still have to run the magnet over the lawn to check for nails. I heard them drive off and I got up to start my day.

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I padded into the kitchen to put the kettle on while I dressed. I had no plans outside of working on the last of the Christmas gifts. The house was peaceful and quiet as I took my morning cuppa and headed downstairs to my “studio.” It’s vastly different than my first studio in Colorado. That one was on the second floor of my little farmhouse on top of the hill. One wall was filled with large windows and my view of the elk grazing on Mount Medaris always thrilled me. 

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Once we get the extra bedroom cleared out and the ceiling repaired from an old leak, I think I’ll set my studio up in there. It has windows on two sides and I’d love to have the natural light. But for now, I am grateful to carve out a space where I can work and not have to put it all away at the end of the day. Right now that corner of the basement looks like a tornado went through it. 

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I managed to get five hats done yesterday. I still need to make some more Christmas stockings and get things out in the mail. I’m hoping they’ll arrive before Christmas, but if not, it’ll be the gift that keeps on giving. I was downstairs working when my sweetheart came home. He went to town to get his truck inspected and we are now officially a two vehicle family again! Now I’ll be able to go out to The Farm for a little R&R…probably after the holidays. 

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My brother called me a couple of weeks ago and asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I told him he really didn’t need to buy me anything, but I’d love it if he sent me a Christmas card with a nice newsy letter in it. He used to write me the nicest letters. I still have them. Sometimes they would be three or four pages long…front and back, handwritten in his careful cursive. He always signed them, “Your brother,” and his first, middle, and last names. They always warmed my heart. 

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I’ve known he’s slowly going downhill. We all are. But when I saw his writing, I could see how much. It doesn’t stop me from being his biggest cheerleader and giving him every ounce of love I can. He owns the biggest part of my heart and always will. 

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Mr. FixIt is picking up a buddy today to go to a lunch with his old work buddies. I’ll get a couple packages wrapped and mailed out this morning and get back to work on the Christmas stockings. I think I’ll make some loaves of Cranberry Walnut Bread to take to knitting group on Monday. That will make the house smell so good.

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‘Tis the Season to be Jolly!

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🎄

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”Let all that you do be done in love.“

\n1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-16T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/16/every-day-brings-sweetness.html", "tags": ["Family","Aging","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/15/nailed-it.html", "title": "Nailed It!", "content_html": "\n
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Have you ever seen those posts online where they show something really cute that someone made and someone else tries to make it and it just turns out abysmal? Well, I’m a bit of a perfectionist and I try not to mess up…but man, I sure did yesterday! I made those little Christmas stockings earlier in the week by altering a pattern for a larger size. I thought they were maybe a little bit too small, so I decided to make the original size.

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It took me four hours to make the components and put them together. When I finished the first one, I really didn’t like it, but I had the pieces of the other one made so I went ahead. Then, when I turned it right side out, all I could do is laugh. I attached the heel all the way around and the toe made a cup. It was so ridiculous. 

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Some days are like that. You try your best and things still don’t work out. I could have been upset or moped around about it, but what good would that do? I could have gone downstairs and made more stuff, but being tired and maybe a little disappointed in the lost efforts would not have helped. In fact, it might have just made matters worse. So, I put it away and sat in the living room with Mr. FixIt and watched old MONK reruns and Thursday Night Football. 

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All is right with the world and there’s always tomorrow. I put my Etsy shop on vacation mode till after the first of the year. It was getting too close to Christmas to guarantee on-time deliveries and I need a break with my family and friends. I’ll still be here, writing my posts. But..there may be some days when I share something from the archives. My theme for this holiday season is to keep it low key. No stress, no last minute rushing around. Just listen to my intuition and go where it takes me. 

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That sounds like a lot more fun, doesn’t it?

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🎄

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”The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.“

\nPsalm 37:23-24 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-15T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/15/nailed-it.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/03/big-on-the-big-screen.html", "title": "Big on the Big Screen", "content_html": "\n
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As promised, I stayed home and had a lay low day. I did a little cooking. I worked on the computer awhile. I watched some instructional videos on YouTube. Mr. FixIt went to town to unclog a pipe in the rental house. When he came back, we watched football. It was a lot of fun to watch the students win big scholarships to further their education. It makes the high cost of sodas a little less painful. We got to have a video chat with some of the Colorado family, and that is always a delight!

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The highlight of my day was watching Big in her swim meet. It still floors me that I can sit in the Big Red Chair and watch her swim in the Pacific Northwest! Her other Grandma sent me this picture that they caught of her. I had to watch on my laptop and between the smaller screen and the terrible internet, I had a hard time picking her out of the crowd. She did really well. I chatted with her on Friday night and she said she was a little nervous about this meet. It’s big and it counts for a lot. I told her I was sure she’d do great. And if she did her best, no one could ask for anything more of her. She’s a solid swimmer, but not Olympic material. She knows that and she’s fine with it. She loves to swim, she’s competitive, and she has a lot of fun. Swimming at college has really brought her out of her shell, so that’s Number 1 in my book.

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I need to stay off the screen more today because my eyes were really tired by the end of the day. I think they’ve been like that for awhile, but now I’m paying closer attention to them and really noticing how irritated they are. You know, you can have a medical issue creep up on you so slowly, that you accommodate what’s happening. Then you don’t realize how bad it was till it starts to get better, and then you go, “Oh, yeah… this is what I’m supposed to feel like.” I’m looking toward to that happening!

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I hope you have a Blessed Sunday and enjoy some restful moments.

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🎄

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“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

\nProverbs 22:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-03T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/03/big-on-the-big-screen.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/01/all-that-glitters.html", "title": "All That Glitters", "content_html": "\n
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My brother, my heart!

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OMGosh! I had to be in town yesterday for two separate appointment four hours apart so there was going to be a little shopping done. However, Mr. FixIt asked if he could come along with me to buy a tube of glue. Even after I offered to get him the glue, he still expressed interest in tagging along and of course, I love having him tag along. I can always buy his present later!

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We went out to breakfast at our favorite diner and I splurged with a pancake, eggs and bacon. What a treat! Afterward, we sat in the parking lot waiting for the phone conference I was invited to. My brother has an update every six months and we do it over video chat so we can see each other. I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks. He looked happy and it made my heart sing to see him doing so well.

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We went to the mall later and walked all over the place. Getting in our daily steps is more difficult when we’re done with mowing season and it’s cold outside. We killed a couple of hours then headed to my appointment. I learned a lot of things yesterday. The biggest of which is… dry eye disease is a much bigger deal than I thought it was. My avid use of the computer these last ten years has done a job on my eyes. We are working on a treatment plan but it is definitely something that must be dealt with right away. I’ll need to cut back a little on my screen time till I get some of the inflammation under control. So, there may be some writings from the archive from time to time when my eyes are feeling especially uncomfortable. I do hope you will understand.

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We stopped for a quick dinner at Wendy’s and when we got home, I turned left to check the mail. That’s when he said, “Whoa, whoa, whoa… don’t pull into our road!” Something was glittering in the light. I couldn’t figure out what he was talking about. After I checked the mail, I swung the truck around and turn the headlights on high and there was the evidence of an accident of some sort right in the middle of the entry to our road. 

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Mr. FixIt found an area where it was safe to drive in, then we went and got a broom, head lamps, and a broom. I started sweeping up the broken glass and my sweetie picked up the bigger pieces of the grill of a car. I saw skid marks on the white line along the side of the road. I didn’t see any evidence of a second vehicle so, even though there wasn’t any blood, I’m sure someone hit a deer. From the looks of the glass, I’d say a side window was broken, too. Once we had the biggest part of the mess cleared up, I did a cursory search just to make sure there wasn’t a car off the side of the road or an injured deer but there was nothing. I’ll look again today when it’s light.

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So it was a good day, overall, and we got a lot done. 

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Welcome to December!

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🎄

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“You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you.”

\nExodus 23:25 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-01T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/01/all-that-glitters.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Overcoming Obstacles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/11/20/gratitude.html", "title": "Gratitude", "content_html": "\n
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A hearty breakfast of grits, eggs, and turkey sausage is a great way to start the day on the right foot.

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I know we aren’t supposed to put up our Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. But if you’ve been following me any length of time, you know I LOVE me some twinkle lights once the nights get longer. Mr. FixIt was kind enough to bring the decorations up from the basement yesterday afternoon and I started working on the tree while he was at the bowling alley last night.

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Look at my nice, clean living room!

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I have a long standing tradition that goes back to when Daughter #1 was a little girls. She loved what she called “singing and dancing movies” so we always watched White Christmas while we decorated the tree. I was really sad when I learned that Mr. FixIt isn’t crazy about that movie. See, his family owned the Palace Movie Theater in Parkersburg when he was a little boy and I’m sure he had to watch that movie every December at least seventy-five times. It’s just not his thing. If I can get the preliminaries out of the way when he’s not there, I can watch White Christmas. It really puts me in the mood for the holidays and we can finish decorating together.

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I have the tree up, the angel on top, and the lights on. The Santa’s are in place and the stockings are hung. I found a string of light that are battery powered so I have them on the wreath in the window. The battery operated candles are on the window sills. We have decided this is the last year for this tree. I think it might have gotten wet in the basement during one of the leaks we had because it smells musty. We also had an issue with the stove last year and there was black stuff all over it. It’s time to get a new one when they go on sale this year.

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You know, I don’t see anything wrong with decorating early if it brings joy to your life. These days are hard enough without trying to live up to the expectations of others. We have to look for joy wherever we can find it and if that means you have a Christmas tree up from November through February… or all year round for that matter… then I say go for it! Life’s too short.

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I have three more holiday designs posted in the shop and I think that’s about all the Christmas things I’ll do. I don’t want people to wait too late to order items for gifting and then not get them in time. I’ll probably turn off the holiday items about the middle of December.

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I had the perfect weekend. I had coffee with my high school friends on Saturday. I FaceTimed with both of my girls on Sunday! And, I have knitting group this morning so I’m looking forward to visiting with my new friends. Life is good and busy now and I’m feeling so grateful.

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🦃

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“Rejoice always,”

\n1 Thessalonians 5:16 ESV\n
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This Christmas Cow is SO cute! She’s all dressed up in her holiday finery and wishing you a “Mooooy Christmas.” This design features additional printing on the sleeve.

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-11-20T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/11/20/gratitude.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/24/testing-out-my-theory.html", "title": "Testing Out my Theory", "content_html": "\n
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Who wants some black walnuts?

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I decided yesterday that I had better pick up the walnuts from out in the field. Maybe that will discourage the bear from taking up residence here. I found an old cat litter bucket and took that out. I filled it up in five minutes and didn’t make a dent in the number of walnuts. Mr. FixIt found me a 7.5 gallon bucket. I filled it up and hadn’t left the first tree yet. I rummaged around in the building and came up with an old enamel canner and a plastic washtub. I got about three bushels! I got all the walnuts picked up that were in the mowing area of the field but there are still plenty on the trees and in the underbrush of the hedgerow. Copperheads look exactly like fallen leaves so I did NOT mess around in there. We’ll leave those to the wildlife and hope for the best. I will say, the cat was hissing all around the first tree. She went cautiously to the edge of the creek bank and looked over, but whatever she was smelling wasn’t there at the moment. That being said, I found three or four big piles of bear scat so they are frequenting our fields, for sure.

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Mr. FixIt had an appointment in town yesterday morning early and he was so kind to let me sleep in. When I cleaned the kitchen before our big trip, I wanted to tackle the pantry, but I ran out of time. I took advantage of my sweetie being away and I tore through the cans and boxes, tossing some, giving some away that no longer meet our dietary preferences, and started cleaning the shelves.

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She is so unbelievably tiny! Her litter mates are three times her size!

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I had a grocery list for Mr. FixIt and he also needed to stop at the furnace parts store. He and two other guys poured over the schematics of our model of furnace and they finally came up with what part needed replaced. Mr. FixIt got home and in ten minutes he had the furnace up and running. I had to leave the rest of the pantry for today because we had another errand to run.

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We headed to town because a drain line is blocked in our rental house so we had to work on that a bit. Then we went over to visit the Former Mrs. FixIt. She has a new puppy…a mixed breed. It has Mountain Feist in it…a breed I’d never heard of. This little girl is the runt of the litter and when I say she’s little…I’m not kidding! She’s no bigger than your hand and weighs less than a pound at two months!

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She has a familiar mark on her back so she named her Minnie!

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But, when we got back from town, the furnace blew hot air for about five minutes and stopped, just like it did the first time. I know Mr. FixIt can do this…he can do anything! He’ll keep trying. We have a couple of security cameras around our house, so I set up a trap of sorts. I made sure there were walnuts within sight of both of the cameras so maybe we’ll catch that bear red handed…or is it pawed? We didn’t let Pumpkin out of the building till around 10:00 and put her inside long before the sun started to sink low over the far ridge across the creek. So, we’ll see!

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On our way home, we stopped for Chinese food. I’ve lost thirty pounds now and that meal was a huge treat for me. The nice thing is, I’m learning to pay closer attention to my hunger cues. Too many times I was eating because it was TIME to eat whether I was really hungry or not. Or, because I was feeling peckish and I would graze until my mouth was satisfied. Or I would eat because I was bored or sad or angry. Isn’t it weird to be seventy years old and just learn these things about yourself? It just goes to show you, we never stop learning. If I’m on the right side of the grass, I want to be learning something!

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🍁

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“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.”

\nProverbs 6:6-8 ESV\n
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His Mercies are New Every Morning

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/24/testing-out-my-theory.html", "tags": ["Family","Change","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/22/the-language-of-cats.html", "title": "The Language of Cats", "content_html": "\n
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This cat always looks ticked off…bless her little Pumpkin head.

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It’s been almost four years since Pumpkin Kitty graced us with her presence. It’s been a bit of a rocky road between her and me. She’s definitely a Daddy’s girl, but when he’s not around, she loves to mark me as her own with lots of head bumps and rubs against my legs. She’s still finicky about touch. If she’s in the mood, she wants you to pet her…but she kinda wants to bite you, too. I really don’t get cats. Now dogs? They speak my language. “Love me, love me, love me!” Cats are more like, “Oh, look. The can opener is back.”

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The very first photo of Pumpkin Kitty…Halloween 2019.

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When we were gone, the Former Mrs. FixIt came to check in on Pumpkin and make sure she was happy and well fed, had clean water and litter box. According to Daughter #2, Cat Mom Extraordinaire, cats only know two people…Mom and Not Mom. Or in Pumpkin’s case…Dad and Not Dad. When Not Dad shows up to feed her and love on her, she’s not havin’ it. Food, yes. You wanna pet me? I have two moods….1. Namaste 2. I will cut you. Former Mrs. FixIt still comes and feeds her…God bless her.

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She is the Queen Kitty of Marshmallow Ranch!

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The night after we got home, there was a break in the rain and I went out during the golden hour to take some pictures of the leaves changing. Somewhere along the way, I turned around and there was Mr. FixIt watching me. Where Mr. FixIt goes, Pumpkin is not far behind. We were commenting about the bumper crop of walnuts this year and walked down toward the end of the far field to check them out. The further we got out in the field, I notice Pumpkin was getting more and more agitated.

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This is the only time she laid on me and slept. She’s Miss Independent!

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I’ve never seen her act quite like this. She was standing straight as a pointer, staring into the hedgerow. Her tail was flicking and she kept looking back at us. When we got closer to the hedgerow ourselves, she came straight at us with the hair up on her back, hissing at us. I knew something was wrong so I told Mr. FixIt, “Don’t try to touch her or pick her up. She’s not having any of that. She wants us out of here.” So we backed up and headed back to the house. The closer we got to the house, the more relaxed Pumpkin became and by the time we were at the door, she was head butting me and rubbing on my legs.

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Watching the world go by.

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I puzzled over this for a while and came to the conclusion there was something out there that she felt was threatening. When she was very young, she got in a fight with a neighbor cat and ended up in the Kitty ER getting a hole in her side fixed up. It occurred to me I never see her down at that end of the field. I called Daughter #2 to get her take and she agreed…Pumpkin was decidedly uncomfortable with us being down there. She had been trying to alert me with the tail flicks and the staring with her head held high and the looks back at us. She was saying, “Let’s not go down there. It’s kinda scary and I don’t like it.” When we didn’t pick up on that, she elevated the conversation to, “HEY! I’m telling you…we do NOT want to go down there!!!” Finally, she flat out came lunging at us, spitting and hissing with fur flying screaming, “GET OUT OF HERE!”

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Licking her chops because Dad just gave her a treat!

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Yes, cats are much more complicated than dogs. Higher maintenance, to be sure. But I’m beginning to understand her better. Maybe it’ll be more of a “Love…Kinda” relationship when I learn how to speak Cat.

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The rest of the day was uneventful. I had to do some work in the camper and on the computer. And at 4:00 Eastern, Big’s swim meet started. I watched on the computer in the office. The Women’s team won the meet, which was exciting. And Big got second place in two of her four events, which made this Nana proud!

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It’s so fun to watch Big compete!

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It was a really good day. The sun came out. Mr. FixIt still can’t figure out the furnace problem, but I have faith in him. He’ll get it done…not to worry!

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🍁

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“Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.”

\nProverbs 12:10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/22/the-language-of-cats.html", "tags": ["Family","The Cats","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/02/a-beautiful-autumn-day.html", "title": "A Beautiful Autumn Day", "content_html": "\n
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Not only was the weather perfect, but the company was as well. Our oldest great grandchild celebrated her “6th Birthday” yesterday complete with her own bouncy house and an appearance by Elsa, the Princess from Frozen. After a couple little hiccups getting there, we arrived just in time to see Elsa and some fine little Princesses singing and dancing. Oh, it had to be a storybook birthday for our little one and one she’ll never forget!

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Once the candles were lit and blown out, the pizza was eaten, and the gifts were opened, we begged our leave and ran some errands. We needed to go to Lowe’s to find something to rig up the antenna for our new cell phone booster. We were designing things in our heads faster than we could make the other understand and I was hangry. A nice salad later and I was back on an even keel.

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We went home and I started to back the mower out of the building when I looked down and there was an old spare tire mount for a camper we sold last year. I took one look at it and knew our antenna dilemma was likely over. I took it out and showed it to Mr. FixIt and we both agreed this could be the answer for mounting the antenna to the camper. It needs a small adaptation so he’ll take it to the welder today to have it fixed.

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Papaw’s Best Buddy

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We are in a crunch now. It’s finally dry enough and we have the time to mow. I got a good deal done yesterday afternoon and will finish today. I need to take things out of the camper that we don’t need and stock it with what we do. Fortunately Beans mowed at the farm over the weekend so we don’t have to try to fit that in. We head out Wednesday morning, so what doesn’t get done, either won’t or we’ll get what we need when we’re on the road. I’m not stressing about it.

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One thing I am going to take with me is my super find of the week. We arrived early for our eye appointments last week and walked to the end of the building where the Goodwill is. We like to pick around and see if there’s anything we can’t live without. (What was it I was saying just last week about needing to get RID of stuff??? lol) Anyway, we found a metal basket that you roast corn in over a fire. That’s going with us. But the coup de gras was a Yeti can cooler. They normally cost $25 and I got mine for $.99!!! Whoop, Whoop!!!

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?

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“Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.”

\nEcclesiastes 10:19 ESV\n
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When I became a widow, I discovered fuzzy blankets really helped to comfort me. Now, I design them with my favorite photos and scriptures to comfort others who are bereaved. 

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/02/a-beautiful-autumn-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/27/its-time-to-nest.html", "title": "It’s Time to Nest", "content_html": "\n
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I have torn the family room apart. I’m deep cleaning it in preparation for the holiday season. I hung some more of the pretty samplers I bought this year. I figured out a way to get a handle on all the power cords I use when I sit down in my Big Comfy Chair to work on my Etsy Shop. I found an old rectangular basket big enough to hold my power strips and cords. I cut a hole in one end and ran the power cord out the back of the basket and plugged it in. The top is not covered so the power strip won’t overheat, and the sides are high enough you can’t readily see in it. I’m finally hanging things on the walls. They really need a good coat of paint, but I’ll put that off till next year. The room is in that “looks worse than than it did before” stage right now.

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Mr. FixIt had to go to town yesterday for an appointment so I asked if he would mind picking up some things at the grocery store for me. I wrote out a list and sent it via text. I remembered to add something so I reminded him to be sure to look at BOTH lists. I asked for three one pound tubes of ground turkey. So, he came home with ONE three pound tube of ground beef. What is it about men that they can’t read a grocery list? He brought home two boxes of Corn Chex. While he was unloading things, I went to the pantry and picked up the box we already had in there and poured all of them into two Rubbermaid cereal canisters. He said, “Oh, I didn’t know we had that.” I asked if it was on the list. Nope. 

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Bless his heart.

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I know there are men out there who wouldn’t even try! And lawsy me…I know for certain I’ve come home with things we didn’t need and forgot to get what we did! We’ve got one good brain between us and I am so grateful I have a partner who cares enough to try.

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Since we had all that hamburger, I decided to make him a nice meatloaf for supper. I’ve never really made good meatloaf, so I looked up a recipe on the Food Network Kitchen app. I heated up a jar of my home canned half-runner beans and cooked some farfalle pasta. I dressed it simply with butter and grated parmesan cheese. It was SO yummy. Here’s a link for the meatloaf.

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I left the dishes to soak and ran out and mowed till it was too dark to see, then came back in and cleaned the kitchen. And with that, I was spent. It was time to sit down and write to you good people to see how your week is going. We are running to town today to have our eye exams. It’s not till the afternoon so I’m hoping I can get some more of the grass mowed. We have more rain coming in later in the week and I was hoping to get it done beforehand. Not sure I’ll make it.

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We head to the beach a week from today. We are keeping a weather eye out for hurricanes. It could go either way, but at least we will be prepared in case there is smooth sailing.

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Oh, and here’s a new one for me. This is a Pigeon Horntailed Wasp. Even though they looke pretty nasty, they cannot sting people. Pumkin was playing with this one, then I got busy mowing so I am not sure of its fate. Such is life in the country!

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?

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“A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”

\nProverbs 13:4 NIV\n
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To Every Thing There is a Season

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/27/its-time-to-nest.html", "tags": ["Family","Change","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/24/rollin-rollin-rollin.html", "title": "Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin!", "content_html": "\n
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My sweetheart…enjoying the good life he deserves.

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HokeySmokes, y’all…there’s so much to tell. I’m going to have to do a daily synopsis!

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Monday

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Camped under the Silver Maples

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We kinda took our time on Monday. We had a nice breakfast, then we started getting stuff out to the camper…mostly Mr. FixIt’s stuff because my stuff was still in there. We hit the road around 3:00, I guess. We had to stop for gas first, then our favorite rest area to dump the tanks. We stopped in Marietta to pick up some groceries for the trip and headed on to the campground. We neither one slept well because we forgot how noisy it is up there between the trains, the state highway across the river, and the tugboats pushing the barge up and down.

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One of my wonderful bonus sons…I didn’t have to raise them or feed them. I just get to enjoy them and love them.

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Tuesday

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A lovely, leisurely breakfast and time fishing. The kids came up and brought some food and the guys fished for awhile and we sat around the campfire till they had to get home. Really, it was very peaceful and relaxing.

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Ruby, the well behaved Bernedoodle (cross between Standard Poodle and a BerneseMountain Dog)

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Wednesday

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Mr. FixIt went on a search for a place to fill the propane tank that we use for the gas campfire ring and I stayed at the camper and knitted. It was such a pleasant day, and I hadn’t had a chance to just sit and look at the river. We went for walks every day and there were more campers coming in Wednesday in preparation for the weekend. I love talking to people from all around. There was a couple from nearby Marietta who always come camping during the week for the same reason we do…it’s quiet and peaceful. They had the most beautiful Bernedoodle named Ruby. While we were talking, the gal who was camping in a little tiny teardrop camper returned from her daily visits to the many glass museums in the area. I was anxious to ask her about her camper.

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Rustic Trails Teardrop Camper…SO cute! (Note to Kathy: “Get yourself a hitch lock, hon. Please don’t leave this little sweet thing in a campground all on her own for the day. I’d hate to see you lose her!”)

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Kathy and I sat and visited for quite awhile. She showed me the camper and in the course of our conversation, she revealed that she used to be a Diabetes Educator which is what I used to do a gazillion years ago. It’s such a small world, isn’t it? Mr. FixIt and I ended the day sitting quietly around our little “campfire”, drinking a cup of tea and watching the moon turn pumpkin orange as it slipped under the western horizon. It was a very good day.

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Shadows, Reflections, and a Snake in the Swamp! Zoom in on the water.

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Thursday

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Something I didn’t tell you was one of my mom’s cousins died of covid last weekend and his viewing and funeral were Thursday. I had told them I couldn’t come because we would be out of town so I sent flowers. Then, when I woke up that morning and we happened to have a little cell service, I looked on the map and the town was only 35 minutes away! Mr. FixIt didn’t have the proper attire, but I essentially keep a closet in the back of our Super Crew Cab F-150 so I was prepared for most anything. I dug around and found something appropriate to wear, left Mr. FixIt to go fishing, and headed over to pay my respects and represent our branch of the family. When I got back, we started getting things ready for supper because the kids were coming back up and I told them I’d cook this time. We grilled chicken and had fresh corn on the cob and sliced tomatoes. We sat around the “campfire” again and watching the stars. It was a long day. It’s a shame our reunions are at funerals now, isn’t it? I’m going to do something about that.

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Friday

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Time to head home. We had breakfast and started stowing things away for the trip. We stopped at the same dump station to empty our tanks and were back home by mid-afternoon. On the drive home, I told Mr. FixIt we should go back into Parkersburg later and get our Covid vaccines, which we did. We’ve always had Moderna, but it wasn’t available yet so we took the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Sam’s. We were assured there wouldn’t be a problem mixing them. Pro tip: if you take a couple of Extra Strength Tylenol before you have your vaccine, it really lessons the site reaction. When we left Sam’s, we went to Volcano Days out at Mountwood Park and walked and walked and walked. They had a big display of hit and miss engines that I just love to hear. They remind me of my childhood when the well tenders would go around and start up the engines and pump the wells for awhile. We got home late Friday night…too late to write a proper post. So here I am. We’re caught up at this point…except for what happened yesterday.

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Saturday

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We went down near Charleston yesterday morning to meet the gal from FB Marketplace that we bought our new to us cell phone booster from. Easy peasy. Since we were down there, I asked Mr. FixIt if he’d like to go over to Cabela’s and wander around for a while. That was great fun because he taught me all about fishing lures and bait and what kind of fish they attract. Mr. FixIt’s tried and true method of fishing is with worms on a hook with a bobber and you sit in your chair waiting for a bite. I tried it and, no offense sweetheart, but I would rather watch paint dry. To me, it was kinda LIKE watching paint dry. I’m going back to lures and bait. The next stop was Home Goods. Lots more walking and I started feeling really tired. We went on to Target and about halfway through there, I was definitely NOT feeling well. I felt like my feet were full of lead. It felt like I was on a fast elevator down. As a matter fact, I nearly blacked out three times and was seeing stars. We decided I might be having a reaction to the shot so we stopped at the ER nearby and they checked me out. Thankfully, my tests were negative and the doctor agreed it was probably related to the the shot and I was just feeling fatigued. I was also a little dehydrated, but not enough to get an IV. So, they discharged me, we went to get something to eat, and I am very happily staying home today!

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So, that’s the skinny on my week. 

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It’s always an adventure with Ginny McKinney!

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?

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“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

\n3 John 1:2 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/24/rollin-rollin-rollin.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/19/a-camping-we-will-go.html", "title": "A Camping We Will Go!", "content_html": "\n
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It rained off and on yesterday. Fortunately, it wasn’t raining when we packed up the truck and camper and it held off till we got to the campground. We waited in the truck because they were big raindrops and that’s usually a sign of a brief shower. We have camped in this particular site several times so I backed in slick as a whistle. We were both starving so I fixed us some sandwiches and we set the camp up.

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When it started getting dusk, we fished a little bit. Didn’t even get a nibble, but it’s fun to try. Two of my step kids came up to see the campsite and bring us some burgers. We had a fire with the propane campfire pit I bought when I was on The Grand Adventure after Mr. Virgo died. I take it with me most every camping trip and never end up using so it was nice to sit on the banks of the Ohio River with the flames flickering at our feet and no smoky smell!

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We were both pretty well done by 9:00 and we snuggled in under the covers. The low was predicted to be 48° during the night so I’m really glad I have my “toaster oven” sleeping beside me! This will be short tonight and hopefully I’ll be able to post the beautiful picture I took of the sliver of a moon over the river just before dark. It makes me wonder why God bothers with us…we are infinitesimal compared to the grand beauty of the universe!

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More tomorrow!

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?

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“I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?”

\nPsalms 8:3-4 MSG\n
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Harvest Blessings…we have so much to be grateful for!

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Shop Now

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We are a disposable society. Gone are the days when Grandma cut the buttons off of worn out shirts or made a quilt using the old blanket inside the new pieced top and backing. Who gets their shoes resoled anymore? The toaster stops working? Get a new one! Our grandchildren and their grandchildren have lost all touch with making do with what you have. Now it’s all the latest and the best of everything. New, new, new!

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Grandma reduced, reused, and recycled everything. Mom’s generation held onto everything but bought more as well. My generation is learning that there’s NO ONE on the planet that wants heavy brown floral couches and avocado green appliances and ugly dishes. There’s a totally different mindset now. They don’t want to work the jobs the way we worked them. And if a marriage isn’t working out, get out as fast as you can and move on.

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Relationships have become as disposable as my old 8-Tracks and it’s sad. Where my generation was all about free love, these kids are all about anger. Granted…if you are truly being abused in a relationship, then by all means get out as quickly and safely as you can. But too many are bailing from the raft before they even figure out they can ride the rough water and come out the other side.

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Our kids were grown with kids of their own when Mr. FixIt and I got together. And I will tell you this one thing is the best thing I could ever have done.

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Learn to love their mother.

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That single thing has created a beautiful family atmosphere for all of us and alleviated a lot of the feelings of divided loyalties that kids go through. It doesn’t matter how old they are, the worst thing you can ever do to your kids is talk bad about the other parent. You might feel vindicated when the children choose you over him or her, but down the road that is going to come back and bite you on the butt every single time.

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I developed this kind of relationship with Hubby #1 and #2, but it didn’t come right away. There seems to be some societal expectation that you are destined to have an acrimonious divorce and hate your ex’s new significant other. It doesn’t have to be that way. Again…I’m not saying this is possible with every breakup. A lot depends on the circumstances that got you there. But there are a lot of missed opportunities if you don’t learn to love your stepchildren’s mom.

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I made specific moves to make sure the Former Mrs. FixIt was included and cared for early on. At my bonus grandchild’s bridal shower, I stayed a step back. This wasn’t my party. I love her like my own, but I didn’t kiss her boo-boos or rock her to sleep. She did. This was her place of  honor. And, by taking that stance, it seems to have cemented a solid friendship I am so blessed to have.We talk on the phone…a lot. We share our bounty. We are walking in the footsteps of Jesus when he told us to love one another. That means EVERYONE. 

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We are heading out to one of our favorite campgrounds today and we’ll be back Friday. I’ll post as usual, because…it’s what I do! I cannot imagine not sitting down and writing my evening letter to you all. It’s really hard for me when I take a break away from writing. My world doesn’t feel right!

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?

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““Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.””

\nJohn 13:34-35 MSG\n
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Christmas Calories Don’t Count! It’s not so much what you eat between Christmas and New Years. It’s what you eat between New Years and Christmas! So…eat the cookie!!!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/18/the-gift-we-give-to.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Forgiveness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/13/in-my-other-happy-place.html", "title": "In My Other Happy Place", "content_html": "\n
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Any of you who have followed me for any length of time know my happy places. With Mr. FixIt and my family…at The Farm…on the tractor at Marshmallow Ranch…or in the Camper. Yesterday was such a cozy day and I was definitely feeling my happy titer rising. Gail and I knitted for awhile, then went to town, hoping to visit with Lonnie at Mama’s Attic before she closes up shop, but she was closed till today. I’ll try again later. By the time we fiddled around town, I was starving so we went to The Roadhouse for lunch.

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Gail’s Autumn Sedum

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When we got back to the campground, it was siesta time. As soon as I got in the camper, it started pouring the rain down. I didn’t nap…I just lay there drifting to the sound of raindrops on the roof of the camper. I seldom revisit my early days of camping when I was newly bereaved and wandered through the wilderness and backroads of Colorado. However, I do let my mind wonder at how different things are now.

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After the Rain

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I can distinctly remember the very early days of The Grand Adventure. I was barely at my first campsite and I got really sick with a bad cold. I was prepared for just about any eventuality, so I took medicine, ate soup, and stayed cuddled up in bed for three days. I’ll bet I slept twenty hours a day that week. I was so tired. I’d been running around like crazy since Mr. Virgo died. There was SO much to do, and I really hadn’t given myself much time to just be with my grief.

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A very faint but full arc rainbow.

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I can’t say I ever became friends with grief. But I did learn how to live with it…eventually. That little camper…TOW-Wanda…was my safe place. My healing place. My cocoon when I could block out the world and just BE. The camper itself is what I became friends with. It’s ability to embrace me and hold my tears and fears for safekeeping. I still feel that magical embrace when I enter my space.

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I am so incredibly blessed to have a husband that holds me close while he lets me go at the same time. He so generous and loving and patient and kind. I miss him tremendously when I am away from him. And when we get back together after time apart, it’s the act of coming home when I feel his warm embrace.

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I don’t take a moment of that for granted. I know how fast things can change so I make sure he knows just how cherished he is. Yes, I am blessed with so many happy places. This is just one of them. We called in the owls again last night. This time I got a picture of a beautiful Barred Owl in the tree not twenty feet from me. 

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He sat there for quite a while and never made a sound. By the time I went into the camper, there were several nearby…calling back and forth.

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We are so blessed when we find such goodness in the world.

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???

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“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.”

\nJeremiah 17:14 ESV\n
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Looking ahead to the holidays…Meowy Christmas is for those cat lovers on your shopping list!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/13/in-my-other-happy-place.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Camping","Be Joyful!","Memories","Friends","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/09/i-love-you-mom.html", "title": "I Love You, Mom", "content_html": "\n
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I’m gaining countertop space…slowly but surely!

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I have a huge family now that I’ve married Mr. FixIt. I have bonus kids and bonus grandkids and even bonus great-grandchildren. But I only have two girls who I raised from birth. They both live in Colorado and I miss them tremendously. That’s why we go and spend a month every summer to see them. We have to fill up our cup when we can.

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My girls are as different as night and day. Not surprising considering they were born sixteen years apart. That’s almost a generation between them. One is old school. She was raised without TV for the most part. Fiercely independent and not the least bit clingy or demonstrative. The other is my cling-on. My snuggle bunny. She is my mirror…the one who teaches me who I really am. 

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Daughter #2 showers me with many terms of endearment. There are lots of hugs and kisses when we see each other. Daughter number one hugs me when I get there and when I leave. She tolerates me kissing her on the cheek and whisper how much I love her. She knows. She loves me, too. She just shows it in different ways. When she was little, she was a cuddle bug, but once she hit the teen years, those hugs and kisses were few and far between. And, like a rare gem…they’re valuable when I get them. Not that Daughter #2’s affections aren’t equally valuable…just in different ways. 

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Big is just like her mom. Now that she’s in college and so grown up, she’s much freer with her hugs and I love you’s, but she’s still stingy with those kisses. Little on the other hand…is just like D2 and me…all about the affection.

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Thursday morning my phone rang and when I saw the Caller ID, my heart skipped a beat. I don’t get a lot of phone call from her…especially that early in the morning. But, it was my firstborn! We had a wonderful, long conversation. She was waiting for a meeting to begin and when her coworker came in, she had to scoot quickly. I told her I loved her. And then she said…

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“I love you too, Mom.”

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Oh, my mother’s heart! I still get a lump in my throat when I think of it. I can hear it in my head. Hubby #2 wasn’t one to say I love you much. That’s probably where Daughter #1 got it from. When I asked him why he didn’t say it more often, he said, “If you say it too much, it loses it’s meaning.” I don’t know about that, but I can tell you this. That was truly a gift that day. A rare and precious gift I’ll never forget.

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And, to top it off…Daughter #2 called in the evening. My bookends to my very good day!

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I didn’t work the whole day in the kitchen yesterday, but enough of it. Everything I do shows me how much more needs doing. But, I’m on a roll now and things are taking shape. I’m moving things around and that’s always a little iffy. Mr. FixIt isn’t fond of change. We have this really old under-counter toaster oven that I just can’t stand. A few years ago, I talked my sweetheart into getting a four slice toaster so we pretty much have stopped using it. And it hangs down so low, it takes up that whole corner of the kitchen and it is wasted space.

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Mr. FixIt had to go to town AGAIN yesterday, and I worked away while he was gone. I wanted to finish up a few things after supper. I kept staring at that toaster oven and hoping. I came to to the door of the family room and asked if he could come in and look at something. I think he knew what I was going to ask because we barely walked over the threshold and he said, “Yes…we can get rid of it.”

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I threw my hands up and said, “Thank you, Jesus!” So, that sucker’s outta here today! Yes!!!

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?

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“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

\nEphesians 4:31-32 NLT\n
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I love Garden Flags! I change them out with the seasons so I’m always thinking up more designs. Here’s a fun Trick or Treat flag you can personalize with a family name. Order soon so you’ll have it in plenty of time before Halloween!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-09T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/09/i-love-you-mom.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","Peaceful Moments"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/03/home-from-the-farm.html", "title": "Home From The Farm", "content_html": "\n
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Pumpkin Kitty has squeezed herself into the little ditch beside the sidewalk…waiting for Dad to come by.

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I worked all day Friday and all day yesterday on my shop. I’ve been a little behind in getting the fall stuff our and now its time to start on the Christmas stuff. I have a deeper empathy for those who not only run their own small businesses but also have the time crunch of being ready for the holidays.

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When I had Needles & Pins my little needlework shop in Glenwood Springs, I didn’t really have distinct seasons. Most of my supplies were for counted cross stitchers and some of those beautiful Santas and Snowmen and Angels take a LONG time to work. There were small projects that could be finished in a reasonable timeframe, but I sold all seasons, all the time.

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This shop is different. You have to start planning for the holidays months in advance and if you get behind, you could miss the opportunity to make some good sales. If I could get this up and running steady, I could make it a steady side hustle that would really help us out in our “fixed income years.” There are certain things you can’t say in posts or the algorithms will kick you down the ladder of engagement. Words like s.h.a.r.e and c.o.m.m.e.n.t are no-nos, so asking you to do those things is counter productive. But if you’re feeling generous and would like to expose more of your friends to what I’m doing here…I would be ever so grateful.

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So, back to yesterday. As I was coming home, I passed my cousin’s place down the road and they were gathered for a cookout. I went down the road to the turnaround in front of their house and circled back. In order to get over to the bunkhouse where the fire pit is located, you need to down a steep and narrow driveway then drive through the creek at the bottom and back up the other side. I just flip my truck into 4WD and she handles it like a champ.

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I couldn’t sit around for very long because Mr. FixIt was expecting me and there’s no cell service at the bunkhouse so I couldn’t call him. It was fun to catch up a little. My cousin and his wife are both retired now so ostensibly we could see each other more often. It just hasn’t turned out that way this summer. You know how it is after you retire…you’re busier than you ever were when you were working!

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I have everything ready to put the pork roast in early this morning. I’ve got the dry rub mixed up. I have the crudités just about ready to go in the container I’ll take with us to the picnic. I need to mix up a batch of homemade Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. I have several kinds of crackers. I had to laugh when I stopped a the deli at the Piggly Wiggly. I wanted to get some hard salami and have it sliced thin enough to make little roses to decorate my tray.

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Deli Clerk: “How thick do you want this?”

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Me: “Oh, well thin enough to form into roses for my charcuterie board, but not so thick as they would break.”

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Deli Clerk:

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Me:

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Deli Clerk:

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Me: “Thin. But not too thin, or too thick.”

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Deli Clerk: “Ok. How ‘bout I cut a slice and you tell me which direction to go…deal?”

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Sure ‘nuff, that’s a deal. Sometimes I forget where I am and that I’m a logophile in the smallest county in the state. We don’t even have a stop light. There are a lot of well educated West Virginians who are worldly and erudite. But the majority, I would have to say, are linguistically challenged. So I try not to come off as pedant, but I do love words. I like to challenge people a little to expand their vocabulary, but I never mean it in a showy way. I just don’t always “read the room” accurately. That’s actually an autistic trait. 

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Off for a fun day of family fun, food, and….cornhole!

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?

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“But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.”

\n1 Timothy 5:8 NLT\n
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No ad today…it’s the Lord’s Day. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/03/home-from-the-farm.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Farm Life","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/08/01/angel-coins-and-found-feathers.html", "title": "Angel Coins and Found Feathers", "content_html": "\n
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Gifts from beyond. That’s what they call all those found coins laying where you never put them. Or outside your car door every time you open it in a strange parking lot. Mr. FixIt and I found coins all over the place when we were driving home. I found pennies. He found dimes. Over and over again. The feathers are a little different. Mr. Virgo started sending me all manner of birds as soon as he died…especially bluebirds. I always find a feather or two when I’m mowing. I always stop the mower, get off to pick up the feather, and tuck it in the hair above my right ear. Then when I go inside, I empty my newfound plumage on the cabinet in the family room. It was crazy how many feathers I found yesterday. Little bitty ones to the biggest one I’ve found yet here at Marshmallow Ranch. Messages from beyond? Or molting season and holes in pockets. Who knows?

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I like to think it’s our guardian angels watching out for us and leaving little signs that they’re nearby.

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I very firmly believe in guardian angels. When we were in Denver, someone was telling me a story of being a young teen, driving a roadster down the back country roads. There were sunflowers along the roadside n the opposite side of the road and he was happily letting them run through his fingers as he drove along…not a care in the world. Then, out of nowhere, a stern voice called him by name and said, “Get over in your lane…NOW!” He did, and just then, a big poultry truck came roaring up over the hill right in front of him.

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When I was a young girl, I was trapped in a garage by a neighborhood teenager and was sexually assaulted. For all my life, I wondered where God was and why didn’t he protect me. After Mr. Virgo died, I had several EMDR sessions to ease my PTSD. When I was stabilized, I asked my therapist if EMDR would work on past trauma and she said it certainly would. I scheduled another session to work on the events of that scary summer day when I was seven years old. My therapist guided me to focus on her finger moving back and forth creating a rapid side to side eye movement that helps your brain process trauma and store it normally with all your other memories.

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We were on the last pass when I gasped and threw eyes open wide. She stopped and asked me what I saw. At first I wasn’t sure how to describe the vision I had. I could see myself in my little white dress, barefooted in the dim garage with a sunbeam catching the swirling dust motes. I was standing stock still…listening as a voice from far away called me to draw my attention. 

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“Here! Over here! I’m with you…you’re ok. When I tell you, grab Karen and run.”

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The boy was doing things I knew were bad, but I was afraid if I moved, he’d hurt Karen. So I stood very still and listened. Suddenly the voice said, “Run!” So I grabbed Karen’s hand and ran as fast as I could out of there. 

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In the last sweep of the EMDR session…I saw her. My Guardian Angel. She was mighty and stern…one hand pointing in the direction I was to run…the other holding a strong sword out toward the bad boy. 

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So, yeah…I believe.

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?

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“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings”

\nPsalms 17:8 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-08-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/08/01/angel-coins-and-found-feathers.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","God","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/23/tumtum-time.html", "title": "Tum-Tum Time", "content_html": "\n
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Yesterday was a day of chores. Our laundry was piled up so I was playing catchup so we don’t have a ton of work to get ready to leave Wednesday. The guys went to Forney Museum yesterday and saw the antique cars and trains and had a big time. They went to McCoy’s Family Restaurant at Federal and I-70 for a late lunch. Mr. FixIt told me he hated to let me know how wonderful the Liver & Onions were. 

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Ben’s niece came for an overnight visit so we’ve been visiting. I wore Little out on Friday so I didn’t hear anything from them yesterday. Maybe today. Daughter #2 is hopefully coming over today for our last visit before we leave. We had such a wonderful visit and we’ve got six days of travel a head of us once we hit the road.

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I’ve kinda hit a wall with vacation. I’m going to love on my CO peeps here for the next couple of days then I’m ready to head home. I’m partied out! Mr. FixIt would be perfectly happy to keep going. He doesn’t understand homesickness. You’re home all the time…why would you want to go there when you could be someplace else having fun?

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I think I’ll get home and sleep for a week!

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This was the back of a display booth in an antique store. I want to do this brick effect in our kitchen!

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Here are some pics from the last week that I haven’t shared.

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?

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“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

\nPsalm 127:2 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-23T00:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/23/tumtum-time.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/22/looking-in-the-mirror.html", "title": "Looking in the Mirror", "content_html": "\n
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A day with Little is like spending time with myself at the age of 16. The similarities in our neurodiversity…or as they call it…neuro-spicy-ness is remarkable. We had so much fun junkin’ and found some treasures. I’ll take pictures tomorrow because I’m too tired to mess with it right now. But suffice it to say…we had a great time. Little is healing from a year of long covid and it was really difficult. We went out for brunch and then walked around the Brass Armadillo for nearly four hours which was a huge feat.

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After I dropped Little off at home, I came on up to Ben & Sue’s. They had worked hard on the landscaping and quit when it got too hot. Around 7:30 or 8:00, a severe thunderstorm came through with lightning right overhead…FLASH/BANG! Several times. It was wild!

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Little wants to come over today to learn how to knit. We bought some knitting needles and yarn at a thrift store so we’re all set. I also want to see Daughter #2 this weekend one more time. I can’t believe we leave in five more sleeps! It will make me sad, even though I am quite homesick.

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I hope you have some fun summer plans this weekend and that you stay safe from the extreme heat! Stay hydrated!

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?

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“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”

\nColossians 3:20 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-22T00:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/22/looking-in-the-mirror.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/19/things-are-looking-up.html", "title": "Things are Looking Up!", "content_html": "\n
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I was pretty concerned about my brother when we were here the first week of July. He was unkept, his hair and beard needed trimmed, and he looked like a homeless man. I had some long talks with his house staff and come to find out, they’ve been trying to help him at the level he is entitled to in this setting, but he wasn’t letting them. His sense of pride and modesty made him refrain from seeking help or letting them assist with his hygiene. I told you yesterday that he had a long man-to-man chat with Mr. FixIt and he seemed more enthusiastic..or perhaps more accurately…relieved afterward. 

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Yesterday he was a totally different guy we sat and visited him for quite some time at the day program and I started asking him about sports figures childhood memories. We named a player and asked who they played for and he knew every single one we could name. I asked him what color the rooms were in the house where we grew up and he knew everything. Again he promised he would come to day program five days a week. He was clean so obviously he allowed the staff to help him. I left feeling lighter than I have in months and I felt really good about having him in this location.

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After we left my brother, we went to the courthouse. I’ve hit a snafu in trying to get Mr. Virgo’s military headstone. As it turns out, for some odd reason, they listed my name as Ginny, not Virginia. He died in Mesa County and we are in Garfield. The gal on the phone from Mesa County said she would need a copy of our marriage license. So, I stopped in the County Courthouse to get a copy. When I explained what I needed it for, she said SHE could get me a copy of the death certificate! So, I hit the jackpot and now, hopefully, the government won’t care that my name is wrong on the certificate and I can get his headstone. I know it’s crazy that I’ve waited all this time, but it was just too hard for so long, then it was too final. I’ve been ready for over a year to get this done, but I knew I’d have to take care of some of it while I’m here.

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Once I had the certificates in hand, we moseyed over to the Brew Pub for supper. Mr. FixIt had an awesome looking Reuben sandwich and I had the BEST summer salad…mixed greens with strawberries, walnuts, and Gorgonzola cheese topped with seared salmon. Even though it was 95° out, we sat out on the patio in the shade across the street from the old Amtrak Station. There was a lovely breeze and we didn’t mind it a bit.

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The Downtown Farmer’s Market is held every Tuesday evening from 4-8 in the summer. They had just finished setting it all up when we were done eating so we wandered through the booths. We bought some Palisade Peaches and homemade granola. Again, I only saw two people I knew. This town just isn’t the same anymore. However…it is still lovely. Just WAY too busy for me. We haven’t even considered going to the hot springs pools. At this time of year, it’s what my daughters referred to as “People Soup!” Ugh!

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Feeling relieved, we are heading back to Denver today. I’m looking forward to a few days of lay low action as we wind up our Colorado vacation. We head out a week from today. 

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?

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“As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.””

\nGenesis 8:22 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-19T00:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/19/things-are-looking-up.html", "tags": ["Family","Hope","Happiness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/18/counting-on-god-to-keep.html", "title": "Counting on God to Keep Us Safe", "content_html": "\n
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Land’s sake…it sure was hot here yesterday! We drove up to the mountain town I lived in for twenty-eight years. Coming through the mountains presented a different vista around every turn. And again, God kept us safe. Just moments after we drove through the Eisenhower Tunnel, a car caught fire right inside the tunnel! The traffic had slowed down just as we headed in and remarked to Mr. FixIt how I hate going in when it looks like that. Turns out there was a reason for my unease, but God got us through it unscathed. Thank you, Jesus. 

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Further along, just past Vail, we saw a large number of first responders over in the eastbound lanes. We couldn’t tell what was going on when we passed. There were no cars wrecked and there were a dozen or so cyclists standing along the guard rail. When we arrived at our hotel, I looked it up on the Vail news and saw the story. Apparently there was a man fishing along the edge of the Gore River which flows briskly through there. He had a dog with him. Then a man and woman who were cycling by saw the man slip in the river and head downstream. A group of cyclists ran to the rescue and managed to get the man out of the water. Unfortunately, from what I can find, they hadn’t seen the dog again. I hope they found it. 

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We were going to go straight to the hotel and check in, but we got to town earlier than we thought we would so we went to visit my brother. As it turns out, he wasn’t at the day program so we backtracked and went to his house for a visit. He’s still adjusting to his new surroundings and has been somewhat resistant to making some of the changes that he needs to make. After we said our initial hellos, I asked him how he was doing and he said it was a long story. I told him I was all ears and he said no, he needed to talk to Mr. FixIt…man to man. 

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I have the dearest husband on the planet. He said, “Sure thing, buddy.” He closed the door after me and the fellas sat and talked for about 45 minutes. When they came out, lo and behold, my brother said he knew he needed to do the things that were suggested and he was going to commit to it. He needs to do these things for his own health and safety. Knowing he’s not going to fight the extra help made me breathe a sigh of relief. He just feels bad asking for help, but Mr. FixIt made him understand what he’s going through is completely normal and it’s ok to ask for help with personal things.

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We left him feeling happier and more settled and we went to check into the hotel. By this time, we were more than ready for supper so we headed to Chili’s. They have some good selections for those making healthy dietary choices. I had Ancho Salmon, seasoned rice, and a double order of steamed broccoli. Yummmm!

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We’ll have a slow morning then go to visit my brother at the day program again. We stay another night then head back to Denver tomorrow. We’re really winding down the trip now. We’ll be back home on the 31st! 

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Hope you are taking care during this heat wave! It was 102° here yesterday! Stay hydrated and take frequent breaks, my friends!!!

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?

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“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”

\nPsalms 4:8 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-18T00:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/18/counting-on-god-to-keep.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/17/heading-to-the-mountains-again.html", "title": "Heading to the Mountains Again", "content_html": "\n
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I can’t be here this long and not go see my brother again. We’re heading back up to the mountains today for a couple of days to get some more hugs. We’ll be back Wednesday then Thursday Daughter #1 and Big leave for a long weekend in California to visit friends. They won’t be back till late Sunday night.

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I had a great day visiting with my Colorado kids. I went down and picked up Daughter #2 for brunch. (Are you detecting a pattern here? We LOVE brunch!) When she got in the car she asked, “Where are we headed, Mom?” Oooooooh….since it was my choice there was no question. Zaidy’s Delicatessen. They’ve moved since the old days but it was still nostalgic. One of my very first dates with Hubby #2 was to Zaidy’s when they were located down in Cherry Creek. I had my first bowl of Matzo Ball Soup there. So, of course…that’s what I had yesterday. The soup was exactly as I remembered…so savory and delicious. The only thing different was the matzo ball itself. Back in 1978 it was twice the size as the one at the new location, but it didn’t disappoint.

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The other day when we cooked all those traditional Jewish dishes, our friend Abby (who is actually Jewish) didn’t get to have any of them. So I bought some chopped liver and an onion pletzel so she could have them. They were all over at the pool when I got back so I took it over. First of all, she had never heard of pletzel. And second, she reluctantly tried the chopped liver but it was pretty dry. I have to say…mine is better. But she was so happy that I thought of her. And the pletzel was a hit!

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Since they’re going to be gone next weekend, they came over to Ben and Sue’s last night for supper. We had a great visit and we’ll get to see each other again before we leave next week. I will get some time with Little while her mom and sister are gone. We haven’t had time to be together just one-on-one. She and I both love to go junking so we’ll do that and have lunch.

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We’ll blink and this trip will be over. 

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*sigh*

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?

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“But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.”

\n1 Timothy 5:8 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-17T00:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/17/heading-to-the-mountains-again.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/16/my-baby-and-me.html", "title": "My Baby and Me", "content_html": "\n
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My youngest and her wife came for a visit yesterday. We were all really hungry and decided to go out for brunch. My daughter-in-law has some food allergies so we pulled up the local restaurants and looked at their menus. We decided a breakfast place would have the most acceptable options so I chose Rise and Shine Restaurant.

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I knew that name sounded familiar. The chef that worked with Mr. Virgo at the Warwick fifteen years ago went out on her own and opened a restaurant but I thought it was Rise and Shine Cafe. I know some restaurants have similar names. I was looking around and wondering if this could possible be the actual restaurant when my eyes locked with a woman standing behind the counter and the look of surprise and joy on her face warmed my heart.

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It was, indeed, Kristen. It was such a delight to see her after all these years and to see her doing so well.

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She’s had the restaurant for fifteen years now and it’s still going strong. The service was great. The food was amazing! Mr. FixIt had a breakfast burrito. Daughter #2 had a Buffalo Chicken sandwich made with one of their enormous cheddar biscuits. Dear DIL had Creme Brûlée French Toast. And I had Huevos Rancheros served on a bed of quinoa instead of corn tortillas. So, so good!!!

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We went back to Ben and Sue’s to chat for awhile. When the girls left, Mr. FixIt and I went to check out Jax, an outdoor and sporting goods store. It’s a really cool store…sort of Rural King meets Bass Pro Shops. So many choices of things that it made my head spin. We wandered around for a good hour and a half before we left. When we got back, Ben and Sue were home from their excursion out to the Eastern Plains.

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We watched Pride and Prejudice…a really good movie but we had to have the closed captioning on because it was so difficult to understand what they were saying. We have so much in common with Ben and Sue that we always have something to talk about.

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My brother called and I told Mr. FixIt we really need to get back up there to see him before we come home. We’ll probably go up there tomorrow and stay a couple of nights. One of my volunteer duties is to keep the “Gone But Not Forgotten” list on our high school class FB page. I completed a new update yesterday morning for a wonderful guy I’ve known since I was in grade school. When I left the updated list on our page, I encouraged others to reach out now if they want to catch up with someone because time’s a’wastin’. I don’t dare go home without giving my Bubby some more great hugs!

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?

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“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

\nRomans 12:9-10 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-16T00:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/16/my-baby-and-me.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/15/biscuits-and-sunsets-and-taytay.html", "title": "Biscuits and Sunsets and TayTay", "content_html": "\n
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I didn’t sleep well Thursday night and ended up grabbing a couple of hours sleep on the couch. I had promised Ben we’d have Sausage Gravy and Biscuits one morning but when he saw me asleep on the sofa, he assumed it wasn’t going to be biscuit day. So, he ate cereal and the rest of the crew got up. I heated up the French Toast from the other morning and I had my usual egg in a tortilla with cheese. We all decided we’d have breakfast for lunch so I made the biscuits and gravy in the early afternoon and we were happy campers.

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The girls came over as I was baking the biscuits. They were getting ready to go to the Taylor Swift concert. Wow…this is a whole thing. You have to dress in the “era” of your favorite album. Lots of pink and sparklies. The girls made bracelets and you trade them with others at the concert. They stood in the merch line for hours to get their t-shirts and what have you. And I know, as I’m writing this, they are having the time of their lives. I do love that their musical idol is a brilliant young business woman who isn’t overly sexual onstage. Who knows what time they’ll get in from the concert, but I know there are going to be plenty of stories to tell.

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Mr. FixIt and I went out to the Westminster Hills Open Space to see the sunset last night. You could see the storm clouds building northwest of Boulder and I hoped it wouldn’t get down as far as the stadium where the kids are. Around 9:15, the storm hit where we are staying and you could hear the ping-plink-ting of graupel which is a soft hail…almost snow. I watched the radar and it looks like the storm will completely miss the concert.

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We have been having so much fun! Ben and Sue are as much family to us as any blood relative. My Colorado son-in-law came from good, good people. They have a funeral to go to today. We are staying here and Daughter #2 and her wife are coming over for a visit in the afternoon. Even though we’ve been busy, I have been relaxing and thoroughly enjoying our time here.

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We got here two weeks ago and we have ten more days to go. It just flies by so quickly. 

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?

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“It will be a shelter from daytime heat and a hiding place from storms and rain.”

\nIsaiah 4:6 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-15T00:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/15/biscuits-and-sunsets-and-taytay.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Strong Women"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/11/vacations-are-exhausting.html", "title": "Vacations are Exhausting!", "content_html": "\n
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I made Sourdough French Toast for breakfast yesterday and had enough left over for the next couple of mornings at least. It’s great when you can cook ahead, especially in the summer when cooking can heat the house up. Those summer kitchens they had in the old days would really come in handy. The guys grilled last night. We had chicken tenders and corn-on-the-cob and bless their little hearts…they grilled that corn till it was mostly black and dehydrated. I thanked them for cooking, but told them they could never touch my corn again! lol

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Today is Daughter #1’s 49th birthday! We are grilling again tonight, but my son-in-law will be in charge of the grill. He’s really good at it. His 49th birthday is Thursday and their 28th wedding anniversary is Saturday. So, we’ll just celebrate the whole shebang tomorrow night. I’m baking her favorite lemon cake with lemon curd filling, and lemon frosting garnished with red raspberries. We’ll also bake Grandma Lois’ Chocolate Cake for my son-in-law. Then everyone will be happy!

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Mr. FixIt and I went out and ran errands yesterday and went to Noodles & Company for lunch. I had this wonderful dish….Zucchini and Roasted Garlic Cream. The zucchini has been spiral cut like noodles and lightly steamed. I had the small size. It was delicious and only 340 calories. That’s not bad for a meal out.

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We went out to check the camper and it was fine. We are so grateful we haven’t had hail while it’s out in the wide open. The guys are going to take the camper out to eastern Colorado tomorrow and I think they are looking for a place to store it either inside or under the cover of protective trees. I don’t want our trip to be over, but I’ll be so grateful when we get this thing safely home. I don’t think we’ll bring it cross country during tornado and hail season again. It’s just too risky. A camper is a big investment and even though we have adequate insurance, there’s no need to create undue risk. 

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Curly Dock and Bind Weed…two invasive and noxious plants that are everywhere in Colorado. Once these weeds get established, it’s nearly impossible to eradicate them.

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So, that’s all we are doing at this point. We’re having a blast!

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?

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“But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.”

\n1 Timothy 5:8 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-11T00:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/11/vacations-are-exhausting.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/08/time-passes-and-so-many.html", "title": "Time Passes and So Many Changes", "content_html": "\n
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The one constant in life is change, isn’t it? We can look forward to change as a learning tool and a growing opportunity. But there are changes we dread and it’s when we witness the decline and fragility of loved ones as we age. I often wonder what people see outside of my own self perception. Are they seeing my decline? Because, surely they are. It’s all part of life, but not the most welcome part.

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We visited with my brother again today. We stopped at Walmart to get a new trimmer. After he played UNO with Mr. FixIt for about two hours or so, the game finally ended and I took Bubby outside to cut his hair and trim his beard. He looked like a new man. Staff and clients alike crowded around to watch and encourage him with whoops and hollers and whistles. I think he had a big time and I know he had to feel better when I was done. 

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Helping Bubby organize his room.

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I showed him the planner we bought that fits in his fanny pack. It’s for keeping track of when he needs a haircut and a beard trim so we don’t get in this mess again. He’ll also add notes that the doctor will need to see during his visits. We went over to his house last evening at supper time and I went over the same thing with Lucy, the staff member who was working last night. I think we have a mutual understanding now of expectations and it always helps to have a name and a face with who you can communicate. 

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I came very close to crying when I left but I didn’t want to upset him. I cleaned up his phone and took some things off that he doesn’t use that may confuse him. He needs things very simple. We left him preparing to watch Star Trek…one of his favorite shows. Then we had to say goodbye till the next time. I doubt seriously if we’ll be back till September 2024, barring any unforeseen circumstances. 

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We stopped by my dear friend Judy’s house and visited with her and her husband. I hadn’t seen them in a long time. We were always stitching buddies and raised our babies together. Now the girls are in their thirties. It’s crazy how time has flown by. We don’t see old people when we look in each other’s eyes. We see the dearest of friends and we pick right up where we left off. Next time we come, we are going to get the old gang together and have a day of stitching and reminiscing. 

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As we were leaving, Judy said, “Hey! I’m getting rid of a lot of things. Do you want my smocking pleater?” Ohhhhh, heck yeah! That went into the truck so fast it would make your head spin! I love making smocked Christmas ornaments and we have a little that would look awfully cute in a smocked dress. There will be more babies down the road and GiGi can make stuff!

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And that’s a wrap for the trip up to Glenwood Springs. We stayed in the Glenwood Canyon Resort campground. We have stayed here before. It’s close to town which is convenient. There’s a bike path and rafting. There’s a restaurant. There are tiny homes/cabins and camping spots for everything from tent campers to Sprinter vans, to the great big motor homes. Like I said yesterday, the sites down here by the river are cheaper so they aren’t very generous with the real estate. When we got back from town yesterday, the guy next to us was grilling directly beneath the window in our slide out. I closed the window right away, but not without a friendly greeting to the chef so he wouldn’t think I was miffed or anything. 

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We head to Denver this morning early so we can try to be there by noon. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law are coming from Salt Lake to see us. My nephew and his girlfriend will be here as well. So we’ll have another family gathering today. Prayers for safe travels today. 

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?

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“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”

\nHebrews 13:1-2 NLT\n
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#Brother, #Family, #Travel

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-08T00:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/08/time-passes-and-so-many.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/07/visiting-family.html", "title": "Visiting Family", "content_html": "\n
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We had a pretty busy day yesterday, even though we got a slow start. I cooked a nice breakfast and we sat outside, watching the Colorado River rush by the campground. Even though the temperature got down in the low 50’s, it was pushing 80° by 10:30. It ended up topping out at 92° yesterday afternoon but once the sun went down, we had a cool breeze coming in off the river at our campsite so it was quite comfortable as I sat down to write this.

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Once breakfast was over, our first stop was Walmart to buy some adult coloring books and colored pencils for my brother. He loves coloring letters so I found three books with lots of writing for him. Then we headed over to the day program where he goes three or four days a week. He knew we were coming this week, but he didn’t know what time so we came in and surprised him. He was so precious…his reaction such pure joy. It made my heart swell.

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We sat with him for hours…Mr. FixIt and I coloring alongside him. The people who work with him don’t necessarily notice his decline when they see him every day, but we see him once a year and it was a marked difference since the last time. This is why he is in the group home at the highest level of supervision. He just flat out needs the support. I’ve also noticed his memory has deteriorated remarkably. He goes to Walmart every week yet he told me it’s been ages since he went. Unfortunately, his beard and hair were long and scraggly again so I need to impress upon the staff that is unacceptable. 

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I don’t want to come across as demanding, because I’m not. I’m just a concerned sibling and I want my brother to be comfortable and clean and safe. The staff at his group home are remarkable, but they prompt my brother with suggestions that it’s time to get a haircut or trim his beard and if he says he doesn’t want it, they can’t “make” him do it. However, there are ways to get him to comply without being overbearing. This home is still fairly new to him and they haven’t gotten to really know him yet. It will get better with time.

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When it was time for him to go home for the day, we said our goodbyes. Today will be a big day for my brother because he gets to go to Walmart and do some shopping! We’ll go see him this afternoon after his excursion and then visit him at his new place. Then tomorrow we head back to Denver. 

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We got Chinese food for dinner last night which was delicious. Mr. FixIt had Mongolian Beef that was fabulous and I had some really great sweet and sour shrimp with stir fried veggies. I even had a Stella Artois Non-Alcohol beer that was the best NA beer I’ve ever had. I’m going to have to see if I can find it in WV. 

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Visiting Mr. Virgo

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After we ate, we went to the cemetery to visit Mr. Virgo. The family of the man who is buried next to him have put up a bird feeder and as soon as we got out of the truck, the birds flocked all around to see if I was filling the feeder. Someone keeps bringing Mr. Virgo his favorite brand of cigarettes and leaving them on the head of his grave and, even though it was those evil things that killed him, I still smiled that there are people who come and visit him.

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We stopped for ice and headed back to the campground and sat out under the awning, listening to the river and the wind in the trees. This end of Glenwood Canyon has the oldest layer of earth exposed. When I look around at the steep, rocky canyon walls, I remind myself that people pay big bucks to come see this geological marvel and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share it with them. 

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I look back over the time I did live here. It was 1986 when Hubby #2 finished his internship and residency and joined the internal medicine group. It seems like a million years ago…truly. I love visiting, but I wouldn’t want to live here again. When we went to the cemetery yesterday afternoon, we drove past my old house and I couldn’t believe how tall the trees are now. The trunks on the aspen trees I planted are a good 10-12” across now! We looked on Zillow to see what the estimated price of my house would be now and it’s three times what I payed for it. Then we looked up the house Hubby #2 and I bought in 1990 for $194,000 and it is worth $1.1M now!!! Absolutely crazy.

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We have some touristy things to do today and then our visit with my Bubby. Time seems to go so fast.

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?

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“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”

\nProverbs 17:17 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/07/visiting-family.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/05/another-wonderful-day.html", "title": "Another Wonderful Day!!!", "content_html": "\n
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Sue and I got all the prep work done fairly early yesterday and the kids came in the afternoon. The girls went to the pool and the guys did what guys do…whatever that is. I sat and knitted by the pool and visited with the girls. We had a room full of family and friends and laughter because it was storming like crazy outside. We figured the fireworks would be postponed from the weather, but the storm let up about a half hour before showtime. This is the first summer Ben & Sue have lived in their new home so they weren’t quite sure where if they could see the fireworks from their house. Then, I looked up and there they were. We could see them right out of the family room window!

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It’s awfully noisy in town on the Fourth of July!

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We head to the mountains today to see my sweet brother and we’ll be back on Saturday morning in time to see my sister-in-law and brother-in-law coming in from Salt Lake City to see us. They invite us to come see them, but after driving five days across the country, I just don’t having it in me to drive another ten hours each way. I am so grateful they can come here this weekend.

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Hope you enjoyed your holiday!

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?

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“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”

\nPsalms 127:3 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/05/another-wonderful-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Camping","Be Joyful!","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/04/a-day-with-the-fam.html", "title": "A Day With The Fam", "content_html": "\n
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Mr. FixIt went to the zoo yesterday with Daughter #1 and family while I went to visit with Daughter #2. She and I went to Sam’s No. 3…a really cool diner in Glendale. We enjoyed our visit and toodled around the bougie King Soopers for a bit.

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When I got back to the in-laws’ house, the others were still at the zoo and Sue and I had a lovely visit. We went out to Dickey’s BBQ for supper then we went over to the camper to check it out and make sure everything was ok. I’m glad we did because I had left the pump switch on.

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The rest of the evening was spent visiting, watching the Rockies game, writing, and knitting. 

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Today will be a big day of BBQ, family and friends, the pool, and fireworks. It’s so hard to believe it’s the 4th of July!

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I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday!!!

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?????

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“A party gives laughter, wine gives happiness, and money gives everything!”

\nEcclesiastes 10:19 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/04/a-day-with-the-fam.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/02/day-four-what-was-i.html", "title": "Day Four - What Was I Thinking???", "content_html": "\n
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Well, first of all, the drive was a LOT shorter yesterday, even though we did have one bumper to bumper slowdown for six miles. But it eased up more quickly than the day before, so I was happy. We stopped at the Walmart in North Platte, Nebraska to pick up something special for supper for our last night of this leg of the trip. Mr. FixIt suggested my shrimp scampi, so that’s what we got. Colossal shrimp. Great big huge mama honkin’ shrimp that made my mouth water just thinking about it. We weren’t just gonna EAT…we were gonna DINE!

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I grabbed some broccoli and sliced mushrooms, some garlic, and a package of high protein pasta and we drove the last 12 miles to the campground. Oregon Trail RV Campground boasts having something for everyone. Located right on the edge of Sutherland Reservoir (Sutherland, Nebraska), there is a beautiful golf course and maybe 35 campsites. They all have electric and water and it’s conveniently located only a mile or so from I-80.

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The downside is, every campsite is mainly weeds and grass and the sites are not terribly large so you’re kinda camping in a parking lot. And…hokey smokes…it was Saturday night of July 4th weekend!!! I have no idea what I thought it would be like, but it wasn’t this. There were several sets of tweens racing golf carts all around the campground. Every site had kids setting off fireworks. Parents were nowhere to be found…sitting off in groups laughing while their children were being…well, CHILDREN!

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Honestly, it was great!!! The smiles and squeals of delight. The dirty kids and their dogs racing around and, even when they cut through your campsite, they looked sheepish and said, “Sorry.” These children are making memories they will keep the rest of their lives. When their parents are old and gray, they will sit around with them and reminisce about the great times at the lake in the summers. Tanned, sun bleached hair, and dirty feet. That’s happiness to a child. I’d much rather see them doing this than sitting in front of a video game console any day of the week!

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So…the shrimp was fabulous. My husband loves me still. Gas wasn’t outrageous. And we see our Colorado peeps today. Life is good!

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?

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“A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.”

\nProverbs 10:5 NLT\n
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#Summer, #Camping, #Children

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/02/day-four-what-was-i.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/06/24/playing-catchup.html", "title": "Playing Catch-Up", "content_html": "\n
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Anytime you’re gone from home any length of time there’s always a stack of stuff to deal with when you get back. The mail, the laundry, the shopping. Yesterday it was dealing with the truck and getting it ready for the cross-country trip. We drove separately to the local garage yesterday morning and I brought Mr. FixIt home. He started working on outdoor projects that have been put on hold due to the rain. I worked on the second big trip we’re taking this year. We are going to the beach the week of our wedding anniversary and taking the camper. This is the first time we’ve done that, so I wanted to add three days of extra camping on each end of the trip and explore some places we usually just speed by. When we get back from that trip I think that will be the end of the 2023 camping season.

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I am really excited by some of the campgrounds we’re going to visit…especially Hungry Mother State Park in Virginia. We’ve driven past the turn off to it so many times but never took the time to explore. The other place I’m interested in is Chippokes State Park (pronounced CHIP oaks). It’s across the James River from Jamestown. It looks beautiful!

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It wasn’t very long till the garage called and said the truck was ready. Since it was finished so early, I dropped Mr. FixIt off to pay and then he took it straight to Walmart to get the oil changed and rotate the tires. And hopefully that will be enough to keep “Frankie” in shape to tow “Grace” up the mountains we’ll be traveling over. I think we’ll spend the next couple of days getting the camper stocked, change the bedding, do some laundry, and pick up around the house. I need to clean out the fridge. 

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Oh, I forgot to tell you what was waiting for me when I got home from camping with the girls. A dozen beautiful orange roses! What a man God has blessed me with. I am so grateful. He’s such a sport! We go out to the camper every evening and play cards. We still hold hands wherever we go and we’re starting to elicit smiles from younger people. He’s my best friend, my fellow explorer, my confidante, my giver of roses and hugs. I never dreamed I’d get to do this again and it makes my heart hurt for those who have lost their person. His kindness reminds me of where I’ve been. He makes me more compassionate and empathetic. I want to be a better person…the kind of person who deserves such treatment. As we get older, we are witnessing the grief of others more frequently. I think that makes us try harder than maybe we would have if we hadn’t suffered the losses we have. 

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It’s the weekend…what y’all doin’ this weekend?

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?

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“Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!””

\nRuth 1:17 NLT\n
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#Friends, #Family, #Fun

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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

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Shopping from Marshmallow Ranch Designs removes wrinkles and cellulite! (Disclaimer: This claim has not been supported by the FDA or anything.)

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-06-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/06/24/playing-catchup.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/06/13/a-storybook-wedding-and-a.html", "title": "A Storybook Wedding and a Monumental Birthday", "content_html": "\n
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Photo Credit: Maddi Randolph Photography - maddirandolphphotography.com

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There is an unspoken code. One should not share certain things online until the proper time. You don’t announce the birth of a baby till the parents have. And…you definitely don’t share photos of the bride and groom until they have had a chance to catch their breath and share some photos themselves. You don’t want to step on toes or steal someone’s thunder.

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I was so honored to have a “Grandmother Corsage!”

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That being said, I made a promise. No photos on social media till I got the go ahead from our granddaughter. We didn’t have to wait long as they posted their first photo yesterday morning so I’m free to post a few…one from their amazing photographer and some of my own. Plus…Mr. FixIt took me out for dinner last night at Olive Garden. We felt like grownups! AND…I stayed under my calorie budget and that included splitting a Tiramisu with my sweetheart.

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Birthday Dinner at Olive Garden: Unlimited Soup + Salad + Tiramisu

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But first…the wedding. The bridal party got started with their day at 9:00 yesterday morning with the girls breakfast. Then hair and makeup and lunch and fun in the Bride’s Suite. In the meantime, the guys slept till 11:00 and hung out in the Groom’s Suite till it was time for photos.

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We arrived at 2:15 and family photos started around 2:45. We sat around on the porch overlooking fields and woods. There was a lovely breeze and unfortunately, I didn’t spray my hair so I had that windswept look all day. I didn’t really care and I don’t think anyone else was sitting around pointing it out. (Our younger selves might have been eaten up with that little nugget in our brains, right?)

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This was one of the biggest weddings I’ve ever been to. And our granddaughter did a wonderful job working out a complete time table. The immediate family members had their own copy and if you weren’t where you were supposed to be at the designated time, you just might not have been in the picture. Everything went like clockwork and there was no time to sit around and fret and be nervous. It was great!

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At the appointed time, we all walked down through a meadow to an area in front of the lake. There was a fountain out in the water that was framed by a unique hexagon shaped arbor adorned with a plethora of cabbage roses and peonies in soft shades from creamy white to deep pink. At a point to the left, a bridge went out to a pavilion on an island in the lake and a dock went out further still. There were so many photo worthy spots on this gorgeous property and we got our steps in checking them all out.

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The DJ had a sound system discreetly set up and soft, dreamy music entertained us as the guests arrived. Folks waved to family and friends as they found their seats and there were many who mouthed, “Isn’t this gorgeous?” Bridal rituals change like fashions and we were surprised to see each member of the bridal party come down the aisle alone. The groomsmen in tuxedos of royal blue and the bridesmaids in the softest shell pink. The dresses were all the same color and lovely flowing material, but each dress was a different style. This gave each of them their moment to shine and it didn’t add but a minute or two to the service.

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We all rose and watched my bonus son walk his first born down the aisle. They were walking right into the sun but they did their best not to squint too much. The actual ceremony was short and sweet…five minutes at the most. Which is perfectly fine, really. Five-thirty is the hottest time of the day and we were in the low 80’s at that point. There was a small table with folding fans and iced water just before you went down the aisle to your seat…a thoughtful touch.

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Photo Credit: Mr. FixIt

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After the ceremony, there were more group photos to include the newlyweds then off we went to the big building for the reception. This was definitely a social milieu with little conversation areas. There was a directory at the front of the hall with seated arrangements. Each row of long rustic farm tables were dressed with a runner of creamy white chiffon and a vine of simple greenery. Tucked in were candles and small vases with a single pink peony or a small cluster of white flowers. At the aisle of each row was a clear acrylic sign with your table number so you could easily find your seat.

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Photo Credit: The Farmer’s Daughter and Son, LTD

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There was an opening prayer by the officiant. There were the usual toasts and stories. There was a cocktail hour with a bar and finger foods. Between cocktail hour and dinner, here was a brief interruption while we went outside to catch the Golden hour…that magical hour just before the sun sets and the air turns…well…golden! Everything looks perfect in that golden light of dusk.

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Photo Credit: Mr. FixIt

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Then the dinner was served buffet style. Carved Roast Sirloin with Au Jus, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Buttered Parsley Potatoes, Caribbean Vegetables, and Greek Pasta with Roasted Vegetables. OMGosh! Everything was SO good. They cut the cake and were sweet with it…no smearing cake all over each other at this wedding.

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As soon as the cake was served, the DJ started the music and called up the bride and groom for their first dance, then father of the bride and bride, then mother of the groom and groom. Then they did the sweetest thing. They asked all married couples to come up for a special dance. After a bit, the DJ asked all who were married five years and less to be seated. Then ten, fifteen, etc. until there was one couple standing till he finally hit fifty-five and they threw their arms up in the air and laughed. Everyone cheered and they got a special picture taken with the bride and groom. 

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Photo Credit: Curt Plummer

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After that it was a free for all and everyone was dancing with everyone else. They had “bump sticks” that twinkled in the dark and glasses made of glow sticks. The music was loud and no one could hear anyone talking but who cared? I loved how they took the great songs of my generation that all us well seasoned folks would know and remixed them with the club beats that these kids were into. It was great fun and I literally danced till I couldn’t dance anymore. I thought for sure I’d have trouble walking when I got up, but I did ok. And that was the end of a beautiful storybook weekend…a day that we will remember forever and ever!

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Photo Credit: The Bride + Groom

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?

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““Your forest-drenched garments are fragrant with mountain breeze. Chamber music—from the throne room— makes you want to dance. Kings’ daughters are maids in your court, the Bride glittering with golden jewelry. * * *”

\nPsalms 45:8-9 MSG\n
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#Wedding, #LoveIsInTheAirhart, #PerfectDay

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It’s summer and you know what that means…the mermaids are out and about, splashing here and there. Better be safe and warn drivers to watch out for them at the “Mermaid Crossing!”

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-06-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/06/13/a-storybook-wedding-and-a.html", "tags": ["Family","Aging","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/06/10/one-down-and-one-to.html", "title": "One Down and One to Go", "content_html": "\n
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The wedding rehearsal was fun. We got to meet the bridal party…seven groomsmen, seven bridesmaids. The venue is stunning. The kids were going to get married last year, but they waited a whole year just so they could get this venue. Just wait till you see the photos!

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Dinner was at one of our favorite Italian restaurants and it was really easy to stick to my Noom program. They thoughtfully served the chicken separate from the pasta and Alfredo sauce. They had young green beans sautéed in EVO and garlic. Oven roasted potato wedges with garlic and herbs. I took some of the marinara sauce from on top of the penne to season my chicken slices. They offered a huge salad and I selected balsamic vinaigrette as my dressing. I passed on the garlic bread, the ooey-gooey cheesy dips they had as apps, and the dessert. I topped it off with a non-alcohol beer and I was one happy camper.

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The bride and I decided she’d open the quilt at the restaurant before the food was served. She just loved it and it made me heart sing!

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We got home late and thank goodness we don’t have to be at the venue till 2:15 this afternoon. We are going to fix a small cooler to take in the car so we can take breaks and have some cool fresh food and drinks. The reception goes till 11:00 but I doubt we last that long. The kids leave bright and early for their honeymoon so they won’t be up partying till the wee hours.

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So, that was my day. What’s up with you? 

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?

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“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.””

\nJohn 2:1-3 NIV\n
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No ads today and tomorrow…it’s WEDDING WEEKEND.

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But…you can go check out the shop!

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I woke up yesterday morning with the sun peeking over the hill into the window in the camper. It had been a chilly night…an electric blanket and four extra layers kept me toasty warm, even with the windows open. I love being warm in a cold room. I sleep so much better. There is a two-lane blacktop that runs by our house and it gets really busy with folks going to work and all. The traffic started picking up then I heard the dull thud of a car hitting a deer. 

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The driver stopped and, I assume, checked for damages. The truck must have been Drive able because it wasn’t a minute and he was off again. I told Mr. FixIt we’ll need to call the state road to pick up that deer because in the heat of summer, it’s not going to be any time before the whole area with be blanketed in a malodorous stench. I went up to the road and had a peek and without actually crossing the road and going up to the animal, I could tell it was bigger than the little doe with the fawn I saw this week. I hope there isn’t a baby tucked away somewhere waiting for its mama to return. These are the hazards of living in the country…especially when traffic is concerned. I’ll keep an eye out just in case.

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I finished our reservations for the Colorado trip. It’s going to be so much fun! We have family coming in to visit while we’re there so we can celebrate my 70th birthday. It’s hard to get people’s schedules to match up so I hope it works out. As soon as I reserved the last campsite, I headed out to mow here at Marshmallow Ranch. I am so happy to report the bees were all over the pollinator gardens! I love it so much, I’m going to make them bigger next year…and in a configuration that’s easier to mow around.

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Our air was much clearer today from the Canadian wildfire smoke. Our big thing now is pollen. I’ve taken antihistamines for years and this year it’s still kicking my behind. Mr. FixIt never has had problems, but this year is bad for him, too. I’ve got him on an antihistamine and I think it’s helping a little. This is one of the more uncomfortable side effects of global warming. 

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Well, we have finally arrived at “Wedding Weekend!” Tonight is the rehearsal with dinner after. And tomorrow is the big day. The wedding is in the evening so all the photos have to be taken during the day. That will make for a very long day, but the weather forecast is clear with a high of only 83°. It will cool off considerably as the sun sets. I am going to practice mindfulness and stay in the present this weekend so I won’t be “live” till Sunday morning. Once the wedding is over, we can turn our attention to preparations for the Colorado trip.

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It’s going to be a great summer, y’all!

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?

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“The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

\nGenesis 2:18 NIV\n
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Marriage Advice

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Shop Now

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The pattern is called “Disappearing Pinwheel” and the quilting pattern is called “Baptist Fan.”

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After sleeping on it, I finally figured out which way was up on the quilt so I sewed the label on it yesterday morning and I was done! Then I couldn’t stop looking at it and taking pictures of it. I finally took it outside and hung it across the clothes line on the front porch. I’m kinda proud of myself that I started AND finished a project! It only took eight months!!!

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I was thrilled to see the scale go down again yesterday morning. I’m now down 10 pounds since April 26th! Yay!!! Eating is feeling more like joy and less like deprivation. I get more food than I can get down most days.

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I mowed the yard in the mid afternoon and I was really glad we have the use of an old John Deere tractor here at the farm. It was mighty hot but the job went quickly. I walked around a lot yesterday and took pictures. I went on walks up and down the road and identified trees and weeds and wildflowers. I saw a new bird but it was fleeting so I’m not sure what it was. It was beautiful.

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I was sitting on the porch taking pictures of the quilt in an old chair when something caught my eye. The Broadhead Skink that visited Wednesday was back again. Then later I felt something on my leg and found this American Dog Tick scurrying along my leg! Yikes! I did a couple loads of laundry…some of my clothes and I stripped the bed and washed the blankets. Things get really musty here. I’ll turn the dehumidifiers on before I leave. We had that brief rain shower on Tuesday, but it wasn’t enough to soak in. The ground is actually cracking.

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I worked a little on the shop late yesterday afternoon, but decided to put it away and pick it up again this morning when I’m fresh. I haven’t had time to devote to it and I actually forgot how to do a couple of things. But it’s like riding a bike…it came back to me pretty quickly. I’ll work till midday then I’ll head home to my sweetheart. I miss him when I’m away for too long!

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So, that’s a wrap for May. Welcome, June! My Birthday MONTH!!!

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?

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“A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.”

\nProverbs 21:2 NIV\n
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We all need to find hope. This would make a perfect gift when someone needs the encouragement that Scripture so freely gives.

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-06-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/06/01/ta-da-im-finally-finished.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Farm Life","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/05/29/memorial-day.html", "title": "Memorial Day", "content_html": "\n
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When I think of Memorial Day, the two prominent images it brings to mind is a huge tree at the cemetery where my dad’s people are buried…and this photo of my Uncle Sonny. I remember all the military members of my family but we didn’t just decorate those graves. We decorated and remembered everyone we’ve lost over the years. 

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The big tree isn’t there anymore. The derecho of 2012 took that monster out…tearing it in half. Somewhere in my mom’s collection of photos is one with my brother and me at the cemetery decorating graves. We used to put on our Sunday best, pack a picnic lunch, and set up boards on sawhorses right there in the cemetery to eat our fried chicken and potato salad and watermelon. I was stunned when I learned there were actually people who didn’t do that every year!

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The photo of my Uncle Sonny sat on the buffet in grandma’s dining room for as long as I can remember. He was killed in a plane crash just a month before I turned two. Mom said he loved me silly…he carried a picture of me nekkid on a rug in his wallet. I wish I could have known him and by the hundreds of tales and photos, I feel in a way that I did. I do know this…he was a believer and I will see him one day in Heaven with my people!

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Mr. Virgo was in the Army as was his farther. My dad was in what was called the Army Air Corps…the predecessor to the Air Force. All of my fathers-in-law were military men. My step-mother was career Navy. So I remember them all this day. And all the others who have gone before me. 

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Mr. FixIt and I will go decorate graves sometime this week. I need to go to the farm for a couple of days to be there for the telephone company to hook up the new fiber optic lines. Here we are, just two miles from the county seat and we barely have cell service, but way out that winding old road of my youth…they have fiber optic. Good for them! Ours will come one of these days.

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I hope you have good memories of your loved ones today, and that you are able to honor them in some way. May their memories bring you comfort.

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“All gave some….some gave all.”

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Thank you…and may you rest in peace.

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??????????

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“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

\nJohn 15:13 NIV\n
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Sympathy Comforter

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-05-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/05/29/memorial-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/05/28/beautiful-may.html", "title": "Beautiful May!", "content_html": "\n
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Good Morning, Ranchers!

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May leaves us all too soon, doesn’t it? I know it’s supposed to be the kickoff to a wonderful summer, but in and of itself…May is just about perfect. When I woke up yesterday, I put the kettle on and took my mushroom coffee out to inspect the pollinator gardens. I’m sad to say, there weren’t nearly as many bees as there were last year. I don’t know if whoever had bees have stopped or what. I’ll keep watching for them. And when I mow, if I see one I wait till it moves on so I don’t run over it.

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I sat on the steps of the camper and finished my morning drink and headed inside to see what Mr. FixIt was up to. He was just getting up so I got my morning hug and headed out to mow. It wasn’t a terribly hot day, but the allergens were kicking my butt yesterday. Honestly, I am terrible allergic to hay and when I mowed around the pollinator gardens, my nose was running like a sugar tree. I used to get that way when I worked with horses. And what is in the pollinator garden? Well…hay! That’s all hay is…field grasses and wild flowers. Really good hay usually has alfalfa and clover, too. But that’s why I’m so allergic…I’m growing hay! lol

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I have the mowing down to a science. I can get the whole place finished in three to three and a half hours. I have the fields mapped out in my head and I figure out the passes around the field to include as few three point turns as possible. That really cuts out a lot of time. I was finished by 2:00 so I had the rest of the afternoon to chill before we went to the former Mrs. FixIt’s house for an impromptu dinner party. The kids were there and one set of grandkids and their significant others. And Aunt FixIt was there, too. We had a fire and ate lots of good food…pulled pork, corn on the cob, broccoli salad, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, deviled eggs and I don’t know what all. Grandpa had the kids and grands up playing Corn Hole and as we left, someone was going for marshmallows to make s’mores. It was a really fun day! 

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The next time we see the whole crew will more than likely be at the rehearsal dinner! Two weeks!!! Ok, I REALLY have to work on the quilt today. We’ll wait till next week to mow at the farm. I have to be out there for a couple of days anyway for the phone guy. I can mow while I’m there.

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Here are some photos from the last week…I hope you enjoy!

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Photos: Top Row - Mr. FixIt hiking in front of me, Golden Ragwort (toxic to dogs, cats and horses!), Our little shady spot by the river. Middle Row - Coleus, my reading material, Coleus. Bottom Row: Daisies in the pollinator garden, Canada Geese (8 Adults and 47 babies swam across the river right in front of us!), Red Sorrel

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“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

\nMatthew 24:35 NIV\n
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No ads on Sunday…rejoice and be glad in it!

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-05-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/05/28/beautiful-may.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/05/07/marriage-advice-and-the-wisdom.html", "title": "Marriage Advice and the Wisdom of Age", "content_html": "\n
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Goodnight, moon…shine on!

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What a perfect day for a bridal shower. Our oldest granddaughter…one of my bonus grandkids…is getting married in June and yesterday was her bridal shower at her soon-to-be mother-in-law’s lovely home. First, let me say, their house is exactly six blocks up the street from Mom’s house where I grew up. The difference between our humble, but altogether reasonable, home and this abode was night and day. When I was a kid, I used to pick daisies in the field where this house is. 

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I arrived precisely at 12:00 and there were already quite a number of people there. Some I knew…some I did not…but introductions were made and thank goodness there wasn’t a test after. I’m awful with names! When they guided me to the room where the action was, my jaw dropped. I’m telling you…we could have been having lunch in a country club! All the furniture had been moved and five big round tables were set with white chairs all around. The decorations would make any event planner proud. Our granddaughter chose a pink floral theme with big puffy peonies and other soft, yummy flowers. There was a mimosa bar and the finger foods were perfect. We watched her open her gifts and everyone oohed and ahhed.

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There were game cards at each place setting. The last card in the stack was blank and asked for marriage advice. My first response…in my head, of course…was, ”What? You’re asking ME for marriage advice? I’m on my fourth husband!” But then I stopped that negative selftalk and changed it to…I’ve had a TON of experience in this department! So, in that vein, here is what I wrote.

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“Marriage isn’t 50/50…it’s 100/100. You each need to go all in to make a marriage work. There will be times when one or the other of you will be out of sorts and someone will have to pick up the slack. But don’t worry…their turn will come and they’ll be the one carrying a little more. And, when the tough times come…and they WILL come…stop and look at your spouse and say to yourself, “I choose to love him/her.” Do this repeatedly. It will soften your heart and may keep you from saying something out of anger that you’ll regret later.”

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If I would have learned this at an earlier age…well, you know. I can’t help but think it would have saved me a lot of grief. We can’t control anyone or anything. But we CAN learn to control our reactions. It’s like I told my daughters when I was raising them…we cannot live long enough to make ALL the mistakes, so please do yourself a favor and learn from the mistakes of others. 

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I’ll be 70 in a little over a month. I love being this age! Seriously. I have more insight and compassion than at any other age. My bulls*** meter can read game from a mile away. I can speak from my heart without apologizing for taking up too much space in the room. I love this age!

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My bonus daughter called me last night while I was writing this. She asked me if I was feeling ok at the shower. I told her I was perfectly fine…why? She said I seemed subdued and she wanted to make sure I was ok. I smiled because I understood what she was sensing. I am a bonus grandma to the bride to be. I wasn’t there through the formative years. I didn’t hold her in my arms as my very first grandchild. I didn’t bounce her on my knee or push her on a swing or kiss her booboos. I didn’t get school photos every year or go to her sporting events and graduations. Those memories are her grandma’s…the former Mrs. FixIt. This was HER time to shine and be in the spotlight. I love these girls as my own, but my place was to attend with love and joy and watch the beautiful interactions play out in front of me. I don’t need to be the center of attention.

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When the bride-to-be was opening her gifts, it came time to open her grandma’s. It was a beautiful cross-stitched wedding blessing, matted and framed. Oh, y’all…I wish you could have seen her grandma beaming. It was glorious to watch that bond between grandmother and her first grandchild…now all grown up and getting married. It took the former Mrs. FixIt three years to cross-stitch that beautiful gift. As I looked on, I was SO relieved that the quilt I made wasn’t back from the quilter! I wouldn’t have wanted to take one second of that joy away from them. This is what Jesus commanded us to do. To treat others as we would want to be treated.

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It was a perfect day…all the way around. After I got home and changed, I gathered some things together and came out to The Farm for a few days to work on the shop. The internet works really well here. And besides…I needed a little farm fix.

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?

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“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

\nJames 1:5-8 NIV\n
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In a world where you can be anything…be kind!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-05-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/05/07/marriage-advice-and-the-wisdom.html", "tags": ["Family","Aging","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/02/28/stormy-weather.html", "title": "Stormy Weather", "content_html": "\n
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When I was growing up here in West Virginia, a tornado was something that happened in Texas or Oklahoma or Kansas. Certainly not here in the Appalachias. Since I’ve been back, there have been tornado warnings every year…to the point that Mr. FixIt and I have taken shelter in the basement. These severe storms are getting worse. We should always keep a weather eye out and take all the necessary precautions for safety.

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We had little peeks of sunshine here today but it rained for the most part. This always offers me a day of working on my project. Yesterday’s focus was on Amazon links. I signed up for their Affiliate Program a month or so ago. I’m sure you’ve seen articles that have a small disclaimer at the top letting readers know there may be affiliate links incorporated within. The good news is, you’re helping someone make a little money, and it doesn’t come out of your pocket.

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Amazon came up with a way to advertise without advertising. It’s a brilliant strategy with an upside. It offers small entrepreneurs the opportunity to create income flows. The more you work at it, the more you may potentially make. As we have aged and prices have continued to raise, I became intrigued with different ways to supplement our income. 

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Gone are the days when I could work in a doctor’s office. It’s what I did for the majority of my adult life. I’m running head on into 70 in a little over three months. My 9-5 days are over, I’m afraid. But, that means I have so many opportunities to explore new things. I’ll never stop learning…never stop growing…never quit trying to keep rising up. And I trust in God explicitly to get me there. Watch for an extra post in a couple of days…Therapy Thursdays. Retail therapy, that is.

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I’m glad we got the Big Birdhouse moved around Sunday. I didn’t want to tow it across the grass when it was wet and soggy. We still have some work to do on it to prepare for sale. We’ll switch the lift jacks. We put the electric one on it when we bought it. The jack on the new camper is a manual crank jack that’s a lot of work. Electric jacks take a lot of the hard work out of setting up and taking down a camper. 

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I have to go to town today for an appointment. Hopefully I can make it a quick trip because I have stuff to do. I always have a lot of stuff to do! And…Happy Birthday, Big..you are my sunshine!

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?

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“Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:”

\nRomans 4:4-6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-02-28T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/02/28/stormy-weather.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","God"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/02/18/my-bubby-my-hero-my.html", "title": "My Bubby, My Hero, My Friend", "content_html": "\n
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I know I’ve written about him here. I’ve told you stories…maybe you remember them. Maybe you don’t. But he owns the biggest piece of real estate in my heart and it’s so full of love for my big brother. I just have to write again because yesterday pulled at my heartstrings.

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From my earliest memories, I was his champion. I interpreted for him when others couldn’t understand his speech impediment. If anyone so much as looked at him wrong, I was ready to take them down. I was his protector. He was my loyal friend. 

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I knew he had more going for him than mom thought. She treated him like a child…cutting his meat, doing his laundry, counting out his medicines. If I was his protector, Mom was his Protector in Chief. That’s why she kept him close. No one could love and care for her boy like she could. No one.

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I saw his potential. I knew he could learn more, do more, live more. He could read. As a matter of fact, he has always been a voracious reader. He has a penchant for non-fiction…autobiographies, mainly. He’ll tell you he likes to read anything. Except spooky things, and what he refers to as “lovey-dovey” stuff. 

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Our mom was only seventy-eight when she died. She got sick, really sick, but she refused to go to the hospital because she wouldn’t take my brother with her and she couldn’t leave him home alone. So, she laid on the couch for five days till I threatened to call the ambulance myself. Finally, I called her sister and told her she had to go to mom’s and take her to the ER. 

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She was gone twelve hours later. 

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I’ll never forget the time I came for a visit and the topic of Gary’s care came up. I promised her I would see to it that he was always well taken care of. She looked at me and cocked her head. The wheels were turning. She was summing up what I was saying. Or, more accurately…what I wasn’t saying.

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“What do you mean? You’ll be taking care of him in your home, of course!”

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“Mama…you know I love my brother as much as I love life itself, but that will not work for me OR for him. He needs to have opportunities to learn and grow and experience things in a loving, nurturing environment. Somewhere with people who are trained to give him the life he deserves. Like I said, I will fight to the death to make sure he is well cared for and he’s happy. But it won’t be in my house. I hope you’ll understand.”

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I wasn’t about to lie to her and tell her “Of course!” I loved and respected her too much for that. I’d been after her for years to bring him to Colorado and let him participate in the very program he is now involved with but she refused. She wouldn’t listen. But, my brother did. He never forgot there was a place for him in this world and he was determined he would live there.

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I told you all about my decision to keep him in the capable hands of these earth angels. I told you I felt guilty because I thought I could bring him here till I found out the funding would be an insurmountable obstacle. I told you his six month evaluation was coming up. And I was dreading it.

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My stomach was in knots for the last three days. I was afraid of hurting him or disappointing him. I was afraid he would balk at the suggestion. His evaluation was yesterday and I sat in via video chat. We were happy to see each other. His beard was trimmed. He was a sight for sore eyes, as my grandma used to say. 

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The meeting went well. We’ll move foreword with plans. They’ll take him over to hang out with the new housemates, two of whom he has known for many years. They’ll start getting him to the day program and let him take the shuttle bus to town to shop since his mobility will be a little decreased in the new place. 

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The best part? He was enthusiastic and he totally understood about the funding issues and why we couldn’t bring him here. I told him I would send an Amazon Echo so we can video chat more frequently. I think it will help both of us to see each other more often.

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I am relieved. God is so good…and so generous to us. 

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Thank you, Jesus…for looking out for my Bubby!

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?

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“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;”

\nPsalms 91:11 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-02-18T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/02/18/my-bubby-my-hero-my.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/02/10/such-a-big-weekend.html", "title": "Such A “Big” Weekend!", "content_html": "\n
\"Little
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My goodness…these old campers were so tiny!

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Mr. FixIt painted the ceiling in the hallway yesterday. There wasn’t really enough room for the two of us, and it really wasn’t all that big. So I let him do that while I worked on my project. The special events of the weekend are Big’s District Swim Championships and the Super Bowl. I’m thrilled I can watch Big swim live on the internet. And Mr. Virgo’s Eagles are playing in the Super Bowl so I’m pretty invested in this year’s contest.

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My dear friend Gail was finally able to come back to her home yesterday after being evacuated due to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. She said you can still smell the chemicals but the EPA continues to reassure them their air and water is safe. She stopped on her way home and got some bottled water. People are losing their animals…cats, dogs, chickens. One man raises domestic foxes and they had to put them down, so who really knows what’s the truth of the matter?

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Our temperature got up to 72° yesterday, so as soon as it was an acceptable time, I went out to the camper to spend the night. I can’t remember if I slept out there in January or not, but I seem to think I might have. It was warm enough when I went out to open the windows and let in some fresh air. It’s time to put my other campers up for sale…camping season will be here before we know it! I have the Big Birdhouse. It’s a 2021 Rockwood A-Frame. Then there’s my old ‘67 Franklin that I just know I’m never going to be able to renovate. Lastly, there’s a 10-year old Grey Wolf Hybrid that is a project camper. It would make a great hunting camp trailer.

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We will tackle the hallway tomorrow and get it painted then Mr. FixIt can put the trim back up and that job can be crossed off the list. One of these days, we’ll get the main bathroom finished. The really big job for the summer is the roof on the main part of the house. So much to do…always. I would really like to get this house fixed up then we could sell it and move to town and get a home where we can “age in place.” The clock is ticking, people.

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?

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“Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table.”

\nProverbs 14:23 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-02-10T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/02/10/such-a-big-weekend.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/02/08/getting-real-with-grandma.html", "title": "Getting Real With Grandma", "content_html": "\n
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Good Morning from The Farm

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I had just gone to sleep Monday evening when the phone rang. It startled me and I jumped up to get it. It was Mr. FixIt. He had gone out to look at the moon and heard a strange animal sound…really close. So he stood quietly and recorded it for me to hear. He didn’t know I was asleep or he would have waited till morning. But by then, of course…I was really awake. (You can listen here!)

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With some research on the internet, we determined what he heard was most like a fox. We have seen them in the surrounding woods…lithe, red critters with dark socks and beady eyes. I ran into the neighbors across the road from the farm today and he agreed on the identification. Too high pitched for a coyote, he thinks.

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The reason I didn’t feel great Monday night was an upsetting phone call. You know I have a brother who is developmentally disabled and he lives in an assisted living facility in the town where I lived in Colorado. He’s been there for nearly two decades and it has become the home of his heart. When I moved back to West Virginia, I offered to bring him with me, but he demurred. He said he was perfectly happy where he was. And his is. They love him there. He knows all of them. They’re like a big family.

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When I saw the caller ID was his case manager, my heart sank. They wanted to let me know that my brother is slipping some and will soon need more assistance so they’re looking to place him in the group home where there is 24/7 supervision. We’ve talked about this for a couple of years as the next logical step. I’ve considered bringing him here, but we would have to start all over with attaining funding for him. And I think it would be harder on him to move him now. I’ll still check into it so I’ll have all my information at hand when we have his next evaluation.

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The hardest thing is seeing him decline. My greatest fear is letting down those I love and depend on me. So, later in the night, I had a long heart-to-heart “talk” with my grandma. I was sleeping in her bed. I told her how afraid I was for my Bubby. And how guilty I feel that I don’t care for him at home like she did with one of her sons and like my mom did. I asked for her help and her strength to do what’s best for him. 

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I honestly felt like I was with her for hours. I finally drifted off to sleep and when I woke up, I had a much more peaceful outlook. I know that whatever happens, I have given my Bubby a life like he’d never had the opportunity for when Mom was alive. He’s done amazing things and has learned to do the everyday living skills that Mom always did for him. He’s traveled on trips with groups that take the developmentally disabled on glorious vacations. He’s gone to Hawaii and taken a cruise to Catalina Island and even went to Mexico! He never could have done that had he stayed here in West Virginia. I just needed “permission” to cut myself some slack and know that I’m doing what’s best for him. I promised my mom that I would always see that he was taken care of.

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Once I woke up and got my tea and a banana, I went out on the front porch to watch the world go by. I seldom keep a pair of the socks I make, but these are special because Gail gave me the yarn. Our temperature got up to 60° and it was delightful to sit out in the fresh air. After I saw the weather report, I decided to stay another night because they were predicting rain. I love the sound of the rain on the tin roof here at the farm. It soothes my soul.

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I got a lot of work done on the computer the last three days. Then, just before dark, I heard a siren coming up the road. We don’t get much excitement out this way. It was the rescue truck and it was quickly followed by about four or five fire trucks, an ambulance, and several volunteer firefighters. I don’t have a scanner nor do the neighbors across the road. A friend of mine from high school lives on up the road in the direction the emergency vehicles were headed so I texted her.

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She sent me a couple of photos of a fire on the ridge at the top of the hill. It looked like a brush fire that got out of control. About an hour later, she said she couldn’t see the flames anymore so they must have gotten it under control. With as wet an environment as we have here, you would think forest fires wouldn’t be very common. But we are more prone in the winter when the leaves are down and it gets dry. And it was windy yesterday. 

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I’ll head home here in a little bit. Mr. FixIt has the hallway prepared to paint so that will be our job in the coming days. We have to strike when the iron’s hot and he feels up to doing a fixit job around the house. I’m looking forward to getting a few jobs done before mowing season.

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?

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“Tell these things to the people so that they will do the right thing in their extended family. Anyone who neglects to care for family members in need repudiates the faith. That’s worse than refusing to believe in the first place.”

\n1 Timothy 8 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-02-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/02/08/getting-real-with-grandma.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/02/02/now-i-lay-me-down.html", "title": "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep", "content_html": "\n
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Yesterday was Mr. FixIt’s birthday! Until the middle of June, he is two years older than me…then I’ll be 70 and he 71. I remember my mom telling me she never believed she would live past 35. I don’t know why, other than she had a hard life. I’ve never been one of those people who can envision herself in her declining years. I guess that’s one of the hazards of living “in the moment.”

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Mr. FixIt, Jr. and his family came over last night with a cake to share to celebrate. There were seven of us and we made short shrift of that tasty dessert. I had fixed his favorite meal earlier…seared jumbo sea scallops, steak, and pasta primavera and I’m telling you, it was as good as any meal you would get at a restaurant…and a lot cheaper, to boot. I didn’t go out and spend money for his birthday because we have some major outlays coming up this year. I told him I would buy him something when we go to the beach in April and he was thrilled with that.

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Mrs. FixIt, Jr. and I sat and talked in the living room while everyone else went downstairs to play pool.  We were talking about the rough patch we went through when our kids grew up and were heading out on their own. I did not handle my first heading off to college very well. I wasn’t ready. It was a little easier when the second left for school, but her dad and I parted company when she was 10 years old, so our world already looked different by that time.

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I love when the kids come over. It adds joy and sparkle to our daily life. If I could have afforded it, I might have stayed in Colorado. Then, maybe it would be the Colorado kids coming over to visit and help with little odd jobs I might need. I’ve never known what it’s like to have them just drop in or come over for meals regularly. I hear about them visiting the other in-laws and I’m tickled to death for them that they get those visits. It’s too bad we don’t have a house in both states. The ideal would be to lasso a rope around the stated and draw them closer together.  I do envy folks that have close family nearby that visit.

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I’ve found FaceTime to be a passing substitute for in person visits and you can do that anytime, it’s free, and you get to see each other’s faces. I want to try to get something that my brother can use to have video visits. If I could see the Colorado peeps more often, maybe that year in between visits won’t see so far away.

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What about you all? Do you have family nearby that you get to visit? Our daughter-in-law was telling me last night that she has a friend whose kids live right here in town yet they never see each other. I’d think that would be heartbreaking. For those of you whose family lives far away, what do you do to help make the time apart go faster? What have you found to be the best way to see your kids?

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?

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“Point your kids in the right direction— when they’re old they won’t be lost.”

\nProverbs 22:6 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-02-02T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/02/02/now-i-lay-me-down.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Happiness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/01/27/evidence-of-hard-work.html", "title": "Evidence of Hard Work", "content_html": "\n
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I was working at the desk in my “studio” yesterday, sipping a mug of tea when I leaned back in my chair. I looked down at the keyboard case for my iPad and noticed reflections on the key pads. I got my phone and leaned down to get this picture at just the right angle to show you how hard I work. I’ve had this keyboard for several years and it shows. The finish is worn smooth from the millions of words I’ve written since I bought it. Impressive.

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I sat down one time to calculate how many words I have written on this blog. To get an accurate number, I’d have to go in and check the word count on every post. That’s not feasible. The next best thing is to guesstimate how many posts I’ve written. Mr. Virgo died 3,607 days ago. I started the blog 72 days before he passed away. I would say I’ve only missed about 60 days posting in those 3,679 days bring the number of posts down to roughly 3,619. I’m a bit long winded, so I’ll give a conservative estimate of around 800 words a post on average. That brings be to somewhere around 2,895,200. And that doesn’t count the many rough drafts of my book and the writing I’ve done for hire.

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It’s no wonder this keyboard is smokin’!

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I love it. Getting to come here and talk to you all every night is like sitting down with old friends and having a nice chat at my dinner table. I love the idea that, come 4:00 in the morning, my posts magically go live thanks to the marvels of the internet. And soon, some of you will make you cup of coffee or tea and sit down with me for a little peek into the extraordinary life of a quite ordinary woman.

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Someone said the other day, it helps them to know other people’s life are just as ordinary as theirs. Or, someone else is going through the same trials and tribulations. I will never forget the comfort I felt when I wrote about losing Mr. Virgo and so many of you came to me with understanding and love and support. You shared your own stories. You started talking to each other in the comment section. And before we knew it, a whole community rose up in this little space.

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I am humbled by this. By your outreach and by your sharing in this ministry God pressed upon me. Every time I think I’m done writing, God moves something in my life and tells me to keep going. He might turn me a few degrees one way or the other, but it’s always…keep writing. I love it. I wish I would have been more brave and started writing earlier in my life. But, I needed to go through all these things in order to have the “voice” I have now. 

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Grief isn’t sexy. It isn’t funny. It isn’t popular. It’s not what most people come to the internet to read unless they are actively looking. The thing is, death is a certainty in life. It’s just a passage we all must take at some point. My Facebook stats tell me my demographic is largely made up of women sixty-five and older. Not surprising that we understand each other…we speak the same language.

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I talked with my cousin yesterday…Aunt Rosie’s daughter. She sounded good. Sad that her mom is gone, but relieved that she is no longer suffering. We got on the subject of family stories. She was raised in the Chicago area and only came for a visit once a year. Her family had a resort at Lake Kabetogama in northern Minnesota. They worked the cabins at the Pine Aire Resort from from the thaw in spring to the freeze in the fall. Then they went back to Chicago for my cousin to start school and my aunt to go back to work at Cook County Hospital.

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My cousin’s family sold the resort when they retired. I had no idea what became of it and I looked it up. It is still open under the same name. Why mess with perfection, right? I’ve never been up there. My grandparents drove up one time when I was a little kid. And mom flew there on her birthday in 1971. Unfortunately, that was the same day our PopPop died and Mom and Aunt Rosie turned right around and flew home the next day. 

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I told my cousin story after story yesterday. When she said she’d never heard them, I told her I was family oral historian and I’d be happy to share stories till the cows come home. I’m looking forward to sharing with her in the coming months.

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We have to make a trip to town today for an appointment. I haven’t been out of the house all week so I could use the fresh air and change of scenery. Well, I was out yesterday helping Mr. FixIt with a job. We had some stiff winds on Tuesday night and it blew the old clothesline pole down. It was loaded with three full bird feeders and and suet cage. The two plastic bird feeders broke so we’ll need to get replacements. The birds will have a fit if they have no food to eat.

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?

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“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.”

\nRevelation 1:19 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-01-27T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/01/27/evidence-of-hard-work.html", "tags": ["Family","Writing","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/01/24/the-matriarch-is-gone.html", "title": "The Matriarch is Gone", "content_html": "\n
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I received the call yesterday and my Auntie Rosie has gone to God. She was in terrible pain after breaking her arm. They couldn’t do surgery because of her mental status and every time you touched her…well, you get the drift. She was under palliative care the last eight days so she slipped away in her sleep. A peaceful transition is the best one could ever ask for. 

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Today is the “angelversary” of my mom’s passing. The last time I went to see my aunt, I stopped in my tracks as I walked in the door. She was the spitting image of my mom and it was startling. When Mom died on this day in 2004, I called my Auntie Rosie in Las Vegas. We tried to get her a flight through Colorado so we could be on the same plane from there on, but the best we could do at such short notice was to meet in Charlotte and travel the rest of the way together. 

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When we arrived in Charleston, WV we rented a car and headed to the farm. There was only one place to sleep and that was in a full size bed in the “girls’ room”. We lay there most of the night listening to the Asian Ladybeetles tip-tapping on the ceiling. We were afraid to go to sleep for fear our mouths would gape open and we’d turn into bug catchers! We stayed in town at Mom’s house after that. 

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When I was growing up, I never thought much about becoming the matriarch of the family. That was for the “elders”. And now…WE are the elders! I always knew I’d get older, but I just didn’t realize it would be so darned fast! I saw a quote by David Crosby of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young. “Don’t waste the time. Time is the final currency, man. Not money, not power…it’s time.” I’m determined I’m not going to waste a bit of what I have left. I won’t be laying on my death bed wishing I’d watched more TV. 

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A had a productive day in my studio yesterday. I got a lot of things done. I did some housekeeping, fixed our supper, connected with family, did some laundry. The laundry is downstairs near my studio so I can throw a few loads in while I’m working. I brought the small electric space heater in from the camper. I placed it under the desk and I stayed much warmer than I did with the gas stove on. And, I didn’t feel sick by the end of the day. I’ll call that a win.

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We don’t have anything scheduled this week till Friday, so I expect to make a lot of progress on “The Project!”

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?

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“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”

\n2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-01-24T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/01/24/the-matriarch-is-gone.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/01/23/earth-and-heaven-collide.html", "title": "Earth and Heaven Collide", "content_html": "\n
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I’ve been writing a lot about organization this week. That’s because I’m doing the project…the BIG project. I have great ideas for a LOT of things I want to implement. But, unlike Martha Stewart, I don’t have a creative staff at my beck and call. When I have grandiose ideas, there’s only one person who is sitting in front of the computer and doing the scut work to implement them. That’s not to say Mr. FixIt wouldn’t help if I asked him…he certainly would. But I’ve done my typical “Gemini Ginny” thing and bit off a really huge bite. 

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I took the weekend off and sat back to ruminate on how I want this to work. I checked my visions and ideas and the practicality of it all and decided I’d better make a “vision board” so I can embrace this in chunks. Nothing worse than getting overwhelmed and not get anything done. I have an initial goal of mid March. However, I don’t want to launch something halfway, so I’m just going to let it unfold organically, take the pressure off myself, and set up one part at a time. There is absolutely NO need to bring myself unneeded stress!

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That being said, I did play on my computer with a new program yesterday. Not to make much of anything, but to learn the ins and outs of it. I’m still on the fence as to whether this program is actually better than the one I’ve been using but I’m willing to give it a chance. I did find a bunch of supplies I put away a long time ago that are going to come in very handy so that was a pleasant surprise, and a big money saver. I know I’m being cryptic, but I don’t want to give too much away till I’m ready. It may happen a little later than I hoped.

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My Latest Christmas Stocking

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Mr. FixIt went to hang out at the bowling alley with his buddies last night. I stayed at home and had some quiet time. We had a peaceful day. After online church, I knitted while he watched football. I baked some cinnamon rolls in the afternoon and then played on the computer in my studio for a few hours before I called it quits and came upstairs to write.

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I spoke with my cousin yesterday morning after church and my aunt is still hanging on. She is my mom’s last living sister. Mom passed away nineteen years ago tomorrow. I wonder if she’s “coming” to take my Aunt Rosie home? Mom had a heart of gold and would do anything she could for someone. It warms my heart to think she would come to get her baby sister. Earth and Heaven are about to collide in my world.

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?

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“Isn’t it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?”

\nHebrews 1:14 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-01-23T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/01/23/earth-and-heaven-collide.html", "tags": ["Family","God","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/01/09/memories-of-times-long-past.html", "title": "Memories of Times Long Past", "content_html": "\n
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I imagine I’ll be waxing poetic in the coming months as I close out my 60’s and turn 70 in June. I’ve been browsing old family photos of late, reminiscing and missing family members long since passed. I haven’t spent any time out at the farm since early December so I think it’s about time to get out there for a little R&R. 

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There are still a few things out there that belong to my family. The new owners have been kind and haven’t needed the space. But, sometime in December, my Uncle Bud asked if I could bring something to him…or at least get it out of the house in case there was a fire or some unforeseen tragedy.

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That something was my Uncle Bob’s nutcracker.

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Now…this thing isn’t like the Christmas Nutcrackers we have on the windowsill in the family room here at Marshmallow Ranch. No…this is the coolest thing. Obviously homemade, with well worn boards and what looks like the base of an old nightstand. The mechanism itself looks like some sort of Rube Goldberg Machine. 

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I can remember my Uncle Bob sitting in the chair at the front window where I love to sit and knit. In the winter when he couldn’t get out and pound rock or work the garden, Grandma had him hull walnuts. His hands were stained a deep bronze for months. Once the walnuts were hulled, they were spread out on newspapers in the basement to dry. 

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Uncle Bob carried that nutcracker upstairs to the seat by the window. He’d carry the dried walnuts up in a five gallon bucket. Then he would laboriously crack them into a bowl where Grandma would carefully pick the nut meats out of them into a separate bowl.  Several weeks worth of work produced maybe a couple of quarts of shelled walnuts. 

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Now, this is where the magic happened. My uncle Bud’s favorite treat in the whole wide world was Raisin Filled Cookies. Grandma cooked the raisin filling on the stove top and stirred in toasted walnuts then placed a spoonful of the filling between two soft cookies and baked them. They were never my favorite growing up, but I learned to appreciate them as an adult, although I prefer pecans as walnuts make my mouth blister.

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I think I’ll make my Uncle Bud a batch of Raisin Filled Cookies and take them with me when I deliver his prize. I know he’ll love that. I’ve lost all but two of my mom’s siblings. Uncle Bud is the baby and is doing really well…still building things like saw mills and machines that put Rube Goldberg to shame. My Aunt Rosie fell and broke her hip on Christmas Eve so she’s healing up after surgery, ready for rehab. 

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We aren’t getting any younger. And there will be more and more of those terrible phone calls letting us know someone we love is gone. I’m not really sure how I feel about turning 70. I mean, the alternative isn’t very good so I’ll take what I can get. The woman in the mirror has more wrinkles, but I LOVE her grey hair! I don’t feel sad, per so. It’s more like, I’m being reminded that I’d better not put off the things I want to do because there isn’t as much time to do them now. That’s what’s making itself more clear to me. I have a sense of urgency…but in a good way.

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?

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“Open up before God, keep nothing back; he’ll do whatever needs to be done: He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon.”

\nPsalm 37:5-6 MSG\n
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\n\n", "date_published": "2023-01-09T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/01/09/memories-of-times-long-past.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/24/the-modern-madonna.html", "title": "The Modern Madonna", "content_html": "\n
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Let’s face it…we don’t live in a Hallmark movie. Relationships are complicated and oftentimes messy. We can turn to any given channel on the TV at this time of year and see beautiful depictions of perfectly decorated houses with perfectly obedient children eagerly awaiting the appearance of the jolly old elf himself. 

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Most of my demographic have grandchildren and great grandchildren, so we are a little past the frenetic activity leading up to Christmas. But as the day approaches, we push to create the most perfect holiday so our loved ones have wonderful memories long after we’re gone. The cookies are baked. The house is decorated to the nines. The pantry is full of all manner of delicacies. So…why do we feel so let down when it’s all over?

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I think it’s because we’ve held onto these ideals all our lives thinking each holiday MUST be better than the one before it. We do ourselves a huge disservice with that attitude. I’m trying something different this year. I’m trying to let go of any and all expectations, preconceived notions, feelings, judgements, hurts, wrongs, memories and go into the holiday as if I’m a brand new person. I’m pretending…just like I used to when I was a little kid. I’m staying in this moment without judgement and saying…this is my first Christmas! My first holiday dinner. My first wrapping of presents. It’s taken a huge weight off my shoulders and released me from my self-imposed bondage of perfectionism.

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Our grandson called yesterday. He’s working long, hard hours so his children can stay home with their mama and not have to go to child care. He ordered something for her and it came to the Post Office, but he wasn’t going to get out of work till really late. He asked his Grandpa if he would go over the hill to town to pick up the gift so he could give it to his sweetest girl. Of course Grandpa said yes. And we even had a nice gift box to put the present in so he wouldn’t have to wrap it.

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This young lady is such a good mama to two of our little great-grands. Mommin’ ain’t easy…especially to two rambunctious little boys. I wondered what special gift the boys’ daddy would give their mom that would honor who she is to their little family. When he arrived to pick up the gift, he said, “I have to open this…I really want you to see it!”

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He bought her a blanket…with one of his favorite photos on it. It wasn’t some posed picture of scrubbed faces and clean clothes that was at the center of his heart. It was a candid picture he took of his love…sick and exhausted with a tissue stuffed up her nose, leaning back in her chair with one of her precious boys, feverish and sleeping in her lap. 

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At first, I laughed. Then I thought…OMGosh! She’ll kill him. Then I thought…nope, she’s going to love this as much as he did. She’s going to know…truly know how much this young man loves her. Because, any man who’s going to work and work really hard for every dime then take that hard earned money and put it towards a picture such as this is a good guy. I felt happy for them…proud of them for not taking the easy way out.

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No, “Mommin’ Ain’t Easy”. But it’s a whole lot easier when you can just live in the moment and leave that sack of stinky stuff you’ve been hauling around behind you all these years and release it where it deserves to stay. In the past…where it can’t hurt you anymore.

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When we let go of all the trappings and expectations of a consumerist society, it allows us to focus on the real meaning of Christmas…the birth of Christ in a lowly manger in Jerusalem. Where the Blessed Virgin may very well have reclined against a makeshift bed amongst the animals in the barn…exhausted from the hard labor of the day. Holding her beloved baby in her arms. I wonder if Joseph might have snapped a photo of his beloved such as the one our grandson took had cameras been around so long ago? Yes…this warm and comforting blanket reminds me of a Modern Madonna…holding her precious child in her arms…and leaning into the moment. With no expectations more than mindful, unbridled love.

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May we all remember what this holiday is about.

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May we all have a blessed celebration of the Christ-child’s birth.

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?

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“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

\nJohn 3:16 CSB\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-24T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/24/the-modern-madonna.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Comfort","God","Holiday","Courage","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/20/another-busy-day-in-busy.html", "title": "Another Busy Day in Busy Town", "content_html": "\n
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I honestly did NOT want to go to town yesterday but I had no choice. I had to go to the bank because I was having an issue with their app and they couldn’t help me over the phone. If it didn’t involve something that needed completed right away, I would have blown it off. But, it was time sensitive so, there ya go…another trip to town.

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It was bitter cold when I left bright and early. The frost was heavy on the Louisa the Lincoln’s windows. I have no idea where my window scraper is, so I waited till the heater softened the frost then wiped it away with the wipers. It was so cold, I brought out the big guns…my Canadian parka and the new L.L.Bean boots I got from my friend Janine for Christmas. I was toasty warm!

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I got to the bank and waited my turn in line at the counter in the lobby. When the cashier called me over, I promptly tripped over the rug they used to keep the floors clean and ironically…less slippery. I fell into the marble counter and jammed my right arm pretty hard. They were most apologetic and filled out an incident report…just in case it bothers me later. It’s always something, isn’t it?

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Someone tried to help me with my tech issue and as it turns out, it’s actually a glitch inside the app itself and they are trying to fix it. They have no idea how long it will take to get that corrected, so they suggested I contact the other bank I was trying to connect ma account to and see if they can connect from that end. I made the phone call on the way home and they walked me through how to do that online. 

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The bottom line of that is…I made a trip to town that I didn’t need to make because I could have taken care of it from the comfort of my big red chair. What can I say? I was already in town and Mr. FixIt thought of something he needed. I stopped at the big box store on my way home to get it and made it home by 1:00. Overall, that wasn’t a bad trip…time wise.

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I got home, settled myself in the big comfy chair, and worked on Operation Christmas Stocking 2023. I made great progress and it’s a cute one. Mr. FixIt had to go to our little town so I had him stop at the Piggly Wiggly to get some things. I am going to make a quiche today for something a little different!

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Looking at our calendar, I honestly don’t think we need to go to town at all this week. They are predicting snow and frigid temps by the end of the week. Mr. FixIt tried to get the generator started yesterday to no avail. We had it running this past summer so it should start. He has some trouble with his hands since his strokes, so if he can’t get it started tomorrow, I’ll go out and give it a pull.

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Sometimes you have to tag team chores to get them done. You each have your strengths in a relationship, and time often changes those roles. You have to learn to adapt in order to make things easier. A burden shared is a burdened halved. My memory takes me back to that long, cold winter with the horrendous snowstorms after Mr. Virgo died. When I was left to do everything on my own. Thank God I had wonderful neighbors who helped out with some of the heavy lifting. 

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Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice!!! From now on, the days get longer and the nights get shorter. It won’t be noticeable at first, but there will come a day when we think…hmmmm, it’s not getting dark till X:XX!!! I love that and it gives me hope!

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I’ll never forget the morning I woke up and heard a small engine running out in front of my house. Wrapping my robe close around me, I tiptoed out to the front door and peered out through the sidelight window. There was my neighbor with his brand new snow blower, clearing off nearly three feet of snow on my driveway and front sidewalk! 

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Believe me, I know how incredibly blessed I am to have Mr. FixIt in my life…my helper, my love. But I still can conjure up that feeling of emptiness and desperation I felt that first Christmas alone. What a long, dark, and lonely time that was. If you are feeling this acute loss this holiday season, please know my heart is with you and you are not alone, dear ones. Even though it feels like it, you are not alone in your suffering. 

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God weeps with you and for you….as do many of us here.

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?❤️‍??

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“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

\nIsaiah 41:10 ESV\n
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#Busy, #Holidays, #Errands

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-20T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/20/another-busy-day-in-busy.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Marriage","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/19/on-the-outside-looking-in.html", "title": "On the Outside Looking In", "content_html": "\n
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‘Tis the season of happy holidays. Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Years…all times for gathering with the people you love. The sharing of meals, gifts, companionship. It’s all so hectic and frenzied and fun…isn’t it? It is…until it isn’t. I remember when I was a new widow. The fun evenings out with others pretty much ended. Invitations dried up. It was especially hurtful when I was left on the outside looking in. 

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Social media is the first to show when you’ve been left out of a fun event. Pictures of parties and gatherings you once attended seem to go on without you and that is particularly painful to note. It isn’t exclusive to the bereaved. Those of us who live far away from our families feel the same sense of longing and feeling a little left out. I haven’t flown to Colorado for the holidays for a long time. Partially for financial reasons…partially because of unpredictable travel to the Rockies in the winter months. I just don’t like to fly anymore and driving cross country in the winter isn’t reasonable.

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We haven’t had our FixIt Family Holiday Extravaganza yet…it’s coming. But in the meantime, I watched the fun happening at the Annual Cookie Bake Off in Colorado yesterday via Facebook and I felt pretty darned sorry for myself. My heart has been tender this month anyway…it doesn’t take much to hurt it right now. It’ll sting for a bit…then I’ll pick myself up by the bootstraps and get moving on with something else. 

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It’s not like I have nothing to do. I am always busy doing something. Mr. FixIt went to the bowling alley last night. He’s a sub on the league he’s bowled on for decades so he’s in hog heaven hanging with his buddies. I sat at home in the big, comfy red chair…knitting another little stocking. I had the TV tuned to a roaring fireplace scene complete with sounds of a crackling fire. The gas fireplace kept the room toasty and I tucked my lap blanket up around me.

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I was enjoying a bowl of warmed up chicken and noodles when I caught sight of the neighbors coming up the walk. My heart leapt with joy. They have three little girls and they were bringing us homemade cookies!!! I invited them in and they told me what kind of cookies they made. They told me their names and ages. The little one is three now! The last time they brought us cookies, she was just a toddler. 

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I gratefully took their precious offering and went to the dining room to get their box of cookies and fudge I had waiting for them. I handed it to the oldest, and told her what kind of cookies I made for them. When I got to “fudge”, her little eyes widened and twinkled. Now I know for sure what to give them next year! LOTS of fudge!

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As they trudged back down the sidewalk, I stayed at the door and waved goodbye and I thought of my grandma. How many times did she stand on the front porch and wave goodbye to the littles? How many times did her hanky come out of the pocket of her housedress to wipe a tear away because she missed us all so far away?

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I could feel her near me saying, “It’s ok to be a little sad, pet.” 

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It’s only because we LOVE that we feel anything at all. And LOVE…real love…is worth all the tears that come after. We have FixIt Family Fun coming up soon and that’s something joyful to look forward to!

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?

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“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

\n1 Timothy 5:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-19T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/19/on-the-outside-looking-in.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Baking","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/17/the-cookie-fairy.html", "title": "The Cookie Fairy", "content_html": "\n
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While I really wanted to just sit in my big red chair and knit all day yesterday…it didn’t happen. Those cookies were not going to deliver themselves, so we grabbed everything we needed and headed for town…again! It turned out to not take nearly as long as we thought it would. Our first stop was the Former Mrs. FixIt’s house where we found out she was going to see the rest of the kids that evening for their annual gingerbread house extravaganza. So instead of driving all over town, we asked if she would take the cookies and give them to the kids for us. I didn’t want them to wait till we get to see them over the holidays because the cookies wouldn’t be in their prime.

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Since that freed us up, we ran a couple of errands and went home. I heated up the chicken noodles from the night before then baked a batch of cookies. Whether you call them Mexican Wedding Cookies or Russian Tea Cakes, these feathery light sweets literally melt in your mouth and I ate WAY too many of them! They were my first cookies that I’ve eaten this season because I’ve given up chocolate, but still…it was hard not to keep nibbling.

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I found the recipe in The All-New Blue Ribbon Cookbook. I’ve had the original version for decades and when I searched to see if Catherine Hanley had any other cookbooks, there was just this new edition. You can get one HERE if you are interested.

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I was about to pop the first cookie sheet in the oven when the phone rang. Our grandson had some car trouble up on the hill above our house and needed a ride. Grandpa to the rescue and in five minutes…my boys were here!!! I was so busy loving on them and baking cookies and just gazing at our good fortune to have the unexpected visit…I totally spaced on getting a picture! But they’ll be back next week sometime for our Christmas, so we’ll have more opportunities.

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I finished baking the last of the cookies after they left. I put two London broils in to marinate last night and I’ll grill them this afternoon. I’ll slice them, bag up dinner sized portions, and our main dish for several meals will be in the freezer. I love cooking ahead and having the ease of taking something out to thaw instead of running to the store. When the kids were here last evening, I took any special requests they had for dinner when they’re here. Homemade Mac & Cheese! Easy peasy and the boys will love it, too!

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I’m heading to town yet again this morning. This time it’s to have coffee with my classmates from high school. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a chance to get together and I’m really looking forward to seeing them! Hanukkah starts at sundown on Sunday night. I have some friends I’d like to have over to make latkes one day next week. There’s a fellow here in our town who has a yearly event in one of the local restaurants. He makes latkes and people come from all over to get some. I’ve missed his event the last few years, so we’ll just make our own!

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?

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““So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

\nMatthew 7:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-17T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/17/the-cookie-fairy.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/14/its-beginning-to-feel-like.html", "title": "It’s Beginning to Feel Like Christmas at Our House!", "content_html": "\n
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Mr. FixIt and I split the holiday shopping duties. I take care of the girls. He takes care of the boys. Which isn’t really even because there’s a lot more girls than there are boys in our family. I don’t really mind, though. I know how to shop for girls…I’ve done it forever! Mr. FixIt took off for town yesterday morning to do his shopping and left me at home to bake. I needed to add to the cookie trove.

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The first thing I did was make Rolo Turtles. You know, the ones that use a square pretzel for the base and you put a Rolo in the middle. You put the cookie sheet filled with these in a 250° oven for about four minutes. When you take them out, you press half a pecan on the top and let them cool. Easy peasy!

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I also made Two Ingredient Fudge. It is SUPER easy to make. Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper. I sprayed a little nonstick cooking spray on the glass to help it stick. Pour 2.5 cups of semisweet chocolate chips and one can of sweetened condensed milk in a glass bowl. Microwave for two minutes. Stir it all together and scrape it out into the parchment lined dish. You have to work fast because it hardens up pretty quickly. Put some plastic wrap over it and put it in the fridge for a couple of hours. Take it out. Lift out the fudge by the parchment paper “handles”. Cut in squares. SUPER easy!

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Then I made Cowboy Cookies. I have a dear friend who makes them. Patti is the Head Baker Gal for Buffalo Baking Co. based in Colorado. She makes the BEST Cowboy Cookies! Mine don’t hold a candle to hers, but Mr. FixIt says they’re REALLY good! A Cowboy Cookie is a chocolate chip cookie with a twist. It has oats, coconut and pecans in the recipe which makes for a really nice, dense, chewy cookie. I used a recipe from Food Network. You can find it HERE. But if you want the real deal, you can order some from my friend HERE.

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I finally finished around 9:30 last night. I got a surprise phone call from my Uncle Bud…the uncle that owned the family farm and sold it last year. Bud was a Junior in High School when I was born so he wasn’t all that much older than me. We never had money to go on vacations when I was growing up, but we went every summer for a week to visit my Uncle Bud and Aunt Viv. It was a week of playing with my cousins and our moms would sit in the kitchen talking and drinking coffee all day. 

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Uncle Bud would pile us kids in his little VW Bug and takes us to all kinds of places…the fish hatchery or huckleberry picking on Dolly Sods. He was a practical joker. He told me one time he’d caught a mongoose and it was in a box in the basement. He took us down to see it. There was a little hole in the door and he said if I bent down and looked in, I might catch a glimpse of it. When I bent down, he released a latch and the door opened and out flew an old raccoon tail he had on a spring. It about scared me to death and everyone laughed…including me once I got my heart back in my chest! I think now he might think that was a dirty trick, but we were young and entertainment was scarce.

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Mr. FixIt’s Peanut Butter Blossoms

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Anyway, it was so nice to talk with him. I told him about my cookie baking and he told me how they didn’t have sugar when he was growing up because it was rationed in the war. Everyone had a cane patch and a Mr. Williams from over near where we live would go around the countryside with a portable cane mill. He’d work a pipe that turned a big roller and it would squeeze the juice out of the cane. Then that juice would be boiled down to make sorghum molasses. And that’s what folks used for a sweetener.

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When I was little, Grandma always had a jar of sorghum in the pantry. Grandma had a milk cow and we churned our own butter. In the spring, the butter took on the flavor of the spring onions the cow got into so toast with butter took on a taste that wasn’t necessarily pleasant to a kid. Grandma would mash the butter up in a dish and add sorghum and stir it up. Then I spread that on my toast. It covered up the funny taste of spring butter really well.

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Just having that half hour or so to reminisce with my sweet uncle did me a world of good. It lightened my heart and it turned out to be a lovely day. I set up our new Apple TV and played with it a bit between batches of cookies. I haven’t figured out how to watch the nightly news in real time yet, but I’ve only just begun to explore it. There’s certainly a lot to see that’s free.

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We’re going into town today for just a couple more things. I told Mr. FixIt exactly what I’d like for Christmas and he said he thought I’d better come with him to pick it out myself. I don’t mind that at all. Maybe we can find something perfect for him, too! Honestly…we need nothing. But it’s nice to have a little something to open on Christmas morning.

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?

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“Give us this day our daily bread,”

\nMatthew 6:11 ESV\n
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I made another trip to the grocery store yesterday. Last week’s trip was to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. Yesterday’s was to gear up for the holiday baking soon to ensue. We are really careful with our spending on groceries. We don’t eat fancy and we very seldom eat fast food or processed meals. This keeps the bill down. However, holidays are a different story. I don’t mind paying a little extra for the “splurge” that is Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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There’s always an event to go to or someone to give a little gift to as a thank you for services rendered during the year. So, I like to start early in the month and get ahead of some of the baking. This means, of course, that I’m going to blow the food budget out of the water at least twice…and probably three times between the middle of November through the end of the year. This is ok because I plan for it. 

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Inflation as taken a bite out of everyone’s budget this season. I’m really happy I started making Christmas gifts for family last December. The yarns I used were drastically reduced in a store wide close out, so the items I knitted are of good quality yarns. My cousin in Indiana is in sales. She buys close out lots of items for everything from office supplies to clothing and this year she scored a sweet deal on some plush hoodies. Combined with my knitted items, the family…at least the girls…will get some really nice presents that didn’t break the bank.

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There are lots of ways to curb your spending at this time of year. I personally feel like regifting and repurposing ought to be normalized for holiday gifting. Good quality items that are clean and useable and in perfectly fine condition can be just as cherished as something you pay a bundle for. I would suggest that you have a conversation with your gift recipients beforehand. Make it a challenge. Set a spending limit with specific instructions that the gift be thrifted, shared, repurposed through crafting, or homemade. 

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I mean, seriously…do we actually NEED more tchotchkes? No. We need more time. Offer a group outing as an alternative to individual gifts. Get everyone together to make gifts for others. Volunteer at a meal for the homeless and take the family with you. Seeing others less fortunate than themselves goes a long way toward humbling children and demonstrating a giving heart. 

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We have little ones who live out the road from us. I’m making cookie boxes for them. The trash man is getting some, too…along with a little folding money in his card. The mail delivery person is getting a little packet of fudge. I want to put the money in the food I feed our family and the time we spend with them. The littles will get a small toy with a couple of dollars. One dollar for their piggy bank, and the other for the bell ringer in front of the store.

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Let’s move into this holiday season with different kinds of gifts for our fellow man. Let’s show a whole lotta Jesus in our actions. After all…that’s the Source of all Love. Let’s spread a lot of love and joy…and some homemade goodness. And remember, when you give to the poor…don’t tell anyone. make your gift anonymous that it may remain pure of heart and minus praise for the giving.

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?

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“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”

\n2 Corinthians 9:6-12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-03T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/03/gearing-up-to-give.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Humbled","Farm Life","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/11/27/recipe-roundup.html", "title": "Recipe Roundup", "content_html": "\n
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Who doesn’t love a little pie with their topping?!

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Many of you have been asking for the recipes I used for this year’s Thanksgiving Extravaganza, so I’m going to leave them here for you with my critique/comments, for what it’s worth. 

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I made a wonderful Apple-Cranberry Compote but without the figs. They’re kind of hard to come by around here. I found the recipe on a website for diabetic friendly recipes. You can find the recipe HERE.

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The turkey was a fresh twenty-one pounder from Butterball. I followed this recipe:

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\n[www.wyseguide.com/citrus-dr...](https://www.wyseguide.com/citrus-dry-brine-turkey/)\n
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I adapted Kaleb’s recipe for dressing. I made half with Italian sausage and the other half with oysters. I couldn’t find chestnuts. This recipe puts the dressing in a slow cooker and I’ll never make it any other way!

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\n[www.wyseguide.com/easy-slow...](https://www.wyseguide.com/easy-slow-cooker-stuffing/)\n
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I baked the bread for the dressing as well as the hot rolls from a recipe I’ve used for thirty-five years. I actually won First Prize in the County Fair with this recipe. It makes four loaves, or two loaves and two dozen hot rolls, or…four dozen hot rolls. Perfect for a crowd! The recipe is from America’s Best State Fair Recipes by Catherine Hanley. You can purchase the book online HERE. I really recommend you get this cookbook…there are so many wonderful recipes in it. My copy is worn and stained so you know it’s that good! The recipe was submitted by Elaine Janas of Minneapolis, Minnesota for the Minnesota State Fair. I am hoping it’s ok to share her recipe here with adequate recognition and praise because it really is awesome!

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“Sweepstakes White Bread\n\nWhen an exhibitor wins a blue ribbon in the same \"lot\" three\nsuccessive years at the Minnesota State Fair, she or he must skip two\nyears before entering in the same classification again. So Minnesota\nhome bakers now have two years to try for the top prize in white bread\nas Elaine Janas takes her brief hiatus. In a state where superb yeast\nbakers abound, the bread categories are so competitive that judges\nhave to resort to using fractions of points to award ribbons. But Elaine\nJanas is the all-time champion, as her bread wins the sweepstakes\naward for the best-of-all bread entries, in addition to blue ribbons for\nwhite bread. Besides sharing her recipe here, she also offers some of\nher baking secrets that have never been published. See Elaine Janas'\nYeast Baking Tips, pages 80-81. She credits state fair judges with\nhelping her perfect her yeast baking as she studied score cards and\nmade changes to improve her recipe and technique during the nearly\n25 years since she entered her first loaf of bread. Her big three-rise\nrecipe makes four loaves of bread.\n\n2 (1/4-oz.) packages active dry yeast (5 teaspoons)\n1/2 cup warm water (110F/45C)\n1 teaspoon sugar\n2 cups milk, scalded\n1/3 cup sugar\n1/3 cup shortening\n2 tablespoons salt\n1-1/2 cups cold water\n5 to 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour\n5 to 5-1/2 cups bread flour\nButter\n\nIn a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water with 1 teaspoon\nsugar. In a large bowl, combine scalded milk, 1/3 cup sugar, shorten-\ning and salt. Add cold water to cool mixture to lukewarm. Stir in\ndissolved yeast, 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 2 cups of bread flour.\nBeat well, until smooth. By hand, stir in enough additional flour to\nform a stiff dough. Turn out dough onto a floured surface. Knead a\nminimum of 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. Wash\nand grease large bowl. Place dough in greased bowl. Cover with\nplastic film; let rise in a warm place, 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until doubled in\nsize. Punch down dough. Cover; let rise 30 minutes. Punch down\ndough. Divide dough in 4 pieces; shape in oblongs. Cover with an\ninverted bowl and let rest 15 minutes. Grease 4 (8-1/2'' × 4-1/2') loaf\npans. Shape dough pieces in loaves. Place in greased pans and lightly\ngrease tops of loaves. Cover and let rise until loaves are light and\nalmost as high as you want them when baked, about 45 to 60 minutes.\nPreheat oven to 400F (205C). Bake in preheated oven 45 minutes or\nuntil loaves sound hollow when lightly tapped. Remove from pans.\nImmediately butter tops of warm loaves. Makes 4 loaves.\n\nElaine Janas \nMinneapolis, Minnesota\nMinnesota State Fair”
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I made my sweet potatoes a little differently, too. A long time ago, when I was on one of my many weight loss journeys, I learned about this method and have used it quite a bit over the years. Peel about six good sized sweet potatoes and thickly slice them. Place them in a large glass casserole dish, dot them with butter, and cover with foil. Bake at 350° till they are fork tender. Then I place them in a bowl, add a couple good shakes of cinnamon and a couple cups of fresh cut-up pineapple and mash it all together with a potato masher. Spread in a casserole dish, brush with melted butter and sprinkle about three or four tablespoons of brown sugar on top. About thirty minutes before supper, put them back in a 350° oven till they are heated through and the brown sugar is a little bubbly. (In the diet days, I used Butter Buds and Brown Sugar Substitute which will cut down the calories and sugar a good bit.)

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For the Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, sauté several slices of bacon cut up in little pieces and till crispy, toss in a bag of whole, trimmed Brussels sprouts, stirring to coat and pop that in the oven to roast for about fifteen minutes or until they are tender.

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And the last dish was the Winter Vegetable Salad with Maple Balsamic Glaze. You can find the recipe on my Pinterest page HERE.

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And, that’s it. Any of this would be just as good for Christmas Dinner, too! It was one of the more labor intensive meals I’ve prepared, but it was really special. I invited the kids to take whatever leftovers they wanted so things were pretty well cleared out in a hurry! That’s a good testimony of a successful dinner party, I’d say.

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It will be time to start baking for Christmas before we know it, but I’m going to take a little time to recover from this week before I start in on that! I didn’t do a thing yesterday but put the dishes away, eat leftovers, and take a nap! Nothing wrong with that, either!

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“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

\nHebrews 13:16 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-27T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/11/27/recipe-roundup.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/11/26/blessings-abound.html", "title": "Blessings Abound!", "content_html": "\n
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What a day! Other than missing the loved ones who couldn’t be with us, the day was truly perfect. Every aspect of the meal came out to the minute to be served at the same time. I think I could have put the turkey in 30-45 minutes earlier and it would have been right on the money. But it didn’t disappoint and that dry rub was AMAZING! The meat was tend and juicy and well seasoned throughout. The Winter Vegetable Salad with the Maple BalsamicGlaze was a big hit. The hot rolls were devoured in a flash. 

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It’s funny…as we filled our plates in the kitchen and made our way to the dining room table, I turned to everyone and said, “Listen…I love you all as my own, so I’ll tell you like I’d tell my kids. I have been cooking since Monday. Let’s sit and savor this meal with each other. This is such a treat to have you all here with us.” And…it was perfect. I think it was the longest meal we’ve had together and it was delightful!

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The kids went downstairs and played pool. Mr. FixIt went down to “show them how it’s done.” Us girls sat upstairs and gabbed and watched the football game. When everyone left, Mr. FixIt and I cleaned up the kitchen to that’s behind us. Today we can just veg out and eat leftovers. 

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It was an all around success and the kids couldn’t thank us enough. What an absolute treat!

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?

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“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

\nPsalm 133:1 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-26T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/11/26/blessings-abound.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/11/25/gearing-up-for-the-big.html", "title": "Gearing Up for The Big Day", "content_html": "\n
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First, I truly hope you had a good Thanksgiving Day if you celebrated yesterday. And for those of you…like me…who are having their dinner today or over the weekend…hang in there, kiddo. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.

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I’ve been cooking since Monday. Every day…all day long…cooking and cleaning and planning. I’ve done this all my life…work on something till I drop. And when I drop, believe me, it isn’t pretty. Mr. FixIt has a long held tradition with his kids and their mom and aunt and anyone else who joins them. They go to the City Park and walk the Turkey Trot along with about 4,000 other health conscious individuals. I always elect to stay home. For one thing, I’ve got way too much to do. For another…this is their thing…something they’ve always done. I want them to still have that one thing. I have things I do with my kids alone. It’s ok. And, it gives me a little space to check in with my physical, mental, and emotional heath to see how all this rushing is affecting me.

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It took a long time for me to learn to listen to myself…to care, love, and nurture myself. In the past, I’d keep pushing till I crashed and burned…and beyond. Yesterday morning, I kissed my husband goodbye and gave him the obligatory warning to be careful. I mixed up one batch of dressing and put it in the garage refrigerator. Then I sat down and checked in. Immediately…the feelings I’d been pushing down all week came bubbling up and over. I let them flow. And, instead of negative self talk, I asked the little worker bee who is me…”What do you need to do right now, sweetheart?”

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“Sleep, please.” My inner voice sounded tired and frazzled.

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“Ok, darling…let’s go take care of YOU!

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I climbed in the bed in the guest room. It’s dark in there when you draw the curtains. I snuggled down under the soft, fleecy blankets, and turned on the 432hz music I’ve been sleeping to. And drifted off to sleep. This was at around 10:30am. I woke up at 1:30 in the afternoon. My body needed that and I didn’t feel at all guilty about it. I got up and got back to work in the kitchen.

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Mr. FixIt called on his way home from town and asked if I’d thought of anything I needed from the store. I thought about it for a moment and said, “You know what? If they have ready made pies, why don’t you pick up a couple? That will be one less thing for me to worry about making.” I know I’m known for my homemade baked treats, but I decided to work smarter…not harder. I doubt our guests will care one way or the other.

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After getting both pans of dressing baked, I loaded them up in the two slow cooker crocks and put them back in the garage refrigerator. I’ll take them out this morning and let them come to room temperature and turn the cookers on. I got the turkey cleaned and rubbed down. Kaleb on Wyse Guide said to run your hands under the skin to separate it from the meat and put your dry rub in there as well as the cavity and then on top of the skin. Then you set the whole thing in the fridge on a rack in a shallow sheet pan, uncovered, so the skin can air dry. That helps it get really crispy and golden brown in the oven.

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I placed the giblets and the neck in a saucepan, added about half a box of chicken broth, three sticks of celery and a carrot cut in chunks and a minced shallot. I threw in a few stems of fresh thyme and a generous couple of shakes of poultry seasoning, covered it, and set it on the back burner of the stove to simmer for an hour or so. I strained off the broth and set it in the fridge for tomorrow’s gravy. Then I nibbled on the neck bone. Not a lot of meat there, but what’s there is sweet and tender. 

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I realized when I got everything tucked in the fridge…I hadn’t taken the time to eat more than toast all day. I cut up an avocado and put it on top of some cottage cheese and called it a day. I’ll start back at it this morning and we’ll be sitting down to eat around 3:30 this afternoon. It’s amazing the amount of work that goes into a spread like this. The new recipes added some time to the prep this year, but if we like the new dishes, they can easily be incorporated next year. You know, once you make something, it’s usually easier the second time.

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I saved a video from Martha Stewart making the BEST New York Cheesecake. It’s time to make that again…but certainly NOT today! Christmas is a month away!!!

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?

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“For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.”

\nHebrews 6:7 ESV\n
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#Thanksgiving, #Blessings, #Food, #FarmLife

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-25T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/11/25/gearing-up-for-the-big.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/11/12/a-day-of-rest.html", "title": "A Day of Rest", "content_html": "\n
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I told Mr. FixIt yesterday that it felt like we’ve been running at breakneck speed since spring. And, I suppose in many ways, we have. It’s been an incredibly busy year and we have accomplished so much. Getting the roof over the family room finished was our biggest goal before we shift gears into winter and we are so relieved to have that part behind us.

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It started raining just four hours after the kids came down the ladder off the roof and it’s been raining ever since. By the time I sat down to write this last night, there was about two inches in the rain gauge…in a period of about twenty hours. We actually have been pretty dry here and we were happy to have the moisture. We’ve been getting notifications on our phones this last week warning against any outdoor burning. That’s rather uncommon here in West Virginia.

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Mr. FixIt Jr. called us three times yesterday to make sure the roof wasn’t leaking. I gave it a good look last evening and there may be one tiny little spot. I cannot be certain it hasn’t been there all along and I just hadn’t noticed. I really think it’s solid and we’ve got a good roof now. We are so grateful. And still pretty tired.

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I was happy I had all those leftovers in the fridge yesterday to heat up so I didn’t have to cook other than an omelet for breakfast. We did some serious chair surfing and my biggest venture outside was to check the mail. Mr. FixIt was up and down the stairs several times checking the drain outside the back door to the basement. It has given us fits for years, overflowing into the house during really hard rains. It’s been much better since we started using the drain clearer once a month. 

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I did a little knitting on the sweater I’ve been working on. I haven’t had the time to just sit and knit like I had been and I’ll be so glad when I get this one completed. I’m almost finished with the first sleeve so it won’t be too much longer. We have something to do in town today so we have to get out and about for a while. We still have an 80% chance of rain through the afternoon.

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This week sure flew by fast with all the work we did. I received the new Brenda Gantt cookbook and I haven’t even had a chance to open it up yet. I am looking forward to reading more of her stories and seeing what recipes she has included this time. I hope you are all staying safe in these storms. Enjoy some time outside in the fresh air because the temperatures are heading down in the next several days. And…as always…thank you so much for being here!

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“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,”

\nEphesians 1:16 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-12T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/11/12/a-day-of-rest.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/11/11/exhaustion-has-set-in.html", "title": "Exhaustion Has Set In", "content_html": "\n
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This has to be one of the most stressful weeks we’ve ever had since we’ve been married…short of the two small strokes Mr. FixIt had in the spring of 2020. Everyone worked so hard and we are so grateful and so proud of them. I honestly did so much stuff yesterday, I can hardly remember it all…it became a blur after a while.

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I got up early and took the shingle hoist back to the rental place and stopped for some bread on the way home. When I returned, Mr. FixIt Jr. was there all alone on the roof trying to get the flashing on and it wasn’t cooperating. It set him back at least two hours. Finally he got it into place and he started laying the shingles.

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Mr. FixIt Sr. set up a work station below and cut the end shingles to size. The young Mr. FixIt really needed someone to lay out shingles for him so…I got on the roof. I know. I promised I wouldn’t. But my gosh…he was working so hard and we had no idea when the reinforcements would arrive. I was very careful and he helped me off the ladder onto the roof. I got up to the peak and stood there for a few minutes and said, “Nope…not happening. You have to come back over here and help me on the ladder. My talents are best used elsewhere.” I was careful, and God was with me, and I will NEVER….EVER….do that again. I absolutely promise you!!! My days of being a daredevil are gone, gone, gone. I was a little sad about that part, actually. But I’m still adventurous!

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I toted the cut shingles from the work station over to the edge of the roof and threw them up to the World’s Greatest Stepson! When he finally worked away from the edge and could reach the other shingles to put down by himself, I went inside to start doing what I do best…COOKING! I took the leftover beans the former Mrs. FixIt sent over to us on Wednesday and turned them into a big pot of delicious chili. As it simmered, I decided to make some banana bread with some overripe bananas we had. I rarely ever make a recipe exactly like it’s written. I use them as a general guideline for things like temperature and baking times and an overview of ingredient proportions. Then I do my thing and quickly write it all down and…voila! A new recipe is born…this one with a really crazy secret ingredient!

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So…without further ado (because I’m so flipping tired I can’t see straight) here is my recipe:

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Banana-Carrot Nut Bread\n\nThis variation on traditional banana bread is so dense and moist. It browns so beautifully and the crispy edges of the loaves are the BEST! And…you get extra fiber from the carrots…win-win!\n\nPreheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8”x4” loaf pans and set aside.\n\nDry Ingredients:\n\n3 cups All Purpose Flour\n1/2 tsp. Salt\n1 tsp. Baking Soda\n1 tsp. Baking Powder\n2 cups Granulated Sugar (next time I’ll try using one cup because it was really sweet!)\n1 tsp. Cinnamon\n1 Cup Chopped Nuts (I used pecans, but walnuts would be really yummy, too.)\n1 Cup Grated Carrots\n\nWet Ingredients:\n\n3 Lrg. Eggs, beaten\n1 Cup Vegetable Oil\n3 Lrg. Overripe Bananas, mashed\n8 oz. Sauerkraut, drained (Yes…sauerkraut! There’s an old Appalachian recipe for Kraut Cake so that made me think of adding it here. It didn’t disappoint…you would never know it was in there and it really contributed to the moist texture.)\n2 tsp. Vanilla (I make my own vanilla and it is the best! Better than Mexican vanilla…if you can believe that!)\n\nCombine the dry ingredients in a big bowl. Add the chopped nuts and carrots and toss together to mix and coat the veggies and nuts. Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir just enough to combine them. Divide the batter equally between the two loaf pans and place in the preheated 350° oven. \n\nI baked mine for about 65 minutes. I got just a little more batter in one of the pans and it was very slightly undercooked in the middle. Not enough to ruin the loaf…it just fell a bit in the very center.\n\nRemove from the oven and place pans on wire rack to cool for a few minutes then remove from pan. We didn’t take the time for the loaves to cool before we cut them and they might have looked a little prettier if we had. But, they didn’t fall apart, so I call that a win! \n\nServed warm with butter, it was a wonderful balance to the spicy heat of the chili. This recipe is definitely a keeper!
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Once dinner was finished, I retreated to the kitchen again and cleaned up then went out to help wherever I could. It was almost dark when they finished the first side and I was certain they couldn’t get the second side done last night. But these kids are the hardest workers I’ve ever seen. The reinforcements arrived around 2:00 in the afternoon. We found every light source we owned to shine on the roof and the guys wore head lamps. I even found a solar motion light I brought home from the farm. Even though it’s been in the garage for over a year, it still was fully charged and worked as long as the kids did.

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They finally came down off the roof at 6:38. There’s a little bit more to do, but they overlapped the shingles at the ridge of the roof and Mr. FixIt Jr. will come over on his next three day weekend to finish. All he’ll have to do is cut open the top ridge, trim back a little bit, and place the ridge vents. He’ll also need to do a little caulking here and there. And this part of the roof is done!

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They finished with literally hours to spare before the rains from Hurricane Nicole hit. God had our Guardian Angels watching over us all week. Only a couple of minor scratches and a lot of sore muscles. We finally collapsed last night and we aren’t moving today!

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I am so incredibly blessed to have married into this family. I love these kids like my own!

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“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”

\nProverbs 14:23 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-11T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/11/11/exhaustion-has-set-in.html", "tags": ["Family","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/11/09/oh-my-gosh-what-a.html", "title": "Oh My Gosh! What a Day!", "content_html": "\n
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The cedar trees are gone!

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We got a fairly early start yesterday. The very first thing on the agenda was scrambled eggs and toast. We’ve been eating a good breakfast every day and I think it’s helping me keep from noshing during the day. And, I’m sleeping better. I may have lost some weight, but I haven’t stepped on a scale in quite some time, so I’m not quite sure on that.

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We drove over to the polling place and voted. The other night, I told Mr. FixIt we should go vote early so we wouldn’t have to stand in line. I knew we’d be busy yesterday and I didn’t want to take too long voting. He laughed at me. He said he’s lived out here since 1979 and he has never stood in a line. Ever. We went in and sure enough, we were the only ones there. There are two voting machines. TWO! One for him and one for me. Mr. FixIt told them I didn’t want to stand in line and they laughed and laughed. I told them…in my defense…I lived in Colorado for forty years. There’s a line for everything! She asked if I wanted a sticker and I told her I was good. I was just heading back home to put a roof on the house. 

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I love country life!

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We added to the burn pile!

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Boy, howdy…did we work our butts off yesterday. Well, my stepson worked HIS off, for sure. The first thing we did was cut down the three cedar trees out front. They were leaning precariously close to the house. The first one came down kinda where we wanted it. The second fell towards the house instead of away and it slid down along the gutter and landed parallel to the front. The third fell in the opposite direction and came so close to the house it wasn’t funny. 

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There are two brick pillars with a round cement ball on top of each…one on either side of the front steps. The tree knocked one of those off and came within an inch of taking out the railing on the basement access steps. Good thing cedar trees are relatively soft and squishy or we could have had a real mess on our hands.

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Cedar is the most beautiful wood and it’s so aromatic.

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Mr. FixIt Jr. took the chainsaw to the bottom of each tree to knock off some of the trunk. Then he wrapped a tow strap around the base and I dragged them around to the burn pile. The guys followed me around and cut each tree up…one at a time and added them to the pile of brush that’s been accumulating over the last few years. We got a beautiful stack of cedar logs for the fire pit.

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Once that job was finished, it was time for more work on the roof. Mr. FixIt Jr. got the rest of the shingles scraped off. While he was up there, II did climb the ladder just enough to reach over the edge of the roof. There is about a two foot wide strip of underpayment that needs to be replaced so I worked on removing the nails and pried that piece out. Wow! It was crazy the amount of bees nests that were in the the soffit below. And a couple of dehydrated mice, as well. Ugh!

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WVGranddaughter #2 and her beau came out to help. I fixed lunch for the two Mr. FixIts. Then everyone got busy and by 4:30, we had everything ready to replace the boards today. This morning, we need to go to town and rent the shingle hoist. We also need another sheet of plywood. And a 16’ 2x4 to replace the one where the leak rotted it. When we get back, we’ll replace the wood that was water damaged then roll out the tar paper and staple it down. And then…the shingles!

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I was supposed to go to the doctor today and we were to meet friends from out of town for lunch on Thursday. But there is just way too much to get done and it has to be finished by sundown Thursday night. Because sometime during the night, it’s going to rain. So, I cancelled both of those, unfortunately. Sometimes you have to do the grownup thing and be responsible. Believe me, I’d rather be doing just about anything besides what we’ve been up against this week.

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When the kids were preparing to leave, they were discussing what to have for supper. Mr. FixIt suggested Chinese food. They weren’t in the mood, but we were! Of course, that means I had to drive to town, place the order, wait for it to cook then drive home. It’s a whole hour before you’re tucking into that yummy lo mein…but oh, is it ever worth it!

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I was so exhausted by the time I was finished eating, I could have gone straight to bed. I’ll be so glad when Friday gets here!

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“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.”

\nProverbs 13:4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-09T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/11/09/oh-my-gosh-what-a.html", "tags": ["Family","Farm Life","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/11/getting-the-work-done.html", "title": "Getting the Work Done", "content_html": "\n
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Well, we crammed a whole summer’s worth of camping into the last month and now it’s time to pay the piper. I got up yesterday and started emptying the cabinets in the camper and making lists. I knew I needed to drive into town to run necessary errands, so I fixed us some breakfast out in the camper, since that’s where the breakfast food is still sitting in the refrigerator. We sat at the dinette and I started my list.

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I am not happy with the small ceramic heater I purchased for the camper. Even at it’s lowest setting (59°), the fan never shuts off and I can guarantee you it was a LOT warmer than that in there. I decided to return it and get a more suitable one. Also, I bought an anode rod for the hot water heater in the new camper, only to find out this one does not have an anode rod. I thought they all did. Apparently the guy at the service department that sold it to me didn’t know either because he argued with me. He said (a little to pretentiously) they ALL have anode rods at which point I took great pleasure in educating him otherwise. 

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There are brakes on trailers that are powered through the electrical plug in the back of your tow vehicle. And, in case the trailer should become unhooked in transit, there is a safety mechanism called a breakaway box. A long cable is attached to the undercarriage of your tow vehicle and the other end attaches to a pin…much like that of a hand grenade. Should the trailer come unhitched, the safety chains you attach to the frame catches the trailer and keeps it from running away. Should the safety chains fail, the cable grows taut and pulls the pin out of the breakaway box and the brakes are automatically applied to the wheels of the camper, stopping it from moving on down the highway without you. Pretty neat.

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Our problem occurred when the way-too-long cable hung down too low and dragged on the highway on our way home Saturday. I noticed it right away when I was unhooking. It was very nearly worn through and I am so grateful it wasn’t needed because it would have failed. I wanted to get a pin with a pigtail cable, but they didn’t have one in our little burg. I ordered it online and it will arrive a week from today. I returned the anode rod, ran my errands, picked up a late lunch and came home.

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Mr. FixIt and I watched a couple episodes of Grace and Frankie then it was time to get some work done. He cut the elephant ears back, mowed some, and cleaned the chainsaw. I jumped on the riding mower and worked as long as I could see there my row was. I can pretty much tell when we’re at the end of the mowing season. It’s when you get hypothermic on the tractor. Jeez-o-Pete…I was freezing by the time I stopped.

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We heard from my stepson yesterday. They’re at the beach and he is using the new rod and reel we got him for his birthday. He sent pictures of the fish he caught. He saved five out of the fifteen blues and they were going to clean them and have a fish fry. Mr. FixIt was so excited for his son. He beamed with the pleasure you feel when a gift really works out for the recipient. 

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We are due to have a couple of really beautiful days coming up. I’ll finish the mowing today and maybe we will get out to the farm to mow one last time out there. I bought the fixin’s for Broccoli Cheese Soup for supper tonight. I’ll serve it with some piping hot biscuits fresh from the oven and it will be a meal fit for royalty! We need to start working on the building…cleaning, sorting, organizing. We simply must make ourselves do this. Because it won’t be fair to leave such a mess for one of us to clean up alone when the other of us passes. 

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These are the things that occupy your mind when you have been widowed. What never occurred to you before will be front and center thereafter.

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?

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“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

\n1 Peter 5:7 ESV\n
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#Prepared, #Autumn, #Chores

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/11/getting-the-work-done.html", "tags": ["Family","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/10/so-late-to-the-party.html", "title": "So Late to the Party!", "content_html": "\n
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My bonus daughter called us last week and told us she started getting Netflix and can have up to four people on her account so she made us a profile. I have to tell you…I have not used Netflix since you had to order the DVD’s and they mailed them to you!!! That’s dating myself, for sure! So, we’re kinda late to the party and I’m not sure we’ve missed too much.

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I binge watched a few shows yesterday while I finished knitting the second sleeve of the baby sweater. I need to block them, then I can sew them together and knit the neckline and I’ll be finished with that one. I need to get back to the quilt I’m making for our granddaughter’s wedding next summer. And now I’m going to need to make one for the grandson getting married in May. Busy times!

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The grass looks forlorn and scraggly. The tough fall grass is giving way to a baby fine grass so it’s long and shaggy in some places and dormant in others. As I figured, I’m too late for planting the pollinator garden this fall, but my friend Aimee has directed me to resources. There are some other things we need to do around the house before we spend money on that project. We need the roof done first.

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Mr. FixIt bowled last night and did pretty well, all things considered. I had a quiet evening at home, which doesn’t happen very often anymore. Daughter #1 and her husband went to visit Big at college for Parent’s Weekend and had a wonderful time. Daughter #2 and her wife called last evening to catch up as did my bonus daughter. These are the things that warm this mother’s heart.

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I’m wondering how long I have to wait to put up the Christmas tree. Hmmmmmm.

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?

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“We love because he first loved us.”

\n1 John 4:19 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/10/so-late-to-the-party.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/02/the-first-fire-of-the.html", "title": "The First Fire of the Season", "content_html": "\n
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I’m one of those who want comfort first. I don’t play that game of “let’s see how long we can go before we turn on the furnace.” Why? Because, I know what I want. That being said, Mr. FixIt and I have two entirely different thermostats. If it is June and it’s 70 degrees in the house…Mr. FixIt thinks it’s too hot. Gotta turn on the AC! However, if it’s October and it’s 70 degrees in the house, it’s too cold. Gotta turn on the furnace! 

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My sweetie ran to town yesterday to get a haircut and while he was gone, I cleaned the house and sat down to knit. It was chilly and raining so I decided to get the gas fireplace ready for its winter workout. I’ve watched Mr. FixIt set it up every fall, but I’ve never done it myself. I put fresh batteries in the remote and in the stove itself. It has an electronic ignition and thermostat. I fiddled with it for a minute then I realized the gas was turned off at the wall. Once I turned it on, I got it started right away. It was soon way too hot in the living room so I turned it off, but Mr. FixIt was really impressed when he saw the pilot light lit.

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I made a big pot of chili yesterday and a pan of biscuits. My bonus grandson and his family came out for a visit and an early supper. Big Boy is three and Little Boy is eight months old and they are cute as buttons. I was afraid they wouldn’t know us because it’s been quite a while since we’ve seen them, but those little guys just snuggled right in to us and it warmed our hearts. Their mama wants to learn how to make biscuits next time she’s out. She’s going to need to know how with a house full of men to feed!

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I defrosted a peach cobbler I made in late summer, but the kids were gone and there it sat on the counter. We each had a small piece with our tea and called it a day. I didn’t have little boys. I don’t know the first thing about interacting with them or what they like other than food and trucks. So food and trucks it is! They do wear me out, though. So much noise in our quiet little life.

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God knew what he was doing when he gave me girls. I can play tea party and dress up with the best of them. But I also taught them how to do things that were not typically associated with young ladies at the time. I thought it was important for them to have a broad knowledge base and I think it has benefited them immensely.

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Our eldest “Great Grand-Little” turned five years old this past week so we are going to a birthday party today at…Skate City! You know how long it’s been since I went to a Skate City??? A good long time, let me tell ya! And no….we are NOT skating!!! I’ll let you know how it goes. 

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?

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““Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—”

\nDeuteronomy 4:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/02/the-first-fire-of-the.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/05/strong-women-raising-strong-women.html", "title": "Strong Women Raising Strong Women", "content_html": "\n
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In my defense, I was not standing in her driveway. Her driveway is in Colorado.

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My oldest daughter is a rock star. I mean to tell you…she is as solid as they come. How she came to be this way with an anxious wreck for a mother is beyond me. At least, I was when I was raising her. The only thing I can think of was her dad’s influence. Or maybe she’s channeling my grandma. Either way, the woman is S T R O N G. When I sent her “off to college”, she didn’t go too far. She elected to go to the nearby community college so her baby sister wouldn’t forget her.

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While I was thrilled to have her nearby, I did insist she live in the dorm for at least a couple of years to get a more realistic college experience. Setting her up in her dorm was fun and exciting and pretty darned easy considering I could see her anytime I wanted to. We lived in the same town. Not so much for Daughter #1 and Big.

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My granddaughter has just spent her first full week away from her parents and she’s doing great. So is her mom, I’m happy to report. I FaceTimed with my daughter this weekend and caught her and her husband doing laundry. I asked how it was being so far away from her first born and she said it really wasn’t much different. Big has been on a swim team since she was a little little kid. Once she could drive and get herself to and from practice, they didn’t see much of her anyway. The biggest difference is not seeing her in school. Big went to the same high school where her mom teaches so they saw each other all the time.

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My stepson and his family came over this afternoon for a cookout. Their youngest is also a freshman in college and elected to go to the community college nearby, as well. She happily shared all her classes and her schedule and seems to be loving it. It does my heart good to see young people go out into the world and chase their dreams and have fun doing it.

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I ended up storing two quarts of shredded pork in the fridge for meals later on in the week. I turned the third quart into a pot of Pork Green Chili. My West Virginia family had never heard of this Colorado delicacy. They aren’t big on spicy foods, but they were good sports and at least tasted it. So now I have three quarts of green chili in the fridge. That ought to feed us well for a while. I made the sugar biscuits with strawberries for dessert. They were a big hit. No one had eaten their strawberries with biscuits either so it was a big culinary adventure at Marshmallow Ranch yesterday.

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I am half finished making the reconstructed blocks for my bonus granddaughter’s wedding. She and her fiancé were here for the cookout so I showed her what I’ve done so far. I wanted her to understand what kind of work went into the quilt. I’ve heard too many horror stories of women working for months to make a quilt for someone only to find the husband uses it to get down on the ground under the truck when he changes the oil. That’s not happening with one of mine. I make sure they understand the work that goes into a quilt. This young couple will take super good care of it.

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We got exactly an inch of rain from Friday to Saturday and we are expecting more. And I’m extra happy to report there isn’t a single drip from the ceiling in the little bathroom. My repair work on the roof worked out! My stepson got up on the roof yesterday and measured it so we can price the shingles. Just to reassure you, we are not going to be putting that roof on. Our boys will take care of that for us. They’re young and handy.

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We may go out to the farm today to prime the pump. I’m sure it will be too wet to mow. It’s been a really nice weekend with a taste of fall in the air, a cozy family gathering, and good food. You can’t ask for anything better.

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Here’s a link to the recipe for the Colorado-Style Green Chili. I generally followed the recipe but didn’t measure. I just used what I had. 

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?

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“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

\n1 Timothy 5:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/05/strong-women-raising-strong-women.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/04/labor-day-weekend.html", "title": "Labor Day Weekend", "content_html": "\n
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Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

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We didn’t do a heck of a lot yesterday. I worked on the quilt some. I now have three rows of eight blocks pieced. Once I get all sixty-four completed, I can lay them out and make sure I arrange them in a pleasing way. Then I can piece them all together, make the borders, then it can go to the machine quilter to be completed at her leisure. And I can get back to knitting!

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Mr. FixIt loves Louisa the Lincoln! So much so that he searched the internet high and low to find a replacement piece for the top part of the grill…the part that connects to the hood. It was surprisingly affordable and it sure makes the car look shiny and new. He took off the old piece yesterday and put the new on and took me out to look at his handiwork. Great job, babe!

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I took a break in the early afternoon and drove to town to buy some groceries. Some of the kids are coming today for a cookout and I wanted to make sure I had enough food. The guys are going to measure so we can order the supplies to put on a new roof. Hopefully we can get that done before winter. We’re just going to have hamburgers and smoked sausages and assorted cream salads like macaroni, potato, and cole slaw. 

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I also bought a big pork butt roast and put it in the slow cooker. I am going to use half of it to make pork green chili and the other half can be frozen in servings big enough for two to pull out later on for sandwiches or whatever. I bought a huge container of strawberries and I’ll bake sugar biscuits for strawberry shortcake for dessert. You make sugar biscuits the same as regular, but you add a little sugar and vanilla to the dough and top the biscuits with decorator sugar crystals. Perfect for little individual shortcakes.

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I think we are getting close to the end of pool season. We really didn’t get a chance to use it much this summer. It seemed to take forever to get the chemicals just right and we were always cleaning it. It’s more trouble than it’s worth, honestly…but the kids love it and it is nice to get in after a hot day mowing. So I suppose we’ll keep it up another year.

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Once I got the pork roast in the slow cooker, I read some of the paperwork on the sewing machine and serger while we watched a back episode of America’s Got Talent. Mr. FixIt was thrilled that college football is back although I fail to be enthralled. I do like to go to the games, but only on that cusp between “OMG I’m dying of the heat!” and “I can’t feel my toes!” Too far either way and I’m not interested. 

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I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

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“and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,”

\n1 Thessalonians 3:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/04/labor-day-weekend.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/25/stranger-than-fiction.html", "title": "Stranger Than Fiction", "content_html": "\n
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There are some stories that are so “out there” you have to ask yourself how on earth they happened. Here’s one of them.

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As you know, Big started college this week. Right? I don’t know how she got to be that old that quick but there ya go. I won’t divulge what school she goes to, but it’s in the Pacific Northwest so…far away. I received a text today from her other grandma saying she ran into the typical freshman logjam and couldn’t get into any of her core classes this semester so she signed up for electives. That’s ok…I think it’s a good idea to ease into college and not be terribly overwhelmed right out of the gate. One of her electives is theater related, which is kinda cool since her mom was a theater major and this is WAY out of her wheelhouse.

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The next text I received was from the former Mrs. FixIt. She sent me a screenshot of a FB post of a friend she and Mr. FixIt have known for decades who lives in our little town. The gal was sharing the news that her granddaughter was checking into her dorm…at the same college Big is attending! AND…she’s a theater kid.

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I sent the screenshot to Big and said…”Teeny, tiny world. This girl is at your school and is interested in theater. Your paths may cross.” She texted me a few hours later…they are in a class together!!!

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You can’t make this stuff up!

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I came out to the farm yesterday for a couple of days R&R. I knitted till the sun went over the far hill then got the riding mower out and mowed. The evening was so pleasant. I visited with the neighbors across the road then sat on the front porch till it got dark. Now that the yard is mowed, I can just sit and knit today. I only have a couple inches left on the second sleeve. Then I can knit the front plackets and this sweater will be finished.

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Oh, and I was washing my supper dishes when I looked down and water was running out from under the kitchen cabinet. I got down to look and the u-shaped trap under the sink had come loose. I tried to fix it but I only had a small hand towel and couldn’t sop up the water so I’ll check it again today. I may end up having to go to the next little town over and get some plumbing parts. It’s always something with an old house. Caretaking is what I do to earn my stays here and if I ever need to buy something, the owners reimburse me so I’m still calling this a win-win situation.

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?

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“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.”

\nColossians 3:23-25 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/25/stranger-than-fiction.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/07/the-naked-ladies-are-out.html", "title": "The Naked Ladies Are Out!!!", "content_html": "\n
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Not a great picture, but it was already dark.

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No, not THOSE kinds of naked ladies! I’m talking about those uber cool pink lilies that kind of just pop up out of nowhere and show off for such a brief time in late summer. We had a super fun day yesterday. I hunkered down and knitted and baked a cake then went to a kitchen gadget party at 4:00 with my cousin while the guys hung out at the bunk house and lit the fire. After the gals finished with the party, we went to join the guys. It rained buckets while we were in the Community Building, but the rest of the evening was lovely. There was a huge tree across the road when we came around a bend. Good thing we were going slow so I could stop. A lot of people out in the country have a chainsaw in the back of their truck for just such emergencies and someone had cut just enough out of the downed tree to let one car at a time come through.

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We stopped at the farm after to make sure everything was in working order. It was dark by the time we headed home. We came around a curve out on the two lane and there was a car on the other side of the road with its flashers on. I could barely make out someone waving his arms trying to get out attention. I slowed down to see if they needed help and it turned out there were lines across the road. Apparently the storm took them down. Not knowing how long it would take to get help out there, we turned around and took the long way home. There’s never a dull moment in the boonies of West Virginia. I was amazed at the number of cars we passed on that country road. The only thing I could figure is they were heading home from the County Fair. 

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We were happy as little clams to get home from our evening out, but it was getting past my time for productive writing. I’m kinda worthless after 10:00…I turn into a pumpkin! Instead of writing a long story, I’ll share the recipe for the cake I made for the cookout. I watch a YouTube channel called Celebrating Appalachia that I dearly love. I often watch her videos while I knit and I always learn something wonderful. Tipper was talking about the church suppers held during Homecoming, also known as Decoration Day. When she was a child, she ran to the dessert table every time to see if anyone brought Chess Cake because it was her all time favorite. So, of course I had to make one! It is SO quick and easy and it really yummy! Here is a link to the recipe on Tipper’s blog called The Blind Pig and the Acorn. When I make it next time, I’m going to cut the powdered sugar in half and maybe add an extra egg to that topping mixture. It was really rich!

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Blog: https://blindpigandtheacorn.com/?s=Chess+cake

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YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tvso8PRLxR0

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Let me know if you make this easy dessert!

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“He must manage his own household well…”

\n1 Timothy 3:4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/07/the-naked-ladies-are-out.html", "tags": ["Family","Farm Life","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/31/back-to-mr-fixit.html", "title": "Back to Mr. FixIt", "content_html": "\n
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My poor sweetie has played second fiddle for two weeks while Little was here. We did things together…sure. But he had to share and he’s not used to that. We drove to Columbus to take Little to the airport. I was able to accompany them to the gate and wait till the plane took off and there’s a great website where you can actually watch the plane fly across the country on a map in real time. As I’m writing this, they are 180 miles away from DIA. The things they can do these days!

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We decided to stay overnight in the Columbus area because it was a long day and I didn’t want to make that drive home after dark. We stayed near the Easton Mall which is tres chic…although the hotel we chose was anything but. It was clean, but dated. I never could get the internet to work, but the 5G finally started working better so it was fine.

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I’m telling you what, I love that grandchild of mine, but there is a reason God doesn’t give 15-year-olds to 69-year-olds. I am fried. I told Mr. FixIt that I would need a week to recuperate! lol I wouldn’t trade the time with little for anything in the world. We did SO much in those two weeks but we have to fit a lot in. We’re already thinking about what we’re going to do the next visit!

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So, I’m going to enjoy the day today with Mr. FixIt. We’ll go exploring and meander our way home. Or…maybe we’ll make a bee line and get home in time to mow! It rained all week and the grass is so thick and deep, I’m going to have to cut it at half the height I usually do, then go back over it the next day. Otherwise, I risk breaking the belt on the mower deck.

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At this time of year, there is so much to do…all the time. We really have no choice but to buckle down and get it done! I hope you are enjoying your lovely weekend. I sure loved taking you along with us on Nana and Littles’s Excellent Adventure! It was a lot of fun!!!

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UPDATE: Little landed safely at 10:12pm! Thank you for all your prayers.

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“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”

\nPsalm 121:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-31T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/31/back-to-mr-fixit.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/30/day-fourteen-see-ya-next.html", "title": "Day Fourteen: See Ya Next Time!", "content_html": "\n
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Little on the floor, scrubbing that lovely piece of linoleum!

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It has been a fun two weeks, but Little is ready to get home. Big will be leaving for college soon so they need to spend some quality time together. Everyone will be happy to get their Little Bear home, safe and sound.

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Nana made biscuits and gravy, eggs and sausage, and topped it off with homemade applebutter per Little’s request!

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We had a lovely breakfast. I made a batch of buttermilk biscuits and gave Little the choice of what flavor jam or jelly they wanted on them. Apple Butter was the winner. This is the next to last jar so I’ll probably need to make some more this year. We had sausage and eggs…and sweet tea. It was more like “brunch” considering it was nearly 2:00 in the afternoon before we got around to cooking.

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The Old Mt. Zion Church back on the hill. Grandma and PopPop brought the kids here every Sunday afternoon for services. it made me smile to think of them sitting in the very pews we scrubbed yesterday.

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We did laundry. We were going to go to town to mail the things that won’t fit in the suitcase, but this stupid washing machine. I intensely dislike the kind without an agitator because it doesn’t get the clothes clean and darks invariably have white soap scum on them…even with an extra rinse. They are supposed to be conserving energy but how can you conserve energy when you have to run them twice to get things clean? So, I’ll have to make a special trip to town next week to ship this stuff.

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The pulpit in Mr. Zion Church.

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I cooked the last of the half-runner beans in the little pressure cooker, then Little and I headed off on an important errand. The other day, Little noticed how dirty the old church was and wanted to go back out to sweep and clean. They didn’t forget, so we loaded up the brooms and rags, jugs of water and Spic & Span, and headed off for the country. 

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Little sweeping up all the dead ladybugs and dust bunnies.

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We swept and wiped and washed and scrubbed till we got it as clean as we could. Then Little went out and picked a bouquet of Queen Anne’s Lace and put it in the vase on the altar. We stood there for a moment in silence, signed the guest book, and turned to leave. My heart is so full at the goodness of this child.

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We were amazed at how bright the colors were when the floor was wet. It needs waxed!

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We went back to Grandma’s farm and sat on the front porch for quite some time. We talked about all the people who used to live there. We feel them around us when we are there and know that we are loved and watched over. 

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Grandma’s Road at the end of the day.

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On the way home, we stopped for ice cream and brought a scoop home for Grandpa FixIt. Then Little jumped in the pool one last time. We had a lot of rain off and on yesterday and that water was decidedly cooler last night than it has been the last couple of weeks. No way I was getting in there, but Little had a blast. When the bats came out and started circling for their dive-bomb drinks of water from the pool, Little decided that was their signal that time was up and they were out of the pool in a flash! The laundry was done, the bags were packed, decisions were made for what needed to go today and what could wait to be mailed. We got the Boarding Pass from Daughter #1.

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Making the turn to cross PopPop’s Bridge!

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And…that’s a wrap, folks! Operation Nana Camp was a rousing success!!!

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“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.”

\nPsalm 91:11-13 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-30T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/30/day-fourteen-see-ya-next.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Love","Be Joyful!","Littles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/29/day-thirteen-was-the-best.html", "title": "Day Thirteen Was The BEST Day!", "content_html": "\n
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The scary metal Mothman scupture with the creepy eyes!

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According to Little, yesterday was the BEST day yet! We had a couple of lay low days and a couple of really busy canning days so they were more than ready to get out for an adventure! I went in and did the wakey-wakey thing and got dressed and pretty soon we were out and about…looking for something to get into!

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Little posing in front of a mural at the museum.

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The first thing we did was stop at Starbucks for a refreshment and a morning nosh. Then we hit the new Goodwill Store. We found some pretty cool things and Little got some awesome back to school clothes. I found a Mr. Juiceman juicer for $10 that I’m looking forward to trying. I also got a cool teaching kit for the littles for when they head into preschool and kindergarten.

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A poster at the Mothman Museum.

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Once we wrapped up at Goodwill, we hit the road. I had a big surprise in store. Little is at that age where theatrical and creepy ghost stories are ALL that and a bag of chips. So, we headed to The Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant. I don’t know if you saw it or not, but Richard Gere of all people starred in a movie called The Mothman Prophecies in 2002. I remember hearing about the Mothman when I was growing up. From November 16, 1966 to December 16, 1966, several sightings were reported of a man-sized bird-like creature near Point Pleasant, WV. The first newspaper story was published on November 17th about two young couples who were out joyriding near the old TNT factory when this thing swooped down and landed on their car and they took off. It kept getting ahead of them and stood along the road, eyes glowing red only to dash ahead and do it over and over.

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Our picnic supper of the best Chinese food!

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It was all over the news…people were out looking for the mythical creature that became a colorful piece of West Virginia folklore. The good folks at the Mothman Museum in Pt. Pleasant…billed as the ONLY Mothman Museum in the WHOLE WORLD…are doing a brisk business. You too can drop a small bundle and walk behind the camouflaged doors to cast your eyes on such incredible things as the actual watch that Richard Gere wore in the movie or numerous framed copies of the newspaper articles relaying the reported sightings and the uproar they caused. Which segues to the events of December 16th, 1966. The Silver Bridge collapsed into the Ohio River during rush hour killing forty-six people. Twenty-one people survived the plunge into the icy waters. Local scuttlebutt had it that the Mothman was never seen after the bridge collapsed so logically, the two must be tied together, right? This is how myth becomes legend and conspiracy theories are born. For filler, there were pictures and stories about UFO sightings all around the country during the same time period.

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Yummy edamame.

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This was right up Little’s alley, being a theater kid and all. We had our picture taken with everything except the silver metal sculpture located around the corner from the museum. I can’t say as I blame the kid…it’s pretty menacing with its sharp teeth and claws and bulging red eyes glowing like two coals in the night. Yeah, we steered clear of that guy. But, we had to buy the obligatory souvenir t-shirt and a pair of cool socks for Big and a sticker for her mom’s water bottle.

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Little spotted this heron when we were listening to the little band at the shelter in the park.

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We were getting ready to leave when we noticed a huge antique mall just a few doors down from the museum so we dodged in there for a bit. Little found some candy and I found a cookbook and a couple of gifts for Christmas or birthdays…not sure yet. I’m looking forward to reading the cookbook about Julia Child written by Dorie Greenspan…both chefs extraordinaire in their own rights.

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The Ravenswood Cemetery where many of my ancestors rest in peace.

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When we finally finished, Little said they would LOVE to have Orange Chicken for supper. I asked Siri where the nearest Chinese Restaurant was and she told me about one just around the block. I’ll tell you what…that was some of the best Chinese food I think I have EVER eaten. And they gave us SO much of it. I got House LoMein with chicken, beef, and shrimp. We both got an appetizer of edamame. If you haven’t had that…you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s steamed soybeans, served in their hulls. You salt them, then nibble the beans between your teeth just enough to pop the edge of the pod open and you can squeeze out the bean. SO yummy and good for you!

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The old Wilding Graded School built in 1897.

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When we got to Ravenswood where my dad was born, raised, and died, there was an old timey band playing in the park on the banks of the Ohio River. We had to stop and listen while we sat in one of the big metal swings overlooking the water. I scattered my father’s cremains on the riverbank not a football field length away from where we sat, so I regaled Little with stories and showed them pictures of my dad.

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The poor old house looks so bad. I think someone is trying to fix it up, but it’s pretty sad looking.

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Before long, we drove on…stopping first at the cemetery where my Grandmother Roush and other family members are buried, then on out the country road to see what’s left of my Aunt Marge’s farm. It was nearly dark by the time we got home. We were going to go swimming together, but I chickened out when I felt how cold the water was. I ended up sitting on the deck and having a most delightful conversation with this darling grandchild of ours. 

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I fed calves in this barn and my dad raised pheasants here.

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We will rid up Little’s laundry today and pack. We need to pack up all the extra things so we can run to the post office and ship them back to Colorado for them. Then I promised we would go back to the Mt. Zion Church to clean it before they leave tomorrow. So, one more sleep, and my Little Bear will be jetting west to spend some time with Big before she heads off to college.

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The round barn on what was the Butcher’s Farm.

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And…the beat goes on.

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“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

\nHebrews 13:20-21 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/29/day-thirteen-was-the-best.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/28/day-twelve-was-just-plain.html", "title": "Day Twelve Was Just Plain Nice", "content_html": "\n
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I told Mr. FixIt on Tuesday night…”I’m not doin’ nuthin’ tomorrow!” And I pretty much meant it. I worked so hard Monday and Tuesday on those beans, I decided Little and I would just have a lay low day. We pretty much accomplished that. “Grandpa FixIt” went to town for an appointment and to the the funeral home for the visitation for an old employee, so Little and I just hung out here at home. 

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It rained most of the day, which was lovely. It kept the temperature down and it was cozy to look at. I cleaned up the kitchen and made my coffee. I washed the sweater I knitted for Big and blocked it. Then I sat down to knit. Little got their drawing supplies out to work on. While they colored, I watched YouTube videos about Appalachian life and cooking. One of my favorite channels is Celebrating Appalachia. She had an episode on making Appalachian Peach Cobbler. We bought a small basket of Georgia Peaches at one of Witten’s Produce Stands on Monday, so I decided that’s what we needed. 

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Here’s the recipe as I made it.

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Preheat your oven to 350°

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Peel and slice your peaches. I scald them then put them in cold water. The skins will slip right off of them and you won’t waste a bit of that yummy peach flesh. (We saved a couple of peach pits to try to grow our own fruit trees!) Place your peaches in a bowl with a little water and lemon juice to keep them from discoloring.

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Place two sticks of butter in a large baking dish. I have a nesting set from Anchor Hocking and I use the size up from a 13”x9”. Place in the oven till the butter is melted.

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Mix 2 c. Self Rising Flour, with 2 c. Sugar, and I add an extra teaspoon of Baking Powder to give it a little boost. Set aside.

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Mix 1 c. Milk and 1 c. Buttermilk and set aside. 

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Strain your peaches reserving about a cup of the juice. Place the peaches, juice, and 1/2 c. Sugar in a saucepan and boil for five minutes, stirring frequently.

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Take your baking dish out of the oven. Pour the hot peach mixture in over the butter, but do not stir. 

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Mix the milk/buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients. You’ll end up with a wet batter. Pour this batter over the peaches and butter and again, do not mix. I used a cookie sheet under the baking dish because the pan looked pretty full and I didn’t want it to boil over in the oven. It didn’t by the way, but better to be safe than sorry and have to clean up a mess.

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Place in the oven at 350° for 40 minutes or until the top is getting golden brown. The peachy bottom with be pretty runny but it’s made a yummy syrupy concoction that pairs well with the cobbler topping. Remove and serve warm in a bowl with vanilla ice cream or cold or heated up again. However you want it, just spoon it up and enjoy! SO good!

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I cooked a big pork roast in the slow cooker yesterday and that will feed us for several days. Anything to keep from having to cook every day, right?

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I did a little walkabout after the rain and checked out the flowers. There was an errant Elephant Ear…quite a distance from the flower bed where Mr. FixIt planted the bulbs this spring. And we are finally getting some flowers on the Passion Fruit vine. There are lots of Morning Glory vines, but I’ve only seen one small flower on it this summer. We need to mow already, but it’s been too wet with all this rain. Two more sleeps and Little goes home.

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Oh, and when I was cleaning up the kitchen yesterday morning, I noticed I melted the controls on the back of the stove while I was canning! Who knew you could melt the stove when you’re cooking on it? It seems like a bit of a dichotomy. I hate that I did this but Mr. FixIt brushed it off. He said he would look online to see if he could find a replacement panel.

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“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.”

\nProverbs 15:17 ESV\n
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#Love, #Family, #FarmLife

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/28/day-twelve-was-just-plain.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/27/day-eleven-was-heaven.html", "title": "Day Eleven Was Heaven", "content_html": "\n
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Little works in the kitchen, filling jars with green beans.

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Who hasn’t wanted to share their favorite things with their grandchild? It’s one of the greatest gifts in the world when a grandchild shares your interests. Little and I are two peas in a pod. I was a little disappointed on Monday when they only lasted an hour on the canning beans job. Then, I learned…it wasn’t the chore itself but the act of getting pruny hands and the icky sensation of that. The tapping of the jars. The noise and sensation was too much stimulus for Little. So we regrouped and came up with a solution.

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Measuring and adding things to containers is the perfect way to get the job done without it seeming so overwhelming. I asked Little to please count out seven jars for me and put a teaspoon of salt in each one. Then, stuff some green beans in there on top of the salt till they come up to here on the jar. Voila…we canned! And it was enjoyable this time and became a teachable moment…for Little AND for Nana. There was a lot of beaming pride when that load came out of the canner!

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But what a L O N G day! By the time I finished the last canner full, my back was screaming obscenities at me and threatening to do me an injury. I had enough beans to do maybe three more jars, but I decided to cook half of them in my little pressure cooker with a Vidalia onion and some ham. When they were done, I took half over to my friend in town. He’s retiring this Friday and I wanted to give him something. Cake? Or fresh half-runners with ham??? You know which one I’d pick…every time. He was thrilled and texted as soon as I got home how wonderful they were. He was right…I heated up a bowl for myself and one for Mr. FixIt, as well. They were SO good!

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Have you all ever heard someone say they were going to “cook up a mess of beans”? That’s what we always called it. Cookin’ up a mess of beans. I can’t think of it being used with very many foods. You might fry up a mess of fish. Or shuck a mess of roast’neers. (That would be corn on the cob.) I love the colloquialisms of the Appalachian people. It makes my grandchildren laugh. Colorado kids!

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Little’s batch of beans!

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I’m staying put today. Canning the last couple of days was a lot of work. We ended up with twenty-eight quarts plus two messes of beans cooked in the little pressure cooker. That’s a lot to get out of a bushel. And it was a lot of work. But, I’m telling you…you’d be hard pressed to find anything that tastes as wonderful as good ol’ half-runner beans. They can’t be beat! I’ll clean the kitchen then I need to block Big’s sweater so it will be dry soon and I can send it to Colorado before she heads for college. Once that’s done, I can sit down and knit for a while. I’ll put the pork roast in the slow cooker early so we can have a good supper when Mr. FixIt gets home from town.

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Only three more sleeps and Little goes home. 

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“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

\nProverbs 22:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/27/day-eleven-was-heaven.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/25/day-ten-was-so-peaceful.html", "title": "Day Ten Was SO Peaceful", "content_html": "\n
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It was a pleasant valley Sunday in our neck of the woods. We. Did. Nothing. That’s what God tells us to do on His day, right? We got the mowing done during the week. We changed our travel plans to stay home. The Big Birdhouse is in the Camper Hospital so no camping. And besides…it was WAY too hot to do anything. When it’s even too hot to eat, you know it’s too hot to do much of anything else either.

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Little has been nursing a sore tooth the last couple of weeks. It’s nothing they can’t handle, and there are plans to see a dentist as soon as they get back home. There was a little more discomfort yesterday, so the lay low day came at just the perfect time. By the end of the day, it was much better and today we’ll be back at it full speed. We all need a down day from time to time, right? Especially when it’s too hot and you’re tired and don’t feel your best.

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Today’s big adventure will be a trip to town to hunt for some half-runner beans. Little wants to learn how to preserve food and we’ll start with canning beans and making jelly. We might also make a blackberry pie if I can find some good berries. This is something I’ve always wanted to teach little because my grandma taught me. I remember sitting out on the front porch at the farm, stringing beans, then canning them in quart jars. There were shelves packed full of yummy food to eat over the winter. We don’t know what the future will bring so I believe it is imperative the younger generation learns how to grow and preserve their own food, make their own clothes, build and heat their own homes. And Little is all about the pioneer spirit involved in leading a simpler life.

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I finished knitting the cute little Christmas stocking yesterday afternoon while watching a Monk Marathon as Mr. FixIt snoozed in his recliner. Our family room was once a garage so there aren’t any vents in there for the central AC. It’s literally the hottest room in the house, unless you count the kitchen when I’m cooking. We have some fans set up to draw the cool air into the room, but it’s not enough to make a huge difference. The first year I was here, Mr. FixIt had a HUGE window air conditioner in there, but it roared so loud the TV had to be blaring to hear it. Honestly, it’s really only bad for a couple or three weeks and then it’s just the late afternoons. It’s nearly impossible for us to put that AC unit in by ourselves, the kids are always busy, so we just suck it up. We drink cold beverages, add another fan, and before we know it, the cooler days will come again. It’s actually supposed to rain for the rest of the week here so hopefully that will tamp down the temperatures a little and break this terrible heat wave.

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We’re trying to be creative with our summer meal planning to keep from heating up the house anymore than we have to. But canning is definitely going to tax our ability to keep the house cool. Back when I was growing up, Grandma had a cook stove down in the basement where she did the majority of her canning. Some people here and in the south have “summer kitchens” when there’s a covered area to work in the shade and not heat up the house. Maybe someday I’ll have something like that. But for the time being, I’ll set up the window fan and exhaust the heat out of the kitchen that way. If I had an electric canner, I could set it up on the covered porch, but I haven’t found one that’s big enough to make it worth my while. 

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I hope y’all are managing to keep yourselves cool and safe from this terrible heat wave. If you have any helpful hints for beating the heat, please share! Maybe we haven’t thought of it or tried it yet. Prayers for cooler days ahead! Little and I ended our day with a long swim in the pool under the market lights. It was refreshing!

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“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”

\nPsalm 150:1-6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/25/day-ten-was-so-peaceful.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/24/day-nine-was-divine.html", "title": "Day Nine Was Divine!", "content_html": "\n
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It was 80° by 9:00 yesterday morning. We needed to get out to the farm to mow before it got too hot but after some of the dew had dried off. It’s a delicate balance. I can be ready to go out the door in two minutes flat. Why is it Mr. FixIt takes for.EV.er??? Mr. Virgo was the same way. He always accused me of pushing him. Good grief…we’re going to MOW, not have an audience with the Queen! Get a move on. My sweetheart has met his match with Little. They were neck and neck getting ready. We left at 11:30. It was heading towards 90°…fast!

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I’m not sure why, but we’ve been having a heck of a time getting the mower out at the farm to start. I usually end up running the battery down then we have to push the mower down to the house and jump it with the truck. This time, we got it in place and decided to check the oil. It was low so Mr. FixIt added some. I tried one last time to start it up and…bam! It turned over like it was a brand new machine! 

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We adjusted the mower deck up a notch and out I went. The grass was still fairly wet, but it mowed fine. Mr. FixIt ran the push mower and I trimmed some of the overgrowth that’s narrowing the driveway. We had to stop a few times for a cold drink. It was pretty miserable by the time we were finished. We got back to our little burg and stopped at the Pig for a few groceries. We were thinking we might jump in the pool when we got home, but there was a wicked storm brewing and the sky was dark enough my headlights came on.

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Instead of swimming, we each went to our separate corners for a little “me time”. It wasn’t until we discovered Little is on the autism spectrum that I realized I am, too. I’ve always known I “think differently”. Daughter #2 does, as well. It’s not a bad thing. We are all high functioning. It’s our super power. But it IS draining. And when we’ve “peopled out”, we need to recharge our batteries. There’s not a darn thing wrong with that. It’s how we maintain our shine!

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We thought we might make a trip across the state to see some cousins and my uncle, but we’re down to one trusty vehicle and it’s been a bit dicey of late. The temperature is supposed to hit 100° today and I decided not to go. If we had a breakdown in this heat and have to wait for a tow truck or walk five miles for cell service, we’d be in a heck of a mess…especially with Little. If it cools down this week and if I can find a super good deal on a rental car…maybe we can go later. I would really love for the WV peeps to get to know Little like I do.

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Once I had my stretch out time, I went out to the hedgerow with the loppers and started pruning stuff back. It grows over so much that I have to lean to the side when I mow under it. I’m tired of getting grabbed by the thorns of the multiflora rose that threatens to take over. Also, the gusty winds of the storm that blew through spread the branches from the burn pile all around so I had to gather that up, too.

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There’s never a dull moment here on this little slice of heaven. My reward at the end of the day was a beautiful sky and a cool shower. Oh…and a nice, chewy brownie!

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“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”

\nColossians 3:23 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/24/day-nine-was-divine.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Farm Life","Littles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/23/day-eight-was-so-great.html", "title": "Day Eight was SO Great!", "content_html": "\n
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Unfortunately, there was a puddle of water in the camper yesterday morning so off she’s gone to the camper hospital!

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As you know, we’ve been having some problems with our new camper…the Big Birdhouse. It’s got some leaks and there was a problem with the part that raises and lowers the top plus a few other things. New campers can have bugs that need fixing and it just seems this one has more than her fair share. I’ve been communicating with the dealership, but they weren’t hearing back from the manufacturer so I took matters into my own hands on Thursday. I sent an email to both the dealership and the manufacturer to make sure we were “all on the same page”. Miraculously, within half an hour, I had three emails from the parties involved and things started moving. I was polite, yet firm, and my “shot across the bow” got the attention it needed. Yesterday morning, Little and I emptied out the camper and took it up to the dealership and they will work on it first thing Monday as they have promised to give it priority. We shall see what the next steps will be, but for the time being…we are camperless. *sigh*

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Little and I are cut from the same bolt of cloth. We both love camping, cooking/baking, crafting, and antiquing/thrifting. We dropped off the camper and headed to a really great antique store in Lancaster. It is housed in an old factory and it is jam packed with so much cool stuff. I found a glass gallon milk jug…the kind with the plastic handle. I’ve wanted one for iced tea. The container I’ve been using is kind of awkward and Mr. FixIt has trouble manipulating it without spilling. Little found a specific type of suitcase they’ve been looking for since 2016! It was a really fun excursion and we both found a treasure.

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On our way home, we stopped at my favorite restaurant in Logan, Ohio. Millstone BBQ has the BEST baby back ribs. Little and I shared a full slab and each had a side. Topped off with sweet tea and lemonade and we were happy little campers when we got done. We stopped to see the smallest church in Ohio which is adjacent to a rest area near Coolville. We went to the Kroger store in Belpre. I’ve been looking for masa preparada…a mix for making homemade flour tortillas…but they didn’t have any. We ran into Little’s second cousin twice removed which was an unexpected treat!

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Our last stop was at Wendy’s for a Strawberry Frosty…oh.so.good! We got home, tired and happy. When I asked Little if they had a good day, the answer was, “Oh, gosh yes, Nana! I always have the BEST time here with you!!!” Lord, this child melts my heart.

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By the way…I wore the kid out!

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“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

\nProverbs 17:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/23/day-eight-was-so-great.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/22/day-seven-in-almost-heaven.html", "title": "Day Seven in Almost Heaven", "content_html": "\n
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I attempted to make homemade tortillas for breakfast yesterday. Back in the day, I used a packaged flour mix called “Masa Trigo” that you only had to add water and they made the best tortillas. However, I live in white bread America and those sorts of things are NOT available. I can find the kind to make corn tortillas, but those aren’t my favorite. I found some online, so I will give that a try because the ones I made yesterday didn’t cut it. 

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What I was really hankering for was a breakfast burrito. I didn’t have chorizo…I had a little bacon. I only had three eggs and no potatoes. A really good breakfast burrito has fried potatoes, eggs, cheese, and chorizo in it…wrapped in the heavenly blanket of a soft, warm, freshly made flour tortilla. What I threw on the plates of my willing family was a very poor substitute. But, as Grandma always said, “It’ll be et.” She was right…they swallowed it down somehow…bless their hearts!

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I knitted for a while after breakfast then called on Little to get put together for an afternoon of “adventuring”. We stopped at a junk shop in our little town. I found two zinc canning jar lids that I’ve been looking for. I have two blue canning jars that were gifted to me and I wanted lids for them. I use them to hold things like dried beans on my kitchen counter. A few years ago, Mr. FixIt and I were wandering around the countryside and stumbled on a junk shop out in the middle of nowhere. I went in search of it and alas…the building was there, and there was still quite a bit of junk left around outside, but there was no sign of life, so we moved on.

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There is a small county park about forty-five minutes away that has been designated a “dark sky” area. We brought Little there last year to see the night sky. They also have a pioneer village you can tour, but there was a cable across the road so I couldn’t get in to show it to Little. Next stop was a small country grocery store to pick up a couple things for supper, then on to see what we could get into next.

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I decided to head for Harrisville, WV to stop at Berdine’s Five & Dime. Little calls it the toy store for grown up kids. I found a cool biscuit cutter and another for making donuts. Little found a rabbit’s foot keychain and a green beaded hair clip for her friend. We got some “penny candy” from the display case. I love their chocolate, but I just can’t tolerate it anymore. It always makes me sick. That’s like…sacrilegious. Of all things…chocolate??? *sigh*

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By the time we finished at the Five & Dime, it was really too late to go to the big antique store and we were pretty “peopled out”. We headed home with a quick drive by the farm to see if Frank and Beans were there. They weren’t, so we continued on. We both needed to stretch out for a little rest time. Mr. FixIt was on the hunt for a mower deck he’d seen on Marketplace for our old Cub Cadet so he wasn’t home. We all pretty much fended for ourselves for supper and ended the day sitting out on the deck watching the sunset.

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I reached out to the dealership and the manufacturer yesterday regarding the issues I’m having with the new camper and by the time I got home, there were three emails waiting for me. Unfortunately, it was after closing hours so I’ll call them today. I figure our day will be spent emptying out the camper and hauling it up to the dealership to have them try to find the leak and figure out what caused the running light to pop out. I’ll have to leave it with them and I imagine that’s the end of our camping escapades for this year.

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The first of Little’s two week visit is over already. I knew it would fly by. I so enjoy this child.

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?

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“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.”

\nIsaiah 40:29 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/22/day-seven-in-almost-heaven.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/21/day-five-was-so-cool.html", "title": "Day Five Was SO Cool!", "content_html": "\n
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We had a blast at our sleepover at the farm. We told stories and walked out to see what a really dark sky looks like. It was the first time Little has actually seen the Milky Way! We warmed up leftover pancakes and corn cakes for breakfast. I sat on the front porch with my knitting and coffee and listened to the birds. Little slept in then we packed up and did a little walkabout. I showed them what the buildings were used for. We looked at the pictures of the people who built them. I explained how things worked before they got running water on the farm. 

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When we left, I decided to take Little back up on the hill where the old home place was. I explained how the kids had to walk all the way down off the hill, catch the school bus and ride all the way to the nearest school after they outgrew the little one room schoolhouse down the road. Then, when they rode back at the end of the day, the bus driver dropped them off at the base of the hill and they walked all the way back home…rain or shine, snow or ice or the heat of Indian Summer. It’s just the way it was.

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We drove out the new road they built to the compressor station for the gas pipeline. I was amazed how noisy it is and I’m so glad they built it way back on the hill and not any closer. There is an old church across from the driveway that turns into the compressor station. In the mornings, the family used to go to the little white church that I attended many years later. Then, in the afternoons, they walked out the ridge and went to this little church for Sunday evening services. 

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Little was fascinated with the signature book for visitors. They signed their name under mine with a smile. We looked around and commented how the old church is settling on one side. When we went back out to the truck, Little said, “Nana, there were cobwebs and bugs and dirt in that church. We need to go back and clean it. The windows could use a good washing, too.” I so love this kid! I told them we would go back before their trip is over so we can give it a good cleaning. We might leave a floral arrangement in their great great grandparents’ honor. That would be nice.

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On our way back home, I showed Little where Frank and Beans live…the new owners of the farm. As we drove by, I mentioned the building at the end of the drive. It was where the bus driver parked the school bus. I saw something out of the corner of my eye and before I could get a good look, Little called out, “Nana, look!!! An OWL!” Sure enough, there was a Barred Owl sitting on the ground, right smack dab in the middle of Frank and Bean’s driveway! It was in the area where I caught the recording of the juvenile calling in the middle of the night the last time I stayed at the farm. Pretty neat!

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Someone has seen a young black bear on the hill above our house two days running. I told Little we needed to drive out the road on the ridge to see if we could find it. We didn’t, but we came around a turn and there were wild turkeys crossing the road and going into the woods. Little got to see them. 

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We got home and had some quiet time. I worked on a Christmas Stocking I’m knitting with stranded color work…a technique I haven’t used since I made Big’s baby dress eighteen years ago. I cleaned and cut up a huge pan of broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts to pop in the oven to roast alongside a good sized salmon filet. I bought a bottle of really good quality lemon infused extra virgin olive oil at William-Sonoma when I was in Colorado in May. I’ve been waiting for just the right time to try it and…all I can say is…WOW! What a lovely addition to both the fish and the veggies. We ate the whole 13”x9” pan just the three of us.

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After supper, Little and I jumped in the pool and swam around till nearly dark. We have some of our best conversations when we are outside in nature. We talked about faith and God and what a cool guy Jesus is. Little looked up and pointed at a flock of birds above us. I was about to tell her about murmurations when they suddenly started one…swooping in and out of curved formations. It was fascinating. Then, just at dusk, the bats came out and one kept diving the pool for drinks of water and that’s when I told Little we’d had enough and it was time to get out!

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We needed to get some things out of the camper, so Mr. FixIt helped me set it up. It has leaked again, so I need to get it back to the dealer. I’ve just about had it with this thing. Too many problems for a brand new camper. We did keep it set up and decided to “camp” in the field last night. There was a storm predicted, but we were bound and determined to tough it out! You will have to wait till tomorrow to see how that worked out!

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?

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“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

\nMatthew 6:26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/21/day-five-was-so-cool.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","The Farm","Farm Life","Crafts","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/20/day-four-was-hot.html", "title": "Day Four Was HOT!", "content_html": "\n
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There was an inch and a half of water in the rain gauge yesterday morning. Add this heat and you can almost HEAR the grass grow! I rustled Little up out of bed fairly early. I fixed corn cakes for breakfast and man…they were fantastic if I do say so myself. I didn’t really have a recipe. I used a couple cups of self rising flour, a cup of finely ground yellow corn meal, half a teaspoon of salt, a teaspoon of baking powder…even though there’s baking powder in the self rising flour. I also added a heaping tablespoon of sugar. Whisk the dry ingredients. In a liquid measuring cup, pour about a cup of milk, 1/4th cup vegetable oil, and two eggs. Beat with a fork till combined and pour into the dry ingredients. If it’s too thick, add more milk, a little at a time and stir till you get the consistency of pancake batter. I added a little vegetable oil and butter in a cast iron skillet over medium heat and cooked the corn cakes two at a time, flipping them when the edges were golden. I served them hot drenched in syrup. Divine! I normally would have a side of eggs for some extra protein and maybe sausage or bacon but I used the eggs to make the batter and didn’t have any side meat. Little loved them!

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I hustled Little into the pool and headed out to mow before it got too bloody hot to tolerate being out there. I lasted longer on the mower than Little did in the water. They felt like their skin was frying so they gave up and went inside where it was air conditioned. I took a break every hour and rehydrated with “DripDrop”…an electrolyte powder that was designed to rehydrate people quickly without going overboard on the salt, etc. I jumped in the pool which was SO refreshing. Then back out on the mower. Mr. FixIt took the loppers around the edge of the yard and trimmed back the low hanging branches of the sycamore trees out front. That made a world of difference when I was mowing out there. The branches didn’t threaten to dump me off the tractor!

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Once the mowing was finished and I’d cooled off, I fired up the grill and fixed bratwursts for supper. I bought a jar of mild chow-chow at the Piggly Wiggly the other day. Chow-chow is a pickled relish that is highly favored in the south. It goes wonderfully with roast pork or as a substitute for pickle relish on hotdogs or brats. It’s made with chopped bell peppers, green tomatoes, sweet onions, and cabbage. Northern versions can have cauliflower, carrots, beans, onions, bell peppers, and more. It can also have hot peppers in it for added zing. My grandma always made it and called it “End-of-the-Garden Relish”. My mom would sit with a spoon and eat it right out of the jar. Little tasted it, but wasn’t necessarily impressed with the texture. Mr. FixIt and I slathered it all over our brats! Yummmmm!

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While we sat and ate supper, I suggested to Little that we head out to the farm and spend the night. There’s going to be a strong storm front coming in tonight, so we thought we’d get this little side trip out of the way while the weather is good. We stopped at Dollar General and bought an extra fan because it was 88° when we left home. The old fan up in the “Boy’s Room” at the farm has finally stopped working after at least sixty years of service and that is what we depended on to suck the hot air out of the house. As you might well imagine, the house isn’t air conditioned, although at one time there was a window air conditioner that stopped working a few years ago. Grandma always said this ol’ holler was nature’s air conditioner because there is always a breeze coming down out of the woods through the back door. When it got really, really hot in August, Grandma would fill a bucket with cold water and throw it out all over the cement porch.  The wind coming down over it would cool down and work just like a swamp cooler.

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We have what we need here…a box of Mac and cheese, some pepperoni rolls, the leftover pancakes and corn cakes, and things to drink. We’ll head back home today. I just wanted Little to get to stay out here at least once while they’re here. We sat together and looked at old family photos and I told some of the family stories. I’m so happy to share my love for the home of my heart with Little.

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The video above was taken the other night down by the creek at the edge of the “Far Field” at our house. I thought you might like to hear the night sounds.

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“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”

\nProverbs 24:3-4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/20/day-four-was-hot.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/19/day-three-was-fun.html", "title": "Day Three Was Fun!", "content_html": "\n
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I let Little sleep in yesterday morning. I remember when my daughters were that age. They need to sleep because they’re growing and they’re busy cramming their brains full of new knowledge. I cleaned house and knitted till I finally woke them up to get the day going. We drove to town to visit our favorite antique shop. Little bought three neckties, a teddy bear and a necklace. Then we went to Michael’s to get some crafty things. They love art so we bought a new sketchbook and colored pencils and a few other things. I bought some green, red, and white acrylic yarn to knit some Christmas stockings for the kids.

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Photo shared with me by a friend on Facebook.

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We’ve had so much rain the last several days. We all went on a walkabout last night to watch the sunset and see if we could find the twin fawns. They didn’t disappoint…they were out grazing by the campers and we got some pictures of them. Someone posted a photo of a young black bear on the hill just above our house. I’ve been seeing bear scat in our field this year so I keep a weather eye out for him when we are out there…especially at night. You could walk right up on one and not even know it.

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I was making breakfast yesterday when Mr. FixIt called me in to the living room. He said there was a huge turtle out in the yard. It turned out to be TWO turtles doing what turtles do to make MORE turtles. We saw bunnies and a big fat groundhog, as well. The whole menagerie was on display. I made a big pot of soup beans with smoked ham hocks yesterday and showed Little how to bake cornbread in an iron skillet. 

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We ended the day with Little sprawled out on the living room floor…drawing and coloring. I worked on the hat I’m knitting and we watched an old episode of Big Bang Theory. It was a really good day!

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?

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“Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.”

\nProverbs 12:10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/19/day-three-was-fun.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/17/the-great-white.html", "title": "The Great White", "content_html": "\n
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We left the campground at 10:00 yesterday morning. I’m not going to share the name of the campground. I wasn’t terribly pleased with it, and I haven’t had the opportunity to speak with the owner, so I don’t want to give it a bad review based on the couple of things that I really didn’t like about it. Let’s just say…it’s centrally located and folks seemed to be fine with it. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.

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Little slept like a log through every train. Ahhhhh, the joys of youth. Kids can sleep through anything! The long drive home was a bit of a surprise. I don’t think Little had a concept how long it would take. It was ten hours driving back because we had to stop more often. Let’s just say, we were all really glad to get out of that truck. And Little and I camped in the field last night….with NO trains running 25’ from the camper…all night long!

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On our way back, we stopped at the West Virginia Welcome Center in White Sulphur Springs, WV. We hiked to the top of the hill above the rest area and checked out the view overlooking The Greenbrier Hotel…also known as “The Great White”. It’s a lovely edifice and it’s been forty years since I stayed there. I doubt it’s changed much. 

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We are looking forward to a little down time and pool time today. Maybe I’ll mow…maybe I won’t. As I wrote this, I was just too tired to care one way or the other. I hope you are enjoying a beautiful Sunday!

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“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

\nProverbs 17:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/17/the-great-white.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Road Trip","Littles","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/13/getting-stuff-done.html", "title": "Getting Stuff Done", "content_html": "\n
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The buttonhole placket was so much easier to knit than I thought it would be.

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I paid $4.36 for gas yesterday! It’s coming down. The supply chain issues are evening out and they are predicting prices on most goods will fall accordingly. The crazy housing market is cooling off and maybe someday young people will be able to buy that little house with the white picket fence. I don’t know. All I know is, when you live on a fixed income, you’ll take every break you can get!

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I had the oil changed on the truck yesterday when I was in town. I also had the tires rotated. I never really bothered buying the lifetime warranty on tires till I retired and money needed to be stewarded better. To be honest, rotating your tires isn’t as big a deal when you live in Colorado. Most of the roads are straight and if your wheels are aligned properly, you don’t wear them out unevenly. Not so here in the twisty-turny state! When Daughter #1 visited last summer, she remarked on the weird speed limit signs out our two-lane blacktop. She said, “Mom, I couldn’t even get UP to 55 before the next turn came and said 20mph. I laughed and said, “Sweetie, those are just recommended speeds. Y’all do what you can around here.”

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I was tickled to have the time to sit at the garage while they worked on my truck. It gave me some solid time to work on Big’s sweater. And…drumroll please…I got it done! Well, the knitting part is done. Now I have to weave in five million tails from where I joined yarns. This bulky yarn only had around a hundred yards of yarn per skein. So every two inches or so, there is a join. And this particular yarn is very slippery. I have to weave in the ends, then anchor them with a needle and thread to keep them from slipping out. Very time consuming, but it’s going to be beautiful when I’m done!

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Mr. FixIt also had a laundry list of things to do yesterday, and rather than sit at the garage with me, he drove in separately. He brought home tomatoes from the garden in town and they are SO yummy! Supper was a ham sandwich with thick slices of tomato, salt & pepper, and a slathering of Duke’s Mayonnaise on whole wheat bread. Yummmmmmm!

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We need to change the actuator on the lift for the Big Birdhouse today because tomorrow…we camp and get to see most of the Colorado family!!! I cannot wait!

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““Then the tent of meeting shall set out, with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps; as they camp, so shall they set out, each in position, standard by standard.”

\nNumbers 2:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/13/getting-stuff-done.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Farm Life","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/11/the-weekend-in-review.html", "title": "The Weekend in Review", "content_html": "\n
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The smokehouse and the barn at The Farm.

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Forty-eight years ago, I became a mother. Forty-eight. I don’t understand how she got older than me but she’s a keeper and I’m so proud to be her mom!!!

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This whole week went by so fast, I lost track of the days. We are in heavy grass growing season with all the rain we had in the last ten days so that means more mowing. Mr. FixIt went to town on Saturday to help a friend with some plumbing and I stayed home and knitted. Then yesterday was mowing day at the farm.

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One of our first tomatoes of the season.

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We bring our push mower out to cut the ditch out front and the edges where I can’t get the riding mower. As Mr. FixIt was making a space in the bed of my truck, I went into the garage to put a folding table away and bring out the mower. I was reaching to lean the table against something when I lost my balance a little. I reached out to steady myself on the garage refrigerator and got the edge of the door…not the side as I intended. The door opened and away went my brace. I tumbled forward over the push mower and into the riding mower. I really wrenched my pinkie on my right hand and have some bumps and bruises, but I don’t think I broke anything except my pride. The first thing that went though my mind is when the doctor’s office questions me at each appointment. “Have you had any falls?” They only started asking me that at the last couple of visits. I’m…of a certain age. 

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*sigh*

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We have an old John Deere at our disposal about at the farm and when I say old, I mean ancient. But man, when they say nothing runs like a Deere…they aren’t kidding. We have a heck of a time getting it started. I ended up running the battery down, so I disconnected the gear box and pushed it down toward the house so we could jump it with the truck. I got to where the round started sloping and called for Mr. FixIt to come push me so I could ride down and have my foot on the brake. It wouldn’t do to have the tractor run into the creek!

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Japanese Lantern Plant

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Before we jumped the mower to start it, Mr. FixIt lowered the mower deck for me. It’s been mowing too high and you can hardly tell you’ve gone over it at all. Once that was accomplished, we jumped it and it started up without too much trouble and runs like a big dog. The grass was thick and damp and we were cutting it pretty short, so there was a lot of clippings in clumps on the lawn. I ran over it and over it several times till they were all mulched up. Mr. FixIt ran the push mower and we were finished in short order.

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We stopped at the little neighborhood market on the way home and got a package of “Buzz Buttered Steaks”. This is a local delicacy that I’ve enjoyed since my childhood. As a matter of fact, I was a genuine grown up adult before I realized a “steak” wasn’t a frozen square ground beef patty with a pat of butter on it sold six to a box in the freezer section. These things were staples at our house when we could afford meat and they really are SO good! In the late ‘70s, someone stole a panel truck with several tons of these beauties on it and were fat and happy when they got caught. The whole incident put Buzz Buttered Steaks on the map and they enjoyed quite a boost to their sales. I was amazed they still make them. We don’t get them very often because I like to stay away from processed foods, but every once in a while, we like to indulge. We sliced up a home grown tomato and a Vidalia onion, topped it off with a generous slather of Duke’s Mayonnaise, and had a right proper summer supper.

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Pumpkin napping on the kitchen window sill.

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I only have about eight inches of the second sleeve to knit on Big’s sweater, then the front placket. Today we mow here at the house. The family arrived safely in VA Saturday night and they’re having a big time already. I can’t wait to see them later this week. I’m taking all kinds of goodies down with us! It’ll seem so strange to see them all outside of Colorado. 

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“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

\n1 Timothy 5:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/11/the-weekend-in-review.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/10/running-on-purpose.html", "title": "Running on Purpose", "content_html": "\n
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Country Roads

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I met Hubby #2 in the late ‘70s. I worked in the small x-ray department at a rehabilitation hospital in downtown Denver and he was working as a Physical Therapist between premed classes. We knew each other for a year but there had never been an indication that he would like to go out with me. And, I didn’t have the nerve to ask him. Finally I asked a mutual friend why he didn’t seem interested and she said, “Do you really want to know the reason? It’s because you smoke. He would never go out with someone who smokes.” I took my cigarettes out of my pocket and threw them in the trash and said, “Tell him I quit!”

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I knew he ran after work sometimes over at Washington Park, so I bought myself a pair of cheap running shoes and headed there on my way home. It wasn’t too long till we were running together and soon we were dating. We moved fast. It wasn’t six months and he asked me to marry him. I wanted him to meet my family in West Virginia first. Since he was starting med school in the fall, we went home in August for a visit.

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We went on a twenty mile backpack trip up the highest peak in West Virginia. We wandered around and visited with family and friends. And finally, we stayed a couple of days out at the farm with my grandma and my Uncle Bob. Grandma had the measles when she was pregnant with Uncle Bob so he had some special needs. He was smart and funny, but he had a lazy eye and a bad stutter so when the kids started making fun of him in school, Grandma just let him stay home with the family. He was a hard worker and a total angel unawares. He loved everyone and everyone loved him back.

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Late one morning, Hubby #2 and I changed into our running gear, had a good stretch, and headed off for our run. It was great running at sea level after living in Denver for so many years. I could run and run and run and not get winded. We finally came back and as we ran up the driveway, I could see my Uncle Bob sitting on the front porch laughing like crazy. We came up the porch steps and he was looking at us like we were some delightful oddity he had stumbled upon. 

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“What’s so funny, Bob?” I reached for my water bottle, still cold and sweating in the humidity.

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“Well…” he paused and chuckled. “I never seen anyone run on purpose before!” Then he let out a belly laugh and slapped his knee. 

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We laughed along with him, realizing this was absolutely true. Bob was trim and fit because he worked hard on the farm. He pushed a plow in the garden. He mowed the grass. And he pounded rock with a sledgehammer from a place on the side of the hill up by the barn. Then he filled the wheelbarrow with the resulting gravel and toted it down to line the driveway. He walked the hill to check the television antenna line. He fetched and carried for Grandma. The man earned his supper every day, but to go outside and run? On purpose??? Maybe if he had a bear chasing him, but that would have been the only thing to get him out of first gear. My Uncle Bob was slow and steady and that wins the race every time.

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I remembered that story last night when we stopped at the park after our once or twice weekly trip to town for a small ice cream. We walked a couple of laps to work some of it off. Who am I kidding…it only burned off, like…a spoonful or two. I haven’t run in decades. I really need to exercise more…you know…

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On purpose!

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?

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“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

\n1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/10/running-on-purpose.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Fitness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/09/prayers-in-my-stitches.html", "title": "Prayers in my Stitches", "content_html": "\n
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Land’s sake…please forgive my sloppy summer clothes, but…I have one sleeve done!

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As I plug along on this sweater for Big, I send prayers up. I wrap them in the soft cotton and bamboo yarn. I pack them into the spaces of each stitch. I ask God to wrap my sweet girl in warmth…comfort…and safety. When we sent Daughter #2 out into the world, she chose to attend the local community college so her baby sister would know who she was. That was providence, as she met my wonderful son-in-law the first week of school.

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It doesn’t matter how old you are, when you send your first child off to college…you send a king sized piece of your heart with them. As it turns out, having a baby when YOUR baby is almost sixteen takes your focus off the adolescent a little bit and allows them to grow up. At least, that is the way it worked for us. Now, my baby is sending HER baby off to college and my heart is with her as she hurtles toward this new passage in her life. They still have Little at home for another three years, though. That will keep them hopping!

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I camped in the Big Birdhouse on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Yesterday morning I was awakened to the lusty cries of the young red-shouldered hawk…this time sitting on the peak of the a-frame roof of the camper. Trust me…having a hawk resting five feet above your head and waking you from a dead sleep will get you out of bed in a hurry! I could hear it fussing around up there. I’m hoping it was having a snack of a mouse or something and not a piece of the camper!

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Mr. FixIt went into town yesterday to help his buddy do some odd jobs around his house. He remarked that the things they could easily do ten years ago gave them fits. It took them at least three times longer to get the job done. I’m finding that more and more. For the first time in my life, I sit down to knit and catch myself drifting off…my hands in my lap, my chin on my chest. What is this? This is new. I’m not ready for this…I have too much “going” to do!

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We need to change the part on the camper this weekend…the part that lifts and lowers the top. I’m trying to figure out how to do it safely. It’s supposed to rain today. Sunday and Monday will be clear so we will need to mow here at the house and out at the farm. We need to get defoamer for the pool and do some housework. And, I need to finish the other sleeve on the sweater. I don’t know if I’ll get it finished before we leave the kids in Virginia or not. We shall see.

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It was lovely to have a day to knit in the peace and quiet. I rarely turn the TV on when Mr. FixIt isn’t home. But yesterday I decided to watch Appalachian cooking videos. One gal was making Fried Corn and that looked pretty yummy. Little loves West Virginia and loves to cook with me so I know we’ll have a big time with that! Silver Queen corn should be coming in soon! I picked the last of the blueberries yesterday. There wasn’t much more than enough to top a couple bowls of cereal, but it’s a taste!

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What kind of fun things do you have planned for the weekend?

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?

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“For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.””

\n1 Corinthians 10:26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-09T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/09/prayers-in-my-stitches.html", "tags": ["Family","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/08/its-about-time-for-some.html", "title": "It’s About Time for Some Good News!", "content_html": "\n
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The View From my “Office”

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I had my followup appointment with my endocrine surgeon yesterday. Almost all of my numbers have settled down into the normal range except one and it’s only mildly elevated. Overall, I’d say I’m about 80% better than I was before the surgeries and I will take that as a hug win! I suppose what symptoms I do have can be easily attributed to age related changes and there’s nothing anyone can do about that except make healthier lifestyle choices, i.e. eat clean and green and exercise more. I don’t have to see him for six months and then I’ll be discharged barring any unforeseen consequences. Yay!

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I started doing some deep cleaning before Little arrives in just over a week. Then we went out and cleaned the pool. It was a cool and refreshing dip on a hot, muggy day. We celebrated the occasion with a trip to the little country store for a scoop of Black Cherry ice cream to enjoy down by the river. 

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The twins hang out in our field every day now. I rarely see mama so I know they are on their own. I saw a rabbit for the first time this year. I’ve seen evidence the rabbits are being hunted here…probably by the myriad hawks we have hanging around. Several times I’ve walked around the end of the house only to startle the young Red Shouldered Hawk that has been sitting on the satellite dish and telephone lines. 

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When I walked in from the camper yesterday morning, there was a small snake skin by the front door. Mr. FixIt was weed eating on Monday and said he saw one go under a big rock right there. I couldn’t find it then, but it left the evidence behind for all to see. Mr. FixIt isn’t a snake guy, so I’m the one who has to deal with those kinds of critters. Honestly, they’ve never really bothered me. But, then again…I’ve never seen a live poisonous snake either, so I’m not sure how I would react in that case. 

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A Long Exposure Shot Caught the Lightning Bugs

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I’ve been thinking about activities for when Little is here visiting. I definitely want to show her how to can and make jam. I need to can half runners this year because I’m almost out. We’ll bake together. I want to teach her how to make pizza from scratch. We’ll do some crafting and antiquing. That child loves a good junk shop and laws there’s enough of them around here to stay busy the entire time. Camping and swimming and bonfires and s’mores and watermelon seed-spitting contests. I can’t wait!!!

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The new actuator came for the camper. Mr. FixIt has watched the videos how to replace it but I haven’t seen one yet. That’s our next big project. I have about five or six inches of one sleeve knitted on Big’s sweater. So much to do…so little time!

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?

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“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”

\nProverbs 14:23 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/08/its-about-time-for-some.html", "tags": ["Family","Be Joyful!","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/04/the-lords-day.html", "title": "The Lord’s Day", "content_html": "\n
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We often end up mowing on Sundays simply because of the way the storms roll through. Unfortunately, they don’t keep a schedule and, as the old adage says, you have to make hay when the sunshines. We were blessed the last three days with a half inch of rain and the grass was too wet to mow yesterday. I sat in my recliner with my headphones, listening to worship music and knitted on Big’s sweater. I’m almost ready to knit the ribbing at the bottom, then I can start the sleeves.

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I have a lot on my plate in the upcoming month. I need to get the house ready for Little. We need to finish getting the pool ready and catch up on some laundry. There is a part being delivered this week that we have to replace on the new camper. There will be mowing…both here and the farm. The push lawnmower is still not working, and we are in the thick of repair season, so we won’t be able to get it fixed in a timely manner. So, we’ll be researching and buying a new one then fix this one later to use as a spare. I need to finish this sweater and pack for our trip to Colonial Williamsburg. Just lots going on.

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I try to stay away from the news and I can usually succeed in doing that. But I always pay attention when Heather Cox Richardson says “read this”. Well, I read it and was not prepared for this particular bit of news and I didn’t sleep a wink on Saturday night. I know know if you experience that, but when it happens to me, I’m a wreck the following day. My threshold for triggering my PTSD is much lower and I end up feeling flushed and anxious over the dumbest stuff. So, after my morning “church”, I stretched out and talked with God for a while. 

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My conversations with God are always good…no matter whether it’s something I want to “hear” or not. I always leave enlightened, calmed, soothed. Like I’ve been listening to a lullaby sung by the most beautiful voice ever. We had a social engagement and I just didn’t feel up for it. If it weren’t a family event, I might have been inclined to beg off and stay home. But, when it’s the kids and the grands, you don’t say no unless it’s absolutely necessary.

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We all gathered at their horse farm and had a cookout. It was fun to catch up with people I haven’t seen in some time. We were super careful to keep socially distanced from others…no hugs and kisses. I worked on the sweater and chatted with everyone around me…the sound of a horse quietly flicking his tail and occasionally stomping a heavy hoof in order to shoo away the biting flies that plague them in the summer. I could hear him rip mouthfuls of grass, happily munching away as country music played in the background. 

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There were hoops and hollers as teams of two challenged each other to multiple games of cornhole. We sat around nibbling on deviled eggs and bratwurst, crudités, meat and cheese trays, salads and a yummy dessert pizza with a sugar cookie crust and fruit on top. By dusk, the younger were heading up to the top of the hill to watch the fireworks. We elected to come on home. We neither one had any business walking up and down that hill in the dark, and I wasn’t about to drive my truck up there without having done it in the daylight first. 

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We came on home. Mr. FixIt remarked his back was probably going to give him fits, so I elected to creep in the camper. When I got everything ready and squared away, I opened the curtains and couldn’t believe how many lightning bugs there were out there in the trees along the creek. I loved listening to the fireworks far off in the distance. And it wasn’t long till I was ready to turn in for the night.

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Today, we may end up mowing if we don’t have rain. And, of course, there will be knitting. 

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?

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“And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.”

\nLuke 15:23 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/04/the-lords-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/07/02/july-is-here.html", "title": "July is Here!!!", "content_html": "\n
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Just about every year of my adult life, I took at least a week…and often two or three…and brought my girls to West Virginia to see their Mountaineer family. Most often, we came in July. You could pretty much bet the monsoons of June were past and it wasn’t so dreadfully hot and humid like August. Since my girls are almost sixteen years apart, there were just a few years I had both of them with me.

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I have great memories of those trips. When my older daughter was little, she stood on a stool and brushed her great grandma’s long hair. I have a picture of her holding a bamboo fishing rod with a safety pin for a fish hook, wearing a Holly Hobby hat and a one piece play suit. When my younger daughter was little, we took “moon baths” out behind grandma’s house. We waited till dark then stripped off and lathered up, then poured cold buckets of rainwater over ourselves to rinse off. It was the only way to cool off enough to sleep.

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Now it’s ME that lives in West Virginia and Little is coming in July in two weeks to see us! We’ll be baking and swimming, crafting and sewing, and I’ll indulge in a new experience…cosplay! If you don’t know what that is, it’s where you dress up like your favorite characters, makeup and all, and film yourself or take photos. Little is really into it and I’m into Little so we’re going to give it a go! It should be fun!

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We had some pretty hard storms come through yesterday. When I saw the sky darkening and heard the rumble of thunder in the distance, I shot out of the house to close up the camper. I left the windows open the evening before and I didn’t want everything to get wet. I prepared to lower the top of the camper and….the actuator (the mechanical part that lifts and lowers the top) didn’t work. I tried checking the circuit breakers and the fuses, but that storm was rolling in fast at that point. The sky started crackling with lightning and thunder so I closed it all back up and ran for the house.

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So, now I have yet another thing wrong with the camper. I spoke with the service guy and he sent another email to the factory with photos and the additional info about the actuator. We have camping reservations when we go to Virginia to pick Little up so they are going to ship a new actuator to us and Mr. FixIt can replace it. That way we can still use the camper that weekend, then I can get it up to the dealership. They will have to ship it to the factory, I imagine. Still waiting to hear. We don’t have camping scheduled again till September so hopefully they will get the camper in and out and back to us in a timely fashion.

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After supper, Mr. FixIt went out to see if the storm knocked any limbs down. Pretty soon he came and tapped on the window in the family room and motioned for me to come outside. I followed him out into the shadow of the nearest pear tree and looked in the direction he was pointing. There, on the ground beside the camper, lay the twins…the tiny spotties…the fawns that joined our little tribe this spring. Later in the evening, Mommy joined them. There’s a big, fat groundhog in the front yard this summer. I don’t like them hanging around, even though I don’t have a garden this year. But they dig up the yard and embankment with tunnels that can pose a safety hazard and damage structures. 

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I continue to watch this sweater that I’m knitting for Big grow longer and more beautiful. I’ll have quite a lot of finishing work to do on it, but I’m thinking she’ll really enjoy it when I’m done. We’ll be having a lot of rain this weekend so I’ll get a chance to work on my knitting and getting a little housecleaning done in preparation for Little’s arrival.

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?

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“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

\nProverbs 17:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-07-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/07/02/july-is-here.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Farm Life","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/06/27/bippityboppityblue.html", "title": "Bippity-Boppity-Blue!", "content_html": "\n
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Big has always loved Cinderella…her very favorite Disney Princess. Now she’s all grown up and preparing to head to college in the fall, but that doesn’t mean that particular shade of blue isn’t still her favorite! Au contraire! This was the color of her dress for senior prom. I promised her I’d knit a sweater to take to college with her. She’s heading to the Pacific Northwest and things get pretty chilly up there.

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First, we went on the prowl for the perfect sweater pattern. Pullover or cardigan? She chose a cardigan. That will be more versatile for her, I think. Next, we needed to pick out a yarn. I got one and didn’t like the feel of it and ended up giving it to my friend, Gail. I ordered a new yarn…a blend of cotton and bamboo. I started knitting the sweater yesterday and I’m not totally sold on this yarn either. It’s really heavy and will weigh a ton when it’s done. I’ll keep at it. It will be more like a sweater jacket than the soft sweater I was envisioning. But, it should be really warm and that was the goal.

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We had storms predicted in our little corner of the world yesterday and even though the sky puckered up several times, nothing really came of it. We mowed at the farm on Saturday (and saw a gorgeous buck in velvet antlers on the way) and yesterday, we just hung out at home and watched movies while I knitted. I heated up some leftover pot roast, made a rich gravy and served it over mashed potatoes with half runner beans and squash on the side. It was the first time I’ve really cooked a meal in a while. 

