{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "title": "Friends on Marshmallow Ranch", "icon": "https://avatars.micro.blog/avatars/2026/36/1962506.jpg", "home_page_url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/", "feed_url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/feed.json", "items": [ { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/06/27/when-your-first-friend-dies.html", "title": "When Your First Friend Dies", "content_html": "\n
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Lisa married me and Mr. FixIt. Forgive me for cropping him out of the picture. His name and his image are mine. I only share stories about him here.
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We were in second grade together. I’d rarely seen a black child before. We met in the line to wash our hands before lunch. I had terrible anxiety, and our teacher didn’t much care for me. She sent my anxiety through the roof to the point I could not eat. And if I didn’t eat, she held back my tray to show my mom when she came to pick me up after school. Mrs. Alexander crossed her arms over her chest and scowled whenever she looked at me.

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As I stood in line to wash my hands that day, I prayed quietly. I asked God to please settle my stomach so I could eat and not get into trouble anymore. I felt a tap on my shoulder, and this little round chocolate-brown face met me with concern. Her name was Lisa.

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“Are you praying?” she asked.

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“Yes. Mrs. Alexander scares me, and I can’t eat. Then I get in trouble every day after school.”

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“Well,” she said with a firm confidence I knew little about. “I’ll pray with you!”

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So, she wrapped her little arm around my shoulders, and we prayed together that God would make me feel better so I could eat. After that, I knew God was always with me and I didn’t need to be afraid because my new friend Lisa would pray with me as many times as necessary till I got through second grade.

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As it turned out, my parents bought a house in another school district, so I didn’t see Lisa again till high school. By that time, we had our circle of friends, and we didn’t really connect till many years later at high school reunions. Eventually, I moved back to my home state of West Virginia and started getting together with Lisa. She had become a pastor and worked with several churches in the area and with Urban Ministries in town. Lisa joined our Divas do Coffee group, and we all enjoyed her stories and warm presence.

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Lisa was funny, yet she didn’t mince words. If you needed correcting, she didn’t care who you were or what the social norms were. You got corrected. She was also the humblest human I’d ever met. She never tooted her own horn. She always made sure those who were considered the fringe of society knew they were loved.

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Lisa died the other day. She was diagnosed with advanced cancer in September 2024. Lisa chose to go on Hospice to maintain quality of life instead of quantity. Her beautiful family put a hospital bed in her daughter’s den where she could watch the comings and goings of her grandchildren and love on them all she could. Occasionally, her daughter would record a video at Lisa’s request. On it, she reassured us all that she was doing fine. She told us she knew where she was going, and it would be glorious to walk with Jesus.

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Lisa never really had much. She worked hard and raised an amazing family, living in the same town where she grew up. She lived in an older neighborhood because that was home. Lisa didn’t put up with any shenanigans from folks who may not have had her best interests at heart. She wasn’t afraid because she knew Jesus resided in her house, so there was nothing to worry about.

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Our friend was in a terrible accident years ago. She stepped out into the street in front of her church. The sun’s glare in her eyes blocked her view of the car that could not stop. She was gravely injured, and the family was called in to say goodbye. Lisa was a strong woman with a lot of fight in her, and she recovered… unfortunately, with memory loss, back and spinal pain that stayed with her the rest of her life. She worked and did amazing things in this town. There was a settlement after the accident, but she did something special with it that she didn’t reveal to anyone.

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I spoke with her daughter at the funeral home yesterday. It turns out that Lisa, in her humble way, created an endowment that would help support the Urban Ministries in perpetuity. No one in her family had any idea she had done this. It was a lesson for all of us in humility, love for your fellow man, and living like Jesus. None of us was surprised by the generosity coming from our stout little friend. It just makes us love her even more and makes her family very proud.

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Miss Lisa, you were a peach, and we’ll miss you! We’ll see you in Heaven!!!