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We have a pretty slow week planned. More mowing, as always. Hopefully we’ll get some cool nights. We still don’t have the pool in tip top shape for the season. We need to get on top of that soon because LIttle is coming to stay with us for a couple of weeks the last half of July and…besides our cooking adventures…the pool is the biggest draw! It’s hard to believe that not only is June nearly over, but the year is half gone! 

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Why do summers fly by so fast?!

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?

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“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.””

\nGenesis 8:22 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-06-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/06/27/bippityboppityblue.html", "tags": ["Family","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/06/16/tux-has-a-brand-new.html", "title": "Tux Has a Brand New Ball", "content_html": "\n
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Border collies are a special breed. Gail’s border collie is named Tennessee Tuxedo…Tux for short. Smart, attentive, and full of life with oodles of love to give their chosen people, this guy is the epitome of the breed. When I first arrived on Tuesday, he was hesitant. He kept his ears back and his tail low. He walked back and forth and bristled his ruff. He growled. But at the same time, his eyes looked to Gail for reassurance that everything was ok. She assured him I was a friend.

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I’ve been blessed with several dogs who chose me as their human in this life. I don’t choose to have a canine companion at this point in my life, but I do enjoy the dogs I get to interact with. I know when a dog is a bit skittish and needs a little extra time to warm up so I went in and sat on the couch and was careful not to make eye contact. I could see Tux watching me…sizing me up to see if I was going to be a threat. He circled closer and closer. I let my hand dangle off the edge of the chair. And before I knew it, he came up and gave me a sniff and a careful little kiss. 

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I spoke to Tux softly and gently rubbed his muzzle. We gazed into each other’s eyes and he wagged his tail. By last night, he shared his brand new ball with me and I knew I’d been accepted in his pack. In the meantime, Bailey the Lab was her mellow sweet self whose whole purpose in life is to hug the rug near your feet. 

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Gail and I drove out to our friend Jan’s farm yesterday for lunch. She served the best Sloppy Joe’s I think I’ve ever had. When I asked her what was in them, she said there were two simple ingredients. Farm raised beef and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce. Sloppy Joe’s have never been my favorite thing and now I think it’s because of all the stuff in it…green peppers and the like. Jan also served Grape Salad which consisted of red grapes in a white sauce made of sour cream, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Oh, yummmmmm!

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We had a lovely visit. I pulled out my knitting and worked as we chatted. Gail gave me some beautiful hand-dyed machine washable wool sock yarn in a gorgeous light caramel color for my birthday. I started knitting the socks yesterday morning and have about three or four inches done already. It’s a beautiful pattern that gives the sock texture that the solid color accentuates. Before we left, Jan showed us the old timbers and planks of rough sawn wood she is selling next week at a one day event in her barn. 

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Gail and I ended what was a scorcher of a summer day with a dip in her pool. We spotted the beginnings of what could become a sizable hornet’s nest under the front eaves of her house. She’ll have her husband get after that. I spoke with Mr. FixIt and the power came on around 5:00 yesterday afternoon so he was one happy camper! 

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It was a lovely day filled with good friends and good conversation. I think we are going to go to her favorite yarn shop today. We may get bad storms again. I certainly hope we all fare better than we did Monday!

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Oh, and by the way…my friend in Florida who writes a newsletter for pet lovers contacted me yesterday with a message for you. This year is going to be a really bad year for ticks in West Virginia (and I’m sure other areas as well), so be sure your fur babies are up to date on their flea and tick protection!

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Stay safe out there!

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?

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“For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,”

\nJames 3:7 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-06-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/06/16/tux-has-a-brand-new.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/30/the-difference-a-day-makes.html", "title": "The Difference a Day Makes", "content_html": "\n
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When I got home on Saturday at 4-ish, wolfed down the pizza, emptied the truck, got upsetting news, and crapped out…all in a matter of fifteen minutes, I thought I was stepping into the twilight zone. All that good work I’ve been doing on self soothing and maintaining emotional equilibrium seemed to have gone out the window. When we are excessively tired, it is extremely difficult to see the bigger picture and so easy to slip into old behaviors.

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When I took that hot shower, laid down in front of that cool fan, and did my “God is…” exercise, I drifted off to sleep. I awakened a little hungry so I got up at 10:30 for a little bowl of cereal, went back to bed, and slept till around 9:30 yesterday morning. That bed felt so wonderful and when I woke up, I felt renewed and refreshed and ready to take on the world again. What a difference a day makes!

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I got up yesterday morning and fixed a pot of coffee and went out to sip it on the deck before the day got too hot. I chatted with my sister-in-law in Utah, and I FaceTimed with my dear friend Gail as she was the guest host at her campground this weekend. Finally, Mr. FixIt made his way out to sit with me. We discussed our plans for the day and decided to go to town to get flowers to decorate everyone’s graves and head out to the cemeteries. It was an all day ordeal. We took care of his family first in Parkersburg, then went out to Ritchie County to take care of my people. We stopped at DQ for ice cream cones in between the two cemeteries.

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We went to the farm and I cleaned and set up the dehumidifiers for the summer. I totally missed the irises and the rhododendron and we’re at the tail end of the peonies. That makes me sad, but I did get to see my own little Colorado flowers in the form of my loves, so this was a year of sacrifice, as it were.

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We stopped at my cousin’s barn down the road and visited for the first time in ages. We marveled over their chickens and geese, ducks and guinea hens. And their cattle. We topped at The Pig on the way home and bought sandwich fixin’s and headed home. It was a lovely day and we had a wonderful time together driving around the countryside. By the time we got home, we were both beat and glad we didn’t have anything else that needed doing.

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I think it may take me a few days to recuperate from the trip. The older I get, the longer the recovery time after any given strenuous thing. And, let me tell you…that was a strenuous trip. Today is Memorial Day. Our people have men remembered and their graves decorated, and we have nothing pressing to do. We may mow a little, and work to get the pool ready. Maybe do a little laundry. I totally plan to sit and knit a little. And to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice that allows us this Memorial Day. 

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May you be safe and healthy and remember those who sacrificed for us.

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?

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“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

\nColossians 2:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-30T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/30/the-difference-a-day-makes.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/23/saying-goodbye-to-my-bubby.html", "title": "Saying Goodbye to My Bubby", "content_html": "\n
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It’s always hard to say goodbye when you are “of a certain age”. We’ve experienced losses now. We know we’re on the short end of the stick and things can change in a heartbeat. We want all those loving hearts to keep on beating as long as possible, and the thought of possible “last goodbyes” cuts deeply. My brother is doing so much better now. When I called him to tell him I got back to Denver ok, he answered the phone (yay!) and was out on a little afternoon junket. He went to Subway for lunch, then took the bus out to Target to do a little shopping. That’s an incredible improvement over just a few short months ago! As long as he is doing this well, he is in the best setting, but I know he misses me as much as I miss him so at some point, I’ll bring him to West Virginia.

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I didn’t sleep well the last couple of nights I was camping. For one thing, the foam cushions which serve as “mattresses”in this camper are not comfortable for the long haul I’m putting them through. After a while, they smash in the middle and offer very little support. My hips and back have been screaming at me and the change in the weather hasn’t helped. I dragged myself out of bed yesterday, got the camper all set to move, then went to pick up some breakfast for my brother and me. We visited and chatted over our food till the time finally came to hug and say “See ya next time!” It’s so bittersweet.

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I went back to the campground and hooked up to leave. I stayed at a little place called The Hideout at Glenwood Springs. I’ve passed that place for decades and I have a faint memory of camping there with my younger daughter when she was very little…I wanted to camp someplace near home in case it wasn’t successful. Most of their sites are filled with full time residents who live in their campers, which gave me pause. But it was very quiet and clean. There are also some small cabins and sites for “tiny homes”. However, they have one section with about ten sites for anything from tents to medium sized RVs. I stayed in Site D6 and it was beautiful. Water is available for filling your tanks, but not to hook up. And the site had electric for $40 a night which is quite reasonable.

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The drive back to Denver was fairly uneventful. There was road construction on the east side of Vail, heading up the pass. Multiple lanes were shifted down to one and there was a bottleneck that brought us to a complete stop with bumper to bumper traffic. It really only delayed us about twenty minutes and before we knew it, the freeway opened back up and off we went. There were several areas that were wet from the snow melting off the sides of the road. When I went through, the temperature was in the forties, so there was no danger in slipping and sliding around. However, when it gets dark at night, that’s when you have to watch out for things like that. I just saw a story this weekend of a woman who hit an icy patch on a bridge and flipped her little camper on its top, so I was super cautious. 

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I’m glad to have that part of the trip behind me as far as the driving is concerned. I have another few days to visit with family, then I need to start heading for home. I’m missing Mr. FixIt and there are people and things that need my attention in West Virginia, too. My sweetie mowed at the farm today and sent me the most beautiful pictures. It’s so green and the trees are all filled out. They were barely budding when I left and I’m missing one of the most beautiful seasons in my beloved Mountain State.

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I’ll rest up this week and get things organized and spend some more time with my Colorado peeps. It always flies by so fast!

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?

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“Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.”

\nProverbs 11:29 ESV\n
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#Family, #Colorado, #Camping

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/23/saying-goodbye-to-my-bubby.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/22/a-murder-of-crows-and.html", "title": "A Murder of Crows and a Magpie", "content_html": "\n
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After a day of snowy, cold weather, it was a treat to wake up to Colorado sunshine!

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I had a lovely visit with my brother yesterday. We watched a little baseball. I fed him his favorite food. Then I cut his hair and trimmed his beard. I am so pleased he is doing better in the new setting. He has more support, more often. Even though he still has trouble understanding/hearing his roommate, I found them getting along pleasantly. I spent some time working on my brother’s phone. He told me he answers it every time it rings, but I can assure you…after missing no less than twenty-seven phone calls from me in a two day period…he wasn’t hearing it ring. 

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I set his phone to a ringtone he was sure to hear then I turned the volume up to the highest setting. I also added a vibration to it to attract even more attention. Then I sat down with him and called him. It turned out, he was hitting the “hang up” button every time he answered the phone! I showed him how to answer it properly and placed a dozen calls to his phone to make sure he had it down pat. Now, I need to get him a little pouch to carry his phone around his neck. He won’t carry it in his pocket because he’s afraid he’ll lose it. And when it’s in his fanny pack, he can’t hear it and even if he did, it takes too long for him to get the phone out. So, I think we have corrected the phone problem.

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After he was settled down for the night, I went and picked up a sandwich from Chili’s for my supper. Unfortunately, as is all too often…they didn’t get the order right and I never think to look till it’s too late to say anything. But it was food and it was good and I am grateful for the convenience. 

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As I waited for my order to be ready for the curbside pickup, I heard crows. LOTS of crows! I followed the sound and there must have been two dozen crows in the field by the shopping center and they were putting up quite the fuss. I soon discovered why. There was a solitary magpie fighting off this “murder of crows” from what I assume was her nest. She was relentless, bobbing and diving and chasing off these marauders. It made me think about how I’ve been feeling in this town which was once my home…fighting off the interlopers.

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Hubby #2 and I moved here in 1986 after he finished his internship and residency. It was a sleepy little cow town with two stop lights. When they put in the third, we thought it was getting WAY too busy! Then they finished building the interstate through the nearby canyon and that was the end of the sleep little town. From then on, it grew exponentially and now? Oh, lands. Now it’s like stepping into a hive of angry bees. 

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There are people everywhere. It’s what we used to refer to as the beginning of tourist season, but I’ve a feeling it’s like this year round anymore. There’s a line to get into every restaurant in town on a Friday and Saturday night. A hotel room that used to cost $75 a night now runs $250+! I was happy to find a peaceful campsite for only $40 a night for a site with electric only, but it’s beside a rushing mountain stream and it’s really been very quiet. 

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Mr. FixIt sent pictures of my bonus granddaughter’s graduation from high school yesterday. It was at 10:00 in the morning and the temperature was already a balmy 88 when they got there. My poor husband looks like he just got out of a shower with his clothes on in the pictures! But, they had a grand time and the graduate was beautiful and happy, so we have achieved what we were shooting for…attendance at both graduations. Just one at each, that’s all.

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If there is a window with good roads through the mountains today, I might head back to Denver. If not, I’ll wait another day. It’s really been restorative camping in the mountains and it’s done my brother and me a world of good to hug each other and say our “I love you’s” in person. I don’t get to see him but once a year so we have to make these visits count. 

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?

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“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

\n1 Timothy 5:8 ESV\n
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#Family, #Colorado, #Camping

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/22/a-murder-of-crows-and.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/19/a-homecoming-of-sorts.html", "title": "A Homecoming of Sorts", "content_html": "\n
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Camping by the creek!

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I’m baaaaack! Once the graduation festivities were over, I could pack up the camper and get up to the mountains to visit my brother and camp for a bit. As soon as I arrived, I got a weather bulletin for the mountains of Colorado stating there is a winter storm warning for Friday and Saturday. They are predicting 4-10” of snow with up to a foot to a foot and a half in the higher elevations! Well, as much as I personally detest snow…I’m praying they get tons because it is SO dry here! And, that puts a kink in my plans. I immediately asked the campground to extend my stay at least one day and possibly two, which they did. Then I called Daughter #2 to tell her I may not be back in time to see her on Sunday. Then I called Mr. FixIt and said I’d probably have to extend my stay till after Memorial Day in order to spend more time with my daughter and to have a better chance of finding campsites on the way home.

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The drive up was gorgeous. It was in the mid-seventies and sunny with big puffy white clouds. The traffic wasn’t bad at all and moved right along. This town is so vastly different than it was when we moved here in 1986. There are so many more people living here now and the number of tourists is off the charts. It’s bittersweet…it was just a sleepy little mountain town back then. Now it’s like a bee hive. I supposed the feeling is exacerbated by the fact we live on five acres out in the country and the little “town” we live near has a population of 888 people.

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There are some good things around still. My favorite doughnut shop and coffee house is still there, as is my favorite clothing and shoe stores. I’m hoping to run into the Thursday morning coffee group that have been meeting every week for three decades. I’m going to visit a friend on Friday morning that I haven’t seen in years. I’d love to get a massage at one of the many spas in town and then soak in the local hot springs. I’m going to be so pampered by the time I head home!

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There is a bear that frequently visits this campground so I went to Walmart and bought some bear spray. It’s now sitting just inside the door of the camper. The biggest thing is to not keep a lot of smelly food in your camper or vehicle. And always, always, always lock the car doors and keep the windows rolled up. A bear has no problem opening a car door or pulling a window out if it can get a hold of it.

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This is a very small campground and the sites are relatively close together. Someone started playing loud music at 8:45 last night and I am so glad I brought my noise canceling headphones! I just put them on, turned on my rain and thunderstorm sounds and I was good to go. I could even sleep like that if I have to but there is a noise ordinance here from 10pm to 8am. Hopefully they enforce it. That is my one pet peeve about campgrounds…loud music. That’s not what I come to the mountains for. I won’t harsh their fun, but it’s a shame when they disturb the fun of others.

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I’ll spend some time with my brother today at his day program. He said he’d be coloring and I asked if I can colors with him. He said yes, and that he might be reading, too. So, I’ll bring a good book…or my knitting…and we can sit in companionable silence. 

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?

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“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

\nIsaiah 40:30-31 ESV\n
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#Rest, #Relaxation, #Camping, #Colorado

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/19/a-homecoming-of-sorts.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Fun","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/12/she-done-good.html", "title": "She Done Good", "content_html": "\n
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We went to Big’s Awards Ceremony yesterday afternoon. (Note to self: take a pillow next time! Bleachers are not our friends!) Her name was called several times for academic achievements. She received two or three cords to wear on her robe on graduation day. And she received three plaques…one of which was Outstanding Biomedical Sciences Student of the Year. We are all very proud of her accomplishments.

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Yesterday was her last day of high school and she was never so glad of anything in her whole life. She never really loved high school. It was made that much more difficult with the two years of Covid interruptions. Yet, she is graduating with a 4.2GPA and a scholarship for swimming in college so it’s obvious she put her nose to the grindstone and did what she had to do. She is so smart…and such a good human!

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I also went shopping and bought Daughter #1 and her husband a propane heater for their deck. Their birthdays and anniversary are within five days of each other and I like getting them a combination gift they can use and enjoy for years to come. It’s a timely gift that they can use when they entertain guests at their home when all the family comes in for graduation.

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This is such a big event for parents. And I think it’s especially hard on moms when they’ve been so close to the child that is graduating. She and Big are tight and have never spent much time apart. I am sure she will handle this better than me because she has much better coping skills than I did when I was her age. Her circumstances are different, as well. First, she has a much healthier marriage. And second, she doesn’t have a two year old at home. 

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The weather heated up yesterday here in Denver. It got up to 89° which made sitting in a gym without air conditioning a little stuffy. It cools off the next couple of days which makes it easier to sleep at night. There were big winds predicted on Tuesday so I put the camper top down and moved my stuff into the guest bedroom in the house. But, by bedtime, the winds hadn’t really amounted to much of anything so I put the top back up and slept in the camper. It’s so much cooler and the bed is mine. 

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Mr. FixIt worked on the pool and watered the flowers and cleaned the sidewalks yesterday. Today he’s buying tomato plants and tilling up the space behind his friend’s house in town. They notoriously harvested the best tomatoes out of that garden. No one lives there anymore so we’re taking advantage of that good soil. I hope we get a better season this year.

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Today is a bit of a lay low day with my Colorado peeps. Perhaps I’ll get a little knitting in. I also need to dewinterize the camper. Sue will need help getting the place ready for Big’s graduation party on Sunday. There’s always something to do!

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?

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“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

\nProverbs 17:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/12/she-done-good.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/11/littles-birthday-party.html", "title": "Little’s Birthday Party", "content_html": "\n
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Little isn’t very little anymore. Turning fifteen is pretty cool for this grandchild of mine. We had a big day of cooking and laundry and cleaning. Little is into cosplay so there were lots of wonderful gifts that aligned with those interests…a long red wig, a crazy outfit, some really fun glasses and earrings shaped like sparkly radishes. Little is so much like me…marching to our own drums, creative, artistic, soulful, intelligent, funny.

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Big texted me and asked if I wanted to go to IKEA with her and of course, I jumped at the chance. She and I don’t get a lot of time together and it was so nice to have a good conversation with her…just the two of us. I can’t believe how fast the time has gone and she’s off to college in the fall. It just doesn’t seem possible.

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I received a call from a dear friend yesterday morning. I’ll get to visit with her when I’m up in the mountains camping next week. I love how certain friends pick up right where we left off and the conversation is easy.

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Still knitting the teal socks with the patterned knit. Not a lot of knitting time when there’s so much going on. I’m so happy to be here visiting my babies! Mr. FixIt mowed at the farm today and built the new fire pit. It was a busy day for everyone!

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?

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“May you see your children’s children…”

\nPsalm 128:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/11/littles-birthday-party.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/10/rest-and-relaxation.html", "title": "Rest and Relaxation", "content_html": "\n
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The hat I made yesterday. The color isn’t accurate…I took this picture in the camper. It’s actually a pale pink. See the other photo for color reference.

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Yesterday was exactly what I needed! I always camp next to the garden at my son-in-law’s parents’ place. The kids are working or in school, I have my own little space, and I get to visit with a couple of the coolest people on the planet! Ben & Sue opened their home to me after Mr. Virgo died. I came here and they nurtured me and fed me and helped me get through the first two weeks of widowhood. We’ve always been close, but when Sue had a health scare a couple of years ago, she and I became like sisters. We chat every night and we are sounding boards for each other. I am blessed to have a handful of these awesome women in my life.

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Sue and I visited all day. We made “Porcupine Balls” for Little’s birthday dinner today. Those are nothing more than regular meatballs, but you add uncooked Jasmine rice to the meat. Then you cook the meatballs in regular ol’ tomato soup from a can. And the rice sticks out of the meatballs every which way looking like little porcupines. Sue’s mom found the recipe in a pressure cooker cookbook and has made them for years. They are the most requested food for family gatherings here at the “epicenter of the universe.”

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I started knitting a hat this morning with some of the yarn I bought at The Blue Pelican Gallery in Hatteras, NC last month. I finished it just in time to go out to the camper and write. It was a slow, easy day with knitting and a nap, lots of fluids, and fun conversation. I really push the fluids when I first get here to help ward off any altitude issues. Today will be busier with a family birthday party. 

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Mr. FixIt has been busy with mowing and social events…prom pictures, Mother’s Day with family at the former Mrs. FixIt’s house, then the final softball game of the year. It’s a busy time for both of us and we miss each other something awful! We haven’t spent this much time away from each other in three years. We’ll be back together before we know it but I don’t want to wish away a moment of my time with the kids!

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?

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“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

\nPsalm 4:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/10/rest-and-relaxation.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Crafts","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/09/watching-them-grow.html", "title": "Watching Them Grow", "content_html": "\n
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We sat around the dinner table that I have come to know and love as the epicenter of the universe. The parents of my perfect son-in-law are as much my family as any of those who share my DNA. Daughter #1 and her family joined us to celebrate Mother’s Day. Watching the playful repartee between my grandchildren warmed my heart. Not too long ago, they were at each other’s throats most of the time. But I think it finally sunk in with Little…Big is leaving for college soon. This is it…the last of the family the way it’s always been. Once college enters the picture, things change.

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We told stories…old and new. We laughed and told more…each one more outrageous than the last. With each passing moment, I fell more and more in love with my family. They are hard working, fun loving, seriously good people and I am so honored to be a part of it all. It was a long, fun day and by the end of it, I was ready to call it a night. Ok. It was 7:30. But that’s 9:30 to me. That’s a respectable time to go to sleep, isn’t it?

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Daughter #2 called, her dad texted, my friends checked in, my bonus daughter and daughter-in-law called and texted. Sue and I went to the store. She made vegetable beef soup. We ate fresh fruit tart. It was a fun fun day.

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?

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“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”

\nProverbs 31:25-26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-09T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/09/watching-them-grow.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/05/03/the-sweet-smell-of-spring.html", "title": "The Sweet Smell of Spring", "content_html": "\n
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We are solidly in spring now. Tornado season is cranking up, and so my thoughts turn to the drive across tornado alley in the coming days. My living room is in utter chaos as I begin ardently sorting and deciding what I honestly need to take rather than doing what I usually do…throw everything but the kitchen sink in the truck and never use a tenth of it. The struggle is real.

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The RV dealership called me this morning to let me know they have a tracking number for the part they ordered for my fridge. They expect it to arrive today…tomorrow morning at the latest. I told them that was good, because one way or another, I’m taking the camper tomorrow. I can’t wait any longer…I need to hit the road.

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We went to town last evening for the youngest granddaughter’s senior night for softball. It was a BBQ, and afterwards, the kids played the parents in kickball which was loads of fun. I knitted as we sat and chatted with the former Mrs. FixIt. When we got home and I walked into that messy living room…my anxiety started to rise. Am I going to be ready to go tomorrow? What was that I was supposed to remember? Oy! Instead of freaking out, I sat down with my knitting and worked a couple of rows. Then I started writing my post for today, and soon I was feeling all zen again. 

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It is so easy to borrow time from the future and spend it before you even get it…all in your mind, of course. Every time a scenario presented itself in my Nervous Nelly brain, I tossed that ball over to Jesus and reminded myself, I cannot tell the future. It could turn out 1000% different than I could ever dream anyway. Every time I bring myself back to where I am in the current moment, my blood pressure goes down and I can breathe again.

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One of the most beautiful harbingers of spring is the sweet smelling lily of the valley. We had these sweet little flowers growing by the steps to our front porch when I was a child. I distinctly remember picking them and inhaling their heady fragrance deep to my core and thinking there was nothing finer in this world than a spring day. I went to my friend’s on Sunday to pick something up and he had me pinch off a sprig to smell on my way home. What a trip down memory lane. 

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I have a video consult with my endocrine surgeon this morning at 9:00 then I can go full tilt packing for the trip. In the meantime, I’m just going to chill and enjoy the process. 

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?

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“And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”

\nMark 6:31 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-05-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/05/03/the-sweet-smell-of-spring.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/04/27/manners-are-important.html", "title": "Manners are Important", "content_html": "\n
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It seems a goodly portion of society today has forgotten their manners. Or, maybe they didn’t have them in the first place. What happened to all the Grandmas insisting the young ones say please and thank you and respect their elders? Are people with impeccable manners a thing of the past? Gosh…I surely hope not.

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There are regional rules of etiquette. Young people in the south are routinely taught to say “Yes, ma’am” and “No, sir”. While hand written thank you notes seem to be positively prehistoric to most people today. Things are much more relaxed in the West, but here in West Virginia…in my generation…we were taught good manners. We even had special assemblies in school where we learned the proper way to put on a coat and to enter a room. How to shake hands and make eye contact. 

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When my girls were young, I taught them what all the spoons and forks were for in a formal place setting, just in case they found themselves in such a situation. They learned to converse with adults. I taught them their opinion mattered…even when it differed with that of management…ie, their parents. I took my older daughter’s friends out for breakfast at McDonald’s and we played a game I called “Worse Case Scenario”. I’d give them a hypothetical situation and they discussed it amongst themselves and decided what the best course of action would be. Those kids are grown and sending their own kids off to college. They still remember that game.

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Mr. FixIt has such old world manners. When we were first dating, he opened the car door for me every time. I soon told him that was fine for dates, but he needn’t do that every time. Still, when we walk down the street together, he always walks to the outside between me and traffic. It’s charming. He won my heart when he bowed his head in front of my mom’s grave and introduced himself to her. He told her how much he loved me and that he would take good care of me till the day he dies. He melts my heart.

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There’s something I have noticed when we drive places. I almost always do the driving. Sometimes I’ll catch a quick movement out of the corner of my eye and look over at him. I can tell he moved, but I wasn’t quite sure what he was doing. I didn’t want to ask him…I wanted to figure it out on my own. I finally got my answer on our way home from the beach last weekend. 

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We switched turns driving in Charlottesville, VA. Some ways down the road, I happened to be looking over at him when I caught a swift motion. He was saluting! I looked back at the road just in time to see a sign on the bridge we were crossing. It had been dedicated to the memory of a certain soldier. There was an American flag stuck on the sign. My husband was physically honoring a fallen soldier and our flag!

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My heart swelled with pride and tears stung my eyes. What a beautiful thing to do. We also pull over for funeral processions. He has such a huge heart. We neither one had the best of childhoods, but I thank his late mama for teaching him how to be a good husband. I wish more men were like my Mr. FixIt. The world would be a more loving and honorable place.

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?

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“Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”

\n1 Samuel 2:30 ESV\n
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#Esteem, #Honor, #Manners

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-04-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/04/27/manners-are-important.html", "tags": ["Family","Aging","Kindness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/04/10/biscuits-birthdays-and-bounty.html", "title": "Biscuits, Birthdays, and Bounty", "content_html": "\n
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Remember when I learned how to bake biscuits like Miss Brenda Gantt? I mixed them up in a “nest” right in the flour of the biscuit bowl, then covered the bowl with a clean pillowcase to use the next time. Well, the flour sat in that bowl over the winter. I didn’t bake them as often as I thought I would. I got the bowl out yesterday to make a batch of biscuits for breakfast and they were awful! The flour was stale and had picked up flavors from cooking. And the leavening was no longer active. I was so disappointed, not only in the biscuits themselves, but in the fact that I now need to throw all that flour away. It’s such a waste. If I knew someone who had pigs, I’d send it off to them, but I don’t.

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Our day was totally uneventful until late afternoon. Mr. FixIt found a rebuilt lawnmower on FB Marketplace for our rental house so we headed over there to get it before we headed to our youngest FixIt’s 18th birthday party. The place was much further out than we originally thought. It rained off and on all day yesterday and we drove out through the country just as the clouds were parting. We went out one of those typical West Virginia single lane roads up a holler to the top of a steep hill. We kept chasing the rainbows with every turn. These people had the most amazing views from their house.

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We had a lovely evening with the family. Our great-grandpuppy is growing up fast and has learned more tricks. The birthday girl got lots of gifts she can use as she heads off to college in the fall as well as a dousing with Silly String. The former Mrs. FixIt brought some quail eggs to show us. The egg lady gave her a dozen when she went to pick up her egg order yesterday. They are so pretty with their brown spots. Nature’s decoration. 

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So, I don’t have a lot of newsy, noteworthy, deep-thinking things to talk about today. Just life in it’s infinite beauty…moments spent with people I love…doing the mundane, everyday stuff. But, isn’t this what we live for? These days of calm in a boiling sea of angst? I feel so incredibly blessed to have this life. Oh, and my truck turned over 120,000 miles last night! Thank you, God for the bounty we receive!

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?

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“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

\nJames 1:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-04-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/04/10/biscuits-birthdays-and-bounty.html", "tags": ["Family","Aging","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/03/19/big-on-the-big-screen.html", "title": "Big on the Big Screen", "content_html": "\n
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I gave her her first bath, much to her parent’s dismay. I misunderstood. She wanted me to show her how to bathe the baby by not actually DOING it. We all survived and there were plenty of other baths for mom and dad to participate in. Anyway, my first grandchild has gone from a little tadpole to a barracuda. She and her mom are up north at one of her last swim meets as a high school student. Big texted this afternoon with a link and we pulled her events up on the big screen TV. There, I watched my beautiful girls…Big in the water and Daughter #1 timing the races. 

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I found myself staring at my daughter between heats. Even though she was clear over on the other side of the pool and the picture was fuzzy, I’d know her anywhere. She still stands like she did when she was little. Gosh, I miss my Colorado peeps terribly. I’m counting down. In two months, I’ll be there with them for Big’s high school graduation.

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This is a big year for that. My youngest bonus grandchild graduates in May four days after Big. Then, in August, Mr. FixIt and I will attend our 50+1 Year High School Reunion. We are a year late due to covid. We are truly hoping all will be well for that event. Who knows…between covid and world events, things are dicey.

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Yesterday was so lovely and warm. One of my school chums is coming today to pick up “Birdie” and she’s heading off to live in Virginia. We worked on her yesterday and made sure everything was in good order. I went in to our home safe to get the title and…it wasn’t there! I checked the safe deposit box last week and it wasn’t there either. I told Mr. FixIt, I’d better head to town and get a duplicate or we were in big trouble. 

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They’re doing some repair work on the two lane about halfway to town. There’s a huge bump that hooves up over the winter. They come in periodically and shave it down, but this time they decided to do a more permanent fix. The traffic was down to one lane with a flagger. As I sat there, I went through the sequence of events, trying to remember where I could have possibly put that title. Suddenly, it hit me!

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It was in my purse! I put it there when we traveled to Colorado last year. I learned my lesson when I had to sell that small camper a couple of years ago halfway through my trip because the rough interstate shook the stuffings out of it and it wasn’t safe to tow back. I had to have Mr. FixIt overnight the title. When it arrived, it was the wrong one so we had to try again. This time I had it with us, just in case.

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That eliminated the long wait at the DMV, which is always a great relief. I did need to replace some big washers on the weight distribution hitch that goes with the camper. And I needed a new ball for our hitch. I filled up with gas. $100 was the cutoff on the pump…per purchase on plastic. It was full, so I left it alone. Every time I stand in front of the gas pump or the checkout in the market, all I can see are empty baby carriages on a train platform and I hand over the money with such gratitude. 

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As I write this, I can hear the spring peepers out there…singing their siren songs…wooing their prospective mates. An occasional night bird I’ve yet to identify calls. The bark of a dog comes echoing down the holler and cars accelerate up the two lane blacktop out front, gaining speed for the steep hill ahead. I can hear the faint background music on the detective show Mr. FixIt loves to watch. Our world here is light years away from the strife and trauma of Ukraine. I pray peace for these people…and for our world. I donate and make informed choices at the voting booth. And I turn it over to God and live the best life I can. I don’t want to squander one moment of it. Those whose lives have ground to a halt in this war would give anything to have this peace. I pray it comes soon.

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Today is coffee with my high school friends. We’ll hug and love on each other and not waste a moment of the time we’ve been given. And I’ll try to keep my mind from going into the “what if” closet.

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?

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“Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!”

\nPsalm 120:6-7 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/03/19/big-on-the-big-screen.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","God","Peace","Birdie","War"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/03/15/my-little-hideaway.html", "title": "My Little Hideaway", "content_html": "\n
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It was sunny and gorgeous yesterday and just about all the snow has melted. The creeks were roaring and the ground was spongy beneath my feet as I walked out to the camper for a little recharge. I do so love having a space to call my own. I love taking a good book and crawling under the electric blanket for a read and a little nap. It’s so restorative. 

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Just as I drifted off, the whole camper shuddered and I thought a huge gust of wind had come up…like a microburst. It turns out, it was the large slab of snow on the slanted roof that gave way from the warmth of the rising sun. Honestly, I about jumped out of my skin when I heard that roar and felt the rumble. 

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When I got out to the “Big Birdhouse”, it was still pretty cold. I plugged in my little ceramic heater and the fan gurgled and groaned and I realized it was on its last leg. I went back in the house and brought out the “fireplace”. I bought this heater when I was living in Big TOW-Wanda up on the banks of the Ohio River in 2015. 

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One thing I didn’t realize with this bigger heater…it doesn’t have a thermostat. I was all snuggled up and once I got warm, I fell asleep. After an hour or so, the temperature outside was 62° and I woke up in what felt like a dry sauna! It had to have been 90° or more because that heater just kept running. 

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We went to a birthday party for one of the West Virginia grands last night. We got to play with our “great grand-doggy”, Ivy. She is a Bern-Doodle and is the sweetest girl. It feels weird to gather with people again. We felt fairly comfortable because everyone had been vaccinated and boosted. But, I’m not sure I will ever look at socializing the same.

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Today is the knitter’s gathering. I’ve already come to look forward to Tuesdays! It reminds me of when my youngest was little and I was a stay-at-home mom. When she turned two, her pediatrician said it was time to start socializing her so I took her two days a week to the daycare program through the hospital. That gave me a few hours to clean uninterrupted and gather with some girlfriends to stitch. Women need community. It is just as important now as it was when I was a young mother.

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Our weather will be warm and sunny till Friday. I do believe Spring has sprung!!!

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?

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“for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.”

\nSong of Solomon 2:11-12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/03/15/my-little-hideaway.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/03/03/a-meteorological-spring-day.html", "title": "A Meteorological Spring Day", "content_html": "\n
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It was sixty-five degrees and sunny here in the Mid-Ohio Valley yesterday. What a glorious day! Mr. FixIt piddled around on a project outdoors while I piddled around indoors. I knitted on the baby sweater and got one sleeve half finished. And finally, around 3:30 or so, we headed into town. Our son-in-law’s birthday was yesterday so we needed to stop and give him his gift. Then we went to the City Park and walked. It was the first time since last fall that I’ve gone out and walked for exercise. I was pleasantly surprised that my bones didn’t hurt all that bad. I’m hoping this new regimen I’m on will help me get out and exercise more so I can lose some weight and feel better.

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There are flower beds all around the park and the first one we came to had crocus and snowdrops blooming! The park was filled with people walking and enjoying the warm, springy weather. Everyone was happy and we greeted each other like long lost friends. Red and grey squirrels scampered around in the leaves looking for errant acorns. There was one lone black squirrel…his inky color easy to spot from further away.

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We came around the far side of the park and saw the high school baseball team out on the field preparing it for an evening game. Dust was flying as one young man pulled along a bar with chains, dragging it across the earth to smooth it. The sun was setting beyond the baseball diamond and the sky was dapple with fish scale clouds. It was just lovely.

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We left the park and took the long way out through the outskirts of town. We followed a creek through rolling hills and horse farms. We were heading to my bonus son’s house. Our daughter-in-law also had a birthday yesterday. We had a small family gathering and we remarked how absolutely foreign it felt. We are all vaccinated and boosted so we felt comfortable enough being together. But I don’t think I’ll ever look at socializing the same again.

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We drove through light rain showers on our way home and today isn’t supposed to get higher than the mid-forties. This is the time of year where each day presents a different season. It’s hard to know what to wear and indeed…you can be bundled like it’s winter in the morning and by the time 4:00 rolls around, you need a t-shirt. So, a cool day means there’s an open invitation to knit the day away sans guilt.

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It was a beautiful day…the closest to normal as I’ve experienced in a very long time. It feels like breathing for the first time. Today, I am remembering my good friend Monica. We went to school together. Monica died in her sleep ten years ago today. Her husband still pines for her and mourns her loss like it was yesterday. Please keeps Steve and family in your thoughts and prayers today. And, of course…the courageous people of Ukraine.

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??

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“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.””

\nHosea 6:3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-03T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/03/03/a-meteorological-spring-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/02/08/feeling-my-age-this-week.html", "title": "Feeling My Age This Week", "content_html": "\n
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Surgery takes the starch out of you. I slept well Sunday night and got up at a reasonable hour. I made a cup of tea and a beeline for my recliner and that’s about the extent of my day. I finished knitting the first sleeve of this sweater. I got a followup call from the surgeon’s office to see how I’m doing. I went all day with no pain medicine…the first since surgery on Friday. By the time the early news was over, I felt like I ran a marathon. I took a nice shower and got the last of the adhesive from the bandage and ECG tabs off. It was beginning to irritate my skin. Mr. FixIt brought me a frozen fruit bar and tucked me in to write. 

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My friends and family have been texting and calling to check in on me. Doesn’t that make you feel so wonderful when people care for you? I know how truly blessed I am to have my extended family and friend network…from all over the country. And, you have no idea what you all mean to me here. I started this blog as a way to not only help myself through my grief, but to help others along the way. I recognize so many of your names. I know so many of your stories. I feel like we’re more than just a blogger and her readers. In so many ways we are sisters and friends because we share this journey together. I know I tell you from time to time, but I just want to reiterate how much I truly appreciate you all for being here through all the ups and downs of life. I hope I help you in whatever way I can, even if it’s just holding you in my prayers.

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The sun was out yesterday and the temperature climbed up close to 50°. As I sat and knitted row after row, I reminded myself, the first week of February is already over! The days are already noticeably longer. I’m so glad I had to opportunity to get this surgery out of the way earlier rather than later so now I can just concentrate to regaining my strength as I watch springtime approach. Mr. FixIt was a doll yesterday and washed the windows in the family room. The gas heater in there makes the glass filmy. Now I can see the sunshine sparkling on the snow. I wish we had another large window on the wall behind Mr. FixIt’s recliner so we can see the birds in the feeders, but then it would be terribly hot in there in the summer. I am grateful for all that we have because it’s way more than enough.

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Mr. FixIt and his buddy are delivering firewood to one of the grandkids today and I will have the house to myself for a bit. I will knit and pray as a dear friend has a medical procedure done during the day. We are hoping this will help her feel much better. So, if you don’t mind, send some prayers up for her today. Thank you all so much…you’re the best!

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❄️❤️❄️

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“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.”

\nJeremiah 17:14 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-02-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/02/08/feeling-my-age-this-week.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Positive Energy","Writing","Friends","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/01/30/thoughts-and-feelings-on-a.html", "title": "Thoughts and Feelings on a Cold Blue Winter’s Day", "content_html": "\n
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Wow…is it cold or what? We were in Columbus the last few days and felt the bitter blasts of flat Midwest winds. I didn’t even look up the wind chill factor. I think it just makes you colder. But I do know this…when it’s 3° outside and the wind is blowing, it’s flat out miserable. Our hotel room was on the first floor. I don’t know if the room was cold simply because it was cold outside or the fact we were sitting on a huge slab of cement. The heater had a governor on it and you couldn’t turn the thermostat up over 78° and at that level, it blew nothing but cool air…until it didn’t. Then it got way too warm. Next time, we will elect to stay on an upper floor. 

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As we were driving home yesterday, Mr. FixIt asked if we could stop at Rocky Boots in Nelsonville, OH. We are of an age now that we know to ask each other what we want for our birthday or Christmas gifts. We have everything we need and there’s absolutely no need to go overboard on huge gifts…especially if it’s not something we really want. Mr. FixIt has a big birthday coming up so I’ve asked him to let me know what he would like. Unfortunately, he has an unusual foot size so he wasn’t able to find the comfy boots he was hoping for. We’ll have to keep looking. 

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We were surprised that Columbus got so much less snow than we have at home. You could really tell the difference between Columbus and Nelsonville. We got out of the truck and there were piles of snow reminiscent of my winters in Colorado. When we got back in the truck and headed home, there was something about the way the sun reflected on the snow under the clear cerulean blue sky brought me back in time.

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Have you ever had a memory come to you and instantly you are transported across time and space to something warm and wonderful? That is what happened yesterday. It was the winter of 1982. Denver had a Christmas Eve blizzard that stopped the city in its tracks. People were delivering nurses to the hospitals on snowmobiles. And once you were there, you didn’t come home till the roads were cleared. Hubby #2 was in Medical School so fortunately, he was home with us.

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We rented an old brick bungalow the color of a sandy beach. It had big windows and zero insulation. We had no money to speak of. We used a kerosene stove in the middle of the living room for extra heat. Daughter #1 was eight years old. We gave her the only bedroom in the house and we slept out on the sun porch in the back. Ice formed in the corners of her room and on the windows in ours.

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We were poor and in love and didn’t care that we had no money. We walked to the store in the snow and carried our groceries back home. I was filled with dreams of living in the country and having a farm with chickens and gardens. I baked our bread, made homemade granola and yogurt, and started seedlings inside for what vegetables we could grow in the flowerbeds around the house. We did whatever we could to entertain ourselves on the cheap.

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That’s where I was teleported yesterday as I drove through the farmland of Ohio. I held that warm memory up to the light of today and realized…I’m exactly where I dreamed I would be oh those many years ago. It isn’t at all like I thought it would be at the time. There was a whole other marriage and a death between then and now. Another child came along to add to the family. Dogs filled our hearts and broke them when their all-too-short lives came to an end. Moves were made. Hearts were broken and mended. Old lives were lost and new lives were added and here I am…back where I started.

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West Virginia. With a different West Virginia boy than the one I first set out with. And a big family to love. I bake our bread, I can our food, I grow a garden. That’s why that warm feeling that came over me yesterday seemed so familiar. 

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It is my life. And it is so, so good.

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❄️?❄️

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“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”

\nProverbs 16:9 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-01-30T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/01/30/thoughts-and-feelings-on-a.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Aging","Farm Life","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/01/23/more-cast-iron-more-knitting.html", "title": "More Cast Iron, More Knitting, More Snow", "content_html": "\n
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My son-in-law’s mom texted me yesterday. She found a really cool piece of cast iron in the shed they’re cleaning out and will hold it for me till we get there in May. This is called a Gem Pan. Our grandmas and great grandmas made Gem Cakes in these back in the day. It looks like you could also use the pan to bake individual tarts or mini quiches, as well as corn cakes.

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My grandma didn’t have anything as fancy as this. She had two or three cast iron skillets. My mom had several. I took them with me when mom died and I cleaned out her house and of all things…they were amongst the items I let go of when I downsized. In the end, it’s ok. Because, one cast iron pan is as good as the next for cooking in and this way, I’ve been able to concentrate on collecting Griswolds. I do have several pieces that are unmarked save for a size number.

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I finished the tube portion of the first sock in this pair yesterday. Now I need to cut in the heel. I want to finish this pair quickly because my sweater yarn arrives next week and I can hardly wait to start on that. I chose three colors…a soft heather grey, a medium rose heather, and a dark heather grey. I have the supplies I need and I’ll print out the pattern. This one doesn’t have a tutorial video. I found those to be so helpful when knitting the socks. I saved them on my YouTube channel so I can go back and view them when I need clarification on a particular step.

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Now that I know my surgery will be coming up sooner rather than later, I do need to get some things done around the house in preparation. I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to be traveling or I know I’m going to be down for a while, I like to have the house in order, the pantry stocked, and maybe even some dishes prepared ahead of time to make meals easier upon my return. Remember…we were talking just the other day about being a good scout and always being prepared.

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I am so grateful that my family members with covid are getting over it now. Thank God for vaccines…they really did their job in protecting them from severe illness. I was talking with a couple of my cousins this weekend and we marveled that we had managed to avoid getting it. Then, I woke up yesterday morning with a scratchy throat. The older I get, the more easily I choke on my own saliva…or air, for that matter. I got choked Friday afternoon, so I think that’s why my throat was a little sore. I’m going to watch it and not get up in Mr. FixIt’s face for a couple of days. I mean, after all this time staying well, wouldn’t it be a bummer to get covid right before I’m scheduled for surgery?

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My girlfriends from my class are gathering for coffee on Saturday, but I’m not going. Other than going to the hospital for my pre operative testing, I’m sequestering myself from everyone. I don’t want to run any risks. There will be time for gathering for coffee after this surgery is done.

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The temperature was 3 degrees at our house yesterday morning. I think it’s going to be warmer in the next few days. Isn’t it funny when you start to call the 30’s “warm”? It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? We have a 62% chance of snow today.What’s it doing in your neck of the woods?

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❄️?❄️

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“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.”

\nPsalms 127:2 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-01-23T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/01/23/more-cast-iron-more-knitting.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Peaceful Moments","Farm Life","Crafts","Cooking","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/01/21/the-arctic-blast-is-coming.html", "title": "The Arctic Blast is Coming", "content_html": "\n
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The temps are taking a nosedive in the coming days and we commented yesterday how thrilled we are that we don’t have to go out in it. We awoke yesterday morning to the news that our fourth great-grandchild was born in the wee small hours. Another healthy baby…thank you, God! That makes four little ones now. It’s really hard not getting together like we did pre-pandemic. Some of the family vaccinates…some don’t. We don’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable so we will hold off our visits till spring when we can all sit outside. 

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When we saw the weather forecast yesterday, Mr. FixIt asked if we had any appointments coming up or do we have a stretch of time to stay in. I was thrilled to see we don’t have anything till Tuesday. More knitting time! When I was finishing the striped socks last week, I thought I was going to run out of wool. I ordered an extra skein, then ended up not using it. Since you only get one sock per skein out of this particular yarn, I went ahead and ordered a second one. Since I finished the “seascape” socks Tuesday night, I started a new pair with the striped yarn yesterday morning. It knits up much faster than the fingering yarn I just finished.

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I’m hoping to bake some sourdough bread this weekend. I haven’t made any since I taught Little how to bake it last summer. I bought yet another new sourdough starter last week. I’m hoping I can keep this one alive better than I did the last one. I threw myself into baking the first year of the coronavirus. I also managed to pack on about twenty pounds. I have finally started losing that, so I need to be careful and not bake or eat out of boredom. I have a tub of chocolate chip cookie dough in the fridge. I’ve discovered if I just bake four cookies and put the tub away, we don’t keep sneaking into the kitchen to mindlessly grab more.

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I am finding it harder to get out and get some fresh air when it’s this cold. I need to make a more concerted effort to walk the perimeter of our property…at least a few times a week. On the plus side, I’m not feeling the winter blahs as much this years as I have in years past. We are trying to put joyful things in front of us to look forward to. We have a trip to Columbus next week for a doctor’s appointment, which in and of itself is not joyful. However, Mr. FixIt’s 70th Birthday is coming up the following week so we will stay overnight to celebrate in some way.

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April is our trip to the beach. And May sees us heading to Colorado for Big’s graduation from high school, then rushing back here for our youngest FixIt grandchild’s graduation. So, I either need to have my surgery in February or March…or wait till after the graduations are over. We’ll just have to see what they can do.

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What are you doing to help pass the time this winter? Are you working on projects or reading good books? Show us what you’ve got by sharing photos of your projects in the comments.

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❄️?❄️

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“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”

\nProverbs 16:3 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-01-21T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/01/21/the-arctic-blast-is-coming.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/01/18/a-beautiful-day-in-the.html", "title": "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood", "content_html": "\n
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As it turned out, we got quite a bit more snow that I thought we would, given the meager amount when I went to bed Sunday night. The sun was shining for a while in the morning and it was pristine. Mr. FixIt waited for a while before he went out to blow the snow off the sidewalks. Our snowblower is battery powered and the snow was deep and pretty dense. He had to take it in two sessions to give the battery a chance to recharge.

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It never got over freezing yesterday. I was so glad we had nowhere to go. I put a pork roast in the crockpot in the morning and worked on the socks I’m knitting. When my sweetie came back in from his second trip out in the snow, I warmed his tummy with a plate of roast pork, sauerkraut, and fried potatoes. Comfort food is so good on days like this.

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I’ve been thinking of my mom a lot the last couple of days. We are coming up to the eighteenth anniversary of her death soon. I was trying to remember what she would have served us when we came in from playing in the snow. She wasn’t much of a cook, but she made the BEST potato soup I’ve ever had. I’ve tried so many times to recreate it with only nominal success. 

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I don’t think anything you make in your adult life will stand up to comparison with something your mom or grandma cooked for you when you were a child. Even a grilled cheese and tomato soup from a can tasted better when Mom made it. There was such a huge dollop of love in everything they prepared for us in the kitchens of our youth.

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When Grandma made pies, she always took the extra crust, sprinkled it with salt, and baked it. I swear, I could take a whole recipe of pie crust and bake it that way and be hard pressed to not eat the whole thing. I’ve never been terribly taken with the filling in pies anyway. Just give me the crust with salt…or maybe with a little strawberry jam or apple butter on it…and I’m a happy camper.

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I will forever miss my mom. 

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\"Mom\"
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Her cool hand on my forehead when I was sick. Her warm hugs that comforted me when I cried. The way she stroked my head with her soft fingers when she was putting me to sleep. Humming “Bye oh, Bye oh” when she rocked me. She smelled like powder and love. Her full head of wavy black hair was accentuated by the ruby red lipstick she wore. 

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I could make her laugh till she flew into a coughing fit. She didn’t have an easy life with my dad, so I lived to make her laugh and forget her troubles…if even for just a little while. I wish I would have been kinder…more generous…more available to her in her later years. I lived in Colorado for forty years and came home every summer for at least two weeks, sometimes longer. She came to visit me a few times. 

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I never understood her insistence that she live here in West Virginia. Till now. And here I am… 1400 miles away from my kids and grandkids. I’m sure they don’t understand my insistence that I live here, either. I spent my entire adult life wishing I lived “back home”. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have Colorado and West Virginia closer to each other. I understand my mom a lot more now than I did at any other time in my life.

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We have no place else to go today and I’ll be finished with this pair of socks in another day or so. We aren’t expecting any more snow in the next couple of days. As I expected, school was cancelled here today…because it snowed yesterday…so the kids get a four day weekend. Maybe their mamas will fill their little tummies with a nice bowl of potato soup when they come in from sledding.

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That would be nice.

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❄️?❄️

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\n

“fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him,”

\nPsalms 148:8 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-01-18T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/01/18/a-beautiful-day-in-the.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/12/12/soft-memories-hard-memories.html", "title": "Soft Memories, Hard Memories", "content_html": "\n
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There are so many good memories wrapped up in this Holiday Season. Memories of Christmases past can bring us so much joy and peace. Unfortunately, these times can also bring us hard, painful memories. Hurtful things may have happened to us as children and the holidays can trigger that. And, some of us are experiencing our first or second holiday without our person and we find little joy in the twinkling lights and merriment invading the sturdily erected walls we’ve placed around our hearts. 

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I remember well that first holiday after Mr. Virgo died. All I wanted to do was draw up in a ball in my bed and stay there till spring. I know I went to Denver to be with my kids that Christmas, but I have no memory of it. I do remember an amazing visit with Santa and sharing my broken heart with him. I had such hopes that the second Christmas would be better, but things fell apart with my elderly aunt at the farm and I had to change directions yet again. The third Christmas was easier, and subsequent holidays easier still.

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That doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten Mr. Virgo, or that I don’t think of him…especially at holiday time. It’s really hard to explain the changes my new love has brought me. There has been great healing in my heart. Mr. FixIt is such a great husband and my best friend. And still, there is a place in my heart where Mr. Virgo lives. It takes a very strong man to marry a widow, just like it takes a very strong person to marry someone who’s been divorced. There are wounds there. And scars. We wrap our wounds together and hold each other close and in time, things mend and stitch together. But, there will forever be a scar there. Grief is the price we pay for love.

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I attended an 80th birthday celebration yesterday for one of my mom’s cousins. I gifted Sue one of the memory books of the farm that I wrote this fall. I gave it to her when I arrived, then told her I knew she would be busy greeting all her guests, so I was going to borrow the book and return it before I left. I walked around and shared it with several family members and It was a lot of fun. Those are the soft memories that bring us warmth and joy. We talked about the summers picking strawberries. There were pictures in there some hadn’t seen. I’ve also done a great deal of work on the family tree. I showed them photos of their great-great grandparents and shared some of the stories I know. I’m sensing another book needs to be written…The Farm, Part 2.

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I had coffee with some of my classmates yesterday morning which was lovely. I spent the majority of the day chasing down some last minute Christmas gifts. I’m almost finished with the shopping then we can wrap and deliver. For several reasons, we won’t be having a great big family gathering this year. But we’ll have smaller groups and still make warm memories together.

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I think the biggest gift I’m giving myself and Mr. FixIt is as stress free a holiday as I can this year. We have a lot going on in the next few weeks, so “easy does it” is the name of the game. Mr. FixIt baked his FAMOUS peanut butter cookies with the kisses on top yesterday. I had hoped all the baking would be done by now, but I’m afraid not. He did get the new angel on top of the tree yesterday. Maybe I’ll get some baking done today and watch some Christmas movies. That sounds peaceful to me.

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❄️

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\n

“remember the former things of old….”

\nIsaiah 46:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-12T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/12/soft-memories-hard-memories.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Memories","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/12/09/our-tree-is-dying-a.html", "title": "Our Tree is Dying a Slow Death", "content_html": "\n
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Our Christmas tree is giving up the ghost…slowly but surely. Mr. FixIt came back in the living room last evening and looked at the tree with a puzzled expression.

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“I think more lights have gone out.”

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“Oh, surely not,” I said as I whipped around to look. Indeed…there was a mysterious black hole where I distinctly remember light the day before.

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Rats. I snapped a quick picture and compared the lights to Tuesday’s, and sure enough…they’re dying off, one by one. Double rats. Our new angel arrived yesterday…a full twelve days before it’s estimated delivery date. The tree is going to stay up till at least Valentine’s Day. So, I think I may run to town and get a new one. This one is a “pencil tree”…a tall, thin job that doesn’t take up a lot of floor space. It’s exactly what I needed when I was living at the farm. But this family room is huge. Think “extra-large-two-car-garage” big. We can go with a fatter tree…with more lights! LOTS of lights! LED lights that don’t burn out in five short years. Yep…I think I’ll go tomorrow when I see the chiropractor and shop for a new tree. 

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The endless saga of Christmas decorations. Not every year goes smoothly…what can I say?

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Mr. FixIt and I went shopping for the cookie containers for Christmas giving. They had a pretty good sale at Dollar General. We bought a box of 32 Christmas cards and three sacks full of containers for $15. I didn’t think that was bad at all. I sent out about 3/4 of our Christmas cards yesterday. I love getting cards so in order to get them, you need to send them. Postage has gone up so much, I balance that by buying more affordable cards. Gone are the days of Hallmark cards with foil envelope liners and 3D cutouts and pop ups. If I had my act together, I’d make cards like I did in the old days…but I didn’t help work five acres of land back then. It’s the thought that counts. And, I do take the time and write a personal note in each one, so…there’s that.

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Around here, I’m seeing just a little lower supply in some things. I noticed a lot of the processed meats for sandwiches were picked over. I don’t usually buy them anyway because of the sodium content. We’ve never had to go without something we really needed. I bought gas yesterday for $3.02 at Sam’s. That’s an improvement. It seems meat is staying high. I’m not paying $35 for three ribeye steaks. I bought a rotisserie chicken for $4.98. We each had a leg/thigh quarter last night with a hefty serving of steamed broccoli. A huge bag of broccoli florets cost $3.74. That will give us side dishes all week. The breast meat will give us at least three meals of sandwiches, and I can simmer the carcass and add the last of the broccoli for a nice chicken noodle soup this week. Two bags of chopped salad came to less then $6.00 and blueberries were on sale as were clementines. They’re both great in salads and an excellent source of fiber and vitamins. I did spring for a bag of pecan halves. I like to break them up a little and make my own candied nuts to add to oatmeal, yogurt, and salads. And, if I candy some of the halves and wrap them, we can add them to the holiday gift baskets. 

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I remember when Hubby #2 was in Medical School and Residency. We made it an adventure to see how far we could stretch our food and entertainment dollars. I’ve lived the fat years of plenty and the lean years of want. I know we are incredibly blessed to be in the financial situation we are in now and I am incredibly grateful to be at Medicare age. The trick is to know contentment and gratitude no matter where you find yourself. I thank God every day for His bountiful provision.

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Today, we bake!

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❄️

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“But all things should be done decently and in order.”

\n1 Corinthians 14:40 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-09T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/09/our-tree-is-dying-a.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/12/08/lifes-perfect-imperfections.html", "title": "Life’s Perfect Imperfections", "content_html": "\n
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There is nothing in life that is perfect save for the love of God. Flaws face us at every turn and no matter how hard we try, we will never be perfect. When you operate as a perfectionist, you rob yourself of so many opportunities to laugh at yourself. You cheat yourself out of the glorious feeling of being good enough. That doesn’t mean you don’t strive for better. We all should. Like Little said this summer when we were baking together in our country kitchen in West Virginia….”We should have a baking show! We’ll call it Bear and Nana’s Baking Show. And our tag line will be…It’s Good Enough!” My Little Bear gets it! I wish I would have at that age!

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I finally finished decorating the tree yesterday. The last of the precious vintage and hand blown ornaments went up and I carefully placed them where we can see and enjoy them all season. Mr. FixIt went out to the building and found a timer plug so the lights will automatically come on in the morning and off at midnight. I love to see the lights all day. I’ll take every opportunity to bring more light into my life…especially when the days are getting shorter and the nights still get longer.

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I no sooner finished and put the boxes away when Mr. FixIt walked in and said, “What’s wrong with the tree?” I looked over and wouldn’t you know…another strand of those pre-lit lights went out?!?! My heart sank a little. I tried to figure out if it bothered me enough to take everything off the tree, string new lights on it, and decorate it again and you know? It does not. After we watched The Voice last night and I prepared to come in our room to write to you, I sat on the edge of my seat and stared at the tree. 

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“You know what?” I asked my sweet husband. “Nothing on this earth is perfect so this is just going to be our year of the imperfect tree.” 

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“Eh, we’re getting the new tree top angel pretty soon. Maybe she’ll brighten up the top of the tree.”

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Yep, I’m sure she will. 

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As I was sifting through the box of fragile ornaments, I came across a little treasure trove. I put those ornaments away in February, and I have no memory of tucking this little packet inside. Maybe it got placed there as I absentmindedly searched through boxes at some point since. You know, like the time I finally found a long lost phone book in the freezer. It happened to be in my hand and when my mind went in a different direction, i just set it aside as I picked up the rump roast.

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I sat down in my recliner and sifted through to see what I’d found. There were several photos of past employee parties when Hubby #2 was finishing his internship and residency in Denver. There was a photo of a cloth doll I made when you couldn’t get your hands on a Cabbage Patch kid to save your life. My foster sister and her husband, looking like the babies they were, in their wedding picture. I sent it to their son. There was a funeral card for my step great grandmother. How did these things even get in there? I found two slips of paper torn from notepads with the autographs of Avery Schreiber and Harry Belafonte. I met them back in the early ‘80s. 

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But, the very best treat was a letter from my grandma written in her eighth grade hand. Her letters were always newsy, telling us what was going on at the farm. She always told us about the weather and who had come to visit her and when she’d seen the doctor last. Whenever I find one of her letters, it almost feels like a little visit with her. Mom always read her letters out loud to us. They always started out “Dear Ones…” no matter who she was writing to. Mom wrote back to her faithfully, even though we lived less than thirty miles away. When I married and moved away, her letters were precious jewels to me and I still cherish them when I run across one.

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The next thing we will tackle is the annual Christmas cookies. Mr. FixIt will make his peanut butter cookies with the kisses on top. I’ll search my recipes and come up with some fun ones to bake. We like to give away containers of cookies every year to the neighbors and family and friends. My back is all better now so I’m ready to rumble!

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❄️

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\n

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

\nProverbs 22:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/08/lifes-perfect-imperfections.html", "tags": ["Family","Aging","Baking","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/12/06/old-stuff-and-new-stuff.html", "title": "Old Stuff and New Stuff", "content_html": "\n
\n\n\n

Daughter #1 tagged me in a post over the weekend. It seems she was going through items that had been in a storage shed for 15 years and came across a tin of hand made Christmas ornaments she and I made together when she was little. They were salt dough gingerbread men and I’m amazed they lasted this long. Three of them were broken beyond repair and disintegrating, but she laid them out on a paper towel and took pictures of them so I could remember with her.

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I got a tiny bit verklempt. I still remember the day we made them. We didn’t have a ton of money when she was a child so we handmade a lot of things. I remember cutting the hole in the top with a straw so we could string that curly ribbon through it to hang. I remember how proud she was to paint the Girl Scout. I think she was only in Girl Scouts a couple of years so this had to have been elementary school. I don’t remember what we painted them with, but I do remember putting a coat of something like ModPodge on them to make them last.

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It’s so cool to make memories with your kids when they’re growing up. And you don’t know what activity is going to stick with them and give them warm memories of their own. She remembers long bike rides and trips to the library because they were free. She also remembers what it was like to eat black and white boxes of macaroni and cheese and whatever you could grow in the yard out back. She remembers trips to West Virginia and combing her great grandmother’s long hair. This is the daughter that is not overtly demonstrative. She is a much more matter of fact, rub a little dirt in it and keep going, shake it off kind of person. I wouldn’t expect her to cry at a Kodak commercial. But this gal will drop what she is doing and run to your side in a moment’s notice if you need her. Sharing this little memory made my day.

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Talk about making someone’s day, I made Mr. FixIt as fine a country dinner as I’ve ever cooked last night. My bonus daughter gave us some venison tenderloin the other day. Now, I’ve eaten deer meat maybe once or twice in my life and was never a fan. I wasn’t really sure how to cook it. I remembered Brenda Gantt did a video this fall about cooking the backstrap so I watched that a couple of times. I soaked the deer meat in water and squeezed the blood out, then I soaked it in buttermilk for a few hours. I cut it in strips, salted and peppered it and dredged it in flour. I put some homemade cornbread in the oven, heated up some pinto beans, fried potatoes, and then fried up the deer meat. It all came out piping hot at the same time. Of course, my kitchen looked like a bomb went off in it, but it was a great meal. I think the only thing that might have made it better would have been some collard greens.

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Still didn’t get the decorations on the tree. I almost did, then my sweet husband snored his way through a couple of football games and I didn’t want to disturb him. So I just sat here and knitted happily enjoying a peaceful afternoon. I have another chiropractor appointment today. The back is MUCH better! So…maybe when I get home? We’ll see. I don’t seem to be in a terrible hurry with it this year, for some reason. It’ll get done.

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❄️

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“Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.”

\nGenesis 9:3-4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-06T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/06/old-stuff-and-new-stuff.html", "tags": ["Family","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/12/02/its-palindrome-day.html", "title": "It’s Palindrome Day! 12/02/2021", "content_html": "\n
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The last time I came out to the farm, I expected to stay two nights but I had a dinner engagement wrong in my mind and had to cut it short. Then, there was all the hullabaloo surrounding Thanksgiving. Then I hurt my back and haven’t done much of anything since Saturday night. I do not like to take pain medication, but I did give in for the first couple of days. Then, just like clockwork, I stopped and my mood took a nosedive. It always does and that’s why I don’t like to take that stuff in the first place. So, if I was going to be blue, I knew where I needed to go. 

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The Farm.

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I cannot tell you what a blessing it is to still have the opportunity to come stay at the home of my heart. My grandma’s goodness is baked into the timbers of this house and any time I get to stay here, it’s like medicine to my spirit. I got here mid afternoon and crawled into Grandma’s bed. It rained off and on and the sound on the tin roof lulled me off to a gentle slumber. I woke up and heated up a little supper and climbed back in bed with the memory book I wrote about the farm. I’m leaving a copy here so everyone who gets to visit can see the history of the place.

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As I was looking through the book, I noticed the year Grandma and Pop-Pop got married. On October 13th, it was 100 years ago!!! I can’t believe that. My grandpa died forty-eight days before their 50th Wedding Anniversary. So, he’s been gone fifty years. It’s funny what the mind does to you when people are gone. When they are a part of you, and you hold them in your heart, that’s where they live and time is irrelevant. It is elastic. It stretches out interminably and shrinks back to the size of a grain of rice. They are always gone, yet they are always here.

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On Thanksgiving this year, I experienced a wave of grief where I missed everyone. All of my loved ones who went before were tearing at my heartstrings. I don’t think I’ve quite put them back to bed yet. Hence another reason to make a retreat to the farm, gaze at my book of memories, and feel them all around me once more. I’ll rest and process and heal a little more, then I’ll head back home to my beloved Mr. FixIt. 

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And this time…I promise…we’re going to decorate for Christmas!

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It takes a special person to love a widow or widower. I thank God I have that special man in my husband. He supports me and lets me fly and be who I need to be and feel what I need to feel. He’s so very special. 

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I am so grateful I had all these photos to put this book together for the family. My brother tells me he has it in a place of honor in his apartment. My Aunt Rosie says she held it and looked through it and remembered all the wonderful times she had growing up here and had a little cry. My cousin Cathy says she didn’t know half the stories that were in it. My cousin Tammy loves it and wants me to send her digital copies of all the photos. Daughter #1 took her copy with her to the family Thanksgiving dinner and shared all the stories she remembered. This is going to be a gift for generations to come and I’m so humbled I am the one to put it together.

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❄️

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“Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it:”

\nNehemiah 7:5 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-02T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/02/its-palindrome-day.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Aging","Farm Life","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/12/01/the-matriarch.html", "title": "The Matriarch", "content_html": "\n
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My Great Great Grandmother…Nellie May

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I talked to my grandma about just about everything. We had a very close relationship. I was the first granddaughter. We held a special bond. I just figured out the other day my grandma was only forty-seven years old when I was born, yet she always seemed “old” to me. Which is ridiculous because the woman could work circles around most men. She never shied away from a hard day’s work. She told me stories of her childhood. How she shinnied up the silo and bellered at the old bull. How she spent the majority of her childhood at her paternal grandparent’s house. How she only went through 8th grade in school so it was important to her that we all were well educated.

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I asked her a lot of questions like…how did Jesus walk on water and did Pop-Pop help around the house and how do you make penuche frosting. But, there were a lot of questions I wasn’t allowed to ask. Her first baby was stillborn. We weren’t allowed to talk about that. Her father left everything to his only son leaving her and her sister’s families to struggle. We weren’t  allowed to talk about that. Her beautiful sonny was killed in a plane crash when I was two. We weren’t allowed to talk about that. She lost her beloved husband just two months shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. We weren’t allowed to talk about that.

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I’ve learned some of the answers by talking to my mom and her siblings. I’ve fleshed out most of the family stories by researching family trees and listening intently to the oral historians who carry my ancestors in their hearts and minds. Those hearts and minds are fading now and I have greater sense of urgency to find the answers before they’re gone for good.

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When I wrote the memory book of the farm this fall, I gathered as many of the old photographs as I could. Many of them were faded, scratched, stained, and out of focus. I found an artificial intelligence app this week called Remini. You can scan old photos and run them through the app to clean them up and bring out details into sharper focus. I’ve been having a lot of fun with that. I especially enjoyed looking into the eyes of my maternal great grandmother…Nellie May.

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I don’t know a lot about her other than the fact she was born out of wedlock which was a huge family scandal at the time. My mother was an avid genealogist long before the internet was a thing. She scoured bibles and libraries and newspaper archives for details. She was the oral historian of her generation and left that to me. She also was in possession of a great many of my grandma’s photos which helped me in my own pursuit of the stories behind the eyes.

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When my great great grandmother had her baby girl, her parents went to the county courthouse and registered the birth as their own…something that was commonly done in those days to avoid a scandal. I remember my grandma was none to happy when Mom started diving in the family tree because she knew there were skeletons in there. Grandma had a saying… “Fools names, like their faces…always seen in public places.” Meaning…let sleeping dogs lie.

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Nellie May died just four days after her 28th birthday, leaving three little children under the age of ten. She had “Bright’s Disease”…the old timey word for renal failure. She married and had her first child when she was seventeen. Life was harder in those days. No automation, no electricity, no phone. Doctors were a commodity most folks could ill afford. In the hills of Appalachia, you were more likely to be treated with herbs and folklore by an old widow woman who lived up a holler in a cabin somewhere.

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Still, I look in her eyes and I see the eyes of the women who made me…my grandma’s round face…my mom’s hooded eyes, much like my own. I see Daughter #2’s complexion. I see Little’s nose. I draw strength from knowing I come from good Scotch-Irish stock. Sturdy women who can face hardships and keep on truckin’. I know there were others before her…and I have photos of her mother.

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I’ll meet her one day. I will finally get all the answers to all my questions. Till then, I’ll hold Nellie May as the Leader of the Pack… the Alpha Female.

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Welcome December!

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❄️

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“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”

\nTitus 3:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-01T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/01/the-matriarch.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/24/holiday-preparations.html", "title": "Holiday Preparations 2021", "content_html": "\n
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I need this in my life!

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I took a look at my new starter yesterday morning and it was ever so slightly fluffy. Not a lot of bubbles, but not dead looking either. So, perhaps the bleach in the bleached flour didn’t kill my yeasties after all! I Googled it and couldn’t get a definitive answer either way. I sent a question to King Arthur Baking Company and got the following response:

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“Hi Ginny,
Thanks for contacting us here at King Arthur Baking Company!

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Starters are very hearty and can survive on all types of flour. You certainly did not kill it by using bleached flour, and likely the starter is just sluggish due to its time in transit. 
Because your starter has been traveling without food and water, it may take a couple of feedings to get it back on its feet. 
The best way to increase your starter’s activity level is to keep it at room temperature and give it regular feedings. There are tips on how to feed, maintain, and even troubleshoot a starter that’s not working.  
If your starter continues to lack signs of activity after several regular feedings (no bubbles developing or growth of starter) please do get back in touch with us so we can assist further.

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Don't forget to check out our Complete Sourdough Guide, too!”

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I waited till the day warmed up a little. Oh, who am I kidding…it got up to forty-two outside. I had my coffee and my egg sandwich, then I fed the starter…this time with unbleached flour. And, I created two jars of it. Hopefully, this will work. It looked pretty good by bedtime last night so, fingers crossed.

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I cleaned the kitchen and picked up a little around the house and sat down for a little while in the afternoon. I turned on my favorite “show” for this time of year….the 24/7 Crackling Fireplace! I pulled out some knitting and put my feet up while Mr. FixIt went to town for an appointment. I love those little times when I can have the house to myself and recharge. He brought supper home so I didn’t even have to cook. And, upon my request, he stopped at the store and bought some dried beans and ham hocks. I think I’m going to make that for Thanksgiving with some buttermilk cornbread and a homemade apple pie.

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God has blessed us with such abundance. And the idea of feasting till you lay on the couch like a tick about to pop isn’t the only way to give thanks. For years, my dear cousin Tammy has been hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner and, instead of a huge turkey with all the trimmings, she serves a huge pot of brown beans and ham and cornbread. And it’s the BEST Thanksgiving dinner I’ve been to in years. Unfortunately, we are going to miss it again this year. Even though we are vaccinated and boosted, we both have medical procedures coming up in the coming weeks. The likelihood that we would catch covid is very slim, but still…we just don’t want to chance it. We’ll go visit when there aren’t as many people coming and going.

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Big is in New York City with Daughter #1 taking a second look at a college up there. They posted some pictures of their day off playing tourist yesterday. I never knew how they decorated the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center. I always assumed they used a crane. Who knew? They also rode the carriage through Central Park, visited Strawberry Fields, and traveled in and out of Grand Central Station for the first time.

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Decorating the tree at Rockefeller Center is quite an undertaking!

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Little practiced making Brenda Gantt’s Buttermilk Biscuits over the weekend for the family and they were very impressed. I used to go to Colorado every Christmas, but the weather is totally unpredictable. I’ll miss the Annual Cookie Baking Extravaganza and the long drive around town looking at the lights on Christmas Eve. I’ll miss my Colorado kids and my brother. I think it’s been three years or so since I’ve flown. I’ll be heading there in May when Big graduates from high school. The youngest of my bonus granddaughters graduates on the Saturday after Big’s graduation, so I’m going to have to fly this time. I just don’t like flying quite like I used to.

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The holidays can be particularly rough when you are grieving, so if you are heading into this time of year bereaved, please be gentle with yourself. I stumbled across a post I wrote the Thanksgiving after I sold my home and moved to the farm in West Virginia to help my elderly aunt. I’ll share it with you tomorrow and send you love and light and hope for better tomorrows.

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“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

\n1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-24T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/24/holiday-preparations.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/22/update-on-all-the-things.html", "title": "Update on All the Things", "content_html": "\n
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I received an email over the weekend from the daughter of the soldier named on my POW/MIA bracelet! She was thrilled to hear of another of her father’s bracelets out there and thanked me profusely for taking the time to find her. She shared her mailing address and I’ll get the bracelet sent off to her this week. The internet is still good for sharing love and light around the world. Like all tools, it’s what you use it for that makes the difference.

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I fiddled with my new phone yesterday. I’ve been puzzled by something for the last several years. Somewhere along the line on one of my phone upgrades, I went from around 500 contacts in my phone to nearly 3,000! Nearly every name had multiple entries of the same name with all the same contact information. Also, my calendar might have one person’s birthday listed three or four times on their special day. 

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I just couldn’t figure it out. I talked with the people at the Apple Store. Nothing…making the term “Genius Bar” seem somewhat dubious. I’ve asked in various forums. I Googled it. The answers I got varied from “Here…buy this app. It’ll fix it” to long detailed instructions to “get to this setting and click on _______” but the place they wanted me to click didn’t exist. Every once in a while, I’d sit down and delete or link the contacts, but they inevitably came back. I just couldn’t make heads nor tails of the whole thing and figured it was something I had to live with.

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Yesterday, I sat down with the phone and explored the settings. I know it had to be something simple like a switch was selected, but where it was eluded me. I closed my eyes and let my mind wander the “streets” of my phone. What would make something be repeated so much? Then I remembered seeing a drop down menu that listed my five email accounts that I use: one for personal, one to use when I need an email to sign up for something and don’t want to get inundated with spam, one for the Cloud, one for my Apple ID, and one for my business.

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I pondered those five accounts and remembered seeing “Yahoo” on one of the multiples, but not on a different one. I wondered if it could possibly have something to do with the fact I am using so many email addresses. When I went in the drop down menu, there was a place to click on each one. And sure enough, each one consisted of multiple tabs I could select…one of which was “Contacts”. Another was “Calendar”. I went through and unselected everything but email on all of them except for my personal email and the Cloud. 

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Sure enough, I immediately went WAY down on the number of contacts. I spent about an hour linking what few were left as duplicates, as well as deleting names of people I couldn’t even remember. I ended up with 499 contacts! Voila!

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My new sourdough starter should arrive today. I woke up in the middle of the night last week and decided to order a fresh, new batch of starter with a covered crock specifically to use with it. I’ll throw out the old flour and get fresh, new flour and get a nice new batch of sourdough started. It’s about time to get that going again. I’m also going to look up my Aunt Marge’s White Fruitcake recipe and make some fruitcakes soon. And some of Grandma’s Raisin Filled Cookies. 

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Our little town delivers Thanksgiving meals to anyone who wants them. You don’t have to qualify…they just want to share a good meal with everyone. I love our town. We don’t have a stop light in the whole county and we look out for one another. My friend Diane shared the number, so I called and ordered two meals. That means I don’t have to cook a big meal this year. Instead, I’ll start my holiday baking and put up the Christmas decorations this week. We decided our phones are our gifts to each other. That takes a lot of pressure off of holiday preparations and I think we can just sit back and enjoy the whole season this year! That’s the plan, anyway.

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You know what they say about plans, right? lol

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Come…take a walk with me!
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“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

\nProverbs 16:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-22T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/22/update-on-all-the-things.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Holiday","Farm Life","Crafts","Cooking","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/17/a-farm-fix.html", "title": "A Farm Fix!!!", "content_html": "\n
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That’s me, standing where the house used to sit just after they moved it onto the new basement.

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I had to go to town for a followup appointment with the endocrinologist to bring him up to speed with all that’s been going on with my parathyroid issues. The symptoms are the same and it’s obvious to everyone I need to get this thing taken care of. He said it’s like having termites in your house. You may not see much evidence, but behind the scenes the little suckers are busy and before you know it, the piano is in the basement. That’s what is happening with hyperparathyroidism. It is slowly leaching the calcium from my bones so the time is now to get to the bottom of it. 

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I woke up yesterday morning and told Mr. FixIt I needed a “farm fix”. I haven’t been able to stay out here as much as I would have liked this year…mainly because of all the traveling and medical appointments. There was always something going on. But I’m here now for a little R&R. I have a few new magazines to curl up with. I revel in the stillness here. No TV. Very little traffic. I am hoping to hear a lot of birds.

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We are supposed to have a really warm day today, so I’ll sweep the zillions of dead ladybugs off the porch and sit out there with my coffee and my magazines and soak it all in. I love this place so much. I finished the memory book of the farm and ordered copies. I can’t wait to see it! It should arrive the 22nd or 23rd. They are having an 80th birthday party next month for one of my mom’s cousins. I’m going to take a copy to her. In one of the big group family photos, she is just a little girl holding a puppy in the front yard here at the farm. Her family lived down the road a mile or so. As a matter of fact, four out of my grandpa’s five brothers lived within two or three miles of each other most of their lives.

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That’s something I marvel at. People have longevity here. My friend has been married all these years to the fella she started dating in 8th grade. They’ve lived in the same house within a block of where her husband grew up. When people announce they are nearing their 50th wedding anniversary, I jokingly say I’ve been married that long, too. It’s just been to four different men. I don’t know what that kind of “career marriage” would feel like. Or living in the same house, let alone the same city for all my life. I have made twenty-eight moves and have lived in thirteen different cities/towns in two states and two different countries. Change is all I know. I think that’s why I’m so flexible.

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I am so happy to be where I am now. I love Mr. FixIt. We’re going on five years since we started dating, but it seems like so much longer since we’ve known each other since 1968. I love living in West Virginia. I love our little five acres in the country. And, I am so blessed I can still come and stay at the farm pretty much whenever I want. What a great barter…mowing in exchange for time here. It still gives me such a peaceful feeling to sleep in my grandma’s bed. 

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I may not have lived with the same person all my life, nor have I lived in the same house. But, this farm? This farm has been in my heart since the day I was born. This farm is what gives me that feeling of longevity, of steadfast love, of comfort….and peace.

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This house still has the heartbeat of my family nestled in its walls.

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?

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“My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”

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\nIsaiah 32:18 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-17T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/17/a-farm-fix.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Comfort","Aging","Memories","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/12/summers-reprise.html", "title": "Summer’s Reprise", "content_html": "\n
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It seems I drive a lot…more than I care to, actually. But it just seems there’s always something that draws me to town. I told you earlier that my truck needs brake work, so we ordered new rotors. They were supposed to arrive on Wednesday, but didn’t get here till yesterday. Which actually worked out perfectly. We had our family Thanksgiving yesterday at the former Mrs. FixIt’s house, so we dropped the truck off at the garage on the way.

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Earlier in the day, I drove out to the farm to drop off some things for Frank and Beans and to see if they’d received any mail for me. Even though I complain about being away from home too much, I do love to drive because it affords me my best thinking time. As I was driving home, the sun was slanting through the trees and turning the leaves a fiery red, gold, yellow and a deep bittersweet orange. I thought of the term…Indian Summer.

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The term has been around for at least 200 years. It describes that period of abnormally warm weather after the first frost. It was probably given the name since this was the harvest season for the Native Americans and it was know as the Indian’s Summer. Meteorologists have used the term for decades. It conjures up Friday night football, raking leaves, the smell of woodsmoke, and whatever activity that takes you outside to enjoy the last glimpse of summer before she says goodbye and Old Man Winter takes over.

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I have become more sensitive and empathetic since losing Mr. Virgo. Part of what has changed for me is the ability to stand in someone else’s shoes, if even for a brief moment. Many terms have been altered and modernized as we become more aware how our words and names affect others. Our nomenclature should evolve as the world changes…as we change. I thought about “Indian Summer” and I wondered what term would be equally descriptive without being offensive to a particular ethnic group. 

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Summer’s Reprise. That is what I came up with. Reprise literally means to “repeat the performance of”. And…it’s a lyrical term. It conjures up the same images of the former “Indian Summer” and adds a hint of musical grace to it. It is nature’s second rising…an encore, if you will. Not to be confused with the negative connotation of “reprisal” which means an act of retaliation.

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Yes…Summer’s Reprise. A time to bask in the sun for one last chance at that extra squeeze of Vitamin D. One last hurrah before the rain comes (as it is doing even as I write this) and steals away Autumn’s glorious gown and dashes it to a muddy heap on the forest floor. All of this came to me as I drove my 385 horsepower “leaf blower” through the countryside…looking in the rear view mirror as the leaves whirled up behind me…sweeping the roadway clean.

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Our Thanksgiving meal was wonderful. It was great to see almost all of the family. One group didn’t attend. Our great granddaughter came running to me and clung to me like I was her most prized possession. Her little brother wrapped his arms around my neck and gave me a big squeeze. The bigs and the littles…the old and the young…gathering around a fire, balancing heaping plates of delicious food on our knees…thanking God for the bounty, the company, and yes…Summer’s Reprise.

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“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

\nPsalm 107:1 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-12T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/12/summers-reprise.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Gratitude","Holiday","Change","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/11/grandmas-kitchen.html", "title": "Grandma’s Kitchen", "content_html": "\n
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(I’m not sure I would attempt to make this recipe as written. I think the measurements are off.)

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This is the cozy time of year…when you’re more apt to fire up the stove and do a little baking just for the comfort of it all. The smells, the tastes, and the memories they bring to mind are just one of the things I love about fall. I’ve always loved the change of seasons when the colors are rich and glorious and the light is filled with gold. I’ve always felt a little melancholy along with the fade from summer to winter, but this year feels a little different. We had such an incredibly busy year, I’m really looking forward to the down time winter inevitably brings.

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We did some needed chores around the place today…Mr. FixIt outside and me mostly inside. It was a beautiful day…warm enough for short sleeves. We didn’t have the stove running in the family room today, so we didn’t have a plethora of pests trying to invade our space. That’s not to say they didn’t dive bomb us when we were outside. Mr. FixIt and I moved the little a-frame around to “the campground” here on Marshmallow Ranch (aka The Ponderosa). We chained it up to another camper and covered it for the winter.

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I worked on a couple of projects today…the family room and the farm memories book I’m putting together for the family. I really need to get it finished so I can order them in time. I was going through a box this week trying to find the property taxes from last year. In the box, I found Grandma’s steno pad where she wrote down her favorite recipes. Honestly, there aren’t very many and for the most part, she didn’t cook with a recipe. But there are a few that just evoked such wonderful, warm memories of the kitchen at the farm.

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Grandma had certain recipes that she made all the time. She always had Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. She said when her kids were growing up in the depression, the ingredients for those nutrient rich handfuls of heaven were affordable and with a glass of milk from the dairy cows she kept, she could always rest easy knowing her kids were getting something good to eat for breakfast. She often made Raisin Filled Cookies in the fall when the walnuts and hickory nuts had fallen. She made box cakes but always dressed them up. Pineapple Upside Down Cake was my mom’s favorite. My Uncle Bud and I loved the Yellow Cake with Penuche Frosting. I made Grandma’s Brown Sugar Pie for Thanksgiving the first year I moved back to West Virginia and my Aunt Peeps swore you couldn’t tell the difference between it and the ones Grandma used to make…a high compliment coming from her.

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Grandma always said she couldn’t make a pie crust that was fit to eat. That’s not entirely true. There were many times when she took the extra crust, laid it out on an old flat pot lid, sprinkled it with salt and baked it plain. I could eat my weight in that…seriously. But, often her pie crust was dry and flavorless. When I found her pie crust recipe in the notebook, I had a rush of memory. I made pies for her and she raved over the crust. I told her how I made mine and she wrote it down. I don’t think the quantities are exactly right in this recipe, but it is pretty much the one I used when I baked for competition. I can’t guarantee you this would come out right if made the way it’s written so I’ll just say…let’s look at it as a great example of my grandma’s handwriting and her love for me that she would attempt to write down my recipe.

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Anyway, as I read through and did some editing yesterday, I took pictures of the recipes most of us would remember and added them in the book. I know everyone will love seeing them in her own handwriting. I certainly do. I’ve got the price down to $42 a copy. I know that’s exorbitant for a memory book, but it’s the best I can do with Shutterfly. If you know of any other place to self publish high quality photo books, please let me know.

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“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

\nGalatians 6:9 ESV\n
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This was before they got bad!

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Oh…the continuing saga of the lady beetles. It was a wonderfully warm day yesterday. And, you know what that means? The uptick in the number of lady beetles takes an astronomical leap. This is my fifth November in this house and I’ve never seen an infestation this bad. Actually, now that I think about it, last fall was fairly light in the beetle department, so maybe that’s what they’re so bad this year. I vacuumed them up several times during the day clear into the evening. This is the worst I’ve seen since 2004 when my mom died.

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The day started out good, though. I had a hankerin’ for buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast. I’m getting better at making them. Like learning how to bake with sourdough, these things take time to perfect. I think this batch was the best so far and I actually ended up handling the dough more than usual. Maybe I haven’t been working them quite enough out of fear of making them tough.

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\n[youtu.be/pev2kxd5Y...](https://youtu.be/pev2kxd5YCU)\n
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Once things were put away, we got to work scrubbing the little a-frame and getting it ready to put away for the winter. We had it under the maple tree which was a HUGE mistake. It had little black spots all over it that looked like mildew. But, with a lot of elbow grease and a scrub brush, we finally got it clean. We’ll move it around to the “campground” tomorrow so it doesn’t run the risk of a limb falling on it this winter, then we’ll do a little work on it and sell it come springtime.

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It was a day of putting things away and doing laundry and changing beds. I cooked my own version of a rotisserie chicken in the Ninja combo pressure cooker/air fryer. It was yummy with those leftover biscuits, crinkle cut fries, and macaroni salad. We’ll need to do some mowing today. I thought for sure we were done for the year, but alas…we don’t seem to be. We need to run the snake down the drain out back again before the winter rains set in. Mr. FixIt is going to start cleaning out the big building soon. And I need to go through the boxes downstairs and get rid of more stuff. 

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We are having an early Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow with the FixIt Family! I can’t wait!

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“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.””

\nGenesis 8:22 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-10T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/10/bugs-and-buttermilk-biscuits.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/10/12/theres-a-project-in-the.html", "title": "There’s a Project in the Works", "content_html": "\n
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I am working on a family project. Around the time the farm went up for sale, I remembered a bunch of pictures my mom took home from Grandma’s house. Grandma was slipping into dementia and would often stand up all night long in front of the buffet…sorting through papers and pictures. She was actually ruining the photos by crinkling them and even tearing some of them up. So, one afternoon when her mom slept, my mom quietly took the important and irreplaceable pictures home with her. 

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When Mom passed suddenly in 2004, it was my job to go through her things and sort out the treasures from the trash. And believe me, there was a lot of trash. She was a bit of a hoarder, and photos were stuffed in sacks with junk mail. It took me four months to clear everything out. Even with that amount of time, there was no way I could go through every single thing, so anything resembling photos, albums, letters, and important papers ended up in plastic storage tubs that I brought back to Colorado with me.

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I met Mr. Virgo in 2005, so my life was a whirlwind of fun and activity till he passed in 2013. We moved several times and those tubs went right along with me. When I sold my house and downsized, I whittled those tubs down to two bins…stuffed with photos…and took them with me to West Virginia. They’d come full circle and after ten years, I finally sat down and sorted through them. 

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I scanned hundreds and hundreds of photos and put them on two external hard drives. When the farm was auctioned, and I’d met the wonderful new owners, I promised them I’d put some of the oldest photos of the farm together in order to give them a history of the old home place and the stewards of the land. When I got to thinking about it, I figured my family members would also love to have those pictures. So, I’m putting them together in a book and writing down some of the stories. I worked on it all day today and it was so much fun. I’m loving how it’s coming along. I know the old photos aren’t high resolution, and they’ll probably come out a little fuzzy but that just adds to the charm, don’t you think?

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“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

\nDeuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-10-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/10/12/theres-a-project-in-the.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Writing","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/10/11/the-baby-in-the-box.html", "title": "The Baby in the Box", "content_html": "\n
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Back in the ‘90s, Middleton Dolls were all the rage in my hometown. The Middleton Doll Factory was in Belpre, right across the Ohio River from Parkersburg. Daughter #2 was little so every time we went home for a visit in the summer, we had to go over and pick out a new baby.

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The dolls were very lifelike. The did sell some porcelain dolls, but most of their babies were a soft, velvety vinyl that felt lifelike. Their little bottoms were filled with plastic beads to give them some weight and they were dressed in real baby clothes. Some had eyes opened, most were sleeping. There were even babies with little tears on their cheeks. You picked out your baby in the nursery, right from a bassinet, and were given a birth certificate. The baby had a real newborn diaper on, and tucked into the back was a tiny New Testament…the designer’s way of spreading the Gospel.

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I loved these babies. I was at the in between stage of my life. My oldest was married and lived on Long Island with no thoughts of babies in the near future. And my youngest was pretty much past the “snuggle on mom’s lap” stage. I was adamant that I was not going to rag at my older daughter to give me grandchildren till they were ready. But my arms felt empty. I was going through a rocky marriage that was slipping away from me and I just flat out felt sad.

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This weekend, Daughter #1 texted and said she was going through a shed at her in-law’s house. There were boxes of things they put in there when they bought their house…seventeen years ago…and it was past time to get rid of stuff. She found two Middleton dolls and she wondered what she should do with them. One was well loved and went in the donate pile. The other was brand new, in the box. 

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Try as I might, I could not remember how she got those dolls…until she sent me a picture of the one in the box. I sat and stared at that picture, puzzling over it when, it all came back. I knew that someday, Daughter #1 and her sweet husband would have babies and I would have the grandchildren I longed for. So, on my next trip to Parkersburg, I went to the Middleton factory and picked out a baby that looked like it could be theirs. 

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When I got the baby back to Colorado, I put it on the top shelf in one of the closets. And, when my arms felt particularly empty and I longed to rock a tiny baby again, I would carefully take the box down, gently unwrap the tissue paper, and rock that little bundle…holding it close…remembering the feeling of holding my own babies…dreaming of the day I would hold the child of my child.

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The day came when they broke the news. They were selling my son-in-law’s truck. When I asked why, they said, “Because it isn’t big enough for a car seat.” The gears turned. Their eyes sparkled. And I squealed with delight. I was so happy when they had a girl and the little blonde baby went to live at their house. When they moved into the new place, a bunch of things got stored in the shed at Ben and Sue’s. And that’s how a perfectly pristine baby in a box was found. 

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Memories are funny things as we get older. There was a large stretch in late ‘90s to the early ‘00s that I have very little memory of. I call those my Prozac years. I lost most of my late 30’s and early 40’s to depression and drugs and alcohol. I had grief brain after losing Mr. Virgo. Then, in 2017 I had a bad car accident and had a subdural hematoma. That wiped out much of the first couple of years I was dating Mr. FixIt. He still asks me if I remember dining here or going there and maybe I have a tiny memory…like looking at a photo. Or, maybe I have no memory of it at all. And now, hyperparathyroidism messes with my memory. Add aging and well, let’s just say I have a very patient husband. And a blog with lots and lots of stories I can go back and read to remind me if I forget.

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“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

\nJohn 14:26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-10-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/10/11/the-baby-in-the-box.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/10/07/im-getting-the-hang-of.html", "title": "I’m Getting the Hang of This", "content_html": "\n
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I got up before my uncle yesterday and had the biscuits ready to go in the oven by the time he stuck his head into the kitchen. When they came out, I fried him up a couple eggs sunny side up and he was one happy camper, for sure! 

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“The Cady”…antique carpet stretcher

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We had so much fun visiting. He took me out in the building that he has packed FULL of “stuff” and we rummaged around. We found a crock that he gave me. He offered me a propeller off a submarine, but I declined. lol And he gave me a cast iron corn bread pan…the round kind with the divided sections. I need to get it cleaned up and seasoned. Then I can perfect my crispy cornbread baking a la Miss Brenda Gantt! It’s just about time to cook up some soup beans, I think!

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I went to visit my cousin Tammy on my way home and dropped off some half runners and a jar of smoked pulled pork. Our visits are never long enough…and they are few and far between. But we had time to sit a spell and have a cup of coffee before I had to hit the road. I stopped at the German Valley Overlook on the far side of North Mountain. I love stopping there for photos because every single time, the view is different. The trees are lovely, but they haven’t made a big change in that valley yet. Still, it was lovely.

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It was dark before I could get home and it was raining and becoming difficult to see clearly. So, I elected to stop at the farm to spend the night. It’s been a long time since I’ve stayed out here. It was raining gently when I climbed in bed. Oh….how I love the sound of rain on that tin roof. 

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Mourning Doves at the Feeder

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My heart is so happy!

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?

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“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

\nRomans 12:10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-10-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/10/07/im-getting-the-hang-of.html", "tags": ["Family","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/19/drifting-along-with-the-tumbling.html", "title": "Drifting Along With the Tumbling Tumbleweed", "content_html": "\n
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We got up fairly early yesterday morning and I made a batch of fresh buttermilk biscuits. We heated up the grits and the sausage gravy and had a breakfast fit for kings! We had our last round-table discussion with Ben & Sue for awhile and it always makes me sad when I leave my kids and this beautiful couple. They have embraced me as their own for a long, long time. And When Mr. FixIt came along, they welcomed him with open arms. Mr. FixIt and Ben are so much alike, it isn’t funny. They are a hoot and a half.

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We actually got on the road shortly after 10:00…not long after my goal. But we had to make a stop at Walmart to return something. And, I decided to get a twin sized mattress topper for Mr. FixIt. The one we had on his bed was too big and it kept sliding around. This one is perfect and he says it is quite comfortable. So, that’s a win!

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The extra stop put us back a little, but by the time we passed E-470…the outer ring of the circle around Denver…it was closing in on 11:00 and the traffic thinned out nicely. It becomes much more like normal interstate driving. When we added the extra overnight on our way to Colorado, I knew I wanted to do the same going home. That made us leave a day early, but the kids were all busy yesterday anyway so it wasn’t a big deal. 

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We stayed overnight in Colby, KS at the Whistlestop Antiques and Campground. It was SO windy when we got there, and I was really worried about setting up the camper. We were very careful, but you could still see a little daylight in the top driver’s side corner. We slung a rope over the top and tied it to the back bumper and the front hitch to give more protection should the wind pick up during the night.

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We had water service last night so we each took a sponge bath to get the dirt of the day off. We felt so refreshed afterwards. The campground is right by Walmart, so Mr. FixIt took a walk over there before supper and brought home cookies! He saw tumbling tumbleweeds on the way back. We pulled sandwich fixings out of the fridge and had a picnic sitting on the edge of our beds chatting. I don’t know why, but this little camper feels so much more like real camping. My big camper is seriously a small house. You almost feel like you’re roughing it in the little a-frame.

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So, today is more of the Kansas highway. I know it has its own beauty, and I’m looking for it. We passed fields with thousands of round bales of hay. There were interesting cuts in the earth where creeks and rivers carved up the terrain in the days of rain. I have no idea when they last saw rain here, but I’ve never seen the west this arid. It’s scary. Like, Dust Bowl scary. Please pray for any moisture they can get.

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Oh, Daughter #1 went to an Octoberfest celebration last night and texted me. She had just met the sister of a guy Mr. FixIt and I graduated from high school with. She and her husband have retired in Colorado. What a teeny, tiny world it is, yes? I’m looking forward to seeing an old friend from Sisters on the Fly tonight. She and a couple of gals are coming out to see us at the campground and bringing Chinese food for dinner! I can’t wait to see them!

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“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

\nJohn 15:13 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/19/drifting-along-with-the-tumbling.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Camping","Love","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/18/hitting-the-roadagain.html", "title": "Hitting the Road…Again", "content_html": "\n
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I showed Ben & Sue the Merlin Bird ID app from Cornell Labs yesterday. Sue and I sat at the table and recorded a couple of birds. We saw a huge hawk in their yard but it was gone too fast to get a picture for identification. As we sat and talked over coffee, Sue pointed out something in the shrub outside the window. I went out to look and found a feather with a reddish-orange shaft. I did a Google Lens search and found it to be from a male Northern Flicker (red-shafted). I haven’t had time to research when that bird is here, so I’ll have to do that later.

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I’ve always loved sitting at the breakfast table with Ben & Sue. There are always vibrant discussion and we end up solving all the world’s problems over a couple of cups of coffee. I’ll miss our time with them. I’ve become very close to them over the years and they are my family, too.

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Vacations are always way too short, aren’t they? Even when you’re retired, you have to go home sometime and it’s usually right when you’ve relaxed and really started to enjoy yourself. Daughter #1 and family came over again last night and we had a barbecue and a great around table discussion. I so love this family and I’m going to miss them all. Daughter #2 and her wife work through the weekend, so we said our goodbyes on Wednesday. I’ll miss them both as well. 

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We’re getting up early this morning and I’ll bake one last batch of buttermilk biscuits and we can take some on the road as breakfast sandwiches for the next couple of days. Tonight we’ll be in Kansas! The weather has really changed since we got here in early September. The nights are really nippy. I brought my little ceramic heater that I always keep in my camper because you never know when you’re going to have a chilly night…even in the middle of summer. 

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I camped in a tent at Beaver Creek State Park one year…I can’t remember if it was spring or fall. I was so very cold the first night. So I dug around in the back of my truck and found my little ceramic heater and an extension cord and put it in my tent. It was a lifesaver! I have a feeling, by the time you read this, I’ve turned it on and been glad we had it with us. Birdie has proven to be a great little camper and we are thrilled with our purchase.

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So long, Colorado! See you next spring!!!

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“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;”

\nPsalm 37:23 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/18/hitting-the-roadagain.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Camping","Road Trip","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/17/relaxashun.html", "title": "RE-LAX-A-SHUN", "content_html": "\n
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Yesterday was a “self-care” day. I slept like a log and woke up at 9:00. What a treat! Mr. FixIt came out to the camper and asked if I wanted to go with him to take the truck to get the tires changed, then head off with Ben & Sue to buy a mirror for their new bathroom. As much as I love them all…I declined. I wanted to stay home and chill.

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I was going to do laundry. It was in the truck. Cool!

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I wanted to find a file that I’d put on Ben & Sue’s computer, but when they upgraded to a new computer, the file went out with the trash. That was fine, too.

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I surfed a little on my phone and read the news. Boring.

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What could I do that would be fun AND productive? Ahhhh…I remembered there was still some buttermilk leftover from the biscuit baking lesson the day before. So, I pulled out the ingredients and Little’s Biscuit Bowl and whipped up another batch. I’m getting pretty good at it now. The biscuits had just a few more minutes left to bake when Sue texted to see if I wanted something from Dickey’s BBQ. I told them if they brought it home to eat, there would be hot biscuits fresh from the oven. They hurried home and we ate all but two of them with some yummy BBQ! It was divine…if I do say so myself!

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Daughter #2 asked me to come over after work yesterday to look at some china she inherited to see if it was worth keeping. She and her stepsister inherited their grandmother’s china. I use the term loosely. One set was clearly purchased as premiums from a grocery store. The other was ok, but dated. to make matters worse, when the dishes were shipped to them, the sets were mixed together so that there wasn’t a complete set of either pattern. 

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My daughter is not a china kinda gal. Her life is as simple as she can possibly make it. Her stepsister didn’t want the dishes either. I suggested she donate them to a charitable resale shop. My research showed there really wasn’t a market for any of it.

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I picked up my two decorative presents my daughter has held onto for the last two years…one was a camper-shaped bird feeder and the other was a decorative teardrop shaped camper for my collection. I don’t think I need anymore little camper tchotchkes now. I don’t have the room for more. These are so cute though and thoughtfully purchased.

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When I got back to Ben and Sue’s, I did what little laundry I had left in the truck and called it a day. It was so relaxing and peaceful. One more sleep and we head back east. The kids come back over tonight to tell us goodbye one last time. Bittersweet.

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?

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“And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”

\nMark 6:31 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/17/relaxashun.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Peaceful Moments","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/16/how-to-celebrate-years-of.html", "title": "How to Celebrate 50 Years of Marriage? Breakfast for Supper!", "content_html": "\n
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While I’ve been having a wonderful visit, and I really haven’t been running around like I usually do when I’m in Colorado, it turns out…I’m two years older with hyperparathyroidism symptoms that knock my socks off sometimes. I’ve been planning a nice supper to celebrate Ben & Sue’s 50th Wedding Anniversary ever since we arrived. We’ve also been talking about making homemade Buttermilk Biscuits with Little. So, I decided to make a big southern breakfast for supper last night.

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Little got out of school at 1:00 yesterday. Daughter #1 invited me to come early and she’d give me a tour of her school and introduce me to staff. Afterwards, Little and I went to the grocery store to buy the necessary ingredients. Mr. FixIt and I brought a tote from West Virginia with some things they left when they came for a visit. One was the biscuit bowl I bought for Little. 

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When we got back to the house, we made three batches of biscuits to make sure we got it down pat. We also took a video of the whole process and Sue wrote down the directions. I made a huge skillet of fried potatoes, a double batch of sausage gravy, half a pound of bacon, and a pan of grits. We had several kinds of jams and a jar of Honey Butter I picked up from Whole Foods. 

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I know not to eat late…especially rich foods like that. Yet…ohhhhhh, they’re all so good. And sure enough…I’ve been paying the price ever since. I was supposed to go have lunch with my sweet friend Michelle today, but I knew by the way I felt last night, I wouldn’t be very good company today. I took a rain check for the next time I’m in. I’m disappointed. I’m sure she is, too. A third friend was supposed to join us but she was possibly exposed to Covid on Tuesday, so she couldn’t come either. 

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Sometimes, disappointing or not, you just have to say no. We have a huge drive ahead of us in a couple of days and I need to be at my best. Today I’ll take it easy and do a little laundry. Mr. FixIt is going to get the new tires on the truck. The kids were over till late last night and will come back Friday evening to say goodbye. I can’t believe how fast it’s going. It really has been a wonderful trip.

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?

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“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

\n1 John 4:16 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/16/how-to-celebrate-years-of.html", "tags": ["Family","Baking","Littles","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/14/connecting-with-the-past.html", "title": "Connecting With the Past", "content_html": "\n
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We’re heading into the downhill stretch of our trip to Colorado and I’m starting to have those “last visits for a while.” That brings out all the feels. We have had incredibly beautiful weather, although they sorely need rain in these parts. While I went out to lunch and a walk with Daughter #2 yesterday, Mr. FixIt took his regular walk around the reservoir nearby. Colorado has the most beautiful scenery. Wispy clouds and bluebird skies….just amazing!

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We sat around the table and played cards last night with Ben & Sue and laughed till our sides hurt. Today we’re going to go for a little drive to see some local sites. And tonight we’re going over to teach Daughter #2 how to set her sprinkler system. I know how fast this week is going to go and I want it to slow down. I’ll miss my Colorado peeps so much.

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I had a wonderful video chat yesterday with a woman I’ve never met but she’s as much family to me as anyone. I’ve told you stories about my Uncle Sonny who was killed in the plane crash in Germany when he flew for the Air Force. Well, Arlene was his girlfriend and they were planning on being married. She went to the farm to meet Grandma and PopPop and the family. She was the auntie I never got to have.

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When my mom was getting into genealogy research, I remembered people talking about Arlene and how wonderful she was. My Grandma loved her like a daughter, although they only met the one time. They kept up by writing letters over the years. I knew she lived in California, and…through the magic of the internet…I found her and reconnected her with my mom. Grandma and PopPop were already gone, but she came to West Virginia with her sister and spent time at the farm and visited Sonny’s grave for the first time.

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Arlene went on and married and had a family in California. They owned a pecan farm. She tells of the time she finally was able to stand at Sonny’s grave and surprised herself with the tears that fell when suddenly, a jet plane flew overhead. She felt a sense of closure and was so happy she came for the visit. I was thrilled we could all reconnect.

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I’ve thought of Arlene several times over the last couple of weeks. The last I’d heard, she was selling the pecan farm and moving to live near family in Oregon, so I wasn’t at all sure how to reach her. When I woke up yesterday, there was a message in my inbox…from Arlene! She’d seen my pictures of my brother’s birthday party and reached out. So, yesterday afternoon, I sent a video chat request and we had a lovely conversation. She hadn’t heard the farm was sold and I wanted to be sure she knew. 

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Isn’t it amazing when God presses on your heart a memory of someone, then within a short period of time you connect? I love those moments. I shared stories with her and she told me how she just never felt right in her heart in Oregon. She was trying to do things her way, when she finally realized, if she just turned it over to God, He’d straighten everything out. She did turn it over, and in three days, the movers came and hauled her back to her beloved home in Southern California. 

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If there’s anything I’ve learned from becoming a widow, it’s this…when God tells you to get in touch with someone, do it. There’s a reason their image is coming to you. Life is entirely too unpredictable to wait after such clear directives come to your heart. I’m so happy we reconnected and I’ll send her a copy of the memory book I’m making about the farm’s history and pray she’s with us for a while longer.

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?

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“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.”

\nColossians 2:1-5 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/14/connecting-with-the-past.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/13/what-happens-when-you-forget.html", "title": "What Happens When You Forget? You Forgive!", "content_html": "\n
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This weekend was a whirlwind of love and emotions and a little angst and a lot of laughs and huge doses of reality. Aging ain’t for sissies. Neither is watching your beloved brother decline more and more each time you visit. I couldn’t see him last year because of covid and, as you know, a lot of changes can come about in two short years. It was heart rending to see his condition, but I am so glad he’s moved into a place where there will be more assistance. We just need to have some productive conversations to delineate expectations for the future. These are not easy conversations to have.

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After saying goodbye to the family members who came in for the party, we went to the store and bought my brother a charger for his phone. When we arrived at his new place, I discovered the charger didn’t fit, so I took it back. I had the phone with me and had to go to Walmart to get the right one. When I returned, I made sure the end fit his phone…big breath. Then I went to plug the other end in and realized we didn’t have the plugin piece for the USB. Grrrrr….back to the store and found one, brought it back to his place and got everything plugged in and charging.

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There were hugs and promises to see him next spring and we made our way out to the truck. There were many friends I would have loved to visit when I was in town and there was one particular friend I really wanted to see. I envisioned driving by and just saying a quick hello, but it was getting late, we didn’t know if rain was coming or not, and we knew there would be Sunday afternoon traffic going back into Denver so I decided I’d just have to see her next time. She has twin daughters who are in the same program as my brother and when we walked out to our truck, there was Judy…parked right in front of us!!! Oh…I love how God delivers and gives us what we need!

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We stopped and got coffee and they got the order wrong. We drove around the block and had them fix it. We stopped at the gas station, and hit the road. The devastation from the fire and floods in Glenwood Canyon were even more apparent heading east. That’s the side closest to the river and your view is clearer. It broke my heart to see the changes. It also was pretty awe inspiring to witness the power of nature to make permanent changes to the earth. This canyon will never look the same as we knew it, but future generations will stop at the rest areas and see educational plaques that tell of the raging fires and the devastation of a stationary set of monsoon rains that caused the draws to become roaring rivers of trees, boulders, and mud.

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Traffic wasn’t bad. We toodled along, oohing and aahing over the glimpses of yellow as the aspen are beginning to change. I love the bright and cheery flashes of yellow and gold and almost-red that contrast with the deep green of the surrounding fir trees. All of a sudden, it hit me…I totally forgot to go visit Mr. Virgo’s grave! I spoke with others at different times over the weekend, pointing out Friday would have been his birthday. But there was so much going on with my brother that demanded my immediate care and attention…it never once even occurred to me to go to the cemetery.

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I felt terrible. Like… “what is WRONG with me” terrible. I had every intention of going to the cemetery this trip…like I do every other trip. Finally, I decided to give myself a break. While this was a wonderful weekend with family, there were some things going on with my brother that were very upsetting. I was brokenhearted on the one hand, excited to see him and my family on the other. I was trying desperately to juggle everything without losing my cool. I was successful. I am sure Mr. Virgo would have been proud of the job I did this weekend. I know Mr. FixIt was. So, I cut myself a little slack and promised to go to the cemetery in May.

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Life is hard enough without beating yourself up over things that sometimes get shoved out of busy brains and busy lives. God knows my heart. We’re good.

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“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

\nIsaiah 41:10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/13/what-happens-when-you-forget.html", "tags": ["Family","Forgiveness","Aging","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/12/finding-peace-in-change.html", "title": "Finding Peace in Change", "content_html": "\n
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What an amazing weekend this has been! My sweet brother was the center of the universe yesterday at his party. He sat at the head of the table and “held court”. We had a great meal that Daughter #1 fixed. Hubby #2 and his wife were there as well as his younger sister and her husband. They will forever be family and it was just such a beautiful thing to watch.

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There was a time when I would never have believed we could all sit in the same room and be civil. Well, certain ones anyway. Divorce is never an easy thing. But time heals and distance helps the heart grow when division sets you on different courses. Besides, the attention was on my brother…not on any of us. 

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Still, the beauty of the day was not lost on me. On so many levels.

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We stopped on the way to the party and got him some new clothes so he was looking pretty dapper by the time the guests arrived. My brother is so much more frail than he was two years ago…hence the change to more assistance. The men jumped in and helped him up and down the stairs. The women doted on him and brought him food and drinks. Hubby #2’s wife and my Mr. FixIt both took turns playing UNO with him. 

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He beamed as we sang Happy Birthday to him. He said hello on a video to the WV family who couldn’t be there.

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And, as everyone got up to say their goodbyes, my Bubby looked around at this amazing family of ours and said…

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“I love every one of you.”

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I’d say this has been a 100% bonafide bang up 70th birthday party for the best brother on the planet! Today we head back to Denver so I won’t see my brother again till May of 2022. Like I said yesterday…it’s been an incredibly emotion packed weekend, but it’s been so wonderful to be with my beloveds.

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“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

\nNumbers 6:24-26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/12/finding-peace-in-change.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Forgiveness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/11/family-time.html", "title": "Family Time!", "content_html": "\n
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My very handsome brother turns 70 tomorrow!!!

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Ok…you all know me. I say I’m taking time off, then I can’t. This is my quietly meditation time before bed and I do that every day anyway. I might as well talk to you like I do every other day…as long as it’s not cutting into family time. We arrived to our destination in the mountains in the mid afternoon. It was too early to check into our VRBO. Daughter #1 had to go up to the college she attended to get something, so Mr. FixIt and I went to see my brother.

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Yesterday was the day he was moved into his new digs. Like I told you the other day, he hasn’t been able to take as good care of himself in his more independent setting…especially since Covid began. At his level of care, the staff were there to encourage him to meet his hygiene and daily living goals. However, they were not there to do it for him. It has taken several months to get an opening in the step-up care setting and it finally happened yesterday. 

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When I arrived, I was appalled to find him the way I did. His hair was long and disheveled. His beard was dirty and unkempt. I asked him when was the last time he’d been to a barber and he said three months. Now, very likely the staff had encouraged him to go, but somehow he has it in his head that he only went once every three months when he lived in West Virginia, so he has probably been refusing them. 

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The very first thing I did, after greeting him of course, was to drive to Walgreens up the street and buy clippers. I came back, cleaned him up, washed and trimmed his beard and hair, and put him in a nice clean shirt. While I was terribly shocked and upset, I was thrilled to see my brother appear in front of me instead of someone who looked like a homeless person. The bottom line is…he’s in a section of this program with 24/7 staffing available to him in the four-duplex compound they’ve moved him to. He’s clean and groomed and happy. Today we will bring him to the VRBO we’ve rented and celebrate him all day! Barbecue and birthday cake and family from everywhere surrounding him with love.

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When I saw him like that, it broke my heart. He holds a HUGE portion of real estate in my heart. I couldn’t help but feel that I’d somehow failed him…or our mom. She always wanted me to keep him in my home when she died. I told her that I would make sure he was always well cared for, but that there was a program near me that could give him a life and if it was God’s will he be accepted, that was where he would be. 

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He has always been very happy there and Colorado is his home. There may come a time when I need to bring him to West Virginia, but there’s a lot to work out with funding, etc. I’ll do the  research when I get home. I think for now, we’ll watch closely and see that he has more one-on-one care at his new place before we cross that bridge.

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The kids went to my daughter’s alma mater last night for the local football game. We are just a block from her high school and from the apartment I lived in before I bought my house a few miles from here. 

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Also, yesterday was Mr. Virgo’s birthday and today is 9/11.

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It was an emotional day.

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?

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“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

\n1 Timothy 5:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/11/family-time.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Overcoming Obstacles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/09/mommying-never-ends.html", "title": "Mommying Never Ends", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

Daughter #2 and I had the best day yesterday. We got together early for coffee and actually sat inside a nearly empty Starbucks. It was so wonderful to visit with her…one-on-one. We went back to her house and worked side by side again for a few hours and got her front lawn nearly finished. She just has a small pile of sticks to bag up and trim the edge along the sidewalk. 

\n\n\n

She told me the sprinkler guy had come out to fix her system and set up the timer. It was supposed to come on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:00pm. However, it came on at noon on Tuesday and again at noon yesterday. The control box is down in the crawl space so I got my flashlight from the truck, pulled the wooden covering from the access, and got down the two steps to peek inside.

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My former father-in-law was an extremely frugal guy. He did things in that house that still make me scratch my head. A couple years before he died, he told his only son he should take some of the money he’d been saving all these years and update the house. When they went in to start the demo, they found he had installed an in-ground sprinkler system, but had the control panel mounted on the wall in the spare bedroom. Odd place for it, to be sure…but I’m sure much easier for him to access. When they did the remodel, they moved the box to the crawl space…right on the edge of the opening so you don’t actually have to go IN there.

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When I checked the settings, it was scheduled to come on every day at noon. I sat and puzzled on that for awhile, then asked my daughter if they had a power outage sometime since the sprinkler dude was out…and they had. That had to be the answer. The system reset itself when they lost power. I reset everything then, on Monday when we visit, I’ll show her how it works and how to reset it. There should be a battery backup in case of a power failure, so I’ll research that, as well.

\n\n\n

It didn’t take long for us to finish the mowing. We sat in the shade on the porch with a bottle of water and congratulated each other for a job well done. I came back to Ben and Sue’s in the afternoon and took a well deserved nap. I think we all did. It’s been really hot the last few days, but the evenings and nights are blessedly cool. Mr. FixIt and I went out and brought supper home so no one had to cook…salads and chicken. After the news, I went around and took some pictures.

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I love this little oasis in the middle of one of the larger Denver suburbs. Two acres with a garden and flowers, trees, and an abundance of squirrels and birds. The bathtub came from the most recent remodel in their house. I really want this tub…not only because it’s a great size, but because it belonged to Ben and Sue and it’s from the oldest part of the house. It’s small enough to fit in the bed of the truck so we CAN take it home…however, of all things, I forgot to bring the weight distribution bars for the hitch. The former owners had them installed, but you really don’t need them with a camper the size of Birdie. With the added weight of that iron tub, we would absolutely HAVE to have the weight distribution hitch to keep the rear end from sagging. So…no cool tub for me, doggone it! I’m sure I’ll find one in West Virginia or the surrounding area.

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We found out yesterday, my brother is being moved to his new apartment on Friday. At first, I thought…how inconvenient! We are all heading there on Friday to help him celebrate his 70th birthday this weekend. Then I realized, this is such a God thing. He’s moving on the very weekend we are all going to be there to help him get settled in his new digs! What an amazing Father we have. This move has been in the works for the last year and a half…all times when we were unable to be there due to covid. Then, all of a sudden, everything came together for the move to occur when we’re there! There are NO coincidences!!!

\n\n\n

Little gets to come “camp” with me tonight! Fourteen and still wants to camp with Nana…I’m pretty jazzed. I can hardly wait to spend time with her again. It’s laundry day and get things ready for the trip to the mountains tomorrow. I can’t believe it’s been nearly two weeks since we started Birdie’s Grand Adventure! 

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?

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\n

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

\nPsalm 90:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-09T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/09/mommying-never-ends.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","Road Trip","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/08/merry-christmas-moon-pie.html", "title": "Merry Christmas, Moon Pie!", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt and Ben rode the light rail train to Downtown Denver yesterday. They walked around Union Station then took the shuttle bus down to the end of the 16th Street Mall and moseyed back to the station. They stopped for lunch and, of course, they found a ton of people to talk to. I’ll have to say…Ben and Mr. FixIt are a lot alike. They’re both hard workers, they love to tinker and fix things, they both garden, they both are devoted family men, they both have the same great sense of humor, and they can talk to anybody about anything. I wish Colorado was closer to West Virginia so we could spend more time with our wonderful family.

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I know it’s only September, but I gave Daughter #2 and her wife their Christmas present early this year. And, it’s going to have to count for NEXT year’s, too. They work hard and do the best they can to stay up with things around the house. But a series of events occurred in the last year that got them behind in their lawn work. 

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First, their mower broke. It’s not easy to find a lawn mower repair shop anymore and the one they found was closed. They are not mechanically inclined. So they used their weed eater…which was her grandpa’s old one from twenty years ago. It didn’t work well…then it didn’t work at all. At the same time, their sprinkler stopped working. There was covid and lockdowns and finding a new job and all their energy went to survival. 

\n\n\n

They got the sprinkler fixed, but the weeds had a huge head start and the west is suffering a mega drought. I have never seen so many yards look this bad in Colorado. I paid close attention on the way home from her house and every block has dead and weed infested yards. In their defense…it never was a really nice lawn to begin with. I wondered why she was coming to me for visits instead of me going there. Then she confessed…she was embarrassed by the state of her yard. Bless her heart. I told her I could care less…I’m the last to be “judgy”.

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I decided to go to Home Depot yesterday morning early and buy them a lawn mower and trimmer for their early Christmas presents. Her dad agreed to go halves. I was checking out when she called to say she was going to grab coffee and head over.

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“You just hang out there, kiddo. I’m in the neighborhood and I’ve got something for you!”

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I pulled up and unloaded the truck and I thought she was going to cry. She hugged me and thanked me profusely. And we spent the next few hours working alongside each other…mowing and weeding. We got the first half done yesterday before it got too hot and decided to get back to it this morning and finish. I’ll tell you what…that thing is really powerful for a battery mower.

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You know…a well manicured yard is something we were manipulated into having when our fathers came home from the war and bought their first house in the suburbs. The sign of affluence was a cookie cutter house and a lawn fit for the Queen’s croquet party. It’s an enormous waste…time, money, and natural resources. We’re going to have to rethink the front yard because they aren’t making more water and the climate is changing drastically. Wars of the future won’t be fought over oil…they’ll be fought over food and water. It’s not such a big deal where we live in West Virginia. The idea of watering your lawn is foreign. But here in the West…something’s got to change.

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Daughter #2 and I didn’t get to do these kinds of homey gardening things together when she was growing up. Her dad and I split up when she was just ten years old. Then it was shifting back and forth between houses. I just don’t remember working in the yard with her at all. But yesterday was fun. We chatted comfortably. When we were finished, we took our hot and dirty selves out for lunch at Wendy’s and sat in the shade to eat. 

\n\n\n

She has today off then heads back to work on Thursday. I have to say…this is one of the best visits we’ve ever had and I am so, so happy to spend such quality time with her. I’ll get to spend some time with Daughter #2 and her family over the coming weekend when we go see my brother for his 70th Birthday. 

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This mama’s heart is happy!

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?

\n\n\n
\n

“You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.”

\nPsalm 104:14-15 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/08/merry-christmas-moon-pie.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/07/red-skies-and-apple-pies.html", "title": "Red Skies and Apple Pies", "content_html": "\n
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The Centennial State isn’t called “Colorful Colorado” for nothing! The sunsets here are always something to see. And, with the unfortunate wildfires in the west, they are particularly red this visit. I awakened yesterday morning with a headache and could smell the smoke in the air. The skies are hazy. Not like our humidity hazy. Smoky hazy. Daughter #2 and her wife came over for a visit yesterday afternoon and were telling us how hard it’s been to keep up with the yard work this year. They both have asthma so they only work fifteen minutes at a time then take breaks to cool down and breathe indoor air for awhile. Ben and Sue haven’t been able to open their windows much since the fires started raging in the West. So, while the sunsets are beautiful, it’s for all the wrong reasons. 

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We ordered barbecue to be delivered for a late lunch. This is another thing I’m totally out of the loop on…GrubHub. Imagine, having an app on your phone where you can access the menu of any kind of restaurant you want, order any kind of food you want, and have it delivered to your door by a mask-wearing Millenial in a Subaru. I mean…where are we going to do such a thing living twenty miles out of town? People living in rural areas just shake their heads at some of these “modern conveniences”. Granted…the food was good. But my barbecue is better…and a darned sight cheaper, too.

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Speaking of the costs of things, I keep telling Mr. FixIt…this is one of the major driving factors that sent me packing for West Virginia after becoming a widow. I was simply being priced out of the market here. We went out to Walgreens last night to pick up a couple of things and decided to stop at Wendy’s to get a couple large diet sodas. We love fountain drinks…they are so refreshing. I got up to the menu and placed my order… 

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“Two large Diet Cokes, please.” 

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“Is that all?”

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“Yes it is, thank you.”

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“That’ll be $6.02.”

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“I’m sorry…what?!?!”

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“$6.02.”

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“How much are they each?”

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“$2.76.”

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“Ummmm…no, thank you. I’ve got drinks at home. Sorry!”

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And I drove away. “Remember a couple weeks ago how I told you Mr. FixIt has ruined me? I simply could NOT pay $6.00 for two sodas. He was so proud!”

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Gas is terribly expensive here because there was a bad fire in Colorado last year. As a result, there have been disastrous flash flooding with debris and mudslides in Glenwood Canyon. This cut off the main transportation route for gasoline coming from the refineries out west, doubling and tripling the delivery costs. And, when the charge goes up from the suppliers, eventually it’s felt at the pump. There were places in Northeastern Colorado where regular gas was $3.64 a gallon. That’s not politics. That’s supply and demand and ultimately, global warming.

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Housing is astronomical! The prices have doubled and even tripled since I sold my house in 2014. It’s crazy and I don’t know how young people do it. I really don’t. 

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We’ve been enjoying a slice of pie in the evenings after the sun has gone down and the world has cooled off. That’s one good thing about this altitude. It may be 94 degrees on a September day, but the nights are delightfully cool making for wonderful sleeping weather. The next couple of days are actually supposed to be about ten degrees cooler during the day which will be most welcome.

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I hope you enjoyed your Labor Day Weekend. It’s so hard to believe it’s here and gone already!

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?

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“We love because he first loved us.”

\n1 John 4:19 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/07/red-skies-and-apple-pies.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/06/my-moon-pie-and-me.html", "title": "My Moon Pie and Me", "content_html": "\n
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I was in mid sentence when Sue looked out the window and exclaimed… “There she is!!!” I jumped up, pulled my mask on as I ran out the door and into the waiting arms of my baby. My 31-year-old baby, but still…she’ll always be my baby! We hung onto each other for the longest time…feeling that familiar heartbeat next to mine…smelling her hair…feeling her hands on my back. I haven’t seen Daughter #2 since August 3rd, 2019. Way, WAY too long. I was greatly relieved that she was feeling well. She looks wonderful. She’s happy, healthy, and thriving. What more could a mother want?!?!

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We sat and talked for hours. Everyone kind of went about their business and left us alone to visit. The kind of easy conversation we’ve always had between us. It’s wonderful to talk to your adult children and learn more about who they have become. What they’re into now. What they like. What they’ve set aside. Their beliefs and values. She’s returning today with her wife, whom I’ve also not seen since the wedding. Maybe we’ll go do something. Maybe we’ll just sit and visit. Whatever we do, its always easy and fun and memorable.

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When she finally left for home, I fixed supper for the four of us. I hadn’t made stir-fry in quite some time so I used some of the veggies fresh from Ben’s garden. Mr. FixIt went for a long walk earlier in the day so he was ready to tuck into some of my home cooking. I love when he compliments my food. After supper, we sat around and visited. Ben and Sue are so easy to be around and we always feel at home here. Daughter #1 and family were off doing their own thing yesterday but we’ll see each other soon.

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As the sun was sinking low in the west, I walked out after supper and took a picture of Ben’s dahlia’s. They are stunning! I’ve never grown them, so I think next year I need to invest in some tubers. While the day was certainly hot, the nights are quite pleasant and we have truly enjoyed sleeping in the camper out by the garden. I awoke at 4:00am yesterday morning to the sound of a train whistle off in the distance. It brought me back to the first year after losing Mr. Virgo. I spent a good deal of time down here in Denver with my first little camper, parked in exactly this spot. You know how some sounds or smells take you right back to a particular moment in time? That’s what the train did. I could feel the tightness in my chest, the inability to take in a deep breath, the long, long hours stretched before me as I grieved. I couldn’t help but compare where I am today to where I was this time in 2013. It’s the difference between night and day. A whole new life. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe I lived through that. But here I am…here WE are. 

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Life is a mystery, isn’t it? It can be so difficult and painful. And it can be so incredibly beautiful and sweet. The past has taught me many things…not the least of which is to cherish the little, simple moments of life. The hug of a grown child. The smell of teriyaki stir-fry. The delicate petals of a perfect dahlia. The laughter of easy friendship. And the hug of an appreciative spouse who loves me to the moon and back. 

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The feelings are quite mutual. 

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?

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“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

\nJohn 13:34-35 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/06/my-moon-pie-and-me.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Gratitude","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/05/fixing-birdies-blinker.html", "title": "Fixing Birdie’s Blinker", "content_html": "\n
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When I was backing into our campsite at Lake McConaughy the other night, Mr. FixIt called out to me to say the driver’s side brake light was out on the camper. That means no turn signal, or flashers, or brake light on that side. Not good when you’re traveling with a camper. The guy behind you needs to know where you’re going. We stopped on the way out of Ogallala to get a new bulb, but we had to duct tape the red plastic lens on because the little clip that held it on was broken. That worked fine till we could fix it properly.

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We sleep out in the camper when we visit people as long as it’s not too hot. We can turn the AC on if we have to, but we prefer not to if we can help it. I like that because we aren’t in anyone’s way, we can stay up and talk, and sleep in. Given the two hour time difference between Colorado and West Virginia, we try to stay on our same schedule as much as possible. It makes it easier to adjust when you go back home. And, when you are a guest for an extended stay, it helps to not be under foot. Even though we are as much family here as anything else, Ben Franklin is the one who said, “Fish and houseguests begin to smell after three days.” 

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My son-in-law’s brother and his family arrived yesterday morning with breakfast burritos from Luna’s…our favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant down the road. We had a lovely visit and when they left, Mr. FixIt and I went to Gander RV to buy the replacement light to fix Birdie’s broken blinker. We visited with the family most of the afternoon. The guys went to get Popeye’s chicken sandwiches for lunch. Mr. FixIt watched the last half of the WVU game and I stretched out for a little snooze. 

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When the sun dipped low in the west, Mr. FixIt and Ben went out to turn the water on in the irrigation ditches then they replaced the broken tail light. By then it was time for pie. We do love to eat! Around 9:00, the guys walked back up to turn off the water in the ditch and that was the end of our first full day of vacation.

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We did get some good news yesterday. Daughter #2 was upset the day we arrived because she found out her boss has covid and she wasn’t feeling terrific. She went to get tested yesterday and it was negative, thank God! We were so worried for her because, even though she is fully vaccinated, she has asthma so we sure didn’t want her to get this terrible virus. AND, besides that…we haven’t seen each other since their wedding in August 2019! It would have been a double tragedy to not get to hug my baby because of covid!!!

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So, I get to see my Moon Pie today!!! I cannot wait to squeeze her tight!!! Tell everyone you love them, people. Time is a commodity we cannot afford to waste!

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?

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“yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

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James 4:14 ESV

\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/05/fixing-birdies-blinker.html", "tags": ["Health","Colorado","Family","Travel","The Grand Adventure","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/08/27/unexpected-joy-unexpected-pain.html", "title": "Unexpected Joy… Unexpected Pain", "content_html": "\n
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I Broke the Mower!

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We awoke to partly cloudy skies yesterday with a forecast of “slightly cooler” than it’s been. While we were having breakfast, I asked Mr. FixIt if he thought we should go out to the farm and mow. We had to take his truck because the camper is still hooked up to mine. The AC isn’t working in his truck so we drove through the countryside with the windows down and the air felt so good. 

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It’s apparent the seasons are about to change here in West Virginia. We may not get the beautiful leaf colors we usually have because we had such a long dry spell for much of the last month. The leaves will probably turn brown and fall off fairly quickly. Unlike the year I pulled the Girl Camper Raffle Trailer around the state of West Virginia all of October 2019. The colors were spectacular that year.

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I’ve been looking at some of the beautiful pictures I’ve taken since Mr. Virgo died. I am moving photos from my phone to a flash drive and then transferring them to my computer. There are some 35,000 photos on my phone. Do I need all of them? Heck no. But just like going through a hoarder’s house, I have to go through each photo and delete the ones I don’t want and save the ones I do. (You think that’s bad...I have 42,643 emails in my inbox!) I just don’t stay on top of that stuff. However, seeing the photos of some of my solo travels as my grief began to ease filled me with a sense of unexpected pride and joy. 

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Back to the farm…I got the mower out of the barn and stopped in back of the house to check the oil. It’s been dripping oil and I wanted to make sure there was plenty. I lifted the engine cover and suddenly I heard a crack. I looked down in time to see one of the hinges broke completely off one side of the hood. Before I could reach and grab it, the other hinge broke from the added weight and the whole hood fell off on the ground in front of the tractor. 

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We just stood there dumbfounded, looking at each other. Dang. I picked up the hood and put it on the back porch. The tractor runs and mows just fine without the hood, but now it isn’t as pretty as it was before. On the plus side, the oil level was fine and I quickly had the whole place mowed while Mr. FixIt worked on the trimming.

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I went inside and sat down for a moment to reflect. As I told you on Wednesday, yesterday would have been my mom’s 96th birthday. What I hadn’t remembered was…50 years ago yesterday, my PopPop died unexpectedly on my mom’s birthday. I sat in the chair in the dining room, remembering my grandma telling me how he didn’t feel well that day, but he didn’t want to go to the hospital…because it was my mom’s special day.

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Losing my PopPop was my first brush with death. Grandma had asked him that day if he’d eat some corn if she heated it up. He said yes, so she went out to the cellar house to get a jar and by the time she got back inside…he was gone. She had my uncle carry him out to the car, and she drove like a maniac to town through those winding West Virginia roads I know like the back of my hand. She stopped at the State Police Barracks just at the edge of town and they led her through traffic with their sirens wailing to get him to the hospital as soon as possible…though even they knew it was too late.

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Grandma was only 64…PopPop was 72. I sat there in the same room where she found him, thinking of her with a renewed sense of empathy for her pain. He died just three months before their 50th Anniversary. They’d been married since she was 15. He was all she’d known. I thought my pain was bad. I cannot imagine hers. They lost a beloved son in a plane crash a couple of years after I was born. She lost her beloved husband just before a milestone event in their lives. She went on to live another 29 years without him.

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I shook myself from my reverie and gathered up my things to head home. I put the mower away and locked everything up. We loaded the push mower in the truck and headed to town to pick up some prescriptions. And here we are…at that age where it feels like we are either at the doctor or filling a prescription every time we turn around. I tweaked something in my hip the other night stepping into the pool. The simplest of things can bring the sharpest of pains…physical and emotional. Ice and NSAIDs are my friend right now because we are preparing for a very LONG road trip. I can’t get knocked down. I don’t have time.

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At least all we have to do is put a few things in the truck and we’re about ready.

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?

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“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.””

\nRevelation 21:4 NIV\n
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#Memories, #Grief, #Healing, #Joy

\n\n", "date_published": "2021-08-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/08/27/unexpected-joy-unexpected-pain.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Be Joyful!","Memories","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/08/22/theres-a-fungus-among-us.html", "title": "There’s a Fungus Among Us", "content_html": "\n
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I got back from my little impromptu camping trip in the early afternoon. It was already in the mid 80’s but as soon as I had the camper unhooked and set up, I hopped on the riding mower. I told you yesterday, with all this rain, you could HEAR the grass growing. I wasn’t kidding. It was amazing. But that wasn’t the only thing that grew fast…take a look at this mushroom!

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I would bet money this thing wasn’t there Friday when I left for Huntington. If it was, it was very small. When I walked into the back gate, this thing was like “HEY…I’M HERE!!!!” I’ve posted it on my personal page as well as Twitter, so let’s see if we get a hit. Someone out there is bound to be a mushroom forager! 

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When I lived in England, Hubby #1 came home from work one day with a grocery sack FULL of mushrooms. They looked exactly like the white mushrooms you buy in the store. He said they were given to him by well trained mushroom foragers, and…since they weren’t red with white spots, and since I was a pretty young housewife on a budget, I fried them up in about a pound of butter. We sat down with a fork and ate every one of them…they were SO good. The differences between fresh food and store bought is staggering. I’ve never been brave enough since to eat a mushroom I’ve found. Now, I know what a morel mushroom looks like so you can guarantee if I ever find any of those…I’m eating them. Or selling them to a fine restaurant!

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It was 88 degrees when I finally finished mowing the five acres. Mr. FixIt was using the push mower and the weed eater. We both finished at the same time. I went inside to change and jumped in the pool. We have struggled with algae all summer. Mr. FixIt treated the water with algaecide this week so there was a layer of sediment on the bottom. I vacuumed as much up as I could, then I used a broom to stir it all up and clean the sides of the pool. When I was done, the water was a dull murky greenish brown again so I added more algaecide. We didn’t have a bit of trouble last summer. But it was so hot and dry this year, and what we thought was algaecide…wasn’t. I think we’ve got a handle on it now…just in time to start thinking about closing the pool up for the season. Pools are an awful lot of work, but when you’ve been mowing for a few hours in the August heat, there’s nothing like a refreshing dip. And, since it’s been so rainy this week, the water was a great temperature.

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Yesterday was one of those “just do the next thing” days. Mr. FixIt and I work very well together as a team. We just start working. And whatever we’re doing just seems to work in tandem till the job is done. I’ve never really had a relationship like this. Hubby #1 and I weren’t together long enough to have a place to work on together. Hubby #2 was a doctor. He mowed the lawn in our later years together, but I did the gardening and planting, building, painting, etc. He was always too busy. Mr. Virgo, God rest his soul, was NOT handy with tools. He got on a kick one time and decided to refinish the night stands in our room to match a new bedroom suite he bought. When those turned out pretty well, he decided to refinish my mother’s cedar chest. He used a combination stain and varnish kind of thing and when he was finished, you couldn’t open the chest! It was the thought that counts and it made a nice bench.

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And now…I have Mr. FixIt. He doesn’t get that name for nuthin! He can do ANYTHING. He’s so handy and creative and fun to work with. On occasion we butt heads because I want things done MY way way and he wants them HIS. I almost always back off and learn there’s more than one way to get a job done and I don’t ALWAYS have to be right! I love it when life is fun and hard jobs are made easier with a willing partner.

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?

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“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

\nProverbs 31:26-27 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-08-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/08/22/theres-a-fungus-among-us.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Farm Life","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/08/03/generations-of-strong-women.html", "title": "Generations of Strong Women", "content_html": "\n
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I have a second cousin who was fortunate enough to have a portrait taken when her baby was born that included five generations. We never had a formal family portrait made with five generations because my grandma and mom were gone before my first grandchild was born. But, the photographs we have are cherished dearly.

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I was playing around on Ancestry the other day and it gave me this collage with my maternal great grandmother, my grandma, my mom, and me. I think mom favors her dad’s people, but you can sure tell the family resemblance with the other three. My great grandmother, Nellie May, died when she was only 28 years old…my grandma was nine. Nellie left her husband with three little kids to raise and he soon had a new wife to take care of them.

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Knowing my great grandfather as I did, I know Nellie May had to be a strong woman. Then losing her mother so young, my grandma and her older sister had to take care of the baby while Grandpa worked. I know what a strong woman she was. She only went to school through eighth grade and married my PopPop just shy of her 16th birthday when they ran off to Oakland, MD. Her first baby was stillborn, then my mom came along. Grandma had five other babies in seven years. She was much happier working outdoors than in, so my mom was left with a lot of the work of caring for the babies and the house. 

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My older brother was born with cerebral palsy, so she had to be strong to do all the things she needed to do to raise a special needs child while navigating the minefield of a marriage stunted by alcohol and emotional abuse. It wasn’t an easy life for any of these women, yet they created a beautiful line of strong women. I see it in my own children and grandchildren.

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I’m proud to stand in this line. The lessons I’ve learned from the women who created me have been invaluable. They’ve made me who I am today. They’ve taught me to rely on Jesus to carry me through the rough times. They’ve taught me to love and care for others. I hope I do them justice as I try to be strong in the passages of life. Sometimes I don’t feel I measure up, but then I know…that’s the enemy talking and not the way God…or these women…saw/see me.

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I know that the reason I live in West Virginia now is the love for these hills that I learned from my ancestors. I know it must be in my bones, because I feel a kinship to this red clay soil like nowhere else I’ve lived. Perhaps these three women who’ve gone before me are sitting in a row of rocking chairs on the front porch, looking down at me and mine. Maybe they smile and nod. Maybe there’s a lot of eye-rolling going on. I hope they’re proud of what I’ve done with what they shared with me.

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?

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“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.””

\nGenesis 2:18 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-08-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/08/03/generations-of-strong-women.html", "tags": ["Family","Strong Women","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/25/family-friendly-farmingwest-virginia-style.html", "title": "Family Friendly Farming…West Virginia Style", "content_html": "\n
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Melissa gives us a tour of the greenhouses on her parents’ farm.

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One of the special treats Mr. FixIt and I enjoy in the summer is a lovely evening drive through the country. The temperature cools down. We don’t need the air conditioning. The light shifts to a soft green glow with touches of pink and blue. The world seems softer and gentler. A kind and safe place for sharing some love.

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As we drove home from town last night, I suggested we take a ride out to a family farm we know of. The Offutts have owned this expansive 600+ acre farm for about 35 years. They raise cattle and sell beef. There used to be a nursery on the back of the property where they sold rhododendron. Then, in 2018, they added a greenhouse. In 2019, they added a second.

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Can you imagine this view every night from a rocking chair on the front porch, sweet tea in hand? God was just showing off when He created West Virginia!

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One thing I love is their honor system produce stand. Bags of tomatoes, a cooler of green beans, and whatever else they may have at the moment, sit on a table beneath the nose of a gooseneck trailer. We came here last summer and bought produce…placing our money in a can then putting the rock over it so the bills wouldn’t fly away in the wind.

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This was Melissa’s Grandfather’s Cattle Truck that he sold years ago. A gentleman restored it, and Melissa’s dad bought it back a couple of years ago. “It’s great fun in parades!” says Melissa. “You wouldn’t happen to know where I can find a 1946 West Virginia License Plate, would you?” Hmmmmm…I just might, Melissa!

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When we pulled up, a young woman was walking back from the greenhouses. Melissa is a daughter of the Offutts. She met us with a friendly smile and asked if we’d been there before. We told her we had and introduced ourselves. I told her I’m a writer and asked if she would mind showing me around and let me take pictures. 

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The Honor System Produce Stand

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Last year was a banner year for tomatoes. This year, it seems they are struggling a little, however Melissa noted she had a late start in planting them this spring as she has five children under the age of nine. One of them was brought home from the hospital just four months ago, so she has had her hands full with them. Add two greenhouses and it’s been a lot. 

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Rows and Rows of Tomatoes

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Growing things is Melissa’s therapy. She said she wan’t going to come down to the greenhouses last night, but when her husband had all five kids in the tub, she decided that was as good a time as any to escape for a little R&R. She happily showed me around. They have some beautiful peppers going. A new batch of cucumbers is just leafing out. Of course, there are the tomatoes. And rows of green bean plants about six inches high. 

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Loofah Gourds Growing in the Greenhouse

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One of the coolest things was in the back of the first greenhouse. Melissa is growing loofah gourds on a large arbor. She says she planted them outdoors last year, but they have an incredibly long growing season so they didn’t dry and become “loofahs”. This time, she decided to grow them in the greenhouse and started by planting seeds in pots indoors at Christmas. It will be November before they fully dry.

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My Weekend Bounty: Muskmelon from Ward’s Market, Parkersburg, WV; Tomatoes from the Offutt’s greenhouses - Nursery Road off WV Rt. 14; and Apple-Walnut Pie from Abruzzino’s Italian Bakery - Gypsy, WV

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The Offutts farm sells meat, honey, and produce. They sell what they can at the roadside stand and the two local markets as well as the school buys up everything else. I love to support local farmers by buying direct. If you find yourselves out WV Rt. 14 heading east, make a left at Nursery Road. Make a left at the first fork and drive on till you find the Honor Stand at a bend in the road. Tell Melissa you heard about her wonderful tomatoes here at Marshmallow Ranch and Ginny sent you!

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?

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He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. 

\nIsaiah 20:23\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/25/family-friendly-farmingwest-virginia-style.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Peace","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/20/when-the-little-people-come.html", "title": "When the Little People Come", "content_html": "\n
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I had an appointment in town yesterday morning and snuck out without waking Mr. FixIt. I stopped for a coffee and read my morning devotionals while I waited for my appointment time. Once I was done, I got a text from one of my bonus granddaughters asking if she and the kids could come swim. Turned out TWO bonus granddaughters and all three great grandkids arrived. It was so much fun, but I told them there was a reason God gives children to young people. They were SO busy!

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When the kids were finally worn out and they headed home, I told Mr. FixIt I’d make him a nice supper and headed in the house. He laughed and called after me, “Are you sure you’ve got the energy left for that?” Well, I wasn’t at all sure, really…but I would give it my best shot.

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I herb roasted some chicken thighs I got yesterday…eight huge meaty thighs for $2.99! Fixed some fried green tomatoes. And opened a quart of my home-canned half runner beans. The only thing missing was hot buttered biscuits, but I didn’t want to heat up both ovens.

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It was so good to see the kids. Our granddaughter said she hadn’t been to our house since Christmas 2019! The pandemic kept them away last year, and she’s been super busy so far this summer. They loved the new carpet in the family room. It was so much fun swimming with the kids. The almost four-year-old was really timid about the water at first, but by the time they left, she was jumping in and letting me catch her and putting her face in the water. The almost two-year-old wasn’t having it. He is not crazy about water. But, by the time they were ready to leave, he would come sit at the edge with me and put his hands in the water. I held water in my hands and made like it was a big secret and asked him what it was He said “water” as plain as day. He has grown so much…they all have. The little one is about a year-and-a-half. He was a daredevil at first and we were all on our toes trying to watch him. 

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My Favorite Summer Dining Spot

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I’ve really been enjoying summer and not cooking so much. Cooking just heats up the house. It reminds me of why people had summer kitchens back in the day. I’d love to have one where I could not only cook in the summer, but can in the fall. My late cousin, Tommy, had the most fabulous kitchen set up in their garage. He could butcher, can, smoke, and barbecue to his heart’s content out there. I miss him…he was one sweet guy.

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We are having cooler night-time temperatures this week and that makes for great sleeping weather out in the camper! It’s my “substitute camping” experience…but hey…when you’ve got five acres, you might as well take advantage of it, right? 

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I hope you are enjoying your summer so far!

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?

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“So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.”

\n1 Timothy 5:25 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/20/when-the-little-people-come.html", "tags": ["Family","Be Joyful!","Farm Life","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/18/the-cupboard.html", "title": "The Cupboard", "content_html": "\n
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My Pop-Pop sitting by the cupboard. It sat in the dining room till the late 60’s when my great grandfather brought some antiques over to the farm. A gorgeous glass china hutch took its place.

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It’s been a fixture at the farm since I was little…around four or five years old, I suspect. Grandma’s jelly cupboard came into my life by way of an auction. An auction at the old house two farms down from ours. The property Frank and Beans own. The day I met them on the front porch, they called out… “We’re your neighbors!” THAT property. 

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Grandma and Mom pulled me around in a little blue wagon. They bought me a hot dog for a nickel. And Grandma bought the cabinet for $5. That was a lot of money to her. She needed more room to store her dishes and this one was the perfect size.

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It was covered with several coats of thick, white enamel paint. My Pop-Pop let me “help” him strip the paint off to reveal this beautiful golden oak beneath. I still remember what the paint looked like when the scraper pushed it into a rippled ribbon. I still can feel my Pop-Pop’s weather work-worn hands covering mine as we held the scraper together.

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Pop-Pop painted the inside a garish orange color. I never liked it…but it has aged beautifully. Deep and rich…like an heirloom pumpkin or the bittersweet you sometimes see in the wood in late autumn. I always knew, if there was anything at all the I ever wanted from the farm, it was this cabinet.

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I promised Frank and Beans that I would go through the photos that belonged to my mom and send any that were taken of the farm…the house and outbuildings and barn. The strawberry field and the old home place back on the hill. The nearly bare hills that are now thick with trees and underbrush. As I looked through the old black and white photos, there was grandma’s cabinet that now graces our living room…home to my collection of quilts.

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The cupboard where it sits today. So many memories! That’s the old carpet!

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I hope you enjoy going down memory lane with me!

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?

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“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.”

\nPsalm 145:4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/18/the-cupboard.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/15/waiting-on-the-half-runners.html", "title": "Waiting on the Half Runners", "content_html": "\n
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Sharing Last Year’s Bounty

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We received wonderful news yesterday. Daughter #1 and the kids got home safe and sound from their 33 day, 5700 mile adventure! I told Mr. FixIt…he had no idea what a weight that lifted off my shoulders when I saw their beautiful smiles, sitting in their driveway! She said the car fairly exploded with stuff as they opened it all up and started unloading. God is good and He kept my babies safe!

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One thing happened when they were here that absolutely melted my heart. My oldest child is NOT sentimental. Like, AT ALL. But when she was here, I served my home canned half runner beans one night for supper. Those were the only kind of green beans my grandma would grow, so when she tasted them…it was a memory from her childhood. Just like it is for me. When she was here, I asked her if she’d like a jar of my apple butter and she happily set it aside to pack when they came to pick Little up. As she was walking through the kitchen the other evening, she asked if she could have a jar of my green beans. I said, “Sure…take two!” She texted me last night to ask me how I prepared them because she wanted my son-in-law to enjoy them. There is NOTHING like having your daughter ask you how you make something. 

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I was soaking in the pool last night as the sun was setting. It was a hot one yesterday and the water was pleasantly refreshing. I thought of Little. She loves swimming and was in our pool every chance she could get. I sent her a picture and told her we’d do it again next year! 

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Mr. FixIt came out while I was floating around and cut a zucchini and a crookneck squash from the garden and went straight inside and cooked it. I was full so I didn’t have any…I just let him enjoy it. Now…when the tomatoes start ripening…watch out!

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I contacted a gal from Witten’s Farm last night, asking when their half runners will be ready. They are so much work to grow, and she said they lost two whole fields of them last year…one to rain, and the other due to lack of labor to pick them. The current price is $65 a bushel, however…I got 27 quarts out of the bushel I bought last year. That comes out to about $2.40 a quart. To me, they’re like green gold so that price doesn’t bother me a bit. Covid messed with a lot of things last year, and we will still see the trickle down from that for years to come, I’m afraid. I had a lovely chat with her, and told her I’d love to do a feature article on their farm, so watch for that later in the summer. 

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We went to town yesterday, ran a couple of errands, walked at the mall, bought some ice cream and sat in the park to eat it. It was a perfectly beautiful mid-summer day! As I wrote this last evening sitting in TOW-Wanda, Mr. FixIt texted me and said, “Look outside…there’s a deer right in front of the building!” We honestly live in a slice of heaven!

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?

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“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

\nColossians 3:14 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/15/waiting-on-the-half-runners.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Be Joyful!","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/14/take-five.html", "title": "Take Five", "content_html": "\n
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Another Day Done

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I’m not ashamed to say, I didn’t do diddly squat yesterday! Well, i went to town to get my blood drawn, met up with Mr. FixIt, grabbed some lunch in the rain, took some squash from the garden over to the former Mrs. FixIt’s house and sat on her front porch for awhile to watch the rain some more. We went home. I took a nap. Then I surfed the internet. Do I buy a smaller camper this truck can easily tow? Do I buy a stronger truck with less miles and keep the camper I have? Do we fly to Colorado in September? Or do we drive? My older truck with over 100K miles on it? Or rent a car? If we drive, do I take a camper? If so…see earlier musings on camper and truck.

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Decisions, decisions. And the most delicious thing is…I didn’t have to make any!

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Little and gang have stopped for their second night on the road. They will get home tomorrow. I am so happy they didn’t try to just drive straight through. My daughter is slowly realizing each decade lived presents a slight decrease in what you can accomplish in one day. I will definitely breathe a huge sigh of relief when they arrive home safely. Then I can turn my attention to the next big trip. Once I get it planned, we can work on the next big project.

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I love that there is always something to do!

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There’s never a dull moment!

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?

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“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

\nPsalm 127:2 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/14/take-five.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Comfort","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/13/hugging-my-baby.html", "title": "Hugging My Baby", "content_html": "\n
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Forty-seven years ago, I gave birth to a little wisp of a child with hair like a golden halo and lungs like a Harrier jet. She may have been tiny at a skip over five pounds, but she could let her presence be known in five counties. Headstrong from the get go, she was affectionately called “The Cruise Director” at our house. Always ready to put on a show, she grew up and became a theater major. She and her new husband gave it their all and moved to New York but when it was time to make babies, they moved back home to Colorado.

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Daughter #1 and Big came to pick Little up last evening. They had already been in seven states since they woke up at 6:30am, yet this determined daughter of mine insisted she was fine to drive a few more hours and get closer to home. Big needs to get some serious swim practice in before her traveling meet the last week of July. So, when I wrapped my arms around the woman who made me a mom, I held on for just a few seconds longer so I could feel her heart beat next to mine. Hugs went all around. Little gave me a squeeze and said she had a wonderful time. And…she had a big smile on her face when she pulled away with her mom and sister.

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I would definitely call this visit a complete success!

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I mowed the rest of the property yesterday. Mr. FixIt ran the push mower. I had an errand in town. Mr. FixIt has to go into town this morning. Thursday we’ll go out to mow at the farm. When the kids left and the house was so quiet, I asked my sweetheart to go out and walk the property with me. We explored the grounds, checking out new burrows and guessing whether they were groundhog or rabbit holes. We marveled at how dense the foliage is this year. It’s really overgrown. When the leaves die back in the fall, we need to get in there and chop some wild grape vines. It’s taking over. 

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We sat on the rocking chairs on the front porch feeling the quiet, empty space that Little filled. It’s funny how fast you accommodate to the noise and confusion when a teenager walks in and lights up your life. The quiet when they leave is deafening. But, as I held my daughter close for those few extra seconds, she whispered… “We’ll see you in just a few weeks.”

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That, they will! Another joy to look forward to!!!

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?

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“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,”

\nEphesians 3:14 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/13/hugging-my-baby.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/12/saying-goodbyeagain.html", "title": "Saying Goodbye…Again!", "content_html": "\n
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Unless my daughter decides to spend the night and head out in the morning, the current plan is to come pick Little up and hit the road. They really want to get back to Colorado to get Big back on her training schedule. And I know they want to sleep in their own beds. They’ve been on the road for a month. We called Daughter #1 to wish her a happy birthday yesterday. Little told her she’d had an awful lot of fun here, but she was ready for her own bed. I totally get that. 

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Little and I both think two weeks is a perfect visit with Nana. It’s enough time to bond and do fun things, but not so long as to get bored or on each other’s nerves. We’ve decided she’s coming back next summer for a visit. Big will be graduating from high school next spring…and so is the youngest of my bonus grandchildren here in West Virginia. There may be some crossover there so Mr. FixIt and I may be celebrating separately. We’ll know more when the school calendar comes out.

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We really didn’t do much yesterday. I mowed in the afternoon but didn’t get very far before a big thunderstorm came in. It rained off and on all afternoon and evening and we are expecting rain every day for the next four days. The grass will REALLY need mowed by the time it dries up enough. 

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I was sitting in the living room with Mr. FixIt in the early evening when a little spotty fawn came walking by the front door. Little happened to be in the kitchen so I got her attention in time for her to see it. I love that she’s seen so much wildlife here. We wrote a long list of all the special things she got to do while she was here. It’s been such a blessing having her here and the house will be awfully quiet without her.

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We drove to town last night to have Chinese food for supper. We picked up our carry out order and took it to a nearby park to watch the fish rising in the little lake…looking for their supper. The mayflies hatched en masse over the 4th of July weekend so they’re probably having a smorgasbord. By the time we finished eating and headed home, we were happy little campers as we congratulated ourselves for a successful visit with our Little Bear! We’ll see her in September!

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Please pray for travel mercies for my family.

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?

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“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

\n1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/12/saying-goodbyeagain.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/10/camping-with-the-kiddo.html", "title": "Camping with the Kiddo", "content_html": "\n
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Well, it wasn’t roughing it, by any means. But we sure had fun at Beaver Creek State Park. It’s one of my favorite places to camp…mainly because one of my besties is the Camp Host. We gathered a few of our girlfriends and had a low key get-together. Little and I went to a couple antique shops. We found a cute vintage dress and purse and an Ohio State letter jacket. Also, I’ve been looking all over for a cast iron griddle to add to Little’s biscuit baking gear. We found one at Rogers Sale for $5.00 just before they closed. 

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We came back to the campground and had lunch, visited with the girls for a while, then went back to the cabin for a nap. Last night we had S’Mores and watermelon after supper and sat around the campfire. Gail used her bird app and a Bluetooth speaker to call the owls. They are off the nest now so it’s ok to call them in. We had just about given up hearing any when I looked up to see one swoop down and land in the tree over our heads. Someone shined a flashlight up and we caught a good look at this beautiful creature. He looked right down at us and it was so cool. 

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After a bit, the owl flew to another tree then another. And finally, it started answering the calls from the speaker. I was thrilled Little got to hear…and SEE an owl!

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When I asked Little what the favorite part of our stay together has been, the answer was “Antiquing…definitely!” Hey…that topped the owl sighting and swimming in the pool! 

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This is MY grandchild, for sure!

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?

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“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord...”

\nPsalm 127:3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/10/camping-with-the-kiddo.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/08/whats-thisa-day-off.html", "title": "What’s This…A Day Off???", "content_html": "\n
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Standing at the Foot of the Temporary Back Steps

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I can’t remember the last time I actually took the whole day off. When we prepared for bed on Tuesday night, I told Little we were taking the day off and to feel free to sleep in. That we did. Poor kid keeps saying anytime we go someplace here, it’s a mini road trip. She isn’t far off. I didn’t cook breakfast…we fended for ourselves. Little packed for the camping trip, read and played with makeup all day. I pulled out my laptop and external hard drive and looked for old pictures of the farm. I want to make a memory book for the family. And I want to share some of the old photos with the new owners. 

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It’s been really interesting going through the pictures and trying to get an idea of the timeline. Some of the snapshots had dates printed on the border to indicate when they were developed, but most did not. I believe I have found the oldest photo of Grandma’s house that I have in my possession…and it is SO cool! I found a bunch of pictures that show the house before it was moved onto the new basement. I have memories of that, but had no idea how old I was. I found a couple of pictures of me taken right after they rolled the house onto the new foundation. I don’t believe we were there when it was actually being moved because it wasn’t safe to have littles around.

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It’s also been interesting to go through these photos and “feel” my family and what they must have been feeling at the time photos were taken. There were happy times like large family gatherings. And there were sad times like the somber, haunted faces staring into the camera documenting the loss of my Uncle Sonny. He was an Air Force pilot and crashed in Germany in 1955. I was almost two. I often wondered if there were any pictures of him holding me. I found a letter where he asked my mom how she was doing and had I arrived yet. And I also found him holding a baby that looks to be about two or three months old. I’m trying to put times and faces and ages together to figure out if it’s me. I’m hoping my uncle can help me figure it out. Once Little goes back with her mom and sister to Colorado, I want to get over to my uncle’s house for a visit.

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Little and I leave today to go camping for two days and we are SO excited. We are meeting a few of my camping friends, and we’ll do some crafts and things. 

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Little Bear and Nana’s Excellent Adventure!

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?

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““Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

\nExodus 20:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/08/whats-thisa-day-off.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/07/my-mini-me.html", "title": "My Mini Me", "content_html": "\n
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When Daughter #1 was growing up, she was the spitting image of me. From looks to mannerisms to basic interests, we were two peas in a pod. This went on till she grew up, married, and moved as far away from me as possible. Not that moving so far away was the whole point. It just so happened that an amazing job opportunity opened up and they moved to Long Island, leaving me at home with a foundering marriage and a precocious five year old. I was bereft. She learned there was a whole great big world beyond the borders of “Mom”. Which is good. She’s worldly, diverse, self-confident and can talk about anything with anyone.

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When I first met Big, I knew she was much like her daddy…and the new version of my daughter. As well, she should be. She is an observer, takes everything in, and if she is feeling like she doesn’t get enough of your attention, she will be sure to let you know. She’s smart, strong, and independent.

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When I first met Little, I knew she was my mini-me. So much like her mama when she was little. Fun, funny, creative, smart, tender hearted, and so loving and demonstrative. This time with her is nothing short of magic. We love a lot of the same things. And those things we may not be well enough versed in to form an opinion, the other is more than willing to teach. 

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We left yesterday around noon and headed to town for our antiquing excursion. I had the goal of finding a nice cast iron griddle for her to bake buttermilk biscuits on. We found everything but that. I bought her a good sized biscuit bowl, a sifter, and a biscuit cutter. I’ll keep looking for a griddle. I told her I would bring all these things to Colorado with me when we go in September. That way I don’t have to worry about anything getting broken.

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Little was fabulous looking through the antiques stores. She found all kinds of things that piqued her interest. I found some old welding goggles and had her try them on. Oh, my gosh! They were SO cute! She’ll use them in some of her cosplay. She found a small doll to add to her collection. She was curious about what things were and how they were used. I’m telling you…I was in hog heaven!

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We decided to head out into the country to another antique dealer where I know they usually carry a good deal of cast iron. We stopped at Fort Boreman Park and looked out over the Ohio River taking the obligatory photos with the magnificent view behind us. Little learned about humidity yesterday. As we were driving through the country, she noticed everything in the distance was blue. I explained how we can see the air here because of the high humidity. She told Mr. FixIt over supper that we can see the oxygen here. Indeed, we can!

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We didn’t find the griddle we were looking for so we drove to the farm to pick up a few more things that I wanted to bring home. When we got there, we ate supper and jumped in the pool to cool off. Divine!

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Today we prepare for our camping trip. We leave in the morning!

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The time…I want to slow down the time.

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?

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“yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

\nJames 4:14 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/07/my-mini-me.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/06/horses-and-heavens.html", "title": "Horses and Heavens", "content_html": "\n
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What a fun day! Little learned how to make French Toast and agrees with me…the very BEST bread to use is day old homemade sourdough! It was a taste sensation. Then, without any prompting, she went and walked her two miles. I worked on a project on the computer all afternoon while Little chilled out in her room. When it was time for supper, we thought we would go into town and get Pete’s Pizza…a special treat. Unfortunately, they were closed. So, we went to Popeye’s Chicken instead, went to our granddaughter’s to see the horses and feed them peppermints, and took a ride out to the farm. I wanted to see if my cousin was having a bonfire, but I’m sure they did that Sunday night.

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The last stop of the evening was Calhoun County Park…a designated “dark sky” area. We got there just after sunset and sat in our chairs, marveling at the display slowly revealing itself over our heads. It was amazing! Little saw the Milky Way for the first time. Denver skies aren’t great for star watching. We saw satellites and identified constellations through an app on my phone.

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We got home around midnight and stood in the field in awe. The trees along the creek on the far side of our fields literally GLITTER with lightning bugs…ie fireflies. Little has dubbed it the Magic Fairy Forest and she isn’t wrong…it’s jaw dropping. I’m going to have to organize a group campout here to share this beauty with others! 

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The icing on the cake came when Little asked, “Can we sleep in the camper again tonight, Nana?” Be still my heart…I want to bottle this up and keep it forever, this sweet, sweet thing!

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?

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“He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.”

\nPsalm 147:4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/06/horses-and-heavens.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/05/when-every-week-has-a.html", "title": "When Every Week Has a Three-day Weekend", "content_html": "\n
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Retirement, sweet retirement. I remember packing as much fun as possible into those few three-day weekends we had when we were working. This while also trying to catch up with the laundry and cleaning the house. I honestly don’t know how we did it all. The truth is, we often didn’t. Or, more accurately…we didn’t do it well.

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I was never one to have my house spotless when the kids were growing up. I quickly learned what was “good enough”. Now that we have all this “free time”, we keep a much neater house. Little is a typical teenager and in the nine days she’s been here, her room is pretty trashed. I’ve truly forgotten what it’s like to have a 14-year-old girl at home. I asked her at supper last night to pick it up this morning. We’ll see if she’s any better at it than her mother was at that age. lol

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Little and I had a lot of fun yesterday. We baked two loaves of sourdough, made sourdough pancakes, fed the next sourdough starter, and took the dehydrated sourdough starter out of the dehydrator and bottled it up. Some day, Little might want some of my starter, and as long as it’s stored in a cool, dark place…it’ll last for years. 

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As I’m writing this, I just did the dishes and we are preparing to go out to see the fireworks this evening. I do hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend. Little and I are going to go antiquing Tuesday, pack for camping Wednesday, camp on Thursday and Friday, come home on Saturday, do laundry and get her ready for her mom and Big to come pick her up Monday. 

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Just like that…their vacation will be over and we will miss each other again. 

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In the meantime…there is FUN to be had at Nana’s house!!!

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?

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“You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.”

\nPsalm 74:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/05/when-every-week-has-a.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Holiday","Peaceful Moments","Be Joyful!","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/04/its-independence-day.html", "title": "It’s Independence Day!", "content_html": "\n
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The year is half gone already. Last year was 36 months long. This year seems like three so far. We enjoyed a much slower pace yesterday. While Mr. FixIt mowed the fenced yard, Little and I made up some sourdough bread and put the loaves in crocks in the garage fridge overnight to rise and ripen. If you give them a cold, slow rise you can get a bit more tartness. My sourdough is never really “sour”. It’s just such a lovely texture…especially when toasted or made into French Toast. Yummmmm! 

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Little told me yesterday she’s never had French Toast! I have failed as a mother if my own daughter doesn’t make French Toast for her children. Well, actually no….they just don’t eat a big breakfast at their house. We have to eat a good breakfast because Mr. FixIt takes medication that makes it necessary, and we go out and work hard most days. We need a little something to stick to our ribs.

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Our big news for the night was camping! Ok…yard camping. But when you have five acres in the country, it’s your own private campground, right? Little hasn’t camped with me for a couple of years, and that was in her Mimi’s driveway. We are leaving Thursday to camp with some girlfriends of mine. We’ll be staying in a cabin, but it’s still camping. I love that Little still likes to do fun things with her Nana. I told her I wanted to do these things with her while she still thought I was cool. She said, “Nana, now I’ll fight you on that one. You’ll ALWAYS be cool!”

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*heart melt*

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They grow so fast. 

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I made up her bed in the camper and she brought all her things out that she needed for the night, climbed in bed with a Stephen King novel…IT! Oy…kids love spooky, scary stuff at that age. I thought Nancy Drew was scary when I was her age! lol Then again, I think I was still playing with Barbies! It’s truly a different era. I went through a time when I loved scary books. I remember reading Salem’s Lot one summer when Daughter #1 was about 6 or 7. Hubby #2 was off for a fishing weekend with a buddy of his, so it was just us girls and the dog. Along about midnight, when I was at a particularly scary part, three things happened in rapid succession.

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The clock struck twelve and there was a blood curdling scream from the psychiatric hospital down the street from us.

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Daughter #1 was sleep walking, coming down the hall with a glassy stare saying, “Mommy. Mommy. Mommy.”

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And…suddenly there was a tap on my bedroom window and someone whispered…”Ginny! Ginny!!”

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Holy cats!

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I didn’t know where to turn. First was to take my little girl back to bed and tuck her back in. Then I came back into the bedroom and stood there quietly.

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Tap, tap, tap. “Ginny! Open the door! I forgot my key!”

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It was my husband! They got rained out at the lake and came home instead. I don’t think I ever really read much Stephen King after that!

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Anyway…it’s the 4th of July. Independence Day. We’ll celebrate with watermelon and corn-on-the-cob and hotdogs. Then we’ll go into town to watch the fireworks with Little. 

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Let freedom ring!

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????????????????

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“and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””

\nJohn 8:32 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/04/its-independence-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Holiday","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/03/another-busy-day-in-paradise.html", "title": "Another Busy Day in Paradise", "content_html": "\n
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Little is sure keeping us busy! I’d forgotten what it was like to have a 14-year-old in the house. They like to sleep…a lot! They like to stay up late and read and then sleep the day away. But that isn’t happening at Nana’s house. We have other things to do so she’s up and at ‘em much earlier than she would like. 

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We made sourdough pancakes yesterday morning and Little thought they were great. We ran to town and got gas for the mowers. While we were there, we stopped in the store that comes the closest to being a combination housewares and hardware store. Little likes cosplay. If you don’t know what that is, it’s what we used to call playing “dress up”…kinda. The costumes are based on anime, historic, mythical, cartoon, or movie characters to name a few. There are also original characters. While we were in this store out in the middle of nowhere, Little found two headbands she could use in her costumes. 

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Since she’s been in West Virginia, she keeps going on and on about how lush and green it is…and she keeps feeling like a fairy is going to pop out of the woods and ask her on a quest. Little has a very vivid imagination and she is very creative. She does character makeup really well. I could see her doing movie and theatrical makeup for a living…or at least a decent way to make some extra money in college. When she showed me the headbands and told me her ideas for a fairy costume, I remembered some things I had around the house that I used when a friend and I dressed up and went to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I searched around and found her a corset and a couple of petticoats and a top hat. She was in hog heaven. She dressed up and we did a photo shoot out in this little cove that she loves. We had a blast!

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Mr. FixIt installed my vintage medicine cabinet in the little bathroom off our bedroom. We purchased a three globe fixture to mount above it, but I wasn’t satisfied with the way it looked. I wanted something more like a fixture from the farm. He looked all over the internet and finally did a search for vintage lights on E-Bay and BAM…there it was! The perfect light for over the sink. It won’t be here till the 15th. We are so close to being finished with that room then we can start on the big bathroom.

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I mowed all five acres yesterday. We grilled out on the deck and had burgers and corn-on-the-cob. For dessert, we had a little of the homemade ice cream I made last weekend. We’ve been dishing it out sparingly. 

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Ahhhhh….summer!

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?

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“May you see your children’s children…”

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Psalm 128:6 ESV

\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/03/another-busy-day-in-paradise.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Be Joyful!","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/30/when-you-have-to-say.html", "title": "When You Have to Say “See Ya!”", "content_html": "\n
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Those five days went by WAY too fast. Oh, my…how I miss my girls. It was a really hard year anyway, then to not get to see my Colorado peeps on top of it made it seem worse. But we sure crammed a lot of fun into five days. Yesterday was a lot more low key. We hung around the house most of the day. My daughter did some laundry so they’d have clean clothes for the rest of their trip. I baked a Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie to have for dessert last night. When it was cooling, we headed to town.

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Little needed sunglasses. I needed a flash drive…and some cortisone cream. Remember when I told you yesterday about the caterpillar that landed on my neck? Well, I did some more research and it was some variety of tussock moth caterpillar. Those little hairs stick in your skin and break off. They’re very irritating. I have a two inch circle of raised, itchy welts where the little rascal got caught between my collar and my neck. Oooooooh, it itches and stings. I’m putting cortisone cream on it as well as “After Bite”…something that knocks down the stinging for awhile. The poison control website says the irritation should only last a day or two so I’m hoping this settles down quickly.

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We got home and I started a supper with Big in mind. There is more to being a vegetarian than eating salad, so I wanted her to have a yummy meal. We had corn-on-the-cob, half-runner beans, cucumbers and onions, sliced fresh tomatoes, spicy bean burgers, and homemade buttermilk biscuits with honey. What a glorious repast…and Big was a happy camper, especially after having a piece of pie!

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Mr. FixIt got home just as I was putting things away so I fixed him up a plate. He is always so appreciative of my cooking which makes me happy to do it for him. After dinner, Little and I took our evening dip in the pool. Mr. FixIt came out and watered the garden then sat and talked with us for a while. And now, two of my sweet girls hit the road this morning to head off for another ten-day whirlwind tour of several colleges in the Northeast before they swing by to pick up Little and head home. 

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I cried when she got here…I’ll cry when she leaves. My first born. The one I grew up with. Strong, hardworking, still so pretty. I hugged her last night and thanked her so much for coming to see me. She’s not one to be overly emotional. She’s the child that you know loves you, but she doesn’t say it very often. She’s just not all that huggy-kissy like me. That’s ok. I know for a fact if I needed her, she would be here in a heartbeat. When Mr. Virgo was in the ER having a heart attack, I could hear her running down the hall to leave word to come be with me…five hours away. She’s a good kid….and I love her with every beat of my heart. I’ll get to see them all in September when we go to Colorado. I’ll get to see my brother. AND…I’ll spend some quality time with Daughter #2 and her wife! I cannot wait!!!

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Where did June go???

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“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

\nProverbs 22:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-30T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/30/when-you-have-to-say.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/29/nana-wore-them-out.html", "title": "Nana Wore Them Out!", "content_html": "\n
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Mr. FixIt and I took Little out to the field a couple days ago for the “Annual Blueberry Harvest”. It was a bumper crop this year for our one little blueberry bush. We didn’t get any last year. I think the year before we had maybe half a teacup. Each year the bush gets bigger and bigger and will soon outgrow the cage Mr. FixIt built over it to keep the birds out. There were still several on the bush that haven’t ripened so we are enjoying fresh blueberries…a few at a time to make them last.

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Big and her mama got up at 5:30 yesterday to get to town to swim with the local team by 6:30. They came home and I soon had them rounded up to head out to the farm. This was their “goodbye” trip. The kids have only been there once that they remember. The farm has been a part of my daughter’s life since she was five months old and we returned from England where she was born. She’d never seen it empty…or nearly so. We went through every room and the basement. She told me she’d never been down there before. Grandma was afraid she might get hurt on something.

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Big is allergic to clover, is no fan of dirt and bugs, and the thick vegetation makes my Colorado girls a bit claustrophobic. So, this isn’t the highlight of her trip. Little, on the other hand, loves the woods and how green it is. She says it looks like a fairy could pop out of the woods at any second and call us on a quest! The girls and I stood on the front porch and my daughter took our picture. That’s as close as we could get to a photo with them in front of the snowball bush. Mainly because the snowball bush is half dead and I haven’t trimmed it in some time. But also because, if you stood real still and listened, the yard was buzzing with honey bees on the white clover. I mentioned Big is allergic to clover, right? Poor kiddo…West Virginia is just not her favorite place.

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When we were finished at the farm, we went to the cemetery where my family is buried. We didn’t stay long as it upsets Little. She has such a soft heart. The next stop on our little trip was at Berdine’s Five & Dime. They remembered being there before because there are lots of toys that you can’t find very often these days. We spent a good bit of time in there sorting through bins and letting Karen, the shopkeeper, tell us all about the toys and how the puzzles work. 

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With their bag in hand, off we went to get some picnic food at the Shop-n-Save. We had a blast in there. I had my hands full and turned to Big and said, “Honey, go over there and get us a buggy, will ya?” Apparently, when I turned back around, she mouthed to her mother, “What the heck is she talking about?” My daughter said, “That’s West Virginian for shopping cart.” She thought that was a hoot. But what really did her in was the tub of ham salad her mom showed her. Big’s eyes about popped out of her head. First, because she didn’t even know they made such a thing. Second, it was this bright pink pasty stuff that didn’t look at all appealing to her….because, third…she’s a vegetarian. That was enough to push her over the edge and she was really ready to leave all this quaint country stuff behind and get to a real city. 

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We made our selections and headed to the nearby state park. We stopped at an empty picnic table and had our lunch. All was going well till the hairy yellow caterpillar had the nerve to invade our space. I made the mistake of saying the caterpillar can “sting you”. We flicked it away, but it ended up on me. It doesn’t sting, but the little hairs can be really irritating to your skin and I can definitely feel where it was on my neck. Needless to say, that was the end of the picnic.

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One of the things that flatlanders have a little trouble with here are the twisty turny roads. When we finally made it home, everybody laid down and took a nap. I wore them out. Plus, yesterday was Day 17 on this magnificent adventure of theirs. They have a lot more to do before they get to go home. Little and I ended the day with a swim in the pool and watched the sunset. It was a beautiful day and I loved every minute of it. One more day and two of them leave then Little stays on for another couple of weeks. This is a special time for us all.

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“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”

\nRomans 12:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/29/nana-wore-them-out.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/28/the-bakers-begin.html", "title": "The Bakers Begin!", "content_html": "\n
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Little is hilarious. She has such an excellent wit…quick and dry and unexpected. She’s always been years ahead of her time in that regard. She teaches me so much about life and being who you are. Yesterday was the big family gathering to introduce Mr. FixIt’s clan to mine. I told the kids we’d just make pizzas and homemade ice cream. Simple enough.

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Little (who goes by Bear, her lifelong nickname and her name of choice) was really excited to learn how to make pizza crust from scratch. We started fairly early because we wanted to par-bake the crusts. That way we could top them and finish them off on the grill outdoors when the rest of the family were here. 

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As we worked side by side, Little said… “We should start our own baking show. I can see it now!” She spread her arms wide as if she were reading a marquee. 

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“Bear and Nana’s Baking Show! Our byline can be “It’s Good Enough!”

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She always catches me by surprise and we laughed ourselves silly.  We made two batches of dough which yields six pizzas. We used a variety of toppings from plain cheese to vegetarian to pepperoni and all the veggies. There were only two slices left at the end of the evening, so it must have met with their approval!

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I was a little worried about the homemade ice cream getting done in time. It took quite a while to freeze because it was so hot outside. I used a new recipe. My ice cream freezer makes a gallon and the recipe was low yield…like, a quart. I multiplied the recipe by four to make a gallon. This was a cooked custard base like my grandma used to make. It used whole milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, and the seeds from four whole vanilla beans. It was like French Vanilla…very rich and creamy. Decadent and something you seriously only serve for special occasions!

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Big went swimming yesterday morning, and this morning she is meeting with a local swim team to practice with them. I have no idea what we’ll get into today. We need to get out to the farm to mow, but we may just do that tomorrow. My daughter and Big are leaving Wednesday for the next leg of their trip. Visits never last long enough! 

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Today’s feature in the kitchen with Bear and Nana? Fried green tomatoes, corn on the cob, halfrunner beans, and a big salad! 

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“It’s Good Enough!”

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?

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“There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?”

\nEcclesiastes 2:24-25 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/28/the-bakers-begin.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/26/theyre-here.html", "title": "They’re HERE!!!", "content_html": "\n
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This was taken a long time ago…they’re 14 and 17 now!

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OMGosh! Yesterday was crazy busy! When I went to town the other day, I totally forgot to take a water sample from the pool to check for the chemical levels. I really wanted to make sure everything was ok for the girls to swim, so I took a sample in yesterday. I have to say, I’ve never taken a sample in where they didn’t adjust something so I had to make a purchase. But yesterday, they checked the levels and said it was all good! So, one less thing to worry about.

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A quick trip to Walmart to pick up some last minute things that I forgot on Thursday and I headed home. I still needed to change the sheets on our bed, dust and vacuum and put some things away. I also rethought the bed coverings in the kids room and ended up with an old chenille bedspread that I love. I felt it went better. And, I wanted the white coverlet on our bed for summer.

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The kids got here about 5:30 and…I have to tell you…I cried as soon as I got a hold of them. I haven’t seen them in almost two years and they’ve grown so much. Also, I’ll bet it wasn’t 30 minutes and they were in the pool! Daughter #1 says that’s all they’ve been talking about for the last two months…they get to see Nana…and Nana has a pool! I guess a pool is big currency with teenagers! lol We grilled and chilled on the deck and visited and had a wonderful time. 

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I was so happy with the way the house looked and our hard work has paid off. But, the most important thing was getting hugs from my babes. Big is on two swim teams so she needs to get in the pool twice a day. We’re going to go out to the farm between swims today. I hope I don’t wake up and find this was all a dream!!!

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This is one happy Nana!

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?

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“Love never ends….”

\n1 Corinthians 13:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/26/theyre-here.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Aging","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/24/with-all-good-intentions.html", "title": "With All Good Intentions", "content_html": "\n
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Mr. Virgo’s Clock…I hung it, set the pendulum in motion, the time on the clock said 6:07. I turned to check the time on my Echo device…6:07!!! You can’t make this stuff up!!!

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We start every day with a semi-plan. We may not know exactly what we’ll accomplish every day, but we have a general idea in which direction we want to go. We’ll be moving right along at a respectable clip when all of a sudden, something pops up and sends in a completely different direction. That’s what happened yesterday.

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I finished cleaning the guest bedroom, put the new sheets on and selected the quilts I wanted to showcase. I moved Grandma’s mirror from the family room to the guest room and hung it over my “Kindness Matters” sign. I took down a small wall quilt that I was tired of looking at and hung a whimsical picture with some sort of fairy tale reference. To be honest, I didn’t take the time to read the info on the back of the painting that explains it. I’ll get to it.

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I put the last of the books on the bookshelves in the office and adjusted the placement of some portraits of our ancestors so the symmetry was more pleasing. Once I was satisfied with all that, I went downstairs to get the twin sized memory foam mattress to put on the floor in the guest room for Little. As soon as I stepped in the storage room, I knew something was wrong. The floor was wet! I called for Mr. FixIt and he said that room has never gotten wet like that. The only thing different is, he put a new galvanized window well in early this spring. I don’t know if the rain was just too much for it and the water backed up and leaked through the casement window. Or, if it’s still related to the drainage issue from the mitigation of the road when it was totally redone many years ago. The lot has never drained right since, so I guess it’s time to call the state road folks again.

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Miraculously, there were only three cardboard boxes down there on the floor and they were filled with old camping gear, so I transferred them to rubber tubs for storage. Unfortunately, we lost the two mattresses. They were pretty saturated and not knowing the exact source of that water…out they go. I mean, I know it wasn’t sewage, but any water with potential contamination or the presence of mold has no business in your bed. I pulled the twin bed out of the camper and brought it in the house, dressed it in coordinating bedding, and the guest room is ready for my family!

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The former Mrs. FixIt came over yesterday bearing gifts. She know Big is a vegetarian, so she brought me the latest copy of Vegetarian Times magazine…and big, beautiful, juicy red tomato. There is a man that’s been setting up a produce stand across the road at the mailboxes for the last couple of weeks. She stopped and Vick us both up a couple of tomatoes. I had some wonderful Colby cheese and some sliced tavern ham in the fridge so I made us some great sandwiches for supper. 

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Mr. FixIt finished connecting the fixtures in the bathroom and everything worked great, except there is a small drip behind the wall when the hot water supply was turned on to the shower. We turned it off, and in a couple of weeks when we start working on the big bathroom, we can tear into that wall and fix that little problem. In the meantime, two thirds of the bad is fully functional! When he was finished, he mounted the door to the bedroom. Then he shampooed the carpet in our bedroom. Back off girls…I saw him first!

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I wanted the refrigerator cleaned out yesterday, but the mess in the basement diverted my attention. So, I will get that done this morning then run to town to go grocery shopping. I haven’t done a proper shop in months and I want to stock up on the special treats my Colorado kids love! Isn’t it fun to spoil your loved ones when they come to visit? I remember my own grandma greeting me at the door with, “You want some jelly bread, sug?” And off she’d go making me two sliced of bread with butter and her homemade black cap jelly! Lord…I’l love to have a cupboard full of that stuff! I need to perfect it myself this year.

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T-Minus One Day! I’m so excited I could plotz!

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?

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“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

\n1 Timothy 5:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/24/with-all-good-intentions.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/23/it-never-fails.html", "title": "It Never Fails", "content_html": "\n
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Little’s Room is just about ready!

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Mr. FixIt and I were talking about this yesterday. Whenever you have a project going…you have to make umpteen trips to the hardware store. This fitting was the wrong size. This lag bolt was too short. “I tried to tell the sales guy that this shutoff valve wouldn’t fit, but I let him talk me into it!” It never fails. It’s not all that big of a deal when you live in town and the hardware store is a mile or two away, like when I fixed up my mom’s house to sell. But, when you live twenty “West Virginia Miles” away…it’s a whole different ballgame.

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I purchased these pillow shams years ago…hand stitched on antique German linen bedsheets.

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We ended up having to run to town again yesterday because something didn’t fit or it was too long or whatever. I had an errand I wanted to do anyway, so I tagged along for the ride. Remember how I’ve told you in the past that a trip to town is an all day ordeal? Yeah…breakfast on the way in…dinner on the way back. The upside? I didn’t have to cook! We found what we were looking for. Also, I purchased a reproduction cross-stitch sampler off Facebook Marketplace a few weeks ago and finally got around to taking it in for framing. I was hoping it would be ready by the end of the week, but it doesn’t look like it. My fault for taking so long to get it in there.

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My Aunt Peeps gave the antique rabbit doorstop to my mom.

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When we got home, I helped Mr. FIxIt set the sink in the bathroom and hold it while he attached it to the wall with lag bolts. Then I worked on Little’s room. It’s almost finished. If I’d thought of it ahead of time, I would have given it a fresh coat of paint, but I doubt she’ll notice. I just wanted it to be comfy and peaceful for her. I’ll finish it, clean up our room today for Daughter #1 and Big, then clean out the fridge. Thursday is grocery day. Then they arrive on Friday!

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Dining al Fresco at the river

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Thank goodness we don’t have any rain forecast for a while. By yesterday morning, we had 3” of rain in the gauge…in around 15 hours’ time! Mr. FixIt got up a couple of times in the night to check the storm drain and it was perfect. We will both be so glad when the kids get here and we can stop working on projects for a while and just enjoy them…and summer!

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Almost finished!

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?

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“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,”

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Matthew 25:35 ESV

\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/23/it-never-fails.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/19/facebook-memories-and-family.html", "title": "Facebook Memories and Family", "content_html": "\n
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I remember when the first “memory” with Mr. Virgo showed up on Facebook after he died. It slayed me. I couldn’t breathe and the only thing I could think of was, “Now and forever, Facebook will torture me with these. Maybe I won’t be thinking about him dying for like…five minutes…then, BAM! Right in the face!”

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It turns out, they were really painful for quite a while, then slowly, slowly, slowly…I could look at them and they’d make me smile like most of the warm memories the FB algorithms deem appropriate to share with me. I don’t get as many Mr. Virgo memories these days. Not sure why. Just the nature of the beast. Sometimes I don’t even look at them. Maybe that’s why. Anyway, the one that showed up last night really brought back a fun, fun memory!

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I lived in Colorado for forty years…the last twenty-eight of which were spent in the Roaring Fork Valley for the most part. Glenwood Springs or the surrounding area was home from 1986 to 2014 when I sold my house and took off for West Virginia in my big camper, TOW-Wanda Grande. I came back to see the kids every summer since then, except for last year because of the pandemic. I dragged the camper back every other summer and took the grandkids camping. 

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One summer, we camped in the Glenwood Canyon which was totally awesome. We spent time in the Hot Springs Pool and went to the park to hear live music. But the most fun thing we did was visit Glenwood Adventure Park. Located high above the canyon itself, you could actually see some of the rides from our campsite. If the wind was right, you could hear the screams of the tourists as they dared to swing out over the canyon’s edge and peek 1300 feet down into the canyon below. The cars on the interstate looked like toys.

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The new roller coaster opened a couple of years before and I couldn’t wait to get the kids up there and have some fun. It’s a fast, FAST ride that is over in around a minute flat. But, Jeez-o-Pete…it was terrifying. I am not ashamed to say I totally wet my pants at about where that arrow is pointing. You are at a high point on the ride when you suddenly drop into a spiral that gets smaller and smaller and faster and faster till it literally feels like time stands still and you think you are surely in another dimension.

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We laughed and laughed and laughed on that trip. We left from there and went up to Steamboat Springs and went on a horseback trip and rented a pontoon boat and spent the afternoon fishing and doing crafts out on the lake and visited their hot springs. That was the year before Big decided camping was horrible and she never wanted to do it again….EVER. The next time I wanted to take them, it was just me and Little. 

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Maybe she’ll go again with me some day. I sent her a picture of us on that trip with the message. “You had fun….don’t lie!” Her answer? “Yeah.” lol Little will go with me anywhere, I have no doubt. But, someday…someday I want to sit in the woods around the campfire with just me and Big. It can happen!

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?

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“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

\nProverbs 22:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/19/facebook-memories-and-family.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/18/mowing-and-playing.html", "title": "Mowing and Playing", "content_html": "\n
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Elderberry

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The mowing never stops. We are still mowing out at the farm as it hasn’t changed hands yet…but mainly, because I love it. I love how it looks when it’s mowed. We stopped on the way out and got some lunch and a drink to take with us. We sat on that front porch after the mowing was finished and just admired how lovely it all is. I love how there’s always a new flower to replace something that’s spent. 

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Clematis

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The clematis vines were spectacular. The elderberry bush is laden with clusters of small, white flowers that will turn into little purple berries. You can make an elderberry wine, but the most common use is an elixir that some swear improves immunity during cold and flu season. There are sprays of tiny pink multiflora roses climbing up the banks of the creek and on the hillside above the driveway. And under the dining room window are Grandma’s Evening Primrose. She called them “9 o’clocks” because that’s what time they bloom. You can sit and watch them open.

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Pink Multiflora Rose

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Even without seeing the nearly four inches of water in the rain gauge, you would know we’d had big storms out there. The grasses and weeds along the creek banks are swept to the left in the direction of the rushing water, and clearly rose at least three feet. It’s no wonder it looks like a tropical rainforest out there. The vegetation is so thick and lush and green. I know I tell you this every two to three weeks…but this is my absolutely favorite time of the year.

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Smooth Hydrangea aka “Snowball Bush”

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After we finished mowing, we came home to unload and drop off the trailer before turning around and going back to a cookout at my cousin Rick & Charlotte’s bunkhouse. Their driveway goes down a steep embankment and then you drive through the creek to the other side…not something you can do with a trailer and mower on the back. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it, but we could have dropped the trailer off in their barnyard and picked it up afterwards. But, hey…it was a beautiful day for a drive. It felt so incredibly normal to sit around a fire and have a meal with people. I will NEVER take that for granted again!

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Nearly 4” of Rain in a Week!

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It was so incredibly relaxing to just stop, let someone else do the cooking, and sit with a bunch of people around a fire. I knew about half of them. Well…I’m RELATED to about half of them. And I was related by marriage to another one I’d never met before. It was fun to meet new people and to tell great stories. We told them all we could hardly wait to do it again sometime. Such nice people.

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Evening Primrose

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On the way home, we stopped at the gas station. I rolled the window down and there was this awful smell. Mr. FixIt got back in and I asked him what on earth was so stinky. We went around the corner and found it. The catalpa trees are blooming. They smell sickeningly sweet and somewhat rank…like something died, maybe. Let’s just say, I’m really glad we don’t have them in OUR yard!

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New Mown Grass

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It’s time to mow again here at home. Mr. FixIt will put another coat of paint on the new bathroom door and then we’ll go to town to buy a new door and frame for our bedroom, run some errands, and get back home before it rains. The heat comes back today. We were really blessed with three straight days and nights of unseasonably cool weather.

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Pink Multiflora Rose

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Did I tell you this is my FAVORITE time of the year???

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?

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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

\nPsalm 119:105 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/18/mowing-and-playing.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Farm Life","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/16/preparing-to-teach-at-marshmallow.html", "title": "Preparing to Teach at Marshmallow Ranch", "content_html": "\n
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In just over a week, Daughter #1 will be pulling into our driveway toting Big and Little. Big is really big now...seventeen and preparing to visit colleges with her mom  the following week. And Little isn’t so little anymore. She was only five years old when Mr. Virgo died. She’s fourteen now. It doesn’t seem possible...especially since I haven’t seen any of them since August 2019 when Daughter #2 got married.

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Although Big came with her mom to visit me here in WV when I was fixing up my mom’s house, she doesn’t remember it because she was only nine months old. They did come several years ago to visit the farm and my Aunt Peeps, but I was working in Colorado at the time and couldn’t get away. So, this is their first visit with Nana in the country. While I doubt my “time travel” plans will be terribly impressive to a seventeen year old, I’m firmly convinced Little is going to enjoy what I have planned for her. She is staying with us for two weeks while her mom and Big go on their college tour.

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Little has always been SO much like me. She is bright, funny, incredibly creative, loves looking through old boxes of junk, loves to cook and sew, draw and paint. I’ve been thinking of all kinds of fun things to do with her. I want to teach her to bake sourdough bread and buttermilk biscuits and grits. I want to teach her to knit dishcloths. We’ll garden. She’ll learn about the mower and the weed eater. We’ll plant geraniums. We’ll “camp” out in TOW-Wanda. I want to take her to a nearby park that has been named a Certified Dark Sky area so we can lay back and look at the stars. I want to spend time with her at the farm and teach her about the night sounds and the different birds and grandma’s flowers. I want to share the family stories that I have been entrusted with. We’ll explore the countryside and maybe visit some cemeteries and find the names on her family tree chart I made for her. I purposefully left the birth and death dates off so she can learn where to find that information.

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All in two weeks. Think we can do it? I’m 99% sure we can, and she’s going to love it. I remember taking Daughter #2 on a three week road trip for her 13th birthday, and a trip to Cozumel for her 16th. The difference between those two trips was remarkable. So I hope I’m getting in under the cutoff date when Nana’s not so cool anymore. Thank God Big has come back around and we have great conversations again. 

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Little is an old soul, and I’m truly looking forward to exploring with her.

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?

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“Hear this, you elders; give ear, all inhabitants of the land! Has such a thing happened in your days, or in the days of your fathers? Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.”

\nJoel 1:2-3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/16/preparing-to-teach-at-marshmallow.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Farm Life","Littles","Crafts","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/12/a-comforting-routine.html", "title": "A Comforting Routine", "content_html": "\n
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Not ours...just an idea of what I want to create.

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Mr. FixIt and I have reached a lovely place in our relationship where we know what needs to be done around the place and, without really coordinating our efforts, we just start the next job at hand. I enjoy doing all the typically “male” jobs like riding the tractors to mow, trimming tree branches with the pole saw, or running the drain snake. I can tackle and accomplish just about anything I set my mind to, although...I do have to admit...it is getting just a little more challenging to do some things.

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For instance, I was mowing yesterday afternoon...trying to get as much done as I could before the next rain storm blew in. Down at the end of the far field, there are several old sycamore trees that have a tendency to lose some branches when we have hard winds. I have to stop the mower frequently to get off and move limbs before I can move on. Up and down, up and down. Finally, at the end of the afternoon and my umpteenth up and down, I discovered my right leg would simply not lift me up anymore. It had had enough, I reckon. Not to be discouraged, I just went around to the other side of the tractor and lifted myself up and over with my left leg. You just have to make do with what you got sometimes, don’t you?

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I didn’t get the fields mowed before it started raining hard enough to send me back to park the tractor in the building. I put my tools away and went to find Mr. FixIt. He had been around the side of the house trimming the last of that monster forsythia bush and loaded the trimmings up in the back of his truck. He was just backing up to the burn pile when I came out of the building. We congratulated each other for a good afternoon’s work and went inside to wash up for supper. 

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I love summer meals when you can just make sandwiches and call it good. No heating up the kitchen or doing a ton of dishes afterwards. Finishing off with some cold watermelon really hit the spot. It has been so hot and sticky the last couple of days. We enjoyed stretching out in the cool air conditioning and watched a couple old reruns of Frazier before we finished our last push for the day. Mr. FixIt went out to empty the branches from his pickup. I cleaned up the kitchen and opened some boxes that were delivered yesterday.

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I splurged and bought a couple of things I’ve been wanting. First, the food dehydrator I used last year has just about had it. The plastic trays have become so brittle, more and more pieces fall off every time I use it. So, after doing some research, and getting recommendations from friends, I ordered a COSORI Food Dehydrator. The trays are metal so I won’t have the breakage problem over time. And, the heat and fan are in the back so the air flows across the food and not up through it. That keeps you from having to rotate the trays as often. My friend Gail uses hers every day in the summer and swears by it.

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The other thing I got is actually a gift for the family. I’ve been wanting an outdoor movie projector and screen so we can have movie and pool nights here at the house this summer. Last year, we didn’t let the kids come out to swim. We didn’t know if Covid could spread in a pool and Mr. FixIt needed it to do his daily physical therapy exercises. And, of course, there wasn’t a vaccine then. This year will be different. Just about all of the family have been vaccinated and those that haven’t been are good about social distancing. Here’s a link that shows 20 ideas for outdoor movie nights! 

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I also ordered a few poster sized family tree charts so I could fill them out for the kids before they get here. That was my last chore of the day...filling out three of them. I have a couple more to do. The rains are moving out for a bit so we’ll be back to doing outdoor chores soon. The mowing never stops. I’m going to take a break this morning and join some gals from my high school class for coffee. We haven’t gathered since January 2020 so we are all really excited to see each other! 

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I hope you all are getting a chance to get outside and stretch your legs. We are knee deep in June, as my grandma used to say, and it truly is my favorite time of the year!

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?

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“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

\nPhilippians 2:14-15 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/12/a-comforting-routine.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Love","Be Joyful!","Farm Life","Marriage","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/04/play-ball.html", "title": "Play Ball!", "content_html": "\n
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I gained a whole lot more family members when I married Mr. FixIt. One of my bonus granddaughters plays softball for our Alma Mater and the league tournament began this week. They lost their first game to our arch rivals. They won their second game and, since our rivals lost their second, we played them again last night. Our girls came out like the fighters they are and it was touch and go there for a while. But, ultimately the rivals won and ended our granddaughter’s season. She’ll be a senior next year and that will be the last WV grandchild to graduate high school.

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How quickly those growing up years seem to fly...when it’s not you doing the parenting. You never feel like it flew by till it’s over. While you’re in the midst of it all, it seems to last three lifetimes. You think you can’t wait till all those travel games and practices are over...until they are. Then you mourn the loss. 

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It seems to be that way with most things in life, doesn’t it? When you’re young and just starting out, it feels like forever till you’re your parents’ age. Then, all of a sudden, you have great grandchildren and you wonder how in the heck it happened in the blink of an eye. I really enjoy being the grandparent watching my grands growing up and achieving big things. Daughter #1 will be here with the girls at the end of the month. She’s taking Big to look at colleges. Wasn’t she just in kindergarten last year? 

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I love watching my daughter parent her girls. I love when the lightbulb goes on in her mind and she “gets it”. She used to complain that we let her little sister get away with MUCH more than she could. Now she realizes no two kids are the same and what worked with one, doesn’t necessarily work with the other. I love when she turns to me for advice, or a recipe, or to confirm the date of her great-grandma’s birthday. (Which she got right, by the way.)

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I look back over my life and wonder which part was the best. Was it when I was young and ignorant of the ways of the world...newly married and living in England? Was it when my first child was born there and my mom flew all that way to come see her? Was it the lean years with Hubby #2 as we worked hard to put him through medical school...or was it the fat years when he practiced medicine and Daughter #2 came along? Was it becoming a grandmother for the first time? Was it when I married Mr. Virgo on the deck of my favorite restaurant overlooking Mt. Sopris in the distance, surrounded by family and friends? Was it when I went into the wilderness of Colorado as a new widow and came out a different and stronger woman? Was it living on the farm...the home of my heart? 

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I think, in looking back, EVERY time is the best time. I know for a fact that NOW is the best time. I’m married to my best friend. I live in the country on five acres. I have an amazing family. I have a camper, my health, and the means to live a comfortable life. Getting to watch a softball game in person or watching a swim meet online, or hearing our great granddaughter say, “I love you, Gigi!” Yep...this is the best time of all!

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?

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“May you live to see your children’s children....”

\nPsalms 128:6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/04/play-ball.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Peace","Wisdom","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/01/my-heart-is-happy.html", "title": "My Heart is Happy", "content_html": "\n
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Late Afternoon at the Cemetery on the Hill

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Yesterday was a perfectly beautiful day. We slept in, which is always nice. We stopped for breakfast on the way into town, then picked up my bonus daughter and son-in-law. They didn’t know where some of the family graves were, so we took them with us. Every year it’s the same thing. We know where all but one of the graves are in this huge cemetery. We walked around for a good forty-five minutes when I had the bright idea to look at the picture we took a couple of years ago of the headstone we were looking for. We all studied the photo, then fanned out and our son-in-law had it in less than a minute. Thank goodness it wasn’t as hot as it was out there last year. 

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We Found the Elusive Headstone

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Our high yesterday was only 72 and I consider that perfect. Even in the sun, you aren’t over heated. We decorated all the graves then I realized, same as last year...I hadn’t bought enough. We went to Dollar Tree and they were sold out. Then we went to Michael’s. They had flowers, but I wasn’t going to pay $5 for one flower when the cemetery is going to throw the decorations away in ten days. So, I bought pinwheels. They were festive and colorful and move in the wind. 

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A Stunning Lily Growing at a Gravesite

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We dropped the kids off and headed out to the country to my family’s cemetery. On the way, Mr. FixIt asked if I wanted to drive through the state park that’s on the way. It was a lovely day. The sun was shining, a gentle breeze was blowing, and the trees are all fully leafed out and provided a full canopy that cast a fresh green hue over everything. One campground was nearly empty...the other nearly full. We figure the empty one is where the families camp most often. The people in the other campgrounds seemed more our age.

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We arrived at the cemetery and I once again was struck by how beautiful and well kept it is. Nearly every headstone was decorated...and all military graves were decorated with flags. I love that so many people have peonies planted on the graves. My grandma would love that. I am going to propagate some of Grandma’s peonies from the farm. I’ll plant some for us here at home and some up at the cemetery. We wandered around and looked at the headstones and the dates and thought of the families who had to say goodbye. 

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As I placed flowers on my grandparents’ grave, I told them the farm had been sold and we’ve al been working hard getting things out of there. I told Grandma all about Frank & Beans and how they already love the farm. They have grand-babies so there will be little ones in the house again some of these days. I told her she would be really proud of the way we took care of the farm all these years without her and that we will still be able to visit the old home-place because Frank & Beans really get it. They know how much we love the place.

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A Carpet of Rhododendron Blossoms

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On our way home, we stopped at the farm and brought another load of things home. There are only three things left in the basement, Grandma’s bed/bedding, and what little is in the outbuilding and barn. We drove home as the sun was setting and decided it was a really good day all the way around. 

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It is a brand new month...and, my heart is full and happy.

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?

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“Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out.....”

\nJohn 5:28 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/01/my-heart-is-happy.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Holiday","Farm Life","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/05/29/memorial-day-weekend.html", "title": "Memorial Day Weekend", "content_html": "\n
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I still get notifications from 911 in Garfield County where I used to live in Colorado. Not that I need them for me, but my brother lives there and I like to keep up with what’s happening. I got a notice yesterday afternoon of yet another accident on I-70 that was blocking the road with no estimated time to reopen. I’ve seen a huge uptick in fatal and near fatal accidents come across my notifications and I began to wonder what on earth was going on. Then, I read a couple of articles that said people who stopped driving or seriously cut back on their drive time during the Covid crisis are actually having to re-learn their driving skills. We get rusty when we don’t practice something. I’ve noticed it in myself and consequently, I’ve backed off the gas pedal a good deal to compensate for my slower response times.

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Yesterday’s notice was serious. A semi jumped the rail on an elevated portion of I-70 where it travels through Glenwood Canyon and landed on its top on the eastbound lanes below. Some of those west bound lanes are over fifty feet higher than the eastbound. Traffic has been at a standstill for hours at the time I’m writing this and could be closed for twelve hours or more. In the meantime, hundreds of people are stuck in the canyon...no facilities, dicey cell service. The cars are parked and people are out talking and commiserating with each other over the delay.

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More than likely, there’s nothing they can do about it. There’s no place to go. They just have to sit and wait it out. That’s why Coloradans carry an emergency kit in their cars at all times. You don’t know when or where you’re going to get stuck...in a snowstorm, a tornado, a rockslide. Blankets, flashlights, a change of clothing, jackets for layering, energy bars, water, a first aid kit are musts. Heck, these people are going to wish they had a tent! Many of them were heading east to catch planes for the Memorial Day weekend...travel they’ve been desperate to enjoy for over a year. I hope their entire weekend isn’t ruined by this inconvenience. But, most of all, I pray for the health and well being of the driver and that he didn’t land on top of someone else.

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Memorial Day isn’t about barbecues and air travel anyway. It is about remembering those who gave their lives in the service of our country. Not to be confused with Veteran’s Day where we thank people who have and are currently serving in the military. When I was a very little girl, I remember family trips to the cemetery in Ravenswood where my dad’s family is buried. We called it Decoration Day, because that’s when we went to the cemetery to decorate the graves of our departed loved ones...military or not.

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I used to go to the family cemeteries every time I came home to West Virginia for a visit. I could always find our people because they were buried beneath the biggest tree there. On April 9th, 1991 a derecho came through West Virginia, destroying buildings and houses and countless trees. One such unfortunate victim was the big tree over my family’s graves. The next time I went, I had a hard time finding them without the big tree to guide me. 

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I knew I had a photo somewhere of the big tree. I figured there was a picture somewhere in the family archives of us when we were little...and therefore the tree would also be smaller. I found this picture when I was going through things to bring home from the farm. It was tucked inside a box of tchotchkes which just goes to prove you need to go through everything before you throw it away or divvy it up. You never know what treasures you may find. 

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The first picture is of my brother and me on Decoration Day. I remember seeing this picture when I was very young, but haven’t seen it in decades. I am almost certain this is the same tree...some fifty-odd years before the second picture. You can see how big the tree was before the derecho took it out in 1991.

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Remember the meaning of this weekend. There are parents missing their children, spouses missing their loves, children longing for their elders. None of us live long without experiencing the loss of a beloved family member. It is our duty to remember them, and to mark the solemn occasion with more than a hotdog and chips.

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??

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“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

\nJohn 15:13 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-05-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/05/29/memorial-day-weekend.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/05/23/pure-mountain-spring-water.html", "title": "Pure Mountain Spring Water", "content_html": "\n
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PopPop and three of his brothers in front of the house before it was moved onto the new basement.

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Ok, I’m still doing some remembering. Even though the farm was sold at auction on Tuesday, that doesn’t end my relationship with it. I am incredibly blessed that the new buyers will welcome me there. And there are still so many stories to be told. This is the oldest photo I can find of Grandma’s house. The men picture here are four of five brothers...my PopPop is the third from the left.

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This is when the house sat on stacks of stones. Vines grew on the front porch to help keep the living space cool in the summer. If you zoom in, you can see the oil well derrick that stood in the back yard. For many, many years, the house was left natural and weathered to a beautiful, rich grey. The bad part about that is, the wood is more susceptible to rot and insect invasion. Sometime in the late ‘70s, early ‘80s, I came home for a visit and my uncle had painted the house red with white trim. I was devastated because it didn’t look like “home” anymore. Now, I can’t imagine loving it more. The red has mellowed to a deep, rusty color in some areas...depending on sun exposure. 

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The Old Oxbow Spring

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The house didn’t have running water till it was moved onto the new basement. That must have been around 1958 or so. This picture was probably taken in the early to mid-fifties, judging by the car parked in the yard. Grandma had to depend on the well to wash clothes and to bathe in the old galvanized tub. At the time, the well water was sweet and drinkable. However, once they took that derrick out of there and capped the wells in the area, the aquifer was fractured and the water was brackish. That was devastating when it was the only source of water.

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An Old Milk Can (not my photo)

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For a while, I remember hauling water from the old Oxbow Spring. I rode in the pickup with PopPop and hauled two or three milk cans of water home a couple of times a week. There was an aluminum ladle with a long handle that had a bend in the end of it that hung on a nail by the can in the kitchen. When it was really hot out, they kept the water cans in a root cellar to stay cool. I belong to a Facebook group that shares memories of the area and someone posted a picture of the spring. People still go and collect water there, although...someone mentioned there’s an old cemetery on the hill up above the spring. That might make me think twice about drinking the water now, but back then, we were happy to have it. I do believe Grandma always boiled our drinking water...no matter the source.

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An Aluminum Dipper Like Ours (not my photo)

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Our temps here in West Virginia have gone from meat locker to microwave in the span of a few days. It won’t be long and we can hop in the pool of an evening and cool off. We went over to see one of the granddaughters and her fiancé this morning. They just graduated from WVU and are fixing up an old house that was converted from a barn on 90 acres. They board horses and raise their own hay. I was telling Mr. FixIt...I would have given anything to have had something like that when I was their age. We are so proud of them...they’ve really been working hard, and it shows.

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We went for a little drive afterward and checked out the high tunnels where they grow the best tomatoes just a few miles from the Ponderosa. They’re already waist high! I asked Mr. FixIt not to plant so many tomato plants this year...just enough for the table. I’ll buy from the folks at the high tunnels when I want to can tomatoes. We have ten plants instead of twenty-three! We also have zucchini, yellow squash, and lettuce planted. I’ve been so busy over at the farm, I haven’t dabbled in my flowers yet, but I will soon. I still want to bring some back from the farm. We will probably go over and mow today before it gets too hot. Even though the auction is over, it hasn’t closed and I don’t want to leave it looking like a hay field for the new owners.

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I hope you enjoy your day. It’s been lovely!

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?

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“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. What is the first thing you will do? Won't you sit down and figure out how much it will cost and if you have enough money to pay for it? Otherwise, you will start building the tower, but not be able to finish. Then everyone who sees what is happening will laugh at you. They will say, “You started building, but could not finish the job.””

\nLuke 14:28-30 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-05-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/05/23/pure-mountain-spring-water.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","The Farm","Farm Life","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/05/21/prayers-answeredthank-you.html", "title": "Prayers Answered...Thank You!", "content_html": "\n
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My Salvaged Shelf from Mr. FixIt

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I was so relieved when I got to talk to my brother last evening. He sounded so much stronger. He really wanted to go home yesterday, but the doctor wanted to keep him one more night and watch his kidneys. He’s not a big water drinker, so it’s going to be a challenge encouraging his intake. I think avoiding the hospital might be a big motivator! He did really well, he was well cared for, and Daughter #1 visited him twice. Thank you all for your prayers...we felt every one.

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Now that the farm has sold, there’s very little I need to bring home...maybe two trips. It was such a lovely evening we decided to hop in the truck, stop for a cold bottle of pop, and go for a drive with the windows down. It was the perfect temperature and letting the wind blow through my hair, the smell of the woods and newly mown hay fields, and a peace in my heart made for a soothing ride. We ran into Charlotte as we were pulling into the drive so she pulled in after us and chatted for a while. She was also excited about the new owners of the farm. We didn’t stay too long, but on our way out of the drive, we stopped and visited with the neighbor across the road and told him of his new neighbors. Everyone is really happy because Frank and Beans are the nicest couple you’d want to meet.

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Grandma’s Apron and a Quilt from a Dear Friend

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I spent the day working on my next projects. I’ve been wanting a shelving unit for my jars of home canned produce so I don’t have to take it all downstairs. With covid, we didn’t have people coming into the house for visits, so all those beautiful jars of food just sat on the dining room table. I wanted them to be where I could see them...because they are so pretty to look at. Mr. FixIt was moving things around in the building the other day and found a tall bookcase that wasn’t too deep for the spot I wanted to put it. He cleaned it up, oiled the wood, and painted a thin board to nail to the back. We cleared out the hallway to the front door we never use, and place the bookcase in such a way it wouldn’t impede egress should we need to escape out that way. It looks perfect!

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Yellow Iris at the Ponderosa

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The next step is going through the things we moved into the office when they put the carpet down. I don’t want all that “stuff” out in the family room cluttering it up. We put the wooden rocking chairs out on the front porch. And I’ve been going through bags and boxes, creating a bag of papers that I need to shred. These jobs are things we all do, and sometimes they get pushed to the burner one to many times. Then we just have to break down and get them done.

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Grandma’s Rhododendron

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I have a goal. The girls will be here June 25th. I want this whole floor of the house cleaned and organized. Our daughter and son-in-law are coming out tomorrow to help. The boys will finish up the electric line to the deck and us girls will work on the bedrooms. I don’t want to just move things from one place to another. I want to clear out things. I read somewhere...cleaning things out means to touch it once. You either put it in its place, or you haul it out the door. I vote for hauling a LOT out the door!

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A Quilt I Painted

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So, as I write this, I’m breathing a lot easier. I will feel even better when my brother gets home safe and sound. He still has a three hour ride home today after they discharge him from the hospital. We are SO blessed by the staff in the program he is a client with. They truly go above and beyond to care for people and I love them for that. It takes a great load off my shoulders to know he is so well loved.

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?

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“Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself.”

\nRomans 12:9-10 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-05-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/05/21/prayers-answeredthank-you.html", "tags": ["Family","Prayer","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/05/20/prayers-for-my-bubby.html", "title": "Prayers for my Bubby", "content_html": "\n
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When it rains, it pours. You all have heard me talk about my Bubby. He has a developmental disability and cerebral palsy and I’ve always been his biggest fan. He lived at home with our mom all his life and when she passed rather suddenly in January of 2004, he wanted to come live near me. He was accepted into a wonderful program for assisting adults like him and has lived in one of their homes in as independent a setting as he can attain. He has a roommate and they do their own shopping and cook their own meals, take their own medicines, and work at their own jobs. 

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The year of Covid took a lot out of my brother. His stamina deteriorated but his mind stayed the same. When he had the opportunity to go on a group trip with a company who takes developmentally delayed adults on vacation, he jumped at the chance to go. He’s done a couple of other trips with them...one to Hawaii and the other on a cruise to Catalina Island and down into Mexico. Unfortunately, people like Gary often don’t live as long as the rest of us. They get frail sooner, and their health fails, yet their minds and hearts think they’re much younger.

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Bubby was supposed to leave for Las Vegas yesterday morning, but he got sick during the night, and ended up in the hospital. They are taking good care of him, and Daughter #1 went to see him after work. She set up a video chat with him and I got to see him for myself. He looked so tired and weak and frail. It just broke my heart.

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I have to give big kudos to his case worker who stayed by his side in Denver all day yesterday, even though he was asleep most of the time. She texted and called me frequently to keep me in the loop and went above and beyond. Thank you SO much, Melissa...you are awesome! She even called last night when she got home from Denver just to check in and see how he is doing. The staff nurse from his facility will go down today and bring him home if they discharge him. And, Daughter #1 is prepared to go back for a visit if he has to stay.

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I knew making the choice to live here, there would be times when I wouldn’t be able to sit with a sick loved one at a moment’s notice. I knew I would miss out on milestones with my children and grandchildren. But, I also knew...for my own mental health...I needed to take this opportunity to live in my beloved home state. If I hadn’t have, I may have regretted if for the rest of my life. My mind is healthier here. My heart is happier. And if it weren’t for the pandemic, i would have been in Colorado a few weeks last year. I’ll just have to make up for it this year.

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Please pray for my sweet brother, that his kidneys work perfectly, that he can increase his fluid intake, and regain his strength so he can come home from the hospital. He is my hero...my heart. 

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What a week...and it was only Wednesday.

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???

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“Please help us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks for the blessings we receive in answer to all these prayers.”

\n2 Corinthians 1:11 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-05-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/05/20/prayers-for-my-bubby.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Prayer"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/05/18/my-grandma-had-a-dream.html", "title": "My Grandma Had a Dream", "content_html": "\n
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She was only fifteen when she ran off with the hired hand on her daddy’s farm and got married in Oakland, Maryland. She finished eighth grade, and could read and write and cipher. PopPop was twenty-two. He also left school when his daddy died young, leaving his mama to raise five little boys under the age of ten. He was the oldest and he needed to help feed his little brothers.

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Grandma always dreamed of having a farm of their own where they could raise their kids and feed them with what they could grow. She was a farm girl, after all. I have pictures of her riding the plow horse when my great grandfather put up hay for their cattle. Grandma saw that long drink of water in my PopPop and the rest, as they say, is history. 

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Life has a way of happening in spite of what you plan. I’m still learning of their early years. I know they were married in 1921. Her first born was a little boy, named after his daddy. He was born sleeping in 1924. I do not know where he was laid to rest, but I do know that my mom was born the following year in Indiana where PopPop and Grandma had gone for work. Their second child was born in Illinois the year before the Great Depression began. They had two more children before they headed back home to West Virginia. They had six children before the Depression ended.

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As I moved things around yesterday, preparing to pack up the last of my belongings, I noticed something was taped to the window frame in Grandma’s room. When I took a closer look, I smiled. I’m sure the rest of the article clipped from the Journal Star of Peoria, Illinois is somewhere in my papers. I remember it was a photo of some flowers in a garden...Lily of the Valley, to be exact. They reminded Grandma of home, so she cut that picture out and vowed to find her a farm where these delicate little flowers could grow. She finally did, sometime between 1932 and 1934.

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West Virginia was home to both of them, and they soon found a place back on the hill on this very farm. Eventually, they purchased the farm and moved down off the hill into the present house. Grandma always said...this farm was her dream and she never wanted to live anywhere else in the whole wide world.

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When my grandma became older, my Aunt Peeps took this clipping and taped it to the window frame in Grandma’s bedroom where she could look at it. She always called this place her little slice of heaven, and my aunt wanted her to see her coming heavenly home as something loved and familiar.

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As I sat on the front porch during my dinner break, it started raining. I threw a handful of old English Walnuts into the yard to lure the squirrels out for a treat. I noticed a little scuffle under the rhododendron and soon, out popped mama robin with three fledglings chasing her...wanting to be fed. They’re big enough to eat on their own...but they wanted the comfort of something familiar. I could relate.

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You see, even though I’ve been saying I let go of the farm already, it’s obvious to anyone reading my posts the last couple of weeks...that wasn’t quite true. It’s the same as these little fledgling robins...I need to leave the nest, but I want the place to feed me. I once climbed a cliff with Hubby #2. When I looked down, I froze. He tried to talk me out of my fear but I was escalating. Finally, he calmly said...

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“Well, you can figure out a way to move on from this point, or you can buy real estate here.”

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I got the same message yesterday from a very dear friend. She shoots from the hip and kicks me in the butt when I need it.

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“Look, you’re going to either need to buy the d*** place, or move on. You can’t stay where you are.”

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They were both right...unless I’m prepared to buy the real estate where I am...and I just can’t. I mean...I COULD, but I shouldn’t, I have to find a way to move on. I’m finding little bread crumbs...marking the trail in the direction I need to go. Finding this little snippet of old, crackly newspaper with my aunt’s shaky writing on it let me know I’m on the right track. It says...

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“Mom’s Lily of the Valley”

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It was a picture of what she dreamed of having one day. This was it...her special place. She made sure I loved it like she did. And now she’s leading me on to great adventures elsewhere. (It’s more accurate to say, my memories of her are inspiring me. I’m not ACTUALLY having conversations with dead people.) I’m not sure what the next adventure will look like, but I know who my traveling partner is...my sweet Mr. FixIt. And, as he says...

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“There’s always an adventure with Ginny McKinney!”

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My story isn’t finished yet, but I’m telling you what...I am so grateful to have had this little slice of heaven to call my home and to love with all my heart, whether I owned it or not.

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?

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“Everything on earth has its own time and its own season.”

\nEcclesiastes 3:1 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-05-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/05/18/my-grandma-had-a-dream.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Comfort","Wisdom","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/05/13/the-open-house.html", "title": "The Open House", "content_html": "\n
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Kitchen

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My goal was to have the house clean and presentable for the Open House yesterday, and I have to say...I was so proud of the way it looked when the auction agent (Wayne) got there. They arrived about 3:15 and needed to get back up on the hill to show the property lines to the one who hadn’t been there yet. Wayne took a quick look around the house and he was so pleased. The first time he saw it was when Mr. FixIt and I were at the beach so nothing had been done. It was in quite a state of disarray.

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Kitchen - My uncle made this cabinets after they rolled the house down onto the new basement

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None of us have ever seen it so empty, but it didn’t seem forlorn or depressing to me. It seem light and airy...like it could breathe in the sunshine. It was a beautiful, cool day. Members of the family or the sellers aren’t supposed to attend an open house. I didn’t realize that’s for our own protection against any liability. They are licensed and insured and that is their business. I really liked Wayne. He was genuine and personable. After he glanced at the house, he said, “I have a gift for you. You’ve worked so hard, you deserve a present!” He went out to his truck and brought me a wonderful Yeti travel mug! That was very kind of him.

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The Dining Room

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I had another truckload packed by the time they arrived, so all I had to do was put my overnight bags in and head home. I sent my cousin Katie the pictures of the house when it was ready and asked her to show my uncle today when they go help him mow. The house was always a shrine of sorts. It seemed like once we lost our Uncle Sonny in the plane crash, the house never changed much after that. Other than replacing worn out furnishings, it always looked the same year after year. The pictures were all hung in the same spots, the curtains were replaced by identical curtains. It was eerily comforting because you always knew you were home when you walking in the door. It still smells like old wood and dust and lemon oil.

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Living Room

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I haven’t heard if anyone showed up to the Open House. I hope so. I hope lots of people want it and they just fight over it and cause a bidding war. Not necessarily because it will bring in more money, but because it would show someone loved it enough to fight for it. I talked to my uncle last night to let him know the place looked nice for them and he said, “It’s kinda depressing, isn’t it?” I told him about talking to Grandma at the cemetery the other day and what she “told” me. I could hear his voice quiver. I said, “I know it’s hard because it’s HOME and it’s always been there. But, you know...that land saved a whole lot of people, myself included.” I thanked him tremendously for letting me live there and heal after losing Mr. Virgo. It was honestly like a medicine I took straight into my soul.

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Grandma & PopPop’s Bedroom where I sleep. You had to walk through their room to get to the bathroom. Grandma always reached her hand out to touch mine when my mom walked me through.

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So, the days of time at the farm are winding down. I’ll go back over one last stretch...maybe Friday. My last night there will be Monday because the auction ends on Tuesday at 7:00. I don’t want to sleep there after that...it won’t seem right. Oh...the stories we have! I’m looking forward to going over to see my uncle and sit with him and ask all the questions I’ve never asked. I want to know everything. For instance...I had no idea the back property line went clear over the back of the hill and across the creek and up the other side a little ways. No idea! All these years I thought it ended at the road on the other side of the old home place. 

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The Boys’ Room

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Today? I HAVE to finish the taxes! Mr. FixIt is working away on the entryways in preparations for the carpet installation tomorrow. He has one finished. One to go. It’s always something, isn’t it? 

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The Girls’ Room

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?

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“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

\nProverbs 16:3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-05-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/05/13/the-open-house.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/05/07/whispers-from-beyond.html", "title": "Whispers from Beyond", "content_html": "\n
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I got a little bit of a late start yesterday. I realized I didn’t really have anything at the farm for breakfast and I didn’t want to eat a hamburger and cottage cheese that early. So, I hopped in the truck for the short drive east. About seven miles away is a gas station/diner/tire center/convenience store. It’s saved my butt many a time when I ran out of something basic, but you wouldn’t want to actually “buy groceries” there as it’s spendy. Initially I thought I’d buy a box of cereal, or maybe some eggs, but as I got closer, I decided to go to the next biggest town where they have a real grocery store. Mr. FixIt agreed to come out and stay at the farm later, so I wanted to have real food.

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The two-lane to town...well, pretty much ANY two-lane blacktop in West Virginia...is twisty and turny as it climbs up and over the hills. And, this particular road goes right by the cemetery where my family is buried. I waved on my way past and called out the open window, “I’ll stop on the way back!” I love a country grocery store. You see things you might not find in a big city. And there are definitely colloquial items you can’t find anywhere else. Mr. Virgo LOVED scrapple. If you don’t know what that is, let me tell you...you either love it or you loathe it. I happen to be in the second category but, ohhhhh...that man did love scrapple. 

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When I asked Siri to tell me what scrapple was she led me to this definition:

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“Scrapple - American pork offal mush. Scrapple, also known by the Pennsylvania Dutch name Pannhaas or “pan rabbit”, is traditionally a mush of pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal and wheat flour, often buckwheat flour, and spices. (Sounds yummy!) The mush (ugh...can you say onomatopoeia?) is formed into a semi-solid congealed (it just keeps getting better and better, right?) loaf and slices of the scrapple are then pan-fried before serving. Scraps of meat left over from butchering, not used or sold elsewhere, were made into scrapple to avoid waste.”

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Just an FYI...The definition of offal: “the entrails and internal organs of an animal used as food. Refuse or waste material. Decomposing animal flesh.” 

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Yeahhhhh....NOPE! Not this girl! However...you do weird things for handsome men and frying this stuff up in my good pans was one of those things I did for that South Philly boy. This was a very long way of saying...they sell scrapple in Tiny Town, USA. I reached for the mush instead. A tasty alternative made from cornmeal, water, salt, sugar, butter, and maybe some bits of crispy bacon added. Essentially it’s the same as polenta, but you slice it and fry it and serve it with syrup drizzled over it. Yummmmm....and no leftover pig innards!

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I finished my shopping and on a whim, stopped at Berdine’s Five and Dime for a small bag of their chocolate covered peanuts. They are SO divine! Then, I drove to the cemetery. I had to park down at the main road because the last time I went in there when it was wet, I nearly slid off the road and down the hill onto a row of headstones. The day was crisp, the sun was shining, and a slight breeze blew my too long bangs away from my face.

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When I got to Grandma’s grave, I knelt down and started talking to her about the farm. I told her it was being sold and how terribly sad I was. I told her if I was younger, I’d buy it myself, but there are so many things wrong with it, it would just turn into a money pit. I apologized, and...much to my surprise, I burst into tears. Snotty, can’t-catch-your-breath, sad-country-song tears. I felt horrible...like I was abandoning my grandma herself. 

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When I finally regained my composure, I got up and moved over to Mom’s headstone. It’s low and slightly inclined, but high enough to sit on. I talked to them...these wonderful people who made me and raised me and taught me right from wrong.

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“Just tell me what you want me to do! If you want me to buy the farm, well...I’ll find a way to make it work. If you don’t, then tell me how to walk away from this. It’s breaking my heart!”

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I sat very still and listened to the wind in the trees around me, the birds calling from the woods, the bees buzzing around some flowers on a nearby grave.

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Suddenly...my heart got very light...like a weight had been lifted off me. And, I could almost hear my grandma’s voice.

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“The gift is not in the farm, pet. The gift is in the STORY.”

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That’s it! That’s the golden nugget...the prize...the revelation! I can walk away. Because “The Farm” has given me everything it can, don’t you see? I walked back to the truck singing...

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“Farther along, we’ll know all about it. Farther along, we’ll understand why? Cheer up, my brother...live in the sunshine. We’ll understand it, all by and by.”

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When I got back, I put away the groceries and straightened up the living room. I knew my sweetheart would be here later in the evening and he’d want to watch TV, so I hooked it back up for him. I turned it on to make sure I had it connected correctly and the Drew Barrymore Show was on. Drew was getting a tattoo right there on the show. When they asked what she was having done, she said, “It’s a phrase I’ve been saying to myself a lot the last year.”

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‘Home is where you are.’

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Isn’t that the truth?

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?

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

\nProverbs 3:5-6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-05-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/05/07/whispers-from-beyond.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","God"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/05/06/time-marches-on.html", "title": "Time Marches On", "content_html": "\n
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I’m kind of entering a countdown now with the farm. My ability to stay here whenever I want is coming to an end. Consequently, I’m spending as much time here as possible. I came out Tuesday. My cousin Tammy came out yesterday to help me go through my aunt’s things. We bagged up all of her clothes and shoes. The sizes are very small as my aunt was fastidious with her weight. I’ll bet she never varied more than a pound or two save for the “freshman 20” and the wasting of old age. And, for someone as incredibly frugal as she was, there were many designer pieces in her closet. She had grand style.

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Tammy was my first best friend, other than my brother. She’s a little younger than me but we share a lot of the same characteristics. She reminds me so much of our grandma. She works hard and loves gently. She has six little grandchildren here and one in Heaven. They are as much the apples of her eye as we were of Laura Belle’s. She’s warm and no nonsense and tells you like it is and is SO funny. I was tickled to pieces to have her all to myself at our grandma’s house for a few hours.

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We packed her van so full, I warned her not to slam on the brakes or everything would come crashing down on her. She took an old dresser. Being the oral historian of the family, I shared the history of this particular piece of furniture. Our great grandfather was a wheeler-dealer and dabbled in cattle and auctions and orneriness. He was...let us say...colorful. Big, tall, brawny with a deep timbre to his voice, he would gather us up on his knee and recite “The Village Smithy” to us when we were children. He was a former watchman and worked his way up to the state patrol. At one time, he did his rounds on horseback. He was a bit of a dandy with the ladies, as well. I was both enamored and scared to death of him. He died when I was sixteen.

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I do remember a time when I was a child, for some reason Grandpa was staying here at the farm. By this time he had terrible arthritis in his hips and could barely walk. (He had one of the first hip transplants ever done.) Because of this, Grandma and PopPop gave up their bed and let him sleep on the main floor. The only light in this room at the time was the ceiling light and apparently that wasn’t good enough for him. He brought an antique dresser of quarter-sawn oak from Virginia and set it up in the same little tiny bedroom where I am writing this post. He drilled a hole in the top of the mirror frame and installed a light socket so the could have a light that wasn’t right in his face when he read in bed. Of course, that ruined the value of the piece...except, we have the story that goes with it. 

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There are some things money can’t buy.

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I walked around the farm a little in the afternoon. We had two-and-a-quarter inches of rain in the gauge. The creek is still running muddy and everything was pristine in the late afternoon sunshine. I peeked quietly at the baby robins in the nest in the big rhododendron bush by the old gas light out front. When I looked at the photos later, I thought something was wrong with one of the babies. It’s eye was pale and the surrounding area was stark white. After studying it for a while, I realized...the sun was dappled, shining through the leaves and branches and budding flowers in just the right way to create that illusion.

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It is definitely much cooler after the rains of the last couple of days. I had to turn on the furnace and the electric blanket. But the window remains open. The barred owls have been very vocal this trip here and I want to soak up every sight, sound, and smell. I’m counting down the days...dreading when the last one comes.

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?

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“Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.”

\nPsalm 104:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-05-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/05/06/time-marches-on.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/05/05/because-im-happy-or-the.html", "title": "“Because I’m Happy....” or The Gift from Beyond", "content_html": "\n
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I’m very careful about what I take from the farm. I know what is mine. I also know there are some things no one would mind me taking...little things that don’t mean anything to anyone else but me. Anything bigger or more significant, I ask if it’s ok. For instance, I asked to have my grandparents’ bed. I was going to keep the dresser...I may still...but it definitely needs some work. I asked for the big round mirror in the living room. It used to hang on the other end of the wall, but the TV was taller than the mirror and it didn’t serve its purpose anymore. Grandma always brushed her hair out by that mirror. I have countless photos with that mirror in the background. I also asked for a small chair side table that my uncle made years ago. Well, technically Mr. FixIt asked me to ask my uncle if we could have it. 

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I remember when my own mother died. I was living in Colorado and was here for a week for the funeral. I had to begin making arrangements for my brother’s living situation. The last evening before I went back to Colorado for a couple of weeks, I was heading to town from the farm. As I left the house, my aunt said she would go in and clean out mom’s house for me while I was gone. I assured her she didn’t need to do that, but she was quite insistent. We went back and forth over it for a while and, rather than argue, I stopped at the hardware store, bought new locks for the doors and installed them before I left town. 

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I dropped a letter in the mail the day I flew home, explaining I needed to go through things and while I certainly appreciated the gift of her time, it was something only I could do. It was part of my grieving process. She was so incredibly angry...and hurt, I imagine. But, I knew she would not take no for an answer. It had to be this way. Because of that experience, I’ve been very careful here not to step on toes. While I have an emotional attachment to many things in this house, so do the rest of the family and they own the farm...not me. They’ve been very generous with me. And I’ve been so blessed to have the time here these last few years. That is a gift in and of itself.

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I was cataloging some of the items that I wanted to remember before I brought them back to the farm yesterday afternoon. There was one thing I really wasn’t sure if I should just go ahead and keep or not. It was a travel golf putter that had a telescoping handle. I have no idea why my aunt had it, but I think Mr. FixIt is the only golfer in the family. I was showing it to him and he said he’d never seen anything like it. 

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“I’d love to keep it, but I think Aunt Peeps would be really mad if I did.” I said.

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She died a year ago.

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Now, this is one of those things that are just too eerie to ignore and since I have a witness, you’ll just have to believe me that it really happened. As soon as I said Aunt Peeps would be mad, my Alexa device started playing “Happy” by Pharrell Williams...all on its own. Mr. FixIt and I looked at each other...mouth gaped open and eyes wide. I squealed and started dancing around the living room....laughing. My aunt was no nonsense...you didn’t sit around and cry in your beer. You just got HAPPY!

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Ok, ok...I’ll keep it. Thanks, Aunt Peepsie!

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(You can watch the Official Music Video for Happy...HERE!)

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?

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“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.”

\nProverbs 3:13-14 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-05-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/05/05/because-im-happy-or-the.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Gratitude","Downsizing","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/05/04/old-phones-equal-old-memories.html", "title": "Old Phones Equal Old Memories", "content_html": "\n
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In going through the items I had stashed at the farm, I came across two old cell phones. One was Mr. FixIt’s. We were dating over a year when he switched to an iPhone so we could see each other on FaceTime while I traveled. However, during that first year, we talked back and forth often. We were laughing at the content of the texts...the majority of which went something like good mornings and how did you sleep and what are you going to do today? Funny how you think your early missives were filled with flowery romance and the reality was pretty much the same as our texts today. Which is a good thing. It means we haven’t tired of each other and we enjoy talking to each other the same as we did when we first started dating. 

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We looked through the old pictures on his phone, many of which had been taken in the years prior to his divorce. It was fun to see the kids and how little they were. It was interesting to see the things that piqued his interest and prompted him to memorialize moments in a photo. There were SO many photos of sunrises and sunsets at the beach and I can see why going there means so much to him. There were pictures of the flowers that grow here at the Ponderosa. I love that we both have a penchant to take lots of pictures.

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The other phone was the old one I had when Mr. Virgo was still living. I got a new one just a couple of month before he died. I remember one of the secondary losses I felt when I realized I had cleaned out my voicemails in the new phone just three days before he passed. I was devastated because those were the sweet messages. The ones he left on the house phone were a tad terse because he was trying both places and couldn’t find me. I have NO idea why it never occurred to me to look on my old phone for those messages, but it didn’t...until yesterday.

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It took me a long time to unlock the phone. It has one of those patterns on the screen that you have to trace. Time, grief brain, a head injury, and just plain aging and I could not remember what the pattern was. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until I finally let my muscle memory take over, got it opened, and looked in the contact list that I was sure it even WAS my phone. 

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I wasn’t necessarily looking for the voicemails. I checked the photos first. I was hoping there would be more pictures on that phone, but there wasn’t anything that hadn’t been transferred over to the new phone. I looked in the emails. Nothing interesting there. Notes? Nah...just shopping lists and reminders to pick up the dry cleaning and phone number of the plumber. Ordinary stuff. The icons on a Droid are different than an iPhone and I wasn’t sure what I was clicking, but suddenly...up popped all my old voicemails.

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It has been eight years since I heard his voice. There were about twelve voicemails from him...and they were the nice ones with the lilt in his voice. Not the all business “Where ARE you?” calls. I listened to every one. I believe there is a reason God didn’t let me find those sweet messages till now. If I would have heard them early on, it would have crushed me. It would have set me up for even greater longing and pain. And, knowing me, I may have obsessively listened to them over and over and over. Which in a way would have kept me stuck in mourning. 

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As I listened to the messages yesterday, I was thrilled because I could just SEE him in my mind’s eye. The years have softened that memory. I couldn’t exactly hear his voice in my head anymore. I couldn’t actually SEE him in my head. He faded to a fuzzy version of himself...ghostlike and far from me. Hearing his voice yesterday allowed me to “see” him again and this time without the pain. It was like... “Ohhhhh, THERE you are! I remember you!” Like seeing an old friend...someone I loved very much. And now, I have something else to tuck away in a drawer...just to know it’s there. I may or may not listen to the messages again someday. But I don’t feel the compulsion to do so that I absolutely KNOW I would have if I’d known I could.

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Yes, this was a memory meant for now. I’m glad I found him and now he’s safe in a drawer. Someday, when I’m dead and gone, one of the kids...or Mr. FixIt...will be going through my things and think, “Isn’t that odd? Keeping that old cell phone in there?” They’ll never get a chance to get it unlocked to find the treats that lay within. Some treasures are meant to be left alone.

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?

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“remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,”

\nIsaiah 46:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-05-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/05/04/old-phones-equal-old-memories.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Widow","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/05/03/snips-snails-puppy-dog-tailsand.html", "title": "Snips \u0026 Snails \u0026 Puppy Dog Tails...and Snakes...and Mice!", "content_html": "\n
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I’ve never had the pleasure of raising a boy. I love all the boys in my life immensely. But, I didn’t have to do all the things boy moms do like go to the ER every other week or follow along behind them catching everything that falls. I was treated to Teddy Bear Teas and “Let’s Put on a Show!” That was my mom life. Don’t get me wrong...dealing with girls’ hormones while you’re dealing with your own can be a trip. And don’t get me started about girl drama. But, I admire Boy Moms. They earn their crowns in an entirely different way. This little guy is as sweet as they come and his younger sister was a peach...my kind of energy. I guess I’m just a girl mom.