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💜

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Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 1 Peter 5:6 ESV

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***Gratitude Journal***   Today, I am grateful for the friendship I had with Lisa and that she’s singing and praising Jesus in His presence…right…this…minute. I’m grateful for her gentle lessons in humility and the way she jumped out of her chair and danced around the room when I told her Mr. FixIt and I were getting married. “Perfect! A perfect match!!! This is exactly what I wanted for you two.”
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The little lollipop buds of our pink peony (Sara Bernhardt?) have been continually getting bigger and bigger. We knew they were going to bloom any day now. I walked through the yard this morning, and there they were. We have more blooms this year than any since I moved to Mr. FixIt’s little homestead. These are a pretty pink, but the ones out front are much darker. They bloom later because they don’t get as much direct sun. I’ll keep an eye on them and show you pictures. 

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We had a lovely day. A leisurely breakfast (LOVE my grits and eggs!) and  Mr. FixIt snoozed in his Big Red Chair while I had my morning RYZE. When he went to see his doctor last week, we found out that he doesn’t have any immunity to measles. Granted…we aren’t going to be in the hotbed of measles outbreaks, but we have great grandbabies and we wouldn’t want to trade diseases with our beloved little germ bombs. I haven’t had my test yet, but I’ll be flying in June so I want to know and be prepared.

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While we were out, we took advantage of the day. We shopped a little. We found an indoor electric grill that we thought might be convenient for camping. It was $39.99 at Walmart. We decided to stop at Ollie’s just to see what they might have. We picked up things like pruners and a soaker attachment for the garden. And lo and behold…there was the same electric grill for $29.99. I can’t get it for that online, so we picked one up.

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We found a digital special on soda at a local grocery store, so we picked up five twelve packs. We don’t drink a lot of soda, and it’s all sugar fee. But sometimes you just want a fizzy drink, right? By the time we got home, it was after 9:00 and we were fried.  Today is usually my knitting gathering, but one of our gals passed away last week. We’ll see each other at the viewing and funeral on Tuesday. Sandy seemed so young to me, but it turns out, she was three years older than I am. She was such a sweet and kind person and will be missed by all who know and love her.

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We don’t have a single thing on the calendar other than the viewing. Mr. FixIt continues to get better every day, but we postponed out camping trip for this week. He needs more healing time before we do that. I’m sure we’ll find plenty of stuff to do…you know, like mowing. Again. 🙄

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🩵

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“The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die.”  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭116‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today, I am grateful for the opportunity my writing gives me to minister to others about the goodness of a loving God.
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#loss, #grief, #friends, #God

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Seeing my downstairs neighbor from the apartment building in England on Monday brought back so many fond memories. The trips to town to shop at the market. The beautiful displays of all kinds of sweets at the local pastry shop. The walks down the canal to Pop’s Antique Shop located in a 400-year-old building. Such a time of youthful innocence and joy.

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When Hubby #1 had a night off, we went out for breakfast in Newbury. We usually ordered what we called a grill which consisted of an egg, a banger (short fat sausage), smoked streaky bacon, mushrooms, baked beans, and toast. Sometimes we met Cindy and her husband at the White Swan…a local pub down by the canal where the wild swans swim. We’d order a Cornish pasty and a pint. More often than not, Cindy and I had a Baby Cham…a light and sweet champagne-like drink.

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There is a dish in England called Toad-in-a-Hole. It’s traditionally made like a casserole with fat, savory sausages peeking out of a batter. I rarely go to that much trouble so I make Egg-in-a-Basket every once in a while from my homemade bread. It’s a great way to use bread when it’s still good but it’s just a little past its prime. Today I’ll make French Toast because the bread is nearing the point of being stale. 

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I can’t say the food in England was all that great. There were a lot of boiled dinners. We didn’t have much money so we ate a lot of things like Hamburger Helper and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. There was a BX on base where we shopped. We could find food there from the states that we were more familiar with. But there were things we bought at the open air market like meats….usually chicken and lamb. Beef was pretty hard to come by. Besides, the meat over there tasted funny to me. Probably because it was grass fed without antibiotics.

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The pastry shops were to die for. I was pregnant when Cindy came from the states to live with her husband downstairs. The displays of cakes and tarts were mind boggling and I wanted to try everything. That’s probably why I weighed 190 pounds and had a 5 pound baby. I always wanted to go back to England to live for a year or so. I don’t know if I’ll ever get the chance to do that again, but I have wonderful memories of the two years I lived there in ‘73 and ‘74. 

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Have any of you lived in a foreign country? For how long? Where was it and what was your favorite thing?

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💚

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“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”   ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for the memories I’ve made over the years. They will sustain me in the coming years when my short term memory becomes less reliable.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/26/egginabasket.html", "tags": ["Memories","Friends","Cooking"] }, { "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/2025/03/14/a-roller-coaster-ride.html", "title": "A Roller Coaster Ride", "content_html": "\n
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Wouldn’t it be nice if things would just stay on an even keel for a little bit? Last year was one thing after another like a punching bag and this year seems to be shaping up the same way. A dear friend was just diagnosed with cancer and fortunately we live close enough we can offer help as needed. An I know this is small potatoes but with the cutbacks and a possible shutdown looming, we may have to cut out a lot of the travel this year. But that’s ok…it could be God’s way of saying we have more important things to do here. 

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I’m about ready to throw in the towel on this sourdough stuff. I tried to make another levain yesterday and it was watery again. I think I’ve figured out what is wrong. They didn’t have King Arthur flour at the store the other day so I bought White Lily. My sourdough smells different and it’s not at all pretty. When we go to town tomorrow, I’ll buy King Arthur and see if that makes a difference. I think White Lily is great for pastry and biscuits, but not yeasty things.

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I went out the the camper last night and the sky was simply gorgeous. There was a Blood Moon around 2:30 this morning and I’ll let you know tomorrow if I had the wherewithal to watch it. I remember seeing a Blood Moon not too long after Mr. Virgo died. My next door neighbor was out of town and I was watching her house and her dog. She said I could use the hot tub whenever I wanted, so I went out and watched the eclipse while I soaked. It was incredible! It was really cold and that hot water felt great…but getting out and running to my house next door was rather chilling to say the least!

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We’re heading into town today to have a late breakfast with my bonus daughter. Then Mr. FixIt has an appointment later in the afternoon. I’m almost finished with the taxes. I need a form that somehow got thrown away. It could take two weeks to get it mailed to me. I tried to go online and download it but the website is having technical difficulties. I maybe they’ll fix it soon. I talked to technical support and they said it could be two or three days. I like things that work. 🙄

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It’s supposed to be really rainy here this weekend so maybe I can finally sit down and work on some projects!

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💚

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“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***  
Today I am grateful to be able to help our friend in her time of need. I am grateful for her good doctors and pray for them to have steady hands and watchful eyes. Please pray for this cancer to be removed from her.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/14/a-roller-coaster-ride.html", "tags": ["Health","Overcoming Obstacles","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/04/girl-time.html", "title": "Girl Time", "content_html": "\n
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“Big” turned 21 on Saturday. I know, right? How can the time pass so quickly? I try to catch her every Sunday evening when I’m checking in on the family. She showed me pictures of her and her friends hiking a cliff trail overlooking the beach. We chatted about her girlfriends and her roommates and it reminded me to share a piece of advice I give to all young women “coming of age.”

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“Nurture your friendships with other women. Trust me…you will need them.”

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What’s that old adage? People come into your life for a reason, a season, and a lifetime. In reality, only a handful of folks tick all three boxes. I lost one of my longest lifelong friends a little over a year ago. My closest lifelong friend came into my life when we were 16 and we still text or call several times a week. She’s quick to set me straight if I swerve off course and she loves me fiercely.

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There are friends that you’re close to and even though you don’t see or talk to each other often, when you get together, you pick up the conversation like no time had passed. There are friends that for one reason or another, drift away and you wish them well but you let them go. 

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I’ve always loved my children and grandchildren, but I relate to them so much more now that they’re getting older. My West Virginia kids and grandkids didn’t come into my life till they were adults. And now we’re getting great-grandchildren. It warms my heart when I can impart some wisdom and they’re receptive. They’re so precious.