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I met my uncle and his youngest granddaughter and her family over at the farm yesterday. First, let me tell you....when my fully vaccinated uncle got out of that truck and we hugged? Ohhhhhh, I wanted to cry, it felt so good and so....normal! They weren’t there five minutes till we got the barn unlocked and they set to emptying out the loft of assorted Model A parts and forge blowers and pumps and lawn mowers and windows. They filled several blue plastic barrels and half the gooseneck trailer. Then we started in the house, then the cellar...both upstairs and down. The house is beginning to get that hollow sound of vacancy. It’s a little eerie...a little sad...just so, different.

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While they were in the barn, they came across a couple of black snakes. And Katie was digging through a box of books when she uncovered a mouse nest with two tiny little baby mice...not an inch long. I hope mama mouse got back to them in time. In all the time I have been at this farm, I’ve seen one garter snake and a fellow driving up the road stopped and killed a copperhead out front. Granted...I never necessarily went looking for them either!

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I had already gone through a lot of the stuff in the house and staging it so it would be easier to get to. They picked and chose those things they wanted to take home with them. And all too soon, they were climbing back into the truck to head home. Uncle Bud is in his 80’s now and....my oh my...he is the spitting image of my PopPop. Well...what I imagine my PopPop would have looked like at his age. He passed away when he was only 71.

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By the time I got home, and got the truck emptied of yet another full load, I was exhausted and hurt all over. I made hamburgers and a little potato and macaroni salads, took a hot shower, and I was D.O.N.E! I am not doing anything except knit today...period.

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?

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“We love because he first loved us.”

\n1 John 4:19 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-05-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/05/03/snips-snails-puppy-dog-tailsand.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/05/02/family-comes-in-many-forms.html", "title": "Family Comes in Many Forms", "content_html": "\n
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I always wanted a big family. It seemed big in many ways because my daughters always had friends over and they called me mom. I fed them and took them places, then I sent them home. Kinda like grandchildren, really. Daughter #1 married and has two daughters of her own. Daughter #2 married and they have four cats. One is not better than the other...just different. And they are all loved the same.

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When I married Mr. Virgo, he had two daughters, but they were estranged. Over the seven and a half years we were together, he and the older daughter were making some attempt at connecting, but I never met either one of them until the Rosary the night before their father’s funeral. There was a meager attempt to form some sort of latent bond with me. The younger daughter is still connected to me on Facebook, although we never interact. Either she’s forgotten I’m there, or (as I like to believe) she lets me see Mr. Virgo’s grandchildren. His older daughter blocked me after about six months. And, sadly, she passed away suddenly nine days shy of four years after her father. Probably of the same heart condition. So, my family didn’t grow as I had hoped.

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Then, along came Mr. FixIt and...WOW...he has gifted me with a huge family. I am so incredibly blessed to be welcomed into the fold and treated with such love and respect. I know it isn’t always easy to bring another person into a family...especially later in life. I love them as I love my own and I’m looking forward to this summer when Daughter #1 and family come for a visit. They’ll all get to meet for the first time and my heart will just burst with joy!

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I got a text yesterday from one of the granddaughters. The youngest one went to prom yesterday and they wanted to know if I wanted to come and take pictures. Mr. FixIt and our son-in-law were busy putting a storm door in, so after I fed them lunch, I took off to see the princess in her gown.

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When she walked down the street before me, holding her dress up to keep from stepping on the mounds of tulle, the sunlight winked and sparkled as she moved. Her smile when she saw me melted my heart. She looked so grown up....so different than the softball playing, fun-loving Jeep-girl that we know and love. She was elegant and poised, so sophisticated. Then, with a grin, she picked up her dress to show me she was wearing Birkinstock’s under her ball gown. That’s our girl! She’s not my baby by blood, but she’s my baby by love.

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Soon, she and her date joined another couple and walked into the nearby restaurant and we all headed back to our cars. I thanked them all profusely for thinking of me and inviting me to come along. We said our goodbyes and when they turned to leave, I called after them... 

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“I love you guys!”

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“We love you, too! Thanks for coming!”

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***❤️MELT***

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\n

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”

\nPsalm 127:3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-05-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/05/02/family-comes-in-many-forms.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/04/12/listening-to-the-night-sounds.html", "title": "Listening to the Night Sounds", "content_html": "\n
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I love the sounds of spring. From rain on the roof to the happy chirping of frogs in the wet areas around us, Unfortunately, TOW-Wanda has a leak that needs fixing so we can’t sneak out there and “camp” till she’s fixed and I’m really missing that! I don’t know if we’ll have the time to get her down to the dealership to get fixed before we leave...mainly because it’s supposed to rain every day this week, except Tuesday. We’ll have to mow out at the farm that day. 

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The night sounds are different here at the Ponderosa than they are out at the farm. You don’t hear the frogs out there like you do here. But, we have neighbors that live closer now and we hear. Their dogs barking periodically. I’ve learned I can pretty well mask them with a fan in the window, but this week is cooler, so it may be a little less comfortable in the bedroom. The farm has the ever present sound of the creek. Sometimes it’s just a trickle...sometimes a roar. The biggest difference is the sound of rain on the tin roof of grandma’s house. There’s nothing that compares to that.

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When we finally sell this house and build in town, I’d love to have a roof just like the one at the farm. Then I can hear that sound again whenever it rains. I don’t even know if they still make that kind of roof, but I can dream. At one time, I wanted to build an exact replica of Grandma’s house....but, it’s two stories and a basement and for practical reasons surrounding aging in place, we’re going to have to opt for a ranch style home. I’m going to have my favorite picture of the farmhouse printed and framed and present the family with copies this summer. And I’ll keep one in our home...perhaps over a fireplace. A place of prominence...a place of honor.

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We had a busy weekend. We installed another security camera and we got the pump hooked up on the pool. You wouldn’t think that would amount to a lot of work, but believe me, it took all day Saturday. We have two more cameras to hook up and the pool to clean. We have to mow at the farm and get things ready for our trip to the beach. There’s never a dull moment around here!

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?

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“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.”

\nProverbs 24:27 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-04-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/04/12/listening-to-the-night-sounds.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Farm Life","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/04/11/in-search-of-the-silver.html", "title": "In Search of the Silver Linings", "content_html": "\n
\"Grandma’s
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The Farm

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Yesterday we talked about letting the farm go and the inevitability of change in our lives. I read the lovely comments and encouraging words you left me on my post and it gave me much to think about throughout the day. When life hands me lemons, I start looking for all the different ways to use them. There are so many ways to make a lemon sweet and more palatable.

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When I took over the farm in 2016, I also took over the utilities. When I no longer have that to deal with, I’ll have at least an extra couple hundred dollars in my bank account. That’s a good amount of camping I could be doing. Also, we won’t be responsible for the mowing and that will give us a lot more time and less pressing need to always be here.

\n\n\n

You know, normally I never would have had the opportunity to spend more than a week or two at the farm when I came home for vacations every year. After Mr. Virgo passed and I came back to West Virginia to help my elderly aunt, I had a taste of life in the country. It only lasted ten weeks that go round, but it was enough to let me know it was the life for me.

\n\n\n

When I returned to West Virginia in the summer of 2016, I was presented with an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. My uncle was taking my aunt to go live with him and he needed someone to live at the farm and take care of it. He asked if I could come off the road and stay there for him. I didn’t have to think twice. 

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Having all this time to live in my grandparents’ house was such a gift from God. I did a lot of healing there. Not only from the wounds of losing my husband, but of losing so much of myself over the years. It brought me back to my simpler roots. I remember, as a doctor’s wife...talking to one of my lifelong friends. Apparently I needed to be brought down a peg or two because she reminded me, in no uncertain terms, that she and I had the same roots in the red clay of Appalachia and it would do me well to remember that.

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I’ve never forgotten that conversation. Living a simple farm life after downsizing humbled me in a way nothing else has. As I read stories on Facebook yesterday, I was reminded of the most basic point. I am letting go of a house. I have friends letting go of their children, of their marriages, of their livelihoods. I have friends who are in life and death struggles with health concerns. I am letting go of a HOUSE. I’m not planning a funeral, yet I will grieve. I am not burying a loved one, yet I am bereaved.

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It isn’t lost on me the way God is helping me through this. Daughter #1 and her girls will be here the week before we have to vacate the farm. We are planning a gathering of family to say goodbye to the old girl...and to the long line of loved ones who called her home and are no longer with us. Little is staying with us while my daughter takes Big to go see colleges. You see? I get to not only share the farm with Little, but I get to share my heart and the stories of her ancestors and instill a love and appreciation for what came before her. She and I have never been together....here. It’s extraordinary how well orchestrated this is. God is so good!

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It is a natural process in life to grieve the things we lose that bring us such love. And, just as I have learned to keep Mr. Virgo’s memory alive within me, the same will be true of the farm. I will remember the sights, sounds, smells, and every little feeling that creaky old house gives me till the day I part this earthly plane. When I hear rain on the roof of a camper, I’ll be transported back in time to a little red house in the woods. When I lay my head on a pillow where I can hear the rushing sounds of water in a creek, I will close my eyes and remember.

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When I hug those I love, I give away bits of the love my family poured into me. That love comes from an endless source...a fount of remembrances of love and joy and faith. I carry the farm within me. I AM THE FARM and THE FARM IS ME.

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We are one and we are love...simply because, we were loved. By the family and by the land upon which we stood. For we are but sojourners here.

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?

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““The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.”

\nLeviticus 25:23 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-04-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/04/11/in-search-of-the-silver.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Love","Wisdom","Peaceful Moments","Farm Life","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/04/09/our-family-grows.html", "title": "Our Family Grows", "content_html": "\n
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We gained a son yesterday. Well, a son-in-law. My stepson-in-law, to be precise. K has been around as long as I have been in the family, but yesterday was the day they decided to exchange their vows and change their lives.

\n\n\n

In talking with the kids, I heard echoed back the same things Mr. FixIt and I said when WE decided to get married. We had been living together for a while and there came a point where it didn’t feel right in our hearts to continue without being married. I’m so proud of them wanting to get back into church and make things legal so they could...to use their words, “live right.”

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It was a tiny, informal wedding in the church the groom’s grandfather literally helped build. His parents were there along with the former Mrs. FixIt and the two of us. When it came time to stand up with the couple and the pastor, I elected to be the photographer. It’s not that I was excluded in any way...I was not. It was my choice to let the parents of the bride and groom have this honor. I was honored to be included in other ways and to document the moment for posterity.

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As I watched the family mingling afterwards, my heart swelled with pride for the way we have approached this situation. Too many families are destroyed by divorce. It can be contentious and ugly and I see absolutely no reason for that to be the case here. No one is taking anyone else’s place. No one is trying to one up the other. We are a true family and I am so pleased we can emulate that for our kids and grandkids.

\n\n\n

Divorce and remarriage is hard enough without adding dysfunction and discord. It was a beautiful day and we gained another family member. I love these kids as my own. Actually, three if you count the groom’s parents. I hadn’t had the opportunity to meet them before, and they were as sweet as could be. Since we are still in a pandemic, we elected not to go out to dinner afterwards as we haven’t had a meal inside since covid started. Instead, we will wait till summer and have a big picnic out here on the Ponderosa to serve as a reception for the kids.

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In the meantime, the rain has come and cooled things off. Unfortunately, it also has interrupted our project timeline. If anything, we’re flexible so it will all get done in due time!

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?

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\n

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”

\nProverbs 18:22 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-04-09T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/04/09/our-family-grows.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/03/03/day-insomnia-and-the-three.html", "title": "Day 352: Insomnia and The Three P’s", "content_html": "\n
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Ever have one of those nights where you just can’t seem to turn your mind off? I’ve had way too many of those over the last several years. Grief messes with your circadian rhythms. Well, it’s probably more the cellphone usage in an effort to pass the hours till it’s time to get up. Let’s face it, I’ve never been a great sleeper, anyway. Add Politics, a Pandemic, and Parathyroid disease and you have a recipe for insomnia. 

\n\n\n

Last week we had an appointment scheduled to make our wills. I was a basket case for days over that. It just stirred up too much angst and grief in me. I mean, who wants to go plan for the possible loss of another husband, right? We ended up having a phone conference to get things started, but I knew as soon as they were through with the paperwork, we would have to go into the office and read it over and sign papers. With that thought in mind, I was awake most of Monday night.

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Once we had that phone conference and we actually said the things out loud, yesterday turned out to be really easy. We went over everything and got it all signed, dated, and notarized. Once we were finished and had kibitzed with the attorney for awhile over old Parkersburg stories, we took our very important papers and headed off for a late lunch and some shopping. The day was sunny, crisp, and beautiful. And, I felt a lightness in my chest that surprised me. I turned to Mr. FixIt and smiled.

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“I feel like such a grown up!” I said with a conspiratorial grin.

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We both laughed, considering I’m soon to be 68 and he just turned 69. 

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“Is this what being all grown up feels like?”

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It’s just one of those things you do as a responsible adult. It’s something Mr. Virgo and I put off because we felt we had enough time. That’s the way it is, isn’t it? We always think we have time. But time is such a slippery thing. Before you know it, too much of it has passed and maybe it’s difficult to have the conversation, or maybe you’re afraid you aren’t on the same page, but at this stage in the game, it’s just downright irresponsible to go any longer without one. So, now it is finished and we’re all grown up.

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I wonder what I want to be...now that I’m a grown up? I guess there’s still time to figure that out!

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?

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\n

“When we were children, we thought and reasoned as children do. But when we grew up, we quit our childish ways.”

\n1 Corinthians 13:11 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-03-03T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/03/03/day-insomnia-and-the-three.html", "tags": ["Family","Growth","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/02/23/day-blessed-are-the-the.html", "title": "Day 344: Blessed are the The Storytellers", "content_html": "\n
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We all have a story to tell. Some have a handful. Some can write forever and not tell them all. But, the point being...we all have something to share with others and with the world. We just have to be brave enough to speak. It isn’t easy for some people to tell their stories. Some are too personal. Some are too painful to repeat. And, some people think their stories aren’t worthwhile to others so they keep them inside.

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I’ve always been a storyteller. There is a longstanding Appalachian tradition that a family’s history is passed down from generation to generation through the telling of stories. This isn’t solely a mountain tradition. It’s something that’s stood the test of time for millennia. Appalachians are great at it, so I can safely say I get it honest. 

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I sat attentively listening to the tales my elders shared when I was a child. I loved listening to the old folks talk amongst themselves about people long dead and it instilled the love of a good story in my young heart. My first published writing was in high school in an annual publication called Academia. (In my West Virginia naïveté, I placed the emphasis on the second and fourth syllables and not the third.)

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I wrote poetry off and on and crafted a children’s book back when Daughter #1 was in grade school. I attempted to write a book once and unfortunately, listened to my critics and put it away. I’ve written personal journals off and on for many years. However, it wasn’t till after Mr. Virgo died that I began to write in earnest. 

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I’ve been indulging myself these last few weeks with exploring my family history after an eight year hiatus. I’m finding some fascinating information and connections. There are some really cool names like...John Quincy Adams (5th cousin, 9x removed), Lady Jane Seymour (3rd wife of King Henry VIII), and Barack Obama. Yes, THAT Barack Obama. It seems we are 10th cousins on his mother’s side. Who knew?

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Looking back in time, I find myself ever so grateful for the modern conveniences we all take for granted...namely adequate healthcare. As I was searching death records yesterday, I came across a family that lost EIGHT children in the span of five weeks to “sore throat”...which could indicate any number of communicable diseases that struck before penicillin was discovered in 1928. Strep throat is something we consider a fairly common annoyance in childhood was often a death sentence in the 1800’s. 

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I cannot imagine the poor mothers...losing all their babies in the blink of an eye. I used to sit and moan over a nasty cold. Covid has changed my perspective forever on the impact of communicable diseases on families. So much that we took for granted has been changed...some lost, some forever different. It gives me a fresh eye in my genealogical research, as well. Having felt the sting of loss myself, when I stumble upon a widow, I look to see how long she was alone...did she have young children...did she remarry...what became of her children? 

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The weather warmed up nicely yesterday and you can see the snow melting. I know winter isn’t over by a long shot, but I will gladly accept the gift of a glimpse of spring.

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?

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“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”

\nPsalm 127:3-5 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-02-23T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/02/23/day-blessed-are-the-the.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Humbled","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/02/18/day-the-grander-scheme-of.html", "title": "Day 339: The Grander Scheme of Things", "content_html": "\n
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We are supposed to have our second Covid shot today, but the weatherman says Mother Nature may not cooperate with us. I’m praying the roads are clear and the vaccine clinic isn’t rescheduled. I want to have as much time between the vaccine and my surgery as possible...not only to improve my chances of staying healthy on our trip to Florida, but also to make sure I feel my best when we get there.

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I baked the Chocolate Chip Cookies yesterday. The turned out great...thick, golden around the edges, crispy on the outside, moist and chewy on the inside. Really sweet...but so flavorful. I rarely make a cookie recipe that you have to chill the dough. I don’t have the patience and when I bake cookies,, it’s usually because I’m having a hankering for something sweet and I don’t want to wait for it. Patience is not my virtue, really.

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We also took down the Christmas decorations and alas...the living room window looks so bare and sad. The nights are getting visibly shorter though, so I’m not quite as upset about it as I would have been in early January. I carefully wrapped each precious ornament in newspaper and tucked them inside a big plastic bin to keep them safe till next year. I told Mr. FixIt as we toted them downstairs to the storage room...leaving them up this late will just make the time feel shorter till we put them up again.

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As I was working on my genealogy yesterday, I ran across a 2nd great grandmother who was repeatedly listed as her mother’s sibling. I had such a hard time trying to figure out what was going on when I finally found her birth certificate. It turns out, her mother was unmarried and there was no father in the picture, so the grandparents registered the birth as their child. I suppose in the 1800’s, it was easier to get away with doing that. And, it was a proper way to save face. 

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I imagine that happened a lot back in those days. It made me think about how complex genealogy will become in the generations to come. People living together without being married, having babies on their own, same sex marriages, and transgendered individuals may be difficult to trace two hundred years from now. Then again, it’s hard to even imagine the world two hundred years from now, isn’t it? I mean, look what’s happened in the last two hundred. If somehow George Washington could be transported to 2021, he wouldn’t recognize what we’ve done to his country.

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These are things that keep me up at night. Well, actually...these are the things that I occupy my mind with when I can’t sleep. One game I play is imagining all the human things that are happening at the same time. There are babies being born and people dying...all at the same time...every minute of every day. People are marrying and divorcing. Tragedies are happening while at the very same moment, great celebrations take place. It makes me feel more connected to the greater web of humanity when I picture some people dancing in the rain while others are huddled inside, trying to keep warm. Some are fed and some are hungry. 

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On the basest of levels...every single one of us is connected in some primal way. This is the thinking of climatologists, anthropologists, and philanthropists. This must be the way Bill Gates looks at the world and wonders how he can use his vast wealth and intellect to help humanity. When Mr. Virgo worked at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen, he and the general manager of the hotel were the only people with a high enough security clearance to work in the room at the Forstman-Little Conference. This was an event where people came together and talked about the world and how they see its problems. Notables from around the globe gathered...politicians, dignitaries, sports figures, news people, financiers...notables from all walks of life. I found it fascinating and would have given just about anything to sit quietly in the back of the room to listen.

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We live such small lives...like ants in a colony...doing our thing, feeding our people, working to put food on the table. I find it refreshing to think larger from time to time, if for no other reason that to shake the cobwebs off and do something...anything...to create a lasting legacy, making my mark on the world. I was talking with Daughter #2 the other day about my writing. I told her...there may come a day, 100 years from now, when my descendants will stumble upon this blog and find it a fascinating glimpse into the life of their 3rd great grandmother’s world. That is another reason I write...and it makes me smile.

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?

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\n

“These are things we learned from our ancestors, and we will tell them to the next generation. We won't keep secret the glorious deeds and the mighty miracles of the Lord. God gave his Law to Jacob's descendants, the people of Israel. And he told our ancestors to teach their children, so that each new generation would know his Law and tell it to the next.”

\nPsalms 78:3-6 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-02-18T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/02/18/day-the-grander-scheme-of.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Writing","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/02/11/day-another-home-day.html", "title": "Day 332: Another Home Day", "content_html": "\n
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First thing yesterday, I got a call to confirm Pumpkin’s visit with the vet today. I was very happy to hear I can put off that visit and they will give her a checkup and vaccinations when we take her for boarding at the Kitty Hilton in a couple of weeks. We live twenty miles out a two-lane and we are getting quite a winter storm as I write this. Friends who have police scanners are warning people to stay in because there are wrecks everywhere. It was quite a relief to know I don’t need to go anywhere when the weather is bad. That is one of the best parts of being retired...the ability to kind of pick and choose where and when I go somewhere.

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I spent my day wandering through my family history. One of the coolest things is when you find photos of your ancestors that you’ve never seen...especially when it’s the first time you’ve ever seen an image of that person. That is what I found yesterday when I found this photo of one of my second great grandmothers. This is who we always referred to as Grandma Abels because here she is with her second husband of that last name. 

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There are interesting little revelations when you dive into your family tree. You might find a wedding occurring just a couple of days before the birth of the first child. This particular great great grandmother had her first baby out of wedlock. She was my grandma’s grandma and this little bit of information was a closely guarded family secret. One of my great grandmothers found herself a new widow with five little boys under the age of ten. She was only 28 years old.  She moved back home to live with her parents, but she had to do something to help feed and clothe her children. She found “employment” at a local hotel. This could be considered quite scandalous, but this was around 1910. I admire her determination and resourcefulness to care for her babies as best she could. She ended up marrying a young man, six years her junior, who parented her children. They went on to have three more children before she died at the young age of 54 of a heart attack.

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It was a rough life in those days. Before the age of official death certificates, deaths were recorded in ledger books. You can scroll down the page and find the cause of death for everyone on the page. You often find child after child who have died of communicable diseases. There are accidents and murders, and strange diagnoses that I have to look up. I find out there are old names for modern diseases. Having worked in medicine all my career, I find that kind of thing sad and fascinating at the same time.

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I can see now how my mom was so drawn to genealogy. It’s a treasure hunt and a mystery and sometimes a puzzle. At this point, believe it or not, I have 5,885 names in my tree on Ancestry. And I’m adding more every day. There are hints and I’m slowly weeding through them. I’m trying to follow the direct lines back first. Then I can add more later. It really is a never ending battle.

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?

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“Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness.”

\nIsaiah 30:8 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-02-11T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/02/11/day-another-home-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/02/02/day-the-gift-that-keeps.html", "title": "Day 323: The Gift that Keeps on Giving", "content_html": "\n
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What do you get a guy who has EV.ERY.THING? Mr. FixIt’s birthday was yesterday. We don’t go overboard on things like that but I always want to give him something I know he will enjoy. We aren’t traveling till after the next covid vaccine and I get my surgery in Florida. We don’t dine out in restaurants. And the day was snowy, icy, and cold so we weren’t going anywhere anyway. 

\n\n\n

A few months ago, one of our granddaughters got her first job as a dental hygienist. She has a large window in front of her dental chair, so she bought a clear plastic bird feeder that attaches to the window with suction cups. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to get one for my sweetheart. He LOVES his birds. He faithfully fills the feeders and he’s always pointing out what variety of bird is frequenting the smorgasbord on the Ponderosa. When I gave it to him yesterday morning, he had it filled and mounted on the window before I could get breakfast ready.

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After scrambled eggs and fried potatoes, the phone rang over and over all day with birthday greetings. Our great granddaughter even called and sang the sweetest Happy Birthday to her Papaw. Around 4:00, my stepson and his youngest came over with...get this...a steak dinner from Texas Roadhouse! Now...THAT was a treat! 

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I miss dining out. I miss spending time with family and friends. I miss traveling. But, we have more money in the bank. We have more frequent and meaningful conversations with our kids than we used to. And, we’re healthy...and home...safe and sound. There will be other days when we can be more free to do spontaneous things, but we’ll have lots of birds to watch outside our windows in the meantime. 

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The real highlight of the day came in the form of a late Christmas present from my son-in-law’s mom. Sue and I are very close and chat every night before bed. Sometime in the last few months, she mentioned they had watched the video of our kids’ wedding. I told her offhandedly that I’d love to have a copy of that because I couldn’t remember it very well. You see, those were the Prozac years and I lost a whole decade of memories. Sometimes I have snippets of memory. Other times, it’s like someone told me about it, but I wasn’t really there.

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Mr. FixIt brought the mail in and said, “I think you got something from France. It says “fra-JEE-lay” on it. He smiled as he handed me the small brown envelope. 

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I rolled my eyes and said, “Goofball.” We both laughed.

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It was the first half of my Christmas present from Sue. She told me it was coming late, so when I saw her return address, my curiosity was piqued. Inside was a DVD...of the wedding! I squealed and handed it to Mr. FixIt and asked him to put it in right away so we could watch it. You have to understand...this wedding was twenty-five years ago...two husbands ago...my baby was five...my beautiful firstborn was stunning...and seven very important loved ones are gone now, including my mom. I was doing a serious walk down memory lane here.

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I kept leaning in to see if I could hear their voices. I wanted to catch every smile...every nuance of the people I’ve loved all my life. A tear slowly made its way down my cheek. My God...we were so YOUNG. The wedding was lovely...much lovelier than I remembered. I forgot we had live musicians from the Aspen Music Festival playing. I forgot Sue’s sister sang “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” (It was the era of The Lion King.) I forgot my nephew was just a toddler and my niece hadn’t been born yet. 

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I was glad to see that the wreck I was inside didn’t show on the outside. I looked like the poised mother-of-the-bride...taking it all in stride. But my anxiety was off the charts that day as it often was (and sometimes still is) when I am doing something stressful. My daughter still says that wedding was for me, not for her. I was always far too over involved in her life...by my own admission. She was the coolest kid. She was beautiful, self-assured. She had the high school life I only dreamed of...cheerleader, choir, theater, honor roll. I wasn’t mature or together enough to back off and let her enjoy it. I had to live it vicariously. It took a long time for both of us to understand...for me to apologize...and for her to forgive.

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As I watched that day so long ago unfold in front of me, I was so proud of all of us for getting through the tough times that lay ahead...that we couldn’t even imagine at that point. I was so proud to see that those two young kids have built a beautiful life together and have been married for over twenty-five years now. It was a beautiful day...then and now. A beautiful gift. A beautiful birthday with this wonderful man. A beautiful life. A beautiful walk into my past.

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?

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“For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.”

\nProverbs 9:11 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-02-02T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/02/02/day-the-gift-that-keeps.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Aging","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/01/31/day-my-big-fat-family.html", "title": "Day 321: My Big Fat Family Tree", "content_html": "\n
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One of my mama’s very favorite things to do was research our genealogy. Lands, she had boxes of handwritten notes and charts and graphs. She had books that were dedicated to different branches of our family tree. And she was on a first-name basis with the librarians in town who helped her do research. Oh, she loved it so. She gathered a bunch of her direct line and made a little booklet. She copied them off and sold them to family member for the price of the copying. She was so proud of it, and everyone still has their copies. 

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When the internet came along, I took over looking things up for her as best I could. The pickin’s were slim early on. Then Ancestry came along. When Mr. Virgo and I were married and he watched TV in the evening, I sat with my laptop every night, searching for my roots. Mom was gone by that time and I’m telling you what, she would have been blown away at what I’ve been able to accomplish. Then, Mr. Virgo died...and I lost my desire. To do a lot of things, not the least of which was having the concentration to do research.

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I let my subscription to Ancestry lapse eight years ago. I looked at it every once in a while and watched the hints pile up, but you can’t make any changes unless you pay for it. When I finished copying the Facebook posts over to my website and balanced my checkbook, I decided to rejoin and see what it’s all about now. Oh my gosh...what a change! The sheer number of resources available, and others who have built their own trees and done their own research makes it a lot easier to get information.

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I did the DNA test several years ago and it is absolutely amazing how you can connect with people who share your ancestor’s genes. I’ve heard of some downsides to that...people finding surprise family members or finding out maybe THEY were the surprise. One of the fun things is finding stories about people you may be related to, based on DNA and the research of others. One that popped up for me was Abraham Lincoln, believe it or not. And, I have several ancestors linked to passengers on the Mayflower. 

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When you think about it, there were FAR fewer people in the world back in those days, and the Mayflower was a “captive audience”, so to speak. It’s not terribly hard to track yourself back to people of some repute....ill or otherwise. I remember one time, I found an ancestor who had stolen a pig. They took him to court, but he got off because, you know...they ate the evidence. You might think that would be the last of the drama, but the pig thief got into a scuffle a couple of years later with that same sheriff and one of them didn’t make it out alive, unfortunately. Hint...I’m not related to the law enforcement officer. 

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I have found my new activity to do when Mr. FixIt watches his television shows. It’s kind of a full circle event...it feels like it’s the right time to get back into it. I can certainly tell my mental faculties aren’t quite the same as they were back when I did this before. But hopefully, when the parathyroid surgery is over, that will improve. In the meantime, I’m going to have some fun with this and see what I can learn about this big fat family tree of mine.

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?

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“So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families. I found the genealogical record of those who had been the first to return. This is what I found written there:”

\nNehemiah 7:5 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-01-31T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/01/31/day-my-big-fat-family.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/01/23/day-camping-with-a-crusty.html", "title": "Day 313: Camping with a Crusty Curmudgeon", "content_html": "\n
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I’ve been having a ball this week with the fun memes using Bernie Sanders in his warm parka and mittens at the inauguration. When I first saw him walking in, looking around for his seat, I laughed out loud because he looked all the world like another Bernie I knew and loved. My second father-in-law (whom we affectionately referred to as Pop) was, from all appearances, a bit of a schlub. Lacking social graces, definitely rough around the edges...not one ounce of self awareness, Pop had a huge heart of gold and would do absolutely anything for you if you were a hard worker. He loved big and talked loud and stumbled through life with not a lot of fluff. But, oh....we all loved him fiercely and miss him so much.

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When I first saw Bernie Sanders at the inauguration, I thought “Oh, my God...it’s just like Pop decided to stop at Joe’s thing before he went to Kings to pick up some milk and eggs and maybe a dented can of something off the sale rack.” What a joy it is to see each creative interpretation of the modern Jewish zaidie, frumpy but warm, practical and uncaring of your critical eye. He embodies the gestalt of Yiddisha Papas. And...these viral memes may have just fixed the internet this week.

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I hear Bernie gets a kick out of all the attention these memes are getting. I don’t know if our Pop would have recognized himself in them, but we do...with lots of love. It’s so sad when you lose a beloved family member. And, it’s so wonderful when you get to the point that you can smile and laugh at the memories without so much pain in your heart.

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Thank you, Bernie...for being your practical self, for not giving a rip what people thought of your outfit, and for bringing smiles to a lot of people when they think of their own “Pop”...gone, but never forgotten.

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To Our Very Own Bernie....What a Pop You Were!

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?

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“Happiness makes you smile; sorrow can crush you.”

\nProverbs 15:13 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-01-23T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/01/23/day-camping-with-a-crusty.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Aging","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/01/17/day-what-will-this-day.html", "title": "Day 307: What Will This Day Bring?", "content_html": "\n
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Our days run together punctuated with high drama and mundane tedium. Since before Christmas, I have spent many hours every day...snuggled in my really awesome new recliner...moving those posts from Facebook to my website. Day after day...it’s pretty much the same. Which breakfast should we have today? Get the second cup of coffee. The hours are filled in between with writing. We don’t really eat lunch so the next big event is “What shall we have for supper?” Then it’s news and I’m off to write my post.

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The television drones in the background. I half watch old reruns of Andy Griffith and Frazier while I work. I can pretty much tolerate anything but westerns. We hit pause and discuss something that strikes me in a post written the year I moved into Grandma’s farmhouse....something funny, something sad. We enjoy the rhythm of marriage in our 60’s. It’s hard to be out and about like we were BC (Before Covid). So we’ve kind of adopted this sort of life-on-pause moment of comfort and acceptance...and immense gratitude that we don’t have to go through this alone. I know how much harder this would be if it would have happened when I was actively grieving.

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We are happy when a day goes by without a breaking news bulletin. We are happy when we laugh together over a funny sitcom. We are happy when we can sit in companionable silence and catch one of us smiling at the other. We forgive when close quarters cause frayed nerves and terse words to escape. We love even with the extra padding and lack of motivation. We share toast and tea and time.

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We’ve been having snow off and on. Big fat fluffy flakes coming down all willy-nilly. Mr. FixIt says “Blizzard!” I say “Squall!” We laugh. Inside jokes are a big source of entertainment. I love when a relationship gets to the point when you can say “Remember when...?” He went out to check something the other day and about busted himself slipping on the ice. I ask him to please wear his boots instead of tennies in the snow. He calls out “Be careful!” when I take out the trash. We’re “of a certain age” and we’ve got each other’s back.

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The days may seem to run over each other and blend together but I’m telling you this...if they don’t hold drama from hour to hour, not knowing what’s coming next, wondering what disaster has befallen us now....well, that is a good day as far as I am concerned. I can settle down in my big red recliner and pass the time in peace. Let us pray the days ahead are just this way.

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?

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“I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.”

\nJohn 16:33 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-01-17T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/01/17/day-what-will-this-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Hope","Peace","Wisdom","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/01/08/day-my-new-tiny-home.html", "title": "Day 298: My New “Tiny Home”", "content_html": "\n
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I know today is “Feel Good Friday” and I know I usually scour the internet for a feel good story for today. There’s just an awful lot of ugly out there this week. I understand. It’s hard to look at. And I’ve had one hell of a week with all the deaths and destruction. So, I decided today I’d share someone special with you. This is my daughter in love. I’ll call her “TJ”. She is one of the special gifts that came along with Mr. FixIt and is one of the extra people I get to love on now.

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A couple of years ago, I saw the CUTEST little dollhouse kit on Amazon and I absolutely HAD to have it. I bought it and kept the box on the coffee table for a while. I’d pick it up and look at all those little pieces and think...””I’ll just put this thing away and when I get some time, I’ll put it together.” The kit has been resting on the top shelf of the guest room closet for those two years. I even got it down once, then something else took precedence and back up it went.

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My step-daughter, TJ, is very crafty. She worked for months making beautiful gifts for everyone for Christmas, as well as several darling decorations. When we sat outside on the covered front porch, exchanging our gifts, she wondered what she might make now that Christmas was over. I immediately thought of my little trailer kit and jumped up to get it. I knew it would take a good bit of time and effort to make it, so I told her if she would make mine for me...and if she liked doing it...I’d buy her one of her own.

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Ever since Christmas, I’ve received excited phone calls, texts, and photos updating me on the progress and she absolutely loved doing it. They came over last night to bring the finished project and it’s the cutest thing I ever saw!!! I set it up on one of the shelves in our new bookcases in the office. She’s so cute...maybe she’ll inspire me to get back to work on my little ‘67 Franklin again!

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You can buy this darling kit HERE.   

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?

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“Of course, every house is built by someone, and God is really the one who built everything.”

\nHebrews 3:4 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-01-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/01/08/day-my-new-tiny-home.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/28/day-christmas-thats-a-wrap.html", "title": "Day 287: Christmas 2020...That’s a Wrap!", "content_html": "\n
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Now that it’s Monday, Christmas 2020 is officially over. The tree will stay up for as long as we want this year. Of all seasons, this is the one we need to pour as much love and light into as it can possibly hold. Even though this year was certainly challenging, Christmas was not without its joys. We were able to exchange gifts remotely and in person, although socially distanced. It’s really hard not to hug these kids! The time will come again when we can...it’s not forever, it’s just for now, right?

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I made a big meatloaf on Saturday night as our “Christmas Dinner” so we enjoyed cold meatloaf sandwiches as we watched football yesterday. I inadvertently got drawn into a project over the weekend that I wasn’t expecting, but I was glad to do it. I am one of the administrators of the Facebook page for our high school class. There are two files that keep getting updated. One is “Where are you now?” The other is the Memorial Wall... “Gone...But Not Forgotten”. Somehow, the memorial wall was deleted with twelve years of data and comments on it. Fortunately, several people have kept track of those we’ve lost over the years and I was able to reconstruct the list itself. But, all whose wonderful comments and prayers...some from class friends who are no longer with us...are gone for good, I’m afraid.

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After I regained my composure over the loss of all that data, I set to reconstructing a new, improved list...with a back up. Typos were corrected and the list was changed to last-name-first to facilitate alphabetizing. We lost three class members this month alone. We had a very large class..somewhere over 700 students. Our Memorial Wall contains the names of 110 of our friends. It never gets easier when we lose one. And it doesn’t matter that our class was so big...we’re still family. “Once a Big Red, Always a Big Red.” I don’t know what it was about our class...we were tight. I’ve talked to classes before and after ours and many have never stayed in touch with their classmates, never attended a reunion. I think Facebook has helped people stay in touch and for that, I’m very grateful.

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I was kicked back in my recliner all afternoon and looked up the see the sky on fire! What a gorgeous sunset. No pictures can do it justice, but trust me...it was breathtaking. I had my lap desk, my iPad, my laptop, my phone, and our yearbook balanced on my lap when I threw my phone to Mr. FixIt and implored him to run out and take pictures for me. Over the weekend, photos have been coming in from the family and they were filled with so much joy, I absolutely had to share them with you today. 

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Joy comes even in the darkest of times and we so need all the joy we can get right now. Right now, I can’t count on two hands the number of people I know who are sick with Covid or other serious health issues. And I cannot do a single thing but pray for them. I can’t go make them soup or hold them or clean their houses for them. I can’t get on a plane and fly to their side or hop in the truck and drive. It makes us feel so helpless. So, I take care of people in other ways. I’ve mailed out care packages. I’ve contributed small amounts to fundraisers. I’ve helped people who are helping people. I’ve lifted people up in prayer and told them about it. I’ve prayed with them. I’ve taken food to their homes. I’ve contributed food and blankets and coats to drives. I’ve rounded up at the checkout. 

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We may be helpless in some ways, but we can make up for it in others. We may feel hopeless on this day, but we won’t always. We can become hopeful for the days of hope ahead. They will come. They WILL come! We can work together and rise up and meet this challenge with dignity and hope and grace...and most of all love. And within that...we will find our joy!

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?

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“...We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.”

\nRomans 5:3-5 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-28T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/28/day-christmas-thats-a-wrap.html", "tags": ["Family","Hope","Holiday","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/26/day-a-surprising-day-of.html", "title": "Day 285: A Surprising Day of Gratitude", "content_html": "\n
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I was dreading Christmas. I haven’t seen my Colorado peeps in nearly 17 months. I haven’t held my great grandbabies since February...one was only a few weeks old the last time I held him. Now he’s nearly a year old and almost walking. After a year of fear...from strokes to covid  to politics...I was just not up for it. Then, something interesting happened.

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Mr. FixIt and I went to town Wednesday evening to get some last minute grocery items because snow was coming. Earlier in the day, Daughter #2 called to say she’d been exposed to Covid and was now sick and waiting for test results. My dear friend’s dad had just had open heart surgery and they had to rush her mom to the hospital. I was frustrated that I couldn’t be everywhere I felt I was needed and I was not being a very nice human because of it.

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We stopped at our favorite little neighborhood grocery...Aldi...and checked items off the list as we put them in the cart. I needed some Half & Half and walked around the corner and ran right smack dab into a cloud of Mr. Virgo’s signature Halston No.10. My knees went weak. I turned and looked in every direction...there was no one nearby. I glanced at the shelves...no scented soaps or perfumes or candles. No reason...just an overwhelming cloud of HIM.

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I was emotional anyway. I bent over and took a few deep breaths to keep from crying. It shocked me...because, this was the eighth Christmas without him, I’m happily remarried, and...well, I have a good life. Then I realized...he’ll always be here because he is a part of who I am...a part of my story...a part of my heart. That takes nothing away from Mr. FixIt. It only adds to my ability to love.

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We went on and finished our shopping and headed home. It was clouding up, getting ready to rain, when I looked to my right and...there was the Christmas Star! We didn’t get to see it when it was at its closest, but we got to see it! I suddenly felt my shoulders relax. I just felt him say to me...

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“You’re ok. Your people are ok. Just calm down...it’ll all work out.”

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I reached over and took Mr. FixIt’s hand and gave it a squeeze. I told him Mr. Virgo came to visit me in the store. We talked about how hard it is to lose those people you love. He held my hand as we drove home. 

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Christmas wasn’t the same...but in some really weird ways, it was better. I didn’t run myself ragged making sure twenty-five people were happy and fed and clothed and overindulged. I didn’t work sixteen hours only to watch a table full of food devoured in fifteen minutes. (Not that I mind that...but it’s exhausting!) I didn’t break the bank. And...through the thoughtful gift from Daughter #1, I was able to sit and see them and talk with them all on Christmas Day. I called the others I couldn’t see. And I thanked God for all of my many, many blessings....the biggest of which was in the form of a tiny baby wrapped in swaddling cloth and laid in a manger all those many years ago.

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It turned out to be a very soft, quiet, and WHITE Christmas with about five inches of new snow blanketing the Ponderosa. The new snowblower worked perfectly. Everyone sent pictures of their day. 

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And, that’s a wrap for Christmas 2020. Not as bad as it could have been...better than some.

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?

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“Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.”

\n1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-26T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/26/day-a-surprising-day-of.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/22/day-winter-solsticehere-comes-the.html", "title": "Day 283: Winter Solstice...Here Comes the Sun!", "content_html": "\n
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We just went through the longest, darkest night of the longest darkest year. I always look forward to December 22nd as the beginning. It symbolizes the gradual...way TOO gradual...lengthening of the days. It won’t be too long till we’ll start noticing the sun setting a little later week by week. This day, and March 17th for some reason, are always days filled with hope and joy and promise.

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I’m trying hard not to look at all the reasons to be sad this year, but it isn’t easy. Hearing all the tragic storied surrounding the spread of the Coronavirus and the inability of the medical community to keep up is just staggering. Coming on the heels of those reports are stories of the impending holiday with its travel and traditional gatherings that people just will not give up. The storm will surge again and again. We simply must make sacrifices for the effort for the common good. As I tell my family...it isn’t forever. It’s just for now.

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Daughter #1 has been dropping hints regarding our Christmas present this year. She says it’s something I want. Something I discussed in a recent conversation. And I don’t have to go out and buy one now. I think I know what it is, but I’m not saying out loud. Mr. FixIt and I decided not to exchange gifts this year because we just bought the new recliners and a new microwave. And, he gave me an antique gold wedding band to replace the one that won’t go over my swollen knuckles. We received some beautiful handmade gifts from my step-daughter this weekend. There will be a few other things. Neighbors have brought cookies. And the former Mrs. FixIt gifted us a huge cookie tray with magnificent treats in it. So, we’re set. But, if the gift from my daughter is what I think it is, it’s going to be such a delight!

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Hubby #2 and I got married on this day, forty-one years ago. He was in his first year of medical school and we were poor as church mice. We got married at home with a couple dozen friends attending. We ate and drank and danced the night away. And we celebrated all the joyful days we had in front of us...as lovers always do when they marry. As it turned out, we did have many years of joy...and just as many that were dark and difficult...as often happens when lovers marry young. This day still holds that hope for a brighter tomorrow for me...no matter what else had happened on the date in the past.

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One of our local grands sent me pictures of our great grandson opening his Christmas presents from us this weekend. We decided it was imperative the cinnamon rolls will still need to be made this week and delivered before Christmas Eve! Mr. FixIt and I want to go for a long drive and see the Christmas lights so I’ll make them, package them up, and deliver them while we are out and about. We’ll be Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus!

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??????

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“As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat; winter and summer, day and night.”

\nGenesis 8:22 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-22T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/22/day-winter-solsticehere-comes-the.html", "tags": ["Family","Hope","Comfort","Holiday","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/20/day-keep-calm-and-bake.html", "title": "Day 281: Keep Calm and Bake On", "content_html": "\n
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Just before the bombings started in England in WWII, the Queen issued an edict that was produced on signs and posted everywhere to encourage the British citizenry.

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“Keep Calm and Carry On”

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After all, it is what the Brits were known for. Strength and calm in the face of adversity. They are a stoic lot with dry wit, fierce loyalty, and sturdy countenance...all attributes well to be admired and emulated by all. 

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As we march toward a Christmas unlike any other you and I have likely experienced, I find myself particularly emotional. I’ve always been one to cry at Kodak commercials. Show me the ones with a soldier coming home to his mom and I’m a puddle. A news story about a little boy with inoperable brain cancer delivering toys to the hospital chemo ward because their funding was cut after Covid struck? I’m a mess. 

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Babies being born.

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People holding hands.

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Children baking cookies.

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Ahhhh...that last one gets me every time. After Mr. Virgo died, I was included in the family baking day at my son-in-law’s house and I felt a renewed hope after such a painful loss. After moving to West Virginia, I flew to Colorado at Christmas for a couple of years. Then it became increasingly expensive and the weather was dicey. I started spending more time in the summers to make up for it.

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Still, Facebook floods my feed with memories of Christmas past and much of that includes Mr. Virgo...and baking cookies. And I find my heart hurting. I cannot tease out my memories of Mr. Virgo and discard them simply because I am happily married to a wonderful man. He is woven in there like a thread through the tapestry of my life. I miss my mom at Christmas. I miss my grandparents at Christmas. Why wouldn’t I also miss Mr. Virgo? It’s only natural that I would and does not take away from my love for Mr. FixIt in any way.

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I’m missing the whole package of Colorado this year. I haven’t seen my western family since my daughter’s wedding in August 2019. Yesterday was their cookie baking day. Sue told me about it last week. So, I prepared myself for a day of baking yesterday so I could at least be doing the same thing they were doing, even though I’m many miles away. And my heart hurts. Pictures bring tears. A picture of my daughter removing a tray of cookies from the oven. My grandkids decorating cookies. Snow on the mountains. Setting up the new bird-feeder we got them for Christmas. My eyes have been leaking a lot this week.

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Then, there are the good things here on the Ponderosa. The neighbors knocking on our door, bringing us cookies and taking a tin of ours along with them. The black cat playing in the snow and sitting on the windowsill, watching me bake. The smell of cookies fresh from the oven. The feel of sourdough as I turn it and set it to rise. The smell of the cold outdoors on my husband’s collar when he returns from errands. The lights on the tree in the grand window of the family room. The phone calls and Christmas cards. The family dropping by for quick visits out of doors to avoid close contact but still getting to see each other. The packages waiting to be wrapped for our West Virginia family.

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It’s ok to feel happy and sad at the same time. This has been a long, hard year. Feeling our feelings is how we process through them. I think the hardest thing I’ve seen this year though, is watching our front line workers in the hospitals...reeling from the aftermath of people insisting on maintaining a normal Thanksgiving. The wave upon wave of illness is taking its told on our healthcare staff as well as our teachers and all essential workers. To see the news and hear of the expected travel for Christmas just breaks me. 

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I am foregoing my visits with my Colorado family...not only for my own safety, but for theirs and all the people I would contact between here and there. How hard can it be to make a sacrifice for others? 

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Yes...my heart hurts a lot lately. And this too shall pass.

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“Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God's Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others. Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person. Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought:”

\nPhilippians 2:1-5 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-20T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/20/day-keep-calm-and-bake.html", "tags": ["Family","Grace","Holiday","Courage","Choices","Kindness","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/19/day-the-ghosts-of-christmas.html", "title": "Day 280: The Ghosts of Christmas Trees Past", "content_html": "\n
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This photo was taken 50 years ago today!

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Most of the paper photos I have left are in boxes out at the farm. One of these days, I need to bring them home with me...like, when I have this back bedroom cleaned out. I imagine there are some pictures in that box of the Christmas trees from my youth. Sometimes they were straggly little Charlie Brown trees with sad, empty arms. Usually brought home a day or two before Christmas when my dad could get a better deal on one.

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I always remember the decorating with such enthusiasm. Dad would trim the bottom of the tree trunk to make it level and give it a fresh cut through which it could suck up the water from the old fashioned tree stand. Mom would bring the boxes of ornaments down from their storage place in the eaves of the attic. Dad would check the lights and replace any burned out bulbs. We used big lights with reflectors behind them to keep the needles from getting hot and catching fire. 

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I was the youngest so I had the honors of placing the star on top of the tree. Dad lifted my high in the air and held me patiently while I fiddled with the top spire of the tree, trying to fit it in the topper. When I got too big to hold up, we used the kitchen stool that converted into a stepladder by lifting the seat. Ours was red, I think.

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Many of the ornaments you see in this picture are hanging on our tree here at the Ponderosa. I tenderly store each delicate memory wrapped in newspaper and carefully placed in plastic tubs. Mr. FixIt would help me in a heartbeat, but I won’t let him touch them. It’s not that I don’t trust him, but if he accidentally broke one, he would feel terrible...and I wouldn’t want that for him. Instead, I put them up and take them down. I’ve only missed one year...Christmas of 2014. That was the year things went south on the farm and my elderly aunt and I had a parting of the ways. 

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I left the farm on Christmas Day and went to my cousin’s for the holiday. Then I started house sitting in my friend’s Victorian loft in Marietta. That was such a weird winter. It was not only my second without Mr. Virgo, but the split with my aunt was fresh, I had no idea where I was going to go or what I was going to do next. When the offer came up to house sit, I jumped at the chance and spent the next few months scanning old photos onto hard drives and staring out the window at the snow. I remember there were twinkle lights, but I don’t remember a tree.

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A legitimate Christmas Tree became a thing again once I moved back into the farm after my aunt went to live with her brother. I had lights on the porch and electric candles in the window and my mom’s ceramic tree on the dining room table. Christmas of 2017 was the first time Mr. FixIt and I had a tree together. I’ll never do a real tree again. Artificial trees are safer, more economical, cleaner, and they do the job just fine.

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But the trees of my youth float in my memory whenever we decorate for Christmas. The smell of fresh pine. The prickly pokes you got when you hung the ornaments. The sticky sap on your fingers when you reached in to clip the string of lights to the branches. One year, Dad bought a long needle pine and I remember it looking so elegant, but it was so hard to hang ornaments from. We always put tinsel garland and silver “icicles” on our trees. I’ll never forget how glad I was when that went out of style!

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I somehow have a vague memory of having a silver metallic tree with a rotating light that changed colors. That may have been when I was a young mother. My second husband was Jewish and we had trees for the first ten years, but when we had our first child together...my second...we didn’t have trees for many years. We only celebrated Hanukkah at that time.

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Anyway, trees have always been the center of my holidays, and this photo was the earliest one I could find in my digital archive. It was in my mom’s living room. Hubby #1, who was Boyfriend #1 at the time, is dashing across the photo. Ahhhh...the things, and people, and celebrations that come and go in our lives. It’s a mystery, isn’t it?

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?

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“The Lord is your protector, there at your right side to shade you from the sun. You won't be harmed by the sun during the day or by the moon at night. The Lord will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers. The Lord will protect you now and always wherever you go.”

\nPsalms 121:5-8 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-19T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/19/day-the-ghosts-of-christmas.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Peaceful Moments","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/18/day-be-careful-what-you.html", "title": "Day 279: Be Careful What You Wish For", "content_html": "\n
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I was browsing photos in a Facebook Group I belong to the other day. It was one of those “You Might Be From __________ If...” pages. People post stories and photos. There are a precious few of the “old guard” who grew up and know those pictured. But there are far more who come on and say... “Does anyone recognize the people in this photo?” Those are the sad ones because the elders are dying off without labeling the photos or teaching the young’uns who were in them.

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My grandma was pretty good about writing the names of folks on the back with the stub of a pencil, most likely whittled to a point with my PopPop’s pen knife. This particular photo caught my eye because I’ve seen it all my life. It’s the old one room schoolhouse that was a couple of miles from the farm. My mom and one of her brothers are in that photo and I smiled at the memories that came rushing back to me.

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We have that photo somewhere in the family archives, and now, thanks to modern technology, I have it safely ensconced in my iPad and the Cloud. I can still see Grandma in her rocking chair by the front window, looking through her “picture book” and walking down memory lane. She would point and name everyone, then tell a story or share their nickname. Everyone had a nickname. Just yesterday, my baby cousin asked me what Grandma’s name was for me. I was “Ginny Lynny” or just “Pet”. She was “Trinket”. 

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This particular photo was taken shortly after the Great Depression. I want to say it was around 1936-37, judging by the size of my mom and her brother. When Grandma saw pictures like this, she shared with me the hard stories. Stories of struggles and just trying to get by. She would tear up when she said their milk cow was the only thing standing between her children living or dying of starvation. They never wasted a thing. Shoes were resoled at home because there wasn’t money for a cobbler. Clothes were sewn from flour sacks and mended and handed down. Grandma had a baby every two years till she nearly died after the last one and they saved her life with an emergency hysterectomy.

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It was right around this time when Grandma and PopPop managed to scrape enough money together to buy the farm that I still take care of. When they moved down off the hill into that house, Grandma said she felt like a queen in a castle! She didn’t have running water or an indoor bathroom for twenty more years. They had an old wringer washer with a hit and miss engine out on the back porch. My earliest memories are of Grandma carrying buckets of rainwater she heated on the stove and pouring it in the washer. 

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She used lye she made from ashes and mixed it with rendered fat from butchering to make soap that was used for everything. Wash was done once a week. You started with the delicates when the water was still clean and soft and you ended with work clothes. PopPop worked in the pipe yard on old oil and gas well pipe and parts. He was always sticky and stinky with black creosote and a hard day’s sweat when he got home. Those work clothes had to be boiled and scrubbed on a washboard by hand to get the most of the grease out of them. I remember they were always an army green or khaki color.

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Once the clothes were as clean as they were going to get, Grandma used the rinse water to scrub the floors of the house and the last bit was thrown out on the porch and worked with a broom to get what mud they could off the steps. It was a hard life she lived, working from sunup to sundown doing as much hard work as any man, then mending clothes and sewing on buttons at night after supper. 

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I look at that picture of my mom as a little girl, and I’m humbled. The “going back in time” I get to do at the farm at my age is a walk in the park compared to actually living the life they lived. You hear people say “It was a simpler time.” Simpler? Be careful what you wish for. Simpler in those day meant they didn’t have the time sucks we have now. They didn’t have TV and computers. They were lucky to see a newspaper or a magazine. They didn’t know what was happening in Asia or the Middle East or Africa unless a missionary happened to be traveling through trying to raise a little money for an orphanage somewhere. However, their lives consisted of hard work and more than their fair share of sadness. And fortunately, I come from the kind of people whose glasses were always full to overflowing and I heard of all the goodness of life.

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What are we giving our children’s children’s children to know about those who came before us? What are we handing down from our great grandparents’ days? What are we teaching them about long lost skills like growing our own food and preserving it or making our own clothes and tools? Part of the purpose of this blog is sharing the past along with the stories of the present. You’ve followed along in my grief journey after losing Mr. Virgo. You’ve been here for the adventures in the camper and traveling the country as a widow trying to heal my broken heart, one campfire at a time. You shared in my joy when I found love again with my best friend from high school and remarried. Interspersed with all these events are the stories of my roots. I share them with you here because many of you grew up with similar lives and they spark your own memories. Some of you couldn’t dream of living such a life and it’s like reading a history book. So, why do I share so much of myself and my family’s history?

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Because...one day, I’ll be dead and gone, and my grandchildren and their grandchildren’s children will read these stories and know from whence they came. I don’t have great material wealth to leave to my family...to the world. All I have are my experiences and my knowledge and my wisdom...the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

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I’m the storyteller.

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?

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“Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love.”

\nEphesians 4:15-16 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-18T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/18/day-be-careful-what-you.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","West Virginia","The Farm","Comfort","Wisdom","Aging","Farm Life","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/17/day-baking-down-memory-lanegrandmas.html", "title": "Day 278: Baking Down Memory Lane...Grandma’s Raisin Filled Cookies", "content_html": "\n
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From as early as I can remember, I was in the kitchen making something. Out of necessity, I learned to cook the meals at home when I was still in grade school. Mom was...ummmm....challenged in the kitchen, as it were. Her culinary concoctions were enough to make me beg her to let me go to the cooking school for kids at our local community center one summer. Things were much better around the table at our house after that.

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As with many of us, this challenging year has driven me back to the kitchen and to my roots. As I was preparing to bake cookies this week, I was reminded of Grandma’s favorite cookie. She made a huge batch of Raisin Filled Cookies whenever my Uncle Bud and his family came to the farm for a visit. My uncle would whisk in, wrap his mom in a big bear hug, and reach around her for a handful of these delectably soft cookies before he headed back out the door to empty the car.

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My uncle lost his wife a couple of years ago, then continued to care for his sister...my Aunt Peeps...till she finally had to go into a nursing home. My aunt passed away this summer, and Uncle Bud has been on his own for the first time in his life. He was one of those men who honestly didn’t know his way around a kitchen. Aunt Viv was a stay-at-home mom and always took care of everything. As I went through my list of cookies I like to make, I thought of my uncle alone up on that mountain and decided I’d make Raisin Filled Cookies for him.

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These were never my favorite cookie. Grandma always used black walnuts in them because that’s what she had available. Back then, you used what you could produce on the farm and we had vast woods around us. My Uncle Bob would gather walnuts every fall...rubbing the husks off them till his hands were stained brown. They were like that for months. Then, in the winter, Bob would crack the walnuts and Grandma would pick the nut meats out and freeze them for use throughout the year.

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Black walnuts make my mouth sore when I eat them. I get blisters and I really don’t like the flavor as they’re quite strong. I called my uncle yesterday and told him I didn’t have walnuts and would pecans be ok. He said he actually preferred pecans, so pecans it was. I cooked the raisin filling and after the news, I made the dough. I ran out of dough and still had three to four cups of the filling left so I may make some Raisin Bar Cookies today.

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I was really pleased with the recipe, but they were much sweeter than I remember my grandma’s to be. She was pretty frugal with her ingredients. Even though they’re a little labor intensive, I think they were well worth the effort and I’ll make them again. The sourdough starter is well fed and bubbling so I’m going to make the dough today and bake it tomorrow.

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You can get the recipe for the Raisin Filled Cookies HERE.

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?

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“Get a large bowl. Then mix together wheat, barley, beans, lentils, and millet, and make some bread. This is what you will eat for the 390 days you are lying down.”

\nEzekiel 4:9 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-17T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/17/day-baking-down-memory-lanegrandmas.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Holiday","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/14/day-going-on-a-treasure.html", "title": "Day 275: Going on a Treasure Hunt", "content_html": "\n
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Some of Mr. FixIt’s Heirlooms

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A friend of Mr. FixIt’s called him the other day, looking for a collectible and hoping he might have one. They worked together at an internationally known tool making plant. Every so often, the plant would create belt buckles or commemorative medallions and people would buy them along with the velvet lined cases to display them in. I tease my sweetheart and tell him he has in his possession everything he has ever owned, and a lot of what used to belong to someone else. This often comes in handy when we need something specific. And, on occasion, it leads us on an interesting treasure hunt.

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After supper last night, Mr. FixIt came in with one of his treasure boxes and sat down to sort through. He knows I love those kinds of things so he set aside anything he thought I might be interested in and showed them to me. There were some amazing tintype photos of his ancestors. What incredible treasures these kinds of things are! I could see the family resemblance, even in the grandchildren. There was a small box among the photos and old Cross pen and pencil sets and in it was something interesting.

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It looked all the world to be a gold Victorian hair pin, but it had a fine chain with a small clasp on the end to hook onto something. I puzzled over what this could possibly be when I realized...There is a world of information on the internet...just waiting to be found. I Googled “ladies hairpin with fine chain” and...voila...up popped the exact pin I was holding in my hand! The internet can be a marvelous tool. 

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In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, there were spectacles called pince-nez (pronounced pas’nay), which is French for “pinch nose.” They didn’t have earpieces and were held on by gently pinching the bridge of the nose to hold them on. However, they often slipped off. These delicate chains served two purposes...they were fashionable and they kept the expensive prescription lenses from falling on hard surfaces and breaking. 

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Teddy Roosevelt popularized the pince-nez and fashionable ladies and gentlemen followed suit. I shared this information with Mr. FixIt and he said he might have a pair in one of his boxes. He carried another in and sure enough...there they were! I have no idea if they belonged together. I went back and looked at the tintypes that were tucked away with these treasures, but I couldn’t find a woman wearing them.

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Mr. FixIt’s Great Great Grandmother

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I marvel at things like this. My ancestors were simple country folk. Their spectacles were gold wire with rimless glass lenses. They were lucky to have one pair that had to last till they literally couldn’t see before they bought new. I have found a couple of old tintypes of ancestors, but I have no idea who they were. I felt like I had a little glimpse into my husband’s ancestry...like peeking through a time machine to days of old...to espy those whose progeny would eventually create the man I know and love.

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I’m a little bit of a treasure hunter myself. Our true treasures are not that which we gather here on earth. Those who owned these trinkets couldn’t take them where they were going. Heavenly treasures are the only ones you can keep. But trinkets and mementos are great fun to share and learn about your history. 

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?

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“Don't store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is.”

\nMatthew 6:19-21 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-14T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/14/day-going-on-a-treasure.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/08/day-the-gift-of-an.html", "title": "Day 269: The Gift of an Heirloom Recipe", "content_html": "\n
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The first day of holiday baking was a huge success. After a relaxing start to the day and enjoying my morning coffee, I got to work in the kitchen. I grew up in the ‘50s and ‘60s when the obligatory holiday fruitcake came to our house...usually as part of my dad’s Christmas bonus package. Fruitcakes back then came in these really great heavy-duty tins embossed with festive Victorian holiday scenes. These tins often went on to become the button boxes many of us remember sifting through at our grandmother’s homes. 

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I really hated fruitcake. It was almost a rule of thumb that children and fruitcake did not mix and if you liked it, you never admitted to it. It was thick, dark, gummy, and so sickeningly sweet. Once in a while, I might pick out a candied cherry and eat it, but that was the extent of my experience with fruitcake. The fact that it’s often soaked in booze might have been a deterrent in my house growing up. (I received a cookbook as a wedding gift from my grandma and she crossed out the word “beer” in a recipe for barbecue sauce!)

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Enter, Mr. Virgo. Fruitcake, like opera and the Philadelphia Eagles, entered my world along with that tall, handsome man. Unfortunately, he liked traditional fruitcake. I happened to mention this to my cousin’s wife and she sent me my Aunt Marge’s White Fruitcake recipe. She assured me, even a diehard fruitcake hater like me would love this recipe. The following year, I made two loaf pans of fruitcake before Thanksgiving, wrapped them in cheesecloth, and started giving them a weekly drink of bourbon.

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The week before Christmas, I brought the fruitcake in from cold storage in the garage and cut a few slices for Mr. Virgo’s gustatory pleasure. He declared it the best fruitcake he had ever tasted. I felt this was a fine endorsement and he talked me into trying a piece myself. Being the good sport that I am, I complied...fully prepared to again, hate it. But...oh my GOSH, people! It was divine! Granted...it’s still not something I’m going to overindulge in. It is definitely an acquired taste. But as far as fruitcakes go, this is the bomb. And here’s where the bad news comes in.

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I cannot share the recipe with you.

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My Aunt Marge was an incredible cook. Legendary. She worked and perfected this recipe over the years and would never give the recipe away, no matter WHO asked. I was privileged to be gifted this recipe and had to promise I wouldn’t share it. (Trust me, I asked with you all in mind...no go.)

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So, why am I sharing this when I can’t share the recipe? Basically, to share my love for my Aunt Marge. To share a tradition. And, yeah...to maybe brag a little that I finally found a fruitcake I can eat. Don’t be too dismayed. If you hate fruitcake as much as most people, you’ll just scratch your head at the thought people really eat this stuff. If you DO love fruitcake, you can Google “White Fruitcake” and find a recipe that might give you something like Aunt Marge’s. But I doubt it will be as good as this one. ‘Cause...it’s truly a family heirloom.

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Next up...Banana Bread!

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?

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“Your wife will be as fruitful as a grapevine, and just as an olive tree is rich with olives, your home will be rich with healthy children.”

\nPsalms 128:3 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/08/day-the-gift-of-an.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Holiday","Be Joyful!","Farm Life","Baking","Memories","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/05/day-another-sad-goodbye.html", "title": "Day 266: Another Sad Goodbye", "content_html": "\n
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When Daughter #1 married in the summer of 1995, I had no idea what an integral part her new family would play in my life. Just five years after we met, these lovely people helped me through a very painful divorce and lifted me up from the fall. Then, years later when Mr. Virgo passed, they took me into their home and loved on me till I could stand up again. They nursed me when I was sick. They welcomed me with my campers and played host to countless “camping trips” in their driveway. They love my daughter the way I love their son. We are as close to being related as we can be without actually sharing DNA.

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We have always said, Sue & Ben live at the epicenter of the universe. Way early on, I felt a twinge of jealousy about that because I wanted MY house to be the center. It wasn’t long till I understood why theirs was and I’ve spent many a long, leisurely breakfast at their table...discussing the topics of the day. You always learn something sitting there over coffee. Ben underlines particularly interesting points from the articles in the morning paper and enjoys the intellectual discussions that ensue when he shares them.

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When Sue was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, I asked what I could do from here to help her.

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“Just chat with me every night. Tell me funny stories. I love your stories...they give me something to think about.”

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We have been chatting every single night since and I have to say, that has been one of the deepest experiences I’ve ever had. To watch her strength, courage, and determination has been admirable.

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One of the bonus features of my close relationship with Ben & Sue has been Grandma Lois. Born in the northeast corner of Colorado, Grandma was raised to be a strong woman, a hard worker, and she could do anything she set her mind to. I could go through the details of her accomplishments listed in her beautiful obituary, but I’d rather relate what she meant to me personally. 

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For many years, I only got to see Grandma Lois when she came to Denver to see the kids. But, finally she got to the age where she needed to live closer where someone could be there should she need a little extra support. She bought a small house around the corner from Ben & Sue. That’s when I got to spend more time with her. You never went to her house without being treated to a fresh batch of cookies and a cup of coffee. I often walked over to see her when I was visiting Colorado.

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Grandma Lois was widowed in 1996. She was so supportive of me when Mr. Virgo died. We had long talks and she shared her love freely, helping me through a difficult time with tender understanding while, still being the strong farm woman, kicking me in the butt when I needed it. Mr. FixIt and I went to her 90th Birthday Party last summer. She loved him and thought I’d found a real gem. Whenever we spoke on the phone, she asked about him. The other day, we were watching TV when my phone rang. I looked down and said, “It’s Grandma Lois!” Mr. FixIt lit up. This was an unexpected treat!

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“Hello, Lois! How are you???” I smiled into the camera.

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“Oh! It’s YOU!” she said with surprise. “I never know who I’m going to get with this thing. I just punch the buttons and hope for the best!” Grandma said with a deprecating laugh.

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We spoke for a good half hour, sharing stories about the kids. She wanted to know all about our garden and the canning and what we had been up to. I hated for the conversation to end. You know, in the way you hate them to end because you don’t know when...or IF...you’ll get the chance for another one. We always ended our conversations with professions of love for one another, which is the way it should be when you love someone.

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As it turns out, that was the last conversation I got to have with Grandma Lois. She recently came down with bilateral non-Covid pneumonia at the nursing home where she’s lived the last year. She passed in her sleep on December 1st at 5:00am. She was 91.

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“Little”, my younger granddaughter said this about her great grandmother. “Most people get to the Pearly Gates, knock on the door, and they’re let in. Not Grandma Lois! She rings the doorbell and runs!” I do believe she is right. But this time, Grandma was either too tired to run or she slipped on the step and fell.

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I will always be grateful to have known her and loved her...and to have been loved right back. We truly were family...and friends. I am so grateful to Sue for sharing her mom with me. She knew how much I missed my own mom. Grandma Lois gave us all many gifts...not the least was modeling her deep strength and solid faith to the rest of us. I will miss you greatly, dear one...and I have comfort knowing you no longer suffer. I’ll see you on the other side.

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?

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“You will be afraid to climb up a hill or walk down a road. Your hair will turn as white as almond blossoms. You will feel lifeless and drag along like an old grasshopper. We each go to our eternal home, and the streets here are filled with those who mourn. The silver cord snaps, the golden bowl breaks; the water pitcher is smashed, and the pulley at the well is shattered. So our bodies return to the earth, and the life-giving breath returns to God.”

\nEcclesiastes 12:5-7 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-05T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/05/day-another-sad-goodbye.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Love","Widow","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/11/29/day-looking-for-my-merry.html", "title": "Day 260: Looking for my Merry Mojo", "content_html": "\n
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I’m having trouble finding my footing with the change from uber busy spring-summer-fall to...indoors. There are a million things I could/should be doing, but I am not finding the wherewithal to get after it. I STILL haven’t made those pumpkin pies. Not that I didn’t try. I pulled the dough out of the fridge yesterday and when I started rolling it out, I knew something was terribly wrong. It was springy, like bread, so I knew the gluten got activated. Also, I used that cheap bargain basement flour from the Piggly Wiggly and it’s just not good for much of anything. I ended up throwing both the dough and the remaining flour away. I promise I’ll bake these pies today!

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We had company yesterday. It’s really something when you get super excited if someone comes over. The former Mrs. FixIt called Friday evening and asked if we had extra room in the garage freezer for a twenty pound turkey. This is the great thing about buying turkey after the holiday...you can get really good prices. Kroger had big turkeys on sale for $ .59 a pound so we asked her to pick up one for us. We already had a big twenty-four pound turkey in the downstairs freezer, so we put it in the garage fridge to defrost and put the new turkey in its place. Here’s the best part of the story, though. When she was checking out, the manager asked her if she would like a Black Friday Special. Well, who doesn’t want that, right? So, he sold her the turkeys for $ .39 cents a pound. Too bad there weren’t more turkeys (she got the last two) and we don’t have a bigger freezer. I would have bought several. It was really great to stand out in the sunshine and visit for a while and show her all the work we’ve been doing around the Ponderosa.

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My missing mojo shows up in my missing Christmas tree, too. I swore I’d have it up before Halloween, and now here we are after Thanksgiving and I’m procrastinating for some reason. Maybe my motivation will return today! I’ll start with baking those pies after church, then we’ll drag the decorations out, turn on White Christmas, and before we know it, the job will be done. Then I’m not taking it down, like...ever! lol I think the fact that we have had to forego having the family over for the holidays is what’s bumming me out. I can’t jump on a plane and fly to Colorado to see the family, either. 

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Mr. FixIt made me a bowl of ice cream last night as we watched the news. He put a little chocolate sauce on it, and I added a couple spoonfuls of cranberry sauce on top. OMGosh! It was SO good. It tastes like chocolate covered cherries. I’m determined to try as many new recipes and methods of serving the leftovers. I will freeze a container for the turkey I’m thawing out.

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“Big” sent me a picture of her “Gingerbread Camper” the other day. I had to laugh. This was the grandchild who went camping and absolutely loved it, saying over and over, “We need to do this again, Nana!” Till the next summer when her adolescent self decided camping with Nana was infinitely uncool. Yet, here she is...I knew those memories would come back with fondness one of these days. It warmed my heart.

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Have you decorated for the holidays? If you are newly bereaved, you may find it very difficult. I managed to put up the tree the first Christmas then was promptly depressed the next day. The second Christmas was when things fell apart with my Aunt and we didn’t have any decorations. I don’t think I really decorated until I settled back on the farm in 2016. Do you have favorite ornaments? What about traditions surrounding trimming the tree? I saw a story where people are flocking to buy real trees this year because of the memories of the hunt for the perfect tree. I haven’t had a real tree in many, many years. Basically, because I feel it’s wasteful, but also there’s the fire hazard and mess it makes. I have a candle with a very realistic pine tree scent. That’s good enough for me.

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It’s time to get back up and get in the game. There’s work to be done and fun to be had and memories to make...no matter the circumstances!!!

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?

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“It is truly wonderful when the people of God live together in peace.”

\nPsalms 133:1 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-29T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/11/29/day-looking-for-my-merry.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Farm Life","Baking","Memories","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/11/27/day-inside-the-bubble.html", "title": "Day 258: Inside the Bubble", "content_html": "\n
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Mr. FixIt and I were standing at the corner of the house...of all things, looking for a tiny silver link that broke on the bracelet I bought him for Christmas a year or so ago. He caught it on the ladder when he was working on the outdoor electrical outlet he was replacing while I was at the farm. I heard a vehicle pull into the drive and turned to find a young couple delivering our Thanksgiving Dinner. Our little town gave out 500 meals yesterday...regardless of income or need. We were told we were actually helping them out in order to keep up their funding for next year. And, believe me, I was grateful to not have to cook a big meal...especially after just getting home Wednesday afternoon.

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The food was wonderful...turkey with all the trimmings. As I sat down to eat, I counted my blessings that we are at a point in our lives where we know where our next check comes from. There’s something to be said for the Social Security and Medicare years. I’ve been watching the news and seeing such long lines of people sitting in their cars in line at food banks and thinking....where would we be if this pandemic had occurred when our own children were small and we were struggling, just starting out? That is where so many are...just starting out and victims of the efforts to prevent this virus from overrunning the hospitals.

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Yet, here we are...numbers rising astronomically. It does no good to go backwards and say, “If only this would have happened.” We are here now. We know not enough people cancelled travel plans and gatherings, I’m afraid. Let us pray hard in the coming weeks that somehow people “get it” and practice healthy safeguards. I come from a science background, so I know how this should go...I just hope it does.

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Yesterday was still a day filled with blessings. I talked to so many people...by phone, chat, and FaceTime. It wasn’t the same as giving them a hug around the neck, but oh....it still felt so good to see the faces and hear the voices of those I love. We all agreed, this is a major interruption in how we normally celebrate. But if we can keep the chairs filled next year...it will have been worth the sacrifice.

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With all that communication, I didn’t get a chance to bake the pumpkin pies I wanted. I did make cranberry sauce and I baked two of the Sugar Pie Pumpkins and made the purée. I’ll try to get the pies made today. I almost hate making cranberry sauce because I’m the only one who likes it and I cannot eat all of it. I’m looking for recipes that will help me use it up, so if you have any...please share. We all have leftovers!

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?

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“Your wife will be as fruitful as a grapevine, and just as an olive tree is rich with olives, your home will be rich with healthy children.”

\nPsalms 128:3 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-27T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/11/27/day-inside-the-bubble.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/11/15/day-keeping-our-distance.html", "title": "Day 246: Keeping Our Distance", "content_html": "\n
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When we bought our new recliners, the plan was to take the old ones over for the the grandkids to use. But, it was raining....for a whole week. Then it was too cold. Then we had to mow. Then they were working shift work. Then Covid started spiking like crazy. As time stretched on, I couldn’t imagine how I was going to fit the Christmas tree in the family room with all this extra furniture. Finally...yesterday was gorgeous and the kids had the day off. They came out to pick up the chairs and we had a little socially distanced visit sitting on the tailgates of our trucks.

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My step-daughter’s boyfriend climbed the antenna tower to the roof and checked the openings of the chimneys. This is where the chimney swifts have been nesting and I want to put an end to that. Somewhere along the line, Mr. FixIt came into some wire baskets that had been used in the locker room of the local swimming pool. From what I could see, these baskets looked like the perfect size for the top piece of the chimneys and would keep the birds out. The first one slipped right on like it was made for that upper pipe. But the second was about a half inch too small so we’ll have to come up with something else.

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I haven’t heard a single critter up in the attic since Mr. FixIt and Harry fixed the soffits last week under the eaves of the house. That’s a blessed relief because sitting here writing these posts in the evenings and hearing things scurry around over my head was disconcerting, to say the least. I know...we live in the country, and this is what happens but if you can do a little preventive maintenance, you can keep this things at bay.

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The garden has been cleared and the tomato stakes put away till next year. The pool has been cleaned and treated, the ladder removed, the filter disconnected and emptied, and the deck furniture battened down agains the winter winds. The leaves have been mulched. The vines and excess vegetation from around the house has been removed and placed on the woodpile. The last thing to do is clean the lawn tools and treat the fuel tanks so they don’t get gummy over the winter.

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We worked so hard over the summer, it’s been a treat to kind of kick back the last week or two. I’m heading to the farm tomorrow for a day or two. I need to do laundry and get things prepared for winter out there, as well. I like to decorate for the holidays so the home place looks cozy and inviting. Undoubtedly, there will be ladybugs and stink bugs that made their way in through the inevitable cracks of a nearly 100 year old house. Those will need swept up. I want to make sure the rain gutters are cleaned out and the downspouts lead away from the house. The dehumidifiers need cleaned and put away. The electric space heater needs to be pugged in and the thermostat set to kick on should the gas go off and there’s no heat. We don’t want the pipes to freeze, even though I do keep the pump unplugged when we aren’t there. And, I need to set up the little gas stove in the bathroom by lighting the thermostat and testing it. 

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The bathroom was added thirty years after that house was built. It’s nothing but a cinder block room with a cement floor. It doesn’t have a furnace vent. So there has always been a small gas stove in there with the thermostat set to kick on when it gets really cold. We’ve been having some unseasonably warm weather this fall, but it’s not going to last too much longer. Besides, I need to have a little R&R at the farm. I haven’t had any time there on my own for months and I know my days there are numbered at some point.

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The Covid numbers are climbing ever higher, dear ones. I know we are tired, but we must stay the course and think of others as well as ourselves in this next season before a vaccine becomes available. I want you all with me next year because there are lots of adventures to be had and lessons to be learned out there! Please wear your masks and encourage others, as well. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Stay away from crowds. You know the drill.

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I hope you have a blessed Sunday and enjoy your day of rest. I’ll be back this evening with the Sunday Evening Prayer Circle. See you then!

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?

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

\nGalatians 6:9 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-15T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/11/15/day-keeping-our-distance.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/11/02/day-reflections-of-my-father.html", "title": "Day 234: Reflections of my Father on his Birthday", "content_html": "\n
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I definitely resemble my father.

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I’m not sure I ever really knew my dad. I mean...I lived in the same house with him for nineteen years. He spent much of his time either off somewhere “fishing” (aka drinking at local bars) or puttering at his work bench (aka drinking in the basement). He was a broken man by the time I came into the picture, I think. I don’t think he was happy married to my mom. The woman he really loved spurned him and I think he and mom just kind of settled for each other.

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I remember him as being a talented artist, although all of the artwork he saved was done before I came along. He dreamed of being a commercial artist but family responsibilities squashed his ambition. He dreamed of being a farmer and living in a small house in the middle of forty acres but, again, he worked a rather menial job and he was a functioning alcoholic. He settled in as a parts manager at the local Mack Truck garage.

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I left home as soon as I could, marrying my high school boyfriend. We moved to England and from there, Colorado. Dad and Mom both passed away long before I returned to West Virginia to live. So, our relationship was complicated by distance, by my need to heal the scars of youth and his need to forget he had anything to do with them. I continued to try to gain his love and approval clear up to 2004 when my mother died. We had a parting of the ways when he said something ugly about my brother who is differently abled. That’s when I was done...and I told him so. 

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Sometimes you have to walk away from relationships that are hurting you. It took a lot of therapy for me to realize just because we were blood relatives doesn’t mean we had to keep hitting ourselves in the head with a baseball bat. I felt a mixture of extreme sadness and blessed relief when I walked away. I was traveling to West Virginia to say goodbye when I got the call he had already passed. I sat alone with him in the funeral home for a couple of hours. I ranted and raved and spewed out all the things I had wanted to say to him all my life. When his ashes were released to me, I took his wife, the box of ashes, and a shovel and went to his favorite fishing hole. Laura couldn’t walk down to the edge, so she said her goodbyes from the high riverbank. I dug a hole, buried his ashes, and placed a stick cross over him. I prayed he made it safe to heaven and if so, I hoped to see him there one day and maybe then we could really talk.

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He would have been 100 years old today. He liked to say he was born in 1919 because he thought it sounded cooler. I’ve long since forgiven my father for not being the dad I needed him to be. And I’ve long since forgiven myself for not understanding him and not being there for him when he lost himself. I’ve stopped beating myself up for not being the daughter he wanted me to be. A lot of change came when I finally accepted Jesus into my heart and I learned a lot more about the act of forgiveness. 

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Happy 100th Birthday, Dad. I hope you’re having a big time fishing on the best riverbank in Heaven today. I hope you catch a big one!

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❤️

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“Parents, don't be hard on your children. If you are, they might give up.”

\nColossians 3:21 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-02T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/11/02/day-reflections-of-my-father.html", "tags": ["Family","Forgiveness","Insight"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/27/day-we-love-who-we.html", "title": "Day 228: We Love Who We Love", "content_html": "\n
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In fourth grade, she sat in the car and cried.

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“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

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“I can’t tell you.”

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“Why not?”

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“Because...you’ll hate me!”

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“No, sweetie...there’s nothing in the world that would make me hate you! Tell Mama what’s wrong.”

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“I like to look at pretty girls.”

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There it was. The fork in the road. I wasn’t necessarily surprised. She was always a butterfly dancing in the wind. There was great sadness she tried to hide. I didn’t always understand her creativity, her mood, her fierce intellect. She was simultaneously immensely brave and terribly fearful. She could read at the tender age of seventeen months. And when she walked into a room full of people, she could FEEL all their feelings. When she took tests in school, her brain felt like 100 television sets were broadcasting different channels and her job was to pick which one had the right answers. 

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My baby girl. The one I waited so long to have. My last child.

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She was an exceptionally beautiful baby. Strangers would cross the street just to stand near us and look in her eyes and smile. She was what is commonly referred to as an “old soul”. She was incredibly sensitive.

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When she was in sixth grade, she cried on the steps of the school instead of joining in the class dance. In high school, I held her when she cried at the injustice of being called a “stupid effing Jew”. In adolescence, she struggled mightily. In college, they diagnosed her learning disability and she received accommodations. Things finally became a little easier for her. The room full of TV’s reduced to just five.

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She thought she needed to be something she wasn’t in order to receive the approval of others. Maybe I wasn’t openly accepting enough of her 4th grade confession. Maybe I tried to sweep it under the rug. If I did, it wasn’t because I wouldn’t love her if she was gay. It was because I knew she would face more challenges in life by others who wouldn’t accept her. And I hated that for her. She had already been through so much when I was ill, and then when her father and I divorced. For whatever reason, we didn’t really talk about it again till after a terrible breakup with a guy who drank too much and mistreated her. That brought her to her knees.

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I’ve always told her, she reminds me of that punching-bag Bozo the Clown we had when we were kids. Whenever she got knocked down, she came right back up. Every. Single. Time. I’m so proud of her. And when she finally found *K*, I was thrilled. Because she blossomed. She is who she really IS with her. They are so good together. They lift each other up and celebrate each other. They work toward their goals. They are best friends and they love and respect each other deeply.

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I will never forget the day she called me and said, “Mom, are you sitting down?”

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With slight trepidation, I said, “Yes.”

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“I’m going to ask *K* to marry me!”

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OMGosh! My heart exploded for her. After watching her struggle for all those years, trying to find herself, she was finally there. The rest of the conversation was filled with “congratulations” and “when is the wedding” and “what are your plans”. 

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I’ve had many prayerful moments about this. I am a Christian. In my prayers, I asked God to tell me what to do. I had people actually tell me I should just send them each a wedding gift and not go to the wedding. I’ve had people tell me we’re all going to hell. That’s not what God told me. He reminded me HE gave me this child to love and care for and protect...forever. And that’s what I will do...forever.

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She called me in tears the other night regarding the impending confirmation of a Supreme Court Judge who is not supportive of the LGBTQ community, tipping the majority. She asked, “What if they delegitimize our marriage???” Imagine her fear...her sadness...her frustration. I paused, took a deep breath, and said, “Sweetheart, nobody can ever take away the love you and your wife have for each other. NO ONE can take away your relationship. I don’t know what will happen to the paper that joins you. I don’t know what will happen in the courts and in the country and in the world. We’ll just pray that everything works out.” I do know this...God loves them, just as He loves all of us.

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I don’t have all the answers. I’m just a mom who loves her daughter to the moon and back. I want her to have the freedom to love who she loves...the same freedom I have and you have. I will fight for the rights of my children. When it is my time to stand before God and have a reckoning of my life, I will tell Him I loved the babies he gave me...no matter what...and I tried to do the best for them. That’s the best I can do.

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❤️

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“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.”

\n1 John 4:18-19 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/27/day-we-love-who-we.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","God","Courage","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/23/day-the-sweetest-sounds.html", "title": "Day 224: The Sweetest Sounds", "content_html": "\n
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After such a long day on Wednesday, I was happy to sleep in a little yesterday. Mr. FixIt, being ever the early bird, was up long before me and I had what the Brits call a “lie in”. I stretched and read a little and gazed out the bedroom window at the cerulean sky. Suddenly, I heard the little tinkle of the bell on the cat’s collar as she jumped up onto the exterior window sill. She sat there and tweedled and chirped and sang me her “hello kitty” love song to start my day. I raised my phone, flipped the camera, and there she was...this little black cat that popped into our lives last Halloween. She’s a pistol. I could hear her purring as soon as I started talking to her. 

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I really didn’t want a cat. I didn’t want any pets. Mr. FixIt is enough for me to keep up with and we love to drop what we’re doing and go, go, go. The last thing in the world I wanted was something that would interfere with that. But, when I got back from my sojourn last fall in the raffle camper, I came face to face with this little black fluff ball that came running to me like... “It’s YOU! I’ve been waiting FOREVER!” I turned to my husband and said, “D*** you.” And we both laughed.

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Then, he had two strokes. And life slowed down for a while. We were worried. We didn’t know what the future would look like. Mr. FixIt needed something joyful to look forward to just like I did after Mr. Virgo died. I bought a camper. Mr. FixIt got a cat. Every day, he walks out to the building in the mornings to let the kitty out. Whenever he goes out to work, the kitty follows him like a puppy dog. He greets her with “What’s a pretty kitty doin’, huh?” She melts into a puddle on the sidewalk...rolling and stretching and chirping at him. Pretty soon, he picks her up for a little snuggle and a scratch behind the ears and a kiss on top of the head. That’s when I realized...God sent this little kitty to us. We had no idea where she came from. We had no idea we needed her as much as she needed us. It softens my heart when he announces he’s going out to put the cat to bed for the night. He asks her if she wants a treat and he either picks her up and carries her out or she makes a beeline for the building. He shakes out a few little yummies and puts them on top of her food, turns on her light, then tells her goodnight.

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We all need to feel needed. A man and his cat...needing each other through the tough times.

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❤️

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“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”

\nProverbs 12:10 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/23/day-the-sweetest-sounds.html", "tags": ["Family","The Cats","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/18/day-coming-home-to-a.html", "title": "Day 219: Coming Home to a Mystery!", "content_html": "\n
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Eleven and a half hours. Wow...what a drive! At least this time we didn’t have to drive through rain. It was a perfectly gorgeous day. The colors were a bit muted from the recent hard freeze, but the sky was clear and the air was crisp. When we crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains, I could see what looked like wildfire smoke in the distance. The further we went, and the lower the sun set, I became certain that was what I was seeing. I’ve seen enough wildfires in Colorado to know the difference between clouds and smoke. 

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When we got to Tamarack on the West Virginia Turnpike, we could actually smell the smoke. I checked online and there were no fires in West Virginia or the surrounding states. It had to be from Colorado! When we got home last night and I had time to check the government’s air monitoring website, there it was...clear as day. You can follow the plume of smoke in a straight line from Colorado to southern West Virginia where the sun was going down blood red. How eerie...and so sad...and scary. What is happening to our atmosphere from all these wildfires? I really have no idea.

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We finally arrived home about 8:30pm...way past dark. The first thing we saw when we pulled in the drive was tire tracks through the grass alongside the house. We got out the high beam flashlight and followed the tracks all the way around the house and out the driveway on the other side. We checked all the doors. Not a thing was out of place. We looked at each other, baffled. Could we have driven around the house before we left and not remembered? We were trimming branches but that was the week before we left. These tracks had to have been made earlier in the day because the leaves were mashed down. We decided maybe it was time to put up those security cameras we’ve been talking about. But for the time being, there was plenty to get done and we got to work emptying the truck.

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Later in the evening, one of the kids called to say they had come out to get firewood yesterday but they couldn’t find any. Mystery solved! I know it sounds odd, but we live out in the country and our “yard” is actually more of a field that surrounds our house. These people never think twice about driving on what you might think of as a lawn. Things are different in the country. We always parked in the yard at Grandma’s house. 

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Now comes the job of unpacking and putting everything away. NOT my favorite part of vacation. But, we are so grateful to have had time away spent with family and to be delivered back home all safe and sound. Thanks for coming along with me!

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❤️

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“You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.”

\nDeuteronomy 28:6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/18/day-coming-home-to-a.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Gratitude","Grace","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/17/day-goodbye-oceanhomeward-bound.html", "title": "Day 218: Goodbye, Ocean...Homeward Bound!", "content_html": "\n
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Sandy toes on the Outer Banks...Mr. FixIt fishing!

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This week was exactly what we needed. We had so much fun with the kids and we managed to get a little alone time in, as well. We did something yesterday that I’ve only done a couple of times before. We drove out on the beach. The sand here is decidedly different than Daytona Beach where it’s not quite as solid as concrete and practically impossible to get stuck. Outer Banks Sand is soft. You have to let the air out in your tires down to about 15 pounds to flatten and widen your footprint for better traction. You have to be very careful not to punch the accelerator and spin while maintaining enough speed to keep moving. I was determined to do it myself, but the closer I got to our destination, all I could think about was having to get an expensive tow off the beach. So, I gave it over to Mr. FixIt and observed his technique and asked him questions as we went along. I’ll try next time.

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We drove down to the point at Oregon Inlet near the bridge and parked our trucks side-by-side. I settled into my chair with my 50-SPF sunscreen, knitting in hand, cold drink by my side, feet up on my handy footstool. The girls sunbathed and played bocce ball while the guys fished. We roasted hotdogs on the beach for lunch, with a little grit for texture. The sun was intense...definitely the hottest day we had this week. But, we had a slight breeze and dipping in the water occasionally helped a lot. I found a few nice shells.

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The Ocean Pursuit - a scallop harvesting vessel run aground

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One of the coolest things I’ve seen on a beach in a while was an abandoned scallop harvesting vessel that ran aground on March 1st near Oregon Inlet. This is a remote section of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore that is accessible only by four wheel drive. When the accident first happened, the Coast Guard air lifted the crew to safety and then oversaw the removal of fuel and other hazardous materials from the vessel. Since then, the surf has pushed the “Ocean Pursuit” onto the shore where she has become embedded in the sand. Rust is quickly taking over and signs ask people to stay off the boat as it is a safety hazard. Salvage has been delayed by the covid pandemic and estimates of $60,000 makes this one big job that may take some time to accomplish. You can read about the Ocean Pursuit HERE. 

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By 3:00, the clouds started to roll in and we decided to head back to the condo. Within a few miles, the skies opened, the temperature plummeted twenty degrees, and it rained buckets. When we got back to the condo, we warmed up leftovers and started packing. Today, we head back home to chilly weather. It was supposed to freeze this morning at our house...a far cry from the wonderful weather we have enjoyed on the Outer Banks. No more sitting outside having my morning coffee for a while. Hopefully we’ll get a little late summer-like weather before the cold blasts of winter set in. The beach is definitely my favorite place to go in October.

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A storm brewing off the Cape Hatteras National Seashore

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Every time I’ve traveled, and I’ve shared many of my travels with you here, you know I have such a hard time transitioning back to the normal routine at home. I don’t know if that will be as big a problem this time because 2020 has been such a screwy year. I mean...what’s normal anymore? Who knows?

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Checkout is at 10:00. This party’s over...so what’s the next big adventure?

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❤️

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“We make our own plans, but the Lord decides where we will go.”

\nProverbs 16:9 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/17/day-goodbye-oceanhomeward-bound.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Fun","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/16/day-bringing-home-the-sea.html", "title": "Day 217: Bringing Home the Sea Bass, Etc.", "content_html": "\n
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Sunrise on the Fishing Boat

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The guys had a big day on their fishing trip. They came back sunburned and exhausted, loaded down with bags of fresh, filleted fish, individually vacuum packed. They divided the catch and each get to take home thirty-three pounds. There were sea bass, red snapper, trigger fish, and hammer jack. That’s going to be some good eating in the coming months.

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Quite a Haul of Fish: Sea Bass, Red Snapper, Trigger Fish, & Hammer Jack

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I sat out on the deck having my coffee yesterday morning. What a treat to have some quiet time with my thoughts before the activities of the day. While the fellas were off fishing, my daughter-in-law and I went out to the beach and sat for hours visiting. I worked on a little knitted Christmas ornament. I finally had to turn around because I was getting too sun and windburned. The day really was perfect...not a cloud in the sky and just the right temperature.

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Some sort of Amphibious Craft Practicing Maneuvers

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At one point, I looked up and there was an amphibious vehicle driving down the beach and straight out into the ocean. Where we are staying is near a government facility of some sort. There were military helicopters flying back and forth and I saw fighter jets a couple of times. When we were on the beach on Wednesday, there was an unmarked white van with several kinds of sonar and satellite antennae on top and there were cameras mounted on the rear part of the roof. They drove slowly up and down the beach and honestly, it looked as though they were filming us. It was a little eerie, actually.

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A Perfect Day

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I finally went back inside and started supper. We had spaghetti sauce with those Italian meatballs I made ahead and put in the freezer. Oh, my gosh...they were SO good. Dinner was ready by the time the guys got back and the fish tales began. They showed off photos and told how hard the fight was for this one and that. The friend they took with them didn’t have much experience fishing so they teased him about it some...you know, the way guys do. But he ended up getting the biggest fish of the day so it was paybacks, for sure.

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All in all, it was a wonderful day and everyone enjoyed themselves tremendously. Mr. FixIt figured out a way he could sit and reel in his fish without losing his balance which made me very happy. Today is our last full day and tomorrow we have to head home. A vacation week never seems to last long enough, does it?

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❤️

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“The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a net is thrown into a lake and catches all kinds of fish. When the net is full, it is dragged to the shore, and the fishermen sit down to separate the fish. They keep the good ones, but throw the bad ones away.”

\nMatthew 13:47-48 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/16/day-bringing-home-the-sea.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Fun","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/15/day-gone-fishin-with-the.html", "title": "Day 216: Gone Fishin’ With The Boys", "content_html": "\n
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Of all things, the check engine light came on in my truck on Tuesday evening. We had to go find an auto parts store yesterday that could run a computer diagnostic test on it. There were three codes...all regarding misfiring in the cylinders. My guess is we need new spark plugs, a tune up, or we had a batch of bad gas. The light went off after she checked...which is what it’s supposed to do. And, it hasn’t come back on. We’ll keep an eye on it and hopefully, we won’t have anymore problems and I can get it checked out at home.

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I will have to say, there are a boatload more people here than we imagined there would be. So many people are working remotely now and if you can work from home, you can work from the beach just as easily. Gone are the days of long stretches of empty sand and sparsely attended restaurants, I’m afraid. On the plus side, the merchants are reaping an extended profit season and that’s really good for them.

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I visited my favorite knitting shop...The Knitting Addiction In Kitty Hawk. I was happy to see the owner doing well. I was so tempted to buy a nice project to work on, but I still have so much yarn left from my last trips to the beach, I made myself stick to something small. I found it in the cutest kits for Christmas ornaments. That kills two birds with one stone. We always buy a special ornament when we are on vacation. This way, we’ll still get our ornament, and it will be even more special because I’ll be making it.

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The kids went off to do their own thing yesterday so Mr. FixIt and I had all day to ourselves. We had so much fun! We packed up a picnic basket and the cooler, put it in the wagon, and headed to the beach...fishing gear in hand. Fortunately, the condo complex has built an enormous new ramp that goes up and over the dunes so carting gear out and back isn’t quite the chore it used to be. That being said, our foldable wagon does not have wide wheels for the sand. Once we got out on the beach, it was quite the chore dragging it to a socially distanced spot where we felt comfortable.

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We spent all afternoon on the beach. There was a steady breeze coming in off the ocean and I was just a little too cool. I ended up turning my chair to face the sun instead of the waves, wrapped a towel around my shoulders and read all afternoon. Now, THAT was exactly where I wanted to be...with my sweetheart, on the beach. I have been thrilled to see him perk up this week. He’s so much more like the old Mr. FixIt we all know and love. He has missed the beach so much. It’s in his blood and just being here has done wonders for him. 

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He and his son are meeting a friend today and going deep sea fishing on a charter. There will only be the three guys and two crewmen. We’ve been so worried about his balance since the stroke, and I was concerned about him being on the boat. But...it’s his son. It’s his life. It’s really overall safe and they’ll keep socially distanced. He’ll sit the majority of the time anyway. And...he needs this.

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Will I worry? Maybe I worried a little last night when he decided to go, but then I just handed him over to God. I know He’ll take good care of him. I’ll have a chat with my stepson...I know he’ll take extra special care of his dad, too. I cannot watch him 24/7/365. It’s part of the give and take of marriage. It’s part of me letting go and stop trying to control any possible outcome. It comes from prior loss...I know that. He still needs to have a normal life and he’s really doing much better. So, off he goes fishing with the boys and the girls are having a beach day. 

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God, please let him catch a big fish!

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❤️

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“Parents, don't be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.”

\nEphesians 6:4 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/15/day-gone-fishin-with-the.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Courage","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/14/day-a-memorable-anniversary.html", "title": "Day 215: A Memorable Anniversary", "content_html": "\n
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We caught this egret having lunch in the reeds along the boardwalk as we explored the shops on the sound side.

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After a leisurely breakfast, we all went for a long walk down the boardwalk, looking in all the little shops and carefully avoiding crowds as much as possible. We used tons of sanitizer and as soon as more than three or four people came in a shop, we were out of there. We balanced feeling like we had as normal a vacation experience as possible with the least amount of risk involved and it felt good.

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Like I told you before, other than going on trips with my kids, and a couple with friends...I have never had a “family vacation” and that is what this family has always done. While it is a foreign concept to me, I must say, I have enjoyed it. My daughter-in-law and I have had time one-on-one to really get to know each other better. We have an agreement. If I cook, she cleans. It gives us time in the kitchen to work side by side. I really miss that with my girls. Having this bonus family to share that with has been lovely. We each have our own interests and go off to do our own thing then end up eating together and sharing what we did, looking at each other’s pictures. 

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We were on our way back from our walk when I stepped on the edge of the sidewalk, turned my ankle, and went down like a shot. Mr. FixIt tried but there was no catching me with that kind of momentum. I rolled over on my back and laughed because I didn’t really hurt myself...just my pride. But, by afternoon, I could certainly feel where I took a tumble...nothing serious. I never really think about fall risks when it pertains to me. I have been very careful when it comes to Mr. FixIt since his stroke because his balance has been off. Between that and having my first “old-lady-skin bruise” last week...it gives me pause. It reminds me my days are numbered. No fear. No vanity. No envy. Just...observation. Acknowledgement. This is ok. This is good. This is the natural progression of life. This is...interesting.

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I have a writing project with a tight turnaround so I’m going to be doing a little work on this vacation in the next day or so. I love the new opportunities that come my way that give me the opportunity to stretch my wings and write in a different style than I am used to. Today is Wednesday and the week is half gone. I’ve barely visited the beach yet. Today and Thursday are supposed to be our sunniest days so I’ll make sure I get out there as much as possible. 

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We had a lovely anniversary. We ordered carry out from High Cotton BBQ. I have to say...while it was fabulous the first time we ate there, subsequent visits have been disappointing. I think it’s because I bought my own smoker, smoke my own meats in small batches, and preserve it myself...I’ve come to like my BBQ best. Still, it was a lovely meal and fun to spend our anniversary with the kids. Here’s to many, many more healthy and fun anniversaries!

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❤️

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“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

\nEphesians 4:2-3 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/14/day-a-memorable-anniversary.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Memories","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/11/day-just-a-little-hour.html", "title": "Day 212: Just a Little 12-Hour Road Trip!", "content_html": "\n
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It is only 566 miles from our home to our condo. Google Maps says it will take 8 hours and 37 minutes to make that trip. I would say that is possibly true...in Kansas. But we’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto. Google simply does not understand West Virginia miles. Nor does it take into consideration the tail end of a hurricane passing through or a long and tortuous orange cone season. The last time we were down here was a year and a half ago and they are STILL working on the very same stretches of road. I told Mr. FixIt, I recognized the same piles of dirt! 

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Other than the rain and the road construction it was pretty smooth sailing. Except for the driver’s side windshield wiper. The tip broke off the blade and it slipped further and further out of the channel with every swipe so I had to find a Walmart and get some new blades. By the time I came back out, the rain was pouring but we found a Sheetz station with a canopy and I changed the blades post haste.

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We carted more stuff with us than we ever have this time. We are avoiding the grocery stores here so we brought our own food. I also brought cleaning items and went in the condo and wiped down all the high touch surfaces before we took anything in. The sheets and pillows were provided. We don’t mind sleeping on sheets that we can tell were washed well, but we still brought our own pillows. We brought our own blankets as well. And, the first thing I did was strip the bed and put a brand new mattress cover on the bed. My stepson bought them for both the A & B sides and will leave them with us. That way, we can launder them, put them away, and bring them the next time we come down.

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It is really a shame it was so cloudy, rainy and foggy coming through the West Virginia mountains. The colors are magnificent this year, and if it would have been sunny, I could have gotten some great shots. Instead, I snuggled up under my car comforter and fell asleep for Mr. FixIt’s first driving shift. We only saw one small accident on the way down and thank God that He delivered us safely here. The kids arrive sometime late today! I’ve never had a “family vacation” except when my own kids were little. Family beach vacations are de rigueur for my husband’s family so I’m pretty stoked!

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❤️

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“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:9-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/11/day-just-a-little-hour.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Love","Road Trip","Memories","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/15/day-hummingbirds-hollyhocks.html", "title": "Day 181: Hummingbirds \u0026 Hollyhocks", "content_html": "\n
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I met my classmate’s sister in the McDonald’s parking lot yesterday and traded my wide mouth canning lids for the coveted regular size. Three for three...even Steven. At the same time, two of our grandkids met us with their sweet little boy....our first great grandson. It was all I could do not to pull him out of his car seat and kiss him all over. I haven’t held my babies since February! But, ohhhhh...it was so good to see them. 

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Honestly, that was all we planned to do, but one thing led to another and we didn’t get home till after 6:00 last night. That is the nature of a trip to town when you live out in the country. You try to squeeze all the errands you possibly might need to do into that one trip and hopefully you don’t have to make another one for a while. 

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We did the usual...bank, post office, Sams, grocery store, and checking on a friend’s house while he’s away. On a whim, we decided to stop in Kohl’s. There are a couple of things I’ve been looking for and I hoped to find them there but alas...no luck. On our way home, we stopped for a sandwich. The last think I want to do after a day of running around is to cook. 

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One of you wrote yesterday asking where I got our yard flag. Honestly, I can’t remember, other than it was locally. I looked online and found a website that sells the same flag. You can look in the comments on yesterday’s post and find the link if you’re interested. I loved this flag as soon as I saw it. I’m crazy about hummingbirds and even though we had our feeder out at the appropriate time with the correct feed and changed it regularly, we just didn’t have as many hummers this summer. 

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I love the deep red hollyhocks. The only time I’ve ever had hollyhocks was when Hubby #2 was doing his residency. We lived in an old farmhouse surrounded by more modern mid century houses. After researching, I found out that this area had been a dairy farm at one time. The house we lived in was the main residence for the farm. There were old flowerbeds around the house and I did my best to be an urban farm girl and bring them back to life. I planted garnet colored hollyhocks along the sand-colored brick on the front porch. On hot summer evenings, as the sun began to dip low and turn the air to spun gold, the hummingbirds would bob and weave and dive their way around the yard, fighting for a sip of the sweet nectar. Daughter #1 and I would sit in the front porch swing...the sound of the chain squeaking as we swayed back and forth and the darkness closed in around us.

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There was a lot of traffic on Holly Street and I would do my best to tune it out and focus on what little night sounds I could hear in the busy neighborhoods of east Denver. Crickets. The whine of mosquitoes around our ears. The distant bark of a dog. I would rock and close my eyes and pretend I was back home on the farm in West Virginia. I swear...I missed home more than anything in this world and would count the days till I could hop on a plane and come see my family.

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Now, as I write this, I’m laying in a camper...the windows thrown open. The night air is cool and tonight we’ll need an extra blanket as it’s supposed to get down to 51 degrees. There are the crickets. And the katydids. The whine of a mosquito and the sound of the neighbor’s dog announcing a possible four-legged interloper. This time, it’s the occasional car that passes up the road out front that breaks the stillness instead of the other way around.

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I still marvel at this scenario. There was a time that I didn’t dare dream I could live here again...let alone live on five acres where I can grow anything I want. Or care for Grandma’s house and stay there whenever I want. Or find my BFF from high school and marry him. I am living my dream. There is only one thing that would make this life better...having my Colorado family closer. That would be absolute perfection!

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But...this is pretty darned close!

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❤️

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“You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful.”

\nPsalms 16:11 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/15/day-hummingbirds-hollyhocks.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Comfort","Wisdom","Choices","Be Joyful!","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/08/day-getting-things-done-for.html", "title": "Day 174: Getting Things Done for Winter", "content_html": "\n
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You can see the tree to the left that fell and crushed the old meter box. You can also see the old iron bridge that went across the creek to the outhouse.

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My Colorado family has checked in and they are expecting snow today! I think they said it will be the earliest measurable snowfall in twenty years. I must say...I certainly don’t miss that! I miss my kids and my Colorado peeps...and I miss the beauty of the Rockies...but I do NOT miss snow and cold...not one bit. Still, snow will come to West Virginia one of these days and getting ready for it is what a proper country gal does.

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I wanted to make another batch of jam yesterday, but we decided we had better go to the farm to mow and finish building the enclosure for the gas meter. I found out why there is a cover for it. The holler up behind the house works like nature’s air conditioner as the cool air sweeps down through the woods past the house. That’s great in the summer, but in the wintertime, that same air flow brings frigid temps with it. There is a good deal of moisture in natural gas and the water condenses and lays in the gas lines. If it gathers at the meter and the temperature takes a nosedive, the line can freeze and shuts off the gas to the house. Then, there’s no heat and the water lines are the next to go. 

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We’ve been really lucky the last few years to have fairly mild winters, but you never know when one will be harsh. The little shed surrounding the gas meter protects it from that downdraft through the holler and helps to keep the gas running. We finished rebuilding it yesterday and got it in place and if I do say so, we did a pretty good job. We decided not to mow out there. The grass hadn’t grown nearly as much there as it did here at the Ponderosa, so we didn’t even unload the mower.

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Oh, we did have one little bit of excitement on the way over to the farm. I’m the one who hooked up the little utility trailer and loaded the riding mower and lawn mower while Mr. FixIt was busy doing something else. I checked everything, just like I do when I hook up the camper. I did notice the latch that locks the hitch in place was a little hard to put down, but I finally got it. Well, we stopped at the Piggly Wiggly for some lunch supplies and when we went over a bump, the trailer came unhooked! Thank God we were going very slow or that could have been a problem. The safety chains did their job and nothing was damaged. We got it hooked back up and didn’t have any more trouble.

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Dehydrated mushrooms. I was surprised how easily these dried.

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I emptied the dehydrator and put the mushrooms in a jar before we left for the farm. These will be really nice to throw into soup, stew, and spaghetti sauce over the winter. Our dining room table is getting filled with jars of goodies. Mr. FixIt thought we should carry them downstairs, but I told him I want to take a picture of the bounty before we do that. I love looking at all the jars of healthy foods put away for the coming winter.

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It’s time to bake sourdough again and I think I’m going to try to cut the recipe in half and only make one loaf this time. I actually had to throw some away last time because it got moldy. I should have stored the extra loaf in the fridge, but there wasn’t enough room and I just got so busy canning, I forgot about it. I really hated to throw that bread away! If we had a pig or some chickens, that would have gone out to them. I still haven’t fixed up a compost bin yet. So much to do...so little time to do it.

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So, Labor Day is gone and we are heading into fall. I’m not minding it a bit this year. We don’t have a thing on our schedule till Saturday so we’ll see what we can get into here at the Ponderosa. I’m on the prowl for some half-runner beans to can!

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❤️

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“Everything on earth has its own time and its own season.”

\nEcclesiastes 3:1 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/08/day-getting-things-done-for.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Farm Life","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/06/day-cool-nights-camping-at.html", "title": "Day 172: Cool Nights = Camping at the Ponderosa", "content_html": "\n
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We are still socially distancing other than a weekly trip to get groceries or an occasional doctor’s appointment. We have had family over that also social distance and we keep that six foot distance. We have had a total of three people in our house since February and that was very briefly and again, socially distanced. 

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Campgrounds were packed this year. Because of Covid, more people opted to camp for family vacations because it’s safer to have your own bedroom and bathroom and kitchen. Also, you are automatically socially distanced at a campground, so overall it’s a safer option. Consequently, campers sold like hot cakes and campsites were hard to come by.

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Having our own “campground” makes it easy to feel like I’ve had my yearly quotient of camping experiences. And these cool nights have just been delightful. Friday night, it got down to the mid to low fifties and I had to put an extra blanket on the bed. Mr. FixIt has camped with me about half the time. He knows I need to have small spaces of time when I can decompress alone and I don’t feel nervous about it because he is literally less than forty steps from me. I just keep my phone turned on in case he needs me.

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I finished mowing yesterday and glory be...some of the kids came out again. And, they brought me two dozen quart canning jars! I emptied the dehydrator and got a quart of banana chips out of it. Today the sliced mushrooms go in. I will also start on all the jams and jellies today. We went to the grocery store yesterday and I was shocked to find the kind of pectin I need for the new Ball Jam and Jelly Maker I bought.

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We picked up a couple more 2x4’s to finish the project at the farm. Last weekend, they were a little over $3.00 each. Yesterday, they were nearly $6.00 each! So, did they jack up the price because more people would be working on projects this weekend? Or, is this the start of a trend where we see higher prices secondary to the Covid crisis? It depends on who you ask, but I imagine it’s a little of both. Just like the new bread bakers causing flour to become scarce, so too are other Mr. (and Ms.) FixIts out there with more time on their hands and less traveling. Combined with the supply side being diminished because of Covid, it’s just another thing we have to deal with.

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We have a 30’x40’ building out behind the house that is jammed full of stuff. It’s sort of like having your own Home Depot. You can go in and look around and pretty much guarantee you’ll find something you need. My stepson came yesterday to borrow the extension ladder. My stepdaughter is coming out today to get an extra water heater we have out there to replace the one in her house. I love that we can have these things at our fingertips, even though I would much prefer if they were neat and tidy and organized...and much less voluminous.

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It is so hard to believe summer itself is very nearly gone. It’s been a lot of hard work with a lot of things accomplished and that gives me a certain sense of satisfaction. I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day Weekend!

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❤️

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“As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat; winter and summer, day and night.”

\nGenesis 8:22 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/06/day-cool-nights-camping-at.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Holiday","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/05/day-from-sunup-to-sundown.html", "title": "Day 171: From Sunup to Sundown", "content_html": "\n
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I caught my second wind this week after having a couple of lay low days. Thursday and Friday were hit-the-ground-running kinds of days. When we were coming home from town Thursday, we came through flash flooding the likes of which no one around here can remember. There is a small creek that runs through some properties along the road our house is on. This little creek is never more than a yard wide during a downpour. There were places Thursday where that creek was forty feet wide! There were about twenty places where the rain came over the road and we had to drive really slow. It wasn’t deep water...just an inch or so running across the pavement but we were very careful.

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Mr. FixIt kept moaning about the drain at the bottom of the steps and that there was bound to be water backed up. I kept telling him we didn’t know that and let’s just pray God protects us. By the time we got within a mile of the house, we could tell it hadn’t rained nearly that hard at the Ponderosa and we just thanked God we didn’t have a mess on our hands. We certainly cleared that drain out at the right time!

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I got up yesterday and took a pint of blueberries out of the dehydrator and put in a load of sliced bananas. Then I mixed up two batches of pizza crust dough to rise while I went out and mowed the two big fields. I got done just in time to clean up and start assembling the pizzas when the kids came for a visit. I baked the pizzas on the outdoor grill on the deck while everyone played corn hole. We visited for a good long while. Then Mr. FixIt took the kids down to the creek to check on the drain pipe. While they were down there, they caught minnows and looked for arrowheads. My stepson cut a dead tree branch out of the maple tree before they left.

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When they were gone, I brought everything back into the kitchen and told Mr. FixIt I would clean up in the morning. I kissed him on the forehead and as I was heading out the door to go to the camper to write, he said, “You did a really good job today. Man, you’re a really hard worker.” I turned and smiled. THAT’S all I’ve ever needed from anyone...a thank you and a kind word. That’s all we ever really need, isn’t it? To be loved and appreciated? I will tell you what...I love to work. I love the feeling of accomplishment a good hard day of work gives you. I can feel that sense of accomplishment on my own...but it feels so good when it’s offered from someone you love.

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❤️

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“But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.”

\nJohn 13:34-35 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/05/day-from-sunup-to-sundown.html", "tags": ["Family","Be Joyful!","Baking","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/03/day-forever-the-s-mom.html", "title": "Day 169: Forever the ‘50s Mom", "content_html": "\n
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I was born in the early ‘50s. We lived in an upstairs apartment of a house that no longer stands. But the time I was in second grade, we had lived in six houses that I know of. Mom and Dad bought their first home with an FHA loan for a little under $11,000. Two bedrooms with an unfinished attic and basement. It wasn’t much, but we were grateful for it.

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Dad worked in the parts department for Mack Trucks. Not a lot of money to be made there, so Mom had to work outside the home. I remember one of her jobs was working for AB Dick...a printing press company. She also worked for Ben Grant who owned a printing company. When, when I was up in school, she started working for the Easter Seal Treatment Center as their “Girl Friday”. 

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Still, even though she worked outside the home, she was such a ‘50s mom. She wore house dresses and fake pearls and red lipstick. She sewed our clothes and embroidered pillow cases. She wore heels and carried a patent leather purse with a hankie, a change purse, and a compact inside. Oh, and she always had clip on earrings to match her dresses.

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She didn’t learn to drive till I was in second grade. That was the year we bought the house in the suburbs and she had to drive my brother to his special school and get to work. I clearly remember her best friend Elaine Gordon teaching Mom how to drive. We were in the City Park where you could just circle round and round without facing oncoming contact. For some reason, Mom turned on a straight stretch and panicked. She hit the gas instead of the brakes and took us right up a bank, narrowly missing a tree. It was always an adventure with Mom behind the wheel.

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Mom was NOT a good cook, but oh...could she bake! She made the best Pineapple Upside Down Cake I have ever eaten. She baked cookies every week. We always had a sweet around...I suppose because they were relatively inexpensive to make and you felt indulgent when you had one of her desserts. 

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She wore an apron over her house dress when she worked in the kitchen. Grandma always made quilted hot pads at Christmas from quilting scraps so there were always bits of cheerful color floating around the house. She made curtains for the windows. When I was big enough to get my own bedroom, Mom made these fabulous curtains with pink poodles on them. She made a cover with ruffles out of the same material to put over an old TV console to use as a vanity.

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The decades came and went and the styles changed, but I never really saw my mom as anything but a ‘50s mom. Even when she and my dad divorced, she waited till I was married and left home to do it. She always put everyone else’s needs before her own. Generous, kind, unintentionally hilarious...she was incredibly naive to the ways of the world, clear to the day she died. That was one of her most endearing qualities.

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I was rummaging around during my thirty minute allowance of browser time yesterday and saw this contact sheet of “50s Moms” and it just made me smile. I can still smell the Evening in Paris she wore...simply because I bought it for her with my babysitting money. I can still feel the soft touch of her cool hand on my fevered brow when I was sick. I can still hear the frustration in her voice when I was a rebellious teen. She worked hard, and loved harder. 

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I think they patterned June Cleaver after my mom.

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What I wouldn’t give for one more day.

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❤️

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“He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.”

\nRevelation 21:4 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/03/day-forever-the-s-mom.html", "tags": ["Family","Aging","Choices","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/02/day-the-art-of-the.html", "title": "Day 168: The Art of the Letter", "content_html": "\n
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I’ve been missing my Colorado peeps a lot this summer...especially now. This is when I would have been saying goodbye and driving back to West Virginia after a month of fun with the kids and my brother. Instead, I have to be satisfied with a weekly video chat with them. Don’t get me wrong...I am grateful for that connection. But, it’s not the same, you know?

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Big is a junior in high school now. She’s past that awkward stage where a conversation is mostly one sided when she answers in single syllable words. Now we text back and forth easily and I love catching up with her. 

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Now it’s Little’s turn to be the quiet, withdrawn one. That is odd for me, because she was my chatterbox. I’ve been trying to reach her without necessarily engaging through more screen time. They get enough of that as it is. Her other grandma was a teacher and she suggested I write letters and exchange artwork with Little. So, last night I went and bought some lined paper and some colorful pens and I’ll sit down to write to her.

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Writing a real handwritten letter seems so foreign these days. I have a handful of letters I’ve saved over the years...letters from my mom and my grandma. I’m hoping Little will be receptive and write back to me, but even if she doesn’t...maybe someday she too will have a small stack of letters from her Nana to go back and read.

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Yesterday was quiet and peaceful, albeit hot and sticky. I worked on my webpage. I put more tomatoes in the dehydrator. We walked at the park after supper. We have a planned power outage at the house today, so we’ll probably run to town and do errands for a while. After running full speed for the last several weeks, I didn’t realize how tired I was till I stopped. It doesn’t hurt to have a few slow days.

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❤️

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“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.”

\nMatthew 11:28-30 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/02/day-the-art-of-the.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Peaceful Moments"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/01/day-the-longest-summer-of.html", "title": "Day 167: The Longest Summer of my Life", "content_html": "\n
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Remember back when we were kids? School let out in May and it seemed like for-EV-er before it was September and time to go back. Then we grew up and became adults and got jobs and got married (or not) and had kids (or not). Then, summers dragged for an entirely different reason. By late August, we were like... “When does school start??? I’m done already!”

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Then...life’s “Third Shift” kicked in. The kids are the ones married (or not) and with kids (or not) and we are left to our own devices. My mom’s generation played Bridge or MahJong if they were fortunate enough to not have to work outside of the home. Our generation plays pickle ball or what have you.

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Whatever the case...it’s September. Seriously...March felt like at least a decade ago. I don’t even remember March. Did 2020 even HAVE a March? Or May? How about June and July? I mean...I could accept that it’s July...but September??? Crikey!

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I think the total disruption of our routines and all the ensuing chaos has shifted our consciousness somehow and actually created a time warp. I mean...I could just as easily be 1963, if you ask me.

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But, I digress. A Facebook friend asked yesterday if we could say something positive about 2020 so far. I had to think about it...but I came up with several things.

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You may say 2020 sucks big ones, and I suppose it has in many ways. But, 2020 has been a gift in just as many ways. Above all, it has forced me into a closer relationship with Jesus. I’ve gotten to know Him a lot better and recognize His voice in the cacophony of this world. It’s brought me a lot closer to Mr. FixIt, as well. We’ve had to learn a new dance around strokes and staying at home and not doing whatever we want, whenever we want. And, believe it or not, it has brought me closer to our kids because we have more real conversations.

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2020 may have brought me to my knees...but that’s not a bad position to be in for prayer.

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I literally did nothing but bake a pan of lasagna and take a nap yesterday. It felt SO self-indulgent...and wonderful!!! Then, around the time the news went off, Daughter #1 called me for a video chat. Ohhhhh, my heart sings when I get to see my Colorado peeps. When we prepared to hang up, I smiled and thanked her so much for letting me see her sweet face.

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“I cannot hug you in person,” I said. “But, I can hug you with my heart!”

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❤️

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“...The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.”

\nGenesis 31:49 KJV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/01/day-the-longest-summer-of.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Gratitude","Wisdom","Courage","Aging","Choices","Be Joyful!","Insight"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/08/21/day-my-god-appointment-of.html", "title": "Day 156: My God Appointment of the Day", "content_html": "\n
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I believe God places people in your path and gives you an opportunity to share. Your time. Your talents. Information. Faith. Or, maybe just a gentle conversation. Such was the case yesterday.

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There’s always a little back story to my stories, so here goes. Last week when Mr. FixIt and I went to the farm to mow, there was a message on the answering machine left by a gentleman who was looking for my aunt. He hadn’t spoken to her in at least ten years, so he didn’t even know if she was still living. His name was Bill, but he didn’t leave a number and we don’t have caller ID on the line out there. After I listened to the recording, I said, “God, nudge this fella and have him call me again, but this time with his number, ok?”

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I didn’t think about it again all week. This Monday, we went back out to mow and there were a couple of messages. I smiled, remembering my quick prayer for a return call. Could it be Bill?

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The first call was AARP. They leave a message about once a week to tune in to listen to some talk about something or other. I just delete them. 

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The second call was Bill! I was so glad he called back and left his number. Thank you, God.

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I called him back and got his voicemail. I left my name and number, told him why I was calling, and could he call me back?

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Last night, I was sitting down to write my daily post and whispered, “God...what should I write about today?” My phone rang. It was a number I didn’t recognize so I let it go to voicemail while I got set up to write. A little while later, I received the notification I had a voicemail. I listened and...it was Bill!

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I called him right back and we had the most delightful conversation. He was saddened to learn about my aunt’s passing. He had known her since college and actually had been college roommates (and best friends in high school) with her first husband. Now, this was a treat for me, because I don’t know a whole lot about my uncle. He was only forty-one when he passed away. He had rheumatic fever as a child and subsequently developed rheumatic heart disease...damage to the valves of the heart. This is a result of an untreated strep infection. He passed during the night after suffering a fall on their farm...just shy of his scheduled open heart surgery.

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Bill remembered my uncle as a dandy basketball player...the best shot on the team at 6’1”. The guy who should have been on the first string, wasn’t. He played second team. Bill never understood why till he learned years later that my uncle had taken an early disability retirement from his government job in Washington, DC because of a heart condition.

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I shared with Bill some of my memories of my uncle. I own three of his grandmother’s crocks and a small child’s rocking chair. He was a tease. He told me he worked for the CIA. Then he changed it to a perfume factory. I never did get a straight answer of what he did for a living and Bill didn’t know either.

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He recalled a time when he was traveling through West Virginia and decided to stop and see my aunt. He knew she was living out at the farm and taking care of her mom and a brother. It was cool to talk to someone who met my grandma...who had sat in the little red farmhouse...who knew my aunt and uncle when they were kids. There were no big revelations in our conversation, except...he and I both lived in England and in Denver...both with the Air Force. 

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And...we knew a strong woman we both admired. 

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I’m glad I answered the call and could be the one to tell him his old friend was gone.

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Yes, God gives us appointments.

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❤️

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“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Put this in writing. From now on, the Lord will bless everyone who has faith in him when they die.” The Spirit answered, “Yes, they will rest from their hard work, and they will be rewarded for what they have done.””

\nRevelation 14:13 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-08-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/08/21/day-my-god-appointment-of.html", "tags": ["Family","God","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/08/16/day-my-shining-ray-of.html", "title": "Day 151: My Shining Ray of Hope in a Phone Call", "content_html": "\n
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I worked on my website for a few hours yesterday. The office is across the wall from the television in the family room and my sweet hubby was snoozed out in his recliner with a shoot ‘em up action film going. I could feel every boom to my toes so I turned on my music. The booms melded with the tympani of the orchestra and soon I was blissfully lost in my work. Did I mention I hate television? We have agreed on a compromise. Until my second cup of coffee is done, there will only be old reruns of Andy Griffith on the TV. Then I can go do whatever else I want to do. Win-Win!

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We had three inches of rain yesterday between 6:00am and 2:30pm. I sure wish we could send some out west to help with the fires. Our high temp yesterday was predicted to be 73 degrees. I will take a day like that anytime! 

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As soon as the rain let up, I packed up a few things and was about to head out the door to the camper when my phone rang. I was one of my dearest friends in the whole world calling from Colorado. She read my post yesterday and said, “You DON’T want to come to Colorado! The smoke is so bad, we can’t even go out of the house!” We went on to talk for an hour and I’m telling you...it was like salve to a sore place, as my grandma used to say.

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Barbara and I are about ten years apart in age, yet my youngest and her oldest are only nine months apart. We became fast friends when her husband opened his practice in the same small Colorado town where Hubby #2 and I lived. She’s that friend you may not talk to frequently, but when you connect, the time seems to melt away. I felt 1000% percent better after talking to her and hearing she is going through much of the same things I am feeling with all that’s going on. I was her God appointment of the day...I am sure.

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When we finally said our goodbyes, I grabbed my camping bag filled with books and writing implements and told Mr. FixIt I was “going camping”! So, as I am writing this, I am tucked into TOW-Wanda...pretending I’m camped near a clear mountain lake high in the Rockies and I can literally feel the stress peel off of my weary heart and mind.

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There are ways to escape...even when you are bound to your premises. Remember to protect your mental well-being as well as your physical health during stressful times. Chronic stress leads to high cortisol levels and that can lead to a lot of physical problems in and of itself. A phone call. A good book. I’m reading Aunt Arie: A Foxfire Portrait and just love it. Aunt Arie is so much like my grandma and her contemporaries that I grew up with and her stories take me back to my childhood. A change of scenery...even if it’s just in another room or a short drive away...can do wonders for your frame of mind.

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There’s nothing like rain on the roof of a camper to put things in perspective and I am blessed to have this little home on wheels. I noticed a little bit of water on the floor so I need to do some sealing work in the next dry stretch. 

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❤️

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“I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn't like the peace this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid.”

\nJohn 14:27 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-08-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/08/16/day-my-shining-ray-of.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","Camping","Love","Peace","Choices","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/08/12/day-a-fire-far-away.html", "title": "Day 147: A Fire Far Away, A Worry Close to Home", "content_html": "\n
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I opened my little needlework shop in Glenwood Springs in June 2002. A few days before my opening, the Coal Seam Fire erupted and several homes were lost in West Glenwood. No lives were lost in that fire, thank God. Forest fires and Colorado seem to go hand in hand. These long, dry spells and prevailing winds can turn the simplest little spark into a raging inferno on a dime.

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The day the Coal Seam Fire erupted, I was at home with my Mom and Gary and Daughter #2. I had spent hours upon hour entering inventory into the new computer in the shop and I was so afraid of losing it, so before things got too bad, I made a beeline for Glenwood to get it. I ran in the shop, unhooked the CPU and headed right back home. In just the few minutes it took me to get back to the interstate, the fire had swept down the hillside on the south side of the river. The smoke was filling the canyon, but there was no one telling me not to go through. So...I floored it and headed west.

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I just about made it to the South Canyon Bridge when there was a flash to my right. I leaned forward and looked out the windshield to see an arc of fire crossing the river and interstate and burning the hillside on my right. It was like a flaming rainbow! I wasn’t about to stop there and there was no way to turn around so I pressed forward. And...just twenty yards or so ahead, I popped out of the smoke and flames and headed on home. No worse for the wear, but shaken, nonetheless.

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I heard about a fire on Monday that was not too far from Glenwood Springs where my brother lives. Then yesterday, I started getting texts and videos showing a huge fire right in Glenwood Canyon. That was getting too close for comfort and I called my brother.

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“Hey, Bubby...whatcha doin’?”

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“Well, you aren’t going to believe what I’m doing. I’m getting ready to do something I’ve never done before in my life!”

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“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

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“I’m getting evacuated!”

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Just what I wanted to hear.

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“Where are they taking you?”

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“To a hotel, I think.”

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“Ok...well, don’t be scared. It’s going to be alright.”

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“Why should I be scared? I’ve never been evacuated before!”

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My brother. Always up for an adventure while his sister has an anxiety attack. lol

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I checked my resources, asked my buds in Glenwood for an update, and was beginning to feel pretty confident the fire wasn’t imminently heading for my brother’s apartment. A friend called me from Glenwood to reassure me the fire wasn’t lapping at his door. Then...he called me.

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Apparently, no one had explained the differences between “pre-evacuation” and “evacuation” to my brother and his roommate. A staff member came to the apartment and filled the guys in and told them there wasn’t anything to be concerned about...they weren’t getting evacuated.

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So, all is quiet on the western front but my fight or flight response is sure as the dickens getting a workout these days! Now I need an antacid. Sometimes I wonder why I quit drinking. ?

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❤️

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“Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.”

\nPhilippians 4:6-7 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-08-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/08/12/day-a-fire-far-away.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Fear"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/08/06/day-we-are-all-differentyet.html", "title": "Day 141: We Are All Different...Yet We Are One", "content_html": "\n
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He’s been there since I took my first breath. My big brother. My “Bubby”. My first playmate. My first friend. We were in cahoots on many occasions...but I was always the instigator. He was special. Always gentle...always sweet. He didn’t run and play like the other kids so he was happy to sit on the floor with me for hours...rolling the ball back and forth...playing with cars...building with blocks.

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Every week, we went to this special place to play for an hour or so. There was a table with four doors...one on each side. You opened the door, stood inside, and someone closed the door after you. Then you could play with the objects on the table. Sometimes they would bring us cookies and milk while we stood there. I think I always knew this was a place that helped my Bubby, but I never saw him as anything other than the perfect brother.

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I will never forget driving up Murdoch Avenue one day. Bubby and I were sitting in the back seat and I could tell my mom was crying...though she tried very hard to hide it. When we got home, she asked us to go play and she went in her room for a while. Later, when she was tucking us into bed, I asked her what was wrong.

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“Oh, Sis...I just got some news today that was upsetting to me.”

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“What was it, Mommy? Are you sick?” One of our neighbors had something called “cancer” and I was very afraid my mommy would catch it. Daddy said she could.

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“No, sweetheart. You’re a big girl now. I can tell you. They told me today that your Bubby has Cerebral Palsy. They said he may never be able to drive a car or get a good job. He may be crippled his whole life.”

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I didn’t know what to say to my mom because my Bubby was the same he had always been. I was growing up, but I didn’t have a concept of what life might look like for my brother.

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After that, I was always my brother’s champion. I protected him from neighborhood bullies. I was one of the only people who could understand what he said. I interpreted for him and ran interference...so well, in fact, that I had to learn to back off a little so he could learn how to do things for himself. 

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He went as far in “special school” as he could...8th grade. It took him 12 years, but he finally earned his GED. He was so proud. We were so proud for him. They sent him away for “vocational training” but he wasn’t very successful at any of the jobs they tried to teach him...mainly because Mom insisted he come home every weekend. It wasn’t that she didn’t want him to succeed. She just wanted him to be home where she had control over what he did and saw. 

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He worked in the Sheltered Workshop for 25 years or so, and when Mom retired, she found it easier to just keep him home with her. He was good company for her. She devoted her entire life to him...taking care of his every need.

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Then she died.

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He came to Colorado to live near me because, by the Grace of God, he was accepted into a wonderful program for adults who are “differently abled.” When I had the opportunity to come to West Virginia to live, I offered to “bring him home” with me. But he wouldn’t hear of it. He told me he has a life in Colorado...a life he never would have had if he had stayed in West Virginia. As a matter of fact, he told me one time...if I hadn’t have brought him to Colorado, he would be in a nursing home. And that is the God’s truth. He would have. He now enjoys as independent a life as he can live. He has a roommate. They have support staff come in frequently to make sure they are taking their medicine, check on their finances, get them to medical appointments, take them shopping, help them with meal planning. 

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He loves his roommate. He told me once that he never had a best friend before, but his roommate is his best friend. That warms my heart more than you can know. To rest secure in knowing he will always be taken care of, that he is happy and as healthy as he can be, that he has a happy and fulfilling life...well, that is such a blessing to me.

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My friend Jan shared this video on Facebook last night and I cried when I saw it. Just like I cry when I see someone who is differently abled and they succeed at something we so often take for granted. I know how hard it is to do “normal” things. I saw how much work my brother put into learning how to take care of himself, cook his meals, do his laundry, keep his room clean. To see these kids and young adults expressing themselves with joyous abandon...being exactly who they are...take me or leave me...just warmed the cockles of my heart.

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I’m missing my big brother and all my Colorado peeps something awful right now. As of the 3rd, it’s been a full year since I’ve seen them and I’ve never gone that long. I do not feel it is safe, or fair, to go visit them now. I certainly would not want to make any of my loved ones ill....especially my brother. He has become much more frail the last few years and I must protect him from all this if I can. I pray there will be a time soon when we can see each other. Until then, we will have to be satisfied with phone calls. 

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You can see the video HERE.   

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❤️

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“The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.””

\nExodus 4:11-12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-08-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/08/06/day-we-are-all-differentyet.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Gratitude","Grace","Wisdom","Aging","Kindness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/08/03/day-churning-butterand-other-crazy.html", "title": "Day 138: Churning Butter...and Other Crazy Notions", "content_html": "\n
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I grew up churning butter in Grandma’s kitchen out at the farm. She wouldn’t let us use her good butter churn. She handed each of us a quart jar with some room temperature heavy cream in it and we had to shake and shake and shake till the butter began to separate from the buttermilk. It was hard work I’m telling you, but it was all part of Grandma’s plan to wear us out so we’d go to bed at a decent hour.

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I now own both my grandma’s and my mom’s big Daisy Butter Churns. They sit on top of the fridge with Grandma’s only flower vase and my hand coffee grinder that I use when I’m camping. With it just being the two of us, and since I don’t have a dairy cow, I’ve never used the big churns for anything but decor and memories. Still, I had it in my mind that I wanted to churn small batches of butter to spread on my homemade breads.

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When we were up at Lehman’s Hardware on Friday, I found this little gadget in the kitchen store. I was intrigued by the design of it. The lid comes off and there is a strainer underneath. Then the bottom unscrews to allow you to remove the butter when you’re finished. You put heavy cream in the jar up to the line and let it set out overnight. Then the next morning, you shake it vigorously for around three minutes till the butter comes. You are supposed to take off the lid and just strain the buttermilk off, but I found with the warm temps in the kitchen and holding it in my hands, the butter solids weren’t terribly firm. I didn’t want to lose any of the butter when straining it off, so I poured a little ice water in to allow the butter to firm up a bit.

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After the first straining, I poured more ice water in and shook the jar to rinse the butter. I did this several times till the water I drained off was clear. The next step is fun. Using a small spatula, I scraped out all the butter into a bowl and began to press the butter to remove all the buttermilk. If you don’t remove all the buttermilk, it will quickly sour and ruin the butter. Once I was satisfied the buttermilk was out, I added a little salt and folded it in. It made just shy of a cup of butter. Then...I cooked breakfast.

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I have just about finished cooking the last of the coarse ground yellow grits I bought from Gaston’s Mill up at Beaver Creek State Park last fall. I combined 1.5 cups of the coarse ground grits with 1/2 teaspoon salt then poured 4 cups of hot water over it, stirred it together, covered with a lid and set it aside for twenty minutes. While the grits were soaking, I grated 2 ounces of Parmesan cheese and cut up a stick of unsalted butter. I didn’t use my freshly churned butter because I wouldn’t have had enough for the grits as well as toast.

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After the grits had soaked, I brought them to a boil over medium low heat then lowered the flame and stirred them with a rubber spatula for a full twenty minutes will they were very thick. I added the cheese and the butter and folded them together till it was fully incorporated. I popped the sourdough in the toaster, fried up a few eggs, and slathered the fresh butter on the toast. I like my grits in a bowl and put the eggs on top then cut them in with a knife and fork. A little salt and pepper to taste and it was a feast. Definitely NOT on anyone’s diet, but it was Sunday. Sunday is my day of rest and culinary indulgence.

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I feel like I’m living in an episode of Little House on the Prairie...and it’s SO much fun! The tomatoes are coming on fast. I’ll be canning later in the week. Today the Dish guy is coming to replace the satellite that got squashed when the tree fell at the farm last week. The work is never done around here!

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❤️

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“People who don't take care of their relatives, and especially their own families, have given up their faith. They are worse than someone who doesn't have faith in the Lord.”

\n1 Timothy 5:8 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-08-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/08/03/day-churning-butterand-other-crazy.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/07/25/day-rock-of-ages.html", "title": "Day 129: Rock of Ages", "content_html": "\n
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I finished cleaning the kitchen yesterday and put away the canning paraphernalia for a few days, then headed to the farm. My Uncle “Dudley” was going to be there by 4:00 to cut up the limbs on the tree that came down and fix a few things, so I wanted to be there and have an apple pie baking in the oven when he arrived. I pulled into the drive and...there he was. Well, his truck was there. And the limbs were all cut and moved. I put the cooler in the kitchen and went to look for him.

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The barn door was open so I knew he was happily rummaging around...seeing what he might find. I heard him humming as I walked up from the house.

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“Uncle Dudley!” I called out to him.

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“Virginia Lynne!” He hollered back. 

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“I thought you said you were going to be here at 4:00.” I gave him my sternest frownie face, which never fooled him.

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“And so I shall!”

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“You stinker...I was going to have a pie coming out of the oven when you walked in the door, but you ruined the whole thing!” I laughed at him and so wanted to get the big bear hug I always get when we see each other.

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His name is Gerald, but they call him Bud. “Buddy Boy” when he was growing up. He was in high school when I was born...my mother’s youngest brother. There’s only him and one sister left of the six children....the first stillborn. My mom was the oldest. So we are only about fifteen years apart. The same distance between my two daughters. 

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I’ve always felt a kindred spirit with my uncle. I am mechanically minded and he loved to teach me how to do things when I was growing up. I’ve learned so much from him. He looks exactly like my Pop Pop and he makes me smile. Always.

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As I sat in my grandma’s chair peeling Granny Smith apples for the pie, the electric was off and he was on the porch working. Sometimes he’d go downstairs to look for a tool or stop for a drink. But while he worked, he hummed a tune. Soft and low. I couldn’t make it out at first. Then, suddenly...I recognized it.

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Rock of Ages.

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My mind immediately swept me back to my childhood to a hot summer Sunday, fresh home from church. Grandma sitting in this very spot, peeling potatoes for supper. Or maybe stringing beans or shucking corn. I would sit on a little stool beside her and “help”. She told me stories and we talked about what I learned in Sunday school. And, in the silence in between, she would softly hum Rock of Ages as she worked the paring knife with deft precision.

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I smiled with the memory as I came back to the present. My uncle is in his early eighties now. I put the pie in the oven and walked out to join him, wiping my hands on a dishtowel. We grabbed a cold drink and sat down to cool off on the front porch. There, we sat for a good hour, softly talking about this and that. Mostly about our mutual love for the farm. He would sell the farm to me...and I would buy it in a heartbeat. If I were only thirty years younger and it didn’t need so much work. The water isn’t good for anything but cleaning. The next tree that falls could take the house with it. It’s got pretty good bones, but it’s the original metal roof from a hundred years ago. No...I would just be borrowing trouble if I bought the old place. As long as he lives, I will still have access to the place. I know my time there is finite.

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My cousins came over. Mr. FixIt got there after Physical Therapy. We got the electric back on. I fed the boys. We all had pie on the front porch and sat till long after dark telling stories. We said our Appalachian goodbyes...

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“Welp...I’d better be gittin’ on.”

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“Are you sure I can’t get you a piece of pie?”

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“Oh, no...I’m fine. Hey, did I tell you about..............”

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Twenty minutes later, there’s a lag in the conversation.

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“Ok, I really gotta git.”

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“Oh, hey...have you ever heard that story about.......... Honey, you tell him. You tell it so much better than me.”

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Thirty minutes later.....

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You get my drift.

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I showed my uncle where to turn on the dehumidifier when he leaves today. I asked him to turn off the water at the toilet and turn on the front porch light. And don’t forget to lock up. I left him the rest of the pie.

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“I’d hug you...but I can’t.”

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He smiled that smile...Pop Pop’s smile...and winked. “I wish you could too, shug.”

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*Shug...short for sugar. Grandma always called her loved ones, shug. She also called me Pet.”

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I climbed in the truck and backed out on the country lane and toot-tooted the horn as I pulled away. I turned off the AC and rolled down the windows. I smiled as I felt the warm velvet night air and hummed...

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Rock of Ages, cleft for me...let me hide myself in Thee...

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It was a very good day.

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❤️

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“All of them also ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink, which flowed from the spiritual rock that followed them. That rock was Christ.”

\n1 Corinthians 10:3-4 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-07-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/07/25/day-rock-of-ages.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/07/23/day-planting-peace.html", "title": "Day 127: Planting Peace", "content_html": "\n
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I saw a video yesterday that warmed my heart. A little girl smashes her fingers in a door. Her mama instructs her to take a deep breath. She asks her a few questions and when the little girl remembers she smashed her fingers, she puckers up to cry again. Her mother never once tells her not to cry. She acknowledges her daughter’s pain and comforts her in a way that gives the little girl power. Not only power, but the opportunity to participate in love. In loving herself. In loving her mom. All without a meltdown or worse...a tired and frustrated mom yelling at her child to quit crying.

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I remember when my daughters were little ones. I treated them so differently. Because, I was barely twenty-one when the first one was born. I knew about as much about parenting as I know about astrophysics. When she fell down, she was instructed to get up and brush it off. Consequently, it made her tough. She is a rock and can do all the tough stuff. The downside of that is, we expect her to be the rock and do all the tough stuff. I sometimes wish I would have held her and rocked her when she hurt instead of putting such expectations on her. She is an excellent mother to her girls. I can see my parenting style in her. We live what we learn.

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I was in a far different place when Daughter #2 came into the world. Her daddy was already an established physician in the small mountain community we lived in. I was thirty-six, nearly thirty-seven when she was born. We had a level of affluence I couldn’t have even imagined when my first daughter was young. There were a lot of things going on in my life when she was little and I mothered her entirely differently. I knew this was my last baby and I wanted to soak every ounce out of the experience. That wasn’t always in my daughter’s best interest. Still, she grew up with a passionate intensity. She was much more in tune with her emotions and shared them at will. Which wasn’t always in MY best interests.

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You cannot compare one child to another, even when they are raised in the same family. They each have their own personalities. But the one thing I think I really got right was teaching my children to love. To have great empathy. To hold others in high regard. To have compassion. To plant peace wherever they go. I love that about them. They may do it in different ways, but they have great hearts....and I am so, so proud.

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This sweet little one captured my heart. She will always know she is loved, and she is worthy.

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❤️

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“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

\nPsalms 127:3 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-07-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/07/23/day-planting-peace.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/07/21/day-dont-forget-to-thank.html", "title": "Day 125: Don’t Forget to Thank a Teacher", "content_html": "\n
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There’s a fine line between sticking your head in the sand and just stepping away a little bit. Admittedly, I’ve been more invested in the news lately than what I am necessarily comfortable with. I write about stepping away. I write about the merits of news fasts from time to time. And, like most people, I don’t always practice what I preach.

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I woke up yesterday morning and did my usual...I greeted Mr. FixIt with the usual “Good Morning” and “How did you sleep?” We chat a few moments, wake up a little bit, then reach for our phones. I read my devotionals in the evenings, so my morning routine is typically news, weather, social media, blog. Not necessarily in that order.

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The first thing I saw on Facebook yesterday was this editorial cartoon on Daughter #1’s page. She is a teacher. There was a story with it about teachers protecting their students. It made me cry. Ugly cry. I haven’t ugly cried in a long time, but this one has been building up. Daughter #1 is a teacher. Her daughters are teenagers. They are preparing to go back to school...and it scares me to death.

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I’ve been a trooper through this whole pandemic. I’ve held it together and sacrificed my time with my kids and camping on my own and with my husband. Never cried. But this reduced me to a quivering mass of mom mess. It came out of the blue. Like the early waves of grief. Hard and unexpected. At the same moment, Hubby #2 sent me and our girls an article from the New York Times. 

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Since I had them all in one place, so to speak, I took the opportunity to tell them I am worried about school resuming. I told them how much I love them. The response was predictable. Daughter #2...my “mini me”...responded with emotion. Daughter #1 and their dad were much more pragmatic. Take precautions. Be smart. Stay home if you can. My daughter agreed it was scary, but they’d be fine. The “love you” from both girls was most appreciated.

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It’s so hard to be away from my girls right now. It’s been too long since I’ve seen them, and my brother. I really am going to have to go on a little news fast, though. It’s just overwhelming after a while. I did make a big batch of pepperoni rolls yesterday. They are West Virginia’s State Food. Here’s the recipe I used and they turned out pretty good. Still not the perfect ones yet, but I’ll keep trying.

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❤️

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“After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”

\nMatthew 4:2 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-07-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/07/21/day-dont-forget-to-thank.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Overcoming Obstacles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/07/14/day-the-books-from-beyond.html", "title": "Day 118: The Books from Beyond", "content_html": "\n
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I have a mystery. But it has a backstory you need to hear first.

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If you’ve been following me for some time, you know I moved to West Virginia from Colorado to care for my elderly aunt who was living alone on the family farm. We tried it out for ten rather long and, dare I say, miserable weeks for both of us. She was a strong willed, independent woman who expected you to do what she said, when she said it. I’m not the type to take orders well, so when she invited me to leave on Christmas Day, I took myself on a totally different adventure for the following couple of years. 

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I didn’t realize it at the time, but Aunt Peeps was slipping into the netherworld of dementia which caused her to lose what little bit of a filter she had to begin with. Still, I had wonderful conversations with her over the years. If she liked you, she would do anything to help you achieve your dreams. She admired hard work and perseverance. She was a teacher...erudite and proper. 

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I remember when I was very young, she came to visit with photographs from Cleveland and Washington, DC. Grainy black and white snapshots depicting water fountains and lunch counters with signs over them that said “Whites Only”. I didn’t understand what that meant and she carefully explained racism to me in words a little girl might comprehend. She was quite adamant...as was my grandma...that we never, ever treat other’s differently. We are all God’s children.

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I grew up poor. Not dirt poor. Not welfare poor. But we didn’t have a lot of extras and ate from grandma’s garden quite a bit. I married my high school boyfriend and escaped what I felt at the time was the hell of West Virginia. When that marriage failed, I ended up marrying a young physical therapist who was heading into medical school. As our affluence increased, we rose higher and higher on the white privilege scale. Five years after that marriage ended, I met Mr. Virgo. He had worked his entire career in the hospitality industry at numerous Five Star resorts and restaurants around the world. So I was still in the realm of privilege. I had a housekeeper and a full length blue fox coat and a new car every couple of years. 

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I don’t believe I’ve ever been overtly racist, but there were many years where I just didn’t really give the struggles of ethnic communities much thought. And that is the essence of what is referred to as white privilege. With the onset of civil unrest over racial disparities, I have taken it upon myself to learn as much as I can on the subject so that I can better understand the plight of People of Color. I want to be a better human.

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After Aunt Peeps died, my uncle came to the farm to get some of her papers that he needed to settle her estate. These papers were in boxes in the closet upstairs in her bedroom. The next time I was out there, I went upstairs and there were a few items on the bed. There was also a day bed up there with several boxes of my own things. I didn’t notice anything of any import that day.

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Last weekend, when I was out there working on the taxes, it was so bloody hot and the air conditioner was not working. I went upstairs to turn the fan on in the bedroom opposite hers. As I was coming back out of the room to the top of the stairs, I glanced into Aunt Peeps’ room and noticed something I hadn’t seen before. There were two books laying neatly stacked on the pillow. I would have sworn they weren’t there before.

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I went in and picked up the books and my jaw dropped.

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“The Autobiography of Malcom X” by Alex Haley.

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“Black Boy” by Richard Wright.

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Two seminal literary works about the black experience in this country. Not at all the kind of books I saw my aunt reading as I grew up or when I lived with her. And certainly not anything I had ever seen there before. Where did they come from? Who placed them so carefully where I would be sure to find them? I have no idea. But I picked them up and smiled, tucked them neatly under my arm, and have set a goal to read them both to better understand.

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Ever the educator. Ever the fair-minded yet fierce educator. I believe my Aunt Peeps left me a gift...exactly the gift I needed at exactly the right time.

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She teaches...still.

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❤️

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“For God does not show favoritism.”

\nRomans 2:11 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-07-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/07/14/day-the-books-from-beyond.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","West Virginia","The Farm","Wisdom","Courage","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/07/09/day-hot-enough-to-fry.html", "title": "Day 113: Hot Enough to Fry an Egg", "content_html": "\n
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We are just a couple of weeks into summer and the heat is oppressive. When they say it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity...they’re wrong. It’s both. I remember all those summers I flew home to West Virginia with a child in tow, arriving to the welcoming arms of my loving family. It was usually late July, early August and I would disembark the plane and step into what felt remarkably like a full fledged sauna. When you can SEE the air and you know it’s not pollution, you know your skin is going to be “dewy” and your clothes are going to stick to you before you can drag your suitcases to the rental car.

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When we visited West Virginia, we usually stayed out at the farm. Sometimes it was up in the top of the cellar house...sometimes upstairs in the main house. Either way, when we went to bed, it was SO hot and there was no air conditioning. We did have fans, and that helped some, but my younger daughter’s favorite memory is the “moon baths” we took out back just after dark. We stripped down, lathered up with warm water from a bucket, and then took turns pouring panfuls of cool water from the rain barrel over our heads. It was so refreshing, and the best way to end the day.

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These days, Mr. FixIt and I head to the pool out back and swim for an hour or so at the end of the day. We float and watch the lightning bugs as the stars come out overhead. The air feels like velvet at this time of year. Even though the water temperature was 90℉, it still felt good...especially when you get out and the breeze cools you off. It’s a lovely way to slow down and catch your breath.

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We did the usual watering in the gardens yesterday. We had a really hard rain in the late afternoon, but it didn’t last nearly long enough to soak the ground. I wore shoes this time...that bee sting is still swollen and itchy. The tomato plants grew six inches in a day...and we are getting lots of little tomatoes and some peppers and squash. We watched a movie in the afternoon when it was too hot to do anything else. I walked around the corner of the house and got dive-bombed by wasps so I had to get the spray after them. They were really aggressive. 

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The internet guy came and checked a few more things and said he’s done all he can do for us...it must be the service. It worked great for a couple of hours after he left and then it was down again for four hours. I called and they said they changed some sort of setting in the modem and to try again. It came back on so we’ll see if it stays on. If not, we’re going to have to come up with something else.

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Today I am heading to the farm so I can do the taxes with some assurance the internet will stay on. Hopefully I can get the air conditioner to work out there. It’s always something, isn’t it?

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❤️

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“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

\nJames 1:12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-07-09T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/07/09/day-hot-enough-to-fry.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/07/02/day-the-motherdaughter-dancetake.html", "title": "Day 107: The Mother-Daughter Dance...Take 2", "content_html": "\n
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1992
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On this day last year, I arrived in Colorado to spend a month with my kids and grandkids and to visit my brother. We were preparing for my younger daughter’s wedding and there were lots of fun activities and visits planned. I wrote on July 2, 2019 about the dance mothers and daughters do and how my relationships with my daughters have evolved and healed over the years.

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Yesterday, after a very full and busy afternoon, I sat by the pool and had a long video chat with Daughter #1. We no sooner hung up when Daughter #2 called and she and I also had a long visit. It seems last year was a turning point in our relationship. We bonded over a family event. Then, as Covid struck, they started contacting me more and more often. For the first time in a long time, I am enjoying a mutually loving and supportive mother-daughter relationship with both of my girls and I couldn’t be happier.

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They are so different which is made more noticeable by their sixteen year age difference. Daughter #1 reminded me her oldest is the same age she was when we had Daughter #2. I laughed and said, “Yeah...it’s a different ballgame now, isn’t it?” It’s so wonderful to have them at an age where they can look back and say, “Ahhhhh....so THAT’S what was going on with Mom back then!” Having only two children sixteen years apart was....challenging, to say the least.

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Anyway, when I got off the phone with them, my heart was melting and soaring into the stratosphere at the same time. I miss them dreadfully and we talked about that. About how the times have changed and we all have to be responsible adults and put off our visit this summer. This will be the first year I can remember that I haven’t spent time with them. 

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And...we’ve never felt closer. It’s funny what the Covid Crisis has accomplished that all these years of mothering couldn’t. It’s the perfect storm...in a very, very good way.

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To read last year’s post, follow this link: https://www.marshmallowranch.com/the-mother-daughter-dance/

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❤️

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“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

\nProverbs 22:6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-07-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/07/02/day-the-motherdaughter-dancetake.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/06/28/day-duty-a-dip-and.html", "title": "Day 103: Duty, a Dip, and Date Night", "content_html": "\n
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After my morning coffee, Mr. FixIt was on the phone when I walked by, blew him a kiss, and went out to mow. It was pretty hot out there, but I have learned how to mow with one hand and hold a huge golf umbrella with the other. I have to wear a mask because of all the allergens that get stirred up, so it’s kind of stuffy and sticky out there. I’ve figured out how to hold the umbrella just right to catch any hint of a breeze which makes the chore so much easier.

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I was just about finished with the two big fields when I saw my sweetheart come out and start with the push mower. He mowed around the areas I couldn’t reach with the big riding mower. Then he got the weed eater out and trimmed around the yard as I took up the push mower inside the fenced yard. I kept one eye on my work and the other to make sure Mr. FixIt didn’t overdo in the heat, but he did great. It was a good day. 

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He feels bad when he can’t do everything he did before, but he is gaining his strength and the confidence that comes with realizing he’s improving. I was talking with my cousin the other day. She asked how I was holding up. I told her I was doing great. I’m keeping really busy and that occupies my mind so it doesn’t go places it doesn’t need to go. Listen, I’d be lying if I said none of this has affected me. I would surely have loved having fifteen years of the fun stuff before we have to deal with the not so fun stuff of health issues. But, that’s not what happens in real life. Not when you marry at our age. The truth is, it doesn’t make a bit of difference if we were married a week or a year or two decades...you do what you need to do when circumstances change. It’s in the vows we took that day in our field...”to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death I do part.” It is our sworn duty.

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My duty is to do the things Mr. FixIt can’t right now. Just as he would do if the roles were reversed. One can whine about it. Or one can put on the big girl panties and get the job done. It’s a choice. I always choose joy and love. I mowed, watered the garden, and tied up the tomato plants. Easy peasy.

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When we were finished with the hot and dusty work in the yard, we took a refreshing dip in the pool. It’s times like that when I can totally justify the extra work and expense the pool entails. We cleaned and skimmed and walked around while we talked and enjoyed a perfectly beautiful evening. I swam up to my man and said,

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“Hey...how would you like to buy me dinner?”

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He lit up like a Christmas tree. We decided on Italian, placed our order, then drove to town. As we were picking up our food, the leaden skies opened up into a downpour. We drove across the river and found a lovely parking spot where we could watch the boat traffic. We had our picnic in the rain...inside the truck. It seems to do that every date night, but it doesn’t dampen our enthusiasm.

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We got home just before dark and walked around a bit, checking out the garden and the fruit trees. We don’t have a single pear this year. There were late frosts this spring and that took care of any hopes of a bountiful harvest like last year. We have onions and zucchini and crook neck squash setting on and several tomatoes are showing. There are teeny, tiny peppers starting to grow and the pumpkin plants are vining. I love watching a garden grow and this year I’m actually going to be here to enjoy it.

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We came in and I fed my sourdough starter in preparation for baking today. As I was settling in to write this, I thought...”How many times and how many ways can I tell them I’m mowing and baking bread?” Spoiler alert: Many, many times! 

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❤️

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““But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”

\nJob 12:7-12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-06-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/06/28/day-duty-a-dip-and.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","West Virginia","Love","Wisdom","Courage","Choices","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/06/20/day-a-really-grand-day.html", "title": "Day 95: A Really Grand Day", "content_html": "\n
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My daughter and her wife drove across Colorado yesterday to see her dad for Father’s Day. It always warms my heart when she does something with her dad.They have a special bond. Daughter #2 has changed a lot during the pandemic. We video chat, text, and call more often than we ever have. We both need that mother-daughter connection. We were talking the other day and I wanted to ask her to stop by to visit Mr. Virgo’s grave on her way through...but I forgot.

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Mr. FixIt and I were running errands yesterday. We were standing in Walmart when a video chat request came through from my daughter.

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“Mom? I wasn’t sure whether I should do this or not, but....here.” She turned the camera around and she was standing in front of Mr. Virgo’s grave! I caught my breath and put my hand on my heart. 

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“Oh, honey! Thank you SO much for going to see him! I’ve been thinking about him so much lately.” I was grinning ear to ear.

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She had already cleaned up the grave and weeded the entire area around it. She made sure the rocks were neat and tidy in a circle around him. And she stayed for a while after we got off the phone so she could talk to him. They held a special bond, too. She is such a good person.

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I had my appointment with the specialist at WVU yesterday. We need more testing to suss out what exactly is going on with my thyroid. It was my first experience with a video doctor’s visit and, I must say, I think I prefer it over being there in person. I had my notes and questions written down. The doctor was very patient and listened to me and we worked out a plan together.

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We had to take this lawn tractor BACK to the shop again. Mr. FixIt set the emergency brake on it when we got it on the trailer. Then, when I drove it off, the brake handle fell off. I could feel what happened back in there, but I could not put the pin back in the hole to hold the handle in place. As it turns out, the service man had to remove the gas tank to get to the spot he needed. And now it’s fixed...again.

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By the time we got home, we were famished. I made grilled cheese sandwiches with pepperoni on the sourdough bread I made over the weekend. I’m telling you...I hit the mother lode with this recipe! And now, here we are...another weekend. We don’t have to be anywhere till Tuesday and I am thrilled. Lots of pool time and baking in my future over the next few days. Still camping out in the field. 

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I am so incredibly blessed to have this life. When I saw Mr. Virgo’s grave through my daughter’s phone camera, I thought I could almost hear him saying...

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“You’re doing a great job, babydoll!”

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❤️

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“Do everything in love.”

\n‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-06-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/06/20/day-a-really-grand-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Love","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/06/14/day-way-to-go-pulling.html", "title": "Day 89: Way to Go! Pulling off a Great Birthday!", "content_html": "\n
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My mom always said, “Mind over matter!” She was right, of course. I could have headed into my birthday without expectation. My post yesterday morning looked like that’s where I was heading. And, somewhere between there and here, I heard my mom’s voice telling me “Mind over matter” and I pulled myself up by the bootstraps. First, I made sure I slept really well Friday night. I didn’t eat spicy food and I didn’t eat late. I took it easy on caffeine in the afternoon. And I practiced good sleep hygiene before bed, ie no TV, no news, soft music, and we slept in the camper. It was cool overnight so it was the best sleeping weather. 

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I woke up completely refreshed and the sun was shining and we were knee deep in June! The green is so green it almost hurts your eyes. We had a nice, healthy breakfast of oats and fresh fruit and coffee and loaded up the tractor on the trailer. We hauled it over to the farm and knocked out the mowing in record time. We hit the road and stopped at the pizza place for sandwiches. After having a picnic by the river, we headed on home. 

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All my people either called, FaceTimed, or texted me for my birthday. I got lots of pictures of Grandma’s flowers out at the farm. I had a Magnum Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Bar as my “birthday cake”. Life is GOOD!

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You know, bad stuff happens to everyone. We cannot always be sitting on top of the world. Sometimes we find ourselves in the valley. That’s normal...even though it sucks. And...like I said yesterday...it’s perfectly OK to NOT be OK sometimes. If you find yourself struggling often and you feel like you are floundering, it is ok to talk to a Mental Health professional. There is nothing wrong with that. I’ve had a lot of therapy in my life so I have a lot of tools in my toolbox to handle most situations. In this case, I just had to have a really good night’s sleep and tons of contact with people who love and support me...including all of you. 

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Thank you all so much for the words of encouragement and the Happy Birthday Greetings! You really helped me pull myself up by the bootstraps and get moving and the day turned out to be grand!

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Here’s to showing 67 how it’s done!

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❤️

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“For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”

\nProverbs 9:11 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-06-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/06/14/day-way-to-go-pulling.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Aging","Choices","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/06/13/day-another-trip-around-the.html", "title": "Day 88: Another Trip Around the Sun", "content_html": "\n
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It’s my birthday. I hardly remembered. Last year, I celebrated my “Birthday Month”. Last week, Mr. FixIt said quietly...”Your birthday is coming up. What would you like?” I didn’t know what to say. Usually I have a list of fun things I’d like. Experiences mostly. But this year it is almost like, “Really? It’s here already? I hadn’t really thought about it.”

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Birthdays have always been really big for me, but not this year. There’s so much going on in the world. So many distractions. So many sad stories and heartaches. So much angst and anxiety. How can I even consider celebrating anything as base as the day of my birth? As the day crept closer, I gave it a lot of thought and decided I wanted a Lodge Combo Cooker and the cookbook by Robertson called Tartine Bread. I am bound and determined to master the art of baking with sourdough. Baking gives me peace and brings a deep satisfaction as the smells the sourdough starter transforms to a crusty chunk of heaven in my oven.

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Between the doctor visits and physical therapy and mowing at two properties, my birthday almost feels like an afterthought this year. So I made a decision last night as I wrote this. We are going to the farm today to mow. I want to spend my birthday there...maybe even staying overnight. Then, after online church on Sunday...I’m spending the day in my kitchen, hopefully creating the perfect loaf of sourdough bread.

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I need this. I had a little mini meltdown Thursday night. Stress had been building up and we had an unexpected medical appointment added for yesterday. I never let myself think about the “what ifs”. I don’t find it productive nor necessarily helpful. For some weird reason, all I could think about Thursday evening was all the bad things that could happen with my sweetheart’s health and I quickly got swamped with anxiety. 

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The grief from losing Mr. Virgo settled in the pit of my stomach. Whenever I am faced with anything like a health scare, my stomach expresses its great displeasure by rejecting its contents. When Mr. FixIt came to bed, I had to tell him I was having one of my “bad nights”. He knows what that means. Usually I’m either up all night, or up and down all night...neither of which is conducive to him getting much rest. So, this time I elected to sleep out in the camper. I was only fifty feet from him and I kept the sound up on my phone in case he needed me. And I retreated to the “Mother Ship”...my TOW-Wanda...my little sanctuary on wheels. Where I can cry or pound a pillow or yell at God in peace. 

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As always, Joy cometh in the morning, and I was perfectly fine by the break of dawn. I laid there for a while, watching the black of night turn to the deep purple of first light. Gradually, more and more pink was added till the hint of turquoise splashed across my view of the far hill. The air was chilled with the freshness of the morning dew. The mockingbird picked up her song with the first hint of light and I took inventory of my spirit. I utilized every tool in my toolbox just as I have learned. And I heavily relied on Jesus to come sit with me and comfort me. I wrapped my fuzzy blanket around my shoulders to ward off the morning chill and pretended it was the wings of my Guardian Angel there to protect me from any anxiety that might try to be whispered into my existence as the day progressed.

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I never know when a bad night is going to occur. I never know how it’s going to affect me. Will I be strong and commanding? Or withered and anxiety stricken? I am grateful the storms are very few and far between these days. And, I know that no matter how bad it feels...it’s just a feeling and feelings have so far never killed me. 100% of the time. I know it’s ok to not be ok sometimes...and, I’m ok now. After all...it’s my birthday!

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❤️

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“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭118:24‬ ‭ESV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-06-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/06/13/day-another-trip-around-the.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Aging","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/06/10/day-its-hot-in-here.html", "title": "Day 85: It’s HOT in Here!", "content_html": "\n
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Land’s sakes...it was so hot yesterday, you could have fried an egg on the sidewalk. We had a couple of appointments in town with an hour and a half in between, so we rand a few errands. I was out pumping gas at Sam’s and carried the trash around the end of the truck to the can nearby. I had to walk out of the shade into the sun and it was searingly hot. Not only that, with our humidity level, the heat index was around 100℉. Brutal.

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When we got home around 3:30, I realized we left the house AC off and it took forever to catch up and cool it off. Then, of course, I had to cook supper. When I stopped in Kroger on Monday to pick up a couple things, the first thing I saw was green tomatoes. I totally missed the whole fried green tomato thing last year because I was gone so much. I picked up two and headed to the seafood department. I chose a good sized swordfish steak. I don’t eat swordfish that much because I prefer it fresh and you can seldom find it here. I noticed a tray with garlic, sliced citrus, pats of butter, and sprigs of herbs. I asked the clerk if that was available to add to the fish you buy. He said he could put anything on it I wanted and he would pop it in a microwave bag with instructions on the bottom. OMGosh! How easy is that? I had him add lemon pepper, lemon slices, two pats of butter, and a sprig of rosemary. 

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When it was time for supper last night, my kitchen was already hot so I couldn’t stand the thought of heating it up any more. I mixed up a simple beer batter (1/2 beer, 1/2 all purpose flour), whisked it till smooth, coated each slice of green tomato on both sides then dredged them in stone ground corn meal. I fried them in my Griswold iron skillet that I bought at a steam engine show a couple of years ago. The fish was done in four minutes in the microwave and it was perfect. The fried green tomatoes were the best I’ve ever made. I didn’t add salt to the batter and they really needed salt at the table, but other than that, they were perfect.

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I am excited that we don’t have to go anywhere today. It seems like there’s something every single day that takes us here and there. I didn’t think after the lockdown that I would miss staying at home, but I do. In the same breath, I miss getting out in my camper and traveling around the country. I miss my Colorado family. We missed our spring beach trip this year. But, we are doing what we need to do right now. It won’t last forever and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be doing life with than this guy. 

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❤️

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“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

\nProverbs 31:27 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-06-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/06/10/day-its-hot-in-here.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/05/29/day-a-blessed-day-off.html", "title": "Day 74: A Blessed Day Off", "content_html": "\n
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I thought for sure, after having to spend all that time in lockdown here at home, I would never look forward to an “at home” day again. But, I was wrong. Yes, I was supposed to make Sourdough English Muffins yesterday. Did that happen? Ummmm, no. I could tell you it’s because I haven’t found a recipe I like yet, but the real reason was, I enjoyed watching a movie with Mr. FixIt yesterday afternoon...something I so rarely do. It was a suspense thriller with Tom Hanks. Who doesn’t love Tom Hanks? So I “forced myself” to sit through it, then I took a nap. It felt like sheer decadence and I felt like a million bucks when I got up.

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Work will always be there. There are things you really can’t put off, like mowing, or else you might as well contract with someone to come bale the hay. The grass grows like crazy this time of year. We had 1.75” of rain Wednesday during the night. Nope, can’t put off mowing. But, you can put off doing the dishes five times a day or cooking complicated meals. You can take naps or sit on the deck with a cold beverage and watch the cat chasing butterflies. Or, you can just sit still and “be” while the birds sing and the bees buzz.

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This is a heavenly time of year and it’s what I crave throughout the winter months. I remember one summer I spent the entire four months inside working on projects. When fall came and I finally sat down on the front porch with a coffee, an overwhelming sadness came over me. I realized it would soon be too cold to enjoy that and I had wasted my precious, finite summer. I’ve never made that mistake again. If I can be outside, then I’m outside!

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I did do one project yesterday. We have this drainage problem in the back stairwell outside. We keep a couple of sump pumps going in the bottom to get the extra water out that gathers there when we have heavy rains like we did Wednesday night. We pump the water out into the yard where it does two things, it runs down into the garden and makes it too wet...and it further saturates the ground in the yard. That water has to go someplace, so my analytic mind presumed it was percolating back down through the soil and we were pumping the same water out over and over.

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I decided to think like a Roman...the ones who built the aqueducts to deliver water throughout the city. I lengthened the hoses by attaching a second hose to each one, and ran them to the other side of the yard. There was already a slight ditch along the sidewalk to all for the grass trimmer. I laid the hosed so they would drain down that ditch. That worked great till it got about 6 feet from the gate. There is a low place in the lawn there and I knew it would soon fill with water and run back across the sidewalk into the part of the yard I needed to dry out.

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I had a eureka moment when I took a sod cutter and extended that ditch down past the gate and allowed the water to drain in an entirely different area far from the house. It will water a maple tree and the honeysuckles over there. Voila! I corrected the problem and quit recycling the same water over and over. I know it isn’t a permanent fix, but it works till we find a more permanent solution!

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So...a movie, a nap, a couple little projects, and time with my sweetheart all while staying home on the Ponderosa. That is a perfect day, if you ask me!

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Self-care isn’t self-ish.

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❤️

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

\nRomans 12:12 NIV\n
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#Hope #Patience, #Affliction

\n\n", "date_published": "2020-05-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/05/29/day-a-blessed-day-off.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/05/26/day-wow-what-a-weekend.html", "title": "Day 71: Wow, What a Weekend!", "content_html": "\n
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As you know, yesterday was Memorial Day.

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We are surrounded by so much death and dying this year that it’s easy to lump it all into one basket. There are days to thank veterans and days to remember mothers and fathers. We memorialize 9/11 and undoubtedly, when this pandemic has passed, there will be some commemorative date to remember those who died from Covid. But, this is the day we traditionally remember those veterans who died while serving their country.

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This is my Uncle Sonny. He died on 5/5/55 at Landstuhl Air Base when the jet he was flying suffered mechanical difficulties. He apparently knew he was going down because he steered the crippled jet toward a newly plowed field to try and set her down. A wing clipped a tree and sent him cartwheeling into the ground. If he had ejected from the plane, the trajectory would have sent it into a crowded barracks and that is just not something he would have allowed.

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I was only two years old when we lost my uncle, yet I grew up understanding the clouds in the eyes of my family. He was a precious family member to me, even though I don’t recall having met him. I have many immediate family members in my life who served their country but none gave that full measure of devotion that my Uncle Sonny did. 

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Gone...but never forgotten....Lt. George Melvin Chadock.

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Our weekend was a whirlwind of activity and yesterday was spent getting the pump going on the pool and starting the cleaning. We ran to town to get flowers and decorated everyone’s graves. Then we went to the farm and mowed. Well, I mowed. Mr. FixIt used a hoe and cleared the leaves out of the ditch along the driveway. When we were done, we treated ourselves to an ice cream bar that I had stashed in the freezer there. I remarked to him on the way home...we have gone from meat locker to microwave in less than a week. 

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Today is mowing at the Ponderosa and physical therapy. And so it goes...round and round.

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❤️

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“...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

\nMatthew 28:20 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-05-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/05/26/day-wow-what-a-weekend.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/05/24/day-finding-a-gentle-space.html", "title": "Day 69: Finding a Gentle Space", "content_html": "\n
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In the harshness of the covid pandemic, the news and social media is constantly abuzz with the the latest numbers and the most current predictions and the total reversal of recommendations. It’s enough to make your head spin. I know mine has been. I’ve been thinking about the curveballs life has been throwing at us this year and I can’t help but think all the tough times I’ve experienced in my life have been training me for this. 

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I’ve got to tell you...this year was definitely not what I had in my Five Year Plan. Which just goes to show you what happens when you make a Five Year Plan. Life just seems to have a way of shoving all your plans to the side. I didn’t plan on being married again. But I’m so blessed that I am. We didn’t plan on two strokes. But we are so blessed they weren’t worse. We didn’t plan on a pandemic of epic proportions that would change the course of the world, but...here we are.

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Yesterday was a day that brought into focus the simpler things in life. I shared with you a while back that the frame on our two year old tractor broke in half a few weeks ago. It’s in the shop and who knows when it will get fixed. Fortunately, we have a second, older tractor but it hasn’t been run in two years. It has taken a great deal of work to get it going again. For one thing, the mower deck was broken and needed welding. Our grandson-in-law came yesterday morning and welded it for us. Then, my step-son helped Mr. FixIt get the mower deck reattached. We still need another piece to adjust the level of the deck, but it’s running and will mow...just not terribly evenly till we get a new cable on it. I felt so loved and so grateful for the presence of loved ones. It is what we do. We help each other best when we expect nothing in return.

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I planted onion sets in the garden. My friend Gail sent me pumpkin seeds that are third generation “wedding pumpkins”...the ones we used for decorations when we got married in October 2018. I planted a few along the side yard and I can train them to grow up the fence. I took a walkabout to see how the flowers are fairing. In the corner of the yard, there is a shady place with an earthen berm between the yard and the creek. With all the rain we’ve been getting, the creek is running along at a pretty brisk clip. 

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I stood in the morning light and felt the gentleness of the moment. I sipped my coffee and felt the warmth as I held the mug between my hands. The birds were singing in the pear tree in the yard and the sycamores that line the creekbank. Insects buzzed here and there and a yellow swallowtail butterfly seemed intent on joining me in my reverie as it fluttered all around. The irises you see in this picture will soon be blooming. They are yellow and are actually called flag iris or just flags. They look modern and angular and remind me of an Asian painting. 

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The moment struck me as peaceful in the quiet anticipation of these beauties that will burst open like fireworks in a few days. Catching them preparing for their moment in the sun was reminiscent of waiting for the curtain to go up on a much anticipated Broadway show. It was tangibly delicious and this picture captured it beautifully. 

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I wish I could have caught the butterfly in the photo...but that’s just the way life goes, isn’t it? It is perfect in it’s imperfections.

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❤️

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“No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

\n1 John 4:12 ESV\n
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#Blessings, #Family, #Gratitude

\n\n", "date_published": "2020-05-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/05/24/day-finding-a-gentle-space.html", "tags": ["Family","Peaceful Moments","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/05/23/day-call-lowesim-building-an.html", "title": "Day 68: Call Lowe’s...I’m Building an Ark!", "content_html": "\n
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Hokey Smokes! It has rained 20 inches so far this year in our neck of the woods. We waited all day yesterday to get enough warm sunshine to dry out the yard so we could mow one more time before my step-son comes to get his riding mower today. Mr. FixIt had physical therapy and we needed to find a couple things for the old tractor to work on it today. By the time we got back home, the skies opened up again and we were back to square one.

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Hopefully today is a nice day and we can mow and be good for another week, at least. I mean...on the one hand, when it rains you don’t have to mow. But, on the other...the grass grows like crazy with all that wonderful moisture. It’s a Catch-22. We also need to take the push mower out to the farm and mow out there. And this time, Mr. FixIt can’t help. I’m definitely going to get back in shape with all this exercise!

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I hate that I’m not spending as much time in the kitchen as I was. It’s so soothing to me to create good things that nourish my family...and our wounded spirits. We have nowhere to go this weekend...our people are coming to us to help with mowing and welding and fixing things that need fixing. I can spend some time in the kitchen and bake them some treats to take home. That will soothe my heart and bring me peace.

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I’ve been thinking about my Aunt Peeps a lot this week. While she was a sophisticated woman with impeccable taste in fashion, she was a country girl at heart. She once told me, her main goal in life was to get a teaching degree and use it to make enough money to buy a farm in West Virginia. I don’t recall seeing her can and preserve food, but she was quite the cook. She didn’t quilt or sew, but she could work sunup to sundown with any man and give him a run for his money. She was an enigma. Tight as a drum with money, yet incredibly generous when she saw you were trying to improve yourself through education. She was your cheerleader if you were a hard worker. She deeply appreciated a good work ethic and had no patience for someone who she felt was lazy or “working the system.”

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She and I didn’t always see eye to eye about things, and I talked WAY too much for her tastes, but...we had one thing in common and that was the love we felt for Grandma’s farm. She was born in Pekin, Illinois along with two of her siblings. Grandma and Pop-Pop were living there during the Depression where work was to be found. When they finally came back home, there were already four children. Two were born after they moved back to West Virginia. The Farm was where they grew up. It’s where I grew up, too.

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My Uncle Bud came home to the farm last weekend to pick up some things that belonged to Aunt Peeps. He needed to find a picture of her for her obituary. I didn’t get to see him because that was the day Mr. FixIt came home from the hospital. I spoke with him this week and he was so pleased with how well we are caring for the family home. He said he was worried it would begin falling apart without someone living there full time, but I told him we go there often enough to breath life into the old place.

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There are some things that are failing...like the big barn and the old tool shed. They are starting to lean and there’s termite damage. But overall, the place looks great for being nearly a hundred years old. I still yearn to go there often to just rock on the front porch and listen to the birds and the wind in the trees. Everything is aging...the old home place, the tractor, the Ponderosa...and us.

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These are the things that went through my mind as I sat pretending to read while I watched my sweet husband having physical therapy. We’ve known each other since we were kids. But we’ve only been together a little over three years. We’ve both changed a lot in those three years. This marriage isn’t like the marriage of my youth...where time stretched before us like an endless summer vacation. This is the marriage where we get to wrap each other up in warm, comfy love and ride the long wave home. There’s no fooling ourselves. Oh, we aren’t at death’s door....but it is Autumn now. And, there is much comfort knowing I’ll be going through this with my best friend at my side.

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❤️

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“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

\nActs 20:35 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-05-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/05/23/day-call-lowesim-building-an.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","West Virginia","Comfort","Love","Wisdom","Courage","Aging","Choices","Change","Farm Life","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/05/19/day-what-a-wonderful-world.html", "title": "Day 64: What a Wonderful World", "content_html": "\n
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Yeah...that’s not something you’re liable to hear or feel these days, is it? There’s a lot to take in. Lots going on...outside and inside. Add “your husband’s had another stroke” to an already formidable situation and it’s enough to break you. I’ve vacillated the last 48 hours between numbness and fear to acceptance and peace. Back and forth. Back and forth. It’s like that game we played when we were kids. What was it called? Crack the Whip! The kid on the end usually got creamed. That was me.

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Yesterday kept me busy...one of the granddaughters came over and helped me mow. It was wonderful to not have to do it all myself. Mr. FixIt was really good and didn’t over exert himself which was a great relief. He started using one of our hiking sticks to keep his balance when he walks over uneven ground and that helped a lot. I mean...a hiking stick is cool, right? We went to the Tractor Store and got parts for the old tractor. And, we watched the finale of The Voice.

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Thunderstorm Artis...an up and coming musician in the Final Five, finished the night singing “What a Wonderful World”. I love that song. I needed to hear that tangible reminder of the beauty this world can still deliver on a daily basis. I have been practicing centering myself. One of my readers keeps reminding me of the number one. We can all do just ONE thing. ONE breath. ONE moment. ONE day. By the end of the evening, I was feeling much less overwhelmed by it all.

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We have no control beyond this one moment in time. I can talk, make phone calls, write letters, and vote. But I have no control over who carries an AR-15 into a courthouse or who else wears a mask or when a stroke will happen. What I do have control over is how I respond. 

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Mr. FixIt came into the room last night as I was writing and I had the window wide open. I also had the air conditioner going. I didn’t think about it. I just wanted the window open. In his best dad voice, he said, “Why do you have the window open with the air conditioner running?”

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My reactionary response wasn’t pretty. It was just one more thing I didn’t have control over and it pushed me over the edge for a minute. Then I remembered...ONE.

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I can close the window for ONE hour till the evening cools down. 

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I can sit there for ONE minute and think about how different today could have easily been.

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One of the worst things people can say to the newly bereaved is “at least.....”. “At least he’s in a better place.” “At least she isn’t suffering anymore.” “At least you can have more children.” But, here’s the thing...it’s one of the worst things you can tell yourself, too. Because it’s so dismissive.

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“At least we don’t have it as bad as some people.” 

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That minimizes your pain and hampers your processing. It’s self-shaming for having feelings.

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I hate like HELL that my sweetheart, who I just found like...five minutes ago...had another stroke. I hate that he’s having to go through this

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I hate that we can’t feel free to do what we want.

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I KNOW we don’t have it as bad as some people. But we have THIS. And this ONE minute, I’m sitting with it. 

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It’s ok to feel your feelings.

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Today is a new day. Today we pick things up and we are strong together and we are confident in our love. We have faith in a God that uses all things to prosper us. I will rest and trust in that promise. 

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And...I’ll wait to open the windows wide till AFTER he goes to sleep. However, I WILL make sure the air conditioner isn’t running.

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This really is a wonderful world.

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❤️

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“What a wildly wonderful world, GOD! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.....”

\nPsalm 104:24 MSG\n
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#Wonderful, #World, #Gratitude

\n\n", "date_published": "2020-05-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/05/19/day-what-a-wonderful-world.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Courage","Aging","Choices","Change","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/05/17/day-when-i-find-myself.html", "title": "Day 62: When I Find Myself in Times of Trouble...", "content_html": "\n
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Days of unexpected loss. We all get them. We never know when the next one will strike. Yesterday was just such a day. We started out the day with another trip to the Emergency Room for what appears to be another small stroke for my beloved Mr. FixIt. I had a taste of what if feels like for those desperately frightened family members who drop their loved ones off at the ER door then drive off. Or, in my case...drive to the parking lot and sit. All day. 

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I hugged him goodbye, then went to the truck and cried. I couldn’t leave him. What if he needed me? What if something happened and I had to get there in a hurry. I couldn’t be a half hour away. I just couldn’t. So, I sat there waiting for a text or a call. They kept him overnight and I should be able to take him home this morning, thank God. This is another dodged bullet. We never, ever know what the day will bring.

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Just as I was finally ready to leave and head home, I received a text from my cousin. 

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“Call me.”

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My aunt had just passed away at 4:45. My cousin had spent several hours a day the last week sitting with her and holding her hand. She was with her when she took her last breath and I am grateful she didn’t die alone. 

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I called her “Auntzilla” to my inner circle. She was a bear and never really liked me much, even when I was a little girl. She may have been cantankerous in her old age, but that woman did a lot of good things for people in her lifetime. I will never forget the year when Hubby #2 was in medical school. We literally had nothing. One day, after a particularly rough day at work, I walked up the stoop to our house to find a big box from Aunt Peeps. I opened it and went through it slowly. It was clothes. Not new ones, but nice ones. Aunt Peeps was very fond of expensive clothes but was a bigger fan of a bargain. She bought good stuff on sale and hung onto it till someone she knew needed a boost. Then she’d mail them a box.

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When I picked up the first piece, I ran my fingers down the fabric to admire the quality. I felt something in the pocket and reached in. Money! In the pocket of each piece of clothing there was a crisp new $20 bill for a total of $200! That was more money than I had seen in a very long time and was sorely needed. She loaned me her car when I came for visits so I wouldn’t have to rent one. She gave me Grandma Teeter’s old crocks and a lovely red child-sized rocking chair her late husband had found in a barn.

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She was generous, but tight as a drum. She knew the price of everything to the penny and watched her money like a hawk. She was strong-willed and stubborn. She was a raven-haired beauty till her hair went snowy white like my mom’s. She wore makeup till her shaking hand would not allow her to apply it anymore. She was vain in an Audrey Hepburn kind of way with the sharp tongue of Joan Crawford. She did not mince words and had no time for nonsense. 

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And now she is gone. The world is changing and all upside down. It’s like...I don’t know what to expect next AND I’m not surprised when it get’s here. Her death came at the end of a perfectly awful day. I called my cousin...the daughter of the only living sister...to tell her. We wanted her to be able to tell her mom in person.

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When I finally got home, the stress and grief came out in the way they always come out. I threw up. To settle myself down afterward, I laid on the bed and considered the alphabet. I pictured each letter in my mind...describing it, noticing the way it curved to stood straight and tall. I heard its sound in my head. I thought of a word starting with that letter. Then went to the next. And, the next...till I had slowly worked my way through the entire alphabet. By the time I got to “z”, I was calmed down and ready to write. We do whatever we have to do to get by on days like these. Bottom line...I kept asking God to pull me closer. He never fails me.

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Thank you so much for your prayers yesterday. You have no idea what it means to me to ask for prayers and immediately have so many people drop what they’re doing to pray. The power of prayer is unmistakable and...palpable to the recipient who is in tune. Hopefully Mr. FixIt will get to come home today and it will be a better day!

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❤️

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“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,”

\n1 Timothy 2:1 ESV\n
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#Prayers, #Family, #Fear, Prayer

\n\n", "date_published": "2020-05-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/05/17/day-when-i-find-myself.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Grief","Gratitude","Fear","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/05/14/day-cranking-it-up-a.html", "title": "Day 59: Cranking It Up a Notch", "content_html": "\n
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This feels good...this level of busy. It’s not the kind of busy that you do to avoid dealing with something like grief. I’ve done that kind of busy. This is goal oriented, let’s-get-something-done-around-here busy. My poor husband. We’ve spent the better part of the last three months sitting in our recliners binge-watching the entire seven years of West Wing. We finished it on Monday. I swear, we looked at each other with a hint of sadness and said, “Now what?”  Poor guy didn’t know what hit him...out came “the list”. 

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We have projects that need doing. And invariably, we just get into one when something else pops up and steals our attention. A couple of weeks ago, Mr. FixIt ran over something out in the field and it lodged in the mower deck. He had to stop and move the blades to get it out. It turned out to be a piece of metal. He showed it to me later and we finally figured out it was a piece of the mower itself.

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We got down under the mower and found the sway bar that holds the mower deck steady was dangling down. That’s not good. He went inside and looked up the part and ordered a new one. It arrived Monday...without the bolts to attach it. So, he went back out and got underneath there to find out what kind of bolts he needed and how to attach it. That’s when he discovered the frame is broken completely through on one side. That REALLY isn’t good. 

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My very patient husband sat on hold with the Husqvarna service department for forty-five minutes yesterday before he gave up. We had to get out to the farm and mow. (Grandma’s rhododendron is starting to bloom!) While we took turns mowing, he called a local dealer and explained what happened and they said to just bring it in. It’s still under warranty, thank goodness. Now we have to get a crack on the mower deck of our old riding mower welded so we can get out there and mow here at the Ponderosa. Time’s a wastin’ and the grass is growing...fast!

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While the Mister was figuring out the tractor, I made a half gallon or so of soy milk and turned it into tofu. I wanted to do a practice run before I document it here. We’ll have it for supper tonight. I need to really make this taste great...because my husband has had it before and didn’t like it. I’m hoping it was just the preparation he didn’t like. And, he’s never had homemade tofu. It tastes totally different than the store bought variety.

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This kind of busy is good. It’s the kind that leaves you with tired muscles and sense of accomplishment. It’s honest to goodness work and there’s not a thing wrong with that.

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❤️

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“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”

\n2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-05-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/05/14/day-cranking-it-up-a.html", "tags": ["Family","Choices","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/05/12/day-still-the-sweetest-thing.html", "title": "Day 57: Still the Sweetest Thing", "content_html": "\n
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So, after my virtual meltdown on my blog yesterday, Mr. FixIt and I had a really beautiful day. We’ve been binge-watching West Wing and we are down to the last disk in the collection...the final three episodes. We have really enjoyed this series and I was thrilled to introduce my husband to its intricacies. I think he had only watched a couple of episodes back when it was on the air, and it’s one of those shows you really should watch in succession in order to bond with the characters.

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We decided in the afternoon to head up to Marietta, Ohio. It’s a college town, so there’s a level of sophistication mixed with Midwest charm that I find really cool. I never really spent time up there when I was growing up. Going to Marietta would have been a BIG trip for us...it was in a whole other state! Granted, you could SEE that state from the house I grew up in, but still...it seemed so far away.

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After we finished our errands, I asked Mr. FixIt if he’d like to go over to Barlow, Ohio to Seaman’s Mercantile to check it out. When we were at the nursery last week getting tomato plants, the owner shared her love for canning with me. We were chatting about the best place to buy jars and lids when she told me about Seaman’s and I just had to check it out.

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The original business in the building was started in 1857. The business has changed hands, and names, over the course of time and has been owned by Charles and Kara Seaman since 1983. I fell in love the second I crossed the threshold. There were flyers to the left of the door advertising butcher pigs and other assorted farming interests. The front window was filled with canning supplies. There were little treasures to be found at every turn.

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I went with a singular purpose. I wanted to buy a large sieve to drain tofu, yoghurt, and cheeses. I knew what I was looking for but couldn’t find it in the local shops. When I went around behind the cooler filled with soft drinks, there it was...hanging on a nail high above my head. I climbed up the step ladder and plucked it off the hook. While I was up there, I spied a clear plastic half gallon jar with a screw on lid that I could use for storing dry goods so I picked that up. I also noticed a box of canning and pickling salt. I want to try my hand at making sauerkraut and you can’t use table salt. The iodine will ruin the kraut. Bingo...just what I needed.

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As I was checking out, Mr. Seaman and I struck up a conversation about canning and preserving. He told me he had a couple of glass jars this same size if I was interested. They were a good price so I picked them up as well. They will work as my pantry storage for flour to keep it fresh. The owner at Sim’s Greenhouse told me about a large stainless steel canner that is made by the Amish. She had just received one for her birthday and it came from Seaman’s. It’s huge! It is a large rectangular box and fits over two burners. It was $121. I was tempted...but decided to wait and see how much I actually can this year. I told Mr. FixIt, if I were thirty years younger with a large family, that would definitely be a worthwhile investment. I just don’t know if I will be canning the kind of quantities that would justify such a purchase, so I passed...for now.

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It turned out to be such a lovely “date day” and we were reminded yet again why we really do enjoy each other’s company. You can find Seaman’s Mercantile HERE.

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❤️

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“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.”

\nProverbs 24:27 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-05-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/05/12/day-still-the-sweetest-thing.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Comfort","Farm Life","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/05/11/day-my-matemy-mirror.html", "title": "Day 56: My Mate...My Mirror", "content_html": "\n
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Several weeks ago, I asked a question on my personal Facebook page: “Shouldn’t married couples quarantine separately? (Asking for a friend)” I got a lot of responses. Many laughed and knew the tongue-in-cheek nature of the question. Some professed their undying love for their husbands and how fabulous it’s been being with them 24/7. I’m not sure they realized they might have to do this ad infinitum. I haven’t checked back in with them to see how they’re doing...for two reasons. If they are still all googly-eyed and swooning over every moment of his presence, either my friends are big fat liars...or I’m a total failure at this shelter-in-place thing.

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Cause...I gotta tell ya...I’m not the easiest person to be around these days. I’m crotchety. Testy. And sometimes, flat out mean. I don’t mean to be. I’ve got the sweetest husband on the planet. And, I have to be getting on his nerves, too. We came into this relationship retired, independent, with grown kids. We were used to doing our own thing. The whirlwind of romance and travel and marriage was balanced with time spent pursuing our own interests. Take that all away and you have two people who adore each other who are “sheltering-in-place” with nowhere to go. No dates. No trips to the beach. No entertaining the family. Just...us.

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He’s a noisy sleeper. I have to be right all the time. He watches too much TV. I can’t keep a kitchen clean to save my life. He says “ambulance” wrong. I have too many Amazon packages arriving. 

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24/7/56 and counting.

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Just to be clear...there’s not a soul on the planet that I would rather be holed up with than this guy. Still...I miss camping with my girlfriends. I’m afraid I won’t get to go to Colorado this summer to see my family. I miss gathering for coffee with my high school classmates. I miss the two nights a week that Mr. FixIt bowled with his buddies and I got to stay home and read and take bubble baths. He would never say a word, but I’m sure he misses his lazy errand days where he went from store to store and chatted with all the people he was sure to run into that he knows. And, I’m pretty darned sure he misses the wife that didn’t nag all the time.

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I think cabin fever has truly set in and we’re both getting a little frustrated by the restrictions. Everyone is. And that isn’t really bringing out the best in us. How do we maintain close personal relationships when “close” is all we got? Well, the first thing to remember is...just because we are sharing the same space doesn’t mean we are sharing intimacy. I’m not talking the making whoopie kind, although that’s great ( ! ! ! ). I’m talking about something they mentioned on CBS Sunday Morning yesterday. Skin hunger. 

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We crave and thrive on physical touch. Without it, an important part of our daily needs is not being met. I went through this with my divorces and with the loss of Mr. Virgo. As a matter of fact, I had my physician prescribe a weekly massage for me when I was newly divorced so I could have at least some semblance of human touch. When I became a widow, there were people everywhere to give me hugs. Not so much for most people riding out this pandemic alone. And they can’t even go get a massage right now.

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We are missing the strangers in our lives. The people we smiled at when we walked into a crowded restaurant. We miss the new people we meet and shake hands with. We miss the casual hand on the arm or the brush-by in a crowd. Now we look at others as threats...possible carriers of a deadly disease. It’s causing us to grieve that loss. And, if we are already grieving a loss and we are alone...it’s compounding that grief.

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Good communication and physical contact goes a long way in getting you through the tough times in any relationship. This is even more important during a high stress event like we are currently experiencing. I know things will get better. The world will open up and we’ll be able to do things again...differently, perhaps. There WILL be a time when we can have some space from those we’ve been sheltering with...and some connection with others that we miss. When I absolutely need to, I take my laundry out to the farm and stay a day or two. Yesterday, I took a new cookbook I recently purchased and went out to the camper to read for a couple of hours while Mr. FixIt puttered around in the yard. 

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I don’t like being not so nice. Like every situation...there is a beginning and an end. I can focus on making that space between the two a period of transition. Introspection. Personal growth. Temperance. A time to get a little closer to God and ask His help...maybe ask Him to put His hand over my mouth when I’m feeling testy.

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This too shall pass. 

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❤️

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“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”

\nProverbs 25:28 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-05-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/05/11/day-my-matemy-mirror.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/05/10/day-a-different-kind-of.html", "title": "Day 55: A Different Kind of Mother’s Day!", "content_html": "\n
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As I sat at my keyboard last night, I looked for pictures of my mom and thought of all the Mother’s Days we had together. Really...very few. Once I left home to seek my fortunes, I am not sure we ever got to see each other on Mother’s Day. I always came home in the summer months when the kids were off of school. But I always called her and sent her a card and flowers. 

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I keep my pictures of Mom in an album on my iPad marked “”Family”. That way, when I get lonesome for them, they’re all in one place. I thought of all the sad and sentimental things I could say about my mom and how much I miss her. But, the truth is...even though I miss her desperately right now...I would NEVER want her to have had to experience what’s going on in the world. All the anger and divisiveness and ugliness would have upset her greatly. She had such a tender heart. And this virus would have worried her to death. I am much more peaceful knowing she is with her family and with Jesus.

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My eyes scanned the photos and lingered on my own children...from when they were littles to when they had littles of their own. These girls made me a mom. I wasn’t always very good at it. I made huge mistakes and it broke my heart that I let them down. So many years were lost to depression when I just couldn’t seem to connect with them as they needed. I’ve spent much of the last twenty years trying to fix that. Trying to be a better mom. Trying to create new and better memories.

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Since I moved back to my home state, I have returned to Colorado every summer to see the girls and spend time with my grandchildren. Then, the pandemic hit and I am not at all sure I’ll get to go back this year. There was a time when I would have focused on that loss and that’s all I’d see. Things are different now. Now I see where God is taking this situation and turning it for good.

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My girls and I have communicated more since the Stay at Home orders came out than we ever have. There are lots of phone calls and texts, sharing pictures, video chats. When I watch their Facebook feeds, I see them reaching back for THEIR comforting touchstones and I see myself there. In the raised bed gardens. In the baking and making and growing. In the phone calls asking for advice. It has warmed my heart.

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In the last two months, during this lockdown, I have finally realized...I made a difference in my kids’ lives. The things I taught them, stuck with them. And now, they are using those gifts I gave them to comfort themselves and their families. This means more to me than any trinket they could give me. It doesn’t get much better than this. 

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Mr. FixIt told me last night he didn’t get me anything for Mother’s Day because shopping isn’t the same. And I told him not to buy me flowers. I smiled and said, “I have everything I need for Mother’s Day. I have a great big blended family that gives me great joy.” Besides, I’d rather have kitchen stuff than flowers that wither and die.

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I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day. And if you are actively grieving, I hope you find some moments of peace and comfort with your memories of your loved one. 

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❤️

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“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.””

\nProverbs 31:25-29 ESV\n
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#MothersDay, #Children, #Holiday

\n\n", "date_published": "2020-05-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/05/10/day-a-different-kind-of.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Holiday","Forgiveness","Aging","Presence","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/04/22/day-easy-does-itstay-home.html", "title": "Day 37: Easy Does It...Stay Home!", "content_html": "\n
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Princess Pumpkin holds court on the deck while we gaze with pride at the garden!
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We have really been sticking close to home...a huge change for us. We usually make several trips to town every week but we are limiting it to no more than one. Of course, that means it’s a longer trip so we can do everything that needs doing. It’s mundane stuff...kitty litter, bird seed, prescriptions, post office, and the pool store to get chemicals during their yearly sale.

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I was pleased to see you can have your prescriptions delivered to your car at Walmart. There were a couple of designated spots with a sign giving a number to call and let them know you’re there. It took about 10 minutes and we didn’t have to go inside. Same at the pool store. They came out to the truck and asked what we needed, went in and had it in the back of the truck in less than five minutes. The post office box is in the lobby and there were two people there...a man who held the door for me and a post office employees sanitizing everything. In and out in less than 60 seconds. 

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The only really trip inside was to Rural King. One set of doors for entering, the other to exit. They had an employee at each door. When one left another could enter. Since there were two of us, we had to wait for the second person to leave. We made a bee line to the back, waited in line for five minutes...six feet apart and with masks. Our reward for the day was walking a mile in the park. We ran into one of our classmates halfway through and he continued with us at the required distance. It was nice to see a friendly face.

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Today is the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! Our garden is tilled. The tomatoes are loving the big window in the family room and have grown to double their size in two weeks. They are putting out blossoms and in order for them to set, I need to pollinate them with a Q-Tip since we don’t have bees inside. Only one blossom has opened. More will open today so I can touch the stamens from one to another with the Q-Tip to pollinate the flowers so they produce fruit.

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Every time I go to the store, I pick up a couple of cases of canning jars. I used to have a couple hundred of them back in the day, but that was one of the things that went by the wayside when I downsized six years ago. Rural King had an excellent assortment and related canning supplies at affordable prices. I’m really looking forward to gardening this year. In a few weeks, I can get my flowers for the pots on the patio. Usually I’m gone so much of the summer, I don’t get to do any of that stuff but this is shaping up to be a stay-at-home year, I’m afraid.

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I know you are watching the Covid coverage, as we all are. There are so many schools of thought surrounding opening back up. I know I’m coming from a fairly comfortable position not having to get back to work. I know people are struggling financially. But I am erring on the side of caution. I don’t have anyplace to go in a hurry and I certainly have plenty to do here. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to continue to isolate and take every precaution I can. I pray there isn’t a second wave, but if history serves and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 is any indication...there will be. Many, many more died in the second wave. I really feel we have to move forward with caution...but that’s just my medical background talking and the advice of advanced epidemiologists. 

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In the meantime, I plan my garden...I stock up on canning supplies...I clean and organize...and the electrical designer comes out today to give us her recommendations for “Camp Marshmallow”! It will be cool and rainy today...a perfect day to bake an apple pie and put a pork roast in the oven for supper.

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Easy does it!

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❤️

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“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”

\n1 Timothy 6:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-04-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/04/22/day-easy-does-itstay-home.html", "tags": ["Family","Hope","Growth","Courage","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/04/20/day-i-miss-your-face.html", "title": "Day 35: I Miss Your Face", "content_html": "\n
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Absence makes us appreciate presence.
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Like everyone else, we’re doing a lot of hanging out here at The Ponderosa. Mowing season has begun. We’re getting projects done and making plans for others. The few times we have ventured out have been masked forays into uncrowded stores for a quick purchase. We only have a few shops in the tiny town on the other side of the hill. Piggly Wiggly and Dollar General are the bigger ones.

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I needed a couple things the other day so I stopped in the Dollar General. There was a woman shopping ahead of me. She was around my age. She wore a mask but she had it pulled down under her nose. The first thing I said to her was “Thank you so much for wearing a mask. It’s so important to help stop the spread of this disease.” Her eyes crinkled up from the smile hidden behind her mask. 

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“I don’t mean to pry,” I said. “But, did you by any chance work in medicine?”

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“No I didn’t,” she said. 

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“I worked in the medical field for over forty years and I would never be presumptuous and tell someone what to do. However, your mask won’t help you if you don’t cover your nose.”

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She quickly pulled it up. “Oh, I know...but it makes my glasses fog up and I can’t stand it.”

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At the time, I didn’t have an answer for her. I knew there were ways to get around that, but I just couldn’t think off the top of my head. Since then, I found out one way is to fold up a tissue under the your glasses behind the mask. Some masks have a flexible wire at the top that molds it to your nose and that helps, but these homemade masks don’t have that. If you wash your glasses with soapy water leaves a thin film that reduces surface tension and the lenses won’t fog up. Mr. FixIt swears if you wash your glasses with shaving cream, they won’t fog up. I haven’t tried that yet.

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I have a bit of a hearing loss and find I’m depending on reading lips a lot more than I thought I was. I’m having to ask people to repeat themselves more often since we are wearing masks. I also miss seeing people smile. It’s amazing how much nonverbal cues come through watching a person’s face.

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Remember I told you the other day that I hadn’t cried since this all started? Well, last night my daughter called and we had a long, laughter-filled conversation. We told stories and reminisced about her childhood. It was leisurely and delightful. When we were saying our goodbyes, I heard her voice thicken with emotion.

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“Mama, the other day I read that if they can’t come up with a vaccine that works, we might have to practice social distancing clear into 2022. I can’t stand the thought of not hugging you for that long!” (Note: I’m not saying a vaccine cures this. I’m not being political. I know we can’t stay in limbo like this forever. I’m just relaying what my daughter said she heard.)

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My heart broke.

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“Honey, I would find a way to hug you...no matter what. We could put a blanket between us and I could give you a big ol’ Mama hug!”

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We said our goodbyes...and I hung up and cried.   

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It’s the first time I’ve shed tears since all this began. It wasn’t cleansing tears, either. 

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It just made me sad.

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It’s ok to be saddened by all this. It’s hard to think about all the things...all the little things and the big things that we’re missing. We can’t get through this without feeling sadness. I’m combatting that with making lists of all the things I want to do when things open up. I’m looking for ways to serve others through this difficult time. And I look for the goodness of God in the world around me.

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Not every day can be a happy day. 

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That’s ok.

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❤️

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“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”

\nPsalm 18:2-3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-04-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/04/20/day-i-miss-your-face.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Love","Presence","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/04/17/day-the-hour-vacation-and.html", "title": "Day 32: The 24 Hour Vacation and Feel Good Friday", "content_html": "\n
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Quintessential spring...a robin’s nest with two sky blue eggs.
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We were supposed to leave today for the Outer Banks. For most people, this is a disappointment and an inconvenience to reschedule. For Mr. FixIt, it’s really hard to take. He has been going to the OBX every year since he was five...except for one. The Outer Banks is, obviously, his favorite place in the whole world. He has been uber excited ever since we got the the time share there. It meant we had a great place to stay and it’s booked the same time every year. 

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A Jenny Wren’s nest is distinctively filled with dried moss.
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Except this year. He understands why. And he agrees it’s necessary. It’s just not any fun to have to give up everything. It’s small potatoes to what a lot of people are giving up. I’m trying to come up with special things to help him feel a little less trapped in one place, so we went to the farm to stay the night. We mowed on Wednesday, then just sat back and enjoyed the atmosphere.

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Moss grows all over everything in West Virginia. It’s lush and green like a rainforest here.
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It is SO incredibly quiet out there. The spring flowers are beginning to peek out. As I was riding the mower over the lawn, I continually apologized to my grandma in a running commentary in my head. Ohhhh, she would have been so upset that we mowed the lawn while the Johnny Jump-ups were still showing their pretty little purple faces. She made my Uncle Bob wait till they were gone before you could mow. I’ll bet this is the earliest that lawn has ever been cut.

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Little Fiddlehead Ferns uncurling in the morning sun.
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I made a country breakfast yesterday in Grandma’s kitchen. We had hominy, bacon, eggs and toast. Have you all had fried hominy? Do you even know what hominy is? Hominy is made from dried whole corn kernels that have been soaked in lye to soften the hard outer hulls. Then the kernels are rinsed well and cooked like beans. I have never made them from scratch. I’ve always bought them in a can. I drain them and fry them in some butter or a little bacon grease.

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The view from the back of the barn.
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I had some thin crispy bacon and fried eggs ready when the hominy was done. I like to mix mine all together. Mr. FixIt likes to eat them separately using the hominy like fried potatoes. It doesn’t matter how you served them...they’re delicious!

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My ‘67 Franklin...one of these years I just KNOW I’ll get her fixed up!
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After breakfast, I grabbed my second cup of coffee and headed outside for a walkabout to see what’s blooming. Moss grows over everything here because of the moisture and the shady holler. There aren’t a whole lot of wildflowers out yet. There are still a few fiddleheads coming up. I thought I found the asparagus, but the lookalike shoots I found were milkweed. I read that you can eat them, but I would prefer to leave them for the monarch butterflies.

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Giant Snowdrops have bloomed at the front corner of Grandma’s house for as long as I can remember.
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While I was in the garden, I got a closer look at the cherry blossoms. They don’t look like they got nipped too bad from the frosts we’ve been getting. As I was walking back up to the house, I passed the big rhododendron and startled a robin from her nest. I got up high and zoomed my lens in to peek in the nest without disturbing it and there were two sky blue eggs in it! When we were replacing the tarp on the ‘67 Franklin on Wednesday evening, I uncovered an old Jenny Wren nest on top of the air conditioner. It was abandoned so I removed it and look a picture of it. Their nests are distinctive because of all the moss they use to construct them. 

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Cherry blossoms over by the garden. I used to hear stories about where these cherry trees came from, but I’ve forgotten. I have to remember to ask my uncle.
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When we finally wrapped up all the chores at the farm, we headed back home. As soon as Mr. FixIt unloaded the riding mower, I mowed both big fields before it got too dark and cold. I noticed there towards the end that my shoe was wet. When I pulled the tractor up to the garage, Mr. FixIt flagged me down. It turned out the dipstick for the oil had loosened and oil was spattering all over my leg and shoe. I had to go in and strip just inside the door to keep from tracking oil through the house and jump in the shower. What a mess!

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Country living...it’s a peaceful life, but the work is never, ever done. I wouldn’t trade it to live back in the city for any amount of money. I’d much rather have deer and possum for neighbors. And I wouldn’t trade Mr. FixIt for anyone to quarantine with!

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Oh, and today is “Feel Good Friday”. What good news do you have to share this week?

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❤️

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“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

\nProverbs 4:23 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-04-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/04/17/day-the-hour-vacation-and.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Peaceful Moments","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/04/04/day-what-day-is-this.html", "title": "Day 19: What Day is This?", "content_html": "\n
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Our new pergola on the deck by the pool. We are a good team!
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I’m finally getting some relief from the pain in my muscles and joints and that means I am sleeping better. Hyperparathyroidism. Big word for a very tiny little gland that has decided to go haywire. It takes an average of eight years to be diagnosed with it. Eight years. It’s taken me three years to get an answer and I feel like that’s forever. Hyperparathyroidism causes an elevation in calcium which takes calcium out of your bones where you need it and they get more brittle and ache. It also causes muscle aches, insomnia, hair loss, depression and irritability. Like...grumpy on steroids.

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I kind of accidentally discovered something that really helps. I had a bottle of a mild muscle relaxant left over from my car accident. I’ve tried everything else for the muscle aches. I won’t take prescription pain meds, but a muscle relaxant acts differently without the abuse potential. I took what I had last month and after the first three days, I couldn’t believe how much better I felt. Then I ran out and didn’t have them for a week and wow...could I tell the difference. I saw the Nurse Practitioner this week and she gave me a prescription and already I’m feeling so much better. I was able to work for several hours standing on my feet and climbing up and down a ladder yesterday and it felt great!

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We finished our first big project of the Pandemic Era yesterday. Last summer we purchased a pergola for the deck around our pool. It is way too hot in the summer to sit out there and we were hoping this would offer enough shade to at least have coffee and meals. This week we decided it was the perfect time to put it together. Mr. FixIt and I are a good team and we had that thing up in a couple of afternoons. Now we just need to figure out how to keep the cat off of it. She was SO excited to see it. She thinks we have erected her very own pedestal and I’ve chased her down several times. We are going to have to come up with something to keep her from trying to jump up from the railing in the back. If you have any ideas, let me know.

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After the pergola was finished, we went for a drive. It was 4:30 when we arrived at the nursery about ten miles from our house. It is out in the country and there were only six people there in all, spread out over three greenhouses. We quickly picked out fourteen tomato plants, a small bag of onion sets, and a couple of fresh heads of butter-crunch lettuce for salads. We were in and out of there in less than ten minutes and wiped everything down before we put it in the truck. 

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We called ahead for a pizza and the owner brought it out to us wearing gloves. It was hot and fresh from the oven so no contamination there. We wiped down the box with disinfectant wipes then cleaned our hands. Then we drove over to the park, turned the truck so the bed was facing the river, and sat on the tailgate for a picnic. There was no one near us at all and it was such a treat. We came home and cleaned up again and placed the tomato plants on the windowsill in the family room.

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It was a little taste of normalcy. We had a huge dose of Vitamin D from working outside in the fresh air and sunshine. And we avoided the news all day till 6:30 when we watched Lester Holt. We are finding a better rhythm...a better balance. We are picking ourselves up a little and adjusting more. We are remembering how blessed we are to have each other’s support and love. And, how much fun we have together. 

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Thing only thing I’m noticing is, I have no idea what day it is. All day yesterday I thought it was Saturday. I told Mr. FixIt...every day is Saturday now. Of course, don’t say that to the people working from home. A lot of places are saying there won’t be school the rest of the year and this is something teachers and children will have to adjust to. There will be no closure, no sense of an ending or a moving on. This will take some time for them to process how to best serve their students and their own children. 

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This is just another layer to the onion...another way this pandemic will affect us and future generations. There will be ripple effects that reach far beyond today. Of course, being safe...keeping our children and everyone else safe...that is of primary importance. Still...it’s just one more thing. Another loss.

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The weather is supposed to be beautiful again so today will be spent emptying out the truck so it can go in the body shop on Monday for a couple of weeks. I also want to get the camper cleaned out so we can go “camping”. After all...we have our own little five acre campground here. We might as well take advantage of it!

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❤️

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“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.\"”

\nJohn 13:34-35 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-04-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/04/04/day-what-day-is-this.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/03/26/day-remember-the-good-ol.html", "title": "Day 10: Remember the Good Ol’ Days?", "content_html": "\n
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A kitchen from long, long ago. Could you live like this again if you had to? Who will teach the skills to the younger generations who may want to learn them? I don’t see us returning to these times, per se. but we could sure stand to live a little less frenetically and lot more self-sufficiently.
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When someone says “Remember the good ol’ days?” now, they could just as easily be referring to last month than 100 years ago. Remember when we could go out to the movies? Remember when we could eat at restaurants? I love reminiscing and looking at old photos like this one. It reminds me of what they called “a simpler time”. But was it, really?

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Look at this kitchen. That stove didn’t get started with the turn of a knob. Someone had to cut, haul, and chop wood. They had to split kindling and stack it all near the back door. This was done every day or you ate cold food. With those boots under the stove, I’d say there are some hard working men and boys in that house and they eat a ton of food. That woman is cooking three squares and baking all her own bread and biscuits. She had to tend a garden, preserve the food, store it properly. Hopefully there are a couple of other young girls around to help with the washing and cleaning and all the other jobs on the farm.

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I believe that is the family “washing machine” the woman is using. This must have been an incredible convenience item to relieve her of scrubbing heavy wet work clothes on a washboard. The water had to be toted from the well, stream, cistern, or spring. It had to be heated in large pots on that stove. She had to save up the ash from the wood stove to make lye. She also saved the lard from butchering and rendered it for use in baking, cooking, and making assorted salves and soaps.

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That woman was the family doctor. She gathered herbs and medicinal plants, using knowledge handed down from generation to generation. She may have been the only midwife in a twenty mile radius. She milked the dairy cow out behind the barn...twice a day...and raised the cream to churn butter. Her sewing rocker is in the kitchen. Here is where she read her bible as the biscuits rose. She sewed and mended her family’s clothing to conserve them for longer wear. When they couldn’t be mended anymore, she cut them up and sewed the pieces together to make quilts.

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There wasn’t a lot of socializing in this day and age. There might be women who gathered for a quilting bee or to throw a wedding or a funeral. A woman valued those precious moments she shared with other women. The children were sent out of the house after breakfast and they came home at supper time. They walked to church and the one room schoolhouse down the road....maybe miles away. Or, if they were really lucky, they might have a horse or two...or maybe even a wagon for when they needed to make longer trips.

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I show pictures like this to my grandkids and they just stare at it like it’s an alien planet. I was looking at the woman in the picture. My first thought was, this is the grandma. And, it could be. But I wouldn’t doubt it a bit if that’s the mom. All that hard work and all those babies made the womenfolk age well beyond their years.

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I would never call this “a simpler time” in regard to the work that was put in on a daily basis. Yet, compared to the manic hustle most people live with today, I would say it is simpler in many ways. I had to smile the other day. Daughter #2, who showed very little interest in learning anything “old timey” when she was growing up called to say this pandemic has made her think about her life and how she’s living it. She wants to raise a garden. She would like to learn how to be more self-sufficient. Her mama is SO excited by this!!! I sent her pictures of the Encyclopedia of Country Living and the Ball Book of Food Preservation. This is a common ground I have longed to share with my kids.

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This pandemic is scary as heck. And it’s shaken many of us to the core. But, as I’ve been saying from the beginning, there will be gems in the flames of this. There will be great sadness, and there will also be great revolution. I hope we have awakened a sleeping giant.

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❤️

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“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

\nProverbs 16:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-03-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/03/26/day-remember-the-good-ol.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Growth","Comfort","Wisdom","Courage","Humbled","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/03/22/day-seeking-comfort-in-an.html", "title": "Day 6: Seeking Comfort in an Uncomfortable Time", "content_html": "\n
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Oatmeal is definitely a comfort food that’s good for you!
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Mr. FixIt and I have a kind of rhythm. While I do most of the meal prep, we seem to take turns making breakfast. I’m the eggs and pancakes gal. He’s the maker of oats. Ohhhh, he makes the BEST oatmeal. We only use old fashioned rolled oats by Quaker. I like some chewy in my oats...not wallpaper paste. He uses a lite version of brown sugar that either has Splenda or Stevia in it...I can’t remember. He adds some cinnamon. Then, when we dish it up, we add whatever berries we have handy and a small handful of crushed pecans or walnuts. His gets a splash of 2% milk...mine gets a little bit of Half & Half. Perfection!

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Comfort food is a go to when times are stressful. Currently we are eating our way through that blackberry pie I baked Friday night. We had pizza for dinner. We cannot do that all the time...but at the end of a long week that lasted a year, we deserved an indulgence. Without guilt.

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We went to town yesterday to top off the gas tank on one of the trucks and to fill all our gas cans. West Virginia now has twelve confirmed cases of coronavirus...the nearest is one county over. Our governor came on last night to urge us to take action right now and ALL of us stay home. So many people aren’t taking this seriously and they only need to see Washington, New York, and Italy to see what can happen if you are not proactive.

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One of the problems in rural areas is a general distrust of government. “Revenuers” were busting up stills in these hills long before I was born. Mountaineers are fiercely independent and don’t cotton to people telling them what to do. The fella who stopped to help get the tire off the truck the other day was a perfect example. I told him I’d shake his hand but I couldn’t because of social distancing and he rattled off a profanity laced diatribe about not being worried about any virus coming to get him. We just shook our heads as he drove off with his 24 pack of Bud.

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We’ve decided to binge watch West Wing during our TV time instead of watching the news. I watch West Wing every election year. It’s comforting to know how it’s going to turn out. I love the cast and characters. And in the entire series, there was only one episode I don’t care to watch. That’s the one where the characters are being filmed as a documentary. I skip that one every time and I’ve binge watched the entire series at least 5 times.

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Today’s Question:

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What are you doing to combat boredom?

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Be safe, dear ones.

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❤️

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“But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

\n1 John 3:17-18 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-03-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/03/22/day-seeking-comfort-in-an.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","West Virginia","Comfort","Courage","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/03/03/turning-my-day-around.html", "title": "Turning My Day Around", "content_html": "\n
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Poor Kitty got an abscess that needed to get fixed yesterday. She got a new body suit to protect her stitches.
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First off, let me say that any penny ante thing that I had to deal with yesterday pales in comparison with how great it feels to see my sweetheart turning back into his sweet, handsome self. No one wants to hear those words...”You’ve had a stroke.” It takes the starch right out of you. It’s not only a physical blow, but a psychological one, as well. His hand is getting better every day. It’s no longer tingly...just a little numb. Improvement is wonderful. We’ll take that any day of the week! Thank you, Jesus!

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That being said, I got up yesterday and went out to open the building so the kitty could go play and I knew right away something was wrong. She wouldn’t come out of her “kitty condo”...that warm bed I made for her when she arrived. I couldn’t even tempt her with her favorite treats. When I finally got her out, I ran my hands over her to find out if she had a sore place and she cried when I touched her left hind quarters. 

\n\n\n

I immediately put her in her carrier and went to get my purse. I told Mr. FixIt I was taking her to the vet. It was the first time I have left him since the stroke. He’s a grown man, I feel he’s out of immediate danger, and life goes on. I can’t be hyper-vigilant forever. The vet shaved the area where the kitty was hurting and revealed a horrifying sight. She had a hole the size of a golf ball in her side!

\n\n\n

It scared me to pieces, but the vet said cats get abscesses easily and while this was a big one, it could be easily fixed. She did have to sedate her because she was not going to just lay there and let them stitch her up. About an hour later, I received a stoned cat with pupils the size of teacups and a “cone of shame” around her head. By the time we got home, Houdini-cat had managed to escape the cone.

\n\n\n

We did get it back on her. Then we set up the really big wire dog crate so she was contained but still had room to move around. I hated leaving that cone on her because it inhibited her ability to eat and drink because she’s so little. One of my besties...Diane...is a big cat person. She suggested getting a child-sized t-shirt and jury rigging a kind of body suit so she could still move around but it wouldn’t inhibit her movements so much.

\n\n\n

I went to the dollar store and they didn’t have a very good selection of little kid’s clothes. So, I bought a pair of women’s leggings and used one of the legs to fashion a sort of body sleeve that covered the affected area without restricting her movements in any way. I made holes for all four legs and that keeps it pulled down over the stitches and it works great! I also used a kitten collar threaded through small slits (like button holes) that kept the front part in place. And, since there are two legs in a pair of leggings, I can make another body sleeve when this one gets soiled.

\n\n\n

So, that was the sucky part of my day. When I got home with the groceries, I made a wonderful meal...probably one of the better meals I’ve made in quite some time. Baked Salmon with Tzatziki, Quinoa with Mushrooms, Fresh Steamed Asparagus. And for dessert...Sugar Free Banana Pudding with Light & Fit Whipped Topping. Yes....we are back in the saddle with our diets working to be our best, most healthy selves.

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Salmon with Tzatziki, Quinoa with Mushrooms, and Fresh Steamed Asparagus made for the perfect turnaround to a trying day.
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We topped off the day with The Voice. Now, that’s how you turn a bad day around, I’d say.

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❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

\nJames 1:2-8 NIV\n
\n\n\n

James 1:2-8 NIV

\n\n", "date_published": "2020-03-03T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/03/03/turning-my-day-around.html", "tags": ["Family","Growth","Gratitude","The Cats"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/02/26/sighs-of-relief.html", "title": "Sighs of Relief", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
I went back through my photos to find a picture of an OBX sunset. Dreaming of our next vacation...and thanking God we get another chance!
\n\n\n

When the sun went down yesterday, I breathed a sigh of relief. I was sitting in the truck in front of Walmart. After a few days of laying low at the house, Mr. FixIt was ready to get out and about a little bit. We drove to town and went to Kohl’s to get him a new belt. Then we went to our favorite diner for an early dinner. At 5:00, we drove to Walmart and the phone rang. I had a conference scheduled to discuss my brother’s care in Colorado. (He’s doing well, by the way. Just aging, as we all are.) As I was listening to his caregivers’ reports, two things happened. First, my daughter called and I had to let it go to voicemail. Then, Mr.FixIt said, “I’m going on in. I have my phone.” And off he went.

\n\n\n

It was all I could do not to tell those on the line that I had to go. I took a deep breath and told myself, “He’s a grown man. He’s fine. You can’t (and SHOULDN’T) watch him every minute. Give it to God and mind your business.” I turned back to the call and when it was finished, I breathed a sigh of relief. 

\n\n\n

I called my daughter back. She got the job she wanted! Just seven minutes from home, and gives her an opportunity to learn new things working in horticulture. Plus, there are three “work cats” there. She’s pumped. My little introvert can snuggle kitties and make pretty things grow. Pretty perfect. I breathed a sigh of relief.

\n\n\n

I moseyed on into Walmart and found Mr. FixIt pushing a cart up and down the aisles, shopping as usual. I stood at the end of the aisle, his back to me, and felt the tears sting the back of my eyes. “There he is. He’s fine. He’s doing what he does best...living and breathing. He’s ok.” I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

\n\n\n

You often don’t realize how long you’ve been holding your breath till you let it go. I know I can’t control any of these things. And I know worrying about any of it is absolutely fruitless and not what I’m supposed to be doing. Yes...I’m a sister. And a mom. And a wife. How can I NOT have  concerns? I offered up a quick prayer of thanksgiving, walked up to that sweet man of mine, and planted a big kiss on his still slightly numb lips and smiled.

\n\n\n

“Did ya miss me?”

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“Of course I missed you!”

\n\n\n

***smile***

\n\n\n

***sigh***

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

\nRomans 8:28 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-02-26T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/02/26/sighs-of-relief.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Comfort","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/02/24/in-sickness-and-in-health.html", "title": "In Sickness and In Health", "content_html": "\n
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Chillin’ with Mr. FixIt, waiting to hear from the doctor.
\n\n\n

I take my vows very seriously. To love and cherish. Always. In ALL ways. Nowhere was that more apparent to me than this weekend. 

\n\n\n

We are home. There’s no place like home.

\n\n\n

We are exhausted. Living on adrenalin and coffee with very little sleep will do that.

\n\n\n

We are blessed. We know full well this could have been MUCH worse.

\n\n\n

We are disappointed and angry (on a very selfish, base, childish level.) Why did this have to happen to us??? ***stomping foot***

\n\n\n

We are confused. Where did this come from? Mr. FixIt takes exceptionally good care of himself.

\n\n\n

Why us? Which is stupid. Why NOT us? 

\n\n\n

Anyway, the second MRI with contrast shows Mr. FixIt had a second stroke. We don’t know when the first one was. But there was a time about a year and a half ago that I noticed he was talking like he had a mouth full of marbles. It got better, but he continued to mumble. I wrote it off as colloquialism. They made some changes in his meds. The numbness seems to be leaving, praise God!

\n\n\n

We are looking at it as a wake up call to really start taking care of ourselves. We are far too young to start rocking on the front porch all day. We ARE going to take it easy this week, though.

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Thank you all so much for your love and support and the hundreds and hundreds of prayers.

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
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“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

\nHebrews 4:16 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-02-24T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/02/24/in-sickness-and-in-health.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","God","Fear","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/02/01/my-mothers-daughter.html", "title": "My Mother’s Daughter", "content_html": "\n
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I used to feel my mom lay her hand on my back...long after she passed.
\n\n\n

I went into town yesterday to meet a friend from church. She and her family have recently purchased a converted school bus and they are making a drastic change in their lives. They’re going on the road as a family of five, living a Godly life, homeschooling their children along the way, and exploring the country. They’ve made a one year commitment and they’re so excited! I met with them to add my insight since I did that with a camper for two years....however, alone and without children.

\n\n\n

As I was driving, I looked down at my arms and was taken aback. I was looking at my mother’s arms...clear as day. Same skin tone. Same age spots. Same skinny little bird wrists. It made my heart ache a little. Those of us who have lost our moms know it’s something we carry for the rest of our lives. We do that with any loss. There’s a separate room for orphans.

\n\n\n

I was talking to my mom’s sister on the phone the other day about how the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. She laughed and said, “Oh, Ginny...you are your mother’s daughter. You are so much like her.” I thought to myself...I hope she doesn’t mean the bad things like her stubborn streak. Then I laughed. Of COURSE that’s what she meant! I really AM my mother’s daughter!

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My mom’s cousin stopped by the camper in the mall last week. We sat and visited for a while. She saw the video of me pulling the camper into the mall and remarked with something like “Amazing...I never know what you’re going to do next!” I cannot imagine my mom doing what I do...like pulling a camper all over creation by myself. I think that would have scared her to death.

\n\n\n

I do think mom would have loved going along with me in a camper, though. Sometimes, when I’m really missing her, I fantasize taking a road trip with her and my brother. I think of all the places she would have loved to go. It makes me sad when I think how clueless I was when she was still living. Yes, I went to see her every year. Yes, I called her religiously every week. But I didn’t help her like I could have...should have. I didn’t offer to take her places or fix up her house. I was too busy living my own life and too blind to see what more I could have been doing for her and my brother. 

\n\n\n

I see more of my dad looking back at me from the mirror instead of my mom and her people. That took a long, long time to “get over” because of the difficult relationship he and I had. I did the best I could do with him and I don’t feel any guilt that I should have done more with/for him. We do tend to gravitate toward the light of love so I orbited my mom.

\n\n\n

Last night my arms virtually reached across the country and wrapped themselves around my younger daughter because she had a hard day. I wonder...when they see me as I age, do they see their Grammy? Do they see their Grammy’s arms when they look at mine? Do they note my graying hair and my not quite as peppy gait? Will they have that moment when they recognize I’m aging a little bit faster these days...like I did with my own mom? I think they do...more so because they only see me once a year. Like me with my mom.

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Will they one day see me in themselves? Maybe. Maybe not.

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Anyway...I am my mother’s daughter. More and more every year. And...that’s not a bad thing.

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❤️

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“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you...””

\nIsaiah 66:13 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-02-01T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/02/01/my-mothers-daughter.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/01/30/the-making-of-a-family.html", "title": "The Making of a Family", "content_html": "\n
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What Makes a Family a Family?
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Before I get into this subject, let me first get something straight...I adore my children and their families. I love my exes and their spouses and their kids. I love my new bonus family as my own. And, I’ve got to tell you...the bonus family is easier. Let me explain.

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I always wanted to be the kind of grandma that everyone would flock to my house. We’d bake cookies and I’d fix their favorite meals. They’d drop in for visits...just because. We’d have barbecues in the summer and big family gatherings at the holidays. It would be comfortable and we’d be a close knit family.

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Then...I battled with depression for the better part of ten years when my kids were growing up. The medications I was on altered my personality and I really didn’t care about anything or anyone. I was essentially medically checked out. Then came the overdose and the horrible aftermath of that.

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It’s been twenty years since then. We’ve done a lot of healing and we all get along fine now. Economics and my desire to live in my home state again took me away from my Colorado family and I don’t get to spend as much time with them as I did when I lived there. They have busy lives and we don’t get the chance to talk on the phone nearly as often as we would like. I know much of this is in my head, but I feel like I try too hard to be “extra” to make up for the rough times I put them through. They tell me it’s fine and they love me...it’s water under the bridge. They always want to do things with me when I’m there. I know it’s totally self imposed, this feeling.

\n\n\n

I’ve been enjoying this really easy relationship with my bonus family here in West Virginia and it’s made me consider why. Why would it be easier than with my own flesh and blood? As I meditated on it last night, it occurred to me why. I have never hurt these people. I’ve never disappointed them. I’ve never let them down. They know me only for who I am in this moment...who I am in this new life that I have created for myself since Mr. Virgo died. 

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I also received a flash of insight when I thought of the difficult relationship I had with my own father. As an adult, I kept trying to draw him into conversations that would offer me some healing from the emotional abuse he inflicted on us. He would always say, “Can’t we just enjoy now and not dredge up the past?” I needed some kind of closure...he needed to enjoy the life he’d built for himself after divorce. His new life was easier than cleaning up the messes he left behind. I am proud of myself that I did the work to clean up my own.

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I imagine I am not alone in this. I also imagine it could be just the opposite with some people and they feel the awkwardness with the bonus family and not their blood family, whether it’s real or imagined. I guess my point is this...all families create their own inner dynamics and are as individual as fingerprints. One cannot compare one family to another. One can only do the best they can. And hopefully do even better when they learn and grow. 

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I miss my Colorado kids something awful. I am so blessed to be able to go and spend a good long time with them on my late summer trips. Still, I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth with these bonus kids. One can never have too many people to love, right? Maybe one of these days I’ll get the whole family together in one place and they can all meet each other! That would be so much fun!

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❤️

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“This is my command: Love each other.”

\nJohn 15:17 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-01-30T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/01/30/the-making-of-a-family.html", "tags": ["Family","Growth","Gratitude","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/01/25/belated-feel-good-friday.html", "title": "Belated “Feel Good Friday”", "content_html": "\n
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“Gigi and her bonus babies.”
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I totally forgot yesterday was Friday. The time is flying by so quickly, it just totally snuck up on me. I went to the mall Thursday with my bonus-daughter, two of my bonus-granddaughters, and the three babies. We had lunch and when we were finished, I asked one to take my picture with the three babies on my lap.

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As I look at this, I think of my own grandma and how she looked when I placed her first great-grandchild in her arms. Her hair was gray like mine. She had the same lines on her face…the tangible evidence of all the smiles her family brought her. I couldn’t remember how old she was at the time. Grandmas are timeless, aren’t they? She was 68 when her first great-granddaughter was born. I was 64. I’m now 66 with three babies…a 2-year-old girl, a 6-month-old boy, and the newest little guy was just 2 weeks old on Thursday.

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I don’t show my families’ faces in focus…especially the littles. But this gives you the idea. There’s so much love and joy in this photo. When I look at this, my heart swells with every good emotion. When I think of where I was two decades ago, and where I am now…it’s like looking at the lives of two different women. And, I suppose that’s just what it is.

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We go through phases in our lives. We experience great joys and we endure great sorrows. I am so incredibly grateful for where I am today. Every baby is a gift from God.

\n\n\n

I have people I love very much who are experiencing the loss of their own children and my heart breaks for them. There’s nothing like grief to make you fully present in the loss of a loved one. And fully empathetic with another’s pain. No one can imagine that kind of loss unless it happens to them.

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My prayers are for these mamas and grandmas. And for these babies.

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❤️?❤️

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“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

\nJames 1:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-01-25T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/01/25/belated-feel-good-friday.html", "tags": ["Family","Aging","Feel Good Friday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/01/21/the-bonus-family-and-basketball.html", "title": "The Bonus Family and Basketball", "content_html": "\n
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Having fun with the bonus family and basketball.
\n\n\n

When I married Mr.FixIt, I immediately more than doubled my family. I have all these bonus kids, grandkids, and now great grandkids. I remember dreaming of having a big family like my own grandma had. And now, Mr. FixIt and I have a combined family of 8 kids (with significant others), 9 grandchildren (with significant others) and 3 greatgrands. It’s so wonderful!

\n\n\n

My stepson and his family gave us tickets to a WVU Basketball game for Christmas. We met them at a restaurant in Morgantown for dinner before the game and had such a wonderful time. I’m learning so much from this experience...mainly how to be a better mom and grandma to my Colorado family. I miss them terribly and can’t wait to see them again. I don’t know if I can wait till summer to see them or not. We’ll see.

\n\n\n

The basketball game was a bit of a blowout as West Virginia beat Texas 97-59. The highlight of the game came from a freshman...a preferred walk-on named Spencer Macke. He’s made a few points on foul shots this season, but had yet to score a two, let alone a three pointer. As with most young players, the coach will often bring them into the game when the score is really lopsided so they get some experience with court time. 

\n\n\n

I heard the student section cheering really loud and asked Mr. FixIt what was going on. He said Macke was about to come into the game and the students were cheering for him and encouraging him to make his first basket of his career with WVU. I loved that. I watched carefully as his fellow teammates tried to set him up with the ball. Two or three times, the ball came to him but either he dropped it or he missed the basket. There has to be a lot of pressure on a young kid being watched by 14,000 screaming fans.

\n\n\n

Macke was being guarded tightly and could not break away. The students started chanting his name, the clock was ticking down. Then, all of a sudden, the ball was passed and Macke saw his chance. He faked out his guard, spun to his left, and let loose a high arcing shot that hit the basket from the 3-point line with seconds to spare. The crowd went wild! His teammates were jumping up and down on the sidelines. It was a sight to behold!

\n\n\n

When the team lined up to link arms and sing “Country Roads” at center court, the team made sure Macke was standing in the middle. The older students took him under their arms and tousled his hair. Others patted him on the back and shook his hand. And, on the way off the court, he was lifted to the shoulders of the other players and carried out of the coliseum.

\n\n\n

Such is the right of passage for a young athlete. I loved seeing the camaraderie...the encouragement from the other players...the warm enthusiasm from the crowd and his fellow students. It feels good when people lift each other up instead of feeling threatened or jealous. This is how we rise...by lifting others. It was a wonderful lesson to see.

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❤️

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\n

“But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

\nExodus 17:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-01-21T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/01/21/the-bonus-family-and-basketball.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/31/seeking-comfort-in-an-uncomfortable.html", "title": "Seeking Comfort in an Uncomfortable World", "content_html": "\n
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“Travel brings me comfort in an uncomfortable world.”
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Well, dear ones...this is it. The last day of the year. The last day of a decade. And oh...what a time it has been. At the beginning of it, I was happily married to Mr. Virgo...living in Denver and not much liking that part, except for being in close proximity to my children. Not that I got to see them much. I was very focused on my husband and didn’t see past the end of my nose. A major regret.

\n\n\n

Three years into this decade, my life stopped when Mr. Virgo died unexpectedly...and I set out to create a new life with a new me. I sold the only home I had ever owned on my own. I made some bad decisions...but I’ve also made some good ones. I’ve driven tens of thousands of miles. I settled into and lived in the home of my heart on a beautiful farm that’s been in my family for nearly ninety years.

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I’ve connected with some really wonderful people, and reconnected with people I’ve known for a lifetime. I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words as I poured out my grief and my heart and my love into the ether sphere. I married a man I initially set eyes on when I was six years old.

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I gained people. And...I lost people I loved dearly.

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I totaled a truck and escaped with nothing worse than a small brain bleed that left me struggling to remember things for a couple of years, which filled me with fear. This last year, things finally started to fire on all cylinders in my poor noggin and I feel more like myself than I have in a very long time.

\n\n\n

I’ve aged a hundred years in some ways. I’ve gotten much younger in others.

\n\n\n

I got a cat. Well...she got me.

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I gained a huge extended family and I’m now not only a grandma....I am a GREAT grandma to two little ones with a third one due any day now. I am a GiGi, to be exact. A Mom and a mother-in-law and a Nana and a GiGi. A sister and a friend and a wife. How cool is that?

\n\n\n

I went to Church Sunday night and Pastor Justin asked us to think about who we were before we were saved. In that moment, I realized THAT’S what has been hovering in the back of my mind as I contemplate the end of this decade. Because it was the beginning of the previous decade when my life very nearly came to an end.

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I let myself cry as the music wafted over me, the Holy Spirit covering...filling me with his Love. My life has moments of demarcation with lines in the sand marking the points between “before” and “after”. The overdose. My mom’s death. Finding Jesus. Meeting, then losing, Mr. Virgo.

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Finding ME.

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Finding love again.

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Marrying a wonderful man.

\n\n\n

All while traveling. I get bored being in the same place too long. I need to seek new horizons from time to time. I need to get away and “blow off some stink” every once in a while. I need to recharge...away from everyone and everything I know. I need to go where no one knows me and rest in the anonymity that comes with the unfamiliar. 

\n\n\n

I get uncomfortable when I become too comfortable. When things start to get too predictable, I need to shake things up. I tried to count how many houses and apartments I’ve lived in during my lifetime and I lost track. I crave change. Thank goodness I’m married to a very understanding man. It makes me easier to live with, I think.

\n\n\n

I don’t usually travel like I did this year...not since I was on the road with the camper after Mr. Virgo died. It was different this time. It was harder to be away from my sweetheart. Partly because I genuinely love being with him and partly because I’m older now and I have intimate experience with loss. Things have changed. There’s more to lose now. I’m not sure how much I’ll travel in the coming year...but I’m sure it won’t be quite like 2019.

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We’re heading out tonight for a family bowling party to ring in the New Year. I can’t remember the last time I bowled. I can’t remember the last time I was out past 10:00! I have to remind myself...I’m only 66. There will be plenty of time to lay down when I’m dead and gone, right?

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Maybe I can take a nap before we go.

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Happy New Year, my dear ones! If you are struggling, may 2020 bring you peace, prosperity, and good health. You are so loved.

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Thank you. Truly...thank you for being here all these years. I am eternally grateful for the connections I have made through this page.

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Be blessed!

\n\n\n

Ginny

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❤️

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“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

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Psalms 96:1-3 NIV

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“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

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Psalms 90:12 NIV

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“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

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Proverbs 16:9 NIV

\n\n", "date_published": "2019-12-31T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/31/seeking-comfort-in-an-uncomfortable.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Aging","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow","Marriage","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/30/when-im-gonean-ode-to.html", "title": "“When I’m Gone”...an Ode to a Decade", "content_html": "\n
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“When I’m Gone”...an Ode to a Decade:
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I remember the way I felt when the calendar turned from 2013 to 2014. Somehow, in my grief addled mind, I thought it would make things better. It would create distance between Mr. Virgo’s death and....the present. I thought maybe there would be magical power in being able to say “He died LAST year”...as if that space and time would somehow fix this dreadful suffering I was mired in.

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But it didn’t.

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The New Year dawned and the same horrible ache I felt in my heart, the same sense of fear and uncertainty I felt, was still there like a burning coal I could not set down. I think that realization made it even worse because I knew in my heart the only way “out” was “through”. And I was so weary of the pain.

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This is the seventh New Year. I thank God in every way that He carried me through the hell that was acute grief. I thank Him for leading me at every turn and held my forehead all those sleepless nights when all I could do was cry and throw up. I thank Him for bringing me to an excellent grief counselor who listened and knew how to help me with the PTSD brought about by watching the valiant efforts to save Mr. Virgo’s life.

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I thank Him for nudging me to pour my heart out on these pages and for giving me the words to do so. I thank Him for opening doors and giving me the courage to walk through them. I thank Him for blessing me with supportive and loving children and family who have stood by me every step of the way...even when I’ve been a pain in the caboose and they roll their eyes at some of my decisions.

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And, I thank Him for bringing Mr. FixIt into my life, along with a great big bonus family to add to my brood. I am so blessed to have this life and will never take it for granted.

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When I felt the winds of change blowing me in a new direction in my writing, a thought was formulating in the back of my mind that I couldn’t quite express. I was feeling a certain melancholy and couldn’t figure out why. What was the significance of this New Year over any other? Then, I saw this video and realized...I entered this decade with Mr. Virgo by my side...never dreaming he would be gone in such a short time. 

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It’s a big deal to be turning the page on not just a New Year, but on a new decade. The last seven-ish years have been spent healing and growing and learning how to live without him. Then learning how to open my heart wide enough to accept MORE love instead of closing it off for good.

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I’m entering new territory here...a decade Mr. Virgo will never experience. When this video popped up on my feed, I watched it and realized, it was released just before he died. It was an anthem I cried over. The lyrics slayed me and brought me much needed emotional release. As I rewatched it before I wrote this, the lyrics took on new meaning for me. In addition to the reminder of my past losses, there is another loss to contend with.

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Ever since I shared with you my desire to change my writing schedule here on my blog, you have shared with me what this space has meant to you along the way. I cannot close this door completely and just stop altogether. Because I still need this space as much as some of you have indicated you do. I’ve come to know and love you. I’ve cried with you, and prayed with you, and celebrated with you. I don’t know if I can ever express what joy you have brought me. What healing and comfort you shared that eased my broken heart.

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When I thank God for all He has done for me in this last decade, I thank Him so much for YOU. For giving me this space where we could help each other heal. Lift each other up. To laugh and cry and live and learn with each other.

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Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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For being here and helping me through the worst of times.

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And here we are...about to head into a new decade! What shall we learn? Where shall we go? What will God reveal to us in this mystical little place called Marshmallow Ranch?

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“When I’m Gone” by Joey and Rory Feek

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https://fbwat.ch/1V3CvhygTPjtgWSw

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❤️

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“ ‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”

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Jeremiah 33:6 NIV

\n\n", "date_published": "2019-12-30T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/30/when-im-gonean-ode-to.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","God","Wisdom","Courage","Choices","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/28/the-family-christmas-extravaganza.html", "title": "The Family Christmas Extravaganza", "content_html": "\n
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“Is there anything better than an apple pie fresh from the oven?”
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We entertained my bonus family last night for our annual Christmas gathering. I started a new tradition with them when I entered the picture...chili and cinnamon rolls. One of the grandchildren loves Key Lime Pie so I made one along with an Apple Pie...another family favorite. Along with the chili came a large platter of peanut butter sandwiches. This is a West Virginia thing. When we were in school, the cooks either served peanut butter sandwiches or peanut butter cookies on chili day. We had both last night.

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There was enough to send everyone home with some chili and desserts. I took the easy route this year and used paper plates and bowls and plastic silverware. The kitchen looked like a bomb went off in there and I don’t care. It had to wait till morning. 

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We added something different this year and did a white elephant exchange which went over really well. There was lots of laughter and feigned sadness when one of our gifts was “stolen”. The kids mentioned several times how fun it was and they want to do it again next year.

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These big family dinners seem like a lot more work the older I get. That’s one of the reasons I adopted my Colorado family’s tradition of the chili and cinnamon rolls. After Thanksgiving, everyone is sort of turkeyed out and another big meal seems overwhelming to me. I dream about the possibility that someday all my Colorado family will come to me for Christmas...but they don’t come here for the same reason I don’t go there. The weather is just too unpredictable and with Colorado being such a tourist destination, it isn’t cheap to fly there any time, let alone in the winter. 

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Now that this event is behind us, I feel like I have a little time to breathe for the next few weeks. We received tickets for a WVU basketball game as one of our Christmas presents and I’m really excited about that. It was a lot of fun the last time we went.

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I hope you all are enjoying the holidays in whatever way you can. 

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❤️

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“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.”

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Psalms 128:3 NIV

\n\n", "date_published": "2019-12-28T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/28/the-family-christmas-extravaganza.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Peace","Holiday","Be Joyful!","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/26/it-was-a-white-christmassomewhere.html", "title": "It Was a White Christmas...Somewhere!", "content_html": "\n
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It wasn’t a White Christmas in West Virginia this year. And, honestly? That’s just fine with me. The “romance” of a White Christmas left me a long time ago when I lived in Colorado. The winter after Mr. Vigo died saw that snow shovel with just one name on it...mine! And I was none too happy about it, trust me. Still...if it only snowed once...at Christmas and then left, I’d be perfectly happy with that.

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As I was perusing Facebook yesterday, a friend of mine who lived not far from me in my old neighborhood posted a photo she took from her Christmas walk with the dogs. It shows the arch over the entrance to Highland Cemetery where Mr. Virgo is buried. And there was snow! Now, THAT made me smile. Because Mr. Virgo LOVED the snow. The fact that he had a White Christmas made my heart warm.

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We had a very quiet Christmas...just the two of us. Well, three...there’s little Pumpkin Kitty now. She and I snuggled for a few minutes on the couch this morning but she was happy to go back out and chase things outside. We had a pancake breakfast. Mr. FixIt baked the BEST peanut butter cookies with the Hershey’s Kisses on top. ***swoon*** I ate far too many of them! I baked a homemade chicken pot pie for supper. We watched Christmas movies and took naps and spoke to family on the phone. The weather was unseasonably warm in the high 50’s. It was a really nice day.

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Our WV family Christmas is tomorrow night so today I start baking pies and cleaning house. When that is all done, I’d like to spend a little time over at the farm to end the year. I hope you all had a memorable holiday. If you were missing someone this year, my heart is with you. I know how difficult the holidays are when you are grieving. This was the seventh Christmas since Mr. Virgo died...and the sixteenth since my mom died...and I struggled a little more with this holiday season than the last couple. You just feel your feelings and move forward as best you can.

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Today is Boxing Day in England as well as several other countries with original ties to Great Britain. This is the day when service people receive tips for jobs well done throughout the year. In some countries, like South Africa, vendors who do jobs for people actually come knocking on doors asking for a “Christmas Box”...a small monetary gratuity for services rendered. It is also a bank holiday and is the perfect excuse for extending Christmas as well as acknowledging folks who give us good service.

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❤️

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““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.””

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John 13:34-35 NIV

\n\n", "date_published": "2019-12-26T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/26/it-was-a-white-christmassomewhere.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Growth","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/15/the-perfect-christmas-kind-of.html", "title": "The Perfect Christmas Kind of Day", "content_html": "\n
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“Market Street in the ‘50s”
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It was rainy and fairly warm yesterday and I did something I haven’t done in AGES. I spent the entire day on the couch in my fuzzy jammies with the snowflakes on them. We watched “Christmas Vacation” with Chevy Chase...a must every year. Then I put on my headphone while Mr. FixIt watched football and played on my computer all day. Yes, I fiddled a little with the websites, but not like...work. Just tweaked a bit here and there. I made brownies and beef stew on Friday so they were both even tastier yesterday. And my long time friend, Anna, called me from Belize. We talked for an hour and it was so much fun to catch up with her!

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My friend Marion sent me this photo of our hometown. It’s black and white and was taken at night in the 1950’s during the Christmas season. OMGosh! It takes me back. In those days, downtown was where you shopped. There weren’t any shopping centers or malls. Our only “big box” store was Sears. There were a couple of large locally owned department stores and the likes of GC Murphy’s. Jewelers, shoe stores, a fabric shop. Typical small town shopping at its finest.

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“Dils Department Store had an elevator attendant who took you from floor to floor!”
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One night, a few days before Christmas, Dad would get us all in the Oldsmobile and drive us downtown to see these very same Christmas decorations. On our way back home, we stopped at Dr. Fankhauser’s house to see their display. They always had carolers and a Nativity. And one year they had Santa sitting astraddle a rocket! It was tradition.

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My friend Sharon lived down the street from me and we always gathered a group of kids together to go Christmas caroling around the neighborhood. We watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman on our little Zenith TV with the picture that rolled and rolled. Dad would fasten aluminum foil to the rabbit ears and try to get better reception, with little luck.

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Sledding down 56th Street hill was a huge neighborhood activity and we’d come in half frozen with wet gloves and soaked feet. Mom would make us hot cocoa and we’d stand straddling the furnace grate in the floor. My brother and I would fight to stay awake to see Santa but we never made it past 10:00. Then we’d wake our parents up LONG before dawn and squeal with delight when we saw presents under the tree.

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We didn’t have a lot of money but there was always a little something for each of us. I begged mom to wrap each present separately so it would look like there was more there. As an adult, I totally understood why there were five things in a box. She was tired and wrapping paper cost money and got thrown away. We saved wrapping paper, ribbon and bows and used them from year to year. We recycled old Christmas cards into gift tags. We used the empty paper rolls as swords and trumpets!

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We treasured our Christmas ornaments...some of which belonged to my grandparents. We were always so careful when we put them up and Dad was really particular about the decorating. The smallest ornaments at the top...the largest at the bottom.

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We each had a stocking and in the bottom were mixed nuts in the shell, a tangerine, a candy cane, and if mom and dad had a little extra, there were Swiss chocolate ball and bells wrapped in colorful foil. There was always, without fail, a Lifesavers “Story Book”. I immediately gave the butterscotch roll to my mom. They were her favorite.

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One Christmas was really sad. I don’t know what was going on in our family, but money was tighter than usual. Mom ordered gifts for us from the Spiegel Catalog but they didn’t get to us in time. When we got up on christmas morning, there was a letter from “Santa” telling us our gifts had somehow fallen out of the sleigh on his way to our house and he would have to bring them to us later in the week. Then, when the box arrived, my dad made mom send it back...unopened. That was so disappointing, but I never realized until many years later how hard that had to have been for my mom back then. 

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There are some unhappy Christmas memories that involved my dad’s problems with alcohol, but I’ve decided...at the age of 66, I don’t really need to rehash that all over again every year. I’ve told the stories. They’re out there in the blogosphere. That’s enough of that. When I look back now...my dad is in the background. We love(d) each other in our own ways, but now he remains a shadowy figure that no longer haunt me.

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Who says you can’t rewrite history?

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I want to remember this picture. And mom’s wool winter coat with the brooch on the collar. The thin gloves tucked in one pocket...a floral hankie in the other. There were always pennies and sticks of gum in her handbag for good girls and boys. She smelled like Evening in Paris and wore red lipstick and house dresses with patent leather heels. She had a pair of clip-on earrings for “fancy”. She pretended to be thrilled with a ten cent bottle of cheap cologne from Kresge’s. I don’t know...maybe she was. I do know this...I adored her and I miss her every day.

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Yes...this picture makes me smile.

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❤️

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“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

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1 Peter 4:8 NIV

\n\n", "date_published": "2019-12-15T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/15/the-perfect-christmas-kind-of.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/12/winding-down-the-year.html", "title": "Winding Down the Year", "content_html": "

\"Mug “I’m looking for a little down time…maybe after the holidays.”

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The year is quickly fading and before we know it, we will turn the page on…not only another year, but on a decade. There will be stories about the best and worst and we’ll wax poetic for what was, what is, and what might have been. It’s hard to stay in the moment in a moment like this.

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In looking back over my last year, I realize a turning point occurred early on. I was happily sitting and knitting a gazillion dishcloths and watching movies with Mr. FixIt the entire month of January. It was divine spending hours with hot mugs of tea and the smooth feel of fiber and needles in my hands. Then…my good friend Janine stepped in and called a halt to the whole thing with these wise words:

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“Stop knitting and write your book! You can knit when you’re on your book tour.”

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Wow…she’s right, you know. I was enjoying the hygge environment I had created but I was also killing time till spring came and I could get back outside and play. I spent the entire month of February sequestered in the big camper and wrote over 75,000 words. And I haven’t really stopped moving since. 

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I bought that little camper in March and then the grass started growing and camping season started and the new Girl Camper website was being developed and we traveled….everywhere. And now, the year is all but over and I’m on sensory overload. Not from the holidays, per se. It’s just been a high gear year and I’m really ready for a little down time.

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Take yesterday, for example. I hadn’t finished my first cup of coffee when Mr. FixIt announced he needed to go to Lowe’s to get the drywall for the bathroom he’s finishing and I decided to go into town with him. I wanted to pick up a gift card for my brother. I figured we would be back in ninety minutes…tops. Ha! We pulled back in the driveway at 5:30. 

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There is no such thing as a “quick trip to town” for some reason. Not when you decide to stop for a late breakfast and the usual errands and a stop at the grocery store and the original destination of Lowe’s and then the grandkids need something. We often look at each other and say “What on EARTH did we do when we worked full time???”

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The upside of the day? I got to hold my little great grandson for half an hour and get some snuggles, so the day was not a loss. 

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❤️

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““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””\n

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-12-12T02:30:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/12/winding-down-the-year.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Comfort","Peace","Holiday","Wisdom","Aging","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/11/its-a-kiss-christmas-keep.html", "title": "It’s a KISS Christmas - Keep it Simple, Santa!", "content_html": "

\"Shiny “Simple and elegant…vintage Shiny Brite ornaments like these hang on our tree here at the Ponderosa”

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Wait! How can it possibly be just two weeks till Christmas Day??? It seems like I was on the RPod Tour yesterday and now we are sliding into the home stretch and the year will be over. I went to the farm Monday midday to write. I fell asleep to the sound of rain on the tin roof. I couldn’t help it. Not only was it soothing, but it’s my happy place and I’ve been running around like crazy this year. I just enjoy it so much. 

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I woke up yesterday morning and looked at the weather reports. When I went to sleep it was 61℉ and raining. By morning they were predicting snow in the afternoon. I had limited groceries with me so I decided to pack up and head back to the Ponderosa. When I walked in, I heard the carpet shampooer running in the basement and that can only mean one thing. The basement flooded again. I went down and helped my sweet Mr. FixIt clean up the mess.

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Once we got the worst of it done, I sat down to write. I have deadlines to meet every couple of weeks and I had a lot of work to do. Several hours later, I turned off the computer. I’ll finish this morning. Mr. FixIt baked some peanut butter cookies. We watched the news. We read the mail. We got our first Christmas cards yesterday. I haven’t even thought about doing ours yet. I haven’t gone Christmas shopping. I haven’t baked cookies or made special gifts. Nothing.

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I used to feel really bad about myself if the holidays weren’t visions straight out of a Hallmark movie. I have SO gotten over that. The house is decorated…enough. Did I get the Christmas Village out on the dining room table? Nope. It’s ok. If my friends and family get a New Year’s letter from us, is it going to be the end of the world? Nope. It’s ok. If the kids get cash cards instead of intricately wrapped gifts, will it make the holidays any less bright? Nope. How about if I buy a store bought cheesecake instead of making fifteen dozen cookies…does it take anything away from our celebrations? No.

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Because…all the decorations and the hoopla, the frenzy and the manic late nights aren’t what this holiday season is about anyway. It’s about love. And celebrating Jesus. And gathering the family and holding them close. I started a new Christmas tradition for Mr. FixIt and family when I came into the picture. I make a big pot of chili and homemade cinnamon rolls. It’s low key. We exchange modest gifts. And this year, we’re going to have a White Elephant gift exchange as a fun activity. If you’ve never done that, it’s a lot of fun. Here are the rules:

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Each participant supplies one wrapped gift, usually of similar value. The gifts are placed in a central location, and participants determine in which order they will take turns selecting them. The first person opens a wrapped gift, and the turn ends. On subsequent turns, each person has the choice to either unwrap a new present or to steal another’s. When a person’s gift is stolen, that person can either choose another wrapped gift to open or can steal from another player. To avoid never-ending circles, each gift can only be stolen once per turn. The game is over when everyone has a present. Generally, it is recommended to have at least six participants for the gift exchange party. With a larger group, game play may be more protracted.

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It’s a KISS Christmas…Keep it Simple, Santa!

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❤️

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“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”\n

Matthew 6:21 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-12-11T02:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/11/its-a-kiss-christmas-keep.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","New Ideas","Gratitude","Comfort","Holiday","Wisdom","Peaceful Moments","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/10/love-to-the-rescue.html", "title": "Love to the Rescue", "content_html": "

\"Friends\" “One of my besties! Deneene and her sidekick, Griffen the Grey, came for a visit. She’s good for what ails ya!”

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I wrote in yesterday’s post about feeling “in the ditch”. I struggled for a few days with grief waves triggered by a traumatic loss in the family. Then, in swept my dear friend Deneene with lots of love and her trusty sidekick, Griffen the Grey. Griff is a nine month old French Bulldog who wriggled his way into my heart when we visited Deneene and her husband Mark in South Carolina this summer. 

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I had been greatly anticipating Deneene’s arrival for the last week and when she walk in the door, all the “holding it all in” released with her big bear hug. I had the gas stove in the family room fired up so it was nice and toasty. And I had the TV on with this really great ten hour YouTube fireplace video running in the background. We have a huge TV because the family room is huge. It used to be a two car garage, so if you want to read the fine print at the bottom of the screen, you need a big TV. When Deneene walked in, she said she could see the fire blazing from the road leading past our house. I was glad no one thought the house was on fire and called 911!

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We didn’t stay up too late and talk because my friend is a new grandma and had just spent a week at her daughter’s helping out with the new baby. She was pretty tired so we said goodnight early. Deneene is not a real morning person, so when Mr. FixIt and I woke up at 8:30, I told him to be really quiet so as not to wake her. I forgot that puppies get their mommies up really early and she had been waiting for US to get up and keeping Griffen quiet.

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When I heard them talking in the family room, I quickly dressed and went into the kitchen to cook breakfast. Scratch biscuits with homemade sausage gravy and eggs. OMGosh! It’s been forever since I fixed that and it was SO good. I made Paula Deen’s Cream Biscuits. They are love in the palm of your hand. Look up the recipe. Super easy! And sausage gravy couldn’t be easier to make than mine. Fry a pound of sausage till browned, sprinkle about a third of a cup of flour over it and stir till combined then slowly pour enough milk over it to loosed it up, adding more milk as it cooks, stopping when you get the right consistency. 

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As we sat and ooohed and ahhhed over the delicacy before us, we slathered butter and local orange blossom honey over the rest of the biscuits till there were just three left. I tucked them in a bag for Deneene to take with her to nibble on the road. Deneene raved over our hospitality and I told her it was the best B&B this side of the Mississippi…and it’s free!

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We said our WV goodbye. She announced she should be leaving. We told another story. She said she really should get going. We hugged and talked about when we would get to see one another again. She gathered up her things. I made sure she didn’t forget her biscuits. We walked to the door. We hugged again and declared it had been too long since the last visit and we shouldn’t wait so long next time. She double checked if she had everything. I asked if she needed a bottle of water for the road. She picked up her bags and we had another long hug at the door. As she walked through, we noticed she had set down the biscuits when she put on her coat so we retrieved them for her. If it hadn’t have been raining, we would have walked her to her truck and the goodbye would have lasted another fifteen to twenty minutes. Thus is the nature of goodbyes in the country. It’s a goodbye full of love!

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I called after her, “Don’t forget to text when you get there!” If it was dusk, I would have said, “Watch for deer!” That’s West Virginian for “I love you!”

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Deneene honked from the road as she drove by and I waved madly from the front window. And she was gone. My friend whom I helped through her own grief had come and returned the favor. I felt so much better after her visit. I have a big deadline to meet this week so after Deneene left, I packed up and went to the farm where I turned the TV to the same fireplace video. I survived another wave and I’m on to the next thing. Such is the nature of grief. It just gets incorporated into life and you move forward. Thank you for your support yesterday. You have no idea what that means to me. I wish everyone who grieves had cheerleaders like you to support them through their journey.

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❤️

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“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”\n

John 15:12 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-12-10T02:30:55-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/10/love-to-the-rescue.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Courage","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/09/in-the-ditch.html", "title": "In the Ditch", "content_html": "

\"Waves “You never know what will trigger grief…I’m just grateful it doesn’t come nearly as often as it used to.”

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Mr. FixIt called yesterday when he was on his way to our granddaughter’s baby shower. There was a wreck on our road. Someone had gone in the ditch, overcorrected, went across the road and ran into an abandoned house. I have to say, that road worries me. Whenever one of us goes to town without the other, we always text when we get there to alleviate the worry.

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One of my dearest friends in the whole world stopped at our house yesterday on her way home to South Carolina and spent the night. I was SO excited to see her. I met Deneene through Marshmallow Ranch a couple of years ago. She lost her husband about a year or so before we met and a mutual friend introduced her to my blog. Since she was local, I invited her out for coffee and it was one of those instant life long friendships forged on common ground.

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Before Deneene arrived, I baked an apple galette for a sweet treat. But, I have to say…my stomach has been in knots ever since I went to the viewing last Wednesday. I’ve been “in the ditch”. I’ve been to viewings and funerals since Mr. Virgo died. While none of them are easy, the only ones that really hit me hard are the “snatch deaths”…those sudden, unexpected deaths that snatch loved ones in an instant. It stirs up every bit of angst I thought I had put away long ago.

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Where I had been the comforter for Deneene when we first met…last night, she became mine. I poured out how fearful I become when a grief wave comes over me now. Fearful…because I tell myself I should be way past this. How can I tell Mr. FixIt about it? Will he walk away from me because he’s “had enough of this”? No, of course not. For one thing, it very rarely happens anymore. For another…he’s not that kind of guy. I should KNOW all this because this is what I do…I comfort others in their grief. I share stories of my own to let others know they aren’t alone. Yet, I tell myself…I should be over this by now, right?

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My sweet friend, so gentle and serene, calmly reminded me of what I told her back when we sat over coffee and shared our hearts for over four hours.

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“There IS no timetable for grief…remember? There IS no rule book. YOU told me that.”

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Yes…indeed. I did tell her that. I tell you that, too. And, I tell you I’ll always speak to you with an open, honest heart and tell you the truth about this grief journey…even when it is uncomfortable or ugly or scary. Even when I’m happily, madly in love and remarried…I am not immune to the waves of grief that rear up against me on occasion. Of COURSE a loss that close to home stirred memories. Why wouldn’t it?

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Was it a mistake to go to the viewing? I don’t know…maybe. However, I am so glad I was there to support those I love, even if it WAS hard. There are going to be hard things in life. I can’t avoid them.

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It’s ok to not be ok for a little bit. It won’t last forever. I’m not buying real estate…I’m just passing through. It’s the holidays and they can be rough for anyone. When I urge you to be gentle with yourselves, I don’t always take the same advice. I so appreciate my friend to remind me…it’s ok.

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❤️

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“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”\n

Psalms 147:3 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-12-09T02:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/09/in-the-ditch.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","God","Wisdom","Fear","Courage","Choices","Change","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/08/bucket-lists-miracles-making-memories.html", "title": "Bucket Lists \u0026 Miracles \u0026 Making Memories", "content_html": "

\"Santa “When being Santa is on your bucket list…”

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This is the time of year where Christmas is around every corner. The twinkling lights and bustling shops, the carols and the wonderful aromas wafting from the kitchen…they all bring up memories. And, while there is a plethora of “warm-fuzzy” memories, there are also sad painful memories that show up with the turn of the calendar and the darkening of the days.

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Christmas was Mr. Virgo’s very favorite holiday. When he worked at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen, he was asked to play Santa one year. You would have thought he was stepping on stage at the Met. He was thrilled…not only to play the role, but to grow out his beard. You often are not allowed to have facial hair when you work in Food & Beverage. This was a treat, all the way around. I know what joy that brought him. 

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One of my high school friends brought us some devastating news a while back. Her sweet brother, Ed Lowe, was diagnosed with cancer. When they did an in depth work up, they found out it had spread through his body. Ed is a pastor, and he knows where he will go when it is his time. He’s taking advantage of every treatment option and covets the prayers of anyone who will pray for a miracle with him.

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With his typical optimism, Ed has set out to work on his bucket list. With Christmas fast approaching, he put his wish out there….to be Santa in our hometown Christmas Parade! Phone calls were made and before you knew it, Ed was being fitted for his Santa suit and got to ride down Market Street on a float…waving and smiling and throwing candy to the children lining the parade route.

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These are the happy/sad stories we read about this time of year. This is a memory that will be cherished by so many people, no matter what the outcome of Ed’s health scare may be. I’m telling you this story because I love my friend, Janet. I love her fierce devotion to her brother. And, I am asking you to do something for us. Whenever you see Santa in the coming weeks, please send up a prayer for a special man of God who wants his own Christmas Miracle. Please pray for Ed Lowe…and all the others who need miracles, as well.

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?❤️????❤️?

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“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”\n

Jeremiah 17:14 NIV

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\n", "date_published": "2019-12-08T02:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/08/bucket-lists-miracles-making-memories.html", "tags": ["Faith","Health","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Hope","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Wisdom","Courage","Humbled","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/07/a-good-book-is-a.html", "title": "A Good Book is a Good Friend", "content_html": "

\"Reading\" “Books open the mind of the reader and sparks an interest in the world.”

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I am so busy writing now, I seldom have time to read. I have a stack of books by the bed. A cabinet full in the family room. My iPad has at least a dozen good books just waiting for me to sit down…yet I seldom do. And when I do have time, I love to knit. 

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I used to read voraciously, but since Mr. Virgo died, I just can’t seem to concentrate long enough to get into the story. I wish I could. I think I would love to sit by a babbling brook on a warm spring day and while away the hours, getting lost in a captivating storyline. I keep hoping.

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I do have such fond memories of reading. My mother taught me to read before I started school. The first grade teacher was so taken with my early reading skills that she sent me to other classes to read to the children. I always had a book, and when I didn’t have one, I read the dictionary or my hand-me-down encyclopedia. Mom bought a set of books as shopping rewards from the grocery store when I was very young and I devoured them.

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I have memorable moments with certain books. Love Story. I threw the book across the room and sobbed. To Kill A Mockingbird. I felt an inherent shame for the ill-treatment of others. Of Mice and Men. It broke my heart because I have a differently-able brother. There was Watership Down which got me through seasons of anxiety. There were the horror stories of Stephen King. The dramatic mysteries from the likes of James Patterson and Robin Cooke and so many others.

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A very special time in my life was when Daughter #2 and I cuddled in bed every night and read the Harry Potter books. Thinking back on that time is bittersweet. Reading with her was wonderful. But my marriage was falling apart, as was my fragile mind in the midst of it all, and that season of my life was clouded by Prozac and assorted pharmaceuticals.

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I have a new generation to read to now. Our oldest great grandchild is two now and is beginning to take an interest in books. The younger is just four months old so it will be a while before I can read to him, but we’ll have lots of picture books. And, another little boy will be gracing our presence in January.

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I think I may have to start scheduling a time to read for pleasure. What are your favorite reads these days?

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❤️

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“He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord.”\n

2 Kings 23:2 NIV

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\n", "date_published": "2019-12-07T02:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/07/a-good-book-is-a.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","Peace","Wisdom","Choices","Widow","Littles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/06/its-feel-good-friday.html", "title": "It’s Feel Good Friday", "content_html": "

\"Happy “Here’s a photo of my happy big brother. He makes this a true Feel Good Friday!”

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Wednesday night, after leaving the funeral home in support of family who suffered a devastating loss, I came home to an empty house while Mr. FixIt ran errands in town. I cleaned up around the house a bit, snuggled the kitten and put her to bed, then padded down the hallway to our room. I got into my cozy jammies, climbed into bed, and prepared to write my post…as I do every night. Then my phone dinged.

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I looked down and it was a text from Hubby #2. He was having dinner with my brother and sent me a picture. He does this whenever they go out and it makes my heart burst…for a number of different reasons. First, because I miss my brother and I only get to see him once a year now. He is my only blood sibling. I have two sibs of the heart…but my Bubby is the the best. He owns the biggest piece of real estate in my heart. It made me so happy to see that great big smile from this sweet, sweet man.

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The second reason my heart exploded is…this picture was only possible because the man I was married to for twenty years thinks enough of my brother to make a point to take him out to dinner several times a year. There was a time in the throes of divorce that I truly mourned, not just for the loss of a marriage, but the loss of my friendship with #2. I was always hopeful we could develop that again, but it wasn’t until Mr. Virgo died what we set everything aside and called a truce. I’m so glad because it’s so much better for the kids and grandkids when you can get along. The fact that he takes my brother out for dinner and sends me the picture makes me proud of the personal growth we both have accomplished.

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I’m always looking for good news stories to share with you all because there’s already so much bad stuff. We need something uplifting. A friend shared a cute little Christmas commercial with me last night so I decided I’m going to try to have “Feel Good Fridays” to give us all something joyful to take us into the weekend. Thanksgiving was so late this year that it’s giving us a shorter Christmas season. And…this is the time of year for all the feel good stories. After December, I’ll have to go hunting for them. But, hunting I shall gladly do. I hope you enjoy this sweet little story out of the UK. 

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/04/uk/heartwarming-christmas-advert-intl-scli-gbr/index.html?ofs=fbia

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❤️

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”\n

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-12-06T02:30:21-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/06/its-feel-good-friday.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Aging","Choices","Be Joyful!","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/04/grief-timestill-grief.html", "title": "Grief + Time...Still = Grief", "content_html": "

\"Grief “Grief plus time still equals grief. It’s just to varying degrees.”

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It is said, “A burdened shared is lightened.” I have found this is usually the case. A heavy load is more easily carried when someone picks up the other end. Mr. FixIt picks up the other end of my grief much of the time. While it isn’t necessarily his job, he helps me through the worst times because he is my partner in all things.

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That being said, I totally get how blessed I am to have this man in my life and I know he would keep picking up that other end till the cows came home. All I have to do is ask. That’s precisely why I don’t a lot of the time. It’s a tough job to love a widow. It takes a strong man. I don’t want him to burn out and decide this is more than what he bargained for. Besides, at some point, I had to learn to let Jesus do the heavy lifting for me so I could work on the feelings in my heart.

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It has been 2,457 days since Mr. Virgo died. I’ve come light years since those early days when I had zero control over my emotions. I was a slave to the whims of my limbic system. If you go back and read my early writing, you’ll find many nights when I literally grabbed onto the side of the mattress and hung on for dear life. Waves of grief led to oceans of anxiety that threatened to drown me every night. I knew if I could just hang on till the sun came up, it would be better. Eventually, ever so slowly, inch by inch…things got better. That’s why, when I get hit now, it’s fairly predictable and fairly remarkable.

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Triggers.

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There will always be triggers, no matter how long it’s been since your loss. 

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On Sunday morning, when we got the call about the young man who was killed in the car accident, my heart started racing, my hands were sweating, and my mind started to race. I had my hands full with dinner in various stages of completion. And, while I am not close to the young man, he was close family through Mr. FixIt’s children and grandchildren. I felt it was important to keep moving and get food ready for everyone. 

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I did well all day. I was supportive and listened and hugged everyone. I even told my story about losing Mr. Virgo to the family members who didn’t know me then. But, when I went to bed, I was quickly overwhelmed. My grief comes out through my stomach and I was sick most of the night. Just as it was in the early days, if I’m going to have any trouble with grief, it’s going to be in the long dark hours of the night.

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Fortunately, I have come a long way since those early days. I have learned a lot of tricks to help me get through the rough stuff. I know how to divert my attention by getting up and doing something different rather than lay there in bed mulling things over. Still, there are times when it all catches up with me and I can’t do anything about it. Those are the times I take something for my nausea and anxiety, go into the spare bedroom so as to not disturb my husband. Then, I talk out loud to Jesus until I drift off to sleep. When I wake up the next day, I’m fine and ready to take on the world again. 

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Tonight is the visitation. This will be hard. I will do my best to be there and support my bonus family and my husband. But I will not lie…this is not going to be easy for me. What I will tell myself all day tomorrow is…”If you think it’s hard to go to this, imagine his mother. His grandparents. His cousins. His friends. You can do this. It isn’t happening to YOU now.”

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That’s the thing you have to convince yourself. It isn’t happening to YOU. Because that’s where your mind takes you. Memory is a cruel mistress.

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❤️

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”\n

John 14:27 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-12-04T02:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/04/grief-timestill-grief.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","God","Wisdom","Fear","Courage","Aging","Choices","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/12/02/operation-turkey-day-complete.html", "title": "Operation Turkey Day Complete", "content_html": "

\"‘70s “Ohhhh….the food of the ‘70s. We thought it was SO elegant and sophisticated!”

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Look at these foods of the ‘70s! OMGosh! Someone posted a bunch of these on my Facebook feed last week and I had to laugh. These are the kind of things my first mother-in-law would have called “tres elegante”. El-e-GAN-tay…four syllables. What is that banana thing with ham and some sort of sauce on it? Or the hot dog volcano? Or that clear gelatin mold with the canned vegetables lurking in it???  I wonder if years from now, people will look back at our meals of today and think “Ugh!”?

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We held our belated Thanksgiving Dinner yesterday. Cooking for a crowd is a multiple day affair and this year, everything came out perfectly. I cannot make stuffing to save my life, but this year it was moist and tasty. The brined turkey was succulent and flavorful. The roasted butternut squash was a surprising hit. We narrowly averted another fiasco with the sweet potatoes again this year. Last year, we forgot and left them in the oven. This year, I was going to cook them in the CrockPot. I had them out in the garage fridge and when Mr. FixIt brought all the food in this morning, they were inadvertently forgotten. Fortunately, I remembered in time to transfer them into a baking pan and popped them in the oven. They were perfect. The mashed potatoes were great and the gravy was the best! You just cant ruin green beans unless you burn them so they were fine. I wasn’t as impressed with the way I prepared the Brussels sprouts this year. I made a warm bacon dressing and tossed the chiffonade with crispy bacon bits, dried cranberries and the sweet and sour sauce till they were barely wilted. I think I should have cooked them another minute. The only thing we forgot to put out on the table this year was the cranberry sauce. It was left in the fridge. Have any of you frozen the sauce to use later? I hate to waste it.

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There was a pall over the festivities, though. There was a death in our daughter-in-law’s family and they could not attend. They are all in our prayers. After dinner, we sat with the rest of the kids and talked about how quickly death can come. We cautioned the young ones to drive safely. They think they are bulletproof. Perhaps something like this coming so close to home will help them remember to drive carefully. I just cover them with prayer all the time.

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And just like that…it’s December.

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❤️

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““See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”\n

Matthew 18:10 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-12-02T02:30:57-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/12/02/operation-turkey-day-complete.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Gratitude","Warning","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/30/when-kindness-matters-most.html", "title": "When Kindness Matters Most", "content_html": "

\"Be “Kindness Matters Most…especially when it involves children.”

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My dear friend Diane sent me a link to an article in the New York Times yesterday. It was a story about the new mayor of Charleston and how she barked up the wrong tree. It seems, in an effort to be inclusive and considerate of the Muslim and Jewish population in our state’s capital, she decided to rename the Christmas Parade. She announced on a Facebook post that the Winter Parade would be on such and such a date…and thus began a civil uprising. Well, maybe uncivil is a more appropriate description.

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I understand what she was trying to do. And I appreciate it. Having lived 27 years as a practicing Jew in a small town and watching discrimination at work was an eye opening experience for me. It gave me a much deeper appreciation for what some people go through on a daily basis in this world. 

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The mayor was attacked from all sides and had very few backers. Part of it was the way she went about it…making a unilateral decision without consulting anyone. But the biggest part was the way the world is now. I could have been a mediator by profession because I can easily see both sides of this issue. People were feeling attacked and that, in the spirit of political correctness, they felt the mayor was trying to steal Christmas. When, in actuality, she was just trying to be kind to everyone in the community.

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As I read the comments to the story, several of them were from minorities saying they never felt they were “less than” or “excluded” because of Christmas celebrations. While they didn’t observe the holiday themselves, they never felt threatened by other people celebrating. I remember talking to a Rabbi once and asked him what he would do regarding my children’s participation in these programs. He said “Lip synch the words to the religious songs and belt out the secular ones. There is a lot of beautiful music in the Christian faith. I think it’s very important that we don’t try to dilute anyone’s holiday.” That made a lot of sense to me.

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This story brings to mind something that happened to me when I lived in that small mountain town in Colorado. Hubby #2 was a new physician and we had only lived in town a few years. One Christmas, a couple of things came to a head that are very similar to what happened in Charleston this month. 

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First, the wife of one of my husband’s colleagues was Jewish and she had two sons in the public grade school. There was no mention in the curriculum of any holidays besides Christian ones. She wanted the children to have a greater world view and asked if she could form an ad hoc committee to explore how to go about broadening the horizons without stepping on anyone’s toes. Even though my younger daughter was only a baby at the time, I knew she would be going to the same school in a few years so I said yes when I was asked to join.

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We held meetings with the school board. We offered to provide children’s books for the school library with stories about Chanukah and Passover. We volunteered to come into the classes during story time and share traditional foods of other cultures. And, we asked that the school program in December be renamed the Winter Festival. That’s where we ran into road blocks and it got ugly…fast. Our mayor hung a banner across the Main Street through town claiming that “The heathens are trying to steal Christmas from our children! Don’t let that happen!” Those were the exact words. Heathens. 

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In the historical context, the word heathen means “an individual or a people that do not acknowledge the God of the Bible; a person who is neither a Jew, Christian, nor Muslim; a pagan.” We certainly were NOT heathens and it was a blatant slur…not the least of the discriminatory experiences I encountered in my years as a member of the Jewish community.

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Our little mountain town was formed by a large ranching and mining community. There were two black children, a handful of Hispanic children, and no Asians the year my daughter started 7th grade. We had relocated there from Denver where my daughter was in a tri-lingual classroom…English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Her school was a cross section of humanity and she was dumbfounded by the “white bread” community she found herself living in. Every holiday, a large cross was lit on the top of a mountain within view of the whole town, reminding everyone that that “we celebrate Christmas in this town.”

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At the same time the banner went up across the Main Street and the cross was lit on the hill, we found out that the cross was on city property and the electricity was being paid for with tax money. This is where I had a problem. I can educate. I can buy books and bake cookies till the cows come home, but there is a separation of church and state in this country and the founding fathers made it that way on purpose. I believe in honoring that and if I would have been Christian at the time, I still would have believed in that.

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Then, things shifted in town. It turns out the ACLU got wind of the situation and put the town on notice they would be taken to court if they didn’t make other arrangements for the cross on the hill. A citizen donated a piece of land up higher than the original location, and a new and larger cross was erected. Every year, a collection takes place to pay for the electricity and upkeep of the cross. I was thrilled with that because it was not only even more beautiful than before, it now complied with the law.

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As time went on, some things in town got better, but there was still an undercurrent of anti-Semitism. When Daughter #2, who was just a baby when this all went down, was in high school, she was bullied and called a “stupid, effing Jew” among other derogatory comments. I went to the administration but the bullying continued and we finally determined she would be happier at the alternative high school.

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She is doing well now. She is 29 and married. But she carries the emotional scars from her experiences. This is why I am sensitive to all people. This is why I don’t want the little Jehovah’s Witness children to have to sit in the cafeteria, ostracized by their peers because of their beliefs. I want the little Jewish children to be included in the holiday extravaganza because they have a holiday to celebrate, too. I don’t want any child to feel left out.

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I don’t know what the answer is for you. All I know is, I personally know what discrimination feels like. And I know what it feels like to hold your child in your arms when she’s been crushed by bullies. Therefore, I say “Happy Holidays” if I am not sure of the person’s beliefs. I don’t care if someone says Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas to me. I am not insulted. Why would I be? It’s a blessing when someone wishes you well. I’ll take that any day of the week over some of the terrible things people feel free to say to each other these days. Because…kindness matters.

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❤️

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#KindnessMatters, #Discrimination, #HappyHolidays

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“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.”\n

2 Peter 1:5-9 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-30T02:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/30/when-kindness-matters-most.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Growth","New Ideas","Grace","Peace","Holiday","Wisdom","Fear","Forgiveness","Courage","Warning","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/29/black-kitty-black-friday.html", "title": "Black Kitty, Black Friday", "content_html": "

\"Black “Little Black Kitty - Big Black Friday”

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We have to go to town today. Ugh! I avoid Black Friday like the plague. But, we are having our family Thanksgiving on Sunday and there are fresh things I need to buy to prepare. Mr. FixIt was lamenting because Walmart will be crazy. We almost forget about real stand alone grocery stores and they should be less chaotic. My favorite store in the area is the Kroger over in Belpre. It’s as close to a Denver grocery as I have ever found here.

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Yesterday was a beautiful day…just the two of us. We cleaned house a little. Mr. FixIt shampooed the carpet down the hall. I made the brine for the turkey. We washed the windows in the family room. I am so glad to get the bathroom fixtures and tools out of there…it needed a good cleaning. We put up the tree and it made me miss my Colorado peeps…a lot.

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I talked to my brother yesterday and I FaceTimed with Daughter #1. She was cooking her Thanksgiving Dinner as we chatted. My son-in-law was in the background, peeling potatoes. As I watched her, she told me what she was doing. She took her phone and focused on each dish and told me how she made it. She makes this really great Sausage-Cranberry Stuffing. I asked her about making sweet potatoes and she showed me a trick I had never heard of before.

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First, she cleans, peels, and cubes her sweet potatoes. Then she puts brown sugar in the bottom of a CrockPot to the depth of her first knuckle. She puts the cubed sweet potatoes on top and pats them down a little, and dabs about 3 tbsp of butter on top. Cover and turn on low for 2.5 hours or so, then turn to high. Stir gently every once in a while to coat the potatoes with the brown sugar. The sweet potatoes have enough moisture in them, you don’t have to add liquid. When they are fork tender, turn the CrockPot to warm. She throws miniature marshmallows on top at that point and they melt and get gooey by serving time. I don’t usually add marshmallows to my sweet potatoes because I don’t like them that sweet. Her late grandpa taught her how to make them. We really miss Pop, so I’m happy to have one of his recipes.

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As I was washing the windows in the family room, the little kitty sat so regally out in the yard watching my every move. She is growing fast and will go in Monday to be spayed. I’m glad we decided to stay home because it was snowing in the mountains about the time we would have been driving through. I’m hoping to have some time to knit today, because I didn’t even pick it up yesterday. And, tomorrow I need to start cooking. I hope you all celebrated Thanksgiving in a way that brought you peace.

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If you are heading out to shop on Black Friday, let me share something with you I saw online. 

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Look around.

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All that clutter, used to be money.

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And that money used to be time.

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Maybe consider experiences instead of too much stuff. 

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When you’re dead and gone…no one will ever say, “Gosh, I wish Grandma would have bought me more stuff.” They’ll miss YOU. Six months from now, they won’t remember what you gave them, but they’ll remember spending special time with you.

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“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”\n

Psalms 90:12 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-29T02:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/29/black-kitty-black-friday.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Gratitude","Holiday","Wisdom","Aging","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/27/giving-thanks.html", "title": "Giving Thanks", "content_html": "\n
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Surrounded by family, fifteen inches of snow, and enough food to last a month! I baked five pies yesterday…two sugar free pumpkin, two regular pumpkin, and a burnt sugar pie. My grandma always made burnt sugar (also called butterscotch or caramel) pies because she had a cow and sugar was cheap. Anything else was too expensive. And hers were SO good. We'll see how mine holds up to the taste test today. I also made a big pan of yeast rolls. Today I make my famous sugar free candied yams. And whatever else my cousin throws at me. We will gather 25 family members and friends. We will remember those who are no longer with us. And we will give thanks for our many blessings.

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One of my many thanksgivings is for this page. I don't know if you understand how important your love and support has been to me. I was telling my cousin last night, one of the biggest gifts Marshmallow Ranch has given me is knowing I'm not the only one. I'm not the only one who grieves. I'm not the only one who gets anxious at 2:00 in the morning. I'm not the only one who finds socks (or chili or the color green) sad. I'm not alone. There are many of you reading this who are walking your own paths. We've come to walk together. We've come to trust each other. We've come together as friends…soldiers…partners in crime. We've laughed and we've cried and we've held that sacred space for each other to return to.

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I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You are unbelievable. May you remember the little things. May you find much laughter. May you feel the love of your families.

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Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

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<3

\n\n", "date_published": "2019-11-27T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/27/giving-thanks.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Holiday","Be Joyful!","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/26/tuesday-truth-when-you-canstep.html", "title": "Tuesday Truth: When You CAN...Step Away", "content_html": "

\"Meme\" “It’s OK to step away!”

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Do you have trouble stepping away from toxic relationships? Do you find you are people pleasing yourself into a corner? Are you feeling pressed into doing traditional holiday things even though you would rather not? Or maybe you just can’t face your ____________ (insert relative/friend here) this year…or ANY year? Well, I’m going to do something here…pay very close attention.

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Step away.

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If you need “permission” then, here…I’m giving you permission.

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Holidays can be especially difficult if you’re grieving. Or if you have underlying health issues. Or, you know…if you happen to be human. If you are over the age of consent, holidays can be much more painful than they are pleasurable. 

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For the last month, I’ve been really looking forward to going over to my cousin’s house for Thanksgiving. I don’t get to see her nearly often enough and this year it was for a very brief visit last month. I love to go and stay over a couple of days, but circumstances change. There are health issues with some of the older generation over there. Last year we left here early Thanksgiving morning, drove over, discovered my aunt had fallen and she and my uncle couldn’t attend dinner, so Mr. FixIt and I packed up a dinner for them and drove it to his house. This added another hour of driving…each way. Then, after our Thanksgiving meal back at my cousin’s house, we got in the tuck and drove home. It made for a very long day and was not relaxing nor fun even though it was great to see everyone.

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When I returned on Halloween from the six week camping excursion with the rpod and discovered we had a new kitten, everything changed. Now there are no more impromptu trips and I am not up for a drive-by. I took the self-care approach and opted out. Now we can work hard to finish the back bathroom this week and get the sink, toilet, and shower stall out of our living room in time for our family gathering on Sunday.

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Sometimes it’s a sibling. Or an aging parent. You may feel guilty for stepping away, but as I tell you so often, you cannot fill someone else with an empty cup. WE are no good to anyone, including ourselves, if we continue putting ourselves in situations that are toxic and abusive. 

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I know, I know…there are times when you may be the only one that person has. There may be situations where you are a caregiver and there IS no other option. If you feel stuck…it’s ok to look for options. It’s ok to step away and take care of yourself. It’s ok to stay home and eat a hotdog for Thanksgiving if that will give you more peace. Surround yourself with the people who love you and lift you up and celebrate you if that’s what you want to do. But…give yourself permission to stay home if you need to. It’s ok.

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❤️

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“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”\n

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-26T02:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/26/tuesday-truth-when-you-canstep.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Growth","New Ideas","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Fear","Forgiveness","Courage","Aging","Choices","Change","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/19/healing-and-scars-and-joy.html", "title": "Healing and Scars and Joy", "content_html": "

\"Grief “Although grief is never finished, healing can occur and you can use your scars to help others.”

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Grief doesn’t run in a straight line. Anything but. We’d love to see the slow and steady climb from that deep, dark valley head right up the side of that mountain to joy. But, unfortunately…it just doesn’t happen that way. Grief runs all skwiggly-skwog…up and down, back and forth, around and around and around. 

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At first you don’t think you are making any progress at all. You can’t feel anything but pain. You cant see two minutes in front of you. It’s a bloody wonder we survive at all. The world is dark. No color…no sound…and certainly no joy.

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One of the things people had the hardest time understanding in my early writing was the “gems in the flames”. I always looked for those gifts God left for me along my path as he led me through the fire. This wasn’t just a Pollyanna attempt to keep my glass half full. This was an exercise in faith knowing that…even in my darkest, most painful moments…my cup was still full to overflowing because Jesus was in that valley with me. Urging me on. Asking me to trust Him and just take one more step.

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It’s easy to have faith when things are looking good. When you’re standing on the mountaintop and you’re feeling great, you may even forget to thank God for carrying you through the muck. Or, you might throw a cursory “Thanks!” His way then think “I’ve got this!” No, it’s when you’re down at your lowest…when life is hard and painful and dirty and ugly…and you beg for God to catch you and bring you out of this that you lean in closest.

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When you’re walking the road of grief and things hurt so bad and grieving tears your heart out of your chest, you may very well be tempted to take a shortcut. Circumvent the whole process, push that nasty wad of grief way, way down deep inside and slap a smile on your face. Because, let’s face it…that’s what the world is usually asking you to do. “Aren’t you over this yet?” “You just need to _____________” (fill in the blank with any of a zillion suggestions you receive). The sheer variety of platitudes is mind numbing. 

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Oh, you can try to walk around it or climb under it, but one of these days, that bandage is going to come off and you’re going to have to face grief head on and it’s going to be ten times worse than it was before. At least, that’s what happened with me when I tried to date someone way…WAY too soon after Mr. Virgo died. 

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Even four years after Mr. Virgo died and I started dating Mr. Fixit, I was still pretty broken. Fortunately, he has a huge heart and an infinite amount of patience with me. He allowed me to talk it all through with him. He’s a great listener. Then one day, I didn’t feel compelled to talk about it as much and my heart truly started to heal. 

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Mr. Virgo came along when I was in a really vulnerable place. I had gone through a particularly difficult and ugly breakup/divorce five years before. And still, for the first year, that man listened oh so patiently as I went though all the gory details and told him every sad and angry story. He saw the potential and he invested in our love. 

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Both of these men love me with the white hot heat of the sun. Neither relationship would have ever worked had I not already worked through a lot of the pain of grief…both that of divorce and that of death. Those two men I dated between Mr. Virgo’s death and Mr. FixIt’s arrival though? Oy! I bled all over them from wounds they never caused. It wasn’t fair to them. I hate that I was blind and couldn’t see past my own need for a tourniquet.

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Fortunately, I did come to some understanding how unfair it was to another person to try to have a relationship too soon. That’s when I stopped trying to date and started a serious relationship with Jesus. Then…when I was in a much better place…I was ready to open my heart and try again. It isn’t easy. There’s nothing about grief that is easy. And if you are in the throes of it, you will not understand this, but…I’ve come to look at every situation with a level of Joy. Maybe not jump up and down happy-happy joy. But with the Joy of knowing I have a Father in Heaven who loves me and will never, ever leave me. I have Jesus to hang onto when I go through the worst of situations. THAT Joy….that Joy with a capital “J”. 

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There is Joy in the scars because you have the opportunity to share your story with others. You have the opportunity to reach back to others coming behind you who are trying to find their footing in their pain. Your scars give you the freedom to love others. Your scars give you validity. They show others they aren’t alone. And when you can be there for another who hurts like you once hurt, you give the greatest gift possible. Empathy. 

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You don’t have to have flowery words. You don’t have to offer Hallmark phrases. You can give a hug, sit quietly, or just be honest and say, “Whew…I don’t know what to say, but I’m here for you.” It’s isn’t easy to be there for someone who’s in pain, but it is so fulfilling to know you can somehow help another human being when they’re hurting.

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Being vulnerable. Being available. Being open and honest. That is where I find my Joy in grief.

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❤️

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“Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.”\n

Psalms 30:2 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-19T02:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/19/healing-and-scars-and-joy.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Growth","God","Wisdom","Fear","Courage","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/17/bathing-on-the-back-porch.html", "title": "Bathing on the Back Porch", "content_html": "

\"Back “Bathing on the back porch was all I knew at the farm till I was six.” (not my photo)

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This picture makes me smile. I found it on one of the Facebook pages I follow about Appalachian life. I remember in the days before Grandma had indoor plumbing, she would fill a canner full of spring water, heat it up on the kitchen stove, and fix a bath for my brother and I when we stayed with her. In the winter, the old galvanized tub was brought into the kitchen so we wouldn’t catch a chill. And in the summer, we bathed on the back porch. It was a great way to cool off and prepare us for a night of blissful slumber. I would pad up the staircase with bare feet, dressed in a clean cotton nightgown, and Mom would tuck us into bed…one on each side of her. I would drift off to the sounds of the night…a screech owl, katydids, crickets, and the sound of the creek bubbling over the rocks just at the side of the house.

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When Daughter #1 was little, I felt I was ever so much more sophisticated than my countrified counterparts and bathed my daughter in the indoor bath…you know, like civilized people. But, by the time Daughter #2 came around, I started to appreciate and embrace my Allegheny roots. By this time, my daughter was big enough she couldn’t fit in the old galvanized tub so we took things a step further. It was always August when we went to WV for a visit and it was hotter than blue blazes so we took what my daughter called “moon baths”. We waited till dark, went outside, and stripped down to our “all-together” as my mama used to call it. Then we washed from a bucket of sudsy water and poured buckets of cool rainwater over us to rinse. It was heavenly.

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In 2004, my mom died after a brief illness and I went home to take care of her estate. I was there for several months to clean out the house and remodel it as best I could to sell it. During that time, Daughter #1 brought Big to West Virginia for a visit. When we went to the farm, I pulled out the same old galvanized wash tub and drew a bath for my granddaughter on the back porch. This picture made me smile at all the memories that came back to me. I sent it to Big yesterday (who will be 16 in February) and told her the story of the old tub. My Colorado peeps are pretty well gentrified so she was astonished at such a primitive upbringing I had.

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There aren’t many opportunities to walk down memory lane with my kids and grandkids. They live busy lives and don’t get here often so I take time when I can to share the past with them. I think it’s important for them to know their roots go deeper than the Rocky Mountains. Their past stretches back to the ancient Appalachian Mountains…to a place time forgot…on a little old porch of a little old house in a holler in the hills.

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❤️

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“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”\n

Psalms 127:3 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-17T02:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/17/bathing-on-the-back-porch.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Comfort","Humbled","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/15/date-night-at-rural-king.html", "title": "Date Night at Rural King", "content_html": "

\"WV “What a beautiful night for a date at Rural King…my favorite farm store!”

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A couple of days ago, Mr. FixIt needed to go into town to get a special drill bit. He’s back to working on our master bath! We have to fit in home jobs when the grass isn’t growing and he’s finished with all the outside jobs he does. When the weather turned cold, I came in off the road from my camping tour and we set to doing the things around here that have been put on hold.

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The big outside job Mr. FixIt has been working on is the huge covered front porch he built on the front of his ex-wife’s house. One of my bonus granddaughters told me there are people who don’t understand how I’m ok with that. Well, first off…she’s paying him, so it’s a job. But, beyond that, why on earth would I, or SHOULD I be upset by that? 

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She is the mother of his children. They share grandchildren and great grandchildren. She’s a wonderful person and I just love her. Our granddaughter told the person she was talking to that she thinks it’s awesome that we all get along and talk to each other. It makes it so much easier for the family if they aren’t being torn by split loyalties. Couples may divorce. But you don’t divorce your family. And as far as I’m concerned, we are all family.

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Anyway, he’s finished with all but just a little touch up over there and that has to wait till spring for good weather. And now we’re focused on getting things done at home. That prompted the trip to town. He asked if I wanted to ride along with him. Listen, this man knows me. He didn’t have to ask twice to get me to go to Rural King and Lowe’s. 

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I love home improvement stores and farm stores. I needed to get a heated water dish for the kitten just to make sure she always has fresh water available. Rural King has them…AND free popcorn! As we came out of the store, the entire sky was bright pink all the way around us. It was like being inside a big pink bubble. I love the sunsets at this time of year. They seem to be so vibrant. After the fun stops, we went to our favorite pizza place…Pete’s Pizza. Honestly…the best pizza I think I have ever had comes out of this little family owned restaurant in Mineral Wells, WV. 

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I went to the farm yesterday to make sure all is well. I unplugged the pump in case the gas should go off and a pipe should freeze and burst. Wouldn’t want to flood the basement and burn out the pump. This cold spell has kept the Asian Lady Beetles at bay and I only swept up about a half a cup of them this time. I still haven’t been brave enough to go upstairs to look.

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When I went into the cellar house to unplug the pump, I saw there was a lot of white, hairy mold growing on the wood of the old potato bin. The cellar house is no longer water tight so it’s always damp in there. Next summer, when we have a dry spell, we need to open up that door and air it out. I also need to spray the mold with a bleach solution, I think. I will do some research on that. It isn’t the black mold that is so toxic. Maybe I’ll take the dehumidifier from the bathroom and put it out there for the winter. That would solve two problems. First, it would decrease the humidity. But a dehumidifier also puts off a fair amount of heat…enough to keep the pipes on the pump from freezing when we get a REALLY cold snap.

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When you live in the country, and you have an endless list of chores that need doing, you have to find your date nights where you can get them. Mr. FixIt is a lucky man…I like hardware, power tools…and pizza!

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❤️

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“The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.”\n

Deuteronomy 28:8 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-15T02:30:39-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/15/date-night-at-rural-king.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/12/shelves-of-memories.html", "title": "Shelves of Memories", "content_html": "

\"Jelly “The antique jelly cupboard from the farm now houses my quilts.”

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When I showed you my beautiful jelly cupboard that I recently moved from the farm, many of you asked to see it when I had the quilts inside. As I sat working in the living room at the Ponderosa yesterday afternoon, the warm sunshine streaming through the big windows made its way to the cupboard. The shelves sat empty and glaring at me. I set my work aside and went on the hunt for my quilts. They have been put away since the wedding a year ago and it was about time they were brought out for all to see.

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I am of the mindset not to “save the good china”. I want what few antiques I have curated to be displayed and used in my everyday life. Part of this is because my kids more than likely will not be interested in them. And partly because one of the lessons Mr. Virgo unwittingly taught me was…life is short. Use the crystal and the quilts.

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When the unfortunate parting of the ways came on Christmas of 2014, just ten weeks after I arrived to help my Aunt Peeps, I didn’t know what to do with the cherished items I brought from Colorado. Five thousand pounds of stuff I didn’t believe I could part with became an albatross around my neck. I couldn’t leave it at the farm and I couldn’t take it with me on the road. My good friend, Steve, let me store a lot of it in his basement. And I decided many of the most cherished family keepsakes should go live with my cousin, Tammy. That way I can visit them and she can enjoy them.

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My quilts were one of the things I simply could not part with and I carefully stored them away for the perfect way to display them again. Once they were safely tucked on the aged bittersweet colored shelves of the jelly cupboard, I sat back to observe my handiwork. I realized something heartwarming. 

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For the last few years, I have been dreading the day when I can no longer visit or spend time in Grandma’s old red farmhouse. That day will come…when, I don’t know. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life, it is that change is the only thing we can count on in this earthy plane. As I sat and looked at the worn wood the color of a caramel apple, I realized I could feel the farmhouse. I could see the hump in the floor where it’s settled over the years. The old faded linoleum that made cleaning much easier. I could hear the squeak of the stairs and the way the spring squeals when the screen door slams. I could see the boxes of Wheaties that Pop-Pop kept on the top of the cupboard for his dessert after supper. I could hear the faint sound the doors made when I reached in as a little girl…taking the mishmash collection of dishes out to set the table or putting them back in after hand washing and drying.

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In that moment I realized that, even though the house may someday be inaccessible to me, this jelly cupboard is the heart of what is left of the beautiful childhood memories created within the crooked walls of a crooked little house in West Virginia. And…it is mine. Combining households with Mr. FixIt has definitely expanded our “footprint”, however…we each have things that are our personal possessions. While I don’t believe I will ever accumulate “stuff” like I did before Mr. Virgo died, what I do have will be things that are beautiful, useful, and that bring me joy. 

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❤️

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“That precious memory triggers another...”\n

2 Timothy 1:5-7 MSG

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-12T02:30:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/12/shelves-of-memories.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Positive Energy","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Aging","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/10/walking-among-the-headstones.html", "title": "Walking Among The Headstones", "content_html": "

\"Old “Walking among the dead, speaking their names.”

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I’ve always been drawn to old cemeteries. The headstones that are crooked and worn, the names fading away with time till someday…no one knows who the departed was nor to whom they were dear. There is always a note of sadness in that. I’ve had people say as long as you continue to speak of him and keep him in your heart, he’s still with you. Yes…and no. HIs memory is always and forever with me. He is not. He is gone…never to return. The finality struck me deeply in the second year of my grief journey when I was no longer numb and couldn’t pretend anymore.

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What happens to these old headstones and the people they hover over? When no one ever speaks the names because they are gone from the memory of those who came after? In my genealogy research, I visited the graves of my great great grandparents. But I didn’t know them. I had never met them. The only thing I knew were maybe a couple of stories and a glimpse of what they looked like in a grainy photograph of a photograph. My children, grandchildren, great grandchildren? What will they know of them if I don’t tell them or write it down.

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That is one of the ripple effects of this blog. What started out as my way of walking through a very dark valley has turned, not only into a chronicle of my life and travels, but that of the generations before me. I hope someday that my great great grandchildren will read the words I’ve set down here and see the photographs I’ve posted. I want them to know and understand their roots. I want them to know ME. Then maybe, when the letters have faded from my own headstone, they’ll have a part of me that still lives on. A legacy, as it were. 

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It is a Jewish tradition to place a small stone on a headstone you have visited. That way, when others come, they know someone has been there to honor their loved one. I remember the first time I went to visit Mr. Virgo’s grave after someone left something there for him. It was a pack of his favorite cigarettes. I’ve found new stones in the circle surrounding his grave as well as the occasional golf ball or coin. It’s good to know others remember him. His family have largely cut all contact with me, so I have no idea if they ever come to visit him. They all live out of state, so I doubt it seriously.

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I only go to Colorado once a year now. I always visit the cemetery as many times as I can. I clean up his grave and replace the stones in the circle. I always leave something to mark when I’ve visited. This past summer, I noticed how grown up the cemetery was because of the heavy spring rains. Yet, Mr. Virgo’s grave was weeded and neat as a pin. I stopped the groundskeeper my last visit of the trip and thanked him. When I moved away in 2014, I pressed a crisp $100 bill in his hand and implored him to look after the grave as I wouldn’t be there regularly anymore. With tears in his eyes, he swore he would. And he has.

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The cemetery in this photo is in Twin Falls State Park here in West Virginia. What struck me first was the markers. There were the typical headstones…these with hand carved names indicating the poverty and remoteness of the region and the times. There were also stones at the foot of the grave. This gave a true visual of how many of these graves were occupied by children. The closer these stones were together, the younger the child. Well over half the graves were those of young children. Primitive rural healthcare, rampant infectious diseases, and poverty all contributed to high mortality in children prior to the twentieth century. I found several instances in my own genealogy research where families lost multiple children within days of each other. 

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I don’t know that visiting graves is something that interests the younger generations. I was raised going. We even had picnics in the cemetery on Decoration Day where my paternal ancestors are buried. I took my kids, but I don’t know that they will continue that with their own children. Maybe when they are older and feel their own mortality creeping in. We all seem to change our priorities as we approach the finish line, don’t we?

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❤️

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““Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?””\n

1 Corinthians 15:55 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-10T02:30:51-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/10/walking-among-the-headstones.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Grace","Peace","Wisdom","Humbled","Aging","Choices","Change","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/09/baby-its-cold-outside.html", "title": "Baby, It’s Cold Outside!", "content_html": "

\"Weather “The cold, arctic air is hitting deep into the south in the coming week.”

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I think Mother Nature has other ideas for me than traveling through the Blue Ridge Mountains through an Arctic cold front. Last week, I had every intention to knock out the arm-long list of things that needed my attention and be back on the road by this time. Then, I got home. And got a real look at what needs done around here. The temps have gotten increasingly colder day by day with next week looking even worse. To top that off…there’s the new kitten. We can’t just up and leave now. It’s going to take more planning than it has in the past. That’s not to say we won’t be going anywhere, but honestly…I do not want to be off somewhere and not be able to get back because of bad weather. 

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In the meantime, we’ve been hustling around the farm and the Ponderosa battening down the hatches before the coldest weather of the year arrives. The top of the agenda was the pool. We really needed to get the level down and unhook the pump before last night as the low this morning was predicted to be 22°. Mr. FixIt worked all day Thursday in the cold rain and got that  finished. Now we just need to get the cover over it and it’s put to bed for the winter. I emptied the food from the r-pod and turned off the refrigerator yesterday in preparation for the coming cold snap.

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Cold weather is perfect for a big pot of homemade soup. When I was at the store Thursday, asparagus was on sale for $.99 a pound. I bought two pounds and made a pot of Cream of Asparagus soup. I’ve never made it before and it was divine! I made enough for four big bowls for under $4.00! Here’s the recipe should you wish to try it.

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Cream of Asparagus Soup

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2 lbs. fresh asparagus, washed, trimmed, and chopped in 1” pieces

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1 large onion, chopped

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4 tbsp. unsalted butter

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4 cups chicken broth

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1 cup heavy cream

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Salt and pepper to taste

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1/4 tsp. Lemon juice

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Melt butter in soup pot and add onion and chopped asparagus. Stir over medium heat till onion  begins to become transparent. Add chicken broth. Cover and simmer over low heat till asparagus is very soft. Remove from heat and purée using a blender, food processor, or hand held blending wand. Return to heat, add cream, and bring just to a boil. Add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste and serve hot or cold.

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It was delicious and so quick and easy to make. Mr. FixIt said he had never had Cream of Asparagus soup before and he loved it!

\n

Today’s culinary circus will include a Sour Cream Apple Pie and Homemade Ooey Gooey Macaroni and Cheese! These are the days I love…the days I’ve worked so hard for this year. What’s cooking in YOUR kitchen today?

\n

❤️

\n
\n “Give us today our daily bread.”\n

Matthew 6:11 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-09T02:30:22-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/09/baby-its-cold-outside.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/07/and-soit-begins.html", "title": "And So...It Begins", "content_html": "

\"Black “One week. Two vet visits. Still in love!”

\n

The tale of the little black kitten continues. If you’ve been following along, Mr. FixIt broke the news to me gently over breakfast last week that he’d been seeing another woman. Young, sleek, athletic, this raven-haired beauty had stolen his heart when I so ruthlessly left him to his own devices at the Ponderosa. At first, I was stunned that he could so blithely betray me in such a way. And without even a touch of remorse, too! Humph!!!

\n

Then, just a few hours later, I met her myself. I was determined to not like her. I didn’t WANT her in my life. I liked things just the way they were, thank you very much. But, as I was unhooking the camper, Mr. FixIt stole away to find his little lady-friend and bring her ‘round to meet me. She ran to me with wild abandon and every shred of resolve I had to NOT like her dissolved on the spot.

\n

And…we were cat owners. Well…as much as you can actually OWN a cat.

\n

I took the kitten, now appropriately named Pumpkin to fit in with the whole black-cat-on-Halloween vibe, to the vet on Tuesday for her first shots and a thorough exam. She has obviously been handled by people because she isn’t in the least bit worried about anything. After the initial “get me out of this box” dance in the cat carrier, she settled in quite easily. Everyone at the vet’s office remarked how incredibly laid back this kitten is.

\n

She weighs a little over four pounds. Healthy and sleek. Her lab tests showed she does not have feline leukemia nor does she have intestinal parasites. They figured she is around three months old. They gave her the appropriate vaccines and sent us on our way. In two minutes, she was asleep in the carrier and slept all the way home.

\n

I fed her some kitten food, she demonstrated her excellent litter box skills (I didn’t have to train her, by the way) and readily went inside her nice warm kitty condo in the pole building for a well deserved snooze. I came out to check on her a couple of times and each time, she was more and more lethargic. 

\n

I called the vet’s office and they said kittens can get reactions like our own babies did when they got their shots and she should be fine, just to watch her. Well, yesterday morning she was even worse. She wouldn’t purr, and when I turned her over in my arms for a cuddle, she cried pitifully and tried to nip at me. I knew this wasn’t right so I called the vet again. They asked me to bring her in for a look.

\n

Turned out, she was running quite a fever. They needed to give her fluids subcutaneously and a dose of an anti inflammatory to get her fever down. I took her home afterward and by evening she was much, much improved.

\n

One of my dearest friends is quite the cat person, so I was sharing all the details with her yesterday. Diane knows me well. I could just see the look on her face as she read about the “first real emergency”. I think eye-rolling might have been involved just before the “lol”. I’m a bit of a princess. Maybe ever so slightly “high needs”. I think it’s only fitting that God sends me a kitten to love who is, perhaps, a “Delicate Flower 2.0”, as Diane put it. 

\n

Kismet. Karma. God has a sense of humor.

\n

The thing is, I haven’t loved an animal for a long time. Oh, we had Cricket…Mr. Virgo’s little Yorkie-Maltese mix who was already ten years old when we met. Cricket was hard to be head over heels in love with. She barked incessantly and did her business anywhere she darn well pleased in my house. She did not like my grandchildren because she did not understand what these little aliens were. I loved her because she was one of God’s creatures, and because she was Mr. Virgo’s. I loved Old Mama Kitty, but I couldn’t pick her up and hold her. I loved my black lab, Sidney. And then there was that dog of my heart, Boofer…oh, I was crushed when she had to be put down with a brain tumor at only seven.

\n

No, I had closed off my heart to pets. I swore I would never go down this road again. Then, this little ball of fur came bounding into my arms and something opened up in my chest that I didn’t even realize was closed. Something all soft and sweet and vibrant, like the purring of a thousand kittens, vibrated in my heart and I became just a little bit more…alive.

\n

❤️

\n
“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”\n

Proverbs 12:10 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-07T02:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/07/and-soit-begins.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Gratitude","Love","Choices","Change","The Cats"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/05/beetlesnot-beatles.html", "title": "Beetles...not Beatles", "content_html": "

\"Asian “This year’s crop of Asian Lady Beetles is massive.”

\n

We went to the farm yesterday with one of our granddaughters and our great granddaughter. They’ve never been there. And I haven’t been there for over a month. This is the time of year for the Annual Asian Lady Beetle Infestation. The last few years they weren’t so bad. But this year is another massive invasion and I was appalled at the carnage in the house. 

\n

The front porch was covered. Literally covered with a carpet of a mix of dead and creepy crawly beetles. The Asian Lady Beetle looks very similar to the common ladybug but they are not the same thing. These were brought in to help control aphids, and…like many good ideas…things took a turn when they a) showed no interest in aphids, b) nothing in its right mind would eat these stinky things, and c) they multiply exponentially.

\n

They seem to love to nest in dead brush and trees…something we have an abundance of in Appalachia. They also get in crevices around windows and under eaves in old country farm houses…like Grandma’s house. They make their debut on the first hot day after the first frost of the season. Along about 2:00-3:00 in the afternoon, you can look out and see them swarming in the sunshine. You can’t hang clothes out because they will just glom all over them, leaving behind their little yellow “signatures” that will NOT come out. And they LOVE whites!

\n

We swept them up and dumped them outside by the dustpan full. We sucked them up with the vacuum cleaner. And the more we swept, the warmer it became outside, the more they swarmed. It was an entirely losing battle and we finally gave up. These little suckers bite, too! They bit my great granddaughter several times and she kept coming to me to put my cold bottle of soda on them to soothe her.

\n

I did some laundry, turned off the dehumidifiers, checked the furnace and cranked it up, and prepped for winter. I called the exterminator to come and check for termites and treat the place if we need to. I walked the grounds with the girls, telling them stories of my youth. Then Mr. FixIt helped me load my jelly cupboard up to take home with us.

\n

\"Jelly “My grandma’s jelly cupboard came home to live with me today!”

\n

If anything would ever happen out at the farm, I want to make sure those sentimental things that I highly value are safe and secure with me. I was given this jelly cupboard by my Aunt Peeps. It’s really the only thing at the farm that I’ve ever wanted. I remember being no bigger than my great granddaughter when my grandma and mom took me to an auction down the road from the farm. 

\n

I was maybe two or three years old. I was sitting in a little blue wagon and they bought me a hotdog. They pulled me all around as I happily munched on my treat. Grandma had her eye on an old jelly cupboard that had multiple layers of white enamel pain on it. She bought it for the winning bid of $5.00. When they got it home, Pop-Pop used turpentine to strip the paint. I can still remember my fat baby hand holding a scraper, my Pop-Pop’s weathered and work-worn hand over mine showing my how to scrap the wrinkly paint that had loosened. 

\n

When he was done, he set a nice coat of varnish that has weathered to a lovely golden color that accentuates the wood’s grain. They painted the inside a garish orange that I hated…until it finally aged and weathered to the most delightful pumpkin color. This cabinet speaks autumn to me and it has usurped my aunt’s rain boots as my favorite possession.

\n

There was a time after Mr. Virgo died that I wanted nothing. I would have been happy to have a handful of favorite things and a toothbrush. I have slowly accumulated things I love. The difference now is, these things are carefully selected and must meet the following criteria.

\n
    \n \t
  1. They must give me joy. \n
    2. \n \t
  2. They must serve a function. \n
    3. \n \t
  3. They must be beautiful. \n
    4. \n
\nOur kids don’t want all that heavy brown furniture our grandparents handed down. They don’t want boxes of books or pictures of people they do not know. They don’t want Aunt Maude’s tea set with the little butterflies on it. They just might want a sturdy wooden jelly cupboard. And, if they don’t, I know people who do that I can leave it to. In the meantime, it sits in a place of honor in the family room at the Ponderosa. It will house my collection of quilts behind the original glass doors that we so very carefully protected as we traveled that winding West Virginia road from the farm. My heart is so happy.\n

❤️

\n
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”\n

Proverbs 22:6 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-05T02:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/05/beetlesnot-beatles.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/02/meetpumpkin-the-kitten.html", "title": "Meet.....Pumpkin, the Kitten!", "content_html": "

\"Black “Kitty has an appropriate Halloween name…Pumpkin!”

\n

I hit the ground running yesterday. The first order of business was to haul the camper to the nearest dump station…a lovely fifty-four mile round trip drive out to and up the interstate and back. When I woke up at 8:00, it was a whopping 36 degrees. Two hours later, when I was finally hooked up and ready to go, it was all the way up to 37! Ohhhhh, I really wasn’t looking forward to that, but it had to be done. Last night’s overnight low was predicted to get down to 27 and stay there for four hours. That’s when you get freezing and possible damage to water lines in a camper.

\n

The only way I have ever winterized a camper was to run pink RV antifreeze through the lines. But this camper is different. I looked it up on YouTube and it said to open the drains, dump the tanks, pour some antifreeze in the wastewater tanks to keep any residual from freezing, and take out the element in the hot water heater. Then, you go around and turn on each faucet, one at a time, and turn on the water pump. Any residual water left inside should drain out through the low water drain. It worked like a charm! But, man…I was chilled to the bone when I was done.

\n

I pulled the camper back home and unhooked, fully expecting to head back to town and run errands on my list that’s a mile long. As I sat in the truck, I took inventory. Have you ever had to sit yourself down and give yourself a stern talking to? Well, that was me yesterday. I was feeling overwhelmed by the expectations I was placing on myself. No one else was telling, or even asking, me to get everything done. I counted up what I had already accomplished. I looked at the list to see what I could do alone, and what I would need Mr. FixIt’s help with. I checked off the list of phone calls I had already made. Then I took a physical inventory. My shoulders and neck were so tense and tight, I was getting a headache. My body was just…tired. So…I gave myself permission to kick back for the rest of the day.

\n

I got out of the truck and the little black kitten came running and rubbed against my legs. I reached down and picked it up and really gave it a good once-over. Well, except for checking the nether regions. It still just didn’t occur to me to look. I was more interested in testing the kitten’s demeanor. One of the tests you do with puppies is to cradle them in your arm on their backs to see if they trust you. An alpha won’t have anything to do with that. And that may be a more stubborn, if not aggressive, animal. I didn’t know if it worked with cats, but this little baby let me roll it over and snuggle and scratch it all over. It purred like an Evinrude motor on a power boat. It head butts you to snuggle face to face and taps you very gently on the face. What a precious baby!

\n

I held it up to look face to face. 

\n

“What is your name, little one? Hmmm? Is it…Spooky? You’re a black little who came to me on Halloween. It should be a festive name to commemorate the holiday. How about Snickers? You’re pretty sweet, and that’s my favorite Halloween candy. Someone suggested Ash or Asher, but I don’t know whether you’re a boy or girl. They thought Boo was cute, but that’s what we call our little Boone, now isn’t it.”

\n

By this time, I was at the bay doors on the pole building. There is an old kitchen stool there and Mr. FixIt put a couple of our pumpkins on it. I plopped the kitten down and took a picture. I looked up from the camera app on my iPhone and smiled.

\n

“Pumpkin! THAT’S your name, isn’t it?!?! I knew if I listened close enough, you’d tell me, you sweet little snuggle-bug.” I picked up the kitty and was again serenade with that mystical sound of purring. Now that the kitten has a name, Pumpkin just rolls off my tongue. So sweet, so simple. Such simple pleasures found in a sweet kitten. I had forgotten. The last time I had a kitten this size, I was in 9th grade and I talked my mom into letting me have a little orange marmalade kitten from my friend Sharon’s cat. 

\n

I gave the kitten a little more snuggle time and then went in to stretch out and read till Mr. FixIt came home. My nose was running like a sugar tree from handling the cat, but I wasn’t wheezing. That was a good sign. I washed my hands well, and was careful not to touch my face or eyes. I’m definitely allergic, but we’ll see how much of this I can get away with. Because this feels like something I didn’t even know I needed. Kittens are good medicine.

\n

I have an appointment Tuesday for a checkup and shots. We’ll see how old Pumpkin is and when we can get him/her fixed. Today I will fix a winter box with a pet safe heating pad in it. I had those for the cats out at the farm. I’ll also get a heated water dish. The kitten seems to really like the safety of the building. We won’t have any mice in there anymore once this one gets big enough to catch them. And, there isn’t any poison in there. It’s a good, clean, safe place to sleep all cozy warm in a kitty condo. When we are home, the kitten is glued to us so…I think we’ve got this!

\n

Oh, and I slept in the house for the first time in a month last night. I feel like I’m in prison after the freedom of the road. It’ll take time to acclimate, but last night’s low of 27 drove me back inside. In the meantime, I am filled with wonderful memories of the latest “Great Adventure”!

\n

❤️

\n
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”\n

Isaiah 55:12 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-02T01:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/02/meetpumpkin-the-kitten.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Peace","Courage","Presence","Choices","Change","The Cats","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/11/01/reentry-begins.html", "title": "Re-Entry Begins!", "content_html": "

\"Black “And, just like that…two became three.”

\n

It was a very long day yesterday. I ended up pulling the camper myself with my truck and it did fine. Mr. FixIt is pretty sure the problem was a rock in the brakes. We’ll get it checked before we head anywhere with it. That was a big relief. 

\n

The weather yesterday was terrible driving home. We came through some torrential rain and as soon as we got home, the weather channel gave a tornado warning from the same storm. There are thousands without power from the wind. It seems I got home just in time for some wintery weather. I’ll have to winterize the camper after all…something I was hoping to avoid by heading south. We’ll still get there, but there’s quite a lot of work that needs to be done here at the Ponderosa before we can leave. The cold weather just caught up with me, I’m afraid.

\n

As I’m writing this, I am home and snuggled in bed…in the camper! I can’t give it up yet. Re-entry has always been a problem for me. I love sleeping in a camper and this camper is especially comfortable. So, we’ll try a little cold weather camping this week and see how she does. After all, we’re out on five acres…it’s like our own little campground!

\n

Another little thing happened yesterday. My world shifted. Mr. FixIt sat me down after breakfast yesterday and told me he had something to tell me. Oh, what woman wants to hear THAT? It seems, that while I was gone Mr. FixIt has been keeping company with someone else…a little black kitten that someone dumped at the Ponderosa. He’s been feeding it. Honestly, I didn’t know what to say. I’ve been determined to never have another pet. Then, when I got out of my truck at the house, this little black fur ball came running to me like it had been waiting its whole little life for ME! I’ve never seen such a friendly cat and my heart melted.

\n

And, like that…two became three.

\n

We have a cat!

\n

❤️

\n
“There is no fear in love...”\n

1 John 4:18 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-11-01T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/11/01/reentry-begins.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Love","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","The Cats","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/31/the-red-carpet-treatment.html", "title": "The Red Carpet Treatment", "content_html": "

\"R-Pod “Sitting on a red carpet of maple leaves, the 2020 R-Pod 196 is one of my favorite campers.”

\n

You know the story of the toothache going away as soon as you get to the dentist? Well, Mr. FixIt is here (YAY!!!) and we took the truck for a long drive…all round the park, up and down hills, around and around curves and…..nothing. Not a sound. Except, when I very first pulled out of the campsite, the brakes squeaked. A long time ago, I was driving over a dirt road in the boonies of Colorado and suddenly the car started making this horrible grinding, screaming noise. When I stopped…the noise stopped. I had no idea what to do. Finally, a couple stopped and asked what was wrong. 

\n

When I described the noise to the man, he suggested perhaps I had a rock stuck in the brakes. He directed me to put my foot on the brake, put the car in reverse, and back up with my foot still on the brake. When I did, the rock was dislodged. I don’t know if that was the problem here, but when I pulled forward again with the truck, there was no squeak, no grinding…nothing. Good news…I hope! Great news…Mr. FixIt is here!!!

\n

Since the truck seemed to be working fine, we went for a hike to see the falls here in Twin Falls State Park. It rained and was a little chilly so when we got back to the camper, I heated up some chili I had in the freezer. It really hit the spot. 

\n

So, this was the last night of the West Virginia Tour. It was so, so beautiful. And the r-pod worked perfectly. We’ll pull it home with Mr. FixIt’s truck today and watch my truck carefully. When I get home, I’ll have it checked to make sure it really is ok. I’ll leave you with a last look at the camper sitting on a beautiful red carpet of maple leaves. This part of the tour has been really special and I can’t wait to get back on the road to head south.

\n

In the meantime, I’m going to spend a few days at home for some much needed family time and attend my home church on Sunday. Thanks so much for traveling along with me! 

\n

? 

\n
“The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\n", "date_published": "2019-10-31T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/31/the-red-carpet-treatment.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Marriage","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/30/premonitions-and-pioneers.html", "title": "Premonitions and Pioneers", "content_html": "

\"Pioneer ‘Visiting a Pioneer Farm is a step back in time.”

\n

Yesterday was a strange day from the get go. I woke up at 3:30 in the morning knowing something wasn’t right. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I had an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. After determining I hadn’t eaten anything that would cause such a feeling, I got up, wrapped my camp jacket around me and stepped outside to look at the stars. The sky was crystal clear and the stars looked so close you could just reach up and touch them. I stood there for awhile in my bare feet letting the energy from the earth seep up through my body. When I was sufficiently chilled, literally and figuratively, I went back to bed. But I couldn’t get back to sleep until dawn.

\n

I finally woke up at around 10:00…absolutely unheard of for me these days. I’m usually awake with the chickens. I stumbled around, did my morning toilette, then dressed and cleaned the camper. Finally around 11:30, I packed up my writing implements and headed for the lodge and good WiFi. I created a movie of the best photos I’d taken on this WV tour and wrote till about 3:00 in the afternoon. 

\n

I headed to the Pioneer Farm that’s on the back of the park property. This farm was abandoned for a long time, but people were always vandalizing it so now there is a farmer and his family living here. There was no one home when I was there so I wandered around taking pictures and marveling at its timeless beauty. I sat for a while and watched two horses and a donkey browse on the sparse grass in the meadow and felt more peaceful than I had most of the day.

\n

On my way back to the campground, I stopped at the Nature Center and introduced myself to the Naturalist. Tammy is a cat bird. She has a coal country drawl that put me in mind of the Deep South but she assured me she was born and raised within a stone’s throw of the park. She apologized that she had recently let all the critters go. She normally traps possums and raccoons, tags them, and keeps them in the Nature Center for a few weeks to teach people about them. Then she sends them back off into the wild to track their whereabouts and traps another one to tag.

\n

Tammy wasn’t originally hired to be a Park Naturalist. She was supposed to be a campground attendant. She doesn’t have a degree in biology, but she has a knack for nature…two and four legged. She was taking campers for nature hikes when the Park Administrators saw they had a gem in Tammy and told her she should apply for the Naturalist position. And the rest is history. She was a delight to talk with. She smiled as I left and called after me…”Put me in your book!” You bet I will, Tammy!

\n

As I was pulling back into the campground, it happened. There was a low grinding noise coming from my truck and I knew that is where my uneasiness was coming from. Something hasn’t been quite right with the truck for a couple of days but I just couldn’t discern exactly what was troubling me. A sound, maybe? A smell, perhaps? Whatever it was, I kept shifting it to the back of my mind…yet still monitored the situation.

\n

When I heard that noise, I knew there was something mechanically wrong with the truck. And that puts me in an uncomfortable position. First, I am here alone. There are two other campers in all of the campground and I am grateful for them. But they aren’t going to help me in this situation. I do not like being in a situation I cannot get out of quickly. It stems from being trapped in a garage as a young child and sexually assaulted. To say I have control issues is putting it mildly.

\n

I went into the camper and made myself sit down and think. What I wanted to do was hook up the camper and get out of here, but of course…that wasn’t the right thing to do. I texted Mr. FixIt but I knew he was working and his phone would be in the truck. Then I texted my besties, Janine and Gail, and asked them to pray that I would calm down and everything would work out. Within minutes I felt much better and realized this whole thing is an adventure and an educational opportunity, so why not make the most of it!

\n

Mr. FixIt called me a few hours later and he’s going to drive down this morning. He’ll check out my truck. We can tow the camper with his truck. And, either he’ll follow me to a mechanic or we’ll have the truck towed. That’s what I have AAA Plus for. We’ll go home tomorrow. I am so grateful for my friends who pray for me. And I am exceedingly grateful for a wonderful husband who takes good care of me. Wouldn’t you know it would happen at the last park on the last day? But I’m exactly where I should be. I have everything I need right here and I can get some work done while I wait. Thank God I wasn’t pulling the camper up the side of the mountain with no cell service!

\n

❤️

\n
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”\n

Philippians 4:19 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-30T01:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/30/premonitions-and-pioneers.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Camping","West Virginia","Gratitude","Grace","God","Courage","Warning","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Change","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/28/rounding-out-october.html", "title": "Rounding Out October", "content_html": "

\"Bluestone “Bluestone Lake is gorgeous this time of year.”

\n

Today is moving day so that means I get to tell you where I have been the last few days. I arrived at Pipestem Resort State Park on Thursday. I’ve been here before, but never camping. There’s a tram that takes you down in the canyon to the lower lodge that sits on the Bluestone River. There is a restaurant, gift shop, and artisan center on the canyon rim at the top of the tram. There is an equestrian center, golf course, pool, recreation center, nature center and a main lodge with every amenity you could want.

\n

The campground is large. The interior sites have full hookups and are pretty close together. The sites around the perimeter are roomier and of course they back up to woods. There is a very large camping area with no hookups. I was told there is a major upgrade coming adding more service sites and leveling them out…something that is sorely needed.

\n

The weather has been typical WV autumn…unpredictable. Yesterday dawned sunny and clear but within an hour we were socked in with clouds. Then, by 3:00, it was sunny again clear through sunset. The foliage is still beautiful but is definitely past the peak of color. This happens where we get cold, rain, and wind…which we had last night.

\n

I drove over to Bluestone State Park yesterday. There is a large dam on the Bluestone River which has created a large lake. The park is smaller, less developed, and more remote then Pipestem which is less than ten miles away. There is one main campground with a few full service sites and electric only sites. There is a more primitive and rustic campground on up the road. The primitive campground sits right on the lake and is popular for fishing.

\n

One thing I thought was pretty cool. There is a campground on the far side of the lake that is accessible only by boat. Each campsite has it’s own dock. That would be a lot of fun, I would think. There is more wildlife activity at the Bluestone Campsites because they are less densely populated. Bears, fox, and bobcats frequent the area as well as more common deer, raccoon, possum, skunks and squirrels. There are occasional sightings of otters and mink.

\n

Bluestone State Park has a large number of cabins spread around on a wooded hilltop. One of the cabins sits beside a very old cemetery that has been there long before the park came to be. I couldn’t find anyone who knew the history of the grave sites so I will have to do some research on my own.

\n

Again, there are so many amazing photos from this weekend but I am limited to what I can send over two bars of cell service. I’m planning on creating a video of this month’s circuit of the stunning State Parks of West Virginia. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait for that or see the photos as I have the opportunity to upload them. 

\n

Today I head to the last park on my WV Fall Foliage Tour…Chasing the Sun. I’m supposed to camp there till Friday, but I’ve decided to cut it short just a little so I can go home for a few days before I head south. Well, actually…before WE head south. I’ve talked Mr. FixIt into doing the southern circuit with me!!! Bless his heart…he has been awfully patient having his wife galavanting around the countryside. I need to get back and help him with a few chores and get a few things done to be better prepared for more camping.

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❤️

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“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.”\n

1 Corinthians 7:3 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-28T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/28/rounding-out-october.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Marriage","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/26/time-travel.html", "title": "Time Travel", "content_html": "

\"Coffee “Coffee and sunshine and a little nosh!”

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As I explored the latest West Virginia State Park on my camping itinerary yesterday, I took a king sized jump back in time. The last time I was at this particular park was with Hubby #2. I can’t tell you the year, but my guess is it was the summer of 1979, although it could have been later. I remember bits and pieces of that trip. I remember feeling so extravagant to travel to such beautiful places. We stayed a night in this lodge I am sitting in as I write this post. Oh, my…so much water over the dam since then.

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I sat there in the morning sunshine, watching the river making riffles on the smooth stones below. The trees are yellow and brown and still-green here. Tiny little splashes of red and orange peek through as you move your eyes across the steep hillside at the far edge of the river. By 1:00 in the afternoon, the brilliant sun of morning gave way to the clouds portending the heavy storms predicted this weekend.

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I haven’t met a West Virginia State Park I haven’t liked. This trip has seriously been magical and something my heart and soul so desperately needed, if for no other reason that to remind me how dearly I love Mr. FixIt. Not that there has ever been a question. We all have a tendency to get wrapped up in the busyness of life and forget to stop and appreciate what we have. I’m just as guilty of that as anyone.

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Getting away also reminds me of the independence I cultivated for my self after Mr. Virgo died. I either got out and had adventures, or I would spend the rest of my life sitting at home alone. And that is just not me. I need solitude from time to time…to refresh and recharge and stretch my abilities. When I do that, I am a much better partner for my husband. I am more patient, more loving, and decidedly happier. This is a benefit for both of us.

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I’ve been gone for quite a bit this year. Between Girl Camping trips, six weeks in Colorado for my daughter’s wedding, and this Charity Trailer Raffle Tour, I think I have spent more time away from home than I was there. I have a patient husband, to be sure. But we are missing each other a lot so we are working on our itinerary for the next two months and figuring out the best way to travel AND be together.

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It is supposed to rain a lot this weekend so I’ve saved my writing and indoor projects till then. I need to take advantage of the sunshine when I can. When I woke up yesterday morning, it was 37 degrees. By the time I rousted myself to get coffee, it was 8:00 and 42 degrees. I took the electric griddle outside and cooked with it sitting on the picnic table. I fried a whole package of bacon and carefully placed the cooked strip between layers of paper towels and slipped the entire batch into a zip lock bag. Stored in the refrigerator, these will be eaten up long before they would spoil. I did the same with a batch of pancakes and stored them two to a sandwich bag. That way, I’ve cooked several days of breakfasts ahead of time. When it’s raining this weekend, I can still have outdoor cooked meals.

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As I finished writing this piece, I watched a little boy, maybe four or five years old…walking along the river. Bright yellow leaves rained down around him. With hands reached out, he laughed as he tried to catch them…his feet crunching on those he missed. He picked up rocks on the river bank and watched out for his little brother toddling along behind him. They were out with their dad. I love seeing dads with their littles…teaching, loving, experiencing the joy of the day. I close with this thought. Wouldn’t it be a better world if the littles spent more time outside with their dads? Or moms, if dad isn’t around? Or with anyone who loves them and wants to teach them about the world and about life? Wouldn’t it be better than handing a child an electronic device to keep them quiet…engaged in learning what someone else is teaching them? Maybe something that isn’t reflective of your values? I’m not being judgmental here. There were plenty of times I let my own little watch too much TV in order to have some peace. It just seems we are raising a generation that’s greatest skill is dissociation. I’m not sure how you put the smoke back in the bottle.

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With that thought, I have spent entirely too much of my morning sitting here with my own set of electronic diversions so I’m heading out to enjoy this day before the rains come and I get stuck inside. I hope you have a beautiful weekend wherever you are. Put the phone down…go outside and play. You’re never too old to “go places and do things”, as the Girl Campers say!

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❤️

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“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”\n

Proverbs 22:6 NIV

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\n", "date_published": "2019-10-26T01:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/26/time-travel.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Peace","Wisdom","Aging","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Be Joyful!","Widow","Road Trip","Littles","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/23/coffee-with-wanda-belle.html", "title": "Coffee with Wanda Belle", "content_html": "

\"Autumn “The many colors of Autumn”

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I was pouring my coffee yesterday and my mom popped in my head. She often does, but yesterday she “came” to have coffee with me. Mom loved her coffee…hot and black. She had a Pyrex coffee pot and I was enamored with the way you could watch the coffee brewing…bubbling up through the center tube into the glass handle of the lid then seeping down through the grounds. There was never a time when there wasn’t coffee on the stove.

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Until she got older. Then it was “too much work” or “the pot is just too heavy to lift”. Then she turned to Sanka. Ok, there might be some of you who like Sanka. If you do, I mean no offense…I don’t mean to “yuck your yum”. But…ugh! Any instant coffee is a poor substitute for the real thing, in my humble opinion. I felt she had just…settled.

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As I poured my coffee and thought of Mom, I could almost hear her say, “Why are you bothering with this whole rigamarole? You get out the grinder and the beans. You measure and grind till it’s just so. You measure again and pour the bottled water in the coffee maker. You plug it in and wait. What an ordeal. Just get yourself a jar of Sanka!”

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I smiled.

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“Yeah…no, Mom. It my routine. It’s my pleasure. When I have that first sip of hot, strong coffee (with cream and stevia, please) I’m in heaven!” Is it more work? Not that much. When I first started this trip, I bought a “pour over” thingy. I used it for the first week or two and stopped at the first Walmart I came across to buy a 4-cup Mr. Coffee. That’s the perfect size to fill my Tervis coffee cup twice. And the second cup is hot in the electric coffee maker.

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Someone gave me a hand grinder and a French press many years ago. I used it when I was on The Grand Adventure in Colorado those three months after Mr. Virgo died. Many times I didn’t have electricity but I wasn’t about to turn to instant. Making coffee off the grid was a lot more work than this…but oh, it was the best coffee ever! I thought about bringing that setup with me on this trip but I knew, even without electricity, I can use the little Mr. Coffee because of the solar panels on the roof of the r-pod. Isn’t that a trip? I haven’t tried it yet…but I will before this ride is over.

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I’m camping in the woods again this time. I love waking to see the trees all around, to hear the wind rustle through the leaves, to step out of the camper into the glorious light of autumn shining with that rare amber light of fall. I believe I’ll take my coffee down to the river and set a spell before I start my project of the day. I hope you get outside and enjoy some of this before winter sets in.

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❤️

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“You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about. The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.”\n

Psalms 104:20-23 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-23T01:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/23/coffee-with-wanda-belle.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Camping","West Virginia","Peace","Aging","Choices","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/20/waiting-for-home.html", "title": "Waiting for Home", "content_html": "

\"Beautiful “The house I wanted for a B&B in Elkins…it always makes me wonder…what if?”

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I’m not kidding when I say I spent just about every moment of the forty years I lived in Colorado waiting for the day I could move back home. Oh, there was a stretch of time when I was young and cocky and I thought I knew better than those “old fogeys” back home who were SO out of touch. Little did I know I would give my right arm to return to my roots one day.

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I had the opportunity to come home when Hubby #1 and I split up, but I turned it down. My daughter was about three years old at the time, and I wanted her to have broader horizons than I had growing up so I elected to stay in Denver where I had no family support and a relatively small social circle. 

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When I was married to Hubby #2, there was some talk about going back home, but he is a Colorado boy, born and bred. You just don’t take them out of that climate and plop them down in humidity. I remember dreaming at night that if anything happened to him, I’d hightail it home as fast as I could.

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Then, Mr. Virgo came along. He was my best bet to get back because he was born and raised in South Philly. But he had tried his whole life to get back to Colorado, which he adored, so I knew there was a very slim chance we’d actually move back to West Virginia. However, I did get him to discuss the possibilities of owning a B&B somewhere back here. 

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I’ll never forget those days when we would do internet searches for B&B’s for sale. We found a big house in the historic district of Parkersburg that was a real possibility. But the one I had my heart set on was actually here in Elkins, WV. It was right across the road from the back side of the Davis & Elkins campus. It had seven bedrooms and five full baths with a large commercial kitchen. I was in love!

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Mr. Virgo? Not so much. This is where the wheat was separated from the chaff and I realized it was never gonna happen. He had put his roots down in Colorado and there would be no budging that man. Now, every time I am near here, I have to drive past “my B&B”. I have no idea who bought it. It doesn’t look as though it has been turned back into the B&B it was many years ago. When I see it, I am reminded that we don’t work on our time. We work on God’s time. And it wasn’t time for me to be here back then.

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I do have an affinity for this little town though. Mostly because of the college and the Augusta Heritage Center which works to preserve the old timey ways of our ancestors. I was thrilled to spend the afternoon with “my people”…folks who obviously love their heritage as much as I do. I’ve seen some beautiful places on this trip already. But I think this stop has been my favorite so far. I just wish Mr. FixIt could have been with me. He would have enjoyed this so much.

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❤️

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“And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.”\n

Deuteronomy 8:2 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-20T01:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/20/waiting-for-home.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Widow","Road Trip","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/10/05/setting-up-the-spare-room.html", "title": "Setting up the “Spare Room”", "content_html": "

\"RPod “Converting the sofa to a spare bed in the RPod 196!”

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I’m Back!!! Mr. FixIt and I had a wonderful time camping together and the little break was just what I needed to recharge. There’s nothing like being in the woods in a little camper. Losing Mr. Virgo taught me to really appreciate every moment and this week has been grand!

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On Monday, we checked into Tomlinson Run State Park in the tippy top of the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. The drive up was lovely as we followed the Ohio River on Rt. 7. Mr. FixIt drove separately and followed along behind me. We got to our campsite by mid-afternoon and unhooked. It’s a lovely campground, located on top of a hill and densely wooded. The sites are all nicely spaced apart from each other. We had electric but no water. That’s not a problem, really. You just use the water you carry with you in your fresh water tanks. We rode our bikes around the campground, we cooked outside, and we spent as much time as we could sitting out looking at the stars.

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We left Tomlinson Run on Wednesday and headed to Beaver Creek to meet up with the Girl Campers. Mr. FixIt loves to hang out with the girls and they really enjoy him as well. We had fires in the Solo Stove which is wonderful…so much less smoke than a conventional campfire but still enough that you feel as though you had the camping experience. We had some rain here Wednesday night. Quite a bit actually. 

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Mr. Fixit left yesterday mid-day to head home. My friend Diane joined me last night. Diane graduated from high school with me but we didn’t know each other back then. She and I didn’t really become good friends till I moved to the family farm in West Virginia in 2014…the year after Mr. Virgo died. I needed to find someone who could help me unload a truck so I called her to get a recommendation. We became fast friends after that. 

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I tried to get her to camp with me several years ago, but Motel 8 is roughing it to Diane. Then, when she found out I was taking the RPod out for a road test, she texted me with a bombshell. She wanted to come camping with me! She knew I’d be writing about my camping experiences and wanted to offer her services as “blog fodder”. “Camping with the Non-Camper!” Brilliant! This could either be really, really good…or really, really bad. I’m happy to report that, so far, she seems to be having a grand time! She fits right in with these great gals.

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As is always the case, there’s always a good deal of food at these events and last night was a smorgasbord. Tonight is soup night…my favorite night during What a Hoot. Everyone brings their A-game on soup night and we all go around taste testing each person’s creation. I decided to do something a little bit different this year and make beef and noodles. I’ll stick the chuck roast in the crock pot in the morning and let it simmer all day. It will be a welcome addition, I am sure.

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This morning was predicted to be 41 degrees! After a long stretch of hot, dry weather, I am really welcoming the cooler temperatures of fall. I needed to make a reconfiguration of the camper to accommodate my guest. I turned the jack knife sofa into a twin bed. The back of the sofa is a little bit higher than the seat when it’s laid out flat. I bought some firm upholstery foam sheets to lay down on the lower section to make an even base and place my inflatable mattress on top. It was cool enough for the furnace. Today is Pioneer Days down in the Historic Village. The grist mill will be running and there will be tours of the village buildings. Our friend Gail’s son wrote a book about the haunted history of Beaver Creek and will be on hand to sign his books.

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So far, the trip is fabulous and so is the RPod 196! The tickets are on sale on girlcamper.com for $10 each and the proceeds benefit the Hold You Foundation, an organization that assists families with critically ill children. This is a wonderful chance to support a worthy cause as well and get the opportunity to buy a wonderful camper! It’s good to be back!

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❤️

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“We love because he first loved us.”\n

1 John 4:19 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-10-05T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/10/05/setting-up-the-spare-room.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Choices","Be Joyful!","Widow","Road Trip","Marriage","Chasing the Sun - Girl Camper Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/09/29/the-best-pizzaever.html", "title": "The Best Pizza...EVER!", "content_html": "

\"Pizza\" “Pete’s Pizza…best pizza EVER! Located in Mineral Wells, WV on Old Rt. 14.”

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 When Daughter #1 and her husband lived on Long Island, we visited her as often as we could. We took the train into the city and had great pizza and bagels. When I visited my aunt and uncle in Chicago, we had some really great pizza. We found a place last night that literally blew everything else out of the water.

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My husband is very picky about his pizza, and frankly, so am I. I cannot stand to have the outside third overdone, the middle third perfect, and the center soggy and undercooked. We have been hearing about Pete’s Pizza for quite some time now. The owners go to our church and I hear people raving about it so it was time to check this place out.

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The other night, our church outreach fed people in a very hard neighborhood with lots of drugs and crime. Pete’s donated fifty pizzas to the cause. For that reason alone, I decided we needed to throw some money their way and enjoy a pizza date night.

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I was not disappointed. Good pizza takes a while to cook. (Remember that crispy crust I raved about? Cooking too fast is the reason pizza is undercooked in the center and nearly burned on the edge.) We kept the phone off the table and visited, enjoying our Saturday night out.

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The family run restaurant was cozy with a darling gift shop that reminded me a bit of a Cracker Barrel, but less “kitschy”. They have events during the week…trivia nights, family night, bonfire night (complete with s’more kits) and they are currently looking for live entertainment for Saturday nights.

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Pete’s is a little out of the way…1.3 miles out Rt. 21  just off the interchange of I-77 at Mineral Wells. If you ever find your way to our neck of the woods, or even driving past on the interstate…do take the time and stop in. They have quite a variety of menu items and a great lineup of deserts. They do serve beer and wine. 

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I’ve found my all new favorite date place. Mr. FixIt and I loved it!

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❤️

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“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.”\n

Ecclesiastes 9:7 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-09-29T01:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/09/29/the-best-pizzaever.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/09/27/love-letters-from-beyond.html", "title": "Love Letters from Beyond", "content_html": "

\"Love “Leaving love notes behind for your spouse to find later…what a gift!”

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My friends and I camped at Beaver Creek State Park last night. We so seldom get together, just the three of us and when we do it’s always so special. It’s always tempting to stay up really late and sleep in the next day, but Janine and I both had long drives home. We called it a night fairly early and were up and ready for coffee by 8:00. We chatted over a leisurely breakfast and prayed for each other before we finally broke camp by 11:00. I pulled in to the Ponderosa around 4:00, dropped off the camper, and turned right around to go back to town for small group. I’m not signed up for this session, but I wanted to visit and share in the fellowship with dear friends from church.

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I was seated by a new member of the group. Jonna is a widow of two years. I put my hand on her arm and told her how sorry I was for her loss. We chatted about the similarities and differences between people’s grief experiences. She knew ahead of time that her husband was dying and she was thrilled they had time to have important conversations, no matter how uncomfortable they were.

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Just before our meeting started, she leaned over and lowered her voice a little.

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“Wanna know the BEST part?” 

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I was intrigued. I had never thought about “the best part” of grief.

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“Yes….please!”

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“My husband hid love notes for me everywhere! I’ve found over twenty of them already!”

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My heart melted. I remember finding a note Mr. Virgo had left me for Valentine’s day just a month before he died unexpectedly. I know how precious that is.

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“I’m not going to go looking for them. If I find one, it’s a gift! I found one the other day in the file of Explanation of Benefits from the insurance!”

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I leaned over to her and said, “I think that is just the sweetest thing!”

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That’s a good man, right there. He knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, what these little gifts would mean to the woman he had married thirty-eight years prior. Even when he was ill and in pain from the amputation of his leg, this gentle giant left his sweetheart love letters from beyond. Yes…that’s a very good man!

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❤️

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“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”\n

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-09-27T01:30:20-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/09/27/love-letters-from-beyond.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Wisdom","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/31/like-sands-through-the-hourglass.html", "title": "Like Sands Through the Hourglass...", "content_html": "

\"Comfort “Sending some cheerful hugs, love and prayers to one of my dearest peeps!”

\n

One of my dearest peeps is having a medical issue that will involve a lengthy period of medical treatments. I can’t be with her or give her hugs or bring her casseroles, so I’m doing the next best thing…I’m sending her a little “Comfort Quilt” to stuff in her tote and take to the hospital. I told her when she wraps herself up in it, she can feel my hugs and prayers because I’m putting both in it!

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I spent yesterday afternoon at the little quilt shop in town, cutting and sewing the quilt top. The owner and I spent the time chatting and visiting with the other women who came in to shop. When they were all gone, she asked if I would mind if she turned the TV back on. The last time I was there, she had been watching quilt tutorials. I normally hate TV, but anything educational is quite tolerable.

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Imagine my surprise when she turned on…wait for it…..Days of Our Lives! I didn’t even know that was still on the air! Well, I’m here to tell you…it is. I haven’t watched soap operas since Daughter #2 was a baby. I usually watched while I folded the laundry. Here’s the crazy thing…

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Maggie…Victor…Marlena…they’re ALL still there!!!

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And they’ve been stuck in the same wine cellar since 1990!!!

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Seriously though…other than people carrying cell phones, you wouldn’t know 29 years had passed. There was one actress on there that plays two characters…one of whom wears those false teeth that made her look like her daddy drank up all the money for her orthodontia. And she had such a grossly over-exaggerated fake southern hick accent that it was insulting. Every word she said made me want to get up and slap her for making fun of me and my people.

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Anyway, I finished the quilt top and the shop owner will quilt it on the long arm tomorrow and I can pick it up Tuesday, sew on the binding and get it sent off with lots of love and hugs and prayers for complete healing and minimal side effects. When I get it finished, I’ll post another picture and you can send your prayers and hugs along with mine!

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Till then…I hope you have a fun and safe Labor Day Weekend. And, if you’re in the way of the hurricane…please be careful out there!!! Prayers for your health and safety!

\n

❤️

\n
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword.....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”\n‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:35, 37‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\n", "date_published": "2019-08-31T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/31/like-sands-through-the-hourglass.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Comfort","Grace","Love","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/26/a-thousand-dragonflies.html", "title": "A Thousand Dragonflies", "content_html": "

\"Dragonfly\" “The dragonflies are prolific this year!”

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I love dragonflies. They serve a good purpose by eating mosquitos and other flying insects and they don’t bite humans! I am charmed by them. They will light on your finger or your shoulder. They hover around you as if to keep you company or to satisfy their curiosity. The other day I was leaving the doctor’s office and one flew alongside my window for at least a quarter mile. They make me smile.

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Mr. FixIt and I were out cleaning the pool on Saturday and there was a dragonfly floating dead in the water. We both remarked how many more dragonflies there are the last couple of years. I did some research and found it’s because of all the rain we’ve been getting. With more rain comes more mosquitoes and consequently, the predators are in hot pursuit.

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Somehow, I missed a big spot when I was mowing Saturday so I went out after church yesterday to finish up. I sat at the edge of the field in awe at the number of dragonflies hovering around me. From the website, Dragonfly Transitions, comes this: “In almost every part of the world, the Dragonfly symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. The change that is often referred to has its source in mental and emotional maturity and understanding the deeper meaning of life.”

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Change. Transformation. Adaptability. Self-Realization. If that doesn’t describe my life, I don’t know what does. This year has been, and continues to be one of remarkable opportunities…for travel, for growth, for learning…for becoming MORE. I love this, because the moment we stop growing, we die. Maybe not literally…but figuratively. A stagnant life is a fate worse than death for me.

\n

I’ve said several times in the last week that I’ve been thinking a lot of my mom. I’ve been really missing her…more so than usual. As I was working with my calendar last night, I noticed today’s date. August 26th. My mom’s birthday. She’s been gone fifteen years now. She would have been 93 today. She died six weeks before her first great grandchild was born. As I sat rocking my second great grandchild in church yesterday, I thought of my mom and how much she loved children. She worked in the YWCA Daycare program and was the resident Grandma to hundreds of little ones. You couldn’t see her at work without some little person sitting on her lap at her desk.

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I was thinking it would be great to relate Mom to the appearance of the dragonflies…for the purposes of this essay, at least. But, I have no idea if she loved dragonflies. She probably did. I do know she loved the color purple…and roses, books, peaches, piccalilli, tchotchkes, helping people, and genealogy. She loved her grandchildren. And she was totally devoted to my brother who has cerebral palsy.

\n

No…we have dragonflies because it’s been a rainy year. And, I miss my mom so much because today’s her birthday. Two unrelated events, but yet both are symbolic of transformation and adaptability. 

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Here’s to Wanda Belle…an amazing and humble woman. Everyone who knew her, loved her and misses her. Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mama!

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❤️

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“So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.”\n

John 16:22 NLT

\n", "date_published": "2019-08-26T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/26/a-thousand-dragonflies.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Aging","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/24/another-trip-down-memory-lane.html", "title": "Another Trip Down Memory Lane", "content_html": "

\"1960’s “A trip down memory lane takes me to the neighborhood grocery store.”

\n

Do you remember when women dressed up to go to the grocery store? I ran across this picture on Facebook last night when I was searching for something else and it just brought back such a flood of memories. I love looking at all the details. Diet Pepsi was a thing…even in the mid ‘60s. Some of us were debating whether this was a staged photo-op because of the total on the cash register.

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Look at the uniforms the store clerks wore! The “K” on the lapels was for Kroger. Their stores operate under a lot of brands now…King Soopers, City Market, Smiths, among others. And the manager of any store, grocery or otherwise, wouldn’t be caught dead without his short sleeved white shirt and tie. 

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Notice the machine on top of the cash register. Do you remember what that was? It was the stamp dispenser. I believe the stamps dispensed at Kroger’s were Value Stamps. They were yellow. Other stores had Green Stamps and Plaid Stamps. I remember my first stuffed toy was a donkey I named Pedro. He was stuffed with excelsior…or wood wool. It was made from wood shavings that were about the size of spaghetti. My first roller skates were from the Plaid Stamp store. And, we got a lot of things with Green Stamps…dishes, a laundry hamper, my trash can with the pink poodle on it.

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My first boyfriend, who later became Hubby #1, worked at the Kroger Store in the Park Shopping Center. That was back in the days before malls. The shopping center stole a lot of business from the stores downtown and when the mall opened, it was pretty much the death of the downtown shops. 

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I remember stopping at the grocery store and watching the stockers use a pricing stamp and put the price in ink on the top of the cans. click, click, click, click, click. They’d stamp a case at a time. Then the checker had to hand enter each price into the cash register. I remember the first time I saw a guy working at the checkout stand. He might as well have been a zebra, he looked that out of place. 

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My very first job was at Kresge’s as a clerk, stocking and working the cash register. I never worked in a grocery store. I did stock shelves for a short time at the PX at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver when we first moved there till I could find a job in radiology. Ahhhh, I look back at my humble beginnings. 

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I’m at an age now where there’s a whole lot less time in front of me than there is behind me and I wax nostalgic when I see pictures like this. Maybe not so much for the jobs I had in my teens, but more for my mom. I see her in her dress and heels, coming from the office where she worked. Driving us in that big boat of a car and stopping at the store for a few groceries. Her hair carefully coiffed at the beauty college every Saturday. Sitting demurely while the young man in the skinny tie pumped her gas and washed her windshield and checked her oil. I remember her soft skin and her wet kisses, her cool hands on my fevered brow. I remember her sitting by my bedside when I had the mumps and read to me…until she too came down with them and Grandma had to come take care of us AND her.

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I’ve missed my mom a lot lately. I opened YouTube the other night and on the landing page where there were a dozen or so suggested videos, there was a woman getting her snowy white hair cut short and I swear…she looked so much like my mom it made my eyes sting. I showed it to my friends that knew her and they agreed. My mom’s boss is still living and even she said it was remarkable how much the woman resembled my mom. 

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It’s not that I “long for the good old days”. I just miss my mom. 

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Grief…even for those lost so long ago…still comes in a wave. Not a tsunami anymore…but sometimes it’s big enough to rock my footing. There’s so much I’d love to show her. I think she would have really loved camping in a trailer or a motor home. Sometimes I just take her on a trip in my mind and I imagine all the places we’d go and things we’d see. She wasn’t well traveled, although she did come to England when Daughter #1 was born and she came to Colorado several times. She went to the beach once with my BFF in her little convertible. 

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Speaking of nostalgia, my high school class picnic is today. I saw on FB the Class of ‘69 had their 50th Reunion this weekend. That means only two years to ours. Where did the time go? I remember when my aunt and uncle went to their 50th and I thought they were so OLD. They were only 15 years or so older than me! Funny…the perspective from the other end was so long and from this end it’s so short. 

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We’ve finally had a break in the weather and it’s much cooler. The high was only 74 yesterday. It should be about the same today. I hope you enjoy your weekend!

\n

❤️

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“Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise.”\n

Ecclesiastes 7:10 NLT

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\n", "date_published": "2019-08-24T01:30:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/24/another-trip-down-memory-lane.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Courage","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/20/do-you-remember-when.html", "title": "Do You Remember When.....?", "content_html": "

\"Old “Clockwise from Top Right: Phone Booth, Fireweed, Joe Pye Weed, Naked Ladies (Belladona Lily)

\n

Mr. FixIt took the day off yesterday. I had to run a couple of errands, but I was back home by noon. The temperature was already well into the 90’s by then and I actually had the thought…”Ok, I’m done. I’m ready for FALL!” Cool, crisp days with a warm sweater, sipping a mug of cider while gazing at the changing of the leaves suddenly sounds very appealing to me. And this from a woman who hates fall because winter is right behind it. Not this year…I’m ready for this sweltering heat wave to break.

\n

We never did put the window air conditioner in the family room this summer. Mostly because we were gone a lot. And also, it didn’t get all that hot till we were ready to leave on our big trip out west. At this point, I told Mr. FixIt we should just skip that particular ordeal this year altogether. It is quite a chore getting that huge air conditioner into the window and before we know it, we won’t need it anyway. That being said, we were both tired of the heat by 5:00 so he asked me if I wanted to go for a drive with him. 

\n

We love going for drives in the countryside. West Virginia has the best roads for drives and there’s always something interesting around the next bend. We kept remarking how overgrown everything is from all the rain this summer. Old abandoned houses are all but swallowed up by vines that threaten to take them by force into the woods. The Joe Pye Weed covers the roadsides with its smoky pink blossoms. Naked Ladies (Belladona Lilies) poke their heads up in the corners of rural lawns. Dark pink Fireweed mingles with Goldenrod, Queen Anne’s Lace, and Black-eyed Susans. They all look like weeds, but they are West Virginia’s cacophony of late summer wildflowers.

\n

We had no idea where we would end up. We drove past the greenhouses in Palestine and saw they are filled with baskets of mums that will bloom in October. We drove past the place where they used to produce railroad ties. Mr. FixIt said the trucks traveled by night because their loads were always way over the weight limit. He said you could tell it was the railroad ties because the heavy night air smelled of creosote long after they’d passed.

\n

We finally pulled into Spencer, West Virginia…an old town built on the backs of the oil, gas, and timber industries. There are some beautiful old houses there. At one time, the State Psychiatric Hospital was located there and if you weren’t good growing up, “you’ll get hauled off to Spencer” was fair warning to shape up. Now it’s just like any other tired, old town in the Mountain State…bored adolescent boys yelling from passing cars, bored adolescent girls giggling in the booth at Wendy’s over a series of texts and photos they were sharing. An old man climbed into a car with barely enough room for him to sit in the driver’s seat. The rest of the car was filled wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling with trash. Literal trash. He opened the door to the back seat and carefully placed his half-full cup of soda on top of the pile, closed the door, and got in to drive off to who knows where.

\n

The Wendy’s was impeccably clean inside so we stopped for a bite to eat before we drove on to Ripley, then past Ravenswood to Mineral Wells and on home. Mr. Fixit said it would be dark by the time we got home and he was right. I love these kind of evenings with him…away from the television, going for a drive, holding hands and laughing and telling stories. It occurred to me, one of the very best things about our relationship is…even though we’ve only been together since late 2016, we have so many memories in common. We were best friends in high school. While he lived all but a few years of his life within a 20 mile radius of where we were born, I lived two years in England and forty years in Colorado. But, I still came home for a visit every year so I had my finger on the pulse of my hometown. We lived our lives in a parallel trajectory for sixty-some years before our paths crossed for good. We have much of the same history and memories.

\n

As the sun was beginning to make it’s last glorious descent over the beautiful Ohio River, I saw this phone booth standing alone near the Wendy’s parking lot. I turned to Mr FixIt and smiled.

\n

“Do you remember when…..?”

\n

❤️

\n
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”\n

Luke 2:19 NIV

\n 

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2019-08-20T01:30:50-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/20/do-you-remember-when.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Aging","Choices","Be Joyful!","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/19/bowling-season-has-begun.html", "title": "Bowling Season Has Begun", "content_html": "

\"Pink “Pink roses and strawberries…and bowling season. Somebody loves me!”

\n

Mr. FixIt is an avid bowler. He’s been on two bowling leagues for the last thirty-five years and he enjoys it immensely. He has friends there. He has ample opportunity to talk. It’s his guy time. And, I enjoy having a couple of evenings a week to do whatever I want to do as well. Honestly, I fell asleep late in the afternoon and didn’t hear him leave. When I woke up, I caught up with my Sunday evening phone calls and chats so it was a relaxing evening.

\n

When he arrived home, he went into the kitchen to fix something to eat and we were trying to carry on a conversation while I was in the family room. He called out, “You know…I could hear you better if you were in here with me.” Of course! Sometimes we get so wrapped up in what we’re doing, we forget the basic manners and niceties we should offer those we love most.

\n

I walked into the kitchen and there on the counter was a dozen pink roses and two cartons of fresh strawberries! I am always thunderstruck when he surprises me with these lovely unexpected gifts of love. 

\n

I looked at him and smiled. “What’s this?”

\n

“It’s been a little while since I brought you flowers. It was time.” He smiled back.

\n

What goodness this is…this life that is sweeter than any red strawberry…softer than any pink rosebud. This is a blessing. This is God’s gift to me. This man who lifts me up and celebrates who I am. Who cheers me on and encourages me to explore and be everything I can be. This man who holds my hand in church and prays alongside me. Who holds me and comforts me when I am sick or sad. I only pray I give him this same love back every day of my life.

\n

There was so much sadness in my life after Mr. Virgo died. I swore I would never fall in love…never remarry…because the thought of going through that again was too much to bear. Then color came back into my life. And I could hear music and I could breathe and somehow I knew I could love again. I don’t know how long we have together…but it’s bowling season and I have strawberries and pink roses and my life is good.

\n

❤️

\n
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”\n

Matthew 5:4 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-08-19T01:30:06-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/19/bowling-season-has-begun.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Aging","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/18/let-the-sun-shine.html", "title": "“Let The Sun Shine...”", "content_html": "

\"Woodstock\" “The Ubiquitous Photo from Woodstock”

\n

Fifty years ago this weekend, a gazillion people descended on Mr. Yasgur’s New York farm just five hundred miles from where I grew up. What started out as a ticketed music event soon devolved into chaos as tens of thousands of unticketed hippies made their way into the tiny village of Bethel. The festival had already suffered a last minute change of venue and was seriously short on cash, but there came a point where Woodstock took on a life of its own.

\n

Fifty years have passed. I didn’t go, of course. I was only sixteen and actually didn’t even hear about it till it was on the news. Not that I would have done something so brazen as to defy my parents because I know they never would have allowed me to go. I never even skipped a class in school, let alone run off to a hippy concert five hundred miles away. Still, I marveled at the mass of humanity. And, I liked the music. 

\n

It was such a crazy summer…the Summer of ‘69. The Summer of Love. That’s what we called it. But the older generations thought we young people were out of our minds. Sex, drugs, and Rock & Roll. And now look where we are. I saw a meme today. A grandpa was saying he fought in WWII and built his house with his own two hands. His great grandson said, “Sometimes I put a meme on Facebook and it gets a lot of likes.” That is so sad…and unfortunately, all too true.

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We didn’t have the internet in 1969. We didn’t have the news on 24/7/365. We didn’t have violent video games. We didn’t have as many latch key kids and no iPad kids or YouTube kids. Dr. Spock was just beginning to tell us how to raise our kids and to never swat their butts or we would bruise their fragile self-esteems. I’ll tell you what, if I sassed back to my parents, they bruised my “self-esteem” with whatever was handy. I did the same with my kids. Nowadays, you can have your kids taken away for that. And they know it.

\n

I remember Daughter #1 saying she was going to call Child Protective Services because I wouldn’t let her go to a party. I smiled and recited the number to her. Then I took her car keys. It’s hard to parent now. Having the grandkids over this week with their own little ones made me compare how easy I had it compared to what they are facing. And I didn’t have it all that easy. 

\n

After my first divorce, I was a single mom in Denver. My family lived in West Virginia. I didn’t have anyone I could leave the baby with while I went to work. I had to find child care…and pray they wouldn’t hurt my daughter. I lived in HUD housing, on food stamps and WIC. I drove a beat up old Pontiac that I paid some Iranians $200 for. The hood and the trunk were wired closed with coat hangers. All four sides were dented in. I prayed every day I could get to work so I could take care of us. I didn’t have a smart phone and five sets of grandparents to step in when I was overwhelmed.

\n

God knows, I made plenty of mistakes in those early years. It’s a wonder we made it through. The music of 1969 was five years old before my daughter was born. I look back now in awe. I knew I’d be “old” someday. I just thought it would take longer. Oh, sixty-six isn’t OLD, exactly. I sure feel the difference, just in the last couple of years. Mr. FixIt and I work very hard and it’s taking it’s toll. I hurt in places that never hurt before. It takes me a bit to get moving. But, like my husband says…you’ve got to keep moving or you’ll stop.

\n

Fifty years since Woodstock…and there’s a real part of me that genuinely feels a little past my prime. However, I’m about to take a brand new camper wherever I want for five months and write about it! Isn’t that just about the coolest thing? I wouldn’t take who I was in 1969 back for anything! 

\n

“Let the sun shine…let the sun shine in…the sun…shine in!”

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❤️

\n
“I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,”\n

2 Peter 1:13 NIV

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\n", "date_published": "2019-08-18T01:30:25-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/18/let-the-sun-shine.html", "tags": ["Faith","Colorado","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Wisdom","Fear","Courage","Humbled","Aging","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/17/running-on-empty.html", "title": "Running on Empty", "content_html": "

\"Surge “Something’s going on with my electric supply.”

\n

I thought I was tired Thursday night! Then yesterday hit. It started out when I got an e-mail reminding me there was a form I was supposed to send on Monday! With going to the farm, then coming back to company, smoking what feels like half a pig and processing it, I totally spaced getting that form sent.

\n

I didn’t have ink in my printer, of course. So I ran to town and had the form printed at Office Depot. I took a photo of it and sent it to them, but got another e-mail that it wasn’t adequate. So, when I got home, I popped the original in an envelope and took it to the post office. I got home and Mr. FixIt asked if we got any mail. Now that I thought of it, we hadn’t received any mail since we returned from Colorado over a week ago and that’s highly unusual. I drove BACK to town to the post office again and they aren’t holding the mail. Crazy that we haven’t received even an ad. That never happens!

\n

As soon as I got home the second time, I hopped on the riding mower and four hours later, in 92 degree heat, I was finished. By this time, we had more company. I quickly changed and hopped in the pool for a refreshing dip. Everyone left to go to the pizza place and to get ice cream, but I elected to stay home. I’d had too much heat and I didn’t feel terrific.

\n

I went out to hook big TOW-Wanda up to the electric. I used a new extension cord and the same outlet I’ve used before. When I plugged in the Surge Protector, it said the ground was open. Then when I plugged in the camper, it said there was Reverse Polarity. That means a line in the outlet is switched, but that can’t be because no one has been here or done anything to our electric. As I was pulling the electrical cord out, there were lots of wasps flying around the opening so they’ve built a nest in there. Our grandson used the last of the wasp spray yesterday when he was helping Mr. FixIt so that has to wait. However, when I was pulling the cord out, it got stuck. I pulled and pulled with all my might. It suddenly let go and threw me backwards where I landed on my elbow and smacked the back of my head. I’m really careful about hitting my head since I had the car accident in 2017, but I think the only thing that was bruised was my pride. And a little scrape on my elbow.

\n

Our grandson and his family are going back home today so things should settle a little bit. I still need to clean the smoker out. I asked Mr. FixIt if I could use the power washer but he said since it’s electric, it probably wouldn’t be a very good idea. Poo. I think it sounds like an excellent idea…as long as I don’t have it plugged in. But then again…I can’t figure out the plug-in for the camper, so maybe he’s right.

\n

I have a prayer request a day early…please keep my brother-friend in your prayers. He had a frightening medical emergency the other day. It could have been so much worse. Just lift him up for complete healing, please! 

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Last night was just one of those moments I’ve only seemed to have since Mr. Virgo died. I get to where I’m running on empty and I think, “Please, just don’t give me one more thing to handle today, Lord…I’m at the end of my rope.” Then, when I get off to myself and have a moment to catch my breath, I remind myself…when I’m at the end of my rope, God ties a knot in it so I don’t fall off. There is less of “me” at the end of that rope, therefore…there is more of God.

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❤️

\n
““You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”\n

Matthew 5:3 MSG

\n", "date_published": "2019-08-17T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/17/running-on-empty.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Grace","God","Wisdom","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/16/theres-babies-everywhere.html", "title": "There’s Babies Everywhere!", "content_html": "

\"Sleeping “There’s nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby!”

\n

I have to tell ya…I’m fried. There’s a reason God gives babies to young people. We do not normally babysit for the great grandkids. Our life keeps us moving around a lot and we love to visit with them and play with them and send them home with their mamas. Nothing wrong with that. But our services  were really needed yesterday, so we had an extra busy two-year-old with us for fourteen hours. 

\n

We also have our grandson and his girlfriend and the new baby with us for a couple of days. He is helping his grandpa with a bunch of work around the Ponderosa. Just like I was telling you about the farm yesterday, all this rain has created a jungle out there and the saplings that weren’t such a big deal last year, are towering trees this summer. Combine that with all the vines that have gone crazy and you couldn’t even see between the building out back and the fence six feet away. The grandson is a hard worker, I’ll tell you that.

\n

While the babies were being babied, Nana smoked two big pork butts and four full racks of ribs. I’ve decided whenever I fire up the smoker, I’ve packing it as full as I can while still getting good air flow for the smoke. Because this thing is a pain in the rear to clean. I also processed all that meat when it was done, served dinner three times as people came and went, and then went out and cleaned the pool. It was a busy day that didn’t end till midnight!

\n

The neighbor across the road from the farm gave me a grocery sack of fresh vegetables as I left and the sweet corn was SO delicious. I love the tastes of summer! Last night the air was nice and cool and we slept with the windows wide open. It was wonderful! I love this time of year when the nights are cool.

\n

❤️

\n
“I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.”\n

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 ESV

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\n", "date_published": "2019-08-16T01:30:34-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/16/theres-babies-everywhere.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Aging","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/14/the-farm-is-failing.html", "title": "The Farm is Failing", "content_html": "

\"Green “The farm is the home of my heart…but it’s aging rapidly.”

\n

Mr. FixIt and I have been back from Colorado for a week now. We talked over the weekend and decided to go to the farm for a couple of days because I haven’t been there since the third week of June. I really miss the farm when I’m away and can’t get there. Then, Monday morning came and there was so much to get done at the Ponderosa. Still…the farm…

\n

I decided to bring the dirty laundry and come to the farm on my own for a couple of days. Mr. FixIt is capable of taking care of himself and, while he misses me…he understands my need to be at the farm sometimes. He’s a good guy.

\n

There was a hard rain come through yesterday. I sat on the front porch and watched and it was soon over. The sun came out and the green dazzled my eyes. Everything was so clean and fresh. I sat for the longest time and just scoured the hillside and surrounding area…looking for differences.

\n

The power line coming to the transformer on the pole in front of the house is noticeably drooping down low over the road. A tall vehicle could easily catch that. I’ll have to report it today. Also, the big pine tree on the bank seems to be leaning further out there over the driveway. I pulled up older pictures from the same vantage point to verify both the line and the tree. Something’s going to have to be done with that, too.

\n

I noticed Monday afternoon, there’s a wild grape vine on the power line between the house and the cinderblock building. None of that was there before I left for Colorado. This monsoon summer has created an overgrowth the likes of which I have never seen here. It’s like a tropical rain forest.

\n

When I did a walkabout yesterday, I noticed another tree on the hillside across the creek from the house that has split in half. But it appears the uphill half is actually falling up the hill. That has always been the main concern here. This little holler is so narrow, and the ground is shale and very soft. It wouldn’t take much to bring trees down on this house.

\n

Maybe the earth is taking her back. Maybe it’s the natural progression of old farm houses. I do know, to bring this place back to life and prosperity would take far more money than it’s worth. And, a ton…an absolute TON of work. We’re not OLD…but we are 66 and 67. The other day, I told Mr. FixIt…if we were just 30 years younger, we could do so much with this place.

\n

I think what I have to do is start saying goodbye to the old home place…in earnest. I know there will come a time when it isn’t safe to stay here without cutting down a bunch of trees…without upgrading the electricity…without shoring up the beams in the basement and the attic. My time here is getting shorter…I can feel it. I’m working on girding my heart in preparation.

\n

It’s like the old man who can tell it’s going to rain by the pain in his knee. The only difference is…this pain is in my heart.

\n

❤️

\n
“\"Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”\n

Haggai 1:4 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-08-14T01:30:36-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/14/the-farm-is-failing.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Wisdom","Courage","Aging","Presence","Warning","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/13/a-vivid-imagination.html", "title": "A Vivid Imagination", "content_html": "

\"Snow-cone “The moment I saw this, I knew it was the answer to my dream!”

\n

I was probably about ten years old when I got my first (and only) childhood bike for Christmas. I remember lusting after the sleek English racers I saw some of the bigger kids riding. Oooooo, the idea of all those gears and the trendy dropped handlebars and the hand brakes…I could just picture myself tooling around the world, peddling that bike, looking ever so sporty and sophisticated. I had a vivid imagination!

\n

Christmas morning came. I jumped up out of bed in my worn and tattered flannel jammies, and ran to the living room. There, leaning on its kickstand in the middle of the living room, was a brand new shiny blue bicycle! It wasn’t an English racer. It didn’t have any bells and whistles. It was a heavy, single speed monstrosity from Sears with the label “J. C. Higgins”. It was a sturdy, reliable bike and it didn’t take me long to figure out Mom couldn’t afford that trendy bicycle. I was darned lucky to have this one and not some hand-me-down from one of my cousins.

\n

I used to ride that bike all over the neighborhood. The following summer was the first time Mom let us stay home unsupervised. I played outside from first thing in the morning till I needed to be in to start supper before my folks got home from work. I remember having this intense fantasy of riding my bicycle to Canada. I envisioned panniers on the back…before I even knew what panniers were. I pictured what I would pack in there. I had read The Boxcar Children a dozen times so I knew just what I would need to survive on my own.

\n

In my ten-year-old brain, I had it all figured out. I would need money to survive so I would need to either get a job or sell something. The Christmas Wishbook from Sears arrived that fall and I ran to my room with it to figure out how I was going to raise funds for this epic adventure. And there it was! A snow-cone maker!!! My friends and I LOVED snow-cones! I figured if I had one of these babies, I could set up a stand out in front of the house and blow all those Lemonade Stands out of the water. I mean…who could resist a great snow-cone on a hot summer day, right???

\n

I look back at my youthful exuberance and my little girl naïveté and smile. I was sure I would sell a gazillion snow-cones from this cute little plastic gizmo. Just as sure as I would ride my bike to Canada. Well, I never rode my bike to Canada. I didn’t get the snow-cone maker. But I’ve been on lots of adventures. And, I’ve done things I never thought I could do. And now…I’m going to get to have another GRAND adventure and they’re handing me the camper to do it in!

\n

Believe me…I know how blessed I am to get this opportunity. Between now and the middle of September when I pick it up, I need to plan out an epic road trip. I’m thinking it would be really awesome to combine this with several Meet & Greets and get a chance to meet you wonderful “Ranchers” along the way! I’m just in the formulating stage but I’m thinking this could turn out to be….

\n

Ginny McKinney’s R-Pod-196 Adventure!

\n

Stay tuned to Marshmallow Ranch for details as plans fall into place!!!

\n

❤️

\n
“For nothing will be impossible with God.\"”\n

Luke 1:37 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-08-13T01:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/13/a-vivid-imagination.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","The Grand Adventure","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Peace","Humbled","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/08/nana-papaw-baby-boo.html", "title": "Nana \u0026 Papaw \u0026 Baby Boo!", "content_html": "

\"Great “Nana needed some baby snuggles before we went home!”

\n

We made it back to West Virginia, safe and sound..thank you, God! But, we absolutely couldn’t go home without seeing the baby! Our little great grandson arrived nearly two weeks ago and we stopped to get a snuggle. Oh, he’s so sweet! We had the bonus of our great granddaughter visiting as well!

\n

I have to tell you…we are so tired. I drove all but the last 20 miles after we stopped to see the baby. Just over 5400 miles since June 27th! I figured out the other day, I have been home exactly four days since June 5th. I knew this was going to be a busy summer but this is a little crazy!

\n

Tomorrow’s another day. But for now…I’ve got to get some sleep. We’re both whupped!

\n

❤️

\n
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”    Psalm 4:8 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-08-08T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/08/nana-papaw-baby-boo.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Aging","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/07/corn-aplenty.html", "title": "Corn a’Plenty", "content_html": "

\"Iowa “The vast cornfields of Iowa”

\n

I don’t think I have ever seen as much corn as I have in the last two days. All of Nebraska and all of Iowa were vast expanses of corn fields broken by occasional little towns and villages along the way. I think I love the I-80 corridor drive much more than I-70. The cities you go through are not nearly as congested as St. Louis and Kansas City.

\n

We left York, Nebraska yesterday morning at around 10:15 and pulled into Morton, Illinois at around 8:00 last night. I have family history here. Morton, Pekin, and Peoria are clustered nearby. Grandma and Pop-Pop came here when my mama was around two years old. Pop-Pop had to go where the work was. He and his two brothers’ families worked in this area as well. My uncle was born in Pekin. I have distant cousins in this area, but no time to look them up this trip.

\n

As we were driving through Iowa yesterday, it was about lunch time when I saw a sign for the town of Walnut. They are known as the “antique city” of Iowa. I asked Mr. FixIt if he was ready to stretch his legs and maybe browse a couple of antique shops and grab some lunch. He’s always game for a good time so I put on my turn signal and exited the hustle-bustle of the interstate and stepped back into time.

\n

When you drive down the wide avenue into the antique district of the bucolic little village of Walnut, you can’t help but notice the amazing Victorian style homes lining each side of the street. The town was neat as a pin…each yard was well groomed with magnificent trees and landscaping. We parked in front of the post office and strolled across the herringbone brick street and wandered through a handful of shops. It was everything I could do to not strap a couple of beautiful finds to the top of my truck as there is absolutely no room inside for one more thing.

\n

I glanced at the time, and as much as I hated to, I told Mr. FixIt we’d better get on the road. As we walked back up the street hand in hand, he smiled at me and asked me that question every woman wants to hear.

\n

“Do you want to get ice cream for lunch?”

\n

Back off girls…I found him first!

\n

Who doesn’t want ice cream for lunch, right? We crossed over to The Banana Split where Sarah greeted us warmly. We shared the usual pleasantries and asked a bit about the town. Then we got down to the business at hand. There are about eight or nine flavors of hard ice cream as well as soft serve, candy, chips, and the usual soda fountain fare of banana splits and sundaes. Their special yesterday was banana bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and a sprinkling of pecans to finish it off. I demurred and told Sarah that was WAY out of my calorie limit for a whole month!

\n

I selected cherry nut ice cream in a waffle cone. My dad’s favorite ice cream was cherry nut so consequently that was the one we had most often in our house. I didn’t catch where they get their ice cream or if they make it themselves, but it was the best cherry nut I’ve ever had. Rich and smooth and not cloyingly sweet. Mr. FixIt followed my lead and had the same, but in a cup.

\n

If you ever find yourself crossing Iowa on I-80 and you want to enjoy a couple of hours at a slow and sweet pace, drop into Walnut, check out the antiques and go see Sarah at The Banana Split. Tell her Ginny McKinney sent you!

\n

❤️

\n
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:”\n

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-08-07T01:30:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/07/corn-aplenty.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/06/making-our-way-back-home.html", "title": "Making Our Way Back Home", "content_html": "

\"Nebraska “Truckin’ across Nebraska”

\n

Yesterday was a challenge. First, I was still so wound up from the wedding and the super long drive home, I couldn’t settle down and was still awake at 4:00 in the morning. We woke up at 7:00 and had to try to fit all the stuff from the camper into the bed of the truck and still make sure the tonneau cover would close. We finally made all but a couple things fit and were finished at 10:30. We waited till Ben got home so we could say our goodbyes and finally hit the road at about 11:00.

\n

I drove all day and we pulled into York, Nebraska…just shy of Lincoln…at about 7:30. We marveled at how green everything is. I have never traveled I-80 as my route between Colorado and West Virginia, but there are major closures on I-70 in St. Louis and Kansas City for construction. We were going to stop in Kearney, NE but they had nine inches of rain on July 8th and all the hotels and restaurants were flooded. There are only about 3 or 4 hotels open and they were either full or pricey. So we drove on.

\n

The flooding certainly explains why everything is so green here. The mountains of Colorado were the same way and that is good news for the communities who worry about forest fires. It’s not good news here in Nebraska. The farmers here have had a hard time getting crops in the ground…especially wheat. There’s corn to beat the band but not all of it has tasseled yet.

\n

It was interesting watching the crop dusters all along the highway. I’ve only seen them once in my life and they were everywhere! I’m not sure what they were spraying and I certainly hope it doesn’t harm the honeybees!

\n

Today, we keep on truckin’!

\n

❤️

\n
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”\n

Psalm 119:105 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-08-06T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/06/making-our-way-back-home.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/03/basking-in-the-glow-of.html", "title": "Basking in the Glow of Family", "content_html": "

\"Sunset “The sun goes down on the evening before my baby’s wedding. My heart is full!”

\n

Last night was amazing. Every fear and trepidation I had beforehand dissipated as soon as we pulled into the driveway at Hubby #2’s house. He was so gracious, as was his wife. Their house is stunning. Their dogs are the sweetest things. Daughter #1 and her family were there when we arrived and soon after, my sister- and brother-in-law arrived from Utah. Oh, my gosh! It was so exciting to see them all!

\n

Just before dinner, my daughter and her fiancée arrived and we were a complete family. My brother enjoyed everyone and joined in the conversations. It really was perfect. What I learned from this: When you hand things over to God to take care of…you have to let go of it. I knew as I was driving over from Glenwood Springs…this was going to be good. This was going to be very, very good.

\n

After dinner, Daughter #2 came to me and said, “Mama…I have something for you to do tomorrow. You’re in charge of this…and making sure he has a seat at my wedding.”

\n

With that she handed me a framed photo of Mr. Virgo. She was very close to her stepfather and losing him was so hard on her. The suddenness of seeing his smiling face…so totally unexpected…took my breath away and I started crying. I wasn’t the only one. It was a very special moment and it still makes me tearful as I write this. What a beautiful gesture…what a beautiful God moment….what love…what treasures I have in this family.

\n

My baby is getting married today. My heart is so full! Thank you Jesus for every gift you have given me in this life!

\n

❤️

\n
“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.”\n

Song of Songs 8:6-7 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-08-03T01:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/03/basking-in-the-glow-of.html", "tags": ["Faith","Colorado","Family","Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Courage","Choices","Be Joyful!","Widow","Marriage","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/08/02/no-worse-for-the-wear.html", "title": "No Worse for the Wear", "content_html": "

\"Old “While once sleek and shiny, these vehicles still hold a deep beauty.”

\n

We left Ridgway yesterday saying goodbye to our friends, Linda and Jim. We both choked up…goodbyes have always been difficult for me ever since I lost Mr. Virgo. We just don’t know if and when we will meet again and it tears at my heartstrings. I know Linda loves Colorado, but deep down, she has that Ohio farm girl in there somewhere. I loved watching her as she listened to Mr. FixIt’s unmistakable West Virginia accent and she was transported back over the years and the miles to the home of her youth.

\n

Even though we didn’t go to the same high school with Linda, we know many of the same people…one of whom is Jeff. He and his wife Julie moved to the Ridgway area a couple of years ago. It’s funny how the webs of friendship cross over. Linda and Jeff were both friends with Cindy (a girl from my class) and that’s how they connected. I am friends with Cindy and that’s how Linda connected with me and the connection with Jeff was made through Linda and because he was on the boy’s gymnastics team while I competed with the girl’s team the same year. And….Mr. FixIt was on that same team with Jeff! See what a teeny tiny world it is? Jeff and Julie joined us for dinner at Linda’s Wednesday night. Mr. FixIt hadn’t seen Jeff in forty-eight years. There were lots of stories and laughs and we all had a grand time.

\n

We drove north out of Ridgway, through Montrose and Olathe (home of Olathe Sweet Corn) and on to Delta. I kept my eyes peeled for a place I found when I was on “The Grand Adventure”…that three month odyssey into the wilderness and backroads after Mr. Virgo died. It’s just a vacant lot on the main drag that’s filled with old, broken down cars and trucks. I don’t know why it attracted me that first time, but I couldn’t wait to show Mr. FixIt.

\n

We were almost to our turnoff to head east over McClure Pass when I saw them. Red vehicles…either from the faded and flaked paint or the rust beneath. Some had their hoods strapped down. Others had holes in the glass from years of being the target of vandals or the errant stone thrown back in the day when they motored down the highways of old. Mr. FixIt caught his breath.

\n

“Oh, wow! Would you look at that!” A smile crept across his face and his eyes sparkled like a little boy who just found the coolest treasure stuck on a dusty shelf. I immediately pulled over and threw the truck in park. We jumped out and walked up and down the rows of derelict automobiles resting on their rims because of long ago rotted and airless tires. We peeked in through hazy windows at the scraps of stuffing clinging to the old and rusted springs of the seats inside. 

\n

“Oh, look! Is that a Nash? A Studebaker? What’s this one? Ford used to make a Cortina. Do you suppose that’s what this one is?” This went on and on as we dodged the large mud holes formed from the afternoon storms we’ve been getting and made our way through the maze of cars.

\n

As I looked at these rusted out hulks, I thought about beauty being in the eye of the beholder. I have to be perfectly honest…I’ve had some trepidation about the wedding this weekend. My daughter’s dad lives in a world I no longer belong to. He’s a doctor, and consequently lives like a doctor in a fine house. With fine friends. And a fine wife. Fine furnishings. Fine food. A fine life. I used to circle in that orbit, although I never really felt a part of that world, although I tried very hard to make myself fit in. 

\n

I have to admit. I’ve let myself be a little self conscious about my comfortable tummy and my jelly thighs and my granny-wing upper arms knowing ever so painfully how that was judged by those in that orbit. I’ve been praying about it a lot. And God whispered to me as I wandered amongst these vehicles what were once sleek and shiny and new.

\n

“You don’t have to fear that world. You don’t have to feel bad for the way you fit in your body all comfy-like. You don’t have to concern yourself with what anyone else thinks of you….just remember I love you. Completely. Just the way you are. Just love them all the way I love you.”

\n

You see…the very act of feeling self conscious and judged puts me in a place where I’m being the judge. I don’t know what’s in their hearts and minds. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since those days so long ago when I circled around that orbit. It’s a foreign land to me now. I have no reason to feel “less than” anyone. I can walk right in, on the arm of a man I adore and who adores me right back. We’ve created a life that fits us perfectly and we’re perfectly happy.

\n

It’s all about love, trust, letting go, and letting God take care of the details. I’m comfortable in this life, this body…no matter where I go or who I run into. None of this is about me anyway. It’s totally about my daughter and her joy anyway. Yes…it’s all about love!

\n

❤️

\n
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people.”    Isaiah 64:8-9 NIV
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-08-02T01:30:06-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/08/02/no-worse-for-the-wear.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Courage","Aging","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/30/the-ancient-ones.html", "title": "The Ancient Ones", "content_html": "

\"Vacation “Clockwise from Top Left: Long view from Mesa Verde, Cliff Palace through the binoculars, Serious Texas BBQ, Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde, Colorado”

\n

When I was on my three month journey into the wilderness and backroads of Colorado after Mr. Virgo died, one of the places I visited was Mesa Verde. This is such a mystical, ancient place. Whenever I am here, I can feel this amazing energy and peacefulness. I truly love showing Mr. FixIt places that I have been. I love watching the awe on his face. The long views in the west are unlike anything we have back east. He keeps saying how glad he is that he has his own personal tour guide!

\n

We sat in the parking lot and ate fresh fruit for lunch. OMGosh! The black plums are exquisite! And the red grapes were perfection!

\n

I was thrilled to find a very reasonably priced motel last night. $89 plus taxes and fees. It’s one of the cheapest we have found. And, I could hardly wait to go to Seriously Texas BBQ for dinner. I make great ribs. These are better! Durango is a pretty little college town. We parked and watched the Durango Silverton Train come back into the station. It was a really great day!

\n

Today we head to Ridgway and we’re staying a couple of days with friends. It’s going to be a relaxing couple of days leading up to the wedding festivities!!!

\n

❤️

\n
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”    Colossians 3:14 NIV
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-07-30T01:30:39-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/30/the-ancient-ones.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Fun","Gratitude","Peaceful Moments"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/29/abundance.html", "title": "Abundance", "content_html": "

\"Weminuche “Heading into the Weminuche Wilderness”

\n

Joyful abundance! Mr. FixIt is such a great traveler. I love showing him places he hasn’t seen. As a matter of fact, he told me the other night his neck hurts from swiveling back and forth, trying to take it all in. We arrived in Pagosa Springs on Friday afternoon. This is where Mr. Virgo and I lived in 2008. He was the General Manager for a 4200 acre luxury resort here and I did the marketing and catering. It was a short-lived position as our job was to try to turn their losses into profits and try as we might, it was not to be. This is the nature of being a fixer. If you can’t, they close and you lose your job. If you can, they sell and you lose your job. We didn’t really expect to be there long term.

\n

Pagosa Springs is a gorgeous area and I enjoyed the rugged beauty of it. I did not like the short summer, long winter, and gobs of snow. So I was just as happy to get out of there and move on. Still, it is someplace I wanted Mr. FixIt to see and experience. We went out for a wonderful breakfast yesterday morning then headed to the backroads. Mr. Virgo and I used to spend every day off exploring the many dirt roads in the Weminuche Wilderness. This is where I came when I started my grief journey in Little TOW-Wanda. I carried strands of Mr. Virgo’s silver hair into the dense woods above Williams Lake and buried them at the base of a tree, affixing a cross to mark the spot.

\n

We didn’t walk back into the woods yesterday. That wasn’t part of the deal. That was mine…my memory. As a matter of fact, as we drove deeper and deeper into the woods, I felt Mr. Virgo so strongly…as if he were gliding along with us. I told Mr. FixIt story after story. Here’s where we worked. Here’s where we shopped. Here’s where we loved to eat dinner. There’s the car wash where they had to unfreeze the doors so we could get out. That little bakery has the best pastries. This restaurant has the best coffee. My sweet husband held my hand and smiled and nodded and encouraged me to share because he knows this helps me heal and move forward. 

\n

Then…in the middle of the afternoon, we found out…great grandchild #3 is on the way!!! Another little boy…arriving in January!!!

\n

My heart is about to explode! THIS!!! This is what I so very nearly lost in January 2000 when I overdosed. At the time, my world was so small, so dark, so difficult and I couldn’t see anything beyond that darkness. And now…look at this! My world is so blessed with such abundance and joy, I can hardly contain myself! Babies! The Wedding! My sweet husband! My wonderful family! My health! My heart!

\n

Thank you…..thank you dearest Heavenly Father…for healing my family…for healing me…for giving me Mr. Virgo to show me I was worthy of earthly love…for giving me Mr. FixIt for helping me through the most difficult period of my life…and for this tremendous family, mine and his, that brings our numbers up and up and up! I’m so high on life, you have to scrape me off the clouds!

\n

❤️

\n
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”\n

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-29T01:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/29/abundance.html", "tags": ["Faith","Health","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Humbled","Aging","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/28/one-of-these-things-is.html", "title": "One of These Things is Not Like the Other...a BABY!", "content_html": "

\"Vacation “Clockwise, top left: Hollyhocks, Toes along the San Juan River, The view from Independence Pass, and….Baby Boo!!!!!”

\n

It was a beautiful day for a baby! We had a leisurely breakfast and headed through Aspen and up Independence Pass. Mr. Fixit ooooohed and aaaaahed all the way. He’s never seen the likes of Colorado’s beauty. We stopped at the top of the pass and I was going to walk out to the windy point to take pictures but I could hardly catch my breath at 12,000+ feet elevation so I elected to stay in the car taking slow, deep breaths. I was glad to get down lower.

\n

We stopped here and there. When I saw the sign for the turnoff to St. Elmo, I hung a right and went back in time to the 1800’s. It has probably been 40 years since I was there. We looked around at the old buildings and antiques. We sat on a bench and ate ice cream. And we finally climbed back in the truck and headed further south. 

\n

Along about Saguache…the phone rang and all I could hear was a tiny baby boy crying. “Wait….OMGosh!!! Is that a baby????? He’s here already????” Yes! Our tiny little Boo made his debut at around 5:30 eastern time weighing in at 6lbs13oz! And, of course….he’s perfect!!!

\n

So, the mountains and the flowers, the river and the relaxing beside it….all pale in comparison to being a great grandma…again! What more could I tell you about today??? Thank you God, for protecting Mommy & Daddy and Nana’s little Boo!

\n

❤️

\n
“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.”\n

John 16:21 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-28T01:30:28-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/28/one-of-these-things-is.html", "tags": ["Health","Colorado","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Fun","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/26/road-trippin.html", "title": "Road Trippin’", "content_html": "

\"Loveland “Views from Loveland Pass”

\n

We got a slow start yesterday. We cleaned out the truck and packed, checked and rechecked to make sure we had everything, then almost pulled away without my brother’s package we waited for. Once we retrieved that, we were on our way! We drove over to the west side of town, down through Golden, then out Clear Creek Canyon and picked up I-70 at Idaho Springs. I love starting out my trips that way. The canyon immediately makes you feel like you’re in the mountains and you don’t have to run the gauntlet that is Floyd Hill.

\n

We exited the interstate just before the Eisenhower Tunnel and took Route 6 over Loveland Pass. We have a function on our GPS that tells you what your elevation is. It was right on…11,995 feet at the top of the pass. We stopped and took lots of pictures along the way. It was so much fun to play tourist and show Mr. FixIt some of the hidden beauty of Colorado.

\n

We dropped down into Keystone then on into Frisco. I was hoping the weather would be cooperative and we could check out the chuck wagon dinner at Two Below Zero, but it was really cool and rainy so we decided to try another time. We walked the streets of Frisco, checked out the little shops, and ate dinner at Bread + Salt. I wasn’t overly impressed, but I was hungry so it was ok. 

\n

This is a Gypsy trip…one without reservations, except for the wedding stay. We sat in the truck and browsed the hotel.com app and chose a hotel in Keystone with a really reasonable price. $76…but with taxes and fees it was $92. Welcome to tourism in Colorado. The room was perfectly fine. The beds were comfy and clean, there wasn’t an exceptional amount of noise, and there’s a complimentary breakfast. You can’t beat that when you consider most of the others in the tourist towns here are upwards of $200 a night.

\n

The biggest problem that occurred was when I went to check in. I cannot find my driver’s license anywhere. I’ve searched through everything. The last time I remember having it was at the Quick Care on the 22nd. I called them and the pharmacy and they don’t have it. So now I have to see if I can get a replacement sent to me here. It’s not the end of the world and it certainly won’t ruin my fun. But I am frustrated that I’ve misplaced it.

\n

I have no idea where we’ll end up today, but no matter where it is, it will be beautiful! Colorado has some stunning scenery!!! Oh…and please send up a little prayer for our family that is scheduled to grow in the next day or two. Our great grandson will make his debut in West Virginia and we can’t be there to welcome him. Prayers for a safe delivery and a healthy, happy baby, mama, and daddy!

\n

❤️

\n
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”\n

1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-26T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/26/road-trippin.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","Gratitude","Love","God","Peace","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/25/a-glimpse-of-heaven.html", "title": "A Glimpse of Heaven", "content_html": "

\"A “A Glimpse of Heaven in the Colorado Night Sky”

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I knew this would happen. I blinked and a month flew by. I left on this journey exactly four weeks ago. Time is such a weird thing after loss. On the one hand…it flies. On the other…it stands still. I got some quality time with my Colorado family. Mr. FixIt has been here almost two weeks already. The package I’ve been expecting for my brother arrived yesterday so now we can pack up and go off on a little adventure on our own before the wedding.

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Grandma L. is still hanging in there. She is such a strong woman. She rallies and fades, rallies and fades. They moved her from her apartment at assisted living to a skilled nursing facility on Monday. She had a dream on Tuesday night. At least, she thinks it was a dream. She was lying in bed and her legs felt like stone. But then, she was standing up…strong and vital. She looked around it was so glorious. She saw a crevice and knew she was supposed to jump over it. She knew she COULD. She didn’t see Grandpa right off, but she knew she could find him easily. Instead, she decided to come back and tell us all how absolutely peaceful and grand it is. I love that she could see it all so clearly and she isn’t afraid.

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I know she might pass away while we are gone, but I didn’t want to wear her out by adding to the number of visitors going to see her. There are other closer relatives who need to spend time with her. I was able to hug on her last Saturday at her birthday party and she absolutely knows how I feel about her. Her absence will leave a gaping hole for quite some time in the lives of those who knew and loved her.

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We all went out for supper last night after they moved everything out of Grandma’s apartment at the assisted living place. There were twelve of us. As I walked back to the table with my food, I paused for a moment and gazed over this beautiful family my daughter was so fortunate to marry into. Another part of my bonus family. We are so blessed…with kids and their kids and us grandparents. We are becoming the matriarchs. I thought it would take longer.

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Mr. FixIt and I will head out today for a week of touring the state. We were supposed to do this with the camper, but it’ll all work out without it. I love showing him places he’s never been! So…here we go on another road trip, y’all. Hang on!

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❤️

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“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”\n

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-25T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/25/a-glimpse-of-heaven.html", "tags": ["Faith","Colorado","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Courage","Aging","Choices","Change","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/24/pennies-from-heaven.html", "title": "Pennies from Heaven", "content_html": "

\"Women “Finally had a chance to visit with my friend, Michelle.”

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I’ve been writing a daily essay here for over six-and-a-half years now. I’ve heard from numerous people about odd things that have happened since their loved one died. Things that make them feel comforted…like they’re being watched over. Signs from Heaven. With me, it’s bluebirds and angel pennies.

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You’ve all heard of “pennies from heaven”. Folk lore says found coins come from angels throwing them in our path to remind us they were here. Something happened yesterday that was downright eerie…but in a wonderful way.

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I met my friend Michelle at the nail salon yesterday. We met years ago when I was a new widow and she was one of my fellow women campers who helped me find myself. We met at the salon because that was the one place we could absolutely stop and sit still for two hours. We both live very busy lives.

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During the course of our conversation, Michelle told me they were expecting her sweet grandfather to pass at anytime. As a matter of fact, she felt yesterday was his last day here on earth. We covered every topic under the sun and got caught up with what has been going on in each other’s lives. 

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When she was getting her manicure, I realized the polish on my toes wasn’t drying very fast so I excused myself to the other side of the room to place my feet under the lights. Finally, she came over to me to hug me goodbye. She had a call to make at noon and had to run. When I sat down at the table where the lights were, I placed my phone and water bottle on the counter. I didn’t notice the penny there till Michelle hugged me.

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I picked up the penny and showed it to her.

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“Look, I think this is for you! Maybe it’s your grandpa sending you a message.”

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I placed the penny in Michelle’s hand. She looked at her phone and said, “Hmmm, it’s 11:44. I’ll remember this if I hear of his passing.” With that, we said hugged and she went out the door.

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Twenty minutes later she texted me.

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“My grandfather passed away twenty minutes ago.”

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Coincidence? If so, it was uncanny. Who knows? I told her she needed to keep that penny in a special place. I keep all my angel pennies in a depression on the dashboard of my truck. I found two more right outside my truck at the next stop. I tucked them away with the others and whispered a “Thank You” to whoever dropped the pennies for us.

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❤️

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“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, \"Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.\" \"Blessed indeed,\" says the Spirit, \"that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!\"”    Revelation 14:13 ESV
\n", "date_published": "2019-07-24T01:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/24/pennies-from-heaven.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Gratitude","God","Peace","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/21/one-small-step.html", "title": "One Small Step", "content_html": "

\"Apollo “One small step…”

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It was a sultry summer night…Sunday, July 20, 1969. We had been watching the news over the previous week or so about the astronauts that were going to walk on the moon. I was all of sixteen…that magical age where you’re caught somewhere between Barbies and boys. We didn’t have screens on the windows but it was too hot to leave them closed. We absentmindedly swatted away the mosquitoes as we ate ice cream and stared at the flickering grey screen.

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Hippies were preparing for Woodstock. Giggling teenagers were having slumber parties. We were rolling our hair on juice cans and wearing bellbottomed jeans. We popped our gum and knew all about Archie and Veronica’s exploits. Dad would complain about the “yippies” next door playing their drums too loud and the cars that went too fast up our dirt street. A couple of times a week, a Jeep would drive up the road spraying DDT into the neighborhood to keep the mosquito population down to a reasonable level. And once a month or so, a different truck would come and spray oil or tar down on the dusty dirt. The first day out after they sprayed, our bare feet would be covered with a half inch think glob of sandy tar turning our soles into…well, soles.

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It was the summer of love. My foster sister was going to school all summer in Athens to get a certificate for preschool education. She wrote me long letters and on the back of each envelope she drew a picture of a bunny and wrote “God Bless Pink Summers ‘69” in an arc above its head. The war in Vietnam was cranking up, but we were young and in love with ourselves and life in general. War was something that happened so far away, it didn’t seem to have anything to do with us. But, in all actuality, we were living in difficult, tumultuous times in this country. We were just too young to really understand it all.

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And now, here we were in a darkened room, sweat trickling down our backs, waiting for Neil Armstrong to take “one small step for [a] man…one giant leap for mankind.” I remember being absolutely mesmerized by this amazing feat. This was one of those landmark moments in time. A moment when there was a before and after and nothing would be the same again. It was a unifying event and we all held our collective breath in the moment. 

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Here it is…fifty years later. Where did that time go? It seems I blinked and now I have great grandchildren. I’m feeling particularly nostalgic because I am here with my Colorado family. Yesterday we celebrated the 90th birthday of the matriarch of my son-in-law’s family. Grandma’s health has been failing this week but by golly, she rallied yesterday and seventeen of us gathered to shower her with our love and ate strawberry shortcake…her all time favorite. Afterwards, we left Grandma to get some rest and went out to dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory.

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It was one of those days we will remember always…when Grandma’s sun was shining and the moon echoed with the memories of another hot summers’ night, so long ago.

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❤️

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“it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.””    Psalm 89:37 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-07-21T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/21/one-small-step.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Peace","Wisdom","Humbled","Aging","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/19/avoiding-the-heat.html", "title": "Avoiding the Heat", "content_html": "

\"Shrimp\" “Shrimp…it’s what’s for dinner!”

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The temperature went up into the triple digits yesterday. Mr. FixIt and I hung out indoors most of the day. I did laundry and worked on the socks I’m knitting for Big. We watched some television. We visited with Ben & Sue. And we stayed cool in the air conditioning. 

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Finally, along about 5:00, we ventured out to the grocery store. We wanted to pick up something for dinner so I could take a turn cooking. When Ben & Sue went with us to the Outer Banks in April, we learned they love grits. I asked them if they had ever had Low Country Shrimp & Grits and they had not. We brought them a bag of grits from our trip down south last month so I wanted to fix this especially for them.

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This isn’t a particularly difficult recipe to make, but it does take about an hour or so to pull together. We bought a pound of frozen medium sized tail-on shrimp, a lemon, a container of sliced mushrooms, a bunch of green onions, a package of fully cooked bacon, a package of shredded extra sharp cheddar, a small container of shredded parmesan, and a tube of minced garlic. The convenience of buying the prepped veggies, bacon, and cheese saves time.

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What better source for a southern recipe than Southern Living Magazine. I had as much fun reading about the origin of this dish as I had making and serving it. You can find the full recipe and directions here: 

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https://www.southernliving.com/grains/grits/low-country-shrimp-and-grits

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I have to say, this was a big hit for supper. There wasn’t an abundance of cooking so the kitchen didn’t get hot. It really was delicious. I made this with yellow grits, even though the recipe calls for white. I love both varieties. You know people love it when there aren’t any leftovers! We finished it off with some cold melon…watermelon and cantaloupe.

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After supper, we played a few hands of rummy as we laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. Making memories. It’s the most important part of our travels.

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❤️

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“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”    Luke 2:19 NIV
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-07-19T01:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/19/avoiding-the-heat.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/18/coffee-plowing-the-south-forty.html", "title": "Coffee \u0026 Plowing the South Forty", "content_html": "

\"Caribou “Can you tell by looking whether it’s got caffeine in it? Yeah…me neither!!!!”

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I love coffee. Like…LOVE coffee! I like to think I’m a coffee connoisseur, but I can’t name the region where a coffee was sourced just by tasting it or smelling it. I just know a good cup of coffee when I taste one. Ben & Sue are half-caff kids. No strong coffee for them. I learned to really appreciate coffee when Mr. Virgo was alive. If the spoon didn’t stand up in the cup, it wasn’t strong enough as far as he was concerned. And don’t DARE serve him a cup of coffee that you can read a newspaper through!

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When Mr. Virgo and I were first together, I griped incessantly about his coffee…it was too strong, it was bitter, it was wretched! I bought a coffeemaker that actually had two sides to it. He would make his coffee in one side…I’d make mine in the other. We both turned our noses up when we saw the other’s brew. Then, that coffeemaker broke and he finally convinced me to buy a Bunn. They are fabulous! Your coffee is ready in literally 1-2 minutes. It was great. 

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After making a big show of pouring half a cup of coffee and filling the mug with milk before I popped it in the microwave, accompanied by a heavy sigh, I started actually appreciating the flavor of his coffee. It wasn’t until after Mr. Virgo died, that I started drinking my coffee the same strength as his. A “hanging on to memories” kinda thing, I think.

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Ben & Sue have offered a place on the counter to put my own coffeemaker where I can brew my version of coffee, but I just haven’t taken the time to go out to the storage bins and search for it. Until I do, I am happy to have a cup or two of what is available. But at least a couple of times a week, I have to take advantage of the many coffee shops in the Metro Denver Area and get a “real” cuppa Joe. 

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Yesterday, Mr. FixIt and I had a list of things we wanted to accomplish. We went out to breakfast with Ben & Sue. We started out at Denny’s, but after 15 minutes and no one did so much as bring us silverware, we got up and left. We went to Perkin’s Pancake House. After breakfast, we headed out to run our errands. By the time we were finished, it was 3:00 and we decided to go to Caribou Coffee and get something cold and refreshing. 

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I am adamant about my caffeine intake. I cannot have regular coffee after about noon or else I’ll be up all night…ready to plow the south forty. I got about halfway through my iced coffee when I realized I forgot to order decaf! O. M. Gosh!!! As I’m writing this, it’s 8:30 Wednesday evening and I could start painting a barn if I had one! Zooooom! Zooooom!

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It’s been hot here, but nothing like the heat y’all are getting back east! Ninety-eight here is certainly not the same as ninety-eight back home. I hope you all are staying safe and well hydrated so you stay healthy!

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❤️

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“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”    1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-07-18T01:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/18/coffee-plowing-the-south-forty.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/15/a-celebration.html", "title": "A Celebration", "content_html": "

\"Celebrating\" “Celebrating a love…and a life.”

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When Mr. FixIt and I got married last October, it was really a rather spur of the moment decision. I didn’t wan’t my kids to have to spend money to come out for the wedding when we were planning a trip to Colorado this summer anyway. So, I told them we would just have a dinner together with those we love and celebrate that way.

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Yesterday was our day to celebrate our wedding with our Colorado peeps. Daughter #1 organized it and we had fourteen people over for the same menu we served at the actual wedding…pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, chips, and drinks. In lieu of a wedding cake, and the fact that we all need to fit in our pretty dresses in three weeks for Daughter #2’s wedding, we had fruit salad instead of cake.

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It was wonderful to have our loved ones around us. I really wanted them to spend some time with Mr. FixIt and get to know him better…and vice versa. It was such a lovely day and everyone had a great time.  And, today is my daughter and son-in-law’s 24th Weddiing Anniversary! Remembering that beautiful day and hoping they have many, many more!

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I am so blessed to have these wonderful people in my life.

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I ended the day with a note of sadness, however. I found out a sweet friend of mine died after a ten year struggle with cancer. Rae Ann and I connected six years ago after I joined Sisters on the Fly. She was the only Sister in my area. Rae Ann had an infectious laugh, a gravely voice, and was the best storyteller. She could make your sides split without even trying. I had the very good fortune of camping with her several times. The last time was after she found out her cancer could not be cured. She taught me so much about living the life you have to the fullest. She was camping and kayaking up to the last couple of weeks of her life. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Rest in peace, Rae Ann. You were a shining example of living in the moment and I celebrate your life today!

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❤️

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“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, \"I will never leave you nor forsake you.\"”\n

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

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\n", "date_published": "2019-07-15T01:30:49-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/15/a-celebration.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Strong Women","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Warning","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/13/revisiting-memories.html", "title": "Revisiting Memories", "content_html": "

\"Drum “Daughter #2…Marching to her own drum!”

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When Daughter #2 was thirteen years old, she and I took off for a three week road trip. It was epic. She was not only in that early teenager mode. We were also working on repairing the damage done from years of depression and too many prescriptions and martinis…not to mention the overdose. It took a lot out of our relationship.

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When I arrived in Denver this visit, the ultimate goal is the wedding. My baby is getting married. My little Moon Pie. Only, she’s a full grown woman…out on her own…thriving…dancing to her own drum, as always. We saw each other  the day after I got here and spent several hours visiting and dining out. She made me promise we would do one special thing…just the two of us…before the wedding.

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She wanted to go antiquing.

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I couldn’t believe my ears. Antiquing? This poor kid was dragged, kicking and screaming, into every antique store in West Virginia, I think. And several between there and Colorado. I loved going to antique stores. She did not. So, this was new. I asked her what brought on this miraculous transformation. 

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“I don’t know. Just…suddenly, I find myself looking at antiques online. For fun.”

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Ladies and gentleman…there IS life after adolescence!!!

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So, yesterday was our antiquing adventure. We started out by having lunch with Daughter #1, Big, and Little. Oh…if you have children, you know what that did to my heart…sitting there with my Colorado kids! ❤️melt After lunch, Daughter #2 and I went to the Brass Armadillo off I-70 and Kipling.

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We walked in and she stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widened, her mouth dropped open, and she gasped.

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“This place is HUGE!”

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Yes, my girl…it is!

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We wandered around for three hours. She kept grabbing my arm and pulling me over to see this or that. Lots of oooohs and aaaahs and wows. Several times she wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight and thanked me so much for doing this with her. That’s when I realized…this was SO much more than going to see a bunch of old stuff.

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This was a celebration. Of healing. Of love. Of warm memories shared. Even of forgiveness. This was a bonding ritual…something only she and I could share as the wedding rapidly approaches and her life is forever changed. This was incredibly special. And we enjoyed every minute of it. 

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We didn’t get to see 1/4th of the store before we were both fried. We left arm in arm and headed out to the truck. I drove her back to her car. As she prepared to leave she reached over and kissed me on the cheek.

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“Thank you, mamacita. That was so much fun!”

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You’re welcome, Moon Pie.

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❤️

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“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”\n

Psalm 127:3 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-13T01:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/13/revisiting-memories.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Aging","Presence","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/11/blog-inspiration.html", "title": "Blog Inspiration", "content_html": "

\"Midsummer’s “Enjoying a midsummer’s eve in Colorado.”

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I was talking about my blog the other day with the owner of a lovely antique store in Minturn, Colorado. Just a stone’s throw from the glitz and glamour of Vail, Minturn still holds that little mining town feel it’s had for decades. It is kind of land bound…there can’t be a ton of new expansion and building outrageous mansions for the rich and famous. The town center is located just two miles off I-70, but it seems like a step back in time.

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I told the owner of the shop that my life experiences are “blog fodder”. Just about everything I do, I look for the gold in the moment. I ask myself, “How can I weave this into an interesting story without sounding like Aunt Bertha describing her breakfast for the umpteenth time?” I always look for ways my posts can be positive, uplifting, encouraging, and even empowering. I want you to come away with something good for your day…even if it’s just a smile or a giggle.

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Yesterday was bittersweet as I began emptying the camper and packing the items away in plastic bins. I need to be able to fit everything in my truck, including what Mr. FixIt brings with him from West Virginia. I’ll list it tomorrow so people can shop over the weekend and hopefully she will find a new home and someone will love her as much as I have. We girl campers have a strong attachment to our little homes on wheels.

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I bought some of those big ziplock bags that you vacuum the air out of and the compress the contents for easy storage. I’d never used them before but they were amazing. Ben and Sue have a huge dining room table to accommodate our large family at dinners. I had the top of that table piled two feet deep with pillows, blankets, towels, and my fur throw. By the time I got the items packed and the air vacuumed out, I couldn’t believe how compact it was. There is room in the back under the tonneau cover for one more large bin with some extra space around them. These bags will easily slip between and on top of the plastic bins, keeping the contents from getting wet.

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When I was finished with my chores for the day, I went out on the back porch to write. Sue has the most beautiful flowers this summer. It has been rainy and cool up to this week so they are thriving. It’s unusual to keep pots this pretty by the middle of July here in the semi-arid climate of Colorado. The air cooled to a reasonable 81 degrees by 8:30 so I sat there for a long time…admiring the beauty of a midsummer’s eve.

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I hope you are enjoying your summer. I was telling Sue at supper list night…I think I’ve only been home a week or so since the last week of May. It’s ok…I’m having a wonderful time and it will only be made better by Mr. FixIt’s arrival on Saturday. Two more sleeps!!!

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❤️

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“In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”\n

Ephesians 5:28 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-11T01:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/11/blog-inspiration.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/09/a-quick-road-trip.html", "title": "A Quick Road Trip", "content_html": "

\"Grizzly “I stopped at Grizzly Creek to catch a shot of the runoff from the snowmelt.”

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I decided to make a quick trip up to the mountains to see my brother yesterday. We only get to see each other a few short days when I come to Colorado every summer. Bless his heart…I felt he looked better this time than he did last summer. Although he uses a walker all the time now, he seemed stronger. He is shrinking with age and the first thing he always asks me is, “Are you getting taller???”

\n

My brother has cerebral palsy and some diminished intellectual capacity. His memory has never been very good and it’s only getting worse. He thought I hadn’t come to see him in years but I see him every summer. I told him I would try to figure out how to FaceTime with him. Computers are too complicated for him, but a friend told me about something called a “GrandPad”. I think it’s just for email and pictures though. It doesn’t do video chat. We’ll work something out.

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I was a little saddened by the way this little town I lived in for so many years has grown. There were so many people there yet I saw just about all I wanted to see in a couple of hours. The traffic is terrible. It barely resembles the sleepy little cow town we moved to in 1986. The price of progress is often quality of life. Yes, there’s a lot to do now. But that means everyone and their brother wants to come do it. Good for the economy. Bad for the working person. The price of housing is astronomical.

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I stayed with my good friend Terri last night. We’ve known each other for many, many years and she lives right around the corner from my old house. We drove by on our way to dinner. I had visited the cemetery earlier and talked with Mr. Virgo. I was a little distressed by the overgrown weeds up there. When I mentioned it to Terri later, she pointed out the vacant lots in the subdivision. The weeds and wild grasses are nearly three feet high in some places. Like much of the rest of the country, Colorado has had a very wet and cool year which promotes overgrowth. Then, when things get really hot and dry out in August, there’s a lot of fuel for wildfires. We pray a lot about that here.

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My brother has a full schedule today, so I’m going to head back to Denver. The title for the camper arrived yesterday so I’m going to finish emptying it out and preparing it to sell. Four more sleeps and my sweetheart arrives in Denver!

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❤️

\n
“Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.””\n

Acts 14:17 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-09T01:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/09/a-quick-road-trip.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Positive Energy","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/08/quality-time.html", "title": "Quality Time", "content_html": "

\"Granddaughter “Little snoozing in the morning sunshine.”

\n

Yesterday was so much fun. Little absolutely loved sleeping in the camper. She went to sleep much earlier than usual and I had to wake her up in time to have some breakfast before we left for church. She was very excited to go to “Nana’s Church.” The contemporary mega church model suits Little’s personality to a T. She sat with me and was focused on the sermon throughout. She loved the praise and worship music. She was so animated when we came out of church and declared she wants to go every week. I am highly encouraging that because she had a definite light about her when we came out. 

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After church, I took Little home and traded….Big came shopping with me all afternoon. We walked all over Flatirons Crossing Mall, had a delicious lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, enjoyed ice cream on our rest break between stores. She is a frugal shopper and had a wonderful time picking out just what she wanted. As I expected, they were things like athletic wear from Dick’s Sporting Goods…with a definite fashionista flair.

\n

The weather here in Colorado has been quite lovely. We have had rain just about every day and it cools things off nicely. The nights have been wonderful for sleeping in the camper with just the windows open and maybe a small fan. Daughter #2 is in the process of changing jobs and found out today her new job doesn’t start till after the wedding. That means we get some more time together this week. I’m so happy for her. This new job pays more, utilizes her degree, and sends her in a direction that offers advancement.

\n

Mr. FixIt is tying up loose ends at home…preparing to fly to Colorado this weekend. I can’t wait to see him! We really miss each other when we’re apart. He has mowing to do and business to attend to. I’ve been looking up things to do to replace the camping portion of our trip. I’d love to show him the Four Corners area and Mesa Verde. We’ll see what all we have time for.

\n

I hope you enjoyed your 4th of July weekend and have a wonderful Monday!

\n

❤️

\n
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”    1 Timothy 5:8 NIV
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-07-08T01:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/08/quality-time.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/07/making-little-memories.html", "title": "Making “Little” Memories!", "content_html": "

\"Twin “Little’s nest in TOW-Wanda!”

\n

Little is here! She has been at camp all week and we only saw each other for an hour after I arrived last Sunday. I spent a good deal of time with Big this week, so I could hardly wait till Little got back and came over to “camp” with me.

\n

She is my camper. No one else in my Colorado family is even remotely interested in camping. We had big plans to take the camper up in the mountains and stay a couple of days, but with the unfortunate demise of TOW-Wanda…we had to change plans.

\n

I have the camper pulled around behind Ben & Sue’s house, underneath a locust tree. It doesn’t offer anything but a feeling of protection from the frequent hail storms we’ve had this week. I’m plugged into electric and water so I have all the comforts of home in my own little suite.

\n

This incarnation of TOW-Wanda has a queen sized bed with a memory foam mattress that is swoon worthy. It had a bunk bed over the queen bed that also had a memory foam mattress on it. I removed that because I couldn’t sit up without hitting my head. The little dinette collapses down to make a separate twin sized bed that uses the seat cushions for a mattress. Not comfortable for an adult, but just fine for a kid.

\n

Since I’ll be selling this camper here, I went to Walmart yesterday and bought some plastic tubs with tight fitting lids. I spent a couple of hours yesterday taking things out of the camper and fitting them neatly into the storage bins and put them in the back of my truck underneath the tonneau cover. See? There’s a reason I got that before this trip!

\n

With all the extras removed, Little has plenty of room to stretch out and be comfortable while she camps with me. We went out for ribs last night. (Big is a vegetarian so Little and I have to get our carnivore cravings satisfied while her sister isn’t with us.) We had “Mamma Mia: The Movie” downloaded on the iPad to watch after dark.

\n

I don’t get to see my Colorado grands very often…so when I do, I need to make deep and lasting memories with them. Camping with Little last night. Shopping with Big this afternoon. Life is so good!

\n

❤️

\n
“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”\n

Proverbs 17:6 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-07T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/07/making-little-memories.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","goRVing","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Presence","Choices","Be Joyful!","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/06/here-comes-the-rain-again.html", "title": "Here Comes the Rain Again!", "content_html": "

\"East “Looking east as the sun set over Arvada.

\n

I think I brought the rain with me from West Virginia. We got about an inch of rain in two days in the northwest suburbs of Denver. It dropped from the mid 80’s to 75…then in thirty minutes it dropped down to 60 degrees. Lots of small, pea sized hail but no damage that I can see.

\n

Along with Colorado’s severe thunderstorms, California had a 7.1 earthquake aftershock last night, Europe is having an unprecedented heat wave, and West Virginia just sits and soaks in sweat. It’s crazy weather. I hope things settle down soon. It’s downright chilly here right now.

\n

I’ve been “camping” at Ben & Sue’s house. We pulled the camper back under a locust tree for some little bit of protection from the elements. When you are in the camper, even pea and marble-sized hail sounds like a gunshot. Little is going to come join me and “camp” tonight. I had to tell her the camper is broken so we can’t go to the mountains like we wanted to. She is so easy going. She said she didn’t care where we camped, as long as we were together!

\n

I’m sad I’ll be saying goodbye to this camper sometime this month. It has such a beautiful layout and is pristine inside. I know the right person will come along and be so happy to get her to place on a piece of property or in the back yard. I’ll just keep praying about it. Mr. FixIt put the title in the mail to me today so I should receive it Monday or Tuesday.

\n

My sweet man arrives in Colorado a week from today! I can hardly wait to see him!!! He’ll be at the baby shower today for our little great grandson due this month. We got him a crib. I’m so sorry I’ll be missing that but I’m busy making memories here!

\n

❤️

\n
“He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them. At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them. He brings the clouds to punish people, or to water his earth and show his love.”\n

Job 37:11-13 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-06T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/06/here-comes-the-rain-again.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Humbled","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/05/hail-hailthe-gangs-all-here.html", "title": "Hail, Hail...The Gang’s All Here!", "content_html": "

\"Lilies\" “The beauty of sunshine and lilies.”

\n

Daughter #2 and I got a chance to spend a few hours together yesterday. We had coffee at the house then went shopping at Target. Man, that store has changed since the last time I went there. I used to shop Target all the time, but we don’t have one anywhere near where we live in West Virginia. After shopping at Walmart all these years, Target looks like an upscale department store.

\n

We went out to breakfast at Sam’s No. 3…a wonderful diner in Cherry Creek that has the most extensive menu I think I have ever seen. Eggs Benedict was my choice yesterday and it was divine. If you ever go to Denver and get to spend any time there, you really should go.

\n

We had a big family gathering with those who were in town yesterday. Lots of food and homemade ice cream. The fireworks were going off all around us. And Mother Nature provided some of her own! We had two big storms blow through with a tornado watch and lots of hail. It did succeed in cooling things off immensely, which was very nice.

\n

I showed the girls the dresses I’ve bought that I could wear to the wedding and we all agreed on one. Also, I gave them the quilt I made for their wedding gift and they loved it! It was a beautiful day with my Colorado family. 

\n

❤️

\n
“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”\n

Proverbs 23:22 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-05T01:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/05/hail-hailthe-gangs-all-here.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Forgiveness","Aging","Presence","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/04/independence-day.html", "title": "Independence Day!!!", "content_html": "

\"Colorado “Colorado’s sky is always amazing!”

\n

It seems like I’m in Denver just about every Independence Day. Since I don’t travel here in the winters anymore, I make my trips extra long in the summer and they just about always hit during this fun, but noisy, holiday. As I am writing this, neighborhood fireworks are going off all around me and it sounds like a war zone. 

\n

Yesterday, I helped Daughter #1 upholster a padded cover for a chest she uses as a coffee table. Their new couch doesn’t have the recliners like her old one and they needed something comfortable to prop up their feet when they watch TV. It turned out beautiful and we were very proud when it was finished.

\n

Big has her learner’s permit and I rode with them to lunch yesterday. It brought back memories of when I taught her mommy how to drive. I was very pregnant at the time and it was quite an adventure. My granddaughter is a very conservative driver and she did a great job. I cannot imagine learning to drive in Denver traffic! It’s crazy busy here all the time now…not just rush hour.

\n

I forget how amazingly beautiful Colorado’s sky is! We came out of the grocery store at sunset yesterday and the clouds and light were stunning in every single direction. I stood there like a tourist seeing it for the first time…turning round and round taking pictures in the parking lot.

\n

Today is full of family, food, and fun! I hope you all have a fun and safe holiday!!!

\n

❤️

\n
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”\n

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-07-04T01:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/04/independence-day.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Holiday","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/07/02/the-motherdaughter-dance.html", "title": "The Mother-Daughter Dance", "content_html": "

\"Happy “I am a Happy Camper!”

\n

I danced with my mother. Not literally…but figuratively we went round and round and round. She always knew I loved her and I knew she loved me right back. I made sure of that. But we aggravated the heck out of each other more than I care to admit. We were still moving in that circle when she died rather suddenly at the age of seventy-eight. By that time, my own daughters were well on their way to dancing with me.

\n

My older daughter was very pregnant with my mother’s first great-grandchild and couldn’t come to her grandma’s funeral. I didn’t bring my younger daughter either because she was only nine and in school. I traveled to mom’s funeral alone half the way, meeting up with my Aunt Rosie in the Charlotte Airport for the last flight in.

\n

I have good girls. They are as different as night and day and are often like oil and water, but deep down they love each other because they are sisters. I wasn’t always a very good mother to them. There was that long stretch when I was deeply depressed and nearly non-functional. I drank too much and I took too many prescription drugs. When I overdosed, it ripped the fabric of our relationship and I feared I would never, ever get them back.

\n

We danced our own dance. We went round and round and we didn’t know how to reach each other. I hurt them in ways I couldn’t even begin to fathom till I got well. Then I had to rebuild their trust in me. It was hard, painful work. There were times I was absolutely certain they hated me. But they didn’t really. I wasn’t the only one who had to learn who this new version of me was.

\n

I watch Daughter #1 with her kids. I watch her face some of the same issues I faced and she handles them so much better than I did because she has a wonderful, stable marriage she isn’t also struggling to fix. I love watching her with the girls. Big is learning to drive. She is tall and athletic…a swimmer. She is bright and accomplished and dedicated. Little is part mini-me…part mini-mom. She is petite and eclectic…artistic and sensitive…bright and compassionate. She is a little shooting star.

\n

Last night, I sat at swim practice with Daughter #1 and talked for a couple of hours. It was the first time in a long time that I felt like I didn’t have to hold my breath out of fear I’d say or do the wrong thing and not be the mom I should be. That is baggage I am happy to set down. I knitted while we chatted. There was a warm, easy acceptance that flowed between us and I realized I could relax now. We’re ok. It was a long storm, but we weathered it. We’re better with each other. My heart felt full.

\n

Her kids are older now. She’s had some experience with life that she hadn’t had back when I let them down. I think she gets me a little better these days. We’re all a little older, a little wiser, a little softer. I think now, our dance is sweeter.

\n

❤️

\n
“\"Behold, everyone who uses proverbs will use this proverb about you: 'Like mother, like daughter.'”    Ezekiel 16:44 ESV
\n", "date_published": "2019-07-02T01:30:51-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/07/02/the-motherdaughter-dance.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Aging","Presence","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/26/a-tidy-purchase.html", "title": "A Tidy Purchase", "content_html": "

\"Tonneau “A tonneau cover turned out to be an extraordinary pargain!”

\n

I told you all yesterday about our great find…a tonneau cover for my truck. We installed it yesterday and it was SO easy. It only took about fifteen minutes to do. We had to trim a couple small places in order for the tailgate to close, but that was super easy to do. We didn’t realize exactly how good this deal was till Mr. FixIt looked up this particular model of cover. New, they sell for nearly $800! And the carpeted bed liner sells for almost $500! We got them both for $75!!! Ok, I’m a little excited! Such a good bargain hunter I have for a husband.

\n

We went to the farm yesterday. It appears the young man we had arranged to mow the yard…didn’t. But that’s ok. It is still mow-able without having to bale it. It is awfully wet out there. In the two weeks we were gone, the farm got over four inches of rain. We only got two at the Ponderosa. The ground is soggy when you walk out there. The house at the farm sits back in a holler and doesn’t get much sunlight. It’s nice for keeping cool, but causes a lot of problems with mold and mildew.

\n

We noticed some evidence of termites this time. The first time I’ve seen that so we need to jump on that right away. I did a deep cleaning out there because my uncle is coming for a visit while I’m in Colorado and I wanted fresh bed linens for him. I mopped the floors and dusted. Mr. FixIt cleared off the back porch and scrubbed it down. Everything looked wonderful when we were finished.

\n

I had every intention of leaving for Colorado today, but have decided to wait till tomorrow. This way I don’t have to run at breakneck speed getting everything done and I can take my time. The linens have all been washed and put back on the bed. I have some items to take out of the camper…things I took camping at Blackwater Falls and won’t need on this trip. This will cut down on the weight I pull which will improve my fuel consumption.

\n

Oh, another thing Mr. FixIt did for me. Something was wrong with the water pump in the little camper. A water pump is supposed to turn on, build up pressure, then shut off. It only comes back on when the water pressure drops as you’re using water in the sink or toilet. Mine wouldn’t shut off. It ran on and on and was dreadfully loud. While we were in Florida, we discussed it and I ordered a new pump. It was here when we returned. Mr. FixIt installed it yesterday and it works perfectly! Now the only things I have to do is replace the shower nozzle and test out the hot water heater and we’re in business. Having your own shower when you camp is such a luxury.

\n

I’m really getting excited now about the trip. I can’t wait to see my Colorado family…I’ve missed them so much! Today will be fun packing and preparing for a much needed road trip. Many of you asked yesterday. Mr. FixIt will fly out in a few weeks to join me before the wedding. Then, we will camp around Colorado and all the way back across the country. I’ve been looking forward to this trip for a whole year…I can hardly wait to get started and savor every single moment!!!

\n

❤️

\n
“Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.”    Deuteronomy 28:6 ESV
\n", "date_published": "2019-06-26T01:30:58-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/26/a-tidy-purchase.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","New Ideas","Gratitude","Comfort","Wisdom","Choices","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/25/road-trip-falling-into-place.html", "title": "Road Trip: Falling Into Place", "content_html": "

 

\n

\"Tonneau “Tonneau Cover for a Pickup”

\n

My old truck had a fiberglass topper on it. It was really nice. I had the top lined with a carpet liner as well as a carpet bed liner. I had a couple of garment rods, a light, and two 12v outlets installed as well. It had a rack on the roof for my kayak. It was a sweet setup. Then, when my truck was totaled, the topper and all it’s accouterments went with it.

\n

My new-to-me truck just has a plastic bed liner. There have been many times I have wished I had some way to tote things on my trips without necessarily having them visible to anyone who parks right beside us. I happened to mention this to Mr. FixIt the other day. He doesn’t forget things like this. We’ll get back to that in a minute.

\n

A lot of things fell into place yesterday. First, we thought we might need new tires before I head to Denver. Mr. FixIt called all around and finally found a suitable pair for a reasonable price at Sam’s, but still…mounted and balanced…four tires were going to cost nearly $800! A chunk of change, to be sure. That’s the price of owning a truck.

\n

We signed in at the tire desk, ordered the four tires, and paid for them. It was going to take about two hours so we started wandering around the store. About ten minutes later, they paged me overhead and we went back to the auto department. It turns out, I had a little over half the tread left on the tires and he didn’t want me to buy something I didn’t need.

\n

How refreshing! Thank you, Brandon!

\n

I did ask them, since they already had the truck back there, to please rotate the tires so they did that. As we were looking around the store, Mr. FixIt got a text. He said he had found a used tonneau cover for my truck for $150. I texted the woman selling it. She asked if I could also use a carpet bed liner! Well, yes…as a matter of fact. She then went on to tell me she was sick and tired of advertising stuff and if I wanted them both, she would sell them together for $75. Score! Now I can have a cover over my stuff during the Colorado trip.

\n

We went to pick up our mail at the post office and there was my new water pump for the camper. Mr. FixIt can get that put in for me today, I can clean out my camper and restock it, run to town, change the oil on the truck, and leave for my trip west…maybe on Wednesday! I am really looking forward to seeing my kids and grandkids so if everything lines up like this, I’ll be on my way sooner rather than later.

\n

Another road trip, Ranchers! Head ‘em up…move ‘em out!

\n

❤️

\n
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”\n

Proverbs 16:9 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-06-25T01:30:20-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/25/road-trip-falling-into-place.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Peace","Wisdom","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/21/vacations-past-present.html", "title": "Vacations: Past \u0026 Present", "content_html": "

\"Vacation “Vacation Photos: The Making of Memories”

\n

The idea of a vacation was totally foreign to me till I was in my late twenties. My family were not big travelers. We didn’t go to the beach every summer like many of my friends’ families did. We didn’t go camping or hike or play on the river that was a mere five blocks from our house. My Grandma was only west of the Mississippi a couple of times in her life. The first was to see my Uncle Sonny get his wings as an Air Force pilot. The second was when she went to Minnesota to visit my aunt’s resort on Lake Kabetogama. Two vacations in her life.

\n

We didn’t have the money to have extravagant vacations. We visited my aunt and uncle over near the eastern panhandle of West Virginia for a week every summer. That was as close to a vacation that I ever got until I was married to Hubby #2. Our first real vacation was a road trip, car camping around Colorado. After that, we went to West Virginia several times to visit family and one year we went on a twenty mile backpack trip there.

\n

The first extravagant vacation we had was a trip to Cancun with friends the year before I had Daughter #2. We went to Hawaii once, but it was very difficult to get him away from his practice for very long. We did quick trips to DC, Yellowstone, and Disney. After he and I parted company, I traveled alone whenever I could. I took Daughter #2 on a three week road trip when she turned thirteen and took her to Mexico for her sixteenth birthday.

\n

When Mr. Virgo came along, we had great plans to travel when he retired. We did go on a long road trip for our honeymoon. We went to Utah once, and Yellowstone twice. In the summer of 2011, I took him to West Virginia to meet my family. He wanted to take me to Europe to see all the beautiful places he had been. We were buying a camper for retirement when he died.

\n

Heading out on my own again, this time with my own little camper, I found travel to be my solace…my escape…a panacea for the pain of losing my husband. I traveled a lot in those years following his death. And, I was still on the road when my Uncle Bud called me home to live on the family farm. Even living there seemed like a vacation…a dream vacation luxuriating in the memories of my loving family.

\n

Then, Mr. FixIt came along. Thankfully, he was retired and itching to get out and do things. We’ve already accomplished more travel in the short time we’ve been together than I did in the last thirty years. But, is it really “vacation” when you’re retired? Yes and no. No, because every day is Saturday, to some extent. We aren’t bound by the clock and time is somewhat our own. Yes when you consider all the work our properties entail.

\n

I am so grateful for the opportunities to travel and see new places. I know there may come a time in the future when I may not get to do these things, so I’m making up for lost time. I’m banking memories like a squirrel hiding nuts. Someday, I’ll look back on all this…I’ll read the pages of this blog or my book…and have some wonderful stories to tell.

\n

❤️

\n
“I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.”    \n

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-06-21T01:30:50-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/21/vacations-past-present.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Peace","Wisdom","Aging","Presence","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/18/working-vacation.html", "title": "Working Vacation", "content_html": "

\"Writing “I can’t think of many places that are prettier to write than at the beach!”

\n

If writing is my “job”, then I’m always working…every day…365. It doesn’t FEEL like work. They say if you find something you love to do, you’ll never work another day in your life. And I do love to write. I once tried to calculate how many words I’ve written since Mr. Virgo died. I stopped at a million. That was a long time ago.

\n

Everything I see or do becomes “blog fodder”. An opportunity to tell a story, share an insight, or discover new places together. I love telling stories. Where I find my stretch is in writing “content”….a disconnected observation without personal viewpoints involved. It’s more like news reporting. I have been contracted to do some of this type of writing and it doesn’t come nearly as easy to me.

\n

Back when I first attempted writing, I asked a press writer/photographer to read some of my work and give me an honest opinion. He told me it would never be publishable. I put too much of myself in my writing. In his defense, this was before blogs. But still, he was the wrong person to ask, or take and opinion from. If I hadn’t have listened to him, I might have been writing for the the last twenty years instead of the last six.

\n

Part of this new project does use my writing style, and I am most grateful for that. I am blessed that I have a husband who knew from the get go that my writing is as much a part of me as my arms or legs. He isn’t the kind of guy that needs babysitting or entertained on an ongoing basis. He has his own interests that he pursues when I sit down at the keyboard. I am careful to keep things balanced, but when I am working on a deadline, I have to get in the zone.

\n

Can you think of a prettier place to sit and write than on the beach? My only problem this day was the wind and my shorter haircut. The wind slowly sent my beach umbrella listing at a forty-five degree angle. And it had my hair in my face and eyes to the point of utter distraction. I packed up and moved up to the pool area. Much less wind and reflection on the screen of my iPad, but by then, my battery was low. 

\n

At that point, my only option if I wanted to get this thing knocked out was to go back indoors. It was a good thing Mr. FixIt was ready to go inside, as well. A pitcher of ice tea was made. Some peanut butter and crackers and a bowl of berries were consumed. And my sweetheart headed off to Walmart for a loaf of bread and a jug of milk so I could get back to work without distraction.

\n

I write. It’s what I do. I’ve said it before…I can’t NOT write. I’ve tried. Those of you who have been with me all along can surely remember the times I’ve said, “Hey! I’m going camping and I’ll be off the grid for a few days…see ya when I get back!” Yeah, not so much. I will drive to the top of a mountain to find enough cell signal to post a story. It’s a sickness. An obsession. An addiction. But it’s one I have no intention of walking away from because the benefits I have gained from my writing has far outweighed any inconvenience it has caused.

\n

Till tomorrow…be blessed!

\n

❤️

\n
“Beautiful words fill my mind, as I compose this song for the king. Like the pen of a good writer my tongue is ready with a poem.”   \n

Psalm 45:1 GNT

\n", "date_published": "2019-06-18T01:30:34-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/18/working-vacation.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Travel","Positive Energy","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Writing","Choices","Art"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/17/early-bird-special.html", "title": "Early Bird Special", "content_html": "

\"Florida “Father’s Day in Florida…a little slice of Heaven!”

\n

It wasn’t that many years ago that I looked on as “old people” toddled into restaurants to eat dinner at 4:00 in the afternoon. The “Early Bird Special”.  “Bonkers!” I thought. “What on earth are they doing eating at this time of day? Don’t they know how to have FUN anymore?”

\n

HA!

\n

Guess who can’t eat anything other than Raisin Bran after 5:00??? Yeah…what goes around, comes around, don’t it?

\n

So Father’s Day started out great. A lovely breakfast served to my sweet man…father to a great family…love of my heart. Then, we headed to the Ponce deLeon Lighthouse. We’ve been there before. It was earlier in the day…I was in much better shape…and it wasn’t so darned hot the last time. The “feels like” temperature yesterday when we arrived at said lighthouse was 98 degrees. 

\n

When you came out of the drastically air conditioned gift shop into the Florida heat and humidity at 1:00 in the afternoon, it seriously felt like walking into a sauna. And, there were signs everywhere that said “No water bottles.” Among other important things to leave behind like pets and flip flops. 

\n

Seriously? You want a slightly pudgy West Virginian with heat intolerance to climb up 203 steps…without water…or air, for that matter. Ok, I’ve done it before…I’m sure I can do it again. As I climbed the stairs, I got to the first landing and remembered. THIS was the lighthouse I didn’t like before. It gets narrower and narrower the further up you go till it becomes really tight. AND…they don’t open the windows so there is zero air flow.

\n

The last time I felt like this was in 1989 when I climbed up the interior staircase of the hidden inner pyramid of Chichen Itza. Very narrow, steep stairs, slippery with the dampness, only the occasional incandescent bulb hanging dimly to lead your way. Four of us entered…our good friends, Hubby #2, and me. Only two of us made it up. Me and our friend’s husband. The others backed out with feelings of claustrophobia. 

\n

This felt tight and close like that and by the time I got up to that first flight, I couldn’t breathe. It was the heat and being out of and still feeling the effects of illness. There’s nothing wrong with saying, “Nope…not doing this one!” I went down and out and sat in a rocker on the front porch of the lighthouse keeper’s house, waiting for Mr. FixIt to come out on the balcony above.

\n

He snapped a few pictures and chatted with some folks from Roanoke then gave me a jaunty wave. When he came back down, he looked like a drowned rat. It was time to cool off and we headed for the air conditioned museums.

\n

Once we were cooler, we headed to the truck and drove down to New Smyrna Beach. I’ve got to tell you, driving down that narrow little street with the Father’s Day crowds didn’t feel much different than climbing that ever narrowing lighthouse with no air. I couldn’t believe how many people were crowded into such a tiny area. 

\n

I’ve been there before so I didn’t really need to get out. But it was Father’s Day…we do for the ones we love. I won out when we finally found ONE parking spot in a lot. You pay by entering your driver’s license number and stick in your credit card. When the fee came up in the window, I nearly fell over. $20.00! You had to pay for a full day. Nope! Not doing that either.

\n

We headed back toward our condo and we both decided we were hungry and wanted seafood. We came by Blackbeard’s Inn and remembered eating there the last time we were in Florida. We pulled in and had such a good meal. Blue crab cake and coconut shrimp with a baked potato. All perfectly delicious.

\n

What time was it, you ask? 

\n

4:00

\n

The Early Bird Special!

\n

sigh

\n

❤️

\n
‬‬“Do not reject me now that I am old; do not abandon me now that I am feeble.”    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭71:9‬ ‭GNT
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-06-17T01:30:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/17/early-bird-special.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Wisdom","Humbled","Aging","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/15/facebook-memories.html", "title": "Facebook Memories", "content_html": "

\"Home “The Storm King House”

\n

Oh, sometimes those memories that pop up on your timeline are killers, aren’t they? On my birthday, five years ago, I put my Colorado house on the market. I bought this house when Hubby #2 and I split up. It was about a third built and I chose my colors, carpeting, cabinets and countertops, and all the plumbing and lighting fixtures. Even though Daughter #2 was only eleven years old, she spent three weeks at a time with each of us. It was, essentially, the first time I’d ever lived sort of alone.

\n

I was so proud of the house. I did the landscaping myself…laying sod, planting trees and flowers. This was before the days of “TOW-Wanda” so my little house was my sanctuary. I decorated like girls lived there…because, they did. I had green and white striped sofas and lots of florals. No TV. The antique rolltop desk that my uncle left to me when he died sat where an entertainment center was supposed to go.

\n

I didn’t have curtains. I needed all the light I could get. I loved that house. Then, Mr. Virgo came along. Six months after he moved into the house, he diplomatically asked if I had ever given any thought to redecorating. I think the fru-fru girly stuff was getting to his mountain man sensibilities. I acquiesced and when we were married, we got rid of all the furniture and started over.

\n

A friend of mine was moving to Hilton Head and didn’t want to take the furniture from her million dollar house, so I bought about $25,000 worth of furniture from her for $4,000. We painted the first floor living area as loft gold, hung tapestry valances, and brought in the new furniture. We had the painting behind the dining room table done by a Colorado artist. And we found the breakfast table and chairs at a local furniture store.

\n

I felt so….grown up. All this sophisticated furniture with my homey touches of family antiques filled my heart. I really, REALLY loved my house. 

\n

Then Mr. Virgo died. We had just refinanced the house five months before he died. In order to give us flexibility with payments, we went with a thirty year mortgage with the understanding we would pay it off quickly when we were flush and still stay afloat on the lean months. Now I was faced with a tenth of the income and a mortgage that wouldn’t be paid off till I was ninety years old!

\n

I quickly began to hate the house. It needed new carpet, new windows, new appliances, new paint. It was nickel and dime-ing me to death. And there were memories around every corner. I couldn’t stand it. I stayed away as much as I could. They tell you not to make any major decisions in the first year after losing your spouse. So, I waited till the next summer and decided to sell. 

\n

I wouldn’t change a thing, really. I made my decisions based on what I was faced with in the moment. I suppose, maybe I could have kept the house and rented it out, but that just presents a whole different set of problems. We went through that when we rented it out for three years while we worked around the state. In reality, it would have been cumbersome.

\n

Do I miss it? I don’t know…I look at these pictures and remember how beautiful it was. I remember all my stuff I had in it. I think the thing I miss the most is that great front porch. But that is not the life I live now. That was then. This is now. I have a life now that I wouldn’t trade for the world. And, when we build our retirement home, we can make it any way we want it. And I’ll have a big front porch just like this one. That’s the one thing I’ll ask for special.

\n

Facebook Memories….sometimes they blindside you. Sometimes they show you’re right where you’re supposed to be. 

\n

❤️

\n
“For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”    Hebrews 3:4 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-06-15T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/15/facebook-memories.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Growth","Gratitude","Wisdom","Courage","Downsizing","Choices","Change","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/06/one-hour-thirtyfive-dollars-a.html", "title": "One Hour \u0026 Thirty-Five Dollars = A Haircut", "content_html": "

\"Woman “Before and After…what a difference a haircut makes!”

\n

I haven’t really felt like my perky self for a while. Nothing I could really put my finger on. Maybe a little tired. Maybe a little down about aging. I’ve been losing weight but avoiding the mirror. It didn’t really dawn on me till I saw pictures from the baptism a couple of weeks ago and I was up on the stage with my bonus granddaughter. Gasp! I looked SO old! I looked like my grandma. Not that that is a bad thing, but I’m talking in her 80’s. I was in desperate need of a haircut!

\n

I always celebrate birthday month…not just a week or a weekend or a day. Nope…I was born in June…I celebrate JUNE! This month I turn 66. It’s only a number. I have more energy than I did at half my age. I remember when I turned 26. I was SO depressed! It had been a WHOLE DECADE since I got my driver’s license. Give me a break! Now it’s been half a century since I got my driver’s license. insert eye roll here

\n

No, it wasn’t my actual calendar age that was getting to me. It was my hair. I got lazy. I got tired of going in every six weeks and getting it cut. I got tired of sometimes having the perfect cut and other times wondering what went wrong. I got tired of spending the money on something that you just have to do over and over and over. 

\n

It’s not my fault really. I saw beautiful older women on Pinterest…long flowing locks of silver hair caressing unnaturally perky breasts. Stylishly dressed. Leaning against brick buildings in downtown New York City….their jacket carelessly draped across their shoulders…their chunky boho jewelry and oversized sunglasses deflecting my gaze from anything that could barely be called crepe-y skin. No…Pinterest assured me I would look uber chic with long, silver hair.

\n

Then, I took a look at myself and wondered what on earth possessed me to do such a thing. Me…in my JCPenney sleeveless summer dress made from t-shirt material. Me…of the ample upper arms and comfortable tummy. Me…of the “I know I have makeup SOMEWHERE in this house!” Me…of the Chacos and farmer tan and clip-on sunglasses and floppy brimmed had and a riding mower. Yeah…it was time for a reality check.

\n

I called Michelle on Tuesday and cried uncle. I said, “You win! I’m coming in to cut it off!” I’m almost sure I heard an audible sigh of relief from the other end of the phone. “How’s tomorrow at 11:00?” She didn’t want to wait too long for fear I might change my mind.

\n

An hour. Thirty-five dollars. That’s all it took to bring back my sparkle. It’s really true…if you LOOK good, you FEEL good. I walked out of there feeling like a million bucks! It’s such a simple thing…getting a haircut. Oh, and a pedi. A MUCH needed pedi. I hadn’t had a “Me Day” for such a long time. It was way overdue and I feel so much better.

\n

I sent the before and after photos to Mr. FixIt with a note…”Here’s the girl you fell in love with!” And you wanna know what he said?

\n

“You’re beautiful…but, I didn’t fall in love with your hair.”

\n

My cheeks hurt from smiling.

\n

❤️

\n
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”    1 Peter 4:8 NIV
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-06-06T01:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/06/one-hour-thirtyfive-dollars-a.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Courage","Aging","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/05/finding-my-father.html", "title": "Finding my Father", "content_html": "

\"Father “I don’t remember having a loving relationship with my dad…ever.”

\n

Father’s Day is coming soon. I don’t remember ever seeing a photo of my dad holding me. I don’t remember him offering his hand to help me walk. I don’t recall any kissed booboos or falling asleep in his lap. I do remember him bouncing my brother and me on his knees to the tune of Bonanza when it aired on Sunday nights. I remember watching fireworks from the car three blocks away from the park. I remember going fishing with him…once. I wouldn’t touch the worm. He was done.

\n

My relationship with my dad was complicated. Like every little girl, I sought his approval. It never came. I sought his love. He didn’t know how to give it. He never saw me sing on stage. He never watched me perform on the balance beam. As my brother and I aged, Dad became more and more lost in a bottle of Four Roses.

\n

By the time I was an antagonistic teenager, our relationship had devolved into angry shouting matches and stony silence. He became “the man who lived upstairs”. I married and left home with the first boy who would have me and I didn’t look back. By the time I was twenty-one, to my mother’s great relief, they were divorced.

\n

Dad went back to his roots and moved into a trailer on his sister’s farm. As a widow, she was extremely careful of her reputation and when dad had to be driven home from the bar one night, she stormed into his trailer the next morning and struck him on the bottom of the feet with an iron skillet. She informed him there would never be another incident like that or he would find himself out on his ear. He ended up going on the wagon and found Jesus and married a childhood friend.

\n

I never really knew that man…the one all my cousins knew. The one all the town knew. The one who went to church every Sunday and became the model citizen…to everyone outside. But inside? Our relationship stayed exactly the same. His modus operandi was “blame and shame”. I tried. Lord knows I tried to have a relationship with him. But, in order to do that, I needed to talk about what had happened and he wasn’t interested.

\n

If he would have just once said “I’m sorry, Sis.” Oh, I learned to forgive him because he did what he knew, but that apology would have gone a long way toward mending my broken heart. Instead, I married father replacements. First, the stern disciplinarian. Then the busy doctor who couldn’t express his true feelings. Then Mr. Virgo came along and healed that spot in my heart that needed to know I was loved and cherished and….wanted.

\n

Still, I remember my therapist telling me one time, “You know, Ginny…you’re never going to find your father’s love.” I was bereft. It was as if the final page was read and the book snapped shut. The End!

\n

What do I do now?

\n

I went on. I put a bandaid over the spot where I wanted dad-memories in my heart and went on. After all, I was an adult. I was functioning as best I could with what I had to work with. It was ok, I said to myself. I don’t need a father. I don’t need anybody. Mr. Virgo was the only man I really let in and even he didn’t get to see every room.

\n

Then…my dad died.

\n

Then…Mr. Virgo died.

\n

I was never, ever going to feel that unconditional love again.

\n

I was wrong. I found love again…deep, true, lasting love with Mr. FixIt. And, I was a Christian. I had God. He was my Heavenly Father…but, I still wanted a DAD!

\n

This has been on my heart a lot in the last few weeks.  And, just like clockwork, here came the Holy Spirit to minister to that sore place within me. Recently, every sermon has been some variation of this theme.

\n

“Your dad wasn’t there for you. It’s ok. You don’t need him. He was here to do what only he could do and it hurt. But here….I’ve got some really great news for you.

\n

“God IS your dad! He loves you…absolutely…unconditionally. He CRAVES when you come sit with him and lay your head on his shoulder. He WANTS you to take his hand and walk with him. He LOVES it when you talk to him and tell him how your day went and share worries of your mind. He DESIRES you to trust him like the dad that he is. He NEEDS you to know he isn’t ever going to leave you….not ever!”

\n

Wow! How awesome is that? Knowing this…I mean really deep down in my bones KNOWING this…has healed some place deep inside my heart. I don’t have to look for my dad anywhere but up. When I want to hear him talking to me, I read the words he left for me to follow. When I don’t please him, he lets me know. The most important thing he wants me to know is I am the joy of his heart. The object of his greatest longing.

\n

Finally….finally I found my father….in my Father.

\n

❤️

\n
“The same way a loving father feels toward his children— that’s but a sample of your tender feelings toward us, your beloved children, who live in awe of you.”    Psalms 103:13 TPT
\n", "date_published": "2019-06-05T01:30:35-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/05/finding-my-father.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Courage","Aging","Choices","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/04/field-of-dreams.html", "title": "Field of Dreams", "content_html": "

\"Field “My Field of Dreams.”

\n

I know, I know…how many pictures of a field am I going to post here, right? Oh…however many times I am moved by the view, I suppose…which is daily. Every day, every hour, the view changes with the light. This was taken Sunday afternoon after the heavy rain and hail that swept through the surrounding area. I love the way the sky is slightly pink as the sun begins to set over the hill far to the left there. The air is soft with humidity and brushes the edges of the woods with a velvety glow.

\n

I have a lifelong sister/friend who asked me yesterday if there wasn’t family who could come and mow this for us. After all…I’m 65. I smiled at her love and concern for me. Then I told her what I tell everyone who asks why I still mow. First, 65…nay, 66 in nine days…is young, if you ask me. Second, this is my home, too. Of course I’m going to work on it. Also, seriously…all I do is sit on a riding mower and drive around and around with headphones on listening to rock and roll music. How hard is that?

\n

My biggest reason is this…I spent my entire life praying to have exactly what I have now. I have so much joy in my heart, a few hours driving around cutting grass is the smallest of prices to pay. I truly love it! That being said, my shoulders are tired and sore when I’m done. I wish for a hot shower and a masseuse…only one of which is readily available. But it’s a good sore…a good tired. And I sleep really soundly when I’ve worked hard.

\n

I mowed the big fields yesterday while Mr. FixIt was in town working. We have a lot to get done before we head out camping on Thursday. According to the weather report, we are in for a cool, cloudy weekend with the possibility of rain showers. That’s ok…we’ll have plenty to keep us busy under the canopies. I bought walls for the canopy that will hold heat in. Gail has her canopy, as well. Camping is fun, no matter what!

\n

❤️

\n
“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”    Psalm 96:11-12 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-06-04T01:30:23-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/04/field-of-dreams.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/03/weather-warnings.html", "title": "Weather Warnings", "content_html": "

\"WV “Clockwise from top left: Milkweed about to bloom, box turtle preparing to lay eggs, hail along the road, the field we were married in, hail from 10 miles down the road from the Ponderosa”

\n

When you live twenty miles from town and get a severe thunderstorm warning for home, you have to just hope for the best. I always send a quick prayer up when we get those alerts but this time it came while we were in the restaurant having breakfast and didn’t have our phones on us.

\n

As we were driving home, Mr. FixIt’s son called to see if we had hail. They saw a news report with quarter  sized hailstones from just a few miles away from the house. When we got closer to home, we started to see leaves on the road looking all the world like chopped salad. There were patches of white hail gathered along the roadside. The creeks were roaring. It didn’t look good.

\n

All we could think of was the campers, my truck, and water in the basement. But when we came around the last bend in the road, the damage just stopped. When we passed the house closest to us, I looked for her garden and it was pristine! No hail here! We rushed downstairs and there was no water in the basement either. God was watching out for us again!

\n

We walked around the fields in the early evening. We came across this box turtle. She had dug a hole and was preparing to lay her eggs. I’ve never seen that before. As we came around the end of the camper we are selling, a doe was standing in the field watching us. We talked quietly to her and she stood still for a long time listening before she moved on.

\n

We found a deer skull on the rocks by the creek…probably scavenged road kill from the two lane out front. The pears are getting bigger on the two trees out front. We got a couple tomato plants on clearance at Walmart so we’ll plant those this week. I also need to start getting the camper packed for the Girl Camper trip this week. And…the grass needs mowed…again.

\n

❤️

\n
“It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.”    Isaiah 4:6 NIV
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-06-03T01:30:06-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/03/weather-warnings.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Prayer","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/02/resting.html", "title": "Resting", "content_html": "

\"Feet “Taking a breather after a long day.”

\n

Mr. FixIt and I have been like two ships passing in the night the last two weeks. He is still working on the porch he is building in town plus he is helping a friend move. In between, he has helped with the mowing and weed eating. He is a busy man and a very hard worker. I am very proud of him and love his work ethic. But…I’ll be really glad when the jobs that are taking him away from home are completed and we can do more things together…even if it’s more jobs that need doing around here.

\n

While my hubby has been off and running, I have been keeping busy here as well. I finished mowing at the Ponderosa yesterday. I had a run-in with some brambles and they dragged across my forehead, yanked my glasses off, and made me say some choice words. I went out when it cooled off, swept the grass off the sidewalks, and pruned some branches and old, dead rambling rose canes. Nasty buggers!

\n

I did escape yesterday morning and had coffee with my classmates. There were seven of us this time and we always miss the ones who don’t get to attend. When we were finished, I walked across the street to one of my favorite antique shops in the area. I’ve been on the prowl for old embroidered dresser scarves and the like to make something fun for the camper. I found several that were white with either blue embroidery or blue crocheted edging. Blue and white are my favorites. I also bought the coolest curved treadle sewing machine drawer that will be perfect on the dinette table to hold flowers or something.

\n

Afterwards I met Mr. FixIt for the summer picnic for the plant he worked at before he retired. He worked at Ames. My mom called it “the shovel plant” because she worked there during the war making shovels for soldiers. After the war, their specialty was all manner of garden tools. Mr. FixIt gave me one of the shovels he designed and made and there isn’t a finer one around. I actually knew two people at the picnic…a rare occurrence for me. Mr. FixIt knows EVERYBODY in town!

\n

When I was done for the day, I went in to make myself a sandwich. I glanced out the kitchen window. The luna moth is still there. And, there was a mama groundhog and three little babies out munching on the grass under the crab apple tree. I stood there for the longest time, just watching them. And thinking how blessed I am to have this slice of heaven in my life. I finally turned away, picked up my sandwich, and padded out to the camper to read for a while before Mr. FixIt came home. 

\n

What a beautiful world God has given us. Even in the midst of horrific things, there is beauty in the stillness.

\n

❤️

\n
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.””    Isaiah 40:8 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-06-02T01:30:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/02/resting.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort","Peace","Humbled","Presence","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/06/01/from-beast-to-beauty.html", "title": "From Beast to Beauty", "content_html": "

\"Luna “The glorious Luna Moth!”

\n

It takes about ten days for the egg of the luna moth to hatch into a tiny caterpillar and another five to six weeks for that caterpillar to go through multiple instars (stages of growth) to reach its full size…2.5” long by 3/4” diameter. That’s a big green worm! Once it reaches its full size, it spins a cocoon and usually about two weeks later, the moth emerges, wings shriveled and damp. Over the course of several hours, fluid is pumped into the wings, they dry, and voila…one of the largest silk moths of North America emerges to grace us with its presence.

\n

Normally, the luna moth has a wingspan of about 4.5” but they can be as large as 7” across. This fellow is a male. His wings angle backwards somewhat and his abdomen is smaller because he isn’t carrying the 200-400 eggs the female has. They fly in the evening and at night in late spring and early summer. They don’t particularly like when the temperature dips into the 50’s. They’ll be somewhat paralyzed until it warms up.

\n

I love when I catch sight of one of these beautiful moths. You don’t see them quite as often as you used to because a type of predatory fly was introduced to control the invasive gypsy moths and they’ve damaged several species of moths, including the glorious luna.

\n

Mr. FixIt called me into the kitchen last night so I could see this fellow. I ran outside with my phone so I could take pictures while the light was still good. As I was coming back inside, I found the remains of a luna who wasn’t so lucky…wings scattered here and there, coated with drops of dew. Nature. It’s a rough world out there.

\n

\"Luna “The remnants of an unfortunate demise.”

\n

When I came out to the camper to write afterwards, I watched a video on Facebook. The premise was two former classmates run into each other in the parking lot of the grocery store. They chat and it becomes apparent one is wealthy and the other is not. The one who was not tells the other about her son getting a job after graduation and that he is thriving and so happy. The other kind of turns her nose up a bit and brags about HER son who is going to Stanford. And, as a matter of fact, he was on his way to pick her up….wasn’t that sweet? The poorer mother smiled and nodded and congratulated the other mom on her son’s great achievements. But you could see when wealthy mom left, the working boy’s mom looked a little let down.

\n

I am ashamed to say, I can relate to that…however fleetingly. This is the time of year when news of graduations fill the pages of social media with our darlings’ academic accomplishments. It’s beautiful and I don’t begrudge them their joy. Not one bit. We were thrilled when Daughter #1 got her Associates Degree, majoring in drama. We told her that, and $3.50 would buy her a cup of coffee and she should go on and at least get her Bachelors Degree. But no…she and her fiancé had other plans and married a month or two after graduation.

\n

At some point along the way, she realized perhaps her parents had been right and she had an excellent opportunity to go back to school at which time she became a Special Ed teacher. Again, we were so proud. Then, somewhere down the road, she went back and got her Masters. She’s still married to her college sweetheart and coming up on their 24th anniversary.

\n

Daughter #2 is brilliant…maybe more so than her sister as far as IQ goes. But she has always danced to her own music, struggled over eight years getting her Bachelors but never gave up, and now works in management in the food service industry…the love for which she received from her beloved stepfather…Mr. Virgo.

\n

In the movie I watched earlier, the Stanford son berated his mother for keeping him from his friends and let her know she was distinctly cramping his style while the poor son brings his mama flowers and tells her how much he loves and appreciates her for everything she does for him. A dramatization, for sure. But there is much truth there, unfortunately.

\n

A while back, a friend from long ago posted photos of her daughter getting her doctorate. They flew to Australia to visit her where she was doing research. Her two younger daughters were married, one after the other. Beautiful. Successful. This girl and Daughter #2 had play dates together when they were babies. I had a moment of full on green envy.

\n

For only a moment. Because, in that moment, Daughter #2 called me on the phone. I sat back and listened to her go on and on about the upcoming wedding and how her dress is just so perfect and makes her look like a million bucks. We chatted about how the bouquets are being made with origami flowers from comic book pages. And she found a real Viking drinking horn at a pawn shop and that’s what they’re going to toast with! Wow! And under her dress? Tie dyed Vans…of course!

\n

As I listened to her happy voice, my mind drifted back over the many phone calls when she struggled and suffered through depression and anxiety. Really struggled. And I realized…rich, poor, Stanford, Community College, PhD, shift lead in a restaurant…none of that matters. She’s happy. There is light and life in her voice. My eyes filled with tears…from shame that I was even momentarily envious…and from sincere joy and relief that my baby didn’t end up a statistic like so many others have. 

\n

I still have her here…in all her quirky, wonderful weirdness. As we prepared to hang up, she gave me that sweetest gift every mama craves.

\n

“I love you, mama…all over your face!”

\n

“I love you too, Moon Pie.”

\n

She made it…just like the caterpillar to the glorious Luna.

\n

❤️

\n
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”    Psalm 37:4 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-06-01T01:30:03-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/06/01/from-beast-to-beauty.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Courage","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/31/keep-moving-forwardalways.html", "title": "Keep Moving Forward...Always", "content_html": "

\"Wedding “I’ve finished the wedding quilt!”

\n

I have over 28,000 emails on my iPhone. This makes my daughter crazy. She says, “What if you missed something???” I say, “Yeah, there’s always a chance of that. But, what if I stayed on my phone for 8 hours a day reading, answering, or deleting every e-mail that came through? I wouldn’t get anything else done.”

\n

I have been known to miss an occasional message, but for the most part, when I scan through, I see the important stuff. A couple of weeks ago, I saw something intriguing come through. Someone was searching for quotes about if or how and why blogging through grief has helped me cope. I wrote back and didn’t think much more about it.

\n

It was a rainy, cool day yesterday. I cuddled up in my little camper and stitched the binding on my daughter’s wedding quilt and listened to the rain hit the roof. Occasionally, I caught a glimpse of something brown running by and under my camper. It was two large rabbits. They chased each other all afternoon and made me smile. They made me think of Watership Down. One stopped beneath my window in plain sight. I whispered, “Be careful of the hrududus, bunny!”

\n

Sometimes I feel like I run out of things to say here. I think maybe you’ve heard every story I ever knew. Sometimes I think I begin to sound like your slightly dotty Aunt Felicity who tells you everything she ate today. I know that’s an exaggeration, but still…I wonder if I’m wearing out my welcome. When I stitch or knit or mow or drive, I have conversations with God and I ask him to tell me when I’m done. And, every…single…time, He sends me someone to tell me, “No, dear one. Not yet. Someone tomorrow needs your stories.”

\n

As I stitched on my daughter’s wedding quilt, I watched old black & white reruns of the Andy Griffith Show. Up popped a message from a reader I haven’t heard from in four and a half years. In those years she had lost a husband. Had gained a love. And nearly lost him to a silent heart attack. My posts that they’ve been reading together helped them to see how life can change in an instant. They are working together to create a new life, new adventures, in a new direction. They asked me to please keep doing what I’m doing. It made me cry. God knows our hearts. He hears our pleas. And he sends us answers if we’ll just slow down and listen and pay attention.

\n

After reading that, another message popped up. It was from the woman who wrote to me two weeks ago seeking that quote and the article was published yesterday. I read down through the stories of all the people she had quoted and realized two of them I am connected with on Twitter. I’ll connect with the others now.

\n

Grief is a solitary business yet it thrusts us into a community of others going through similar experiences. The biggest point I made in my story for the article was this…you are not alone. No matter how hard grief is. No matter how isolating it is. No matter how crazy and lonely and forgetful it makes you…you are never truly alone. For me…I have Jesus and my family and you guys.

\n

I’m not about to quit on that.

\n

You can read the collection of stories here: https://www.aklander.co.uk/news/why-blogging-can-help-with-grief

\n

❤️

\n
“For that reason, I don’t run just for exercise or box like one throwing aimless punches, but I train like a champion athlete. I subdue my body and get it under my control, so that after preaching the good news to others I myself won’t be disqualified.”\n

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 TPT

\n", "date_published": "2019-05-31T01:30:48-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/31/keep-moving-forwardalways.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Hope","Growth","Gratitude","God","Wisdom","Courage","Choices","Change","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/30/severe-weather.html", "title": "Severe Weather", "content_html": "

\"Weather\" “Severe weather, volunteer pumpkins, a more mowing…another day on the Ponderosa.”

\n

As with most of you, I browsed the news yesterday morning and saw the destruction from the many severe storms throughout the Midwest. I know people there…I was praying for them all. I knew we were supposed to get some rain yesterday, but I didn’t know how severe the storm was going to be.

\n

I went to Schoolhouse Quilts around lunchtime to pick up my daughter’s wedding quilt. I need to sew the binding and then it will be finished. I was finishing my coffee while I visited with Carolyn, the owner. My phone rang. It was Mr. FixIt telling me to look at the radar…we were about to get hit hard.

\n

I wrapped it up quickly, paid for the quilting, and ran to the truck just as the rain started. We live in a really small town. A grocery store, a Dollar General, the quilt shop, a pizza place, a gas station, the thrift store, and a couple of churches. That’s about it. It didn’t take long to drive to “the other side of town”. 

\n

I was about to the Piggly Wiggly when the lightning started striking all around me. I could see it hitting the hillside in front of me. I saw the flashes out of my peripheral vision…on both sides. I quickly turned into the parking lot, but it was raining too hard and the lightening was coming hard and fast. I couldn’t even pull up close to the store. I think some other people had the same idea.

\n

I pulled my phone out and opened the Weather Channel app. It has a very reliable radar. When I saw it, I understood what a “Severe Thunderstorm Warning” looked like while it was happening. The notice at the top of the screen said “Lightning detected 0 miles north of you.” Yeah…no kidding!

\n

I sent the screen shot to Mr. FixIt and told him where I was and I was going to sit this one out. Then I thought of the leaky basement and really wanted to get home. I closed my eyes and prayed hard. I told Jesus I knew he had calmed the seas when the storm was raging and I trust that He gives us that same power. I told the storm, in Jesus’ name, to break away and part the sky so I could get home safely.

\n

Less that one minute later…the clouds parted. And even though the radar still showed lightning activity…there was nothing near me. I was home in less than two minutes. These are the things that amaze me. Not because I doubt they can be done. They can. I see it all the time. But it amazes me that I would never have done something like that just a few years ago. I was the scientist. The skeptic. The unbeliever.

\n

Coincidence? Maybe. But I’m telling you what I saw immediately after I prayed for it. It doesn’t make me special or important or better than anyone else. It just makes me believe more. The storms eventually moved out by afternoon. Mr. FixIt came home and I mowed the big field while he ran the weed eater and the push mower. We are due for more storms today so I am planning on sitting and working on my daughter’s quilt.

\n

As I was out mowing around the burn pile, I noticed a large amount of green growth. I looked closer and there was a volunteer pumpkin vine growing from the ashes. I smiled. We burned that brush pile the week before our wedding. When the wedding was over, we used the pumpkins for Halloween decorations. Then, after the first freeze and they got soggy, Mr. FixIt threw them on the brush pile. That’s what I love about WV. You can throw a seed out there and it can grow all on its own. 

\n

Same with love. 

\n

❤️

\n
““Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.”    Mark 9:38-40 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-30T01:30:57-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/30/severe-weather.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","West Virginia","Gratitude","God","Wisdom","Courage","Humbled","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/28/praying-for-others.html", "title": "Praying for Others", "content_html": "

\"Praying “Praying for others is the key to freedom.”

\n

As time passes, my daughter’s wedding is looming in the forefront of my mind. What to wear? Well, I’ve bought three dresses…so far. It depends what suits me that day, I think. The event seems to be fast and loose so I’m not terribly worried about that part. 

\n

As I headed into this, the idea of being the mother of the bride…for the last time really…filled me with delicious anticipation mixed with bits of trepidation. Her father and I have mended a lot of fences over the years and I am so proud of the way we can demonstrate good behaviors for our kids and grandkids. Long gone are the angry jabs at each other over a love gone awry.

\n

I overcame the majority of the pain, anger, and resentment through fervent prayer and good therapy. Prayer was my tool. I prayed my family would be healed. I prayed the father of my child would find joy and happiness with the woman he chose. The more I prayed for HIM, the happier I became.

\n

That being said, the enemy loves to sneak in and tell me lies. He loves to remind me I’ve gained a few pounds and my ex-husband will notice. He loves to make me second guess myself and be self conscious of my body and my dress choice. He loves to whisper in my ear and tell me if I would have been a better wife, that great big estate my ex owns could have been mine.

\n

Lies. They are all lies. I could have been the best wife in the history of the universe and the marriage could have still fallen apart. I’m not taking 100% of that one. I’ll comfortably accept my 50%. If I even consider my weight as being something my ex would judge me for, I’m setting myself up for failure and disappointment. 

\n

Here’s the thing…if we look for something, we WILL find it. If I look for judgement, I’ll feel judged. If I look for criticism, I’ll feel criticized…even if it’s subconsciously. And, as soon as I feel those things, I’ll react defensively. That whole scenario is a totally no win situation. Nothing good can come from that.

\n

Recently I read about a technique for recognizing the cycle of anxiety and stopping it in its tracks. The premise is, as soon as you feel the very first sensations of anxiety…even if it’s just the thought of feeling anxious…you pull back and become the observer. Recognize what is happening and say to yourself…”Hmmmm, that’s interesting. I’m having a feeling that stemmed from a thought. It is just a thought.” Then, you picture surrounding that thought in a bubble, reach out, and poke it with your finger.

\n

Poof!

\n

When you can recognize what anxiety really is, it’s much easier to step back, give it a poke, and send it on it’s way. It has been working quite well in the last few months. One would think, at the ripe age of 66 (in about three weeks), I’d have gotten a handle on anxiety long before now. Sometimes it’s the fear of having an anxiety attack that brings it on. It’s crazy…but it’s quite real.

\n

This wedding isn’t about me. His house isn’t about me. My weight isn’t even completely about me in that it was caused by taking steroids twice this year. I’m the only me I have. I am the only mom my kids have. The only Nana for my grands. I am my husband’s queen. He will think I am scrumptious no matter what I’m wearing or where I sit. 

\n

This is such a relief…to let go of fear. The fear of rejection. The fear of not being good enough. The fear of doing or saying something wrong. 

\n

I am enough. I have always been enough.

\n

 Dang…I love my sixties!

\n

❤️

\n
“But the moment one turns to the Lord with an open heart, the veil is lifted and they see. Now, the “Lord” I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom.”\n

2 Corinthians 3:16-17 TPT

\n", "date_published": "2019-05-28T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/28/praying-for-others.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Fear","Courage","Aging","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Marriage","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/27/memorial-day.html", "title": "Memorial Day 2019", "content_html": "

\"George “He was a soldier. He was a son.”

\n

They called him Sonny. He was their bright ray of sunshine. Smart, sensitive, talented, destined to go far. When Grandma and Pop-Pop got the telegram that their Sonny was gone, part of them died in that moment as well. People said they were never the same. I wouldn’t know what they were like before. I was not yet two when Sonny’s plane went down.

\n

Sometimes I think I remember him. But then I realize it’s his pictures and the loving stories told about him that made my Uncle Sonny alive for me. I was told he loved me. He told my mom he wanted a picture of me on a bearskin rug in my “all-together”…in other words, a chubby baby with a hundred fat rolls, buns up on a blanket. This was back in the days when something like that could be done without thinking the person admiring the photo is a pedophile.

\n

Mom complied and I was told he kept that photo in the cockpit of the plane. But, mom told me a lot of things that turned out to be untrue. For instance, she said he was shot down by Russians. In 1955. Over Landstuhl Air Base in Germany. She said grandma was comforted when she received his personal effects and his wallet didn’t smell like smoke. She was comforted that her boy didn’t burn.

\n

Many years later, when the internet was new and I was helping my mom with her beloved genealogy, I started digging into the crash that took Uncle Sonny’s life. I think the only thing I had to work with at the time was a dial up modem and CompuServe. After meticulously searching, I came up with an aviation archaeologist. He specialized in finding reports on old plane crashes. I believe I paid him $40 and a few weeks later, I received a thick packet in the mail. 