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I went to knitting group yesterday and we were the usual group of four this time. We meet at Colleen’s house and I am always excited to see her holiday decorations. She keeps a white pencil tree in her dining room and changes the decorations for every holiday. She has her St. Patrick’s Day decor out now and it won’t be long till she changes over to Easter. I’m not that dedicated. I just got Christmas put away a couple of weeks ago. That’s enough for me. 

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When I got home from knitting, I started working on the bread. I baked three loaves plus a loaf of pepperoni bread. That was just an experiment so I’m looking forward to seeing how it turned out. I cut a slice for Mr. FixIt and myself while the bread was still warm. Oh, my…I think I’ve finally perfected this recipe!

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It’s supposed to get up near 70° here tomorrow and a low of 56° during the night so I’m going “camping” out in the field. Camping without spending a dime…that’s perfect and I can’t wait!

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☘️

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“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for the girlfriends in my life…old and new. They keep me grounded. They keep me sane. They keep me laughing.
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Girls, you’ll never guess what we did yesterday! Little Gracie was finally ready to pick up from the RV Doctor! Hokey Smokes…I was SO excited. She looks beautiful….not a single dent. She actually looks better than new because they resealed everything…twice…to make sure there are no leaks. She got new skin on the passenger side, new decals and vent covers, a new jack, and a new awning. They even threw in a new tire cover for the spare on the back bumper. They combed over the roof to make sure it was sealed and wouldn’t leak. So mama’s a happy camper! Too bad it’s too doggone cold to sleep in her yet, but Spring is in thirty days. Well….Spring 1.0…you know there will be a couple of false starts before it gets and stays warm.

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I didn’t get a chance to bake bread yesterday, but I’ll get on that today. The weather is going to be really cold till the weekend when it warms up again. I want to get out to The Farm for my annual Tax Marathon but it’s just not as fun when it’s too cold to sit out on the front porch. This is power outage season. I don’t mind so much not having water out there, but when it’s cold too, I prefer to be home. Mr. FixIt has an appointment in town today so I’ll work on the bread and enjoy the quiet here.

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And the big news…well, at least it is big for me. I manage to fix my iPad. Not only that, when I fixed it the storage went down from 264G to under 19G! That is huge. It’s running like a brand new device now and I’m over the moon. Whenever I have a problem like this, I set it aside when I go to bed. I tell God we have a problem to fix. And the next day…somehow, some way…I get this clear solution that pops into my head. Ninety-nine percent of the time, it goes smoothly and the problem is fixed…better than new. God wants to help us even in the small, everyday things. I love it when the God-winks come!

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This has been a long, hard winter. I know not everyone is feeling this way, but I’ve been really worried about the current events. My biggest fear is for my brother’s care and my family members in the LGBTQ community. I’m just praying hard every day, giving it to God, and throwing my heart and soul into helping others through their struggles. I have always been a bit of a Pollyanna, but I can’t blow sunshine up anyone’s skirt.

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These are hard times, but I will not be broken. Look for the helpers and if you can’t find one…BE one. Someone can always use a lift up…a hug…a word of encouragement…a smile…a hand to hold…an ear to listen. But you don’t have to do or say anything. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give someone is to sit quietly beside them.

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Just give people love. That’s all they need. In so doing…the love comes back to you.

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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.””
‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal*** 
Today I am grateful for my friends who love me and keep me close in their hearts. They are a blessing beyond measure!
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#Friends, #iPad, #Technology

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I love our little knitting group. There’s just four of us…that’s all the room we have in the gal’s house where we meet. I’m so glad the weather has improved so much and we can get together again. I brought some of the Sourdough English Muffins I baked Saturday and one of the other gals brought some of her homemade red raspberry jelly to go with. So, so good!