\n

The archaeologist came up with the official Air Force report of the crash and in the process of reading it and asking questions, I got a lot of answers. First, he definitely was not shot down by the Russians. Secondly, pilots do not fly with personal effects, meaning…neither his wallet nor my picture accompanied him in the cockpit that fateful day. That was information I didn’t share with the rest of the family. I don’t remember if my Grandma was still living at this time or not. There’s just some things you don’t need to discuss after some sense of resolution has been met.

\n

There was information that I found disturbing. Sonny needed to log some flight hours. The only plane available that day was an old fighter jet that was on it’s way to become a static display. In other words, it was past its usefulness. In the three days leading up to the crash, four separate engines had been installed. 

\n

The morning of the crash dawned gray and foggy. Uncle Sonny went through the usual preflight check. The ground crew walked around the plane and somehow, someone failed to notice the intake baffles were in the wrong position for the weather conditions. When he took off, he flew around the base a couple of times without incident. Then someone noticed a shift in the engine sound and looked up. The plane had slowed down considerably and was losing altitude.

\n

No one can know for certain what went on in the cockpit that day. The witness on the ground said he couldn’t understand why my uncle didn’t eject and let the plane go down. It wasn’t until the full investigation that it was determined the trajectory of the plane would have sent it into the barracks where countless airmen would still be preparing for their day. Instead, Uncle Sonny steered the plane toward an open potato field that had recently been plowed. I’m sure, with his farming experience, he knew that would be a fairly soft place to land.

\n

As he struggled to keep the engine going and the plane aloft, he noticed a gap between the trees surrounding the potato field. It was narrow, but if he tipped his right wing at the right moment, he could just squeak through. Unfortunately, the sudden dip in the right wing caused the engine to stall even further and the tip of the wing hit the ground. This caused the plane to cartwheel.

\n

Uncle Sonny was found still strapped in his ejector seat in an upright position…as though he were waiting for someone to come by and have a chat. His helmet was cracked from the impact and he died from blunt force trauma. And, even though his wallet wasn’t with him and neither was my bare butt photo…he didn’t burn. It was over quickly.

\n

In my opinion, my Uncle Sonny was a hero. I’m sure he saved countless lives that day. But there was no award, no medal, no call from a grateful President. Maybe that was best. Grandma was not one for making a fuss. “Fools names, like their faces, always seen in public places.” She was a private, unassuming woman with great dignity.

\n

Sonny was laid to rest on a hilltop cemetery fifteen or so miles from the farm. One by one, our loved ones joined him. First Pop-Pop, then Grandma, then my mom, then Uncle Bob. I go twice a year to see them and I always hang around him a little longer. I wish I could have known him. I am comforted knowing there was such a beautiful homecoming when the Lord came to take the others to join my Uncle Sonny and Jesus.

\n

This day is so much more than another day off, another reason for a party. This is the day when we honor the fallen…all who gave their lives in the line of duty. Not just military. We remember all who have gone before us and we decorate their graves. Thank you…for giving your all. My heart is with those who had to go on without you.

\n

❤️

\n
“For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends.”\n

John 15:13 TPT

\n", "date_published": "2019-05-27T01:30:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/27/memorial-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Grace","God","Fear","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/26/smoke.html", "title": "Smoke", "content_html": "

\"Smoke\" “Life has a certain synchronicity. It swirls round and round like wisps of smoke.”

\n

Mail delivery is different when you live on a rural route. When you drive out any two lane blacktop, there are dirt roads that go off up into hollers. There may be a dozen or more houses up there, but it wouldn’t be feasible to send a mail carrier up every little dirt track. So, you often see a whole row of mailboxes on the corner and everyone has to pick up their own mail. Our mailbox is across the two lane from the Ponderosa so we either walk up or stop on our way out when we go somewhere.

\n

When I first moved in with Mr. FixIt, I seldom got any mail here. I have a post office box that I use for my business so it was just easier for me to get all my mail there. Because the majority of the mail was his, I never really saw it unless I picked it up. Mr. FixIt was throwing away junk mail one day and casually remarked, for some reason he had received coupons for cigarettes. He couldn’t figure out how in the world he ever got on their mailing list.

\n

We went into town yesterday to decorate graves on Mr. FixIt’s side of the family. We stopped to get the mail and there was another cigarette advertisement. He handed me the mail and said, “See? We got it again!” I sat there, holding the mail in my hands. For a moment, my heart skipped a beat and I could barely breathe.

\n

“Is this the brand you got before?” I asked.

\n

“Yes. It’s always the same.”

\n

I ran my fingers over the familiar green box and smiled. Kools.

\n

“You know…this is Mr. Virgo’s brand.”

\n

“Whoa. That’s weird.”

\n

“No…not weird. It’s just a message. A sort of hello from beyond.”

\n

I don’t know how things work on the other side exactly. I know there is heaven. And I know the Bible says there is a veil between the worlds and those in heaven cannot see or connect with their loved ones on earth. I also know God loves us and wants to comfort our hearts when we lose loved ones so He sends us things that strike a chord with us. In my case…bluebirds. A particular song that’s out of place. Flickering lights. And, an ad. Of all the cigarette brands that are out there, the one that came was Mr. Virgo’s. It’s not even what I would consider a top brand. Why that one? On Memorial Day weekend?

\n

I reached over and took my husband’s hand. I smiled and looked out the window at the passing scenery. I marveled at this lovely life and all its synchronicity…curling round and round like wisps of smoke.

\n

“Hello, Mr. Virgo” I said softly. “Thanks for coming to see us.”

\n

❤️

\n
“Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.”\n

John 17:7 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-05-26T01:30:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/26/smoke.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Hope","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Courage","Change","Widow","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/25/steaks-on-the-grill.html", "title": "Steaks on the Grill", "content_html": "

\"Yellow “Iris on the creekbank.”

\n

I’ve felt a day ahead all week. Yesterday, I thought it was Saturday. That’s a happy kind of mistake…it gives me a whole extra day! We got lots done yesterday. It’s time to open the pool. I had no idea how much work a pool is. We put the cover over it last fall and it doesn’t fit just right. Then, all the rain collected on the top and pulled it down on the surface of the water. Top that with leaves, pollen, and algae and we had a mess to clean up. 

\n

It took us the longest time to get the cover out. We did everything we could to keep from dumping all that algae down into the water. Mr. FixIt finally got the submersible pump and managed to get the most of the water off the top. Enough to get it out of the pool, anyway. He hosed all that junk off of it and we spread it out to dry in the field while we started cleaning the pool.

\n

There is a tool you use to sweep up the leaves and junk out. It’s round with wheels that hold it an inch above the bottom of the pool. There is a hole in the top with a net bag over it. You attach a water hose and a long pole to it. Then you drop it in the water, turn on the hose, and it sucks the stuff out of the bottom and filters it through the net. All you have to do is empty the net when it gets full.

\n

Once we got the majority of the stuff cleaned out, we let the hose run and filled the pool back up to the correct level. That isn’t the end of it though. Now we have to start putting in the chemicals and algaecide till the water is crystal clear. Then, once a week or so, we need to clean the pool out and keep monitoring the chemical levels. Honestly, if it weren’t for the kids, I’d say the heck with it. It’s a boatload of work for the few times we actually use it. But, the kids love it and you know what you do for your grandkids.

\n

We relaxed on the deck around the pool last night and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. I grilled steaks and had corn on the cob and baked potato for supper. When I retired to the camper to write, the soft evening air was redolent with the heady aroma of the honeysuckle in bloom. I sneezed my head off…but the aroma was worth it. 

\n

❤️

\n
“I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees.”\n

Ecclesiastes 2:6 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-05-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/25/steaks-on-the-grill.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/23/wascally-wabbits.html", "title": "Wascally Wabbits!", "content_html": "

\"Man “Mr. FixIt…working in the garden.”

\n

Mr. FixIt came to me the other morning with a dejected sigh.

\n

“Something ate the beans.”

\n

Again? Hmpffff! Don’t they know that little piece of ground is OURS??? They have five acres. I just want this little patch. Yeah…not likely. We used the rabbit deterrent faithfully…until, we didn’t. All it took was one little rain and one lapse of memory and…poof! No more beans. I think it is the rabbits. But it could be that little chipmunk. Or deer. Or…whatever. The point is…unless you put some sort of protective fencing or netting or both around your garden, you cannot expect to provide a salad bar without getting dinner guests.

\n

That’s ok. We still have the tomatoes. Plenty of tomatoes!!! We had twelve tomato plants and one mysteriously disappeared. No footprints. No trace…just gone. So, we are left with eleven tomato plants and a couple dozen onions. We’re good.

\n

I went to the farm yesterday to get the shades from the big camper. For those of you who have been around for the long haul, you will remember the first thing I did when I bought that camper was take those hideous window coverings off. If I’m going to sell the camper, I need to put them back. While I was there, I did the last load of laundry and gathered some camping items I will need in a couple of weeks when we go to Blackwater Falls with the Girl Campers. That’s one thing I like about Girl Campers…you can bring your hubby if you like. We just ask that they do something on their own while we’re there so we can have our girl time. Mr. FixIt is taking his golf clubs.

\n

I’m taking the ice cream freezer. There is something so special about homemade ice cream when you’re camping. I also brought the screen house. The mosquitoes will be making an appearance before long and some people are more susceptible to bites than others. I want to make sure everyone is comfortable and has a place to sit out of the rain if need be.

\n

When I got home, Mr. FixIt had a table saw on the back of the truck that needed to be unloaded. It was way too heavy to pick up but we used our brains over our brawn and tipped it onto a dolly and down the ramps into the garage. Perfect! Just as we were done, the former Mrs. FixIt came over to pick up a tent to go camping. I really like her and we sat for four hours visiting. Then my bonus granddaughter and the baby came over with ice cream. It was such a beautiful day!

\n

I love that we can demonstrate for the younger generations that the family relationship doesn’t have to end with divorce. We just open our hearts more and let in love and healing. 

\n

❤️

\n
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”    Psalm 133:1 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-23T01:30:35-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/23/wascally-wabbits.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Humbled","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Widow","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/20/a-lovely-summer-evening.html", "title": "A Lovely Summer Evening", "content_html": "

\"Peony\" “Spring? It’s more like summer here in West Virginia!”

\n

Ok…it’s not officially summer for another month. But the temperature on the truck was 93 yesterday afternoon so that is close enough for me! Mr. FixIt and I camped in the yard beside the big building Saturday night and it was wonderful. The windows were open and a small fan on low kept us very comfortable. The mattress in the camper is better than any in the house and it’s the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a week. The climb-over-you bed configuration wasn’t a problem so I think we’re a go for the big Colorado trip later this summer.

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Church was wonderful…again. As I stood there, holding Mr. FixIt’s hand, praising with the other…I counted my blessings as I counted my bonus family down the pew. Afterwards was breakfast out and catching up with what’s going on in their busy lives. (They thought it was very funny that their grandpa and I camped in the yard. He does lots of new things since I came along!)

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We delivered a saw to his son and checked out the deck they are rebuilding. Then we headed home. I had a deadline to meet on this new writing project I’m involved with so I climbed in my little camper, turned on the AC, and got busy. In the meantime, someone came to look at the camper we are selling. When we were both finished, we did that very fun thing we love to do…we took a drive and stopped for ice cream!

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As we walked back in, the light was perfect on our peonies just outside the back door so I had to stop and snap a picture. It was the perfect summation of the day…soft and sweet, warm and blessed. As I write this, I am again in the little camper, the windows flung open, the frogs peeping in the creek beyond the far field. What a rich and lovely life we lead!

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❤️

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“The season has changed, the bondage of your barren winter has ended, and the season of hiding is over and gone. The rains have soaked the earth and left it bright with blossoming flowers. The season for singing and pruning the vines has arrived. I hear the cooing of doves in our land, filling the air with songs to awaken you and guide you forth.”    Song of Songs 2:11-12 TPT
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-20T01:30:50-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/20/a-lovely-summer-evening.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Humbled","Presence","Choices","Be Joyful!","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/19/another-quilt-top.html", "title": "Another Quilt Top", "content_html": "

\"Camper “Cute camper material for a raffle quilt”

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My dear friend Gail and I will be co-hosting a Girl Camper Gathering at Blackwater Falls next month. Gail is so talented and we have so much in common…it’s always fun to camp with her. We have some great ideas for fun things to do while we are camping. This is our Kick Off to Summer Camping Event so I wanted to do something special so I’m making a lap quilt to raffle off. There will be more details as we get things finalized. If any of you are interested in camping with me, this would be an excellent opportunity! Blackwater Falls has cabins and a Lodge so there are alternatives to traditional camping if that’s not your thing. It is a beautiful park with lots to see and do.

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I went to Schoolhouse Quilts again yesterday and sewed for a few hours. I almost have the top for the little camper quilt finished. I’ll have to go in next week to finish it up. I just LOVE this material and the colors are SO Girl Camperish. Carolyn who owns the shop had some really cute ideas for the border so I can’t wait to share it with you when it’s done.

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Mr. FixIt and I went to the cemetery yesterday to decorate the graves of my family. We will do his family’s after church today. I wanted to avoid the rush of next weekend, especially at the little country cemetery where my family members are. There’s one little lane that goes in…the same lane comes out. And it’s on a hillside so there’s no wiggle room to pass each other.

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After the cemetery, we went to North Bend State Park and checked out the campgrounds. The main campground was jam packed with kids, which I think is wonderful. They were riding bikes and playing games and enjoying themselves immensely. I am so glad their parents are getting them out and teaching them the love of camping. That being said, I am past the age of wanting to camp in a crowded campground full of screaming children. Fortunately, there is a new campground for the older, more sedate crowd. It was far more to my liking.

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We ran to the farm and had dinner out so it was date night for us. It was a welcome respite to mowing, mowing, mowing!

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We didn’t get to go camping this weekend so we camped last night at home in my new-to-me camper. This was our first attempt sleeping in this camper together so we will see how the climb-over-you bed arrangement works.

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❤️

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“However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.”    Ecclesiastes 11:8 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-19T01:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/19/another-quilt-top.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","TOW-Wanda!","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Love","Peace","Presence","Girl Camper","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/18/quilting-and-thunderstorms.html", "title": "Quilting and Thunderstorms", "content_html": "

\"Quilting\" “Sewing a quilt for my daughter’s wedding gift. The finished top below. Now it will be machine quilted.”

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I was trying to remember the last time I made a quilt. I do believe it was a wedding gift for Daughter #1. They’ve been married 24 years this July! So, it’s been a long, long time. Twenty-four years ago, I had a lot more patience doing piece work than I do now. I made a beautiful king sized quilt in an intricately pieced pattern. It took me a long time to make the quilt top and I knew I would never get a quilt that big hand quilted in time for the wedding. I had heard about Cabin Creek Quilters so I took it there to see if anyone could quilt it for me.

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The lovely lady in the fabric room in a house WAY up a single track dirt road up a narrow holler was kind enough to do it for me. I picked it up the following summer when I came to West Virginia for a visit. I asked her what I owed her and she said $100! I refused to pay her that. I paid her $200 and that was a bargain.

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The quilt for Daughter #2’s wedding is different. I used precut 10” squares and decided the machine quilting would be the showpiece. Their colors are purple and green. I finished the quilt top yesterday and left it with the shop owner. She will sandwich the batting and backing fabric and sew on the binding. I’ll finish the hand-stitching on the binding myself. 

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While I was at the shop, I saw some really cute fabric with little campers on it. I’m going to make a throw with it. I don’t know if I’ll make another quilt with an intricate pattern again, but I might. It was really fun to sit at the quilt shop and sew all afternoon. It was reminiscent of my little needlework shop when the gals would come sit and stitch all day on Wednesdays. Those were wonderful memories.

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It rained terribly hard yesterday afternoon and it made the humidity go up to 90% last night. Today is supposed to get up to 89 degrees. I think I could live at 72 degrees year round and be perfectly happy. At least the basement didn’t leak! All that rain brought out the frogs. We had them calling in the yard all night. I love the night sounds here. Night before last there was a whippoorwill on the old TV antenna over our bedroom window. Believe me, they aren’t as pleasant to hear incessantly nearby as they are off in the distance. 

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I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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❤️

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“Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.””    Acts 14:17 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-18T01:30:21-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/18/quilting-and-thunderstorms.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Be Joyful!","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/16/wednesday-evening-walkabout.html", "title": "Wednesday Evening Walkabout", "content_html": "

\"Flora\" “Clockwise from Top Left: Abundant Blueberries, Honey Locust, Wild Grape Vine, Beautiful Peonies”

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I finished mowing at the Ponderosa while Mr. FixIt was in town working on a porch he’s building. There were several areas around the edges of the fields where brush, vines and trees had encroached into my mowing space. They are the worst when they hang over and I have to try to mow under them. I bend way far forward over the riding mower, but sometimes a briar will jump out and grab me. So, last night after supper, I did my walkabout and took the loppers with me. I pruned back a lot of branches and threw them into the woods for the critters to munch on and hide in.

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I finished the back property line before I gave up for the evening. I love how the fields look when they’re freshly mowed. They smell so good and they are all smooth and even. I snapped a few pictures as I moseyed around looking at the many varieties of trees in the woods beyond the far fields. I love this time of year. The dense foliage makes the shadowy underbrush dark and a cool breeze comes out smelling of musty earth and moldy leaves. It’s a rich aroma of sweet decay combined with cut grass, honey locust, and creek water. It’s heavenly, earthy, decadent. It makes me happy.

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Once my tools were put away, I climbed in the little camper, snuggled back into my favorite corner and looked out at the sun setting over the far hill. The reflections of the puffy white clouds and bluebird sky on the windshield of my truck added movement and color to the scene. These are my tranquil moments. It’s MY time. Mr. FixIt is in his recliner inside, watching the news. We both worked hard today. It makes the evenings such a gift.

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We are blessed beyond belief. We have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and love in our hearts. We have a wonderful family. We have our health. We have each other. As I was walking around the field last night, a bluebird dashed in front of me and I smiled.

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“Well…hello there, Mr. Virgo. I’m doing just fine!”

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❤️

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“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”    \n

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-05-16T01:30:23-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/16/wednesday-evening-walkabout.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Peace","Humbled","Presence","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/15/a-quiet-place.html", "title": "A Quiet Place", "content_html": "

\"A “Living in a quiet place fills me with peace and gratitude.”

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Mr. FixIt had to go help his friend move some things in town yesterday so I hung out at home and “pretend camped”. I piddled around in the camper most of the day. I cleaned up and put things away. I swept and washed the floors and emptied the trash. I wiped things down and stripped the bed. While I was taking off the comforter, I noticed it was damp up by the front wall towards the driver’s side. A leak! 

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It didn’t leak when I was parked at the campground and we had some pretty heavy rain. This leak came when I was driving through torrential rain on Monday so it has to be either around the window or something at the edge. I happily discovered the bed raises up with pneumatic lifters so I could get under there and have a good look. There were no wet places on the flooring under the bed or in any of the compartments. So I’ll have to look some more.

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While I was in under the bed, I got a good look at the water system. Mr. FixIt helped me and we could not figure out why the pump won’t build up pressure and shut off. Again…more investigation is needed. In the meantime, if I can flush the commode and wash my hands and the dishes, I’m not too concerned about the rest of it. Just about every place I plan to camp will have electric and if it’s cold, I have either the electric blanket or the little space heater to keep me warm. 

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When Mr. FixIt got home, he staked up the tomatoes. Something happened to one of the plants. It’s just gone. The rest look good though. And the beans are coming up much better than last year. I still have a bunch of food in the refrigerator in the camper so I fixed us some supper and we sat at the dinette and ate. That made me smile.

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After supper, we went for a quick walk down the road. There’s been some activity on the property next door so we moseyed over to see what’s going on. They are clearing the lot so maybe we’re getting neighbors. We don’t have neighbors within sight of the house so this is something very new for Mr. FixIt. He’s lived here over 40 years.

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When we were walking back down the road, holding hands, I looked out over our field and smiled. All of my life I’ve wanted to live on five acres. And here we are! I looked around and thought of all the things I would have liked to have on these five acres over the years. A barn with maybe some animals…a cow for milk and butter, some chickens, maybe a couple of goats or sheep. A big garden. Some fruit trees. I sure would have done more with this than five acres of lawn to mow. And now? 

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I never say it’s too late to do something. But my priorities have changed. We like to travel and we’re going to be too old before too long to maintain that level of farming. No…we’re looking at simplifying now. But it’s nice to dream about what we might have done, had we been together when we were younger.

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This is our little slice of heaven, and so is the farm. When we got back from our walk, I jumped on the riding mower and mowed till it was almost too dark to see. I watched Mr. FixIt with the push mower in the fenced yard. I watched how the mower took the curves of the field and turned them into the swirly rows of a contemporary quilt. I watch the old yellow cat sitting at the edge of the field, eyeing me to see if I was going to sacrifice another turtle for him. Thankfully, I did not. I noticed the petals of the poplar blooms fallen as I mowed over them. I watched the robins swoop in to get the bugs the mower stirred up. I took a deep breath of new mown grass. And…I smiled. 

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❤️

\n
“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”    Psalm 18:19 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-15T01:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/15/a-quiet-place.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Peace","Humbled","Peaceful Moments","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/14/rainy-days-and-mondays.html", "title": "Rainy Days and Mondays", "content_html": "

\"Wet “Watching the softball game in the rain and cold.”

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I opened my eyes and looked around the camper. Something woke me up but not sure exactly what. I picked up my phone and there was a text from Gail. She had to head home from the campground early and asked me to let her know when I got home safely. We do that, us Girl Campers. Nothing says I love you quite like “Let us know when you get home.” 

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I thought I might go ahead and get up. I put away just about everything the night before. Instead, I rolled over and pulled the covers up under my chin and dozed off for another three hours. I heated up my coffee and hopped back under the covers to sip and watch the birds around the campground. I recognized a mockingbird and a downy woodpecker. I heard a pileated woodpecker up in the canopy of leaves over my head. I saw some buzzards circling over the nearby field and caught sight of a blue heron with his head tucked back, long legs following along behind him as he flapped slowly on his way to the water.

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After my second cup, I decided it was time. I hooked up the camper and took off for home around 11:30. It wasn’t too long till the heavy clouds overhead took on a dark and menacing greenish grey and the sky opened up. I drove through some very heavy rain. I dropped my speed and didn’t use cruise control…two things that increase the risk of hydroplaning.

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I stopped at a rest area just inside the West Virginia border and emptied the black tank. I had no grey water this time. I got home and parked the little camper alongside the building out behind the house so I can plug it in and use it for writing and naps. There is something so special about spending time in my camper…whether I’m actually camping or not. 

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As soon as I got home, I needed to clean up so we could go to our granddaughter’s softball game. We stopped for some supper on the way and it was so cold at the game, we actually parked beyond the outfield and sat in the truck. It rained a few times but not enough to delay the game. Our team lost, but they sure worked hard. They have a rematch tomorrow at an away game.

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When I got home, I turned on the electric blanket on the bed in the camper and climbed in. As I did, I noticed the coverlet on the bed is damp. Apparently the camper leaked somewhere as I was driving through that heavy rain so I’m going to need to get to the bottom of that. It doesn’t leak sitting in the rain so it must have come from the water splashing up from the road. Ahhhh, campers…there is always some thing that needs fixed or replaced.

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Home, Sweet Home…it was so good to see Mr. FixIt and give him a big hug! 

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Thank you, God…for travel mercies, for such good friends, and for a precious homecoming.

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❤️

\n
“The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”    Psalms 121:7-8 ESV
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-14T01:30:55-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/14/rainy-days-and-mondays.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","TOW-Wanda!","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Girl Camper","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/12/what-a-hoot.html", "title": "What a Hoot!!!", "content_html": "

\"Coffee “Coffee in the camper…my favorite thing about camping!”

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The Girl Campers have been meeting at Beaver Creek State Park for the last three years or so. Some come for a day or two. Some come for a full week of fun. Gail is our Hostess Extraordinaire. Janine, our fearless leader and “Camper in Chief” is here with her Mister and anytime the three of us get together…it’s the Three Amigas. A good time is always to be had when we gather around the campfire.

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\"Woman “Janine loved her socks!”

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We have a Spring and a Fall “What a Hoot” event. Where did we get that name, you ask? We get to listen to the owls! We cannot call them in the spring because they are on the nest. But in the fall, we can play their calls over a speaker and call them in close so we can hear them. It’s beautiful.

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\"Pawpaw “The blossom of the pawpaw tree. Isn’t it beautiful?”

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The park naturalist came again yesterday. He took some of the campers on a guided nature walk and identified several varieties of wildflowers. Then later in the afternoon, we went fishing. One of our gals caught a good sized catfish on her second cast. I casted fifty times and didn’t catch a thing but I had fun!

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\"Woman “Sherri caught a catfish on her second cast!”

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I finished knitting the socks I was working on. Janine has been marveling over them for a year. That’s how long it took me to knit them! So, I gifted them to her and she was so tickled.

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\"Camping “Some of the girls made camping journals to keep as a memento from their trip.”

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Dinner last night was a smorgasbord of soups and fresh fruit. Bourbon Brownie S’mores for dessert! I didn’t have the ones with bourbon…I had mine plain. But they were gooey and decadent. Today, I get back on my diet!

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I hope you enjoy the photos! I’ll be heading back to the Ponderosa tomorrow!

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Oh, and…it’s Mother’s Day. Moms come in all shapes and sizes and descriptions. Some of us are moms. Some of us chose not to be. Some wanted to be and couldn’t. Some were…and lost their babies in one way or another. Some lost their relationships in some way. A lot of us have lost our moms by the time we get to be my age. And, some are fortunate to yet have theirs. The bottom line is…no matter what state you are in….it’s Mother’s Day. I hope it is a good day for you and yours…even if there are tears.

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I miss my mom…my grandma…and my “other mother”, Louisa. I’ll see you all some fine day.

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And, I miss my girls. I’ll see them soon!

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❤️

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“Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.”    ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-05-12T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/12/what-a-hoot.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","goRVing","Grace","Love","Peace","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/05/rainy-days.html", "title": "Rainy Days", "content_html": "

\"Rhododendron “Grandma’s rhododendron is starting to bloom out at the farm. I think it might have gotten a little nipped by the polar vortex this winter, but it sure loves these rainy days!”

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It has been rainy in West Virginia the last couple of days. We’ve even had some thunderstorms, which I dearly love. I remember really missing them when I lived in Colorado. The thunder doesn’t roll there like it does here. The rain held off till Mr. FixIt and I were finished changing the oil in both trucks. I sat on the mechanic’s stool, looking up at the sky when it started to sprinkle and asked God to please hold off for an hour or so. He was so gracious to do so. Thank you.

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I was very disappointed. We had everything set up. I got the truck up on the ramps with Mr. FixIt’s guidance, and I got down under the engine and set to work. Try as I might, I simply could NOT loosen the plug in the oil pan. I couldn’t get in a good position to get leverage. The battery pack for the headlamp sat on the back of my head wrong and kept getting in my way. And for some reason, I didn’t like the feeling of that truck over my chest on the plastic ramps Mr. FixIt has. His metal ones were stolen and I just didn’t trust plastic to hold that truck up off me. It gave me the heeby-jeebies.

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Mr. FixIt took my place and, with some difficulty, finally got the plug out. I got BACK under the truck and tried to loosen the oil filter and it wouldn’t budge. I hated to admit defeat, but i just don’t have the arm, wrist, and hand strength I used to have. I climbed back out and sat on the stool handing Mr. FixIt what he needed, when he needed it. When he was finished, I held the funnel while he poured the oil in.

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“I’m sorry.” I said, dejectedly. “I just couldn’t do it.”

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Mr. FixIt looked at me with soft eyes and said, “That’s ok, baby. That’s what husbands are for.”

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For one second, the feminist reared up in my head…then I stopped. I looked at this kind, gentle, yet strong man and said…

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“Service. That’s your love language, isn’t it?”

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He smiled and went back to the task at hand. I didn’t even offer to try helping him when we got his truck up on the ramps. We just chatted as he told me stories or pointed out the differences between the two trucks and their filters. I sat on the stool, smiling and sending up a big “Thank You” for my many, many blessings.

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❤️?❤️

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“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”    James 1:17 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-05T01:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/05/rainy-days.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","God","Wisdom","Humbled","Aging","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/04/unbeatable-laughterunbearable-tears.html", "title": "Unbeatable Laughter...Unbearable Tears", "content_html": "

\"Cake “Chocolate cake pops aren’t the most delectable looking things till they get their pretty candy coating.”

\n

The last couple of days were an incredible jumble of extreme emotions. First, we had an intense discussion about the impact of addiction in this area and on our lives. It was deeply personal and what is said in the room, stays in the room. Suffice it to say, I could not wait to get out and call my daughters and thank them for never going down that particular path. As I left messages for them…(who’s kid ever answers the phone these days?)…I broke down in tears. Because…instead of my kids being addicted…it had been me when they were growing up. I hate that I exposed them to opioid and alcohol abuse and the aftermath it caused. But, what the enemy tried to kill, God has used to our good and His glory. 

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Later in the evening, Daughter #1 called me back. I adore both of my girls and they couldn’t be more different. My firstborn has always been the strong, dependable kid who turned into a wonderful woman and an excellent mother, but she’s not a terribly demonstrative person. She is a little crusty on the outside but soft in the center but she’d rather chew off her arm than show it. When I answered the phone, I could hear that slightly vulnerable tenderness in her voice that I so seldom get to hear and my heart melted.

\n

She went on to regale me with a story about her evening. It seems HER firstborn informed her earlier in the week that she needed cake pops for a going away party for one of her friends. She needed them yesterday. And…she wanted them shaped like pineapples for some reason. Now, Daughter #1 is highly creative, and an incredible teacher, but she was not particularly crafty or interested in baking when she was young. It’s amazing what we do for our kids, isn’t it? 

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She looked up how to make cake pops on YouTube and Pinterest. She e-mailed her principal who makes cake pops for stress relief. She found out that…surprise, surprise…cake pops are not baked in molds with sticks in them and then dipped in frosting. Actually, you bake the cake, let it cool, crumble it up very fine, then mix in a little bit of frosting. Just enough to work it together into a ball but not enough to get it wet. I had no idea!

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Since my granddaughter asked for chocolate, my daughter baked two layers of chocolate cake. Then she used a small ice cream scoop to make balls of the dough and rolled them into a slightly oblong egg shape to represent little pineapples. Then she stuck sticks in them that had been dipped in the melted candy coating so they would stick. At this point, it struck her what her little creations actually LOOKED like and she had to send me pictures. We laughed til we cried. It was so delightful. I was so proud of her…for everything. Being a good kid and a great mom. For having a sense of humor. For loving me so much, even though I make her crazy half the time and she can’t let me know either way.

\n

Then, yesterday, one of my mom’s cousins texted to tell me another cousin in Illinois passed away on Sunday. That made me sad because I just loved Betty Mae. When she and her family came to West Virginia to visit my grandma, it was an EVENT, I’m telling you. I sent a potted plant with a note and then called my aunt and uncle to make sure they knew.

\n

Remember I told you I made the difficult decision to not go to my niece’s graduation in Indiana? Well, I found out the graduation is outside today…in the rain…in Indiana…in tornado season. They’re giving them ponchos to wear. Oy! That’s not why God prompted me to cancel, though. Mr. FixIt was driving home yesterday and he got the strongest urge to call his best friend. When he did, his friend was crying because his wife had just passed away. His friend is going to need him here and I am so grateful I listened to the whispers of the Holy Spirit telling me not to go!

\n

The camper is almost ready for my big camping trip next week. I installed a new smoke detector yesterday, packed some things in the overhead cabinets over the dinette, added deodorizer to the tanks, and swept the floors. There were a couple of very small holes on the wall where I removed some curtain hardware so I filled them with a little caulking. I tried putting the quilts that I wanted to use on the bed but they are too small for the queen bed. That’s ok…I’ll use the all white quilt I used in big TOW-Wanda and just fold the extra quilts at the bottom of the bed for decoration. The only thing left to do is wash the floors and windows, lay down the rugs, take out the trash, and finish packing. It’s supposed to storm all day today, so I can get in there and play…and maybe we’ll camp in the driveway tonight! 

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❤️

\n
“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.”    Ecclesiastes 8:15 NIV\n

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.””    Revelation 21:4 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2019-05-04T01:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/04/unbeatable-laughterunbearable-tears.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/05/01/uncle.html", "title": "Uncle!", "content_html": "

\"Bedding\" “When you’re tired and overwhelmed, it’s ok to say Uncle!”

\n

Every day since we got home from the beach has been packed full. Long hours of mowing thick, wet grass. Unpacking. Cleaning. Finally, we had to split the chores yesterday and Mr. FixIt went to the farm to mow while I worked on de-winterizing the camper. First, I filled the freshwater tank and added a little bleach to sanitize it. Then I went in and turned on the pump. It’s supposed to run a little bit, build up pressure, then shut itself off. It didn’t. As I stood in front of the kitchen sink, listening as a pitiful stream of water came from the faucet, I could hear water splashing outside. 

\n

I went out and around the camper and there was water coming out of the water heater compartment. I opened it up and saw the plug was an old type and it was rusted through. Not a good sign. I was told the camper had been fully inspected two years ago and everything worked fine. And, while I should have taken the camper to someone to have it inspected again, I trusted mine and Mr. FixIt’s camper knowledge. Besides, it was very difficult to really get in and have a look at the inner workings in the driveway where it was parked. I don’t think the previous owner was trying to scam me. I just don’t think she used the service systems because she only took it out three or four times to sleep over at horse shows.

\n

I knew there was nothing I could do without getting a new plug. I towed the camper to an RV service center and the guy was kind enough to stop what he was doing and put a plug in. Then he proceeded to have a look around the camper and started telling me all the things that were wrong with it and made me feel generally inept and stupid. One thing he pointed out, which I hadn’t noticed was…the tires were seven years old. Even if the tread looks good and there’s no evidence of dry rot, you really shouldn’t run a trailer on tires over five years old. 

\n

My next stop was a local tire shop owned by a woman. I’ve talked with her before and I’m so impressed that she built this business from scratch. I got four trailer tires for $65 each, mounted and balanced. Then I drove to a rest area with a dump station to empty and clean the waste tanks. A camper has two waste tanks on it…”grey water” from the sinks and shower and “black water” from the toilet. That wasn’t much of a chore as they had been emptied previously. They just needed a good flushing.

\n

Once I was finished with the tanks, I tried turning the pump on and it still wouldn’t build up pressure and shut off. That means the system isn’t sealed and there’s a leak somewhere. I didn’t see water anywhere and there was nothing dripping. By this point, I was tired, hungry, and pretty darned frustrated. I kept telling myself I’d bought a piece of junk camper and I was pretty low by the time I got home.

\n

Mr. FixIt called. I poured out all my fears and frustrations and he asked me to tell him one thing at a time. He said they were all fairly small things and relatively easy to fix. At the most, I may need a new hot water heater, a water pump, and new propane regulator. He said I didn’t buy a piece of junk, but it is twelve years old. There are bound to be some things that will need fixing.

\n

I got home and walked in the door. There is still a toilet, a sink, and half a shower stall in my living room. I suddenly felt defeated and sat down to think it through. When I made arrangements to attend my niece’s graduation in Indiana, I didn’t realized how tight I had planned these three trips. Four days between the first and second trip and only one day between the second and third. It took us three full days just to mow both properties. How was I possibly going to pull this off?

\n

I prayed about it for a while and talked with Mr. FixIt again and two of my trusted friends and they all said…set some priorities…get some rest…it’s ok to say no. I hated the idea of cancelling the Indiana trip. I hate missing my niece’s graduation and getting to see her family. And, I hate disappointing anyone. But, you know what? I’m not thirty-five anymore. I’m not fifty-five anymore. I’m nearly sixty-six and while, in many ways that is still young, I have to admit to myself I can’t do it all. I get tired easier. I get overwhelmed easier. I’ve noticed this since losing Mr. Virgo. 

\n

So, I wrote a long note and sent it to my niece and her mom. I explained why we couldn’t come and while they will miss us, they understand. I immediately felt a weight lift off my shoulders and I cried with relief. It’s ok to cry “Uncle!” I turned on the air conditioning, crawled under a blanket, and rested…for the first time in weeks, it seems. 

\n

❤️

\n
““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””    Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-05-01T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/05/01/uncle.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","God","Wisdom","Aging","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/27/goodbyefor-now.html", "title": "Goodbye...For Now", "content_html": "

\"Best “Best Friends”

\n

Goodbyes are so hard…especially since losing Mr. Virgo. My world perspective has forever changed and grief has colored every thought since that fateful day. I am so aware of how tenuous life is and how strong the bonds between us and those we hold most dear.

\n

Today we have to say so long to our dearest family/friends as they head back home to Colorado and we head back home to the Ponderosa. We have had such a delightful week. The weather seriously couldn’t have been more perfect. Our first morning here dawned sunny and gorgeous and remained the same the entire week until a band of severe thunder storms came through last evening. It rained hard into the night and brought cooler temperatures but today is supposed to be sunny with a high around 70 so it will be perfect traveling weather.

\n

While grief and death are not in the forefront of my thoughts anymore, there are certain things that have changed because of my loss. Now, when I see a scene, I see it through the eyes of a widow and know the scenes I wish I had pictures of. As we watched the sunset in a quiet cove along the sound in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore the other night, I looked back. I noticed Ben & Sue turn to take in the last of the golden light as the sun dipped below the horizon over the glassy surface of the water. I smiled as Sue reached for Ben’s hand and I reached for my cell phone to snap this picture. I added the location and date and sent it to her. 

\n

We do not know when our time will come, but we do know statistically that women outlive their husbands. When Mr. Virgo died, I really had fewer photos of him than I thought. I wanted to make sure Ben & Sue had all the special events of the week recorded for posterity. 

\n

As we drove down to the beach last weekend, I kept thinking…”It’ll be over in an instant and we’ll be driving back home.” And, here we are. But…oh, my. We made some beautiful memories together this week and I will cherish this time together for the rest of my life. 

\n

❤️

\n
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”    Psalm 133:1 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-04-27T01:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/27/goodbyefor-now.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Travel","Grief","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Aging","Peaceful Moments","Choices","Be Joyful!","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/26/ohohobx.html", "title": "Oh...Oh...OBX!", "content_html": "

\"The “Is there anything better than spending time with loved ones?”

\n

This has been the BEST week! The weather has been amazing. The company SO much fun. And the food has been divine. The only thing that could have made it better would be if ALL the family could be here.

\n

We started out with a hearty breakfast. I had a box of matzoh leftover from the Seder demonstration at church group the other night and brought it along. My very favorite Passover breakfast is Matzoh Brei. You take the sheets of matzoh and crumble them up. Pour enough hot water over them to cover them and let them sit for a while. Then you squeeze the water out of them and place the wet matzoh in another bowl. Beat three or four eggs with some cinnamon, a dash of salt, and a little vanilla extract together then pour it over the wet matzoh and stir till you get a thick batter. Drop 3/4 of a cup of the thick batter on a hot oiled griddle and cook till browned and set in the middle. Serve with butter and syrup like pancakes. Yummm!

\n

We all gathered our things and headed to the beach. Sue and I walked for a while and the guys fished. Mr. FixIt let me cast for him once. We got out the umbrellas and sat for a long time watching a school of dolphins playing in the surf not too far from the shore. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any cooler, we saw the blowing mist from a small humpback whale that  breached and showed his beautiful tail fin as he dove back into the sea. OMGosh! That was SO exciting. The guys never got a nibble while we were there so Sue and I decided to head to the indoor pool and exercise. We did some stretches and water aerobics moves till we were tuckered out and headed for the condo.

\n

After our showers, the boys come in with stories and pictures of all the fish they caught AFTER we left! Skates, shark, drum, croaker…they were busy but as always, practiced catch and release. It is the sport that is fun…not the killing.

\n

Once we were all cleaned up, Mr. FixIt hunted up a restaurant that served scallops as that is Ben’s all-time favorite. We discovered Henry’s in Kill Devil Hills and it did not disappoint! I had the best coconut shrimp. Sue had a blackened tuna steak and the boys both had scallops. The hush puppies were really good. We were all too stuffed to order a rich dessert. We stopped at the Ben Franklin store for souvenirs for the grandchildren and Walmart for milk and we were done for the day!

\n

As Sue and I were splashing around in the pool in the afternoon, I shared a concern that’s been bugging me just a little. My younger daughter is getting married in August and I am heavier than I wanted to be. I still have some time to lose weight, but that’s not the point. I’m self-conscious because my ex-husband will see me as fat. It’s ridiculous that I should even let that thought in, but there it sits. Sue has known me through thick and thin since my older daughter started dating her older son. We talked about it as we bounced around in the water with our ample sixty-something tummies and laughed at how silly we can still be, even when we KNOW it doesn’t mean diddly squat what others (ESPECIALLY ex-husbands) think! We talked about dressing strategies and letting go of the rest.

\n

This has been an excellent week for me…just what I needed. A week of fun and sun, sand and surf, and lots of love. My best champions are with me this week and I feel surrounded by their love and care. As Ben & Sue head off to the airport tomorrow, Mr. FixIt and I will drive home to the Ponderosa for a few days of mowing before we pack up the new camper and head out on her maiden voyage to Indiana!

\n

My heart is so full! 

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❤️

\n
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”\n

Colossians 3:15 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-04-26T01:30:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/26/ohohobx.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Peace","Peaceful Moments","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/25/the-tourists.html", "title": "The Tourists", "content_html": "

\"OBX\" “A day in the life of an OBX tourist.”

\n

It is so much fun to see a place through new eyes. Although this is only my fourth trip to the OBX, I’ve seen all the sights multiple times. Sharing them with some of my Colorado family has been such a joy. 

\n

Yesterday, we took off a little earlier than usual, picked up a quick breakfast at McDonald’s, stopped to buy some cold medicine to keep me upright, and headed to the Elizabethan Gardens over on Roanoke Island. I think that is one of my very favorite places on the OBX. It’s only a mile around the gardens, but there is so much to see. It’s also interesting to compare one year to the next as far as the bloom. Last year we were at the peak of the camellia bloom and this year we were just past. Some of the trees had already lost all their blossoms. Many of the azaleas were just past their prime as well this year but there were a few rhododendron in full bloom which is such a treat. The gardens need about fifty more gardeners to clean up the winter detritus but other than that, it was gorgeous. And, it was a glorious day! About 78 degrees with a nice breeze off the sound. Such a treat!

\n

The next stop was the aquarium where we slowly browsed our way through, reading the information placards and taking photos. We especially enjoyed the Turtle Hospital and the educational area where we petted the sting rays. Afterwards, we stopped at High Cotton for ribs, collard greens, slaw, hush puppies, and sweet tea. My favorite place but yesterday wasn’t my favorite visit there. I’m going to chalk that up to having a cold and my tastebuds were off.

\n

After we returned to the condo and I took a quick nap, we high-tailed it over to the sound side to catch another beautiful sunset. Sitting on the deck of the Sunset Grille, a cold beverage in hand, my sweet man and two of my dearest friends in the world…it doesn’t get much better than this!

\n

❤️

\n
“He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns midnight into dawn and darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land— the Lord is his name.”    Amos 5:8 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-04-25T01:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/25/the-tourists.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Positive Energy","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Peaceful Moments","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/24/from-pancakes-to-ghost-crabs.html", "title": "From Pancakes to Ghost Crabs", "content_html": "

\"Ghost “Ghost crabs…creepy little monsters in the night”

\n

We started our day out on the perfect note with a plate of pancakes from Stack ’em High At Milepost 4.5. My only disappointment was Christina wasn’t there. She and her husband own the restaurant and I’ve come to look forward to visits with her as we munch on her fabulous pancakes!

\n

After breakfast, we took the guys over to buy bait and their fishing licenses. Then, we dropped them off at the condo to go fishing and us gals went shopping. The only thing we purchased was yarn for a baby blanket and headed back to the condo.

\n

By this time the guys were finished fishing and we ate taco salads out on the deck in near 80 degree weather. I took a nap…I’m kind of feeling like I have a cold coming on but it could be allergies. The day ended with a walk on the beach with flashlights looking for ghost crabs. 

\n

They are nearly transparent and range in size from little baby ones that aren’t an inch across to about 5 inches. It’s always really neat to go out on the beach at night and if it would have been a little warmer, we might have gotten our chairs out and sat out there to watch the stars. As it was too cool for star gazing, we went back to the condo and finishing watching Forrest Gump and then watched The Lake House. 

\n

It was another lovely day spent with special people.

\n

❤️

\n
“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”    Proverbs 31:27 NIV
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-04-24T01:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/24/from-pancakes-to-ghost-crabs.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Fun","Peace","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/23/hatteras-national-seashore.html", "title": "Hatteras National Seashore", "content_html": "

\"Sunset “Sunset over Pemlico Sound”

\n

The only thing more fun than exploring a new area is showing it off to friends who’ve never been there. This is my fourth trip to the Outer Banks. Mr. FixIt is sixty-seven and has only missed one year coming here. Some years he came here multiple times. Suffice it to say…this is a favorite destination.

\n

We cooked a hearty breakfast yesterday and then headed out to explore. The first stop was the Wright Brothers National Monument. The new Visitor’s Center is open and very nice. We meandered through the exhibits and learned about the different phases of developing the first airplane. We saw the markers that indicated the length of the first few flights. The guys hiked up the mound to the monument and looked around.

\n

We stopped at both the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and explored. We found some really great pizza. We wandered around Hatteras Village and stopped for ice cream along the way back. We kept an eagle eye on the setting sun and slipped across to Pemlico Sound to an abandoned campground. We sat on old, weathered picnic tables and endured a swarm of gnats and the occasional mosquito in order to watch another beautiful Carolina sunset.

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We got back to the condo long after dark. We drove through a thickening sea mist that settled over the island and made the windshield kind of greasy looking. It was another beautiful day spent with loved ones. 

\n

❤️

\n
“So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”    Genesis 1:21 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-04-23T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/23/hatteras-national-seashore.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Fun","Gratitude","Peace","Peaceful Moments","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/22/service-sunshine-and-seafood.html", "title": "Service, Sunshine, and Seafood", "content_html": "

\"Low “Low Country Shrimp and Grits”

\n

We enjoyed our Easter service at the United Methodist Church across the road from our timeshare. We attended the contemporary services and the music was very nice. The sermon was thought provoking. And it was fun to go to a Southern church and see folks in their Easter dresses. The children enjoyed a demonstration up front with the Pastor before the services began. The church itself was lovely with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Curratuck Sound.

\n

Afterwards, we drove around and found a restaurant that was open and had a seafood extravaganza and ate till they had to roll us home. I had the Low Country Shrimp and Grits. Yummmmmm. We came back to the condo and some napped while others walked or made phone calls. We were all still too full to eat dinner but we did finally polish off the apple pie we started Saturday night.

\n

It was a lovely, lazy, family day sharing stories and photos. Today, we are tourists!

\n

❤️

\n
“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.””\n

Mark 6:30-31 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-04-22T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/22/service-sunshine-and-seafood.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Fun","Gratitude","Grace","Peace","Holiday","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/21/easter-sunday.html", "title": "Easter Sunday", "content_html": "

\"Curratuck “The sunset over the Curratuck Sound:

\n

I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older…or maybe it’s gaining a deeper connection to God…but Easter this year seems to have a much, much deeper meaning for me than ever before. I have a close church family relationship…probably for the first time in my life. And I have Mr. FixIt and my bonus family to go to church with. Whatever the reason, this Easter is completely different…personal.

\n

We arrived at the beach yesterday afternoon and did our obligatory stop at the grocery store. We weren’t at the condo more than half an hour when my son-in-law’s parents arrived. Oh, my…I love them dearly and was SO excited to see them. Ben & Sue are the salt of the earth. Good, hardworking people with great character and a terrific sense of humor. I’ve known them now since 1993 or so. I’ll tell you what…my daughter won the lottery when it comes to her husband and in-laws!

\n

Sue and I never really talked about faith much till the last couple of years and it has been wonderful to share that part of myself with her. We have a lot of wonderful discussions and I am so happy to have them here with us this week.

\n

We found a church right across the street that has an 11:00 service today so we won’t miss Easter.

\n

May you all have a blessed Easter! And for my Jewish family and friends…Happy Passover!

\n

❤️

\n
“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ””    Luke 24:6-7 NIV
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-04-21T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/21/easter-sunday.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Travel","Positive Energy","Gratitude","Grace","God","Peace","Holiday","Wisdom","Peaceful Moments","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/16/evidence-of-healing.html", "title": "Evidence of Healing", "content_html": "

\"Lighthouse\" “A memory from a time long ago and far away…”

\n

I know April is a hectic time of year what with my daughter’s birthday and taxes being due. I was also quite busy this spring writing and editing my book. And, our annual trip to the Outer Banks is this weekend so my mind was preoccupied. As I sat down at the computer yesterday to write my post, I was confronted with one of those Facebook memories complete with scads of photos….of Mr. Virgo’s and my Honeymoon. 

\n

I couldn’t believe it. It was on the 7th and it never once crossed my mind. I remember one year I almost forgot. It was probably four years after his death and I felt so terribly guilty because I nearly went the whole day without thinking about it. This time, it was a whole week PAST the anniversary and I may not have remembered at all if I hadn’t seen the photos. But, I didn’t feel guilty. I actually felt somewhat relieved.

\n

There was a point in my grief when I thought I never would feel even somewhat normal again. I didn’t believe I would ever feel joy or freedom and certainly not romantic love again. Yet, here I am. On the other side. I’ve no doubt I still have my moments. NOT remembering seems monumental in some way.

\n

Not focusing on or remembering an important anniversary doesn’t mean I have forgotten Mr. Virgo…or anything about him. It just means time has passed and I am healing. I’ve moved….forward. I wish I could have had some serious reassurance four or five years ago that so much healing could occur in what is a relatively short time in grief years.

\n

This time fourteen years ago, we were driving up the west coast on Highway 1. I wanted to stand on the beach with my husband. Fourteen years later, I’m packing to leave for a trip to the east coast so that I can stand on the beach with my husband. 

\n

Ironic.

\n

The whole thing makes me smile. It makes my heart soften. It makes me ever so grateful to have known…and to now know…such great love.

\n

❤️

\n
“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine.”    Song of Songs 1:2 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-04-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/16/evidence-of-healing.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Wisdom","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Marriage","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/15/hummers.html", "title": "Hummers!", "content_html": "

\"Hummingbird\" “The hummingbirds are back!”

\n

They’re baaaaaaack! I was stretched out in TOW-Wanda, relishing my very satisfying afternoon nap, when I turned over and gazed out this great big, beautiful front window at the stunning pink flowers on the shrub nearby. That’s when I saw her…a lovely iridescent hummingbird, hovering around the heady floral aroma…getting some much needed nourishment from her migration. My heart leapt for joy! I do so love this time of year…the day I get the taxes done for another year!

\n

This time…I promise…THIS time I will keep my records straight. I will make sure enough is withheld for taxes. I will NOT put it off till the very last minute! I promise!

\n

Yesterday was a coffee day for the girls from my class and it was such a beautiful day. So many of them couldn’t come for one reason or another and we missed them. Mr. FixIt came and met me at the local library and we sat down to get our taxes done. It went pretty fast because I had most everything completed the day before. We just tidied up loose ends and ended up filing jointly. It saved us some money.

\n

When I finally hit “send” and the returns went flying through the wires on their way to the IRS, I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief. I turned to Mr. FixIt and said, “Steak! Give me steak! And a baked potato! And broccoli!!! He grinned ear to ear. He was just as glad to have the taxes over so he could get his wife back instead of Godzilla!

\n

We hit traffic coming through town. It was the Easter Parade! I haven’t been to one of those in decades. I rolled the window down and heard the high school marching band going by. I could see them through a parking lot as I sat in traffic. Children rushing for thrown candy. Balloons being carried through the crowds. And finally…the Easter Bunny. It made me realize…since my littles are either too far away, or too big, or too little for the Easter Bunny, I hadn’t even given the furry guy much thought, even with all the store displays. Today after church, we are taking our great granddaughter to the mall to see the furry guy himself. Then I can give the baby her book…Baby’s First Book of Bible Stories. We bought it for her Baby Dedication and forgot to bring it with us. And, we won’t be here for Easter…we’ll be at the beach. There is a church right across the street from out condo so we can still go to services.

\n

The steak was fabulous. Then we went to the park to walk. I couldn’t walk more than half a mile with this painful foot. I have an appointment Wednesday with the Orthopedist to determine what’s going on. I think it’s a Morton’s Neuroma. Let’s lay odds if I’m right or not.

\n

We got home and I fell asleep in the camper…I really LOVE having a window open right above my head! Beautiful, beautiful day! 

\n

❤️

\n
“I know every bird in the mountains...”    Psalm 50:11 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-04-15T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/15/hummers.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Grace","Humbled","Peaceful Moments","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/12/ommmmmmmmm.html", "title": "Ommmmmmmmm.......", "content_html": "

\"Woman “Trust me…I did NOT look this peaceful and serene this week working on my banking!”

\n

I looked for a photo of someone working on her computer looking so peaceful and serene. Because, that has definitely NOT been me this week! Ok, seriously…I feel like I could reach back in the archives of any of the past six years, pull out a post for the week before taxes are due, and it would be the same darned story. Over and over and over. I wait till the last minute to reconcile my bank account. Yes…in the good old days when I didn’t have grief brain, I balanced it every month…to the penny. Now? Well, lets just say this year was better. I balanced it up till the end of July. The rest I had to download. And…my bank only keeps three months worth of statements in the accessible pipeline. Anything before that and you have to do a manual download which I have discovered may or may not be totally accurate. Not the program’s fault…it’s the operator. 

\n

I am not sure what I did wrong but my guess is I duplicated some entries and I was off by a country mile. In the past, this would have bugged the heck out of me and I would have spent an inordinate amount of time combing through every detail till I found the problem. And, if time wasn’t a factor, maybe I would do that. But it’s not like I’m keeping the national treasury balanced. My main purpose for using Quicken is to run expense reports for taxes. It’s not rocket science. I held my breath and created an audit. I go by my bank balance anyway, so I just balanced it to that and called it good.

\n

This wasn’t accomplished without a fair amount of hair-pulling and choice words because in the middle of things, the internet stopped working at the house. I didn’t have enough time to go back out to the farm and used the excruciatingly slow internet there, so I packed up my laptop and headed for Panera. I got a good salad, sat down, connected to the internet and ran a scan on their wireless to detect anything fishy. It came up clean so I scooted into my account, did the magic, and was back out in less than a minute. Easy peasy.

\n

Next stop was Sam’s club to pick up a copy of this year’s TurboTax. I freaked out a little when I couldn’t find any and was afraid it might be sold out but they had some copies at the service desk. TurboTax has this really neat thing where you can do your taxes online and just pay for the tax program when you’re finished. The thing is, it was about $30 more to do it that way. You have to pay attention…these guys are tricky!

\n

So, the banking is done. Now all we have to do is plug in the numbers and see where we stand. Married filing jointly? Married filing separately? We’ll just have to see how it plays out. I’m just so blessed to have the choice.

\n

❤️

\n
“Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.””    Matthew 22:17-21 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-04-12T01:30:49-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/12/ommmmmmmmm.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Gratitude","Love","Wisdom","Courage","Change","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/11/memory-recall.html", "title": "Memory Recall", "content_html": "

\"Memories\" “Photos of childhood memories can bridge the miles between you and your children.”

\n

Sometimes it’s hard to reach my kids, both literally and figuratively. They have busy lives. Jobs, families, houses…they don’t have a lot of time to visit with their mom. I get that. I was in their shoes. So, instead of whining about it and pulling more than a nominal guilt trip, I have taken to sending them pictures of things I find on Pinterest. Not just any old thing. Things that will stir a memory of their childhoods and make them smile whether they have time to talk or not.

\n

One such photo was this one. It is identical to the kitchen we lived in when she was little and her daddy was in medical school. She remembered the sink, she said. But I know, if she remembered the sink, she thought of all the times I canned our food and baked our bread. She might have thought of the times we set up the tent in the backyard so she could have a sleepover. I’m sure she thought of the slumber party I let her have in the Vanagon camper with the pop top. We were still finding peanut M&M’s months later. Maybe she thought of the Christmas Eve Blizzard when we spent the day pushing people out of the ditch in front of the house. Or the time she rode her bike on the church parking lot down the street and almost put her eye out on a tree branch.

\n

I miss being close to my kids. Maybe by this time, if I hadn’t have found Mr. FixIt, I might have been back there…or at least spend more time in Colorado. But, just as my girls have lives…so do I. I just have to make the most of the time I do have with them when I am there.

\n

I spent yesterday at the farm again. I made great progress on the paperwork I’m doing. Tomorrow I can wrap it up and we can do our taxes and be done with it. I promise myself every year that I wont procrastinate next year…and here we are. Down to the wire yet again. Maybe next year!

\n

❤️

\n
“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”    1 Corinthians 14:40 NIV
\n \n", "date_published": "2019-04-11T01:30:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/11/memory-recall.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Growth","New Ideas","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Wisdom","Aging","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/08/a-room-with-a-view.html", "title": "A Room With a View", "content_html": "

\"Camper “This was the biggest selling point on this camper.”

\n

I could hardly wait to get home yesterday afternoon. We had a beautiful day….the baby dedication at church was lovely and we had a family breakfast afterwards. Then we ran errands. It rained while we were in church and again while we were eating breakfast. Then it was dark and cloudy all afternoon. We got home about 4:00 and I made a bee line for TOW-Wanda III and a much anticipated Sunday afternoon nap. I was no sooner tucked in till the sky opened and the sound of rain on the camper roof lulled me quickly into a deep sleep.

\n

When I woke up…this is what I saw and I smiled from ear to ear. This window. I love all the light in this camper and this window takes the cake. I can prop myself up in the corner with my lap desk and iPad and be a totally happy camper! 

\n

I remember all the times in Little TOW-Wanda when I sat like this, propped up with a mug of good coffee and a stack of magazines…staring out a window like this and letting God’s nature heal my broken heart. Oh, how I’ve missed this. To turn over and see the sky. To gaze at stars as I drift off to sleep. I’m itching to get off on adventures but there’s stuff to be done first.

\n

Today we are heading to my friend’s house to pick up the camper she’s giving me. I have no idea what shape it’s in so we’ll see. Then there’s taxes. The bathroom is coming along…Mr. FixIt has plumbing to do before we can move the rest of the shower stall in. I need to clean out TOW-Wanda Grande and get her on the market. I need to clean out the truck because we leave the 19th to head to the beach. The first mowing at the Ponderosa occurred this weekend. That means the yard at the farm is going to need mowed this week, for sure. 

\n

And off we go. This is the time of year when we hit the ground running. That lazy nap yesterday, stretched out in my little new-to-me camper looking through my big picture window at the rain on the flowering bushes, will just have to hold me over for a while.

\n

❤️

\n
“Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them. They’ll keep your soul alive and well, they’ll keep you fit and attractive. You’ll travel safely, you’ll neither tire nor trip. You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry, you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, Because GOD will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound.”    Proverbs 3:21-26 MSG
\n", "date_published": "2019-04-08T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/08/a-room-with-a-view.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","Presence","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/04/07/towwanda-iii-day-cleanup.html", "title": "TOW-Wanda III: Day 1 - Cleanup", "content_html": "

\"Camper “The first thing that had to go was the bunk bed over the main bed.”

\n

The first thing I did yesterday…after coffee, of course…was head out to the new camper. I could hardly sleep the night before, I was so excited. I didn’t realize how very much I missed my first camper till I got a load of this one! I hooked it up to electric and checked out the systems again. The air conditioning worked fine. I cleaned the filter screen in the AC unit so it works more efficiently. The fan, lights, and microwave. I haven’t checked the refrigerator yet.

\n

Mr. FixIt was kind enough to bring a ladder and some RV cleaning products out to the camper for me as well as a hose and scrub brush. I started scrubbing with an RV wash/wax combo and followed up with a Norwex cleaning cloth and Norwex cleaning paste to get the black streaks off. I rinsed it well and checked inside…NO LEAKS! Yesssss! No leaks is a good thing…especially with a 2007 camper. This thing is built exceedingly well. 

\n

The camper is a Cikira Classic Cruiser 18FB…which roughly translates to an 18 foot camper with a front bed. From what I can find, Cikira RV wasn’t around for very long, but I don’t think that was because they lacked a quality product. If this camper is any indication, the quality is excellent. The RV industry isn’t easy to break into. But more importantly, look at the date of my camper. The economy in 2007 was booming and people were traveling a lot. Then 2008 came and the bottom fell out of the market. No one was spending money on anything extra. I know…that’s when I had to close my needlework shop. Hobbies like camping and needlework are the first to go when it comes to extraneous expenses.

\n

Once I had the outside walls scrubbed down, I opened the awning and gave it a good wash. I left it open to dry in our beautiful 72 degree weather and closed it up before dusk so it wouldn’t gather the dew. Then it was time to head indoors. The first thing that had to go was the bunk bed overtop the main bed. The previous owners had a 10 year old daughter who loved the bunk above, but it was too confining to lay underneath it and I knew I would hit my head every time is sat down. The bunk was secured with sturdy angle iron and the plywood base was screwed securely to it. I removed the twin size memory foam mattress and Mr. FixIt helped me carry it down to the storage room. We can use it for an extra if we have overflow company. 

\n

The front piece of the bunk bed was a long piece of heavy angle iron attached to a decorative wood front. I removed that piece but left the other three pieces of angle iron connected to the three walls above the windows. This way, if we ever need the bunk bed again, we can pop it back in easily enough. Taking that bunk out opened up the entire bed area and made it much more comfortable, roomy, and light. By this time I was fried so I gave in and snuggled up on my new bed and took a nap. 

\n

So, our blessings continue. Our great granddaughter is being dedicated to Jesus in church this morning! My heart is so happy!

\n

❤️

\n
“And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”\n

Mark 10:16 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-04-07T01:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/04/07/towwanda-iii-day-cleanup.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/03/27/the-ponderosa.html", "title": "The Ponderosa", "content_html": "

\"Farm\" “The Ponderosa is the land I have dreamed of all my life.”

\n

I’ve still been recuperating from this bronchitis/cold/virus/allergy thing. Kind of laying low, taking care of myself. To keep from re-infecting Mr. FixIt (he already had this last month), I’ve been spending a lot of time out in TOW-Wanda…resting, reading, writing, napping, cogitating. It has been very good for me to spend so much time in my little house on wheels. It certainly made winter go by MUCH quicker!

\n

As I was writing this yesterday, I was stretched out in my “sun room”…the slide-out in my camper. It is actually the dinette, but it collapses down and makes a twin-sized bed and I actually have a mattress in there. I have piles of pillows and comfy blankets all around so it’s a nice little cocoon in which to snuggle and write and dream.

\n

An e-mail came in while I was writing and it took me back probably ten years or so. It was from a site called Land Watch. Many years ago, I was trying to convince Mr. Virgo that it would be a very good idea to move back home to West Virginia. He humored me and looked at the farms and land I found. He half-heartedly searched for B&B’s for sale here and in the surrounding states. But, he came from Pennsylvania…he lived a long time in Florida…all with the goal of ultimately living in Colorado. His Nirvana. I think if push came to shove, he would have moved here for me…but he wouldn’t have been happy. God had different plans anyway because he took Mr. Virgo to His home before I could take him to mine.

\n

As I looked at that e-mail and thought of all those times I dreamed of having a few acres in West Virginia, I looked out the windows of TOW-Wanda at the fields and far hills of the Ponderosa and smiled. I have what I have always dreamed of having. A faith-filled life. A wonderful family…biological and bonus. And land…a garden, grass, trees, flowers. TWO farms, actually. I’m doubly blessed. I had no idea ten years ago I would realize my lifelong dream but it wouldn’t look at all like I thought it would. It’s funny how life plays out. 

\n

I took the liberty of blurring out some identifying features in the photo above. There’s a neighbor up at the top there…I blurred out their home. And I blurred out the roads and route numbers that were on the map. But it gives you an excellent view of the Ponderosa. All that green there? That’s what we mow! This satellite image was taken at least two and a half years ago because the maple is still in the front yard. It fell in late 2016 or early 2017. You can see the curved drive where there are two campers parked. My TOW-Wanda sits where that blue dot is on the map. 

\n

Nature is getting ready to show off…things are getting green. The trees are starting to bud. The forsythia are blooming, as are the daffodils. They were stunted somewhat by the polar vortex, I think. They are much shorter than usual. We were walking through the yard on Monday and realized it won’t be long till we need to mow it. It will be at least a month before we get the pool ready. As I am writing this, the sun is shining. We are at our high for the day…51 degrees. We are going to our Alma Mater’s Girl’s Softball game this evening to watch one of the granddaughters play. It is a good life we live and I still have to pinch myself sometimes to believe I’m really here.

\n

❤️

\n
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,”    Psalm 23:2 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-03-27T01:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/03/27/the-ponderosa.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Presence","Choices","Change","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/03/22/mother-of-the-bride.html", "title": "Mother of the Bride", "content_html": "

\"Purple “I am hoping this is the one!”

\n

The last time I was a Mother of the Bride was in 1995. It’s been a while. I’m an entirely different person this time around than I was when my older daughter got married. I was a hyper-involved helicopter mom back then. Just ask my daughter. She will tell you that she really had very little to do with her wedding because it was MY party. Many years of therapy later, I can now see that I lived the life I wished I’d had vicariously through her. I had terrible stage fright. She was in theater. SO cool! I wasn’t popular or athletic enough to be a cheerleader. She was. Uber awesome! She had cool friends that I got to hang out with. She got to go to college and live in a dorm! I was positively green with envy. She married the first young man she met in college and they were (and still are) perfect for each other. I wanted the fairy tail life she had. She loved me because I was her mom. But she hated me all the same. And I don’t blame her.

\n

As her little sister, sixteen years her junior, was growing up, I can’t count the times Daughter #1 huffed at me because she wasn’t allowed to do this or that like her little sister. “She gets away with murder!” “You would have killed me if I did that!” She’s right, of course. I was already too tired to fly that helicopter over the young one and I had a crapload of my own issues by that time. Siblings are different anyway…but the difference between these two is remarkable.

\n

Consequently, I am hardly involved with Daughter #2’s wedding. For one thing, I live on the other side of the country. For another thing, she and her fiancée have incredibly eclectic taste and their’s will hardly resemble a traditional wedding. I’m just tickled to pieces she has found someone whose beat matches her own. I’m happy to show up with a smile and stand where she tells me. This is going to chap her sister’s hide, I can assure you. But it is what it is.

\n

I am actually going to be the Co-Matron of Honor at this wedding…a position I will happily share with her BFF, Lizzie. When I asked my daughter what she wanted me to wear, she said she didn’t really care as long as it was in the colors they chose for the occasion. Royal Purple and Hunter Green. I laughed and thought maybe I could wear Gold Lame and we could throw beads and pretend it’s Mardi Gras! You can clearly see my thinking is different now than in the ‘90s. 

\n

I chose to go with purple instead of the dark green. For one reason, the green just sounded way too hot to me and this little soirée takes place the first weekend in August. Also, I look better in purple. And, it’s a little bit easier to find appropriate attire this time of year if you look for spring colors. 

\n

I’ve been scouring the dress shops in our little burg and the selection is somewhat limited. I really don’t want to spend a boat load of money on a dress I will more than likely only wear once and since she doesn’t really care, I’ll go the least expensive route. I’ve scanned the internet and finally found this dress. I like it. It will hide a multitude of self-perceived “flaws” in case I don’t lose as much weight as I would like…a task I am hard-pressed to accomplish if I continue to eat pizza like I did as I wrote this. I did break one of my cardinal rules ordering this dress. I believe it is coming from one of those foreign clothing manufacturers and I have no idea if it will look anything like the picture. It was less than $40 so I’m not getting my hopes up, but if it’s a fiasco I’m not out a ton of money. I’ll let you know if/when I receive it.

\n

In the meantime, the plans continue, my smile is ready, and it will be a beautiful day.

\n

❤️

\n
“We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.”    2 Corinthians 8:21 NLT
\n", "date_published": "2019-03-22T01:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/03/22/mother-of-the-bride.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Wisdom","Humbled","Choices","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/03/21/tea-tissues.html", "title": "Tea \u0026 Tissues", "content_html": "

\"Tea “Tea is my friend!”

\n

Sunday after church, my little great granddaughter couldn’t wait to come to me after her mama got her out of the kids area. Oh….she is the sweetest little thing. She reached out and I took her in my arms and she promptly stuck her full hand in my mouth. Ugh…you have know idea where that little hand has been but she’s a baby. What can you do? You extricate her hand and give her squidgy kisses all over her little face, that’s what you do!

\n

Annnnnnnd, Tuesday night the scratchy throat started. I’m taking zinc and Vitamin C and using oils and elderberry syrup. I’d twirl a dead chicken over my head singing Yankee Doodle if I thought it might keep me from getting sick. I don’t really feed bad…just a scratchy throat and a little cough.

\n

I spent most of the day working on the third edit of the book. This one entails reading from the beginning and taking notes as I tweak it here and there. This one is a little slower because of the notes and evaluating the story for consistencies. But I’m still liking it. I guess that is a good sign.

\n

One month and we’ll be at the beach. One week and I’ll be heading for a weekend with the girl campers. I need to get over this pronto! So, I’ll keep this short and sweet….

\n

IT’S SPRING!!!!!

\n

❤️

\n
“Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.”\n

Song of Songs 2:11-12 NLT

\n", "date_published": "2019-03-21T01:30:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/03/21/tea-tissues.html", "tags": ["Health","Family"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/03/18/a-night-out.html", "title": "A Night Out", "content_html": "

\"Embroidered “I love vintage embroidered linens.”

\n

When we finally got home from town after church yesterday, I went out to TOW-Wanda and started getting her ready for the camping season. And, by getting her ready I mean I made the bed. And got in it. There’s nothing better than a good book in your camper on a Sunday afternoon. That, and a little snooze.

\n

As I was getting the linens out to dress the bed, I came across these pillow cases. The blue and white one was purchased as part of a set made from antique German linens I purchased in Colorado in the ‘80s. The antique dealer had them embroidered…the pillow cases with the scroll embroidery and the shams with “Good Morning” and “Good Night”. I love this set and had forgotten the pillowcase had made it’s way into my camper at some point. 

\n

The other pillowcase is from a set I had my mom embroider when she came to Colorado one time. She used to embroider all the time and I loved the idea of having something she made to carry with me forever. It makes me smile and think of her.

\n

I sent my manuscript to the proofreader last week. There were a few typos she highlighted for me. And, there were a couple of notes to areas that needed fleshing out in my book. She mentioned she wanted to know more about my mom and our relationship. When I curled up under the covers in TOW-Wanda yesterday, I thought of my mom…Wanda. I picked up my iPad and wrote more about this kind and loving soul who was my mother. She was one of a kind and I loved listening to the rain on the roof as I walked down memory lane with my mom.

\n

Mother-daughter relationships can be tricky. My mom and I butted heads a lot. In all honesty, I was always a little too big for my britches, as my grandma would have put it. I was married to a doctor. I had a career in medicine. I had traveled a lot more and had lived in big cities. I fancied myself ever so much more sophisticated than my mom. It wasn’t until after the overdose that I realized what a horse’s patoot I had been to my poor mother. The only defense I have is the fact I was on Prozac for so many years and it changed my personality so that I really didn’t care much about others.

\n

Fortunately, I got off all the meds and alcohol and grew up quite a bit so that my mom and I had a much better relationship the last few years of her life. It would have been so terribly sad if she would have died before we got to that point. She has been gone for 15 years now…so hard to believe. I am so happy I have tangible reminders of her and that I chose to keep them when I downsized. There are some things you just can’t get rid of and this pillowcase is one of them.

\n

When Mr. FixIt came home, he came out and joined me in TOW-Wanda and we spent the night in the camper…our first night out for 2019. Maybe it’s not quite camping weather because they were predicting a bit of snow overnight, but we had plenty of cozy comforters and a furnace to keep us warm. Bring on the camping season!!! 

\n

❤️

\n
““Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.””\n

Ephesians 6:2-3 NLT

\n", "date_published": "2019-03-18T01:30:21-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/03/18/a-night-out.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Peace","Peaceful Moments","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/03/13/springtime-in-wv.html", "title": "Springtime in WV", "content_html": "

\"Daffodils\" “It’s getting to be springtime in West Virginia!”

\n

Ok, it isn’t officially Spring for another week, but this is one of the biggest reasons I love living in my home state. Spring comes early here. It wasn’t incredibly warm here yesterday…low 50’s…but the sun was shining and it was a perfect springlike day. As you know, yesterday was Mr. Virgo’s Angelversary and I came to the farm for a couple of days. I drank great coffee. I ate yummy chocolate hearts. And it essentially gave myself a day of rest and self-care.

\n

We need days like that sometimes. I woke up and did my Bible study. Read my devotional. My heart was warmed by your loving and supportive responses to my blog post yesterday. As the clock crept toward the hour of his demise, I thought of Mr. Virgo. I wondered how different my life would be now if he hadn’t died. While no one would choose for their loved one to die, I cannot imagine my life without Mr. FixIt now. 

\n

I can’t conjure up that pain anymore. It’s like childbirth…if you could actually imagine it, you’d never have a second child. I know it was terrible. I remember my reactions to it. I know how hard it was. But I cannot feel that pain anymore. My question yesterday that I kept circling around to was this…I wonder what yesterday would have been like if my path hadn’t crossed Mr. FixIt’s? I know having someone special in my life makes it easier to face the difficult moments. 

\n

The fact that yesterday was a beautiful day helped immensely. Colorado and the Midwest is preparing for a mega storm today. And I’ve got to tell you…other than missing my Colorado family immensely, I am not sorry I moved away when I see storm after storm pile snow up higher than most people are tall.

\n

If you’re out there and you are facing yet another winter storm today, I’ll send you some love and light. My daughter shared this footage from Ouray, CO. Red Mountain Pass is closed from dozens of avalanches with 60’ snow and debris fields on the highway. When we lived in Pagosa Springs in Southern Colorado in the winter of 2008-2009, we had 7’ of snow in two weeks. There were little mountain towns like Creede and Lake City that were totally cutoff from the outside world. They had to drop food and supplies via helicopter. At least Ouray still has the northern route in and out of town open so they have access.

\n

Be safe out there, people. Stay in if you can. ❤️

\n

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/snow-strands-people-in-ouray-colorado/5275384/

\n
“I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field will produce their fruit.”    Leviticus 26:4 NLT
\n", "date_published": "2019-03-13T01:30:24-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/03/13/springtime-in-wv.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","West Virginia","Gratitude","Warning","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/03/12/angelversary.html", "title": "Angelversary", "content_html": "

\"Handsome “Remembering Mr. Virgo”

\n

Last year, I removed the date of Mr. Virgo’s death from my calendar so I would no longer receive reminders on my phone. After all, I’m not likely to forget such an event as that anyway. I do have a hard time remembering the exact date of my mom’s death and my grandma’s and my dad’s. I know approximately when they occurred but I have to look it up if I need to know the exact date. Not so with Mr. Virgo’s. I’ll never forget that…or him.

\n

It was six years ago today that we set out to buy the travel trailer to take us into retirement. It was a beautiful sunny day with a hint of spring and we had everything to look forward to. Although I had been having premonitions all week, it was still a shock when he died so suddenly.

\n

This was something I didn’t believe I could recover from. I swore to my girls that I would never, ever get married again because I couldn’t go through this a second time. Yet, here we are…six years down the road and I’m married again…to an equally wonderful man. I’ve been blessed with good men in my life. 

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My friend Deneene lost her husband in March a few years after me. I began to mentor her through the widow experience when she was going through a particularly rough patch. We don’t get to see each other much anymore as she has moved to South Carolina with her new love. We connect frequently via chat and yesterday, she sent a note telling me she was thinking of me and the angelversary of Mr. Virgo’s death. She asked how I was going to commemorate this day. Last year, when I removed the alarm from my calendar, I thought five years was enough of that. I figured I wouldn’t want to do anything special anymore. But, once I thought about it, I decided I was wrong. Time doesn’t change the facts.

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It’s interesting at this point to think of my marriage to Mr. Virgo. He has now been gone the same amount of time we were married. And, just because time has passed, and just because I’m crazy in love with Mr. FixIt and I’m happily married, doesn’t mean my love for this wonderful man I shared my life with has diminished. Daughter #2 called me yesterday and we talked for quite some time about this. When we lose someone so special, our hearts expand at some point. My heart is much, much bigger than it was when Mr. Virgo died. There are spaces there with the names of every person I have truly loved. Those spaces do not become smaller in order to allow room for other to come in. The vessel itself had to grow. 

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As time has passed after each loss, those spaces that remain from the love lost aren’t empty shells. I’ve filled them with love and memories like filling a beautiful vase with thousands of blooms…only these flowers will never die. There were times, especially with the divorces, that I held onto bitterness and anger, but those things did not serve me. Filling each space in my heart with love has been my saving grace. 

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I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man who does not expect me to clean house and rid myself of those spaces in my heart. I would never expect him to do so. If you have truly loved someone, no matter what the end result of the relationship, filling those rooms full of flowers can set you free.

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So, I’m at the farm. I’m writing and drinking good coffee and eating chocolate hearts. And I’m counting all my blessings for a heart filled with blooms by remembering my life with a good, kind man. ❤️

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“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”    Psalm 73:26 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-03-12T01:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/03/12/angelversary.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Courage","Choices","Change","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/03/10/my-first-job.html", "title": "My First Job", "content_html": "

\"McCrory’s “McCrory’s Five & Dime in Downtown Parkersburg”

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I got my first job when I was 16. My family didn’t have much money, and if I wanted to buy anything extra, I had to come up with a way to pay for it myself. I saved my babysitting money in a piggy bank. Then when I had a fair amount, I went to the bank and opened a savings account. Then I learned McCrory’s was looking for help with sales and stocking the store in the evenings after school. I walked downtown from my mom’s office and got the job.

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I especially remember a beautiful jewelry box. My mom didn’t have nice things like fancy jewelry and the like, but what she did have…she treasured as if it were something from Tiffany’s. I wanted that jewelry box for my mom. 

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I knew that once the money went in my savings account, it was off limits for spending. That’s when I heard about The Christmas Club. If you went in to the bank and put in a dollar, you could open an account that basically just parked your money for you till the holidays. Then you withdrew all but a dollar and started over.

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I put that jewelry box on layaway at McCrory’s and opened my Christmas Club account. I remember feeling SO grown up when I put money in my account and knew it was going to be something special for my mom. Every Saturday, my friends and I would take the City Bus downtown to walk around the stores. My first stop was the bank to put some money in my Christmas Club. Then we went to GC Murphy’s and I bought a 45RPM record and a small ball of angora yarn to wrap around my boyfriend’s ring to make it fit me. Then we would sit at the lunch counter and have a Cherry Coke and laugh and talk for a couple of hours.

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Sometimes we would walk through Dils Brothers Department store. The front of the store had huge display windows that were tastefully decorated. We took the elevator up and down. There was a woman in a uniform who operated the elevator and called out each floor. Every once in a while, you heard a small soft chime overhead. I believe it was some sort of communication to the employees. None of us could afford to buy anything at Dils. We couldn’t afford Broida’s Stone & Thomas or Buttermore’s Jewelers either, but we walked around and pretended we could.

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When the first of December came around, I went to the bank and cashed in my Christmas Club and bought my mom that jewelry box. She thought it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. I had enough money to buy her a bottle of Evening in Paris as well as some bath salts. I know I bought her gifts over the years, and as my financial situation improved, her gifts became more elaborate. But none were ever given, or received, with such pride as the ones I gave that Christmas from the first money I ever earned on my own…from McCrory’s Five and Dime. ❤️

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“Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”    Proverbs 13:11 NIV
\n", "date_published": "2019-03-10T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/03/10/my-first-job.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Holiday","Wisdom","Humbled","Peaceful Moments","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/03/07/feed-me.html", "title": "Feed Me!", "content_html": "

\"Cardinal\" “A redbird just makes my day!”

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I fixed my coffee and sat down at Grandma’s window to read my morning devotions before I commenced editing the rough draft yesterday. A red flash caught my eye and I looked out to see a cardinal at the feeder. It didn’t take long for me to realize both feeders were empty. I set my coffee aside and dragged the big seed bin from the corner of the dining room out to the front door. I used to leave this bin out on the front porch till one day I noticed the lid was getting chewed up. I used a bungee cord to tie the lid down to keep the critters out but the raccoons were about to get in out of sheer persistence.

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I quickly filled the feeders and was happy to get back inside out of the 17 degree chill. It was snowing to beat the band five minutes earlier, but now the sun was out. It left little warmth, unfortunately, but my…it did look pretty on that new snow. I dragged the seed bin back into the dining room and tucked it behind my chair and sat back down. In moments, Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal swooped back in, their feathers puffed up to trap air and keep them warm. They looked pretty fat and sassy, but I knew they appreciated breakfast.

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I heated up my coffee.

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I found myself wishing I had done more for Grandma when she lived here all those years after Pop-Pop died. Oh, I bought her a new stove once and a refrigerator. I talked to her on the phone one day and she was remarking how hot it was and her fan stopped working. I went online and ordered a fan and she received it the next day. She thought I was some kind of miracle worker. I never could get her to understand internet shopping.

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In her later years, when she spent so much time sitting in her chair in front of this very window, her Bible lay open on her lap as she studied her Sunday School Lesson. She would have loved to have had these bird feeders out on her porch then. The birds would have been so close she could almost reach out and touch them. This made me chuckle at another memory.

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When grandma took pictures of the family when we gathered for visits, she stood way back so everyone fit in the frame. None of this “scooch together, guys”. Nope…she would have moved back as far as she needed to to get everyone in the picture. This is why, unless you were present on that particular occasion, you only have the vaguest idea WHO is actually IN the photo. You can’t make out any facial features. If you blew up the pictures a hundred times, you still couldn’t identify anyone simply because it was too far away to gain any kind of focus.

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But SHE knew who was there. She never forgot a thing. She was sharp clear up to within a year or two before her death. She never forgot a gathering…they were just that important to her. She always wanted us to all get together at her house, at the same time. She reveled in her family. I understand that more now than I ever have. I miss my Colorado family. I enjoy my West Virginia family. Couldn’t the two states be closer?

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I finished my devotion, in front of Grandma’s window and another thought came to me. I wish I would have accepted Jesus while she was still living. She would have loved that. ❤️

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“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”\n

Psalm 133:1 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-03-07T02:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/03/07/feed-me.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Prayer","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Wisdom","Peaceful Moments","Writing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/03/06/a-change-of-scenery.html", "title": "A Change of Scenery", "content_html": "

\"The “Running out of propane sent me running for the farm.”

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I had a lovely, slow start to my morning yesterday. I had a full day planned out in “the office”, reading and editing the rough draft. Went out and turned the furnace on ahead of time to warm it up since it was a frigid 17 degrees. I fixed my coffee, gathered my book bag, kissed Mr. FixIt goodbye, and headed out to TOW-Wanda.

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I wasn’t out there 20 minutes when it seemed to be getting colder instead of warmer. I got up and checked the air blowing out of the heater vents…barely warm. I lit the burner on the stove and even on high, there was barely a flame. I was very close to running out of propane. So, I shut it all down, packed everything back up, and headed back in the house.

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As I’ve shared before, we are in the midst of renovating the master bath, which usually has Mr. FixIt hopping. However, with it being 17 degrees, he wasn’t very motivated to go out to the building and cut drywall. I knew I would be tempted to blow off what I intended to do and just hang out with my buddy all day. Instead, I announced there was a change of plans.

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Since my book bag was already packed, I decided to come to the farm for a few days of intense editing time. After a snooze in the recliner, Mr. FixIt found the motivation to work on the bathroom…since his playmate wasn’t going to be there. It sounds like a win-win, I do believe. I arrived, fixed some lunch, and carried my coffee to the front window where Grandma always watched the world go by. My portable desk on my lap, my iPad open and at the ready, I found my gaze continually pulled to the view before me.

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There is the clock I bought Mr. Virgo for his last Christmas. There is the little birdhouse my dear friend Charlotte gave me. You can see the newel post my Uncle Bud made for Grandma when I was a very little girl. He had a penchant for all things cedar. Out front, the bird feeders were attracting the usual flock of chickadees, finches, and tufted titmice. The doves gathered around on the ground below, scavenging what had been knocked aside by the others as they looked for their favorite tidbits among the seeds.

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I kept hearing a banging sound I couldn’t identify. It sounded like the popping sound the old gas stove made before we switched out for the new one. I sat in the bathroom for twenty minutes waiting for it to kick off and back on but it never did. I sat in the bedroom and finally heard the sound again. It came from the front of the house. I walked around out front and couldn’t find anything and just as I was coming back inside, a gust of wind knocked something on the front porch and duplicated the sound. A little repositioning and the problem was solved.

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The deep gong of the only wind chime I can tolerate let me know the breeze is picking up. It’s cold and white outside, but in here, it’s warm and toasty. We have free gas at the farm. My Pop-Pop always said, the free gas was worth more than the farm itself. I believe he is correct, from a strictly monetary and convenience standpoint. But I would beg to differ in the real value of these 74 acres. This is…and will always be…the home of my heart. It’s old. It’s drafty. The roof leaks in a couple places, but not bad. The linoleum flooring is cracked and has holes here and there…it’s pattern worn and faded. 

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The original double hung windows are single paned in desperate need of a good washing. The nail heads show through on the old plaster and lathe walls. The boards creak in just the right areas to play the same tune I’ve heard all my life as I wander through the rooms. The pump kicks on out in the cellar house, reminding me our water doesn’t come through some treatment plant but is filtered through the sand and limestone far below my feet. It’s been briny ever since they capped off the wells on this property over 60 years ago.

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As I write this, propped up in Grandma and Pop-Pop’s bed, the window is cracked open just enough so I can hear the soft gurgle of the creek beneath the bedroom window. You don’t really have to have the window open to feel the wind blowing outside. All you need to do is stand near the front or back door and hold out your hand. The wind blows around the edges quite easily.

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A thought has been nagging me for a week till I finally figured it out. My grandma died 20 years ago March 2nd. It is so hard to believe she has been gone so long and I miss her every day. I think that’s one reason I love this farm so much. I know SHE loved it, and I loved her. This is where I feel closest to her.

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Ok, so…I didn’t get as much done yesterday as I would have liked. That’s ok…my heart is full and my spirit is warmed by the rich memories these walls hold for me. I’ll take getting recharged here over stressing about edits…any day of the week. Today will be another day and I can start refreshed…coffee in hand…warmth in my heart. ❤️

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““But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”\n

Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT

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\n", "date_published": "2019-03-06T02:30:11-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/03/06/a-change-of-scenery.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Wisdom","Presence","Peaceful Moments","Writing","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/03/04/march-forth.html", "title": "March Forth", "content_html": "

\"March “March forth on March 4th!”

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One of the benefits of being 65 is hindsight. I look back over my life and see a mishmash of events and situations that have led me to the exact spot where I stand today. Any decision along the way could have taken me in an entirely different direction. What if I hadn’t had the two marriages that ended in divorce? I wouldn’t have these beautiful daughters that have blessed my life so tremendously. I wouldn’t have Big and Little to make my heart sing. I wouldn’t have the in-laws and extended families that come with marriages. I wouldn’t have the lessons I learned through it all.

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Each decision brought the next circumstance. While the second divorce was the worst because it was the longest marriage…if we hadn’t parted company, I never would have met Mr. Virgo. He helped me to believe in myself. He taught me so much about life and unconditional love. I tell people he taught me how to live without him by showing me I am much stronger than I ever believed. And then he died. 

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I can’t help but look back over the past nearly six years since Mr. Virgo died and marvel at the resilience of the human heart. I was battered, crushed, totally broken when he died. And bit by bit, I picked up the pieces of my broken self and handed them to God to hold. They cut me when I tried to hang on to them. He faithfully, diligently stitched the pieces back together, making sure I resembled who I was before but knowing he couldn’t make a carbon copy.

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Faith. Hebrews 11:1 says “…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” It wasn’t just my heart God stitched back together. He instilled in me…hope. When it was 3:00am and I was clinging to the edge of the mattress hoping to just get through the night, He whispered hope. When I cried till I couldn’t breathe…He whispered hope. He breathed hope into my life every single day so that I could find the strength to march forth into the next day, and the next, and the next. 

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It’s been 2,182 days I’ve marched forth. I have friends who are on day 4…day 21…day 93. My heart hurts for them. I want them to understand, I know it hurts. And I know you think you will never survive this or feel joy again. I let God carry the sharp bits for a long time. I handed the pieces over and asked Him to start stitching. I let Him breathe hope into the dark places. That’s how I got through. 

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Here I am…happily married again. The size of my family has literally doubled. So has my joy…and my faith. ❤️

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“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”   Hebrews 11:1 KJV
\n", "date_published": "2019-03-04T02:30:33-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/03/04/march-forth.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","God","Wisdom","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/02/18/memories.html", "title": "Memories", "content_html": "

\"Mother “Mother Earth News was my manual for a good life.”

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Daughter #1 texted me this photo yesterday of Mother Earth News magazine. She said “I didn’t know they still published this.” I looked at the text and smiled. It hit my “mom feels” for a number of reasons.

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First, because I just wrote in my book the other day about a time when the Mother Earth News magazine was a huge part of my life. Second, because she remembered it. And lastly….she is a very busy adult, teaches full time and moms my two beautiful granddaughters and lives in Colorado…we don’t get to share moments like this very often.

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I was a frustrated farm girl in the big city of Denver while my husband was in medical school. I read Mother Earth News like an instruction manual for life. I baked our bread, made homemade granola, yogurt, and even tofu. I canned fruits and vegetables, made jams, jellies, relishes and pickles. I would have raised chickens if city ordinances would have allowed it back then. When we bought our first home on two acres, I set out to make it a little farm. That didn’t really work out so well because of the semi-arid climate. But I certainly had fun trying.

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The fact that my daughter remembered my penchant for this magazine just tickled me to no end for some reason. It helped me reach back across time to her youth. It was a hundred lifetimes ago…and it was just yesterday. It’s the simple things that bring the most joy, isn’t it? ❤️

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“Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.\"”\n

Genesis 6:21 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-02-18T02:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/02/18/memories.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Gratitude","Peace","Wisdom","Peaceful Moments","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/02/14/on-lovingunconditionally.html", "title": "On Loving...Unconditionally", "content_html": "

\"A “I am a Christian AND I love everyone… unconditionally.”

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The other day, a West Virginia delegate made a series of ugly and disparaging comments about the LGBTQ community. He compared them to terrorists and the Ku Klux Klan. He was interviewed later and given an opportunity to clarify his position, and it was actually SO much worse than what was originally reported. When asked what he would do if his son or daughter came home and told him they were gay, the delegate said if it was his daughter, he would take her for a pedicure. If it was his son, he would take him hunting. And if, upon their return, they still said they were gay…he would take them out and “see if they could swim”. The interviewer was aghast and asked, “Are you saying, you would take them out and try to drown them???” He just looked at her with a sinister grin and didn’t answer.

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I was sickened, on so many levels. First and foremost, that he has this kind of hatred in his heart and calls himself a Christian. Second, that he would turn away from his children, or worse…do them physical harm. And, finally…it HAD to be a West Virginian. Why did he have to come from MY state? The answer is, because there are people like him in every state.

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Here of late, I have been so uplifted and fortified by my faith, I have been shouting “Hallelujah!” from the rooftops. And that’s how I feel…excited by the ways I see God move in my life. Excited about the opportunities to share my stories of his love and provenance. Then, this week…I received this wedding invitation. And I was reminded, I may be giving people the wrong idea about who I am in my faith.

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Some people may equate my bold Christian joy with the kind of person who denigrates those who are unlike them, like that delegate from West Virginia. Nothing could be further from the truth. I do not discriminate against anyone. I’m not perfect, but I certainly try to emulate Jesus at every turn. He loves everyone. He does not see people from the outside. He looks at their hearts. After raising my daughters in the Jewish faith, I was appalled when Daughter #2 came home from school crying because the kids called her a “stupid f****** Jew”. I held her close and tried to explain ignorance and intolerance and bigotry. It broke my heart. 

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I respect all faiths, save for those who kill people in the name of their god. I respect all people, save for those who kill or maim or injure children or animals. When I raise my voice in praise for Jesus, I don’t want it to exclude my love for others who don’t believe as I do. I don’t want to walk ahead of and ignore the one who is still looking for God. I don’t want the Muslims and the Jews and the Seiks and the Hindus and even the atheists…anyone of any faith…to think I do not love them equally. I look for, and see, the God in all people. That divine spark that comes from somewhere far beyond the stars. That sign of something far greater than any of us here. 

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I also embrace the LGBTQ community as my fellow human beings, who house that same divine spark as me. It is not my place to judge anyone…not even that delegate from West Virginia. Everyone will be judged by their maker in the end. It’s not my job. At the same time, I’m going to tell you about this amazing Jesus who rules my life. And, I’m going to show you, as best I can by the way that I live, how a good and loving and forgiving Father has changed me. The two can, and in my humble opinion SHOULD walk hand in hand.

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Because, you see…that wedding invitation we got in the mail this week? That’s from Daughter #2 and her fiancée…a very kind and loving woman who has helped my baby become a better version of herself. They are getting married in Colorado in August. They love each other completely… unconditionally. How can I not do the same with both of them? This is my child. We love who we love. It is not my place to judge. You may do what you wish, but I do pray I will always, always, always land on the side of love. Because that is the way Jesus loves me.

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***If you don’t agree with me, that’s ok…I won’t judge you either. I know this is a hot topic for some, but this is my house, my rules. We speak with respect here. This is a case where we’ll take my grandma’s advise…”If we can’t say anything nice, we won’t say anything at all.” ❤️

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“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”\n

Romans 14:1-4 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-02-14T02:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/02/14/on-lovingunconditionally.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Choices","Be Joyful!","Marriage","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/02/11/a-marshmallow-day.html", "title": "A Marshmallow Day", "content_html": "

\"Hot “Cold, grey days are Marshmallow Days!”

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I got home safe and sound yesterday just in time to leave for church. The tree that had fallen across the road the night before was cut up and moved from the roadway. The same scenario is being repeated over the entire region with the thaw and soaking rains causing the ground to soften. All it takes is a little gust of wind and trees topple easily.

\n

We have thoroughly enjoyed church the last couple of weeks with Mr. FixIt’s daughter and family joining us. I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to take up seven seats in a row. My heart is overflowing.

\n

Our pastor spoke on criticism yesterday. Good criticism comes from a place of love, and even though it stings, it is meant to lift us up. We all have suffered the other kind of criticism that really isn’t “criticism” at all. It’s self-serving and mean spirited and is critical. There’s nothing about love in that. Pastor Justin’s premise was…don’t let them in. Don’t listen to that.

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There is a difference between criticism and someone who is merely expressing an opinion and it might be difficult to discern that at times. The other day, someone I care about and whose opinion I value very much sent me a private message. In it, she said my writing has changed. I have become more “evangelical” than she likes on a daily basis. My very first thought was “sting”. Immediately followed by “that’s ok. I still love you.” 

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Since then, lots of things have gone through my mind. Am I coming on too strong and driving people away? Have I crossed the line into “Crazy Christian Lady who can’t talk about anything but Jesus?” I wanted to apologize. Then I decided…I really can’t. I write what comes to me. I write from my heart. And I am always brutally honest about my feelings and what I share. 

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Some people lose touch with God when they lose their special person. They can’t understand how a loving God could make someone suffer with cancer. Or they prayed for healing and it didn’t come. Or, any number of other reasons. For me…my faith has deepened tremendously since Mr. Virgo died. And especially since I started dating Mr. FixIt. I have never had a relationship that was so “equally yoked”. I’ve never had a partner who came to church with me every Sunday, who holds my hand with his right hand and praises with his left. I’ve never shared late night conversations about God. That alone is enough for me to want to shout from the rooftops. 

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This is a dark time of year. I talk about what is on my heart. I try not to make every day “Preaching Sunday” but there are only so many ways I can tell you I knitted all afternoon and still make it interesting. And I am infinitely fascinated by the way God works in my life.

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I am always open to loving criticism. I told my dear friend how much I appreciated her candor. I know my writing has changed. I’VE changed. I’ve grown in many, many ways in the last six years. And I truly hope you’ll hang around with me and keep reading. I’m still going to write what is on my heart, and if it’s Jesus or something he is teaching me, you can rest assured…I’m going to write about it. I’ll write about other stuff too, just to mix it up. But, I’m Jesus’ girl first and foremost…there’s no way I’m going to hide that. ❤️

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“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”\n‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\n", "date_published": "2019-02-11T02:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/02/11/a-marshmallow-day.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Growth","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Choices","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/02/04/the-notsosuper-bowl.html", "title": "The Not-So-Super Bowl", "content_html": "

\"Hot “Super Bowl Party food!”

\n

Was it just me or was that not the most boring Super Bowl game ever? I mean…the commercials were even boring. We did have a wonderful day, though. Mr. FixIt’s daughter and her family came to church with us (second Sunday in a row!) and they really enjoyed the service. Everyone came out to our house and the weather was SO great! Clear, sunny, and sixty-four degrees. I made a big pot of chili, hot wings, guacamole and white cheese queso. Everyone played outside. We had the corn hole boards set up and the baby had her trike and some other toys. When the evening was over, I was fried, so I’ll just keep this brief. It was so wonderful to have the family with us at church and for an afternoon of fun. Boring game or not! It’s going to be 64 again today so I am making hay while the sun shines. Happy Monday! ❤️

\n
“And Jesus said to him, \"'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes.\"”\n

Mark 9:23 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-02-04T02:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/02/04/the-notsosuper-bowl.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Grace","God","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/02/02/its-something-in-the-blood.html", "title": "It’s Something in the Blood", "content_html": "

\"Meme\" “The advent of home DNA tests can open a can of worms for the unsuspecting.”

\n

“Dirty little secrets, dirty little lies…” Don Henley / Danny Kortchmar

\n

A few years ago, I bought a DNA kit through Ancestry.com. I picked up my mom’s passion for genealogy research where she left off when she died in 2004. Even though Ancestry was founded in 1983, it would be many years before the company went beyond connecting the dots between people and helping us fill in the blanks in family trees. When the DNA kit became available, it was fairly revolutionary. Here, you could go beyond the little green leaves and find out where you came from…geographically speaking.

\n

I dutifully spit in the little test tube. I did what 95% of people do when they set off on such a venture…I basically ignored the small print. Things like saving my little genes in memory banks, selling my genetic information to third parties, and linking me with relatives I have never heard of never crossed my mind. I didn’t feel like I was registering with the government or Big Brother. I just wanted to know if I had any Native American ancestry like I’d always heard I had. It’s minuscule. 

\n

When I received my report, I wasn’t surprised by anything except some distant relative from Norway. Other than that, it was Scots/English/German…exactly as I expected. Then, Ancestry started sending e-mails saying they linked me to others who have done the test. It might be a 3rd cousin, 6th cousin…nothing close. I looked at the first couple. Other things soon captured my interest and in my typical Gemini fashion, I was off chasing butterflies in another field.

\n

I recently read stories in the news about do-it-yourself DNA testing turning up surprises. Some that tear families apart. What would you do if you found siblings you’d never heard of? Or, if you found the siblings you were raised with were only half-siblings, indicating one or the other of your parents had an affair? Or, what if you were an anonymous sperm donor and suddenly you have 64 “children” out there? 

\n

The idea of anonymity in such things is seriously long gone with the advent of a $50 DNA test kit. Something that once required blood tests and a geneticist now is available on the shelves of any chain pharmacy. People are receiving troubling information with very little counseling to go along with it. There are now tests that can help predict your chances of developing such diseases as cancer and Alzheimer’s. How far of a jump is it for insurance companies to get that information and turn you down for coverage or refuse life insurance benefits if you die of a disease that has been documented as predictable?

\n

It is estimated that by the year 2021, 100,000,000 people will have had their DNA tested by Ancestry alone. There are several other companies doing DNA tests of one sort or another. That’s a lot of data out there. I’d like to think it isn’t going to be used nefariously, but we have no guarantees of that. I know people who refuse to do the tests. I can’t say that I really regret having mine tested. And, I really would like to know if I have a proclivity to succumb to certain diseases so that I can a) prepare myself and my family and b) practice preventative health measures.

\n

I think I am beginning to understand what my grandma might have gone through with the space program and computers and cell phones. Things are happening now that we couldn’t have even dreamed up when we were kids. I mean…it’s beyond Dick Tracy and Get Smart. This is really crazy stuff and, I have to admit…it fascinates the dickens out of me. ❤️

\n
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”\n

Proverbs 12:22 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-02-02T02:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/02/02/its-something-in-the-blood.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","New Ideas","Fear","Courage","Warning","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/02/01/the-giant-of-rejection.html", "title": "The Giant of Rejection", "content_html": "

\"Giant “The Giant of Rejection…something I have battled my entire life.”

\n

Last night was our third session in the study series of Goliath Must Fall by Louie Giglio. This has been the most amazing program our Bible study group has done to this point. I’ve been looking forward to this particular session because rejection and it’s cousin, perfectionism, were my constant companions from a very, very young age.

\n

Everyone wants to be accepted. We enjoy the approval of others. If you say, “I don’t care what anyone thinks of me!” you can just about guarantee that, at least on some level, you very much DO care. This can stem from the smallest slight…something said casually, in jest, that really hit you and stung. Or it can be very real…your father abandoned the family, you were given up for adoption, you lost a job you loved…even the death of someone near and dear to your heart. The sting of rejection can haunt you all the days of your life.

\n

Louie Giglio postulates that you have two schools of thought that separate your thinking on the subject of rejection. 

\n

“So that.” and “Because.”

\n

You try to act or be a certain way so that people will love/accept/approve of you. 

\n

You are who you are because God is who HE is. 

\n

He chose you. He CHOSE you. He knew you before you were knitted in the womb of your mother. He knows the number of hairs on your head. You don’t need the approval of others BECAUSE you already have the approval of God. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you any more or any less. Isn’t that amazing???

\n

I’ve learned this along the way. I’ve learned to pinpoint where and how my particular train went off the rails. And I know with all logic that what Louie is telling us is true. But practicing it, in all ways? That’s a lifelong project when you have been rejected in a very painful way…especially at a very young age like I was. A sadistic teacher, childhood sexual abuse, and an alcoholic father were the perfect storm that set me on a path to find the love I never felt deserving of. I made great strides in therapy then met Mr. Virgo. That was my first experience of unconditional love. When I lost him, I was crushed…not only by his death, but by the loss of that unconditional love I had waited my whole life for. I didn’t think I could find that again…then Mr. FixIt came along.

\n

Still, when I find myself wanting approval, I remind myself. God chose me. He chose ME. The Creator of the Universe knows my name and how many hairs are on my head and still…He chose me. We all love being loved and approved of and accepted. But with the knowledge that God chose us and loves us immeasurably, we can do so in a healthy way. ❤️

\n
““Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.””\n

Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-02-01T02:30:51-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/02/01/the-giant-of-rejection.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","God","Wisdom","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/29/moving-day-for-the-felines.html", "title": "Moving Day for the Felines", "content_html": "

\"Long “Boy Cat…a beautiful, long haired farm cat…moved to my cousin’s barn yesterday.”

\n

I have been in a bit of a dilemma the last couple of months. We have had an inordinate amount of rain in West Virginia this year. We have a leaky stairwell with a very slow drain at the Ponderosa. So, when it rains…especially those long, soaking rains that last multiple days…the drain easily becomes overwhelmed and the basement floods. We have two sump pumps, but someone has to remain here to make sure they are operating correctly to keep the water level down. This is something we wanted to fix last summer, but Mr. FixIt really couldn’t use a jackhammer that soon after the reconstruction surgery he had on his hand last winter. It has to wait till this coming summer and that means we are tied here.

\n

Boy Cat and Kitty Boy, the two farm cats couldn’t come live at the Ponderosa. We live on a very busy highway and they know nothing about busy roads. I was too afraid they would be hit and killed here. I left them at the farm and traded off with my cousin and his wife, taking turns feeding them. The plan was to stay at the farm for long stretches which would give my cousin a break from feeding, but the weather hasn’t been cooperating and being newlyweds…we like to be together. As the weather has deteriorated into icy winter storms, my trips have become fewer and farther between.

\n

Last summer, Charlotte offered to take the cats to her farm, but then she got a new rabbit and we were afraid the kitties would hurt her bunny. When another bunny arrived, it was a definite now, as nature would have it, the bunnies died…one after the other. First, to a predator. The second to old age. The other day, Charlotte called and renewed her offer to take Boy Cat and Kitty Boy down the road to be the resident barn cats. I was so grateful because the barn has lots of hay to burrow down in, lots of mice to catch, and someone to love on them every day. AND…I can go visit anytime I want!

\n

I’ve grown to love these two boys, and this just seemed like the most loving and responsible thing to do. They have been neutered so they aren’t going to produce a bunch of new feral kitties. Charlotte really has a way with them. Boy Cat will rub on my legs but has never let me pick him up. Charlotte can pick him up and love on him whenever she is there. Kitty Boy is still too skittish, but I’ll bet she will have him in her lap one of these days. I just bought a huge bag of cat food and 80 cans of soft food so I’ll deliver that the next time I’m over there. I will also give them the feral cat boxes, the electric heated pads for inside, the cat carriers, as well as the heated water dish. These barn kitties are royals…I’m so happy they have someone to love on them! ❤️

\n
“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”\n

Proverbs 12:10 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-29T02:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/29/moving-day-for-the-felines.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Choices","Change","The Cats"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/28/some-updates-on-the-kids.html", "title": "Some Updates on the Kids!", "content_html": "

\"Baby\" “Baby Gwendolyn sitting up with her braces on her legs. Making progress!”

\n

Remember sweet baby Gwendolyn who we have been praying for since last summer? Look at our big girl…sitting up in her high chair with her braces on her little legs. She still is having issues with her hands but she is slowly learning to grasp things. Her lower jaw is receded and she cannot eat yet so she has a stomach tube tube for feeding. But she is bright as a new copper penny and as sweet as a summer rain! What a blessing she is to all who love her!

\n

\"Braving “Little Khloe is battling leukemia and just lost her hair. She celebrated by braving bare in a fashion show! She’s a rock star!”

\n

Then, there’s little Khloe. Her great grandma went to high school with us. Khloe found out she had leukemia last summer. Last weekend, her family threw an “It’s Just Hair” party where she and many members of her family shaved their heads in support. Khloe lost almost all of her hair and she was tired of it just coming out in chunks so she just wanted it all off. She has a bunch of really cute wigs, but yesterday she was in a fashion show for Justice girls wear and boldly bare with a cute glittery unicorn headband. This brave little girl rocks!!!

\n

Here are two precious little girls, going through some pretty big struggles. And their brave families backing them up. It makes any little problem I may think I have pale in comparison. They are living, breathing examples of prayers being answered. I love when Jesus shows us His works.

\n

I’ve been praying for my bonus family and last night, the grands with their significant others went to church with me! What a joy that was! And, they want to come next week with my husband and me. So, it was a really, really wonderful weekend. I hope you have a blessed Monday, y’all!

\n

Have a wonderful Monday, everyone! ❤️

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“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”\n

3 John 1:2 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-28T02:30:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/28/some-updates-on-the-kids.html", "tags": ["Faith","Health","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Grace","Love","Courage","Humbled","Change","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/27/building-up-my-stash.html", "title": "Building up my Stash", "content_html": "

\"Hand-knit “Eighteen hand-knit cotton dishclothes are perfect for impromptu gifts.”

\n

Yesterday was a decompression day. Taking care of and loving on lots of people this week left me needing a day that was all about me, for the most part. I’m almost finished with the cotton yarn I bought to knit dishcloths. There’s probably enough to make a couple more. I have eighteen in my stash. I like having these around for impromptu gift giving. I also get a bar of lavender soap every time my doTerra order comes around and I don’t need vitamins. I put these things all away to have ready for birthdays and hostess gifts.

\n

I have this whole bonus family through marrying Mr. FixIt and I am thrilled to say the grandkids are going to church with me today! Mr. FixIt and I will go at noon then when he bowls this evening, I’ll take the grandkids with me and treat them out to dinner after church. I wanted to spend some quality time alone with them. Bonding time is important in step-families…even when the kids are all grown up. I’m so excited…I can hardly wait!

\n

I told you I would let you know if I slept well again when I practiced handing everything over to God before bed. Well, I did and it was amazing how fast I fell asleep…and stayed asleep all night. I think I’m onto something here!

\n

We haven’t been to church for two weeks because of bad weather. I can hardly wait to get there today…twice! Have a blessed Sunday, dear ones. I’ll see you this evening for Sunday Night Prayer Circle. ❤️

\n
“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”\n

Proverbs 17:6 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-27T02:30:49-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/27/building-up-my-stash.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","God","Peace","Wisdom","Courage","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/26/happy-feet.html", "title": "Happy Feet", "content_html": "

\"LL “I love my new Happy Camper Slippers!”

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My new slippers arrived yesterday! Yes…I had to have them. They are so cute and comfy. And they make me smile! 

\n

I’ve had an interesting week ministering to my family, loving my kids through life issues, being a mentor to the grandchildren. Missing the Colorado family. Sharing the Gospel. And the love. It’s been a challenge AND it’s been incredibly rewarding. And, I’m totally whupped tonight as I write this. 

\n

I have had a lot on my mind this week and I haven’t slept well. So, Thursday night I did like they suggested in Goliath Will Fall. When I laid down in bed, I told God I had worked on this stuff long enough. I said, “Here, I’m giving this to you to work on tonight. I’m going to sleep.” And I did. I mean…it really worked! I slept ten hours straight. I haven’t done that in ages but I’m going to try it again. I’ll let you know how it works.

\n

I love how my posts have been stirring people to write to me with their own stories of faith and family. I love how someone writes of a painful situation they are going through and soon, there are others who have chimed in to support them. It warms my heart that God trusts me with this ministry…to my family, to my friends, to my readers. I am grateful for all of you. And for a God that trusts someone like me with such a wonderful gift. ❤️

\n
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”\n

Acts 20:24 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-26T02:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/26/happy-feet.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Positive Energy","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Courage","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/25/thoughts-on-conflict-fear.html", "title": "Thoughts on Conflict \u0026 Fear", "content_html": "

\"Proverbs “Look for the gold in people. There’s enough dirt in the world.”

\n

The other day, we touched on conflicts and how to resolve them peacefully. We all have seen our fair share of conflict in our lives and had dealt with it in the best way we knew how with the knowledge we had at the time. Sometimes it’s worked out ok…sometimes not. The good thing is, we can always continue to learn and grow and get better at the sticking points in life.

\n

When you are dealing with marriage, here is the single most important thing I have learned. When you find yourself frustrated with your spouse…and you WILL at some point…mind your tongue when you are talking about him with others. If all you do is spout negative things, it won’t be long till that is all you will ever see in him/her. It doesn’t take long to go from speaking these things to outsiders to berating your spouse with all the things they do that tick you off. I can guarantee you…if you feed that beast, it’s all you’ll get back.

\n

I learned with Mr. Virgo…once I started to notice something he did that bugged me, that was a sign I wasn’t praying for him enough. Same for Mr. FixIt. We all need grace. It’s a wonderful habit to practice with your spouse or other family members.

\n

I had Bible study last night. We talked a little bit after last week’s study about the book “Goliath Must Fall” by Louie Giglio. Last night’s “giant” was FEAR. The first question we were asked was…”How well do you sleep?” Wow. Sometimes really well. Those are the times when things are going well and I really don’t have much to worry about. Other times, I lie awake all night long, staring at the ceiling, working something over and over, turning it this way and that, puzzling over how to…what? Fix it. Manipulate it. Control it. I rehearse conversations ahead of time with not only my dialogue, but that of the other’s as well. As if I have some sort of control over how another person thinks, acts, or responds. 

\n

Sometimes I lie there and worry about an event that isn’t going to happen for eight months. “Will I have the extra weight off before the wedding? What will I wear? What happens if it’s really hot. I don’t do well in heat.” All I have accomplished in that scenario is set myself up for failure and robbed myself of sleep and God’s joy.

\n

Last night’s lesson was this…when you lay down to sleep and the things to worry about start lining up…just hand them over to God and go to sleep. He loves you no matter what. He’s bigger than all of the giants. Trust him to work on your problems while you’re asleep. Then you awaken refreshed and can live in God’s Glory.

\n

There is a fine line between anger and fear. Giving your conflicts to God, praying for others, letting go of your fears…all elements that can help lead to a peaceful night’s sleep. ❤️

\n
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”\n

Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-25T02:30:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/25/thoughts-on-conflict-fear.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Anger","Fear","Forgiveness","Warning","Choices","Change","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/24/precious-memories.html", "title": "Precious Memories", "content_html": "

\"Mom\" “My precious mother…gone fifteen years now. I miss her so much.”

\n

Fifteen years ago today, my precious mom left us unexpectedly. She had been ill for only five days, refusing to go to the hospital as she had no one to watch my brother. He has cerebral palsy and always had lived at home with her. She was fiercely protective of him. She died of multiple pulmonary emboli…blood clots in the lungs. If she would have had proper medical care, I believe she would have lived longer. Then again, perhaps it was her time to go. Either way, as those of you know who have lost your mother, it is a dreadfully difficult thing to go through.

\n

I posted some pictures on my Instagram account (@GriefMaven) yesterday and the setting is such that they also posted here. I entered them in Apple’s photo contest for pictures shot with an iPhone. One of the pictures is of my grandma’s house, which was also my mom’s house growing up. I believe she was a teenager when they moved there. Before that, they lived in the old home place back on the hill.

\n

Mom and her siblings walked down off that hill every day and from the time they went to high school, rode the bus twenty-eight miles each way, then walked back up the hill when they got home. It was a hardscrabble life for Mom and her family as they lived off the land…six kids, Grandma and Pop-Pop, an old milk cow and a horse to plow. Pop-Pop worked in the shop down the road…welding, fixing things, delivering pop, working on trucks for the oil fields.

\n

We went to the farm yesterday. I sat quietly in the living room, listening to the old house speak to me in a language I have heard since my earliest days. My eyes ran over the old linoleum on the floor, its pattern looking like carpet, faded and worn through in places. The sheers on the windows let the pale light from late afternoon highlight the dust motes in the air. The familiar smell of wood and old cotton and gas stove comforting me as I remembered so many days shared with her there.

\n

My friend Sharon, who is also a newly discovered distant cousin, saw the picture of Grandma’s house here yesterday and said it brought tears to her eyes. She said it made her think of an oldtimey tune her mother used to sing as she did her household chores. She posted a link, but I’m going to share it here as well. In honor of Wanda Belle…my mom, my friend, my champion. I loved her so…I miss her still. 

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Precious Memories…how they linger…

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❤️

\n

youtu.be/JUiqncJE_…

\n
“\"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.\"”\n

Proverbs 31:29 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-24T02:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/24/precious-memories.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Prayer","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Love","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/23/that-flash-of-red.html", "title": "That Flash of Red", "content_html": "

\"Male “Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal in the forsythia bush.”

\n

Cardinals don’t migrate, so we have an abundance of them here in West Virginia. It is our state bird, along with that of six other states. I grew up calling them “redbirds”. They were my grandma’s favorites and she took such delight when she saw a flash of crimson darting in and out of the shrubs out on the farm. 

\n

This picture shows a pair of cardinals. The male of course is flashy and bright with a black mask across his face. The female is a dusty, rusty reddish grey. They both have a peaked crown of feathers on top of their heads. They had a distinct chirp you cannot miss. This pair is nesting in the forsythia bush out by the corner of the house. Mr. FixIt pruned them way back just before the wedding when he cleaned up the property. 

\n

I just love these birds. We have talked about them here a lot. We have discussed whether they signal a visit from a loved one who has passed. I like to think, since Grandma loved them so much, it is her flying by to say hello, but the truth of the matter is, you see them here year-round.

\n

It finally warmed up a bit yesterday but we still worked inside. The dry, winter air in the house has caused the glue to dry out in the joints of some of our bigger pieces of furniture so Mr. FixIt took a support rail off and used wood glue before screwing the piece securely back together. I knitted and made a big pot of Beef Stroganoff for dinner. It was a pretty laid-back day and we really enjoyed it. ❤️

\n
“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.\"”\n

Genesis 8:22 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-23T02:30:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/23/that-flash-of-red.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Peace","Presence","Be Joyful!","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/22/action-v-reaction.html", "title": "Action v. Reaction", "content_html": "

\"MLK\" “The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.”

\n

Growing up in the chaos of alcoholic dysfunction made me a reactionary from an early age. There was a lot of anger in my home growing up. Lots of fighting, yelling, slamming, throwing, crashing. I never witnessed my father hitting my mother. He only hit me once. When he did, he came at me from behind and I stood up to him. I stuck my chin out and told him, if he was going to hit me he’d better hit me like a man and do it face to face. I’ll never forget the utter look of defeat on his face in that moment. He dropped his fist to his side, went over to the steps, sat down, and cried. He never went after me again. But, the damage was done. It was done long before that day.

\n

I learned to be the peacemaker. To smooth things over. To mediate when things got out of hand. I was the bystander. I acted. Unfortunately, when the anger was directed at me, I reacted. I automatically went into defense mode. I made excuses. I deflected. I diverted attention. I manipulated. It was decidedly unhealthy and took far too many years to come to a head.

\n

The first pivotal moment of my life…that moment when there is a definite line in the sand that separates “all things before” from “all things after” was the overdose. That was when I really did the work necessary to effect permanent change in my life. It’s when I learned about codependency. Before that, there was no clear boundary to define where others ended and I began. I was too busy weaving a web that would hold everything together.

\n

Learning about boundaries was a love-hate exercise. I loved finding my voice and standing up for myself. I hated confrontation. I loved the release healthy boundaries gave me because I didn’t have to try to run everyone else’s lives for them. I hated feeling like a fish out of water. 

\n

It took a lot of practice. It still does. I still have to remind myself occasionally that I don’t do anyone any favors by not setting boundaries and demand they are respected. I didn’t spend seven hard years in therapy for nothing. Fortunately, Mr. Virgo came into the picture after I had these skills in place and he offered an excellent practice field. 

\n

After sixty-five trips around the sun, I’ve learned enough to know it’s a whole lot easier to carry love than it is anger, hate, discord, dysfunction, or codependency. When I approach any situation from a place of love, my walk becomes more Christ-like. And anytime I lead with “What would Jesus do?”, I am already winning. Conflict is inevitable in life. The only control we have is in how we react to it. ❤️

\n
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”\n

Galatians 1:10 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-22T02:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/22/action-v-reaction.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Peace","Wisdom","Anger","Fear","Forgiveness","Courage","Presence","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/21/the-arctic-blast.html", "title": "The Arctic Blast", "content_html": "

\"Full “Full Moon on the New Fallen Snow, West Virginia”

\n

This is the time of year when we just get blasted with frigid air from the north. We’ve been fortunate (knock on wood) to have escaped the really bad snowstorms so far this year. They seem to all sweep north of us. And that’s were they can stay for all I care. Those of you who have been following this blog since it’s inception know I lived in Colorado for forty years. I’m just WAY over long, cold, snowy winters.

\n

I can’t help reminiscing about those severe snow storms I experienced over the four decades I lived in the Rockies. A few stand out…the Christmas Eve Blizzard of 1982…the year we moved from the log house in the country to the big house in town, Christmas 1990…the winter we spent in Pagosa Springs when it snowed 7’, and the really bad winter of 2013-14, the year Mr. Virgo died. At least here in West Virginia, things are starting to warm up and there are signs of spring in March. March and April are usually Colorado’s snowiest months.

\n

We awoke yesterday to very icy conditions…not a lot of snow, but ice here is quite the deterrent for me. We decided to stay home and that makes two weeks in a row that we didn’t make it to church. We don’t like that one bit. I was really happy they played the video of the service on the church’s YouTube channel so I still got to see it. I spent the entire day yesterday snuggled up under my fur blanket, knitting dishcloths and catching up with friends and family on Facebook. Sometimes you have to have a good self care day.

\n

I went out last night to capture the full moon on the new-fallen snow and absolutely loved the picture. I had every intention of going out to see the lunar eclipse but at 10:00 the wind chill was already -3 so I thought better of it. I’ve seen lunar eclipses before…they look the same in January as they do in the summer. Stay warm wherever you are! ❤️

\n
“Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.”\n

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-21T02:30:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/21/the-arctic-blast.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Peace","Presence","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/19/german-comfort-food.html", "title": "German Comfort Food", "content_html": "

\"Kielbasa “Kielbasa, kraut, and mashed potatoes…German comfort food.”

\n

When we were having coffee yesterday morning, Mr. FixIt asked if I wanted to go to the movies in the afternoon. My mind went over the list of things that needed to be done and I politely demurred. He turned on the weather report and they’re predicting a ton of rain turning to snow over the weekend so he wisely decided to go to town and rent a snake to clear the drain out back.

\n

We have a stairway that goes down into the basement. There is a four inch pipe in the bottom of that stairwell and it drains into a pipe that travels over a hundred yards out to the creek. About every two years, that drain needs to be snaked out so the water doesn’t back up and run into the basement. Also, there is a ditch out at the creek bank that always gets filled in when the spring runoff overflows. It’s an ugly, backbreaking job that no one likes, but it has to be done. With heavy rain in the forecast, it was best to get it over with.

\n

We headed to town and ran some errands before we picked up the snake at the rental place. I overheard the young man who was helping Mr. FixIt lift this monstrosity into the back of his truck.

\n

“Who’s going to help you unload this thing?”

\n

“That little lady sitting in the front seat up there.” Mr. FixIt sounded confident and proud.

\n

We stopped at the store on the way home and I don’t believe, even at Thanksgiving, I have ever seen so many people. The parking lot was filled. People were circling round and round. There were no carts. And the checkout lines were twenty deep. Mr. FixIt and I looked at each other like, “What the heck?”

\n

“They’re predicting snow!” I said. “Let the games begin.”

\n

I told him to just drive around and I’d be back out in a jiffy. As I headed into the store, the line from Hunger Games went through my mind.

\n

“May the odds be ever in your favor!” 

\n

I scooted to the back and bought the two items I needed. Non-alcohol beer and a chuck roast. I’m easy. I waited two minutes and hit the self-checkout and was out the door in a flash. There were people in there with multiple jugs of milk and loaves of bread…as if they were anticipating being stuck in their homes for weeks. When we stopped at the discount grocer earlier, I planned ahead by buying an extra bag of flour in case I got a hankerin’ to bake something. It’s crazy what a snow forecast does in West Virginia. It’s a good thing it’s the weekend. I’ve seen them cancel school based on a forecast.

\n

I used to kind of think these people were weenies when they cancelled school at the first sign of snow. After all, I lived in Colorado for forty years. If you don’t get out and go someplace when it snows, you’re going to be stuck in your house from October to May. But I’ve got to say, in these people’s defense, driving here in winter is NOTHING like Colorado. There, you can drive 55 in a whiteout blizzard, not that you SHOULD. Here, you don’t dare touch your brakes going 25 or you’ll be in a ditch in a heartbeat. The roads are twisty-turny and hilly. And they have this thing called black ice. It looks the same as wet pavement and it’s deadly. I get it now…people don’t want to go out in it. And school busses have no business hauling our babes through it if it can be prevented.

\n

When we got home, I had to help Mr. FixIt unload that drain snake. I am telling you what…that sucker was HEAVY. Fortunately it’s on wheels so when we got it out of the truck all we had to do was wheel it to the back stairwell. Then we had to walk it down the stairs. Oy! Once it was down there, I went on inside and Mr. FixIt got to work. After some time, I didn’t hear the machine anymore so I went to see how he was doing. I found him out at the creek bank digging out the ditch. Living on five acres without city sewer isn’t always easy. That was a lot of hard work. I helped him get the contraption back up the steps and into the bed of the truck. 

\n

“You’re a hard worker,” he said. 

\n

“Thanks for telling me that, but you’re the one who did the tough stuff. I’ll fix you some supper while you clean up.” I smiled as I patted his bum when I walked by.

\n

German comfort food seemed to be the perfect meal for the hard workers last night. I boiled kielbasa to leach out some of the salt then tossed it in a skillet with some melted butter. I drained the sauerkraut and added it to the skillet, stirring occasionally so it would brown but not burn. I made mashed potatoes and served the kielbasa/kraut mixture on top. Oh, it was heavenly! It was a good day’s work and that is so satisfying. ❤️

\n
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”\n

Psalms 90:17 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-19T02:30:11-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/19/german-comfort-food.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Gratitude","Wisdom","Courage","Humbled","Presence","Choices","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/18/finding-the-right-tools.html", "title": "Finding the Right Tools", "content_html": "

\"Screws\" “Having the right tool leads to success.”

\n

Good communication skills have not always been my strongest suit. For years, I was afraid to speak up for fear of judgement and rocking the boat. That changed with Mr. Virgo and I’ve honed the skill with Mr. FixIt. Yesterday I told you he was being a little stingy with his power tools. So, that night, instead of stewing over it, I just pointed out that I like power tools, too. He smiled and said he just wasn’t used to women who know how to do things like that. I understand that. Not all women can, or even want to, operate power tools.

\n

Yesterday, we needed to build another brace at the other end of the bathroom floor. That is where you attach two short pieces of 2x4 to a long piece in an “H” fashion and fasten it between the floor joists to support the new floor above. This end of the floor is located directly over the washer and dryer. It’s an awkward position to stand on a ladder and it was impossible for Mr. FixIt to get up in there, so I climbed up on the washer and dryer and fastened the new boards in with three inch wood screws. 

\n

I don’t know if you have ever held a drill at an awkward angle, over your head, and tried to hold enough pressure to keep the bit from slipping in the head of the screw, but I assure you it’s not easy. The first two screws stripped immediately. So I did what I always do…I talked to Jesus. I asked him to help me get this job done and the screws went in easily as I kept saying “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” When it got really difficult, Mr. FixIt just reached up and held the end of the drill and it worked like butter.

\n

When you face the tough things in life, you need the right tools for the job. We had the right wood screws. We had the right drill and bit and a fully charged battery. We had proper lighting and ladders. We had mutual support and trust. And we had Jesus standing in between us. We can call on Him to help us with the most mundane of tasks. My shoulders relaxed and I put all my focus and force on the task at hand and was successful. The right tools for the job…it’s what creates success. ❤️

\n
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”\n

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-18T02:30:23-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/18/finding-the-right-tools.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Wisdom","Courage","Presence","Choices","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/17/building-a-better-bath.html", "title": "Building a Better Bath", "content_html": "

\"\" “Master Bath seems to be a bit of a misnomer when it comes to this tiny closet of a room.”

\n

For those of you who have been following me for some time, you may remember when I helped a friend redo her bathroom. In that case, the man who she had arranged to do the work got as far as the demo and skipped out because it was “too cold outside to come over”. She called me desperate and asked if I could help. I have considerable experience after having remodeled my mom’s house before I sold it, so I jumped at the chance. I love doing fix-it kinda stuff.

\n

That bathroom turned out really great, if I do say so myself. Between the two of us, we had that thing knocked out in less than a month and it was beautiful when it was done. When I moved into Mr. FixIt’s house, the bathroom off the master bedroom was gutted. It has taken us a bit of time to get to the point of tackling this particular job because outdoor stuff kept taking precedence. And, now I know how Mr. FixIt felt the first time we went camping together. I wouldn’t let him do anything with the hooking up and unhooking of the camper. I did the driving. He just came along for the ride. Such is my participation in this home improvement project. 

\n

My job appears to be that of “hold this here.” Now, don’t get me wrong…I love a man that is handy with power tools. AND I love to work with power tools, too. Now I know what he felt like when I told him to just sit over there and look pretty. It’s ok. I don’t really mind. I love helping him in any way I can. I try really hard not to tell him what to do when he doesn’t do something the way I would do it. I’ve learned to excuse myself when I’m getting too bossy and go work on something else till he needs me again. I’m learning how to do new things like building in support structures between floor joists where the shower is going. Once you have learned to be independent and do things for yourself, especially when you love building things, it’s not easy to back off and let someone else have the reins. Learning to be a couple again…give and take…relinquishing control…almost feels like new skills.

\n

We are a good team, Mr. FixIt and me. Thank goodness he has infinite patience! ❤️

\n
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”\n

Romans 15:5-6 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-17T02:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/17/building-a-better-bath.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Presence","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2019/01/13/the-kitchen-window.html", "title": "The Kitchen Window", "content_html": "

\"Kitchen “The view out my kitchen window at the Ponderosa allows me to watch the birds at the feeder.”

\n

When I was growing up, I spent as much time out at my grandma’s farm as I possibly could. I never minded washing dishes at Grandma’s because there was a big window over the kitchen sink. I’ve moved many times over the years and was always so pleased when the kitchen had a window over the sink. It didn’t really matter the view…as long as I could see out and open it for some fresh air, I was a happy camper.

\n

I was thrilled when I found out Mr. FixIt’s house has a window I can gaze out as I wash the dishes. He keeps a bird feeder full for me so I can watch the birds fly in and out of the surrounding trees and brush to light just beyond where I stand. Yesterday, there were several cardinals. There’s nothing prettier than the flash of a redbird swooping in and landing just in front of me. Their brilliant scarlet plumage against the new fallen snow is breathtaking. They say a cardinal is a sign a loved one is visiting from heaven. If that is true, our house was a busy place yesterday. There were also chickadees, tufted titmice, a pair of mourning doves, and the occasional downy woodpecker added to the mix.

\n

In the late summer, early fall, the deer gather under that tree you see out there in the yard and eat the fallen crabapples. In the late spring, Mr. FixIt puts up the hummingbird feeder and fills it for me. He loves the birds as much as I do.

\n

We didn’t get the snow that was predicted…as least not by the time of this writing last night. Mr. FixIt has half the bathroom subfloor put down in the master bath. He came in from checking the mail and handed me a package…a canvas print of Daughter #1 and her family. Now I need to plan a family portrait wall!

\n

If it’s slick this morning, we’ll stay home and watch church on TV. I must say, it was very nice to not leave the house at all. It was a beautiful day filled with knitting and love. It doesn’t get much better than that! ❤️

\n
“I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.”\n

Psalm 50:11 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2019-01-13T02:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2019/01/13/the-kitchen-window.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Peace","Presence","Peaceful Moments","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/30/gwendolyns-journey-with-arthrogryposis.html", "title": "Gwendolyn’s Journey with Arthrogryposis", "content_html": "

\"Arthrogryposis\" “Baby Gwen was born with arthrogryposis…a rare congenital anomaly that causes some joints in the body to be stiff and bent in odd directions.”

\n

A few months ago, I asked you to pray for my friend’s little baby granddaughter and you all stood up and joined hands and prayed hard. Baby Gwen came into this world a beautiful little flower…but some of her petals were damaged. She has arthrogryposis…a rare congenital defect that affects multiple joints. There are typically joint contractures which may be stuck in one position. The muscles surrounding these joints may be weak, stiff, or even missing altogether. Little Gwen’s left leg was bent backwards and lay across her tummy. Her feet and hands are turned inward and her little chin is drastically receded. 

\n

\"Meme “Her damaged petals are what made her more beautiful than all the other flowers.” A. J. Lawless

\n

As Gwen has grown, some of these contractures have needed to be addressed more urgently. Because her lower jaw recedes, she cannot drink from a bottle. She eventually had a stomach tube placed to get tube feedings directly into her stomach. And, because she can’t swallow, her normal saliva can choke her to death. She has to have someone awake with her 24/7 in order to suction her airway when her secretions get in her way. Between her airway and tube feedings, physical therapy and doctor’s visits, little Gwen is more than a fulltime job. I’m telling you this though…God couldn’t have given her to a better family than the one she’s in. 

\n

\"Leg “Gwen has had a series of casts placed on her legs to bring them down into position for surgical repair.”

\n

The latest surgery was a tendectomy. This will clear the way for eventually walking. I know it’s hard to imagine her ever walking when you look at that newborn picture, but she has had a series of casts as well as the surgery and her legs are down much closer where they need to be. She is just now being able to coo and gurgle baby gibberish and it makes your heart soar when you see her in a video. Her huge, sensitive eyes look into your very soul. She is the sweetest little thing.

\n

\"Stomach “Baby Gwen is fed through a tube placed surgically into her stomach because she cannot swallow well enough to eat.”

\n

Gwen’s parents are young. Mommy had to quit her job to stay home with the baby. With all the expenses that go along with a situation like this, there is also a Go Fund Me page to help with daily expenses and challenges. I rarely share this kind of thing, asking for donations, but I know this family personally. They are a wonderful, close knit family who needs a little extra help. It’s the end of the year. If you find you need to donate a little more, or if the Spirit moves you, please consider helping this young family out. 

\n

\"Arthrogryposis\" “The muscles in Gwen’s arms and hands are weak and she is just now learning to ‘hold’ toys.”

\n

You can find Gwendolyn’s story at:

\n

https://www.facebook.com/GwendolynsJourney/

\n

You can find their Go Fund Me page at:

\n

https://www.gofundme.com/gwendolyn-strong

\n

\"Baby “I look forward to every post as I follow Gwendolyn’s Journey. This baby will never be told she can’t do something…they will just find a way.”

\n
“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been born blind. His followers asked him, “Teacher, whose sin caused this man to be born blind—his own sin or his parents’ sin?” Jesus answered, “It is not this man’s sin or his parents’ sin that made him blind. This man was born blind so that God’s power could be shown in him.”\n

John 9:1-3 ICB

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-30T02:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/30/gwendolyns-journey-with-arthrogryposis.html", "tags": ["Faith","Health","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Courage","Humbled","Presence","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/28/latkes-for-a-late-hanukkah.html", "title": "Latkes for a Late Hanukkah", "content_html": "
\n\"Latkes\"\n
    “Latkes for a Late Hanukkah!”
\n
\nIn early December, our friend Doug Kreinik makes latkes at an area restaurant and sells them for charity. A couple of my friends and I were lamenting we didn’t get to go to this year’s event so we were feeling latke deprived. I told them...Fear not! I am the Latke Maven! Last night was the night for latkes at the FixIt’s!\n

For those of you who have been around long enough to hear all my stories, you know I was a practicing Jew for 27 years. You don’t live that long submersed in a culture without it becoming a big part of your identity. Hubby #2 was Jewish, and while I didn’t convert for him, it all happened around the same time…dating and discovering Judaism. I became a Christian in 2004, but I relate culturally to the ethnic foods and holidays I celebrated all those years. It’s been a long time since I’ve cooked traditional Jewish dishes and last night was so fun!

\n

This photo is not my latkes…I chose one from Google images that looks exactly like mine. You wouldn’t think there would be so many ways to make the crispy potato pancakes fried in oil, but there are. Some use packaged shredded hash browns. Some grind the potatoes into a coarse mush. When you squeeze the water out and mix up a batter, the pancakes resemble a regular pancake. Some use a shredding attachment on a food processor. That works well if you are making a ton of latkes for a party. I like to use the old fashioned grater like Grandma used and shred about six good sized peeled red potatoes by hand. I also grate up a medium sized onion. I mix in about 1/8-1/4 cup all purpose flour which serves two purposes…it keeps the shredded potatoes from getting dark and it helps the pancakes hold together. At this point, you can set the potatoes aside to finish a little later.

\n

I squeezed the excess moisture out of the potatoes and added four eggs lightly beaten and about a cup of Matzah Meal. I like my potato mixture to be think enough to form into thin patties and fry in hot oil till they are golden and crispy on the outside, moist and tender on the inside. Oh, my…they are divine. Some people eat latkes with applesauce on them but I prefer a dollop of sour cream. I made a big pot of Turkey Matzah Ball soup to go with the latkes, and a Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread for dessert. So yummy!

\n

When we were visiting the FixIt kids the other night, I told them about Hanukkah and they were intrigued so I promised next year we’ll have a Hanukkah party. And maybe a Passover Seder, too! I think it can only benefit kids to be exposed to other cultures and religions and traditions. It makes for a more tolerant society and allows them to be conversant wherever they may go in life. ❤️

\n
“The time came for the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. This was during the winter.”\n

John 10:22 ICB

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-28T02:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/28/latkes-for-a-late-hanukkah.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","Holiday","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/27/the-story-of-the-traveling.html", "title": "The Story of the Traveling Bowling Shirt", "content_html": "

\"Bowling “The Traveling Bowling Shirt once belonged to Bill T. And…I found him!!!”

\n

In 1986, Hubby #2 finished his Residency in Internal Medicine and joined a practice in a small mountain town in Colorado. We were thrilled to have that long seven-year stretch behind us and were looking forward to building a life on the Western Slope of Colorado.

\n

We rented a five bedroom house on two acres just outside of town. With a lease option to purchase, it was the foot in the door we needed to step into home ownership eventually. We were young and happy…in that way you are when you are poor as a church mouse but are too naive to know it. We had to count our pennies in those early years and with a daughter going into seventh grade, we bought our clothes at resale shops.

\n

There were several really great consignment stores in our area and one of my favorites was a place called Miser’s Mercantile. I went there at least once a week or so to browse through the clothes. A lot of the women from Aspen would bring things in and you could get some great bargains. I once bought a wool coat from Nordstroms for $20! Anyway, I came across this really campy bowling shirt one day and I absolutely had to have it. I wore it a lot over jeans…tied at the waist. When my daughter got old enough to raid my closet, the shirt became hers. I really missed it when she took it with her when she left home and set out in the world. Daughter #1 has been married for twenty-three years. This shirt went with her all the way to Long Island and back to Denver and she still has it.

\n

Mr. FixIt has been on two bowling leagues for nearly forty years. Last week, I went to his league Christmas parties with him. On Sunday night, a bunch of us were talking about the old bowling shirts embroidered with the Sponsor’s logo on them…your name over the pocket. You don’t see them much anymore. I remembered “the shirt” and I’ve never forgotten the name…Bill T. (I’m only using the first letter of his last name to protect his identity.) Whenever the shirt was worn, we always said a kind word about “Good Ol’ Bill T”. I picked up my phone and did a quick search on Facebook…and, there he was!!! It HAD to be him…he worked in the bowling industry and he lived in Pennsylvania. 

\n

I sent my daughter a text and asked if she could send me pictures of the bowling shirt. Then I sent them on to Bill T with a note explaining how I came to own the shirt and was this THE Bill T. About an hour later, I received a lovely reply.

\n

“Hi Ginny, this was my shirt from early/mid 1980s when I bowled in the Berks County Major League at Bowl-O-Rama in Reading, Pa. Crazy that it has survived over 30 years and traveled so far. I kept it for a few years after switching teams in that league and gave the shirt to a special needs bowler when I started working in that center. I am pleased to see that the shirt has brought comfort in some way to you and your family, and glad you reached out to me with the story. Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours!”

\n

It really WAS our Bill T! I told him I felt like I’d known him forever…like he was a member of our family. I told him it was really interesting that the shirt made it all the way to Colorado. It was also interesting that he had given the shirt to someone with special needs. My brother has special needs and has participated in Special Olympics Bowling for over fifty years. AND, the daughter who now owns Bill T’s bowling shirt teaches Special Ed. AND…now I’m married to a life-long bowler and I was writing from the bowing alley!

\n

Was this all just coincidence? Sort of like throwing dice or casting lots? I don’t think so. I think these sorts of things are God winks. Circles of life that wind round and round. The story of a traveling bowling shirt that has touched the lives of special people, special bowlers, on both sides of the country. I love how God works….even when it’s something as simple as a story that connects people across the miles through a bit of thread, a lot of smiles, and a warm heart. ❤️

\n
“People throw lots to make a decision. But the answer comes from the Lord.”\n

Proverbs 16:33 ICB

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-27T02:30:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/27/the-story-of-the-traveling.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","God","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/22/the-griswald-family-christmas.html", "title": "The “Griswald” Family Christmas", "content_html": "

\"Cinnamon “Making Cinnamon Rolls in the kitchen at The Ponderosa.”

\n

Not having things done ahead of time made for a rather long and hectic day yesterday. I didn’t even start wrapping presents till noon and the family started arriving around 4:00! But hey, I made three dozen pepperoni rolls, two dozen cinnamon rolls, and two huge pots of chili. We had a table full of snacks when they got there…chips and queso, cheese and crackers, nuts, and Rolo pretzel cookies. When they left last night there was a small container of chili and six cinnamon rolls. It was tons of fun and we had a great time. 

\n

I used a different recipe for the cinnamon rolls this year. I couldn’t find my favorite cookbook with the blue ribbon recipes in it. This one come from Divas Can Cook. They were pretty darned good. The only thing was, I have these new pans and two fit on one rack in the stove. I didn’t even consider how close they were together and heat could not circulate around them…therefore, the bottoms burned. It didn’t stop people from gobbling them up, though! Filled with so much yummy goodness…I added toasted pecans and raisins to these before I rolled them up. 

\n

\"Cinnamon “Cinnamon Rolls…fresh from the oven!

\n

The only thing we have to do today is church services this evening so I’m looking forward to a relaxing day of knitting and Christmas movies! What’s on your agenda? ?

\n

https://divascancook.com/fluffy-homemade-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/

\n
““Take the finest flour and bake twelve loaves of bread, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf.”\n

Leviticus 24:5 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-21T22:20:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/22/the-griswald-family-christmas.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/21/hot-cocoa-knitting-winter-solstice.html", "title": "Hot Cocoa \u0026 Knitting \u0026 Winter Solstice", "content_html": "

\"Hot “Hot cocoa and knitting…stop and enjoy the season.”

\n

Productivity is a matter of personal interpretation. Did I wrap presents yesterday for the family Christmas dinner tonight? Um…nope. Did I bake the Pepperoni Rolls like I thought I would? Huh, uh.  However, I DID sip hot cocoa while listening to Christmas carols and knitting dishcloths. Why? I’ll tell you…

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Because, we get so wrapped up in trying to have the perfect Hallmark holiday that we forget to just…be. To enjoy the moments. To sit down with someone you love and watch the rain pour down and ask if we’re ready for another cup of tea. To listen to Christmas music. To feel the warmth of the fire. To catch up with a friend on the phone. To read Christmas cards. To light candles with the scents of pine and cinnamon apples. 

\n

Those presents will get wrapped. Dinner is a pot of chili with peanut butter sandwiches and a pan of homemade cinnamon rolls. Easy peasy. We don’t get yesterday again. We only get today. Don’t be so busy trying to make something perfect that you forget to enjoy the process. Today, you have my permission to put your feet up, have a cup of tea, and knit. The rest will get done…or maybe it won’t. But you’ll feel ever so much better by slowing down. Breathe! Today is the first day of winter…the shortest amount of daylight of the year. Winter Solstice. It starts getting brighter from here on out. ❤️

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““Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway? But you say, ‘I can’t help it. I’m addicted to alien gods. I can’t quit.’”\n

Jeremiah 2:25 MSG

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-21T02:30:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/21/hot-cocoa-knitting-winter-solstice.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Presence","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/20/winter-wonderland.html", "title": "Winter Wonderland", "content_html": "

\"Gingerbread “My favorite entry in the Gingerbread competition at The Blennerhassett Hotel…three little gnome houses on “stump” cakes!”

\n

One of my favorite places in my hometown is The Blennerhassett Hotel. It is the finest hotel and restaurant in town and I have had the pleasure of visiting it many times. It’s the place where my gal pals from my high school class gather for coffee. It’s where they have the parade of trees.  Then the gingerbread houses. I marvel at both. The innovative ideas for the Christmas trees always leaves me smiling at all the creativity. And the gingerbread houses are just flat out amazing. This year, my favorite was the one with three little gnome houses on tree stump cakes. Camping was a big theme, as well. 

\n

\"Camper “Camper Gingerbread House…SO cute!”

\n

The Blennerhassett is where our High School Reunions meet on the second night. It’s where I sought refuge in February 2015 when I was living in my camper high over the banks of the Ohio River. The temperature got down to -25 wind chill, my refrigerator stopped working and all my food was ruined. I went to The Blennerhassett and took fifteen bubble baths in two days and came back refreshed and ready to face the rest of the winter. There is often live music in the bar on Friday nights. And there is a Farmers Market one day a week in the summers. It is truly one of my favorite places.

\n

\"Gingerbread “Camping at Christmas Ginerbread House”

\n

This year, Mr. FixIt and I were downtown paying a bill and ended up wandering into the hotel to walk around and marvel at the exquisite gingerbread houses. There is a competition and the prizes are the big rosette ribbons like the ones I earned when I baked competitively in Colorado. There is also a People’s Choice Award.

\n

\"Gingerbread “Another little camper gingerbread house!”

\n

Yesterday, I made about 12 dozen Rolo Pretzel Cookies and knitted dishcloths. We cleaned in preparation for the big family gathering Friday night. Tonight is the Thursday night bowling league Christmas party so we’ll be making beef noodles to take. I’m baking a Hummingbird Cake today. And, I’m going to bake up a big batch of Pepperoni Rolls…West Virginia’s state food! So, watch for pics and recipes tomorrow! ❤️

\n
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”\n

John 6:35 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-20T02:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/20/winter-wonderland.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun","Comfort","Peace","Holiday","Art"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/15/the-farm-sharing-my-happy.html", "title": "The Farm: Sharing My Happy Place", "content_html": "

\"Handknit “I knitted this little beaded evening bag many years ago.”

\n

There is only one thing better than spending time at the farm. Spending time at the farm with Mr. FixIt! I asked him Thursday if we could go out for a couple of days and he is such a sweetie. We don’t quite have the amenities at the farm that we have at the house, but he’s a real sport. Usually we pack enough stuff for a month-long safari, but we’re getting better at it. Dinner was Hamburger Macaroni (SO simple…brown 1# hamburger with a med. onion chopped, stir in a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes and a can of drained corn, add a few cups of cooked elbow macaroni and a couple slices of Colby cheese, a little red pepper flakes, garlic salt, pepper, and oregano…stir and serve. Comfort food when served with homemade peanut butter cookies! Yummmmmm!

\n

I was going through some of the things I saved and brought with me from Colorado. I chatted with my knitting buddy, Gail, yesterday. I told her about a little purse I knitted many years ago. When I was going through a box, I ran across this pretty little beaded bag. I remember the day I went to the Convention Center in downtown Denver for a bead show. There was a lady from Evergreen selling reproduction silver plated purse handles, Japanese silk, seed beads, tiny little double-point needles, and patterns for the most darling little evening bags. I bought enough supplies to make four.

\n

This was the first one I made. It was tedious to make, I will not lie. To start with, you have to transfer all these little beads to the silk. The beads come on something called a hank. It’s several strands of beads in a loop, and the ends of the threads are all tied together in a knot. Each loop had to be very carefully removed from the hank without dropping one end. If you drop it, alllllllll the beads slip off and go everywhere. Don’t ask me how I know that. ?

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When you slide the beads from the thread to the silk, you sometimes find a bead whose hole is too small for the silk. In that case, you take a pair of pliers and gently squeeze the bead till it breaks. You have to be careful because the sharp edge of a broken bead can cut the silk, then you’re in a serious mess. Strand after strand, you slide and pull them along till you have the required number of beads on the silk thread. Once the beads have been threaded on, you wrap them around and around the ball of silk ill you get back to the beginning. You have to stop and unroll this often and slip the beads further down the thread so you have room to knit. Did I tell you it was tedious?

\n

I made this one and another just like it for my cousin’s daughter. She was born with cancer in her spine and had major surgery and treatment as a very young child. When she turned sixteen, I made her the little bag to carry to her first formal. I have enough to make two white purses…one for each of my daughters. The intent was to give each their purse for their weddings. The oldest has been married since 1995. Her purse isn’t finished yet. Did I tell you they are quite tedious to make? I thought I did.

\n

I love having this. I used to display it in a curio cabinet that now sits in Colorado waiting for me to bring it here one day. Maybe next summer I will tote it home. In the meantime, it sits on the dresser in our room and I pick it up every now and again, just to remember I once did very tedious work. ❤️

\n
“as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.””\n

2 Corinthians 8:15 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-15T02:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/15/the-farm-sharing-my-happy.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort","Art"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/14/the-geminid-meteor-shower.html", "title": "The Geminid Meteor Shower", "content_html": "

\"Shooting “The night sky holds endless fascination for me.”

\n
”We are stardust, we are golden, we are billion year old carbon, and we got to get ourselves back to the garden...”\n

Crosby, Stills & Nash

\nI have always been fascinated by the night sky. Ever since I was a very little girl and my dad woke me up and helped me into my coat to go outside in the middle of the night. We went out to see the Northern Lights. I’ve been smitten ever since. I think that’s one reason I love to camp so much…there’s usually a clear night sky at least one of the nights in the woods.

\n

When I was a single mom living in my first house on my own, I packed a thermos and a couple of sleeping bags in the car. I woke up Daughter #2 in the middle of the night and said, “C’mon…we’re going on an adventure.”

\n

We drove up to the ski area, turned off the car, and spread the sleeping bags on the hood. We leaned back against the windshield and sipped our hot cocoa and watched the Persied Meteor Shower. She still talks about that to this day.

\n

Last evening, I got a call that my wedding rings were ready to be picked up. I lost a diamond a couple of weeks ago and the service warranty covers that. I could have waited, but I’ve missed my rings, so I drove into town to get them. Afterwards, I went to the bowling alley to visit Mr. FixIt then we grabbed a bite to eat together. On the way home, we stopped to pick up a Christmas gift and some new baking pans. As we were driving out the country road home, Mr. FixIt was behind me in his truck. He called me and I said…”I SAW IT!” It looked like something out of Star Wars! Meteors were falling everywhere. BIG ones!

\n

When we got home, I told him to park his truck and meet me in mine out in the lane that goes through the field. I turned off all the lights, rolled down the windows, and we sat there for the better part of an hour….staring at the sky.

\n

“There’s one!”

\n

“Wow…did you see THAT one?”

\n

“OMGosh! This is so cool!”

\n

God’s 4th of July…another memory made! ❤️

\n
“and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.”\n

Revelation 6:13 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-14T02:30:35-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/14/the-geminid-meteor-shower.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Peace","Humbled","Presence","Peaceful Moments"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/12/feel-your-feels.html", "title": "Feel Your Feels", "content_html": "

\"Christmas “These are some of my favorite Christmas memories.”

\n

 As I sit and write this post, Mr. FixIt is in town helping his daughter with something and I am getting ready to address Christmas cards while listening to carols on Pandora. I just had my coffee and a couple of the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies I made yesterday. Another heavy hoar frost has the branches of the forsythia decorated with fuzzy white crystal fingers outside the window where I am perched. The mechanical angel on top of the tree is gently moving her wings and arms as she nods her head slowly. It’s a peaceful scene here on the Ponderosa.

\n

As I was baking my grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Monday, I was reminiscing about Christmases spent out on the farm. Grandma seldom had any extras around because money was always tight living off the land. But, as Christmas approached, you could be sure to find certain special treats brought home from the Five & Dime in Harrisville in small brown paper sacks.

\n

I especially remember the Christmas candies Grandma always set out in a special glass dish. Ruffled ribbons, chocolate straws, peppermint sticks…all conjure up the warmth of my grandma’s house at Christmas. 

\n

My Uncle Bob had a developmental disability and lived at home all his life. Every Christmas, Bob would walk back on the hill with Grandma and select a tree to drag back down to the house. They were sparse little Charlie Brown trees. I thought they were kind of sad and pitiful back then because ours was always a big, full tree we selected from the lot down at the Shopping Center. Looking back with 65-year-old eyes, I’d give anything to go back and see the ornaments and sweetness of my childhood Christmases on the farm.

\n

Mr. FixIt and I have an artificial tree. He purchased it for me the first Christmas we were dating. I was in Colorado and he was walking around the mall when he saw Sears had their trees marked down drastically. He called and asked if I wanted one. He sent several photos and I selected a slim tree with feathered tips on the needles that make them look frosted. It’s prelit with white lights. No twinkling for me. And no colors. I like white light…and lots of it in the wintertime. It helps with my winter blues.

\n

Keeping these memories alive helps comfort me in times of great loss. When I conjure up images of my grandma, my mom, my cousin, my aunt, my other mother…it reminds me while they are away from me physically, I have them with me always in my heart. Christmas isn’t always a happy occasion when you are actively grieving. Holding the memories close can help ease that pain and gives you the outlet you need to process your grief. Feel your feels, I always say. ❤️

\n
“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”\n

Isaiah 32:18 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-12T02:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/12/feel-your-feels.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Peace","Holiday","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/11/kitchen-comforts.html", "title": "Kitchen Comforts", "content_html": "

\"Roses\" “Mr. FixIt brought me roses.”

\n

When I’m struggling with grief, a day in the kitchen does wonders for me. Mr. FixIt knew I hadn’t slept well the last couple of nights since learning the sad news of Miss Louisa passing away, so he was gracious and let me sleep in as long as I wanted to yesterday. I must say, when I awoke around 11:00, I did feel much better. I padded into the kitchen to make my coffee and greet my sweet man in the family room…steaming mug in hand.

\n

I snuggled into the loveseat and wrapped my blue fox blanket around me. The Christmas tree was decorated and standing to my left in front of the big picture windows. The gas stove was cranked up and putting off some decent heat. The heavy frost still laid white on the grass and trees in my view. And, amazingly, the forsythia had several bright yellow blooms on them casting a stark contrast to the grey palette of December.

\n

I sipped my coffee while Mr. FixIt read the paper. The TV droned quietly in the background…some fourteen year old was answering questions on a game show. I tuned it out as I stared at the decorations on the tree and took inventory of my feelings. The pain I felt when I heard the news of yet another loss was easing a little and shifting to the lonesomeness of not being able to pick up the phone and call whenever I want. It is familiar turf for me.

\n

After a while, I sighed and went into the bedroom to dress. Mr. FixIt put on his insulated coveralls and went outside to work a while. I carried my second cup to the living room and sat down to knit on a pair of socks. I texted my friend Gail who is touring Europe to see how she is doing. My friend Janine sent me a text to remind me she was going live at 3:00CST. I put my phone away and turned Pandora to “Traditional Christmas.” I spent the next hour or so in quiet meditation, my hands wrapping the wool yarn around the needles with the muscle memory of a skill I learned in my youth.

\n

I decided to mix up a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies and was pulling the last batch from the oven as Mr. FixIt came in from the cold. I turned on the kettle and he had a nice cup of tea as he ate a cookie, still warm from the oven. He watched me move around the kitchen, cleaning up the bowls and baking pans. I sensed his eyes on me. This is the relationship we delight in. I looked up from wiping the counter and he smiled.

\n

“You treat me so well.”

\n

I smiled back. A knowing smile. An appreciative smile. This is the part of him that is like Mr. Virgo. He loves and appreciates me and is quick to tell me. I love that. 

\n

“I like spoiling you,” I grinned. He laughed, gave me a little pat as he tucked his mug in the kitchen sink. He pulled up his coveralls and went back outside. I watched him as he walked out the door. How can a coverall make a man look that sexy? I smiled as I tucked the towel in the door handle of the oven and turned out the light. I had another hour to knit before I started supper.

\n

When I was at the farm the other night, I brought home a pot roast from the freezer. When it was thawed, I cut it in cubes. I put about a cup of flour in a gallon ziplock bag with some salt and pepper and dropped in the cubed roast. I tossed the meat in the flour, rubbing the pieces through the bag to ensure they were well coated then dropped them into a hot skillet with a little oil in it. When the meat had been seared on all sides, I removed it and put it in my electric pressure cooker. I put in a can of beef broth and a can of water, replaced the lid and pressure cooked the roast for 55 minutes. Once it was finished, I let it cool for about twenty minutes without releasing the pressure. I released the pressure carefully and removed the lid. The meat bubbled in a nice thickened gravy and smelled divine. I poured the meat and gravy out into a large storage container and set it on the counter. When it was cool enough, I popped it in the fridge to be used during the week for meals and sandwiches.

\n

Yesterday, I cooked up half a bag of egg noodles. I took out half the meat and gravy and placed it in a saucepan on low heat to warm up. I sautéed a whole package of sliced mushrooms in two tablespoons of butter. Everything was ready at the same time so I drained the pasta, and put it back in the pan, poured the beef and gravy in with the sautéed mushrooms and added 3/4 cup of sour cream. I gave it a quick stir and called Mr. FixIt to the table for supper.

\n

A day like that is soothing to the spirit. It reminded me that, while I miss those I have lost, I have skills in place that I did not have when I lost Mr. Virgo. It is not lost on me that I have the added blessing of this sweet man to be my companion and helpmate to love and support me as I navigate the losses. I kind of feel like I’m cheating…I don’t have to grieve alone like I did when I became a widow. That kind of grief is so much harder than this. I am grateful. ❤️

\n
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.””\n

Revelation 21:4 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-11T02:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/11/kitchen-comforts.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Courage","Presence","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/10/two-angels.html", "title": "Two Angels", "content_html": "

\"Wedding\" “Miss Louisa looks on as Mr. Virgo hugs me at our wedding. She loved being the honorary mom.”

\n

I contacted the photographer who shot Mr. Virgo’s and my wedding. I knew there would be many beautiful photos of my “other mother”, Miss Louisa. Marcia was wonderful. Although I offered to pay her for copies, she sent me a link to a digital folder with instructions to download the photos to use however I wish. I was busy all day yesterday with church and a trip to the mall to watch our little great granddaughter scream on Santa’s lap. I went to the farm while Mr. FixIt bowled. When I got home, I finally had time to sit down and view the photos.

\n

I was scrolling through them…remembering the day. How proud Louisa was to be my honorary mom. It was cool but the sun held the promise of spring and we were married out on the deck overlooking beautiful Mt. Sopris and the Roaring Fork River. I came to this photograph and my heart squeezed. Two angels. 

\n

Just then, Mr. FixIt called from the driveway and asked me to come open the door because he had his hands full. As I opened the door, he handed me a bouquet of roses. 

\n

“Here, baby…you’ve had a really hard week.”

\n

I smiled, gave him a hug and went to get the Mikasa crystal vase for the flowers as he took off his coat. Suddenly, it all hit me. I was trimming the ends of the stems, silent tears coming down my cheeks. I had my back to him, but he knew. He came in the kitchen and, concern in his voice said, “Are you ok?”

\n

I’ve never cried in front of Mr. FixIt. I cried in front of Mr. Virgo once. He gave me a look like, “Really? We’re doing THIS?” I stopped immediately and never did it again. It’s not that he wasn’t empathetic…he just didn’t emote much. Mr. FixIt is much the same as me on the emotion scale. It’s comforting knowing I can emote freely. Anyway, he wrapped me up in his arms and would have stood there in the kitchen all night hugging me if that’s what I needed.

\n

I knew the day would come when I would lose Louisa. We almost lost her nine years ago when she became very ill. They didn’t expect her to live through the night but she was a fighter. I knew when she died I would feel the same pain I felt when I lost my own mother. And that’s exactly the case. Anyone who got to know her and be close to her were blessed indeed. I got fifteen years with her in my life. I’m one of the lucky ones. ❤️

\n
“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,”\n

Titus 2:4 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-10T02:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/10/two-angels.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Comfort","Grace","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/05/the-secret-to-a-good.html", "title": "The Secret to a Good Relationship", "content_html": "

\"\" “As you grow closer to God, you can’t help but grow closer to each other.”

\n

A young man I barely know came up to me at church the other day. He knew Mr. FixIt and I had just been married. He was quite interested in knowing the secret to a good relationship. He wanted to know how you KNOW you have the right person. 

\n

One might not think I know the answers to those questions, given I just entered my fourth marriage. That sounds awful, doesn’t it? Like maybe I don’t know what I’m doing. And, I suppose if you ask my two ex-husbands, they might agree with you. I would counter with a statement: I learned with the loss of each relationship. I learned to examine my own behaviors and contributions, or rather…lack of contribution…in each relationship. I learned about what I DIDN’T want in a relationship. 

\n

It doesn’t really benefit you to approach a new relationship with a look backward at what you didn’t like before. It does benefit you to look forward with an attitude of “How can I be the best spouse I can be without losing myself here?” I smiled at the young man and said…”I have the answer for you!”

\n

He looked at me in surprise and payed very close attention.

\n

I held up my hands, fingers and thumbs pressed together forming a triangle.

\n

“Do you see this? This is your relationship. You are here. Your spouse is here.” I pointed to the base of either thumb.

\n

I held up my left hand and said, “See? If you have God in your life, you work towards a good relationship with Him. You not only raise yourself up, but you move forward. The same goes with your spouse.” I held up my right hand to demonstrate.

\n

“When you are married, and you put God first in your relationship, you each raise yourselves higher, but what happens to you individually?”

\n

The young man broke into a huge grin. “You get closer to each other!”

\n

“Yes! That’s exactly right! Do you see how simple that is? There’s no real secret here. Just keep God as the primary focus of your marriage, be the very best partner you can be, try to outlove each other, and He will take care of the rest. It’s nothing more than faith and physics!”

\n

I gave the young man a pat on the back and headed on in to find Mr. FixIt and take my seat beside him as we put God first…this day and all days. ❤️

\n
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”\n

Proverbs 18:22 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-05T02:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/05/the-secret-to-a-good.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Prayer","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Wisdom","Courage","Choices","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/04/a-victorian-christmas.html", "title": "A Victorian Christmas", "content_html": "

\"Lynn “Lynn Nicholson opened her home for the Victorian Christmas Tour this weekend. Lynn has been a faithful reader for the last three years and it was a treat to visit with her!”

\n

It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does…it blows me away.

\n

Gasp! “It’s Ginny McKinney!” 

\n

I had just stepped into the door of Lynn Nicholson’s house when I caught her eye from across the room. 

\n

“OMGosh! It’s you!” Lynn said as she walked toward me. “Welcome to my home!”

\n

\"Christmas “Lovely Christmas Villages are all around the living room in Lynn’s lovely home.”

\n

We greeted each other with a warm hug as if we’d met years ago. And, in a way, we did. I had recently arrived in West Virginia when I saw in the paper they were having a walking tour of Victorian homes in the Historic Julia-Ann District in Downtown Parkersburg. I knew these beautiful homes by sight as we often drove by when I was growing up. I remember pressing my nose to the window in the backseat of the Oldsmobile, dreaming of what such elegance might look like inside. Never dreaming one day I’d know people who lived there and could go inside to visit. 

\n

\"Belsnickel-like “Icy crystals are sprinkled over the Belsnickel-style Christmas decor Lynn is so fond of collecting.”

\n

The summer of 2015, I walked up and down the streets of Julia-Ann Square visiting yard sales. A woman and her husband were sitting in the driveway in front of their lovely home. We struck up a conversation and immediately clicked. I gave her my card. Now, three years later, I step into her home on the Christmas tour and…she knows me. I mean…she really KNOWS me. Lynn has been reading my blog every morning since the day we met in her driveway and I am equally thrilled and humbled. 

\n

\"Belsnickel “More Belsnickel decor.”

\n

As we walked around her house, Lynn shares her treasures and gives us a history of the home. It was built in two phases. The original part of the house is log and sits in the back of the lot. Additions were added on over the years and the house gives off a Federalist vibe with a taste of Colonial thrown in for good measure. The principal floors are impeccable and built in bookcases provide ample space for the family heirlooms they keep on display year round. 

\n

\"Three “As I visited with Judy Smith in the Caswell-Smith House, who should walk in but…Hubby #1 and his lovely wife! How fun!”

\n

There were four houses on the tour this year. One is owned by one of my former classmates from high school, Debra Schaffer. Another is a massive mansion that is for sale. But the one house everyone always raves about belongs to my lifelong friend and relative, Judy Smith and her husband, Norm. If you recall, Judy and Norm had us over for dessert the week after the wedding. Norm gave Mr. FixIt the tour of the house as Judy and I sat and visited. 

\n

\"Two “Charlotte and me…in the perpetual Christmas room at the Caswell-Smith House.”

\n

The Smith-Caswell House is truly like stepping into a museum. And they live there. You can go there any time of the day and it looks the same. The beds are always made. The dishes are always done. The house is always dusted and impeccably clean. And every surface is adorned with something delightful. Music boxes, statuary, silver, crystal, china, and art from around the world is virtual eye candy. The icing on the cake is the warm hospitality with which every guest is greeted. This home was not only decorated for the owners, it is appointed with the guest in mind. The Smiths know this house is bigger that them. It belongs to us all a little bit. At least during the summer Garden Tour and the winter Christmas Tea. 

\n

\"Scale “The new train in the postage-stamp sized backyard at the Caswell-Smith House.”

\n

I took my wonderful friend, Charlotte with me this year. She is my cousin’s wife and my dear friend who graciously feeds the cats at the farm when I am not there. I wanted to do something special to repay her and since she has never toured the Victorian homes, we met for a long afternoon of browsing and sitting for cookies and Wassail. 

\n

\"Feather “Vintage feather tree with hand-blown Victorian glass ornaments.”

\n

As we stood in the small first floor bedroom in Judy’s house…in walked Hubby #1 and his wife! This brought the visit full circle and allowed me to connect the dots for Charlotte. Judy’s parents lived in what is now the home of my heart…my grandparents’ farm. Her parents brought her home to that house after she was born. They moved and my grandparents purchased the farm. Our families were always close and I always called her parents Uncle Ken and Aunt Lucy. When I started dating Hubby -#1, he spoke of HIS Uncle Ken and Aunt Lucy and they turned out to be the same people. Uncle Ken was my former mother-in-law’s brother. Confused yet? Hang on! When I married Hubby #1 and we had Daughter #1, that made her and my grandchildren blood relatives of Judy! I love that I am close to my exes and consider them family. I get along well with their wives. Heck, I get along well with Mr. Fixit’s ex wife. I try to exemplify love in all relationships so the generations coming up know it doesn’t have to be ugly when marriages don’t work out. 

\n

\"Group “The day started out having coffee with my home girls…the ‘71 Divas Do Coffee!”

\n

I want to end by letting you know I spoke with my cousin Tom’s wife last night. She wanted me to know she is doing surprisingly well. She has her moments, but having the four and a half years to grieve along the way as she prepared to say goodbye has been a great help in her adjustment. She appreciates everyone’s prayers. So, thank you for that. 

\n

Life is a huge quilt. We are all connected in some way, but love is the thread that holds us all together. ❤️

\n
“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”\n

1 John 4:19-21 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-04T02:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/04/a-victorian-christmas.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Holiday","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/02/a-long-goodbye.html", "title": "A Long Goodbye", "content_html": "

\"Man “My sweet cousin, Tom.”

\n

I was seven years old when I fell in love with Tommy Allen. The fact that he was my first cousin meant nothing to me. The fact that he was home from the Navy wearing his sailor whites meant EVERYTHING. swoon He was dreamy. 

\n

I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was playing on the floor with my brother. We had a bunch of little plastic barnyard animals and some Lincoln Logs, creating the wilderness cabin of Daniel Boone. It was a sweltering hot summer day and I wore a violet colored cotton dress. They say it matched my eyes. My bare arms were brown from the sun. My bare feet were brown from the WV dirt.

\n

My cousin, Donna Jean, was in high school. She was playing Elvis Presley records on the stereo…his mellow voice coming through scratchy and thin. A car door slammed out front and my Aunt Marge came running from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel.

\n

“He’s here!” The screen door didn’t even swing shut before she was out on the porch wrapping her boy in her mom-hug. I ran to the door and peeked out to see what the ruckus was all about. And…there he was. His pompadour slicked back. His Navy whites, crisp and clean, glaring in the July sun. His marine blue eyes sparkled when he saw me and grinned. He gave me a knowing wink, and I was smitten.

\n

\"Man “Captain Tom”

\n

We didn’t get to see each other much. He married and moved to Paden City, then New Martinsville. He raised his family. He worked hard in one of the chemical plants that dot the Ohio River banks from Pittsburg to Louisville. Then, in 1976, my parents divorced. By this time I was married myself with a little one of my own and lived in Colorado. I am embarrassed to say, I didn’t have much to do with my father’s family after that. There were a lot of reasons why…none of them good.

\n

My father died in 2008. For some reason, I didn’t think there would be but a handful of people at his funeral. If he was the same man to others as he had been to me and my family, this would be a pretty quick, cut and dried affair. Imagine my surprise when the church was full to overflowing at my father’s memorial service! I listened to people tell me what a wonderful man he was. How he was a central figure in their church. A pillar of the community. “He would give you the shirt off his back.” I heard over and over. It wasn’t the man I knew, but I realized…he was the man THEY knew. And this funeral was for them.

\n

Almost all of my cousins from my dad’s side were there. I greeted them politely before the service. When we all went to the basement after, I sat in awe and listened to the stories they told me about my dad. I told them about the man I knew. We were both dumbfounded. But, the really GREAT part is…even though I had walked away from them all in 1975, they greeted me with open arms in 2008 like I’d been there all along. I fell in love with them all…all over again.

\n

About four-and-a-half years or so ago, my handsome cousin Tommy was diagnosed with mesothelioma. It is a cancer of the covering of the lung but can appear anywhere. And it comes from exposure to asbestos. He was exposed in the Navy shipyards and the plant in which he worked. The average life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is 12-21 months. Approximately 40% of patients live past one year, and only 9% live longer than five years. He was determined to do everything he could so he went to NIH and participated in clinical trials. 

\n

It bought him some good time. He fished and hunted and was his normal, happy, feisty self. Then one of the trial drugs nearly killed him. That’s when he decided…he’d had enough. His wife, Suzy, contacted me and said it was time to come for a visit. No one said it out loud, but I knew this was my last visit with this sweet man. By this time, he didn’t have the energy to go exploring or out to eat. So, we just sat at home. We talked. We laughed. I recorded him telling me stories. It was bittersweet. The ride to the beach was long and quiet.

\n

I met fifteen gals from my high school for coffee yesterday morning. I was going to the funeral home afterwards. Lisa, the friend who married Mr. FixIt and me, lost her mom Thanksgiving Day and the viewing was yesterday. I picked up my phone to see what time it was because I didn’t want to be late. That’s when I saw the text from Suzy. Our Tom passed at 1:35 yesterday morning. 

\n

\"Woman “Tommy and Me”

\n

I tried not to cry, but the tears slipped too easily down my cheeks. My friends were wonderful and hugged me. I showed them his picture. I told them I fell in love with this handsome sailor when I was just a little girl. And now, he has crossed over the last trout stream and is off on a great bear hunt in the sky. I will miss you, Tommy…you were a heck of a good man.

\n

Today would have been their 57th Wedding Anniversary. Suzy has never lived alone. But, she has lots of love and support. She will get through this in her own way…in her own time. Those of us who have walked this particular path have an understanding of what she is going through today. Please keep Suzy and all who loved Tom in your prayers. ?

\n
““Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.””\n

John 14:1-4 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-02T02:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/02/a-long-goodbye.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Prayer","Love","Aging","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/12/01/grandma-lois-very-best-chocolate.html", "title": "Grandma Lois’ Very Best Chocolate Cake", "content_html": "

\"Homemade “Homemade chocolate cake…Grandma Lois’ recipe.”

\n

My son-in-law’s Grandma is one of the sweetest and feistiest women I know. Grandma Lois is 90 and now lives in a nursing home. But up to just a few years ago, she drove herself around in her little Ford and assisted in a grade school classroom several days a week.

\n

Grandma Lois and Grandpa Bud had an upholstery business. She was always a hardworking woman. She didn’t stop working when her husband passed suddenly. She’s the matriarch of a wonderful, salt-of-the-earth family. I tell people when Daughter #1 got married, she won the lottery with these wonderful people.

\n

Grandma was a member of a womens’ social club. One gathering had everyone bring their favorite recipe on a card to exchange. This is the recipe she received that day. My son-in-law LOVES chocolate cake and this is the family’s go-to chocolate cake for special occasions. I took this one with me to my cousin’s for Thanksgiving and I’ve had many requests for the recipe. I always check with the source before I share old family recipes and they were happy to let more people enjoy this yummy cake.

\n

I’ll make another one to serve for drop-in company here at the Ponderosa. Hope you enjoy it!

\n

Favorite Chocolate Cake

\n

3 cups flour

\n

2 cups sugar

\n

2 tsp. Baking soda

\n

1/2 tsp. Salt

\n

1/4 to 1/2 cup cocoa

\n

 Sift together the above then add - 

\n

2 eggs

\n

1 cup Wesson Oil 

\n

2 T. Mayo

\n

3 tsp. Vanilla

\n

1 cup sour milk (add 2 T. Vinegar to milk & let sit 5 min.)

\n

 OR you can use one cup buttermilk instead

\n

1 cup boiling water

\n

Put all ingredients in bowl; put boiling water in last. Beat 2 minutes or so.

\n

Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

\n

Let cool in pan for 10 minutes then tip out on a cake rack to cool. Slice “domed” top from each layer before frosting with your favorite icing. 

\n

Makes two good sized layers.

\n

If making cupcakes, bake for 20 minutes.

\n❤️\n
“Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each Israelite man and woman.”\n

1 Chronicles 16:3 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-12-01T02:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/12/01/grandma-lois-very-best-chocolate.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Fun","Comfort","Love","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/11/30/buckwheat-flapjacks-bacon.html", "title": "Buckwheat Flapjacks \u0026 Bacon", "content_html": "

\"“Buckwheat “Buckwheat Flapjacks & Bacon”

\n

Twice a year, Spring and Fall, I go camping with the girls at Beaver Creek State Park near Liverpool, Ohio. It’s a Mister/Sister trip so we can bring our beaus if we’ve got ‘em. I usually go for a couple days alone so I can gab with the girls and drink coffee all day in my jammies. Then Mr. FixIt comes up and joins us. Much of the time, it’s him and about 15-20 women. He is in his element, let me tell you! He can gab with the best of them.

\n

\"Old “The old mill at Beaver Creek State Park near Liverpool, Ohio”

\n

One of my favorite parts of Beaver Creek is the Pioneer Village. We’ve been there twice now for the Civil War Re-enactment and we walk around the village and look at the old buildings. There is a large grist mill that has been renovated. Several times a year, The mill trace is filled with water and the wheel at Gaston’s Mill turns and grinds corn meal as well as whole wheat and buckwheat flour.

\n

\"Refurbished “The refurbished Gaston’s Mill”

\n

When I was a little girl, my dad would make buckwheat flapjacks. In our house, if you made them out of flour, they were pancakes. If you made them out of corn meal they were corn cakes or hoe cakes. You’ll normally see them just called Buckwheat Pancakes. I didn’t really like my dad’s flapjacks. They tasted bitter to me, so all my life I’ve said I didn’t like them. When Gaston’s Mill runs, the flour and meal sell out quickly. I was thrilled the last time we were there to find the refrigerator full of one and three pound bags. I stocked up and at the last minute, decided to try the buckwheat flour.

\n

\"Gaston’s “Gaston’s Mill at Christmas”

\n

My friend Gail is the camphost at Beaver Creek. I texted her Tuesday and asked her what recipe she uses for her buckwheat. She sent me the link and I made a batch Tuesday morning. Oh…Em…Geeeee! They were SO good. Not bitter at all. My new favorites, even though it’s a pretty complex recipe compared to box mix.

\n

\"Camper\" “Camping with TOW-Wanda and the Girl Campers at Beaver Creek State Park”

\n

Since this is cozy, comfort food season…get out your fleecy jammies and whip up a batch of these. They are rich and hearty so you don’t need anything else but a couple slices of crispy bacon and plenty of hot coffee! Enjoy! ❤️

\n

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/buckwheat_pancakes/

\n
“He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.”\n

Psalm 136:25 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2018-11-30T02:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/11/30/buckwheat-flapjacks-bacon.html", "tags": ["Family","TOW-Wanda!","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/11/29/somewhere-over-the-rainbowbluebirds-fly.html", "title": "Somewhere Over the Rainbow...Bluebirds Fly", "content_html": "

\"Man “Ron Rudolph and his grandson building bluebird houses in memory of his late wife.”

\n

I have told you many times that Mr. Virgo sends me bluebirds. It first began when I stood by his grave…heart broken…sobbing, when I heard a birdsong nearby. I looked to my right and just a few feet away, a bluebird sat on a pole and was singing. It lifted something in my heart. I could feel my husband’s presence and it was comforting. Since then, countless bluebirds show up at odd times. Mr. FixIt and I have taken to saying hello to him out loud when we see them.

\n

This sweet man I am married to called me into the family room yesterday and said, “Look, I want you to see this.”

\n

I sat down to watch a segment on the Today show about a man in Minnesota. Ron Rudolph lost his wife to a brain tumor this past January. When he found himself wandering around the house in the middle of the night, he decided to go out to his wood shop. He saw a bluebird house hanging on the wall. His wife loved bluebirds and he had made several of the houses to place around their yard for her to enjoy. He decided to cut out a few birdhouses to keep his hands, and his mind, busy.

\n

After constructing several birdhouses, he enlisted his daughter’s help in setting up a way to sell them. He wanted others to enjoy bluebirds, in his wife’s memory. Now, there are four generations building bluebird houses in his shop and a portion of the proceeds goes to the hospice that cared for his late wife.

\n

I reached out to Ron yesterday and shared my story of losing Mr. Virgo. I asked if I could share his story with you here and he was thrilled. I have ordered two bluebird houses…one for the Ponderosa and another for the farm. I know you will love this story as much as I have. I’m looking forward to getting to know this beautiful family better.

\n

You can find the Today Show story posted on their Facebook page: Rudolph’s Bluebird Houses

\n

www.facebook.com/166886557…

\n

❤️

\n
“All you saints! Sing your hearts out to GOD! Thank him to his face! He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.”\n

Psalm 30:4-5 MSG

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2018-11-29T02:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/11/29/somewhere-over-the-rainbowbluebirds-fly.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Love","Courage","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/11/25/a-tale-of-thanksgiving.html", "title": "A Tale of Thanksgiving", "content_html": "

\"Thanksgiving “Thanksgiving Turkey”

\n

Multiple trips to the store.

\n

Two turkeys because the frozen one refused to thaw.

\n

Two full days cooking.

\n

A fifteen minute feeding frenzy in which 90% of the food was devoured.

\n

Followed by three hours cleaning the kitchen.

\n

I am thankful for the following things.

\n
    \n
  1. Thanksgiving only comes once a year. 
    2. \n
\n

And…

\n
    \n
  1. Thanksgiving only comes once a year.
    2. \n
\n

❤️

\n
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”\n

Colossians 3:17 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-11-25T02:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/11/25/a-tale-of-thanksgiving.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Holiday","Choices","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/11/23/flexible-is-my-middle-name.html", "title": "Flexible is My Middle Name", "content_html": "

\"WV “Thanksgiving Sunset on North Mountain”

\n

The first change in holiday plans came when my cousin’s mother-in-law was admitted to the hospital and we decided to stay home Wednesday night and leave yesterday morning. Then, when we got there, we found out my elderly aunt fell this week and was too banged up for her brother to bring her for dinner. So, Mr. FixIt and I packed up some food and headed for a visit with them. 

\n

As we were driving, I suggested we go back home after dinner instead of staying the night. We have fourteen for dinner tomorrow and there is much to be done. We returned to my cousin’s to eat and then headed home. It’s hunting season in West Virginia and the deer are all stirred up. We nearly hit six deer in the first ten miles. We arrived home, safe and sound. Fourteen hour round trip but OH so worth it!

\n

The uncle we visited is the one whose wife died the day after our wedding. I’ve been worried about him because he and my aunt were inseparable since they were in high school. He still has my elderly aunt living with him but right now he’s doing much better because he is getting some regular sleep. 

\n

Sometimes, after being the long term caregiver for a dying spouse…there can be almost a sense of relief. Not that the loved one is gone, but that the suffering has ended. Fast on the heels of that can come guilt. You know you did everything you could while your person was here. You know you were at the end of your rope. But, you can easily punish yourself for feeling relieved that you can eat and sleep and rest. Once your mind goes into guilt mode, it’s easy to start finding other things to feel guilty about. Those times you lost your patience. Those times you said or did things you regret. It’s easy to beat yourself up about that because you KNOW you aren’t glad they’re gone. You just needed the pain to stop. For them, and for you. 

\n

This doesn’t happen with everyone, but it happens more often than you think. And it’s hard to admit. Being a long term caregiver is not something I have gone through personally, but I’ve been around enough close family members to see how difficult it is. My point is, if you experience a sense of relief, please don’t beat yourself up. You’ve done a long, stressful, most difficult thing easing a loved one through their final journey. Be gentle with yourself. ❤️

\n
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”\n

Romans 8:28 NIV

\n 

\n", "date_published": "2018-11-23T02:30:42-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/11/23/flexible-is-my-middle-name.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Peace","Holiday","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/11/08/a-step-back-in-time.html", "title": "A Step Back in Time", "content_html": "

\"Creme “Butterscotch Creme Brûlée, French macarons, spiced cider…lovely company, beautiful Victorian mansion. What a special day!”

\n

Mr. FixIt and I were guests at the Smith-Caswell House yesterday. The owners are Norm and Judith Smith. Judy’s parents lived on my family farm before my grandparents bought it. Mr. FixIt finally got to tour this incredible Victorian mansion in the historic district of my hometown. We had creme brûlée, French macarons, nuts, chocolates from the Greenbrier Hotel, and spiced cider. 

\n

\"Victrola\" “Old Victrola”

\n

The highlight for me is always the music room. For Mr. FixIt, it was a tossup between the perennial Christmas display in the attic and the Carriage House with Norm’s vast collection of antique automobiles. 

\n

Afterwards, we went out to dinner and used one of our wedding gift cards at Texas Roadhouse. An extraordinary day…an extraordinary life. ❤️

\n

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  Romans 12:10 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-11-08T02:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/11/08/a-step-back-in-time.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/10/30/grief-love.html", "title": "#Grief \u0026 #Love", "content_html": "

\"Man “Mr. FixIt fishing on the Outer Banks.”

\n

This man. This love. There was a tipping point in my grief. That point where you cross a raging river and the bridge collapses after you. You can’t go back. And, once you’ve lived in the new place a while, you know things have changed in your heart. That other place isn’t your home anymore. This is where you belong. Where you were meant to be. The whole exercise made possible because of the sum of your experiences. 

\n

Do I wish Mr. Virgo hadn’t died? Of course I do. But I live in this world now. This life. This is the phoenix rising. 

\n

This man. This love. ❤️

\n

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”  1 John 4:7 ESV

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-30T01:30:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/10/30/grief-love.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Wisdom","Be Joyful!","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/10/29/the-beginnings-of-a-new.html", "title": "The Beginnings of a New Life", "content_html": "

\"Shadows “Shadows on the seashore!”

\n

Yesterday was a MUCH better driving day. It was sunny and the temperature was in the low 60’s. There were big, puffy white clouds till we got near the coast. Then the sky was a wide open expanse of clear blue. There was a little breeze but it was truly lovely. The colors were nice on the way down. What traffic we encountered was quite manageable. 

\n

We stopped at the Walmart as soon as we got on the island then drove the hour south to Waves, NC. We checked in then found our rental house. It took many trips to get everything upstairs. Once we had everything unloaded and put away, I made a cold supper of sandwiches and potato salad. We went for a long walk on the beach and hoped for a pretty sunset. But, it isn’t dramatic when there are no clouds. 

\n

The rental house is huge! Far bigger than two people need. But Mr. FixIt is an excellent deal finder and the house is less per week than most hotels. You can see both the ocean and the sound from the deck. And there are no kids running up and down the halls, slamming doors, stomping feet upstairs, or toilets flushing all night. This time of year is very peaceful and quiet here on Hatteras Island. Being the brilliant man that he is, Mr. FixIt purchased the trip insurance offer at the time of reservation in case of a hurricane. I told him as long as we had it, we were sure to not need it…but, if we didn’t? Who knows?

\n

I am so blessed to have this week in such a beautiful place with such a wonderful person. My cup runneth over. ❤️

\n

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-29T01:30:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/10/29/the-beginnings-of-a-new.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/10/24/stress-tired-attitude.html", "title": "Stress + Tired = Attitude", "content_html": "

\"Speak “The tongue can wreak havoc in any relationship.”

\n

What do you get when you mix two tired people working hard to meet a deadline? Well, sometimes you get a snarky remark and an even snarkier comeback. Neither of which are constructive or useful. How many times have I written that the tongue can wreak havoc in a relationship? Yet, there I was…Queen of the Snarky Retort. 

\n

I knew right away I didn’t speak life into the situation. And I immediately went to Mr. FixIt and apologized. Sincerely. 

\n

While this has been a wonderful time with the wedding and all, it’s also been stressful trying to get everything done and we are both desperately looking forward to our time away. 

\n

It’s perfectly normal to have moments of frustration when you’re living in close proximity with another human. How you deal with differences says a lot in how successful your relationship will be. Admitting your weaknesses, asking forgiveness, and praying for guidance goes a long way toward maintaining harmony in the home. If you fight, you need to fight fair. 

\n

Mr. FixIt is an extremely easygoing man. He has been understanding when I write every night. He’s a TV watcher. I am a writer. We do our own thing after dinner and reconnect later. That being said, we are about to embark on our honeymoon. And as much as I love you all, and as much as writing is the same as breathing for me, I’ve decided y’all are just going to have to sit this one out. I’m going to schedule a scripture to post everyday while we are gone so you have something to ponder. Please feel free to talk amongst yourselves here on my blog. I love when you all interact and support one another. 

\n

I’ll be back on Election Day! ❤️

\n

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,”  Ephesians 4:26 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-24T01:30:21-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/10/24/stress-tired-attitude.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Wisdom","Anger","Forgiveness","Humbled","Presence","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/10/23/my-west-virginia-sisters.html", "title": "My West Virginia Sisters", "content_html": "

\"Girlfriends “My West Virginia sisters.”

\n

I didn’t have a sister growing up. I had girl cousins that meant the world to me. I had sister friends in high school that were very important to me. Then life got in the way and I lived in England for two years, then Colorado for forty. Sometimes I would see high school friends when I came to WV for family visit. And we would touch base and reminisce at high school reunions. But it wasn’t until I moved back home that I developed a tight network of girlfriends who are as close as family.

\n

When I first returned to my hometown, I asked a friend how often the girls get together for coffee…assuming they, like me, gathered with other women at least monthly…if not weekly. I was dismayed when I found out this wasn’t a “thing” here. I was sad for all those potential relationships that had fallen by the wayside. I thought of all the events in a lifetime that hadn’t been shared…all the times when support was needed that only a really good girlfriend can provide. So, I set out to introduce my gal pals to the joys of coffee.

\n

Not coffee, literally…but “coffee” as in a gathering for talk therapy and laughter and sharing and support. I’m happy to say we get together monthly at a historic hotel and kibbutz. We have become so close and we all look forward to seeing each other at least once a month. Sometimes more.

\n

I was thrilled so many of our classmates could come to our wedding. And to have the ‘71 Divas join us was icing on the proverbial cake. Our photographer, Elizabeth Adams, had so much fun taking our pictures and she did an excellent job in capturing the joy and love and laughter of the day. Here’s my favorite picture of me and the Divas admiring my turquoise boots. What a hoot! I love these gals! ❤️

\n

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”  Proverbs 13:20 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-23T01:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/10/23/my-west-virginia-sisters.html", "tags": ["Family","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Aging","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/10/21/live-a-good-life.html", "title": "Live a Good Life", "content_html": "

\"Autumn “Live a Good Life”

\n

When we were decorating the tent for the wedding, I went around the house, the buildings, and the farm looking for decor I could use. There was so much more I could have put out there, but frankly, I realized we were just going to have to haul it all back into the house afterwards. I decided to just keep it simple. 

\n

I was standing in the kitchen giving some last minute directions to my wonderful friend, Charlotte, when I looked up above the kitchen sink and saw this sign. I took it down and handed it to Mr. FixIt and said, “This goes out by the front of the tent to greet our guests!” It’s our daily reminder to “Live a Good Life.”

\n

This has been the busiest, jam packed week we have had since we started dating. So much has happened, I’ve really just started processing it all. Aside from the changes that come with marriage, and the death of a dear family member, something else has been rattling around in my head wanting attention.

\n

It wasn’t so much what WAS there. It was more…what WASN’T there. Namely, that dogged undercurrent of grief that has simmered just beneath the surface of my life for the last 2,049 days. I know grief is not something you “get over”. I know it’s something you “get through”. It is something you learn to walk around without falling into that giant hole in your heart. It is something you learn to deal with in time. I honestly had no idea it would change with the commitment of another marriage. 

\n

It seems the act of marrying has caused a…shift in the force, so to speak. Maybe it’s the high of the wedding itself, but I don’t think so. Maybe it’s a gift from God for being obedient. Maybe it’s a natural progression of things when significant life changes occur. Maybe it’s just the Evolution of Grief. 

\n

When there are significant milestones in life, like your child’s wedding, or the birth of a grandchild, and your person isn’t there, it causes their death to come front and center. You think about how much he would have loved to see that. How much your son or daughter misses their dad. How your grandchild will never know that grandparent. It reminds you of an emptiness. 

\n

That was totally missing last weekend.

\n

Oh, I thought of Mr. Virgo that day. Of course I did. I even had a quiet moment before the wedding when I silently thanked him for having been in my life. However, I wouldn’t have been getting married that day if he were still alive. And, I love Mr. FixIt SO much. I can’t imagine my life without him. It wasn’t like I had to say to myself, “Don’t think of Mr. Virgo!” He just…wasn’t there.

\n

That kind of surprised me, actually. Because, like I said, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. It’s never occurred to me to ask other widows who have remarried how it affected their grief. So, like I’ve done from the beginning, I feel what I feel and I write about it. The feeling has persisted all week. Mr. Virgo is still here, but he’s standing much further away. Because…just as I stepped out the door to walk across the field and marry my sweet Mr. FixIt, I looked up and told Mr. Virgo…”Don’t worry about me now. I’ve got this!” ❤️

\n

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-21T01:30:04-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/10/21/live-a-good-life.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","God","Peace","Wisdom","Courage","Choices","Change","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/10/19/a-beautiful-day.html", "title": "A Beautiful Day", "content_html": "

\"Wind “On our way home yesterday, I caught a glimpse of the wind turbines atop a ridge near Elkins. It was an incredibly beautiful day.”

\n

The last two days were perfectly beautiful in the mountains of West Virginia. We left home around 11:00am Wednesday and got to our motel room an hour before the viewing. We hadn’t eaten since early so we went looking for something to eat after the viewing. You have three choices in the little, tiny town of Petersburg…Subway, Pizza Hut, and McDonald’s. We drove fifteen miles to Moorefield, hoping for a restaurant but found nothing we were willing to try. We we ended up buying some sandwich fixings at Food Lion and had a picnic back at the room. 

\n

There was no cell service and no WiFi at the motel which was fine by me. I wrote and scheduled Wednesday’s and Thursday’s posts Tuesday night in anticipation of being off the grid. It was really chilly when we got back to the room so I took a hot bath, bundled up, and got under the blankets and caught up with a week’s worth of devotionals. There were four channels on the TV so we turned it off and fell sound asleep by 9:30! Unheard of for us. 

\n

The funeral was yesterday at 11:00am. It was a very nice service. They played some songs…Elvis singing Amazing Grace…One Day at a Time. And one other I’ll share with you here. 

\n

Theirs was a love story, through and through. My uncle told me the first time he set eyes on my aunt, he was smitten. There was a lot going on in 1956. My Uncle Sonny was killed in a plane crash in 1955. Not long after, my Aunt Rosie got married. So, Uncle Dudley and Aunt Viv decided to elope to Oakland, Maryland and get married…in the same place my grandma and grandpa eloped to. Well, when they came home and told everyone…let’s just say, grandma wasn’t very happy about it. She loved Aunt Viv. She just wanted a wedding. 

\n

That was the start of 62 years of devotion. I remember their love as being full of fun and laughter and playfulness. I sat behind him at the funeral and when they played this song, he bowed his head. His shoulders shook slightly from his silent tears. The only other time I remember him crying was when I called to tell him Mr. Virgo died. It broke my heart. 

\n

As they played “Love, Me” by Colin Raye, I listened to the lyrics and realized the song was about their love. And I cried along with him. For broken hearts. For lost loves. 

\n

The funeral procession wound its way through the hills and countryside till the terrain opened into an expansive valley. We turned left and climbed the hill to the tent that was erected over her grave. My uncle had just purchased these plots last week. They had decided over the years they really didn’t like the cemetery where they had purchased plots years ago but they just hadn’t gotten around to getting the new ones. Oh, my! The view was absolutely stunning. My aunt rests high on a hillside overlooking magnificent farmland. Black angus cattle dot the landscape in the verdant green fields. The hardwoods of the forests surrounding the valley were just beginning to hint of the glorious burst of color coming in the next two weeks. 

\n

Afterwards, we gathered at the fellowship hall at the church and had one of those wonderful meals country church women fix after a funeral. Hearty, comfort food and lots of love flowed around those tables and we left reminded we are family. Our bonds run as deep as the cool springs in these Appalachian hills. The blood of our shared ancestors keep us connected far beyond the pages of Facebook. We promised to keep in touch with those we seldom see. We promised to bring something special to this year’s Thanksgiving dinner. 

\n

Mr. FixIt and I drove quietly through the hills, holding hands…our minds no doubt remembering we aren’t newlyweds at 25 and 26. We are newlyweds at 65 and 66. Our time together won’t be 62 years…but what time we DO have will be filled with fun and laughter and playfulness…just like my aunt and uncle’s marriage. I’m grateful for their example. I’m grateful for the opportunity to love like them. I’m just grateful for every day.

\n

youtu.be/arzlGTw8v…

\n

❤️

\n

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

\n

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-19T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/10/19/a-beautiful-day.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Hope","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Wisdom","Courage","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/10/18/saying-goodbye.html", "title": "Saying Goodbye", "content_html": "

\"Family\" “My family at the farm…Aunt Viv is far right.”

\n

I don’t remember a time in my life without my Aunt Viv in it. She and my Uncle “Dudley” and their girls were who we waited for with great anticipation every Thanksgiving. It was a grand event when their little grey Volkswagen turned up the driveway at the farm. The girls would always arrive sleepy-eyed from the Dramamine they had to take to keep from getting carsick from the long trip on the winding roads of West Virginia. Grandma always sat in her chair in the front window of the dining room, just waiting to get her hands on two more grandchildren. My brother and I could hardly wait for our cousins to get there so we could have two more playmates.

\n

Aunt Viv was the calm and steady background to the cacophony of children running rampant through the small farmhouse. She always had a smile on her face. She always loved on us. She sent greeting cards at every holiday. She played the piano for us when we visited her house. There were always warm hugs waiting at her door.

\n

We didn’t have much money when we were growing up. I had friends and neighbors who “went to the beach” for summer vacation. I couldn’t even imagine what that was like. Our BIG summer vacation was going to visit my aunt and uncle on the other side of the state. It is only one-hundred sixty-five miles from here to there. But those are West Virginia miles. A good section of the trip is four-lane now and that cuts down a lot on the travel time. Back then, it could take six hours to get there. It was quite the event. Their first house was quite small and my brother would sleep on the couch while I bunked in with my two girl cousins…something I eagerly looked forward to since they were the closest thing I had to sisters. They were my first friends.

\n

As an adult, I went to visit Uncle “Dudley” and Aunt Viv when I came to West Virginia. I called them at least once a month. Aunt Viv always answered the phone and we would enjoy a nice visit. Then, a few years ago, she stopped answering the phone. Dementia stole her away from us bit by bit. What a hateful, brutal disease. I have others in my family who have suffered similar fates…my father included. That concerns me when I can’t remember things. But I don’t “borrow trouble” by dwelling on it.

\n

Today, we say goodbye to a good and faithful woman. While it is sad…always sad to see them go, there is relief she is free from her pain and in the arms of Jesus. I’ll see you again, Aunt Viv…some glad day. ❤️

\n

“Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.”

\n

Psalm 21:6 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-18T01:30:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/10/18/saying-goodbye.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Prayer"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/10/16/the-harder-side-of-love.html", "title": "The Harder Side of Love", "content_html": "

\"Holding “This is what true love looks like.”

\n
“Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].”  1 CORINTHIANS 13:7 AMP
\nI received a call Sunday that my sweet Aunt Viv crossed over to meet our Lord. Aunt Viv has always had a heart of gold. I remember her holding Daughter #2 on her lap and singing “Jesus Loves Me” to her when she was just a bitty thing.\n

Aunt Viv met my Uncle “Dudley” when they were in high school. She was a majorette. He was on the football team. They both had excellent role models growing up and their marriage was built to last. Like my grandparents, my aunt and uncle sit beside each other and hold hands. It’s precious to see. 

\n

As Aunt Viv slid further and further into dementia, I encouraged my uncle to at least consider respite care so he could get some sleep. The last two years have been terribly difficult and he often went for days on very little sleep. They did finally get some help in the form of home health care, but he pooh-poohed the idea of placing his sweetheart somewhere other than the home they built together. 

\n

The other night I was having my quiet meditation time. I read my devotionals and had a quiet conversation with God. 

\n

“Lord, I am about to be married again. There were times in my past marriages when I wasn’t very good to my husband. Can you help me be a better wife? Can you show me what that means?”

\n

Immediately this picture popped into my head and I went through my phone to find it. Suddenly, I had this brilliant insight. Here I was, encouraging my uncle to send his beloved wife away when God was using him to show us all what true, Godly love looks like. He was showing us what “in sickness and in health” really means. I was humbled and ashamed. I immediately wanted to hug my sweet uncle and thank him for being the excellent role model he was and to apologize for ever speaking to him in such a way. What an amazing, strong man. 

\n

This is not to say there is anything wrong with people who make the difficult choice to put their loved one in a nursing home. Everyone has their own beliefs and abilities and no one should ever be made to feel guilty for having made that decision. It takes a lot out of a person to do what my uncle has done. I hate that he is so worn down. But I love that he stuck by his bride and held her hand for sixty-two years…right to the end. I think there will be an extra star in his crown when he joins her one day. ❤️

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-16T01:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/10/16/the-harder-side-of-love.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Hope","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Wisdom","Courage","Humbled","Aging","Presence","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/10/15/last-love.html", "title": "Last Love", "content_html": "

\"Cutting “My sweet love…my last love.”

\n

I was talking to Mr. FixIt sometime over the last few weeks as we were planning the wedding. I told him this was my last wedding and I wanted it to be very special while maintaining a reasonable budget. He looked at me and said, “Don’t say that. You don’t know that this is your last. Something could happen to me and I wouldn’t want you to be alone.” Of course, after losing Mr. Virgo, I’m fully aware I could lose this wonderful man. It’s part of the hesitancy I felt in the beginning about getting married. I was afraid I’d jinx it. 

\n

I can tell you honestly, though…I have no intention of ever marrying again. This is my darling. My “silver love”. My last love. My forever love. This one. It’s not that I didn’t feel that with my other spouses. You never enter a marriage with the thought it won’t last. It never really came to the forefront of my mind that Mr. Virgo would actually up and die on me. Certainly I never had a clear picture of what that would look like. 

\n

I may not have been Mr. Virgo’s first love…but I was his last. 

\n

And, for me…Mr. FixIt is my last love. No matter what. How could I possibly top this? ❤️

\n

“Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears.”  1 John 4:18 NCV

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-15T01:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/10/15/last-love.html", "tags": ["Family","Hope","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Courage","Aging","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/10/13/sparkles-and-sunshine.html", "title": "Sparkles and Sunshine", "content_html": "

\"Sparkly “My fancy earrings from Daughter #2…perfect for the wedding!”

\n
“Always be humble, gentle, and patient, accepting each other in love. You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way.”  Ephesians 4:2-3 NCV
\nOur good friends, Dianne and Bobby came over to the Ponderosa yesterday and helped us decorate the tent for the wedding. We moved the forty bails of hay and made rows of seating. We strung five hundred white twinkle lights above. We set up the serving tables and hung the cross at the front. We have the extra bales out front and I finally found a use for these two pieces of rustic decorative fencing I’ve had for years. The quilts are all in plastic tubs to keep from gathering moisture. The pulled pork goes in a slow oven in the morning and the fried chicken goes in the smoker to heat up.\n

The soft drinks and water are already in the big galvanized washtubs chilling outdoors overnight and ice will be added in the afternoon. My sweet friend Deneene came from South Carolina and arrived at 4:30. We went to town to fill up two big propane tanks for TOW-Wanda because I ran out of propane in the middle of the night. It was REALLY cold by morning! We dropped the tanks back off at the Ponderosa then we went to the farm to get Mr. FixIt’s white dinner jacket. As I was leaving I saw my mom’s quilt peeking out from under a stack of linens and grabbed it. I also brought the big box of fireworks we bought for the wedding. 

\n

And now, the day is here. I found a bag with a bunch of jewelry in it when I was at the farm yesterday. Last night I was showing my friend Deneene something in the bag and ran across these earrings. Daughter #2 bought me these for Christmas many years ago. I never had an occasion to wear time so they have been tucked away in a safe place…just waiting for the most special occasion. I sent my daughter this picture and asked if she remembered these. I told her I finally have a special occasion to wear them. You’re supposed to have something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. I haven’t borrowed anything yet, but the center stone in these earrings is the palest ice blue topaz, they’re old in that I’ve had them for years and they’re new in that I have never worn them. My daughter said that made her all fuzzy inside. I wish my girls could be here. But we will celebrate when we get to Colorado next. 

\n

Today! TODAY!!! I’m marrying my best friend today. The sweetest man on the planet. I’ve never been more ready, more prepared. 

\n

“Thank you, Jesus…for every gift, every blessing, every friend and family member. Bless those who cannot join us today. Bless my cousin Tom and his wife Suzy as he fights the ravages of mesothelioma. Bless my Uncle Bud and cousins as they sit with their wife and mother as she inches toward her final journey home. And Bless all these wonderful people who come here to read about how You impact my life. Lord, thank you for the gift of love from Mr. Virgo. Thank you for letting lightning strike twice and bringing me Mr FixIt. This is a love affair for the ages!

\n

And, as always…To God be the Glory.

\n

Amen”

\n

❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-13T01:30:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/10/13/sparkles-and-sunshine.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Starting Over","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/10/10/rustic-wedding.html", "title": "Rustic Wedding", "content_html": "
\n\"Quilt\n\n
\n
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
\nThe first rustic wedding I ever attended was my cousin’s oldest daughter’s. It was lovely. I stole the idea of using hay bales for seating from her, with her blessing. I’ve been on the hunt for quilts the last couple of weeks to lay over the hay bales and I’ve found enough, I think. I was rummaging around in some tubs and found some quilts I’d forgotten I even had. This one has a story. \n

There was once a time in my life when I was downright agoraphobic. I could go to work and I could go shopping, with some discomfort. But to go “out”…to stretch my boundaries and go someplace alone was way too much for me. I would be sick for three days before I traveled anywhere just fretting about it. I’m not sure why or how I got that way but it took quite a while to get over it. 

\n

I started by taking off by myself in WV when I went home in the summers for a visit. I knew WV. I was comfortable there. One summer, my older daughter was visiting her father in Kentucky and Hubby #2 was in medical school. I had saved up all year to go see my family and while I was there, I went on a little three day road trip. I was driving in the southern part of the state when I saw a sign for Hinton, WV. There was a railroad museum and a few antique stores so I took the exit and meandered on the backroads of WV till I found myself in a dusty little town on the banks of the New River. Most of downtown Hinton was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It reached its peak population in 1930 with 6,654, according to the census. The population has steadily dwindled over the years till the year 2016 recorded 2,469 living souls inhabiting this bucolic little burg. 

\n

I stopped at the only shop open that rainy summer afternoon. The old railroad station was a thrift and antique store. My collecting passion at that time was quilts and there was a lovely wedding ring baby quilt hanging on the wall. It was done in soft pastels and the stitching was really rough. But something about it spoke to me. It had a little hand-printed tag with a woman’s name and the price. I can’t remember now how much I paid for it but I’d be surprised if it was over fifty dollars, given that Hubby #2 was in medical school and money was scarce. 

\n

I asked the sales clerk if she could take down the quilt so I could get a closer look. What I thought was just “rough” quilting looked more like a young child had done it. I nearly told the clerk to put it back but that quilt kept speaking to me. I asked her if she knew the woman whose name was on the tag. Was she the quilter?

\n

“Oh, that would be Miss Nellie,” she said. “She’s an old, black woman that lives in a cabin back up the holler yonder.” She pointed in a general direction off somewhere to the south. “She’s blind, don’t you know!”

\n

“Really? And she made this quilt?” I asked. I ran my fingers over the rough stitches, the pieces all puckered. “How does she do that?”

\n

“Well, her granddaughter cuts the pattern and sets the pieces out on the dining room table. Then Miss Nellie sews them by hand, one by one, feeling for the next shape to fit in. She’s been quilting all her life so it’s her fingers that ‘see’ the work,” the clerk explained. 

\n

It was such a piece of American Folk Art, I had to have it. That quilt hung over our bed for a very long time. Over the years, it’s been toted and packed and moved and somehow it got wet. There are stains I can’t remove, but that just seems to add to its charm. This will be one of the quilts that graces a seat at our wedding on Saturday. I’ll picture Miss Nellie in her best Sunday-go-Meetin’ dress, her cracked patent leather handbag resting on her lap…a hanky clasped in one hand. I’m sure weddings made her cry. She is surely long gone now. She was ninety one when she made this quilt. 

\n

They are delivering the tent today. Our longtime friends, Dianne and Bobby are coming over to help us decorate. The hay will be under cover for the hard rain we are expecting tomorrow. My final fitting for my dress is this afternoon. I am meeting a friend for coffee and a little visit first. She has some quilts for me to use. 

\n

The grandkids were over yesterday and while I worked inside and visited with our granddaughter and great granddaughter, her husband was out with Mr. FixIt moving the woodpile that refused to burn. They hauled it down to the end of the field along the fence line in the woods near the old apple tree. They loaded the trailer up with more junk to take to the scrap yard today. They cut down trees around the building and piled the second brush pile a little more compactly and set it ablaze. It’s almost gone now. We had burgers and sat out by the pool as the sunset cast shades from hot pink to salmon to yellow-gold in the sky above us. A day well-worked is a day well-lived. 

\n

The place looks SO much better. I told Mr. FixIt there comes a point when he has to say enough is enough. And you know what? It’s going to rain tomorrow so God is going to force him inside to take a day of rest before things get exciting Friday! Wednesday-Thursday-Friday….

\n

SATURDAY!!! 

\n

It’s almost here!!! ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-10T01:30:24-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/10/10/rustic-wedding.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/10/03/instant-gratification.html", "title": "Instant Gratification", "content_html": "

\"Monarch “The only monarch butterfly I have seen in WV in the four years I’ve been back, and it was lying dead in the field. I was to harvest milkweed pods this year and try to bring some monarchs back.”

\n
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”\n

Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV

\nSo, yesterday I told you I’m a “risk-taking storyteller”. I’m sure it’s no surprise to any of you who have been following me for some time if I tell you…I am also “Instant Gratification Girl”! If I can’t get it done yesterday, I’ve been known to pitch a hissy fit. Patience has never been my forte. 

\n

I stopped praying for patience a long time ago when I figured out God was sending me MANY situations in which to practice. I know I’m not fooling Him one bit, but I do thank Him for what little patience I DO have. 

\n

I may have told you this story before. I’ve told so many, it’s hard to remember. When I was a little girl, I desperately wanted a pair of black, patent leather Mary Janes. Mom took me to the shoe store and the only pair they had left was a half size too small. When my mom told the man we’d keep looking. I had a major meltdown. To my little overdramatic self, that meant I would NEVER, EVER get them! Mom caved and bought them for me and forced me to wear them for a month till I was broken of that behavior. 

\n

Well, maybe. 

\n

Monday evening, I went over to Mr. FixIt’s and mowed till it got too dark to do it safely. I went in to get a cold drink and was sitting on the sofa when I saw them. An army of stink bugs! Do you think either of us could have possibly remembered what arrives in WV on the 1st of October? Nooooooo. Hot on their stinky little heels will be the Asian Lady Bugs. Oy! Both of these little boogers swarm en masse and I can just imagine myself walking down the aisle looking like a Ninja as they swarm and land in my hair! 

\n

Breathe. 

\n

OmmmmmmmMyGosh!!!!

\n

I put an urgent message out on FB. “Is there anything to keep these things at bay for a few hours?” I got lots of suggestions, including changing the wedding date. No! Absolutely not! I want my “patent leather shoes”, darn it!

\n

Here’s how I’m going to deal with this. We’ve managed to pull together a beautiful wedding in less than a month. The average cost of a wedding in the US today is $27,000. Ours is going to be gorgeous for far less than 10% of that. (Did I tell you I used to do this for a living? Mr. Virgo taught me well!) Everything is ordered. The tent comes the 10th giving us plenty of time to decorate it. I’m going to smoke the pork butts this weekend for the pulled pork, bag it and pop it in the freezer till Wednesday. Then late Saturday morning it goes in a slow oven to finish off. I have plenty of helpers coming that Friday and Saturday. I have a final fitting on the dress next Wednesday and it will be ready to pick up Friday. We can get the coleslaw and buns that afternoon. The sodas go in the fridge Friday and on ice in the galvanized tubs Saturday. The photographer arrives at 2:00. The cake gets delivered at 3:00. 

\n

See? Everything that I CAN control is under control. The rest of it I can do nothing about. Weather OR bugs. And…it will be perfect. I was thinking about this “instant gratification” thing and my word for the year….presence…popped into my head. This is my last wedding. Seriously. I’m never doing this again. I want to stay in the moment and memorize it all. We want to enjoy this, not stress out about it.  So, that’s just what I’m going to do. 

\n

I really didn’t like those patent leather Mary Janes anyway. ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-10-03T01:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/10/03/instant-gratification.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Presence","Peaceful Moments","Choices","Change","Wedding"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/19/strawberry-jam-and-biscuits.html", "title": "Strawberry Jam and Biscuits", "content_html": "

\"Berry “Berry Baskets bring back special memories of my grandparents’ farm.”

\n
“For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”  Hebrews‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nOne of the things I stumbled upon at the Country Living Fair over the weekend were these sweet little berry baskets. Oh, my...did they bring back memories! When I was a little girl, my uncle was going to college at WVU majoring in Vocational Agriculture. He was always doing something around the farm to help my grandparents. He added the cinder block building with a cistern to collect the rainwater from the roof for drinking water. There was a well here on the property and it had wonderful, sweet water...until they capped the old oil and gas wells on the property. Something they did caused the aquifer to fracture and the water became briny and undrinkable. For a long time, we had to drive several miles with two big milk cans and haul water from a local spring. Then Uncle Bud helped my grandparents build the cistern and we finally got good drinking water on the farm again.\n

My uncle also put in a septic system, built a basement, rolled the house on top, build a cinderblock bathroom and we joined the civilized folks with indoor plumbing. I was about six years old when all this occurred. After the barn, the cow shed, and the pig stye were built, the next thing on the agenda was to try to make this land not only support us, but pay us. Uncle Bud planned out and planted a huge strawberry patch up on the hill. He and my great grandfather built a nice structure with a long window down one side. The window was hinged and opened outward to make an overhanging awning with a counter. The pickers would bring flats of strawberries to this shed to be sorted and cleaned to take to the Farmer’s Market in town. At the corner of the building was a huge water tank that collected water from the roof of the strawberry shed to be used to clean the berries.

\n

These little berry baskets took me right back to those long summer days spent out at the farm…the very farmhouse I am sitting in as I write this. Oh, those berries were the sweetest things I had ever tasted. You didn’t even need sugar. They were deep red all the way through. And they were huge! One filled my little hand. Grandma wouldn’t let me pick them because I had a tendency to eat the berries and step on the runners. Runners are what makes more plants and more plants means more berries which translates to direct profit. I was relegated to the kitchen to cook for the pickers…which served me well as I got older. I learned to cook at grandma’s elbow…standing on the red kitchen stool.

\n

Grandma made big, fluffy buttermilk biscuits and would slice them open, slather them with fresh churned butter and sugar, then add a good portion of sliced strawberries. She always had a jar of top cream in the fridge and would whip that with a hand cranked egg beater and add a little sugar and vanilla. Then she would spoon out this soft whipped cream on the top of our little biscuit “shortcakes” for a dessert fit for a queen. What I would give to have one of those…made by her loving hands and served with a peck on the cheek. I miss my grandma so much and feel closest to her here in the home of her heart.

\n

We were planning to come to the farm today to mow anyway, but last evening my cousin called to say someone had been seen sleeping on the porch of the community building down the road. I started to ask if we could just come on out last night, but I stopped mid-sentence. It was almost dark and we’d already had a busy day. Mr. FixIt picked up on it though. He asked if I wanted to come out right then and I really did. We packed up the truck and off we came. It is worrisome to drive these country roads after dark. There are so many deer out at dusk and the early night hours. When we pulled into the driveway, the only company we had at the farm were four deer out on the front lawn. I was a little worried because the front porch light was burned out, but that was quickly fixed and nothing had been disturbed.

\n

We stay here often enough to let people know the place is occupied. There’s someone here every day between us and my cousins. We were going to go camping this weekend, but staying here at the farm is as good as any vacation for me. The memories are as thick as buttermilk here and there is truly no place like home for this hungry heart of mine. ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-19T01:30:20-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/19/strawberry-jam-and-biscuits.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Grace","Wisdom","Presence","Peaceful Moments"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/11/listening-to-the-still-small.html", "title": "Listening to the Still Small Voice", "content_html": "

\"Sternwheeler\" “Sternwheelers left the festival early this weekend due to threat of flooding.”

\n
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””  Joshua 1:9 NIV
\nThis time last year, I had just wrapped up my first Sisters on the Fly event that I hosted here in West Virginia...WV Riverboat Rendezvous. It was timed to coincide with the Sternwheel Festival in Marietta. There were twenty-three women in attendance and we had a blast! Lots of activities from riding a stern wheeler over to Blennerhassett Island to touring a Victorian Mansion to learning how to clog while listening to WV’s Number 1 Fiddle Player. We churned homemade ice cream and had an old fashioned weenie roast. We took a tour of an abandoned oil and gas town. The weather that weekend was fabulous. No rain, reasonably cool weather, and a wonderful campground made for a really fun weekend. \n

All year, I toyed with the idea of doing it again. While it was indeed a lot of fun, it was a tremendous amount of work. Every time I thought about getting started organizing it, that still small voice said, “No, not this year.” I was afraid I was disappointing others who might want to gather again this fall, but I just couldn’t shake the thought that it wasn’t meant to be this year. If I would have forged ahead and not listened, the event would have come, not only on the heels of my hospitalization last week, but also a wicked bad storm hit over the weekend. Our rain gauges, both at the Ponderosa and at the farm, were topped out at six inches and overflowing, so who knows what we actually received? The point being…I listened. I was told no. And I abided by that. 

\n

Everyone who camped with me this weekend with the Girl Campers got home safely with no weather problems. I was so grateful to have had that time with my friends without all the stress a large event causes. I went to the farm yesterday and did laundry in preparation for this week’s trip to the Country Living Fair. Mr. FixIt and his daughter came out to join me. We went through some of the boxes of my treasures and had so much fun looking at things my dad brought back from the war and some old family photographs. We played cards and told stories of growing up. It was such a pleasure to feel the farmhouse warm with the love of family. 

\n

There was one point where I opened one of the boxes and laying right on the top was the bill from the ambulance company that took Mr. Virgo to the hospital the day he died. I looked up at Mr. FixIt’s daughter and sighed. She, too, is a widow. She looked at me questioningly. 

\n

I closed the lid to the box and smiled. “There are still some things that bother me,” I said. “This is the ambulance bill. Today would have been his 68th birthday. I don’t need to go through this box today.” She gets it.

\n

Still…it was a good day, all in all. I just had to leave well enough alone.

\n

And today…we remember the fallen. 9/11. We will never forget. ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-11T01:30:57-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/11/listening-to-the-still-small.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Wisdom","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/09/01/what-do-you-do-with.html", "title": "What Do You Do With HIS Stuff?", "content_html": "

\"Gentleman “Mr. Virgo dressed for the Ritz Carlton.”

\n
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  Psalm 34:17-18 NIV
\nWe had a good discussion here yesterday about downsizing...a topic near and dear to my heart and one not everyone is interested in. I get that. We like our stuff...it brings back memories, it is proof of what we worked for. But, what do we do with HIS stuff? If you’ve watch any rom/com, you’ll see women throwing the guys stuff out the upstairs window and burning it on the lawn if infidelity or divorce are involved. While I don’t necessarily recommend that, I can see how it would be cathartic. Usually the man takes care of his own stuff in a breakup. That can’t happen when death is involved.\n

When I was newly widowed, I walked in a daze for weeks. I couldn’t imagine going through Mr. Virgo’s stuff and getting rid of anything. I would often stand in his closet, wrap myself in his clothes that smelled of leather and tobacco and Halston and woods. I grieved to my very core, holding onto the last things he touched. I did this for a few weeks. Then I took off in my little camper for three months. 

\n

When I returned, I had screamed and cried out a lot of my initial grief up on the mountaintops. I realized standing in the closet wrapped in his clothes wasn’t healthy for me. My daughter was a teacher at a poor, inner-city school that had a program for young men. They provided a suit and interview training so they would have a better chance at landing good jobs. When I heard about this, something inside me smiled. I knew Mr. Virgo would love to have his suits used for such a purpose. This gave me the impetus to go through his closet. I saved a couple of sweaters, my favorite ties, and his leather bomber jacket. The rest I bagged up. 

\n

When I woke up the next day, I reached for my phone and saw message after message on my feed…Happy Father’s Day! I sat up and looked around. All of his clothes were in bags on the floor surrounding the bed. And I had no one to hug for Father’s Day. I always had a bag packed to impromptu camping trips so I went out and hooked up TOW-Wanda and headed for the hills for a few days.

\n

When I got home, I carried the bags out to the car and carted them around for a couple of weeks just to make sure I was really ready to let go. Once I was convinced, I delivered them to my daughter. I would have loved to have heard the stories of successful job interviews!

\n

Once the closet was cleaned out, it wasn’t a big stretch to go through his dresser and get rid of his underwear and socks. I never felt like I was invading his privacy until I got to the top drawer of the highboy and his briefcase. That bothered me. I felt like I was snooping. I knew I had to go through them because there were papers in there that I might need. I did find some things I wasn’t expecting. There were a couple of charge accounts I didn’t know about. And there was an envelope with his and another woman’s name on it addressed to the house he lived in before he moved to Aspen. At first, I was upset by this. I thought I knew everything about him. Then I realized that he didn’t know everything about me either. We were in our mid-50’s when we met. A lot of water had gone under the bridge before we ever set eyes on each other. The new information didn’t change a thing about our relationship. It was still wonderful. So, I let it go.

\n

My way of cleaning out his closet may not be your way. And that is perfectly fine. We all walk down this path in our own way, in our own time. If it’s ten weeks or ten months or ten years, you do what you need to do. I will lay this down here though, and you can pick it up or not. There is a wonderful organization called Career Gear. You can donate suits and business casual clothes to them and they provide training, professional clothing, and mentorship to men in need so they can get good jobs and provide for their families. I saw a story about them, I believe on Sunday Morning. This would be a good place to donate your husband’s clothing. Or, you may find something similar in your area. It’s just a thought.

\n

careergear.org/get-invol…

\n

Another alternative is creating a memory quilt or pillow from items of his clothing. My friend Steve did this. He had memory quilts made for his three kids and teddy bears for his nine grandchildren…all from his late wife’s clothes. It was a wonderful way to memorialize Nana for her family. I don’t know anything about this particular site, but it’s an example.

\n

https://www.toocooltshirtquilts.com/blog/dealing-with-the-clothing-of-a-passed-loved-one

\n

I hope you find your way through this difficult step with peace…no matter when you decide to do it. Just remember to do it your way. Don’t let anyone tell you how or when. ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-09-01T01:30:48-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/09/01/what-do-you-do-with.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Growth","Wisdom","Courage","Downsizing","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/08/25/the-boys-in-the-hood.html", "title": "The Boys in the ‘Hood", "content_html": "

\"Farm “The farm cats chilling out on my picnic table.”

\n
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”  Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬
\nWe had to mow at the farm yesterday. The growth of the grass has slowed down a bit here in West Virginia. We’re back to once a week now instead of every four days. I stripped the bed and did laundry between my turns on the mower. If we tag team, neither one of us get overheated.\n

When we arrived, they were working on the road right in front of the house. What a mess. Now when the traffic goes by, huge white clouds of dust rise up and billow over everything. It was so bad you could taste it. The only upside…and it is a stretch to find any upside in this situation…the only upside is, the cars and 4-wheelers can no longer fly up the straight stretch in front of the house. I’m always afraid one of those 4-wheelers is going to roll and kill the rider. No helmet at fifty miles per hour. Oy!

\n

We ate the last of the ribs for supper last night. What a treat they were! I did figure something out though. When I smoke ribs, I’m going to have to smoke a BUNCH of them at once and freeze some because…it took three hours to clean that smoker yesterday. That’s a lot of work to have it gone so quickly. I recently purchased some products from Norwex. They have special cloths that you can clean without using cleaning chemicals. They also have a sponge with a metallic scrubby surface. I used their cleaning paste and that scrubby sponge and the smoker looked brand new when I finished. I used the polishing cloth on the glass and there is no smoke film or baked on grease splatters at all.

\n

When the yard was done and the laundry folded, we packed up and headed back over to the Ponderosa. As we were leaving, I couldn’t resist snapping a photo of the boys hanging out on my picnic table. They are obviously from the same lineage. They are two years apart. The longhair is Boy Cat…he’s the elder. The shorthair is Kitty Boy…he’s the feral one who won’t let you near him. He was being uncharacteristically chill yesterday and didn’t bat an eyelash when I scooted closer to catch this photo. These two are inseparable.

\n

When we got home, the great grand baby was there with her entourage. We hadn’t seen her in nearly a month. She’s just now going through separation anxiety so she didn’t want to have anything to do with anyone but her mommy. It was wonderful to see everyone and wrap up a productive day with some relaxing family time. 

\n

Simple days like this seemed impossible after losing Mr. Virgo. He was estranged from his family and mine lived nearly three hours away. We didn’t get to have these impromptu family gatherings. After Mr. Virgo’s death, I wasn’t sure I would ever have another relationship. I know it’s different for everyone after loss. I didn’t expect this, but I am grateful to have this life. It is rich and full. 

\n

❤️ ***Little Khloe got to go home from the hospital yesterday. She will be home a week then return for outpatient chemotherapy. So, I can go back to using my signature red heart. ❤️

\n", "date_published": "2018-08-25T01:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/08/25/the-boys-in-the-hood.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","The Cats"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/08/12/barking-up-the-wrong-tree.html", "title": "Barking Up the Wrong Tree", "content_html": "

\"Texting\" “Messages from others have more to do with THEM than it does with YOU.”

\n
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n[bible.com/111/pro.3...](http://bible.com/111/pro.3.3.niv)
\nWe have discussed this topic before, but there are so many new widows here now, I felt it deserved a reprise. It may be timely for some.\n

A week before the first “angelversary” of my husband’s death, I receive a text from someone close in his family. 

\n

My first thought was, “How nice. He knows it’s been almost a year and he’s writing to tell me he’s thinking of me.”

\n

I opened the text and began to read. It was soon quite apparent this message was not one of condolence…or remembrance. No, this was something entirely different.

\n

The text was regarding a story I had written in my blog about Mr. Virgo’s military record. This family member told me that Mr. Virgo had certainly NOT accomplished what he said he had. He was no war hero. He had been nothing more than a clerk in the Army and it was his father who had actually been the hero. He named about three things in the story I had written that he swore were untrue and maybe I should just keep the family stories out of my blog, you know…to keep my husband from being the laughing stock of his family and friends. He said the family always knew him to be prone to hyperbole, but they loved him in spite of it. 

\n

I was stunned. At first I was hurt. Then I was angry. 

\n

I waited three days before I responded. I’ve always found it’s a good idea to sit back and think about things before I jump in and perhaps say something I might regret later.

\n

When I had thought carefully about my response, I wrote back. I told this family member that I was initially taken aback by his text. I said my husband had never given me any reason to doubt the veracity of his words or stories. Sure, he might have shined up a story for dramatic effect, but I had never, ever known him to lie to me. I told him he wasn’t with my husband in Vietnam so there was no way he could actually know exactly what he had done there. 

\n

I reminded him how much my husband loved him. How much we had prayed for him when he was ill. I told him I couldn’t understand what kind of person would write to a grieving widow one week before the anniversary of her husband’s death and say something like this. If Mr. Virgo were alive, I can guarantee he would NOT be happy with the way this guy was speaking to me.

\n

The bottom line is this. My complete and total loyalty lies with the man I love. I will defend him, have his back, stand up for him, and fight for him…dead or alive…if I have to. I’m one tough mama bear when it comes to my own.

\n

What kind of person would do this? And what could possibly be the motive? Jealousy? Anger over some past perceived slight? Whatever the reason, it is petty and small and demonstrates what is called “splitting behaviors” in psychological jargon. In other words…trying to cause trouble.

\n

It can happen when there is a death in the family. It can happen with divorce. It can happen when there has been some sort of rift in a family. If it happens to you, I want to you remember one thing…

\n

What this person says or does to you has absolutely NOTHING to do with you or your loved one. It has absolutely EVERYTHING to do with who this person is as a human and where he or she is in their own journey. You must not take it personally. When I first read that text, I couldn’t understand why he was saying these things to me. If his motive was to make me doubt my man, let me tell you…he was barking up the wrong tree. And, it’s just as true with Mr. FixIt today as it was with Mr. Virgo. I don’t need people like that in my life. People who try to stir up trouble. Who try to drive a wedge between me and the one I love and make me have doubts. 

\n

This was a valuable lesson for me that I learned in my grief. One of those things I’ll take forward and use throughout the rest of my life. I don’t have the time nor the inclination to involve myself in that kind of petty drama. Life is too short. ❤️

\n

 

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-08-12T01:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/08/12/barking-up-the-wrong-tree.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","Grace","Wisdom","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/08/11/smokin.html", "title": "Smokin’!", "content_html": "

\"“Cool “Cool Smoke: The Art of Great Barbecue by Tuffy Stone”

\n
“She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.” Proverbs 31:14-15 NIV
\nWell, y’all...I’ve decided to start smoking. No...not THAT kind of smoking. The BARBECUE kind of smoking. I keep seeing my cousin Mike’s pictures on Facebook of the wonderful things he makes in his smoker and I just had to try it. Mr. FixIt and I have been pricing smokers since it’s nearing the end of summer. I’ve had my eye on one particular model and I’ve been watching the prices, but just wasn’t ready to bite.\n

My other cousin Tom smokes a lot of meats, fish, poultry…you name it. He uses a pellet smoker and they are really pricey so I nixed that idea. He recommended an electric smoker over propane because you can regulate the temperature easier. Although, there are some models out now that are propane with a thermostat so maybe they’re ok. I just figured, the only place I’ll be using it is at home so I can just plug it in and not worry about it running out of gas mid-smoke.

\n

As I was cogitating, trying to figure out which one to buy, two things happened. Mike returned my text telling me his smoker is a Masterbuilt and he loves it. And, I got an e-mail telling me how many reward points I have on my credit card. I had totally forgotten I even HAD reward points, so I quickly signed in to see if I could get a smoker. They didn’t have one in their list, however they did say you could transfer your points over to Amazon and that’s the next best thing. I ended up getting a Masterbuilt 40” Digital Smoker for $120…a significant savings over the MSRP of $449.99! With Prime, shipping was two-day, and free. Well, not really free. You pay for Prime. But I use it enough it evens out at least.

\n

When the box arrived yesterday, I was shocked at how big…and HEAVY…it was. It said 73# on the shipping label! (I’ve got to say…the man in brown did an impressive Arnold Schwartzenegger impression when he hoisted that bad boy up onto his shoulder and carried it to the door for me.) And, you know what they mean when it says…”Some assembly required.” It means you don’t actually have to FORGE the metal pieces. It took me a good hour plus to put this thing together. Did I ever tell you Mr. FixIt is a mechanical engineer? He is. He loves to assemble things. And to take care of me. That’s sweet…really. But…I ALSO like to assemble things and take care of myself sometimes. He picked up the instructions and I just sat there and stared at him. I really didn’t want to say “MINE!” Fortunately, the man is astute. He took one look at me and he excused himself to go work on the camper. Smart man!

\n

Since I have never used a smoker, I bought a couple of cookbooks. One is by Masterbuilt which shows specifics regarding my model. The other is by Tuffy Stone…5x World Barbecue Champion. I figured I’d start with the best. I seasoned the smoker yesterday…a process that took three hours, not counting cool down time. Now it’s ready to use and I am perusing recipes to determine what I want to try first. Ribs? Pulled pork? Turkey? Yummmmm…I can’t wait to start smokin’! ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-08-11T01:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/08/11/smokin.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","New Ideas"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/08/10/the-dog-days-of-summer.html", "title": "The Dog Days of Summer", "content_html": "

\"Hydrangea\" “Gigantic Hydrangea in the backyard at the farm. One of my favorites!”

\n
““As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”” Genesis 8:22 NIV
\nAfter meeting a group of friends for lunch yesterday, I was leaving the restaurant when a gentleman seated with his wife in a nearby booth stopped me. He said he couldn’t help but overhear me talking about the storm I heard during the night. He wanted to tell me they had been driving home to Ravenswood and got caught in the storm. He claimed it was the worst storm he had ever driven in but in ten miles, it was gone. Storms here are either small, isolated pockets...or weeks-long, grey deluges, it seems. There is no in between. Anyway, I told him my dad was from Ravenswood. His wife kept saying “You look SO familiar to me!” I sat down with them and we connected the dots until, indeed...we found the common denominator. They thought my dad’s name was familiar but couldn’t quite place him until I showed them his photo on my phone. Then they remembered him quite well. This guy’s grandfather’s property bordered that of my Aunt Marge. My cousin Donna was his nurse when he had surgery a couple of years ago. It is a teeny, tiny little world here and you have to be darned careful what you say about folks. We’re all related!\n

After lunch, Mr. FixIt and I went to the farm to mow. We are in the last bit of the Dog Days of Summer…a period of 40 days from July 3rd to August 11th. This period coincides with the rising of the Dog Star…Sirius…at dawn. The Dog Star doesn’t determine our weather, but the Ancient Egyptians used this celestial event to predict the annual flooding of the Nile River. It does coincide with some of the hottest, most sultry weather of the summer. 

\n

\"\" “The beautiful Rose of Sharon at the back corner of the farmhouse. This and the Hydrangea have been here as long as I can remember.”

\n

When I was growing up, my grandma used to warn us that dogs “go rabid” at this time of year and you’d best avoid any contact. I was scared to death of dogs growing up. We had a little beagle for a short while when I was quite young…3 or 4 maybe. We called her Honey. One day she was gone and I never knew what happened. I expect my Mom, who was NOT an animal lover, made short work of finding Honey a better place to live.

\n

My aunt had an Irish Setter. A beautiful dog with long, silky red hair and a brain the size of a golf ball. I remember running up the sidewalk to see my aunt and this monster dashed out from behind her and jumped up on me…knocking me down. I’m not sure who screamed louder…me or my mom. After that, I kept my distance from dogs. This was only further cemented when Atticus shot and killed that rabid dog in “To Kill a Mockingbird”…no doubt during the Dog Days of Summer. I was firmly convinced I would be mangled by some rabid beast and have to get a million shots in my belly button. No, thank you.

\n

Even though we have many hot and sultry days ahead of us after the official end of Dog Days, it marks an end of something. The long, lazy days of summer are coming to a close with the start of a new school year. The trees and bushes have that tired, yellowish green tone now. Leaves are already falling here and there. The big cherry tree behind the farmhouse is bare, save for a few hangers on…yellow leaves with black spots. I thought the grass was going to go dormant, but we have had a good deal of rain the last two weeks and we’ve mowed like crazy at both the farm and the Ponderosa. I was just telling Mr. FixIt as we drove out to the farm yesterday, we have so many things we need to do and can’t till the mowing is done. We are working so hard now, there’s no way to add much else.

\n

\"Elderberries\" “Elderberries ripen and are gone just as quickly, picked off by the various birds that frequent the yard at the farm.”

\n

When the grass was cut at the farm, I walked around and caught some pictures. The elderberries are ripening and the birds are clearly after them. The pinkish-purple Rose of Sharon are in full bloom, as are the ginormous Hydrangeas. I’ve never seenu Hydrangea bush as big as the one is in the backyard at the farm. It’s a good 12-15 feet high and just as wide across.

\n

It was another beautiful, hot, sultry summer day. They will be gone all too soon and we’ll be back to the gray, wet, cold West Virginia winter. I’ll take these sticky hot days any day of the week if it means I have green to look at. I hope you have a happy Friday and you are looking forward to a fun weekend full of love and laughter and sunshine. ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-08-10T01:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/08/10/the-dog-days-of-summer.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/08/09/hindsight.html", "title": "Hindsight 2.0", "content_html": "

\"Great “Daughter #2 with her Great Grandmother that she doesn’t remember.”

\n
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nWhen I was visiting Daughter #2 a few weeks ago, she mentioned she was heading to Texas soon with her fiancé for a family reunion. She was in awe that this family was renting a beach house for a week. A large group were gathering from all around the country to play games, comb the beach, and renew the close relationship they enjoy. These reunions were started by a grandmother who wanted her family to really know each other. The younger generation decided to keep the reunions going after grandma’s death for the same reason...to remain connected by more than DNA.\n

I reminded #2 that I took her to West Virginia as often as I could. We had family reunions, too. But, unfortunately, they all but stopped after the older generation passed away. She didn’t really know my family. That made me sad.

\n

She sent me this photo yesterday and asked me who was with her. I told her it was her Great Grandmother on my dad’s side. I had a strained relationship with my dad. I also had an aunt on his side of the family that I was extremely close to growing up. I emulated her, modeling myself after her beliefs, likes, and dislikes. I thought she walked on water. As an adult, I came to learn I missed out on getting to know some pretty wonderful cousins because I saw the world through someone else’s lens. I’ve since rectified that and gotten closer to my dad’s side of the family. Unfortunately, that doesn’t change my children’s upbringing.

\n

Daughter #2 says, “We just didn’t have that kind of family. We didn’t really DO things together.” That is very true. But that doesn’t mean that going forward, we can’t BE that kind of family. We can change this course and I intend to do so, in whatever means I can. I want my children and grandchildren to really know their aunts and uncles and cousins. So, here’s to family…no matter what that looked like in the past. No matter what it may look like in the future. It is the only one we have. ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-08-09T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/08/09/hindsight.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Grace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Aging","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/08/06/once-upon-a-time.html", "title": "Once Upon A Time...", "content_html": "

\"Best “Your wedding day is your ‘Best Day Ever’. But what about attending weddings when you’re grieving?”

\n
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”\n‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nWeddings are joyous occasions for family and friends to gather and witness two people joining in a lifelong commitment. Just like baptism is the outward sign of an inward commitment, so is a wedding. Mr. FixIt and I went to his granddaughter’s wedding on Saturday and it was so touching to hear her voice thicken with emotion as they said their vows. Toasts were given, tears of joy were shed, as well as tears of sorrow as the bride’s step-father passed away unexpectedly last summer. My heart went out to her mom...his widow...my sweetheart’s only daughter.\n

There have been times when a wedding cut me off at the knees. After a painful divorce many years ago, a wedding was a slap in the face…a reminder that my marriage had failed. My second to do so, actually. Then, after losing Mr. Virgo, it was a stab in my heart…a huge neon sign that read “You are a WIDOW!” Which, translated meant…”You are not married anymore!” That’s not really true…yet it is. It’s a heck of a place to be in your head.

\n

I distinctly remember riding a city bus one time after my second marriage ended. There was a couple on the bus…sitting close, holding hands, looking lovingly into each other’s eyes. I wanted to literally get up out of my seat and go slap them. After losing Mr. Virgo, my response was different. I wanted to tell every single person who was in a relationship to CHERISH EVERY MINUTE!!! I wanted to lecture them of the sin of taking their person for granted…for not appreciating every single thing, every word, every action the other did.

\n

Attending a wedding when you are grieving, no matter what the cause, may be difficult. If you feel you just aren’t up to it, then by all means decline. I’m sure most people will understand. If the wedding is for a close family member or friend and you feel you need to go, pace yourself. Take breaks for a bit of fresh air or to go to the powder room. Hopefully, the bride has extended a “plus one” invitation and you can bring a friend for support. (I always encourage brides to extend a “plus one” invitation for widows/widowers as a courtesy. We sometimes need that extra boost of confidence a friend can provide.)

\n

I am grateful to have come through that and can now attend a wedding…happy for the newlyweds. I can remember the past with less pain and more love. It is such a blessed relief to be in this place of peace. That being said…I was immensely relieved the bride and groom did not choose “At Last” for their first dance. ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-08-06T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/08/06/once-upon-a-time.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/08/05/playing-dress-up.html", "title": "Playing Dress Up", "content_html": "

\"Couple “Playing dress up is fun. Mr. FixIt and me…at a wedding.”

\n
“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.”\n‭‭Song of Songs‬ ‭8:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nOne of Mr. FixIt’s granddaughter’s got married yesterday. I bought an outfit when I was in Colorado. I needed something nice to wear to weddings...including Daughter #2’s when it comes around in the next year or so. It’s nice to have at least one dressy outfit, even though I don’t have very many occasions to dress up anymore.\n

Mr. FixIt came home with his tux the other day. He said he thought he would just dress at home and not bother toting it back and forth but I talked him out of that. First, he didn’t want his backside to look like he’d been sitting in a truck for an hour. And second, it was in the high 80’s…I knew he would be miserable.

\n

He carried the tux in the church and headed to the room the men were dressing in. I killed time wandering around the church, reading the guest book, and chatting with early arrivals. Then someone said, “Here he comes!”

\n

I turned around and caught my breath. I’ve never seen him in a tux before. Wow! I knew there was a reason I liked this guy! Don’t men look great in a tux? They are always so dashing and sophisticated…sort of like Sean Connery. I gave him my brightest smile and stuck to him like glue all afternoon.

\n

The wedding was sweet, the bride was beautiful, the cake divine. The weather was perfect and everyone was happy…beyond the usual wedding day jitters. The Pastor told a story about the Velveteen Rabbit and compared it to marriage. We get older. We get a little worn and frayed around the edges. But we never become more genuinely real than we do when we are loved. What a lovely goal for a new marriage…to love and be loved until we are our most real selves.

\n

There’s something about weddings. They bring out the sweetness in us. They bring us closer and remind us of what’s important in life. Love. They also remind us of love gone too soon. I always think of Mr. Virgo in times like this. I reflect. And, more often than not, I smile at the memories. ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-08-05T01:30:22-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/08/05/playing-dress-up.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Choices","Change","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/08/03/afternoon-walkabout.html", "title": "Afternoon Walkabout", "content_html": "

\"Hooded “Hooded Warbler”

\n
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” Luke 12:27-28 NIV
\nMr. FixIt and I decided to walk up the road yesterday afternoon before we headed home from the farm. The heavy truck traffic from the gas pipeline construction has eased up slightly and the road repair crew had moved back toward the bridge, so walking was a little safer and more enjoyable. I was particularly interested in a mulberry tree down the road. I wanted to check if the berries were ripening so I could make some jam and jelly. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a single mulberry on the tree. Last year at this time is was loaded so the only thing I can figure is the late freezes this spring got them. \n

Just as we headed out for our walk, this beautiful Hooded Warbler darted into the spicebush next to the porch. I have never seen one and had to look it up to find out what it was. What a beauty…and such a sweet little song it sings.

\n

The photos, in order:

\n

\"Cicada\" “Cicada”

\n

As we walked along, I scanned the roadsides for interesting things to photograph. A cicada caught my eye, as did this black and yellow millipede. Creepy crawlies, to be sure. According to projectnoah.org, “Some millipedes emit liquid secretions of hydrogen cyanide gas through microscopic pores, so always wash your hands after handling.” Yeah…like I’m going to be picking THAT thing up! ? 

\n

\"Flat “Flat Backed Millipede”

\n

This is the most I’ve revealed of Mr. FixIt. Six-foot-one and sweet as can be. I love this guy! ❤

\n

\"Man “Mr. FixIt…ooooh, I love this guy!”

\n

When Daughter #1 brought her future husband to West Virginia to meet the family, we stayed in this sweet little cabin up the road from the farm. It is owned by my mother’s cousin. My aunt called it “Jack-in-the-Pulpit Inn” because of all the wildflowers around. 

\n

\"Old “Jack-in-tha-Pulpit Inn”…an old log cabin down the road from the farm.”

\n

Goldenrod or Ragweed made my grandpa sneeze like crazy. He just hated when it came in bloom, but they are so pretty alongside the roadways.

\n

\"Goldenrod\" “Goldenrod”

\n

Queen Anne’s Lace is one of my favorite wildflowers. If you look closely, you can see the “Queen’s Heart” in the center.

\n

\"Queen “Queen Anne’s Lace”

\n

I have no idea what this little butterfly is. I spend about ten minutes trying to find out and gave up. Anyone know? 

\n

\"Butterfly\" “Little Brown and Orange Butterfly”

\n

This one I know…it’s a Tiger Swallowtail.

\n

\"Tiger “Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly”

\n

Ahhhh, sweet Honeysuckle vines. When its hot in June, you can smell this from a mile away on a warm summer night.

\n

\"Honeysuckle\" “Honeysuckle”

\n

This little guy is a Red-Spotted Purple. People often mistake these for swallowtails, but as you can see…no “tail”.

\n

\"Red-Spotted “Red-Spotted Purple”

\n

These last two pictures show the damage to our road from all the heavy equipment running up and down the road all day long. I will be so glad when they get this pipeline and compressor station completed and the pipe liners move on down south.

\n

\"“Road “Road damage from gas pipeline equipment,”

\n

\"Road “Deep grooves in the asphalt from six-axle loads of rock.”

\n

Walkabouts are fun on the farm, and I truly love sharing the beauty with you all. It’s Friday! I hope you are going to do lots of fun things this weekend. Mr. FixIt’s granddaughter is getting married tomorrow so this is a BIG weekend for us. ❤

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-08-03T01:30:25-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/08/03/afternoon-walkabout.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Peace","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/08/02/all-things-green.html", "title": "All Things Green", "content_html": "

\"Green “West Virginians cook their green beans for hours with bacon or salt pork and onion, salt, and pepper. The house smells divine!”

\n
“For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”\n‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nOne of my fondest memories is sitting as a little girl on the front porch of the farm house, my grandma in the chair to my left. She had the beat up lid of an old roasting pan turned over in her lap and it was filled with washed green beans fresh from the garden. These were old fashioned string beans, not the stringless bush bean variety you find nowadays. They were a bit more work to prepare. You took a paring knife and cut the tip of one end almost all the way through and pulled. This removed the long, stringy piece from down one side. Then you turned the bean over and did the same thing from the other end. Then you snapped the bean in half, or thirds, with one hand and dropped them in a cooking pot.\n

When you were done, you rinsed the beans again, and filled the pot with clean water to barely cover the beans. You cut up an onion or two and threw that in along with a few pieces of ham, salt pork, or fried bacon and the grease they were fried in. You might add a little black pepper and salt if the bacon wasn’t too salty. You covered the pot and set it to simmer midmorning, adding water when necessary. Come suppertime, the house smelled wonderful and the beans were nice and tender. Here in West Virginia, we COOK our green beans. None of this crispy “al denté” stuff! Oh, there’s nothing like green beans cooked Grandma style.

\n

We have had rain every day this week and are expected to have more for the next ten days. The yards and fields have all been mowed, and while there are a thousand things we could have done over at the Ponderosa yesterday, I awoke with one thing in mind…rain on the tin roof of my favorite farmhouse in the world. I asked Mr. FixIt if he’d like to spend a couple days over here and he is such an accommodating guy. He knows how much I love it here. And, while I certainly don’t need his permission and could come here anytime I want, I do so enjoy it when he is with me. So, we packed up a cooler with some chicken I cooked the day before and some other sundries, grabbed our usually-always-packed overnight bags, and headed for the farm.

\n

Mr. FixIt had stopped at the produce stand Sunday afternoon and bought some fresh green beans. Ours didn’t grow in our garden this spring and we’ve been hungry for them. Unfortunately, when we opened the bag to cook them, they were all moldy. We were so disappointed. Then I remembered the neighbor across the road saying he had canned all the beans he was going to can out of his garden and I was welcome to come pick some whenever I wanted. It was pouring the rain down when I donned my boots, grabbed a big golf umbrella and a bowl and headed across the road. My neighbor’s garden is surrounded with electric fencing to keep the critters out of his garden. He said the other day he made the mistake of touching it when he was mowing and the new, higher power charger really packs a punch so I was extra careful. I unplugged the charger and tried to open the circuited gate wire, but I wasn’t strong enough and there wasn’t enough slack. I remember him telling me he had a solar charger and I wasn’t completely certain I wasn’t dealing with “hot” wires. The gated wire was low enough that I could step over it so I did so, gingerly. I set to picking and had to sort through older, woody beans to find younger, more tender ones and soon had a bowl full.

\n

I retraced my steps, being careful not to brush the wires, in case they were live, and plugged everything back in. I cleaned the beans like Grandma taught me, remembering her old, knotty fingers working over them, and soon had a whole “mess” of beans to cook up. Mr. FixIt had fried up the bacon for me while I was picking so I dumped that, and the bacon grease for good measure, into the pot. I forgot to bring an onion so I added onion powder, a little salt, and some black pepper and set the pot on the back burner to simmer. Before long, the familiar smells of my youth began to waft through the house. I had stretched out on Grandma’s bed for a little snooze, which came easily to the tune of the steady drumming of rain on the tin roof and the fans that circulated cool air through the house. It was heavenly!

\n

Supper consisted of the pre-cooked chicken heated up in a skillet with a little butter, a couple ears of corn, a fresh tomato from the Ponderosa garden cut in chunks, and the divine green beans with bacon. Top that off with a cold beverage while sitting on the front porch watching the rain and you have a meal worth more to me than any Five Star restaurant in the world! After supper, Mr. FixIt and I played Uno with his new set of cards that my brother sent him from Colorado. I am telling you what…that was a perfect day right there.

\n

As I wrote this last night, I was propped up with all the pillows on my Grandma’s bed, watching the rain and the evening birds at the feeder outside the bedroom window. Mr. FixIt was watching the evening news then Big Bang reruns. After the terrible news of the past couple of days, this was a welcome respite. My friend Jea is still very much on my mind and every time I think of her, I send up prayers for peace and whatever comfort she could possible attain in all of this. My comfort is knowing she has a relationship with God and that He will never leave her and her family.

\n

❤

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-08-02T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/08/02/all-things-green.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Comfort","Peace","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/30/preserve-your-memoriestheyre-all-thats.html", "title": "Preserve Your Memories...They’re All That’s Left You", "content_html": "

\"Simplicity “We were SO fashionable, back in the day!”

\n
“Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.”\n‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nShe sat in front of me in class. We were sophomores...our first year in a huge high school where several classes from various junior highs commingled. We didn’t know each other...yet.\n

We were wearing handmade dresses that day, much like the one pictured here. They were both made from a waffle weave fabric of white daisies with yellow centers on a hot pink background. Very “mod”. Very “flower power”. Very chic, I’m sure.

\n

She was beautiful. Long, blonde hair, tan, a perky nose and a dazzling smile. I was mesmerized as I watched her fairly bounce into the room. Memories of how she walked into that room have never left me.

\n

She hadn’t noticed me sitting behind her. She was busy putting her books away and getting settled. Perhaps greeting someone she knew. Her hair was spun gold. I cautiously tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around, saw my dress, and laughed…clapping her hands in delight. The sun shone brighter in that moment. I had found my soul sister.

\n

We quickly became besties. There were lots of slumber parties and sunbathing and curling each other’s hair. There were giggles and tears and shared secrets. There were dreams and gossip and football games. I held her hair back the first time she got drunk on Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill and threw up in my trash can. We were tight.

\n

My mom adored her, too. Mom loved all my friends. She called them her kids and loved them just like us. But this one was special. This one hung around when I moved on…first to England, then to Colorado. She took my mom in her little convertible sports car to the beach…my mom’s first trip there…a rare treat for her to get away from caring for my brother with cerebral palsy who lived at home. They had a CB radio and mom had a blast talking to the truckers. I was aghast when I found out they pulled up behind a Meadowgold truck and told him “they had the vodka if he had the orange juice”. They pulled into the next rest area and toasted to freedom with a screwdriver and a total stranger. Those two scared me to death, but they just laughed at my scorn. They knew about freedom long before I did. Of course, nowadays one would never do that…at least, I certainly hope not! It’s a different world now but they felt safe back then.

\n

She went on and went through the typical stuff…divorce, jobs, moves. She finally moved far enough away that it was difficult to visit again. I’ve been to see her a couple of times. We chat several times a week. Mom had promised my brother a trip to see her but she died before they could go. My brother reminded me at the funeral so I promised to take him. Mom had a small life insurance policy. Enough to pay for her funeral with a little left over. I packed my brother up and took him on a long road trip to see our “sister” before I brought him to live in Colorado near me.

\n

Old friends. My sweet sister-of-a-different mother reminded me we should preserve our memories because in the end, that’s all that’s left you. She sent me a link to Simon and Garfunkel singing “Old Friends” last night. I sat back and listened to the lyrics and closed my eyes. They stung with tears. I haven’t seen her for fourteen years now. We’ve both had trials we’ve gone through that have kept us apart. But, it’s time. Life is so uncertain. We must reunite soon and preserve those memories that bonded us in 1968. “A time of innocence. A time of confidences.”

\n

youtu.be/snVOxz6fj…

\n

❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-30T01:30:36-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/30/preserve-your-memoriestheyre-all-thats.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/29/feeling-peaceful.html", "title": "Feeling Peaceful", "content_html": "

\"Ohio “Finding peace after losing Mr. Virgo is deeper and sweeter than anything I could have imagined.”

\n
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”\n‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nAs I sat thinking over what I would write about for today’s post, the word “peaceful” kept playing over and over in my mind. It made me think of this photograph that I took when I was living on high ground overlooking the Ohio River three years ago. I was blessed with the opportunity to park my camper up there and would often sit on the deck overlooking this amazing, peaceful scene. On this particular evening, the light was perfect, the sky was stunning, and everything took on a soft glow as the sun was setting. I will never forget my time spent in this beauty as I healed from the grief of losing Mr. Virgo. It was a time of testing my mettle, as well. I found inner strength I never knew I had as I lived in that camper through a particularly rough winter with no running water and up to a foot-and-a-half of snow at times.\n

I look back on that period of my life and compare it to where I am today and it never ceases to amaze me how different things are now. I have the privilege of caretaking for the family farm. I have this wonderful man in my life who brings me joy every day. I have the ability to travel to see my Colorado family. I have my campers. I still own too much “stuff” but I’m happy with my life as it is.

\n

The other evening, Mr. FixIt and I were floating around in the pool, holding hands, watching the clouds in the evening sky, listening to the sounds as the night birds and insects began their chorus. He turned to me and said, “This. This right here is perfect.” I knew what he meant. We’ve both longed for this peaceful life and love. We both feel like we’ve won the lottery.

\n

I could have written about grief last night. I could have written about camping or travel or gardening. I could have written about Colorado or West Virginia or any of the numerous places I’ve been. But, for some reason, all those things seemed to pale against this overwhelming love and peace I’ve been feeling since I got home from my trip out west. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Being away from Mr. FixIt for three weeks brought into sharp focus just how wonderful our life is together. I love my children and grandchildren and the rest of my Colorado family and friends. But, oh my…there really is no place like “home”. ❤

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-29T01:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/29/feeling-peaceful.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/26/from-sunup-to-sunseti-travel.html", "title": "From Sunup to Sunset...I Travel", "content_html": "

\"Sunrise “Sunrise in Colorado”

\n
“The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭121:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nSeriously, could someone tell me how it takes twelve hours to get from Point A to Point B when it’s only a two hour and sixteen minute flight???\n

First off, I didn’t sleep much. You know how it is when you KNOW you have to get up for something really important and you just CAN’T oversleep so you set your alarm and then wake up every thirty minutes to make SURE the alarm is set and you haven’t overslept? Yeah…that was me. I finally gave up at 3:30 and read my devotional till the alarm went off at 4:30. It’s already going to be a long day.

\n

My son-in-law’s dad was gracious enough to get up at the crack of dawn, literally, to schlep me out to Denver International Airport, which…by the way…appears to be somewhere in KANSAS! Have you ever flown into there? Seriously, they show a feature length film to make the taxiing into the terminal seem somewhat less…LONG. Anyway, they always tell you to be at the airport two hours ahead of your flight. We left the house at a little after 5:00am for an 8:40am flight. I was a Girl Scout…what can I say?

\n

When I arrived at the airport and Ben had my little suitcase out on the curb, we said our goodbyes and I promised to let them all know when I arrived safely home. I wandered in to find there were about 150 people in line for the Frontier desk. I was worried. If these agents were anything like the agents in Columbus when I was flying out to Colorado, I was in deep trouble. As it turned out, there were about eight agents and they were making VERY quick work of that line and I was off to security in a flash.

\n

There are two security checkpoints at DIA…one downstairs and one out the bridge toward Terminal A. A nice TSA agent stood at the confluence and told us the bridge was quicker so off to the bridge I went. Even though I had a TSA Pre Check, and they didn’t do that on the bridge, I chose speed over any concern about taking off my sandals. Of course, you have to take all of your electronics out of your carry on. And, you have to lay them out in a single layer along with your shoes and anything in your pockets and the said carry on so I had three of those plastic bins full of stuff and set them on the conveyor belt.

\n

A female TSA Agent directed me into the x-ray machine. I really don’t like doing that even though I know the dosage is terribly small. I get more radiation going for a 20 minute walk outside. Still, x-ray was my business for a while, and I’ve had numerous radiologic studies done over the years and I know there is such a thing as a maximum lifetime dose. Anyway, I dutifully walked in, placed my feet on the little yellow shoe prints and raised my hands over my head. She pushed the button, the machine whirred, and she invited me to “stand over there for a second”.

\n

Ms. TSA turned to me and rattled off a long spiel she had obviously recited a few thousand times and was talking so fast, I had a hard time keeping up with her. Add the ambient noises of a crowded security checkpoint and I only caught one thing. “Pat down.” She wanted to know if I had any problem doing it right there or if I preferred a more private location. This was all happening so fast and I was trying to visualize what she was describing. I looked back at the long line of faces eagerly waiting their turn. I don’t know if they got to the airport three hours early like I did and I didn’t want anyone to be late on my account. Besides, I’m enough of an exhibitionist that I’m really not bothered by much of anything.

\n

“Here’s fine,“ I said…perhaps a tad too enthusiastically.

\n

The screen readout with the humanoid shape was glowing yellow just to my right. Ms. TSA noticed I was studying it, trying to figure out what set off the machine. She pointed to the highlighted area and said, “Here…see? You set off the “groin alarm”. I need to check you there.” Suddenly, a giggle started to well up in me and I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying, “Well, I haven’t seen my paramour for three weeks. Do you think that could have set it off?” But…one does NOT mess with a TSA Agent. Period. So, I stifled the giggle.

\n

Wow. She wasn’t kidding about the “pat down”. She was…um…..thorough. When she was done, without even offering me a cigarette, she said, “Now we need to wipe down your hands then I’ll wipe down MY hands and we’ll put this swab in the machine and see if anything comes out.” OK. Here’s where I started to sweat a little. Remember the Plantar Palmar Psoriasis I had on my hands a couple of years ago? Remember what cured it? Cannabis ointment. And where was I visiting? Colorado. And what did I buy to put on my hands while I was there? Yeah, right. Turns out I didn’t need to worry. They were looking for gunpowder residue and I haven’t shot a gun in months. And, no…I didn’t try to smuggle my Colorado brand of ointment home on the plane. It is illegal here in West Virginia and if I’m anything, I’m a weenie about going to prison.

\n

Ms. TSA turned to me and gave me a thumbs up and said, “Hey! I love your hair! Did you braid it yourself?”

\n

“Ummmmm, nope. I had it done at a salon yesterday.”

\n

“And it still looks like that today? Did you sleep on it?”

\n

“Ummmmm, yes. I did. I didn’t have to do a thing to it this morning!”

\n

Feeling like I’d dodged a bullet, she sent me off with a wave to go find my gate.

\n

I arrived at A42 in time to hear an announcement that our flight to Columbus was going to be delayed by at least an hour. sigh I headed to find some breakfast and coffee. And, to thank God that I hadn’t done any target practice while I was in Colorado!

\n

I ate breakfast and took a Dramamine. I know from experience that flying in the summer can get pretty bumpy and I didn’t want any surprises in the first row. I popped the second one just as we boarded, then I put in my earplugs and prepared to nap for the next two hours. Have you ever tried to nap in a vehicle going 500 miles an hour over a really rocky road? It wasn’t happening for me either. Fortunately, two hours and sixteen minutes pass pretty quickly when you are fairly stoned out of your gourd on Dramamine and we landed in Columbus before we knew it.

\n

Next up was waiting for the Pony Express to deliver our luggage to Carrousel 6 and the long awaited reunion with Mr. FixIt outside Door A7. Yeah, not a lot of smooching time with the security personnel blowing their whistles to keep you moving along. We stopped for a quick bite to eat because I had the munchies from the Dramamine. Honestly, I don’t need to do heavy duty street drugs. Dramamine does it for me.

\n

\"The “The littlest church in Ohio.”

\n

By the time we got back on the road, we had hit 5:00 gridlock in the greater metropolis of Columbus, Ohio. What normally takes around two and half hours took nearly four pushing my total travel time to twelve hours for a 2.25 hour flight. However, there was one happy dude meeting me at the airport when I got there. And that made every minute of travel well worth the time spent. It is SO good to be home and to know how loved and blessed we are to have this great love affair going. I had a wonderful trip visiting my Colorado family. And, I had a wonderful homecoming back with my West Virginia family. Life is SO good! ❤

\n

\"Sunset “Sunset in West Virginia.”

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-26T01:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/26/from-sunup-to-sunseti-travel.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","West Virginia"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/25/vaya-con-dios-colorado.html", "title": "Vaya con Dios, Colorado!", "content_html": "

\"woman “Goodbyes are always bittersweet.”

\n
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭37:23-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nIt is time. Three weeks ago, the time for my visit stretched long before me. And, in the blink of an eye...it is gone. Today I travel home to West Virginia. Goodbyes are always so bittersweet. Oh, how I miss my babies...big and little. How I miss my brother and the rest of my Colorado family and friends. How I miss being nearby and stopping to visit with Mr. Virgo whenever I want. But it can’t be helped. There are so many reasons why I don’t live in Colorado anymore.\n

The main impetus that led my move to West Virginia was two-fold. Economics made Colorado far out of my housing budget and caring for an elderly family member in my home state seemed appropriate. If I would have known that endeavor would have only last ten weeks, I likely would have done things differently. I may have kept my Colorado house and rented it out. I may not have purchased such a big camper. I may have more evenly split my time between Colorado and West Virginia. But, hindsight being 20/20, it is what it is and I wouldn’t have changed a thing if I could.

\n

Moving to West Virginia was the path my life needed to take. I needed to feel the freedom of living on my own. I needed to feel the love and connection of caretaking my family farm, which turned out to be the ultimate conclusion of the elder care situation. I needed the social group my hometown afforded me. And, most importantly of all…destiny brought Mr. FixIt and me together! He is such a joy to have in my life and I can’t imagine him not being there.

\n

One of the downsides to living so far away is the limited amount of time my family has to spend bonding with Mr. FixIt. They don’t feel the connection with him that they felt with Mr. Virgo. You can’t develop a loving bond with someone you have a couple of dinners with over a period of a week or so. I understand that. I just hope they can understand my commitment to him and why I live where I do and not near them. It tears at a mother’s (and grandmother’s) heart when you can’t be near them always. The other side of the coin is, travel goes both ways. So do phone calls and texts and FaceTiming. It’s a new time in our lives. A new adjustment. A new phase.

\n

I know where they are coming from, though. When my mom lived in West Virginia and I lived in Colorado, it used to drive me crazy. I wanted her to move to Colorado where I could help her more. I wanted her to have access to excellent healthcare. I wanted her close where I could watch over her. I guess what it boils down to is…I wanted more control. (Ahhhh, it always boils down to control, doesn’t it?) My girls saw me struggle to help my mom long distance. They don’t want to have to do that, too. I get that. But, NOW I totally get where my mom was coming from. Whereas I though she was being terribly stubborn and unreasonable, I now see she was living the way SHE wanted to live…WHERE she wanted to live. I wish I could have understood that more at the time. I think I would have been more gentle with her.

\n

At any rate…I have promises from all my Colorado family that we will make a concerted effort to reach out more and stay connected by the various media channels we have access to. And…my sweet and handsome all-time BEST friend in the whole wide world will be standing in Columbus Airport today welcoming me home with the very best hug on the planet!!! I wouldn’t trade that for ANYTHING!

\n

Vaya con Dios, Colorado…I’ll be back as soon as I can! ❤

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-25T01:30:24-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/25/vaya-con-dios-colorado.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Wisdom","Courage","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/24/you-are-the-light-of.html", "title": "You Are The Light of The World", "content_html": "

\"Scripture\" “You are the light of the world.”

\n
““You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”\n‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\n“Everybody’s got tsuris.” So said the late Rose Saliman, my younger daughter’s great grandmother and namesake. Everyone has problems. Everyone has garbage they drag through their lives, adding heaping helpings from here and there till they can hardly move along their path, let alone enjoy it. And when you can finally move away from that, when you unload your baggage and stop dragging it around with you, it’s not only a beautiful thing. It’s a blessed relief.\n

I had lunch with Daughter #2 yesterday. My children and grandchildren are the lights of MY world. It’s nice when they make me feel like a star in their sky. My younger daughter is doing well. She has found her stride. She has found her people. She is happy. That wasn’t always the case. She has struggled all of her life feeling “different”. It wasn’t until the last few years she has been able to put a name to that and grow into who she really is. I saw a peace and joy in her eyes yesterday that I’m not sure I have ever seen before. And that thrills this mom to no end.

\n

She lives an alternative lifestyle. She has tattoos everywhere. She had such a dark struggle in adolescence. In the depths of her despair, she was a cutter. It was extremely difficult to watch. I cannot imagine the pain she was going through personally. I believe this all stemmed from her inner being not matching her outer self. She didn’t fit in. You and I both know what happens when kids don’t fit in. Add the family strife of divorce, parents with bad coping skills, and the general turmoil of adolescence and it was a volatile mix for my sweet girl.

\n

To see her today is such a joy. To see the light and life in her eyes lets my shoulders relax a little when I didn’t even realize I was holding tension there. I’m one of the only people, if not THE only person, in our family she can completely confide in and not feel judged or awkward. I don’t always understand or necessarily agree with some of her lifestyle choices, but I can love her and listen to her. I can hold on to her and let her know she is a light in the world. She is built on a hill and should not be hidden…certainly not by me. She is my lovey…my sweet Moon Pie. I’m proud to call her mine.

\n

As we reluctantly said goodbye after lunch, we hugged for a long time in the parking lot in Cherry Creek. When we finally pulled apart, she held my hand as she stretched away. Suddenly she came rushing back and held me close again, burying her face in my neck. I took a deep breath of her hair and skin and memorized them till we see each other again. My eyes stung with tears. I wish I could have been a better mom to her when she needed it the most. I wish I could have given her everything she needed to grow along the way so she didn’t have to struggle. I wish I could have protected her from all the things that caused her pain. However, if I had been a better mom, if I could have given her every good thing, if I could have protected her from all the things that brought pain to her tender heart…she still would be who she is today. A Tattooed Warrior Princess with some anxiety and depression and a kick-a** determination to thrive. She isn’t ashamed of who she is and I love her for that.

\n

Goodbyes are bittersweet, but feeling her love filled my heart with an indescribable joy. ❤

\n
“Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.”\n‭‭Proverbs 19:8 ESV
\n", "date_published": "2018-07-24T01:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/24/you-are-the-light-of.html", "tags": ["Family","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/23/memories-and-more-memories.html", "title": "Memories and More Memories", "content_html": "

\"Red “Love these cowgirl boots but they’re too small!)

\n
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.””\n‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nYesterday was as near a perfect day as I can get without being with Mr. FixIt. My son-in-law’s parents...Ben & Sue...are the most gracious people on the planet. My daughter hit the lottery when it comes to her husband and his family. When I come to Colorado, I stay at the in-law’s house. There’s more room and more privacy. When the kids are busy, Ben and Sue and I hang out. We have our coffee together every morning that I’m not off galavanting around. We often eat dinner together and I always take them out a time or two for dinner...my treat.\n

\"Antique “Antiquing is one of my favorite things to do.”

\n

After coffee yesterday morning, we had a few hours to kill before we headed to the last day of the swim meet. Sue and I have been planning to go antiquing ever since I arrived three weeks ago and one thing after another got in the way. So, yesterday was the day. We went to a new antique place on Tennyson in Arvada. OMGosh! What an amazing place.

\n

\"Vintage “Vintage bike”

\n

From the moment I peeked in the garage door, I was in love. I knew this was my kind of place. Not overwhelmingly stocked like so many antique stores. I don’t particularly like “smalls”…those little tchotchkes you have to dust. The Tennyson Antique Warehouse had lots to look at but it wasn’t so busy you couldn’t concentrate.

\n

I met a delightful couple in the antique shop.  Leslie and Deana have been married ten years. They sell antiques in a small area of the shop. Deana is from Virginia so we had a lovely chat about the Appalachian Mountains and the Blue Ridge. You know how you meet some people and you just understand them…who they are, where they’ve been? That was how it was with these two. I hope we stay in touch.

\n

\"Vintage “I remember watching cartoons on a set similar to this.”

\n

As I wandered around, I came across a Victorian chamber toilet. It has a porcelain bucket for emptying. The lid closes and a mechanism moves and deposits some sort of deodorizer into the potty. Probably lime or some sort of perfumed concoction, I imagine. I’ll have to do some research. This wonderful find will go in my ‘67 Franklin…”Joy”. For now, it will reside in the basement here until I bring Joy cross country…hopefully next summer.

\n

\"Victorian “My new-to-me Victorian chamber pot for my ‘67 Franklin camper.”

\n

After antiquing, and a quick light lunch at Panera, we hightailed it up to the aquatic center to watch Big swim the mile. She added ten seconds to her time and came in last in her heat. She was devastated. She is a sprinter and couldn’t believe she qualified for the mile in the first place. But to be trounced really stung. She cried it out in the shower and picked herself up beautifully. A wonderful lesson…both for her and for me. Being an elegant loser is a sign of good character.

\n

\"Grandma “Grandma Lois and me. Today is her 89th birthday!”

\n

The kids left for vacation right after the swim meet so us “old folks” hit the early dinner at the barbecue place. Then we went to visit the matriarch of the family. Grandma Lois turns 89 today! It was a beautiful, beautiful day! Such wonderful memories. ❤

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-23T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/23/memories-and-more-memories.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/22/state-swim-meet.html", "title": "State Swim Meet", "content_html": "

\"Swim “Big takes the plunge for her leg of the 400 medley relay.”

\n
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...”\n‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nThis is what we’ve been waiting for all year...the State Swim Meet. Big is an accomplished swimmer. She’s all arms and legs and has finally developed enough muscle and control to overcome her gangly growth spurt of last year. She is strong and graceful. She is incredibly focused and goal oriented. It is a pleasure to watch her strive to beat her personal bests.\n

It was hot and humid in the aquatic center. Parking was abysmal and necessitated a 3/4 mile hike in the hot sun from a distant lot. And that’s with getting there fairly early. The benches are hard metal with little ridges that quickly become uncomfortable. Someone spilled coffee all over the place where I sat. But, you get this little gal up on the starter’s box and I’m zoned out of all that. All I want to see is that wave from the deck. That bright smile that says “I’m glad you’re here!” That quick flip around to check her time. The raise of her fist when she’s accomplished the goal she set for that event.

\n

It warms my heart that her daddy’s entire family were there for this. Mimi and Gramps, uncle, aunt and both cousins. Mom, dad, and Little. And…me. So happy to share this with my Colorado family. We have another couple of events today then they head off for vacation. I’m winding down to the last couple of days here then I head back home on Wednesday. It’s gone so quickly. But…my heart is full and we’ve made more memories. ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-22T01:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/22/state-swim-meet.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/20/shopped-till-i-dropped.html", "title": "Shopped Till I Dropped", "content_html": "

\"Wounded “I shopped till I dropped!”

\n
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”\n‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\nYesterday was my special day with Big. She is fourteen so our yearly one-on-one is normally focused on fashion. Our trip to the mall began at the opening bell and ended at 3:00. That’s five hours of walking from one end to the other and back...several times. My suddenly sixty-five year old knee said, “What are you doing to me??? Get thee to a restaurant!”\n

Big and I took our time over huge yummy salads at California Pizza Kitchen. We discussed her upcoming entry into high school. We talked about making our visits really count since I only get one a year. We promised to text, call, and FaceTime more often to stay connected.

\n

This little gal is quite the shopper. She searches for the best deals and gets a ton of stuff for her money. She is stylish, yet conservative. Being a swimmer means you have broad shoulders so shirts and jackets don’t always fit well. She was thrilled with her purchases and I was thrilled to have that alone time with her. She is such a good person.

\n

I came home and stretched out and when I woke from my power nap, my knee was really hurting. Ice and naproxen and rest. What on earth has happened to my body? I turned sixty-five. It’s like anything else…it breaks down the week after the warranty expires. Oy! ❤️

\n

 

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-20T01:30:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/20/shopped-till-i-dropped.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Fun","Gratitude","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/16/what-is-this-wet-stuff.html", "title": "What Is This Wet Stuff?", "content_html": "

\"Rain\" “What is this wet stuff???”

\n
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”\n‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬
\nI was sitting with my friend, Terri, yesterday when I heard this loud roaring noise. At first, I thought the air conditioner had gone on the fritz. I looked out the window and saw sunshine so I knew it wasn’t rain. I looked around, puzzled. Suddenly, everyone jumped up and ran to the windows. Rain! It really was raining. And pretty darned hard, too. Since the sun was out, there was an impressive rainbow. But do you think I ran and got my camera to document the event? Oh, heck no! I might have missed the whole storm. And rain is NOT something you want to miss in this semi-arid climate.\n

Colorado is parched. The grass crackles under your feet. Miss one day watering your plants or lawn and you have nothing but pale straw colored spikes. You know it’s a dry summer when the headline on the news alert coming out of Denver is “IT’S RAINING!” The other night, my son-in-law’s dad got the call…there would be no more water in the ditch. They own shares in the irrigation ditch…along with a gazillion other people. The ditch hasn’t dried up in years. I hope what little bit of rain we received here yesterday will help ease the fire danger. These people don’t live with “IF” when it comes to fires. They live with “WHEN”. It’s scary.

\n

I visited Mr. Virgo’s grave again. I cleared away the old decorations and try as I might, I couldn’t find anything to replace them. I’ll clean up the cross and put it back on his grave before I leave tomorrow. As I sat there talking to him, I told him it was time to order his headstone. I just haven’t done it. It’s the “last thing”. I thought perhaps I was being remiss in not getting this part done. But I have been assured by many others I’m not alone. I mean, I’m in a new relationship. I’m happy. Mr. Virgo would be thrilled that I am living my life. Setting that headstone is sealing the past in the past. I’m ready to do that now. As soon as I told him I was going to order his stone, the bluebirds came. They circled around and around…a dozen or more of them. I laughed and said “Ok, Ok…I see you!” When I finally pulled out of the cemetery, the bluebirds followed along beside my car all the way down the hill. It was stunning! I left feeling optimistic…and somewhat relieved. I’m ready. ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-16T01:30:36-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/16/what-is-this-wet-stuff.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Growth","Gratitude","Courage","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/14/maker-day.html", "title": "Maker Day", "content_html": "

\"Waves\" “My take on waves.”

\n
“He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer.”\n‭‭Exodus‬ ‭35:35‬ ‭ESV
\nLittle is a maker, just like her Nana. Yesterday was Maker Day. We headed to Starbucks to get super charged, then Hobby Lobby to buy the assorted art supplies that any 11-year-old maker needs for projects. Next week she is going to Tech Camp and while she’s gone, her mom and auntie are creating a new “Maker Space” in her room. I made a sign for her today then relaxed with a painting to try my hand at waves. I really am not much of an artist but I do have fun playing.\n

Today I am heading to the mountains for a few days. I need to spend some more time with my sweet brother and clean up Mr. Virgo’s grave. I heard from a gal in Glenwood Springs and we’re going to gather any readers in the area that may be interested and meet for coffee while I’m in town. It is always such a delight to spend time with my readers.

\n

What a fun day with my girl! ❤

\n

‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-14T01:30:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/14/maker-day.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/13/little-me.html", "title": "Little \u0026 Me", "content_html": "

\"Nana “Little & Me”

\n
“For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭9:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬
\nI make it a point to spend one-on-one time with the grandchildren when I visit them in Colorado. Little is my “maker” so yesterday we baked her daddy’s birthday cake. She “painted” on the iPad for quite a while. Then she stayed the night with me over at her paternal grandparents’ house where I stay when I am here.\n

I love the frankness of this child. She tells long tall tales but she also speaks truth that cuts to the chase. She has a way of feeling great empathy and is forever the champion of the underdog. She made me promise to take her to church while I am here. We listened to praise music as we drove around yesterday.

\n

Today will be spent doing some sort of art project…not sure what yet. Tonight we celebrate several birthdays and an anniversary. I head to the mountains again this weekend for a good visit with my brother. Just about every day of the rest of my trip here is spoken for. It will be over before I know it. But, we’re making memories here, and that’s the name of the game! ❤️

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-13T01:30:21-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/13/little-me.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Positive Energy","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Presence","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/09/a-line-in-the-sand.html", "title": "A Line in the Sand", "content_html": "
\n
    \n\"Grave\"“Mr. Virgo’s final resting place.”
\n
\n
“For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭112:6-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬
\nWe often compartmentalize segments of our lives based on what happened in that particular time frame. One might identify the child raising years and the empty nest years. Or a marriage that ends in divorce with its resultant “before” and “after”. For me personally, I have two that are particularly significant...”The Prozac Years” and “Mr. Virgo’s Death”.\n

There is a line in the sand between the before and after of my husband’s death. Nowhere am I more aware of that line than where I am sitting as I write this. I went to the mountains yesterday to visit my brother. He’s getting older and more frail. His ankles are swollen and he’s forgetful. I showed him pictures on my iPad and he didn’t know who our grandparents were. It made me very sad and added to the knots I already had in my stomach before I got there.

\n

After spending the afternoon with my sweet brother, I went to visit my “adoptive parents”…an elderly couple that stood in as my parents when I married Mr. Virgo. The difference in their health in the last year is not unexpected by any means, given their age. But it still hurts my heart to see them this way.

\n

I spent an hour with one of the dearest friends in the world and she shared some of the struggles she is facing right now. It made my heart hurt even more. And I promised I would pray for her. I love her dearly. I love all of these wonderful people. And…I’m standing right on the line in the sand. I am a stone’s throw from the cemetery as I write this.

\n

Mr. Virgo’s grave is a mess. I’ll go to Walmart tomorrow and get some stuff to clean it up. I think I’ll lay landscape fabric and crushed stone to make it look clean. I can’t plant anything because it doesn’t rain enough here to make anything grow.

\n

I can smell the smoke from the wildfires. Hopefully, with the little rainfall they’ve been getting, the firefighters can bring them under control soon.

\n

I’m letting myself feel the feels while I’m here. When I’m in WV, there is so much distance. There are no constant “in your face” reminders. When I’m here, he’s everywhere. So…I’ll just lean back into the river and ride the current downstream. ❤

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-09T01:30:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/09/a-line-in-the-sand.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/07/gods-gifts.html", "title": "God’s Gifts", "content_html": "

\"Procreate “Little is quite the artist.”

\n
“May you see your children's children!...”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭128:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬
\nGrandchildren. What an amazing gift they are. My heart breaks for people who long for them and don’t get to experience something so amazing. One of the best parts about being a Nana is getting the best parts of the children. Their behaviors are different around grandparents...especially when they don’t get to see them quite as often. I haven’t seen my Colorado family since last August. A lot of growing up occurred in that time.\n

Big is just a tich taller than I am! How did this happen? She is lovely and elegant with her long, wavy blond hair. She’s an athlete…a swimmer. Dedicated and focused with a dry wit. She’s quiet, observant, fiercely loyal, and bright. I’m looking forward to having some alone time with her. We like to go shopping. She’s a frugal shopper and is careful to get the most with what she has. My first grandchild. I’ll never forget the summer after Mr. Virgo died. I brought the camper down to my son-in-law’s parents’ house and Big climbed up on the bed and talked to me for two hours straight. Before that, I’d have been hard pressed to get two sentences out of her. She’s fourteen now, and camping is SO passé. She likes to camp at the Marriott.

\n

Little…ah, little. She is at that delightful age when everything warrants a l-o-n-g story. Her words tumble out faster than my sixty-five year old ears can keep up with. The bottom eight inches or so of her long blond hair is now a faded turquoise blue. She wears pink lip gloss and pale blue eye shadow. She is all of eleven, but her soul is ancient. She is a maker…just like me. We were driving around yesterday and she was talking about her ADHD. She informed me very matter of factly…she can choose to look at it as a disability or a super power. She chooses super power. It gives her the advantage of having lots of energy. She admitted the downside is anxiety, however…she thinks that gives her empathy for others who go through the same thing. She is so relatable. Her insights blow me away. Our time will be spent doing art projects. Today’s picture is one she drew on my iPad using the iPencil and a program called Procreate.

\n

I savor every moment I get with these two. Before I know it, they’ll be grown and out on their own in the world. ❤

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-07T01:30:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/07/gods-gifts.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/07/05/colorado.html", "title": "Colorado!", "content_html": "

\"Fireworks\" “Fireworks…I didn’t go see them this year. Too tired after a long day traveling.”

\n
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, \"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.\"”\n‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:19‬ ‭ESV‬‬
\nWe started out the day yesterday bright and early. We had to drive 2.5 hours to Columbus and be there two hours ahead of my flight. When I went to check into the ticket counter, it was closed with a sign that gave a number to call for rebooking flights. That made it sound like something was going on with the airline, but I found out it just meant they didn’t open the desk until two hours before the flight. Then, something was wrong with the printer and they couldn’t get it to work. Finally I was shifted to another line and it worked. I had paid extra for a seat with extra legroom but when I got onboard, I found I had been moved back further in the plane so I was crammed in like a sardine. The seats don’t recline and my knees pressed against the seat back in front of me. I ended up taking a second Dramamine and sleeping the whole way, which was fine.\n

While all this was going on, my first husband’s wife was attacked and carjacked in Louisville, Kentucky. A man came up to her and asked for money. She said she never carried money so he told her he would just take her car. She managed to grab a bag out of the car before he got her in a choke hold and she nearly passed out. She tried to fight him but she was too short. So she bit the h*** out of his arm. That’s when he punched her and threw her to the ground, grabbed her keys and took off with the car. She is going to be fine. Bruised with a cut on her lip and mad as a hornet.

\n

When I think of how this could have turned out much differently, my little fussiness at the airport was nothing. A blip on the radar. Thank God she’s ok. I am grateful it wasn’t worse.

\n

And now I’m here with my Colorado family. Let the fun begin!❤️

\n

 

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-07-05T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/07/05/colorado.html", "tags": ["Family","Fear","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/06/23/the-empty-nest.html", "title": "The Empty Nest", "content_html": "

\"Empty “The empty nest can be painful, no matter which of you leaves first.”

\n
“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.”\n‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬
\nI got married young the first time. I was nineteen. I thought I knew everything! I was just about finished with x-ray training. Hubby #1 and I literally grew up together. Our families have known each other since long before we were born. The day after graduation, I hopped on a plane and flew to England to join him. He was stationed there in the Air Force. I had never been on a plane before. I cannot imagine what that must have been like for my mom. She still had my brother at home. He has a developmental disability and always lived at home with her, so she never did have that “empty nest”. But I know she missed me terribly and it had to have been so worrisome for her to have me so far away the very first time I left home.\n

My older daughter got married when she was twenty-one. It wasn’t too long after that when she and her new husband moved to Long Island. I thought THAT was way too far and it just about killed me. I was having trouble in my marriage. Her younger sister was only five years old. I hated having them so far away. I visited as often as I could, but it was a really hard time for both of us. We had always been very close. A half-empty nest is just as painful.

\n

I’ve watched my friends go through letting their children go. When my younger daughter left home for college, it was a different story. First, I had had children at home for thirty-three years. I was in a new marriage and in a much happier space. And, she was only going to be a couple of hours away. It was an entirely different story when the nest emptied out completely.

\n

But what happens when it’s the opposite and it’s your MOM that pulls up roots and leaves? That’s what’s happening to one of my friends in my small group from church. She is young…younger than my Daughter #2. Her brother, her two sisters, her nephew, and her mom are moving several states away and she is left here. In addition to that, they are selling the only home she has ever known. Her nest is being taken away. That has to be really hard. You just never think of it happening like this. It’s usually the other way around.

\n

I always made it a point to go visit my West Virginia family at least once a year. I took my kids with me so they could feel that bond of family. I never dreamed I would up and leave my Colorado family like I have. Colorado was never really the home of my heart. West Virginia is. I usually visit my family twice a year but Mr. FixIt’s surgery in December kept me here this past winter. The grandchildren have grown so much in the past year since I’ve seen them. It seems like a lifetime ago. And my girls have aged…as have I. I remember there was a stretch of time when Hubby #2 was in medical school that I didn’t see my mom for over two years. I never want to do that with my family! I can’t imagine. She had to have been so sad.

\n

Keeping those family bonds alive is so important. I’ll be there in a couple of weeks and stay for three weeks. I can’t wait to see them! Do you live far from your family? Do you get to see them very often? How long do you get to visit? I’d love to hear the things you do that make your visits extra special. I am always looking for new ideas to create lasting memories! ❤

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-06-23T01:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/06/23/the-empty-nest.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","West Virginia","Growth","Grace","Wisdom","Courage","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/06/07/the-ponderosa.html", "title": "The Ponderosa", "content_html": "

\"Sunshine “The Ponderosa in the afternoon.”

\n

This little slice of heaven right here is The Ponderosa…that beautiful home place that came with Mr. FixIt. When I tell you I’ve been out mowing, it’s here. A flat four acres, this job takes about two to three hours to complete. I put on a radio headset and ride around and around. It’s not even like work. And this week has been perfect for mowing. With highs in the 60’s and low 70’s, even I can mow with the push mower out at my family’s farm without stopping more than two or three times. It’s been lovely.

\n

\"Husqvarna “My new ride!”

\n

Mr. FixIt’s riding mower has seen it’s better days so we picked up one at a real bargain yesterday and I got to mow with it. It was the difference between night and day. It cuts a wider swath and doesn’t hit every bump with a teeth-jarring rattle. I love that I can help him out around the yard. He does SO much for me, it is my pleasure to help him whenever I can.

\n

\"Antheraea “Antheraea Polyphemus…one of the Giant Silk Moths, male.”

\n

I was working around the building out back and saw this beautiful moth. It’s wingspan was about 3.5-4”. This is a male Antheraea Polyphemus…one of the Giant Silk Moths. His antennae are large and feathery…all the better for sniffing out pheromones for a little “moth l’amore”. He took off after I shot this photo and flew up over TOW-Wanda. What a lovely thing to see!

\n

\"Starcraft “TOW-Wanda…waiting patiently to GO somewhere!”

\n

Speaking of the big girl…here she is, parked out by the big building. She will get moved in a couple of days so we can mow there and not kill the grass. But I have truly enjoyed having her closer to the house and have spent a few afternoons writing and snoozing out there in the last couple of weeks. I’m a little less inclined when she’s out in the field and not hooked up to electric. I like my fans. I need to get Joy moved over here so I can start working on her. I also need to jack up TOW-Wanda and check out one of her wheel bearings. It was too hot when I brought her home from the last camping trip. I’ll do that when I get her out on the flat driveway where there is a more stable surface.

\n

It seems there is a never ending list of things to do, isn’t there? Keeping busy keeps you fit, keeps your mind flexible, and helps stabilize your mood. That’s a win-win-win for me! And, it’s so much easier to accomplish more in this cooler weather. It motivates me to get more done. ❤

\n

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”\n‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:12-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-06-07T01:30:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/06/07/the-ponderosa.html", "tags": ["Family","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Humbled","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/06/01/hello-june.html", "title": "Hello, June!!!", "content_html": "

\"Hello, “Hello, June!!!”

\n

Seriously, how does time go so fast?

\n

And, so…S-L-O-W!

\n

Let me explain. Today…I start Medicare! What??? I didn’t think it would EVER get here. And, at the same time, I learned to drive, like…yesterday, right? All week I’ve been in awe of this moment. This is such a monumental event. Ok, getting married is a monumental event. Having a baby is a monumental event. Changing insurance plans isn’t really that big of a deal. But it is, you know?

\n

Sometimes ideas have to stew around in my head for a few days before I can articulate them. I just have to sit tight and feel the feelings till the thought bubbles up like a spring coming up from deep within the earth. This idea of going on Medicare…turning sixty-five…is an accomplishment. One not everyone gets to enjoy. Mr. Virgo died at sixty-two. He didn’t get Medicare. He didn’t get to retire. I’ve lived three years longer than he did. There was a time when I didn’t believe I would live this long. And, here I am.

\n

I get to go on Medicare. I get to go to Florida in a couple of weeks. I get to see my Colorado family in July. I get to have some medical procedures in the next few weeks that some people can’t afford. I get to spend my time with a really sweet, kind, caring man who loves me more than anything…and I get to love him right back. I’ve gained more family members through Mr. FixIt. I get to live in West Virginia. I am truly, truly blessed. I know this.

\n

Yesterday was spent cleaning and shampooing the carpets in the basement. A perfect day for working down there since it was so hot and humid out. We had a brief downpour that did nothing but make the air hot and sticky. After we were finished with our chores, we went out in the pool and cleaned some more (pools are high maintenance) and only came in when we heard some thunder. That storm missed us.

\n

A good day working and playing. Yet, I still can’t get over it. Medicare.

\n

How did this happen? ❤️

\n

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”\n‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-06-01T01:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/06/01/hello-june.html", "tags": ["Family","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Aging","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/05/30/tread-lightly.html", "title": "Tread Lightly", "content_html": "

\"Bison “Bison in front of the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone National Park”

\n

Oh, those Facebook memories. They used to slay me. I’d finally be feeling halfway like myself, to the point where I didn’t cry every d*** day, when one of those pages from the past would show up and rip my heart wide open again. I am pleased to say, it’s been a while since I’ve had that kind of reaction to something as unbidden as photos from a favorite vacation.

\n

Yesterday, just such a memory popped up. Mr. Virgo loved going to Yellowstone National Park and seeing the Grand Tetons. We went two or three times in the seven-and-a-half years we were together. He was quite the photographer and I am so happy I have so many of his beautiful photos. This was taken on our last vacation together. We did a float trip down the Snake River that year. We spent a week exploring. We saw grizzlies, eagles, bison, deer, elk, owls, coyotes, antelope…it was amazing.

\n

Yesterday was a good day. Mr. FixIt and I worked hard…it was mowing day. We have lots of rain forecast in the next few days so we needed to get that done. It was hot, but we stayed in the AC during the worst of it in the afternoon and headed back out just as the sun started to head over the wooded ridge beyond the far field. When we were done, we enjoyed a refreshing couple of hours in the pool. When I settled in to write my post, this photo showed up. The more time that passes since Mr. Virgo’s death, the wider the chasm between then and now becomes.

\n

Grief is so weird. Sometimes things that you THINK would upset you are nothing. Other times, the smallest thing can trip you up and send you down the tubes. This was a good day. This was a good memory, a good vacation. This was a good marriage, a good man, a good friend, a good life. And yesterday was a good day, a good memory, with a good man, a good friend, and a good life. The difference is time and perspective. It’s a new life. A different life. A good life. A fun life.

\n

Yes…grief is weird. ❤

\n

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭37:23-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-05-30T01:30:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/05/30/tread-lightly.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Courage","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/05/26/memorial-day-weekend.html", "title": "Memorial Day Weekend", "content_html": "\"Cemetery\n\nIt’s not just about barbecues and family get togethers. It’s not about opening up the pool for the season or heading to the hills with the camper. It’s about remembering those who have gone before us. Flags are placed on the graves of veterans. Graves are spruced up and flowers are laid. And we remember.\n

My mom is buried on the far end there. She has purple flowers. Purple was her favorite color. Just ask anyone who knew her. It went so well with her perfectly white hair. Her headstone has my brother’s name engraved beside hers. The next headstone is my Uncle Bob’s. He lived at home all his life. He had a bad stutter and the kids at school made fun of him so Grandma kept him home to work the farm. He was strong as an ox and had the gentle heart of a lamb. His job every week was to ring the church bell to gather the worshipers at the little white church house on the hill. His headstone is engraved with “Mgr. of the Bell”. He was an angel unawares.

\n

Grandma then Pop-Pop come next. Then Uncle Sonny who was killed in a plane crash in Germany in 1955. He was an Air Force Pilot. He was the light of everyone’s life and the light dimmed greatly for this family when he left us. Even though I don’t remember him, the stories I’ve heard all my life make me feel like I knew him.

\n

Tucked between the two far headstones is a small tuft of Mr. Virgo’s silver hair that I buried when I moved here. Even though he is buried overlooking the house we shared in Colorado, I wanted a piece of him here in the family cemetery where I could visit him. One of my friends lives just a stone’s throw from Mr. Virgo’s final resting place overlooking the golf course we used to play. I texted her yesterday and asked her, yet again, if she could leave a handful of wildflowers on his grave for me this weekend. I know he will get his flag, but I wanted him to have flowers, too. Jeanne told me that even though she never met him when he was living, she feels a kinship with him. She speaks to him every day when she walks through the graves on her way to the hiking trail in the hills beyond. She is always happy to lay a lilac or a peony with a whispered hello from me. She told me she found a glow in the dark golf ball and set it on her kitchen sink. She’s going to take that along as well. He’ll love that!

\n

Here’s a salute to all the men and women who gave of themselves to serve our country. Here’s to those who soldiered on at home while their loved ones were gone. And here’s to the Gold Star parents whose child gave their all, most often on foreign soil, far removed from any comfort they may have provided. That loss weighed so heavy on my grandma. She always pictured that maybe, if she were there, she could have at least been there in his final moments, even though he was killed instantly. A mother thinks these things.

\n

As you celebrate the first grand weekend of summer…please, remember. ??❤??

\n

“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27:3-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-05-26T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/05/26/memorial-day-weekend.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Prayer","West Virginia","Love","Holiday","Wisdom"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/05/12/mothers-day-weekend.html", "title": "Mother’s Day Weekend", "content_html": "

\"Mother’s “My mother’s love is with me always.”

\n

I went to the farm yesterday. I wanted to spend some time in my mother’s childhood home…the home of my heart. I miss my mom and I feel closer to her when I’m in the house she loved so much. Grandma’s house was the epicenter of our universe. She was happiest when she had all her kids and grandkids surrounding her. I can relate to that.

\n

My mom was special…as are all moms, right? She had a heart of gold. She had a laugh that I craved. She was simple. She was stubborn. She was pretty. She was generous. She loved with every ounce of her being. She took care of my brother till the Lord called her home. She was…good.

\n

We butted heads a lot when I was growing up…like most of us do. She insisted on doing things the l-o-n-g way and it made me crazy. She was an excellent seamstress. She basted everything together and was meticulous. I threw things together as fast as I could. That made HER crazy!

\n

She was a terrible cook. But she made a pineapple upside down cake that made you cry it was so good. When microwaves came out, she decided she had to have one to heat up her coffee. That’s when she switched to Folgers Instant. She bought the biggest microwave I have ever seen in my life…to heat up a coffee cup full of water. Oy. Did I mention she made me crazy?

\n

My mother taught me many things but most importantly, she taught me about God. It didn’t stick for a long, long time for me. As a matter of fact, I became a Christian after she passed away, so she never experienced that particular joy. I think the one thing I regret most as a mother is not teaching my children the love of God. They are grown, and they are lovely women. I try to live my life as an example. I love them and miss them very much.

\n

This is my 14th Mother’s Day without my mom. My kids are in Colorado so I won’t see them until I head there this summer. So, when I came back from the farm yesterday, Mr. FixIt had two dozen roses and a beautiful card with a handwritten note in it resting on the kitchen counter. What a sweet, thoughtful man this is. He just makes me smile!!

\n

If you are missing your mom today, my heart is with you, dear one. Losing your mom is such a sad, sad affair. If you are missing your babies, whether they live far away or further…in heaven…my heart breaks for you. I cannot imagine that loss. You are all in my prayers this Mother’s Day Weekend. ❤️

\n

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-05-12T01:30:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/05/12/mothers-day-weekend.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Wisdom"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/05/11/keep-walking.html", "title": "Keep Walking", "content_html": "

\"Encouragement “Keep walking, dear one.”

\n

I have several people in my life who are walking a challenging path right now. From my cousin with mesothelioma to a friend’s first grandchild being born with physical challenges. From my friend who is selling the home she and her late husband raised their family in to the beautiful women in my small group from church who are facing some pretty big things right now. There are new widows and new moms and new grandmas out there who need extra love and support today. To all of you who are facing challenges…let me say this.

\n

You are beautiful.

\n

You are stronger than you think.

\n

You are loved.

\n

You are being prayed for.

\n

No matter how difficult and challenging life becomes…

\n

Stand up.

\n

Keep walking.

\n

Keep moving forward.

\n

You are worthy.

\n

You are enough.

\n

You are a Child of God.

\n

It’s ok to cry.

\n

It’s ok to not be ok.

\n

Just hang in there…things will get better. Maybe not right away…but they will get better.

\n

I love you.

\n

❤️

\n

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”\n‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:29‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n

#encouragement, #BuildingUp, #love

\n", "date_published": "2018-05-11T01:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/05/11/keep-walking.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Growth","Wisdom","Fear","Courage","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/04/20/no-apologies.html", "title": "No Apologies", "content_html": "

\"Unplug\" “It’s ok to unplug.”

\n

What happens when you have to “dig in and go dark?” When you have the diagnosis, you’ve gone through the years of treatments, nothing else is working, so your spouse makes the decision you have dreaded from the beginning…no more? That was the question posed to me. It’s different for everyone and I don’t know for sure…I haven’t suffered this particular hell. But, my answer was this. Do what you need to do and don’t apologize for it.

\n

Facebook has become a simplified way to let more distant family and friends know what’s going on during illness and the dying process. It tends to keep people from having to write the same story over and over. I suggested being honest. Tell them where you are in the decision process, explain you’re entering new territory with many unknowns that you’ll be learning to deal with as you go, and now…while you love each and every one and you covet their prayers…you have to unplug. Designate someone to let the closest people know what’s going on if you can’t do it.

\n

You don’t owe the world an explanation. I understand there will be those who feel left out or put out, but your time is best spent in communion with your loved one. You will have many demands on your time. Trying to update everyone on social media shouldn’t be one of them if it overwhelms you. From the other side of the coin, understand there’s a lot going on in a family whose loved one is dying and as much as you would like to know what’s going on, giving a family space and your prayers are the two best things you can do if you aren’t in the “inner circle.“

\n

Many of you have shared your experiences of going through this kind of loss. What kind of advice would you give to someone heading into the last part of the process? What helped you the most? What did you really need from people? How did you handle communications?

\n

Remember, when you’ve gone through loss and you’re functioning better and moving forward, don’t forget to turn back around and offer your hand to those coming up behind you on the same journey. Insight…it is one of the gems in the flame. ❤

\n

“…a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;”\n‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-04-20T01:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/04/20/no-apologies.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Fear","Courage","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/04/15/new-things.html", "title": "New Things", "content_html": "
\n
    \n\"Lawnmower\"“It’s that time of year!”
\n
\nI love doing new things. Yesterday, it was mowing about four acres with a riding lawn mower. I’ve never used a riding mower before. I’ve never really had a lawn big enough that would justify the expense. The yard at the farm is about an acre so I guess if I were planning on living there forever, I might buy one, but really, the self-propelled Toro mower I have out there is just fine.\n

Mr. FixIt has five acres. He used to mow all of it but in the last few years, he’s left that back acre or so to be brush hogged a couple of times a year. Still, four acres is a pretty impressive amount of mowing. I filled up my water bottle, put on my wide brimmed hat and radio headphones and cranked up the tunes. I rock and rolled out there for a good two hours and it wasn’t bad at all. Then I used the push mower to get some of the places I couldn’t reach with the rider and that about did me in. It was probably ninety degrees out there and I really should have known better. I don’t tolerate heat very well at all anymore. Fortunately, I do know to quit at the very first symptoms of overheating. I came in and took a cool shower, drank some fluids with electrolytes, ate a banana, and laid down under the ceiling fan. I soon felt much better, although I’m going to be pretty sore today.

\n

Mr. FixIt was very proud of my accomplishments. He asked if that was the first time I’d ever mowed on a riding mower. I grinned ear to ear. He laughed and said, “It just might get old after a while!” Yeah, probably…but it sure was fun yesterday. He was thrilled to have the extra help and that made me feel good. He changed his oil and got a lot of work done while I mowed. If I hadn’t have helped, he’d have been out there hours longer. The Bible says two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If one falls down, one can help the other up. Mr. FixIt and I make a good team. ❤

\n

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147:3-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-04-15T01:30:01-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/04/15/new-things.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Gratitude","Grace","Wisdom"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/04/14/sacrosanct.html", "title": "Sacrosanct", "content_html": "

\"Two “It’s good to love again.”

\n

Fridays. Since we first started dating, Fridays have been declared “sacrosanct”…too important or valuable to be interfered with. We don’t make plans with anyone on Fridays. That’s OUR day. We go where we want, do what we want. No obligations other than to enjoy each other’s company to the fullest. I’ve come to love Fridays. We look forward all week long to our special day. It’s special because we declared it so.

\n

We packed up from our week at the farm and headed back to the Ponderosa yesterday. We went to Walmart and bought oil and a filter so I could change the oil on my truck before we leave next week for the beach. It was only the second time I’ve changed the oil and Mr. FixIt sat right there and answered any questions I had. He handed me tools. And he offered words of encouragement when things didn’t go quite as smoothly as they had the first time. First, I tried using the creeper…that thing you lay on and roll under the vehicle. The new ramps Mr. FixIt bought aren’t as high as the old ones and with the creeper under me, I was feeling way too cramped. So I scooted back out and started over by wiggling under the truck. The engine was still pretty warm so the oil was runny and when I took the plug out of the oil pan, it sprayed everywhere. All over me…in my hair. What a mess. But, eventually…I got it done.

\n

I have never had a qualm about doing hefty projects around the house, but I always deferred things like changing the oil to the man of the house or the guy at Jiffy Lube. It never occurred to me to do these things. But after Mr. Virgo died, I felt so incompetent at so many things. I vowed I would learn how to do anything that needed doing so I would never feel that vulnerable again. Mr. FixIt is an excellent teacher and has infinite patience with me. At first, I think it bothered him a bit that I wanted to do things myself. It gives him great pleasure to do things for me. Now he seems to get a big kick out of watching me accomplish something and be so proud of myself.

\n

Loving after loss is different. I’m much more independent and assertive than I have ever been. This love encompasses fierce bravery and incredible tenderness. Case in point…I was putting laundry away yesterday when the song “At Last” came on the playlist. Out of the blue, I was standing in Rivers Restaurant on a crisp April day…dancing in Mr. Virgo’s arms. Our first, and only, dance was at our wedding reception. Nine times out of ten, I can hear that song and smile. Not yesterday. I sat on the edge of the bed and cried. It’s a short song. It was soon over and I dried my eyes and went on about my work. Later, I walked through the kitchen and Mr. FixIt was doing dishes. I stopped and watched him for a few moments. When he was finished, he turned and saw me standing there and smiled as he wiped his hands.

\n

“I love you more than I ever dreamed possible,” I said. “And, even with that deep love, I just sat on the bed and cried when “At Last” came on.”

\n

He knows the significance of the song. He opened his arms wide and drew me into his embrace. He held me close and whispered into my hair.

\n

“Of course you did, sweetheart. It brings back memories.”

\n

That’s all. No attempt to jolly me out of it. No rush to move me along and change the subject. Just honor. And love. And support. And validation. No one…no one could ever ask for anything more beautiful than that. What a wonderful man.

\n

I love Fridays. ❤

\n

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”\n‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-04-14T01:30:03-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/04/14/sacrosanct.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Wisdom","Choices","Change","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/04/12/missing-my-mom.html", "title": "Missing My Mom", "content_html": "

\"Sickness “Do you miss your mom when you’re sick?”

\n

I felt perfectly fine all day yesterday. I ran errands and visited with people. Then, at the end of the day, I got my bangs cut and my stylist said she had a sore throat and felt a cold coming on. By the time I got home, I was feverish, achy, stuffy, coughing…just, ugh. I’m sure I couldn’t possibly have gotten it from her that quickly, but it sure came on fast.

\n

I came home, used my Zicam and took DayQuil and slept for an hour. Used my inhaler. Took my vitamins. Drank tea. Did a tribal dance and twirled a dead chicken over my head. I’m kidding about the dead chicken, but I’d do just about anything to keep from getting a full fledged cold.

\n

Remember when you were a little kid and your mom would take care of you when you were sick? I liked that. Mom would put her cool hand on my fevered brow and go get the thermometer. She would give me a couple of baby aspirin or maybe a piece of that hideous Aspergum. Then she’d make toast and tea. Or milk toast…a slice of toast with warm milk poured over it and sprinkled with sugar. That I wasn’t crazy about. Sometimes she would cuddle me on her lap and sing “Bye-o Baby Buntin” then she would tuck me in and turn down the lights. If I was really sick, she pulled a chair up by my bed and read stories to me till I went to sleep. I miss my mom. Even today when I’m sick, I miss my mom. I have Mr. FixIt, thank God. But nothing ever replaces your mama’s hand on your fevered brow. ❤

\n

“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”\n‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-04-12T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/04/12/missing-my-mom.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Comfort","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/04/11/farming.html", "title": "Farming", "content_html": "

\"Burning “Burning an Old Tree Stump”

\n

With the onslaught of spring comes the inevitable chores. Yard work, cleaning out ditches. Picking up downed branches. Mr. FixIt is one of those guys who can’t be still…he has to be doing something. So, I asked him if he thought he could do something about that unsightly rotting tree trunk down at the end of the driveway. He did me one better. He got the lawnmower out of the barn and mulched up the leaves and got the first mowing of the season done. Then he went after the tree trunk. I am so grateful to have this man in my life. Not just for his Mr. FixIt capabilities…but for, everything!

\n

I remember when this tree was in its prime. My uncle says it died with the emerald ash borer infestation. Lots of trees around here did. Over the last decade or so, the trunk has very slowly rotted but not fast enough for me. I don’t have a chain saw. I didn’t feel like getting the hand saw after it. I have kicked chunks off of it, but that wood is still pretty hard down in there. Mr. FixIt decided we’d just burn it out. It was a sunny day, no wind to speak of. I must say…it was pretty impressive once it got going! It will take it a while to smolder down and be gone. Then later on I can plant a flowering shrub there like Hydrangea or Rose of Sharon. We have plenty of Quince and Forsythia so I don’t want to plant that. And I really don’t want to plant another tree. We bring campers in and out of this driveway so I don’t want branches blocking the way.

\n

Today is errand day and meeting my cousin’s wife for a big hug and a much needed visit. Every day brings us closer to warm summer evenings sitting on the porch drinking sweet tea. And every day brings us closer to saying goodbye to him whom we adore. This will be a bittersweet year. ❤️

\n

“The earth is the Lord ’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭24:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-04-11T01:30:11-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/04/11/farming.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/04/07/coveting-spring.html", "title": "Coveting Spring", "content_html": "

\"Daffodils “Daffodils by the Cistern”

\n

I set to work yesterday, determined to finish the taxes. I sorted through every bag of papers I brought to the farm with me, only to come up two papers short. By the time I discovered this, it was mid-afternoon so I texted Mr. FixIt. He was due to arrive in a few hours.

\n

“Change of plans.” I texted. “I’m coming home.”

\n

He is a patient and flexible man, thank goodness.

\n

\"Quince\" “Quince on the Creek Bank”

\n

I did a quick walkabout and caught some pictures of the flowers at the farm before I packed up the important stuff and headed to The Ponderosa. As I drove through the countryside, I marveled at the earth waking up all around me. I came around a bend and the pasture near an old, broken down farmhouse was dotted with daffodils. Great splashes of yellow spread out before me and I smiled. Someone…long ago…planted all these little bulbs in this field. I knew. There was once a woman who coveted spring as much as me. I could imagine her living in what may have seemed a hovel…or perhaps, a castle to her. She worked hard to keep her family fed and her farm in order. Maybe she bought a bag of little daffodil bulbs at the feed store with her egg money…an impulse purchase meant to bring joy in the springs to come. And, long after she was dead and gone, I swung around that bend in the road and thought of the nameless, faceless woman with a love for all things fresh and new.

\n

\"Daffodils “Grandma’s Daffodils “

\n

I whispered my thanks to her and drove on. ❤

\n

““Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”\n‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:27-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-04-07T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/04/07/coveting-spring.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Grace","Peace","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/03/24/be-still-my-heart.html", "title": "Be Still My Heart", "content_html": "

\"Baby “Is there anything sweeter than little girl socks?”

\n

Is there anything cuter than little girl socks with little girl feet in them? We got to see our little sugar bean yesterday at her first visit with the Easter Bunny. There was a mommy and daddy, a granny, three great grandmas and a great grandpa in attendance for such a monumental event. Then we all went out for dinner. It was a beautiful day!

\n

With the five year anniversary of Mr. Virgo’s death past me, I’m feeling much better…hopeful, centered, happy, peaceful. I’m was talking with a couple of other widows the other day about being in “moving forward” mode. I write so much about grief because I took this on as my ministry. And, even though I WRITE it, I hope you understand that I don’t feel sad every single day anymore. I write with empathy for those in the throes of grief. For those who are new on the journey. For those who still struggle no matter how much time has passed. I am healthier this way. I seem to have found my balance now, even though the scales still get tipped back toward sadness from time to time. This is the nature of the beast.

\n

I hope you have a beautiful day. Get out there and enjoy the first weekend of Spring!!! ❤️

\n

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭127:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-03-24T01:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/03/24/be-still-my-heart.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/03/12/peace-be-still.html", "title": "Peace Be Still", "content_html": "

\"Peace “Peace Be Still - The Belonging Co”

\n

The pain of new grief is nearly indescribable. It takes physical form in your body keeping you from drawing a deep breath or sleeping or eating. Like an amputee, you have had half of your heart removed and you don’t know how to live like that. It was brutal. Wave after wave of grief crashed over me with no time for a breath in between. I felt I would surely drown. I was numb. I couldn’t retain information. I couldn’t watch a movie or read a book.

\n

After a couple of years the waves were a little less forceful, a little less often. But the memory of the pain filled me with fear. What if it came back? What if it never stops? I wasn’t sure I wanted to live like that forever. I wasn’t sure I COULD. As soon as I began to feel a wave coming I panicked. There were so many nights I lay awake…all night long. I can’t tell you how many nights I was up throwing up all night. It was so incredibly painful.

\n

Through my writing I found an outlet for the pain. Through my faith I found an outlet for my fear. Last week I let some of that fear slip back in as I anticipated today. Five years gone. How can that be? I’ve knitted together a totally different life now. He’s been gone almost as long as we were married. I can’t smell his skin anymore, yet I can describe my memory of it. I can’t see his hands anymore, yet I can describe how they felt when he guided me to a table in a restaurant. That was my biggest fear…forgetting. Time twists our memories and they fade. And that made me sad…again.

\n

Peace Be Still. This song lifted me all weekend. The worship team at our church played it Friday night at the women’s conference and it stuck with me all weekend. They played it again in church yesterday. I downloaded it in the lobby on my way out and played it over and over yesterday as I browsed through photographic memories of Mr. Virgo and me.

\n

The first line speaks to me. “I don’t want to be afraid every time I face the waves.” After the chorus…”I’m not gonna be afraid ‘cause these waves are only waves.” In acute grief when I was physically mourning, the waves were urgent and overwhelming. When it got to the point I was fearing the waves, I had to remind myself I had survived them 100% of the time up to that point.

\n

My favorite line of the song comes later.

\n

“Peace be still\nYou are here so it is well\nEven when my eyes can’t see\nI will trust the voice that speaks\nPeace, Peace\nOver me”

\n

I made a conscious decision yesterday. I’ve decided to celebrate Mr. Virgo’s birthday as my day of remembrance of him. That day is associated with happy thoughts. I think focusing on the sad days is keeping me in that sad place over and over and over and maybe that isn’t as helpful as it used to be. It’s an evolution of grief…looking forward since that’s the direction I’m going. That doesn’t mean I won’t remember or feel sad. It doesn’t mean I won’t have waves on occasion. I’m all about feeling my feelings. I’m also a proponent of letting go and letting God work in me.

\n

Anyway…as much as I hate the phrase “it is what it is”, there’s truth in that. I can’t change anything about what today is, but I can change my focus. I feel SO much better than I did late last week. I’ll do what I always do…put one foot in front of the other, lift my head up, and keep moving forward. ❤

\n

youtu.be/dUpKZz0Nm…

\n

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”\n‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-03-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/03/12/peace-be-still.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Growth","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/03/05/a-simple-ceremony.html", "title": "A Simple Ceremony", "content_html": "\"Fiddle\"\n

Mr. FixIt and I went to a simple country funeral yesterday. My cousin’s wife lost her mom Friday after a brief but courageous fight with cancer. We went to the early service at church yesterday so we could make it to the funeral in time as it was an hour and a half away. It is a testimony to the impact of a person’s life when the line to get into the funeral stretches long outside the building.

\n

We chatted with the folks as we waited to pay our respects to the family and be seated. Mr. FixIt is SO like me…we neither one know a stranger. By the time we got in the door we were on a first name basis with half the folks in line. There were flowers everywhere. There were quilts and statues, plaques and potted plants, lanterns and birdhouses. There were two whole tables filled with photos of the deceased and her family. I greeted several of my cousins who were there and I hugged my sweet sister/friend then found seats.

\n

Two pastors led the funeral service. One led the opening prayer. A quartet consisting of three guitars and a fiddle played “Amazing Grace”, “A Purple Robe”, and “Will the Circle be Unbroken”. The music was halting and sweet in its simplicity. Bev was a strong Christian woman, raised on a ridge two miles up a holler from the nearest paved road. Her parents walked or rode horseback to take their children to church twice a week. She instilled that same faith in her own large family and it shows. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren gathered to celebrate this humble woman’s life and I was honored to be there.

\n

The pastor who led the funeral service was a little bitty thing when Bev and Ray started courting. The pastor said the young couple would come and pick him up and take him along with them on their dates…as a sort of pseudo chaperone. Two years later, Bev and Ray married and began to raise their own family. She died just a few days before their 57th wedding anniversary. It was heartbreaking to hear Ray weep. He has never spent much time away from his bride so this is going to be a terrible adjustment for him. As we went through the receiving line after the service, I sat down beside him and gave him a big hug.

\n

“Ray…I don’t know you and you don’t know me but, I’m Rick’s cousin and Charlotte’s friend. I’m so sorry for your loss. I kind of know what you’re going through because I lost my husband five years ago. I know this is really hard for you, and I know you can’t believe this right now, but you’re going to get through this. There’s a whole lot of people praying for you and they’re going to be there to love on you. Now, as soon as the dust settles a bit, Charlotte and I are going to drive down and you and I are going to sit on the front porch for a spell and have us some sweet tea and we’re just gonna talk. Does that sound ok?”

\n

Ray said he didn’t know how he was going to make it through but to just come on down anytime. He’d love to see me.

\n

So, Ray and I have a date to talk in a few weeks. I don’t know what it’s like to lose the only person I’ve ever loved for nearly 60 years. But I do know what it’s like to lose someone I loved more than life itself, so I think we have some common ground there. I’ll let you know how it goes.

\n

A simple country funeral. Nothing fancy. Folks dressed in jeans. Folks dressed in their Sunday best. All gathered to celebrate a life well lived. What better way to honor a mom? ❤

\n

“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭61:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-03-05T02:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/03/05/a-simple-ceremony.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/03/04/endings-and-beginnings.html", "title": "Endings and Beginnings", "content_html": "

\"Daffodils Daffodils

\n

I watched my husband die. It was fast. It seemed relatively painless. Not pain free, but not unbearable. He seemed to take everything in stride with a certain…resignation. Like he knew what was coming, so why fight it? Interestingly…it was like that for me too, looking back on it. I’m sure I was in shock, because every time I ever pictured what would happen if/when he died, it certainly wasn’t with me sitting on a stool in the corner of the room answering medical questions in a flat monotone. I wasn’t beating my chest or screaming or even crying. I don’t remember crying till I saw my kids.

\n

As hard as that was to go through, I cannot…simply cannot imagine what people go through who lose their loved one to a terrible, slow, painful death like cancer or COPD or Alzheimer’s. My cousin’s wife came over Friday after making arrangements for her mother’s funeral. Her mom had esophageal cancer. We sat together and I listened to her tell me about the last six months. The long nights. The conflicting medical information. The radiation and chemo. When she got to the night of her mother’s death, I was in such awe of her strength and courage. What she went through for her mom was heroic in my book. What I loved most was when her mom motioned to her, as if she needed to tell her something. When she bent down to listen, her mother kissed her on the cheek and took her last breath. My mother died alone in an ICU because I couldn’t get to her in time. She got a kiss on the cheek! I loved that for her because she will never, ever forget that loving gesture.

\n

\"Crocus\" Crocus

\n

Real death isn’t like the movies. Sometimes it’s that peaceful scene where the family gathers around and tells their loved one how important they were in their lives and how much they loved them. Sometimes there’s soft music and candlelight and kisses on cheeks. And sometimes they stop CPR after three hours and tell you they’re sorry. Is one way “better” than the other? Is there such a thing as a “good death”. I think there is, but it’s not always possible because death isn’t predictable. It isn’t a script.

\n

\"Crocus Crocus in the Spring

\n

Someone I love very much is dying. Not actively as in it’s imminent. But it’s coming. Everyone knows it’s coming. I love him and his entire family. For the last five years I have written a daily essay, much of it about grief. And when I talk with his wife, I feel woefully inadequate. I haven’t gone through that kind of death. I haven’t had to know it was coming for three years and fight the good fight and be strong and courageous and lose anyway. What do I say to her? How can I best serve her? I had no idea…so I asked. I told her how sorry I was that it was coming to this. I told her how much I love them both. I told her I knew she must be scared. And, I told her I was at a loss as to how best to help her. Then I asked her to tell me exactly what would help her the most right now. She said to pray. Pray for strength and courage for her. That I can do…in spades.

\n

\"Daffodils Daffodils in the Ditch

\n

Grief is something that touches all of us. If it hasn’t touched you yet, it will. Mr. FixIt and I were talking about it yesterday. After losing Mr. Virgo, I’ve gone and done the one thing I SWORE I would never, ever do again. I gave my heart away to love again…with wild abandon…knowing full well what it feels like to lose. That is either absolutely crazy or the absolute evidence that God can carry you through anything. I could lose this man tomorrow. Or next week or next year or thirty years from now. Or…I could be the first to go, who knows? I’m glad we don’t know exactly when we will die. It doesn’t pay to dwell on it…but we can’t deny it either. If there is an upside…and that is truly a stretch to even call it that…it’s having the time to say goodbye, to express everything you wanted to say, to make arrangements, to learn how to do the things your partner did, and to give them the gift of your service in their transition. As Ram Dass, says…”We are all just walking each other home.” ❤️

\n

“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”\n‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-03-04T02:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/03/04/endings-and-beginnings.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Positive Energy","Comfort","Peace","Wisdom","Aging","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/03/03/the-upside-of-disappointment.html", "title": "The Upside of Disappointment", "content_html": "

\"Homemade Homemade Egg Noodles

\n

I was so excited Thursday! I was heading out for a weekend with the Girl Campers and even got to leave a day early. I had reservations in a cabin. I was meeting old friends and new. I was pumped!

\n

I got the truck packed, with WAY too much stuff, and headed south through a driving rain. It was only a two hour drive so no big deal. I stopped at a Walmart near my destination and bought the ingredients for beef and noodles…my contribution to Saturday’s Soup Night…our tradition. I arrived at the cabin around 3:00 in the afternoon, got everything unpacked, greeted the host, and decided to take a nap. I couldn’t seem to get warm for some reason.

\n

Within an hour, I was burning up and feeling sick. I stayed the night and awoke with a rip roaring headache so I begged off and came home. I don’t think it’s a bug…just a bad migraine. But, darn it all! I was really looking forward to this weekend. On my way home, I got some strong coffee and that actually helped and after a while, I felt much better.

\n

I got a phone call from my cousin’s wife as I was driving home. She and I are very close. She was calling to let me know her mother passed away and could she come by in the afternoon on her way back from the funeral home. That’s when I knew…I wasn’t supposed to be at the girl’s weekend. I was supposed to be here for my sister/friend and offer comfort and support.

\n

It is customary to offer food to the bereaved and I just happened to have all the ingredients for beef and noodles. That is, until I remembered I left the package of frozen homestyle noodles in the freezer at the cabin. So, I looked up a recipe for homemade egg noodles. I found a great recipe, AND a cute blog, at afarmishkindoflife.com/homemade-noodles. You have to let the noodles dry for two hours and I left all my baker’s racks at the farm. I found one that goes in the bottom of a huge stock pot. And, I improvised with a colander turned upside down. Now I can send a nice pot of beef and noodles home so they don’t have to cook for a while. I imagine they’ll get plenty of food from the neighbors so this will freeze well if needed.

\n

As I always say, things can change on a dime and what starts out as a disappointment can turn into a blessing if you change your focus. I’m sorry I’m missing my gal pals, but I’m happy to be where God needed me more. ❤

\n

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”\n‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-03-03T02:30:36-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/03/03/the-upside-of-disappointment.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grace","God","Wisdom","Presence","Girl Camper","Girl Campers"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/02/28/west-virginia-wanderings.html", "title": "West Virginia Wanderings", "content_html": "

\"Woman At the WVU Basketball Game

\n

After having breakfast with a granddaughter who is a student at WVU, we headed off to explore the area further south where my ancestors were from. I have this thing for cemeteries. I am always curious as to who these people were. Do they still have visitors? Do they have people who remember them and tell their stories? Or has it been so long that all of their loved ones are dead and gone and no one knows to even look for them. Or…worse yet…no one cares.

\n

We drove through three counties before we finally found the cemetery I was originally looking for. But we found surprises along the way. First, when I was looking for my step-great grandmother…the only one I knew…I found she was buried beside her first husband, under his name. No mention of her last husband, my great grandfather. I am not surprised. He was a bit of a scoundrel and that is probably one bit of family history her kids would like to forget.

\n

The next place we stumbled upon was the West Virginia National Cemetery. I did not realize there are 135 national cemeteries under the auspices of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration in 40 states (and Puerto Rico) as well as 33 soldier’s lots and monument sites. The West Virginia cemetery is vastly smaller than the most famous…Arlington National Cemetery. And still…the identical small white headstones stretched in meticulous formation across the rolling hills of green in a sobering reminder of those who have served our country, many giving their lives for the privilege. I was humbled by that.

\n

\"WV WV National Cemetery

\n

The last stop was Harmony Grove Cemetery near Grafton, West Virginia. I was looking for one set of great grandparents and had read the death certificate incorrectly. They weren’t buried there after all. As we were driving through on our way out, a name jumped out at me and I called out…”Stop the truck!” I jumped out and ran down a lane of old headstones. Somewhere I had caught a glimpse of the name Mauller, but it got lost in the rows and blended in. I retraced my steps from the original vantage point and there they were! I was so excited to find the graves of two of my 3rd great grandparents along with a couple of their many children. I talked to them and told them who I was and how I came to be. I even have a picture of “Tillie” in my family tree. I was really excited to get this surprise piece of the puzzle.

\n

\"Mauller My 3rd Great Grandparents

\n

I often use Find-a-Grave to research where my ancestors are buried. Most of the time, someone has snapped a picture of the headstone and I can add it to my tree. I’ve had a picture of these headstones for years but never saw them. But here’s the bummer part of the story. When I got home, I looked Harmony Grove up on Find-a-Grave and…would you believe…there’s about twenty more of my family buried there and I didn’t see them!!! It was getting late and Mr. FixIt and I were both getting pretty hungry and tired and I just didn’t do my due diligence. It’s ok, though. This allows for another nice drive in the country. AND…we had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants…Olivierio’s in Clarksburg. The BEST Italian food!

\n

To top the day off, we stopped at the farm to feed the kitties and decided to stay the night so I am snuggled in grandma’s bed as I write this, listening to the water in the creek, and feeling so rich and complete. We remarked at dinner that we feel like we’ve been on vacation for a week and it cost just a little over $100! What a wonderful break. And…this weekend is a Girl Camper trip so stay tuned for some camping (ok, cabin-ing) fun!!! ❤️

\n

“I thank my God every time I remember you.”\n‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-02-28T02:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/02/28/west-virginia-wanderings.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Love","Humbled","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/02/26/my-love-has-a-name.html", "title": "My Love Has a Name", "content_html": "

\"Praise\" “My Love Has a Name…Jesus”

\n

I am always pumped on Mondays. My “Monday Morning Motivation” begins Sunday when Mr. FixIt and I walk into church. I’ve never gone to a church that has been so uplifting. I have never in my life looked forward to Sundays like I do now! It is such an amazing feeling to carry God with me into my week.

\n

The Praise and Worship Team sang a new song yesterday by the Christian rock band, Jesus Culture called “Love Has a Name”. Our sermon series for the month of February was entitled “Love Handles”. Yesterday, Pastors Justin and Heather sat down and talked to us about 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and put it in the perspective of our relationships. Let’s break it down.

\n

“Love is patient.” When Mr. FixIt takes an inordinate amount of time to type something out on his phone, my first instinct is to grab the phone and do it myself in about half the time. I’m not considering the fact that my fingers are half the size and I’ve spent a gazillion more hours typing on a keyboard as a writer than he has as a mechanical engineer designing tools. I have to remind myself to emulate God’s love…God’s perfect love…and be patient. It isn’t always easy, but I try.

\n

“Love is kind.” Show of hands…how many of you have cast a disparaging look at your significant other when he’s done something you think is stupid? How many have done the whole eye roll thing? That, in and of itself, is a very unkind thing to do. I’ve done it. I don’t like that I have. As a matter of fact, I read an article once by a marriage counselor and he said one of the tell tale signs that a marriage would fail was if one or the other partner rolled their eyes. It’s dismissive. It isn’t always easy, but I try.

\n

“It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” I see this to mean those times when your significant other bests you in some way. Or you, him. Lording it over the other with one-upsmanship brings competition into the equation and that can be very damaging to a relationship. I remember Hubby #2 and I took an online IQ test and I came out higher than he did. He was a doctor and I always felt somewhat “less than”, for a number of reasons. I rubbed that in and it didn’t go over well. It isn’t always easy, but I try.

\n

“It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” You dishonor others by being disrespectful. This is a self-seeking behavior. Love is not easily angered. Pastor Heather said she heard something a long time ago that has always stuck with her. “Take the pause.” When something strikes you wrong, stop and take a breath before you lash out and say something you will regret later. That brings us to “no record of wrongs”. How many times have we held onto those slights and honed them to a rapier edge, only to slash our partner with them later. Maybe we “forgave” them, but brought it up anyway. It isn’t always easy, but I try.

\n

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” Discord, cruelty, mean-spiritedness are evils that can take root in relationships, but the power of truth in real love is something you should always strive for. It isn’t always easy, but I try.

\n

“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” You should always protect your love. Always trusting doesn’t mean being gullible, but being fair minded and believe in your spouse. Always hope for the best in your spouse. And always persevere…keep going, even when the going gets tough. It isn’t always easy, but I try.

\n

I have learned to love Jesus more than anyone or anything. Everyone…even those you hold the closest to your heart…will disappoint you. Jesus will never disappoint. If we hold him at the center of all equations, we have far greater chance of success in every relationship…family, work, friends, school…everywhere.

\n

This is the song they sang yesterday…”Love Has a Name”. My love has a name…Jesus. ❤

\n

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”\n‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

youtu.be/cZOBtpJ0_…

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-02-26T02:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/02/26/my-love-has-a-name.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Presence","Monday Morning Motivation"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/02/23/blurred-lines.html", "title": "Blurred Lines", "content_html": "\"\"\n

We were driving out to the farm the other day and saw a for sale sign on a property just down the road. I went on the real estate sales website to look it up. I was curious to see if the property shared a boundary with the farm. There is an old homestead up there that I remember going to when I was a very young child. Grandma and Mom had taken me to an auction they were having. I was given a hot dog and placed in a little blue wagon and pulled all around. Grandma bought the jelly cupboard that’s in the kitchen. It was painted with several coats of white enamel and Pop-Pop let me “help” him scrape the paint off. That cupboard is the only piece of furniture I will inherit from the farm and I cherish it.

\n

I scrolled through the pictures in the real estate listing and it’s a beautiful property. The old home place is pretty dilapidated but it sits up on the hill in a huge meadow surrounded by trees. There’s about 150 acres, mostly treed hillsides. It has a steep price tag considering its location. But what interested me was that little “dog leg” piece you see out front.

\n

I remember my grandparents telling the story of how they bought a four acre strip of land out front that would give their farm direct access to the road. They bought that strip from their neighbor and friend for the grand sum of $1.00. I imagine Pop-Pop did some work for the man as payment. That was often the case back in the day. As I looked at this tax map of the property that was on the website, I got to thinking about that story and not knowing if our properties are adjacent, I made a trip to the County Courthouse yesterday afternoon.

\n

I started in the Tax Assessors office and was quickly referred to the County Clerk’s Office. After going back and forth at least three more times, I finally had enough information to answer my question. First of all, the long axis of the properties do not touch, save for the narrow strips in the front. That “dog leg” of theirs is 12.5 acres and I know ours is only four. I’m glad I got the information I needed but I also got an interesting lesson in the history of the area and how incredibly convoluted land lines are in West Virginia.

\n

The only land purchases I have had experience with were in Colorado. Being a much newer state, the land tracts started out much bigger. And everything is surveyed. West Virginia? Not so much. I could not find a survey or land plat for our farm or either of the adjoining properties. As I was searching through the deeds in the County Clerk’s Office, one of the county surveyors came in to do some research. The clerk and I were discussing how much a land survey costs and she asked him. He laughed. It could be anywhere from $500 to $10,000 depending on the size of the property and whether you can ride a 4-wheeler around the perimeter. That’s when I laughed. Most of the property out there is steep, heavily forested hillsides dipping down into narrow “hollers”. There’s no way a 4-wheeler could make it through that.

\n

The most fascinating thing I found was the description of the property lines on the deeds. This deed for the four acre piece out front was made on April 17, 1946 and reads like this:

\n

“Beginning at a stone pine in an original line, and a corner of _________’s lands, thence with said original line and using old call S. 9 E. 45.5 poles to a stone pile original corner; thence with another original line and using old call S. 83 W. 9. poles to a point in road; thence with said road N. 3 degrees 50’ W. 25 poles; thence N. 19 degrees 20’ W. 16 poles and 3.5 links; thence leaving said road N. 71 degrees 20’ E. 16.5 poles to place of beginning, containing 4 acres, more or less.”

\n

What?

\n

The surveyor explained it to me like this. He can decide he’s going to sell five acres of his place. He can go out, set four stakes, call it five acres and if the buyer agrees, you’re done. That’s because most property like that is bought and sold for cash. If the property is financed, it needs to be surveyed. And who can afford that?

\n

It’s a pretty crazy system and led to a really fun afternoon of research. When I was done at the Assessor’s office, I drove back out past the farm to where they are building the road out to the new gas compressor. I wanted to find out exactly where it was on this new map I had in hand. The flaggers couldn’t pick it out on the map, so I asked for landmarks. When they told me it was on the ridge above the old church, I knew exactly where it was and my work was done.

\n

Four acres for a dollar. We’ll never see that again. ❤️

\n

“The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.”\n‭‭Genesis‬ ‭13:14-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-02-23T02:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/02/23/blurred-lines.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/02/09/colorado-memories.html", "title": "Colorado Memories", "content_html": "

\"House “House in the Colorado Snow”

\n

I lived in Colorado for two-thirds of my adult life. I have always considered West Virginia to be “home”, but this sweet little house was a pretty close second. I bought it when my second marriage ended in divorce. It was the first home I ever owned on my own.

\n

Being a home owner is such a mixed bag. There’s the tax deduction for the mortgage interest. That’s a plus. There’s the mortgage itself…\nunless you are greatly blessed to not have one. That’s not so great if it strains your budget. There’s the comfort and security of a roof over your head. That’s a plus. There’s the maintenance and repairs that, in my case, were becoming quite costly. That’s difficult to plan for. There’s that wonderful covered front porch and meticulously manicured lawn, trees, shrubs, and flowers. That was truly my favorite part of living in this house. But the water bill alone could be $400 in the peak of summer irrigation, not to mention the high heating costs in the winter. Throw in mowing and shoveling snow all by my self along with memories of Mr. Virgo around every corner and I was done. Totally overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.

\n

Looking back, I often wonder if I would have done anything differently if I were facing these decisions with today’s brain as opposed to grief brain. I came very close to backing out of the sales contract and renting the house out till I could be more certain this was what I really wanted to do. When I mentioned it to my real estate agent, she was horrified and exclaimed, “Oh no….you don’t want to do THAT!” In my confused state, I acquiesced and continued down the path of selling.

\n

Sales on my side of the Rockies had gone soft, just as the prices in the Denver Metro area had skyrocketed…leaving me priced out of the real estate market entirely. I had to change course. At the same time, my aunt needed help on the farm in West Virginia, so my fate was sealed. I bought the bigger camper and move here.

\n

Everything happened just as it was supposed to. If I would have stayed in my house, I would not have run into Mr. FixIt. And I wouldn’t trade him for anything. I know I did the right thing. I still look at this house with mixed feelings though. I suppose I always will. It was where I shared my life with Mr. Virgo. He is gone…and so is the house that held us.

\n

New life, new love, new beginnings. This is a beautiful life I’ve built without all the encumbrances a house with a mortgage entails. And…there are two to carry the load now. Thank you, God! ❤

\n

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”\n‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:9-10‬ ‭NIV11‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-02-09T02:30:55-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/02/09/colorado-memories.html", "tags": ["Faith","Colorado","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Wisdom","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/02/05/the-eagles-have-landed.html", "title": "The Eagles Have Landed!", "content_html": "

\"Eagles Eagles win the Super Bowl!

\n

Everyone loves an underdog. In a Google poll, only a handful of states hoped for a Patriots win, even though they were predicted to win by a substantial margin.

\n

The game was tight. Philadelphia held the lead till they faltered in the third quarter when they seemed to run out of steam. Or, more accurately, Tom Brady got a fire lit under his team…finally. For a few brief moments, the Patriots led till a fumble picked up by the Eagles gave the birds some wings.

\n

All through the game, I kept calling up to Mr. Virgo. “Are you watching this???” “OMGosh! Can you believe this???” Mr. FixIt laughed. I have no shame. I will call on the ghost of my late husband to go down on that field and trip the opponents’ quarterback if I have to.

\n

It literally came down to the last few seconds of the game when an incomplete pass gave the Eagles their very first Super Bowl win. Mr. Virgo watched them religiously. He hoped. He dreamed. And they always failed him. They always broke his heart. I wish he could have seen that game last night! I have a feeling maybe he did. In the post game interviews and presentation of the Vince Lombardi Trophy, each player gave credit to God first. I was so proud. I cried. These are men of character. Gone are the shameful days of Michael Vick. These men worked hard and, even after losing their franchise quarterback to an injury earlier in the season, they managed to pull off an unimaginable feat and beat the famed New England Patriots. Within moments of the win, my brother called from Colorado to share the joy of the win with me.

\n

We had family with us all afternoon. We had game day food. We had an incredible game with a glorious win. We had credit given where credit was due. sigh It was a really wonderful day. ❤️ ? ❤️

\n

“But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”\n‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:31‬ ‭NIV

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2018-02-05T02:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/02/05/the-eagles-have-landed.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Fun","Grace","God","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/02/03/digging-in-the-past.html", "title": "Digging in the Past", "content_html": "

\"My My Ancestors

\n

I received an e-mail from my cousin’s son the other day through the ancestry.com website. He was asking for permission to look at my family tree. He’s been doing a little research to give to his niece when she’s old enough to take interest and since I have ten times the number of names in my tree over his, he wanted a peek. I said yes, of course.

\n

I mentioned in my post yesterday that I had discovered a long lost cousin in my long time friend and in the process, I downloaded the Ancestry app again. It had been quite some time since I had delved into genealogy because, quite frankly, I have a tendency to dive in and stay there for months at a time. Seriously, I’ve needed an intervention before this. I have nearly 6,000 names in my tree, if that tells you anything about the time I spend (waste?) on this stuff.

\n

Sometime in the last couple of years, I sent in a DNA sample to Ancestry. Nothing much came of it for a while. I got my readout with no real surprises save for <1% Finnish. Then, as more and more people did the test, more and more connections have been made. I downloaded the AncestryDNA app and there’s an amazing interactive map that shows the ancestors I have been genetically linked to, where they were from, when they came to the United States, and where they settled. There are thousands of connections….from 2nd cousins to far distant relatives.

\n

Along with these new connections come the items in their corresponding trees. Certificates of birth, marriage, and death. Deeds and wills. Censuses. City directories. Obituaries. Cemetery locations. All interesting and they fill in a lot of blanks. But the BEST sunken treasures are the photographs of ancestors you’ve never met…you’ve never seen. Like this picture, for instance. That dapper man in the hat standing in the center is my second great grandfather…Daniel. His wife, Lydia, is seated in front and slightly to his left. They had thirteen children. He lived a long life of seventy-five years and died in 1897 in his hometown. His grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War. One of his sons…my great grandfather, Benjamin…is the gentleman standing on the far left.

\n

I’ve never felt more connected to my ancestry as I do living here in West Virginia. The very ground cries out their names, the hills echo their stories. I have a lot on my plate right now, but I can’t help diving in just a bit and see what’s new out there. My tree has leaves everywhere meaning there’s a boatload of hints to follow up on. If I go too far down the rabbit hole, send in the troops! ❤️

\n

“And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today.”\n‭‭Acts‬ ‭26:6‬ ‭NIV11‬‬

\n

#ancestry, #knowledge, #family

\n", "date_published": "2018-02-03T02:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/02/03/digging-in-the-past.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/02/02/the-smallest-of-worlds.html", "title": "The Smallest of Worlds", "content_html": "
\n\"Charley\n
    “Charley Chadock - My Great Grandfather”
\n
\nSharon and I graduated from high school together. Although we didn’t “hang out” and she may not have known me from Adam back then, everyone knew who she was. Her name put her at the end of the line in a graduating class of nearly 800 students. We knew we were about done on graduation night when they called out Sharon’s name.\n

I moved away two years after high school…about as far away as I could get…England. I followed Hubby #1 there when he was in the Air Force. From there I lived in Colorado for forty years. Sharon and I ran into each other at a couple of reunions, maybe. I don’t really remember. However, once I moved back to West Virginia, I longed for my local coffee group and decided to gauge the interest of my high school friends.

\n

Gathering for coffee on a Saturday morning wasn’t something these gals had done on a regular basis. Being the rabble rouser and resident cheerleader, I gathered a handful of friends to meet me at the Historic Blennerhassett Hotel for a Starbucks. What started out slow has gained momentum and we now have a monthly gathering of around fifteen of the ‘71 Divas for a couple hours of caffeine fueled “therapy”. Sharon is one of our regulars.

\n

I love all the Divas. They’ve become an inner circle of devoted friends. I enjoy Sharon’s dry sense of humor and the way she shoots straight from the hip…telling it like it is. You have no problem knowing exactly what Sharon is thinking and I love that about her. I consider her a dear friend.

\n

A couple of nights ago, I sent her a private message to see how she was doing. I mentioned in our conversation that I’d been spending most of my time at Mr. FixIt’s since his surgery. I told her where he lived and she said her great grandmother was from near here. When she told me the family name, I nearly fell out of my chair! Chadock. My mother’s maiden name!

\n

Chadock is an uncommon name. Historic documents often have spelling variations so sometimes you see it spelled Chaddock, Shaddock, Shattuck, and sometimes even Chadwick. I recognized the name she gave me and quickly pulled up ancestry.com to confirm it. And there she was! Her great grandmother was my great grandfather’s sister. Sharon and I share the same great great grandparents making us 3rd cousins!

\n

Unbelievably small world! As we discussed it come more, I came to find out another of our classmates is a cousin through the same line. Ok, West Virginia isn’t a huge state. Parkersburg isn’t a huge city. But Chadock is a rare name and we were just flabbergasted to discover we are related.

\n

Sharon and I will get together soon and compare our genealogy notes. I’ll introduce her to more of her kin she didn’t know she had. And I’ve added yet another member to my ever expanding family. Mr. FixIt and I were just discussing how large my family has gotten by adding his large family to mine. I never dreamed I’d have this many people to call “mine”. It makes my heart swell! ❤️

\n

“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭103:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

#genealogy, #family, #cousins

\n", "date_published": "2018-02-02T02:30:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/02/02/the-smallest-of-worlds.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Humbled"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/01/29/boundaries.html", "title": "Boundaries", "content_html": "

\"“Boundaries”\" “Boundaries” by Ginny McKinney

\n

Something I knew nothing about growing up. There were no boundaries save for one. Don’t rock the boat. Ahhh…the walking on egg shells that comes with being the child of an alcoholic. We learn at an early age to dodge bullets. But boundaries? We either didn’t have many…or I didn’t understand the concept. I didn’t know for the longest time where other people ended and I began. I lived my life in a sort of parasitic relationship with my “hosts”…much like Spanish Moss and Mistletoe. My insecurities made it difficult for me to express my own opinions. I was a chameleon…I changed with the whims of my beneficiary…whomever it should be.

\n

I’d love to say I out grew that in my late teens, early twenties like most people, but I did not. I really only broke free from the bondage of self loathing after Mr. Virgo came into my world and convinced me of my worth. Still, boundaries were a challenge. I didn’t exercise enough boundaries with my children. I didn’t exercise boundaries with friends and relationships. And I certainly didn’t practice boundaries with myself.

\n

As I continue to grow in my faith walk, I learn more and more about boundaries. Pastor Justin presented an excellent series this month about fixing ourselves up…just like flipping a house. First, you make sure you have a good, solid foundation. Then you give the very best of yourself. Then you get your head right. You get rid of the stinkin’ thinkin’ of the days before you were saved. Change your mind…Change your life. All these things are foundational, and well heeded. But you have to protect your progress, Pastor Justin says…by setting up boundaries. You can’t let the enemy get a foothold in this life of yours. I have been known to cuss like a sailor. I’m doing MUCH better…but I still slip.

\n

This is what I was referring to the other day…we are what we eat. Not literally. We aren’t broccoli and cauliflower. But what we allow to come into us, gets expressed by us into the world. Mr. FixIt and I are a team. We have to set up our perimeter to keep the enemy from infiltrating our ranks…to keep him from trying to divide and conquer. We have to work as a team and to do that, we give each other gentle reminders to shore up that boundary…that little leak in our boat. Because little leaks become big leaks and we’ll drown before we get to shore if we aren’t ever vigilant.

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Does this mean we can’t relax and kick back and enjoy life? Not at all. But it does mean we have an accountability partner in the other and we must always bring our best to the table. And we keep our perimeter wall strong and our foundation deep. Because we keep God at the top of the triangle. As we strive towards Him…we inevitably become closer. It is our recipe for success.

\n

It’s #MondayMotivation…time to do our spring cleaning and put our house in order. ❤️

\n

“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭16:5-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2018-01-29T02:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/01/29/boundaries.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Growth","Gratitude","Love","God","Wisdom","Humbled","Presence","Monday Morning Motivation"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/01/25/a-very-good-memory.html", "title": "A Very Good Memory", "content_html": "

\"Little “Little Girl in Blue”

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I have excellent long term memory. Short term is getting shorter as I age, sped along by grief and a multitude of head injuries along the way, I am sure. But, long term…you can make bank on the accuracy of my memories. My earliest memory takes me back to sitting in the front yard, in the dirt, just inside the fence. I was still in diapers. I remember the way the sun shone on the plastic pants I wore over them as I rolled the material between my chubby baby fingers. Two large neighborhood dogs came up on the other side of the fence and started barking at me. My mother ran and picked me up, comforting my terrified screams. I had nightmares often and can remember sitting in my crib, seeing those dogs coming at me and screaming for my mother to come save me.

\n

My next clear memory is my Aunt’s wedding in Chicago. My grandma woke me before dawn and tried to feed me breakfast but I told her I would eat it in the morning. She laughed and rocked me. I was piled up in the car and we headed north. When we reached Parkersburg, I cried because I didn’t want to go to “Sparkysburg”…I wanted to go to “Shiscago”. We arrived in the Windy City after dark and I remember “lights that moved in the sky”. I later learned they were the neon signs popular in the mid-fifties advertising restaurants and hotels along the busy boulevards.

\n

The first picture is of me and my brother. I remember this like it was yesterday, although I just scanned this slide into my computer this week. I had never seen this picture before. I remember that blue dress. I was supposed to be the flower girl but I think I wasn’t terribly cooperative and ended up having to sit with my grandma. When I saw my mom walking up the aisle, I screamed for her to come get me. I’m sure it was a lovely wedding. Sorry Aunt Rosie…sigh Anyway, my brother and another boy were down in the basement of the church. What you see in my hand there is a used flash bulb from the photographer’s camera. I was gathering them up, peeling the blue plastic coating off, and stepping on them…crushing the glass under my “shiny party shoes with buckles”. Then, I scooped up the crushed glass into a shoe box and filled the ash trays that were sitting all around. I was a pistol!

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\"Chicago “Chicago Wedding Reception”

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The second picture is a group shot of my brother and me with my Uncle Ernie’s family. Now, my Aunt Rosie grew up here on the farm in West Virginia. But she spent her entire childhood in the nurse’s office at school from getting carsick on the bus and she swore when she was graduated from nursing school, she would move far away from those twisty roads with the kiss-me-Kate turns and never look back. She and a girlfriend moved to Chicago and worked together at Cook County Hospital.

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One night, the two young women found their way into a local drinking establishment where she met a handsome sailor on furlough. They fell in love and were married soon after. My Uncle Ernie grew up in an immigrant German family on the South Side of Chicago. He was rough and tough and took no guff. His family was large and loud and the antithesis of our quiet little farm family. I love this picture. Look at all the booze. I can just picture my Grandma and Pop-Pop at this wedding reception…teetotalers that they were. Grandma with her sensible shoes and her pretty little hat perched on her head just so, her purse clutched in her lap for fear these hooligans might try to take it from her. Pop-Pop in the only suit he ever owned, his fedora neatly brushed, his shoes worn. It must have been a sight. The story is, Grandma caught me going from table to table and drinking down the bits of champagne left in the glasses. Lawrdy…I can just imagine.

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My other memory of this trip was walking into a kitchen. Uncle Ernie’s mother was a caterer so I imagine she and her helpers were cooking and baking for the reception. There was a very large bag of flour and, as was common in those days, there was a prize in the bag. She found the prize…a little 14k gold ring. Someone put it on my ring finger and tied it on with a blue ribbon that matched this dress. I remember wearing it, but I don’t see it in these pictures.

\n

I was thrilled when my Aunt sent me these two slides. I had never gotten around to putting them in my scanner till this week and was so excited to see this image confirming such a clear memory for me. I cherish every good memory of my childhood. Even though there were some dark times, it’s memories like this that banish them to the far corners of my mind and bring a warm flush of love through me. ❤️

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“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.””\n‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:14 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2018-01-25T02:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/01/25/a-very-good-memory.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Fun","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/01/20/savor-the-sweet.html", "title": "Savor the Sweet", "content_html": "\"Woman\n

The first time I set foot in a trout stream, I was six years old. It was the summer before my life would be forever changed by the illicit touch of a stranger. The summer of 1960 found my family on its very first vacation. We traveled to the mountains of West Virginia and rented a small cabin for a week. I remember mom frying trout in an iron skillet. I remember my brother and I playing quietly in the shade of the many trees surrounding our camp. I remember my dad standing in the shallow middle, up to his knees, casting over and over with the flies he had meticulously tied at his workbench in the basement. And I remember the river. The North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River, to be exact.

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I didn’t have much experience with open bodies of water. Mom had instilled an unhealthy fear of water in me with stories of the time she saved her baby sister from drowning. She had no intention of ever having to save me, so I was banished from any water sports. And, it turns out…I’m a bit of a water baby. I remember one day in particular. Dad was out in his favorite fishing hole, patiently casting, and I stood at the river’s edge. I contemplated the ripples as they passed over the smooth river rocks. I gazed at the deep pools that changed to the color of emeralds where the sandy bottom lay two or three feet below. I delighted at the light dancing on the surface like a thousand diamonds and the trout flashing as they breached the surface to catch their next meal.

\n

That was a simple and peaceful summer…the last I would know before my innocence was taken from me. But, that is not to say, I have never found moments that have recaptured that sense of awe and wonder. I have…many times. Yesterday was one of those days that delivered sweet things…one after another…till I was overflowing with the beauty and simplicity of it all.

\n

I made my routine trip to the farm to see how the kitties are fairing. I checked the stove and the basement. I sat, as I always do, in the chair in “Grandma’s Window” and watched the birds at the feeder. I listened to the sounds of an old house…living and breathing…its bones creaking like the old woman that she is. I watched the pendulum in Mr. Virgo’s clock swing back and forth, reminding me I couldn’t stay too long. We had company coming.

\n

I stopped at the neighbor’s for a bit and delivered a small gift of French Truffles. We passed the time, catching up on the news of the neighbors and I left with promises it wouldn’t be so long till my next visit. I turned the truck toward home. I checked the mail and found a pink slip…a package had come and would be waiting for me at the post office. Mr. FixIt offered to go pick it up as I put the groceries away. I no sooner sat down till our company arrived.

\n

Mr. FixIt’s granddaughter and her family brought their baby to see Papaw and GG! I have inherited a whole passel of people in this relationship, including a son and his wife, a daughter and her man, three granddaughters (two of whom have significant others), a grandson and his girlfriend, and a great granddaughter. You know what that means, don’t you? I am a great grandmother! And…considering I am WAY too young to be one (smile)…I am GG. Great Grandma. Grandma Ginny. GG. It suits me. The baby is four months old and the most precious little thing. What a treat to hold and rock a little one again!

\n

Before long, Mr. FixIt came back with my box. I couldn’t wait to open it. It was a special introductory gift box from my dear friend, and fellow Sister on the Fly, Michelle McMullen Cummings with her newly published book, The Reel Sisters! https://www.thereelsisters.com/product/the-reel-sisters-gift-box/ Now I have two books to read, one published and one unpublished with an invitation to write early praise for its release. Both written by strong women I admire and I can’t wait to get into them! The reminder of these sister friendships warmed my heart as rocked and sang a lullaby to the newest member of our immediate family. I thought…”I will teach you to fly, little sister” as I sniffed the top of her sweet, soft head.

\n\"\"\n

I am enjoying getting to know and bond with Mr. FixIt’s family. As his granddaughter bundled up the baby and prepared to leave yesterday, she turned to me and said, “I like you. You make my grandpa very happy.” I like her, too. She reminds me a little of myself when I was her age. A young mother, in love with her baby, her life stretching before her like an endless summer. It filled me with a soft warmth. As I sat propped in our bed last night, typing away at the keyboard writing this post, that very happy Papaw came in with a small bowl of ice cream and a kiss on the top of my head. And I swear…my heart exploded with joy.

\n

The sweet simplicity of a life lived with boundless joy. My God has delivered me far, far from the pain life can bring. For now. There will be pain again. There always is. This is life, after all. The difference is, I have this now. I am building my insurance policy. These stories are money in my emotional bank…stories to look back upon one day and remember the joy I felt on a cold January day in the sun. ❤️

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“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”\n‭‭James‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2018-01-20T02:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/01/20/savor-the-sweet.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Presence","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/01/16/on-being-loved.html", "title": "On Being Loved", "content_html": "\"Flowers\n

Mr. FixIt and I have developed this little routine the last few months. We have a nice dinner and clear up the dishes. We sit together for a while and talk or maybe watch a movie or an episode of Big Bang or MASH. When it’s time for a bedtime snack, I take mine into the bedroom at the far end of the house and write while my sweetie watches a ball game or the news and weather. It works out great and we both have that little bit of alone time everyone needs in a relationship. I’ve taken to listening to nature sounds on Amazon Music as I write so quite often, in my head, there’s a thunderstorm raging or ocean waves are gently lapping at the shore or birds are singing in a tropical rainforest. It’s so soothing and easy to write to.

\n

My guy bowls on a couple of leagues and has for over thirty years. Bowling offered him the opportunity to socialize with fun people. He is gregarious, and bowling has been a great outlet for him. The other night he stopped at the store on the way home. He always calls me before he heads home because no matter where we are staying…his house or mine…it is a good forty minutes from town. He asks if I need anything. Usually, I don’t. He called me from the driveway the other night and asked me to open the door. He’s not supposed to carry anything in his bad hand yet. When I greeted him at the door, he handed me the groceries and I ducked in the kitchen with them. It was SO cold out there…I wanted away from the door as fast as I could. When I turned around to hug him, he handed me this bouquet of yellow roses.

\n

I love yellow roses. I love great big bouquets of mixed flowers but all in white. I love a live orchid. Mr. Virgo used to bring me flowers. And now…I have this sweet love…this good, good man. And HE brings me flowers, too. Guys like Mr. Virgo and Mr. FixIt are a rare breed. My sweetheart told me the other day he wished we had started dating in high school so we could have had our whole lives together. I understand that thinking, and it’s sweet…really. But the thing is, we are the people we are right now simply BECAUSE of the life experiences we have been through. There is a really big chance we wouldn’t have gotten along in our early years. All of our experiences have been opportunities for personal growth. We came together when we did because it was GOD’S timing…not ours.

\n

When we can move over and get out of the way, God does extraordinary things in our lives. “Let go and let God” isn’t just a pithy saying or a tired cliche from an AA meeting. It is straight outta the instruction manual for life…the Bible. Oh, we are such proud creatures. We want to have control. We want to steer the boat and make it go where WE want it. At any given moment, there is a preordained course designed specifically for us. God knows your name. He has plans to prosper you. God loves you more than anyone in the world. He loves you more than you can fathom. You can make it SO much easier if you put God in the driver’s seat. The easiest way to do that is ask. Just ask Him…first thing in the morning. “Where are you going to take me today, Lord?” Then get out of the way. Oh, my…could it really be that easy??? ❤️

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“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2018-01-16T02:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/01/16/on-being-loved.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Aging","Presence","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/01/14/sweet-sweet-memories.html", "title": "Sweet, Sweet Memories", "content_html": "\"Orchard\n

I was fiddling around yesterday hooking up my new printer and computer when I received a text from an old friend. Cindy lived in the flat below me when Hubby #1 and I lived in England in the early ’70s. We’ve stayed in touch all these years and although we don’t get to see each other very often, we will always be close. We were young and so very far away from home and we became “family”.

\n\"The\n

To my surprise and utter delight, Cindy sent me several photos. Her ex was in England and had visited our little village. He sent her several pictures of the apartment building and the surrounding area. I have always wanted to go back and this was the next best thing. I’m not terribly surprised to see things look exactly as they did in 1973 when I arrived to begin my life as a newly married military bride. My husband was stationed at RAF Greenham Common in Newbury and we lived in a small village on the outskirts called Thatcham.

\n\"Thatched\n

I have so many wonderful memories of life on foreign soil. I remember arriving at Heathrow International Airport. I had never flown before and everything was so big and loud. I was raised in a very quiet town in West Virginia. There were very few “foreigners” in our neck of the woods. Mom had a friend who was from Lebanon. I had a distant relative who married a man whose parents immigrated from another country. When I arrived in London, I wasn’t sure there hadn’t been some sort of mistake and I had landed in Pakistan!

\n\"Fish\n

As I went through customs, I looked out a long wall of windows and saw nothing but a sea of faces staring back in. I was horrified! I turned to the Customs Agent and asked her how on earth I was going to find my husband in all this mess. She smiled and assured me HE would find ME…not to worry. He did, of course. As we left the parking garage, we entered The Twilight Zone! Every thing was different. We drove on the wrong side of the street. Huge crosswalks called “zebras” made it clear they took pedestrian safety very seriously in this country. As in any major city in the world, the cacophany of car horns were only outdone by the odd “wee woop” of emergency sirens. Big, black taxis looking all the world like they came straight out of a ’50s movie jockeyed for position to pick up the bazillion people frantically waving their arms for attention. I know for a fact I didn’t blink for the first hour I was there.

\n\"Bakery,\n

I remember long drives through rolling fields of green. We lived in horse country. The only thing worse than hitting a pedestrian in England would be hitting a horse! Quite often, horse and rider would be spotted on the little country lanes we traveled and you had to always be on your toes to watch out for them. Hubby #1 worked the night shift so on his nights off, we would drive in the dark, foggy countryside. It was peaceful and quiet then…the yellow streetlights cutting through the dense fog to allow us to see our way.

\n

I had my first baby when I lived in England. We traveled often to Reading for my doctor’s visits. We stopped at tea houses or bakeries or the local fish ’n chips shop. The only fast food in the country that we were familiar with was a Kentucky Fried Chicken there in Reading. We went to a park with our food. There was a large circular pond and people floated big motorized model boats on the water with remote controls. It was all so serene and peaceful. It really was like stepping back in time. The only thing that didn’t feel like a throwback were the young people. They were way ahead of the times sporting mohawks and studded leather jackets. It was an interesting dichotomy.

\n

Shopping was done frequently as the refrigerators were nothing larger than a dorm fridge. You carried a basket to market twice a week to buy food and whatever else you were looking for at the time. Cindy and I often shopped together. I was once mistaken by a shopkeeper as her mother yet I was only two years older than she! Granted, she looked very young for her age and I was very pregnant. Cindy threw a surprise baby shower for me. She is my sweet, forever sister/friend.

\n

I know I’ve talked about this part of my life before, but I wanted to share these photos with you. It was so great to send them to my daughter and say…“Here’s the place we brought you to when we came home from the hospital!” I do SO want to return someday. I want to take Daughter #1 and her family. I’d also like to have Cindy and her husband join us. Dreams. Something to work towards. Always put something joyful in front of you! ❤️

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“People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.”\n‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-01-14T02:30:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/01/14/sweet-sweet-memories.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Love","Wisdom"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/01/13/the-umbrella-incident-or-how.html", "title": "“The Umbrella Incident” or “How to Feed Your Man”", "content_html": "

\"Winter “Winter Flooding in West Virginia” by Ginny McKinney

\n

It all started innocently enough. It was going to rain and I was heading to town soon. As I jumped in the shower, I called out to Mr. FixIt.

\n

“Honey…would you mind grabbing my umbrella out of the truck?”

\n

When I got dressed and was heading out the door, I looked around. My umbrella wasn’t there. I asked if he had gotten it for me and Mr. FixIt said no. There was an umbrella there by the door. Now, it was a perfectly good umbrella. One that, you know, keeps rain off of you. But I wanted MY umbrella and I felt Mr. FixIt had made a decision for me. I didn’t like it.

\n

Silly…that was just plain silly of me. But, I am my mother’s daughter and stubborn is my middle name. I hopped out the door and into the rain…sans umbrella.

\n

“I’ll show YOU!” I thought as I made a mad dash for the truck. “I don’t need your stinky old boy umbrella!”

\n

Ridiculous. I got wet because I got my nose out of joint. And why? Because, somewhere in the far recesses of my mind I equated “Please get my umbrella.” with “Please tell me you love me.” That is old school thinking right there…something I thought I left behind like…two relationships ago.

\n

It’s been a couple of weeks now. And ever since, I’ve been criticizing Mr. FixIt’s every move. Mostly because he’s a man and he had surgery and he’s SUPPOSED to be taking care of that hand so it will heal properly and he’s as stubborn as me and he does things his way and….did I say he was stubborn? I have spent the better part of two weeks with “Don’t pick that up!” And “Here…let ME do it!” I think there were eye-rolls involved. All of this was done in an effort to punish him for a perceived slight that was nothing more than something made up in my head. Some unpacked baggage from seasons past that has absolutely nothing to do with him.

\n

Then…the rain started.

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It rained…hard. Yesterday morning I awoke to the sounds of the carpet cleaner sucking water up from the rug downstairs. The basement flooded! I jumped up and ran downstairs. And there was my man…emptying one gallon containers of dirty water into the sink…carrying them with two hands, one of which he isn’t supposed to lift anything heavier than popcorn.

\n

“Breathe…breathe…don’t scold him. He’s not a child.” My inner voice reasoned with me.

\n

“Did you plug in the sump pump?” I asked.

\n

“No.” Shoulders slumped. Voice dejected.

\n

“Are you kidding me?” I asked.

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Shoulders slumped more. “Stupid. It was stupid.”

\n

I took the carpet cleaner and started that part myself so he wouldn’t have to carry the bucket to the sink. Mr. FixIt went about sweeping up water in the room without carpet. He ran the vacuum. We didn’t talk much. Then I sent him off on an errand to town.

\n

After he left, I went upstairs and fixed myself a cup of coffee. I sipped it as I ran the carpet cleaner back and forth over the soggy carpet. And I fumed. Then I could see the dejected slump of my sweetheart’s shoulders and my heart softened.

\n

“Lord,” I said out loud. “I haven’t been loving this wonderful man you gave me the way I should. I haven’t been loving him the way you love me. And all because he didn’t get my umbrella for me!”

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I sucked up more water, emptied the bucket, and began again.

\n

“Lord, please give me the heart of a cheerful servant. Let me see all of his good qualities and none of the annoying traits that make us human. Can you do that for me, please?” I asked with sincere earnestness in my voice.

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Suddenly, the old hymn “Farther Along” started up in my mind and I began to sing out loud as I vacuumed up bucket after bucket of water.

\n

“Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder\nWhy it should be thus all the day long\nWhile there are others living about us\nNever molested though in the wrong.

\n

Farther along we’ll know all about it\nFarther along well understand why\nCheer up my brother, live in the sunshine\nWe’ll understand it all by and by.

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When death has come and taken our loved ones\nIt leaves our home so lonely and drear\nThen do we wonder why others prosper\nLiving so wicked year after year.

\n

When we see Jesus coming in glory\nWhen he comes down from his home in the sky\nThen we shall meet him in that bright mansion\nWe’ll understand it all by and by.

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Farther along we’ll know all about it\nFarther along we’ll understand why\nCheer up my brother, live in the sunshine\nWe’ll understand it all by and by.

\n

Yes, we’ll understand it…all by and by.”

\n

I sang and sang and in two verses…maybe three…something happened. Any negative thoughts I had been having dissolved. My heart was soft and open. God had indeed given me the heart of a cheerful servant, just as I had asked.

\n

I went on and worked, happily singing and emptying bucket after bucket of dirty flood water. I worked for about three hours when Mr. FixIt walked in carrying breakfast for me. I went upstairs and gave him a great big hug and an even bigger smile. I thanked him profusely for bringing me a warm breakfast. I hadn’t taken time to eat. I patted the seat beside me. He shook his head and said no…he needed to get back to it.

\n

“Please?” I begged. “Just for a minute.”

\n

He smiled and sat down.

\n

“Sweetheart, listen…I know you feel stupid for not plugging in the sump pump. But, I could have thought of it, too. And I didn’t. We unplugged it to put up the snowman for Christmas and just forgot. We make mistakes…it happens. It wasn’t your fault.” I put my hand on his knee and looked at him intently. I wanted to make sure he heard me.

\n

Mr. FixIt turned those baby blues to mine and gave me his sweetest smile. And, I felt I’d made it right. This is how you feed a man. You feed his spirit. You feed his soul. You breathe life into him. When you start looking for the bad in your love…that’s all you will see. I really, REALLY don’t want to go there. Do I get it right all the time? Oh, heck no! I’m human, too. I stumble and forget and let my lower self talk WAY too often. But sometimes I get it right. Sometimes I remember to ask God for help. Yesterday was one of those days. ❤️

\n

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”\n‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-01-13T02:30:33-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/01/13/the-umbrella-incident-or-how.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/01/07/epiphany.html", "title": "Epiphany", "content_html": "\"“Epiphany”\n

Epiphany

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Epiphany; noun: plural noun: epiphanies

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A) the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12).

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B) the festival commemorating the Epiphany on January 6.

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C) a manifestation of a divine or supernatural being.

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D) a moment of sudden revelation or insight.

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Yesterday was Epiphany. Traditionally, it marks the end of the Christmas Season. The day the Three Wise Men visited the baby Jesus and bestowed their gifts to Him.

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Epiphany also means a sudden revelation, insight, and/or appearance of a supernatural being. Eighteen years ago, I experienced epiphany on many, many levels. I was seven years into a devastating depression…one I could see no way out of. I was over prescribed medications by a medical community that my husband at the time belonged to. I was a doctor’s wife. I had WAY too ready access to medications I had no business being on because a referral pattern is a terrible thing to waste. Doctors hate to take care of other doctor’s family. It puts a lot of pressure on them to go above and beyond…to be exemplary…to have a positive outcome, no matter what. Unfortunately for me, that meant seven years of medications that made me a zombie. Add a psychiatrist who told me at every visit, that this was just the way I was…I would need to take these medicines every day for the rest of my life…that I had a chemical imbalance in my brain. I lost my 40’s…literally. My marriage was irreparably damaged. December of 1999 found me struggling. My 20th Anniversary came and my husband told me he wasn’t in love with me anymore. I was devastated. I couldn’t see how I could possibly live without him. I circled the drain and on January 6, 2000…I overdosed on two full bottles of pills and I very easily could have died.

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As they worked on me in the emergency room…these doctors and nurses with whom my husband and I socialized…I “faded”. My vision became a tunnel. My hearing damped down till it sounded like I had tin cans over my ears. I didn’t see a great white light like some talk about when they have a near-death experience. I’ve drawn it here, as close as I can. It was this incredibly beautiful disc of cobalt blue with golden rays of light radiating from it all around like an eclipse. It was ethereal and sparkly and incredibly peaceful.

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As I stood in this immense ocean of blue light, my hearing left me and there was no sound. Dead air. Nothing. And suddenly, my grandma’s voice cut through the silence and straight into my left ear, as if she were standing beside me and bent down to speak directly to me. She shouted at me!

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“Young lady…you get back down there right now! You have work to do!!!”

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Immediately, my eyes flew open wide and I was in the ER, lying on a gurney, the overhead light shining in my eyes. I squinted at the glare and the sudden rush of noise. I rolled up on my side and threw up violently. After a while, I turned on my back. A nurse was leaning over me…a look of sincere concern on her face. I burst into tears when I realized what had happened. I kept crying, “I’m so ashamed, I’m so ashamed, I’m so ashamed.” She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close to her and whispered in my ear, “You have nothing to be ashamed of. You’ve been sick. You’re going to be ok.”

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I was at the bottom of the barrel in that moment and I had to begin a very long climb back. It took a great deal of intense therapy to convince me the other doctor was wrong and I really didn’t have a chemical imbalance in my brain. It took a full three years to wean off the medications he had me on. My marriage was over. I nearly lost my relationship with my kids. It took a huge amount of work, strength, and determination to rebuild my life.

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I think that experience actually gave me tools to help me cope with losing Mr. Virgo years later. I survived that horrible ordeal. I surely could survive this one. I’ll survive the next. It’s fitting that the overdose occurred on Epiphany. The symbolic ending. The supernatural appearance of my grandma’s disembodied voice…nine months after her death. The moment of sudden revelation and insight that I had gone as far away from where God wanted me to be as I could possibly go.

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I look back on those years with a sadness that I lost so much. I look back on that night with the absolute conviction that God sent the one person I would listen to…my grandma. I believe with all my heart that God saved me that night because He wasn’t done with me. He still had work for me to do. And, I also believe I could not have done any of this work if I had never had those seven years of walking through hell…if I had never had that devastating overdose…if I had not nearly lost everything.

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Those of you who have been following me for a long time have probably heard this story before because I consider January 6th my “Re-Birth Day” in a literal sense. My second chance. My do-over. And for those of you new enough that you haven’t heard it yet, it might give you a sense of where I’ve been, even before the devastating loss of Mr. Virgo. We all have struggles in life. And, so far, I’ve survived all of them 100% of the time. For a long time, I was embarrassed by this story. Depression. Anxiety. Drugs. Dysfunction. Once I became a Christian, I realized God can use me to help others in similar circumstances. If I shine His Light into every dark corner of my life and show that Light to you, then I am doing what He put me on this earth to do. I’m at peace with that part of my life now. It doesn’t embarrass me. I am not ashamed. I am strengthened by a God that wouldn’t let ME decide it was time to go. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given…a chance to rebuild broken relationships…a chance at great love, not just once, but twice. I’ve lost much…but I’ve gained so much more. ❤️

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““Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”\n‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭60:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2018-01-07T02:30:01-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/01/07/epiphany.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Humbled","Presence","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2018/01/06/greater-is-the-one.html", "title": "Greater is the One", "content_html": "\"Earth\n

The nature of my writing has grown with the changes I have gone through on my grief journey. Early on, it was so incredibly painful to even try to put words together to express my pain. I understood for the first time how God could hear our prayers when all we can manage are groans. Once the words started, it was like releasing a torrent. My pain literally fell onto the pages and it was emotionally exhausting…for me, and for you as well. The release was cathartic. The more I let it go, the more my heart healed.

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Not everyone has a blog where they can release the pent up pain, anger, frustration, confusion that comes with grief. I am blessed with this venue and I don’t take any of you for granted. Your feedback and support has been so incredibly healing for me. I am blessed with family and friends who were supportive during the early months of my grief. The day Mr. Virgo died and I called my daughters, they dropped what they were doing and jumped in their cars to begin the long drive to be with me. They stayed by my side. They answered the phone for me. They made important calls. They took me everywhere I needed to go. Daughter #1 slept with me every night with her arm across my chest to protect me, to calm me, to reassure me I was not alone.

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People gathered and surrounded me with love and support and food. My daughters and I bought every funny DVD we could find and tried to find someplace to land besides terror and pain. My friends held me in silence…the same friends who dressed me for my wedding and placed the flowers all around. Here they were…nearly six years to the day…doing the only thing they could do. After we lay Mr. Virgo in the ground, we gathered at our home…my home. I went straight to the humidor and got the expensive cigar he was saving for golf in the summer. I grabbed the bottle of Courvoisier I had used for Mr. Virgo’s favorite fruitcake. And I gathered the men…and my younger daughter. She was particularly close to her stepdad. We went to the front porch and smoked the cigar, and passed the bottle around till it was gone. We told manly stories of golf and travel, hotels and restaurants…all things Mr. Virgo.

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After everyone left, the family gathered me up and took me to a restaurant to entice me to eat. I hadn’t had much of anything but coffee for days. It was the day before St. Patrick’s Day…a fine day to be buried, Mr. Virgo would have said. My daughters needed to get back to Denver. Daughter #1 offered to stay longer if I needed her. And while I did…desperately…I said no. I knew she needed to get back to her own family…her own life. And so, just like that, they were gone. And the house became quiet.

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I stayed home alone for a week. I had paperwork to do and some things to wrap up at work. I packed a bag, stopped my mail, and headed to Denver to be near the kids. My son-in-law’s parents kept me at their home. I don’t remember the first week I was there…except that I didn’t get dressed for a week and only occasionally ventured out of the room for a little food. I slept much of the time. Finally, I started to join the land of the living again.

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Slowly…ever so slowly…I moved forward. Days became weeks and week, months. The firsts started…my first birthday without him, his birthday, the holidays. Our wedding anniversary was just three weeks after he died. People called to see how I was doing. They sent cards and texts and checked in with me on Facebook. One of my daughter’s friends from high school contacted me every week for the first year. And eventually…they all moved on. It was inevitable. They can’t stay forever. They can’t stop their lives forever.

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At first, I was really put out. I still needed to vent. I still needed to cry. I needed to tell every story, a hundred times. I needed so much. I needed more than they could ever give. I have to say, I never felt completely abandoned. I am blessed to have the most fabulous people in my life who would listen to me even today if I called and cried. However…I did feel “like a burden”, as one of my readers put it. I didn’t want to unload on them all the time. Somehow, I managed to reach that tipping point where I realized I needed to start managing this pain on my own. That was a really lonely stretch. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t have to sit in that “waiting room” (as my friend Christina Rasmussen calls it in her book, Second Firsts) forever, but I had no idea how long I’d be in this social limbo. I wanted to stay alone forever AND I wanted to be with people. I wanted to be invited out AND I wanted to never talk to another soul. I wanted to feel normal AND I didn’t want to feel anything. Oh….grief is crazy making.

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I had to have something to hang onto…something, someONE, who would anchor me and keep me from flying off the face of the earth. Even though I had been a Christian for seven years, I only attended church sporadically. One Sunday morning, many months after Mr. Virgo died, I decided I needed to talk to someone who never tired of hearing my cries. Someone who would give and give and give…no matter how much I needed. Who would love me no matter how messy or messed up I got. I went back to church…and I’ve been going ever since.

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As much as people want to help…they are people. They are fallible. They can say the wrong things. They can feel overwhelmed by your pain. They can burn out from your grief. But God? God never gets tired of hearing from you. God never gets tired of comforting you. He never gets tired of holding you close. Greater is the one who lives within me than the one who lives in the world. God is the one…the only one who will always, always love you. Even when you cry that horrible snot-slinging cry that no one needs to see. Even when you are so anxious you stay up puking all night. Even when your life seems not worth living. The only way you can lose is to give up. Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up. Because joy comes again. It sneaks in the cracks of your broken heart when you least expect it. Not all at once…just a little tiny bit at a time. But it comes, dear one. Hang on…it comes. ❤️

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“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”\n‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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#God, #Love, #Light

\n", "date_published": "2018-01-06T02:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2018/01/06/greater-is-the-one.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/31/true-love-has-no-end.html", "title": "True Love Has No End", "content_html": "\"Couple\n

They weren’t much more than kids when they met. I remember the first time I met my cousin Tommy’s girlfriend, Suzy. I had such a crush on Tommy in his Navy whites. And Suzy was as sweet as they come. She’s been around as long as I can remember.

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I’ve told you about Tommy. He has mesothelioma. There is no cure. And up until the last few years, there really wasn’t much to even offer people in the way of treatment. But they did their homework and took Tommy to the doc who wrote the book on Meso and as a result, he has had two really good years he may not have had before.

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The treatments Tom has received are not without side effects. The toxic meds have all but killed his kidneys. They have exhausted treatment after treatment yet, thanks to generous donations and scientific breakthroughs, more and more treatments become available. Maybe someday, they will find a cure. Because…you know. Cancer sucks.

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Tommy faces his illness and death with a positive attitude and a great deal of courage. They haven’t been afraid to “start the conversation”. They talk about death and his design…how does he want his story to end when he gets to the last chapter. Suzy is brave and strong. Their love knows no bounds as they recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.

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This year, Tommy wanted to give his “best girl” a gift that would knock her socks off. He wanted something so deeply meaningful that she would cherish it forever. Their daughter videotaped the moment for posterity. Suzy opened her gift ever so slowly. Indoor/outdoor slippers. (laughter) Then someone points out there’s something inside. Suzy looks closer and there it is…a small box tucked into one slipper.

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“You stinker,” she gently chided this man she’s known forever.

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She goes on to open the second gift when a puzzled look comes across her face. She turns to Tom and says, “For us?” She thought they were a matching set of rings. She looks again and finally can see…they are earrings. Someone off camera says…”Look at the ring.”

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Suzy is still puzzled then Tommy holds up his left hand and she can see he is no longer wearing his wedding band.

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“No!” she cried. “No! Not your ring!” You can see she is instantly devastated. Until Tommy bends toward her and shows her that he has had the date of their wedding engraved on the back. At this point, The enormity of this selfless gift suddenly hits Suzy and she puts her face in her hand and cries.

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This is a sweet, personal moment between two wonderful people who love each other without limits. No disease…no cancer…not even death will truly separate these two. I asked for permission to share their story here. For one reason, I love them both so much. Second, I wanted to stress the importance of having “the conversation”, and three…I wanted to give you an idea what to do with his/her ring. Earrings made from a ring that has been cut in half would make a wonderful remembrance.

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We don’t know the future. It’s not a matter of if, you know. It’s…when. We pray for a cure. We pray for new medicines. We pray for good quality of life. Time. We pray for time. Lots and lots. Oodles of time. We will love our loved ones like it’s our last day on earth…or theirs. And we will hold fast to the tokens of love like there’s no tomorrow. ❤️

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www.facebook.com/melissa.a…

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“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”\n‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-12-31T02:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/31/true-love-has-no-end.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Humbled","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/26/practicing-minimalism.html", "title": "Practicing Minimalism", "content_html": "\"Opening\n

I’ve had opulent Christmases where opening presents was a long, drawn out affair. And, I’ve had lean Christmases where money was scarce. I’ve seldom had a Christmas where we just intentionally bought each other a small gift so we could do something else…in this case, put new carpet in the family room that we recently painted. I have to tell you, it felt good to not have to worry about shopping, wrapping, paying for, and storing more “stuff” while still having a small token to enjoy.

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I gave Mr. FixIt a nice weather station that records wind speed and direction, rainfall, temperature and humidity. It’s connected to the WiFi so we can check our weather at home wherever we are through an app on the phone. Kind of fun!

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I got a much needed cushion for my banker’s chair and a book commemorating the Centennial of our high school. We had a big breakfast, watched movies, and went for a long drive to look at Christmas lights. Perfect!

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And now, Christmas is over for another year. We’ll still have a week of festivities surrounding New Year’s, and then we have that long stretch of cold, grey winter. That’s what does me in. I love the cold and snow…at Christmas. Then I’m ready for March. It’s better now that Mr. FixIt is in the picture. He brings a welcome distraction. I remember the first winter or two after Mr. Virgo died were absolutely miserably long! I think Christmas lights should be left up till at least the end of February to bring light and joy into the night!

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We are planning a lot of activities to pass the time till warm weather returns. Hand therapy will take some time. Dinner parties, crafting weekends with the girls, sewing projects. I want to teach Mr. FixIt’s daughter how to knit. Maybe his granddaughters would like to learn, too. There are projects inside that need doing…stripping wallpaper and painting, replacing the backsplash and countertops in the kitchen, replacing some doors and baseboards. Lots to keep us busy.

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This is my new life. I still sometimes sit in awe that I have been blessed with another opportunity to love, another family to cherish, another home to care for. It seems surreal after so much loss, so much pain. I swore I would never do this again. Oh….but, I’m SO glad I did. I wouldn’t have missed this for anything! What a blessing this is! ❤️

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“Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-12-26T02:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/26/practicing-minimalism.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Holiday","Wisdom"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/22/here-we-go-awassailing.html", "title": "Here We Go a’Wassailing", "content_html": "\"Cider\n

I remember going caroling as a young girl. A group of my friends and I would gather and roam the neighborhood, ringing doorbells then singing carols to the family who answered. Of course they were home. It was just after dinner time…families were always home at dinner time.

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I loved Christmas when I lived in England. Steeped in such old world traditions, carolers there literally looked as though they had just stepped from the pages of a Charles Dickens novel. Wassail is both a greeting and a drink. Traditional wassail is a complicated affair that includes eggs. This recipe is more like what we call spiced, or mulled, cider. Victorians carried a bowl of wassail out into the street and sold cupfuls for pennies. A bit of toasted bread was placed on top. Hence, the expression…”Let’s have a toast!” when you raise your glass.

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Wassail, or spiced cider, or mulled wine…all conjure up Currier and Ives scenes of horse-drawn sleighs, women in capes and muffs, men in top hats, snow gently falling. Sleigh bells jingling with the rhythm of the horse’s gait. The last scene of one of my favorite movies, White Christmas, shows this very picture as they throw open wide the doors behind the stage.

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I doubt we will have a white Christmas this year in West Virginia. But we WILL be having “The First Annual FixIt Family Holiday Extravaganza” on Saturday. This will consist of the WVU Basketball game, hors d’oeuvres, opening presents, and eating a big pot of chili with homemade cinnamon rolls for supper. I’m over my cold, thank you God! (Zicam is my secret weapon…reduces a two-week ordeal to three days!) I didn’t go to Colorado this year…for a number of reasons. Mainly because Mr. FixIt had hand reconstruction surgery two weeks ago and couldn’t do much of anything. He’s doing really well…thank you for your prayers. He went to get the stitches removed but it’s not quite healed up enough for that so he’ll go back next week.

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What are some of your favorite family holiday traditions? I’d love to hear them! And, if you have a recipe you’d like to share, please do. ❤️

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“Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.”\n‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-12-22T02:30:51-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/22/here-we-go-awassailing.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Holiday","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/21/messages-from-beyond.html", "title": "Messages From Beyond", "content_html": "\"Misty\n

I first met Sheba Wheeler at a holiday dinner at The Warwick Hotel in downtown Denver. Mr. Virgo was the Food & Beverage Director and had invited me to come down to the restaurant so we could at least see each other that day. Seating was limited so singles were being asked to buddy up at tables. I always enjoy family style seating as I get the opportunity to meet interesting people.

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Sheba and I hit it off from the get go. She was also a writer, working for the Denver Post. She’s a superb photographer and we enjoyed an evening of lively conversation. There was something about Sheba that drew me to her. She seemed exotic and mysterious and as comfortable as an old quilt. She had really great energy and I felt she was special…as in, she had “gifts”.

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I’ve kept in touch with Sheba all these years and have watched her open up to accepting the gifts she has. She’s had many life changes…a new relationship, a couple flooding disasters that forced her out of her home, the loss of a job she loved. But with every door that closed, another opened.

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Sheba grew up in the church and her faith was instilled in her at an early age by her family. At the same time, she knew she was different. She “saw things”, “felt things”, “heard things”. It turns out, she learned long after her death that her mama had “the gift” too. It happened after she moved in the new house

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It wasn’t till she moved into a new home that Sheba got a real taste of what was to come. There was a spirit there. A Victorian woman named Theresa. She “visited” her. Sheba saw her clearly…heard her voice…felt her presence. She called in an investigator who helped her communicate. The investigator became her mentor and told her about her abilities as a medium. Sheba fought it for months till she finally embraced her gift. And once that door was opened, she became quickly overwhelmed with the sudden onslaught of spirits clamoring for her attention.

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Now, I know what some of you are thinking. “Oh, that’s impossible.” “It’s heresy…evil…black magic.” “It’s demonic.” “It’s not Christian!” Listen, I’m here to tell you…I am a Christian. I love my God and have put my faith in Jesus. AND…there are unexplainable mysteries in life. The first time I saw my grandpa in the garden, leaning on his hoe, wiping his brow and waving…a full two years after he died…I was stunned. My grandma had told me long before that if I ever smelled roses around someone and there were no roses there, it meant someone was going to die. That has literally happened to me. When my aunt learned that these things had happened to me, she taught me to look at the time when I had “feelings” so I could look back later in comparison.

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I believe Sheba when she says spirits visit her. I have no reason to believe she is mentally ill. I do not believe she is evil. Yet she is attacked weekly by people…mean people…over what many call “the gift”. In 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12, Verse 10 speaks of the Holy Spirit gifting certain people with the ability to “discern spirits”. I believe that’s what Sheba does…she discerns spirits around her.

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I hadn’t had a chance to chat with Sheba in a long time and she kept popping into my head. I’ve learned to follow through when that happens, so I texted her. We chatted a while. I told her I had been following her posts about her gift. She had met Mr. Virgo. I asked her if he had ever tried to contact her. She said no but she could try from her end. I didn’t hesitate in asking her to do so. She asked for his full name and some bit of information only he and I would know. I gave her his dad’s nickname for him. Now, remember…this is via text. She told me she had never tried this avenue before but she would do her best.

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I waited a few moments while she gathered her thoughts. Soon she came back…laughing. She said, “He’s here! The first thing he said was….Well, it TOOK you long enough!” You see, Mr. Virgo and I watched all the ghost hunting shows. We downloaded an app on my phone that could detect changes in the electromagnetic field. And, we promised each other that if there was any possible way to reach out and send a message from beyond, we would. I’ve felt his presence. I’ve even heard his voice on one occasion. I’ve had my cards read…not Tarot…just ordinary playing cards. I’ve been told he’s “with” me. I was even told the person was given a mental picture of the two of us, sitting in white wicker chairs on a covered front porch, drinking something out of mugs. That would describe our typical morning having coffee on the front porch. He told her to tell me those were the happiest times of his life, being out there with me. But, this was different. I was asking someone to connect with him directly and let me ask questions and get answers.

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I asked if he was ok.

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“Yes.”

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Are you happy?

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“Yes, it’s all love and light here.”

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Then Sheba said, “Wait a minute. He’s really upset. I had to tell him to reel it back a little. It drains my energy too fast.”

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She was still for a few moments when she came back and said, “He says he’s sorry. He’s sorry he left you like that. He didn’t mean to.”

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“I know he didn’t. He doesn’t have to be sorry.”

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“He’s saying “Nooooooooo…I was supposed to do something!”

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Immediately, I knew what he was talking about. The doctor had told him five months before he died that he needed a complete cardiac workup. He refused. I think he was saying he should have had the tests done then this wouldn’t have happened. He knew I had forgiven that. But he couldn’t forgive himself.

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“You need to talk to him, Ginny!” Sheba said. “You need to tell him he needs to forgive himself…that you’re ok…that everything is as it should be, as it was meant to be.”

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Sheba had to get to a meeting and we rang off. I thanked her, and told her I didn’t feel this was a “dark” thing. Then I sat back and talked out loud to Mr. Virgo.

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“Honey, listen…I know you didn’t mean to leave me. I know you had a strong work ethic and you didn’t think you could take time off during the ski season. And, I know it must be upsetting to know you might have avoided this…for a while. You have to forgive yourself. Let this go. It is what it is. It was hard. It still is, sometimes. But I’m doing well. I’m happy, I’m healthy, the family is great, and I have this wonderful man that loves me like you did. Just let it go now, ok?”

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Then something extraordinary happened. You know how it feels when you’ve had a pain for a long time and you resign yourself to it and it just seems like it’s normal to feel pain? Then when that pain goes away, it becomes apparent you didn’t realize how MUCH pain you had been in? Well, when I finished saying what I had to say to Mr. Virgo, I felt as though a huge ball of static electricity suddenly released itself in front of my chest. I hadn’t even realized I’d been feeling that till it suddenly released. I texted Sheba back later and told her and we were both amazed.

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I know it may seem far-fetched. Science fiction. Voodoo. Occult. But this is not at all what I feel…nor is it what I believe. I believe the ways of God are mysterious. So far, there haven’t been any documentaries made with empirical evidence, no footage, no recordings, of what happens when we cross over. I am a Christian, and I am a scientist. I believe in mysteries. And, if this mystery brings me comfort, there is nothing wrong with that. I know it may not be what you believe, but it seemed pretty real to me so I thought I would share. And some day…some glad day…we will know. ❤️

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“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”\n‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:7-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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*Note: There have been a few edits as Sheba clarified the details with me

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\n", "date_published": "2017-12-21T02:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/21/messages-from-beyond.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Hope","Growth","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/16/things-that-make-me-smile.html", "title": "Things That Make Me Smile", "content_html": "\"Retro\n

These dishes! Man, do these take me back. When I lived at home, I set the table every night with these dishes for as far back as I can remember. I know the Golden Wheat pattern by Homer Laughlin came from boxes of Duz Detergent. The green pattern was also from Homer Laughlin and was called Pastoral. It came in boxes of Mother’s Oats. Mom would get gas every couple of days so she could get glasses from the service stations. And the only “china” she ever owned came from the Kroger Store. I had a set as well. I had some white teacups with a gold rim on them that came from my grandma. She saved them and kept them nice to use at her and Pop-Pop’s Golden 50th, but he passed away two months before their anniversary. I can’t remember but I might have given them to my cousin so she would have some precious family keepsakes.

\n\"Retro\n\"Mother’s\n

As you probably experienced in your home, it was difficult to get an entire set of dishes of one type before they went on with a new pattern, so our dinner tables were often set with a mish mosh of mismatched dishes and glasses. There were often hand-me-downs and “heirlooms” mixed it. And then, of course, there was Melmac and Melamine. Those came in handy when there were active kids in the family.

\n\"Retro\n

Mom bought her first real set of new dishes when she came to visit me when I lived in England. We went to market in Newbury twice a week. There were vendors there selling everything from yard goods to blood pudding. Don’t ask. It’s gross. Anyway, mom bought what I thought were the ugliest dishes ever made but she adored them. They were brown (the first strike against them) and had a bold black and white geometric pattern around the edges. I know, they don’t SOUND that bad, but trust me…they were awful. I bought a dainty rose patterned tea set. I was predictable. Mom was the maverick. She may not have had much, but she’d gladly share whatever she had.

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This has been wonderful trip down memory lane this month. I guess it’s the holidays and missing loved ones that has be looking back with such fondness. I hope you’ve been enjoying taking a break from the news and the hectic hubbub that surrounds holiday celebrations. I’ll see what else I can come up with from the memory banks. ❤️

\n\"Retro\n

““Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”\n‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-12-16T02:30:58-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/16/things-that-make-me-smile.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/15/the-happy-accident.html", "title": "The Happy Accident", "content_html": "\"Alice\n

I love this time of year! There are so many fun things to do…parties, family gatherings, cookies to bake, trees to trim, packages to wrap. One thing I really miss this year is the chance to see my granddaughters perform in their annual holiday programs at school. I miss my girls. So, when Mr. FixIt’s son called the other night to tell us about his youngest having her program, we were thrilled to say, “Yes!”

\n\"Gingerbread\n

I asked Mr. FixIt where the concert was going to be and he said it was at the historic hotel downtown. Neither one of us could figure out why on earth they would have it there. The venue isn’t nearly big enough. But, we didn’t ask questions. We just dressed for the occasion and headed downtown last night. We were lucky and found a parking space pretty close. We were really early so we could get a good seat. We got a coffee and walked around looking at the gingerbread houses on display for the contest being held this week. Finally, we headed to the ballroom to find a seat. When we opened the door, it was set up for a Christmas dinner party. We looked at each other in confusion. A gentleman said we could go on in.

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“Ummmm, we’re here for the junior high choir concert.”, I said.

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Now it was the gentleman’s turn to look puzzled. “This is the First Bank Christmas Party.”

\n\"Gingerbread\n

I saw the light bulb come on over Mr. FixIt’s head. He started laughing. “It’s at the school!” he said. “It has the same name.” In his defense, he’s been taking pain pills since his surgery, but we had a good laugh over it. We had plenty of time to get where we needed to go and we found good seats. If it hadn’t been for Mr. FixIt’s misunderstanding, he wouldn’t have seen the gingerbread houses. So, it was a happy accident that we went to the wrong place first.

\n\"Gingerbread\n

This particular granddaughter goes to the same junior high I went to. I remember we had a strong choir program so I was looking forward to not only seeing her perform, but to see how well the choir did in general. As it turns out, they’re doing great. Over 270 students take part in the music program. That’s nearly half the students. They did a great job.

\n\"Choir\n

School programs always take me back to the days when I performed onstage. I was in choir all through school and loved it. I still remember my first solo. I was in sixth grade and sang “What’s New at the Zoo in the musical “Cowboy on the Moon”. Yeah…it wasn’t Broadway material, but oh…I thought it was magical! The lights, the applause, the nervous excitement, the new dress or choir robe. Some of my most fond memories are of choir concerts. ❤️

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“Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-12-15T02:30:04-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/15/the-happy-accident.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Fun","West Virginia","Love","Peace","Holiday","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/14/lets-take-a-ride-on.html", "title": "Let’s Take a Ride on the Brain Train", "content_html": "\"The\n

In the early ‘80s, Hubby #2 was just finishing medical school and was about to start his internship and residency. I was working for a four-doctor Internal Medicine clinic as a Diabetes Educator. The wife of one of the doctors I worked for was writing a book about a kind of water exercise called “Flugel Fitness”. She contracted me to illustrate the instruction manual. In the process of working with her, we had lots of conversations about health and wellness. She had a workout studio and I started some weight loss classes for her. I remember having a conversation with her about my situational anxiety surrounding public speaking and she recommended a book by Shakti Gawain called Creative Visualization. I loved that book and read it many times and it did help.

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Creative visualization and guided imagery are sort of like meditation. One image helped me feel grounded. I sat in the lotus position and imagined a lightning rod going from the top of my head, down my spine, and sinking deep within the earth. I pictured energy drawing up from the earth and showering out the top of my head and raining down over me. It was all very New Agey.

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At this same time, Daughter #1 was about nine or ten years old. She loved for me to tell her stories at bedtime. Reading Shakti’s book gave me an idea. I wanted to see if creative visualization would work to help an active child settle down and fall asleep more easily. So, I created the Brain Train. We went on lots of “trips” on the Brain Train as I described intricate scenarios. It worked beautifully! She would relax and fall asleep much quicker with this type of guided imagery.

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I decided to write a children’s book. I made it like a dry erase book with basic background images. The child uses a marker to draw in what they “see” as they ride the Brain Train through the countryside. It was a fun idea and Daughter #1 loved it. I submitted it to dozens of publishers and received dozens of rejections. Then, about a year later, creative visualization for children took off and there were books similar to mine everywhere. I figure I was just too far ahead of my time, right?

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When Daughter #2 came along, she had many of the same anxiety issues I’ve struggled with. One day we were looking through some things and she saw the prototype book that I sent to publishers. I told her all about the Brain Train and we started using creative visualization to help her cope with stress. She loved it as much as her older sister.

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I don’t get to talk to the girls as often as I’d like these days. They are busy with their lives. But, yesterday I got to talk with Daughter #2 for a lovely, long conversation. The subject of The Brain Train came up and she told me what an important tool that had been for her and how she still uses creative visualization. She said, “Mom, I still have the painting you did for me. It’s hanging in my bedroom.” She sent me this picture. It brings back so many memories of my girls when they were little. Tucking them into bed…warm from a bath, hair still damp, tummies full of milk and cookies. We would hop onboard the Brain Train and soon found ourselves riding through mountains or along the ocean or through a forest. We saw animals of all sizes and colors. Blue elephants, pink giraffes, polka dot monkeys. We crossed bridges and went through long dark tunnels and soon they relaxed and I heard the familiar deep, even breathing of sleep.

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What a gift that was…to learn something I did for them…something I really haven’t thought of in ages…had such an impact. It made me feel like I felt when I held them on my lap, brushing their hair from their foreheads, kissing the top of their heads. It made me feel like a mom. I mean…once a mom, always a mom, right? I mean like a real, active, momming mom. It gave me the feels. ❤️

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“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-12-14T02:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/14/lets-take-a-ride-on.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","New Ideas","Love","Peace","Wisdom"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/13/just-one-more-day-with.html", "title": "Just One More Day With Wanda", "content_html": "\"Aqua\n

Yesterday’s post struck a sad place within my heart so I wanted to take today in a different direction, though in the end…I’m not sure I have. I’ve really loved all the reminiscing we’ve been doing this month. There were certainly Christmases that were difficult for me growing up and I don’t have good memories of them. But most of my holiday memories are all warm and fuzzy.

\n\"Blonde\n

I ran across this photo the other day on Pinterest. Remember aqua? Mom let me “redecorate” the living room when I was in high school. Man…that woman must have loved me to the core to let me do what I did to her house! First, we bought the aqua sofa. Then I painted the walls a lighter shade of aqua. We found a room sized remnant of a dark aqua shag rug that I put down. I found shiny drapes in the same dark aqua. We bought these blonde wood end tables, probably at Sid’s Furniture. The lamps had odd angles and big shades. The piece de resistance was a big wall clock with an atomic sunburst pattern. OMGosh! It was like living in an aquarium! Too bad we didn’t have this aqua Christmas tree. That would have been a hoot. My poor mom kept that color in her living room till the day she died some 44 years later.

\n\"Grey\n

Our kitchen was so small. The walls were pale yellow. We had this same grey Formica table and chairs. The countertop was green with metal trim around the edges. Mom put up sunny yellow curtains with ruffles and it looked so cheery. The bathroom had pink fixtures. Mom let me paint and wallpaper in there sometime in the ‘80s. Remember when peach was a color you painted walls? Turquoise, peach with pink, yellow with green and grey. Lord have mercy. Mom loved it…because I did it. She wouldn’t let me change a thing. Partially because it meant she might have to get rid of stuff and I can absolutely relate to how daunting a chore that is.

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It took months to fix it all up after she passed so I could sell her house. She would have loved the changes. I think. Maybe. I loved the new look. It was hard to sell that house when I was done and I’ve regretted the decision ever since.

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I miss my mom. I miss our talks every Sunday. I miss her cool hands on my brow. I miss her calling me “Sis”. Or, Virginia Lynne if she was mad at me. I miss her naïveté to the ways of the world. I miss her big, loving heart. I miss making her laugh till she couldn’t catch her breath. I miss her spirit and her attempts at cussing. She couldn’t spit the words out. I miss her loyalty and her generosity. I miss her especially at Christmas. She used to frustrate the heck out of me, which is what moms sometimes do to their daughters, I think. But….oh my. What I wouldn’t give to spend just one more day with Wanda. ❤️

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“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”\n‭‭John‬ ‭16:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-12-13T02:30:25-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/13/just-one-more-day-with.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/10/its-that-time-of-year.html", "title": "It’s That Time of Year", "content_html": "\"Snowy\n

I visit this topic every year. There’s always a big hullaballoo every year about what to say when greeting others around the holidays. It seems like there are just WAY too many perceived offenses surrounding this subject. There are those offended by “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings”. There are some who are not necessarily offended by “Merry Christmas” but who wish to be more inclusive. Sometimes the debate gets heated and we forget what the whole thing is all about in the first place. Love. The kind of love that transcends all other love.

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While I was not born Jewish, I lived as a Jew for 27 years. I became Jewish for a number of reasons, but it was NOT to convert because of a marriage. I married a Jewish man, but I considered myself Jewish before I met him. When he joined a medical practice in a small town on the western slope of Colorado, we were faced with a bit of a dilemma. Everything was strictly “Merry Christmas”. Which is fine. I have no problem with that. The Christmas program included Hanukkah songs, which was great. But, it was Hanukkah songs without acknowledging Hanukkah, per se. The other children in the school weren’t taught there was anything else BUT Christmas. They thought Hanukkah was the Jewish Christmas, and it isn’t. It doesn’t have anything to do with Christmas. And, being a stickler for education, I wanted the children to learn about all the winter holidays. I wanted all the children to be included and celebrated. And to do that, it couldn’t just be about ONE holiday…as if that were the only one.

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I joined an ad hoc committee on religious sensitivity in the schools. We added books about other winter festivals and holidays to the school and public libraries. We asked for the program to be called the Winter Celebration. We were met with incredible resistance. The mayor of the little town was a former priest. He took great offense at our request. To the point that he hung a banner over the Main Street of town accusing the “heathens of trying to take Christmas away from our kids”. Personally, I really loved that man. He was kind, generous, and worked very hard for our town. He got our local representative involved. It was a real mess. We met with them. We communicated. We pleaded for our children to be included. And, as time passed…they were. We weren’t trying to take anything away from other children. We were trying to expand the scope of the holidays to embrace all children.

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I don’t feel any holiday should be diluted. Every faith has its own place in this melting pot of a country. Religious freedom is what this country was founded on. I am a great proponent of inclusivity. In the years since, I have become a Christian. My faith is very important to me. But, I have a memory. And my little girl was ostracized by her peers. She was…to her face…called a “stupid effing Jew” and that is totally unacceptable.

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So, here’s my bottom line. I do not care if you say Merry Christmas. I didn’t care when I was Jewish if you said Merry Christmas to me. You were being kind and wishing me well. What’s not to love about that? I, however, will more than likely say “Happy Holidays” to you unless I know for certain that you celebrate Christmas. Because, I am not clairvoyant. Unless you are wearing a Santa suit or elf ears, I’m not going to assume who or what you are. I will respect your human-ness. With a heartfelt holiday greeting.

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I love Christmas. And, I love Hanukkah. I am not familiar with Kwanza, but I love that there is such a holiday. For me personally, I love the story of the Nativity, of the birth of the Christ Child. And, I love all of you. I hope this season is full of love, no matter what your faith…or lack thereof. This is a dark time of year, and a dark time of the world in many ways. We all need all the Love and Light we can get…and not just in December! ❤️

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“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;”\n‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-12-10T02:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/10/its-that-time-of-year.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Holiday","Wisdom","Forgiveness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/08/coming-home.html", "title": "Coming Home", "content_html": "\"American\n

I lived in England in 1973 and 1974. My first husband was in the Air Force and stationed over there. When he was transferred stateside to his next duty station, my baby and I flew to West Virginia to spend Christmas with my family. When I flew over to England, I traveled commercial. But when I came home, I flew military transport.

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There were several people from the base he was stationed at who were traveling with me. Another mother with her two little ones. Two young Airmen. We traveled for three days before I arrived…exhausted…at my mom’s house. The first day was spent driving in a small VW van to a base up north. The second day was spent waiting…waiting…waiting for a plane to be ready. Once we boarded, we sat on the tarmac for six whole hours before we took off.

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My baby was using cloth diapers, and you can well imagine, I was running out of clean ones before I got home to West Virginia. She was also drinking formula that I had to carry with me. She slept all the way across the Atlantic. I however, did not. By the time we began our final descent at Fort Dix, I was becoming really emotional. I cannot properly express how I felt when I looked out the windows of the plane and saw the American flag flying over American soil. I felt so proud…so relieved…so honored…so exhausted.

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Yesterday was Pearl Harbor Day. There are fewer and fewer people still living who were there that day or who listened to the radio broadcasts stateside. I know what I felt combing home. I can’t imagine what people who have experienced war must feel when their feel finally touch the soil of “home”. I know it’s a day late, but I would like to honor those who served…and continue to serve. Those who spend the holidays away from their loved ones so that we may enjoy the privileges we have here in this country. Thank you. God bless you and your loved one. ❤️

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“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."”\n‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-12-08T02:30:04-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/08/coming-home.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Hope","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Humbled"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/05/he-loves-melike-that.html", "title": "He Loves Me...”Like That”", "content_html": "\"Man\n

It was December 4th, 2013. It had been 267 days since the love of my life died right in front of me. It was 267 largely sleepless nights. I had made myself put one foot in front of the other…day after miserable, lonely day…for 2-6-7 long $&@#%€* days. I was tired. I was broken. But I was trying.

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On this day, I went to work. It was normally an hour commute each way, but on this particular day, the skies opened up and snow started falling at an alarming rate. The further west I drove heading home, the deeper the snow became. When I finally pulled up in front of my house, there was nearly 18” of heavy, wet snow in my driveway. I slogged up the drive and got my snow shovel out. You know…the one with MY name on it…not Mr. Virgo’s. He was gone. Two-hundred-sixty-seven days of…gone.

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I shoveled for what seemed like hours. I was numb…physically and emotionally. I could hardly make a dent in the snow removal. I barely got my car in off the street when I gave up and went inside. I marched straight to our…MY…bedroom. I stood in front of the picture of Mr. Virgo and yelled at him. I screamed. I cried. I ranted and raved. He had a lot of nerve leaving me like this…with this house and this mess and this…LIFE! I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t want this. I was just so $&@# tired. I didn’t care if I lived or died, to be perfectly honest.

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That was a particularly dark and dreadful season in my life. There were a lot of people who helped me through that. I had support from those who loved me and from complete strangers in several widow’s support groups on Facebook. I’m only active in a couple of them now. I see myself there now as a symbol of hope, having survived the worst of it.

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The other day, one of the women in the group said “No one will ever love me like that again”. I couldn’t let her go on thinking that…believing that. I know early on…I couldn’t imagine loving again. If for no other reason than I was sure another loss like that would surely kill me. Then time passed, wounds scarred over, and color started to filter back into my life. I started to think…maybe I COULD do this again. I prayed a lot about it and asked God to place a worthy man right in front of me. And…He did.

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I wanted this woman to know…your heart can beat again. You can open it up. You can give and receive love. It’s been almost five years since my world fell apart. And, while this man is so different than my late husband, he loves me “like that”. I feel the same joy true love brings. I feel the same hope, warmth, trust. This one is far more passionate…partially because I’m acutely aware of what I lost and I find this so precious. Which brings me to the biggest difference. Fear. When my husband was alive and I used to have the fleeting thought…”What if he died?” I had absolutely zero understanding of what devastation that loss would bring. Now, I know exactly what that loss brought to me. I still don’t know what losing this man would be like, but I have a $&@# good idea. I try to keep the wolves at bay and live in the moment, but they’re always howling in the woods somewhere.

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God did not create in us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 is one of my go-to verses when I’m feeling weak and out of control. Mr. FixIt is having some reconstruction surgery on his hand Thursday. Even though I worked most of my career in medicine and was married to a physician for two decades, since losing Mr. Virgo,  I don’t handle medical situations very well…especially when it involves someone I love. I read 2 Timothy, and asked a friend to come join me at the hospital for coffee and a chance to catch up. I know it’s not a huge invasive surgery, but I know things can happen. This man loves me…”like that”. I will do my very best to support him in whatever comes our way because…I love him “like that”, too. ❤️

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“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”\n‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-12-05T02:30:03-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/05/he-loves-melike-that.html", "tags": ["Faith","Colorado","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Humbled","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/03/the-rheostat.html", "title": "The Rheostat", "content_html": "\"Rheostat\"\n

When Daughter #2 was born, I had the luxury of being a stay-at-home mom. Her sister, and only sibling, turned sixteen and got her driver’s license just a few months after she was born. So, I had a lot of time on my hands to devote to the baby. I knew this would be my last child so I read all the parenting books and nurtured her learning from the get go. As a matter of fact, I placed headphones on my tummy and played Mozart and Beethoven to her in utero. Yes, I was “one of THOSE” moms.

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Daughter #2 was precocious. She could READ the alphabet at seventeen months. She knew the names of all her body parts, by their anatomical terms. She spoke complete sentences early. She was a beast! Fierce. Determined. Focused. I had flash cards on the wall by the changing table. We would talk about what it was and what it meant and how you spell it and how you pronounce it.

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Because of all this exposure to knowledge, this baby was powerfully curious. She pointed at everything and wanted to know what it was, how it worked, and what you used it for. One afternoon, I caught her staring intently at something from her high chair. I followed her gaze. She was looking at the dimmer switch. Soon she looked at me and asked “Whassat?” It was her FAVORITE question! She asked it hundreds of times a day.

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I explained to her that it was a dimmer switch, but the thing that makes it work is called a rheostat. I took her outside and showed her the electric lines coming into the house. I told her about electricity. And I told her how a rheostat slows down or speeds up the waves in the electricity and that changes the light from dim to bright to dim at will. After that, wherever we went, she demanded to know if our host or hostess had a rheostat. My friends rolled their eyes at me. “Would you let her be a kid, for crying out loud?” I should have, probably. My daughter struggled because the other kids just didn’t “get” her. She had trouble relating to kids her own age. She’s turned out fine…it just wasn’t easy for her.

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Life can be like a rheostat. We can turn up the frequency and shine light out into the world. Or we can turn it down and sit in the dark. There’s something really cool about the light, though. Darkness cannot overcome the light. Only light can overcome darkness. Keep shining your light out into the world. Keep the darkness at bay. Constantly tell the enemy he is not welcome here. Show him your light. Tell him Who you get that light from. Send him packing. Remember your rheostat when you feel down…and turn it up! ❤️

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””\n‭‭John‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-12-03T02:30:28-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/03/the-rheostat.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Humbled"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/12/02/more-christmas-memories.html", "title": "MORE Christmas Memories", "content_html": "\"Ceramic\n

I have been on such a nostalgia kick lately! Here’s one I know you all will remember and you probably had (still have!) one of these bad boys. My mom had one that she made in a ceramics class. As a matter of fact, I think I might have made one somewhere along the way. I seem to remember painting on the glaze that puffed up like snow and gluing the little ornaments in the holes. Wow…that’s like opening the top of your head and reaching WAY back in the memory banks!

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Mom got to the point where this was the extent of her holiday decorating. When Christmas was over, she dusted off the “tree”, put a dry cleaning bag over it, and took it back upstairs to the attic till the next year. I found it up there after she died. It’s one of the things I saved when I cleared out her house. And, unfortunately, it’s one of the only things that broke during one of my many moves over the years. It made me so sad.

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I was rummaging around in the upstairs of the cellar house the other day and ran across one of these in a box up there. I need to get it out and set it up on the dining room table. My aunt used to put it out when she lived there.

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I was wandering around the mall yesterday and was thinking of more things we used to get at Christmas. Remember those round bath oil beads? They were jewel-toned, came in about four or five scents, and often were in a tube with a plastic crook on the end to look like a candy cane. You put on in your bath and the hot water would melt the gelatin bead and the oil would come out into the water. Only, who could resist picking it up and playing with it till it completely dissolved???

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How about the Easy Bake Oven??? OMGosh! Do you remember how horrible that stuff tasted??? Yet, we ate it! There was Chatty Cathy, Betsy Wetsy, Tiny Tears. I always wanted one but never got one. I did get the bride doll that was as tall as me! And I had a Barbie. My Aunt Marge once traded eggs for a Barbie Doll dress that the neighbor made. I knew that was a big deal for her to do that and I took extra special care of that dress.

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How about the socks with the toes in them? Or games like Operation or Chutes and Ladders or Candyland. I remember getting a set of Old Maid cards once.

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One year, money must have been really tight. Mom ordered our Christmas presents from a catalog and they didn’t come in time for Christmas. So on Christmas morning, mom gave us each an envelope with the pictures of what we were going to get when the box arrived. But then, when the box did come, Dad found out Mom had charged the items so he made her send them all back. We were so disappointed and to this day, it makes my heart ache for her. She had to have felt horrible that we didn’t get a Christmas.

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We moved into the house we grew up in over Christmas break when I was in second grade. The house and furnishings were our Christmas that year. I remember my Grandmother bought me a bedroom set. It was grey, very modern. It had a twin bed and a dresser that had a drop\nFront that turned into a desk. Grandmother made curtains out of pink fabric with grey poodles on them. There was an old TV console in my bedroom and for some reason, she made a cover for that as well. I even had a black metal trash can with a poodle on it! My brothers room was decorated with a Cincinnati Reds theme. That was a grand Christmas!

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I remember when I got old enough to babysit, I would go downtown to Kresge’s and buy Mom a little bottle of Evening in Paris perfume or a chiffon scarf. She always acted as though that was the finest gift a mother could have wished for and it made me so proud. I loved wrapping the presents. As a matter of fact…when we got old enough, she would put our gifts in boxes and I’d wrap my own presents! I wrapped everyone’s presents. It took all day on a Saturday. I’d sit on the floor in front of the TV and use up all the bows and the stickers and the gift tags and have a big time. Then I’d pile everything under the tree. We didn’t have a lot. But we had enough. ❤️

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““Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”\n‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-12-02T02:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/12/02/more-christmas-memories.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Holiday","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Humbled"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/30/throwback-thursday.html", "title": "Throwback Thursday", "content_html": "\"Glass\n

I don’t know about you, but I’m scared of all this threatening talk between the US and North Korea. I need memories of my childhood to focus on so I can sleep at night. So here goes…

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I love, love, LOVE Pinterest! Think of anything….some obscure thing from your childhood…and you can just about guarantee someone has posted a picture of it. Like…Glass Wax Window Stencils! I remember the can, the color, the smell, how it felt when it dried on your fingers. I could hardly wait for Christmas so we could get a new set.

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And spray snow in a can…remember that? Oh, that stuff was wicked awful. Who knows what kind of chemicals were in that stuff? We would spray it around the bottom of the windows to look like drifted snow. And I would spray it on a mirror that mom set on a table then I’d set up ice skaters and make it look like they were skating on a pond.

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Ribbon candy? And those straw-like candies that were crunchy on the outside and had some sort of chocolate on the inside. And Christmas morning we would have an orange in our stocking. Or better yet, a couple of tangerines. And a candy cane. And a handful of nuts, in their shells. And a Lifesaver Storybook! We didn’t have much money when I was growing up, but we had enough for a stocking and a couple of toys. I remember the year I was ten…I got a bike! Somewhere there’s a picture of me in my baby doll pajamas, my finger over my lips and my eyes open wide as I caught sight of it! It was blue. One speed. I think the metal label said JC Higgins on it.

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There were a lot of Christmas memories that I used to drag around like a load of bricks…usually surrounding my dad and alcohol. But now? Since I lost Mr. Virgo, I’ve decided to rewrite history and just remember the good parts. There was almost always a doll. A game that my brother and I had to share. Clothes. (Insert eye roll here) I begged Mom to wrap every single thing so it felt like I got more stuff. (See? I learned early about accumulating “stuff”!)

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The paper was thin and printed with what are now vintage Santas or Rudolph or stripes or metallic foils. There was flat satin ribbon when we were a little more flush. Usually it was curling ribbon and a bag of cheap bows. And gift tags! There were little gift tags made out of card stock with “Season’s Greetings” and “Silent Night” printed in glitter with a space for “To:” and “From:”.

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Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. Christmas and my birthday. Some of my very best memories totally surround those two days. What are some of your best Christmas memories? Did you go caroling and sledding? Did the neighbors invite you in for hot cocoa with a big melty marshmallow in it? Did you build snowmen and forts for epic snowball fights? Let’s share some warm fuzzies and forget about the scary stuff for a little while. ❤️

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“Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”\n‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-30T02:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/30/throwback-thursday.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Holiday","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/29/the-shift.html", "title": "The Shift", "content_html": "\"Christmas\n

The earth shifted yesterday. Did you feel it? I did. Mr. FixIt is about halfway through his guy getaway to Florida with his buddy and I’ve been staying at his house…feeding cats, cleaning, decorating, rearranging. It’s been great fun.

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For those of you who have been following from the beginning, I downsized and got rid of ninety-five percent of my personal belongings when I sold my house in 2014. I brought those things to West Virginia that I could not part with. A friend has been so kind as to let me store them in his basement all this time. I went over a couple of weeks ago and brought a whole truckload over to Mr. FixIt’s house. The Christmas decorations were all put out so yesterday, I got into the boxes of decorator items. A pink Fenton hurricane lamp, an antique cast iron rabbit doorstop, some quilts, my raven decoy, a sign that says “Kindness Matters”…these found themselves mingled with Mr. FixIt’s memories. Looking at the finished project, they could have all been purchased together for just the same house

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I went back into the storage room and lugged the heaviest box to the kitchen. This is where I felt the shift. Do you sense what’s happening here? I’m nesting. The lines of “yours” and “mine” are blurring. Nowhere did I feel this as much as when I opened that heavy box. It was filled with china. Precious cargo that has been carted from one side of the country to the other…never seeing the light of day.

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One winter day, what seems like a lifetime ago, Mr. Virgo and I were shopping for a tablecloth. When I caught up with him, he was standing in front of a display of china. He was studying something intently so I followed his gaze. When I saw what he was looking at, I gasped out loud. Royal Doulton’s “Tennyson”. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful. And, six months later, I got eight place settings for my birthday. I sat down and cried like a little girl. I’d never had anything so…fine.

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Those dishes were packed away in 2014 when I sold my house. Yesterday…I carefully unwrapped each one, inspecting them for chips or cracks. They were perfect. I carefully hand washed and dried each piece and set them out on the dining room table in Mr. FixIt’s house. I thought about how far I have come in the nearly five years since Mr. Virgo died.

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Mr. FixIt and I still have an unconventional relationship. He has his place, I am taking care of the family farm. We stay a little here, a little there. We travel, and we stay apart a little. It works for now.

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I am so blessed that Mr. FixIt gets me. He’s an angel…tolerant of many things. And he’s thrilled to spend whatever time he can with me. The feelings are mutual. ❤️

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“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain…”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭127:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-29T02:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/29/the-shift.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Humbled","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/27/the-ghosts-of-christmas-past.html", "title": "The Ghosts of Christmas Past", "content_html": "\"Antique\n

I think this is my all-time favorite Christmas ornament. It’s been in my family as long as I can remember. I have a dozen or so of the smaller ones of the same era but this is the only big one that survived. I can still remember the box it came in. I am always extremely careful with all my ornaments when I store them, but this one especially so. It is so fragile and the paint has been flaking away for years.

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There are so many ornaments on this tree that have a story. Baby’s First Christmas. The angel topper from Grandma’s tree. Hand blown glass Santas. A sterling silver tree that was a gift to Mr. Virgo from The Ritz Carlton in 2011. An Old World Santa with the tip of his Christmas tree broken off that Mr. Virgo rescued from the trash at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen. Dozens of coveted hand made ornaments gathered from my friend Judy’s famous Christmas Ornament Exchange Parties. And, the seven Ne’Qua ornaments Mr. Virgo and I bought together on our trips…one for every Christmas we shared.

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Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. I found an e-mail the other day where Mr. Virgo had asked me to get our Christmas decorations and stage them in the living room so we could put up our tree that weekend. We always put on White Christmas and decorated the tree together. The first Christmas after he died, I followed the tradition. I did fine until I got up the next morning and saw what I had done. I can’t tell you how close I came to taking the whole thing down and putting it away. I cried for days. It was brutal. The next Christmas was spent in my friend’s apartment, sitting in the dark, staring out the window as the snow slowly drifted down through the circles of light around the old fashioned street lamps of Marietta, Ohio. It was still brutal.

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The next two Christmases were spent with my Colorado family. That was much better. We decorated the tree together and baked a million cookies. It was fun.

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Each holiday season is a little easier. Last year, even though we weren’t together, Mr. FixIt and I had started dating and had fallen in love. Holidays were again filled with light and love and joy. Mr. Virgo was still there with us in spirit but the sadness of his absence had abated somewhat. This year, Mr. FixIt and I did the majority of the tree trimming before he left for Florida. I finished up last night. I’m actually glad I had those few hours decorating alone. I turned on Christmas carols. (I can’t figure out how to turn on Mr. FixIt’s DVD player. ?) I held each special ornament in my hands and thought of the person who made it, or where I got it, or who was there when it was used year after year. The Ghosts of Christmas Past paraded through the room and through my mind and heart as I smiled through the tears that stung the back of my eyes as Tony Bennett crooned The Christmas Song.

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This is a new life…a different life. Another chance at love. Another gift of making memories. My heart is full to overflowing with the beauty of it all. God has been so good to me…us. ❤️

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“A cheerful heart is good medicine…”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-27T02:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/27/the-ghosts-of-christmas-past.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Holiday","Wisdom","Humbled","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/26/o-christmas-tree.html", "title": "O Christmas Tree", "content_html": "\"Christmas\n

Last Christmas, Mr. FixIt and I had just been dating a few weeks and December found us traveling in opposite directions. He went to Florida with his buddy and a few days later, I went to Colorado for a month with my kids. That’s the longest we’ve been apart since our first date and we neither one liked it. That’s when I figured things were pretty serious between us.

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Right around Christmas, I was talking to him on the phone, lamenting that I didn’t get to put up a tree and have a Country Christmas at the farm. When I pulled in the driveway upon my return, I stopped in my tracks. While I was gone, this sweet man had decorated the farmhouse for me to come home to. Not only that, but he was standing there in his grey wool trousers, black dress shoes, a white shirt, and a red sweater vest. He looked so sharp and my heart nearly exploded! What a sweet and generous thing for him to do. He also bought me an indoor lighted Christmas tree, but we didn’t put it up because it was almost New Year’s when I got back from my trip. So, this is the first year we have a tree together.

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Someone mentioned they wanted to see a picture and someone else wanted to know about the mechanical angel, so I decided to post a video for you this morning. I still have ornaments to put on but didn’t get home till late last night so I’ll decorate more today.

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I went to the funeral yesterday. As it turns out, Sis wasn’t just my grandma’s friend and neighbor. We were related…through marriage. I’ve told you before, you can’t throw a stick up this holler without hitting someone I’m related to. I got to see several cousins and met Sis’s son. He’s been my Facebook friend for ages. It’s such a small, small world.

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I am so relieved that I can attend a funeral service now without wigging out. My friend’s son was killed in an accident a year or so ago. Another friend took one look at me during the visitation and said, “Let’s go.” She got me out in the air and my heart started beating again. You certainly don’t LIKE going to funerals, but you have to be able to express condolences without flipping out and it took me a while to get there. For the longest time, I seriously felt like I was just one crisis away from losing it altogether. That “one crisis theory” hung over my head like Damocles’ sword which increased my anxiety exponentially. Full blown grief is about as close to flat out crazy as you can get. I didn’t know if “I” would ever come back. Thank God I did. I couldn’t live like that forever.

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My sweetie is gone for his annual Florida guy’s trip so I’m spending the week catching up with “back burner” things…stuff I put off because it’s much more fun to go play with my bestest buddy. I need to be pretty productive this week! ❤️

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“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”\n‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-26T02:30:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/26/o-christmas-tree.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Holiday","Wisdom","Humbled"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/25/its-small-business-saturday.html", "title": "It’s Small Business Saturday", "content_html": "\"Shop\n

I avoid Black Friday like the plague. There is nothing in this whole wide world I…or anyone I know…need bad enough to risk life and limb for. I know there are great deals. I know the color glossies and TV commercials have been pumping everyone with the next great thing they can’t live without. I’m fortunate in that my kids were raised Jewish. They got a little present every night, then one big one on the last night of Hanukkah. They also had Santa but there was only one really extravagant year that I can remember. My kids and grandkids are frugal. They would much rather have money and go shopping at the after Christmas sales. More bang for their buck!

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I have everything I need. I buy myself a plane ticket every year and go see my Colorado family. I don’t want anything I have to take care of or dust. This year, Mr. FixIt and I have decided instead of getting each other presents for Christmas, we’re going to carpet the family room. We’ll get much more enjoyment out of that than any appliance or sweater. And, it’s the gift that keeps on giving! I encourage you to shop small, hometown, mom & pop businesses this year. Big box stores may have better deals on cheaper goods…but they don’t have the vested interest in you personally that a small business owner has. I’ve owned my own business before…I know. This month makes or breaks a small business. Do your best to keep your money local.

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I have a funeral to go to today. Sis Strickling passed away. That’s not her first name, nor is this her last name…my family always just called her Sis “Stricklin’”. She was born and raised on the country road a couple miles from the farm. Always sweet and with a smile on her face, my favorite memories of her were at the little one room church house where Grandma went. Sometimes she would come over to the farm for a visit while I was there. She kept her house neat and tidy. After her husband passed away, she went to Ohio to be with her kids. Her memory went at the end and I know it was so hard for her family. I praise God that he gives us an eternal home with no pain, no tears, and no illness. I know her husband and loved ones who went before her met her with open arms.

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It took the longest time for me to be able to go to a funeral after Mr. Virgo died. I wasn’t sure I would ever go to another one, but surprisingly…it’s BECAUSE he died that I can go easily now. If I begin to get anxious, I remind myself I am doing this for the loved ones. This has nothing to do with me…it’s all about them. I was so touched by everyone who came to my husband’s funeral. Their presence meant more to me than they will ever know. I remember so few individuals, but I do remember a sea of faces and that equates to a boatload of love. That love helped me through, so that’s why I go to funerals now.

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Mr. FixIt and I put up the Christmas tree last night. It’s our first one together. Blending traditions gave us ample opportunities to discuss and compromise. He wanted the tree in the dining room where you could see it from the road. I wanted it in the family room where WE could see it. We compromised by moving furniture around so we could put the tree in front of the picture window in the family room. This way we can see it from the side road coming in AND while we’re sitting in the family room. I’ll put lights in the dining room window so he can see it from the big road. Even through the top branches of the tree were pretty tippy, the mechanical angel HAD to go on top. I managed to wedge the branches around enough to support her and she is beautiful. Melding…it’s what you do when you keep adding to your family. At this point, if we got everyone I’m related to through marriages together, that would be one huge family portrait. I am so, so blessed to add so many branches to my family tree. ❤️

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“May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us.”\n‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭8:57‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-25T02:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/25/its-small-business-saturday.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Humbled","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/24/and-soit-begins.html", "title": "And So...It Begins", "content_html": "\"Christmas\n

The other day I found myself with a little time on my hands and stopped at the Blennerhassett Hotel for a Starbucks. The Easter Seal Parade of Trees was on display so I took my coffee and wandered among the holiday decorations, getting inspiration. There were some stunning trees this year. The trees are decorated by volunteers, sponsored by local businesses, and auctioned off to the highest bidder. It’s a wonderful fund raiser for the Easter Seal Society and helps provided needed services for area physically and developmentally disabled children.

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I grew up going to the Easter Seal Treatment Center. My big brother was born with cerebral palsy and went to therapy every week. He had physical, occupational, and speech therapy for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories was a play table with little doors. You went in and the door shut after you. It was designed to allow children with disabilities to stand up for a period of time. There were toys and puzzles you could play with on the table in front of you, but what really stuck with me was the milk and cookies we got at snack time. Even though I had no need of these services, I was allowed to attend many of the sessions because I totally understood my brother’s speech when others found it difficult.

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Mom learned to drive when my brother was first starting therapy so she didn’t have to rely on my dad to get us to school and therapy at the end of the day. I’ll never forget my mom’s friend Elaine trying to teach her to drive. I sat in the back as mom drove around and around City Park. At one point, we ran up an embankment and nearly hit a tree. Mom put her head down on the steering wheel and cried. She kept saying, “I can’t. I can’t do it!” And Elaine would pat her arm and say, “Wanda…you have these kids to take care of. Of course you can do this. Now, let’s try again.”

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Elaine was a saint. And…so was my mom. I look back now at what her life was like and I’m in awe of her. I wasn’t always a supportive child and I sure wish she was here now to receive this new appreciation I feel for her.

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Christmas is such a special time of year. I love bringing beauty and light into the long, dark nights of winter. We came back last night from our Thanksgiving visit with my family and will work today to get some decorating done before Mr. FixIt leaves for Florida on Saturday. This will be our second Christmas together…my fifth without Mr. Virgo. Bittersweet becomes more and more sweet with time.

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I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I ate a lot, loved on my family, and took a nap!!! ❤️

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“You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry, you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:24 ‭MSG‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-24T02:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/24/and-soit-begins.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Holiday","Wisdom","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/23/with-gratitude.html", "title": "With Gratitude", "content_html": "\"Ginny\n

It’s deer season in West Virginia and I bagged my first deer yesterday. Unfortunately, it was with Mr. FixIt’s 2007 Tundra. There was no stopping and I did exactly what I was supposed to do. I didn’t swerve. I held steady. Fortunately, there’s not much damage to the truck but we will have to replace the bumper. I’ve never hit a deer before. One fell down in front of me once but I drove right over it and it jumped up and ran away. I am grateful we weren’t injured and the damage was minimal.

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The other night, Mr. FixIt and I were having dinner and talking about Old Mama Kitty being gone. He stopped with his fork halfway to his mouth and asked, “You don’t suppose she wandered into the cellar house when you were in there last week and got trapped, do you?” OMGosh! The look on my face must have been pure horror. He looked at me with such compassion and said, “Don’t worry…we’ll go right back out there and check.” We drove the twenty-two miles and I ran up to the building and checked but she wasn’t there. Im sad she is gone but I’m grateful I didn’t accidentally trap her and keep her from food and water.

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We visited my mom’s sister and brother and his wife yesterday. My aunts are having memory issues and my uncle is caring for them. So far they’re holding their own. Actually, the aunt whose dementia is really bad was having a pretty good day. She recognized me and told me she had been worried about me. She put her arm around my neck and pulled me close. She told me she loved me. She waved goodbye with a smile. I am grateful to have made that connection with my aunt.

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My uncle regaled us with funny stories all evening…one of which I thought to record. He told the story about the day they rolled the old farmhouse I’m living in down onto the new basement they built. We all laughed. I am grateful for this man’s strength, courage, and sense of humor. Most of all, I’m grateful for his heart…it is full of love!

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I am grateful for my Colorado family. They are healthy and happy and enjoying their lives. My brother is doing well. I’ve more than doubled my family since bringing Mr. FixIt into my life. More people to love!

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I am grateful to all of you for making a little space in your lives for my words. You all bless me every day. Thank you for indulging me in my stories. May you all be richly blessed.

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Happy Thanksgiving! ❤️

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“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-23T10:36:49-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/23/with-gratitude.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Holiday","Wisdom","Humbled"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/22/little-lies.html", "title": "Little Lies", "content_html": "\"Pinky\n

Is there such a thing as a “little white lie”? I mean, isn’t a lie…a lie? Big or small, untruths between couples erode trust in a relationship. If you have a need to outright lie to your spouse, you might not be with the right person. And what about the sin of omission? Ok, I’ve been guilty of “rounding down a little” when reporting how much I spent on that little black dress I had to have or trying to maintain a secret surrounding a gift. And, if I’m going to be honest here, there have been times in my life when I have not been truthful in a relationship and I’m not married to that person anymore. Which brings up that point again…if you have a need to outright lie to your spouse, you might not be with the right person. I wasn’t way back when. Enough said.

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I was thrilled when Mr. Virgo came along. He was a great communicator, which was quite refreshing for me. We told each other everything. We told each other stories. I loved his stories. He worked in 5-Star resorts, hotels, and restaurants around the world. He met fascinating people…celebrities, politicians, dignitaries, kings and queens. His stories were enthralling and he loved telling them as much as I loved hearing them.

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Several weeks after Mr. Virgo died, I was going through his personal papers in his dresser and came upon things that shook me up. Things I didn’t know. Things I felt were out of character for the man I knew and loved. Oh, it wasn’t anything like a second family in another state or something of a criminal nature. It was credit cards I didn’t know about. A relationship he had had before me that he never told me about. A business he had lost that had debt I was unaware of. Little things, but little things add up to big things.

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I didn’t know how to feel. I felt a little betrayed. I felt a little disappointed. I felt a little angry. It added to the sadness and devastation I was already feeling at his loss. I carried that around for a long time and never told anyone because I didn’t want to besmirch Mr. Virgo’s good name. And you know what happens when you hold things in…they rot and swell and become that abscess you need lanced or your soul will explode.

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I’m sure I’m not the only person who went through this. But I’ve never really talked much about it till the other day I met someone going through the same thing I went through and I knew there was a post in there. I knew somewhere out there, there is at least one person who needs to hear how I handled that, so here we are.

\n

When I first stumbled across information that I had not known when Mr. Virgo was alive, I was confused. I wasn’t sure exactly what I was looking at. Grief brain addles your mind anyway. Add conflicting information and I was stumped. I wrote things down, made notes, compared conversations till I had a pretty good idea what I was looking at. Then I started the process of reconciling that information and asked myself a number of questions.

\n

Does this new information change how you KNOW you feel about him…how you’ve felt about him since the beginning?

\n

For me, the answer was a resounding “No!”

\n

Did he love me? “Yes…more than life itself!”

\n

Why did he not tell me? “He didn’t want to…for whatever reason…and that was his choice to make.”

\n

If I would have known this information before I married him, would I have gone through with the wedding? “Oh, h*** yeah!”

\n

Mr. Virgo is still the same man I knew and loved and grieve for. The only thing that has changed is thought. Yes, there was some debt to contend with that I wasn’t expecting. That is what life insurance policies are for…debt, funeral expenses, and living expenses till you can stand up and breathe again. It wasn’t much, but it helped me get through the messiness. The relationship he had before me that I didn’t know about? Who cares? He married me. The credit cards I didn’t know about? That is still a puzzle, but one I’ve had to let go of. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter.

\n

Unless it’s something criminal, or there’s a whole secret family you didn’t know about, my advice is…let it go. Obsessing over things never changes the past. It only sullies the present and tarnishes future memories. They make mistakes…they sin…they’re human. Let it go. I prefer to preserve that special relationship I felt before I rummaged around in the bottom drawer of his dresser. It’s better this way. ❤️

\n

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”\n‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-11-22T02:30:25-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/22/little-lies.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/21/my-accidental-love.html", "title": "My Accidental Love", "content_html": "\"Old\n

Old Mama Kitty is gone. I haven’t seen her in six days. She’s always at the back door, right at supper time. There were a couple of times this summer when she was gone for a day or two, but never six. She’s old. I know that. Just this fall, she seemed to be telling me she was tired. She has one leg that trembles sometimes…and not necessarily because of a chill in the air.

\n

Being a farm cat, Mama is tough. She doesn’t take any guff from the younger boy cats. If they get too close to her feeding dish, she has no problem swatting them away…claws and fangs bared. They give her a wide berth on the front porch, arcing around her, well out of kitty reach with sly glances from the corner of their eyes. She has probably been to the vet once in her life and that was when she was spayed. She’s never been sick that I know of. She will act like she wants you to pet her, then she swats you if you linger too long. She’s one tough kitty.

\n

I thought we’d lost her back in 2014 when I first came to the farm. I walked down to the road to get the mail and coming back, there…by the end of the driveway…was a yellow cat that had been hit by a car. I came up to the house to get my work gloves and a shovel. My aunt was still living on the farm at the time. I went to her and told her I was sorry, but Old Mama Kitty was hit by a car and was gone. I went back down and picked up the cat to take it up by the barn to bury it when…I saw the evidence. This was definitely NOT Old Mama Kitty. This was a boy! I wish I would have had the wherewithal to check that out before I told my aunt.

\n

I had only had one cat in my life before coming to the farm. Ginger was yellow with deep gold stripes. I didn’t seem to be allergic to her as a teenager but the older I got, the more indoor cats bothered me. Ginger went to another home when I moved to England after I was married. Mom hadn’t wanted a cat in the first place. She just tolerated her for me.

\n

I’ve always been more of a dog person. Dogs are easy to understand. Feed them. Throw the ball. Scratch the good places. Go for walks. They will worship the ground you walk on. Dogs have owners. Cats have staff. You are extra special if a cat loves you. It means you’ve met the criteria.

\n

The problem with pets is, unless you own a large bird or a turtle, they are going to die before you. And every time a pet dies, they take more of your heart away. I’ve had to put four dogs down in my lifetime. It kills me.

\n

I don’t want to think of Mama Kitty as “gone”. But, this is what happens with farm animals sometimes. They seem to know when it is their time, I think. I feel a little guilty though. I’ve been away a lot the last couple of weeks helping Mr. FixIt clean and paint his house. I was at the farm every day to feed the cats and spend time with them. Then, six days ago, she just wasn’t there. I called and called and called. It’s sad because I really came to love her. She’s been around forever. She was my Uncle Bob’s cat. He died in 2005. It’s like losing a family member. I know there is still a slim chance she could come back, but I really think it’s time to let her go.

\n

Pope John Paul II stated that animals have souls and are important beings in God’s creation. And, since souls can go to heaven, it isn’t a stretch to picture our pets running and jumping on us when we get there. I hope to see all my fur babies when I get there!

\n

I inherited Old Mama Kitty with the farm. She was my accidental love. And…I’ll really miss her. ❤️

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“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”\n‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-11-21T02:30:28-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/21/my-accidental-love.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Wisdom","Aging","The Cats"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/20/you-never-know.html", "title": "You Never Know", "content_html": "

 

\n

You buy a desk…you need a chair, right? And not just any chair. I wanted an old banker’s chair. I found one on Facebook Marketplace. I went to pick it up Saturday. The woman I spoke with over the phone was lovely. I felt comfortable meeting her to pick up the chair.

\n

The house was back away from the road…the quintessential farm house. White with green shutters, a long covered porch. As soon as I drove up to the house, the garage door opened and I was greeted by a middle-aged woman. I’ll call her June. June directed me to the chair and helped bring it out to the truck. We stood in the driveway and chatted for the longest time. This was her parents’ place, she told me. Her dad died in July and her mom is starting the daunting process of downsizing. I told her my heart is with her in her loss…then I told her about Mr. Virgo. Suddenly her eyes lit up and she said, OMGosh! You write a blog! You’re Marshmallow Ranch!

\n

This always slays me when someone knows me. And I always go through a little mental inventory of my behaviors leading up to the moment of recognition. You never know who you might be talking to. I have a certain self-imposed regulation. I want to always put my best foot forward and exemplify good Christian values. It was wonderful to make June’s acquaintance.

\n

The family dinner party was wonderful. The only mishap was forgetting to take the candied yams out of the oven to serve. The company was delightful. I cooked for three days and I was exhausted when I posted this so I’ll catch up more with you tomorrow. ❤️

\n

“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.””\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:27-29‬ ‭NIV

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-11-20T02:30:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/20/you-never-know.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Holiday","Wisdom","Humbled","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/19/almost-heavenhomemade-apple-pies.html", "title": "Almost Heaven...Homemade Apple Pies!", "content_html": "\"Homemade\n

One of the happiest places in the world for me is a kitchen. I used to bake competitively and had a huge kitchen back then. My last house had a rather small galley kitchen but I still managed to bake several times a week as Mr. Virgo had a sweet tooth. When I sold that house after his death, I lived much of the next three years in my camper. I don’t know if you have ever tried to bake in a camper oven but they are nothing like a home stove. The bottom of everything burned and I gave up trying to bake anything. There is a big country kitchen at the farm, but I traveled so much this last year, I really didn’t cook all that much. I kind of got out of the baking habit.

\n

We’re having our early Thanksgiving dinner with Mr. FixIt’s family today. I actually started cooking Friday evening. I cooked a bag of cranberries and put them in the fridge in a covered container. I have the sweet potatoes parboiled and in the fridge ready to assemble with butter and brown sugar today. The fresh green beans and ham have been cooked and will just need reheated. Yesterday I fried bacon and added chopped pecans and dried cranberries. I parboiled Brussels sprouts and tossed them with the bacon mixture in my huge electric skillet, then put the whole thing in the fridge. I mixed up two pans of dressing…one sage, the other with nuts and cranberries…sealed them with foil and put them in the fridge as well. Then I made two pumpkin pies and two apple pies.

\n

Today I have to bake a 20-pound turkey and a ham, hot rolls, the two pans of dressing, and the sweet potatoes. I’ll heat everything else up and time it all to be ready at 4:00. The table is set. The ice is made. We are expecting thirteen for dinner. I’ve got this!

\n

The family room is finished. It took three coats of Kilz and two coats of Valspar with primer to cover that dark green but we got it done. I didn’t get curtains made in time for dinner, but that will come soon enough. I sat there enjoying the fruits of our labor, listening to soft music in the background as I wrote this. It was very warm yesterday…nearly 70, but rain came in at dusk and it will continue to get colder as the week progresses.

\n

All but the most stubborn of leaves have fallen now, the color all but gone. I have such vivid memories of going out to the farm for Thanksgiving dinners and having it look just like this. It’s funny how our senses take us back so quickly, isn’t it? The sights, sounds, and smells transport me over six decades and brings me so close to my mom and my grandma. I miss them both so much. And I miss my Colorado family. The grandchildren are growing so fast. I always say this, but I wish Colorado and West Virginia were closer. It’s hard when your heart has two homes. ❤️

\n

“She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:15-17‬ ‭NIV

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-19T02:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/19/almost-heavenhomemade-apple-pies.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Holiday","Wisdom","Humbled","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/16/things-that-make-me-smile.html", "title": "Things That Make Me Smile", "content_html": "\"Antique\n

I was rummaging around in the basement out at the farm the other day, looking for painting supplies, when I saw the old stove in this great light and had to stop and capture it. I’m not sure why my Grandma did most of her canning down in the basement.  I know this past summer the basement was so humid mold was growing on everything. I had to buy a dehumidifier to put down there to keep the humidity below 50%. When she got this baby cranked up with a canner full of boiling water (not to mention the wringer washer) the condensation literally ran down the walls.

\n

There is a good-sized triangular patch of ground across the creek from the house that was the truck garden. This was where most of the vegetables for the table were grown. The canning vegetables, as well as the strawberries for the farmer’s market, were grown back up on the hill. There was a footbridge that crossed the creek to the garden. My uncle ran an electric fence around the garden to keep the deer out. Grandma grew a ton of green beans, corn, cabbage, cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes in that little patch of ground. The potatoes were grown on a similar, though much smaller, triangular patch along the end of the driveway. I spent many hours stringing beans and shucking corn, scalding and peeling tomatoes, and helping any way I could on canning days.

\n

One year we drove all the way to Virginia to buy peaches.  I remember they were as big as softballs. Mom was helping Grandma can them and neither one knew the other had stirred sugar into the syrup to pour over them in the jars. When they opened the first jar later on, they were sickeningly sweet. Mom felt so bad…she thought she had ruined Grandma’s beautiful peaches. But Grandma said, “Sis, don’t you worry about a thing. We’ll just make us some peach butter and not have to add any sugar.” They cooked them down and that was the best peach butter ever!

\n

Now, this old stove stands silently in a back corner of the basement…rusted and resting on cinder blocks for legs. This appliance was from a time of resourceful ingenuity… a time when you never threw anything away. You made do. You “recycled” by reusing. You reduced waste simply by being too poor to buy something better. The Baby Boomers were on the tail end of that generation. Ours was a disposable generation. Cheaply made plastic and paper products have filled countless landfills. Grandma didn’t even have trash service till very late in life. You burned what little paper you threw away. You fed table scraps to the cats or hogs. You reused the glass jars that you canned your food in. I’m glad this stove is still here…even though it doesn’t work…it would never be safe enough to use. But it’s like going into the museum of my youth when I go downstairs. And it’s one of the the things that makes me smile. ❤️

\n

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”\n‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-11-16T02:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/16/things-that-make-me-smile.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Humbled"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/15/the-long-goodbye.html", "title": "The Long Goodbye", "content_html": "\"Vintage\n

I have a longtime friend…I’ll call her Betty. Betty is retired. She was a child and family counselor…and a darned good one. She is kind, gentle, tender in her approach. She was an intuitive therapist. She raised a beautiful family. She had struggles along the way, as we all do. Some of hers were really difficult. But, in the end, she is still with the same loving spouse, and her children are thriving.

\n

Several months ago, Betty contacted me and asked me to go to lunch with her. It was there that she revealed she had been diagnosed with dementia. It was hereditary, she explained. She already saw the signs and was struggling a bit. She wanted to thank me for teaching her to quilt because it has been a favorite pastime for her the last few years. Her legacy is in the quilts she stitched by hand as well as the books she wrote.

\n

Betty’s biggest worry, she told me over lunch, was being a burden to her family and friends. She told me she was going to become more involved in Facebook as a way to stay engaged and interested. She didn’t want to disappear into the shadows of her mind. I encouraged her to write and remain present as long as she could. In true Betty fashion, she turned her Facebook page into a lesson…of love, of courage, of perseverance. She used to send me private messages occasionally. Bringing an article to my attention. Sharing a travel photo. Sharing a memory. Then the private messages stopped. A few days ago, she shared that her dementia was worsening…right on schedule. She doesn’t leave the house much anymore. She realizes how much she is forgetting and she hopes she isn’t boring any of us. I told her this:

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We love you. We cannot fully understand what you are going through. But, we can certainly empathize. It must feel like you are leaving on a cruise ship and the people on the shore are getting further and further away till they disappear. But here’s the good news. The land to which you will eventually arrive has streets paved in gold. There will be no more illness and pain. Only love and joy. And when you can no longer feel our hands, turn around and reach for His. He is always waiting for us with arms wide open.

\n

It’s been a long goodbye. And while I will miss her sweet, gentle posts with pictures of “Home”, I know for a fact she is surrounded by people who love her very much. They will support her as best they can. They will guard her and protect her and wish her bon voyage. I do not know where she will go when she gets lost in her mind. But I hope it will be pleasant and not painful for her. Safe travels, my friend. I will see you on the other side. ❤️

\n

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭23:1-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-11-15T02:30:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/15/the-long-goodbye.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Humbled","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/14/letting-out-your-inner-child.html", "title": "Letting Out Your Inner Child", "content_html": "\"Mickey\n

I saw something yesterday that totally melted my heart. Daughter #1 is at Disney World with her family and her brother-in-law’s family. She was standing with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. There’s a long story why this was so touching for me.

\n

I was a single mom with #1 by the time she was two years old. It was not easy. We lived in HUD housing. We got WIC and food stamps. There were roaches and the people downstairs abused their kids. I looked in the open door one day when I walked by and my neighbor yelled at me to keep moving or she’d “come up behind me and slit my $&@?ing throat!” It was NOT a healthy scenario and if I had been any brighter or bolder, I would have packed up my stuff and hightailed it back to West Virginia. But that wasn’t what I wanted for my little girl. I wanted her to have every opportunity that I didn’t have growing up and I knew if I worked hard enough, I’d get her out of there. We would have a good life.

\n

And things did get better. I got a really good job. I found a roommate, I lived frugally. I got good daycare. She was never wanting for the basics, but there wasn’t much extra. Just lots of love. Then, we met Hubby #2. He was applying to medical school. We worked really hard. He was a good daddy and a great provider…even though it was many years before we started making any money.

\n

We moved to a small town when my ex finished residency and joined a practice. We were thrilled to be in the mountains and a lovely community. Daughter #1 was going into 7th grade…a tough age to make such a big move. The kids at school only knew her as the “new doctor’s daughter”. There was a group of kids out on the lawn one day, talking about how hard it was to not have money for nice things. My daughter spoke up and said she totally understood that. The kids scoffed and she told them, her dad wasn’t BORN a doctor. There were many nights we ate a box of generic mac & cheese and a tomato out of the yard. She had a genuine appreciation for where she came from and she gained the respect of all the kids.

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Still, we didn’t really start making a decent living till she was nearly finished with high school. Then we had her little sister. My girls are nearly sixteen years apart. It was a different world raising the two of them. The level of affluence was drastically different and the little one definitely made out when it came to vacations. My younger one was only two or three the first time we took her to Disney World. By then, her older sister was in college. I never did get to take my oldest to see Mickey and Minnie…something she never, ever let me forget, even though she understood why.

\n

She’s been to Disneyland a couple of times with my son-in-law’s family. But never Disney World. Not till this week. I’ve been going on her Facebook page several times a day to see the pictures she posts. Yesterday…there she was. Beaming. Standing between Mickey and Minnie, grinning from ear to ear. The post simply read, “Six-year-old me is happy.” It made me smile. It warmed my heart. She is showing her children a good time. She is sharing her joy with them. She’s such a good mom and I’m so proud of her. I’m proud of both of my daughters. And…I’m happy they know how to let their inner child out to play. ❤️

\n

“Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”\n‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-14T02:30:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/14/letting-out-your-inner-child.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Wisdom","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/10/brushing-up-against-the-past.html", "title": "Brushing Up Against The Past", "content_html": "\"\"\n

Today is Veteran’s Day. Every Veteran’s Day, I sent Mr. Virgo a note thanking him for his service. His father was a veteran. His late daughter was a veteran. My dad, my uncle, my first husband, my niece, my late father-in-law…all veterans. Mr. Virgo had military honors at his funeral. I cannot hear taps without feeling a catch in my throat. This time of year brings him closer to the surface.

\n

The other day, one of my dear friends posted a video. In it, she addressed her friends and family. Her nose was red from crying. She sniffled as tears slowly dripped down her cheeks. This is the angelversary week of her husband’s death. It hits her hard every year and even though it’s been eleven years, she relives his final days over and over. It broke my heart. And, of course, it made me think of Mr. Virgo. His was a sudden death. No warning. No long goodbyes. Thankfully, no suffering. I cannot imagine a lingering death. It crushes me.

\n

While I haven’t cried for him in quite some time, that doesn’t mean I never will again. It certainly doesn’t mean I’m through with grief and loss. That’s something that is forever imprinted in the fibers of my being. But I will say this…I don’t let myself “go there” very often. I used to meditate on him. I felt it was necessary to purge myself of as many tears as possible to clean out my heart from this terrible pain. When tears wouldn’t come, I would look at a picture of him in his casket taken at the viewing… white turtleneck, ivory sweater, hair carefully combed, glasses missing from the CPR efforts. I know that sounds absolutely macabre, but somehow I needed that pain to burn itself out or the fire was going to consume me. I knew this without a doubt.

\n

Time and distance has softened Mr. Virgo’s death somehow. It’s like looking at the horizon without my glasses. I see the line…it’s just blurred. If I concentrate, I can bring it back into focus because it’s always there…just beyond where the light spills over. But, something interesting happens when he brushes up against my mind now. When I get close to the memories, I “feel” him instead of “see” him. I mean…literally. While there are some passages in the Bible that allow for a little wiggle room in the idea of “ghosts”, Evangelical Christians believe that we are absent from this place once we die. However, it isn’t far fetched to believe that God may use visions, smells and touch to evoke loving memories of loved ones who have passed.

\n

The other night, Mr. FixIt and I were talking and he said the sweetest thing. He said, “How can we love each other this much?” Immediately, I felt something brush up over my right arm. It surprised me and I sat very still. I looked down at my arm and thought hard. “Do it again.” I whispered in my mind. And there it was…a distinct “touch”…like static electricity on my right forearm. I smiled and looked up at Mr. FixIt. I don’t know how we can love each other this much, but we do.

\n

And…I’ve a feeling someone else approves. ❤️

\n

“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”\n‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-11-10T02:30:35-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/10/brushing-up-against-the-past.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Humbled","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/09/what-have-i-done.html", "title": "What Have I Done???", "content_html": "\"Computer\n

OMGosh! I broke my absolute cardinal rule yesterday and…gasp…bought a piece of furniture! I know, I know…you all were with me when I downsized and I absolutely SWORE I would never accumulate “stuff” again. BUT…things are different now. A lot different. I’m not living in a camper, for one thing. For the last three years, my desktop computer has been riding in my camper, under the bed, in an airtight plastic storage tub. There have been numerous times I’ve needed to use it and I have to go out, prop up the bed, haul it out, and put it away when I’m done. Ok, ok…I’m rationalizing. Here’s what happened.

\n

I had to run to town yesterday for an appointment and on my way back to the house, I saw a sign that said “Grand Opening!” It was a consignment store. Who can pass up a good consignment store, right? My truck pulled in, all on its own. I had no choice but to follow. I browsed around and they had some beautiful pieces of furniture. I was first attracted to an old rolltop desk. It was small, and a little beat up. Mr. FixIt has a nice rolltop desk…much nicer than this one. I went on and looked at other things. When I came back around, I asked the clerk about the desk. He said, “You know, if it were me and I had the room, I’d be looking at this one. Much better piece of furniture.” He opened the doors and the drawers and showed me the solid oak construction. The top opens and there’s a place for the monitor, a drawer for the keyboard, and a separate cabinet for the CPU. It is in two pieces to make it easier to transport. The selling point for me was the price. The piece originally sold for $1800. It had been priced for sale in the consignment shop for $500…a decent price for a sold piece of furniture of this quality. However, it was marked down to $250. So, I own a piece of furniture.

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That’s two pieces, actually. I also own the jelly cupboard in the kitchen at the farm. Oh, and a recliner. Hmmmmm….I am accumulating. Not excessively, but still. It doesn’t feel as scary to put down some roots as it did in the first few years after Mr. Virgo died. I didn’t want to feel a sense of permanence then. Permanence meant real loss when things headed south. I needed to feel untethered…free. I didn’t have the strength to be needed…even by inanimate objects. As long as it fit in my truck and my camper, I was just fine. And like I said, things are different now. A lot of healing has occurred. Time has passed. A relationship has been established. A home is being created. Two homes, actually.

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Mr. FixIt lives exactly twenty-two miles from the farm. He lives on five acres out in the country. He generously shares his space with me. Mi casa es su casa. My house is your house. He is just as comfortable at the farm as I am at his place. And neither of us are giving up our space. We stay a little here, a little there, and then have our own space to retreat to when we need to recharge. It’s the perfect arrangement for the time being. I became very independent after losing Mr. Virgo. While I missed him, certainly…I also came to appreciate the stillness of my own breath. Mr. FixIt and I both like our alone time. Although…truth be told…whenever we are apart, we miss each other terribly. This whole relationship thing is growing on both of us. I suppose, for me, there is still an element of fear deep down inside. That “What if something happened to him” thing. I know I can’t live my life in fear. I won’t. But, there’s something to be said for taking your time in any given situation. After all, there’s no biological time clock ticking here. There’s absolutely nothing to be in a hurry over.

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Mr. FixIt and I have been together for a year now. I was thinking about this yesterday. I’m in a really good place now, emotionally. I haven’t had a “bad night” in a really long time. My anxiety level is at an all time low. I’m comfortable in my own skin. I’m happy. I am blessed. And…I am grateful. God has answered so many prayers. I think I’m just going to go along for the ride and enjoy…everything. Life is so sweet! ❤️

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“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.”\n‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-09T02:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/09/what-have-i-done.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/08/getting-cozy.html", "title": "Getting Cozy", "content_html": "\"Gas\n

I’ve always loved to sit in front of a nice fire with a cup of tea, a comforter, and a stack of magazines. I haven’t had a stove or fireplace to sit in front of since my youngest was a baby. She’s twenty-seven. We are fortunate to have free gas at the farm so we have a couple ventless gas stoves to ward off the chill in the far reaches of the house. But they don’t look like a wood stove and are situated where sitting near them is impossible. I was delighted when Mr. FixIt showed me his house for the first time. This gas stove sits in the family room and is perfect for getting cozy on a cold, wet November afternoon.

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And it’s a good thing we’re getting cozy today because…we are about to embark on the first real test of our relationship. Painting a room together. We picked up an array of paint samples at the hardware store the other day and sat down with them yesterday. Or rather…I did while Mr. FixIt finished up something he was working on. I looked through the color swatches, booklets, and magazines and all I felt was frustration. You can ask Daughter #1…I’m horrible at choosing colors. I have it in my head what I want but putting it down as a plan that makes any sense eludes me. I spent an inordinate amount of time cross-stitching a quilt pattern for one of my BFF’s one year for Christmas. I had it framed and when it was done…well, let’s just say it looked lovely in her downstairs guest bathroom. I have a horrible time matching colors. My daughter, however, can pick out tea towels to match the accent wall in her kitchen six months after painting it. I couldn’t tell you if it was green or yellow. (It was the color of red grapes, actually. I mean, what IS that?) Anyway, I finally found a picture that showed what I was looking for just as Mr. FixIt walked into the room.

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“How’s it going, my baby?”

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Breathe. Act like you know what you’re doing.

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“Great! What do you think of this? We can do three walls in this color, one accent wall in this darker shade, and the trim in white!”

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I held my breath.

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“I like it!”

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Really? That was easy. Listen, this may very well actually BE the world’s most perfect man!

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We went to town and bought the paint and some supplies we needed. Now comes the challenge of actually painting…together. I’ll keep you apprised how that goes. In the meantime, I sat here in front of this cozy fire with a Rosemary Chicken in the oven, a definite chill in the air, browsing through a stack of my favorite magazines, a nice cup of tea at hand. Honestly, it doesn’t get much better than that!

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Mr. Virgo’s Rosemary Chicken

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Pick out a nice, fat roasting hen. Remove giblets and set to simmer for gravy, if you’re into that sort of thing. Personally, I think innards go in the trash, NOT in my gravy. Rinse the chicken, inside and out and place in a baking dish. Wipe the chicken with extra virgin olive oil. Season with fresh ground pepper, salt, rustic herbs, garlic and crushed rosemary. Place uncovered in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake until golden brown…about an hour and a half to two hours. The leg should be squeezable and when a knife is stuck in between the thigh and breast, the juices should run clear. That’s it, easy peasy. Mr. Virgo and I had this every Sunday. I made it for Mr. FixIt last night for the first time and it was a big hit. If you need a quicker meal, prepare chicken thighs in the same manner but bake 30-45 minutes. Bon Appetite! ❤️

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“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119:76‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-08T02:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/08/getting-cozy.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/05/sweetness.html", "title": "Sweetness", "content_html": "\"Sweet\n

It seems like yesterday when I traced the delicate shell of my first baby’s ear. She was so tiny at just over five pounds. I was terrified I would break her. That was forty-three years ago. Twenty-seven years ago, I did the same thing with my second daughter. Thirteen years have passed since my first grandchild was in my arms and ten since I cradled her little sister. I thought it would be a long time before I got to hold a little baby again. But, along with Mr. FixIt came a brand new great grandchild and I’m in love all over again!

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Oh, this makes me ache for Big and Little…my sweet grand daughters in Colorado. I won’t get to see them till Christmastime. They are growing so fast…and without me. This is the hard part…the only downside…of living in West Virginia. Being so far away from my family. I wish I could tie a rope around Colorado and a rope around West Virginia and pull them closer together. My heart has two homes and sometimes it really hurts when I’m away from those I love. Holding this little sweet thing (who I am SURE is going to call me Gigi!) brings me all kinds of feels.

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We had a first yesterday. Our first dinner party together was quite successful. I used that electric pressure cooker again. This time I cooked a pork roast. Mr. Virgo only wanted pork roasts actually ROASTED in the over with EVO, garlic salt and pepper. I seared this roast in a hot skillet then placed it on a bed of sliced onions in the bottom of that pressure cooker, sprinkled it with fresh ground salt, pepper, rustic herbs and garlic and two cups of water. I cooked it on high for 45 minutes then turned it off and let the pressure come down on its own. I opened it and checked the meat and it wasn’t quite tender enough. I cooked it another 45 minutes (it was a big roast) and released the pressure. I let the roast rest in its juices while I made mashed potatoes, fried sauerkraut, green beans, fried apples and hot rolls. When the guests arrived, I tore off chunks of the roast with a fork and served it with the rest of the fixings on the side. It was wonderful and we all had a fun evening filled with fellowship and laughter.

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In case you forgot, daylight saving time is over. Turn your clocks back an hour. Have a blessed Sunday, dear ones. ❤️

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“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”\n‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-05T02:30:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/05/sweetness.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Hope","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Forgiveness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/11/04/i-spy-with-my-little.html", "title": "I Spy With My Little Eye...", "content_html": "\"Woman\n

Some very observant readers picked up on something in my picture yesterday. My inbox lit up like a Christmas tree! I didn’t answer the questions directly and suggested they come back today to read my post. I love a little mystery. What was it they saw? A ring…a shiny ring…on my left hand!!! squeeeee

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Yes, I have a ring! And in all fairness, so does Mr. FixIt. I gave him his first though. So here’s how it went down, what it means, and how we’re feeling about it.

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Early in the year, just a couple months after Mr. FixIt and I started seeing each other, we found out there was something wrong with his blood. The initial thoughts were he had leukemia. Suffice it to say, we were both pretty devastated about it. After all, we just “found” each other again after 45 years. It would be terribly tragic to turn around and lose him, too. He had more tests run and they were worse, so we went for a bone marrow biopsy.

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We had been talking about a life long commitment but that’s as far as it had gone. Then the blood thing came up. I wanted some way, some outward sign that would show Mr. FixIt that…no matter what the results of this bone marrow biopsy, I was in this for the long haul. I didn’t want him to worry or be afraid. I happened upon a beautiful gentlemen’s ring and in a moment of impulse, I bought it. We were leaving for the hospital when I pulled out the box and told him I wanted him to know…good or bad…I’m not going anywhere. I thought he was going to cry. He knew I was sticking with him, but the gesture was not lost on him. He asked if this meant we were engaged. Smiling, I said, “Halfway.”

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One evening we were going out to dinner with friends and I stopped by Mr. FixIt’s to get ready. I was sitting out front when he came home. He said, “Oh! You’re wearing my favorite dress!” I stood up and twirled around. He had a concerned look on his face and I thought. “Uh-oh. Somethings wrong.” He looked at me and said the dress was missing something. Something sparkly. Then he gave me this beautiful ring!

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Here’s where it gets complicated. This is the most personal I’ll ever get about our relationship. I don’t want to get married again. At least, not in the conventional way. I’ve had three husbands. That’s two other women’s quotas. It has nothing to do with how much I love Mr. FixIt…or Mr. Virgo, for that matter. When women of a certain age become widows, they qualify for “widow’s benefits”. If they get married, they lose that. Things don’t work in the widow’s favor in this regard. Therefore, a lot of very long engagements take place in my age bracket. And that’s just fine.

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From a faith standpoint, it slays me that women are forced to lose income in order to\ndo what God says to do. Someone said to me…”Well, you aren’t trusting God to provide.” To which my answer is…maybe He already provided. Maybe those widow’s benefits ARE his answer to prayer. The Lord takes care of those who help themselves. To me, it would be crazy to throw away money He had provided.

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Long engagements are still in vogue. I will be here for the long haul. The rest is a matter of semantics. So, no…there’s no date set. No fanfare. No hoopla. Just love. Lots and lots of love…always and forever. I’m sure I’ll be talking to God about it when I get to Heaven. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long conversation! ❤️

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Edit: He still has an abnormality which they have determined is not leukemia. They still don’t know what it is. We have to repeat the tests in six months. I’m sorry. I was writing this late and missed that piece.

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“…..may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-11-04T01:30:20-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/11/04/i-spy-with-my-little.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Holiday","Forgiveness","Humbled","Aging","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/28/soupnatures-tranquilizer.html", "title": "Soup...Nature’s Tranquilizer", "content_html": "\"Homemade\n

It was twenty-seven degrees here at the farm yesterday morning when I sent Mr. FixIt off on a guys trip to North Carolina. This leaves me on my own till Sunday night. I love this man…I truly do. AND, I love my alone time on occasion, so I’m sitting here in the dining room, in front of Grandma’s favorite window, classical music playing softly in the background. It is lovely outside…nearly sixty degrees, sunny, the last of the autumn leaves clinging desperately to the branches like quivering field mice bracing for winter’s chill. It is warm and cozy in this little, old farmhouse and I’m snug as a bug in a rug.

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The other day I told you I was making pot roast in the pressure cooker. That night after dinner, I added a can of green beans, a small can of sliced carrots, a can of diced tomatoes, and the leftover potatoes from dinner to the crock pot. When I say “‘crock pot” and “pressure cooker”, I am talking about the same appliance that also is a steamer. When I got rid of most of my belongings and moved into the camper, I didn’t want to be without the conveniences of my kitchen appliances and there wasn’t room for everything. That’s when I ran across this wonderful gizmo that does it all. It’s not very big, but its big enough for two and leftovers aplenty.

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I put the soup on and frankly…I forgot all about it till I was heading to bed. I came into the kitchen to lock the back door and noticed it was still cooking. Too hot to put in the fridge, I took the soup…pot and all…out to my truck and set it inside for the night as the temperature got down into the thirties. The next morning, I skimmed off the fat and plugged it back in to have ready for lunch. It was wonderful!

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Mr. FixIt was heading into town after lunch to help his ex with something. I sent him off with a container of soup and some crackers for her. Why cater to the needs of an ex-wife? Because…divorce may change a relationship status, but you can still be family. There is Christian loving-kindness to be considered. She is moving this week into her first home of her own. I remember what that was like after my divorce. I wanted her to know she is loved and cared for. It is the same love and kindness extended toward me from my exes’ wives. You can be bitter and angry and full of resentment with a divorce. Or, you can embrace the new member into the family circle. I know that doesn’t work for everyone, but I choose love. I always choose love. ❤️

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“We love because he first loved us.”\n‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-10-28T01:30:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/28/soupnatures-tranquilizer.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/23/turning-back-time.html", "title": "Turning Back Time", "content_html": "\"Childhood\n

Mr. FixIt and I go to church every Sunday. It has become the center of our relationship and sets the tone for the rest of the week. It helps us keep our focus on God first. This is the first time in my life that I can go to church with my love every single week. I love it!

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We went to the noon service yesterday and decided to drive over in Ohio to a flea market we’ve had our eye on. Really, the only thing there I felt was worth going for was a really awesome antique store. They had a lot of beautiful pieces of furniture at very reasonable prices. But the one thing that really caught my eye was the Soapbox Derby racer. It was obviously sponsored by someone out of Zanesville…a rather large town east of Columbus on I-70. It brought back such fond memories.

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I have some cousins on my dad’s side of the family through my dad’s youngest brother. When I was growing up, my mom used to take us to their house several times a week. My cousins were older than me so we weren’t terribly close. But I adored my aunt. She was always fifty years ahead of her time. She did great projects with her kids. One year they actually built canoes and studied the currents in the Ohio River. They built a putt-putt golf course in their yard. They went scuba diving and water skiing. I was enthralled with all of them. They were larger than life. I remember feeling honored when I got their hand-me-downs.

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One year, the passion-du-jour was the Soapbox Derby. In typical fashion, my aunt sat down with the kids and researched and pored over ever bit of engineering information they could get their hands on. And they meticulously built the perfect racer. And, of course, my cousin won. They always won everything they put their minds to. One year, there was a treasure hunt. The grand prize was a Ford Pinto. They won. They were awesome.

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When I saw that racer in the antique store, it made me think of other toys and things of my childhood. I went on my Pinterest page and created a board called “Childhood Memories” and…holy cats! So many cool pics popped up. Things I had totally forgotten about, like those colorful pens you could buy as souvenirs with a scene in a water-filled tube. There would be something like a boat or an airplane that would move through the water when you tilted the pen. I found a TV that was just like our first one. There was our phone, and my skate key, and colored toilet paper and the black and white sign-off screen when the station went off the air at night.

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If you’re interested, you can check out my Pinterest boards at https://pin.it/h0vDp2x\nI have all kinds of boards on there. Pinterest is addictive, though…quite a time suck if you let it. I have to limit myself or I could lose hours in there!

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I’m having coffee with some of my high school friends today…one of which I haven’t seen in nearly fifty years. Talk about bringing back childhood memories! I hope you have a great start to your week! ❤️

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“And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.”\n‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭8:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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#childhood, #memories, #soapboxderby

\n", "date_published": "2017-10-23T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/23/turning-back-time.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/19/i-am-not-alone.html", "title": "I Am Not Alone", "content_html": "\"Prisma\n

Of all the comments I get on my blog posts, by far the most common is “It’s good to know I’m not alone.” When Mr. Virgo died, I felt like the only person on the planet. No one could possibly understand what I was feeling. I didn’t know how to find resources to help me feel better. I didn’t know who to turn to. I tried reading grief books but I couldn’t read. I couldn’t get beyond a sentence or two before my mind exploded. My family and friends were wonderful…don’t get me wrong. But I was sure even they couldn’t really get it because they hadn’t walked this particular path.

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I reached out through this page as much for me as I did for you. Maybe more so. And we both found out we’re not alone in this. That was HUGE for me. Knowing others were having the same or similar experiences gave me courage.

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I scroll through my files of pictures often for inspiration. Sometimes a particular photo will jump out at me and that’s the one I go with for my next post. Last night, it was this one. Mr. Virgo…big smile, twinkling eyes, and that shock of silver hair…in the afternoon sunshine at Rocky Mountain National Park on a day much like today. We had gone for a drive to view the elk and the bright yellow gold of the aspen leaves quaking in the breeze. It was a perfect day. As I scrolled through the photos and saw this one, two things happened. My heart squeezed for a few seconds. And I smiled. The smile is good. The squeeze in my heart still takes my breath away because it takes me by surprise.

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I had a beautiful day yesterday. It was a day much like the one in this picture. The sky was a brilliant cerulean blue. The temperature was reasonable in the high sixties, low seventies. I was with the man that I love. We had a really busy and full day winterizing another of the four campers. Lunch out. A granddaughter’s softball game. A trip to the Piggly Wiggly. A day. Just a normal day in a life. Some would say it was nothing special. I beg to differ…it was.

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Why was yesterday special? Because I get to love again. I get to look in another human being’s beautiful eyes and see love in return. Because I get to love…a lot. I get to love both of my ex-husbands and that great cowboy I dated for awhile. I get to love Mr. Virgo. And…I get to love Mr. FixIt. That is so special. I can still love all of them because I stretched my heart and made room

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“I am not alone” has taken on a new meaning now. I’ll never take that for granted. ❤️

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“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”\n‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-10-19T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/19/i-am-not-alone.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Humbled","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/15/a-perfect-fall-day.html", "title": "A Perfect Fall Day!", "content_html": "\"WVU\n

We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day for football yesterday. It was HOT…about 84…and not a cloud in the sky. The stadium was sold out and the crowd was great. West Virginia clearly got our butts whipped the first half. Frustrating calls, penalty flags out the wazoo, and eleven points down definitely put a damper on things. I was thinking to myself (ok…I MAY have said it out loud) that maybe college football games weren’t my thing. Mr. FixIt looked at me and said, “It’s not over yet…you just wait.” As if he somehow held a crystal ball and knew a change was coming.

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The halftime show was cool. The alumni band played because it was homecoming and they mentioned my friend Karen Nutter Ali as being the oldest alumni member playing. They crowned the homecoming king and queen. I ran into someone I knew. Then…the magic happened. The Mountaineers came out on the field looking less like an aberrant junior high school team and more like a well-oiled machine. Far less flags flew in the second half as the ’eers finally settled down and got it together. Down eleven points as they left the field at the half, they ended up trouncing Texas Tech 46-35 to win the game. They always play John Denver’s “Almost Heaven” at the end of every game but the atmosphere is electric when sung in victory. My heart swelled and I teared up as I sang along with 65,000 Mountaineer fans. It was glorious!

\n

After the game, we joined Mr. FixIt’s family for a tailgate party. I’m just now meeting more of his family and it was great fun! The meatball sliders I made were a big hit. Here’s the recipe.

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www.jessicagavin.com/grandmas-…

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Note: I used three pounds of ground beef so I added a little extra of the other ingredients to compensate. I also used jar sauce but added two cans of fire-roasted diced tomatoes and about a cup and a half of diet blackberry flavored fizzy water for a sweet kick. I used packaged hot rolls from the grocery store, cut them in half, added a meatball, a little sauce, and some shredded mozzarella cheese and topped with the other half of the roll to make a little sandwich. I arranged the sliders in two disposable aluminum baking pans. I brushed the tops with a little melted butter and sprinkled the top lightly with garlic salt, covered with foil and baked them at 375 until the cheese was melted. Yield: 24 sliders. These were SO good! I’ll definitely make them again.

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❤️

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“Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”\n‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

", "date_published": "2017-10-15T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/15/a-perfect-fall-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Humbled"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/14/lets-go-mountaineers.html", "title": "Let's Go, Mountaineers!", "content_html": "\"Mountaineer\n

Today is a day I’ve been looking forward to for months. I’m attending my first college football game…EVER! West Virginia takes on Texas Tech at home. Milan Puskar Stadium is a couple of hours from the farm so we’ll be up early. We’re tailgating so I need to get the food assembled early since it’s a noon game.

\n

Mr. FixIt is a seasoned Mountaineer Fan. One of his three degrees came from WVU and he is a rabid fan. Ra-bid. We listen to the game on the radio when we’re driving and he’s a hoot to watch. He’s bought me three WVU shirts. So far. Yesterday afternoon he announced we needed to go wash my truck to take to Morgantown. I didn’t get it till we got home and he stuck two big WVU magnets on my tailgate. Ahhhhh….it’s going to be one of THOSE days! I’m excited, actually. I had such a good time at the basketball game Mr. FixIt took me to. The football game is a sellout so there will be around 65,000 people there!

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WVU has three games a season where they play up a color. One is gold, one is blue, and the other is striped. The game against Texas Tech is striped, meaning even numbered sections wear gold, odd wears blue. We’re gold…hence the new shirt! ?

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Since I’ve never tailgated, I went to my favorite supplier of fun ideas…Pinterest. I searched for tailgate recipes and got an idea for meatball sliders but I wasn’t crazy about the recipe itself. I Googled “Italian Meatballs” and came up with this great recipe. I used jar sauce (some Italian grandmother is rolling in her grave) but I used the meatball recipe. I used three pounds of meat because I made twenty four sliders. I used store bought hot rolls, sliced them, put a meatball with a little sauce on it, sprinkled with shredded mozzarella, topped with the other half of the hot roll, brushed with melted butter and sprinkled with garlic salt. I put them in an aluminum sheet cake pan, covered tightly with foil and popped them in a 375 degree oven till everything was hot and melty while I got ready. Just before we left, I took the sliders out of the oven, covered them tightly with foil and popped the whole thing in a paper bag and wrapped it tight with a couple of towels and set it on the floor of the back seat. Voila!

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I’ll have pictures for you tomorrow along with a game day recipe for Italian Meatball Sliders.

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? Go, ’eers!!! ?

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❤️

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“He has blocked my way so I cannot pass…”\n‭‭Job‬ ‭19:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-10-14T01:30:04-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/14/lets-go-mountaineers.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Hope","Fun","West Virginia"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/13/an-act-of-forgiveness.html", "title": "An Act of Forgiveness", "content_html": "\"Photo\n

Disclaimer: This may be a trigger subject with some. It is dreadfully sad but it touched my heart and I wanted to share with you. It is about the Holocaust and Forgiveness.

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Eva Kor was a young child when she and her twin were torn from their family upon arrival at Auschwitz, never to see them again. Under the direction of Dr. Mengele, they were both subjected to medical experiments that nearly killed them. By sheer will, they fought to survive and were liberated by Russian forces.

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For fifty years, Eva held on to her position of “victim”…and rightly so. Her life had been forever altered in ways we cannot even begin to comprehend. She is all that is left of her family. As the 50th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz approached, she awoke one morning with an idea. What if she could forgive someone. She was often called upon to speak and recalled a Nazi doctor that had been at Auschwitz. She had met him at a conference. She figured he may still be alive so she found his phone number and worked up the courage to call him. I’ll let you watch the video and see how she found it in her heart to forgive the most heinous of acts.

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youtu.be/gdgPAetNY…

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We speak a lot here about forgiveness. Anger, bitterness, and resentment are the poisons we take hoping they will affect our enemies. Our enemies don’t care if we are eaten alive inside by negative emotions. They are going on with their lives in the nature of enemies…unknowing, uncaring. If my Lord and Savior has forgiven me of my sins, who am I to not do the same? I try to love others as Jesus loves me…even when they are my enemies. Eva’s act of forgiveness took a great deal of strength and courage. She was alienated from other Holocaust survivors for forgiving the Nazis who killed millions of their fellow citizens, friends, and family members. But she didn’t care. She didn’t do it for them. She did it for herself. I am in awe of that kind of heart…that spirit of forgiveness. My petty grievances pale in comparison. ❤️

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“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”\n‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:12-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-10-13T01:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/13/an-act-of-forgiveness.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Humbled"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/10/10/past-the-breaking-point.html", "title": "Past the Breaking Point", "content_html": "\"Photo\n

Filicide. It’s something we don’t want to talk about…something we don’t understand. How could a mother kill her own children? It’s beyond our comprehension. How can someone be pushed so far that they would break like that? It goes against every grain. Yet, it happens.

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There was a tragedy in West Virginia last week. A woman shot her two young children, then herself. The little boy was hanging on by a thread last I heard. The little girl and the mom are gone. I just learned last night that not one, but both children have/had special needs. I don’t know what they’re challenges are/were, but I do know what it’s like to grow up in a family with a special needs child. My brother was born with cerebral palsy and mild mental impairment. I will never forget the day the doctor gave Mom the prognosis. They told her he would never live a normal life. He wouldn’t drive or be able to take care of himself or hold a real job. She was devastated. Add to that a troubled marriage and it’s no wonder she suffered from migraines, anxiety, and depression.

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About six years ago, I did a short stint as a substitute paraprofessional in a severe needs classroom at the elementary school where my older daughter taught. I couldn’t do it…and I grew up with this. I don’t know how teachers and parents keep from going over the edge. This mother had more than she could handle and she broke.

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The news headline said “Let this be a wake up call.” Yes, let’s. There are few people who don’t know anyone affected by a special needs child in their circle…be it church or the hair salon or the bank or a neighbor. If you know someone, and you’ve never offered to help out, do something. A couple hour break could make a world of difference in an overwhelmed parent’s life. Take them a meal. Offer to cut their lawn. Give them a gift card to the grocery. Heck, give them a hug. Tell them, while you can’t understand exactly what they’re going through, you’d like them to know you’re there for whatever help you may be able to give them. Pray with them. Pray FOR them. If you can’t do any of these things, pray for God to open your heart to whatever He would want you to do.

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My demographic here is 40-65 year old women mainly, so I guess I’m encouraging grandmas to do what grandmas do best…love on somebody that sorely needs it today. You never know who that outstretched hand may save. We cannot understand how horrible things like this can happen, but perhaps we can change the course by opening our hearts and loving people like Jesus does. ❤️

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“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.”\n‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:13-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-10-10T01:30:25-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/10/10/past-the-breaking-point.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Hope","Grace","God","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/09/28/grandmas-spoon.html", "title": "Grandma's Spoon", "content_html": "\"Grandma's\n

Some time after Grandma died, I was visiting the farm. I was cooking and rummaged around in the utensil drawer for a wooden spoon to stir something with. I grew up using wooden spoons and have owned many over the course of my life. I love them. I love the feel of the wood in my hand. I love the way they gently rub the bottom of the pan as you stir. I’ve learned how to gauge the proper thickness of a sauce or gravy by how the liquid coats the spoon. Placed across the top of a pan, a wooden spoon will keep pasta or potatoes from boiling over. Drape a wet dishcloth over the end and you can scrub the inside of a jar or bottle. They’re very handy.

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When I looked in the drawer in Grandma’s kitchen, there was a packet in the back wrapped in a flour sack dishcloth. Curious, I opened it up to find treasures. Grandma’s paring knife, potato peeler, and favorite wooden spoon had been wrapped and carefully put away. The paring knife was so thin and the blade was curved in an unnatural shape from the many times it had been run over a whetstone. The potato peeler showed wear from years and years of use. Potatoes were a staple in that house for at least two meals a day. But, it was the wooden spoon that got me. Stained red from a lifetime of making blackcap jelly, I held it in my hands as if it were fragile crystal. The end is worn flat from all the years of stirring back and forth, back and forth…making sure the sugar and pectin dissolved and the mixture didn’t scorch on the bottom of the pan. I could still see my grandma’s arthritic finger run over the jelly coating on the back of her wooden spoon. She pushed it along to see if it had reached the jell stage. Then she popped her finger in her mouth, licked it clean, and gave me a wink as she wiped her hand on her ever present calico apron over her ever present belted house dress with the hankie in the pocket. I never, ever saw her wear pants. Always a dress, with stockings, and sturdy black lace-up shoes with a sensible heel. My breath caught with the memory. I missed her so. I miss her still.

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My aunt noticed my reverie and asked if I’d like to keep the spoon. I was so touched…and thrilled. It occupied a place of honor for several years on the windowsill of my Colorado kitchen. It got tucked away when I downsized and sold my house. It made its way back to that same farmhouse kitchen in West Virginia when I finally settled back here. I remember unpacking that box of special kitchen items, taking extra care that the spoon didn’t get thrown away with the packing materials.

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The spoon now hangs on a pegboard over the kitchen sink. I see it every time I wash dishes and I think of my grandma and how hard she worked standing in that very spot. It’s like that wink comes all the way from heaven and I know she smiles that I am here. ❤️

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“She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:14-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-09-28T01:30:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/09/28/grandmas-spoon.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Humbled"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/09/27/twolane-blacktop.html", "title": "Two-Lane Blacktop", "content_html": "\"WV\n

Yesterday was errand day. Up at dawn, I ran through my list of very important things that needed to be done for the camping trip I’m leaving on today. And, not surprisingly, there were a couple of things I forgot. Mr. FixIt to the rescue! Yet another of the many wonderful advantages of dating this good man! He stopped on his way to my place and picked my items up at the market.

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Driving back home on the two-lane blacktop, I always let my mind run through the points of note along the route. There’s the State Police barracks where I took (and failed) my first driving exam. (Not my fault, mind you…there was a hole in the muffler.) There’s the county line where I got carsick when I was seven. (I have no idea why that sticks with me, but it does.) There’s the last bridge of its kind between town and the farm. (It’s a lot like the old bridge that used to be where you turn onto the country lane to drive the last few miles to the house.) There’s the old country store where we stopped for ice cream on Sunday afternoons on our way back to town. There’s the turn where I had my wreck in February. My mind takes me through every turn and hill, reliving days long gone.

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One of my favorite turns brings me to a straight stretch that passes the old Nutter Farm. There’s a family cemetery on the hill across the road. Every time I drive through that stretch, I get the strangest feeling. It’s akin to the feeling you get when someone hugs you. I didn’t get to meet the particular set of great-grandparents that are buried there, but somehow I feel them when I drive by. It’s a little eerie, but comforting at the same time. My great-grandfather died in his early 30’s of a ruptured appendix and left my great-grandmother with four little boys to raise. Charlie and Sabina. I have always loved her name. Folks called her “Binie”, with a long “i”. I never knew her proper name till after my last child was born or I might have named her Sabina Rose.

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I know every turn, every pothole, every hill on that road. It stretches for miles all the way back as far as I can remember. I really get John Denver’s lyrics. “Country Roads, take me home to the place I belong…West Virginia!” I love coming home when I’ve been gone a while. When you’re there every day, you don’t notice how the house smells. But when you return from a long trip, it’s truly like stepping back in time to my childhood. It smells like old wood…damp and rich. It smells like old books and worn leather…slightly stale, dusty, and tired. It smells like iron skillets and well water. But it smells like family. It smells like home. I bought a scented candle when I first moved in last year and was decidedly dismayed when all you could smell when you walked in the back door was cinnamon apples. I stopped burning it right away and was ever so relieved when the familiar aromas returned a week or two later.

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I count every day here as a blessing…a gift that God has brought me. This place almost seems like my reward for having lost my sweet husband. As though God said, “You’ve suffered enough. Let the memories in these walls comfort you for a time.” I know it’s not forever…one day the house will pass from one to another and I’ll need to move on. Or, more likely, there will be that point in my life when I choose to live elsewhere. But for now…for this brief time…I will live and love and laugh in the home of my heart. And I’ll remember every nook and cranny, every squeak in the floor, every line in the worn linoleum. I’ll remember every bend in the road. ❤️

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“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”\n‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭32:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-09-27T01:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/09/27/twolane-blacktop.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Hope","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Humbled","Peaceful Moments"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/09/13/mountain-music.html", "title": "Mountain Music", "content_html": "\"Jake\n

I’m still glowing over the events of the past weekend. When I was planning this gathering for the Sisters on the Fly, I had everything pictured in my head and it came out just like I had hoped. But the months leading up to the event had points where it was pretty nerve wracking. The two big items on my list turned out to be the two most difficult to fill. A caterer and entertainment for Saturday night.

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I have such a wonderful network of friend on Facebook. They come from all walks of like. After making countless calls and searching the internet, I finally called the administration at the park where we camped and she gave me the name of a caterer to try. One phone call and I had them booked…at a price about half what I expected. The food was fabulous! If you need a BBQ caterer in the Mid-Ohio Valley, call Smokin’ Pig’s Ash Barbecue.

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I kept striking out on the entertainment front, too. First off, it was the same weekend as the Sternwheel Festival in Marietta (the main reason we planned it when we did) and there was a huge bluegrass festival up north. I really wanted old time jammers, but they were scarce as hen’s teeth. I finally contacted my friend Todd Burge, a talented local musician who is more a folk singer. Unfortunately, he was booked, but he told me to contact Jake Eddy. Jake turns 18 this week, and has already been named #1 in guitar and banjo in the state of West Virginia. He and his brother (only 13!) and grandpa played for two hours and I’ll tell you what, they did not disappoint. The girls were so impressed! And, frankly…so was I. We are all going to look back one day and say we saw him way back when!

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Tomorrow, I head out for my next event. I’m going to be at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio with Janine Pettit and the Girl Campers lending a hand in any way I can to support her. Janine is so talented and well spoken. She will have the crowd eating out of her hand and I so enjoy tagging along whenever I can. I always learn so much from her.

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This is an incredibly busy month in the camping circuit and I’m thrilled to take you along with me. We’re going to see some amazing things. Watch for some live broadcasts from the Country Living Fair! ❤️

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“I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭101:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-09-13T01:55:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/09/13/mountain-music.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","Camping","Fun","West Virginia","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/09/07/the-beckett-brothers.html", "title": "The Beckett Brothers", "content_html": "\"The\n

I never met them. I didn’t know them. But, I knew who they were. Everyone knew who they were. When I was a little girl, you didn’t drive anywhere in town without seeing them together…walking. They walked everywhere. They loved to travel. One would always walk about ten feet behind the other. Their determined stride would take them cross town and cross country. I’ve heard stories. “They were very wealthy…they just chose to live this way.” I don’t know the truth. I do know they called them names. “Pete and Repeat”. “Mutt and Jeff”.

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In truth…they were Gerald and John. They were inseparable. They were not twins but they dressed alike. Always. One time one of them was injured and they got a wheelchair. The well one wheeled the sick one. When he finally got well, an argument ensued. The well one felt it was his turn to be pushed around but the sick one refused to give up his cushy gig. There were lots of stories. But not a lot of people coming forward with open arm to help these guys. Finally, a girl named Heather was driving buy and saw them with the wheelchair stuck in the snow and said a prayer. “Lord! Why don’t you DO something for these men.” And God answered her…“I did. I made you!” So Heather turned around, drove back, and helped the men out of the snowbank in her high heels. Thus began a loving friendship between the most unlikely of people. Heather taught her children to love the way Christ loved.

\n\"The\n

This week, Gerald died in his sleep. Heather and her family was at his side. So was John. We’ll just have to wait and see how John fairs without his brother. I pray for his comfort. I pray for Heather and her family as they make this journey with only John. Parkersburg has lost a legend, an icon. It will never be the same without them walking the streets together. ❤️

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“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭133:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-09-07T01:55:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/09/07/the-beckett-brothers.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Prayer","Hope","West Virginia","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Humbled","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/09/04/flatfootin-to-the-fiddle.html", "title": "Flatfootin' to the Fiddle", "content_html": "\"Appalachian\n

Y’all remember I came to West Virginia in October of 2014 to live on the family farm and help my elderly aunt. That lasted ten weeks and she decided she didn’t rightly think she wanted anyone extra around and I graciously bowed out. That’s when I moved around in my camper…first at the river then out to Colorado, South Dakota, Tennessee and all parts in between. I spent the better part of two years as a gypsy of sorts…writing, speaking, and healing my broken heart.

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That same aunt gave me a fiddle after my grandma died in 1999. She left it on the bed without fanfare. When I went to bed that night and saw the fiddle, I sat on the edge of my bed, cradling it, running my fingers over the worn wooden frets…tears streaming down my face. I remembered that fiddle well. I was a very little girl. My great grandfather, a moose of a man, was at the farm. He and my uncle and my Pop-Pop built the basement and rolled the old house down over the foundation on long well casing pipes from an oilfield. My uncle loves to tell me that story and I listen and laugh every time as if it were my first hearing.

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They had to jack the house up to put the pipes under. The new basement was slightly downgrade and they didn’t want it to take off and get away from them. They wrapped a chain around the pipe and attached a huge pipe wrench for leverage. Murphy’s Law tells you what happened next. The house did indeed start rolling and the only thing that stopped it from shooting off the other side of the basement was that wrench. The handle had been driven about two feet into the ground and worked like a brake.

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My great grandpa had gone down in the basement to monitor things from below and tell my uncle when the house was over the new foundation. When it took off, Grandpa start yelling to “Make ’er stop, boys! Make ’er stop!” There weren’t any steps in place yet, so as soon as my uncle had the house secure, he ran to the basement doorway and hollered for my grandpa. “I stopped ’er!” Grandpa cried. “By golly, I stopped ’er, boys!”

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My uncle shinnied down a ladder into the basement and there was Grandpa, wedged up between the floorboards of the first floor and the pipe! Seems he deemed it a good idea to tie a stout rope to that pipe and tie the other end around his waist so he could “stop ’er”. Well, the rope wound up around the pipe and drew him right up like a bucket from a well. Thank God that wrench caught or that would have been the end of Grandpa!

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Soon after the house was secured to the new foundation, the stairs were built, and they added a front porch and poured a concrete slab for the back porch and the new bathroom that was being added. One summer night, after all the work had been done, my Pop-Pop pulled out the old fiddle and played “Turkey in the Straw”. My great grandpa grabbed a walking stick, stuck his bowler hat jauntily on the top is his head, and started flatfoot dancing on the porch. I will never, ever forget the deep thrill I got watching that scene unfold before me as I clapped my hands with the beat.

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I’ve always wanted to learn to flatfoot dance…also called clogging, or Apache dancing. I’ve watched countless videos but haven’t seemed to get it right. One of these days I will take a lesson and finally learn. This is the week I am hosting a Sisters on the Fly event here in West Virginia and I am so excited to showcase our state and its fine traditions. We’re having an old-fashioned weenie roast and we’ll churn ice cream. We’re going on a sternwheel ride on the Ohio River. We’re touring two mansions and an abandoned oil and gas boom town. And, we’re having a catered barbecue. Our entertainment is a young banjo player named Jake Eddy. He’s bringing some friends for some Old Time Jammin’…that front porch informal style typical of performers who sit around after shows and play for the sheer enjoyment. At this point, he hasn’t been able to find a fiddle player but he’s hoping he can get one. So do I!

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I’ve added a link to some great flatfoot dancing if you are interested. This is going to be a tremendously busy week for me so you may not hear much from me till the 10th or 11th. I’ll touch base but probably won’t have time to write my usual daily essay. This is going to be great fun so hang on for pictures, video, or quick stories. ❤️

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youtu.be/xyqcHMPa1…

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“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭30:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-09-04T01:55:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/09/04/flatfootin-to-the-fiddle.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/09/03/the-good-ol-days.html", "title": "The Good Ol' Days", "content_html": "\"Wooden\n

We were taking a break yesterday when Mr. FixIt started reading a story in Goldenseal Magazine. The Goldenseal has been around since 1975 and is published four times a year. It has wonderful stories about traditional life in West Virginia. And, since I’m living a pretty traditional life, I really love that magazine. The story that caught Mr. FixIt’s attention was about a clothespin factory in Richwood, WV. That got me thinking about all the clotheslines of my life.

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We always had clotheslines. The metal T-shaped poles were anchored in the ground with cement and lasted till they rusted through. We’d have to go out with a wire brush and a can of Rustoleum and paint them every other summer or so. Ours were always silver but the last time I painted them at the farm, I used black. I remember as a child, the clotheslines themselves were woven…a kind of rope-like material. Another was a thick aluminum wire that created a wiggly clothesline that never straightened out. Then, as we got older and the plastic generation set in, the lines were white, hollow tubes that pinched shut with the spring-hinged clothespins. Later came the plastic covered cable lines. Once we got away from the rope lines, you had to take a wet rag out and run it up and down the clothesline to clean them or else you got black stuff on your clean clothes. At least you did in the chemical-laden Mid-Ohio Valley where I grew up. (Our bare feet would be black with the fallout from Union Carbide!)

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The early clothespins were the peg ones then came the clip on kind with the spring hinge. I liked the peg ones because I would pretend they were dolls. I’d dress them up with pieces of material from Grandma’s scrap bag. I’d draw faces on them and, if we had any glue around, I might even give them some yarn hair. We always had a clothespin bag that hung out on the clothesline. It had a hole in the side where you reached in and grabbed a few pins and stuck them in your mouth to use as you needed them. You had to watch because sometimes wasps, or even birds, would make nests in the bags.

\n\"Grandma's\n

When you finished hanging your laundry, the wet clothes often made the lines so heavy, they stretched down and the clothes brushed the ground. In order to keep your clothes clean, you used a long pole with a nail in the side near one end and hooked up you clothesline, propping it up high. Hanging clothes in Colorado was awesome because it’s so dry there, a load would be ready to bring in, fold, and put away in an hour or two. Not so in West Virginia. The humidity of summer would make laundry turn into an all-day affair. And you’d better not get distracted and let the rain get on them or leave them out too late till they gathered the dew or you’d be doing the same clothes over the next day.

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Clothes that are hung dry aren’t nice and soft like the ones that come out of a dryer. They are stiff and scratchy. I hated to use towels that dried on the line. But sheets dried in the sun are heavenly! They smell so wonderful…like sunshine and Ivory Snow. Men wore work clothes when I grew up. Khaki, green, or blue…heavy cotton twill. They had to be put on wire pants stretchers to put a crease in them. That made ironing easier because most of the wrinkles were flattened out. Yes…I said ironing. Most of you have done exactly what I’m talking about. But some may not have, so I’ll continue.

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Ironing. The BANE of my existence as a child. My mom worked outside of the home once I was in school, so as soon as we were old enough to stay home alone, laundry and cooking and cleaning house became my daily routine. We didn’t have the luxury of using a dryer routinely. It was only used during the winter or very rainy days. All other times, Dad’s work clothes, our dresses, and my brother’s shirts and trousers had to be ironed. We had a “sprinkler”…a water bottle with a small perforated head on it that we would sprinkle the clothes if they were very dry and stiff. Then we would fold them, put them in a bushel basket with an oilcloth liner to hold in the moisture, cover them with a towel and come back to them an hour or so later. Before I came along, starch had to be cooked and added to the rinse water to give clothes a really crisp finish and nice, sharp creases. Once I was old enough to iron, we had spray starch in cans.

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Who remembers the load you forgot in the washer for a day or two? Oh, that smelled SO bad and you would often get mildew stains that never came out, no matter how hard you scrubbed. You were in big trouble if you forgot a load and ruined clothes.

\n\"Old\n

Grandma had wringer washers. I loved them, but I was not allowed to use them when I was little. They were dangerous because you could get your hand caught in them and get hurt. I remember how excited grandma was when my uncle brought her a good wringer washer…long after she had an automatic set in the bathroom. She missed the old way. She thought it cleaned better. I’d love to have a good wringer washer but the water in the basement doesn’t work like it used too. Too many years of hard water corroding those old pipes. I’d be afraid the spigot would break off in my hand.

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I still have my mom’s clothespins. They are in a copper bucket I bought many years ago. I put it on top of the jelly cupboard here at the farm. Mom’s pins got mixed up with my own, but I can pretty much tell which ones I used as a child. I found Grandma’s clothespin bag hanging in the stairwell going down into the basement so I hung it in the kitchen on a child’s wooden coat hanger I found in an antique store last year. I think this is why I love Rural King so much. They carry so many things that we used “back in the day”. It reminds me of “simpler times”, even though we worked harder. Not nearly as hard as my grandparents, but certainly harder than the average kids of today.

\n

The last picture is the clothesline in the backyard in front of the hydrangea bush. You can see a couple old clothespins…weathered and nearly deteriorated to slivers. I won’t remove them. Maybe my grandma left them there when she brought in a dish towel or two…or something she rinsed out by hand. Surely my Uncle Bob had cleaned the line with an old rag. I’m sentimental about things. There are clotheslines along the side of the house. There’s one on the front porch and one on the back for hanging things when it’s raining. Then there’s this one that runs from the back porch to the cherry tree. That one I don’t use. That one reminds me…of my loved ones long since gone. Of the halcyon days of summer when I thought life was SO hard because I had to hang clothes and iron and cook supper for my family. Of the “Good Ol’ Days”. ❤️

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“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-09-03T01:55:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/09/03/the-good-ol-days.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Love","Wisdom"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/30/a-surprising-find.html", "title": "A Surprising Find", "content_html": "\"Greiner's\n

Yesterday’s post about the old Lily Pond in City Park sparked a debate as to which pond was actually the one with all the lilies on it…the big one that is still there or the smaller one that was taken out many years ago. I set out to do some research on Roger Mackey’s page. Roger is a fine historian on West Virginia, and Parkersburg in particular. He has pages and pages of historic photos of everything from the old movie theaters to natural disasters…from the society elite to skid row…and all things in between. I can get lost for hours looking through his old photos. It’s like going into an antique store for me.

\n

As I browsed through the titles of the different pages, looking for City Park, I saw the page for Greiner’s Bakery and clicked on it. My paternal grandmother decorated cakes for Greiner’s for many, many years. The Bakery sat near the corner of my high school campus and every afternoon the smell of fresh baked bread wafted in through the open windows of my classroom, drawing my attention quickly away from the dry lectures my chemistry teacher gave.

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I could hardly wait till school was out each afternoon. I would meet my cousin Mike and walk up the alley to Grandmother’s house. She always had a dozen raised glazed donuts and a galling of ice cold milk waiting for us. We made quick work of those delicious treats. She called them “seconds”, which meant they were accidentally dropped in the glaze twice! Their loss was definitely our gain!

\n\"Greiner's\n

As I scrolled down the old photos and read the descriptions, I stumbled across two special ones that caused a rush of memories and a great big smile. First, there was this photo of the company Christmas Party. I scanned the faces, and there…to the left…is my grandmother, smiling broadly into the camera! My relationship with my dad’s mother was complicated by her dislike for my father. I never quite understood my standing in her world, but I do have many fond memories of her. She baked and decorated wonderful cakes. She instilled her loved of seeing and crafting in me. She made the best chicken and dumplings I ever ate. She also forced me to drink unsweetened sage tea as she believed my pale skin was secondary to intestinal parasites. To this day, I cannot stomach sage.

\n

I remember the house she lived in on Avery Street. Avery was one of the old brick streets in town. Grandmother’s house was a half block from a huge cemetery and just two blocks from my high school. She rented the lower level of a two story house. The landlady lived upstairs with her cocker spaniel, Honey. Honey would cry and howl every time her mama would leave the house and it made me so sad. The front porch was large and covered. There was a swing and room for several chairs.

\n\"Toni\n

The interior of the house was dark and quiet. The mahogany hardwood floors were covered with thick oriental rugs. The mantel in the front room had a clock that chimed the hour. The dining room was set up as her sewing room…an old, low, armless rocker sat in the corner. The bedroom was comfortable. A silver ladies dresser set was on the top with a brush, a comb, a mirror, a small cup for bobby pins, and a covered powder container filled with the pale grey webbing of hair nets. The tines of the comb were blue from the rinse my grandmother religiously put on her hair. The bathroom had doors to the bedroom and the kitchen. I loved the claw foot tub. I received many Toni home perms in that bathroom. The kitchen had tall, white painted cabinets and a long, deep farm sink. It was the brightest room in the house. The counters were covered with African violets growing in every possible container…including teacups. The backdoor let out to a postage stamp yard with a huge holly tree. A dogwood graced the front yard. Bits of slate tiles lay here and there around the perimeter of the house. I was lucky and found a whole one once that crash landed in the flower bed. I used it as a blackboard when I played school.

\n\"Greiner's\n

As I scrolled past the picture with my grandmother in it, I came to a shot of the display windows in one of the newer stores. There in the left is a doll cake. Oh, my…I coveted that cake every year, begging my grandmother for one for my birthday. When I finally got one, I was elated…especially when I found out the doll’s legs were embedded in rich, buttercream frosting! The “dress” was decorated with loops and swags and flowers and I thought it was the prettiest thing I had ever seen.

\n

Complicated family relationships can lead to a lifetime of resentment and hurt feelings. The other day, my post was all about forgiveness setting you free. Forgiveness hasn’t rewritten history, per se. But it has allowed me to focus on the good memories I have of my father and his family. And as an adult, I have had the utmost good fortune of getting to know my cousins from that side of the family and I have been greatly blessed by that. It is never too late to change your focus and see the good parts of your past. Yesterday’s treasured finds have reminded me of that. ❤️

\n

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”\n‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-30T01:55:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/30/a-surprising-find.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","West Virginia","Gratitude","Grace","Wisdom","Forgiveness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/27/a-familyof-sorts.html", "title": "A Family...of Sorts", "content_html": "\"Parkersburg\n

For a class as huge as ours, my high school classmates are extraordinarily close. We have a bond seldom seen in a graduating class. I’m not sure why but classes before and after have reported they aren’t nearly as close as ours. The gals gather every month for coffee therapy and every other month or so, we have a class dinner. Then at the end of summer, we have a class picnic which is always well attended. Yesterday was our picnic and around thirty of our classmates gathered for three hours of fun. We’re starting to see more health issues, more deaths. But we are also seeing joyful achievements and the first arrivals of great grandchildren. Ok, we’re WAY too young for the great grandchildren thing….just sayin’! This particular group that gathered seem more like family, than classmates. When one hurts, we all hurt. There’s not much we wouldn’t do for each other. I love that closeness we have.

\n

This week our high school celebrates its 100th birthday. There will be ceremonies. Our football team won on Friday. The big thing I’m looking forward to is a gathering of the Alumni A Capella Choir to sing in a concert Tuesday night. I was in choir all through high school but did not get selected for A Capella Choir…a rather elite bunch who sang beautifully.

\n

After the class picnic and some errands, Mr. FixIt and I stopped to get a cold drink. As we left, we saw a sign…Earthstock. Our local health food store, owned and operated by one of our classmates, has had an annual customer appreciation picnic for over thirty years at a private park overlooking the river. We went and listened to some really great music and ate even MORE food. A couple errands later and we were headed back to the farm. It’s been crazy busy, and September is going to be even crazier. I’m looking forward (a little) to some slower, less frantic days. Maybe October! ❤️

\n

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”\n‭‭John‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-27T01:55:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/27/a-familyof-sorts.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/26/back-on-the-farm.html", "title": "Back on the Farm", "content_html": "\"Grandma's\n

It’s been a year since I put down roots here on the family farm. Well, as deep a root as I can put and not own property. What a remarkable year! I battled fleas, painted walls, mowed, trimmed, pruned, cleaned, sorted, dehumidifier, and about scared myself to death that I had ruined the well or burned up the pump. I’ve learned to stop letting grief steal my joy. I’ve learned to let go of the fear of loss and clear out enough room in my life to accommodate the love of a sweet man. I’ve spoken in front of crowds, large and small. I started blogging for Sisters on the Fly as well as here on Marshmallow Ranch. I bought a vintage camper to fix up. I’ve been to Colorado twice, Florida twice, the Outer Banks, Tennessee, Savannah, Amish Country, and a fun trip to a WVU basketball game. I’ve been to concerts galore…Garth Brooks, SHEL, Brandy Carlisle to name a few. I’ve camped at some pretty cool places. I’ve been interviewed for podcasts and articles. I’ve lost some people in one way or another and I’ve gained more. I spent some wonderful time with my family. I’ve grown stronger in my faith. And I fell in love. All in one year! Whew!

\n

We got home from the trip to Indiana and It was almost dark. I had to back this camper up into the driveway and it was more challenging as the light faded. I got it in ok and Mr. FixIt was a real trooper coaching me along. He filmed it. It might be funny…I don’t know. I haven’t taken the time to look at it yet.

\n

We are going to a class picnic today so as soon as I walked in last night, I mixed up a yellow cake to bake. I’ll make Penuche Frosting this morning so it’s nice and fresh. I looked through Grandma’s notebook hoping to find her recipe but it wasn’t there. Her Brown Sugar Pie recipe was though. I’ll have to make that soon…it’s wonderful!

\n

As I sat and wrote this, Mr. FixIt asked if I could hear the owl. I couldn’t until I went to the front door. I recorded it for you and posted it last night so be sure you catch it. It’s the Eastern Screech Owl we heard the other evening on our walk. Oh…we visited with the neighbor down the road he other evening. He had a health scare while we were in Colorado and I was so happy to see him out working in his garden! It’s just another reminder how uncertain life is.

\n

If you are in Texas, or have loved ones there, you are in my prayers. Please check in and let us know how you’re doing.

\n

Yes…it’s been an amazing year on the farm, hasn’t it? Big things, little things, fun things, scary things. But we made it through. We’ll keep on keeping on and I’ll keep telling you these stories about this crazy, beautiful life I am privileged to lead. Thank you all for being here! ❤️

\n

“and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.”\n‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n

 

", "date_published": "2017-08-26T01:55:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/26/back-on-the-farm.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Girl Camper","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/11/welcome-home.html", "title": "Welcome Home!", "content_html": "\"Gas\n

Is there anything more wonderful than the glow of the gas light in the yard to welcome you home? This light has burned continuously since I was a little girl. It’s had many mates replaced and several panes of glass. It’s had a coat or two of flat black paint and it can no longer be adjusted for the rust, but it’s the beacon that greets me when I come up the driveway here at the farm

\n

I ran errands this morning…mail, groceries, produce stand, coffee. Then made a beeline home. All the kitties came to greet me. Old Mama Kitty trembled at the sound of my voice. Boy cat sat a respectable distance and gave me his best throaty hello. Kitty Boy skirted me and settled at the barn with a mouse or some such critter.

\n

I called the neighbors to let them know I was home. They had informed me several days ago not to be too surprised when I come home and find four new kittens. What??? It seems they hitch-hiked up in the car and stayed. I think the mama took one back because it was back at their house down the road. That left three. I managed to catch two of them and delivered them back to their mama. I just didn’t have it in me to try to catch the last one. I’ll try today.

\n

It rained an extraordinary amount here this summer and many of the surfaces in the house are covered in a light mold and mildew. I need to get after it with bleach water. I also need a dehumidifier. I put the groceries away, fed the cats, sorted the mail, cleaned the fridge, and just about emptied the truck. I am spent. I don’t know if it’s age, or if it’s after effects of the concussion, or all the trouble with the camper, but this trip was a rough one for me…even with the help of Mr. FixIt. Thank God he was along. It was fun. I loved seeing the kids and I miss everyone already. But I swear…I’m going to sleep for a week!

\n

If you don’t hear from me for a bit, I’m laying low and catching my breath. I just wanted you to know I’m home…really home! God protected us and kept us safe and we are so grateful! ❤️

\n

““Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.”\n‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-11T01:55:35-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/11/welcome-home.html", "tags": ["Family","Prayer","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Grace","Love","God","Peace","Humbled","The Cats","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/05/road-trip-day-twentynineon-the.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Twenty-Nine...\"On the Road Again!\"", "content_html": "\"Sometimes\n

This is the hard part…saying goodbye. I don’t like goodbyes. I miss my kids and my grands when I’m in West Virginia. I wish we lived closer. At one point I was ready to move back to Colorado. But man…the cost of living is nearing the breaking posing for most people and it has gotten so incredibly crowded. As much as I will miss my girls, I am longing for home…for the peacefulness of the country…for smaller towns and fewer crowds.

\n

We had a great day yesterday. We fussed around getting the camper cleaned and ready for travel. We did laundry and visited with my son-in-law’s parents, then went to Little’s Art Camp program. She displayed several art pieces and played the violin. Afterwards, we had 14 for a family dinner and that will have to do till next time. We’ve decided to drive the back roads and see what a cross road trip was like in the days of the two-lane blacktop. We’ll follow a river into the sand hills of the western prairie. Our progress will be slow, but I’ll check in and share with you. This is an entirely new experience for me and I’m looking forward to it! ❤️

\n

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ”

\n

For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;”\n‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:4, 10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-05T01:55:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/05/road-trip-day-twentynineon-the.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/04/road-trip-day-twentyeightdancing.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Twenty-Eight...\"Dancing\"", "content_html": "\"Feet\n

I love listening to live music. We met Daughter #1 and the grands for dinner then attended the outdoor concert at Flatirons Crossing…a large mall in Louisville, CO. They left at intermission so when the band started up again, I led Mr. FixIt out on the dance floor for the second half. I love to dance, but my 64-year-old knees were screaming in protest before long. I’ll pay for it today, I’m afraid.

\n

Yesterday was spent running errands like getting the oil changed on the truck for the trip back. Today is cleaning, doing laundry, packing. We all get to attend Little’s presentation at the end of art camp this afternoon then one last family gathering before we head out in the morning. It’s been a fast month and I’ll miss my babies. I’m already planning our return trip around Christmas! I know this isn’t much of a post…just touching base as we tie up loose ends before we leave. ❤️

\n

“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭127:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-04T01:55:04-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/04/road-trip-day-twentyeightdancing.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Strong Women","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/03/road-trip-day-twentysevenwhen-your.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Twenty-Seven...\"When Your Mom Dies\"", "content_html": "\"View\n

My friend, Fred, lost his mom yesterday. We got the word while we were visiting Buffalo Bill’s grave. It made me think of my mom. It made me think back to when my oldest was about three and Mom came out to Colorado for a visit. I brought her up here and we sat on this very bench. She was well and happy and healthy and I thought I’d have her forever. Years later, my mom got sick suddenly and was gone in five days.

\n

Nature tells us our parents will age and eventually die, leaving us to go on as best we can without them. But, at least for me, we never are prepared for how we’ll feel when the time comes and we have to say goodbye to our source…the giver of life, the nurturer, the teacher, the nurse, the chauffeur, the disciplinarian, the confidant. We’re never ready…we’re blindsided with the enormity of the loss. Incredulous as it may seem, this larger-than-life woman had the audacity to grow old and leave me.

\n

It’s been thirteen years since I lost my mom. I still want to call her every Sunday evening. I think of something to share with her then sadly remember she is gone. And now Fred is a member of the club of orphans…his mom gone away from him. He is alone. My heart is with him and his family.

\n

We enjoyed the visit to Lookout Mountain yesterday. And, last night I spent the evening with all my girls. Mr. FixIt takes great pics and it was so much fun to laugh and share funny stories. Stories about their dad…and Mr. Virgo…and Grammy. We hated to break away and end the evening. We vowed to talk more often. Another day done. Another day filled with love. ❤️

\n

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-03T01:55:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/03/road-trip-day-twentysevenwhen-your.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","The Grand Adventure","Grace","Wisdom","Aging","Fitness Friday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/02/road-trip-day-twentysixon-sharing.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Twenty-Six...\"On Sharing\"", "content_html": "\"Daisies\"\n

There has been a major shift within me this trip. I wasn’t sure going into this vacation how I would react sharing the space that is mine in Colorado with both Mr. Virgo’s memory and Mr. FixIt’s presence. How would everything fit? At home on the farm in West Virginia, Mr. Virgo only occupies space in my mind and heart as well as what few tangible things I have kept that were his. Here, he lives in the mountains, he sits in the sunsets, he whispers in the wind that blows through the trees. He’s everywhere. Would he distract me too much? How would I feel entertaining two men…one very much here, the other very much real but not here?

\n

I took this wonderful man to “meet” Mr. Virgo and I needn’t have worried. He respected my space. He listened intently. He waited patiently. And at the perfect moment, he walked up behind me, wrapped me in his arms and said, “I’m so sorry, Ginny. I know this was so hard for you. You’ve been through so much and you are very brave.” His arms were a comfort. My fingers intertwined with his as I leaned back against him. I felt his warm breath in my hair. For a moment, I remembered what this same position felt like with Mr. Virgo. Then I let it go…like a feather on a breeze…dancing and floating away from me.

\n

Time has allowed me perspective and healing. Choice has brought me ever onward and upward. Prayer has given me strength where there was none. Mr. FixIt has given me…Love. Hope. Trust. Joy. Peace. Companionship. Friendship. Laughter. Stability. Comfort. Contact. Connection. I am grateful. This shift has a lot to do with all of the above. Sharing this space with my new love is helping me to, yet again, redefine its meaning. Redefine who I am…redefine my “status”. I know it’s different for everyone. For me, at four and a half years…it’s a choice. I choose love. It is my purpose in life. It is the one thing I am to practice, to hone my skill at. To emulate in a Christ-like way. Not just my love for Mr. FixIt or Mr. Virgo…but for everyone.

\n

I’ve been asked when I will share a picture of Mr. FixIt with you. And the answer is…not in his lifetime. Not a definable picture, anyway. Distance, maybe. From the back, sure. His hands, definitely. He has the hands of a hard-working man and I love them. But I won’t be sharing his name or his face because those are mine. I share everything else with you…my pain, my fears, my hopes, my joys, my struggles, and my triumphs. I do so without reservation as this is my platform…my purpose. I share to spread love and promote healing. This one great thing…this glimpse into who he really is in real life…is the one tangible thing I will fervently protect.

\n

Yesterday was a day shared with loved ones. My heart is full. ❤️

\n

“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”\n1 Corinthians 13:2-7 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-02T01:55:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/02/road-trip-day-twentysixon-sharing.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","The Grand Adventure","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/08/01/road-trip-day-twentyfivelife-is.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Twenty-Five...\"Life is Better at the Ranch\"", "content_html": "\"Life\n

The trip out west is winding down. The kids are busy with camps and getting ready for school so there isn’t as much time for visiting. I could spend another month showing Mr. FixIt around Colorado, but there are things that need tending to back home. I was going to stay till the end of August so I could attend a Sisters on the Fly event. However, I am hosting a Sisters event in WV the first week of September and there are still so many details to take care of and I want it to be memorable for the gals. So, I’m heading back east this weekend. I’m not going to put Mr. FixIt on the plane…he’s going to drive back with me. We have found an alternate route that will take us along the America River on a two lane and off the wicked roar of the interstate. I’m looking forward to an easier ride home with good company.

\n

Our last days here will consist of family time and perhaps a drive to Colorado Springs to the Garden of the Gods and Pike’s Peak. Yesterday was laundry day (I ironed a shirt! gasp!), lunch out with my son-in-law’s parents, a little nap in the afternoon, dinner with the family, and a trip to my favorite antique store. The Brass Armadillo is huge and would take a full day to browse. We only had a couple of hours but we did our best to see as much as possible. It floors me to go into an “antique” store and see the things we grew up using and playing with. I mean, really…antiques? How is that possible when we keep getting younger?

\n

I loved the Ranch sign. And the angel wings were awesome. The trailer with wings was adorable. I didn’t buy a thing, although there were so many things I could see owning. I can’t shop anymore without envisioning the work involved with downsizing when I sold my house and got rid of 95% of my personal belongings. It was so incredibly difficult and I don’t ever want to do that again. I already own too much stuff! I want to keep my life light and not be burdened by the weight of possessions. I love stuff. I love that my friends dig their stuff and want to keep it around them. I totally get that. It’s going to be interesting to see how things unfold as my relationship with Mr. FixIt moves forward. Ohhhh, he’s as big a pack rat as I am!

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Today’s a day of helping my daughter while Mr. FixIt entertains himself. He can find his way around Denver with the GPS. I hope you all have an incredible day! ❤️

\n

“He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ””\n‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-08-01T01:55:23-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/08/01/road-trip-day-twentyfivelife-is.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/26/road-trip-day-twentyanother-day.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Twenty...\"Another Day in Paradise\"", "content_html": "\"Rifle\n

Last week I reported to you that Mr. Virgo was in my dreams two nights running saying he was leaving me. He appeared again Sunday night. In this dream I found out that he had some sort of neurological problem and that’s why he decided to go on and not try to come back. He was brought to me in a black limousine. They told me he was coming and that I could see him the way he would have looked had he survived the heart attack. When the car pulled up, he rolled down the window and he had obvious neurological damage, yet in the dream, he could still stand. He got out of the limo and looked at me so sad. I wrapped my arms around his neck and cried, “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.” He said it was HE who was sorry he had to leave me like that. I pulled away from him and said, “You know how much I love you, right?” He said of course he did. I said, “Well, I’ve met someone wonderful and I love him, too. I can’t leave him now.” His eyes softened and he wrapped me in his arms and whispered into my hair, “It’s ok. It’s ok. It’s ok.” And…I woke up. Three times in a week he’s been in my dreams and he hasn’t been here that much in the last four and a half years. I think it’s because I’ve brought Mr. FixIt here to Colorado…turf that, up until now, belonged to Mr. Virgo and me.

\n

It was still dark…the first hint of daylight tinting the eastern sky. I lay there quietly, listening to the soft breathing of this wonderful man I have come to love. “It’s ok. It’s ok. It’s ok.” I smiled in the darkness, snuggled closer, and went back to sleep.

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We were up bright and early yesterday. Lots to do…doctor’s appointment and pick up the replacement thermostat (it’s still not in after two more stops in the RV dealer). We went out for breakfast then stopped to visit Mr. Virgo’s grave. I left one of the painted rocks that I’ve found recently that said “I love your smile!” It made ME smile. Then I took Mr. FixIt up to Rifle Falls State Park. In all the years I lived here, I had never been there. We hiked up to the top, took lots of pictures, and headed back to town to take my brother out to dinner again. Afterwards, we stopped at the grocery store and ran into Rob and Jordan, two young men from Virginia who had built this funky trailer from scratch and are on a five month trek across the country. They have a YouTube channel called Fantasy Jive ( www.youtube.com/channel/U… ) What an adventure!

\n\"#CruisinCabana\"\n

A trip to Lowe’s rounded out the day. We needed some wire connectors and wire stripper for the thermostat project. With the groceries put away, we finally had time to sit in our new chairs and listen to the river rushing through the canyon as the sun set. We stayed the last two nights at Glenwood Canyon Resort…one of the most beautiful places to camp in Colorado, in my opinion. While the sites are rather close together, there’s nothing like sitting and staring up at the steep canyon walls directly across the river from your campsite. Trains run through the canyon at all hours, but if you’re like me, they make you smile.

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Today we break camp and head on to our next stop on this adventure. Stay tuned to see what we are up to next!❤️

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“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”\n‭‭John‬ ‭14:16-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-07-26T01:55:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/26/road-trip-day-twentyanother-day.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Love","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/24/road-trip-day-eighteenfort-collins.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Eighteen...\"Fort Collins\"", "content_html": "\"EPIC\n

Located sixty-five miles north of Denver, Fort Collins is a bustling college town with plenty to see and do. Shopping, restaurants and abundant recreational opportunities will keep you occupied for days. We gathered as a family to cheer on our oldest grandchild as she competed in the State Swim Meet. She did very well, carving time off her personal bests. Her greatest competition is herself. She is humble and hard working. It was a joy and honor to attend and watch the young woman she is becoming.

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We all stayed in the Historic Timnath Hotel located just across I-25 in the little village of Timnath. Now a private residence, this lovely building has been lovingly restored and was quite comfortable to stay in and cook our meals. You can rent it on Air B&B. I am so grateful to have such a loving extended family. We especially enjoyed sitting out on the balcony talking till late as we enjoyed the cool of the evening.

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Last night, the rest of the family came over and fifteen of us celebrated the 88th birthday of the matriarch of the family. It was such a delight! Today we head to the mountains for a week of camping. I’m a little nervous about pulling the camper up real mountains with this truck. I’ll feel much better when I get this first day behind me. We need to stop at Camping World and buy a new thermostat for the air conditioner. It has become unreliable. I did manage to get it to work by using a can of compressed air to clean out any dust and dirt that has accumulated on the switch contacts. But there is nothing worse than arriving at a campground in the heat of July or August only to discover the AC isn’t working. Better to just fix it.

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I hope you have a Happy Monday! ❤️

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“You’ll travel safely, you’ll neither tire nor trip. You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry, you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, Because GOD will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:23-26‬ ‭MSG‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-07-24T01:55:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/24/road-trip-day-eighteenfort-collins.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Grace","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/23/road-trip-day-seventeenfamily-first.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Seventeen...\"Family First\"", "content_html": "



I’ve known Mr. FixIt for nearly fifty years. He’s gregarious and fun and funny. He’s everyone’s best friend and, just like me, he has never known a stranger. He fits into every crowd, can talk on a number of subjects, and always has something to contribute to conversations. When I found myself with the opportunity to be in a relationship with my long time friend, of course I jumped at the chance. I had no doubt that he would fit right into my family. It’s like he’s always been a part of us and I couldn’t be happier. You know, Mr. Virgo wasn’t my first marriage. There were two before him. My daughter laughs and calls me Elizabeth…as in Taylor. It wasn’t my plan to have this many men in my life. It was my destiny.

Yesterday was the best day! Family time, time spent exploring Fort Collins, and then the other grandparents joined us in the afternoon. My daughter and son-in-law went to a wedding and the grandparents and grandchildren stayed home and cooked a nice dinner. Afterwards we all sat on the deck and visited as the sun set. We watched the bats come out and pick off the mosquitoes. We watched the neighborhood rabbits forage in the overgrown yard of an abandoned house across the street. Just after dusk, we heard the calls of a pack of coyotes beyond the river. The oppressive heat of the day gave way to the first cool breeze of the night and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief. I try to spend every moment I can sitting outdoors when the weather permits it. Winters seem so dreadfully long when I can’t go out after dark and enjoy the front porch.

Today is an action packed day of fun with the grandchildren then we head back to Denver to prepare for our camping adventure that begins on Monday. I can’t wait to tell you about the campgrounds and all the sites we will be visiting in the coming week. I get to see my brother and my friends and make more introductions. I am so blessed! ❤️

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV

\n", "date_published": "2017-07-23T03:55:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/23/road-trip-day-seventeenfamily-first.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","The Grand Adventure","Gratitude","Love","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/22/road-trip-day-sixteentour-director.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Sixteen...\"Tour Director\"", "content_html": "\"Rocky\n

I get the biggest kick out of showing people places they’ve never seen…especially when it’s a place I love so much. Colorado was my home for forty years and it’s truly spectacular. Mr. FixIt has never been here so I’m having a blast watching him explore. Yesterday we went up to Rocky Mountain National Park. We no sooner got there till the skies opened up and a major thunderstorm blew in. I pulled into the parking area at Sheep Lake and turned off the engine. Mr. FixIt asked what we were looking at. I pointed up high in the mountains and said, “See that lightning? That’s where we’re going. I’m going to wait till it breaks up a bit.” He looked up at the high peaks and I could read a lot on his face. “Cool!” “Man, that’s high!” “I’ve got the coolest girlfriend on the planet!” Well, ok…I could be projecting that last part. lol

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Once the storm let up a little, we proceeded on through the park and turned right to go up Old Fall River Road. To me, that’s the only way to approach Trail Ridge Road from the east. We drove past the site where the flash flood several years ago brought down an alluvial fan for the record books. Shortly after the falls at the fan, you jog to the right and start up the mountain on a narrow, single lane dirt road with no guard rails. Majesty comes into view at every turn, be it waterfalls or sheer drop offs, abundant wildlife or above-treeline vistas. Mr. FixIt said his neck hurt from flipping his head back and forth trying to take it all in. The road is seven-and-a-half miles long and with all the stops and pulling over to let the faster cars by, it took five hours. But, that included a stop for coffee at the restaurant at the top of Trail Ridge Road. It was 49 degrees and really windy at the top. You seriously feel like you’re on top of the world up there. Mr. FixIt was beside himself!

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We are staying with my kids, grandkids, and son-in-law’s parents in a historic hotel and have the whole place to ourselves. We got back in time last night to grill burgers and have salad and corn on the cob. Summer is such a wonderful time of year. Mr. FixIt kept thanking me all day for showing him such a good time. It is so incredibly sweet when you’re on the happy side of life, isn’t it? To be appreciated…and told so??? What a gift that we get to give away to each other! Life is so good! ❤️

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“In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭95:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-07-22T01:55:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/22/road-trip-day-sixteentour-director.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Grace","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/16/road-trip-day-tenshe-is.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Ten...\"She Is My Crown\"", "content_html": "\"Girl\n

Dear God in Heaven…thank you for bringing this small human into my life! She and her sister are the delights of my life. Yesterday was our semi-annual “Nana and Little’s Day of Fun!” Each grandchild gets to pick and choose what they want to do with Nana, where and what they want to eat, and how the day and night will play out. Big is thirteen now so we pretty much go shopping and have lunch although last summer she did want to go to the Denver Aquarium with me. Little is only ten and she is still all about the fun we can have. Her day is always centered around shopping, doing a craft or baking, and a sleepover in TOW-Wanda. She told everyone at the mall what the significance of the day was and what we’ve done and what we’re going to do. She’s like me…gregarious, funny, creative. Her sister is the thinker, brilliant, caring…strong and tender.

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Little always comes up with the funniest things. She is deep and profound and hilariously, seriously funny. Our first stop was 2nd & Charles…a bookstore where you can sell or trade your old books, movies, CD’s…even vinyl. There are three bins out front filled with free stuff. Yesterday, I picked up a book by Michael Moore, a cookbook with gluten free recipes, a Dr. Who Christmas Ornament still in the box, and Audubon’s Field Guide on Insects and Spiders of North America. Not a bad haul. As little and I rummaged through what was left in the bins, she came across a coloring activity sheet from either a Sunday School or Vacation Bible School. Jesus was standing with several children and someone had placed a sticker over his mouth. Little turned to me and said…“Nana…I can’t tell if this is Jesus or a Jedi.” For some reason that just totally cracked us both up and the more we laughed, the funnier it got. Joy…sheer joy. This is my reward for being puked on at 3:00am…for putting up with a sassy pants teenaged girl…for the pain of letting her grow and get married and move to the opposite end of the country. This. This sweet child and her sister.

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Last night was dinner out with the other grandparents and a viewing of the first Harry Potter movie with popcorn. We “camped” in the driveway in TOW-Wanda. This morning is church with my girl. My heart is so full. ❤️

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“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-07-16T01:55:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/16/road-trip-day-tenshe-is.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","Love","Wisdom","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/14/road-trip-day-eightwhat-a.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Eight...\"What a Feeling!\"", "content_html": "\"Altitude\n

There’s nothing like feeling really good after feeling really bad. I was so miserable Wednesday…too tired, too much junk food, too much altitude, not enough water and I was laid low. Nancy, one of my Colorado readers, sent me a message yesterday first thing and suggested I try to find some “Altitude Adjustment”…a nutritional supplement that helps your body adjust to the changes our bodies go through at elevation. I don’t know the science behind it, but if they told me twirling a chicken over my head would have made me feel better, I’d have been heading to the nearest barnyard. I was willing to try anything because I didn’t want to spend another day miserable. Nancy even offered to meet me halfway to deliver some if I needed her to. I called the number on the back of the package from the picture she sent and got the name of the nearest store that carried Altitude Adjustment and took it right away. I drank three bottles of water. My son-in-law’s mom insisted I eat something and made me an egg sandwich. And within an hour, I felt great. I spent the day out with my daughter and grandchildren and last night we all got together to celebrate birthdays and an anniversary. It was a great day!

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Also, my latest post on the Sisters on the Fly Blog series “Getting Bolder” went live yesterday. It is always so exciting to see that! You can catch it here…

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www.sistersonthefly.com/getting-b…

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Thank you for your kind words of support yesterday. I never feel entirely alone with God..and all of you out there! ❤️

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“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.””\n‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭15:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-07-14T01:55:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/14/road-trip-day-eightwhat-a.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Sisters on the Fly","Positive Energy","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/12/road-trip-day-sixi-made.html", "title": "Road Trip: Day Six...\"I Made It!\"", "content_html": "\"GPS\"\n

OMGosh! I thought it was going to take forever to get here. With the long drive day on Monday, I was sure hoping today would go better. My good friend Diane called me Monday night and said, “I’m waiting to read about the fun part in this. Why on earth are you doing this if it’s so miserable?” And, my answer depends on when you ask. If you would have asked me Monday evening, I’d be hard pressed to come up with a good reason. But, if you asked me Thursday and Friday when I was camping with my gal pals, I’d tell you that’s the best. And if you ask me right this minute while TOW-Wanda is tucked in the shade at Ben and Sue’s house and my grandkids are here, I’d tell you this is the best. And, on the 24th, when Mr. FixIt and I head to the high country to camp for a week, I’ll tell you that’s the best. I will tell you this…the very worst day pulling a camper cross-country through Kansas in July at 103 degrees with no air conditioning STILL beats the very best day at work…hands down!

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Yesterday wasn’t as windy so the trailer wasn’t getting buffeted around so it was a much easier drive. It wasn’t quite so hot. It was a relatively short drive day. And, I slept eleven hours Monday night so I was rearing to go! I love a road trip…even when things don’t always go smoothly. It presents me with opportunities to work out problems on my own. And, even though I have this wonderful man in my life now, I’ll still be traveling on my own sometimes. It’s what I do. I’m not giving that part of my new life away. I’m accommodating Mr. FixIt INTO my new life, just as he is accommodating me into his.

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As I was driving along yesterday morning, I finally came across a Starbucks that was easily accessible. Yay! But what I found in the truck stop store was a bigger WOW! I love those big truck stop stores. They always have hard-to-find accessories. When I was in the wreck in February, everything made it out of my truck except the piece that attaches my Garmin GPS to the windshield. I had jury rigged something that sort of worked until the afternoon sun melted the adhesive. I found the replacement piece in that truck stop store yesterday and I was ecstatic! Problem solved. And, this mount is even better than the original! Score!

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I’m really looking forward to some lay-low days with family this week. I want to thank God first and foremost for travel mercies and thank all of you for your prayers and love and light sent out for my protection. I didn’t even see a single fender bender. God is the best and you all are, too! ❤️

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“Here’s what will happen. While you’re out among the nations where GOD has dispersed you and the blessings and curses come in just the way I have set them before you, and you and your children take them seriously and come back to GOD, your God, and obey him with your whole heart and soul according to everything that I command you today, GOD, your God, will restore everything you lost; he’ll have compassion on you; he’ll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you were scattered. No matter how far away you end up, GOD, your God, will get you out of there and bring you back to the land your ancestors once possessed. It will be yours again. He will give you a good life and make you more numerous than your ancestors.”\n‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:1-5‬ ‭MSG‬‬

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\n", "date_published": "2017-07-12T01:55:03-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/12/road-trip-day-sixi-made.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Gratitude","God"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/05/a-room-with-a-view.html", "title": "A Room With A View", "content_html": "

\n\"Greenery\n

The last few nights have been insufferably hot and muggy in the farmhouse. There is a room air conditioner in the living room, but unless you’re sleeping on the couch, it doesn’t effectively cool down the house and ends up running up the electric bill to no avail. The best alternative is TOW-Wanda. Equipped with fans and open windows, it’s been pretty darned comfortable out there. I will miss this view of the bank along the driveway here at the farm. The lush green of West Virginia summers may bring bugs and humidity, but the foliage is a sight to see any given day of the week. Colorado is semi-arid so it is a sharp contrast from here. At least it’s a dry heat, right?

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I emptied out the belly of the camper yesterday and cleaned the floors. I reorganized the contents of the big tub of odds and ends I keep down there. After repacking, I cleaned out the fridge, scrubbed the floors and vacuumed the carpets. The pantry needs vacuumed and wiped out then restocked. The bathroom needs a good scrubbing and I need to organize the storage under the bed and in various cabinets. Since this new truck doesn’t have the torque the old one had, I need to be more conscious about my weight.

\n

I’ve made a list of last minute items for the trip. I’ll go into town for those today. Tomorrow I head out on another segment of The Grand Adventure. The longest Mr. FixIt and I have been separated was when I went to Colorado for a month at Christmas. We didn’t like it one bit. I so wanted to tell you about that homecoming back then but it was not the right time. I can tell you now. I flew in and out of Dayton because it is SO much cheaper and my dear friend Cindy lets me park at her house so I don’t have to pay for parking. That drive to the farm from Dayton felt like it took forever. I knew Mr. FixIt was at the farm waiting for me and I could hardly contain myself. It was after dark when I pulled into the driveway and I stopped dead in my tracks. For the first time since I was a child, the house was decorated. There were trees lit on the front porch and a large lit-up star on the second floor above the porch between the two windows! It made me cry. I jumped out of my truck and ran into the house squealing like a little girl. Mr. FixIt walked out from the living room and I stopped, mouth agape. He was wearing charcoal dress pants, a crisp white shirt, and a red sweater vest. He took my breath away and I knew…anyone who would do this for me was a keeper. He knew how much Christmas means to me and how much I love this house. He knew I missed having a country Christmas at the farm, so he made sure I had one on my return. What a wonderful guy!

\n

My babies live in Colorado. I have to see them as often as I can. In the meantime, Mr. FixIt has obligations he must attend to here. We couldn’t stand the thought of being apart two whole months so he’s flying out to join me for three weeks in the middle of my trip so he can meet the family. We’ll go camping and sightseeing as he has never spent time in Colorado. The kitties are covered, the farm is being watched, my sweetheart is coming to see me, and I get to spend quality time with my girls! What’s not to love about that? Sweetness. Sheer sweetness! ❤️

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“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”\n‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:9-12‬ ‭NIV

\n", "date_published": "2017-07-05T01:55:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/05/a-room-with-a-view.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Love","God","Wisdom","Peaceful Moments","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/03/the-weekend-walkabout.html", "title": "The Weekend Walkabout", "content_html": "

 

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I’m a procrastinator. I have a list as long as my arm to prepare for this trip west. I could have spent the entire day yesterday cleaning and organizing the trailer, doing laundry, straightening up the house. But yesterday was the Lord’s day, so Mr. FixIt and I went to church first. The rest of the day was ours. We went my mother’s family’s reunion and made the introductions. Mutual admiration was expressed. Everyone loves Mr. FixIt. He’s highly personable and, like me, strangers are just friends he hasn’t met yet. We went from there to the City Park and wandered around the carnival. We played a few cards of bingo. We went to a car show. We stopped and visited friends. One of the coolest things about dating Mr. FixIt is…we have a ton of mutual friends so the comfort level is already there. It’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done. This man knows people wherever we go. Literally. My family reunion? A guy that worked at the plant. Church? The daughter of a friend in his bowling league. Car show? Two guys we went to high school with. It’s crazy…and SO fun!

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We ended the day with dinner out.

\n

We.

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We’ve been “us” for several months now yet it still surprises us sometimes. Because I have been trying to keep him under wraps, my posts have always been “I”. Now that we’ve decided to “go live” so to speak, there seems to be a bit of a learning curve. Like remembering to introduce the other. We’re at that point in our relationship where we’ve just passed this margin threshold where we have built up enough recent memories together to say …“Remember when we…” Oh, I love that! The icing on the cake is our shared memories from high school. I actually remember him from 2nd grade but he has no memory of me back then.

\n

We.

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Odd…but so lovely and exciting and full of promise. I love when he tells stories of “us”. I love that he got teary eyed when he read some of your comments about finding each other. I love that even though he had a difficult childhood, he is a kind, gentle, peaceful man. I love how he reaches for my hand when we stand to worship and pray in church. I love this man…my lifelong friend…my best friend.

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Someone commented yesterday that she didn’t understand my once a pickle, always a pickle analogy meaning I will always be a widow. The thing is, grief has no rule book. She felt remarrying meant she was no longer a widow. At what point does the pain of grief become fond memories? It’s different for everyone. And grief is variable by time. You can be fine, think it’s gone, truly fall in love, yet still be blindsided by a chance encounter, or the smell of familiar cologne. The way the light slants in at supper time. The sound of your grandchildren playing. Memories remain alive when you feed them. No, I’ll always be a widow. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be joyful. And crazy in love. ❤️

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“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”\n‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-07-03T01:55:23-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/03/the-weekend-walkabout.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Hope","Fun","Gratitude","Love","God"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/07/01/when-i-becomes-we.html", "title": "When \"I\" Becomes \"We\"", "content_html": "\"Two\n

You could knock me over with a feather. I never, ever dreamed I would get another chance at a deep, loving relationship after losing Mr. Virgo. I’ve walked this path of widowhood for over four years now. At first, I was adamant. I would never have another relationship because I would never go through this again. It was just too hard. I had an ill-advised attempt at dating just five months after my husband died suddenly. It didn’t take me long to figure out that was a bandaid that I hastily slapped on the gaping hole where my heart had been. When I ripped that bandage off, the pain was even more unbearable. I didn’t try again for another year. My second attempt wasn’t much better. Both were perfectly nice men. They just weren’t for me. And the timing was still too soon. I had a lot of healing to do before I could risk dating so I made up my mind I’d just give it to God. I told Him if He had someone for me He’d have to just dump him in my lap because I wasn’t going out there looking anymore. It was too hard on me and it wasn’t fair to involve men and break hearts along the way.

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I’ve kept myself busy. I’ve traveled. I’ve deepened my relationship with God because He became my primary focus. My writing grew in depth and meaning. My reach broadened. I had everything I needed. But I still wanted someone to share it all with. I was planning to live up at the river again when I came back to West Virginia last August. Then I got the call that my aunt wasn’t doing well and was going to go live with her brother. My uncle asked me to live on the family farm. And I put down more roots than I’ve had since I sold my Colorado house three years ago. It has been an amazing time of healing for me. I have a wonderful group of friends and a rich social life here.

\n

Sometime in the fall, I ran into an old friend from high school. I’ve known him for almost 49 years. I was fifteen and he was sixteen when we met. He was on the stage crew and I was in the art department. One day I was up on a ladder painting a backdrop. I heard someone clear his throat. I looked over and there was this tall, lanky redhead with the most beautiful blue eyes and an impish grin. We became fast friends and always looked for each other in the halls. Funny…we never dated in high school. We were both shy. We both went on and dated others and after graduation, our paths went in different directions. We never forgot each other though and were always so happy to catch up at class reunions.

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Sometime before Thanksgiving, we ran into each other and the timing was finally right for us. He invited me out for lunch and the rest, as they say, is history. He understands me. He is tender and sensitive to my needs as a widow. He has made room in our relationship for Mr. Virgo because he realizes he is only gone physically. He listens to my stories. He knows Mr. Virgo would have been the kind of guy he would have respected and enjoyed being around.

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I’ve been leaving breadcrumbs for you here. I’ve spoken of “my friend”, “my traveling companion”, and even his blog identity…“Mr. FixIt”. He has fixed many things for me…around the farm, around my heart, around my life. He is so much fun to be around. Sweet, attentive, open, honest to a fault…an honorable man I am proud to be with. We wanted to keep this to ourselves for a while for a number of reasons…not the least of which was just savoring every moment with it being just us. Now, we’re ready to step out into the world and walk through anything life hands us…hand in hand. I wasn’t sure how to tell you. I am not sure how this news will be received. But, since the very beginning, this blog has been about speaking openly and honestly about my grief journey…and this is just another twisty turn in it. My grief is not over. It will never be over. I’ve gotten through the worst of it, by far. Even though I’m in a relationship, I am still a widow. Once a pickle, always a pickle…you don’t get to go back to being a fresh cucumber again. I have always wanted my story to be about my love for God and to give you hope. Hope that, if you want to travel, pull a little camper, write a blog, or fall in love again…you can. Life comes to a screeching halt after the death of a spouse. Everyone’s grief is different…but, you CAN find joy again. I’m living proof of that.

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I hope you will stick around and see what comes next. I hope you’ll share the love and joy and hope. It’s all about beauty. It’s all about love. It’s all about life. ❤️

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“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?”\n‭‭Amos‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-07-01T01:55:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/07/01/when-i-becomes-we.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love","God","Wisdom","Aging","Starting Over"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/06/11/what-lies-beneath.html", "title": "What Lies Beneath", "content_html": "\"Old\n

I was awake bright and early yesterday. I love staying at my cousin’s house up on North Mountain. They have a pavilion overlooking a pond. We had a cookout Friday night and a lovely visit. I went to sleep to the sound of whip-poor-wills and awoke to the lowing of cattle at dawn. I left around 8:00 and headed to visit my uncle and two aunts. I took my uncle for a ride in my new truck and ran errands. We had a nice lunch and I picked some sour pie cherries before heading home.

\n\"Sites\n

The drive back to the farm takes you through an area called Seneca Rocks. There are some really amazing rock formations. A climbing school teaches people to take advantage of the sheer, vertical rock walls. For the less adventurous, horseback rides are available that take you the long way around and very close to the top. You can hike the rest of the way up. I’ve done that before…it was amazing! There are two old timey stores and a restaurant. One of my favorite things is the old Sites Homestead…especially when they are holding a special event like yesterday’s quilt show. Women were sitting around quilting or preparing long rag strips to make rag rugs out of. I had a lovely conversation with the Heritage Gardener. I was going to quiz her to see if she knew what that awesome “hairy berry” plant was that I found this week and when I turned to her…there was a huge Wine Berry bush right there. Go figure!

\n\"The\n

As my new friend showed me around the homestead, she gave me a tour of the historic quilts. Most of the quilters were identified as well as where they lived, when the quilt was made, and the name of the quilt pattern. She made a point to show me this one particular quilt. It was hung so that the sun could shine through it. She pointed out the quilt within the quilt…a Double Wedding Band covered by a Dresden Plate when the old quilt got too worn. When I saw that, it reminded me of the resiliency of the Spirit. When we are tattered and worn, broken seemingly beyond repair…the Spirit cleanses us and makes us new again when we ask. It’s so simple…so remarkable…such a miracle. I loved the frugal nature of the quilter…nothing was wasted.

\n\"Sour\n

I arrived home as the sun was setting. I sat in the backyard and listened to my own whip-poor-wills. The mama robin swooping in to feed her nestlings. The kitty rubbing my legs, welcoming me home. The deer foraging on the hillside. The possum ambling out from behind the barn hoping to get a bite or two of cat food. I sighed…a contented smile on my face. Another day in Paradise! ❤️

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”\n‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-06-11T01:55:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/06/11/what-lies-beneath.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Hope","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","God","Wisdom"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/05/08/old-time-religion.html", "title": "Old Time Religion", "content_html": "\"Old-fashioned\n

Some of my earliest memories surround the little white church on the hill a couple miles from the farm. We only had a handful of people come every Sunday. We had a circuit preacher who came every six weeks or so. You dressed for church back then. And you dressed extra special on preaching Sunday. We got a stick of Beeman’s gum, or maybe Juicy Fruit, to keep our little mouths fresh…and busy. Grandma tied a shiny dime in the corner of a hanky and gave it to us for the collection plate. We were threatened within an inch of our lives to be good. You never, ever wanted to cross Grandma.

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We were never made to go to a Revival. Maybe Grandma knew that was too much to ask from a little girl as fidgety as me, I don’t know. But that was one experience I never had. Since the hellfire and brimstone style of Preacher Simon scared me away from church at the ripe old age of seven, it was pretty much a moot point. I remember feeling intrigued by those tent revivals I saw popping up in rural areas, though. The big tents had no sides and bare light bulbs were strung above rows of white folding chairs. Earnest people crowded into standing-room-only tents and churches to do…something. Sing? Shout? Handle snakes and drink poison? What did I know? I heard stories. I didn’t want to have anything to do with it. Till last night. I’m using the word “want” loosely. I was certainly curious.

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I got the call yesterday from my cousin/friend asking me to come to the Revival with the added caveat that Johnnie Staats was playing. I’d walk ten miles to see Johnny Staats play so since I had no other plans and I can always use a good dose of Jesus, I agreed to go. I arrived at 6:30 and visited with some old familiar faces till the music started at 7:00. Johnny didn’t disappoint and it’s true…good Gospel music brings on the familiar goosebumps I attribute to faith experiences. The young pastor and the lead singer encouraged anyone who wanted to say something to speak up. After “Go Rest High on That Mountain”, I could not hold back the tears. I could literally feel the spirits of my ancestry joining in and rose to say so. I spoke of being born into that little church sixty-four years ago, how my Grandpa and his brother, Red, were the lay ministers when it wasn’t preaching Sunday, how my Uncle Bob rang the church bell without fail. Mine were not the only tears as others remembered those who have gone on before.

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Finally, the young pastor got down to delivering a right sprightly sermon on the many names of God that was really quite interesting. It was fascinating to see the same jumping up and down, yelling style of that pastor of old through sixty-four year old eyes instead of that frightened little girl who peed her pants out of fear. I could look past some of the dogma differences in our particular denominations to enjoy the fellowship of kith and kin. At the end of three hours…yes, three hours…the altar call came. I’m a Christian. I have no problem with a good alter call. But I knew before the first notes of the song began that I was going to be called forward by the pastor. And that’s when things got really interesting.

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I have never, ever been anointed. The pastor looked at me and smiled and said, “You knew you were coming up here the minute you walked in this door didn’t you? Girl, you got God all over you!” I looked in his kind eyes and felt my shoulders relax. I smiled wanly and nodded. The pastor took out a vial of oil and anointed the sign of the cross on my forehead. He got serious and said, “You’ve gone through some pretty rough stuff…hard stuff…stuff that you didn’t think you would live through, haven’t you? As a matter of fact, you almost died, didn’t you?” I swallowed hard and nodded again. “And you’re going through something really hard now…something that has a weight on you and your smile doesn’t always meet your eyes. You have a mission and sometimes you’re not feeling worthy. Well, let me tell you…you are! You are going to walk out of here renewed and refreshed with a smile the likes of which you haven’t felt for a long, long time. Are you ready to receive that?” At this point I was smiling through my tears with my hands raised and a dozen or more people were standing around me with their hands on me…all praying fervent prayers individually as the pastor grasped my head in both his hands and beseeched God to shower blessings on me and the ministry I have been placed here to do and that I be anointed from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I am not lying…it was an exhilarating experience and I indeed felt refreshed and renewed in spirit. I felt twenty pounds lighter.

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I can see how people can be whipped to a frenzy in churches of that style. Enough to handle snakes and drink strychnine? Perhaps. I am not passing judgement in any way. What I felt was love and light. The world needs more love and light. This isn’t my style…I love the contemporary church I attend. But, last night let me see my grandparents’ church through a new lens and let me release some of the bad memories I have always associated with it. Healing is a beautiful thing. ❤️

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“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭85:6‬ ‭NIV

\n", "date_published": "2017-05-08T01:55:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/05/08/old-time-religion.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Hope","West Virginia"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/04/19/lord-take-me-home-in.html", "title": "Lord, Take Me Home in the Springtime", "content_html": "\"Cherry\n

I hated burying my mom on the coldest day of the year. It was late January and while the sky was blue, there was a bitter wind blowing on that hilltop. My Aunt Rosie and I were the only ones at the cemetery. It was just too cold for any kind of formal gathering. I could not let them put her in the ground alone though. So, I stood with a borrowed coat wrapped tight beneath my chin, shivering in the thin, January light.

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In contrast, Mr. Virgo died in the middle of March, which is a lot different in Colorado than it is here in West Virginia. Still, the day we laid him to rest, the sun was shining and it was warm enough for a light jacket. It’s funny the way your brain works when your beloved dies. I distinctly remember thinking if he had to die, at least he died in the spring when the earth was coming back to life. I didn’t have to lay him in the frozen ground. And I didn’t have to go into my grief and compound it with seasonal affective disorder. These are the things I think about while I’m driving.

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A couple of nights ago, I slept out back in TOW-Wanda. While it was wonderful to be in the camper, it stormed all night long and the only thing I could think of was that huge, old cherry tree just outside the camper. Just like the message about the rockslide a couple weeks ago, I kept getting this feeling like I had to get TOW-Wanda out of there. I need to get this tree taken out before it falls on anything…or anyone…and they can’t get any equipment back up in there with my camper parked in the driveway. I have friends who have offered to let me park TOW-Wanda at their place, but I don’t want to impose, or ruin their grass, or disturb them with coming and going as I want to camp this spring and early summer. I found a place where I can store her securely and anytime I want to take her out to camp, they’ll pull her out for me and all I have to do is hook her up and go. Then, I drop her off, and they take her around back to park her. All for $35 a month. Perfect!

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I decided I needed to get this done yesterday as we are supposed to get severe storms the next few days and I’m running out of time before I leave for the beach. Getting this huge trailer in and out of this long, narrow driveway is tricky. One of the biggest obstacles is the electric lines going up to the top of the cellar house. They hang low over the driveway. In the past, I’ve had someone hold them up with a broom while I backed under them. I didn’t have any helper yesterday and being the EVER resourceful woman that I am, I had to figure out how to do it myself. I took a long 1x2 that I found in the cellar, taped a walking stick to it, then taped the broom handle to that and…voila! It worked like a charm! The electric line nestled in the bristles of the broom and stayed right where I put it.

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Now, backing up out of the driveway was interesting. I got down to the road but I was worried about hitting the pole on the other side of the driveway. It’s a pretty busy road for being so far out in the country and the only thing I could do was slowly back out onto the blacktop. I was almost all the way out when a guy in a pickup stopped and guided me those last few feet. Easy peasy! The new truck towed fine…just doesn’t have the torque like the old one had, which I expected.

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I needed to get back to mow. As I drove through the hills, I rolled down the windows and the smell of the honeysuckle, lilac, dogwood, redbud, apple, peach, apricot, pear, and crabapple trees was so incredibly sweet. It was then that I sent up my plea to God. “When it is my time to go, please take me in the springtime so my last day will be filled with beauty such as this perfect West Virginia day.” That is all I ask. ❤️

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“yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."”\n‭‭James‬ ‭4:14-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-04-19T01:55:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/04/19/lord-take-me-home-in.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Prayer","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","West Virginia","The Farm","God"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/04/18/the-moon-bath.html", "title": "The Moon Bath", "content_html": "\"The\n

Bathing al fresco by the light of the moon was a necessity in the mid ’90s. Having a total hysterectomy caused me to wake up from anesthesia with complete menopausal symptoms on top of the surgical pain. I struggled for the next seven years till we finally got my estrogen level up to something I could live with. I had hot flashes that sat at a ten on the Richter Scale and no one wanted to be anywhere near me. I didn’t blame them…I didn’t want to be near them either. It was miserable.

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I brought my children home for visits with the family every single summer. If you have ever suffered through August in West Virginia, you’ll have some idea what Dante’s Inferno was all about. With the heat and humidity, one could not begin to imagine running a bath or taking anything but a cold shower. I’m not sure how it began, but along about the time my youngest was three or four years old, we started taking “Moon Baths”. Where that tub sits in this picture, there used to be a 50 gallon drum to catch the rainwater. A few years ago, it didn’t get emptied in the fall and when it froze, the bottom busted out of it. Since then, there’s been a galvanized tub strategically placed at either corner of the bathroom addition to catch the rain.

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One night back in the mid ’90s, I was so sticky hot and Daughter #2 had just about had it with the whole “let’s go visit grandma and watch eggs fry on the sidewalk” thing. I was carrying groceries in the back door when I looked over and saw that cool water in the water barrel and all I wanted to do was drop everything and stick my head in it. As soon as it was dark enough and everyone had turned in for the night, my Little and I grabbed a bucket of warm water from the bathroom and carried it outside. She looked at me with some trepidation. I smiled and said, “Trust me!” We gathered bar soap, shampoo, wash cloths, towels and clean night clothes and headed for the backyard. I explained, with great authority, that we were about to take our very first “Moon Bath”. I stripped down to my all-together and Little happily followed suit. We soaped up with the warm, sudsy water from the bucket, lathered our hair, then took that enamel saucepan off the nail and dipped fresh, cool rainwater over us to rinse off. We squealed with delight at the shock of water that felt so cold at first but soon felt perfect as we acclimated. Squeaky clean and refreshed, we dried off and dressed for bed. It became a nightly ritual and I think we continued to do that every visit till Little got too big.

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My time in West Virginia now is opposite of what it used to be. I spend my summers in the rather temperate climate (comparatively) of Colorado. It is semi-arid there and a shower indoors is not a bad thing. But, should I spend any hot August nights here again, you can rest assured I’ll be bathing in the moonlight at the corner of “ooooh” and “aaaah”! ❤️

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“Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,”\n‭‭Genesis‬ ‭18:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-04-18T01:55:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/04/18/the-moon-bath.html", "tags": ["Family","Strong Women","Positive Energy","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/04/12/days-gone-by.html", "title": "Days Gone By", "content_html": "\"Outhouse\"\n

My friend V is an artist. We were going to paint yesterday but one thing led to another and we didn’t get to. I hope we can another time. When we explored the farm, V snapped several photos that I just love. This will bring back memories to many of you. When I was growing up in town, we had all the modern conveniences. But grandma’s house didn’t have indoor plumbing till I was six or seven. Up until then, this was the toilet. The bath was in a galvanized tub on the kitchen floor. Laundry was done in a gas-powered wringer washer on the back porch after many years of scrubbing on a washboard. The laundry hung on the line. I still remember how stiff and scratchy the towels were when they air dried but oh…the sheets were divine.

\n

When we were rummaging around in the barn, we found pants stretchers. Who remembers using those? We always used them on the men’s work pants. They are a metal frame that you slipped into each pants leg, then stretched it out tight till the pants were smooth and had a crease in the front and back. That was before permanent press.

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We also found an old telephone that was pretty cool. I do not recall seeing that in this house, but I wouldn’t swear it wasn’t from here. Those weren’t easier times and I will bet my grandma wouldn’t have called them simpler either. But it was an honest time where you went to bed tired, you burned your calories working, and you sure as heck didn’t have GMO’s on your plate. You were frugal and fixed things. You mended sheets, darned socks, took the buttons and zippers off worn out clothing before they went in the rag bag or the quilting stack. You didn’t sass back or you found yourself on the receiving end of a hickory switch. If you wanted something, you earned it. If you lied or cursed, you got your mouth washed out with soap. If you were good, you got to lick the beaters or ride to town to farmer’s market.

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Those may not have been easy times, but in many ways, they were the best of times. In others, they were not. Discrimination, inequality….I’d love to say they’re gone, but I’m afraid they’re not. Hopefully things will become more peaceful and loving again. It hurts my heart to see some of the things in the world. I have wonderful memories here and I get to live them all over again. Days Gone By are here again. ❤️

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“I remember the days gone by; I think about all that you have done, I bring to mind all your deeds.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭143:5‬ ‭GNT‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-04-12T01:55:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/04/12/days-gone-by.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Positive Energy","West Virginia","The Farm"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/04/10/the-easter-parade.html", "title": "The Easter Parade", "content_html": "\"Tractor\n

This is what an Easter Parade looks like out in the country. Normally, I would be in town at church on any given Sunday. But yesterday I just didn’t feel good…wicked headache. I have company coming today and had lots to do, so I stayed home. A friend brought me some ginger ale and medicine for my tummy and I just fiddled around the yard and the house all day. It felt good to just lay low. I even missed a concert last night that I had been looking forward to. But sometimes self care wins.

\n

As I was pulling the overgrown grape vine out of the spirea bush out front, I heard a tractor coming up the road. I could see there was a wagon and horses and lots of people so I went back up to the house for my phone. I couldn’t miss an opportunity like this!

\n

The gentleman on the tractor there is a relative of mine…second cousin twice removed or some such thing. These are good country folk. Hard working, God fearing, fun loving people. They gathered after church and came up the road in a community outreach to invite people to the Revival in May. They stopped for a visit and gave me a potted petunia. It warmed my heart.

\n

I’ve changed a lot since I’ve moved back to West Virginia. I grew up here so I’m no stranger to the simple life. But I lived in Colorado for 40 years…well over half of that as a doctor’s wife. I got used to a different lifestyle. I drove a Mercedes. I wore a fur. I had a big house and didn’t have to work. I was a spoiled princess. After Mr. Virgo died, I didn’t want that anymore. I didn’t want the big house and all the stuff. I got rid of just about all of it. And bought a truck. And a camper. And drove and drove and drove in search of the real me. God knew I needed to “come home to WV”. When the opportunity to farm-sit came by, I didn’t miss a beat and gladly jumped at the chance to live in my Grandma’s house.

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I’ve come to appreciate simplicity. Country folk are good folk. I knew something had changed in me when my fur coat made me uncomfortable. It wasn’t me anymore. I feel more real than I have in most of my adult life. I’m so much softer and genuine. And happy. I couldn’t understand the allure of West Virginia before. I used to get so angry with my mother when I’d try to get her to come to Colorado to live. She insisted she live here. Now I get it. There will probably come a time when I’ll move back to Colorado to be near my kids. But not just yet. There is much more growing…much more healing…much more love to be shared here first. For now, I am home. ❤️

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“A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life. The rich can be sued for everything they have, but the poor are free of such threats.”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13:7-8‬ ‭MSG‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-04-10T01:55:25-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/04/10/the-easter-parade.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","West Virginia","The Farm"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/04/09/spring-tonic.html", "title": "Spring Tonic", "content_html": "\"Girl\n

When I was a very young child, both of my grandmothers decided I was far too pale. There must be something wrong with me. So, they set to work with their home remedies to fix what ailed me.

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My paternal grandmother decided I had worms. She went to the spice cabinet and pulled out the powdered sage, dumped a heaping tablespoon into a teacup and stirred in boiling water. No sugar. No honey. No cream. Just sage, sage, sage. Sage tea. It was “good fer what ails ye”. I have no words to describe how horrible it was. And, I had to sit there till I drank the whole thing. Which I did. It isn’t polite to discuss the gastric ramifications of said elixir in mixed company. Suffice it to say, the physical response was proof to my grandmother that she was correct and now I would be fine. I don’t know about worms, but I can assure you I hate sage dressing, sage sausage…anything that’s been sitting in the same cabinet as sage. Horrid stuff.

\n

My maternal grandmother had an entirely different bit of magic in her arsenal. On the first good, warm spring day, grandma would take me hiking up into the woods behind the house. She would browse along, looking at young saplings, and before long, she’d reach down and yank one up, roots and all. Instantly the air was filled with a tangy sweetness that reminded me of root beer. She pulled two or three of these and we headed back to the house. After washing away the dirt, grandma took her trusty potato peeler and stripped away thin slices of the bark from the roots. She told me this was sassafras and it would clean my blood after the stagnant air of the winter.

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Grandma placed several of the slips of bark into an old coffee cup, put some sugar on top, and poured piping hot water fresh from the rainwater cistern over it and stirred the concoction. After steeping a bit, she fished out the roots and poured in a little cream to soften and cool the tea. It was deep pink and gave off the most delightful aroma. I happily sat on the kitchen stool, “whoooo-ing” off the heat, and sipping this nectar of the gods. I was in heaven!

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Needless to say, sassafras tea wins in the “good for what ails ya” category. Yes, if you Google it, there is scientific evidence if you take one of the components in sassafras and make a concentration a gazillion times stronger than you could ingest in a lifetime and inject into the abdomens of lab rats, they can get cancer. One cup in the springtime has never caused me ill effect and it’s a rite of spring for me so I’ll take my chances. There may be no proven benefits of sassafras tea, other than it can take me back to my grandma’s kitchen in one sip, no matter where I may be in the world. Sipping it here on the farm was a real treat yesterday as I sat in the sunshine and worked the crossword.

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And, hey…it tasted even better in my Girl Camper mug (although, in this picture, it looks all the world like “God Camper” which I suppose is even more accurate!) that I got from the Girl Camper herself…Janine Pettit!!!

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Spring…a time for renewal and growth, indeed. ❤️

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“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”\n‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-04-09T01:55:22-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/04/09/spring-tonic.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","West Virginia","The Farm","Wisdom","Girl Camper"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/04/07/anniversaries-and-stuff.html", "title": "Anniversaries and Stuff", "content_html": "\"Daffodils\"\n

As is typical in the spring, yesterday was vastly different than the day before. Wednesday was a brilliant, sunny, warm spring day. After mowing the lawn, I sat in the sunshine on the porch and it got downright hot out there…80 degrees! Yesterday? Not so much. As the south braced for another day of severe weather, we received the aftereffects of the storm front as it came through. It was wet, grey and cold. The thermometer on the front porch hovered at 40° all afternoon and I was chilled through and through.

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I hit the taxes hard yesterday, determined I was going to struggle through them and finish so I wouldn’t have that hanging over my head all weekend. Thank goodness for TurboTax. It’s almost foolproof because there’s no way I can make heads or tails of the old way of doing them. Grief brain has changed the way my brain functions. That, and age. I just don’t have the patience. As it was, it took me a week and a half to get everything done. I swear every year I’ll be more organized but there I was again…searching through my newly updated and balanced check register, recording all my deductions.

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I always sit in my rocking chair in front of the dining room window when I write my blog post. As I sat gazing out at the ever greening countryside, listening to the steady hiss of a gentle rain on the tin roof, I sipped my afternoon tea and contemplated how different my life is now. Ten years ago today, I married Mr. Virgo. Ten years. A decade has gone by in the blink of an eye. Well, no…not really. It seems absolutely forever ago since that day, yet I remember it so well. We had been having daily snow storms leading up to the wedding and it was planned for outdoors. I was thrilled when it turned into a lovely, warm spring day.

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It’s supposed to be very cold here today…weather that doesn’t match my psyche these days. I’m in a good space. I have much to look forward to. I have people to love and to love me back. I have purpose and peace. I could sit here and feel sorry for myself. I could let my mind wander down a rabbit hole. But that does me no good. Today I take my truck in to get it worked on. Today I have things to do. Today I have a beautiful life and my cup is full. I’ll still think of that handsome man from time to time on this momentous day. But I’ll do it with a smile. ❤️

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“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”\n‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-04-07T01:55:24-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/04/07/anniversaries-and-stuff.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Strong Women","Hope","West Virginia","The Farm"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/03/26/hiking-the-farm.html", "title": "Hiking the Farm", "content_html": "

 

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\"Farm Processed with Snapseed.

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Yesterday was glorious! Seventy-some degrees, intermittent clouds, gently breeze. I got my exercise by hiking up the hill to the back property line of the farm. There are seventy-four acres here to explore. It was gorgeous. I went to the old home place. The only thing left is the ruins of the old cellar house. I found a couple of old bottles and picked off some pieces of barn wood. It’s so fragile, you could almost crumble it in your hands. There were scraps of old leather boots and a chunk of glazed pottery from an old crock. The frogs were calling and the puddles were filled with tadpoles. As I came down the ridge below, I heard a racket back up at the strawberry barn and there were four or five huge buzzards coming in to roost for the night on the tin roof. On down the hill, I heard the call of the barred own I hear by the house occasionally. I made note of where the black raspberry patch is.

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The yard was filled with dead limbs from the tree by the road so it took some time to get those hauled over to the brush pile. The peonies are up about a foot. The daffodils are in full bloom. There is a huge shrub in all the tangle by the creek that has exploded with deep coral pink blossoms. The rhododendron and boxwood by the drive are very healthy looking. Once the work and hike were done, I cooked up a huge batch of salmon cakes and steamed broccoli. After supper, I boxed up the leftovers and delivered them around to neighbors…something I’ve been wanting to do since I got here in August.

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Yesterday was one of those days that makes you feel like you just got let out of jail. It was beautiful and liberating and I could finally breathe!

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Ahhhh…the freedom of spring! ❤️

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“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”\n‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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#share, #blessed, #abundance

", "date_published": "2017-03-26T01:55:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/03/26/hiking-the-farm.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Hope","Positive Energy","God","Uncategorized"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/03/24/compounded-grief.html", "title": "Compounded Grief", "content_html": "\"Weeping\n

Little texted me Wednesday night to let me know Pop passed away. She wanted me to know right away because she knew how important he was in my life. Little is deep. Big is deep too, but she’s more introspective. She holds a lot in. Not Little. She lets you know what’s what. We chatted back and forth for quite a while. I didn’t cry about losing Pop till Little told me he’s with Papa (Mr. Virgo) now and we’ll see them again when we die. Wow…she’s nine.

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There was part of Pop’s story I didn’t put in his tribute the other day…partly out of space constraints and story line, partly out of respect for his and other’s privacy. But, I think this part is important information so I’m going to share it with you today.

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The night Pop collapsed at the assisted living facility, he stopped breathing. He was 92. He had a living will and a DNR request. DNR…Do Not Resuscitate. Somehow that information was not conveyed to the ambulance crew and they intubated Pop on the way to the ER. Later, he told his son he had died and it was very peaceful. He said he was wearing a sweater so he was warm and comfortable. He was pretty ticked off that they brought him back though later he said he’d rather stick around for a while if that was alright.

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When Little texted me with the news, I told her I was sorry. She said, “Well, he has his sweater now.” A comforting thought. The really sad, and frustrating, thing…for Bernie AND the family…was knowing he’d had his window. The gates were open and he could have slipped through peacefully. Instead, he went through the nightmare of ICU and then the long, difficult process of dying. It wasn’t fair…this sweet gentle man, and his kind, loving granddaughter and son had to witness that when it never should have happened in the first place.

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DNR orders are pretty easy to put into place. There are packets you can get from your doctor or your local hospital that you can fill out with all of your requests. But mistakes can be made and those mistakes can cause harm. I’ve decided once I get to the age when I seriously don’t want to be resuscitated, I am having “DO NOT RESUSCITATE” tattooed on my chest. I’m not kidding…what an awful experience that was for those involved.

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Compounded grief. Not only does it come when there is a rapid succession of deaths in your life, but the grief of one loss can be compounded by stupid mistakes. Or by regret…for not visiting, not calling, not saying the things in your heart. When you’ve suffered the intimate grief of losing someone significant, each successive grief adds a brick to the load. That being said, everyone’s grief is the worst grief ever because it is theirs. It is personal. I don’t want to compound my family’s grief when it’s my time to go. So, I’ll be proactive and make sure my wishes are clearly known ahead of time by the important people in my life.

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Rest In Peace, Pop….you were loved. ❤️

\n", "date_published": "2017-03-24T01:55:01-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/03/24/compounded-grief.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/02/18/time-to-say-goodbye.html", "title": "Time to Say Goodbye", "content_html": "\"Old\n

Seven dogs have owned my heart. One at a time, these fur babies stole into my life, took up residence in my bed, got up on the furniture, snuck my sandwiches and left morning surprises behind the odd chair or sofa. They let the world know they were a part of my life by decorating every stitch of my clothing with hair the exact opposite darkness of what I was wearing. They destroyed shoes and doors, carpets and toys. They changed the way my house smelled and the way I looked at the world. They changed me…for the better. Eventually, they all made their way to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for me. And, they invariably took a piece of my heart with them when the left.

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There were two dogs in my life that I had to find new homes for. One was a standard poodle who was gorgeous and well bred who came to me at a time in my life when I was building a business and going through a divorce. The dog was extremely high energy and surprisingly destructive. She needed to be in a home with another busy dog to wear off some of that energy instead of being cooped up in a needlework shop where there were just too many tempting things to chew on…like a customer’s custom hand painted needlepoint canvas from France. $700 later, Sadie lived quite happily on a farm where she was free to run and live out her days.

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Zoey was a City Market box puppy who threw up the entire drive home. She was one of those fur babies you bring home because you made the mistake of taking your 12-year-old daughter to the store with you. Zoey and I had a difficult relationship from the beginning and it got exponentially worse after my second child was born. She became increasingly aggressive towards the baby. Messes I could clean up. Hurting my baby was unforgivable. So, Zoey ended up with another family without children. Unfortunately, she lived a short life when she was frightened by lightning and was hit by a car.

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A friend of mine had to make a very difficult decision yesterday. She rescued a dog a couple of years ago who had a tendency to nip heels as his breed was wont to do. The dog was fine with my friend, and also with her room mate. But, if anyone came near the house, the dog became increasingly aggressive. She tried everything from shock collars to behavior modification to separation and isolation. She broke him of many things like chasing other animals but there was nothing short of muzzling and crating him to keep him from biting people who came too close…the last one fairly severely. That’s no way for a dog to live, and before he could hurt a child or do serious damage, she made the heartbreaking choice to euthanize him.

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And loss of a fur baby is hard to take, but the guilt my friend is feeling is compounded by already grieving the loss of her husband. Our fur babies are family and sometimes we have to “adult up” and do the responsible, if undesirable, thing. We grieve our losses…any losses. And the loss of a fur baby is as big to some people as the loss of a human. My heart is with you, D. Please feel comfort in the fact that you gave your boy two really good years that he would not have had without your huge heart trying to rehabilitate his dangerous behaviors. Grieve as you need to. I’m here for you. ❤️

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1 Corinthians 15:39 (KJV) “All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes,and another of birds.” Luke 3:6 (KJV) “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

\n", "date_published": "2017-02-18T02:55:01-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/02/18/time-to-say-goodbye.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Strong Women"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/02/12/a-country-mile.html", "title": "A Country Mile", "content_html": "\"hat\n

I had one of the best days ever yesterday. It was absolutely the perfect culmination of my vacation. I’ve been in Bristol visiting my cousin and his wife. I love them so much. I was in 1st grade when Tommy went in the Navy. He came back on leave once in his Navy whites and I fell in love. I was ten. I’ve always been close to Tommy and Suzy so visiting them is a treat I treasure.

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Yesterday we took the buggy and rode all around the dam and the river road. We went to the market and bought local apples and sourwood honey. We came back for lunch then drove into town. We went to Bristol Motor Speedway and actually walked inside. That was pretty cool. While I’ve never understood the allure of NASCAR, I’m open to the experience. We came back home and I took a nap before dinner. Then, our dinner guests arrived.

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I met Mark and Barb here a year and a half ago. I had attended church with my cousins and a large contingent got together for lunch after. There must have been thirty of us spread out over three tables. I remember marvelling over these beautifully poised southern women mothering their children. Teaching them to be social…gently correcting and guiding them through the interactions that are required of polite young people. It was charming and refreshing.

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Mark sat at my left that day and we instantly bonded over stories of fly fishing on the Frying Pan River. Both Mark and his wife are doctors so we had lots in common. Last night the discussion varied from education to book recommendations…food and wine to colleges…football to travel. Genealogy to neuroplasticity. There was much love and laughter and very stimulating conversation. It was icing on the vacation cake.

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Today is a travel day. I’m heading home to the farm. As much as I would love to go back to Florida this very minute, the party has to be over sometime. So, I’m on the road again.\n❤️?❤️

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“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”\n‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:29‬ ‭NIV‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-02-12T02:55:49-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/02/12/a-country-mile.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/01/26/blue-skiessmilin-at-me.html", "title": "BLUE SKIES...SMILIN' AT ME", "content_html": "\"Sunshine\n

I woke up yesterday to blue skies!!! I knew right away this was a day to get outside. I simply cannot waste a sunny sky by staying indoors! I needed the break anyway. I dive too deep when I work with my early writings. They trigger anxiety, bad dreams, and just general yucky feelings so I have to take a break on occasion. What a glorious day to do it, too. These sunny days are gifts…rare gifts in a West Virginia January.

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I had my eyes tested yesterday. I had a melanoma insitu on my arm 12 years ago and my dermatologist says it’s important to keep up with eye, dental, and…believe it or not, gynecological appointments as melanoma can be found on the retina, in the mouth, and in the…ummmm…netheryaya (to quote Amy Farrah Fowler, PhD). So, get checked…especially if you are fair skinned, had at least one severe sunburn that blistered, or a history of melanoma. Early detection is of the utmost importance.

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I took myself out for a fun afternoon of browsing my favorite stores and then I met a friend for dinner. I drove home late. I hit a possum driving home. I’m glad it wasn’t a deer. Here’s another little tidbit of information. Possums have nasty, gnarly teeth and they can actually puncture a tire if you run over them. So, there are my PSA’s for the day…get your skin checked and don’t run over possums.

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Gosh…I live an exciting life, don’t I? (Note to self: get out more!) ❤️

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“The righteous care for the needs of their animals…”\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-01-26T02:55:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/01/26/blue-skiessmilin-at-me.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/01/13/authenticity.html", "title": "AUTHENTICITY", "content_html": "\"Iris\n

As I lay here in the middle of the night, I can hear the creek’s up. We’ve had a lot of rain the last few days…better rain than snow as far as I’m concerned. I’ve had enough snow in my forty Colorado winters to last me a lifetime, thank you very much. The rain has stopped for the time being. Too bad. I love the sound it makes on the tin roof of this old farmhouse. From a gentle tapping to a deafening roar, there’s nothing quite so wonderful to sleep to than rain on an old tin roof.

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There’s something special happening to me as I live in my grandma’s house. It’s as though the hands of time are turning back…not literally, but my attitudes have shifted to match the rhythms of farm life. There is something sweetly innocent about this house and it’s breathing through my heart and soul. This creek…this rain on the tin roof…it’s the music of my childhood. How many nights did I visit grandma’s kitchen…my worn, flannel nightgown brushing my ankles as I sat on the folding red metal kitchen stool eating jelly bread before bedtime? How many nights did I snuggle up to my mama in the metal bed upstairs in the girl’s room listening to these same night sounds? I hear an owl…a deer browsing through the brush along the creek…the gas stove in the bathroom kicking on.

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This is as real as I have felt in a long, long time. This home holds no pretense. It is a humble affair of rough-sawn timber…poorly insulated. The bedroom walls upstairs are really nothing more than cardboard with wallpaper over it. It originally rested on stacks of rocks as a foundation with no indoor plumbing. Along the way, it gained a basement and water. But it’s still such a simple home. I can feel it’s pulse.

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If there is anything I strive for these days, it is authenticity. I haven’t always been authentic…true to myself. Living at my roots…my source…has put me in touch with who I really am. And I am anything but vanilla. I’m two inches of frosting with rainbow sprinkles. I’m tutus and cowboy boots…tiaras and glitter. I’m an enigma, to be sure. I want to live unapologetically. I agree with Iris Apfel, fashion you can buy, but style you possess. I didn’t always march to my own drum, but losing Mr. Virgo has given me license to be authentic…in my grief and in the way I live my life. My grandchildren roll their eyes at some of the things I wear out in public. This is good! I like showing them it’s ok to be bright and shiny when you age. I want them to know you don’t have to go quietly into the good night. I want them to remember me in a big way. ❤️

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“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””\n‭‭John‬ ‭8:32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-01-13T03:00:01-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/01/13/authenticity.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","The Farm"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2017/01/04/the-dancing-of-life.html", "title": "THE DANCING OF LIFE", "content_html": "\"Pregnant\n

The Dancing of Life

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As we head into the New Year, resolutions in hand, I felt it was time to revive a discussion we have periodically about body image. I know I am not the only woman who has had an ongoing love/hate relationship with her body. Thank GOD I’m past that at this beautiful stage of crone-dom! I am supremely confident in my own skin now. I own it. I love it. I know I am beautiful and I work it.

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We women, especially those of my generation, were taught to “be seen and not heard”. We were taught that loving yourself and your beauty was vain and being vain is bad…ergo…WE are bad if we see beauty in the mirror. Madison Avenue began a lifelong assault on women with the onset of Twiggy and dictated to us, by the whims of so-called “fashion” designers, what beauty is. What is an acceptable body size? What is acceptable? ACCEPTABLE! Ok, I’m calling “Bullshit, Pauline!” Yes, we should be healthy. And yes, we should be fit enough that we can care for ourselves and our families without collapsing in a heap, sweaty and out of breath. But size? Appearance? Fashion? That matters far less than the kindness you carry inside. I care far more about the size of your heart than the size of your a**!

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Those of you who have been following me for some time know that I reached a tipping point about a year ago. I had been asked to speak at the International Conference on Positive Aging in Washington, DC and at the time of the request, I weighed over 200 pounds. I wasn’t disgusting. I wasn’t ugly. I still loved myself. But I wasn’t aging very positively and since that was the point of the conference, I changed my eating habits and started playing outside more often. As a result, I have maintained a weight loss of 41 pounds and have a great deal more energy and stamina. I love myself even more now. That isn’t vain. That is self-caring. We cannot feed another when our own cups are empty.

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I’m going to tell you a little story about something that happened last night at dinner. I am telling you this without judgement and I hope you will accept that and be non-judgmental as well. I had dinner last night with Hubby #1 and his wife as they passed through town. I always look forward to visiting with them as I love them and consider them as much my family as my own flesh and blood relatives. We had a lovely dinner at a Japanese restaurant. Our conversation ran the gamut from family to world events to “have you heard from so-and-so?” I thoroughly enjoyed it. As the evening wound down, we donned our coats and prepared to say good-bye till next time, when Hubby #1 touched a lock of my hair and said, “What are you going to do about this?” I looked at him, puzzled. “What do you mean?” I said. “Well…this grey. You usually color your hair. I’m just not used to seeing it like this.” Well, let me tell you…in the past, that would have done two things. Hurt my feelings and ticked me off. I would have internalized the comment and felt bad about how I looked. I would have questioned my decision to let my hair shine its glorious silvery grey and perhaps even made an appointment to see my hairdresser to correct this “problem”. Instead…I laughed. Loud. I smiled at this man I have known and loved since we were literally children. This man who earned the right to speak candidly to me by virtue of sharing my bed for a portion of my life and giving me my firstborn child. I laughed and said, “Hell, no! I love my hair just the way it is! As a matter of fact, I love MYSELF just the way I am…I’m not changin’ nuthin’!” He didn’t say it to be mean. He just hadn’t seen me in a while. And besides, no one else’s opinion means anything to me. MY opinion is what counts.

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As the meme attached states, how can you hate anything about your body when you have felt the dance of life within? I was so pleasantly surprised by my own reaction to what would have felt like a barb to the younger, more fragile version of me. Now I revel in this beautiful woman in the mirror…the one with the long silver locks, with the wrinkles and the stretch marks, with the age spots and the cellulite, with the sagging breasts and the poochy belly. I EARNED this beautiful body. Right this very moment, I’m in love with my beautiful, bada** self. And vanity has absolutely nothing to do with that.

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Go on. Look in the mirror. Look at that beautiful woman with new eyes. Love her kindly. Be gentle with her heart. Treat her Spirit with the respect she deserves. If she needs a little extra TLC, give it to her. Celebrate her ability to carry you around every day. After all, what you see in that mirror is just your vessel. It’s the you INSIDE that that was created in the image of God. Own that! ❤️

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“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”\n‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2017-01-04T03:00:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2017/01/04/the-dancing-of-life.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Positive Energy"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/12/29/fly-the-friendly-skies.html", "title": "FLY THE FRIENDLY SKIES", "content_html": "\"Widow\n

When I was a very little girl, my mother flew to Chicago to do two things…visit her sister, and try to win a washer/dryer on “Queen for a Day”. The TV show was less impressive to me than the fact my mother was swallowed by this big, silver contraption that swept her away from me into the blue skies of summer. I had my first experience being airborne when I was about nine years old and my neighbor took me up in his Piper Cub. I loved the sensation…and the glamour…of flying.

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Long gone are the days of airlines actually catering to their passengers in an opulent…and roomy…way. Seats are so tight, a woman of my size is hard pressed to cross her legs. I pity a person who is taller and/or wider than the average traveler. My flight experiences usually include at least a two hour nap these days. I always take Dramamine…usually the non-drowsy formula. I think I took the regular version yesterday as it was all I could do to stay awake during my layover in Chicago.

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I tried something different this time. My flight left Denver at 5:05 which meant, with the extra holiday traffic and dropping off the rental car…I was up at 2:00am! I slept the entire flight to Chicago, had a three hour layover at Midway, another hour flight, plus a five hour drive home to the farm. Holy cats! Ok, I saved a boatload of money doing that, but it makes for a really long day. I’ll put up with a lot for a $198 round trip Dayton to Denver.

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I love to fly…even though it isn’t what it once was. I love the sights and sounds and smells of an airport. I long to travel to far distant lands, gliding high above the clouds, and deplaning where I don’t understand the language. I’ll never forget standing in Heathrow Airport…a 19-year-old military bride joining my husband at his Air Force duty station. I stood at customs looking out at the sea of faces on the other side of the glass. I turned to the customs agent and asked how on earth I was going to find my husband with all these bodies here. There was worry in my voice. She laughed and said in her lilting brogue, “Don’t worry, dearie! He’ll find YOU!” And that, he did.

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I had a four hour drive from Dayton to the farm after traveling all day. Thank you for your prayers for travel mercies. I am home. ❤️

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“For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ””\n‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:10-11‬ NIV

\n", "date_published": "2016-12-29T03:00:51-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/12/29/fly-the-friendly-skies.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","Hope"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/12/28/heading-home.html", "title": "HEADING HOME", "content_html": "\"Favorite\n

Where is “home” for you? Even when I lived in Colorado for forty years, when people asked me where home was, I’d say West Virginia. Yet, home is where my heart is. When I am in the loving embrace of my family, I am home. When I was with Mr. Virgo, I was home. Now my heart is in West Virginia so I’m heading home today. Home to the farm and the barn cats and my WV family and friends.

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I spent yesterday afternoon with daughter #2. We laughed till we couldn’t breathe. It is really interesting how your relationship changes when your kids become adults. I love it! My flight leaves about the time you’re reading this and it will take me about eleven hours to get home…so, it’s going to be a really long day. Oh, how I love to travel! Prayers for travel mercies. ❤️

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“The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭121:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2016-12-28T03:00:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/12/28/heading-home.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Hope","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/12/26/happy-christmas-morning.html", "title": "HAPPY CHRISTMAS MORNING 2016", "content_html": "
\"HAPPY
\n
\nIt was 8:00 Christmas morning. Long gone are the days when a little one tugs on my sleeve with a breathless \"Wake up, mom!!! Santa was here!\" Instead, my phone vibrated. I felt around till I found the little sucker.\n

“Hello?” I muffled into the speaker.

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“Nana!!!!! I got a new phone!!!!”

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“Little” was beside herself. She rattled on and on about the uber cool features and I mustered up as much enthusiasm as I could BC (before coffee). I told her now we can FaceTime whenever we want. Now…THAT is exciting ‘cause I miss these rug rats when I’m in WV. It takes two weeks to re-bond when I come out here and I want that connection to stay.

\n

Once an adequate amount of coffee had been consumed, we popped the Brussels sprouts in the oven with the stuffing. I make these killer Brussels sprouts. Cut a pound of bacon up in relatively small pieces. Fry and stir till crispy brown. Remove from heat. Clean and quarter your sprouts. I made a huge bag of them. Place in a large bowl and pour your bacon and bacon grease over all. Toss and place in a baking dish. At this point you can refrigerate overnight. Pop in a 350 oven when you’re ready to bake them. Bake about an hour. We used the liner of one of those crockpots with the lid that snaps down for transporting. Then, I left the crockpot as the gift for the hosts of this year’s family dinner. I know, I know…a dish like that is definitely not good for you and certainly not on my diet. But…it’s not what you eat between Thanksgiving and New Year’s as much as what you eat between New Year’s and Thanksgiving.

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After dinner, we all gathered to open gifts. That always takes a couple of hours as we open them one at a time so everyone can enjoy watching. Dessert was served and then I took Bernie, my second father-in-law, home. It was a day full of love and happy memories.

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I took a break in the middle of the day to catch up here and respond to comments. One of our readers posted that her husband passed away Saturday. I went off by myself and shed a tear for her…for myself…for all of us who walk this path. I remember that raw, searing pain when you literally cannot get a deep enough breath. It was horrendous, and to come at Christmas? That’s extra brutal. My heart is with you all and I pray you made it through the day with love and support from family and friends. You are strong women by virtue of what you’ve been made to do. ❤️

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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”\n‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:29-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2016-12-26T15:26:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/12/26/happy-christmas-morning.html", "tags": ["Family"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/12/21/little-a-grandchilds-heart.html", "title": "LITTLE: A GRANDCHILD'S HEART", "content_html": "\"A\n

“Little” is nine-years-old but her soul is ancient. This is my deep, insightful thinker. My wise comforter. She was five when Mr. Virgo died and it was her sensitive, thought provoking wisdom that touched my heart more than all the comforting remarks put together. She’s spiritual and we talk about God and Jesus and heaven. We really “get” each other.

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When I visit my family in Colorado, I make a special point of spending one full day with each of my grandchildren…one on one. I’m trying to instill in them the preference of experiences over stuff. When I asked “Little” what she wanted for Hanukkah and Christmas (we celebrate both in our family), she said she wanted to do something crafty. “Little” is a maker…just like me. I wasn’t at all sure what we would end up doing but I knew we had to start at the mall. After wandering around for a while…and enjoying a plate of traditional lemon crepes…we wandered into Williams-Sonoma, one of my all-time favorite stores. An idea began to grow. I found a set of American Girl cookbooks and an apron/oven-mitt set that she fell in love with. We added matching measuring cups, spoons, and a spatula and she came away with a respectable beginning of a cooking arsenal.

\n

“Little” has ADHD and she brought it up in our quite lengthy conversation as we browsed. She described herself as “unique”. I love that. I told her I was unique as well and while I had never had a formal diagnosis, I’m sure I have ADHD. She looked up in awe.

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“Really?!?!” she asked.

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“Yes. When I was little they didn’t have the medicines to help like they have now. But I learned to compensate…just like you’re doing.” I don’t want her to ever feel “less than”. I don’t think I need to worry. She’s pretty amazing.

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We sat out in the mall for a bit and browsed a cookbook and settled on Chicken Noodle Soup. After picking up the ingredients on the way home, “Little” and I made a huge pot of soup and cheese quesadillas. It was a big hit and “Little” had her moment to shine outside of the shadow of her older sister. It was beautiful.

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These beautiful beings teach me more about life in three weeks than I get in the whole six months between visits and I love them beyond belief. ❤️

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““See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”\n‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2016-12-21T03:00:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/12/21/little-a-grandchilds-heart.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/12/20/the-choir-concert.html", "title": "THE CHOIR CONCERT", "content_html": "

 

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You haven’t lived till you attend your twelve-year-old granddaughter’s middle school choir concert. Seriously. Those kids were so great…funny, sweet and gawky in their awkwardness. They’re like new foals…all feet and legs and eyes. They duck their eyes and bite the inside of their cheeks in the supreme act of standing…alive…in front of…(gasp)…PEOPLE! People who are looking at them. And taking pictures of them. And um, you know, like…smiling at them and stuff. It was classic. It took me back to those years when her mama was doing the same thing. Well, not exactly the same thing. My daughter stood on a stool and “put on a show” to anyone who would sit still for five minutes. As a theater major, she lived for the spotlight. But her older daughter? Maybe not quite as much. I love her brilliant wit, her doe eyes, her modesty.

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As we prepared for the concert yesterday, I was trying to decide what to wear. I had worn black corduroy leggings and a black turtle neck sweater all day. At the last minute, I just added a sparkly belt and a necklace.

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I walked out of the bedroom and my nine-year-old granddaughter looked me up and down with a critical eye and said, “Nice belt. It’s real sparkly.”

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“Thanks!” I said. “I just threw it and the necklace on.”

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She cocked her head and said, “Well, when in doubt, add glitter!”

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I love this kid. She’s not only her mother incarnate, but the little-girl me! Both girls shock me with their insight and dry sense of humor. They have left a trail of glitter on my heart. ❤️

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“May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭128:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2016-12-20T03:00:48-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/12/20/the-choir-concert.html", "tags": ["Family","Hope","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/12/19/the-redbirds.html", "title": "THE REDBIRDS", "content_html": "\"Ne'Qua\n

The cardinal is West Virginia’s state bird. I love watching the flash of red when a male cardinal comes in to the feeders or flits among the branches of the shrubbery along the creek on the farm. There is nothing more beautiful than a radiance of cardinals resting amongst the red berries on a dogwood branch in the snow. The mama cardinal is a little duller color than her mate, but still shows a lovely dusty red.

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The other day I showed you the Christmas ornament I found for the farm. It was a bottle brush tree under a glass cloche. It is special and will have a place of honor on my tree to remember my trip to Colorado. However, I went shopping Saturday afternoon and found THE perfect ornament for this year. Ne’Qua ornaments are so special and this is the first I’ve seen this year. There were only three left at the Hallmark store. On one side is a beautiful poinsettia and on the other…a pair of cardinals. I knew this one was mine. Someday my grandchildren will divide up these special ornaments but for now, I will cherish them, and the memories I make in the places where I buy them.

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So, now I have two ornaments. It’s only fitting as my life seems to be at a crossroads of late. This way. That way. Old things. New things. Experiences. People. Out. In. It’s like a handful of glitter has been tossed up and I’m watching the dance as it floats through the air. Life is very rich right now. So rich I can feel it like the velvet tongue of a kitten. There’s beauty at every turn. Beauty in my memories of times past. Beauty in my everyday experiences. Beauty in my interactions with people. Even a poignant beauty in my love for Mr. Virgo.

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I will never stop loving that man. He is a part of me as much as the marrow in my bones. But, he’s like the lovely red bird. He flits through my peripheral vision and lights on a branch for a moment…then off he goes again. He isn’t front and center every waking moment these days. While I had a terrible fear this day would come, I’m finding a release of the pent up tension that trying to hold onto him created. Now I can let him fly free….free to come in and out of my periphery, of my heart, of my life. And this is good.

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This is as it should be.

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In researching the meaning of the cardinal, I came across a lovely little blog called The Cardinal Experience. It is written by a young widow who sees a cardinal repeatedly after her husband died. He was a pilot and promised her he was going to fly to heaven on red wings. She thought he meant the red wings of his beloved plane. But maybe it was this little redbird that cried incessantly “Cheer! Cheer!” forcing her to leave her house and get back into life. You can read her blog post here:

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http://www.thecardinalexperience.com/journey/index.php?page=pages&amp;id=1

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““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”\n‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:25-27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2016-12-19T03:00:25-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/12/19/the-redbirds.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/12/17/the-graduate.html", "title": "THE GRADUATE", "content_html": "\"Young\n

I was thirty-six when she graced my world with her presence. Her sister…her only sibling…was nearly sixteen. She was a beautiful baby with a head full of black hair and huge green eyes. She was a serious child. She didn’t laugh till she was nine months old. People teased me that the soles of her shoes weren’t dirty till she was three. They weren’t far off. She was our precious and we carried her everywhere.

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It was apparent from an early age that daughter #2 had an old soul. People marveled at her. They’d cross the street just to talk to her….touch her on the arm. She has always been a sensitive person and wears her heart on her sleeve. She knew from a very early age that she was different than the other girls. She wasn’t fru fru and girly. She struggled at the hands of bullies who called her names but she stood up. Her coping skills weren’t refined but she grew into them.

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And yesterday, she graduated from college. It was not easy for her with ADD and dyscalculia (inability to make sense of numbers). It took her nine years to get her bachelors degree. But she stood up every time she was knocked down and I am so very proud of her for never giving up!

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Congratulations, Moon Pie…and all my very best wishes for a beautiful life! ❤️

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”\n‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2016-12-17T03:00:28-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/12/17/the-graduate.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/12/11/the-marathon.html", "title": "THE MARATHON", "content_html": "\"Table\n

832 cookies!!! Yesterday was the great Cookie Baking Marathon with the family. I absolutely love these people…every single one of them. And they are a vocal family. It’s great fun…everyone laughing and talking over one another. The kids running around playing and challenging each other over who iced the best cookie. Christmas carols and the television and electronic games and telephone calls. A great cacophony of joy and raucous noise that weaves the fabric of what constitutes a family.

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It is really interesting. In the first two years, and even somewhat the third year, after losing Mr. Virgo, noise grated on my nerves. After an hour, my head hurt and my teeth were on edge. This year, was totally different. Ten hours of eight adults and four kids jammed in a kitchen was great fun! I nibbled on one too many cookies so when it was time to head out for BBQ, I elected to spend a little down time, write my post, and chill before we start packaging up all the baked goods for distribution to friends, neighbors, co-workers and teachers.

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I “talk” to thousands of people every day in the written word. But, 75% of my daily vocalization is to farm cats! I live a pretty quiet life. I’m not complaining…I really enjoy the bustle my family brings to my world. I just also like my peaceful moments when I can concentrate and write.

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I’m supposed to head to the mountains today but it’s snowing hard in the high country. I’ll be careful and go when the roads are clear. At the front end of my trip, time stretches out before me and now a week is gone already. Plans were made today to spend quality time with my grandchildren one-on-one doing something fun that they enjoy. They grow oh so fast. Today was one of those days when memories were made and love was felt deep within. ❤️

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“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”\n‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2016-12-11T03:00:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/12/11/the-marathon.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/12/10/baking-day.html", "title": "BAKING DAY", "content_html": "\"Christmas\n

Ok, disclaimer…I lifted the picture from the Internet when I Googled “Christmas Cookie Fails”. That being said, who hasn’t seen similar results when you’re baking for the holidays? Oh, there are people out there who make perfect…and I do mean PERFECT Christmas cookies. (See Buffalo Baking Co! My dear friend Patti and her daughter Jamie make the most beautiful, and delicious, cookies!!! https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloBakingCo/posts/1338179656203105 ) I’ve tried. Seriously, I have. But I don’t have the patience to decorate dozens of cookies. One, and I’m done.

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Today is the family cookie baking marathon in my son-in-law’s mom’s beautiful, big kitchen. From Grandma Lois in her mud-eighties to my youngest granddaughter who is nine, this place will be buzzing till late afternoon. Dozens of dozens of cookies will be produced today. There will be fudge. And we’ll dip anything we can get our hands on into melted white, milk, and dark chocolate. There will be nut clusters and cherry mash, dipped Oreos and turtles, rolled cookies and drop cookies and bar cookies. And yes…some of them may be unrecognizable. But I can guarantee you they’ll be good. And they’ll be eaten. Anyone lucky enough to get a variety plate out of this kitchen will be blessed indeed!

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It will be a fun day, for sure. And memories that will be cherished for years to come will be made. I look forward to this day all year! I’ll post pics tomorrow. ❤️

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““You must bake twelve flat loaves of bread from choice flour, using four quarts of flour for each loaf.”\n‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭24:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2016-12-10T03:00:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/12/10/baking-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/12/07/touchdown.html", "title": "TOUCHDOWN!", "content_html": "
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I have arrived safely in Colorado. Let's face it...it takes forever to get anywhere from West Virginia. Five hour drive Monday, ten hours in airports and planes yesterday! It's snowing as I write this at 11:00 last night. I'm not going to be able to keep my eyes open to write tonight...forgive me. I'll be back tomorrow! ❤️
\n", "date_published": "2016-12-07T03:00:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/12/07/touchdown.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/12/02/the-mountains-are-calling-and.html", "title": "THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING AND I MUST GO", "content_html": "\"Prisma\n

While I don’t relish snow and cold, I’m leaving soon to go see my family in Colorado. A Colorado Christmas is a beautiful thing, especially with grandchildren around. They’re getting so big! That’s the hardest thing about being away from them…seeing how fast they grow. My heart is torn…I truly feel “home” in two places so I have to split my time. And for now, home base is in West Virginia.

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I’ve been watching with great sorrow as the Smokies burn. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve “almost” gone camping in the Smoky Mountains only to change my mind and now they will be scarred for the rest of my lifetime. The mountains you see in this picture have burned…twice in the time I lived there. I will never forget the Storm King Fire that took 14 firefighters. Young smokejumpers based out of Oregon. The fire started as one small pine that was struck by lightning on a Wednesday. That night, you could see a little wisp of smoke up there and we were all alarmed but we were told they were just going to let it burn itself out. Three days later, the hot, dry winds blew the fire into a conflagration the likes of which I had never seen. The sky was black and the sun was a dim red dot. The young firefighters were working below a ridge line when the winds shifted and they could not outrun the flames to the top. It was a terrible tragedy. A few years later, the Coal Seam Fire erupted in much the same place. I was the last car allowed to drive west through South Canyon. The flames actually arced over the highway and the river and hit the hillside to the north of the interstate like a tremendous fiery arch over my car. I was immediately engulfed in thick smoke and ash. I was too frightened to stop and too terrified to keep going. Fortunately, I got through it in maybe fifty feet. I cannot imagine what these people are going through. My prayers are with them. I have family there as well as my agent, Italia.

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After the wildfires in Colorado, they flew helicopters overhead and sprayed a mixture of seeds and fertilizer and reseeded the mountainsides. And, within a couple of years, the only evidence of the fires were the crooked, blackened skeletons of piñon pine, cedar, and scrub oak. Our greenery is scarce to begin with in the Rockies. It’s not like the lush, green deciduous forests in the east and south. That will take generations to come back.

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The fact there are forest fires this late in the year in a typically wet, humid area of the country is alarming to me. Pray for rain or snow to come quench these fires and save what’s left. Pray for the families of the victims. Pray for the survivors whose every belonging is gone.

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And now, for some good news…Bernie can hear! I watched a live video feed Wednesday as they activated my former father-in-law’s cochlear implant. It will take a while for his brain to catch up and process the sounds correctly. I cried as I watched his face light up when he heard my daughter’s voice as she told him his children were watching from all over the country. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. They were greatly appreciated. ❤️

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“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.””\n‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2016-12-02T03:00:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/12/02/the-mountains-are-calling-and.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/11/25/babies-buddy-brushhoggin.html", "title": "BABIES, BUDDY, \u0026 BRUSH-HOGGIN'", "content_html": "\n

Thanksgiving in rural West Virginia. Work still needs to be done on a farm…no matter what day it is. The son-in-law’s field next door grows some sort of inedible huckleberry bushes that cows won’t eat. And it chokes out the hay. It overgrows when the pH is off in the ground so the field needed brush-hogged (a brush hog is a really big mower that will cut through small trees and scrub brush) and then very finely ground limestone spread on it. All hands are needed when a big job comes up and Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity with the extra company around.

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We walked down to the shop and there was a problem with one of the spreaders. The axle was frozen and wouldn’t take grease so they got the wheel off, heated the axle with a blow torch till they could make it move enough to get some grease in it. Once it was reassembled, two of us sat on the spreader while they drove it down through a field till the wheel moved freely. How they know what to do for these problems is beyond me but it was fun riding over through the farm in a convoy of three tractors, a bobcat and the pickup full of farm dogs. They always want to go where the action is.

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Thanksgiving is all about family after getting a good chunk of work done. We gathered seventeen of us around our particular brand of traditional Thanksgiving fare…brown beans, corn bread, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, beef, pork, coleslaw, and several sweets. It’s totally different than the typical turkey and dressing feast. The beef and pork was home raised and butchered right here on the farm. It’s a simple, humble meal served to wonderful, earthy, hard-working people. It’s loud and boisterous and fun. There’s football and Nerf gun fights and crying babies and teasing and jokes and gratitude…gratitude for the love of a good family, a solid hand-built home, and the abundant blessings of a loving God.

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I love my life.

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❤️

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“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”\n‭‭Psalm‬ ‭107:8-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

\n", "date_published": "2016-11-25T03:00:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/11/25/babies-buddy-brushhoggin.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Fun","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/11/18/nesting.html", "title": "Nesting 2.0", "content_html": "

\"Jelly “My favorite piece of my childhood.”

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I gathered some of my belongings out of storage the other day and brought them to the farm. I kept my dearest antiques knowing someday I would either decorate TOW-Wanda or I would have a small home of my own again. I have postponed making this house my “home” for the last three months till I was fairly certain I wouldn’t be moving for a while. Now that I feel more secure in that, I’ve been nesting with a vengeance.

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\"Folkart\" “I bought this in an antique store in Carbondale, CO years ago. Perfect for my farmhouse kitchen.”

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I’m loving how cozy this place is getting. The items on top of the cabinets are special and I haven’t lived with them for two and a half years, at least. As I unwrapped the dishes Mr. Virgo gave me, I carefully cleaned them and placed them in the jelly cupboard so I can see and use them every day. The watering cans were in my flower garden in Colorado. They were literally the last thing I grabbed from my house as I left. The sap bucket on the far left was hanging here in the basement by my grandma’s old canning stove. The copper bucket on the far right holds my mom’s wooden clothespins. The crocks on top of the cabinets belonged to my late Uncle Bobby Joe’s grandparents…as did the little red rocking chair that was found in their barn years after they passed. The churns in the middle belonged to my grandma (left) and mom (right). The little lamb was my toy when I was a baby. The blue mason jar is a #13…rare because moonshiners broke #13’s because they were unlucky. The old lunchpail on the right belonged to my grandpa. The folk art “Homemade Pies” sign came from an antique shop in Colorado many years ago.

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\"Red “My favorite little red rocking chair…found in an old barn in West Virginia.”

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I made the door decoration yesterday from a horn I bought in a junk shop. That and the two candles in the first floor window constitute my entire holiday decorating since I’m going to Colorado for Christmas again this year. I found the bird’s nest in the ditch by the driveway this fall and the boots were an old pair in a barrel downstairs. I bought the handmade broom at Country Living Fair. And the little “dress” hanging from the light over the sink is a reproduction and is actually a tea towel. (My windows REALLY need washing!)

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\"Old “Old hunting boots from the basement.”

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I have a picture hanging in my bedroom here that says…“It’s not the size of the house but how happy the home.” My home is where I lay my head and I always make it happy. It might be a thirty foot camper on the road through Tennessee. Or it might be on a ridge overlooking the Ohio River. Or it might be on a farm that hold memories so thick they feel like cobwebs when I brush through them. I am rich beyond my wildest dreams. Not monetarily…I’m rich with family, love, memories, health, happiness, joy, and words. These are my everyday gifts from God. I am so blessed. ❤️

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\"Antiques\" “Treasures!”

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“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.””    Hebrews‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬
\n\"Antique “I made a wreath from an antique horn.”\n

\"Apron\" “Reproduction apron hanging from the light over the sink. Loving my farmhouse look.”

\n
\n", "date_published": "2016-11-18T02:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/11/18/nesting.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Comfort","Peace","Presence","Downsizing","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/10/21/full-circle.html", "title": "Full Circle", "content_html": "\n
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I'm on my last camping trip of the year, I believe. While yesterday's high was 82, the next few days will be in the 50's with rain. Not a problem for me...I see naps in my future. I love listening to the sound of the rain on the roof. I'm camping in very dense woods. I can hear the katydids skritching at each other over the steady drum of tree frogs and crickets. Soon, these night sounds will be put to bed until spring.

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I drove through the New River Gorge yesterday and decided to go to Babcock State Park to see the grist mill. I went into the gift shop to buy some fresh ground corn meal or flour, but unfortunately the terrible floods they had in southern WV this summer damaged the sluice box. There has been so little rain since then that even if the mill were operable, they couldn't grind.

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As I sat on a bench across the way from the grist mill, I thought of all the circles within the confines of that building...from the large waterwheel to the gears at the elbow to the millstone...each circle has a purpose. Each is built for a certain outcome. They take in rough, coarse grain and work it between heavy stones to wear down the tough outer covering. They continue to work...round and round till the final product is usable. With very little effort, that product can be turned into a variety of healthy, nutritious foods that feeds us and keeps us alive. We are like the grain in God's gristmills. He can turn hard winter wheat into the softest cake flour. He can also turn the hardest of hearts loving and soft. He turns the stone and works on us all of our lives.

\n\n\n

As I sat there, I said a prayer for my cousin, Margie. She lost her fairly brief fight with cancer when she was released from her pain Wednesday in the early morning hours. Her trip through life's grist mill was a rough one, but she was a strong woman and fought hard. Her wish, in lieu of a funeral, was for the family to come together for a meal. I love that. She was always at the family dinners that I attended. I will think of her in the changing leaves, the crisp air, the rush of water over the flywheel of the mill. I will remember her when I rub soft flour between my fingers. She is the sweetness of the cake...the texture of the bread. God rest your sweet soul, Margie. You are free to fly.

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❤️

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“Grain for bread is easily crushed, so he doesn’t keep on pounding it. He threshes it under the wheels of a cart, but he doesn’t pulverize it.”‭‭

\nIsaiah‬ ‭28:28‬ ‭NLT‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-10-21T01:30:24-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/10/21/full-circle.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","West Virginia"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/10/16/doctor-doctor-i-can-see.html", "title": "Doctor! Doctor! I Can See!", "content_html": "\n
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Farm life has me up and doing things at the ungodly hour of \"0 Dark Thirty\". Things like feeding the farm cats. When I first got here, I was awakened at 8:00 by what I was certain was someone trying to break in the house...first the back door, then the front. I snuck into the living room and, with great trepidation, pulled back the curtain on the front door only to find a very hungry cat glaring at me at eye height...her claws gripping the screen. I think they are plotting to kill me by loving me to death. Another delightful little task on the farm is taking the trash out at 5:30am on Wednesdays to keep the raccoons and possums out of it. You have not lived till you hear the sweet barn cat out on the porch eating the food you left a few minutes before only to go out and come face-to-face with a possum the size of a Buick. That gives aerobics a new meaning.

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As I stood in the kitchen yesterday, contemplating how a self-proclaimed road princess like me found herself living in an old drafty house in a shady little holler with possums and coons and fleas, I waited patiently for my coffee to brew. As I leaned against the sink, I looked to my right and noticed the door frame had a little piece sawed away. My eyes ran up the frame and found a matching place about six inches from the top of the door and I smiled with a memory.

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When I was a very little girl, this house did not have indoor plumbing. As a matter of fact, it didn't even sit where it is now. It used to be farther back from the road when my uncle and great-grandfather built a basement, put in plumbing, and rolled the house down on pipes to the new foundation. Before the move, and the new kitchen sink, the door hinges were on the other side opening from right to left. Consequently, the screen opened in the same direction. I was only six or seven years old when it switched, but fifty years later I was still reaching for the handle of the screen door on the right instead of the left.

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Life after loss is a lot like that. Things have been moved on us. I go to pick up the phone every Sunday night to call mom and check in. I see something funny and think of texting Mr. Virgo to tell him. I turn over in bed and reach out to find...emptiness...more often than I care to admit. Someone moved our stuff. Someone changed our lives. It doesn't break my heart like it used to. Now it's more like, \"Oh, yeah...right. He's gone.\" and I move on. Most of the time, anyway.

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Seeing those marks where the old hinges were reminded me that I can learn how to open doors with the other hand. I can change and still go in and out. I'm not trapped anymore.

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❤️

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.\"”‭‭

\nDeuteronomy‬ ‭31:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-10-16T01:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/10/16/doctor-doctor-i-can-see.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Growth","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/10/10/into-the-woods.html", "title": "Into the Woods", "content_html": "\n
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My first real loss was when my maternal grandfather passed away. My Pop Pop was the absolute light of my life and when he died the summer I graduated from high school, I was devastated. Pop Pop showed me how to do everything he did on the farm and, being a bit of a tomboy, I took to it like a duck to water. I know this house like the back of my hand, but it's been a long time since I've walked the property lines of this farm and I was in for a workout.

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Last week I was told the timber was stolen off the farm. I was so upset...not only at the loss, but that it allegedly occurred on my watch. I told my uncle (who owns the farm) and he came yesterday to check it out. We walked a good portion of the seventy acre property. My childhood memory had the orchard and spring on the opposite side of the farm.

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It was so cool to spend the afternoon with my favorite uncle in the whole wide world. He told me so many stories. Like, the one where the old Model A they turned into a farm truck threw my Pop Pop out and rolled on top of him. This uncle and his brother, my Uncle Bob were there when it happened. Uncle Bob ran down and literally picked up the Model A so my Pop Pop could get out from under it. They went back later to get the tools out of it and the two of them together could not budge that thing. Adrenaline creates superhuman strength.

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As it turns out, the only timber missing were some oak trees that had fallen during an ice storm. No one had clear cut our farm. I can't tell you how relieved that made me. I love our woods. I'll be keeping a close watch up there to make sure folks know there's someone around and I'm not to be messed with. When they see tire tracks they know someone is watching.
I once toured the Philadelphia Museum of Art with an artist as my guide. Yesterday afternoon was much like that with story after story of this land and those that have spent a lifetime loving and caring for it. What an amazing experience.

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❤️

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“To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

\n‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-10-10T01:30:36-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/10/10/into-the-woods.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Farm Life","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/10/08/spontaneity.html", "title": "Spontaneity", "content_html": "\n
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I'm not a huge planner. I fly by the seat of my pants most of the time so when my niece texted early this week and said she had a three day weekend break from college, I'm like \"Heck yeah, girlfriend...I'm there!\" No matter that I left the farm at 9:30 and didn't get to my niece's sorority house till 6:30. I'm all about the trip!

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Yesterday was our chance to go explore. We were going to go into Indianapolis, but at the very last minute decided to go to Louisville. We went to Nashville, Indiana first. Nashville is filled with block after block of small shops, galleries, artisans and restaurants. We arrived in Louisville in time to catch our breath and head to the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner. We went out afterward to walk off all that pasta. We went down to the waterfront park and watched the sternwheeler take off. We were going to a blues festival but I was unsure about going into an unfamiliar neighborhood after dark when the only way in and out was with an Uber driver. Especially with a cute little 19 year old. We decided to head for 4th Street Live...a long stretch of restaurants and bars with live music in the square. On our way, my niece spotted a horse drawn carriage and shyly asked if we could do that. She'd never done it before. So, of course...we did, because I'm the cool aunt!

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Spontaneity. Flexibility. The ability to enjoy the next thing that comes around the corner without having to map it all out. That's the way I like to live my life. You never know what you might miss if you are too rigid in your planning. Seeing my niece's face when I said we could take the carriage? Priceless! We'll both remember this weekend...far more than any tchotchke I might have bought her for her high school graduation or Bat Mitzvah.

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❤️

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\n

“give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.\"”

\n‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:38‬ ‭ESV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-10-08T01:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/10/08/spontaneity.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/10/06/on-the-road-again.html", "title": "On the Road Again...", "content_html": "\n
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I swear...this has been a really busy autumn! My niece texted me last week and she has a three day weekend break from college so I'm off to Indianapolis today to explore with her. I can't wait! I've loved her since the moment I held her in my arms when she was born.

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I really don't know anything about Indianapolis other than driving through on I-70 when I go cross-country. Is there anything I really shouldn't miss??? I'm not taking TOW-Wanda. She's just too big and cumbersome on trips like this. I have GOT to get a smaller trailer so I'm more apt to take off and explore. The right one will come along. I'm going camping one last time on the weekend of October 21st then TOW-Wanda gets put to bed for the winter. At least she's here at the farm so I can go out and visit.

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...just can't wait to get on the road again!

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? ❤️

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“Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.”

\n‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-10-06T01:30:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/10/06/on-the-road-again.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/10/04/when-darkness-comes.html", "title": "When Darkness Comes", "content_html": "\n
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I think you all will agree I'm a pretty upbeat person. Oh, I have my moments of sadness but they are less dark and less frequent as time passes. I went to a family wedding over the weekend. Hotels and motels are hard to come by in those parts so I stayed with my uncle and aunt. The aunt that lived here at the farm is staying there so I had an opportunity to visit them the night before the wedding. My aunt's brother and his wife were also there. It was nice to see them. But...it was also very sad. My uncle's wife has Alzheimer's.

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The decline has been rapid over the last year. Each visit brings a new low. These two have always been my role models for relationships. Not that I got it right...not till Mr. Virgo anyway. My aunt and uncle met as teenagers. They've been like newlyweds as long as I can remember. Always smiling at each other and touching, saying sweet love words when they passed in the kitchen. Happiness was a staple. It breaks my heart to see what's happening to them. My poor uncle has his hands full. We are working to get them some help.

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My second mother-in-law had dementia so I am not without experience. My grandma started losing touch at the end, as did my own mother to a certain degree. This disease is a thief that comes in the night and steals the light from within. We sit, helplessly watching them slip further and further away. We listen to the unintelligible babbling when they are sundowning, trying desperately to interpret this new language so we can comfort them. When we can't, they cry in frustration or lash out in anger. What a horrible, horrible disease.

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I sat by their older daughter at the wedding. I was offering my sympathy for her...watching her mother fade away like this. She sharply told me I was lucky my mom died so fast. Grace kept me from bristling at that, because we all know...even her...that I wasn't \"lucky\" my mother got sick and died in five days from something completely preventable. But, I can see the blessings in my mother not having to suffer like hers, so I gave my cousin only love.

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We are never prepared for the death of a loved one. But we are even less prepared for the time when their mind dies and their body stubbornly continues to carry on, sometimes for years. We utilize what services are available. We offer treatment as we can. We comfort them. We love them. But this is a special kind of hell for the caregivers of the lost ones.
I know there are many of you who are currently walking this path or have walked it in the past. Let's hear from you. What can we best do to help...both the person and their caregiver(s)? What helped you the most? What was the hardest thing?

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Grab a cup of coffee and sit with me a while. Let's chat.

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❤️

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“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”‭‭

\n1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-10-04T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/10/04/when-darkness-comes.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/10/02/the-wedding.html", "title": "The Wedding", "content_html": "\n
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I drove through the misty grey morning and prayed the sky would break in time for the wedding. The bride has waited a long time for her match...I wanted it to be the perfect day for her. I waited in line with the other guests to be shuttled to the top of the hill on a flatbed trailer filled with quilt-covered hay bales. Once seated, I gazed out over the valley below. The mist rolled in under heavy, low-lying clouds. It felt like visiting the English countryside.

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Once most of the guests were seated, a single banjo picker pulled a chair up and sat...quietly picking out a few tunes. The mountains in the distance were a perfect backdrop, accentuating the simplicity of the moment. Soft voices murmured greetings. I sat with a cousin I haven't seen in quite some time. Finally, the bridal party was brought up to the field and a very brief and simple exchange of vows took place. Some rode back down the hill on the trailers pulled by farm tractors. Others walked. Nothing was rushed. It was like something out of the past...a simpler time...a simpler place.

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When we arrived at the tent, we waited for the bride and groom to appear after pictures. The pastor called for quiet and the blessing was said. Then, finally...the food was served...smoked chicken, ham, beef, pork, venison, and kielbasa. Country style green beans with ham, potato salad, deviled eggs, coleslaw, rolls, butter, sautéed mushrooms and onions, macaroni and cheese. All served at the perfect temperature to a large crowd. A string band set up. A lady tended bar. The proud father of the bride mingled.

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It didn't rain.

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And then I realized...

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The sun doesn't have to shine to be a perfect day.

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❤️

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“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”‭‭

\n1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-10-02T01:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/10/02/the-wedding.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/09/29/smooth-sailing.html", "title": "Smooth Sailing", "content_html": "\n
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About twelve or thirteen years ago, one of my friends lost her husband after a brief illness. Three of us decided to take her to Mexico where she could unwind and let her hair down. How that woman found the strength to do that, I will never know because we went less than a week after the funeral! I cannot imagine how she survived that.

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While we were staying at this beautiful, all-inclusive resort, we had access to every possible recreation. One day, we decided to take a sailing lesson. We hopped on a small Hobie Cat and quickly learned how to zip back and forth. I took to sailing like a duck to water, so to speak. My friends soon tired of the whole thing and I dropped them off on shore then headed back out to sea. I really stretched my boundaries that day.

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Stretching my boundaries is something I strive to do on a regular basis. I'm finding, the more I stretch, the bigger my world gets. And the bigger my world gets, the more I have to stretch to reach out for new horizons. One thing begets the other begets the other. Public speaking is my brass ring of choice currently and I'm always looking for new opportunities.

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Things are going well here at the farm. My neighbor across the road gave me some red bell peppers last night. The cats are fat and happy. I'll work on the gutters today. It's been so cold I had to turn the furnace on last night! I brought sheets and blankets in from the camper. I bought a memory foam topper for the mattress. I pulled out my mom's quilt to put on the bed. I am heading to a family wedding this weekend. The Internet and Wi-Fi cellphone service works great. I'm a happy camper this week!

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❤️

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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”‭‭

\nIsaiah‬ ‭40:29‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-09-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/09/29/smooth-sailing.html", "tags": ["Family","Courage","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/09/12/chipping-away.html", "title": "Chipping Away", "content_html": "\n
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When I was a little girl, my Uncle Bob would take a pick axe to a rocky outcropping up by the barn. He'd pick away and dig out wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow load of rock then spend hours with a sledgehammer busting it into gravel. He would load that gravel up in his wheelbarrow and fill in the driveway a couple times a year. He was a hard worker and I was always proud of that nicely graveled drive up past the house at the farm. As I walk down to get the mail and the newspaper, I look down and that rock is still there, pressed firmly in the earth, mossy ground covering winding between the gray stones, and I think of my sweet Uncle Bob. Grandma had chicken pox or measles when she was pregnant with him and he was born with a developmental disability. He was without guile...the sweetest angel unawares.

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Just as my uncle chipped away at the stony outcropping, I chipped away yesterday at the nagging problem of how to have an uncomfortable conversation with my aunt. I asked God in church yesterday to send the Holy Spirit to speak through me. I asked my pastor to pray for the situation. And, I rehearsed scenarios as I drove across the state. I don't like uncomfortable conversations, so at the last minute as I walked in the house, I asked God to take away any discomfort. And, He did! I sat and visited for awhile. I showed pictures of what I'm doing in the house. Then I asked my aunt why her friend would think I was coming to live with her. That gave her the out she needed. She said she could understand how her friend might have misinterpreted what she said but that wasn't her intention. As with many things, my sweet cousin Suzy hit the nail on the head yesterday when she commented that I could express my concerns but the bottom line is, fleas and all, it's my aunt's decision to make as long as she has the faculties. And, after my discussion with her yesterday, I came to the conclusion that while this is not the ideal scenario, she will come back to the farm...at least for a while. My uncle and I both get the feeling she wants to come back to say goodbye. And that is valid. I promised him that, while I cannot live there while she is there, I am more than happy to go out once or twice a week to bring her food, check on her, and make sure she has clean sheets on the bed. That is the very least I can do...for her AND for my uncle. I feel it is my Christian duty. And, I feel pretty good about that.

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❤️

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““Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”‭‭

\nMatthew‬ ‭7:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-09-12T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/09/12/chipping-away.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/29/strathmore-farm.html", "title": "Strathmore Farm", "content_html": "\n
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Strathmore Farm = My Great-Grandfather Lived Here
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The Covered Bridge at Strathmore Farm
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Inside the Covered Bridge at Strathmore Farm
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I remember this house from a trip we took there in 1955 after my uncle was killed in a plane crash. This was my Great Grandfather's house.

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-29T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/29/strathmore-farm.html", "tags": ["Family","Road Trip","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/25/the-barn.html", "title": "The Barn", "content_html": "\n
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As I came around the turn at Pickle Street (yes...it's a real place!), the big red barn caught my eye. The farmhouse looks different now that they added the aluminum siding. (They had to take it off the National Historic Registry for that egregious act!) I first came to this farm as a little girl back when my aunt and her first husband owned it. It had belonged to his grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Teters. After my uncle died and my aunt remarried, she sold this farm. I was honored she gave me three of Grandma Teters crocks along with the stories on two of them. (The big blue one pulled double duty. The cream was raised in it and the biscuit dough was made in it every morning. They ran a boarding house for teamsters and there were plenty of biscuits made in that crock. The small crock held baking soda. Grandpa Teters had a \"sour stomach\" all the time so the bowl was filled with baking soda - or \"sody\", as they called it - and he'd eat a teaspoon of it every time he walked past.) Also, I got a red child's rocker with a woven seat and a curved front oak curio cabinet they pulled out of this barn. It hardly offers basic shelter anymore with great gaps in the wood siding. I wanted to stop and get some pictures while the place is still standing. There is a church a half mile down the road. My great-grandfather donated the bell that is in the steeple of that church. Lots of ties in this area.

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I visited my aunt yesterday and she seems to be recuperating nicely. I think she is with it enough to understand she can't live alone anymore. Actually, she seemed happier than I've seen her in a long, long time.

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I didn't sleep well Tuesday night. Far too much on my mind and getting excited about the trip to DC and my talk. I had my alarm set for 5:30 yesterday morning to take the trash out. I was going to pack quickly and head out but I laid down...you know, for just a minute. Three hours later I woke up. By the time you read this on Thursday morning, I'll be on my way to Washington!!! Can you tell I'm excited???

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❤️

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““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”‭‭

\nMatthew‬ ‭6:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-25T01:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/25/the-barn.html", "tags": ["Family","Peaceful Moments","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/24/rest-in-peace.html", "title": "Rest in Peace", "content_html": "\n
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I come to the family cemetery several times a week. There is no cell service at the farm, so this is the nearest place available. I bought my mother a low stone that is much like a bench. When I am staying at the farm, I come here, visit, listen to the sounds of nature, and write my post for the next day. It's so peaceful up on this hill.

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When Mr. Virgo died, I had him buried...at his request. I would have preferred cremation so I could scatter his ashes in all our favorite places. Instead, I had the funeral director cut a lock of his hair so I could leave a few strands at the important places in my life. This is one of them. I buried some of his beautiful silver hair beside my mom's headstone so I can visit him, too.

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I'm heading east today to visit family overnight then head on to DC on Thursday for the conference I'm speaking at. I'm SO excited!

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When I think of my life on March 11th, 2013 compared to today, it boggles my mind. That was the day before Mr. Virgo died. The day before my life changed forever. The day before I lost...everything. Everything that mattered to me. That's what it felt like. Of course, I didn't really lose everything. I have wonderful friends. I have a loving family. I do meaningful work. I spread a message of love and hope and joy. My life is rich and full and beautiful. I love and am loved. A friend came to visit me for lunch yesterday and asked if I was happy. I didn't even skip a beat and said \"Yes.\" I am happy. I told my friend you don't ever get over this kind of loss. But, you do get through it. You learn how to work around that hole in your heart without falling in every single time you get too close.

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For the longest time, I felt I would be betraying Mr. Virgo if I said I was happy. I even felt guilty for FEELING happy. That is perfectly normal. Now I can feel him smiling when I feel joy. He would want this for me.
Rest in peace. Live in peace, too.

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❤️

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”‭‭

\nColossians‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-24T01:30:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/24/rest-in-peace.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Courage","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/20/change.html", "title": "Change", "content_html": "\n
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Change is good. It keeps things fresh. But, we don't like it when others make the changes to our environment without our permission. I learned that lesson when I hung the painting in my aunt's house two years ago. It was the beginning of the end of my foray into home health care. If my aunt returns to live at the farm, I'm trying to keep the freshening up of the house less intrusive so as not to upset her in case she is able to return home. Her brother owns the farm and has asked me to live there if/when my aunt is no longer able to. He knows how much I love the farm and he needs a caretaker for it since he does not live nearby. I don't travel all over as regularly as I did the first couple of years so this works out well for both of us.

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Losing your independence has to be horribly frustrating and frightening. Losing control, finding yourself in unfamiliar surroundings...must be confusing. How do you talk about such things with people? Everyone is different and deals with those kinds of things differently. I would think coming from a place of love would go a long way in easing the bitterness of that particularly pill. I will be at my uncle's next week and scope out the situation firsthand.

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I'm going kayaking in the morning so I'm shutting down a little early. Go out and enjoy your Saturday!

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❤️

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“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:”

\nEcclesiastes 3:1 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-20T01:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/20/change.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/10/treasures.html", "title": "Treasures", "content_html": "\n
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I'm sleeping in my grandparents' room. I think it's the same bed. Could be the same mattress the way it feels. My Pop-Pop essentially died in this house. By that I mean, he was probably already gone from the massive heart attack he suffered at the dining room table while Grandma was out in the cellar house getting the jar of green beans she was going to fix with his lunch. My Uncle Bob carried him out to the car and Grandma drove the 35 miles like a maniac to the State Patrol office, but the patrolman told me later he was gone long before they got there. An ambulance brought him to the hospital where I was doing my x-ray training and they pronounced him. They placed his coffin in the living room not fifteen feet from where I'm writing this. He rested there three days before the funeral, my grandma barely leaving his side...a position she had kept two months shy of fifty years.

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Grandma had her last stroke in this bed. My aunt said she talked all night to Pop-Pop and my Uncle Sonny who was killed when he crashed his fighter jet in Germany when I was two. They took her to the hospital the next morning and she was gone in a few hours.

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My Uncle Bob died in this bed. My aunt had heard him coughing in the night and was relieved when he finally became quiet, thinking he was getting some good sleep. My Uncle Bob was an angel unawares. Grandma had chicken pox or measles (I'm not sure which) when she was expecting him. He was born with a slight facial deformity, a very pronounced lazy eye, and a strong speech impediment. The kids made fun of him at school and Grandma would have none of that so she just kept Bob at home. He was strong as an ox and sweet as could be. He had a sense of humor and remarkable insight. He teased me unmercifully by mocking me if I cried which made me very angry as a little girl. But he taught me to play checkers and he loved I Love Lucy as much as I did. He never told a lie. He didn't know how. If I did something wrong, all Mom had to do was look at Bob and he told her everything. Yes, as a little girl, he made me angry. But as I matured, I realized how precious he was. What a gift he was to everyone who knew him. His headstone reads \"Manager of the Bell\" because he rang the bell in the church steeple every Sunday of his life till he got too sick to go. My aunt has buried two husbands, her parents, a brother and a sister and she said there's no one in the world she misses more than my Uncle Bob.

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I've thought a lot about him the last couple of days. I've thought about all of them since I've been here. This place is thick with memories. I was so afraid I had lost my connection here. But it's with me. It's the cloth of my past...the memories, this house, this land. As I laid in the bed that my family has shared over the years, I felt wrapped in their love, comforted by their energy that lives on in this place. No matter where I live, this will always be home.

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❤️

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“Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.”

\n1 Thessalonians 5:13 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-10T01:30:03-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/10/treasures.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Change","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/09/giving.html", "title": "Giving", "content_html": "\n
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I never really looked at staying on the farm as giving of myself, but I feel the gratitude of my family for caring for the place with the same love my grandparents had. Even though I wasn't able to stay here and care for my aunt the way I intended, I can care for the farm with all my heart and soul.

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I came to town to get a flea bomb. It seems my aunt let the farm cat stay in the basement all winter and now it's infested with fleas down there. Thank goodness it's confined to the basement. So, I stopped in to the family cemetery as I came over the hill since my phone started beeping and buzzing as soon as I hit a service area. I thought I'd take a moment and tell you a funny story.

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While my aunt was in the hospital, we had to report to the doctor something she told us earlier. It seems she's been hearing voices. They talk to her in the middle of the night and tell her the same thing over and over. \"Your house is on fire!!! You must leave your house immediately!!!\" We thought \"Poor thing...she's gone 'round the bend.\" As I was driving out to the farm yesterday, I was mulling that over in my mind. When someone is delusional and hears voices, they don't hear the very same things over and over. I remember her telling me something in the spring about a voice telling her to get out of her house because it was on fire. But she brushed it off as a weird dream and I didn't give it much thought...till now. I kept thinking, \"Why does this sound SO familiar?\" Well, suddenly it hit me!!!

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Two years ago, when I lived on the farm in my attempt to care for her, my uncle asked me to install fire and carbon monoxide detectors. My aunt insisted I only buy what was on sale and the only ones on sale that were combo units, get this....TALK TO YOU!!! Yep, that's right. When they go off, they say \"Your house is on fire!!! You must leave your house immediately!!!!\" I'm not sure what set them off...low batteries, high carbon monoxide from the gas stove she burns constantly, a full moon? Who knows? But that has to be what it was because it's the same message over and over. I bought new batteries but haven't put them in yet. I'm waiting till I hear voices in the night!!!

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(Face palm)

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❤️

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“It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.”

\nDeuteronomy 11:12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-09T01:30:05-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/09/giving.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","The Cats","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/08/home-of-my-heart.html", "title": "Home of my Heart", "content_html": "\n
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Just a quick note to let you know I arrived safely. I had to run to the next little small town to buy a long distance calling card. I can't be TOTALLY cut off from the world! I'm going to sleep till noon tomorrow! I haven't stopped running since I got to WV. It's so peaceful in this little holler. Can't wait to sit on the porch and listen to the night. Talk to you soon!

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❤️

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“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

\nPsalm 29:11 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-08T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/08/home-of-my-heart.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Gratitude","Comfort","Peaceful Moments","Farm Life","Memories","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/07/looking-up.html", "title": "Looking Up", "content_html": "\n
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Remember lying on your back on the grass on a hot summer day and looking up through the tree branches above you? The ground was lumpy and cool. The grass tickled the backs of your legs. Bugs buzzed around your ears. And your skin was damp with the salty sour sweat of playing Tag or Red Rover. There was magic in that cool shade beneath those branches. Something solid and comforting...as if the arms of Mother Nature herself were protecting you from the great big world of adulthood.

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Last night, I went to a concert on a hill overlooking town. A local musician opened and the main act was Ronnie Frugé, a true Cajun guitarist from the bayous of Louisiana. He told stories about his songs and entertained us for nearly three hours. I didn't have a blanket, but I laid my head back and looked up through the trees overhead and remembered those days when summer was waning and the new school year loomed large in front of me.

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I was always filled with this sense of change when I was on my back under those trees...a mixed feeling of excitement and dread. And that's what I'm feeling right now. For those of you following along for some time, you'll remember I came to West Virginia two years ago to care for an elderly aunt that needed help. It didn't work out for either of us and I moved on to other arrangements. She hasn't been feeling well lately so she's visiting her brother and I'm going to stay at the farm for a while. This is the home of my heart, the place that has always been my \"safe place\". Having to leave so abruptly two years ago affected how I saw the old homestead in my heart. I'm hoping by going back, I can regain some of the magic it once held for me. I want to connect with it again. So, I'm excited to go stay there. Yet, I'm afraid it will never be the same. I'll just have to see what kind of magic I can work while I'm there.

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And, here's the problem. There's no cell service on the farm. And, there's no internet unless I drive a few miles away to the family cemetery, which I have no problem doing. But, I'm thinking I need to just....be. Be present. Be there. Be disconnected. Be peaceful. Be introspective. I need to write without distraction. And then I'll be back Thursday evening to start my weekend of festivities for my high school reunion.

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I'm going to spend some time looking up through the branches of my life...of my past...and just stare at the sky for a while. I know you'll understand.

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❤️

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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””

\nJoshua 1:9 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-07T01:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/07/looking-up.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Aging","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/05/the-world-is-my-home.html", "title": "The World is my Home", "content_html": "\n
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As I was driving all those long hours cross country this week, many friends messaged me to send words of encouragement. My phone has a unique feature where I can ask it to read my messages and to dictate a reply. The dictation feature insists you enunciate clearly and speak slowly. Project! Or else, you end up telling your friend she might have a you're an airy infection. Or you might just sleep in your truck so you don't have to take your cock out of the back. It can get embarrassing. Or at least very funny! Ahhh...the price you pay for safety!

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At any rate, I received a message from a second cousin twice removed and he wanted my number. He said we needed to talk. Now, all the way to St. Louis, I was planning to head south toward Tennessee to visit cousins. But the closer I got, I was being drawn to come home. As soon as I called my cousin to say I gave in to the call home, my phone rang. It was the second cousin twice removed informing me my aunt had been taken to the hospital in the afternoon. They weren't sure what was going on, but she had huge blisters on her lower legs and ankles. They drew blood for tests, started her on antibiotics and admitted her. After grabbing a few hours sleep, I went down to the hospital, took one look at her legs and said, \"Have you been out rummaging around in that black raspberry patch at the end of the road? She lit up and said, \"Oh, my! Those berries were as big as my thumb!\" I asked for a piece of paper and wrote down that I thought she had chiggers and her overactive immune response developed the blisters. Then I googled it. Nailed it! The doctor came in and seemed to agree. The thing is, you look at a meek little old lady with a rash and blisters on her ankles and berry picking is not the differential diagnosis. It helps to have a friend or family member along who knows the patient's habits and history.

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After I solved the hospital debacle, I ran errands and came back to the river. I was going boating with a friend but the boat wouldn't start so we sat on the boat anyway...all evening, and ate and visited. We still got the motion of the passing boats and we didn't waste the gas. Win-Win!

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Sleep is my new best friend!

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❤️

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“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

\n3 John 1:2 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-05T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/05/the-world-is-my-home.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/31/rhubarb.html", "title": "Rhubarb", "content_html": "\n
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My grandma always cooked rhubarb and served it as a sauce...sort of like applesauce. There was always a covered dish in the fridge with this sweet-tart, pale pink nectar of the gods. She had to swat me away from it or I would eat the whole thing.

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I used to cook up rhubarb when my father-in-law would bring us a mess of it. At dinner last night, my older daughter told us she often came home and there would be two buckets full of rhubarb on her porch and she knew Pop had been there.

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We celebrated my son-in-law's grandma's birthday last night. Since I'm not eating gluten, I didn't have cake. But I did splurge with a little vanilla ice cream with warmed strawberry-rhubarb sauce over it. Oh, that was heavenly...taking me back in time. The addition of strawberries gives just a little something extra to an already divine concoction. Grandma Lois turned 87 and she wanted me to share the recipe she used.

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Grandma Lois' Strawberry-Rhubarb

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This sauce is wonderful warm over ice cream. The family ate it over angel food cake last night although they are quite fond of serving it over warm biscuits. It's great as a side with roast pork. And...it's good straight out of the pan with a spoon. When I think of summer foods, I think of watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, corn on the cob, cucumbers and onions, and rhubarb. Once I have had those foods, it's really been summer.

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❤️

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“This is what the Sovereign Lord showed me: a basket of ripe fruit.”

\nAmos 8:1 NIV\n
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Photo Credit: sunnysidelocal.com

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-31T01:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/31/rhubarb.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Farm Life","Memories","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/30/the-mad-rush.html", "title": "The Mad Rush", "content_html": "\n
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Isn't it always the way? You dink around in the weeks leading up to a trip, sometimes actively trying to find things to do. Then the last three or four days are crazy. We had to juggle some things around this weekend in order to accommodate Big's swim meet so the place to cut corners in time was my stay in the mountains. I came back last night at nearly midnight so I was too whupped to write my usually essay. Go out and enjoy a perfect day and we'll catch up tomorrow morning, k?

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❤️

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“Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.”

\nGenesis 31:55 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-30T01:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/30/the-mad-rush.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/29/have-a-seat.html", "title": "Have a Seat", "content_html": "\n
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Remember these? Everyone had them on their porches and in front of their trailers. What treasures they are. We never owned any, but I remember hot summer nights when we were visiting people. We'd come outside after supper and sit in the dark on the porch, hoping to catch a cool breeze. A tall glass of sweet tea sat sweating in a puddle on the matching table beside you. The metal felt cool on your bare legs. Some were made with springs to allow you to rock...well, more like bounce, really.

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We did our best to dissuade the beastly mosquitos...big enough to carry you back to the nest and share with the whole congregation. I am sure Kung Fu was invented because of that incessant buzzing near your ear. As dusk began to settle, the night watchmen came out in the form of lightning bugs (fireflies to some)...shining their neon green lanterns. Children ran around the yard with canning jars and lids to catch them. I had a country cousin who squished their little tail ends and put the glowing glob of gut goo on her fingers and wrists for a kind of macabre jewelry. It was great fun then but decidedly unappealing now...the squishing of bugs for adornment.

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In the distance, the distinct call of the whippoorwill sent a sigh of contentment around the old folks. Such a mournful, sweet call that is more and more difficult to find these days. One evening, as we listened to the far off call of the whippoorwill, we heard an earth shattering scream that sounded like a woman getting attacked. Almost instantly, the bird call stopped in mid-\"poor\" and grandpa told us the bobcat got it. The circle of life is learned early on the farm.

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I spotted these beauties rusting in the New Mexico sun, lined up in a throwback vintage trailer park and couldn't resist snapping a few photos of them. I could just imagine the women sitting out here with their sun hats, play suits, spectator pumps...cosmos in hand, ice tinkling as their laughter filled the air. The husbands stood off to the side, carefully pressed white shirts tucked into their sharply pleated chinos....discussing \"manly\" things like cars and sports and politics. Children played Red Rover and Kick the Can as they dodged between the sleek and shiny Airstreams and the smaller Shastas that housed them on their travels.

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I've been feeling oddly reminiscent this week. I guess I'm longing for a more genteel time when words weren't so easily turned into weapons and Lawrence Welk distracted us from more pressing matters. Danny Thomas and Red Skelton, Minnie Pearl and Grandpa Jones. I Love Lucy. Comfort shows. I am tired of feeling scared by the media. I have to remind myself who's REALLY in charge here. That soothes my mind.

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❤️

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“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.”

\nPsalm 13:5-6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-29T01:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/29/have-a-seat.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/28/music-in-a-small-town.html", "title": "Music in a Small Town", "content_html": "\n
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I moved to Glenwood Springs in 1986. At that time, there were two stop lights and if it took five minutes to get across town, it was a high traffic day. I-70 was being constructed through Glenwood Canyon...the last section of a highway that bisects North America from east to west. It is the most expensive stretch of interstate in the country with tunnels and flying bridges that have westbound traffic on top of the eastbound lanes. There are frequent rockfalls in the canyon, some of which close it down completely for days. John Denver protested the building of the interstate through the canyon, not only for aesthetic purposes, but also for the environmental impact. He postulated that the canyon was too narrow to accommodate a four lane highway and said he could prove it by throwing a silver dollar from one bank to the other. Legend has it, it took him several tries but he finally achieved the feat. To no avail, however. Nothing impedes the progress of an interstate.

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I moved here with Hubby #2 and my oldest daughter when he finished residency and she was heading into seventh grade. It was a sleepy little town...the kind of town where you just sign your receipt at the grocery store if you forget your checkbook with a promise to come back and pay the next time you're in town. I once brought a Suburban home for the weekend for approval simply because they knew where we lived.

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It was an idyllic life. We lived in a log house on two acres. I could get from my kitchen to the top of the ski lift in less than thirty minutes. I did my housewife duties in the morning, skied all afternoon and got back in time to pull fresh cookies out of the oven when my daughter got off the bus from school. We literally knew everyone in town. Then the interstate was completed and there was a huge influx of new people moving in and our sleepy little town woke up.

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We held a pretty high profile in the community with my husband being a doctor and me being active on committees and the school. Four years after moving here, baby number two came and my life took off in an entirely new direction. With a teenager and a new baby, my finger was in a lot of pies.

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Ten years went by with a lot of struggles with depression and health concerns. Then, the unthinkable happened and this couple that everyone thought was perfect...wasn't. And we went our separate ways. I had a strange perception of my position in the community after that. My station had changed and as will happen in any breakup, people chose sides. It's a normal but unfortunate process. I held my own though. I owned a business in town for a few years and co-parented my youngest. Her sister married and moved away. And eventually, I met and married Mr. Virgo.

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Now I come back whenever I can...to visit my brother, to visit my second parents, my brother/friend and all these wonderful faces I still recognize. Wednesday night in the summer features live music in the park and it is THE place to see and be seen. Many of these beautiful people I go years without seeing and it is so great to catch up. So, I sat last night as the sun went down on another perfect Rocky Mountain summer day and I soaked it all in. Because, in five days, I'll be driving east and my summer here will be complete. Bittersweet but with so much love.

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❤️

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“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

\nDeuteronomy 8:2 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-28T01:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/28/music-in-a-small-town.html", "tags": ["Family","Growth","Gratitude","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/23/busy-busy-busy.html", "title": "Busy, Busy, Busy", "content_html": "\n
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Pancakes for breakfast. Walmart for the fishing license and bait. We went fishing yesterday and Little \"almost caught a fish\". She's sure of it because there was a little piece of her worm missing. I'm not as convinced because there was a kid fishing every 10 feet around that lake. What a cool sight to see! Little had an ethical dilemma. She wouldn't use live bait because she wouldn't kill it. And, she was very concerned about the pain she might inflict on a fish by hooking it. I assured her as best I could that fish brains are rather small and unsophisticated but how should I know if a fish feels pain or not? Now she's got ME feeling bad!

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We ate a late lunch by the river then headed back to our very hot cabin with no air conditioning for a little siesta then off to the Hot Springs Pool to play for a few hours. Dinner was wonderful at a nice restaurant. Little raved about the food and used her very best manners. The night was topped off with s'mores around the campfire.

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We were standing in the pool talking and I caught one of her \"look into your soul\" stares and I smiled. I said, \"You know, Little...someday you're going to be a big, grown-up lady and you're going to look back on this day and remember everything we did and it's going to be a very special memory. I want you to know...some day I'm going to be a very old woman and I'm going to remember this day, too. And, it will make me smile.\" She beamed, squeezed my hand and swam off, giggling. My little mermaid.

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❤️

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“I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,”

\n2 Peter 1:13 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-23T01:16:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/23/busy-busy-busy.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Be Joyful!","Littles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/17/magic-moments.html", "title": "Magic Moments", "content_html": "\n
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I spent the day with Big yesterday. There's something magical when you break through the barriers of a twelve-year-old who is entirely too cool for you. She's not into tent camping. I'll be lucky to get her out in TOW-Wanda next time I bring her. A tent would push her over the edge. Her mommy was the same way. If she couldn't plug in her curling iron, she wasn't interested. Then she went off to college and did a ten day rafting trip down the Colorado River and about blew my mind.

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Since I'm taking Little camping next week, I told Big we would have a special day this weekend and do whatever she wanted. She chose to visit the Denver Aquarium. Then we went to lunch at PF Chang's and sat out on the deck overlooking the mountains. After lunch, we went to Park Meadows mall. It's the biggest mall in the Denver Metro area and we got quite a workout. We had to take a break for ice cream, of course. We did back-to-school shopping. OMGosh! I totally forgot how much fun shopping with a pre-teen girl is!

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Big was at swim practice at 8:00 yesterday morning so between that and shopping and full tummies, we were pooped by 4:00 in the afternoon so we headed home. She was asleep before we hit the interstate. When we got home, there was the obligatory fashion show for her mom. Then...she melted my heart. She came and sat in my lap and cuddled for a while. So sweet. So appreciative. So grown up yet still a little girl. It was a precious, precious moment I will always cherish because they grow way too fast, don't they?

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❤️

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“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

\nPsalm 127:3 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-17T01:30:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/17/magic-moments.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Aging","Be Joyful!","Littles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/12/water-world.html", "title": "Water World", "content_html": "\n
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So, what do you do when it's your daughter's birthday and she wants you to go to Water World with the crew but you accidentally erased a whole chapter of your book over the weekend and hadn't quite got around to backing it up properly and it was absolutely nowhere to be found and you need to write the whole darned thing over and it was one of the more difficult chapters to write anyway because it's all emotional and you thought you were done with that part but apparently that was just a pipe dream? Well, you go to Water World and plug in your laptop and write and your family love you and support you and make sure you're comfortable and have plenty to eat and drink and then you float down the Lazy River for an hour while you take a break and it was so awesome you didn't want to stop but the sun was hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk and you prayed the sunscreen would do what sunscreen does so you can sleep comfortably after a huge dinner of ribs, beans and coleslaw! That's what you do! And, at the end of the day, you thank God for giving you another chance to get it right. My life is blessed!

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❤️

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-12T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/12/water-world.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Fun","Writing","Be Joyful!","Littles","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/11/happy-birthday-judy-ann-grabowski.html", "title": "Happy Birthday, Judy Ann Grabowski!", "content_html": "\n
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She was a little towheaded tomboy but she loved a twirly dress and shiny party shoes with buckles. She loved her Hobby Hobby doll. She said mazagine and cackeltator. She \"put on a show\" to anyone who would stand still long enough, dragging her step stool out for a stage. She learned to be tough because we didn't have time nor money for foolishness. She never broke a bone on my watch but boy when she did, she was steel. She flew alone from the age of four to go see her Dad across the country. I think about that now and can't believe I let her go. It was a different world back then.

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I taught her to drive a stick shift when I was nine months pregnant with her sister....and we all lived to tell the tale. I saw her through homecomings and proms and college and her wedding. She gave me two beautiful granddaughters. There were things I wish I had done better, but she has turned into the strongest woman I know. A good woman. A hard worker. A good wife and mother. The kind of woman you want for a friend because she'll hold up the mirror and slap you and show you who you are so you can grow. She is direct and maybe sometimes a bit too blunt. I love her with the white hot heat of the sun, my sunshine girl. I am so, so proud of her.

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Happy Birthday, my sweet girl!

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❤️

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“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

\nEphesians 1:16 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-11T01:30:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/11/happy-birthday-judy-ann-grabowski.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Love","Be Joyful!","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/04/the-scent-of-rain.html", "title": "The Scent of Rain", "content_html": "\n
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Petrichor: the smell of rain on the dry earth. There is something magical about that scent. I remember living in an old farmhouse back in the early '80s. Even though it was in a highly populated urban area, it was the farmhouse for the original land that was subsequently developed with the housing boom after WW2. The house had huge trees around it and large windows you could fling open wide to let in the fresh summer breeze. It always stayed cool with thick walls of buff-colored brick and heavy, dark wood inside. For some reason, when I smell the scent of rain, my mind conjures up that house.

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We were poor as church mice. Hubby #2 was an intern so my daughter and I were on our own a lot. I baked our bread...made our yogurt. I even made homemade tofu. We had a VW van camper. I read Mother Earth News religiously. I wore cut offs and football jerseys and went barefoot everywhere. We listened to the classical station and PBS. We gathered together to listen to Prairie Home Companion while I crocheted or quilted. I canned our food and made jams, jellies, pickles. We gave the only bedroom to my daughter and we slept out on the sun porch which, trust me, was colder than you know what in the winter!

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But, summer....ahhhhh, glorious summer, with its thunderstorms and barbecues and bike rides is the stuff of legend. It is what gets us through the dark days of winter...the memories of the scent of rain.
Happy Fourth of July, everyone...let freedom ring!

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❤️

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“Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.”

\nHebrews 6:7 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-04T01:30:55-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/04/the-scent-of-rain.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/30/objects-in-the-mirror.html", "title": "Objects in the Mirror", "content_html": "\n
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I quickly texted my nephew and arranged to meet him for dinner. This is my sweet boy that I grabbed from his mama and set off for the store the moment I got my hands on him. This is the boy with the big eyes and the red corduroy blankie that greeted me the morning his baby sister was being born and we hardly knew each other. This is the little guy I slid down hills with on cardboard. The one who honored me with a speaking part in his Bar Mitzvot. The one who hugged me in front of his friends when he graduated high school. The one who still calls me Aunt Ginny. I didn't get to go to his college graduation, but I knew we would catch up when I got here. And, in keeping with my new rules, we have experiences instead of giving stuff. So, last night we sat for three hours over dinner and talked...as adults. It was really our first time to do that.

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I'm so proud of this young man. He has a big heart. He has a lot on the ball. He starts his first postgraduate job in August but first he and a buddy are touring the Philippines and Vietnam. What a wonderful opportunity.

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After I caught up on what's been going on in his life, he asked about mine. He knew about the New York Times article and getting an agent but there were plenty of blanks to fill in. Then he asked me about the book I'm writing. I told him the story and his jaw dropped. That's when I realized...he was only six years old when I overdosed and nearly died. He hadn't known any of that had happened. Since he's an adult now, and will be reading it some day, I shared the whole story. Love his heart. He's such a compassionate young man. When I was done he asked if he could tell me he's proud of me. That meant more to me than just about anything.

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I couldn't talk him into dessert. We left it at salad and a beer. But we gained a closeness last night that no amount of money could buy. And I am so, so proud of my A-Man!

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Looking back over the past 16 years with someone you love who was totally unaware of what happened, made me realize those little words on the passenger side mirror are really true. Objects really are closer than they appear.

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❤️

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“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”

\n1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-30T01:30:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/30/objects-in-the-mirror.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/29/breakfast-talk.html", "title": "Breakfast Talk", "content_html": "\n
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A lot can be learned over a stack of pancakes when you're enjoying them with a nine-year-old. For instance, she is very proud of the fact she is overcoming a learning disability and succeeding in school. She loves math and reading and writes stories. She tells me she's a \"maker\", just like me. This one is like me in so many ways. Demonstrative, emotional, tender hearted, and oh so funny.

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As the pancakes slowly disappeared, she started talking about God. We've talked about God many times and I am always very careful not to be too pushy about religion. I was scared away from the church around her age. Yesterday was different though. She started talking about Jesus. I asked her who Jesus was. She said \"The Son of God. He came here to give us the chance to be as perfect as we can be.\" I asked her how she knew about God and Jesus. She said \"Nana, I was born knowing them. I've ALWAYS known them.\" I asked her if she remembered being with them before she came here and she said \"No, it doesn't work that way, Nana. You forget that part when you're born.\" Out of the mouths of babes.

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We spent the rest of the meal talking about grief and how it affects people differently. We talked about the waves and how sometimes you're fine and sometimes you're not and you never really know when it will bother you. We talked about promises and how from now on, when I'm asked to go do things, I'm going to say how much I'd love to do that and it will depend on how I'm feeling when the time comes. She looked at me with steady eyes and said, \"That's a good idea, Nana. It will keep everyone from being disappointed, including you.\" Oh, how I love this kid. She's my mirror.

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Yesterday included a day at the zoo. We rode the train and had lunch outdoors. We came back to cool off and snooze. We finished the day with the BEST barbecue EVER and went swimming. Little ended the night with \"This was the best day ever, Nana!\" It doesn't matter to her what we do, she says...as long as she gets to do it with me. Today we ask for travel mercies as we drive back to Colorado.

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❤️

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“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.””

\nMatthew 19:13-14 NIV\n
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Photo Credit: thehillsbar.com

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-29T01:30:21-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/29/breakfast-talk.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","Be Joyful!","Littles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/27/in-the-swim.html", "title": "In the Swim", "content_html": "\n
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My older granddaughter has her eyes on a prize. She wants to be in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo on the US Swim Team. She is a strong, devoted, driven young woman who works as hard academically as she does athletically. She does much better in any situation when she can see it ahead of time. Then she can visualize as she works it out.

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We arrived in Omaha safely at 5:30 and were in the pool by 6:00. An hour in the water, a hot bath, a warm, full tummy and bed. I wrote this last night so I'm hoping that little whirling dervish assigned to my bed actually sleeps!

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❤️

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“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

\nPsalm 4:8 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-27T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/27/in-the-swim.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/26/balance.html", "title": "Balance", "content_html": "\n
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A dear friend sent me a message yesterday in reference to the Roller Coaster post. She has studied Ayurveda, a 5,000 year old system of medical care with roots in India. It is based on maintaining balance between body, mind, and spirit. According to the Chopra Center, \"Recognizing that human beings are part of nature, Ayurveda describes three fundamental energies that govern our inner and outer environments: movement, transformation, and structure. Known in Sanskrit as Vata (Wind), Pitta (Fire), and Kapha (Earth), these primary forces are responsible for the characteristics of our mind and body.\" If one or more of these energies get out of balance, it can be a huge instigator of anxiety. With travel, heat, altitude, emotional upheaval surrounding illness in the family and missing my man...it's no wonder I felt ungrounded.

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Everything in the world is made of energy. We are affected by energy, both internal and external. When something gets too excited, it causes a response somewhere else...because, energy cannot be created or destroyed. Achieving balance while grieving is a monumental task as I'm sure you've found. It doesn't take much to send all those rocks tumbling at your feet.
I spent the day yesterday writing my book proposal. It's a zen activity for me to write. I get centered. I meditate. I pray. Then I get in the zone and let it flow. For some reason, the flow is easy this week and I can get so much done. I have to be in the right creative space to write. I found my balance yesterday.

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Today, we're heading out on a road trip to the Olympic Trials. My oldest and her oldest are attending. Her youngest and I are hanging out by the pool!!! It will be a lovely trip with my beloveds.

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Balance. It's all about balance.

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❤️

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“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

\nPhilippians 4:11 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-26T01:30:04-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/26/balance.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Positive Energy","Littles","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/25/relax.html", "title": "Relax", "content_html": "\n
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A day full of self-care is all it takes to make the difference between a roller coaster spinning out of control and smooth sailing. First, thank you for all your words of encouragement yesterday. They help more than you know. I do have to remind myself that it's just been three years. I'm still actively grieving. And, as my sweet friend Jamie points out to me...no amount of busy distraction and exercise can keep me from the work at hand.

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My family heard me. I explained where I am in this journey and that I really do try to do my best. And, my \"best\" varies with the wind. They were understanding, loving, and supportive. I didn't go to Water World and sit in the heat. I worked on my book proposal till mid-afternoon. Then I took a nap. I met the kids for dinner and then my older daughter and I went out to a movie. It was a day of self-care and love and peace and I felt SO much better afterward. Sometimes you just have to take this one day at a time.

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I'm staying home today and writing. I finished the chapter summaries yesterday. Today I work on the book summary...sort of a \"Cliff Notes\" version. I'm so excited! I really want this part done so I can move on to the manuscript. This is quite a process!

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❤️

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“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.””

\nExodus 33:14 NIV\n
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Photo Credit: omgcutethings.com

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-25T01:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/25/relax.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Grief","Writing","Choices","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/12/southern-women.html", "title": "Southern Women", "content_html": "\n
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There is something special about the way Southern women raise their children. I had the pleasure of spending a lovely evening out on the lake with fifteen of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. There were several mamas there with their teenagers. There were plenty of eye contact moments as these beautiful women tutored their children. There were quiet reminders like \"Don't forget to be social.\" and \"Be sure to thank Miss Denise for that.\" There were firm handshakes during introductions and plenty of \"Yes, Ma'am.\" and \"No, Sir.\"

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These women are relaxed, engaged with their children, and pull complete gourmet meals out of a couple canvas tote bags. All while looking fit, trim, and well rested. And they work outside the home. I look back at my parenting style and it's a wonder my kids survived me. I SO didn't have it together. Don't get me wrong...they're great kids and responsible adults. But, seriously...Southern women are special and I really, really have enjoyed this time with them.

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Lake life is magical. Boating, fishing, swimming, eating, conversing, singing, dancing, and kicking back with your feet propped up on the rail, drinking a cold beverage and soaking up some Vitamin D. I found another of my happy places.

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Thank you, thank you, thank you to Tom & Suzy for sharing your beautiful life with me. I have thoroughly enjoyed being here!

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❤️

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“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

\nProverbs 22:6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-12T01:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/12/southern-women.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/10/the-bridge.html", "title": "The Bridge", "content_html": "\n
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A bridge connects two inaccessible points and provides a means for crossing safely over from Point A to Point B. The bridge in this photo carries a portion of the Virginia Creeper Trail where it crosses South Holston Lake in East Tennessee. Imagine how glorious the views are up there!

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We cross a lot of bridges as we pass through the various phases of life. We are never more aware of these than when we are inching ever closer to the final one. I am in East Tennessee visiting my sweet cousin. I have several cousins and I love them all. I was very close to this particular cousin growing up because I had a huge \"little girl crush\" on him when he came home from the Navy. And.....this particular cousin has a terminal illness. We've known for some time. He's having chemo...and, even though it kicks his butt, it has bought him time and given him a better quality of life. For that I am eternally grateful.

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Yesterday we went out boating on the lake. The day was exquisite...absolutely exquisite. I am honored to be with them, especially now. Now we are becoming slightly more aware there are actually numbers on the days. His wife is being so generous with sharing my cousin with me. I don't take that lightly. They are on a bridge right now. There is a certain uncertainty to this whole situation. We know what's coming...kinda. This is walking grief. The kind you get to visit in the long, dark hours before dawn. It's very raw. And it's very real.

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I can't imagine being in their shoes. I am so touched to witness this sweet life-long love they so freely shower on each other. I am honored to bear witness to a life well-lived.

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❤️???❤️

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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””

\nJoshua 1:9 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-10T01:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/10/the-bridge.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Fun","Gratitude","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/09/coffee-and-geraniums.html", "title": "Coffee and Geraniums", "content_html": "\n
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It's a pristine day in Tennessee!

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-09T01:30:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/09/coffee-and-geraniums.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/06/two-sleeps.html", "title": "Two Sleeps", "content_html": "\n
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When my oldest was little and I was trying to teach her the concept of time, I would give her the number of sleeps till the event. I'm counting down to my next ROAD TRIP!!!

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Wednesday I leave this amazing river to head for Tennessee for a few days then it's off to Colorado for the summer. While in TN there will be boating, fishing, BBQ and family visiting.

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I have a boatload of work to get done before I leave. You know how it is before a big trip. I've decided not to take my camper. The wear and tear on the truck and trailer, and the added expense of gas were the determining factors. So, since my camper is really just a glorified handbag, I have to decide what to take and what to leave behind.

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I'm looking forward to low humidity and my babies!!! Not in that order!

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❤️

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“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

\nProverbs 3:24 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-06T01:30:24-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/06/two-sleeps.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/05/to-the-estranged.html", "title": "To the Estranged...", "content_html": "\n
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It must be very difficult for you to want something when it's too late. When I read your words in the message you sent, I could read between the lines and feel your pain, your anger, your frustration. You want memories. I'm sorry...the memories I have don't include you because you weren't there. Memories can't be given. They have to be created. You want stuff? I sent the things he asked me to send. There isn't anything else. Money? Well, there was debt. You want part of that? I haven't asked that of anyone but if you're offering...

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There are consequences of behaviors. When you do not participate in someone's life, when they reach out and are repeatedly turned away, you don't get to come back three years later and complain you have no memories. I can't make those for you. All three of you made choices. He's gone and now it's you two who have to live with the consequences.

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I'm not insensitive to your plight. I tried all my life to have a relationship with my father. Then I got mad and pulled away and wouldn't have anything to do with him, even when he made modest attempts to reach out. I tried again as an adult but we could never have the fairytale ending. We never had the father-daughter dance. My dad was a mean alcoholic who verbally and emotionally abused us. He once stood in front of me in the kitchen with a loaded rifle and begged my mom to kill him. I was 10. When my parents divorced, he moved away, got sober, found Jesus, and married a childhood friend. The man everyone mourned at his funeral was not the same man I grew up with. I didn't know the man we buried.

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I don't know what happened between you and your dad. I wasn't there. I know he was a stubborn man...a proud man. I know he didn't understand, nor have any patience for, female drama and angst. He didn't understand being told he was never there for you when he worked such long hours to provide for you financially. He was crushed by your Father's Day Facebook declaration that the day meant nothing to you since you never really had a father. You know he read that, right? Your point was well taken. He gave up trying but, he never...said...a word.

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Grief is a difficult path all on its own. Compound it with estrangement and it's a messy affair, to be sure. I hope you find closure somehow. I know it took a while for me. You broke off all communication with me a few months after he died and I have no way of reaching you so I'll just leave this here. You'll probably never see it, but others will and it might help them. I know you and I aren't the only people who are/were estranged from a parent. I will pray for you both for every success, every joy, every moment of peace you deserve.

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Nothing but love...

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❤️

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““Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

\nExodus 20:12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-05T01:30:11-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/05/to-the-estranged.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Forgiveness","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/30/lest-we-forget.html", "title": "Lest We Forget", "content_html": "\n
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He was just 25. A small-town country boy from West Virginia. Brilliant. Handsome. Full of promise...full of hope. He had attended WVU and wanted to fly jets. He enlisted as an officer in the Air Force and went to Arizona for flight school. Everyone loved him and were so proud of Sonny.

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My grandparents, my great-grandparents and an aunt drove to Arizona to see my uncle get his wings. My aunt had worked in San Diego, but the others had never been so far from home. It was the trip of a lifetime for them. Grandma kept scratchy black and white photos in scrapbooks along with postcards, napkins and matchbooks from restaurants, and the program from the ceremony. This was truly the story of a country boy done good.

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After the required training, Uncle Sonny was shipped to Germany to Landstuhl AFB. He had quick assignments in Africa and surrounding countries, but it was peace time in 1955 and his work was routine. The pilots had a daily flight schedule for continuing education and keeping their skills sharp. They had to put in a certain number of flight hours.

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May 5, 1955 dawned with a cold, thick fog. Sonny arrived on the flight deck as scheduled but the plane he was supposed to fly was grounded. There was another plane available. It was older and was actually en route to become a static display. It had had three engines replaced in as many days, but someone made the decision to send the young pilot up for his required flight time.

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The preflight check was accomplished and the airman was aloft when he noticed the plane seemed sluggish. He wasn't gaining altitude as expected. He circled the airfield but the groaning engines just would not lift him higher. He knew he was going to have to set it down, but he was rapidly approaching the barracks and administration buildings filled with staff. It was against his nature to eject and let the plane crash, especially if it risked injuring innocent people. He noticed to his right, a freshly plowed field and headed there. He nearly made it, when his right wing clipped a tree and caused the plane to cartwheel out of control. My sweet Uncle Sonny...the man who carried me high over his head when he rejoiced my birth...was found still strapped in his ejection seat in the mud of a German potato field, mortally wounded.

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The news came in a telegram. \"We regret to inform you...\" The family collectively died that day. It was a couple of weeks before he came home in a flag-draped coffin. Grandma kept smelling his wallet, relieved there was no smell of smoke. It was a time of brokenness that was far reaching. It affected everyone, including us littles as we were being raised in the shadow of profound grief.

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When Mr. Virgo died, I was handed the folded flag from his coffin, just as he received the one from his father and I from mine. We live these free lives of ours on the backs of such great men as George Chadock, Daniel McKinney II, Daniel McKinney III, and Olin Roush. May they forever be remembered for their sacrifices. May they forever rest in peace in the arms of their Father.

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❤

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“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

\nJohn 15:13 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-30T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/30/lest-we-forget.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Holiday","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/28/reflections.html", "title": "Reflections", "content_html": "\n
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When the air is very still and there is no boat traffic, the surface of this river is like glass. It's such a magical place. To quote a friend's daughter on his retired lifestyle, \"I could be as Zen as **** if I didn't have to work!\" It's true. This has been such an amazing time for me and I am honored to have this opportunity to live and play and write here.

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A friend of mine is camping near me this weekend. That has been a treat to sit around and talk till dark, feeling the heat of the day turn the corner towards twilight. I love watching the river traffic. Besides the usual barges, there are plenty of pleasure craft flying up and down.

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I left the AC on in the camper while I was out talking last night. I came back to get yogurt and strawberries for dessert and it was so cold in here you could have hung meat! I turned it off and opened the windows then it was delightful. I just don't like the noise of a fan anymore.

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Funny, my mom weighed heavy on my mind yesterday. I kept envisioning her in her chair in the corner, working on her beloved genealogy. This is about the time of year when I brought the kids home for a visit. And it was always so humid and hot. Exercise must be accomplished early now. I don't tolerate heat like I used to. It's weird the things that change as you...ripen!

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❤️

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“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

\n1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-28T01:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/28/reflections.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Gratitude","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/09/grandmas-rhododendron.html", "title": "Grandma's Rhododendron", "content_html": "\n
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I wouldn't necessarily say my mom's mom had much of a green thumb...at least not with house plants. I don't think it ever occurred to her, as a farm woman, to have plants indoors. She would have seen it as frivolous and a complete waste of time, space, and resources. She did enjoy the occasional bouquet of posies on the dining room table but that was it. Grandma had a really good eye for planting outdoors though. She managed to plant flowers that bloomed in succession so there was always color around the yard. And her vegetable garden was always remarkable.

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I tried having gardens. From little beds of tomatoes to square foot gardening to a massive 4000 square foot garden that served merely to feed the prolific deer in the area. I pretty much came to the conclusion farmers markets are there for a reason. I used to can and preserve a lot. Jams, jellies, pickles, green beans, tomatoes, applesauce and peaches were my staples. I love canning, but no longer have the room for prepping, cooking, or storage. It's one of the things I let go for this new life I've created.

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I have become a sort of life architect. I first had to give thought to what I want my life to look like, then I had to ask God to bring the building blocks, and now I'm fitting them this way and that to see what fits where. After the initial heartache of having the need to do this, I have discovered the joys of creating the beautiful life I want to live. Sometimes I try to fit something in that really wasn't meant for me. Then I have to back up and dismantle a little and start again. Such is the nature of life in general, but after great loss, it's more poignant...more intentional. At least it has been for me.

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As I prepared to photograph grandma's rhododendron, this lovely swallowtail butterfly came and lit right in front of me. Another God moment. Another moment with Mr. Virgo.

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❤️

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“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

\nPsalm 23:2-3 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-09T01:30:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/09/grandmas-rhododendron.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/08/mothers-day.html", "title": "Mother's Day", "content_html": "\n
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Mother's Day originated in West Virginia. Just another service we provide here in the Mountain State. My mom was a beautiful woman and I miss her desperately. There are so many things I'd love to share with her on our weekly phone call on Sunday nights. First, I'd tell her I'm a Christian now. She would never have thought ill of me for any of my choices, but she would have been happy. Second, I wish she could have met her first great grandchild. Mama loved little pink bundles. Third, I wish she could have met Mr. Virgo. She would have loved him. And fourth, I wish she could see how wonderful my brother Gary is doing.

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I miss her something awful.

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I wish all of you a Happy Mother's Day. And I also want to remember a certain person whose baby was recently born sleeping. Let us not forget those brave mothers with empty arms.

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❤️?❤️

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“David replied, “I fasted and wept while the child was alive, for I said, ‘Perhaps the LORD will be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.””

\n2 Samuel 12:22-23 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-08T01:30:55-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/08/mothers-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/04/20/love-languages.html", "title": "Love Languages", "content_html": "\n
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I had a profound insight yesterday. I mean....deeply profound, as in \"How could I possibly have been with that man for 21 years and not \"get\" this?\" I had my hand on someone's shoulder and I could feel the discomfort this caused. I didn't think it was in an \"I don't like YOU\" sort of way, but I could tell something was amiss. So, I asked. \"Does my touching you make you uncomfortable?\" The answer was, \"I'm just not a real touchy person. It isn't personal.\" Knowing this person as I do, I believe that.

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I went about my day, met a friend for lunch, and ran errands. Sometime in the afternoon, I flashed back to my second marriage. My ex-husband was not a touchy-feely person. It is not his \"love language\". David Chapman wrote a book in 1995, The Five Love Languages. We express our love and affection by gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service (devotion), and physical touch. According to Chapman, \"your chosen love language is the way you would most like to receive love from your companion.\" Physical touch and words of affirmation are my choices. Looking back, I would say my ex's was acts of service. You're not supposed to give what you want to receive. You're supposed to give what your partner CAN receive. Wow.

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I spent the first ten years of that marriage trying to make him into a touchy feely guy. I spent the second ten years trying to pretend it didn't matter to me. It never, ever occurred to me to ASK him if touching bothered him. It just ticked me off that he wouldn't snuggle. After all, I was doing my level best to TEACH him. Oh, my gosh! He must have felt so smothered and overwhelmed with me fawning all over him all the time. Communication. Why does it have to be so tricky when you're young?

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I have always been a very physical person. I'm expansive and wave my hands around to emphasize points in a story. I love on people freely. I can't help it....love just overflows and I sometimes don't know what to do with it all because I love everybody. I didn't realize things might have been different with my ex if we both would have learned a new language instead of being so angry that we didn't speak the same one. Honestly, it probably wouldn't have made a difference in the outcome of that relationship but this was quite an eye opener. Why do we have to get to our 60's before we really start to \"get\" it?

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❤️

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“Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.”

\nPsalms 141:3 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-04-20T01:30:42-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/04/20/love-languages.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","Love","Forgiveness","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/04/09/a-different-kind-of-grief.html", "title": "A Different Kind of Grief", "content_html": "\n
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I lost Mr. Virgo in a matter of hours. The shock that kind of death brings is stunning. You cannot breathe. I have often thought to myself how, if he had to die, at least he went quickly and relatively pain free. But what about these people who are given a death sentence way out in front? I cannot imagine what they go through.

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Well meaning people say things to the spouse like, \"Well, at least you have time to say goodbye.\" Or, \"At least you know it's coming.\" Seriously? How can knowing be any comfort? How can any amount of time prepare you for such a loss...especially when you pretty much know what lies ahead and it ain't gonna be pretty? That is horrifying to me. I am blessed to be in the presence of two wonderful people who are walking that path right now with more courage and grace than I can imagine.

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I am in the beautiful state of Tennessee. The redbud and dogwood are competing with the bright green of the undergrowth for top billing. There is a party of color in the mountains and valleys of Tennessee and Kentucky that is a feast for the eyes and a balm for the winter-weary spirit. My cousin and his wife moved here last year to live closer to their kids. They're going to need them. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma over a year ago. They've been married for fifty-some years. They are the best of friends and the truest of sweethearts. I see them together and see what Mr. Virgo and I would have been like, given the same circumstances.

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My cousin's wife is incredibly brave. She knows full well what's coming and she is facing it with grace. You can feel the low undercurrent of fear. You can see it flicker in her eyes when we dance close to discussing the future. But this is a strong West Virginia woman. She is organized. She is getting fit...physically, mentally, and spiritually. She is a Warrior Princess, preparing for the battle of her life.

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My cousin has an amazing attitude. He's not going to go sit in his chair and wait for the grim reaper. He's out and active. He hunts, fishes, rides his side-by-side in the woods. He's busy preparing the house to be maintenance free so his wife will be able to handle it when he's gone. He built a canning kitchen in one of the garages by the house so he can practice one of his most joyful hobbies. He is happy, upbeat, and present. He exemplifies mindfulness. He enjoys every moment, savoring it like sipping a hundred year old single malt scotch. It burns going down, but fills him with a warmth from within.

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It is an honor to be here. It is a privilege to witness this kind of love. It is touching to see them in their love dance, gliding across the floor of life...heads held high, hands firmly clasped, focusing only on each other. Here. Now. It's a tragically beautiful thing. I love them immensely and I'm so very proud of them.

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Their hands hold each other. God's hands will catch their tears.

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❤️

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““Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.”

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***?Monday, Monday...check back that day...?***

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-04-09T01:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/04/09/a-different-kind-of-grief.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Comfort","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/04/06/burning-the-candle.html", "title": "Burning the Candle", "content_html": "\n
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It was a long day yesterday working on the website and today will be even longer. There was a gentleman sitting at our table at Starbucks where we were working. He overheard our conversation and was asking me questions about what I'm doing. He was interested in my writing. He kept laughing when my \"media consultant\" aka Hubby #1 and I bantered back and forth with that old familiarity divorced people can sometimes achieve. I introduced myself...and my ex. He stopped and said, \"Your ex? I wish my ex and I could get along like that!\"

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I hear that a lot. \"How can you be friends with your ex???\" Well, first of all, neither of my exes ever did anything so egregious that it couldn't be forgiven. Second, I wasn't the perfect princess in either one of the marriages that ended in divorce. I was a much better wife the third time around. I had learned a lot in those first two marriages.

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We are just people. We are fallible. We make mistakes. Sometimes they're great big ones that cause lasting damage. Sometimes people and situations just...change. What good does it do to carry all that anger and hatred with you to the grave? I know, I know...it isn't easy. No, it is not. But I'm here to tell you it's doable and being nice to each other and treating each other with respect is what we do to all humans. And almost all exes are human.

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When ex-Hubby #2 had a new girlfriend.....oooooooh, I hated her. I was so angry, and hurt, and rejected. My heart was broken. But the Rabbi spoke at High Holy Days and said, \"It is not enough to ask for God's forgiveness. You must ask the forgiveness of those you sinned against.\" I thought about this the whole day and finally realized there was no getting around it. I called his girlfriend up, told her who I was...and asked for her forgiveness. I explained the significance of the day and told her I had spoken ill of her in the year before and I needed to ask for her forgiveness. After that, whenever she and my ex came into my mind, instead of feeling hurt and angry, I sent them love and light. I asked God to bless them with abundant love and happiness. They went on to marry and they are truly happy together. This freed me.

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Both of my exes have extraordinarily wonderful wives. They married well. They are good, strong women. They are kind and loving. They have great kids. We treat each other with love and respect. With time, effort, and love for our children, we have created a large extended family that gets together for special family events. There's never any fighting. Never a cross word. I love them all.

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Forgiveness goes a long way toward getting the life of peace you long for. Is there someone you need to forgive? Anger and resentment are the poison you take hoping that the other person falls ill. Isn't it time to free yourself from all that angst, pain and drama?

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❤️

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“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

\nMatthew 5:9 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-04-06T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/04/06/burning-the-candle.html", "tags": ["Family","Wisdom","Aging","Writing","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/02/26/you-cant-make-old-friends.html", "title": "You Can't Make Old Friends", "content_html": "\n
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I have the luxury, at least for the time being, of sitting down with my coffee every morning and reading your responses to my posts. There have become a number of familiar names who respond regularly. I haven't met the vast majority of you. I don't know all of your stories though I am honored when you share your hearts with me, as I share mine with you.

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I feel a sort of kinship to you, although my crotchety old aunt refers to you as my \"pretend friends\". We are made sisters by the shared experiences of grief, of divorce, of motherhood. We are the family of woman, sharing bits and pieces of our lives as we walk each other home.

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As I contemplated this yesterday, coffee in hand, my cell phone alerted me. I had a message from my friend, \"Hattie\". She told me she's been thinking about me a lot lately she considers me her very \"specialist\" old friend. It was attached to a link to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers' song \"You Can't Make Old Friends\".

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I told her to hang on, I'd go watch. She watched it again as I did. My heart swelled and tears spilled down my cheeks. You see, \"Hattie\" isn't JUST my friend. She is my nonbiological sister. She is my soul partner.

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I met \"Hattie\" in Sophomore Choir. She sat in front of me that first day and had a dress on made from the same fabric as mine. A white background with mod hot pink daisies with neon yellow centers. I tapped her on the shoulder and she turned to look at me. I pointed to my dress, she looked down at hers. And we laughed and laughed. \"Hattie\" was everything I wanted to be. Petite, long blonde hair, tan, fit, and a voice that belted out any tune she tried. She could play the piano which made me green with envy. But, what drew me to her the most was that personality. \"Hattie\" brought sunshine with her to every room. She walked with a determined stride. This girl had purpose and I instantly loved her.

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As graduation often does, we moved in different directions in life...she eventually to the South, me way out West. \"Hattie\" was my mother's \"other daughter\" and they remained close, even vacationing together. We always stayed close but there were stretches of time we didn't actually talk. But, we always knew the other was there...with truth, love, and laughter.

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As I watched this video, knowing my oldest, dearest, most special-est friend had sent it to me and was watching it with me, my heart reached across the miles and held hers...with a fierce love only old friends can elicit. I pray you have one such old friend in your life. I cannot bear the thought of standing here without her. Instead, I will love on her every chance I get. I will tell her over and over how important she has been in my life. How important she IS in my life because...you truly can't make old friends.

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❤

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“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

\nJohn 15:12-13 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-02-26T02:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/02/26/you-cant-make-old-friends.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Comfort","Love","Be Joyful!","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/02/05/goodbyes.html", "title": "Goodbyes", "content_html": "\n
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A little over seven years ago, my dad died. He had Alzheimer's Disease and was in a nursing home. He was just shy of 88 years old. Dad and I didn't have a comfortable relationship. While I've been told by others how he bragged on me and professed his love for me, I saw very little evidence of those feelings my entire life. He was an active alcoholic when I was growing up and seemed to revert to his old behaviors whenever we were together.

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I buried his ashes on that far river bank there. It was a hot September day...a Thursday, just two days after the memorial service. I'm not sure how or why I was put in the position of deciding his funeral arrangements since he had remarried many, many years ago and his wife was living. But, however it happened, I selected cremation. To my knowledge, Dad had never given any directives as to funeral arrangements. In my mind, cremation suited him. He was a fisherman and was much happier on a river bank than with his family. So, I selected this as his final resting place. As you can see, the river is up, so his ashes have long since met the Mississippi Delta.

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I came here yesterday to see his wife. She is in the same nursing home Dad was in, right across the street from the funeral home she will pass through one day, same as Dad. She doesn't know how old she is. She couldn't remember the last time I saw her. She kept telling me how good it was of me to visit. I looked at her and prayed, \"Dear God...please don't do this to me. When it's my time, just take me fast like You took my husband.\" Oh, if it were just that easy.

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When Mr. Virgo died, I was 59. I could not picture a future...any future...without him. I'm only now getting little flashes of where my life might go. I don't think any of us can really conjure up a clear image of what our lives could actually look like 10, 20, possibly even 30 years down the road. Especially when our \"mirror\" is gone. Mr. Virgo served as my frame of reference. As he aged, I aged...though I had difficulty recognizing it. My only real clue now is the silver in my hair. It has grayed tremendously in the last three years. I like it. It gives me character. I know the stress of grief has contributed to the changes I see and that is beyond anyone's control.

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Anyway, back to Laura. She was lying in the same position she was in the last time I saw her. I don't visit with her very often. We were never close. But I do pray for her. I pray for all the forgotten ones in the nursing homes. I pray I'm never one of them. But, mostly I pray that my Dad understands why I buried him on a muddy river bank. I hope he understands it was an angry little girl who did that. I hope I see him again so we can have that moment of reconciliation. In the meantime, I always come here and visit with him when I'm in town. It was where he was the happiest.

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❤️

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“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.””

\nGenesis 3:19 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-02-05T02:30:06-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/02/05/goodbyes.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","Forgiveness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/01/30/are-you-rich-or-are.html", "title": "Are you Rich or Are you Wealthy?", "content_html": "\n
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I have lived a lot of lives. I grew up with just enough. A pound of hamburger fed four people. The garden out back gave us the rest. We wore hand-me-downs and were tickled to death with the cast off toys of other kids. We were clean, neat, and used our best manners. A lot of what we had was provided by the kindness of others though I was not aware of that at the time. I never felt poor.

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I married young. We didn't have much. We did our best. We had a baby. The marriage didn't work. I lived in HUD housing. I got Food Stamps and WIC. I was pretty poor by all definitions. I lived in an unsafe neighborhood. I had to watch my baby like a hawk. I took what work I could find. I was grateful for the help. Yet I still never really felt poor. Slowly, I moved up the food chain.

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I married a medical student. We worked hard. We created a life. A life that ever so slowly became more and more affluent. I forgot what it was like to be poor. I was haughty in my richness. I took it for granted. I thought I would always be a domestic goddess. It didn't turn out that way.

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I slipped down the ladder several rungs. It was good for me. It opened my eyes to more important things. Like God. And faith. And hope. And love.

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I met Mr. Virgo. He had nothing but a suitcase and some pots and pans. But he had God. And he had a spirit the size of Texas. He had a smile that was brighter than the sun. He had a hug that assured me he would lay his life down for mine. He had blue eyes that captured the stars like diamonds and fed my soul with them. He had stories that carried me to far distant lands to vistas the likes of which I had only seen in books. He had a heart that was solid gold which he gladly presented to me...every single day...on a blue velvet pillow. He had a laugh that sent tears down my cheeks till I couldn't catch my breath. He had a touch that was so gentle it knitted up all my wounded places. He gave me uncountable, unprecedented, unfathomable gifts.

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And then he was gone.

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But...he left a certain truth about the huge difference between the riches of money and the wealth of love.

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If the time should ever come that I have spent my very last dime, you may rest assured of this..........my darling Mr. Virgo has left me very wealthy in my heart.

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❤️

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“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

\n1 Timothy 6:10 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-01-30T02:30:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/01/30/are-you-rich-or-are.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Growth","Insight"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/01/24/wanda-belle.html", "title": "Wanda Belle", "content_html": "\n
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Today is my sweet mama's Angelversary. It's been 12 years...it hardly seems possible. It took a full decade, and losing Mr. Virgo, before I stopped trying to pick up the phone on Sunday nights to call her. She died just six weeks before her first great grandchild was born. Oh...she would have loved these girls!

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My mom was \"Mom\" to all my friends. She loved them all like her own. And the feelings were mutual. We had lots of slumber parties at my house and Mom had as much fun as us girls did. I could make my mom laugh till she could hardly catch her breath and that was one of my greatest joys. That woman loved to laugh and she deserved every bit of it she could get. She didn't have an easy life.

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Born in Mishawauka, Indiana in 1925, Wanda Belle was the oldest surviving child of six...three boys and three girls. She wrote with an exquisite Spencerian script that I envied greatly. She was an exacting seamstress and an equally exacting taskmaster as I was learning to sew. I ripped out countless seams that weren't up to her standards. We didn't always see eye to eye about a lot of things. I am not proud of some of the ways I treated her growing up, even though she warned me of such a risk. But I loved her with abandon.

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She was an overprotective mother, especially when it came to my brother, Gary. She never pushed him to do more than what she thought he was capable of due to his cerebral palsy and a developmental disability. I remember he got lost once while trying to take the public bus to her office and she was scared to death. I understand it more now because there isn't a human being on this planet that owns more real estate in my heart than my brother and my immediate family. She did the best she knew how.

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She absolutely had a heart of gold. I was frustrated with her once because she had a full one quarter of her basement filled with clothes that didn't fit her. When I asked her why, she said she just wanted to help those poor people trying to have yard sales so she would buy things she thought were pretty or had a high quality fabric that she could reuse. Never mind that she hadn't sewn anything since I graduated from high school. But that's how she was...kind, generous, loving...quite naïve to the ways of the world.

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She is my Angel Mama now, and my, oh my.....she surely would have LOVED Mr. Virgo! She would have thought, as I did, that he was movie-star handsome and she would have basked in the glow of his affections, as we all did. I picture him dropping by to take her out for coffee up in heaven and spoiling her more than just a little bit. She deserves that.

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I miss you, Wanda Belle!

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❤️

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-01-24T00:24:01-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/01/24/wanda-belle.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/01/23/time-to-say-goodbye.html", "title": "\"Time\" to Say Goodbye", "content_html": "\n
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No, not it IS time to say goodbye. There WAS time to say goodbye. Sometimes people write and say they didn't get a chance to say goodbye to their loved one before they died. Sometimes they write and say even though it was difficult to watch their loved one go through an extended illness, they are grateful for the time they had for saying all the things they wanted to say. I get that...and both sides of that coin suck.

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I've given this lots of thought in the nearly three years since Mr. Virgo died. Even though I was in no way ready for what happened...I mean, how COULD you be?...and even though he was ripped away from me in a matter of three or four hours, I never felt like I didn't get a chance to say goodbye. That's because we told each other every single day, multiple times a day, just exactly how important we were to each other. We said \"I love you!\"...a LOT! We hugged and kissed and held hands. We couldn't be in the same room without touching each other. We sat on the couch and snuggled while we watched TV. We held hands while we drove. He opened doors for me. He placed his hand in the small of my back as he led me to a table in a restaurant before pulling out my chair. He helped me on and off with my coat. He wouldn't think of doing something until he checked with me first to see if I might want to go along. I know, I know...I am one of the most blessed women on the planet. I totally get that not everyone gets that kind of treatment. I know there are a lot of people out there who never get to experience that kind of love in their whole lifetime. But, I'd like to think we can all improve our connection with our partner. I'd love to think we can deepen our level of intimacy and achieve better communication with our loved ones. I'm also not so naïve as to think it's easy or even possible for everyone.

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Love is a two way street. I went through a horribly painful divorce that I can't help but feel might have been avoided had we gone for counseling a long time before it fell apart. And if it couldn't have saved the relationship, it could have at least eased us through the dissolution of it. I think it would be extremely helpful if everyone met with some sort of marital counsellor, be it clergy or secular, every five years of a relationship. Just to touch base. Kind of like the 30,000 mile tuneup you give your car. A time to reconnect, re-evaluate, renew...recommit.

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We don't like to ask the difficult questions in a relationship because we fear what the answer will be. But if we don't, we can end up living life in an unfulfilling relationship. As painful as a divorce is to go through, I would much rather have known how unhappy Hubby #2 was five years before it actually fell apart. That was five years we couldn't get back. Five unproductive, frustrating, angry, sad years that we could have spent healing and moving on instead of putting a doily on the elephant in the room and calling it a table.

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These are the lessons we learn in life. The \"hindsight is 20/20\" moments. These are the things I wish someone would have talked to me about in the early years of my marriage. I didn't really have a mentor to show me how to be a good partner in a relationship. How to be a good wife. How to be a good mother. I, like so many, muddled through the best I could till I finally figured it out. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. Every single thing I went through in my life made me exactly who I am today. And God has had my life planned out long before I was even a blip in the universe. And, while many of the things I've gone through were decidedly unpleasant, there are just as many that I wouldn't have traded for anything in the world. It's been a beautiful balance...a lovely journey....a delightful dance that has written the story of my life. One for which I am hugely grateful.

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❤️

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“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”

\nJames 1:19 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-01-23T02:30:34-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/01/23/time-to-say-goodbye.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Courage","Marriage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/01/16/saying-goodbye.html", "title": "Saying Goodbye...", "content_html": "\n
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At least for a little while. It's so hard to leave them! But they understand I have some important work to do in the next few months so it's all good.
God watched out for me yesterday especially well. I got to the airport too early to check my bags in so I sat at a little restaurant and let time flow over me as I watch the travelers going to and fro. To say I \"enjoyed lunch\" would be a nod to the experience it provided, not the food itself. Afterward, I went to the Post Office in the airport and shipped a box of clothes. It was half what the charge is for a heavy bag and I had the time.

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I wandered to C Concourse where I found Xpres Spa. I got my hair cut and took advantage of the massage chairs for an hour. That was delightful. I grabbed a snack and headed to the gate. We boarded, got comfortable, and the captain came on and apologized saying there was a mechanical difficulty and we needed to change planes. I didn't get to my hotel room till nearly 2:00am. I only slept 2.5 hours Thursday night so I was asleep before we were airborne and didn't wake up till the plane was nearly empty!

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I parked my truck at a place near the Dayton Airport call Westwind Airport Valet. They were super nice, delivered me to the airport in a stretch limo, washed my truck for me, picked me back up in the limo and delivered me back to my nice clean truck. They answered a ton of questions and took exceptional care of me. I was parked there from December 13th to January 15th for $253. I felt that was quite reasonable for long term parking with exceptional service.

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I'm speaking today to a private group...many of whom are Marshmallow Ranch readers like yourselves. I really enjoy doing these. It gives me a chance to meet you, and it helps to give you a face when I'm \"talking to you\" via my blog posts. It's a beautiful life!

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❤️

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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

\nIsaiah 41:10 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-01-16T02:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/01/16/saying-goodbye.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","West Virginia"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/01/11/growing-up.html", "title": "Growing Up", "content_html": "\n
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Twelve years ago next month I got a new name. \"Nana\". My first grandchild is growing up WAY too fast! It was just yesterday when her mama was twelve, wasn't it?

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A twelve year old girl is an enigma. She shows the world she is made of steel...but she's actually fragile as delicate crystal. She hates you but she loves you more than her heart can stand. She'll treat the weakest of God's creatures with the tenderest of care yet she'll rip your heart out with her icy stare of utter disdain. She wants you to love her, just don't touch her or look at her or speak to her or...God forbid....acknowledge your familial relationship in public. If you say \"Can you go brush your hair?\" what she hears is \"You are the ugliest creature on earth!\" There is no rhyme or reason to anything she does. She will make sure of that. And, she will make doubly sure you are quite aware of it. She wants you to be proud of her as long as you don't say it out loud. She wants you to talk to her unless you're planning on actually using, you know...words. Then she wants you to shut up. She still likes little girl things but she could never admit that.

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One more year of preteen. She cried when I left in August. She'd rather chew off her own arm than cry again. But she'll be back. They all come back. And I surely hope to be here when she does.

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❤️

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“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

\nProverbs 21:23 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-01-11T02:30:50-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/01/11/growing-up.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Love","Littles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/01/07/on-the-road-again.html", "title": "On the Road Again", "content_html": "\n
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Heading back to Denver today. I had a great week in the mountains. I visited my brother and friends. I rested and soaked in the hot springs pool several times. The interview with Kerry Hannon for the New York Times went very, very well. She was absolutely delightful and I would love to hear one of her presentations. She has written 10 books on women and jobs/finance. She's a best selling author and I can't wait to read one of her books as well. She interviewed me for an article she's writing about widowhood and retirement...what I did right, what mistakes I made, and what advice I would give to a new widow. I'll provide a link to the article when it comes out.

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I had another treat yesterday. I came out of my dermatology appointment yesterday and ran right smack dab into my ex-husband. What a treat! We greeted each other with a hug and stood there and talked for an hour. He is such a good guy and it was a pleasure to catch up with him.

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I'm really looking forward to getting together with the Sisters on the Fly this weekend at the Denver Fly Fishing Show. Sisters #1 & #2, Maurrie and Becky will be there and I can't wait to see them and many of my other Sister friends. It was spitting snow last evening when I wrote this so I'm hoping the weather remains clear for driving. My trip is flying by too fast!

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❤️

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““I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

\nJeremiah 32:27 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-01-07T02:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/01/07/on-the-road-again.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/12/28/culture.html", "title": "Culture", "content_html": "\n
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Oh, I've been reminded of something I've been missing and didn't even realize it. While the traffic and sheer volume of people in Denver is disconcerting, I've really missed the cultural aspects of the big city. There are so many really great venues in Denver that offer amazing entertainment opportunities. Sports, museums, music, art, theater, ballet, opera, and symphony....I've missed them all. I've experienced wonderful culture in WV and OH, but the sheer volume of choices in the Denver metro area and beyond are staggering.

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We had a family outing yesterday. I'll tell you what, my eldest daughter not only hit the jackpot with her husband, she won the lottery with his parents. I love them dearly and they are as much my family as my own flesh and blood. My Christmas gift from them was a ticket to see the traveling Broadway production of A Christmas Story: The Musical in the Buell Theater at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts yesterday. It was a really fun show. There are 12 of us in the immediate family and we all got to go...from the great grandma down to the 7 year old. What a hoot! We went for coffee after while we waited for the crowds to thin out then we went en masse to dinner. I cannot tell you how blessed I am to call these people my family....every single one of them. I love them immensely.

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Here's another blessing. I was contacted by a Christian magazine about my post on Saturday. They asked if they could print it in their magazine. That is a huge honor for me and I am humbled. My prayers are being answered. The number of readers here at Marshmallow Ranch continually grows. I know that it is God at work directing people to my page who need to read the words He gives me. As you know, one of my goals in the coming year is to publish my books. Publishers these days won't even touch a writer's manuscript until they have an established \"platform\". This consists of published articles, references in printed materials, speaking engagements, interviews, guest posts, blogs, and social media. I have an ever growing list of places you can find my work, and I'm beginning to do speaking engagements. I now am on Instagram at @MMRanch2013 as well as Twitter and Tumblr at @marshmallowranch. I am creeping ever closer to 4000 readers here on Marshmallow Ranch. Now, numbers on their own don't really matter to me. But having credibility with a publisher does. So, I'm going to ask you a huge, huge favor, dear Ranchers. If you really love Marshmallow Ranch and find it in your heart to do so, please share my page and/or posts, either on your own page or that of a friend if you feel others could benefit from my words. I have asked the Lord to not only bring me the words I write, but bring me the people who need to hear them. There are two quick ways to get more readers...by referral and by paid promotions. In order to keep doing what I'm doing, I can't afford right now to dump a ton of money into boosting pages. So, consider this my little telethon. Let's see if we can help more people who are walking this path with us and share, share, share. Maybe Saturday's post because it did really well and was read by over 42,000 people! Or any future posts you enjoy. Or just share my page in general.

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I hate to ask anything of you, but I can't really do much with the book till the platform is more impressive to a publisher. I prayed about it, and the message I got was to trust you and just ask. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I love you all so much! And, God bless each and every one of you! I promise I will do my best and deliver as good writing as I am capable of in return.

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❤️❤️❤️

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\"“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

\nPsalm 96:3 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-12-28T02:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/12/28/culture.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/12/23/memories.html", "title": "Memories", "content_html": "\n
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Mr. Virgo was from South Philly. We never got the chance to go there together so he could show me his old stomping ground, but he had plenty of great stories about the places of his youth. He was raised in an era when kids were out on the streets from sun up to sun down and all the moms looked out for all the kids. There was always a mom within butt-swatting range. I wasn't allowed to go across Grand Central Avenue...a two lane boulevard with a wide, tree-lined median that my mother somehow likened to a major super highway. Mr. Virgo's mom handed him train fare and sent him into New York City by himself for doctor's appointments when he was 12! Big difference in parenting there.

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Mr. Virgo and his buddies would hop on the trolley and go downtown to the department stores and movie theaters. They would walk the streets and listen to the doowop groups singing on the street corners, hoping to be discovered. When they were teenagers, they got in to American Bandstand and even got a chance to dance on camera. He once was asked by Dick Clark to rate the song. I think he gave it a 10 because it had a great beat and was easy to dance to.

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He started smoking at ten when his mom would send him down to the corner store for cigarettes. There were Mafiosi-types in the neighborhood that would make sure bags were carried for little old ladies and that children had shoes. They kept the neighborhoods safe, reputation notwithstanding. Mr. Virgo was never, ever scared as a child. His parents were together forever and his was an idyllic childhood. I was envious of growing up with that kind of security and it made him the strong, steady, independent man I needed in my life.

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One of his first jobs was at Pat's Steakhouse in South Philly. Mr. Virgo was a cheesesteak purist. It wasn't a real cheesesteak unless it was served on an Amoroso roll with Cheese Whiz (Whiz for short). When we lived in the Denver area for a couple of years, we found South Philly Cheesesteaks, a neighborhood restaurant that delivered the closest thing to a Pat's cheesesteak that Mr. Virgo had ever found west of the Pennsylvania state line. We ordered them just about every Thursday night. OMGosh! They are SO awesome!

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Last night, I was out browsing for some last minute gifts and drove past our old neighborhood. It was dinner time so I decided to stop in and have a cheesesteak and visit with some memories for awhile. I can still see his face every time he took that first bite. He'd close his eyes, smile slightly, and breathe a sigh of absolute contentment. I would move heaven and earth to get to see that joy on his face. I sat in the restaurant, enjoyed my sandwich, and smiled remembering that it really wasn't all that long ago that this was a shared experience. I felt him in the booth sitting across from me, that same contented sigh breathing through my heart. I can do this now with only the slightest catch in my chest. This is a huge, huge relief to me.

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❤️

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“I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.”

\nPsalm 143:5-6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-12-23T02:30:11-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/12/23/memories.html", "tags": ["Family","Widow","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/12/20/busy-busy-busy.html", "title": "Busy, Busy, Busy", "content_html": "\n
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My older daughter has two children. They have school, swim practice, riding lessons, and homework. They are always running from activity to activity. Her mother-in-law and I were talking about this the other day and how different parenting is now. There's hardly an hour of down time anymore. I got to thinking about that. I can tell you exactly why that is and, it's not really much different after all.

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When Daughter #1 was five years old, I married Hubby #2. He was in his first year of medical school. I wanted him to study at home so I made sure the house was quiet. But you couldn't keep a five year old quiet very easily so we spent every spare moment on the run. We went to the library and on bike rides, to the park and to the mall, to movies and to museums....anything to make for a quiet environment for my husband to study. My daughter was raised thinking that's how you raise your kids.
There are so many activities for kids to be involved in these days. I think parents are pressured to make sure their kids can keep up and compete with others. Some utilize after school programs as a solution for day care issues. I wish I could tell them all to slow down. Take a breath. Stay in their jammies all day and snuggle on the sofa with good books or a movie marathon once in a while. Let kids be kids. Let them go outside and play. Unplug them from electronics. Reward them with experiences instead of stuff...or worse yet, food. Tell them you love them. Tell them often. Make memories by baking cookies or creating something beautiful together.
I understand it's hard. Parents burn the candle at both ends all the time. It's hard for them to find the energy to do one more thing. It's hard to find the time to nurture your kids, let alone yourself, your spouse, and your marriage. I don't envy young parents today. I'm glad I'm going to be back here to help more. I'd like to make things a little easier for my kids....help them get the rest they need so they can be even better parents and spouses. Right now they are awesome. Imagine what they could do after a few naps or date nights!

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This is probably the busiest week of the year for most of us. We are busy preparing the \"perfect holiday\" when in all actuality, we should be preparing ourselves FOR the perfect holiday. It's easy to get caught up in the hype and commercialism. I missed Hanukkah this year as it occurred before my arrival. (My family is blended and celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas.) Yesterday, after a very long day at my grand daughter's swim meet, I told them we were all going out to have ice cream for dinner, my treat. My emphasis is experiences before stuff. They'll remember ice cream for dinner as a family much longer than some little tchotchke I might buy for them. As we count down the last days before Christmas, let's step away from the busyness of the season and remember why we are celebrating in the first place.

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❤️

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“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””

\nLuke 10:38-42 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-12-20T02:30:42-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/12/20/busy-busy-busy.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Peaceful Moments"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/12/18/winter-wonderland.html", "title": "Winter Wonderland", "content_html": "\n
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I am developing a love for photography. And, I've always been a techno-geek and love the cool new apps that can manipulate your photographs turning them into faux paintings. This is a picture I took a couple of years ago at the Ute Museum near Durango, CO. I used an app called Waterlogue and turned it into a \"painting\". I would never try to pass my work off as real paintings out of respect for artists. I know the blood, sweat and tears that go into works of art. At the same time, in order to have the photo to manipulate, one must have some photographic skills so I'll accept that. I'm always looking for something new to accompany my posts, so this seems to be another creative outlet for me as it appeals on so many levels. I've been thinking about making note cards and holiday cards and selling them on my Etsy page. Maybe next year.

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Speaking of creating things, I decided to make blankets for my grandchildren for Christmas to go with their newly painted bedrooms. One day I would like to make them each a quilt, but have not had the time for that so I elected to make them something soft and cuddly. I ordered two yards each (per blanket) of a print and a solid of a material called Minky. It's ultra soft. I found the perfect patterns and colors on fabric.com. Then I had batting sandwiched between the top and bottom, stitched all around three edges then turned inside out and the end stitched. Yesterday I stretched them out on the dining room table and tied them like you would tie a quilt. I think they will be very warm blankets that will take them to adulthood. I chose patterns that weren't little kid stuff. As with most anything you make, especially if you have to ship them, I could have bought three blankets each for the amount of money I put into them. But, these were made by Nana so that's what's important.

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We went to my youngest grand daughter's Christmas program last night and it was so fun to watch my \"Mini Me\". She's exactly like her mama...a drama major in the making. So much fun! And, speaking of fun, I get to meet some Sisters on the Fly for lunch today! It's the most wonderful time of the year!

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❄️❤️❄️

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“You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have.”

\nGenesis 45:10 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-12-18T02:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/12/18/winter-wonderland.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/12/15/the-most-wonderful-time-of.html", "title": "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year", "content_html": "\n
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I woke up yesterday morning to the sounds of my grandchildren. Is there anything better than that? I've missed them terribly and they've grown so much! As a matter of fact, they're past the age of squealing my name and running into my arms and that broke my heart a little bit. It's my own fault. It's the down side of being away on this adventure of healing, self-discovery, and personal growth. They'll come around once we spend more time together. We have cookies to bake. We have places to go, things to do. There are snowmen to be built and hills to sled down. And, of course, shopping for shoes! We'll be making memories, that's for sure.

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I am missing too much by being away. I'm missing milestones I can't get back. So, when this window of opportunity to write has passed, and when it's time to come back to Colorado in late spring/early summer, I'm going to make my base camp here till the girls are bigger and maybe don't need me as much. I'll still have plenty of adventures to write about. I plan to still be living full time in TOW-Wanda. I'm just going to stick a little closer to where my heart is for a while.

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❤️

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“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

\nProverbs 17:6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-12-15T02:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/12/15/the-most-wonderful-time-of.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/12/12/sharing.html", "title": "Sharing", "content_html": "\n
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As I was leaving the B&B yesterday to head to the commencement, my host told me there was a grocery store not far away in case I wanted to buy my daughter some flowers. I stopped and picked out a graduation card, but as I stood in front of the flowers, it just seemed a waste since she has to fly back home on Sunday. I absentmindedly twirled my necklace and felt the sudden sting of tears. It's not what you think though...not entirely.

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Julie's father and I were married when I was not much more than a child. I was 19 and he was 20. He gave me a diamond ring on Valentine's Day our senior year of high school. As so often happens when you marry too young, our marriage didn't last but I got this really great kid. When I married the second time, hubby #2 was in medical school. We had nothing. So we took the diamond out of the old setting, put it in a new one and called it good. When that marriage failed after 21 years, I tried to give the engagement ring to my oldest but she wasn't much into jewelry so she declined.

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I dropped the ring in my jewelry box and forgot about it. Then Mr. Virgo came along. When he proposed, he gave me a ring that was very contemporary. I asked him if we could put the long held diamond on one side of the main stone and get one to match on the other. Continuity. When Mr. Virgo died, I had a piece of the ring with that old diamond in it removed and made into a necklace.

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Yesterday, when I was trying to figure out what to give my firstborn to commemorate such a milestone as getting a Master's degree...and my hand automatically rested on the pendant at my throat, I knew it was time. It was time to pass this stone on to her now. I wrote my sentiments in the card then tore two little slits in the top edge where I could slip in the chain.

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At dinner, the girl at the next table got an Apple Watch. Ooooohs and aaaaaaaahs. I slid the card across the table and she opened it. She was thrilled...in that special non-demonstrative way she has. But I knew. Because she hugged me, said a warm thank you, and showed it off to everyone.

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My neck will only feel naked for a while. But I'll get to see that sparkle at the base of her throat now. I looked over at her during dinner. Her hand automatically reached up to touch the necklace exactly as mine always did. And I smiled.

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❤️

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“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

\n1 Timothy 4:12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-12-12T02:30:06-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/12/12/sharing.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Peaceful Moments","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/12/11/surprises.html", "title": "Surprises", "content_html": "\n
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Just when you think...perhaps...you've seen it all. I have to tell you...it's been a while since I've had this much fun with my ex and his family and our daughter. We had made plans to have dinner last night. When they were naming off restaurants, I jumped at the chance for German cuisine. I hadn't been to a good German restaurant since Frankfort, IL two years ago.
The atmosphere at The Steinkeller in Oxford, OH was great and the food was special. And then, in walks this round little fellow in his lederhosen and perky little hat with an accordion. He did the typical polkas and oom-pa-pa music. Then, he whipped out....Uptown Funk as well as a number of heavy metal cuts and country ballads. On the accordion. In lederhosen.
I can die now. I've seen everything.

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?

\n\n", "date_published": "2015-12-11T02:30:55-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/12/11/surprises.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/12/10/today.html", "title": "Today", "content_html": "\n
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Not to sound too cliché, but honestly...today is all we've got. There are no promises. We are a heartbeat away from eternity. I don't want to spend what precious time I have left worrying. Or angry. Or jealous. About anything. Yeah, easier said than done, I know. But it's a lofty goal.
Today, I am as old as I have ever been. I have achieved a certain level of credibility merely by riding this planet 62 times around the sun. I've seen 22,824 sunsets. I am some sort of authority on sunsets by now, I think. I can stand proud in my ability to adapt and survive. I am a freaking warrior princess.

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Today, I am as young as I'll ever be again...chronologically. Age is a state of mind. I choose to think young...most of the time. I seem to pull it off pretty well as most people don't think I'm 62. I am a lover of life....a dancer of dreams.

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Today, I love myself. I'm finally comfortable in my own skin. I live here...in all my impossibly flawed beauty. Baby pooch, flappy wings, cheesy thighs, greying hair, wrinkles and all. I am a wise crone...with fresh, new eyes.
Today, I am flying solo. Sleeping single. Widowed. On my own. But...I am not alone. God walks with me and carries me when I can't do it myself. There are many hearts beating in my chest with me. And the one true heart that stopped beating a thousand or so days ago lives just a fraction away. So near I can feel him because our souls are still one...still connected...always and forever connected. Death didn't take that away. Mere death could not sever that bond. I am fierce and brave.

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Today, I get to see my firstborn child. I haven't seen her since the middle of August. I miss her, terribly. Much, much more than I ever have. I am so very proud of her. And happy for her accomplishments. Tomorrow is a big day for her as she gets her graduate degree in Zoology. I am filled with a mighty love.

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Today, I get to see my first husband and his family. They are coming for the graduation. I am so blessed to have good relationships with my former husbands. I hear horror stories all the time of people who can't be in the same room with their exes. I understand it doesn't work for everyone. However, I was with these men for a reason. I loved them. I love them still...just in a different way. I love them because they love my babies. Because they are good people. Because they love and respect me. Because we are still family. I am gentle and loving in my heart.

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Today. Time and distance heals old wounds if you let them. Hope and love gifts you delicious anticipation for what could come. God can bring you peace if you just ask Him.

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I am forgiven and at peace.

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Today. This day. It's all we've got. What are you going to do with your present?

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❤️

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“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

\nRomans 12:2 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-12-10T02:30:50-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/12/10/today.html", "tags": ["Family","Presence","Insight","Control"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/11/27/and-so-it-begins.html", "title": "And So, it Begins...", "content_html": "\n
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The turkey has barely chilled in the fridge and the onslaught of Christmas is upon us. Well...ok, retailers have been working on us since before Halloween. But I keep my blinders on till Turkey Day is behind us, at least.

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Holidays....the minefield of grief. This is my third Christmas since Mr. Virgo died. I was still really numb on the first one. I remember thinking I couldn't wait for the ball to drop on New Year's Eve because that meant I could say \"he died last year\". As if that made the whole mess any better. It was just a line in the sand I couldn't wait to cross.

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Last year wasn't much better. My aunt and I had a parting of the ways last year on Christmas Day that sent me in a whole new direction. While it has worked out for the best all the way around, it was quite painful to go through at the time. This year I'm going to spend Christmas in Colorado so it's going to be SO much better. I'm focusing on family fun!

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Thanksgiving was easier this year as well. I told a couple great Mr. Virgo stories. They made me smile. I had my moment later on when I was preparing for bed. I just flat out miss him and not having him here has changed me, and my life, and the way I see the world, and the way I relate to other people. At the same time, life is so beautiful and delicious. It's all about the journey...the good and the not so good. This is my story. This is my life. Every day is a new page in my book, quite literally.

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Today is Black Friday. This year I'm doing something different. There is a movement being promoted by REI to opt out of the Black Friday shopping madness (something I never do anyway) to spend time in the great outdoors. Since I have become affiliated with the Girl Camper podcasts as their correspondent, and...since Girl Camper is produced by RV Family Travel Atlas, I'm going to post my outdoor pictures tomorrow tagged with #rvftaOptOutside.

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I don't mind skipping Black Friday at the big box stores. But I am ever faithful to Small Business Saturday. Small businesses often depend on their holiday sales to carry them through the early months of the year in order to survive. Having been a small business owner myself, I encourage everyone to support the little independent businesses in your neighborhoods.

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I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I spent it with my cousin's family up on North Mountain and I'm telling you what...these people are entertaining, to say the least. There were toddlers up to a great-grandma. I told stories about Mr. Virgo and I felt the love of family. It was a good day.

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I'm hitting the open road today. If you are traveling, do drive safely. We need you here!

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❤️

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“So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord.”

\nGenesis 13:18 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-11-27T02:30:24-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/11/27/and-so-it-begins.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Holiday","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/11/25/no-greater-love.html", "title": "No Greater Love", "content_html": "\n
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I've known this man for forty years. We've drifted in and out of contact over the years but I always catch up with him when the annual newsy Christmas letter arrives.

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Lionel and I share a birthday and rarely miss a call, e-mail, or text wishing each other well. One year he called all excited and told me I'd never guess what his wife gave him for his birthday. After several guesses, he gleefully exclaimed his only son had arrived on his birthday! He was beside himself with pride and joy. It wasn't long before two beautiful daughters completed their family.

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It was interesting how parallel our lives ran. We both married medical students in their first year of training. He was a stay-at-home dad. I was a stay-at-home mom. We compared notes and parenting tips. We even exchanged recipes, if memory serves. He went on to be a nursing home administrator then eventually settled in as his wife's medical practice manager.

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After they became empty-nesters and he had survived three bouts of cancer, Lionel felt a calling. He became a youth minister and eventually was ordained this past weekend as a priest. Here, he blesses his lovely wife, Kathy. It is a beautifully poignant moment that radiates pure love.
I tell you this story because it illustrates we are never too old to be obedient to God and change paths completely for Him. We are never too old to challenge ourselves and step out of our comfortable lives to do something different. We are never too old to give back.

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In this week of Thanksgiving, I hope we are all grateful for that still, small voice that speaks to us. And, that we are all grateful for those lifelong relationships that stay with us, no matter the time or distance that separate us.

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Congratulations to you and your family, Lionel. I am so happy for you and admire you greatly.

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❤️

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“And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”

\n1 Kings 19:12 KJV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-11-25T02:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/11/25/no-greater-love.html", "tags": ["Family","Aging","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/11/24/a-trail-of-sparkles.html", "title": "A Trail of Sparkles", "content_html": "\n
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They are sitting in the booth across from me. A frail elderly man, a middle aged woman, and a young woman with a developmental disability. They are out for a celebratory holiday meal together. She orders waffles. He has a small senior meal. Her voice is loud with excitement. They don't notice because they are too busy loving her.

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As soon as the plates are cleared, they bring out a big bag of Christmas presents. She opens each one and let's out a squeal of delight and claps her hands. A makeup bag. A bracelet. A t-shirt. Pajamas. Through overheard comments, I've come to understand what's happening. Dad is here, perhaps from out of town, visiting his daughter. She has been accompanied to the restaurant by her caregiver. The love between these two is palpable across the room.

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The inevitable occurs. Their little reunion celebration is ending and it's time to go. She turns to her dad and says, \"You'll see me on Thanksgiving, won't you?!\" And he mumbles something unintelligible, his frail shoulders sinking with the weight of emotion. Her face crumbles and with a breaking heart, she weeps openly. She understands she's out in public. This is a restaurant. A special place. She tries so hard to regain her composure. The old man carefully takes off her glasses and gently, lovingly wipes away her tears. He slowly cleans her glasses and puts them back on her sweet face and strokes her cheek. She takes a couple of breaths and looks up into his sad eyes and says, \"Don't worry, daddy. They're happy tears. They're happy tears.\" He pats her hand, this beautiful child of his.

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I turn away. I don't want them to see my own tears as I hear her bravely say, \"It's ok. I'm happy now. It's ok, daddy.\"

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As we get into the business of gathering our loved ones around us this week, let's not forget there are those less fortunate. When we get upset that the turkey's dry, or Aunt Betty is pissing everybody off, or the kids spilled something on the carpet, AGAIN...let's remember a young woman who cried because she doesn't get to be with her daddy for Thanksgiving. I know I won't. I'll never forget this moment...ever.

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❤️

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“Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.”

\nMatthew 15:29-31 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-11-24T02:30:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/11/24/a-trail-of-sparkles.html", "tags": ["Family","Hope","Holiday","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/11/22/giving-back.html", "title": "Giving Back", "content_html": "\n
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My brother was born with cerebral palsy. He received therapy services from the Easter Seals Treatment Center for free as we had very little money growing up. My mom came from good, solid stock and she was determined she would somehow repay them for these services. Somewhere in the '60s, she started working for the Center full time as their secretary putting together their mass-mailed fundraising efforts. She refused to take any pay for 7 years. Finally, the Board of Directors got together and insisted she get a paycheck for her services. She was so proud.

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Easter Seals has been around for more than 90 years, helping children and adults with developmental disabilities attain the best quality of life they can. The Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg, WV decorates the lobby and halls with Christmas trees sponsored by local businesses that are decorated by volunteers. These go up a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving and then they're auctioned off to the highest bidders with the proceeds going to the Easter Seals. As soon as the trees are cleared out, the Gingerbread House Decorating Contest comes in. It is a festive time to grab a cup of coffee and wander around, getting in the Christmas spirit.

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This lovely \"tree\" was created on a dress form and forms a stunning ball gown, complete with sash and poinsettia bow at the waist. It was decorated by my good friend, Jon Six (of Jon Six Hair Company) and his friends. Jon has a long history of giving back to a community that has so steadfastly supported his wonderful salon. From filling his own home with rescued dogs to filling a school bus with supplies for underprivileged children to selling tickets and fundraising for the local Humane Society, Jon's altruism shines as an example for all of us to do more.

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I spoke with a friend yesterday about this. We see people that need help, yet we often walk by, or we think someone else will take care of it. Or, two hours later it occurs how we might have been of assistance to someone. Keeping a giving heart can help us see those moments. We surely can do more. As a widow living on a pretty fixed income, I don't donate financially like I used to. So I am keeping an eye out for opportunities where I CAN help. As Mr. Rogers said, \"Look for the helpers.\" Because where there are helpers, there is hope.

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❤️

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“Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”

\nProverbs 28:27 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-11-22T02:30:01-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/11/22/giving-back.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/11/21/loveand-chocolate.html", "title": "Love...and Chocolate", "content_html": "\n
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Last night, I met several of my cousins for dinner at a pretty good Italian place. They had the best cheese bread I've ever eaten in my life! There was a bittersweet purpose in our gathering. My cousin Tommy has mesothelioma. He's doing great. He's having chemo and it is giving him some wonderful time to share with his family and friends. We are all so grateful to have him here.

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Tommy is 12 years older than me. I was just a little, little girl when he came home from the Navy in his whites and I fell in love! Oh...he was breathtakingly handsome! And he was still young enough to have an emotional bond with this little tow headed kid who followed him around like a moonsick puppy.

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His wife knows...everyone knows. Any gathering could be the last gathering. And they're so brave...and so loving...and so present...and so real. What do you say to someone who you know will walk your path? How do you prepare her? Of course, the answer is...you can't, not really. There is only one thing to do...keep things as normal and upbeat as you can...for Tommy. And...there is only one thing you can say. My heart is with you.

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I stopped for chocolates on my way to the restaurant, forgetting it was Suzy who likes chocolate...not Tommy. So, Suzy got the candy and Tommy got lots of lovin' from this grown up little toe-headed kid that would still follow him around like a moonsick pup. My heart is with them.

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❤️

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““Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.””

\nJohn 14:1-4 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-11-21T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/11/21/loveand-chocolate.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Gratitude","Love","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/11/20/gratitude.html", "title": "Gratitude", "content_html": "\n
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We're sliding into Thanksgiving week now. Some of you will be heading out this weekend to visit family for the holidays. Some will be putting the final touches on the house and double checking the grocery list. And...some of you will be paralyzed with fear and sadness at facing your first (or yet another) holiday without your loved one. It can be wicked hard. I know this.

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The good news (and by \"good\" I mean probably the least sucky part) is, as difficult as it may be to face this first holiday season, you are not likely to remember much of it. In looking back at my first Thanksgiving without Mr. Virgo, I am fairly certain it was spent in Denver with the kids. But, I can't recollect a single thing about it. I know last year I was already living here in West Virginia and I had traveled to the Eastern Panhandle to celebrate with family.

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I do remember a couple of holidays where I had to excuse myself for a bit and go off to another area of the house to have a moment alone. The holidays can be overwhelming. I don't recommend avoiding them because you'll just be postponing the inevitable. Adding something special, a new tradition, can be a nice way to honor your loved one.

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One thing that really helped me last year was writing down everything I was grateful for. I wrote a list on a page of thick paper and kept it folded in my pocket. Along with some tissues. Whenever I reached for the tissues to dab my eyes, my hand closed around that paper. I mentally checked off the list and it made me feel better.

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The firsts are difficult. Take care of yourself and check in with us here if you need some extra props.

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❤️

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“Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.”

\n1 Timothy 5:3 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-11-20T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/11/20/gratitude.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/20/abandonment.html", "title": "Abandonment", "content_html": "\n
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I have an excessive fear of abandonment. Oh, it's not as bad as it was before I met Mr. Virgo, but it's still something I deal with in life and relationships. The fear of abandonment is primal. It can help us form bonds in relationships. But it can also sabotage us at every turn when it's given too much fuel.

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My fear of abandonment was probably ingrained by a combination of an alcoholic father who was unpredictable and being sexually abused by a neighborhood boy when I was 8 years old. When I confided in my friend's mom, she literally pushed me out the door and told me never to say that to anyone ever again. I didn't tell my mom till I was 35 because I couldn't risk being rejected by her, too. This fear could be as simple as insisting I get a pair of shoes that were obviously too small for me when I was ten. I was certain I would never have another pair of shoes. Or, it could be the driving force of seeking reassurance and undying love of those I care about for fear I will be left alone. I'm sure you all know someone like that. Clingy, cloying, a million I-love-you's is never enough. It's a battle that is not easily won.

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I recently read an excellent blog post by Susan Anderson, psychotherapist, author, workshop leader, and founder of Abandonment Recovery Movement \"How to Overcome Fear of Abandonment: 7 Dos and 10 Don'ts\" is spot on and worth the read if you find yourself hearing this never ending playlist in your head.

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Losing Mr. Virgo could have been the biggest, baddest abandonment ever. But, while I was left alone, it wasn't on purpose. He didn't choose to leave me. That's a whole different thing than being left on purpose. My youngest grand daughter taught me that the night we buried her Papa. We went to a restaurant for dinner and she took a napkin and drew a circle with an X in it and handed it to me. I asked her what it was. She said, \"You put this on Papa's pillow to remind you he died. He didn't just go on vacation without you.\" She was five. Being left on purpose is a fate worse than death to a five-year-old. She wanted me to understand he didn't mean to leave me. She also wanted me to understand he wasn't coming back. There was no need to fool myself.

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The words of a brave little girl echo in my mind and my heart and have helped me so much. I seek to replace the unhealthy with the healthy aspects of this inordinate fear that sometimes still overwhelms me. We are all works of art. Unfinished, terrifyingly beautiful works of art.

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❤️

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“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

\nJoshua 1:5\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-20T01:30:28-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/20/abandonment.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Fear"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/22/hindsight.html", "title": "Hindsight", "content_html": "\n

You know the saying...\"Hindsight is 20/20\"? I had an interaction with a husband at the Country Living Fair that initially set my teeth on edge but now that I've had time to think about it, I wish I would have handled it differently. So, here's an open letter to that husband. (I know not all husbands are like this, but there are many who are. If you aren't, good on you. If you are, listen up!)

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Dear Husband,

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The other day when you were looking at our trailers at Country Living Fair, you overheard us talking about Sisters on the Fly. You were puzzled when we said we go without men.

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\"But, you NEED a man to pull something that big!\"

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\"It's only 19 feet.\" I replied. \"I pull a 30 footer all by myself.\"

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\"Well, MY wife couldn't do that. She needs me to do those things for her!\"

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Sigh.

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My initial response was incredulity (carefully hidden, of course) that you didn't think your wife could do anything. Then I looked over at her peeking in the trailer with a serene smile on her face. How could she stand to be treated this way? That's when it hit me. She knows you better than I do. You didn't seem an aggressive, bullying sort. Your reaction seemed more chivalrous than controlling. I realize now that she understands your love language. Your way of expressing your love for her is to do \"manly\" things for her so you feel useful. Her love language for you is to let you feel like the knight in shining armor. But, there's an inherent danger in this that neither of you may realize.

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What happens when the knight in shining armor falls off his horse or dies? Who's going to take care of the little woman after you're gone? Believe me, I have talked with hundreds of women whose grief is compounded by their fear because they don't know how to do anything \"manly\". Yes, in 2015! With that in mind, let me offer you some friendly advise.

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1) If you truly love your wife, wouldn't you want her to feel strong and capable to do anything in case something happens to you and you can't do it or if you die and leave her alone? Make sure she knows how to operate the tools and machinery necessary to care for her home and vehicle should she need to.

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2) If you have a travel trailer or motorhome, make sure she knows how to hookup and unhook, back up, operate everything, and drive or tow. You might throw your back out flipping burgers or you might drop dead of a heart attack. She needs to know how to get out of a mess. She also might want to continue the RV lifestyle after you are gone and it will be so much easier for her to make that decision if she is armed with knowledge.

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3) Please don't be threatened if she wants to go off with the girls pulling her little trailer behind her. She needs her sisters...her tribe. Because there may come a time when you aren't there for her and she is going to need all the support, love, strength, courage, and encouragement she can get. Sisters on the Fly is just one of the options she has to get that support from other women. She NEEDS this...don't deprive her by your own insecurity. Trust me, we don't sit around the campfire and talk bad about you. We sit around the campfire and talk about the best kind of chainsaw to get or which truck has the best rear axle ratio for towing or how to make the best martini or any number of subjects. Or we just laugh ourselves silly over anything that strikes our funny bone. The last thing we want to do on our down time is to bash you. Ain't nobody got time for that!

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4) We've got badges to earn. We want to learn how to cook in a Dutch oven or ride a horse or fly fish. We have stuff to do. Girl stuff. Stuff you don't understand. We need to decorate our trailers. You have a man cave? We have \"She Sheds\". Don't have a nutty if we want to paint the wood interior pastel colors and hang a chandelier and lace curtains. Or decorate it like a 50's diner or a cowgirl's bunkhouse. To you, it's just camping. To us, it's the playhouse of our dreams. Our sanctuary. Our safe place. Our path to girlhood. And trust me on this as well...we are infinitely more willing to participate in life with you when we've had a little girl time. If you are a smart man, and I know you are, you will understand this and not make your wife feel bad for leaving you and the kids and the dog behind for a few days. It won't kill you to warm up mac and cheese or a frozen pizza. And remember, \"Happy wife, happy life.\"

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Life is short, guys. Statistics show you die before us gals. Please understand, we are capable creatures. We know how to do stuff. We may make you think we don't or can't, but most of us do and can. All we need is the skill set needed and we can do anything we want. Really.

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Sincerely,

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The Widow Who Knows

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❤️

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\"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.\"

\nMatthew 7:12\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-22T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/22/hindsight.html", "tags": ["Family","Strong Women","Camping","Courage","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/16/seeking-approval.html", "title": "Seeking Approval", "content_html": "\n
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I spent countless years and a number of relationships trying to find my dad's love and approval. When I couldn't get it from him, I tried to get it from other men. I'll never forget my therapist pointing out it was futile to have a different history with my dad than the one I actually had. I have been told by others how my dad spoke so glowingly of me. I saw how the congregation packed into the church for his funeral and sang his praises of being such a good man. I wish I could have known that guy because that's not the guy I grew up with. It wasn't for my lack of trying. He just couldn't be who I wanted (and needed) him to be. Neither could my first two husbands. Then Mr. Virgo came along. He gave me everything I needed and then some. It took awhile, but finally my fear of abandonment and my need for approval subsided.

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I think age and circumstance has diminished my NEED to be liked. Ummmmm...ok, I don't worry about it nearly as often as I used to. Alright...I'm working on it! Ok? lol I try to focus on pleasing God and seeking HIS approval. That's all that really matters to me in the long run.
Isn't it funny how some people get this...and there are others to whom the entire concept is totally foreign to them? That's what I love about \"The Ranch\". No matter what, there's SOMEONE out there that's going through the same thing and there's comfort knowing A) You're not alone! and B) You're not crazy! It's a great big ol' world out there and we have far more similarities than differences. And I am ever grateful you are here.

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❤️

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\"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.\"

\nGalatians 1:10\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-16T01:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/16/seeking-approval.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Forgiveness","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/10/this-is-my-job.html", "title": "This IS my job!", "content_html": "\n
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I wasn't in Colorado 15 minutes this summer till my oldest said, \"When are you going to quit this ____ and come home and get a job?\" Sigh. She's young. She doesn't get it. And, she misses me. She worries about me. She hates that I'm missing so much of my grandchildren's lives. I understand. I miss them, too. And, truth be told, it's a little harder being away from them after spending so much time with them this summer. Part of that is travel-lag. I've been laying really low the last couple of days resting up. I'll be getting busier soon. The Sternwheeler Festival is this weekend. Country Living Fair is next weekend. I will probably go visit family the weekend after that and the first week of October is the Myrtle Beach trip. I have an appointment to get the truck checked. Another for some work on the trailer. So it's going to be busy again soon. Laying low is a good thing.

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But, this thing about a job keeps hovering in the back of my mind. Oh, don't get me wrong...I don't really want one of those dreadful 9 to 5 things that I suffered through all those years. But supporting the lifestyle to which I would like to be accustomed is never far from my thoughts. In the coming weeks, I'm going to go through stuff...again...and weed out the unnecessary extras. Then I'm going to figure out a way to set up my tools and start making some jewelry. That always brings in some extra cash. I'm an entrepreneurial spirit. I have some really great ideas. I just have to make them happen. I will keep you apprised of my progress.

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❤️

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\"Then Micah said to him, “Live with me and be my father and priest, and I’ll give you ten shekels of silver a year, your clothes and your food.”

\nJudges 17:10\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-10T01:30:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/10/this-is-my-job.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun","Downsizing","Choices","Crafts"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/25/i-love-you-to-the.html", "title": "I Love You to The Moon and Back", "content_html": "\n
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I've had several readers respond with stories of having lost a child. When I read them, the bottom of my heart drops to the floor. I have no adequate words to relay to them as how could mere words offer comfort to a grieving mother of one of God's tiniest angels? Some gave died by choice...an infinitely difficult circumstance to accept. Some have been taken away by grievous acts of violence. Some by way of accidents. And many through that insidious thief...cancer. Childhood cancer takes our most precious gems away at an alarming rate. Little Ronan Thompson was a gorgeous little boy with crystal blue eyes and sandy blond hair. He was the apple of everyone's eye. He was his older twin brothers' hero and best friend. One day, his mother noticed one of his eyes was a little droopy so they were checked from stem to stern. The dreadful diagnosis came and Ronan's parents learned he had Stage IV Neuroblastoma...an aggressive brain cancer. Ronan fought like a rockstar through chemo, radiation, and surgeries yet nothing could stop the steady growth. His mama whispered into his ear and told him, \"c'mon baby, fly away with me\". And he finally quit fighting. Ronan's parents created the Ronan Thompson Foundation to fund research on Neuroblastoma. His mother writes a blog that has chronicled life during his illness and what they are doing since he died. Taylor Swift wrote a song that will rip the heart right out of your chest. All proceeds have gone to Childhood Cancer research. There has to be a special place in Heaven for parents who have lost a child. I cannot imagine the pain you have gone through. I hold you all in my prayers.

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?

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Listen to Ronan by Taylor Swift HERE.

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\n

\"David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground.\"

\n2 Samuel 12:16\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-25T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/25/i-love-you-to-the.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Fear"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/24/time.html", "title": "Time", "content_html": "\n
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The other day I described time as \"slippery\". Here it is, my last full day in Colorado. This has been a wonderful summer full of grand adventures. And for the first time since I was a kid, summer stretched out in front of me in an endless stream of sun filled days. This feels like the longest summer of my life. I think that is because I was looking forward to exploring a new relationship and the time couldn't pass fast enough to get back to West Virginia. Now that the possibility of a pending relationship has been removed, it has caused me to pause and think about how our thoughts can change the perception of time.

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Sometimes years pass in a heartbeat. Other times three months is an eternity. Time doesn't always pass more quickly the older you get. I know elderly people who sit staring down the abyss just waiting to die and they think death will never get there soon enough. I don't want to be that woman. Time has become an extremely valuable commodity. I want to grasp time in both hands and squeeze. I want to bathe in it and get drunk by it's richness. I want every adventure I've ever dreamed of, and some that surprise me...taking my breath away with their beauty. I used to think I had all the time in the world. I don't. So, tomorrow I hit the road again for another Grand Adventure...this time to Deadwood, SD with a bunch of wild women in tutus and cowboy boots! How fun is that? THAT is a good way to spend some time!

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❤️

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\"You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.\"

\nPsalm 39:5\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-24T01:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/24/time.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Grief"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/07/icing-on-the-cake.html", "title": "Icing on the Cake", "content_html": "\n
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I hit Denver yesterday with literally just enough time to unhook my trailer and wash my face before I had to hop back in the truck with two very tired children to get to the Kelly Clarkson concert in time. You know how sometimes you have a picture in your mind of how a really great surprise is going to go down and then reality hits and it's nothing at all as you imagined? Yeah, well...I pictured the announcement. \"Guess what kids? We have one more big surprise for you to polish off your FUN week with Nana. We're going to the Kelly Clarkson concert!!! Isn't that great???\" I was met with a very perturbed preteen. And it's my own fault. See, her mama said not to tell the girls about the concert. But we always go to live music at the mall on Thursdays so I told the girls we were going there. Guess what? That turned out to be a lie.

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I lied to my grandchild and she called me on it. And I felt terrible because I have never lied to her. I looked at it as keeping a surprise but that's not how a sensitive, overly tired prepubescent girl saw it. Granted, once we got there, she was fine. She just doesn't like surprises...she isn't flexible that way. I'll know to handle it differently next time. The concert was really fun though and I sang along to every song I knew, and that was most of them. Pentatonix was one of the opening acts and they were amazing!

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Now I'm heading into the home stretch here. I have to go through the things that I brought with me from WV. I just have way too much stuff so I have to get rid of more. It truly feels like a never ending project. I actually use so little of what I carry around with me and it's ridiculous to pull that extra weight. So, I'll get things ship shape and before I know it, I'll be heading off to Deadwood, SD with the Sisters on the Fly. What a whirlwind summer this has been!

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The kids and I baked cinnamon rolls for breakfast yesterday before we broke camp. We decided we will never forget this trip as long as we live.

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Awwwww...feels!!!

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❤

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\n

\"If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.\"

\nPhilemon 1:18\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-07T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/07/icing-on-the-cake.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Memories","Littles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/06/perfect-summer-day.html", "title": "Perfect Summer Day", "content_html": "\n
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Yesterday was a perfect day! The girls and I took a ride through a beautiful high country meadow overlooking a lake. The sun was shining, the temps were mild, the horses were amazing creatures, and my grandchildren had a wonderful time. They thanked me and asked when we could do it again…when can we come to Steamboat again? That is the true mark of a successful adventure!

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We drove to town and checked out some shops. Little starts riding lessons soon so she got pink cowboy boots. That was exciting! We came back to the camper for quiet time. Hot dogs for dinner. Then we played a game of Minion Monopoly. Big was so funny. Little was giving her a hard time for taking all her money and a property. Big looked at her and said, \"Hey, it's business…I'm just trying to make a living here!\" OMGosh…my ribs hurt from laughing so hard!

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We ended the night with s'mores and a movie. Thus ending a perfect summer day.

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I'm so in love with my life! ❤️

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\"‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ ”

\nPsalm 89:4\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-06T01:30:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/06/perfect-summer-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/05/camp-towwanda-day.html", "title": "Camp TOW-Wanda - Day 4", "content_html": "\n
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Another successful day of fun with these awesome girls! Today was the day when they found their voices with me. I've always lived at least 3 hours away from them…sometimes further. There have been times when I didn't see them for months at a time so me living on the road doesn't change things between us. It always takes a few days of us being off on our own for them to open up and start talking. And when they do, it is such fun! Their words tumble over each other as they fight to tell me everything that's going on. That's when we put down the electronics, turn off the radio, and regale each other with stories. It's a priceless time that I treasure in the months I am away from them. I may not be with them all the time, but the time we have together is epic and memorable.

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There was one little glitch yesterday. It was only 55 when we were out on the lake! It wasn't as much fun as it could have been but the girls were troopers. Big refused to fish, but she did crafts which was an acceptable alternative. Little fished her heart out and logically surmised all the other tourists had caught all the fish so that's why she didn't catch any. There were none left. I love this girl's concrete thinking! After boating, we relaxed a while then headed to town and soaked a few hours in the hot springs. It was wonderful! A movie after dinner and it was another successful day at Camp TOW-Wanda! Today we are going horseback riding then home tomorrow. Epic!

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❤️

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\n

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

\nProverbs 22:6\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-05T01:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/05/camp-towwanda-day.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/04/closure.html", "title": "Closure", "content_html": "\n
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A couple of nights ago, we were at dinner and Little was talking about her Papa. I told her the story about how we chose the cemetery because it was actually on a golf course. She stopped me with a stern look, hand on her hip, and asked why I hadn't taken them there yet. The girls didn't come to the cemetery for the burial because Mom and Dad were worried about the military gun salute scaring them. So, yesterday after breakfast, we went to the store and bought flowers to lay at the grave.

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Little was very brave. She is my tender hearted one. She placed the flowers. They both placed a stone at the edge of the grave and then she wanted to talk about him. We looked at the surroundings, talked about how much Papa loved golf. We checked out the little stones and trinkets people had left for him. And then the inevitable lip quiver and I knew she was ready to share her grief and gain some closure.

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She looked down and said, \"Nana, you know…he's not really gone. Just part of him. It was just his body that died.\" Then she asked me about HOW he died. It was the first time we talked about the specifics. I was honest without getting into the gory details. She sobbed and got it out and regained her composure rather quickly. I'm glad we had that moment together. I hope it helped her as much as it helped me.

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Little ones need closure as much as we big ones do.

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❤

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\"You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.\"

\nJob 11:16-18\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-04T01:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/04/closure.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/03/fail.html", "title": "Fail", "content_html": "\n
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I've failed as a Nana. This morning over breakfast, I told my grand daughters that today my goal was to make sure they were absolutely miserable. Under no circumstances were they to have fun…at all! They laughed at silly Nana. We went to the Glenwood Adventure Park to ride the rides. The country's highest altitude roller coaster is there. This picture was taken a couple hundred yards below that coaster and look how tiny the interstate is below.

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I may or may not have peed my pants on said roller coaster. You will never know. ? We did the Alpine Coaster…as close to bobsledding as you'll likely do. We did the little family coaster, as well as these swings that are attached to something like a merry go round. When they really get going, you're flying out over the edge of the canyon wall and looking down 1030 feet to the interstate below. OMGosh! I think I may have uttered some words that I had to apologize to my grandchildren for!

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We had lunch on the veranda then went to the Hot Springs Pool. We ended the evening at my favorite Mexican restaurant with fried ice cream for dessert. The girls laughed and poked fun at me and told me I failed miserably…because they really HAD fun…and lots of it!

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Score for Nana! Camp TOW-Wanda was well received on Day 2! Today we head to a more remote area and I have no idea what my cell service or WiFi scenario will be so if you don't hear from me, don't worry…I'll be back!

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❤️

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\"Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.\"

\nProverbs 17:6\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-03T01:30:50-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/03/fail.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/02/memories.html", "title": "Memories", "content_html": "\n
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Making memories...it's what we do every day, whether we mean to or not. Sometimes we have choices and we can make beautiful memories intentionally. Yesterday was one of those days. As a matter of fact, this whole week will hopefully be filled with wonderful memories that my grandchildren will tell their kids about. We're off to a pretty good start.

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After a very long five hour drive, we got our campsite set up. We had a little quiet time then headed to Carbondale for dinner at a traditional '50s style diner. The kids really enjoyed that. After dinner, we went to Redstone and met two of their seven grandparents for live music and dancing. I love blended families when they work together with love for the kids and grandkids...and for each other. We all sat together and loved on the kids and visited. What a wonderful example for the children. I'm very proud of us.

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While we sat and listened to music, my older grand daughter and I made lanyards. Who remembers camp and all the great arts and crafts you did? Well, this is Camp TOW-Wanda! We have coloring books and colored pencils, pipe cleaners, friendship bracelets, Minions Monopoly, fishing, boating, hiking, campfires, s'mores, weenie roasts, swimming, adventure park rides, horseback riding, and a rodeo to do by the time we head home on Thursday. Then....shhhhhh, don't tell the kids, but we're all going to see Kelly Clarkson and Pentatonix in concert Thursday night!

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Does Nana know how to plan a camping trip or what????

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❤️

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\"So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives.\"

\nGenesis 13:8\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-02T01:30:33-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/02/memories.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun","Wisdom","Be Joyful!","Widow","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/08/01/the-semicolon-project.html", "title": "The Semicolon Project", "content_html": "\n
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I was sitting with my older daughter and her friend the other night talking about mental illness and how so many issues of today are losing their negative social stigmas. We've come a long way since those dark days when depression and anxiety cast a pall over our house. So, we want to do our part to bring mental health issues into the light of day where we can talk and love and heal.

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If you aren't familiar with The Semicolon Project, then Google it. A semicolon is placed where an author could have ended the story, but chose not to. If you see someone with a semicolon tattoo, ask them about it. Give them a hug. Thank them for being brave. Tell them you love them. As my contribution to the conversation, I am going with friends next Friday to get my own semicolon tattoo. I am also altering my feather tattoo and turn it into a quill pen since I am a writer. My feather reminds me that my burdens are as light as a feather because God carries them for me. So, since you all are a huge part of my life and the reason I am here, I would like to include you in the decision making process of placement. \"B\" is aesthetically pleasing but since the writing came after the pause, perhaps \"A\" is more appropriate. Please vote \"A\" or \"B\" in the comments. Also, please feel free to share your semicolon tattoo if you have one and share your story if you feel comfortable.

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Thank you all so much for all your love and support!!!

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❤️

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\"Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord ’; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and will take the name Israel.\"

\nIsaiah 44:5\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-08-01T01:30:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/08/01/the-semicolon-project.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Growth","Courage","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/27/sparkle.html", "title": "Sparkle", "content_html": "\n
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Yesterday was a pretty near perfect day. We've been waiting and planning for this day for several months. The kids' 20th anniversary party went off without a hitch and it was so wonderful to see family and friends from near and far. The band, the music, the dancing, the food, the weather, the company…it was just delightful! I'm heading up to the mountains today to visit with my brother and my friends for a few days. I was talking with my friend last night and we marveled at how it's nearly August. In some ways the summer has stretched out in a way I haven't experienced since childhood. But it's really going to fly by now with so many activities planned and before you know it, I'll be back on the banks of the Ohio River.

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It's coming on the last of summer. The \"Dog Days\". Make it count…leave a bit of sparkle wherever you go!

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❤

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\n

\"a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,\"

\nEcclesiastes 3:4\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-27T01:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/27/sparkle.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/26/milestones.html", "title": "Milestones", "content_html": "\n
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There are fewer milestones in life that fill you with more pride than that of your children's accomplishments. Today we are celebrating Daughter #1's 20th wedding anniversary. She and my favorite son-in-law (I can say that…I only have one) have a beautiful marriage, a beautiful family, and a beautiful life together. They are steady, easy going, and as sweet with each other today as they were the day they married. And in-laws? OMGosh! She won the in-law lottery! I absolutely LOVE my son-in-law and his family. Good, hard working people that are as much my sister and brother as they are my dearest friends. We share grandchildren. We celebrate our joined family. That's priceless!

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Twenty years. So much has happened in twenty years. The kids moved to Long Island not long after they were married and lived there for four years. They came back home to start their family. Two babies and two houses in two decades. They took their very first vacation over Spring Break this year. They have an excellent work ethic. They make me look good in the child-rearing department but they're the ones who have made it work.

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So much has changed in my own life in those two decades. A divorce, a marriage, a death. The loss of both parents. Life. Life is what happened. According to John Lennon, it's what happens when you're making other plans. My life looks entirely different than what I imagined it would look like as I sat watching my baby girl get married. But the fact that they are the same with a good, stable marriage reassures me of the possibilities. I am so, so proud of them.

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Congratulations, kids…may you celebrate many, many more anniversaries in good health!

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❤

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\"A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown….\"

\nProverbs 12:4\n
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\n

\"May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.\"

\nProverbs 5:18\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-26T01:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/26/milestones.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/22/monkey-business.html", "title": "Monkey Business", "content_html": "\n
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My mom was not an animal lover. I finally talked her into letting me get a cat when I was in 8th or 9th grade. She hated it. She couldn't stand it when Ginger would rub up against her legs. As an adolescent, it was quite fun to watch. Adolescents are wicked creatures.

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In the summer between junior and senior year of high school, my best friend fled the abuse at her home and came to live with us. Mom loved kids and adopted all my friends as her own. Sherry had a job and I was the driver. We got into all kinds of trouble like blowing the muffler off the car pretending it was a glass pack on a tricked out race car, or getting stuck in the mud out a back road, or….well, you get the picture. Mom went grey young for a reason. Anyway, nothing got us in as much trouble as the monkey incident.

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Monday's post mentioned my bike coming from Monkey Wards and it reminded me of this story. My foster sister and I had been out riding around on a Friday night after school and stopped in Montgomery Wards just before they closed. For some reason, there was a monkey in a cage in the west entrance of the store and we had been stopping in frequently to visit it. It was the cutest little thing…just like the little organ grinder monkeys of long ago and we loved It. Well, this particular Friday, my \"sister\" had just gotten her paycheck. The monkey was $150. Her check was $153. What girl doesn't need a monkey, right? So, we bought it, put the cage in the back seat, and cruised. Along about curfew time, we began to worry about how we were going to explain the monkey. Do we flat out tell her? Do we just walk in with it and give her a heart attack? We were adolescents…of COURSE we opted for the heart attack!

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I'm not sure I can adequately describe the sound that came out of my mother when she first caught sight of our new little friend. Somewhere between sitting in the chair and standing on the kitchen counter, there was total chaos in the kitchen. Mom freaked out. Which in turn freaked out the monkey whose instinct was to climb…high and fast. In an instant, the monkey climbed up my \"sister\", jumped to the top of the fridge and sat there…screaming. Seriously, I was frightened for my life when my mother gathered her wits about her. She insisted we take the monkey back immediately. We explained that not only was it approaching midnight and the store was closed, but the manager had told us we could not return the monkey. \"All sales are final, Mom. We HAVE to keep it!\"

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And that's how I came to spend the night in the car with a monkey.

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As soon as the store was open, mom took us back down to Monkey Wards and showed the manager a side of her few had ever seen. It was a sight to behold.

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❤

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\"“Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.”

\nExodus 32:14\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-22T01:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/22/monkey-business.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Growth"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/19/i-heart-summer.html", "title": "I Heart Summer", "content_html": "\n
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I could live in a place with endless summer. Where things grow…green…all year round. And if I wanted a change, I could travel there. If I wanted snow, I could go to Texas in, like…March or something. No, seriously….I love the endless possibilities of summer. I love wearing as few clothes as I can get away with. I love going barefoot. I love eating outdoors. I love warm rain. I love all the wonderful activities of summer…camping, fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, picnics, outdoor music festivals. I love the wild flowers of summer. And the food fresh from the garden. I love the gatherings of friends around a campfire. The sound of kids outside playing. The sound of rain on a tin roof. Lazy days…lazy ways. Staying up late. Watching the moon and stars. Cooking over a fire. A nap in the shade of a big tree. I love everything about summer. It cannot last long enough for me. Yes, right now….this moment. This is my favorite time of the year. I want to bottle it up and keep it on my shelf.

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❤

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\n

\"“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

\nGenesis 8:22\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-19T01:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/19/i-heart-summer.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/18/a-room-with-a-view.html", "title": "A Room With a View", "content_html": "\n
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I love the sky. No matter where I am, I'm always looking up. The skies in the west are wide open spaces…ever changing majestic views in every direction. Just as the Ohio River changes with each passing moment, so too does the western sky. I love the way the light changes, the clouds forming and reforming into every shape imaginable. Sunrise, sunset, gathering storms…all are a canvas for the miracle God creates for us every day.

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It's been many years since I laid on a blanket and gazed up at the clouds and named the creatures I found there. Years since I laid under a tree and glimpsed the cerulean blue peeking through the pine boughs. I will make it a point to do that before I head back to WV. I'll look up on the internet how to photograph the Milky Way. I'll hold my grand daughters hands as we count the stars. I'll make sweet memories they'll not soon forget, even though they may want to for awhile. 'Tweens, you know…at least the older one is.

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When my youngest was ten, I was separated from her dad. It was September and we were trying to mend some bruises between us. I read online that the Perseids were showing that night. I stayed up, packed cocoa and cookies and a blanket in the picnic basket, and gently woke my daughter at 2:00am. I got her in the car and drove to the local ski area. The night sky was clear and deep navy. We stretched out on the hood of the car, covered up with the blanket, and watched hundreds of shooting stars crisscross the night sky. It is a memory we both hold very dear.

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The sky represents the endless possibilities in life. The ever changing tapestry reminds us that life is anything but static. Stop and look up. Don't let life pass you by…count the stars! <3

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\"And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.\"

\nGenesis 1:6-8\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-18T01:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/18/a-room-with-a-view.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/16/the-front-row.html", "title": "The Front Row", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

Gone are the days when I've relegated myself to the third row. I don't regret anything I've done in my life because every step I made turned me into who I am today. But I do have some wishes. I wish I would have taken more chances, made more mud pies, rode more roller coasters. I wish I would have listened to that doctor and gone to medical school. I wish I wouldn't have tried so hard to fit square pegs into round holes. I wish I wouldn't have been so afraid.

\n\n\n

I told Mr. Virgo once that I wish I would have met him in my 30's. He said, \"No, you don't. You wouldn't have liked who I was then.\" And, he's probably right because I don't think he would have liked the 30-year-old version of me, either. There's a reason we met when we did…it was the right time.

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I had dinner last night with one of his cousins and her husband. We had never met in person. I'm not even sure we have ever spoken on the phone, but we have been Facebook friends since Mr. Virgo died. They were traveling through Denver and asked me to dinner. As I sat in the car waiting to go in, I found myself getting a bit emotional. I didn't know many members of Mr. Virgo's family and this was a blood relative so it seemed special…this physical connection. We laughed and told stories and I learned more about people he had spoken of. I had a great time and I'm really glad I went.

\n\n\n

Yes, gone are the days of third row seating. You'll find me up front from now on.

\n\n\n

❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"Then Laban said to him, “You are my own flesh and blood.”…

\nGenesis 29:14\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/16/the-front-row.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Growth","Wisdom","Aging","Change","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/13/lemon-cake.html", "title": "Lemon Cake!", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

Way, WAY back in the day, I used to bake competitively. There were three of us gals…Ryb, Judy, and me…that would enter three pies into Saturday's competition, and three cakes on Sunday's at the Carbondale Mountain Fair. Almost without fail, the Three Amigas would take home all of the ribbons! SO unfair…but SO fun! Invariably, the field would be heavily laden with \"Death By Chocolate\" and any manor of liqueur-laced lovelies so I would try to come up with something different that would catch the judges by surprise. This yummy taste of sunshine won me one of those coveted ribbons and has become the all-time family favorite for birthdays.

\n\n\n

There's been a running joke since my son in-law joined the family twenty years ago that if anything happened to their marriage, I was keeping him and my daughter would have to go! Of course, everyone knew it was tongue in cheek, but I have to tell you, my daughter won the lottery in both the husband AND the in-law department. Their birthdays are the 11th and the 13th, and their anniversary is the 15th. And, since my wonderful son-in-law is partial to chocolate…I made chocolate cakes every year. But this year is different. This year is special. We've reached a new depth in our mother/daughter friendship. She works SO hard as a special ed teacher, as a mom to two very busy girls on swim team, as a student going to grad school, and as a loving wife. So, this year she gets the much coveted lemon cake for her birthday.

\n\n\n

In the past, I would have worked on this cake for two weeks. I would have carefully cut lemon peel into thin strips, boiling it in a simple syrup and refrigerate. I would have made the cake from scratch. I would have piped the whipped cream frosting on with a flourish. Then I would have carefully tied the lemon peel into little knots, rolled them in sugar crystals and place them around the top. But hey, I said she's special but she's not the queen! So, I doctored up a moist lemon cake mix (gasp!) by using sour cream instead of oil. I added the zest of one lemon. Once baked and cooled, I used lemon curd from a jar for the filling between layers instead of painstakingly making my own. I whipped heavy cream, adding a couple tablespoons of light corn syrup (stabilizes whipped cream so it lasts for hours! There…one of my secrets!) and added three tablespoons of the powdered lemon drops. (I put some lemon drops through the blender till they turn to a sugary powder and sift out any chunks.) Frost with the whipped cream, dollop on some lemon curd, and sprinkle with a bit of the powdered lemon drops and, voila…Lemon Cake! Chill till serving time and wait for the ooooohs and aaaaahs!

\n\n\n

❤

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\n

\"His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.\"

\nJob 1:4\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/13/lemon-cake.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun","Comfort","Be Joyful!","Baking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/12/life.html", "title": "Life!", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

My oldest daughter turned 41 yesterday. Seriously? How did she get older than me? Honestly, I feel 35 inside most of the time…like I'm in some kind of time warp. The years whip by at a dizzying pace, but my perceived age remains the same. I look at my hands when arthritis makes my joints ache and wonder what could have happened to them. I look at the lines on my face in photographs and wonder when I became my grandma. I distinctly remember what it felt like to kiss her cheeks…how safe it made me feel. And it makes me smile in wonder that my grandchildren may feel the same when they kiss mine.

\n\n\n

Life is a quilt. It tears us into the smallest of pieces sometimes. But, the most valuable quilts are those made with the most intricate patterns. The end result is totally dependent on how much hard work you're willing to put into it, isn't it?

\n\n\n

Happy birthday, dear girl. Thank you for changing my name to \"Mom\".

\n\n\n

❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.\"

\nPsalm 127:3-4\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/12/life.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Wisdom","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/10/swim-meet-weekend.html", "title": "Swim Meet Weekend!", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

My older grand daughter has a goal. She wants to be on the 2020 Olympics swim team. She's a driven kid and hopes to go to college on either an academic or swim scholarship. She starts a college prep school in the fall. She's 11!

\n\n\n

I don't know about you, but I was playing with Barbies at 11. I'm what they prudently called a \"late bloomer\" back in the day. I wanted to be a mechanical engineer but I was told girls weren't suited to be engineers. I was so bored in school. I remember sitting in my \"guidance counsellor's\" office once. I can't tell you what was discussed but I can guarantee it wasn't about what college I planned to go to. I did go to x-ray school but everything else I've done has been by my own volition. I never had the opportunity to go to college but I put my second husband through medical school. And my ex and I made sure my daughters got a college education. My oldest is a shining example to her own daughters by working full time, parenting them, getting them to swim practice seven times a week, AND going back to school for her Master's Degree. So this will be a busy and exciting weekend…my daughter's and son-in-law's 41st birthdays, their 20th Wedding Anniversary, and a 3-day swim meet! Then I get the kids for a week!

\n\n\n

❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.\"

\nProverbs 1:1-6\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/10/swim-meet-weekend.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/07/09/seriously.html", "title": "Seriously?", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

This is the weirdest weather year just about everywhere. I wish I had my electric blanket on my bed…and I'm not in the mountains. I'm sure glad it wasn't this cold last week when I was camping in the tent at 9,000 feet!

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I'm always reminded of the difference in perspective. In the spring…after a long, cold winter…when the temperature hits 58, we're out in shirtsleeves and shorts playing frisbee in the park. But you give us 58 in the middle of July and it feels like October! We're pulling out the sweatshirts and wool socks. I used to always complain about how cold I was and Mr. Virgo said it was all in my head and if I just imagined myself warm, I would be. Then he bought me a fur coat so go figure! lol

\n\n\n

I'm heading into a stretch where I'll have my grandkids a lot while my daughter does some work towards her Masters Degree. They just got back from their vacation so the kids were full of stories at dinner tonight. New York City was a bit intimidating for them, I think…but they'll have wonderful memories and pictures to share with their friends when they go back to school. I firmly believe the more experiences you can give kids, the easier they can get along with a variety of people with common experiences when they get older. I'm very proud of my daughter for taking the girls on a cross country road trip by herself. She's got moxie!

\n\n\n

❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,\".

\nPsalm 91:5\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-07-09T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/07/09/seriously.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Comfort","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/18/summer-fun.html", "title": "Summer Fun!!!", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

Last night was the first s'mores of the season for me! Such sticky goodness is reserved for hot summer nights when the kids gather around the campfire. Ok…in this case, the trusty gas grill. But the results are the same and certainly not on anyone's diet. But oh…SO good! AND…they're MARSHMALLOW RANCH marshmallows! Well, not really…they're Stay Puft, but that's kinda the same thing.

\n\n\n

One of our fellow \"Ranchers\" sent me a private message yesterday. She lives in the Denver Metro Area and wondered if we might meet somewhere for coffee sometime while I'm here. Our conversation got to the point where we wondered if there are other \"Ranchers\" in the area. Wouldn't it be fun to meet? So, let's take a roll call and see if there are any other Marshmallow Ranch readers who might like to get together. Where y'all from???

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❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.\"

\nLuke 11:9-10\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/18/summer-fun.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Memories","Littles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/17/wanderlust.html", "title": "Wanderlust", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I've got it again. There's a festival in the mountains this weekend. I think I might run up there and catch some live music and a funnel cake! I'm making plans for my next big trip. I'm leaving 6/26 for a circuit of Colorado. I'm visiting family and friends, hitting a music festival in Snowmass, then heading to my friend's place overlooking Mesa Verde. We're going to discuss my book and push to get it published this year. I need to be back in Denver by the 3rd for a concert I bought tickets for two months ago. I'll be free till the kids return on the 8th from their vacation then I will have my babies for a week. The next month will fly by!

\n\n\n

I bought a pickleball paddle today! I'm looking for a place where I can learn this fun game. People everywhere are playing it. It's a cross between tennis, badminton, and ping-pong played with a paddle and a wiffleball. It's played on a court half the size of a regular tennis court. Boomers are doing it because it's easier on the knees. It's something I can learn to play and take anywhere. Low investment. High yield of fun!

\n\n\n

I love living in this camper. It's as close to living outside as I can get and still have walls and a roof around me. I am living on two acres, parked between the shed and the garden. I can lay in bed at night and hear the trains passing through. You would hardly know I'm really only about a half mile from a very busy intersection in a major suburb of Denver. I'm very comfortable here. I am most appreciative of my son-in law's parents for allowing me to stay here for the summer.

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❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home.\"

\nProverbs 27:8\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/17/wanderlust.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/15/ok-oklast-one-promise.html", "title": "Ok, ok…last one, promise!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

This was just too cute not to post it. The kids had me over last night for a birthday party. It was so much fun! Our tongues were purple! This party was after spending the afternoon with the Sisters on the Fly at a wine tasting. THAT was a hoot and a half! I love those gals! I invited a friend to join me. Our kids were best friends in third grade then she and her daughter moved to Maine. I haven't seen her since. Then she moved back to Colorado a few weeks ago. She walked in the door and we picked up the conversation like we'd seen each other yesterday. What a wonderful, wonderful birthday week I've had! Thanks again to all of you for helping me celebrate.

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And now….back to our regularly scheduled programming.

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❤

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\n

\"Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ”

\nLuke 17:9-10\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/15/ok-oklast-one-promise.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/13/boom-there-it-is.html", "title": "Boom! There it is!!!", "content_html": "\n
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The sun! It came back…outside AND inside! Just as I predicted, I was perfectly fine when I woke up yesterday even though it was still raining and grey out. But by 3:00, the sun broke through and the world was fresh and green…swept clean by the downpours of the past week.

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There's always going to be a stumbling block on this path. I've spent the last eight months in West Virginia…a place Mr. Virgo visited once for a week. I've been back in Colorado a week and he's around every corner. I didn't realize how much impact that would have until I lived it. I need to change my reaction. Instead of feeling grieved when I \"see\" him in familiar places, I need to feel the joy in the memories. Find the happy. The rest will take care of itself.

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And…today is my birthday. I refuse to let it be \"just another day\". I think the weather will hold out and be nice. I'll either take a bike ride or kayak on the reservoir…maybe both! I'll spend time with family. There's a movie I'd like to see. I'll talk with friends. And I'll celebrate another trip around the sun. Because, without the dark moments, how could I possibly appreciate the sun?

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❤

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\n

\"“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.\"

\nPsalm 39:4-5\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/13/boom-there-it-is.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Growth","Gratitude","Courage","Choices","Be Joyful!","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/10/parenting.html", "title": "Parenting", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

When your children have grown, parenting changes dramatically. Of course, long gone are the braces and swim practice and adolescent angst. Now, it's the grandchildren doing it and it is such a joy for me to watch my older daughter parent her 'tween daughter. She is so patient and so wise. Far more wise than I was at her age. She empowers her daughter to handle her own problems as best she can before stepping in. Me? I was an over-involved helicopter mom who was hyper vigilant. Yet, the girls are doing fine. Daughter #1 is a beautiful mother. Daughter #2 is still in college, unmarried, no children…still finding herself and her place in the world. My kids are very nearly 16 years apart so there is no comparison.

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I miss the days when they were little, but I wouldn't want to do it over again. Certainly not at this age. I have a friend that I graduated from high school with and she just adopted her two year old grandson. OMGosh! I cannot imagine but I am so proud of her for taking this on and giving this little man a stable home. I would if I had to, of course…but it sure wouldn't be easy. God gives us children when we're young enough that a) we have no clue what can go wrong and b) we have the energy and patience necessary.

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I bought my older grand daughter a laptop and gave it to her today. She had never used Windows 8 before but she picked it up in a heartbeat. It amazes me what the kids of today will be able to accomplish with the technology that's available. She is going into a college prep school this fall. She's eleven! Yes, parenting is entirely different now than it was when I was raising my babies.

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I'm such a proud Mom…and Nana.

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❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.\"

\nPsalm 127:3-4\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/10/parenting.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/07/blue-skies.html", "title": "Blue Skies", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I got out on my bike yesterday. I rode the area bike path east till I ran into flooding. I turned around and went west and found the same thing so I ended up circling around the reservoir, which was lovely. The altitude kicked my butt though! It's been 9 months since I've lived here so it'll take a little time to adjust.

\n\n\n

Blue skies. It indicates more than good weather to me. Blue skies is an attitude…a state of mind. I sat and visited with family last night and they mentioned I've certainly had an interesting life, not all of it easy, yet I still keep truckin' with a smile on my face. A lot of that is just my nature, I think. But I firmly believe you can change your life by changing your thinking. Whatever you put your attention on is going to receive the most energy. It's not a big leap to figure out you can't live a positive life with a negative mind. I know it isn't always easy….but just making one little change can make a huge difference.

\n\n\n

I got to spend time with my younger daughter last night. She has the unfortunate luck of inheriting my family's tendency toward worry and anxiety. She is using a cognitive behavior modification technique to help her change that pattern. She wears a rubber band around her wrist and when she gets to stinkin' thinkin', she snaps the rubber band and forces herself to think something positive. She says it's really helping her and I can see the difference in her. She has a lot more blue skies in her life now…and that makes me happy.

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❤

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\n

\"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.\"

\n2 Corinthians 4:18\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/07/blue-skies.html", "tags": ["Family","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/06/being.html", "title": "BE-ing", "content_html": "\n
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Now that I'm here and got some rest, I'm ready to go out and ride my bike and kayak but I'd like to find some folks to join me. It will take some looking around, but I'll find some like-minded individuals. I went to the movies with the kids yesterday and saw Pitch Perfect 2. I've watched the first one so many times. This one was just as good, I think.

\n\n\n

I'm home tonight by myself after spending the day with the kids. I've become accustomed to being alone. My daughter and I have been filling my calendar with this and that so the summer is shaping up to be a busy one. The kids will be going to a family wedding in a couple of weeks so I'm going on a trip to the mountains while they're away. There will be cookouts, swim meets, sleepovers and camping trips with the littles. I get to spend the evening with my younger daughter tonight so I'm really looking forward to that. She has a crazy work schedule so it's not as easy spending time with her.

\n\n\n

Life in Colorado is vastly different than life in West Virginia. I realize the reason I had so much fun in West Virginia was because I had a huge social network there. It seems like a lot more work in the city to find people to do things with. A little down time can't hurt anyone but I need to keep active and socialize. It's good for me in many ways.

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❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"Remember how fleeting is my life. For what futility you have created all humanity!\"

\nPsalm 89:47\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/06/being.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/06/05/moonbow.html", "title": "Moonbow", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

This is not my photo…I found it on the Internet. But, I have seen one. It occurs when there is a very bright, full moon with rain and the position is the same as a rainbow in the daylight. I went out on the front porch of my Colorado house and looked up to see a beautiful moonbow.

\n\n\n

I love thunderstorms at night. The flashes of lightning, the crashes of thunder. I'm not crazy about it when it gets too close but overall, I've always loved them. But now I have a much bigger concern. Hail. Hail and campers aren't a good mix. I'm not worried about the skin of my camper because it is vacuum laminated vinyl over wood. But the roof is rubber and I'm not sure how well that will hold up under the hail storms Colorado is famous for. I wish TOW-Wanda was under cover. We had a really severe thunderstorm here last night. Areas north of us had five to six inches of rain in an hour with localized flooding. Tornadoes all along the plains and front range. Crazy weather.

\n\n\n

I went to listen to live music last night with my daughter and younger grand daughter. \"Little\" and I had a cute interchange…

\n\n\n

Little: I love you, Nana.
Me: I love you too, sweetie. Did you miss me?
Little: If you think I didn't miss you…you're crazy!
Me: Got your seat belt fastened. (She had to ride the short distance home in the front seat of my truck.)
Little: Yeah, but we'd better come up with a good story for the police officer.
Me: Really? Why?
Little: Well, because it's illegal for me to be riding in the front seat. So, we'll just tell him I'm an extremely small 13 year old!\"

\n\n\n

This kid cracks me up!

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❤

\n\n", "date_published": "2015-06-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/06/05/moonbow.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/05/23/from-my-mothers-hands.html", "title": "From My Mother's Hands", "content_html": "\n
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My mother was quite handy with a needle. She was a perfectionist. Her embroidery was tiny, intricate, and perfect. She used to drive me crazy when she sewed clothes. She basted every seam and ripped stitches out for the smallest mistakes that only her eyes could see.

\n\n\n

When Mom was expecting my older brother, she embroidered some quilt squares with the state birds and flowers. She only did 45 or 46 of them. Then life got busy with babies and a sad, disappointing marriage and the squares got wrapped in tissue and tucked into the cedar chest. I found them 35 years later on a trip home and asked if I could have them to make a quilt. I knew nothing about quilting but I read Mother Earth News and fancied myself as some sort of earth mother. I gardened, baked my own bread, made yogurt and tofu by hand, and rode horses every afternoon in the summer and skied in the winter. I rocked in front of the fire in my log house in the Rockies and pieced my first quilt. By the time I got about a third done quilting it, I had a baby and in typical Gemini fashion, never went back to it.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

At the beginning of this year when my living situation changed, my high school friend Ginny called me up and offered her home to me while she was away in Wyoming with her kids. Her apartment is located over her quilt shop in a two story brick Victorian. Ginny does long-arm quilting so I saw my opportunity to get this quilt finished. She carefully took out all my terribly uneven stitches, replacing the horrible puffy polyester batting, and came up with the perfect floral fabric for the backing. I went over yesterday and picked it up. And here it is…Mama's Quilt.

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Sixty-four years in the making. Stitched in West Virginia, toted to Colorado to be lovingly pieced together, dragged to different houses, stuffed in various closets, and…finally, toted BACK across the country only to be finished in Ohio by my high school friend. Around, around, around…a quilt is born.

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And Mama smiles.

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❤

\n\n\n
\n

\"a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,\".

\nEcclesiastes 3:7\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-05-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/05/23/from-my-mothers-hands.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Comfort","Aging","Memories"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/05/10/blessings.html", "title": "Blessings", "content_html": "\n
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Aunt Lucy turned 100 years old yesterday. I took my Aunt Peeps (on the left) to the birthday party and caught this darling moment when Aunt Lucy finally realized who she was talking to. As with many elderly people, she is nearly blind and very hard of hearing. She is not my aunt by blood. But, we have a really unusual connection.

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Back in the '30s, Uncle Ken and Aunt Lucy sold their farm to my grandparents and that's where my heart has lived all my life. It's where my aunt lives now. I've known these people my whole life. When I started dating my first husband, he used to talk about his Uncle Ken and Aunt Lucy. Turns out, they were one and the same. Uncle Ken was my former mother-in-law's brother. Are you following me so far? lol

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There were so many blessings yesterday. My aunt and I seem to have a little truce going here which is nice. The better part of the county came out to honor this lovely woman. I spent Friday afternoon with my first husband, which was fun. I saw family members I hadn't seen in 40 years. I spent some time in a beautiful Victorian mansion in the historic district. It was a day full of feels.

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The day started with coffee with the Divas of '71 and ended with live music on the banks of the Ohio River. I live a charmed life. Two years ago you could not have made me believe life could ever be this sweet after losing Mr. Virgo. My heart is soaring!

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Happy Mother's Day.

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❤

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\"“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.\"

\nExodus 20:12\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-05-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/05/10/blessings.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/05/01/good-vibes.html", "title": "Good Vibes", "content_html": "\n
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I can always tell when my vibe is on the wrong frequency by who is coming into my life. I sincerely believe we attract the kind of energy we put out. I look at the people coming into my life lens and they invariably tell me where my brain is. When I'm in this really great space, I get these really great people who show up with cool energy that syncs with mine. When I'm off, or thinking negatively about someone or something, I can just about count on someone crotchety crossing my path. I mean, it's not always that way, but enough to see a pattern. Then there's days like today that make you scratch your head.

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I went out to the farm to pick up a truckload of stuff to take to my cousin. My aunt was as sweet as pie. She was expecting company for lunch so she was in a happy, chatty mood. The last time I was there, she told me to take the stuff off the back porch because she had put my food out there. I assumed she meant the canned goods from the pantry that I had bought so I wasn't too concerned with it being there another week or so because my truck was full. Today, I took the stuff off the porch and put it in my truck but I didn't see any food. Then I noticed my cooler was heavy so I opened it and nearly died. When I moved away from the farm and came to town at Christmas, I had chicken salad and yogurt in the fridge. My aunt left it in the fridge till two weeks ago when she put it in my cooler out on the back porch…in 80 degree weather! OMGosh! I'm not sure what karma I'm playing out, but that was pretty gross.

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I can't quite figure out if I'm dealing with dementia here or a just plain mean spirit. Either way, the results are the same and it's disheartening. I pray for her, I wish her well, and I hope she gets the help she needs sooner rather than later. And, I'm getting my stuff out as fast as I can. There is nothing else I can do for her at this point.

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Addendum: I debated back and forth with myself for hours after writing this post. I wasn't sure I should talk about my elders in such a way. I'm not trying to garner sympathy either. I have family members who read my posts and I would never want to alienate them by speaking ill of my aunt. I love her. I truly do. This was just a really difficult situation for both of us. A friend if mine points out things might have been a little better had I arrived in spring instead of the onset of winter where we were thrust together in close quarters. I posit that one cannot truly know another when your only contact is as a guest on vacation. Whatever the reason, no matter the outcome, I mean no disrespect to my aunt or those who care about her.

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❤

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\"Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.\"

\n2 Timothy 2:10\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-05-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/05/01/good-vibes.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Aging","Downsizing","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/04/12/a-walmart-wedding.html", "title": "A Walmart Wedding", "content_html": "\n
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Things don't always happen the way you plan. Just ask my friend, Gwyneth (not her real name, but a great alter-ego!) Gwyn texted me last night with the devastating news that her only child, her beautiful boychik, had just TEXTED her to tell her he and his girlfriend are getting married tomorrow. By a Justice of the Peace. She was devastated. And understandably so. We have a mental image. We have social standards. We have a ritual for marriage…a model. He not only shattered his mama's dreams, but he did it via a text. (That's a whole blog post right there. We'll get back to that down the road.) So, she turned to me for support and commiseration. Poor Gwyn…when will she ever learn I look at these things with a very twisted sense of humor?

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At first, I offered her said commiseration. After all, I'm a mom. I get it. He didn't play by the rules. Then I asked her what she said to him and found out this all transpired via text. (Ok, I'm getting dangerously close to a rant on how NOT to treat the woman who gave you life!) She, of course, told him she was speechless. He couldn't understand why. She explained what it's like to be the mother of an only child. He said he sure wished she could be there but his girl REALLY needs dental insurance because her teeth are nearly falling out of her head. Pause. Ok, I'm sorry. I'm a sensitive person, and God bless this young man for being responsible, and in a few minutes, I'm going to go back to that with Gwyn. But for now…I'm stuck with the teeth image. And maybe a Walmart Wedding. With Festive Balogna Squares…and Tang. I continued to speculate on the details of this wedding until I had Gwyn gasping for air and begging me to stop because she was laughing so hard. Then I swung back in with the tender heart. Yes, this sucks. Yes, this was pretty inconsiderate. But a) this has nothing to do with her, and b) this has everything to do with her son and his dream. Oh, if people would just live their lives the way we want them to…especially our kids! Gwyn was left feeling better about the whole thing. After all, he may have just spared her a sight she can't unsee…a Walmart wedding, somewhere between \"Automotive\" and \"Sporting Goods\".

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❤

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\"You have fed them with the bread of tears, And You have made them to drink tears in large measure.\"

\nPsalms 80:5\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-04-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/04/12/a-walmart-wedding.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","New Ideas","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/04/02/happy-birthday-moon-pie.html", "title": "Happy Birthday, Moon Pie!", "content_html": "\n
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Twenty-five years! A quarter of a century! How could this time have passed so quickly? My baby…my youngest…my last little one.

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My children are nearly 16 years apart. That wasn't how I planned it. We were putting her daddy through medical school, then residency, then setting up a practice so there just wasn't any time. Finally we decided, it was now or never…and we set about bringing this beautiful soul into the world.

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Those were the days of science. I was 36 years old. Ovulation predictor kits can take all the fun out of making babies. The first month flat out didn't work. The second month I was in Atlanta visiting my dear friend, Cande. As luck would have it, the spot turned blue while I was there. I was lamenting to my friend that this was going to be another wasted month. Her precocious little three-year-old who was playing on the floor near by piped up and said, \"My daddy can help you. He makes beautiful babies!\" I thanked her and told her I already had a daddy picked out.

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The third time was the charm, and nine months later this beautiful old soul joined us. She was captivating. Strangers would cross the street just to touch her hand. When I carried her around in my arms, she held court. People always commented on her eyes. She wasn't necessarily an easy child. It was a challenge to keep up with her. She could read the alphabet at 17 months old. She is sensitive and artistic. She is my free spirit. My alternative, tattooed hippie chick, Earth mother who's dance gives me great joy.

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This one was devastated when we lost Mr. Virgo. She was only 15 when he came into our lives. Introducing a stepfather at that age can go either way…either he's going to blend in well or it's going to be a nightmare. I needn't have worried…she fell in love with him just as I had. They were very close, and losing him was her first experience with death. It is so difficult to see your children in pain and nearly impossible to help them when yours is nearly drowning you.

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She had a tough road between my illness, divorce, and losing her \"second dad\" but she worked hard and made it through. I am proud of the woman she has become.

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Happy Birthday, Pookiest!

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❤

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Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

\nPsalm 127:3-5 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-04-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/04/02/happy-birthday-moon-pie.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/02/12/rosemary-chicken.html", "title": "Rosemary Chicken", "content_html": "\n
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I got a text last night from Daughter #2 asking for Mr. Virgo's famous Rosemary Chicken recipe. She is feeling nostalgic for those cold winter nights sitting around the table dining together…the wonderful aromas of rosemary and garlic…the warmth of family love. Mr. Virgo was a stickler about eating together. And he made a killer Rosemary Chicken. When it was for a special occasion, he used a fat roasting hen. But for a quick evening meal, he used chicken thighs. He always wanted bone-in and skin on for the flavor. Preheat an oven to 350. Wash and pat dry your chicken thighs. Sprinkle with garlic salt, fresh ground pepper, and crushed rosemary. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes more or less. You want the skins crispy and no pink juices when you stick them with a fork. Yummmm…now she has ME craving some!

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Hanging on and letting go. It's a delicate balance. Some days it's more one than the other. I've had a catch in my chest for a week with the approach of Valentine's Day. I read an article the other day that next to the Angelversary, Valentine's Day is likely the most difficult for a widow. My friend Ginny calls it \"Singleness Awareness Day\". She isn't wrong. It's not made for us. There isn't a Hallmark card sad enough for a lonely widow on Valentine's Day. Isn't that pitiful? So, we hide in waiting and buy chocolate at 75% off on the 15th Ha! Take that!!!

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❤

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\"I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face….

\n3 John 1:14 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-02-12T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/02/12/rosemary-chicken.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/01/30/learning-to-believe.html", "title": "Learning to Believe", "content_html": "\n
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I have written a post nearly every day for two years. I journal every day as well. I've written a 500+ page autobiography that's being edited. I write poetry and children's stories. I even co-authored a book for the National Institutes of Health. My first published work was in high school. Yet, I have only in the last year or so become confident in my writing and subsequently, my thinking. I owe a lot of that to you all and your amazing responses that you post here. You continually encourage me and I am very grateful to you.

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I never really knew what I thought about things till I started reading what I write. I don't know why that is. Maybe it's from being the adult child of an alcoholic. Maybe it's from ADHD. Maybe it's a remnant of deferring to the men in my life to think the heavy thoughts for me and leave me to the simple things like getting the stains out of my laundry. I'm an intelligent woman. That part of my brain developed so why didn't my self-confidence? Now that I make my own decisions, I'm learning by default what makes me tick. I'm learning by trial, and plenty of error, how to navigate adulthood. It constantly amazes me…and sometimes frustrates me…when I think I should have learned all this a long time ago. It's never too late to learn, to grow, to change course, to know what you think. I've always trusted the baser instincts. I know how I feel…just not what I think. It's a learning curve that's actually exciting in a way.

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I took a break from scanning photos yesterday. My step-mother has weighed heavy on my mind the last few weeks. We aren't terribly close, but I always make it a point to drive the 45 minutes down to see her when I'm in West Virginia. I headed to town yesterday with every intention of going to the gym but the closer I got, the stronger the feeling became to go visit her. I usually find her at the senior center playing dominos with her buddies. However, the activity room was dark when I arrived. I went to the welcome desk and was not at all surprised to learn my step-mother has been in the nursing home for a month. It's just next door so I headed over. She was sleeping soundly so I went to the nurses station. They assured me I could wake her and that she was doing much better than when she arrived. It seems she fell backwards when she was home alone and fractured her hip and pelvis. She awoke easily and we both enjoyed a lovely visit. I love it when God whispers to me telling me where I should go. The hardest part is to listen and follow instructions. I'm certainly glad I did yesterday.

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❤

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“A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.”

\nProverbs 17:24\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-01-30T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/01/30/learning-to-believe.html", "tags": ["Family","Forgiveness","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/01/25/the-hearts-desire.html", "title": "The Heart's Desire", "content_html": "\n
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I met a friend for brunch yesterday, which was delightful. We laughed and poked fun at ourselves and each other. We are both too easily sucked into the vortex of winter's gloom so we goaded each other out into a cold snowy Saturday morning for the only thing bound to get our butts off the couch….WAFFLES! Yes, those crunchy, sweet, golden delectable planks of goodness with deep wells full of butter and syrup…..ahhhhhh! Life is better with waffles…and coffee…and lots of laughter. And once our tummies were full, we could each go out into the world and get done what needed doing.

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I headed back to the apartment to scan some more photos onto my external hard drive. I finished the second of three boxes of pictures, documents, cards, and other assorted flotsam and jetsam. Many of yesterday's pics were of my mom, my brother, and me when we were little. With it being her Angelversary, my heart was pretty tender and I probably missed her more yesterday than I have any other year. I called my brother and he was doing well and didn't seem to remember the significance of the day so I didn't bring it up. It was just nice to hear his voice and catch up with what's new in his life. He and his roommate just moved to a ground level apartment this week so now he doesn't have to carry his laundry up and down three flights of outside stairs that sometimes get icy. One less thing to worry about.

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At this time of year, when things are dark and gray, cold and dismal…it's sometimes difficult to find the motivation to get up and go to do the mundane, every day things. Thinking of our heart's desire seems so far fetched and beyond our capabilities in the prison of January. So this is the time when we work the hardest to see through the fog of winter to the promise of Spring. My joyful anticipation is found in a road atlas. Circling places I want to see, contemplating routes to get there, and anticipating locations where a speaking engagement might be well received is a not-so-idle pastime for me in the winter months. I keep a \"Bucket List\". It's a mighty big bucket! As I scan the photos, my mind wanders to the open road and it makes the time go faster. Well…that, and the complete set of West Wing DVD's. Those help, too.

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❤

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“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

\nPsalm 20:4\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-01-25T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/01/25/the-hearts-desire.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Hope"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/01/24/in-memory-of-mom.html", "title": "In Memory of Mom", "content_html": "\n
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She was \"Mom\" to all my friends. She was \"Mama\" to me. She was my friend, my confidant, my cheerleader…and occasionally my adversary. She was generous to a fault. She was stubborn, funny, and terribly naïve to the ways of the world. She was unassuming. I loved that I could make her laugh…no matter what.

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I've been going through the family archives and scanning them into my computer. I came across something she had written in her beautiful Spencerian script. I thought I would share it with you here. A little different than the original poem by Saxon White Kessinger but the same great message. (Thanks for the reference, Sharon!)

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\"A Measure of Importance\"

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Some day when you're feeling important,\nSome day when your ego's in bloom,\nSome day when you're feeling you're the\nMost important man in the room.\n\nTake a bucket & fill it with water.\nStick your hand in up to the wrist.\nPull it out & the hole that remains\nIs a measure of how much you'll be missed.\n\nYou may splash all you wish when you enter.\nStir the water around galore.\nBut you find when you finally leave it\nIt's exactly the same as before.\n\nSo as you follow your daily agenda\nAlways do the best that you can.\nBe proud of yourself, but remember…\nThere is no indispensable man.
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This was Mama's creed…unassuming, humble, modest, kind, gentle, loving, generous, and sweet. She left us 11 years ago today and I still want to pick up the phone and tell her something I heard or to make her laugh. I miss her tremendously. RIP, Wanda Belle….I love you.

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❤

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Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

\nProverbs 31:28\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-01-24T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/01/24/in-memory-of-mom.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/01/04/fragility.html", "title": "Fragility", "content_html": "\n
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Aging ain't for sissies. Neither is grief. One can feel amazingly strong and rock solid in one moment and fall apart in the next. The fragility of my heart surprises me every single time the switch gets flipped.

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As some of you may know, I have THE most awesome brother on the planet. He was born with cerebral palsy and has a resultant developmental disability. He is sweet, charming, funny, guileless. He lived at home with our mom until her unexpected death eleven years ago. He had never learned to do anything for himself. After mom died, he came to live near me in Colorado. He learned how to take care of himself and lives in as independent a setting as he can. He is my hero.

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He is also aging…rather quickly. He is more frail and shuffles along with a laborious gait. It tugs at my heart strings. Nobody…not even my beloved Mr. Virgo…owns as big a chunk of my heart as my brother. I have always been his champion, his protector.

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Night before last, I was chatting with a friend of mine in Florida. We were laughing our butts off about something so silly, we had tears rolling down our cheeks. We remarked how delightful it is to let loose and belly laugh till you cry. It's good therapy. Then…I received a text from my ex-husband that my brother was in the hospital. I went from absolute high, to basement low in two seconds. It was such a shock to my system, I threw up. As it was happening, this analytical part of me was off to the side observing the whole situation with curiosity. How could the switch flip so quickly? I never used to react to situations so violently. I hate that feeling…anxiety and the loss of control. I'm usually good about reaching for my Rescue Remedy, which really does help. But for some reason, it didn't even cross my mind last night. So I rode that dragon till the wee small hours before dawn. I must buy several tubes of the spray variety of this magical elixir and leave them everywhere so it's easier to remember to use it. It doesn't work when it sits in the bottom of my purse.

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As it turns out, my brother just had a bad GI bug and they kept him over night. They gave him fluids and medications to stop the GI distress and he came home yesterday afternoon. He sounded good, but tired. It breaks my heart to watch him decline. It reminds me of the fragility of life. My ex is a doctor and says I should begin mentally preparing myself for the possibility of making a difficult decision regarding life support. I hate the thought, but it's something we all must consider at some point, I suppose. For now, I will focus on the love I can offer those who own a piece of my heart.

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❤

\n\n", "date_published": "2015-01-04T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/01/04/fragility.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Love","Fear","Aging","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/01/02/hibernation.html", "title": "Hibernation", "content_html": "\n
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When my older daughter was about six or seven, we were sitting on the couch watching a PBS special. (Just ask her…Channel 6 is all she was ever allowed to watch. We were SO mean!) At one point, she sighed and laid her head on my shoulder.

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\"Mama?\"

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\"Yes, babe?\"

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\"When I die, I want to come back as a bear.\"

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\"Really. Why is that?\"

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\"So I can hyperventilate all winter.\"

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The child of medical parents who made her watch PBS nature shows. Poor kid.

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There's something to be said for hibernating, though. I spent a good deal of time on the phone yesterday with various friends. Every single one of them was searching for something…some sort of comfort…some form of peace. Quiet. Stillness. This was the major theme. I totally get that. I went to get a coffee yesterday morning, stopped at the store, emptied out my truck, watched the parade, did some laundry, and communed with my like-minded, ready-to-hibernate comrades. I was right there with them.

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What brings us to this place where we crave the cave? Part of it, of course, is the long dark nights. And we are coming down off the frenzied sugar high of the holidays. We need to retreat…be still…listen to our hearts. Whether you're rescuing yourself from a week of guests like a friend of mine, or feeling the stress of too many obligations and too many funerals like my friend Denise, or reeling from the death of your mother like my friend Debbie, or escaping from an emotional bruising like me…we're all the same. We just want to be left alone to lick our wounds and refill our well.

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I received a private message from one of my readers yesterday. He was confused. He didn't understand what was happening with me because I was here to help my aunt and the next thing he knew, I was off on a different course. He wondered if he missed something and if I was ok. It made me realize not all of you get to see every post and some might think I didn't take this situation with my aunt seriously or that I'm flighty. While there are certainly areas of my life beyond the scope of this page, there aren't many and I've been up front and open with you about everything else…so here goes.

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I've spent a great deal of time the last few weeks praying and meditating on what changed about the dynamic between my aunt and me. We are about as different as two people can possibly be. While she is very bright, somewhat worldly, and well read, she is extremely narrow in her views and uncompromising in her beliefs. I am a liberal, free-spirited social butterfly. She is 83…she believes in saying exactly what comes into her mind, without filter, and without regard for the effect her words may have on the recipient. I am 61…I believe in diplomacy and the rule my grandma taught me - \"If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.\" She is also angry. She is losing her independence and knows it. I am healthy and free, active and young. At least youngER. I was the closest thing available for my aunt to lash out at. I get that. I understand it from a medical and intellectual standpoint. That doesn't make it sting any less, but I certainly get where she's coming from. The problem came when she made it personal. When she started making calculated attacks, then retreating with sweetness only to attack again when I got close enough, it started making me question what was going on. I don't want to believe she would actually be mean…on purpose. But none of that matters in the grand scheme of things. Because if she doesn't respect me…if she doesn't trust my judgement or my expertise…a caregiving relationship cannot be established. Nothing will ever be right…nothing will ever be satisfactory. And, as it turns out, I am not who she wants in that capacity and that's ok. This is, after all, her life…her home…her future. The sad thing is, I doubt there's anyone else she WOULD want. I know there is no one else available. I was the only one, short of hiring someone, that can keep her out of a nursing home. I felt it was the best thing, for all parties involved, to bow out gracefully and let she and her brother figure out a solution that will be more amenable to her. I also wanted to do this in such a way that would not break whatever tenuous connection we still have. After talking with her yesterday, I think we may have accomplished that. I hope so, because I do love her and only want what's best for everyone involved.

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Relationships are a lot of work. I knew coming into this that it might not work out, but I held high hopes. The most wonderful lesson I have learned from this situation is…I can trust my gut instincts AND I can control my mouth and not go down a destructive path just to prove a point. So, now I can hibernate a little bit myself, fill my well, and come out swinging again. We all need a little down time. You should never feel bad about taking yours.

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❤

\n\n", "date_published": "2015-01-02T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/01/02/hibernation.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Growth","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Courage","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/12/29/the-rabbit-hole.html", "title": "The Rabbit Hole", "content_html": "\n
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Have you ever found yourself in a relationship where your interactions with the other person leave you confused? A remark comes out of the blue, takes you by surprise, hurts, stuns then with practically the next breath, the person turns it around, smiles, becomes sweet and complacent, and you wonder what just happened? You begin to second guess your perceptions. You think surely what you thought was happening really wasn't. It had to be your interpretation, right? It had to be something you said or did that caused that negativity because, see? They're so nice! That is crazy-making behavior. It's a very clear sign that you are in a toxic relationship. I've been there. And fortunately, having been there, I can recognize it when it comes along now. Oh…it took me a little bit this time. I let it bite me three or four times before I caught on.

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What pulled me out was sitting down and having a conversation with Mr. Virgo. Bless his heart, he was so patient with me the first year we were together. I would tell him things I believed that others had said. Things that made me feel crazy. Invariably he'd take my hand, look me in the eye, and gently say… \"You know that's crazy, right?\" And I'd say, \"No, so and so said this and they are so much smarter than me. It must be true! It's ME that's crazy!\" And he'd just hold my hand and keep telling me over and over till I finally believed him. It wasn't me. It was the toxin talking. Some relationships are just poison to your soul…to your psyche. You have to walk away from them. So I asked Mr. Virgo what I should do. And I got the message loud and clear. I could \"hear\" him saying over and over…\"You know that's crazy, right?\" Right. You're absolutely right. Walk away. Walk away. Oh, there are SO many things that could keep me entangled. A sense of obligation. Guilt. Pity. Compassion. Confusing manipulation with love. Thank you, thank you, thank you. For clarity. For courage. For growth.

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I prayed for a solution. A quick, healthy solution. My friend from high school was praying at the very same moment. She needs someone to stay at her loft apartment while she's gone for two months visiting her daughter. She needs someone to water her plants and to make sure the pipes don't freeze. She hadn't been on Facebook for days. She had a nightmare in the wee hours of the morning and couldn't go back to sleep so she checked in to see what was going on. While other posts had come through since I posted a plea Saturday night, asking for help finding a place, there was my post…right at the top of her screen! She sent me a message right away. I went over to her place in the afternoon. A second floor loft, high ceilings, lots of windows, a whole wall of books floor to ceiling in the living room, stacks and stacks of quilts all around, plants everywhere, a big airy bedroom, a half block from the river on a brick paved street nestled amongst small shops and restaurants. Perfect! It's only 30 miles from the farm so I can still go check on my aunt and make sure things are ok there, yet far enough away that I am protected. I'll have cell service and internet so I'm connected to my family and friends. A cocoon where I can heal this wound and move on. An inspirational spot to write. This will buy me a couple of months to find another place to park the camper where I can stay for awhile to make sure my aunt gets the assistance she needs and then I can be free to move on. Perhaps my job here was to be more of a facilitator of change rather than an actual caregiver. I can see that to be just as true.

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I went to church yesterday with a very special family and went to lunch afterwards at Olive Garden. These people give of their hearts freely and they (as well as my extended and immediate family) salvaged my Christmas. I am forever grateful for the love of family and friends. And of God.

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❤

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-12-29T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/12/29/the-rabbit-hole.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Forgiveness","Courage","Peaceful Moments","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/12/26/who-loves-ya-baby.html", "title": "Who Loves Ya, Baby?", "content_html": "\n
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I used to put so much stock in trying to make sure people liked me. When I think of all the times I jumped through hoops for approval, I cringe. I'd say it adds up to an awful lot of time wasted in angst over people, many whose names I no longer remember. This is one of the gifts that keep on giving from my starring roll in that blockbuster hit…\"The All American Dysfunctional Family\".

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I've been tap dancing in a little reprise version lately and have been in deep meditation and prayer over it for the last three weeks. It seems my aunt does not share my taste in art. It seems I forgot to show her the painting before I hung it. Big mistake. In my defense, we did discuss said painting. We just didn't close the meeting. I thought it was a go. She thought we were waiting for a quorum.

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Unfortunately, sometimes a mountain really does come from a molehill. (Just ask Molehill, WV what name they voted in as a change.) It started out as something small, then the next thing and the next till now there is trouble in paradise. Change does not come easily to a nearly 83 year old and turns out, 61 year olds have a little trouble too from time to time. It's looking like there will be a change in the living arrangements in WV before too long. I'm not going to go into the gory details. Suffice it to say, I am sad and disappointed. :-(

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On a lighter note, I had a perfectly lovely Christmas Eve. Dinner with friends, the candlelight service at church, a ride around looking at lights then back to their house for dessert. I stayed with a friend overnight and had a lovely breakfast Christmas morning. Went back to the farm and made sure my aunt had a good meal then headed to the Eastern Panhandle. I'm licking my wounds here for a couple of days. I'll keep you apprised.

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❤

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-12-26T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/12/26/who-loves-ya-baby.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Fear","Choices","Change","Widow"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/12/21/small-small-world.html", "title": "Small, Small World…", "content_html": "\n
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This is a gingerbread house. It's on display at a local historic hotel. It is fashioned after a real life Victorian in town.

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My cousins were at the hotel the other night and met the owners of the real life house. They hit it off and have been invited to go tour the house today. And I get to go. Because…

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It turns out, I know the owners. The wife was in my aunt's wedding. The wife's parents used to live in my grandparent's house before they bought it. The father was my mom's school teacher. I grew up calling them Uncle Ken and Aunt Lucy.

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Now, here's where it really gets weird. My first husband's mother was Uncle Ken's sister! So, to my first husband, they really WERE Uncle Ken and Aunt Lucy.

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Hey…it's West Virginia. We all either know each other or we're related somehow. It's spooky.

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I've been back in town since Wednesday but still haven't been home. I stayed with cousins three nights and a girlfriend last night. I've had lunch out with cousins, dinners out with friends, been to the mall three times, the dreaded DMV three times (STILL no driver's license but have my plates for the truck and camper now!), the Social Security office three times, got the truck inspected, and went to the bank twice. I had all these errands that needed doing and it doesn't make sense to run back and forth and use up all that gas when I can stay in town and get it all done. I'll go out to the farm this afternoon after the home tour. It's been a whirlwind three weeks and I'm ready for a little down time.

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❤

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-12-21T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/12/21/small-small-world.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/12/12/touch.html", "title": "Touch", "content_html": "\n
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Humans need it in order to survive. In order to thrive, we need lots of it. But what happens when we're alone? Whether by choice or by chance, we who live alone are deprived of a wonderful part of life when we are not touched. I had such a busy day yesterday and right smack dab in the middle of it I decided to go get a massage. OMGosh! It was divine. I think it should be a national mandate that everyone receives a massage once a week. The world would be a happier place.

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I took my real life brother out for dinner last night and that was wonderful. I had coffee with my girlfriends yesterday morning. I went to my church group last night then stayed at my brother-friend's house. It was a beautiful day!

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❤

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Photo courtesy of Shawn Clark Massage Therapy

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-12-12T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/12/12/touch.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/12/08/the-great-hangup.html", "title": "The Great Hangup", "content_html": "\n
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Sitting in Starbucks yesterday morning, I had the opportunity to people-watch for awhile. I saw something disturbing. Horrifying, really. An entire family of eight came in, placed their orders, pushed a couple of tables together so they could sit together and share this early December Saturday morning bonding over coffee. Then they sat down…and immediately got out their smart phones. They disconnected…checked out…each retreating into their own worlds. It was a devastating reminder of the deterioration of interpersonal connection we experience daily anymore. I was just as guilty…sitting there writing this post as my youngest grandchild improved her vocabulary with a game on her iPod. I have begun to have electronic free visits with my grandkids. Insisting the distracting little buggers stay in our pockets. And we talk. To each other. With each other. We practice making eye contact. We connect.

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When Mr. Virgo was alive, he spent an inordinate amount of time glued to the TV. Same thing…bigger instrument. I didn't like TV so I would sometimes have my cell, iPod, iPad, and laptop going. While we did have a deep connection, we were really just disconnected along side each other. Are we avoiding something? Feelings? Discontentment? What is happening to us as a society as we continue to draw further and further apart? If what is happening in the world is any indication, we barely resemble the humans we were before technology turned us into avatars on a tiny screen. Where we can hide and not have to get messy with emotions. This is disturbing and if it's not…that's even MORE disturbing.

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I have a proposition. Let's put it down over the holidays. Let's disconnect…not from others, but from these devices that are sucking the life and color out of our world. Let's put a basket on the table in the hallway at every gathering and leave it all there…phones, tablets, iPods, headphones, earbuds. And let's commit to feeling the love! Let's just hang it up for awhile.

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❤

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-12-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/12/08/the-great-hangup.html", "tags": ["Family","Wisdom","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/12/06/nine-decades.html", "title": "Nine Decades", "content_html": "\n
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I met Hubby #2 when I was working at a rehabilitation hospital in Denver in 1977. I was the x-ray tech and he was a physical therapist. We didn't have our first date till a year later and married a year after that. He was a brave young man to take on a woman with a young child while he was entering medical school. Those were truly the best years of our youth. We were so poor but we lived on love and generic macaroni and cheese. We were idyllic and full of hope for the future. We rode our bikes everywhere and took advantage of every free activity we could find. We were young. We were happy. Then, I don't know…life happened. He finished medical school and residency, joined a practice in another town, we put our noses to the grindstone and didn't look up in time to see the truck that hit us. Not literally, of course. But our marriage fell apart in pieces on the floor. It took us about five years to break and many more to heal.

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I remember after we split up…those desperate few months that turned to years and I would pray the same prayer, over and over and over. \"Please Lord, heal my family!\" I was desperate to have my family back together, thinking this had to just be a midlife crisis and some day he was going to wake up and realize it and we'd fix it and be a family again. But a month turned into a year and that turned into three and I couldn't deny that it was really over. I was so disappointed in God. He had totally ignored my prayers.

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Nearly fifteen years have gone by since we split. We both remarried and moved on. We were civil, but still not close in a way I knew we could be…in the way that I wanted us to be. Then Mr. Virgo died. It rocked all of us involved, including both my exes. Hubby #2 really turned around, we buried the hatchet, so to speak and have become really good friends. I love him and his wife so much and they are my family.

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Last night we celebrated his father's 90th birthday. We gathered for a casual pizza dinner. Today we will all go to the zoo in the afternoon and then have dinner at a fancy restaurant. We took the birthday cake and an extra pizza to my father-law's apartment last night to meet with more family that got in too late for dinner. As we shut it down for the night, my ex…my lifelong friend…the father of my child…came to me, kissed me on my cheek, and said, \"I'm so, so happy you came. Pop loves you so much. This was just a beautiful thing, having us all here together.\" Then I remembered my prayers of long ago…\"Lord, please heal my family!\" And He did…in a way that is SO much better than I could have ever imagined! <3

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-12-06T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/12/06/nine-decades.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/12/05/chasing-the-light.html", "title": "Chasing the Light", "content_html": "\n
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Actually, the light was chasing me as I flew across the country yesterday morning. I was up at 4:00 local, sitting aboard a comfortable 737 by 6:00. Way too early to be decent company. I chatted briefly with my seat mate. Her husband died six days after Mr. Virgo. We compared notes for a bit. Lovely woman, very brave. Once we prepared to taxi, I apologized and told her it was nothing personal but I needed to put in my earplugs to block out the noise from the engines. I snuggled down in my furry wrap and eased into blissful slumber. I always worry that I will snore and snort and look decidedly unladylike on my very cosmopolitan journey. That would ruin the whole jet-setter persona I adopt as I travel.

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I awoke after an hour, called for a cup of coffee from my decidedly cute male flight attendant in his natty shorts, and turned on my movie that I downloaded specifically for this trip. Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation. It's a yearly custom to watch this movie while the tree is being decorated. Since I likely won't decorate my own tree this year, I figured I wouldn't miss the activity as much if I watch it as I fly. The Griswolds did not disappoint and the movie finished right as we began our initial descent. What a delightful flight!

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As we head full tilt into the holiday rush, I'm reminded again of the land mines of grief that explode from an innocent step. I spent the night with my dear friends in Troy. Cindy and I have a deep sister-friend bond that we forged as young military wives overseas more than forty years ago. We sat up and talked about some heavy, emotional stuff…all the while texting back and forth with my daughter. My plans changed moment to moment last night due to illness in the Denver family. I had to quickly make changes in my plans and then again when that fell through. I'm a flexible person and shift with the wind but that much uncertainty combined with the heavy emotional conversation with my friend was a trigger and I had about an hour of what I have come to look at as a circuit overload. Fortunately, I remembered to use my Rescue Remedy and popped a Dramamine for good measure and went to sleep. Rescue Remedy is a flower based homeopathic remedy for stress and anxiety reduction that works far better for me than any prescription medicine and there are no addictive properties. I carry a bottle of the spray and use two sprays under my tongue when my circuit board threatens to blow.

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So, arrival in Denver? Check. Rental car? Check. Lunch with daughter #1 at school? Check. Nap? Check. Then off to meet the crew at swim team practice and out for a family dinner. My sweet, sweet grandchildren! Has it only been seven weeks? It seems a lifetime since I kissed those faces. I have the option to stay here longer…through the holidays even. I will have to give this serious thought. <3

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-12-05T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/12/05/chasing-the-light.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/12/04/the-friendly-skies.html", "title": "The Friendly Skies", "content_html": "\n
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I love to fly! Love, love, love it! It sure isn't what it used to be though. As with everything else it seems, prices go up and service comes down. Gone are the days of spacious seating and tasty meals. With the price of gas down, you might hope for lower ticket prices but that's not going to happen. I drove six hours each way to save $300 on my flight. And…I bought meals, gas, and lodging that far exceeded my savings. However, I do get to spend the night at both ends of my trip with my good friends, Cindy and Randy. Cindy lived in the flat below me when I lived in England. It is such a treat to spend time with them.

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Mr. Virgo didn't care too much for air travel. He spent far too many years as a road warrior traveling five days a week, living out of a suitcase. It held no allure for him like it does for me. We flew together only once. In 2011, we decided to leave Denver and move back home to our house in the mountains. We quit our jobs the first of June, moved, and worked on the house and yard for about a month. Then we flew to West Virginia. Mr. Virgo had never met my family or seen where I grew up. We had a wonderful time visiting and exploring the state. I wish we could have had a longer time together. He wanted to show me many of the wonderful places he had traveled and lived. He was such a fun travel companion.

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The weather prediction, at least as far out as I can see at this point, looks wonderful. Highs in the 50's with clear skies. It doesn't get much better than that for December!

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❤

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-12-04T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/12/04/the-friendly-skies.html", "tags": ["Family","Positive Energy","Fun","Be Joyful!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/12/03/strolling.html", "title": "Strolling", "content_html": "\n
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I am preparing to fly to Colorado for a couple of weeks. Father-in-law #2 turns 90 this weekend and we are having a family reunion/birthday party for him. I took him out for breakfast the week before I left for West Virginia and he was telling me of his upcoming birthday. He wanted to make sure I was coming. Even though I hadn't planned to go back quite this soon, how can you turn down an invitation like that? So, I'm preparing to fly in the opposite direction than usual. It feels a bit strange.

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My aunt and I had gone shopping on Monday and when we heard the forecast for freezing rain, we agreed it would be best to head out a little early. I quickly gathered the essentials and headed back to town. I was planning to stay at my cousin's last night but his wife was sick. I decided to go ahead and drive to Columbus to stay the night at Easton Town Centre. (I'm flying from Dayton this time. It saved me over $300 which I quickly ate up in hotel bills, but…it's a much needed break.)

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I walked around the lovely shops in the foggy cold air, snug and cozy in my full length blue fox coat. (Please don't think ill of me for wearing fur. Mr. Virgo bought me that coat for our first married Christmas. I had been complaining how cold I was so Christmas morning arrived along with a huge box under the tree addressed to \"My Baby Doll\". Inside was the most beautiful coat I had ever seen. I had a flash of guilt about all those animals. Then I saw the look of absolute joy on Mr. Virgo's face and I melted into a quivering little puddle on the floor. That man loved me with the white-hot heat of the sun and, protesters beware, I will wear that coat and feel the love all the way from Heaven!) It seems there are at least a dozen women in Columbus who agree it's a pretty gorgeous coat. The lights, the sounds, the smells, and the warm fuzzies of the season are in abundance in this retail megalopolis. I felt utterly decadent ordering a burger for dinner with a scoop of ice cream for dessert. I felt totally pampered when I treated myself to the free sample of peppermint bark in Williams Sonoma. I felt incredibly indulgent when I bought a couple jars of Turkey Brine mix for the next two Thanksgivings, half price! I've had a full day of entertainment and food for under $50. OK, not including lodging…yikes! Merry Christmas to me! :-/

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Heading into the Holidays doesn't seem laced with as many land mines as last year. I saw little children visiting Santa and didn't feel compelled to run into his arms begging for a new heart like I did last Christmas. I'm actually looking forward to seeing my favorite Santa next week when I go to the mountains. I want to thank him again for his compassion. I am sure there will be moments. Like walking through the men's department in Penney's yesterday, spotting a beautiful sweater, instinctively thinking \"He'd look so good in this.\" Sigh. It's a little less painful this year…really, it is.

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❤

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-12-03T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/12/03/strolling.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Road Trip"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/11/26/ahhhhfamily.html", "title": "Ahhhh…..Family!", "content_html": "\n
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I love my family….every single one of them. We are each as different as is humanly possible. We're like a jigsaw puzzle. One piece makes no sense but you put us all together and a bystander can easily see how we turned out the way we did!

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My aunt and I came over the mountains on Tuesday to my cousin's house. I love, love, love coming here! There are few places in the world where I am so open, silly, happy, and completely comfortable in my own skin. This is one of those places. What you see is what you get and you always know where you stand in this house. These are some of the hardest working, unpretentious people you would ever want to meet. They lived in a tiny little trailer home with three kids while they built this house so they could do it without owing a soul a thing. They cut and sawed their own logs and built it all by hand and it is a sight to behold. It's built on a hillside overlooking a longview over the state line into Virginia. They are big and loud and saucy and full of fun and life. I am so proud to be their family!

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When my older daughter was engaged, we made a trip back home to introduce her fiancé to her great grandma. We were driving way back up Cabin Creek to pick up a quilt. I had pieced the top but didn't have the time to hand quilt it. Jeff Foxworthy was talking about US when he defined rednecks as having a \"glorious lack of sophistication\". We were listening to one of his tapes when he remarked that \"If your trailer home is propped up on one end by more than ten cinder blocks, you might be a redneck.\" We came around a curve and right there in front of us was a trailer…one end resting on the ground and the other on at least 15 cinder blocks! How that thing kept from falling off the hill I'll never know. The look on my future son-in-law's face? Priceless!

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So, now that I've spent Thanksgiving with my wonderful WV family, I'm going to have to submit a joke to ol' Jeff….

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\"If your gas goes out while you're cooking a turkey and you finish it off with a blowtorch…you might be a redneck!\"

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True story. I love my family!!! <3

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-11-26T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/11/26/ahhhhfamily.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/11/17/home-for-the-holidays.html", "title": "Home for the Holidays", "content_html": "\n
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We're heading into the holidays and that's touchy territory for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Thankfully, I don't remember much about the first holiday season after losing Mr. Virgo. There is something to be said for the protective fog of acute grief. I wrote a blog post last Christmas about Santa Claus that still rips my heart out when I read it. It's hard to say what this Christmas will hold for me. I am blessed that I'll be heading to Colorado the first week of December and I can visit family and dear friends for a couple of weeks. That will break up the time and give me something to look forward to. Keeping busy is key for me. Too much time gets me inside my head.

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Then there's the issue of decorating for Christmas which is huge for me. I have to be careful and not come storming in here like a bull in a china shop and change everything. This is not my house and my aunt is used to having the place to herself. I have made a few changes, mostly by hanging a couple of my paintings and moving some family photos around in an artistic grouping as opposed to being placed willy nilly here and there. Even a change as small as that was big for my aunt. I can imagine just my being here disrupts her, even though she repeatedly tells me she's happy to have me. She can't drive like she once did so she feels safer now. When I mentioned I would be gone the first two weeks of December, she was upset that I was \"cheating my grandchildren\" because I wasn't going to be with them for Christmas. I told her I wanted to be here and decorate and spend Christmas with her and she said she would prefer to not have Christmas. So, I'm left deciding whether I just decorate my camper, extend my stay in Colorado, or skip Christmas altogether. As you can probably detect, this has made me feel a bit melancholy this weekend. So many changes in such a short time. Things aren't always as you imagine them being but….if there's anyone in the world more flexible than me, I'd like to meet them! Sometimes you just have to adjust your dreams. It will all work out.

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<3

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-11-17T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/11/17/home-for-the-holidays.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/11/16/sundays-on-the-farm.html", "title": "Sundays on the Farm", "content_html": "\n
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I've been going to the little church down the road. You don't need to see a picture of it....you've seen a hundred pictures of it. You know the one....little, white, one room, TALL windows, double doors up front, and a steeple with a bell. Some of my fondest memories growing up are wrapped up in this church. \"Aunt Idy\" was my grandma's very good friend and she played the piano. Her name was Ida Mae...a spinster who lived down the road in a house so crooked you could throw a jar of marbles in the front door and they'd run out the back! There used to be a lot more people attending this little church when I was growing up but they've mostly died off or moved on to find work elsewhere. My Pop-Pop and his brother, Uncle Red, took turns leading services as we only had a circuit preacher who came every six weeks or so. One of my mom's cousins always led Sunday School. And my mom's brother, my Uncle Bob, rang the bell when it was time to start the service. He took that job very, very seriously.

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My Uncle Bob was an exceptional man. Grandma had chicken pox or measles...some malady when she was pregnant for Bob and he was born with a developmental disability of some type. He had a terrible speech impediment and a lazy eye. I believe in today's world he would have had quite a different life. But in those days, there wasn't such a thing as Special Education. When Grandma sent Bob to school with the other kids, they made fun of his speech and she would have none of that. She kept him at home with her. He was strong as an ox and he did a lot of the work on the farm. I remember him pounding rock with a sledge hammer and hauling it to fill the driveway. I still think of that when I walk down the drive to get the mail or the paper. He pushed a cultivator through the garden, hauled, lifted, toted, and worked hard every single day. Uncle Bob was totally without guile...the most innocent man I have ever known. He had never, ever lied. He wouldn't know how to. He had a sense of humor that would make a little girl cry. He would give you the food from his own plate if he thought you were hungry. He was a great man.

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When my aunt lost her second husband, my grandma was about to the point where she needed someone to be here with her and Uncle Bob so she moved in with them. Grandma's love for Bob was apparent to all who knew them. Once, Bob was really sick with a fever. Grandma climbed right in bed with him and held him, rocking him like the little boy he still was to her. He would always be her \"Bobert\". After Grandma passed, my aunt stayed on and cared for Bob. She told me a story about him yesterday. Some people came to see Bob and brought him a little mechanical bird in a cage. Bob asked what that bird ate and everyone laughed and said it didn't eat...it was just a toy. After the company left, Bob asked my aunt again, quite seriously, what that bird ate. He was very concerned that if someone entrusted him with that bird, he needed to take good care of it. My aunt says that of all the people in this world that she has lost, the only one she has ever cried for is my Uncle Bob. On his headstone it reads \"Manager of the Bell\". He would have liked that. He was very proud of his job.

\n\n\n

I try to emulate them...my grandma and grandpa, my Uncle Bob. I learned a lot about life and love from them and from that little white church on the hill. I hope to live up to the high standards they left for me as I follow in their footsteps and care for my lovely aunt and this beautiful farm. I will make them proud. \"\"

\n\n", "date_published": "2014-11-16T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/11/16/sundays-on-the-farm.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Farm Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/11/11/the-country-kitchen.html", "title": "The Country Kitchen", "content_html": "

\"american “I love this American Folk Art piece I bought years ago in Colorado.”

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As I stand in my grandma’s kitchen, memories flood around me as thick as flies at a picnic. I stood at this counter on the old red kitchen stool, a feedsack apron, just my size, wrapped around my waste as I helped Grandma cook lunch for the field hands when the strawberries came on. She wouldn’t let me pick because I stepped on the runners and more got in my mouth than in my basket. She cooked lots of wonderful, wholesome foods fresh from the garden. We canned, pickled, dried, and preserved everything we could get our hands on or glean from the garden. When I’m washing dishes at the sink, I can hear the laughter filter down through the years when everyone gathered at Grandma’s table to break bread and count blessings. When I cook at her stove, I remember the way she took a couple of quarts of roast beef out of the cellar, dredged the chunks in flour, salt, and pepper and fried them in whatever fat was available. She never could make a gravy without lumps. That and pie crusts were the bane of her existence. She bragged about my pies and bread when I came home for visits. That was her way of asking me to bake for her.

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She always made me a special apple pie when I came home. A single crust, folded over like a turnover with very little apple filling because she understood my love for the crispy, slightly salty pastry. One year she walked slower to the kitchen. Her bent and worn hands slowly worked over the dough and she painfully pared the apples. It was the first time I really noticed her aging. She finished the pie, set it out to cool and watched with delight as I dug in. She caught my eye and I put my fork down, waiting for what I knew in my heart would come some day.

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“Eat that slow, pet…and enjoy it. It’s the last one I can make. Grandma’s old hands just don’t work like they used to.”

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We sat in silence for a bit, each contemplating the weight of her words. Me in my prime. She in her final years. I ate my pie slowly, savoring each wonderful bite, knowing it would be my last. Understanding the gift…the many gifts she gave me. Loving her for being mine. Hating Father Time.

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She would have loved this sign that I brought from my own kitchen in Colorado. The privilege of living on her farm is not lost on me and I will relish every moment I can be here. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-11-11T02:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/11/11/the-country-kitchen.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/11/10/a-conversation-with-my-dad.html", "title": "A Conversation with My Dad", "content_html": "

\"autumn “A conversation with my dad.”

\n

I had a perfect weekend. I say that a lot. “It was a perfect day!” “What a perfect sunset!” I can’t help it. It’s the eternal sunshine in my hopeful heart. The world is just so dang awesome! But I did have a great weekend. Friday night football with my high school buds after pizza at the local hangout. We won against our arch rivals. It was a dead even game and we won by a field goal with 2.1 seconds left on the clock! My friends and I remarked how we felt just like we did 43 years ago when we were last there. The only difference was, I was wearing my full length blue fox coat! It was 31 degrees and not all that far from the river…it was darned chilly in that stadium. Ok, I had a really awesome moment when the entire cheerleading squad dropped their mouths open as I walked by and this sweet little girl said, “Oh, my gosh! I love your coat!” The cheerleaders liked me! Wow! (giggle)

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I stayed overnight at one of my cousins’ house. We had coffee together Saturday then I took off for craft shows with another cousin. We had dinner out with their friends Saturday night. Yesterday morning we had coffee and sat around all morning sharing stories. I am so happy to be getting to know these cousins. Both sets. They come from my dad’s side of the family. My parents divorced when I was in my early twenties. I really hadn’t had as close a connection with my dad’s family as I had with my mom’s. It is very interesting talking with dad’s family now. He went on and remarried, quit drinking, found Jesus, and became a kind and gentle person in his community so they knew an entirely different man than I did. However, his interaction with me never changed and we had a very strained to practically non-existent relationship. Two sides of the same coin.

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For a long time after my father died, I was perplexed by the lack of resolution. Whenever I had tried to resolve things with him as an adult, he didn’t want to discuss it with me. He just wanted to forget the whole thing and I wasn’t enlightened enough at the time to realize how hard it was for him to express his feelings. By the time I had it figured out, he was severely demented and then he died and no resolution would ever come. Or would it? I figured it would do no harm to resolve the matter on my own terms so one day I sat down and rewrote history. I had a “conversation” with my dad. I told him exactly how I felt. I told him all my hurts. I cried and told him how much I missed having a daddy that wasn’t drunk all the time. I told him about his little girl that waited in the car on Christmas Eve while her mommy went in every bar in town looking for him to bring him home. I told him how much he scared me when he brought the gun in the kitchen. I told him I loved him and hated him and missed him and wanted his friendship all my life. I told him I was so jealous of the other girls whose Daddy’s were their champions and cheerleaders and best friends. And then I got quiet and I listened. And here’s what my daddy said to me:

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“Oh, honey…I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t the daddy you needed, the daddy you deserved. It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t your mommy’s fault. It was me. I didn’t know any better. I did the best I could with the knowledge I had, but I just didn’t know how my behaviors would affect you. I didn’t do it on purpose, and I’d take it all back if I had a do-over. See, I went to the South Pacific in the Army. I got really, really sick when I was there. I was afraid to drink the water so I drank beer…a lot. My dad drank a lot too…so this was what I knew. I started drawing pictures when I was away. I was pretty good. I wanted to be a commercial artist. Or a farmer. When I was stateside at Camp Pendleton, I met a woman named Virginia Cunningham. She was beautiful. She stole my heart and I wanted to marry her, but she said no. I was devastated. Your mom and I met when I came home. A boy had broken her heart, too. So we married, hoping our hearts would mend but they didn’t. You kids came along, responsibilities took over, and my dreams of being an artist and a farmer were long gone by the time you could walk. I coped with the only skill I had left and that was alcohol. I’m really, truly sorry, baby girl. I loved you every day of your life. I was always so proud of you. I told everyone about my Ginny and my beautiful grandchildren. I’m sorry I didn’t try to get to know them, or you. Please forgive me for not being there for you, your brother, your mom, your babies. I’ll make it up to you. We can talk about it in Heaven someday, I promise.”

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It’s ok, Daddy. I forgive you.

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<3

\n", "date_published": "2014-11-10T02:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/11/10/a-conversation-with-my-dad.html", "tags": ["Family","Forgiveness","Courage","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/11/05/dream-a-little-dream-of.html", "title": "Dream a Little Dream of Me", "content_html": "

\"dream “When loved ones come to you in a dream…”

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How many of you have dreamt of a lost loved one? Was it comforting or did it just make you sad? I’ve only had a couple of dreams of Mr. Virgo since he died. Both times I woke up feeling as though he was right there within my reach. The dreams were SO real. I was laying with my head on his shoulder and I could smell his cologne…hear his breathing…feel his heartbeat. I wish I could dream intentionally.

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Mr. Virgo and I would kiss goodnight and I’d say “Meet you at the cabin.” We both had this image of the perfect mountain getaway. We had described it to one another so many times, it seemed like a real place. So we would say goodnight and promise to meet each other in our dreams at the cabin. We never did, but it was so sweet to end the day with that image and hope. There have been countless nights I have whispered…asking him to meet me at the cabin. To come see me in my dreams. It doesn’t work that way. Pity, really.

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Imagine if you could. Wouldn’t it be comforting? Wouldn’t it be lovely to visit knowing you could do it again and again just by wishing it so? Part of me would love it. However, I would hate the waking up to find it was only a dream…the reality hitting me over and over that he is indeed gone. But…he’s only a heartbeat away. And we will meet again someday.

\n", "date_published": "2014-11-05T02:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/11/05/dream-a-little-dream-of.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Hope","Comfort","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/11/02/an-ordinary-life.html", "title": "An Ordinary Life", "content_html": "

\"fairy “Once in a while in an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.”

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I have had extraordinary moments in an otherwise ordinary life. I’m no different than anyone else. You would be hard pressed to find anything, short of my children, that has made a lasting impact on this world. Yet, I am unlike anyone else. I am unique. As are you. You were created with a specific purpose…a specific goal to achieve in this life. I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent the better part of 61 years trying to pinpoint just what that purpose is exactly. The pinnacle of existentialism…why am I here?

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It took a long time to figure it out, but here it is. The bottom line is, I am here to be happy. Before you go off thinking how self centered that is, let me elaborate. I chose to marry and bring children into the world. Therefore, it was my duty to take care of them when they were growing up. I didn’t do the best job of that because I was not happy with my marriage and my life in general. Had I focused on my own happiness a bit more, I would have been a better wife and mother and could have avoided a great deal of pain on everyone’s part. It is my duty as a Christian and as a citizen of the human race to take care of my fellow man and to feed the hungry and clothe the poor. The Bible says we are to give with a cheerful heart. Therefore, we have to find our happy place and plant our feet in that fertile ground in order to give our best.

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So, where do we find our happy place? It is deep within…sometimes hidden in a box covered with locks garnered from life’s hurts. There is only one key to open that box and that is love. Love of self opens our hearts to love others. Love of a power greater than ourselves opens our souls to a love greater than anything imaginable. Once I found (and believed) I was lovable, my heart opened to allow that fairytale love to come in. Right smack dab in the middle of my ordinary life.

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We are precious. We are small and ordinary and wild and wonderful. And we are loved. Don’t forget that. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-11-02T02:30:28-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/11/02/an-ordinary-life.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/11/01/beauty-is-in-the-eye.html", "title": "Beauty is in the eye...", "content_html": "

\"aging “We Were Young and Beautiful…Now We Are Just Beautiful!”

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A couple of nights ago, my aunt and I sat on the sofa side by side and called my cousin to FaceTime and watched to little ones Trick or Treat. She is enamored with the marvelous technology of the iPad and the internet. We were waiting for my cousin to call back and I was showing her what they will see when we connect. She frowned a bit and said “Oh my! I look a hundred years old!” Then I quoted this caption to her. I looked at the two of us on camera. We are 21 years apart, she and I…exactly the difference in age between me and my firstborn. I look at her beauty and her strength and hope I have half her qualities when it’s my turn to be 82. She is a no nonsense woman. She is educated, erudite, lithe, and witty. There was a time when she and I butted heads. We are both strong willed and independent. We have both mellowed with age and loss. And we are both beautiful.

\n

As is wont to happen on special anniversaries, I had some tearful moments yesterday. It was nine years ago that Mr. Virgo walked in and stole my heart. I needed to do something special to commemorate the day. I met my high school girlfriends for coffee then went to the new farm supply store to stock up on birdseed for the winter. I got my hair cut then went to the mall. Mr. Virgo and I were particularly fond of Christmas ornaments made by Ne’Qua. They are glass and hand painted on the inside. We bought one every year we were together. Last year I bought my first one alone. The Hallmark shop in the mall carries Ne’Qua ornaments so I took my time looking at each one…tracing their curves gently with my finger…allowing them to pull me back to the vacations Mr. Virgo and I took. We always bought our Christmas ornaments on vacation so we could relive our travels when we decorated the tree together. After some time, I settled on the perfect ornament. A small one with a male and female cardinal. West Virginia’s state bird. An appropriate commemoration all the way around. Mr. Virgo would be pleased with the choice, I’m sure.

\n

It is important to have rituals. Continuing rituals that you shared with your loved ones maybe difficult at first. Maybe you need to change the way you do it. But rituals can keep your connection to your loved one alive and that is important to some people in their grief process. I was distressed early on in my grief process when certain memories began to fade. I later learned it’s a common effect of grieving to lesson the acute pain of the loss. The memories came back with time. Now I have another sweet memory for when I decorate our tree this winter. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-11-01T01:30:53-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/11/01/beauty-is-in-the-eye.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","The Farm","Comfort","Holiday","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/31/brush.html", "title": "Brush", "content_html": "

\"brush “The Brush Pile”

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This is my project this week. My uncle was here on Monday and he made quick work with a chain saw and cut this all down along the creek banks. However, I couldn’t leave it there to clog up the culvert and provide a haven for critters too close to the house. I’ve been hauling brush every day since and I have a couple more hours worth of work to do and I’ll be done. I’ll burn it in the spring when the woods are wet and the brush has had a chance to age a bit.

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We have a couple of trees that need to come down. One is quite small but situated so that it would fall across the electric line should it come down on its own. The other is quite large and down by the road. I’m going to see if I can get a state road crew to come take it out of there. I have a picture of this place taken about 55 years ago. The hillsides were clear quite a ways up to keep trees from crashing into the house, buildings, and barn. Over the years, the place has really grown up and needs some serious pruning. I’m just getting the bare necessities done at this point and will worry about the rest come spring. Just have to batten down the hatches for winter at this point.

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I have a wonderful book that I read many years ago and recently purchased a newer edition. The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery is a wonderful resource manual for living off the land. It shows you how to do everything you can possibly imagine on a homestead. I bought my first copy of it in the ’90s. I’ve dreamed of this lifestyle since the ’80s when I started buying Mother Earth News magazine. I’m falling into a rhythm now. I get my work done by 3:00 in the afternoon then I sit down and read this amazing book and learn and plan and dream. Then I write my post for the next day and schedule it to go live at 4:00am. Then it’s time to rustle up some supper. The 5:00 news is the next item on the agenda, not that I enjoy TV or the news but it’s something my aunt does, so I will adjust to the ritual. Sometimes I stay in the house and watch Jeopardy with her, but usually I go out to my camper and read, chat online with friends and family, or make phone calls. I’ve discovered an app on my iPad that plays ambient noises to cover the annoying sounds coming from the drilling over the hill. I can blend sounds so I have chosen crickets, rain, and distant thunder. I slept much better last night.

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Today is a trip to town to meet some of my high school friends for coffee. “The Wild Wonderful Wacky Women of ‘71” are incredible and I’m really looking forward to seeing them. We “talk” to each other every day on Facebook offering laughs, encouragement, prayers, support. It will be fun to get together for some live facetime!

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Today is also Halloween. Nine years ago today, my handsome Mr. Virgo called me at my little needlework shop and said he was in town doing his shopping and he was going to come into my shop to meet me. We had been talking for three months and so it was time to meet in person. He walked in and we took one look at each other and fell in love. I miss him so much. I truly do. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-31T01:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/31/brush.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Courage","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/30/the-wellseasoned-skillet.html", "title": "The Well-Seasoned Skillet", "content_html": "

\"iron “A well-seasoned skillet is a joy to behold!”

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When I was growing up, my grandma filled her skillets with soapy water and set them to simmer on the stove while we did the dishes so that’s how I thought you were supposed to wash them. I gave up on cast iron cooking a long time ago because my pans were always rusty and pitted. Then Mr. Virgo, the trained chef, came along and taught me how to turn an old rusty iron skillet into a thing of beauty. There are two rules….season the pan correctly and NEVER let it anywhere near water!

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This skillet is one I bought at a second hand or antique store…I can’t remember where or when. Mr. Virgo loved fried chicken and this was nice and deep…perfect for frying. It was a gosh-awful mess when I brought it home. I followed his directions. First, I had to get the rust out. Using fine steel wool, I rubbed the pan till it was clean, bare metal. (If it’s more rust than this can handle, you might have to take it to a machine shop and have it sandblasted.) Now, this is the only time it’s ok to get this thing wet. Wash the skillet thoroughly with warm water and mild dish soap and scrub it really well with a bristle brush or a plastic scrubby. Dry the skillet immediately and swipe it all over with a thin coating of vegetable oil. Don’t use too much or your coating will be sticky. Pop your skillet upside down on the top rack of your oven. (You can put a cookie sheet or foil on the rack below in case you get any oil drips.) Heat the skillet for an hour at 350 degrees. At the end of the hour, turn off your oven, leave it closed, and take your skillet out in the morning when it’s cool.

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This skillet has a perfect season on it. I never, ever wash it. I baked corn bread in it yesterday to go with the soup beans and smoked ham hocks. While I was mixing up my batter, I had the skillet in a 400 degree oven with a couple tablespoons of bacon grease. By the time the batter was made, and rested for a few minutes to raise a bit, the skillet was hot. I poured the batter in. It should sizzle slightly but not put up a huge fuss. Bake as per directions watching closely because dark pans cook a bit faster. You do need to run a spatula under your cornbread before you tip it out on a plate or cake rack because the center will want to stick. Don’t cut your cornbread while it’s in the skillet unless you use Teflon utensils. You don’t want to scratch that pretty surface. Before you take your crispy crusted, golden cornbread to the table, use a nonstick spatula and scrape anything adhering to the surface. Remember, NO WATER. Once supper is over, use a paper towel to scrub the inside of your skillet. If it doesn’t want to come clean, use oil on the paper towel. If you’ve seasoned it right, it should come clean with just a wipe down. Store your skillets with paper towels or newspaper between them if you have to stack them. Store them in a clean, DRY cupboard. And, don’t worry…if rust shows up, you can always season it again.

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Iron cookware is often handed down through the generations. I have my mom’s, one of my grandma’s, and some of my own I have collected along the way. This one is by far my favorite. Oh, a word of caution…some people say it’s ok to cook acidic foods like spaghetti sauce in a very well seasoned skillet, but my rule of thumb is to never let tomatoes anywhere near my cast iron. The acid can strip the seasoning and give the food a funky, metallic taste.

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So, there you have the tutorial on the well-seasoned skillet. Treat your cast iron well and it will serve for generations to come. Old cast iron is collectible, but only if it has been well cared for. Now, I’ll tell you a story. (You knew THAT was coming, didn’t you?)

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My mom came home to the farm for the weekend when she was a young, single, working woman. My Uncle Sonny had been out “frog giggin’” the night before and was about to fry himself up a big pan of frog legs. Mom had never seen the process, and while she was revolted by the idea of devouring amphibian appendages, her curiosity got the better of her. She came into the kitchen just as my uncle dropped said frog legs into the iron skillet. Well, the legs started jumping and jerking with the heat and my Mom screamed, grabbed the skillet, ran out the door, and threw the whole mess in the creek…then sat down and cried. Uncle Sonny was mad at first to lose his hard earned delicacies, but he couldn’t help laughing at my poor mom, which upset her even further. Finally, Grandma came outside to see what all the ruckus was about. Uncle Sonny told her what Mom did and Grandma made her go down over the creek bank and fetch back her good iron skillet, which made Uncle Sonny laugh harder, and made Mom mad. But she went and got it, and as far as I know, refused to ever, knowingly, eat anything from that skillet…ever again! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-30T01:30:29-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/30/the-wellseasoned-skillet.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","West Virginia","The Farm","Comfort","Downsizing","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/29/country-roads.html", "title": "Country Roads", "content_html": "

\"autumn “I love the way the trees change in West Virginia!”

\n

I hauled the brush from the cherry tree today. Then I gathered up my aunt and headed back on the hill. I wanted to see the old home place and to see if there’s any cell service on the farm. There is not, by the way, but it was a delightful drive. I love my new pickup truck! I put it in 4 low to get through some mud holes and “Free-da” went through it like butter! The colors are still beautiful, however we are predicted to get quite cold this weekend and the leaves will soon be gone. We may even get some of the “S” word in the form of flurries!

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When I got back from our little junket, I drove to “town”. When I say “town”, picture Mayberry. It is so fun! First stop was the bank then across the street to Berdine’s Five & Dime for a handful of Maple Nut Goodies….my late mother’s favorite candy. I love how tastes and smells can transport you across the ages. Next stop was the car wash to clean off the WV red clay mud off my beautiful white truck. Dollar General got some business as I stopped for kitty food and honey buns. Livin’ large here in the country! lol

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I stopped at the cemetery briefly on the way home to check messages. Today was the first time since I arrived here that I yearned to stop and visit with Mr. Virgo and drop off a rock for him. I still have the lock of hair that the funeral director gave me so I am going to find a quiet spot here on the farm where I can bury some of it and place a marker of sorts. Then I’ll have a place to go visit here as well. It is interesting that just a few weeks before he passed, we had a conversation about death and what we would want done. I asked if he wanted to be buried or cremated and he quickly answered “Buried!” I asked him why and he told me he wanted me to have a place to go visit him. I thought that was ridiculous at the time…such a waste of resources and space here on earth. However, once he was gone, I cannot tell you what comfort it has afforded me to go visit him where his body lies. I never dreamed it would be so. That’s why I think if I have a place here as well, it will offer me that same comfort. Funny what rituals do for us in our healing process.

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It’s my early day today…trash day! Pick up is at 6:15 and I’m going to put on a pot of soup beans and smoked ham hocks to simmer all day. Maybe I’ll make some hot rolls. I forgot to buy corn meal or I would make corn bread. I hope you enjoy your Autumn day! How is the weather where you are today? <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-29T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/29/country-roads.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/28/my-great-grandpa.html", "title": "My Great Grandpa", "content_html": "

\"grandpa “My Great Grandpa”

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This picture hangs in the bedroom to the right at the top of the steps…the “Boy’s Room”. The other bedroom of course is the “Girl’s Room”. This is my great grandpa. He was one heck of a colorful guy. My uncle regaled me with stories of his escapades…some of which I’ve heard, some I haven’t.

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Grandpa Richardson used to be a Deputy Sheriff in Harrison County, WV. On his rounds across the county one afternoon, he was talking to this old feller who was complaining about a dog that had decided his farm was as good as any to take up residence. He told Grandpa he was gonna get rid of that dog and let it eat someone else’s chickens. (I apologize for the remark “get rid of” but that’s a colloquialism for “Find it another home.” Or “Take it to the opposite end of the county.” There were no rescues or shelters in those days.) The next week, Grandpa was down in the southern part of the county when he came alongside this very same dog and recognized it. So he opened the car door, called the dog, and it happily jumped in for a ride. Grandpa took the dog back over to the old feller’s house and let him out and went on. The next week, Grandpa stopped at this man’s place and was shooting the breeze when he looked over and said to the guy, “I thought you was gonna get rid a’ that there dog.” The old feller said, “Ya know, that’s the durnedest thing. I took that dog down to the farthest end of the county and let him go last week and you know what? I’ll be durned if that dang dog didn’t beat me home!”

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I had a really great day yesterday working alongside my favorite uncle. I’ve called him Uncle Dudley most of my life, even though he goes by Bud. I got up early and made sausage gravy and bicuits for breakfast and as soon as I had my work boots laced up, he and I were off and running. First thing we did was turn off the gas and take out an old heat stove in the dining room and mount a new one on the wall. With free gas (due to gas wells on the property) we have a couple of these stoves in the house. I grew up this way and we never gave a second thought to carbon monoxide. These are ventless stoves, however, there are so many cracks in the house there’s nothing to worry about. After we finished that up, my uncle went out with the chain saw and cut the trees and brush out of the creek and I hauled brush for about 4 hours. While I was hauling brush, my uncle went on to paint the roof with aluminumized paint/asphalt. Then I started emptying the boxes that were on the back porch. One of those boxes held the large painting that was in our living room in Colorado. I’ve hung it over the dining room table and it makes me smile. The pictures of various family members here in the farmhouse have always been hung haphazardly and my OCD tendencies got the better of me. I created a “Rogue’s Gallery” on one wall and we can rotate our photos with the seasons. The last gift I gave Mr. Virgo was a beautiful wall clock. I took down the old plastic Walmart clock in the dining room and hung the clock in a prominent place so that you see it first thing when you walk in the back door. And that was the day. Exhausting yet productive, invigorating…satisfying in a way that is only felt with accomplishing a goal and hard work.

\n

Yesterday was the perfect, perfect fall day. Warm, sunshine, and family working side by side. Life is so good! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-28T01:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/28/my-great-grandpa.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","The Farm"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/08/andim-off.html", "title": "And...I'm off!!!!!!!", "content_html": "

\"camper “On the road with TOW-Wanda Grande!”

\n

I can’t believe this day is here! I’m taking my time crossing the country this time. One of my Sisters on the Fly​ friends told me to pay the $50/day storage fee for my stuff when it gets to WV and take an extra week coming across. Good advice, Lisa!

\n

My mom died ten years ago and I made three round trips between CO and WV that year…by myself. I also brought my brother to CO from WV via Disney World! I came cross country the last time with a 17’ U-Haul towing my Toyota on a car hauler. I slept in the cab of that truck! This is total luxury having my house with me.

\n

I’ll keep you up to date on my travels but I won’t divulge specific locations real time for safety reasons. (You’re welcome, Patty et al!). <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-08T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/08/andim-off.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Grace","Courage","Downsizing","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/06/the-hazards-of-packing.html", "title": "The Hazards of Packing", "content_html": "

\"women's “I packed all my winter clothes!”

\n

If you remember correctly, my first contract on the house was to close on 9/11. I, in my ever positive, enthusiastic, optimistic way was absolutely convinced that would happen so, what did I do? Why, I packed all my winter clothes and shipped them off to WV, of course! And then the whole deal fell apart and we didn’t close till the 24th. Well…that’s cool. I’d still get to WV in plenty of time before I needed winter clothes, right? Ummmm…not so much. I drove to Denver last Wednesday in the snow, wearing the only winter clothes I had left…a sweater, a pair of leggings, and my black cowgirl boots. Chic, for sure, but not very practical. So, I stopped at the factory outlet stores on my way through Silverthorne and just picked up a few things. At least now there’s a little variety.

\n

I took my second father-in- law out for breakfast yesterday. Bernie is a total hoot. He will be 90 in December and he really wants me to come back for his birthday party so I suppose I’ll be back in CO then. He has no governor between his brain and his mouth and he’s extremely hard of hearing. This made for some interesting general announcements to the entire restaurant regarding certain bodily functions. Like I said, Bernie’s a hoot! ;-)

\n

I came back from Denver yesterday and it was a gorgeous drive. There’s still plenty of color on the aspens and it was a blue blaster day. I visited my brother and some friends and went to soak in the hot springs pool for the last time for awhile. I had dinner with my former neighbors. Then I came over to my brother-friend’s house. I gave him the painting I did for him and then I sat and listened to him practice the trombone for the upcoming symphony performance. He’s first chair…I’m so proud of him!

\n

Greg and I were on the HOA Board together shortly after I bought my house in 2001. We were at a board meeting and they were setting up the schedule. I spoke up to say I would not be attending the next meeting because I’d be in WV. Greg looked at me funny and the meeting continued. He came up to me later to ask why I would be in WV. I explained I was born there and would be visiting family. Turns out, Greg and I were born at the same hospital, delivered by the same doctor, and his grandfather was superintendent of my school district when I was growing up! It is such a small world. We bonded immediately and he became my little brother for life. He’s always been there for me and I adore him. We will miss each other terribly. Greg is that friend you can call in the middle of the night. He once got up to come over and sit in the trailer with me till dawn because I couldn’t stand to sleep in my bed. He’s awesome!

\n

I’m going to the local Ford dealership today to trade in the Expedition for an F-150 and then…hopefully…I can pick up my trailer. I’m ever hopeful…but this extra week has been perfect!

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-06T01:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/06/the-hazards-of-packing.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Comfort","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/05/kickin-back.html", "title": "Kickin' Back", "content_html": "

\"family “Hanging with the family at the movies”

\n

Man, the theaters these days are amazing! A whole theater with maybe 25 full size leather recliners so everyone can sit back just like in their living rooms. Sweet!

\n

Yesterday was coffee with daughter #2, a trip to Camping World to pick up a few niceties, then to daughter #1’s house to watch a few episodes of The Voice. Then we went out to Red Robin for dinner and to the movies to see Dolphin Tale 2. Fun!

\n

Today, I head back over the mountains to visit with my brother-friend and take him a painting I did for him. Hopefully the trailer will be ready tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

\n

A few of my dear friends have asked me how I can possibly leave my kids and grandkids and brother to travel clear across the country to live. At first it made me feel bad when they asked. I felt judged…that maybe there was something wrong with my maternal instinct. But yesterday when I left daughter #2 after our visit, I got choked up. Last night I layed down with my youngest grand daughter to get her to sleep. She listens to Norah Jones at night. “Come Away With Me” came on. That was one of Mr. Virgo’s and my “fall in love with you” songs so the tears came easily as I watched that precious little face sleeping beside me. Am I going to miss my family? Of course I am. I’ve always wanted to live back in WV and my cost of living will certainly be lower than it is in Colorado, but even that isn’t the reason I’m sacrificing this time with my family. I’m doing this because my aunt needs me. I’m doing this because it’s what my grandma taught me to do…to take care of our loved ones as best we can. I’ll do my very best to provide my aunt with a comfortable life. But don’t think I won’t miss my babies…big and small. That will be the hard part. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-05T01:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/05/kickin-back.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/04/saying-so-long-for-now.html", "title": "Saying So Long for Now", "content_html": "

\"redhead\" “My quirky princess…Daughter #2.”

\n

Had coffee with my beautiful, quirky, eclectic princess…my baby girl. I will miss her!

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-04T01:30:34-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/04/saying-so-long-for-now.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/03/funny-faces.html", "title": "Funny Faces!", "content_html": "

\"woman “Little and Me…Funny Faces!”

\n

There is such magic in youth. Who else can you make funny clown faces with in a parking lot? I will miss my babies. But I remember how special it was when my cousin from Chicago came to WV for a visit. She was royalty! We anticipated her visit months in advance. And even though the visit went way too fast, we bonded over that week or two and I know how special it was for my grandma to have her “Trinket” there. My babies will come see me next summer and my daughter will leave them with me for awhile. We will camp and drive back cross country and I’ll bring them back to Denver. In the meantime, we’ll have plenty of FaceTime dates. And maybe we ’ll wear clown noses!

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-03T01:30:39-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/03/funny-faces.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/02/high-country-color.html", "title": "High Country Color", "content_html": "

\"trees “Color change in the Rockies”

\n

I drove over to Denver yesterday to give the trailer guys a break and to squeeze my babies! The colors were fabulous, even though it was a cloudy, rainy day with some snow. I stopped in Silverthorne at the outlet stores to buy a few cold weather items. It seems I packed and shipped almost all of my winter clothes thinking I would have been in WV by now. Duh! I arrived at my son-in-law’s parents’ house and promptly took a MUCH needed nap. Awoke to rain and thunder. Ahhhh, blissful rest and people who love me and offer up lots of TLC just what the doctor ordered!

\n

Update on TOW-Wanda: There is a wire to the motor for the right hand side of the slide that got pinched and severed. It’s a manufacturing defect because of the way it is exposed. My trailer dude spoke to the main honcho of production at Starcraft to make them aware of the issue so it can be built differently. You would think they could just replace the wire, but they do need to order parts. They should be in Friday or Saturday and I’ll be good to go, probably Monday! Wahoo!!!

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-02T01:30:33-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/02/high-country-color.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/10/01/change-of-plans.html", "title": "Change of Plans", "content_html": "

\"beginning “What feels like the end is often the beginning.”

\n

The trailer still isn’t fixed so I’m going to leave it here and head for Denver to see my babies. I’ll come back and pick it up when it’s ready. Same timeline …different order! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-10-01T01:30:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/10/01/change-of-plans.html", "tags": ["Family","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/28/a-full-heart.html", "title": "A Full Heart", "content_html": "

\"change “Change”

\n

Last night I gathered a few people around me to share some love. My sweet brother. My sister-in-law came in from Salt Lake. My second ex-husband and his darling wife were there. My neighbors on both sides joined in as well as one set of their parents. A friend from Sisters on the Fly. A friend whose company I enjoy greatly. All these wonderful people gathered to celebrate. We celebrated my brother’s 63rd birthday and my ex’s 60th. And we embraced and shared our love for each other as I prepare in the next few days to head for parts east. We didn’t say goodbye…we said “see ya soon”! Some will come to WV to see me. Some I will see the next time I’m here in Colorado. I pray I will see them all again. It was a beautiful day and my heart is full of love. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-28T01:30:58-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/28/a-full-heart.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","Courage","Downsizing","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/14/the-unbroken-circle.html", "title": "The Unbroken Circle", "content_html": "

\"gravesite\" “Mr. Virgo’s Grave”

\n

Two weeks after Mr. Virgo died, I bought TOW-Wanda…my little travel trailer. For those of you who are relatively new here, you may not know, my husband, aka Mr. Virgo, and I were standing in a travel trailer picking one out when he had a heart attack and died in March 2013. I needed to put something joyful in front of me or I wasn’t going to make it. TOW-Wanda to the rescue! Once the weather warmed up, I took off for three months and traveled alone to start walking through my grief journey. Everywhere I went, I picked up a rock to bring home to place around Mr. Virgo’s grave. When I got home, I took them up to the cemetery and told him about the places I had seen and what I had done and placed each rock next to the one before.

\n

Somewhere in the summer of 2013, a thought began to formulate. I had a feeling that things would be a lot better by the time the circle was complete. Sometimes I forgot to bring back a rock so I would pick up one from a pile nearby. But, one by one, bit by bit, the rocks made their way around the grave and…on his birthday, just two days shy of 18 months…the circle was complete. It was whole. Just as I am whole. Different, yes. Still wounded? Of course. But I’m good. I’m strong. I feel joy. I live life. I miss him like crazy and I’m ok alone. Dichotomy.

\n

I have a dear friend named Vicky. Vicky is a grief counselor and a widow of seven years. She is a wise woman and very skilled at what she does. She has this amazing way about her that provokes you to look at the tough stuff without holding your feet to the fire. She can ask one question and eliminate a couple of hours of tap dancing around. I love her for that. Last night she pointed out that we categorize and organize our pain in order to make sense of the senseless. She is so on point there. It’s like running your emotions through the Dewey Decimal System and assigning a number for this and filing it there. It’s crazy but it keeps us sane. And now I’ve reached a benchmark…a milestone…a point of reference to be looked back upon as a turning point. I can move forward a little easier now. When the house is closed, the papers are signed, and I have the check in my hand…I will be free. I will owe no one a single thing. Then, I will be a true bohemian!

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-14T01:30:06-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/14/the-unbroken-circle.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Growth","Grace","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/12/navigation.html", "title": "Navigation", "content_html": "

\"guardian “I have a feeling my guardian angel looks like this often.”

\n

Given that I will be traveling cross-country in less than a month, I felt it was prudent to take advantage of the $50 off coupon for the map and software update for my nav system in my Ford. I dutifully paid for, and quickly received the DVD’s to plug into my system. I read the instructions, following the onscreen prompts carefully. Nowhere did they say it would take the better part of TWO HOURS to update this crazy thing! And…it distinctly says, “Do not turn off your engine while updating.” I used up an 1/8th of a tank of gas while contributing much more carbon to the ozone layer than I am comfortable with. (Ok, I drive a Ford Expedition. I guess I’m TOO comfortable…I get, like, 6 gallons to the mile or something like that when I’m hauling TOW-Wanda.)

\n

I’m considering trading in TOW-Wanda for a larger model. When I get to WV, I will still be much more comfortable sleeping in my trailer than in a house…at least till things get to the point that my aunt needs me during the night. TOW-Wanda is darling, and I love her, but that bathroom is just a little too tight. And there’s no seating inside except for the bed. A lot of the trailers now have these great slide outs which gives you so much more floor space and are quite comfortable. This is the time of year to buy because everything is on clearance and I can get a lot for my money. I’m wondering though…if I trade in the middle states like Kansas, Missouri, or Indiana if I would get a better deal? Any input on this?

\n

Today is my sweet brother, Gary’s, 63rd birthday. Happy Birthday, bubby!!!

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-12T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/12/navigation.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/10/happy-birthday-mr-virgo.html", "title": "Happy Birthday, Mr. Virgo!", "content_html": "

\"clouds\" “Happy Birthday, Mr. Virgo!”

\n

He loved to celebrate my birthday but hated to celebrate his. He said it was just another day. His family didn’t make a big deal out of birthdays. He only had 62 of them. I got to celebrate seven with him. I was his last. His last love. His last best friend. His last partner in crime. His last birthday buddy. I am not sad. I smile when I feel the rich sweetness of his memory wash over me. But…I miss him like crazy.

\n

Happy Birthday, handsome man.

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-10T01:30:44-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/10/happy-birthday-mr-virgo.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Growth","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/05/missing-post.html", "title": "Missing Post", "content_html": "\"\"\n

I was awake till the wee hours writing this morning’s post. I kept drifting off then wake and read what I’d written. Ha! One should not sleep and post at the same time. I would swear I posted it to appear at 4am like always but it is nowhere to be found. I was writing about The Work by Byron Katie. If you are unfamiliar with her, Google her. She has a pragmatic system of self-discovery that I have found useful in my journey. Check her out!

\n

In the meantime, please send up a little prayer for my dear friend who took a nasty fall last night. Nothing broken, thank God, but she is going to be pretty sore for a few days.

\n

A man drove up beside me in traffic last evening and told me my right wheel on the trailer is wobbling. My son-in-law’s dad followed me around the block and didn’t see anything but I’m going to the tire shop first thing before I head out to the boonies. I’m scheduled for a fun weekend with the Sisters on the Fly​! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-05T01:30:36-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/05/missing-post.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Prayer","Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/04/wifi.html", "title": "WiFi", "content_html": "

\"wifi “No WiFi”

\n

What did we do without it? How on earth did we raise our kids when they didn’t have a cell phone permanently glued to their heads? And selfies? Are you kidding me? Ok, I’m 61 and I’m all about the technology. I’ve been a techie since 1984 when I saw my first “home computer”…a funny box with a glowing green screen that wasn’t much more than a glorified typewriter. We got our first computer with the 5" floppy disks in 1986. OMGosh! You could play Pong on it!!! lol

\n

Seriously though, Einstein said when technology replaced human interaction we would have a generation of idiots. But what can we do? You can’t put smoke back in a bottle. Everywhere you go you see people staring at electronic devices as if they have found the Holy Grail. It worries me. I’m just as guilty. I find myself reaching for my iPhone so often. It’s an amazing tool. But it’s also an amazing time killer. I suppose the first step is to admit you have a problem. I really do try to cut back. I complained about Mr. Virgo’s attachment to the TV. I’m just as bad with the internet.

\n

I’m heading out for a weekend of fun with Sisters on the Fly​ this week! Can’t wait to spend some time with the girls. :-)

\n

I sold more furniture yesterday. I just LOVE that it’s going to people I care about. I know they will love my treasures as much as I have. I bought a cargo carrier for the roof of the Ford yesterday. Used but in great condition…my kind of deal! I didn’t get much done in the garage but I did get the car all cleaned out and I’m taking a bunch of stuff over to the kids today so I got that all loaded. I visited with my mom/friend and ran errands. I started planning a combo birthday/going away party. I took a power nap. I went to a concert at a local church. Busy, busy days.

\n

I’ve decided my winter project, aside from writing, will be to scan all these photos onto my external hard drive then make CDs for everyone. I’ll give the hard copy photos to whoever wants them after. They say the sign of a writer is planning your next book before the ink’s dry on the last one. I’m already writing the next one and have two others on the drawing board. A huge benefit of living on the farm is the time to think and write. It’s peaceful there and I’m really looking forward to that.

\n

Have a fabulous day, my sweets! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-04T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/04/wifi.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","Wisdom","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/03/mr-virgos-bluebirds.html", "title": "Mr. Virgo's Bluebirds", "content_html": "

\"bluebird\" “Mr. Virgo sends me bluebirds. First, at his grave. Then…everywhere!”

\n

I was sitting at the cemetery yesterday morning enjoying my morning coffee and having breakfast with Mr. Virgo. It was a perfect Colorado blue blaster day…not a cloud in the sky. I was reminded of a time last year when I came here. I was sitting in the car beside his grave, crying my eyes out. I felt so alone and asked God and Mr. Virgo to send me a sign every time I come so I know they’re out there watching over me. I don’t know if Mr. Virgo sees me, but I do know God does. As soon as I made my request, I heard a bird singing close by. I turned and there was a bluebird sitting on the post right beside me singing away and looking at me, cocking it’s head this way and that. Now every time I go to the cemetery, at least one bluebird comes to this post and sings to me. Yesterday, for about five minutes, there were several of them all around me. I sat there with the door open and they even came and sat on the door and the rear view mirror! And see who came to sit on my post? It was so beautiful. And just as fast as they came, they were gone. I always feel closer to Mr. Virgo when they are nearby. Now, the true test will be if they come to see me in WV. Or maybe I won’t need them as much. We can’t test God like the fleece in the Bible. But I love, love, love it when He shows me He is there. It is always personal. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-03T01:30:06-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/03/mr-virgos-bluebirds.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Comfort","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/09/02/oh-how-times-change.html", "title": "Oh, How Times Change", "content_html": "

\"photo\" “Commemorative Photo of 40”

\n

Ok, who had a boudoir photo taken? They were all the rage in the ’90s. I had to have one! Partially because I’m such an….ummm, extrovert! But also because at any given moment, we are the youngest we will ever be. This was taken when I was turning 40. I wanted to memorialize that static moment in my life when everything was perfect. My marriage, my family. My body, my hair. I was in the best shape of my life. My little girl was 4. My big girl was 20. I remember lovely afternoons stitching with my girlfriends, not a care in the world. Planning dinner parties was a monumentous occasion. This was before the ravages of depression and Prozac took away my youth. My ex-husband kept this photo on the wall in his office. It was the Camelot years.

\n

Then everything changed. I had three major surgeries in less than two years. I didn’t bounce back well. I started down the rabbit hole of depression and didn’t come back for ten years. When I got back, life had gone on without me and my marriage was over. My ex had taken this picture down and put it in a drawer in his desk. I didn’t look like that beautiful woman anymore. I didn’t bathe or get my hair done. I gained a hundred pounds. I lived in shorts and an oversized t-shirt without a bra. Those were the Prozac years. I don’t remember my forties.

\n

The story has a happy ending though. I turned my life around after my ex and I separated. I found my Prince Charming and married him. I had such a beautiful life. That was my fifties. Those were my passionate years.

\n

And now, here I am at the opening credits of a new movie. A new decade. A new era. I am very much at peace. Sure, I suffered a blow. My world literally changed in a heartbeat…or the lack thereof, actually. But I refuse to wear widowhood like sackcloth and ashes. I will not make grief a career path. These are my halcyon years.

\n

I look at this picture and as far as I’m concerned, I still look like this. Ok, my hair is gray (and not permed). Parts of my anatomy have headed south. Things aren’t as tight as they once were. I like to think my inner beauty was so great, it fought to get out and my skin expanded to accommodate all that lusciousness! Look at that picture again. That’s who I am inside. Beautiful. Sultry. Young. Wow!

\n", "date_published": "2014-09-02T01:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/09/02/oh-how-times-change.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Grace","God","Fear","Forgiveness","Aging","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/28/piece-of-mind.html", "title": "Piece of Mind", "content_html": "

\"child “A card I gave my mother when she asked for peace of mind.”

\n

When I was a little girl, I asked my mom what she wanted for Mother’s Day. She told me she wanted “peace of mind “. She was so overwhelmed. She not only had my dad to deal with (see yesterday’s post) but my brother had a developmental disability and I am sure I was a handful. I was probably about 10 or 11 when I made this Mother’s Day card for my mom. I knew perfectly well she meant PEACE and not PIECE, but I couldn’t help myself…it was too easy! It reminds me of my younger daughter. She was so precocious. She never related to kids her own age because they didn’t get her sense of humor. One year in probably 7th grade, she came home all excited because she came up with a great Halloween costume. She wouldn’t tell me what it was… Just that she needed a ladies slip and some iron on letters. OK. The next day I got her a slip that wouldn’t be huge on her and some black iron on letters. She grabbed them and the iron and took off upstairs. About an hour later she came down and I about fell off my chair laughing.

\n

She had ironed the word “Freudian” on the slip! Classic!!!

\n

The sad thing is, none if the kids got it. The teachers did. Her daddy and I did. We reminded her she was brilliant and beautiful and very, very clever. We still smile about that. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-28T01:30:35-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/28/piece-of-mind.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/27/consideration.html", "title": "Consideration", "content_html": "

\"drawing “My father and one of his drawings I found.”

\n

My dad and I had a tumultuous relationship. As long as I can remember, we were at each other’s throat. He was not a nice man, drank heavily throughout my childhood and never treated us well. I remember an episode when I was a tween and my parents were fighting in the basement. Mom came up the steps crying. Dad followed her with a loaded rifle, turned it to place the muzzle to his chest and begged her to kill him right there. It was horrifying.

\n

As I went through a box of memorabilia from the family archives, I came across a scrapbook Dad kept from his time at Camp Hale and Camp Pendleton. A Christmas card from a female admirer, postcards from San Francisco, photos of truck inspections and fellow soldiers whose names are long forgotten…all neatly taped onto crumbling black construction paper pages. As I took the post cards out I came across this sketch my dad did. He had talent although by the time I came along, his dream of being a commercial artist was long dead…beaten out of him by whatever demons haunted him. During this time, Dad was in love with Virginia Cunningham. I believe she had some connection in Ravenswood, WV where he grew up but I don’t remember the details. Her family owned a hotel on Laguna Beach, CA. He was a handsome devil…she, the love of his life. She broke things off and broke his heart.

\n

My mom was head over heels in love with a promising young man she met while working in Cleveland. He asked her dad for permission to court her, but he, his brothers, and my great grandfather were living there temporarily for work and he didn’t feel it was a good idea. Mom was crushed and came back home with a heavy heart. When mom and dad met, they were already broken and proceeded to break each other to bits over the course of the next 30 years or so.

\n

I have had a hard time forgiving him for his treatment of my mom and brother and me. But now I can see him through compassionate eyes. He struggled with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse for years. And so did I. I have had to look deep within and examine the similarities between me and my dad. I did not always treat the people in my life well. This has been an important link in the chain of self-discovery. As I whittle through the bits and pieces that are left of my parent’s lives, deciding what to keep and what to discard, I carefully placed the drawings of a hopeful young artist away in a box for safekeeping to remind me there was goodness within his heart, even though it lay hidden from my view. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-27T01:30:42-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/27/consideration.html", "tags": ["Family","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/26/lava-lamps.html", "title": "Lava Lamps", "content_html": "

\"grace “Grace”

\n

Those of you from my generation are quite familiar with lava lamps. I have no idea how they work other than the heat melts something and it gets lighter than the fluid surrounding it and it slowly releases a blob and sends it skyward. Grief is like that. This gunk stays solid down beneath the surface till the heat gets cranked up and pretty soon there’s an eruption. Of emotion…energy…tears….fears. It bubbles up and gets dealt with until the next blob of gunk comes up.

\n

It sounds all gooey and yucky and it is when you’re smack dab in the middle of the lamp. It’s hot and decidedly uncomfortable sitting in that mess all the time. But when you step back, you see the light. You see the infinite patterns forming and reforming. You see the beauty of the vessel, doing its thing, ad infinitum. And every once in awhile you have to unplug. You have to just let yourself be cool. It’s the only way to recharge so you can face the next batch of lava, hot from the source, threatening to burn you if you’re not careful. That’s what was happening last week…I was in the hot seat dealing with the lava.

\n

Yesterday was an unplug the lamp kinda day. Mr. Fixit came to do some honey-dos since there’s no honey to do them and I am sorely lacking tools since the great storage unit debacle. I spent a few hours trying to figure out what my furniture is worth. I wrote my rebuttal to the Inspection Objections. I talked to many friends. And I spent a delightful couple of hours walking down memory lane going through a plastic tub I had stored in the crawl space. (I found treasures!!!) I went for an ice cream. And I thanked God for another beautiful day to recharge.

\n

Today would have been my beautiful mother’s 89th birthday. Happy Birthday, Mama! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-26T01:30:54-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/26/lava-lamps.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Grace","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/25/jealousy.html", "title": "Jealousy", "content_html": "

\"children “My cousins on a pony.”

\n

One of the seven deadly sins…envy. These are my cousins. I found these pictures in a box of papers I’m sorting through. These two had it all…every opportunity possible. I was so jealous. I got their hand me down clothes. I got their hand me down toys. Their mom was WAY cooler than mine, I thought at the time. And when it comes right down to it, I’m just as successful, just as happy as they’ve ever been. Maybe more so, who knows?

\n

It’s so funny the perspective we have of others with the grass always greener mentality. I am quite content with the life I’ve led. But, dang…I would have killed to ride that pony!

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-25T01:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/25/jealousy.html", "tags": ["Family","Growth"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/25/just-he-me.html", "title": "Just He \u0026 Me", "content_html": "

Dancing. The only time we dance…ever. He lasted half a song. lol

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\"wedding “Our Only Dance”

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Sassy after shot.

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\"wedding “Sweet Mr. Virgo and Me”

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-25T01:30:01-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/25/just-he-me.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Gratitude","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/24/treasures.html", "title": "Treasures!", "content_html": "

\"vintage “My Christmas Stocking.”

\n

Awwwwww…..going through stuff and came across my brother’s and my Christmas stockings when we were little kids. So, so sweet. Man, it’s hard to be ruthless.

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-24T01:30:50-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/24/treasures.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/18/mom.html", "title": "Mom", "content_html": "

\"\" “I miss my mommy.”

\n

I miss my mom. I wish she was here to give me a hug in her mommy way. I am purging stuff and came across this darling little piece of childhood art. I must have been about 7 or 8 when I drew this. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-18T01:30:57-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/18/mom.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/14/my-tribe.html", "title": "My Tribe", "content_html": "

\"tribe “My Tribe…My Family”

\n

I have a group of high school friends that have sort of found our way into a group chat discussion on my private page. We aren’t discussing anything we don’t want anyone else to see. We just want to be able to reach each other faster with the same information. Much like we did when several of us hung out together when we were in the same high school. We “get” each other. We KNOW where we’ve all been…at least in our formative years. We share tears over lost loved ones as freely as we share recipes for hot dog sauce and pics of our grandkids. We are a tribe…a zany crew of grand and glorious women from the class of ‘71.

\n

I’m a rabble rouser. I rouse rabbles. I will help these women become girls again because I have seen firsthand how that can transform us. When I get settled at the farm, before the frost is on the pumpkin, I am having a glamping party for my gal pals. We will dance in the moonlight! We will eat decadent foods. We will bond and swear oaths to always be there for one another and that none of us will die alone. We will laugh and cry and sing old songs with memories of driving with the windows open, hair flying, cherry lips laughing with abandon.

\n

Yes, I am going home to my tribe…wild, wacky, wise, wonderful women whose love I cherish deep within my soul. I’m a step closer. I got an offer on the house yesterday. (I am almost afraid to say anything for fear of jinxing it!) It was low, as first offers usually are. I countered. They expressed interest in buying my furniture. That would solve a big problem. Everything is happening as it should. One block at a time. One step after another. Very spiritual. Very Zen. Then I took my St. Joseph statue out of the ground, looked at his little dirty face and yelled…“Come on…we’re burning daylight here! Sell this house, will ya?!?!” Mother Theresa I am not. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-14T01:30:40-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/14/my-tribe.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Aging","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/12/remembering-mr-virgo.html", "title": "Remembering Mr. Virgo", "content_html": "

\"handsome “Remembering Mr. Virgo”

\n

The other night, I was browsing through my photos and ran across this one. It’s always been my favorite picture of Mr. Virgo. It’s a selfie before the term was coined. Before you started taking pictures at arm’s length that distorted your nose making it way to big for your face. He took this in his photography studio in Evergreen. It was his profile picture on match.com. It was the hook that captured my heart.

\n

I don’t cry for him nearly as much now. I’m not “done”…you’re never “done” with grieving. You journey through grieving. And you do reach a point where you choose to remain neutral…a sort of DMZ where you just don’t go visit the pain as often. It’s not denial. You totally get that he’s gone and not coming back. Mr. Virgo is resting on a shelf in my heart and I don’t have to relive the gruesome death scene anymore.

\n

Unfortunately, the downside of putting him on that shelf is forgetting things. Important things. Personal things. Intimate details of the person you loved more than life itself begin to seem just out of the reach of your mind, as if you’re looking through a dense fog. It’s just almost, but not quite there. It began to worry me. I was so afraid he was totally gone from me. Until the other night, when I came across this photo.

\n

I was laying in bed, in TOW-Wanda. There was a lovely thunderstorm and the rain beat a steady roar on the roof. I pulled this pic up on my iPad and studied it intently. And suddenly it all came back. I could remember how his forehead felt when I brushed my fingers across his skin. I remembered the coarseness of his hair and how he had to use hairspray to keep that little bit in the front from falling forward. I remembered how he didn’t like me to touch his nose but loved me to nibble his bottom lip. I remembered that spot on his left cheek that worried me a little and I was going to ask him to see the doctor about it. I remembered that one wild hair in his eyebrow that he always seemed to miss and how he had me trim the neckline of his beard (even though he could do it fill well himself) just to have me pamper him a bit. I remembered the way he tucked his cuffs to the inside of his sleeve. For some weird reason I found that to be incredibly sexy. I could see him trimming his nails and carefully washing his watch and drying it on the towel. I could smell is Halston and leather and woodsy scent. I could feel his hug and his hand on the small of my back when he led me to our table in a restaurant. I remembered everything.

\n

I was so afraid these memories were lost to me. But instead, I put them in a box on a shelf in my heart so I could pull them out when I was stronger. I am so relieved that I listened to my gut instinct and put Mr. Virgo away for awhile because now I can look at this picture and feel him again. And I can smile.

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-12T01:30:42-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/12/remembering-mr-virgo.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Growth","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/11/anchors.html", "title": "Anchors", "content_html": "

\"anchors “Anchors”

\n

While the house was being shown on Saturday, I drove into town for a Starbucks fix. Afterwards, I drove by my ex-husband’s house to see if they were home. I don’t usually drop by unannounced but felt compelled this time. I wanted to share with them what my plans are in WV and spend some time catching up.

\n

There was a time when ours was very much a love/hate relationship. Or, probably more precisely, a love/anger relationship. As with any divorce, there was a lot of this finger-pointing, he said/she said stuff going on for the first few years. Then we both remarried and a sort of truce was reached. We went to the same events without killing each other. We spoke on the phone when necessary without diving back into the dirt. We made progress, slowly but surely, but I wouldn’t necessarily say we were “friends”. Then Mr. Virgo died, and it showed us all just how fragile this thing is. This life that we think will always be there and that there’s time down the road to mend your fences. In essence, my ex and his wife were there for me whenever I needed them, for whatever reason. Several months after Mr. Virgo’s death, we decided to have family holiday dinners together so the kids didn’t have to choose which place to go to first. After Thanksgiving, he and I had a few moments by ourselves and he told me it was ironic that it took a family tragedy to make us realize that we are just that. Family. Non-traditional, eccentric, mixed faith, loving, supportive…with common goals. Health and happiness.

\n

I spent an hour and a half on their front porch, drinking coffee, sharing stories, sharing the love only a family bond can give you. This was a long time coming, this peace. It took a lot of hard work on all of our parts and I am so proud of us. They are anchors in my life.

\n

My prayer during those dark years was always “God, please heal my family.” And, like the loving God He is…He did. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-11T01:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/11/anchors.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Prayer","Growth","Grace","God","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Aging","Choices","Change"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/08/attitude.html", "title": "Attitude", "content_html": "

\"attitude “Attitude”

\n

I used to tell my daughters they could adjust their attitudes automatically or I could do it manually for them. Having a positive attitude attracts people with positive attitudes and your world gets a whole lot better for it. That’s not to say you won’t have the occasional grump who tries to dim your shine, but maybe your positive attitude will turn that person’s day right around. Or, maybe you’ll just piss him off ‘cause you’re just too darned sparkly. Whatever the case may be, there’s always an upbeat, positive spin that can be put on almost anything.

\n

Losing Mr. Virgo was a tragedy. He was such a wonderful man, my best friend, my partner in crime. I thought I would have him for many, many years but that wasn’t to be. I grieved hard for what seemed an eternity. I couldn’t see that my life would ever be happy and carefree again now that I had tasted the sting of death. I could have stayed there…sad, lonely, lost. It would have been so easy to just curl up and wait to go with him. But that’s not my modus operandi. I needed to look for the silver lining because nothing would ever change the circumstance. I had to adjust my attitude. I don’t know. Maybe two divorces prepared me to know I could live again after heartbreak. Maybe I am just a heck of a lot stronger than I ever gave myself credit for. All I know is, it was not me who died. Here’s this great big juicy world out there, ripe for the picking and I’m going after every drop!

\n

We all have dreams. Sometimes we have to adjust them.

\n

So sayeth Pollyanna!

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-08T01:30:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/08/attitude.html", "tags": ["Family","Growth","Choices"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/05/the-farm.html", "title": "The Farm", "content_html": "

Here are some pictures from the home of my heart!

\n

\"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\"

\n

\"the “The Farm”

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-05T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/05/the-farm.html", "tags": ["Family","The Farm","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/04/back-in-denver.html", "title": "Back in Denver", "content_html": "

\"life “You know all those things you want to do with you life? You should do them.”

\n

Hit the ground running! No sale…yet, but it’s coming…I can feel it!

\n

Man, it’s hot here!

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-04T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/04/back-in-denver.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/04/a-simple-life.html", "title": "A Simple Life", "content_html": "

\"simple “A Simple Life”

\n

I’m back! Here it is, August 4th already…can you believe it? Those three weeks literally flew by. I’ve missed you all even though I did peek in from time to time. And I am rested, refreshed and rearing to go!

\n

I’m still snuggled up in bed, preparing my mind for the onslaught of civilization. I’m listening to the morning call of a whip-poor-will knowing full well in a few hours I’ll be hustling through busy international airports. I’m not looking forward to it…and I LOVE to fly. I want to pour a cup of coffee and go out on the front porch, the familiar stretchy squeak of the screen door spring the only sound louder than the morning birdsong. I want to see old Mama Kitty curled up in the corner, one eye opened slightly in protest over the crude interruption of her peaceful slumber. I want to listen to whip-poor-wills every day for the rest of my life.

\n

I need to head to Colorado. I need to settle some business. I need to snuggle my babies and spoil them a little bit. I need to do the really big purge and get rid of the things in life that weigh me down. I am so grateful to my son-in-law’s mom for sitting me down and telling me to look at what I want my life to look like and make it that. I will miss my kids and grandkids and my Colorado family like crazy, and I will travel to see them as often as I can. But I also know I need to live where my heart sings…where I can stretch out and be free…where I can own a piece of God’s country. It’s time to go home.

\n

Money will only stretch so far. When you have x-amount of dollars to spend on housing and you have a choice of a repossessed HUD home in a dicey neighborhood or a hundred acre farm, tell me…where would you go? What are you willing to let go of in order to set your heart free and give it wings? How far are you willing to fly?

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-04T01:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/04/a-simple-life.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","West Virginia","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Love","Peace","Presence","Downsizing","Choices","The Cats"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/08/01/mister-bee-potato-chips.html", "title": "Mister Bee Potato Chips", "content_html": "

\"mr. “Mr. Bee Potato Chips”

\n

You know those special foods you can only get at “home”? Well, ours are pepperoni rolls, Ruben’s Deli Hot Italian Hoagies, and Mister Bee Potato Chips. My sister/friend Patty in Florida has put in a special request for some Mister Bee’s so off they went in the mail today. While I was at it, I just went ahead and shipped some back to Colorado for the kids…and my brother/friend Greg…and my brother Gary…and, ummmmmmm…ME! :-) I’m going to be somebody’s best friend come Monday!

\n

I can’t believe I fly back to Colorado on Monday. :-( This has gone all too quickly. The only consolation is….I get to see my girls AND it won’t be long till that house sells and I can come back!

\n

Here are some more WV photos!

\n

\"west “West Virginia Cousins!”

\n

\"\" \"\" \"\"

\n", "date_published": "2014-08-01T01:30:45-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/08/01/mister-bee-potato-chips.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","West Virginia","The Farm","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Peace","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/31/strathmore-house.html", "title": "Strathmore House", "content_html": "

\"Strathmore “The Strathmore House…home of my Great Grandfather, Charles C. Richardson”

\n

Just before my second birthday, my mom’s brother was killed in a plane crash. He was an Air Force pilot and had mechanical difficulties as he was flying an older plane that was about to be retired. He crashed into a farmer’s field in Germany to avoid hitting a populated area. It was devastating to the family and they were never the same. Uncle Sonny has always been alive to me in the stories everyone tells and in the photos I keep.

\n

Shortly after he passed, my great grandfather called my grandma to come stay with them for awhile. We all went to Mt Jackson, VA to stay in the big house at Strathmore Farms. Even though I was only two, I distinctly remember that house and have pictures of it.

\n

Now, fast forward 55 years. Mr. Virgo and I always talked about having a B&B and he knew I wanted to move home. He had me look at the B&B’s for sale in Virginia and West Virginia. I saw this picture and my heart skipped a beat. It was my great-grandfather’s house, now a well-established B&B, for sale! I couldn’t dial the phone fast enough. Oh, my….wouldn’t it be a lovely ending to the story if we could have bought the place??? But, alas…the price tag is (still) almost $800,000 so unless I WIN Powerball, it’s not happening! Pretty neat story, though!

\n

I’m in town at my cousin’s house. We will travel today to see another cousin who is ill. It’s what families do…we stick together whether we see each other once a week or once a decade.

\n

I will tell you what…I will be getting internet when I move to the farm! No wifi…no cell service…I need to unplug a little, but this has been a real eye opener! The closest cell service is 12 miles away at the cemetery. Maybe there’s service back on the hill at the farm, but that would entail a hike and I haven’t had time (cough, cough). Farm life is going to whip me into shape!

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-31T01:30:07-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/31/strathmore-house.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Humbled"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/30/berdines-five-and-dime.html", "title": "Berdine's Five and Dime", "content_html": "

\"\" “Berdine’s Five & Dime”

\n

My grandparents used to bring me into this store when I was a little, little girl. The memories are thick as cobwebs in my neck of the woods today! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-30T01:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/30/berdines-five-and-dime.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/27/cruise-in-at-the-mall.html", "title": "Cruise In at the Mall", "content_html": "

\"vintage “Cruise In at the Mall”

\n

Gosh, I love small town living! I met up with my cousin and friends Friday night and checked out the car show. That was so fun! One of my friends does square dancing so I bought a couple petticoats from her for Sisters on the Fly events. I was telling them how wonderful being here is. I have PEOPLE here! Everywhere I go there’s someone I know. I’m just thrilled to start planning this next adventure!

\n

Out on the farm, there is a cellar house. It’s a two story, cinder block building with a tin roof. The second floor is one large room with three windows, a door, and a gas stove for heat. I’m going to fix it up not a little efficiency apartment/studio so my aunt and I won’t be under each other’s feet. I plotted out the garden today and I’m trying to figure out where I want the chicken coop.

\n

I went to church today in the little white church on the hill where I used to go as a kid. We are awaiting very severe weather. I am up on the hill at the cemetery (the only place where I can get cell reception) and I can hear the thunder rumbling in the distance. It sounds like a battle. They are actually predicting tornadoes for our area so I’m going to cut this short and head back down to the farm.

\n

Pray for the offer on my house to come in tomorrow! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-27T01:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/27/cruise-in-at-the-mall.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/25/weenie-roast.html", "title": "Weenie Roast!", "content_html": "

\"campfire “Weenie Roast!”

\n

I went to my cousin’s house yesterday and pulled the last of the Marshmallow Ranch posts off Facebook that I want to include in my book. I spent all day today editing, tweaking, fine tuning and then printed out the book. When I was done, I sat there and looked at what 589 pages and eight years of work looked like. And then I shed a few tears of relief, joy, and pride. Those sheets of paper hold my blood, sweat, and tears. My memories. My heart and soul. I am going to buy a red pen and sit down to read it cover to cover and make any changes I feel it needs. Then I’ll edit the electronic copy and send it in.

\n

Holy cats! What am I going to do with my time??? Oh yeah….get that house sold, emptied, get moved and settled, prepare a garden for spring, get a chicken coop put together for next year, fix up a studio for Marshmallow Ranch, get internet, winterize the farm…. I’m tired just thinking about it!!!

\n

Thank you, God….for blessing my life and giving me clarity, and clearing the way for me to come home. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-25T01:30:34-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/25/weenie-roast.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/21/pendleton-county.html", "title": "Pendleton County", "content_html": "

\"pendleton “My Morning View of Pendleton County, WV”

\n

My view with coffee this morning. What an amazing place. I’m over in Pendleton County, WV with my cousin and her family. I had a passel of dogs and grandbabies and family and friends in and out all day and it’s just a hoot and a half! There’s never a dull moment here and I love it! <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-21T01:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/21/pendleton-county.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Gratitude","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/14/home.html", "title": "Home!", "content_html": "

\"my “Home”

\n

I came in to town to go to the grocery for my aunt so I’m checking in. This is “home”….my heart and soul lives here. Just wanted you all to know I arrived safely! Thank you for all your love, support and encouragement. \"\"<3

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-14T01:30:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/14/home.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/13/todays-the-day.html", "title": "Today's the Day!", "content_html": "

\"today “Today’s the Day!”

\n

I’m heading out into the wild blue yonder to see my kin in WV. I’m going to fill my well at the source. I’m going to see great old friends and make some new ones. I’m going to sit in the shade underneath a tree and write for hours. I’m going to hug babies and octogenarians. I’m going on a picnic, a party, a concert and out for dinner. I’m unplugging. Three weeks with only intermittent cell service and internet access. My body, mind, and spirit are looking forward to slowing down to the pace called “country”. To sitting by the barn my great-grandpa built. To listening for that elusive whip-poor-will. To sweet tea and pepperoni rolls and Mr. Bee potato chips. To taking a moon bath at the rain barrel after dark. To lightning bugs and peepers. To the sound of a far distant dog’s bark echoing up the holler. To hay bales wrapped in white looking like huge marshmallows in fields so green it hurts your eyes. To ice cream by the Ohio River, watching the river traffic and the lights shimmer on the surface like glass. To fresh coffee and bacon and biscuits with jam. To summer corn and fried green tomatoes.

\n

Today I am heading to West Virginia…the closest thing to Heaven here on earth. Yes….today I am going home.

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-13T01:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/13/todays-the-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Gratitude","Love"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/12/happiness.html", "title": "Happiness!", "content_html": "

\"happiness “It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, & to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.”

\n

OMGosh! I forgot to schedule my post last night! I’ll tell you why. I was so busy being happy and basking in the glow of family love. Last night we celebrated! Daughter #1’s 40th birthday was yesterday, son-in-law’s 40th is tomorrow, grandma’s 85th is the 23rd. And, the kid’s 19th anniversary is Tuesday. What a great evening!

\n

I kept granddaughter #2 with me last night in TOW-Wanda. She has such a difficult time settling down to sleep and it is just like going back in time. Her mommy was exactly like her. Exactly!

\n

Not sure what the day will bring us but it’s all ours. My life is extraordinarily sweet. Hope yours is, too!

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-12T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/12/happiness.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/06/painting-with-my-girl.html", "title": "Painting with my Girl", "content_html": "

Painting with my older daughter…so happy today!

\n

\"two “Daughter #1 and Me”

\n

And…the final product!

\n

\"two “The Final Product!”

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-06T01:30:20-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/06/painting-with-my-girl.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/05/determination.html", "title": "Determination", "content_html": "

\"little “Though she be but little…she is fierce.” William Shakespeare

\n

Big strength can show up in small packages. This little girl is much bigger now and she faces competitive swimming with fierce determination. At 10 years old, she takes engineering classes…never letting the thought that she can’t succeed cross her mind. She’s small, but fierce and I admire her greatly. She is my first grandchild. My sweet, smart, fun, determined girl. I felt so bad for her last night. We were watching the fireworks. As a wise 10 year old, she was comforting her little sister and cousin when they were worried the fireworks might fall on their heads. She explained how they explode and burn up before they hit the ground. Not too long afterwards, someone set off a firework in the parking lot near us and sure enough, one of the sparkly bits burned all the way to the ground, shattering her sense of safety. It was painful to watch.

\n

We all experience those moments when we realize our sense of safety has been compromised. Safety comes in many forms…physical, emotional, financial. It is disconcerting when things go out of kilter. We who are walking this grief journey especially like it when things are going along smoothly. We don’t like chaos, instability, or unpredictability. That’s why we get anxious at the thought of losing someone else. We’ve already lost too much.

\n

When I have a wave of grief, it kind of knocks the wind out of my sails and makes me more vulnerable to worry and anxiety. I have to reassure myself that the moment will pass and not catastrophize the situation. It’s not easy because my mind will take off and be ten miles down the road before I know it imagining the worst possible scenarios. It takes a great deal of strength and determination to walk through this fire and I am constantly amazed that I am much, much stronger than I ever gave myself credit for. We all are, even when we think we aren’t.

\n

We may be but little..yet we are fierce.

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-05T01:30:24-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/05/determination.html", "tags": ["Family","Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Love","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/07/04/its-the-fourth-of-july.html", "title": "It's the Fourth of July!", "content_html": "

\"ice “An Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Freezer”

\n

Three words….homemade ice cream!!!! Oh-Em-Geeeeeee!!!!!!!

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2014-07-04T01:30:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/07/04/its-the-fourth-of-july.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/24/remembering.html", "title": "Remembering", "content_html": "

\"teenager “When I was young…”

\n

I remember when this picture was taken. My senior portrait was taken in the summer of 1970. I had had my first date about six weeks before. My boyfriend (later, my first husband) bought me that pearl ring for my birthday. Pearl is my birthstone. I was fresh, young, athletic. I didn’t know anything about anything, but I had the world by the tail!

\n

I spent yesterday afternoon going through an upstairs closet that hadn’t been touched yet. I found a box of papers and sat for an hour or so shredding what I didn’t need. I gathered a bag of clothes for donation. I took what very few pieces of clothing that I wanted to keep and put them in the bedroom closet. I found a box of photo albums that I brought back from mom’s after she died. That was ten years ago. I’ve paid to have them moved three times! They were in those awful, sticky albums they can out with in the ’70s. It took me four hours to convert a large box of albums into a small stack of pictures that easily fit in three one-gallon ziplock baggies. Two for me and one to take to WV this summer. I also took my brother’s stack and put them into the best album I had emptied. Progress!

\n

I finished up at 7:30 and headed back out to the lake to spend the night. Every day spent purging, cleaning, clearing the clutter from my life makes me feel 10 pounds lighter. Sort of fresh, young, athletic…like this girl in the picture.

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-24T01:30:08-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/24/remembering.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Growth","Gratitude","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/19/stormy-weather.html", "title": "Stormy Weather", "content_html": "

\"stormy “Stormy Weather”

\n

I spent yesterday helping Daughter #1 with her house and the kids. At the end of the day, we went to the Apple store to get a phone reset then went to dinner. Everyone was hot and tired and the kids were grumpy. It was raining really hard and when I came back to the trailer I noticed it was parked in about three inches of standing water. I walked through it then realized the power cord to the trailer was laying right there. That was somewhat disconcerting. I called my son-in-law’s parents inside and they came out, disconnected the power cord and we moved it to the high ground and put the connection under a bucket.

\n

The temp dropped 25 degrees in one hour with that storm. I saw where was snow in Utah and there are severe weather warnings (including measurable snowfall) predicted for the high country in the next 24 hours. Weird, weird weather.

\n

I am planning on meeting my dear friend Patti from Buffalo Baking Co.​today and hanging out. We have to do a little retail therapy and dining. Really looking forward to that!

\n

<3

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-19T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/19/stormy-weather.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/18/little.html", "title": "Little", "content_html": "

\"little “My Little”

\n

Someone small came to visit overnight in TOW-Wanda! We snuggled in after supper and visited and played games and read. She is Nana’s buddy!

\n

This is the most important reason for moving here. My family. I lived here for two and a half years when Mr. Virgo and I moved from Pagosa Springs. I really didn’t get to spend this kind of quality time with the kids and grandkids then because I was so busy focusing on him. It is such a blessing to have this time with my family.

\n

I’ve been searching different neighborhoods to get a feel for where I want to live. Of course, the most desirable have nothing for sale because everyone wants to live there. I fell in love with Old Town Golden but it’s too expensive even if there was something to buy. The good thing is, I’m not in a hurry and can stay in TOW-Wanda as long as I need to till I find the perfect place. Patience has never been my strong suit! :-)

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-18T01:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/18/little.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/17/generosity.html", "title": "Generosity", "content_html": "

\"headboard\" “A gift from my sweet man.”

\n

Mr. Virgo was generous to a fault. I had to be careful what I said I liked because I would end up getting it. But really, a lot of times I didn’t need it…nor did I want it. You can LIKE something…a LOT, without necessarily wanting it. This was sometimes the case with Mr. Virgo’s gifts.

\n

He showed me a bedroom suit once in a catalog. He asked if I liked it. I told him I thought it was gorgeous. And it was. But it was also WAY too big for our bedroom and more money than I had ever spent on a whole HOUSE FULL of furniture in my life. And…three weeks later there were three large crates of furniture in my driveway. I didn’t say a word. The man worked hard for his money, he didn’t drink or run around. He deserved to have a comfortable home.

\n

Now I am seriously downsizing and this beautiful furniture must go. But, for now, it is dressing up my house…making it appealing to a new buyer. And that makes me smile.

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-17T01:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/17/generosity.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/14/i-did-it.html", "title": "I Did It!", "content_html": "

\"sheep\" “I Did It!!!”

\n

I spent so much energy wondering how on earth I was ever going to get this house in shape to put it on the market. I whined. I cried. I complained. But, I persevered. And I got it done. Thank you to Hannah and Denise and Hunter for the time you could give me. Thank you to my neighbors for popping in when I needed a little muscle to move things around. Thank you God for having faith in me! The house is listed, the St. Joseph statue has been buried and prayed over. I’m sleeping in today!

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-14T01:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/14/i-did-it.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Gratitude","Courage","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/13/its-my-birthday.html", "title": "It's my Birthday!", "content_html": "

\"little “Happy Birthday to my Beautiful Self!”

\n

Mr. Virgo made a huge deal over my birthday because he knew how much I loved it. Birthdays are meant to be fun and celebrated with abandon because you’ve made it through another year. I was so sad on my birthday last year because Mr. Virgo wasn’t here to celebrate it with me. It came and went with little fanfare. I think I got a card. The girls at work got me a cake. My kids called. I cried all evening.

\n

Well, not this year! I have much to celebrate. It’s Friday the 13th! It’s a full moon! I’m listing my house today! I’m going out for lunch with friends today! I’m going out with friends tonight! I went out with a friend for lunch on Tuesday! I went out with the girls from work yesterday! I’ve got the next week off with TOW-Wanda! I get to visit with my friend from California! I’m healthy! I’m happy! I’ve got my groove back! Oh, I can just FEEL Mr. Virgo smiling down on me and saying, “That’s my girl!”

\n

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-13T01:30:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/13/its-my-birthday.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/11/when-a-home-becomes-a.html", "title": "When a Home Becomes a House", "content_html": "

\"handprints “Our Handprints in the Driveway”

\n

Handprints in wet cement. Something so few of us have the privilege to do….to build a house from the ground up. Then comes the fun part…filling it with love and laughter and family, and turning it into a home. That’s what we did, the Divine Miss H and me. We anxiously waited for the day they poured the driveway. We put our hands in and celebrated as if we were getting our stars in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater. She was 10.

\n

My youngest daughter and I were getting to know each other again. I was on the up side of a long bout of depression and this little girl had taken the brunt of it as it ravaged our lives and ended the only marriage she knew. This house was our haven where we had girl nights and did our nails. Where we sat in the middle of the bed with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and a spoon, crying over bullies. Where we worked out the knots of adolescence and homework and learning to drive.

\n

It was quiet. I didn’t like fighting over the TV so when the house was finished, I just didn’t connect the cable. We read. We played games. We talked. We grew and healed and became a family again. Our house was a home…the haven we both needed. Then…along came Mr. Virgo and so much love and joy and noise and happiness came in with him! He and Miss H bonded immediately. She was fifteen…it could have gone either way, but we all adored each other. A couple years later, the baby was gone off to college. Mr. Virgo and I were gypsies for three and a half years then came back home. I thought we were coming home to stay. I thought I would never move again. Turns out, only one of us is staying…and he’s up on the hill across the road.

\n

Things change. That’s an absolute. And one of the things that has changed is my home that I so carefully built and tended. Funny…..it turned back into a house. It’s got walls and structure. It’s aesthetically pleasing. It’s in a nice neighborhood. It has a mountain behind it and a view of the valley in front. It has a covered porch. But it’s just a house.

\n

My “home” left with Mr. Virgo. I am in search of a new home now. There is a part of me that will miss this place because of the sweet memories made. And, it’s those memories that linger around every corner…whispering “They don’t live here anymore.” It’s time to fly, my sweets. And I’m good with that.

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-11T01:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/11/when-a-home-becomes-a.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Growth","Courage","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/07/hugs.html", "title": "Hugs", "content_html": "

\"hugs “Hugs”

\n

The other night, one of my favorite young men drove two hours just to help me move some heavy furniture. He and my youngest were in diapers together and I always prayed that someday they would get married and he would be my other son-in-law. Alas, they did become infatuated in their mid-teens and they kissed once. They both laughed so hard at the absurdity of dating someone who was, in nearly every sense of the word, a sibling. I am still thrilled he will be in my life forever.

\n

His mom is one of my best friends. When she told me what they were going to name their firstborn if he was a boy, I told her under no uncertain terms that she could NOT name him that. It was an old family name, true. But the kids would have teased him unmercifully. I told her I would let her know soon what his name was. A few days later, I was in the grocery store and heard a woman calling to her son. Hunter. Perfect! I told my friend I had the perfect name and that is who he is. A good name. Solid. Sophisticated. Masculine. We were laughing about it on the porch last night. He thanked me immensely that he isn’t named Theodore!

\n

We had a long talk. We shared our thoughts and fears from the bookends of life. He asked for advice on some things. We covered a lot of ground in a couple of hours and I cherished those moments I got to have with him because they are few and far between. He left this morning by 5 o’clock in order to be back at work at 7. He gave me big hugs and told me how special I have been in his life, that he’s sorry I have to go through this alone, and that all I ever need to do is call and he’ll do what he can for me. What a great kid. What a great evening!

\n

<3

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-07T01:30:11-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/07/hugs.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/05/bits-and-pieces.html", "title": "Bits and Pieces", "content_html": "

\"callaway “Mr. Virgo’s Golf Clubs”

\n

Bits and pieces of a life. That is all I physically have left of Mr. Virgo. His clothes are mostly gone…just bits and pieces left: his leather bomber jacket, a belt, his cowboy boots, the sweater I loved him in. His toiletries are mostly gone…except for bits and pieces: a bottle of his cologne, his favorite soap, his electric razor. I have his golf clubs and his war medals and the picture of us dancing at our wedding. Just bits and pieces of a life well lived yet too soon over.

\n

As I sort and purge and cast off the encumbrances of my life, I shed more and more of my reminders of him. His humidor was emptied…dry, papery cigars tossed with yesterday’s junk mail…addressed to a man who no longer lives here. The humidor itself sent home with my daughter as a remembrance of her other dad. I feel as though I lose him over and over again. I feel as though he may just have been a figment of my imagination…a wisp of smoke and leather and spice that I held close for a moment before the wind whipped it from me. I feel like my heart just might explode with the joy of having had him and the pain of letting him go. Bits and pieces, bits and pieces.

\n

These things will fall away, move on, become meaningless items on a shelf downtown…waiting for someone else to love them. As he loved them. He loved these golf clubs. He nurtured them. He cleaned and polished them after every outing. He inspected them carefully and mourned over every nick and scar. Then he carefully covered each one in their little black sweaters and put them back in the bag I gave him as a wedding present. These clubs are as much a part of him as his Stetson or his Waterman pen or his DuPont lighter. Eventually, they will find their way into someone else’s garage. But for now, they are reminders of laughter, cigar smoke, stubby yellow pencils, Mulligans, blue eyes and sunshine. And, most of all….love.

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-05T01:30:04-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/05/bits-and-pieces.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","Downsizing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/06/02/memories.html", "title": "Memories", "content_html": "

\"beautiful “Daughter #2 Playing Dress-up”"

\n

I am “off the grid” for a few days of R&R with some girlfriends. No water, no electric, no cell service for 30 miles. Bliss!

\n

Today’s post is about walking down memory lane. One of the chores I’m having to do with downsizing is going through boxes of pictures. I’m dividing them into separate boxes…one for each of the girls, one for each of their dads, and one for my brother. I’m keeping those I am particularly attached to and throwing away those scenic photos of leaves and caterpillars that I thought were ever so artsy back in the ’80s. Those photos that mom took with the tops of our heads cut off? Gone. Those pics my grandma took from 30 feet away at the family gatherings and unless you were there you couldn’t tell who any of the people are? History. Those snapshots taken of me when I was going through a particularly sad, dark time in my life? Who needs to be reminded how awful that was? Then I come across a portrait like this one. My baby girl. My last baby. The one who didn’t have to wear hand me downs…that I could play dress-up with and take to high tea. The one I indulged because I could, whether it was good for her in the long run or not. Look at that smile. She marched to her own drum from the day she was born. My lastling. She’s 24 now. A senior in college. She just started a new job. She’s a woman now….but in my heart, she will forever be the little girl in this picture. Love you, Moon Pie!

\n", "date_published": "2014-06-02T01:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/06/02/memories.html", "tags": ["Family","Love","Presence"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/05/11/happy-mothers-day.html", "title": "Happy Mother's Day!", "content_html": "

\"enjoy “Happy Mother’s Day!”

\n

My older daughter called this week to figure out our Mother’s Day plans. Granddaughter #1 has a swim meet next weekend that I want to see so we’ll celebrate then. Daughter #2 was coming up this weekend but she has a final on Monday so I’ll see her next weekend as well. In the meantime, we can FaceTime. I love that.

\n

Mr. Virgo always bought me flowers for Mother’s Day. And a gushy card. That man knew how to buy a gushy card! I have them all tucked away for safekeeping. Those will have to make the move with me. I usually plant my flower beds on Mother’s Day but this year we are under a winter storm warning! Seriously? I mean, we need the moisture but why can’t it just rain like it should at this time of year? It’s SPRING already! So, I’ll go to church and work on the house. And call those special women in my life.

\n

My mom died in 2004. I still think of calling her every Sunday. I usually called at least a couple of times a week, but Sunday was our set in stone time to talk. I miss my mom. She was a peach!

\n

Happy Mother’s Day to all you Moms…and Dads who had to be Moms, too!

\n", "date_published": "2014-05-11T01:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/05/11/happy-mothers-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/05/09/rerun-of-the-rocks.html", "title": "Rerun of the Rocks", "content_html": "

\"rocks\" “Rerun of The Pile of Rocks”

\n

This was my most popular post ever. It was read by nearly 64,000 people and shared nearly 1,000 times! I have had several requests to post it again. Thank you all so much for your support!

\n

The Pile of Rocks.

\n

My younger daughter wears her heart on her sleeve, just like I did when I was growing up. She’s the fixer, the tenderhearted one who wants everyone to be happy. It took me many, many years to finally gain the insight I needed to help her. She thinks in analogies like I do so this is how I taught her to take care of herself in her relationships.

\n

God gives everyone a pile of rocks. There are big rocks for the big things in life like families, jobs, houses, health. There are medium sized rocks for the average things in life like friends and laundry and soccer practice. Then there are small rocks for the mundane trivia of life like grumpy store clerks or the guy that cut you off on the freeway. God gives us extra rocks sometimes for those unexpected crises like a death in the family or the unexpected loss of a job. But, HE never gives us more than we can carry. The problem comes when WE pick up rocks that are not ours.

\n

Picture, if you will, sitting in a great big circle with everyone you come into contact with. We’re all sitting here with our pile of rocks in front of us. Just the right amount of rocks. Just the amount that you are capable of carrying because you need to take them back home at the end of the day. Suddenly, the woman sitting across from you says something hurtful to you. If you internalize and take that personally, she has just thrown you one of her rocks and you dutifully stacked it on your pile. Now, a few folks down is your best friend. She’s having a major issue in her life and wants someone, anyone, to carry this burden for her. So you reach over and gladly take one of her rocks because that’s what friends are supposed to do, right? You sit here all day long, every day, in your circle getting rocks thrown at you and picking up others until you can’t even SEE over your pile, let alone pick it up and carry it back home!

\n

It’s one thing to get up, walk over to your friend and help her carry a particularly heavy rock for awhile. It’s quite another to try to carry everyone else’s rocks plus your own. Let others carry their own rocks. Stop trying to own the world’s problems cause honey, you really can’t live long enough to take care of everyone else. That’s THEIR pile of rocks!

\n", "date_published": "2014-05-09T01:30:26-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/05/09/rerun-of-the-rocks.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Growth","Wisdom","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/05/01/a-crooked-path.html", "title": "A Crooked Path", "content_html": "

\"woman's “A Crooked Path”

\n

There are stretches of life that resemble the Gunbarrel Highway down the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado…stick straight and you can see for miles. Some stretches offer scenic vistas of families at dinner and in the park. Others are unlit, seemingly endless tunnels with no light at the end. Grief is like driving in the mountains of West Virginia. Some turns are so sharp you meet yourself coming back as my grandma used to say.

\n

I like to stop here at the cemetery some evenings and talk with Mr. Virgo. Whenever I go on a trip with TOW-Wanda, I being him back a rock. I place it around the perimeter of his grave and tell him where I’ve been and what I saw. Tonight I had to tell him I’m going to sell the house and move to Denver to be near the family. I won’t get to visit him as often. I’ll have to bring his rocks in batches. I told him I feel I’m making the right decision but gosh…could he please send me some sort of sign that I’m doing the right thing? Just at that moment, a beautiful mountain bluebird flew up and sat on the post at the head of his grave and started singing to me, cocking its head this way and that, studying me.

\n

I just smiled.

\n

Coincidence? Possibly. But I choose to believe Mr. Virgo hears me and these bluebirds are a sign from him. I see them all the time now whereas before, I was hard pressed to see one occasionally in the yard. I love that.

\n

Thank you, Mr. Virgo…for hanging out with me on a cold, spring evening!

\n", "date_published": "2014-05-01T01:30:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/05/01/a-crooked-path.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","Comfort","Peace","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/29/age-is-just-a-number.html", "title": "Age is Just a Number", "content_html": "

\"woman “Age is Just a Number”

\n

The other night I was talking to my aunt and she was tearful. She turns 80 tomorrow and doesn’t want to be 80. Her husband has been ill and has had a couple of strokes. She has some help with him, but she still does a lot. She’s sitting there watching her husband die slowly. I can understand that she is sad facing such a monumental birthday! So, maybe age ISN’T just a state of mind….just a number. At least not when the waves are crashing. I’ll be 61 next month. I’m sure my views will change if I am blessed with longevity.

\n

That being said…attitude can make a huge difference in how satisfied we are with life…at ANY age. <3

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-29T01:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/29/age-is-just-a-number.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women","Courage","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/25/west-virginia-here-i-come.html", "title": "West Virginia, here I come!", "content_html": "

\"saudade “West Virginia, here I come!”

\n

I’m going home. I’m taking three weeks and heading for the hills. I’m going to visit family, hang with friends, get away in the woods, feel my roots dig deep in the red clay. This is where I get refreshment for my soul. This is where I find the Fountain of Youth. This is where I find my smile. I want a small piece of it to call my very own. I will look to see what I can find while I am there. I could spend a good chunk of the year there easily enough once I retire. I could find a place to park TOW-Wanda and feel right at home. Yes….I’m feeling energized and looking forward to wonderful changes in my life!

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-25T01:30:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/25/west-virginia-here-i-come.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","The Farm","Growth","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/21/out-of-the-mouths-of.html", "title": "Out of the Mouths of Babes", "content_html": "

\"child's “Out of the mouths of babes.”

\n

We all adore our grandchildren and each feel ours are the smartest, the kindest, the most beautiful, the best…and they are. That’s our job as grandmothers…to give them everything we wish we would have been smart enough, and wealthy enough, to give our own children. Grandchildren are our gifts from God…our reward for accepting the daunting task of parenting and surviving.

\n

My grandchildren are, of course, the best. My 10 year old is smart and beautiful and athletic. My 6 year old is my loving, tender, deep thinker. I’m spending a few days with them this week and we are all thrilled.

\n

We are having our annual Easter dinner at my son-in-law’s parents even as I write this. We hunted for Easter eggs and exchanged baskets and took lots of pictures. Then my little one, my thinker, my old soul told me she had something for me. She had made me this card. It was everything I could do not to cry. She misses her Papa. And…she understands me like few adults do.

\n

Yes, my grandchildren are the best.

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-21T01:30:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/21/out-of-the-mouths-of.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Hope","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/14/roots.html", "title": "Roots", "content_html": "

\"old “My Family Roots”

\n

It is at this time of year that I begin longing to see my home place. The older I get, the more I miss my roots in West Virginia. I long to hear the peepers up the holler. Those of you who know what that is, know what I’m missing. The dogwood and redbud trees are blooming. Ramp Festivals are in full swing. A short trip up the hill and you can find some sassafras root to brew up your spring tonic tea. Good for what ails ya, my grandma used to say. Rain on the tin roof. Water in the “crick”. Warm days, cool nights. Family. Friends.

\n

Oh, I miss how green smells.

\n

This is a picture of my ancestors…my roots. My grandma is the young girl in the center. My great-great-grandparents on the far sides. I love the feeling I get when I see the continuity of the gene pool…knowing the curve of my daughter’s face came from this one, and the hair color of my brother came from that one. We are in there, tucked inside this picture…carried along the same as my unborn great grandchildren are. I love this.

\n

West Virginia is calling…and I must go. Soon.

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-14T01:30:48-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/14/roots.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/08/meanwhile-back-on-the-farm.html", "title": "Meanwhile, back on the farm...", "content_html": "

\"woman “Meanwhile, back on the farm…”

\n

This photo makes me smile. We lived in this log house on two acres a few miles out of town. I grew up spending a lot of time on my grandparents’ farm in WV. I owned every issue of Mother Earth News. I cut and split wood. And I wanted a garden, so I borrowed this old John Deere and plowed the south forty. Well, 4000 square feet of it anyway. I had every vegetable you could want and they were growing like crazy. I went back home to visit family the end of June and my husband called me to break the news. We had a hard freeze and my garden was gone. June 23rd. Sigh.

\n

I tried again the next summer and apparently the deer got the memo about the new 4000 square foot salad bar opening up because they were camped out with bibs on. Grrrrr.

\n

I didn’t have a garden for years till I bought this house 14 years ago and I can’t say I have a proper garden. A neighbor moved and left their hot tub saying they’d be back for it. I never heard from them again. I filled it and it worked for a year. When it broke, I filled it with dirt and created the world’s biggest container garden! I got quite a lot of veggies out of it.

\n

Hope you are enjoying your spring…wherever you are!

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-08T01:30:25-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/08/meanwhile-back-on-the-farm.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Uplifting Stories","Strong Women","Fun","Gratitude","Peace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/04/02/mr-virgos-photography.html", "title": "Mr. Virgo's Photography", "content_html": "

\"artistic “Mr. Virgo’s Photography”

\n

Today is my beautiful #2 daughter’s 24th birthday! Happy birthday, sweetheart…I love you so much!!!

\n

I spent a pretty mellow day yesterday sitting in TOW-Wanda listening to music, writing, gazing out at the view watching the prairie dogs chasing each other around the field. It was windy again and pretty chilly. I went in to Dolores to pick up some supplies. They have the cutest little market there with homemade pies and lots of natural foods. Farm fresh eggs!

\n

I know I waited till the last minute, but I tried late Sunday night to sign up for insurance. I have COBRA through Mr. Virgo’s employer but man…it is SO expensive. With the deadline looming, I thought I should check it out to see if I could get something more affordable. I have heard such horror stories about the system and how confusing and difficult it is to navigate. My friend Sue encouraged me to try so I went on the website and called at the same time. I figured that would cover my bases. I must admit, the website for Colorado is a bit confusing. I was on hold for an hour when they came on and took my name and number because there was currently a five hour wait. They asked for a time they could call me on Tuesday and told me that because I had made the attempt before the cutoff time, I would still be able to apply. They called exactly when they told me they would and they took my information. The whole process was extremely easy and I was covered within 20 minutes. MUCH cheaper than the COBRA coverage which will be greatly appreciated. And, I can keep my regular doctor. I am so grateful!

\n

I worked on my book for most of the day. That always leaves me feeling a bit melancholy thinking about my man. For the most part, I do really well these days. But when you are immersed in it for a period of time, you can’t help but stir up deep seated feelings. I went through my collection of photos Mr. Virgo took through the years. This one is one of my favorites. It’s like a painting. He took this when we lived in Denver. The light was perfect and made the reds in our sofa as well as his holster really glow. When I got rid of his guns, these were two that I kept. They were his favorites and remind me of him. A mountain man in a suit. A cowboy in a 5 Star hotel. He was so rich and deep. My love for him is a bottomless well…a source of great comfort in his absence. I miss him so.

\n", "date_published": "2014-04-02T01:30:23-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/04/02/mr-virgos-photography.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Grief","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","The Grand Adventure","Gratitude"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/20/cant-wait.html", "title": "Can't Wait!!!", "content_html": "

\"wander “Not all who wander are lost.” JRR Tolkein

\n

This was taken last summer up at Steamboat Lake above Steamboat Springs. I am chomping at the bit to get on the road! I just found out (after 3 hours making travel plans this morning) that both of my kids are off for spring break next week. I’m changing my plans so I can spend time with them and leave for my road trip a little later than I was going to! Can’t pass up family time!

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-20T01:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/20/cant-wait.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Grief","Camping","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","goRVing","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/15/spring.html", "title": "Spring!!!", "content_html": "

\"temperature “Spring!!!”

\n

Ok, March and April can be our snowiest months in Colorado. But I’ll tell you what, I’ll take a day like this any time of year!

\n

Love, love, love the sunshine and warmth!!!

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-15T01:30:29-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/15/spring.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Growth","Gratitude","Comfort"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/14/colorado-blue-blaster-day.html", "title": "Colorado Blue Blaster Day!!!", "content_html": "

\"blue “Colorado Blue Blaster Day!!!”

\n

Coffee with the girls this morning then drove with TOW-Wanda to Denver. Watching ‘High School Musical’ at Westminster High School. Can’t wait to see the grandchildren dancing in the finale! It is reminiscent of when their mommy was in theater.

\n

Tomorrow, my younger daughter and I will get together and do something epic. (It’s a surprise!) Saturday night will be a sleepover with the grandgirls in the trailer. Sunday I’m meeting dear friends to go to church. Then back home on Monday. A four day weekend will be gone before I know it!

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-14T01:30:42-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/14/colorado-blue-blaster-day.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/12/one-year-gone.html", "title": "One Year Gone", "content_html": "

\"handsome “My Handsome Mr. Virgo”

\n

I miss you. I sense you around every corner. I hear your laughter in the mountain stream as I bait my hook. I see your smile in the pink glow of the setting sun. I smell you on your jacket…earth, tobacco, leather. I feel your touch with the noonday sun on my shoulders.

\n

I miss you. I taste your lips in an olive and bread and pomegranates. I remember our only dance. I ache for the memory to come alive, for just a moment, so I can hold you once again in my arms, feeling our bodies sway in time with the music.

\n

I miss you. I miss the intensity of your blue eyes when you told me I was adored. The way they crinkled when you told a funny story. The way they looked off in the distance toward the mountains, yearning to be off in the woods.

\n

I miss you. The cup of coffee in bed. The hand on the small of my back leading me to the table at our favorite restaurant. Holding hands in the car. The sound of your voice when you called me your baby doll.

\n

I miss you. The cigar on the golf course. The Tuesday drives. The history and opera lessons. The stories…ahhhh, the stories.

\n

I miss you. The romantic greeting cards. The surprise orchids. The hand extended across the table between courses. The soft breathing by my side.

\n

I miss you. The pretend boxing matches in the kitchen. The tickles. The bear hugs. The warm chocolate chip cookies. The sweetness of your smile in the dark.

\n

I miss you. Oh, I miss you so much my breath gets caught in my chest. I miss you with the tears that stung just behind my eyes when I found your note…“Happy Valentine’s Day, my Love!” I miss you in the birdsong out my window, the call of the elk bugling across the valley, in the sunrise you were so fond of.

\n

Today, I will miss you with the white heat of the sun. Today, my heart will break open yet again. Today, my pain will sear my brain and paralyze me with fear. And tomorrow? Tomorrow, my sweet Mr. Virgo, I will begin the next chapter. I will spread my wings and fly. I will be strong, and brave, and courageous. I will step out of my comfort zone and live the life God intends me to live.

\n

But, for today….I miss you.

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-12T01:30:04-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/12/one-year-gone.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Love","Courage"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/07/growing-up.html", "title": "Growing Up", "content_html": "

\"vintage “Growing Up…that’s my mama, back row, far right.”

\n

I’m sure most of you will relate to this to some extent…I feel like I’ve grown up more in the last year than I have in my whole life. Widowhood forces you to really look deep at yourself, your core values, your beliefs, your goals. A friend of mind told me today that nothing strikes fear in your heart more than death and money. That is so true.

\n

I was talking with one of my best friends the other night. I was telling him there has only been a couple of years in my life that I took care of myself (and my child) all on my own. The rest of the time, I’ve had a partner to share the burden with me. I’ve been a “kept woman” for most of my adult life. I was always grateful. I wasn’t always appreciative. And, in the long run, it did not serve me well.

\n

I am fortunate to have at least some money to allow me to have taken this past year to regroup. I was not nearly as careful with my money as I should have been. I’ve spoken to many other widows who say the same thing, so it’s not just me. We’ve all made financial mistakes. The best you can hope for is that they were not disastrous.

\n

There are other mistakes we make and we wonder if we learned ANYTHING in our younger years. We have jumped into relationships too fast. We have given things away too soon. We thought we were sane. Ha! Medically speaking, there are many similarities between grief and pathology. In other words, we really can be pretty crazy when we are actively grieving.

\n

One of the first things I was told was “Do NOT make big, life changing decisions in the first year.” For the most part, I stuck to that. I went to a financial advisor and she drew up a great plan. It’s not that I ignored it, per se. I just couldn’t see how it pertained to me. I know…crazy. I’ve said this before, but I can almost pinpoint on the calendar the exact day I came out of the fog and realized I’d spent too much money. It was devastating. Don’t get me wrong, I’m ok. I’m not losing my house or anything like that. There’s still enough of the life insurance left to get by for a year if I’m frugal. I am very grateful. But, I’ve definitely made mistakes.

\n

Now I’m at that point in my life where I’m going to have to do something to bring in money. I need to re-learn the skills I had as a young, single mom so I can support myself. I know, I know…I’m 60 years old, right? It’s almost embarrassing that I am just now doing this. So, unless I WIN Powerball (which I hear you actually have to buy tickets for! Who knew?), or some extremely wealthy benefactor comes along and offers to take care of me, I’m going to have to get a real J-O-B. Gosh…I’m such a princess…really, I am.

\n

For sale: One very well used tiara! Inquire within.

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-07T02:30:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/07/growing-up.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Growth","Courage","Aging"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/03/05/resurrection.html", "title": "Resurrection", "content_html": "

\"man “What if they came back?”

\n

No, not in the Christian sense. There is a new show starting March 9th…two days before the anniversary of Mr. Virgo’s death. It’s called “The Resurrection” and it’s about people coming back from the dead. Science fiction. Apparently it’s being advertised pretty heavily. I’m glad I don’t watch TV.

\n

When I first read about it, I thought “That’s something Mr. Virgo and I might have watched together and enjoyed.” Then I went to the website and saw stills of the actors, with the stunned looks on their faces as they “saw” their loved ones lost for the first time. A look of disbelief, hope, relief. I felt my heart twist. Did these program developers give any thought to how their show might be received by those who are grieving? Apparently not.

\n

How do you feel about “The Resurrection”? Will you watch it? At what point does our armor get so thick things like this cannot penetrate our hearts?

\n", "date_published": "2014-03-05T02:30:13-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/03/05/resurrection.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Grief"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/02/10/heaven.html", "title": "Heaven", "content_html": "

\"view “Mr. Virgo’s Idea of Heaven”

\n

Mr. Virgo lived his life. He had stories that were so entertaining, I would often ask him to tell me over and over. I marveled at the places he went, the people he met, the things he did. He lived his life, but he also questioned what was coming next. He was a Christian, so he knew he was going to Heaven. But, what does Heaven look like? Is it some ethereal thing with streets paved in gold? Is it like earth, only different? Is it whatever you want it to be? There are those who claim to have been there during near-death experiences and I’m not sure I have read any two accounts that match exactly. Mr. Virgo and I used to talk about it. We would theorize, debate, quote, read, watch movies and discuss just what we felt it would be like. His view of Heaven was very simple. It was this picture, taken at an overlook near Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Whenever we would stop here on our way down from the mountains, he would just stare out at this vista and sigh. This was perfection. He would have a log cabin. He would be a mountain man, hunting and trapping and gathering food. He would chop his own wood and carry water from a pristine stream. He would fish and bake biscuits in a Dutch oven. He would sit on the front porch in the evening in a rocking chair he built himself. He would whittle and listen to the evening birds as they swooped to catch the mayflies. And he would visit with God. He pictured God sitting on that front porch with him every evening, discussing the great mysteries of life. He would see his family again. He would meet Lincoln, and JFK, and Mother Theresa. He would rest. He was most looking forward to seeing Jesus. He wanted to ask him every question there was to ask.

\n

I like to look at this picture and imagine him doing all those things he said he would do in Heaven. I like to picture him with Jesus. It gives me peace.

\n", "date_published": "2014-02-10T02:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/02/10/heaven.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace","God"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/02/09/glorification.html", "title": "Glorification", "content_html": "

\"glorifying “As part of my healing, I had to stop ‘glorifying’ my husband and list the things about him that irritated me.” Sue

\n

In order to justify some decisions I was making not too long after Mr. Virgo died, I started talkin’ smack about my man. I know now what that was all about. Psychologically, it is easier if you don’t miss someone and the quickest way to not miss them is to find fault. The opposite of that is glorification.

\n

I’m not kidding when I tell you Mr. Virgo was perfect because he was perfect for ME. We never raised our voices to one another, not once in over seven years. That is remarkable. He gave me just the right amount of attention without suffocating me. He gave me the kind of affection that made me feel his love without being clingy. I read a meme the other day that said a woman needs a man that will ruin her lipstick, not her mascara. That was Mr. Virgo. He never made me cry…not once. Well, until he died on me.

\n

That being said, he wasn’t perfect. I could NOT get him to take a night off from the television and just talk or play a game. We ate every meal at the coffee table in front of that $&@!#%@ television that had to be blaring in order for him to hear it. He pouted for days if I left to visit the kids because he didn’t get to go. He wanted me to be sitting beside him watching the same show so we could discuss it during the commercials. Argh! He had to eat three substantial meals a day on his days off to the point that I felt we were eating all the time. My weight ballooned because he didn’t like it if I didn’t eat with him. He was a Virgo and I am a Gemini. He sorted his closet by color…you can barely shut the door on mine. I made piles. This made him crazy. It took him FOREVER to get ready to go someplace. All those good looks and that “Polo polish” came at a price and he did NOT like to feel rushed.

\n

At some point in your grief, you need to have a heart to heart talk with yourself and examine your loved one critically. Let yourself feel ok about your feelings. No one is perfect, with the exception of God and an innocent child. It’s ok to look at your loved one with a critical eye. It does not mean you didn’t just flat out adore them when they were here. It means, in order to make progress on your grief journey, you have to be realistic. That doesn’t make you a bad person. That makes you a healthy person.

\n", "date_published": "2014-02-09T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/02/09/glorification.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Fear","Forgiveness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/02/08/the-mouths-of-babes.html", "title": "The Mouths of Babes", "content_html": "

\"good “Some good things come out of the worst of times. Molly, age 6”

\n

My six…almost seven year old granddaughter is one of the most profound thinkers I have ever known. On the night Mr. Virgo was buried, we were sitting at dinner and the divine Miss M sat by me, held my hand and said, “Nana, I am so sorry for what happened to Papa…you must be so sad.” She went on to take her crayons and draw a circle with a cross in it and gave it to me.

\n

“This is for you, Nana.”

\n

“That’s beautiful, honey. What is it?”

\n

“This is for you to put on Papa’s pillow to remind you that he died and didn’t just go on vacation without you.”

\n

That’s is deep on a couple of levels. First, being left behind on purpose is a fate worse than death to a 5 year old. And second, don’t fool yourself into thinking he’s coming back because he’s not. She is a pragmatist, she thinks and feels deeply, and she is six.

\n

We went to the mall for Valentine shoes on Saturday. (Doesn’t every girl need new shoes for Valentine’s Day?) We were looking at pictures over lunch and when we came to one of her Papa, she told me she still misses him. A little later, she was trying on her new cowgirl boots and caught my eye with a very serious look on her face.

\n

“Nana, some good things come out of the worst of times.”

\n

Indeed, they do, Miss M…indeed they do.

\n", "date_published": "2014-02-08T02:30:39-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/02/08/the-mouths-of-babes.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Gratitude","Comfort","Grace"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/02/01/be-yourselfeveryone-else-is-taken.html", "title": "Be Yourself...Everyone Else is Taken", "content_html": "

\"dr. “Be Yourself…Everyone Else is Taken”

\n

I’ve been sitting here for the last 15-20 minutes trying to come up with something more profound than that, but I’m empty tonight. I had a productive day. I’ve been typing my manuscript which entails reading a lot of the things I wrote in the first few months after Mr. Virgo died. That is a lot like having your appendix removed without anesthesia. But it must be done now, while it’s relatively fresh and the raw bits are still easily accessed. It’s exhausting and I can only do so many pages before I’m emotionally drained. While a nap might sound nice, there is too much escapism involved there. I needed to get out among the living.

\n

I drove to town and had dinner at the local brew pub. I had a cool old Bennett Brothers Catalog from 1963 to browse and escape to a simpler time. I had just finished eating when my ex-husband and his wife came in for dinner. I was so excited because I hadn’t seen them since Thanksgiving. They were going to sit in the next booth but I asked them to sit with me. We had such a lovely visit. We talked about the kids and the grandkids. What we did over the holidays. This and that. When his wife excused herself for a moment, I leaned over and told my ex how much I love her and how happy I am for him. I winked and said, “See? You got to have TWO fabulous wives in your life!” There were many, many years when he and I were not being genuine and it darned near killed the both of us. And now look. I had a wonderful marriage, albeit too short. And he is in the throes of an epic love. I love that!

\n

Sometimes….sometimes you find an epic love, and for whatever reason, it doesn’t work. Poor timing, mismatched feelings, or for no reason you can even explain. The only thing you can do is remain true to yourself and be brave enough to speak. Always tell the truth when your feelings are involved because you know “what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”. When left unspoken, words harden in your heart like cement. It’s much more difficult to get them out once they are stone.

\n

After dinner, I went to the hot springs and soaked and soaked and soaked. And now I’m done. I’ve used it all up and tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow is time to recharge at church and watch the Broncos win the Super Bowl!

\n

Have a blessed day, everyone.

\n", "date_published": "2014-02-01T02:30:20-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/02/01/be-yourselfeveryone-else-is-taken.html", "tags": ["Family","Grace","Forgiveness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2014/01/25/a-leap-of-faith.html", "title": "A Leap of Faith", "content_html": "

\"grand “Grand Canyon”

\n

In 2011, Mr. Virgo and I found ourselves living in Denver and hating it. We both had long commutes and felt like hamsters on a wheel merely moving from the cage of home to the cage of work. One day in May, Mr. Virgo came home from work and looked so worn down. Our renters had decided not to renew the lease on our house in the mountains so I took one look and my poor man and said, “Why don’t we just go in to work tomorrow and quit our jobs and go home?” His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and within two weeks, we were moved and settling in. We neither one had jobs, nor were there any good prospects. This, like many other times in my life, was a leap of faith. I knew in my heart it was time to go home and everything else would fall into place. God always takes care of us.

\n

Mr. Virgo and I spent the summer getting the house in good shape and repaired the landscaping. Then we took off for two weeks and went back to WV to visit family. We had a wonderful trip and were well rested and ready to go when we returned. Mr. V hit the computer hard and sent out resume after resume and it wasn’t long till he had a job. I hadn’t done a thing.

\n

Mr. V: “Shouldn’t you be putting your resume out there and start applying for jobs?”

\n

Me: “It’s not time yet.”

\n

Mr. V: “What do you mean?”

\n

Me: “The perfect job is coming but she’s not ready for me yet.”

\n

Mr. V, puzzled: “WHO’S not ready for you yet?”

\n

Me: “Beats me. The perfect job is coming but not till the end of August.”

\n

He knew me well enough by that time to know not to question me when I got one of my “feelings” and he left it alone. Sure enough, I answered an ad in the paper on August 25th and had the job two days later. This kind of thing happens to me all the time and I have learned not to question it. I believe it’s a God thing. Sometimes it’s an inner voice. Sometimes it’s a gut feeling. Sometimes it’s a message that jumps at me, like words jumping off a page. It used to frighten me, but after it happened so many times, I’ve learned to trust it. Writing this blog and the book I am compiling is like that…I just know it’s what I’m supposed to be doing and where it takes me will surely unfold like a roadmap taken from the glove box.

\n

Sometimes we just have to jump and the net will appear. We have to have faith.

\n", "date_published": "2014-01-25T02:30:35-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2014/01/25/a-leap-of-faith.html", "tags": ["Faith","Family","Growth"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/11/26/over-the-river.html", "title": "Over the River", "content_html": "

I remember learning this song in grade school. I wonder if they still teach it. It always excited me because I knew before long we would be gathered around my Grandma’s table out at the farm with a bounty of wonderful food. My favorite was her pumpkin pie. She grew her own pumpkins and made the filling from scratch. She always complained that she couldn’t make a pie crust that was fit to eat but it seemed those pies were always gone in a flash!

\n

This year, I am taking my brother Gary and heading to Denver in the ol’ 4WD sleigh. The weather forecast calls for clear skies with the highs in the 50’s so the drive should be just fine. We are all gathering at my son-in-law’s parent’s house and I’m guessing there will be a couple dozen of us. I am thinking of the grandchildren. We are making memories for them that they will carry on into their own adult lives and will hopefully pass on to their families someday. That gives me such a warm, fuzzy feeling. We must make it an epic holiday for our little ones. While we are often busy catching up with the adults that we perhaps haven’t seen for quite awhile, we have to make an effort to get down to the kids’ level and do something really fun with them. Let them help with dinner, set the table, make place cards or table decorations, carry things to the table, stir a pot…anything that makes them feel included and a part of things.

\n

This year, Hanukkah starts on Thanksgiving night. I don’t remember that happening in the past but, then again, I didn’t Google it either. We celebrate Hanukkah because my ex is Jewish and we celebrated all the Jewish holidays in our house. This has carried on in a wonderful tradition of blended family gatherings and this year will be no exception. I bought a few little gifts to share with the children and grands as well as something for Gary so he doesn’t feel left out.

\n

If you are traveling, please travel safely! Hug your loved ones close and cherish the moments!

\n \n", "date_published": "2013-11-26T02:30:35-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/11/26/over-the-river.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/11/26/thanksgivukkah.html", "title": "Thanksgivukkah", "content_html": "

\"Thanksgivukkah\" “Thanksgivukkah”

\n

Thanksgivukkah, 11/28/2013.

\n

Yep, I was right…this is a once in a lifetime event! Thanksgiving and Hanukkah will not fall on the same day again until the year 79,811! So, let’s all be Jewish this year and celebrate such a monumental event! Top your latkes with turkey and cranberry sauce! Play “Spin the Turkey”! Sing “I Had a Little Turkey”! Oy, Vey…this is going to be FUN!!!

\n

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday today, and remember…it doesn’t matter what you celebrate…just be grateful for all the blessing we have been given!

\n

(We’ll miss you, Mr. Virgo…but I know you are smiling down on us!)

\n

photo courtesy of www.zazzle.com/happy_tha…

\n", "date_published": "2013-11-26T02:30:14-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/11/26/thanksgivukkah.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Holiday"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/10/07/valley-hall-school-dutchman-run.html", "title": "Valley Hall School. Dutchman Run, Macfarlan, WV", "content_html": "

\"Valley “Valley Hall School”

\n

It may be difficult to read, but this is the sign over the entry to the school yard for Valley Hall School. It was a little one room school house that my mom and her siblings attended a mile or so from home. The building is standing, however it’s been converted to a weekend cabin of sorts. The swing is still at the back of the yard.

\n

I have been very busy relaxing! I have enjoyed my aunt’s company and listening to stories of times past. I’ve been walking every day down the country roads of West Virginia. I’ve been cooking country meals of fried potatoes and ham. I’m enjoying getting together with friends. I went to the little white church on the hill yesterday that I have attended since before memory. It was Communion Sunday and we had 14 in attendance…a banner day! It rained all night and I didn’t sleep because I wanted to hear every drop on the tin roof. I’m sitting in the cemetery on top of the hill as that is the only place I can get cell service! The sun is setting through the leaves of gold, the breeze moving our flag so slightly. Those who rest here have no knowledge of government shutdowns, politics, or war. The days are all the same. I find that immensely comforting.

\n

Tomorrow I head to Charleston to pick up my friend. Mr. B will be here till Monday and we are really looking forward to traipsing around the WV hills together, meeting each others’ families, seeing old friends, and revisiting a little of those glory days of our high school years. I feel so full of love, joy, and peace!

\n

I hope you all have a fabulous week!

\n", "date_published": "2013-10-07T01:30:35-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/10/07/valley-hall-school-dutchman-run.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories","West Virginia"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/08/09/life-is-an-echo.html", "title": "Life is an Echo", "content_html": "

\"meme “Life is an Echo”

\n

I have had a such a wonderful week reconnecting with family in Chicago. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

\n", "date_published": "2013-08-09T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/08/09/life-is-an-echo.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/08/07/bingo.html", "title": "Bingo!", "content_html": "

Ooooooh, these Midwestern women sure love their Bingo! I went with my Aunt Rose and my new friend, Ann, to the Bingo hall last night. What a hoot! I won $5, lost about $95…such is the nature of the gamble. That was $95 worth of fun watching my aunt smile and have a good time. It is uncanny how much Aunt Rose looks like my mom and my grandma. It’s like having a visit with them long after they’ve been gone. That being said, you wouldn’t catch my grandma DEAD playing Bingo! That there’s the work o’ the Devil himself!

\n

Have a great day!

\n", "date_published": "2013-08-07T01:30:09-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/08/07/bingo.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/31/crazy-horse-memorial.html", "title": "Crazy Horse Memorial", "content_html": "\"\"\n

While this was certainly a beautiful memorial, I wonder if it will ever be completed in even my grandchildren’s lifetime. They wanted to stay for the laser light show on the rocks after dark, I got us there WAY too early (4 hours!), and by the time the show started, it was cold and drizzling. The show consisted of the story of the sculptor being asked by a Native American elder to create a memorial to show Americans they had heroes, too. It went on to talk about the lands being taken away from the tribes. And ended with Lee Greenwood’s song, God Bless the USA, which was rather an odd way to sum everything up. Anyway, I wanted to post this because it really will be a beautiful monument some day.

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-31T01:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/31/crazy-horse-memorial.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/31/dinosaur-park.html", "title": "Dinosaur Park", "content_html": "

\"Dinosaur “Dinosaur Park”

\n

Dinosaur Park.

\n

The girls loved this!

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-31T01:30:29-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/31/dinosaur-park.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/30/towwanda-at-spokane-creek-campground.html", "title": "TOW-Wanda at Spokane Creek Campground", "content_html": "

\"camper “TOW-Wanda at Spokane Creek”

\n

TOW-Wanda! Spokane Creek Campground, Iron Mountain Road, Keystone, SD.

\n

I would definitely recommend this campground to anyone visiting Mt. Rushmore. Very clean, quiet right at 10:30PM, cafe/store, pool, showers, friendly and fun!

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-30T01:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/30/towwanda-at-spokane-creek-campground.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/30/wild-donkey.html", "title": "Wild Donkey", "content_html": "

\"wild “Wild Donkey”

\n

Wild Donkey. Wildlife Loop, Custer State Park, SD.

\n

We arrived back in Denver at about 9:15PM, safe and sound. Everyone is tired but we still had to spend an hour or so telling the other grandparents about all our adventures! This was our last wild animal encounter as we left the park, although I wouldn’t exactly call these guys “wild”. They were perfectly happy sticking their head in car windows in search of a handout or a scratch on the head!

\n

 

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-30T01:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/30/wild-donkey.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/29/road-trip-south-dakota.html", "title": "Road Trip - South Dakota", "content_html": "

\"buffalo\" “Tatanka!”

\n

Wildlife Loop, Custer State Park, SD

\n

Tatanka! On our way home…what a fun trip!

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-29T01:30:56-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/29/road-trip-south-dakota.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/28/tunnel-on-needles-highway-custer.html", "title": "TUNNEL ON NEEDLES HIGHWAY - CUSTER STATE PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA", "content_html": "\"Tunnel\n

On our way to see the Crazy Horse Monument. There were places on the Needles Highway that we had to fold in the side mirrors to get through the tunnels! Fun!

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-28T02:00:59-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/28/tunnel-on-needles-highway-custer.html", "tags": ["Family","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/27/mount-rushmore-south-dakota.html", "title": "MOUNT RUSHMORE, SOUTH DAKOTA", "content_html": "\"Mount\n

Way cool! So much fun being with family!

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-27T02:00:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/27/mount-rushmore-south-dakota.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/27/bear-country-usa-south-dakota.html", "title": "BEAR COUNTRY USA - SOUTH DAKOTA", "content_html": "\"Bear\n

Bear in Bear Country USA Park, South Dakota.

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-27T02:00:29-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/27/bear-country-usa-south-dakota.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/27/apatosaurus-rapid-city-south-dakota.html", "title": "APATOSAURUS - RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA", "content_html": "\"Apatosaurus,\n

Who knew?

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-27T02:00:28-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/27/apatosaurus-rapid-city-south-dakota.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/26/trailer-ornament.html", "title": "TRAILER ORNAMENT", "content_html": "\"Tiny\n

After a very long day at work, I headed for Denver. In order to cut an hour off my day, I drove down last night and slept in the trailer in the parking lot behind the office. It was a pretty easy commute this morning!

\n

Arrived in Denver at 10 and we’re getting up early to head for Mt. Rushmore! I’ll post when I see something interesting.

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-26T02:00:46-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/26/trailer-ornament.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/26/wyoming-state-line.html", "title": "WYOMING STATE LINE", "content_html": "\"Family\n", "date_published": "2013-07-26T02:00:04-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/26/wyoming-state-line.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/24/clematis-on-the-farm.html", "title": "CLEMATIS ON THE FARM", "content_html": "\"White\n

I have been running around like a chicken today. Trying to get everything done before the next round of travel. This was taken in the front yard at my family farm. My grandma loved flowers. My aunt told me that all the flowers on the hillside beside the house had been lovingly transplanted from the old home place back on the hill. Grandma was a wonderful woman and was a perfect role model for her family.

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-24T02:00:29-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/24/clematis-on-the-farm.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Positive Energy","West Virginia","The Farm"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/07/09/home-sweet-home.html", "title": "HOME SWEET HOME", "content_html": "\"Old\n

Home. Home, sweet home. Home is where the heart is. There’s no place like home. West Virginia.

\n

After an incredibly long delay in Cleveland, my brother and I finally fell in our beds at 1:30 this morning which was 3:30 Eastern Time. Then up early and another 4 hours’ drive with stops along the way before I got Gary to his place. He is a wonderful traveling companion. He reads the road signs, has interesting thoughts for conversation, and is so easily pleased he made traveling a joy. As most of you know, Gary has a developmental disability which he has really been able to work around and learn to live as independent a life as possible. He came to live near me 9 years ago after our mom died. I asked him if he accomplished all he wanted to do in his trip and his answer really surprised me. He said he felt he finally “got WV out of his system”. After many attempts at trying to explain what he meant, I eventually understood that Colorado is the home of his heart now and he is certain he would not be happy living in West Virginia again. I can understand that. He has a life here that he most certainly would not have achieved had he remained in Parkersburg. As a matter of fact, he told me today that if he would have stayed there after mom died, he more than likely would be living in a nursing home now. The reality of that wrenched my heart because it is true.

\n

We drove along in silence for awhile and I told him, while he had discovered the home of his heart is truly Colorado, I had solidified that the home of my heart is West Virginia. I cried when the plane crossed the Ohio River and I touched the ground of “home”. I slept the deep sleep of contentment in my grandma’s bed, listening to the creek out the window and the rain on the tin roof. I photographed everything that I wanted to etch in my memory, as if these things weren’t already permanently embedded in my DNA. I started crying three days before we left just at the thought that I might not be at the farm again, or at least, the clock is ticking. My beautiful, eloquent, erudite aunt is 80 now. She lives at the family farm. She is the last sibling to live there. The others have their own places. Even though I LIVED in Parkersburg, I was RAISED on this farm and it is my home. I have lived in Colorado for 38 years. Doesn’t matter. When I think of “home”, it is this farm. It is my heart. I know every turn in the road, every contour of the land, every sound in the hollow. Just the smell of the earth, the rain, the trees, the flowers, are enough to send my heart soaring. This is my home. My earliest memory is at the table on my grandma’s knee. I shut my eyes and I can see the little girl I was, running to catch lightning bugs in a jar, setting up the moss and the acorns on “Tea Table Rock” with my cousins and our dolls, smushing over-ripe strawberries into my mouth with fat little-girl hands…juices dripping from my fingers and chin. This is my home. This is the place where my beloved Pop-Pop lay in his coffin for three days, resting under the living room window, with my grandma ever vigilant beside him. This is where I learned to cook, to quilt, to can. This is where I learned about God, learned to pray, to go to church, to be a good person. This is where I brought my babies to be rocked and loved on and spoiled as only grandmas can do, where they combed their “Big Grandma’s” hair, and took moon baths by the rain barrel on hot August nights. This is my home, it flows through my veins as surely as my lifeblood.

\n

I am certain that these things hit me more deeply this trip because my heart is still tender, my feelings still raw and open after losing the other part of my heart in March. I have already lost so much, must I also lose my “home”? It happens to almost everyone, I suppose. There comes a time when things of the past are just that…the past. I have my children, my grandchildren, my brother, my friends here in Colorado. I have built a life here. But forever, and for always, this farm will be my home.

\n", "date_published": "2013-07-09T02:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/07/09/home-sweet-home.html", "tags": ["Family","Uplifting Stories","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","West Virginia"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/24/canoe-chapman-dam-state-park.html", "title": "CANOE - CHAPMAN DAM STATE PARK, COLORADO", "content_html": "\"Canoe\n

Another photo from my tacked on, 4 extra day, camping trip last week. Isn’t this soothing? I sat here for hours and contemplated that red canoe. Oh, what I could do with a red canoe! I would take it out on beautiful, clear mountain lakes, drop a line, read a book, take a snooze, get a few good snapshots of wildlife, perhaps. These trips are just what I need right now. I’m not getting anything done at the house. I don’t like being in my house. Mr. Virgo isn’t in my house anymore. It’s like it’s not even my house. Like it’s crying. Like it has somehow misplaced a part of itself and it can’t figure out what to do next. No, wait, that’s me. I’m ok, really. It’s just that, right now, I don’t like my house. And for now, that’s ok, too.

\n

Last Saturday, I decided to clean out Mr. Virgo’s closet. My son-in-law can use some of the things and my daughter works at a poor, inner-city school and she will find someone who can use the rest. That’s good. These things should go to someone who can use them. But I forgot something very important. I forgot Sunday was Father’s Day. I woke up, grabbed my iPad to check the news, e-mail, weather, and Facebook to see what the world was up to. And there they were…well wishes to all the Dads out there. And I was sitting there, no sweetheart to wish Happy Father’s Day to, and to add insult to injury, his clothes were in bags on the floor surrounding what used to be OUR bed. I sat there and contemplated that. I decided I really didn’t need to be sitting there, looking at what was left of his snappy wardrobe, and perhaps start to feel sorry for myself. This just wouldn’t do. This is what I bought a travel trailer for. I keep it packed and at the ready for emergencies such as this. I went away, I fished, I read, I napped, I drove, I hiked, I cooked, and then I came home. And now I am ready to take another bite out of this apple!

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-24T02:00:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/24/canoe-chapman-dam-state-park.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/21/colorado-wildflowers.html", "title": "COLORADO WILDFLOWERS", "content_html": "\"Colorado\n

I called my second ex-husband (yes, Mr. Virgo was hubby #3. Third time’s the charm, right?) to wish him Happy Father’s Day. He was driving and a captive audience so we had a nice, long conversation. The subject came around to the question of how I am doing. After awhile, he commented that this whole process is really complicated. As usual, I think of what I SHOULD have said a day or so after the fact. What I should have said was, I don’t look at it as complicated. Complicated has a certain negative connotation to it. I look at my loss and the grief that follows as complex and multifaceted. You figure out one thing at a time but you are faced with an ever changing landscape to navigate. I view this whole process as a diamond. The more facets there are, the more valuable it is. The more lessons I can learn. The more directions I can grow. We are faced with many losses in life. When you face yours, look for the diamonds.

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-21T02:00:47-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/21/colorado-wildflowers.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Grief","Positive Energy","Camping"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/06/11/the-grand-adventure-continues.html", "title": "THE GRAND ADVENTURE CONTINUES", "content_html": "\"Desert\n

Wow, the last couple of weeks flew by. I stayed off the grid for most of it. I didn’t have electricity, cell service or Internet and I’m telling you, there’s something to be said for getting away from everything. I went first to the Front Range to stay the night then off to my first Sisters on the Fly Event, which was a complete blast! I met some great gals. We had an event at the Altona Grange and gave tours of our trailers and raised money for both the Grange and for Casting for Recovery, a charity that provides fly fishing expeditions for breast cancer patients and survivors. On Sunday, 6/2, I drove on up to Rocky Mountain National Park and stayed two nights, then back to Denver to watch the grandchildren. We “practice camped” in their other grandma’s driveway. What a hoot! Then on Thursday night, I drove up into the Poudre Canyon. I guess I really didn’t know how bad the fire was up there last year. It was pretty devastated. I stayed one night in Dutch George Campground near the west end of the canyon where the fire damage wasn’t so bad. I love sleeping next to a river…very soothing.

\n

While I’ve been on this trip, I have seen more wildlife than all of our travels combined with the exception of the trip to Yellowstone last year. Dan was the on that always saw bears when we lived in Pagosa Springs and I never saw one in Colorado, and I’ve lived here since 1975. So, I was talking to Mr. Virgo and thanked him for bringing all the animals to me to see on this trip. Then I chided him for not bringing me a bear. Last Friday morning I left early to head west toward Steamboat Springs. I was on CO 14 heading west and if you have never been over that way, you MUST put it on your bucket list. You climb and climb till to reach the top of Cameron Pass which is over 10,000 feet. There’s a reservoir at the top that was still half frozen so I parked in the lot to give the engine a chance to cool down. After awhile I took off down the other side. Just a little ways down, there is a pull off where you can get an amazing view and then the road has a sharp turn to the right. Just as I cam around that turn, there was the most beautiful, BIG bear standing alongside the road, not 15 feet from me. I reached for my camera and the disk was full! Argh! By the time I got my cell cameral open and ready, he just went right over the side of the bank and out of view. Mr. Virgo brought me my bear and I suppose it was just for him and me to have. Pretty neat!

\n

When I got to Steamboat, I decided to keep going up to Steamboat Lake State Park and camped there for two days. I left there yesterday morning and decided to squeeze one more day into the trip and stayed at Sylvan Lake State Park south of Eagle. I have driven by that sign a zillion times and never went there. WOW! If you haven’t been there, that is another thing to put on your bucket list. The most amazing thing about it was the lack of pine beetle damage. So many places are just devastated with the majority of the pine trees dead and it’s been long enough now that they are falling and being removed. The valley up by Sylvan Lake honestly looks like Colorado did before the pine beetle infestation. The only bad part was, even on a Sunday, it was pretty packed, pretty noisy, and very smoky.

\n

I got up early today and headed home. It’s so hot here compared to the alpine campgrounds I’ve been staying in. I emptied out the car and the trailer and everything is where I left it in the living room. Tomorrow I’ll start putting it away and doing laundry. Part 2 of the Grand adventure is over. I have met many wonderful people. I have made some great connections for my jewelry. But one of the best things that happened was connecting with women, telling them of my loss, and demonstrating to them that just because our spouses die, doesn’t mean we do and there is no reason why we can’t move forward, with whatever means we have available, and still have a life and create more joyful memories. I have tons of pictures and I found that I can’t put too many out at a time or it floods your page. So, while I am fussing around the house over the next couple of weeks, preparing for Part 3 of the Grand Adventure, I will post some of the better shots of Parts 1 and 2.

\n

In the meantime, the Ritz Carlton where Mr. Virgo worked, is having a memorial service for him tomorrow and will plant a tree and place a plaque in his memory. This of course brings up lots of feelings, but now I can think of the happy things we did together and when I talk to people about him, I glow and tell people how wonderful he was and how grateful I am that I had him in my life. I am looking forward to the conversations I will have with his coworkers tomorrow.

\n", "date_published": "2013-06-11T02:00:34-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/06/11/the-grand-adventure-continues.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Travel","Sisters on the Fly","TOW-Wanda!","Camping","The Grand Adventure"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/05/14/day-of-the-grand-adventure.html", "title": "DAY 4 \u0026 5 OF THE GRAND ADVENTURE", "content_html": "

Internet is spotty so I am posting by phone. Yesterday was a fun day with Daughter #2…shopping, lunch, dropped off the computer with the Geek Squad at Best Buy and bought a new photo printer/scanner. Today, I am waiting for the yoga studio to open for 8:00 meditation. Maybe #2 will be up when that’s over. Then we can do a yoga class. I am spending the rest of the day with my creations! Even though I miss Mr. Virgo terribly, this is the first time in my life I have been free. It’s an extraordinary feeling.

\n", "date_published": "2013-05-14T02:00:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/05/14/day-of-the-grand-adventure.html", "tags": ["Family","Hope","Fun"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/04/09/what-a-difference-a-day.html", "title": "WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES", "content_html": "\"Man\n

When I last posted here, my world was still in one piece. It was a Friday. There was a blizzard. I worked in the office that week instead of getting anything done in the studio. I went out the day before and bought an Expedition so Mr. Virgo and I could travel in comfort and enjoy life instead of waiting till retirement. He texted me that morning to tell me he loved me and to see what I was up to. At about 2 in the afternoon, he called to see what was for supper. As he always did, he called me at 5:30-6:00 to tell me he was just leaving the parking garage. We talked till he got halfway home then I scooted into the kitchen and got the food going. I sat back down in the living room and called him back, just to hear his voice. I told him to let me know when he got to the bridge and I would get back in the kitchen to put the finishing touches on his favorite dish. Then, back to my perch in the living room to watch for his headlights. When I saw him turn into the driveway, I jumped up, flung open the door, waited till he was out of the car so he could hear me, and yelled “BABY!”. He turned to me and smiled and said, “Hey, honey!” I told him, “Get yer butt in here!” and he said, “I’m a tryin’.” He came in the door, tired, but grinning from ear to ear and said, “Mmmmm, that smells great, babe!” and I pretended to blush and said “Come on, let’s get your coat off so I can give you a big hug!” Every night, same thing. Never, EVER got tired of that man’s homecoming. It was an EVENT!

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I don’t know what I did on Saturday and Sunday. I’m sure I worked in the studio, but didn’t post on here. Mondays and Tuesdays were sacred…they were for us. He was really tired on Monday, and I had to get something ready to send to the printer, so he rested on the couch for a while. It was a nice, lazy day with a nice lazy dinner that evening. Tuesday dawned, beautiful and sunny. I fixed him a nice breakfast and asked him if he’d like to go for a ride in the new car and go see travel trailers. He lit right up and said that sounded like a perfect day. I did up the dishes and we set off for the next big town, about an hour away. We commented how nice this new car was for holding hands while you drive…a major prerequisite in purchasing a car in our house. We talked about where we would like to take the trailer on our first trip in May. We laughed and told stories, and caught up with what was going on in our lives. We got to the RV dealer and someone said to just take our time and browse…they were all open. It was a warm morning and we walked toward our future, hand in hand.

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In the fourth trailer, I noticed he was grimacing and asked him what was wrong. It was his shoulder, he said. It really hurt. I asked him to sit down on the sofa for a minute. Concerned, I asked him if he thought I needed to take him to the doctor, and much to my amazement, he said he thought I’d better. This is a man who fought in Vietnam. If he tells you he needs to see a doctor, something is terribly wrong. Now, I’ve worked in medicine for over forty years. I know what questions to ask and what to look for. I asked if he hurt anywhere else and he said yes and pointed to his neck. I told him to wait right there and ran to get help and have them call 911. I wasn’t gone 60 seconds and when I got back, things were really bad. I had the guys that were with me put him down on the floor of the trailer in case I had to do CPR. I elevated his feet and yelled for an aspirin. One miraculously appeared! I made him chew it. I kept yelling to him to hold on, the paramedics were coming, just please stay with me. I finally whispered in his ear. “I love you, handsome man” and he said, “I love you, too.” And that is the last thing we said to each other. Because he was only sixty-two, they worked on him for about four hours, but there was nothing they could do for him. The cardiologist said the type of heart attack he had is called a “widow maker”.

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That it was.

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Today marks four weeks since my sweetheart left me. Our 6th Wedding Anniversary was the day before yesterday. I can breathe now, not great, but I can. I can look at his picture and talk about him without bursting into tears…sometimes. I feel him with me. I talk to him and I imagine what he would say. And, since I asked Jesus into my life 8 years ago, I know I will never be alone. But oh, how I miss him! His sweet smile, his clear blue eyes, that shock of silver hair, his rapier wit, his hugs, his quiet, steady breathing as he lay beside me at night. I feel as though half of me is paralyzed. It’s there, but I just can’t feel it, I can’t move it. This grief is like walking through tall grass. You start to move forward, carefully at first, and then take bigger strides, and BAM! You step on the rake that was hiding in the grass and it comes up and smacks you right between the eyes!

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I will get through this. I have had heartbreak before and survived. What makes this worse is the finality. The waves of grief that come out of nowhere. The planned life that is just….gone. The uncertainty. Sometimes, there just are no words.

\n", "date_published": "2013-04-09T02:00:37-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/04/09/what-a-difference-a-day.html", "tags": ["Family","Grief","Overcoming Obstacles","Strong Women"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2013/02/05/marshmallow-ranch.html", "title": "MARSHMALLOW RANCH", "content_html": "

 

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A lot of people ask where I got the name “Marshmallow Ranch”. When my older daughter got engaged, we brought her new fiancé to West Virginia to meet the family. This was in the summer of 1994. She was twenty and her little sister was four. Yes…my children are just about sixteen years apart! What was I thinking??? Anyway, one sunny afternoon, we went for a drive. In West Virginia, when they bale the hay in those big round bales, they wrap them in white plastic to protect them from the rain. The farmer leaves them in the field to cure and before long, the grass has greened up around them and they look all the world like giant marshmallows waiting to be harvested. As we came around a curve, we saw them and my then four-year-old asked breathlessly, “Mama!!! What ARE those?” Her sassy older sister proclaimed we had happened upon the native grounds where the wild marshmallow grows. Here, they are harvested, cut into small pieces, bagged, and sent off to the grocery store for our enjoyment in such delicacies as hot cocoa or s’mores. My little one was stunned…till I made her sister tell her the truth!

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Segue to 2002 and I had opened a small needlework supply shop in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Needles and Pins was my sanctuary…my therapy to deal with a particularly painful divorce. I sold mostly cross-stitch supplies and even dabbled with some original designs. Cross-stitch designers all have very cute names like “Blackbird Designs”, “Cross Eyed Cricket”, and “Bird of a Feather”. If I was going to sell my own designs, I wanted a cute name people would remember. I was rummaging through a box of old pictures one day and stumbled across the one we took that summer day in West Virginia and I knew I had my name! Anything I made myself and sold under the auspices of Needles and Pins were labeled from the subsidiary…“Marshmallow Ranch”. Unfortunately, my needlework shop closed in 2005, but when I dropped to part-time work in December 2012, I decided to try to make an income from my own creativity. I cleared out a room for an art studio in my house high in the Rocky Mountains and dubbed it Marshmallow Ranch. So…here I am, creating jewelry out of antique silverware and maps and other ephemera. Stay tuned an see what creations come from this artist’s bench!

\n", "date_published": "2013-02-05T03:00:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2013/02/05/marshmallow-ranch.html", "tags": ["Family","Travel","Uplifting Stories"] } ] }