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I love seeing the projects the others are working on. One was making a banner for a birthday party. The other two were making scarves. I finished the big basket for beside my chair. I can put my current project in it and it will look much nicer than the myriad shopping totes that surround my “nest.” One of the gals gave us each a round wooden disk with holes around the edge. It was a wooden basket bottom. She had made one to show it and it was really cool. After supper, I sat down and made one myself and it was so much easier than it looked. I’ll have to order some of those to make Christmas presents for the girls for next year.

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The snow is just about gone! It was in the low 60’s yesterday and it felt wonderful. There is actually some green grass peeking around the edges and the beginning blades of iris are coming up in my flower beds. It was actually warm enough last night that I could have slept in the camper if it was here. It will probably be ready in another couple of weeks and I can’t wait!

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I made a yummy dinner of pork cutlets, fried potatoes, and sauerkraut. It was absolutely monochromatic tan and not a stitch of color! But, Mr. FixIt loved it so that’s all I could ask for. I’ll need to bake bread today. Or tomorrow. I also need to make another batch of granola. The last batch I baked a little too long and it was dark. But I couldn’t throw it out. I’m almost through it now so I can justify baking a fresh batch. Ingredients sure aren’t getting cheaper! I’m worried about that.

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It won’t be quite as warm today, but just having a little respite from all that bitter cold and snow is welcome! Is it warming up where you are?

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💜

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“You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭74‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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***Gratitude Journal*** Today I am grateful for the girlfriends I have in my life. They listen and give wise counsel. They are my teachers and my students. I always tell young women not to forget about their women’s friends. They are going to need them down the road. A burden shared is halved. A joy shared is doubled.
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#girlfriends, #sharing, #knitting

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-02-04T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/02/04/monday-morningwith-the-girls.html", "tags": ["Gratitude","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/09/24/when-god-seems-quiet.html", "title": "When God Seems Quiet", "content_html": "\n
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Do you sometimes feel this noisy world is drowning out the sound of God’s voice? Sometimes I find myself down the rabbit hole of politics and I want to scream into the void, “Aren’t you listening?????” I find myself in that unenviable and dark place all too often lately and it leaves me exhausted, frustrated, disappointed.

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When I am with my wonderful friends whose political viewpoints are diametrically opposite of mine, I do my level best not to “go there.” Not that I am incapable of having a civil discussion, but more out of respect for my friend’s choice to believe as they wish…just as I do.

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I got dangerously close to the “third rail” when I was camping with Gail last week. Gail is incredibly wise and kind. We are very close. She patiently let me rant a while then said, “Ginny, you are looking at this only through the lens of politics and not through the heart of God.” We are instructed in the Bible that part of the responsibility of the faithful is to correct the course of our brothers and sisters in Christ. And, while the dogma I ascribe to varies from my dear friend in certain areas, her words were delivered with love and encouragement. For that I am most grateful. To have that dear friend who is emboldened to help when crossing those waters has the potential of damaging your friendship is a deep gift. One that I value tremendously.

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Mr. FixIt had to go to town yesterday to see the podiatrist about a place on his foot that I was concerned about. Being a former Diabetes Educator has benefited him these last few years. But having that knowledge brings a different level of worry when things don’t look right. I’ve been slowly getting him in with the specialists I want him to see for his ongoing care and I was thrilled to find this great guy. Dr. Christian Valle is young and knowledgeable with a wonderful bedside manner. When he had some of the nail trimmed away, I was thrilled we weren’t looking at anything bad. Just a heightened awareness that’s always good to have in cases like this.

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When we got home, we were getting settled into our Big Red Chairs for a little down time when Mr. FixIt asked if I’d seen Lisa’s post. I went to her FB page and there she was, tucked into a hospital bed, her sweet smile belying her fatigue in order to talk to those who love her. It turns out, a couple of weeks ago, Lisa was diagnosed with metastatic cancer and through much prayer and discussion with her medical team, she decided to come home on hospice. She doesn’t have the energy to talk to everyone so this little recorded conversation was the next best thing.

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Lisa was my first school friend. When our teacher had decided I was the one she was going to pick on that year, Lisa was there to pray with me in the little girl’s room before lunch so I could get over my anxiety and eat. Just a few months later, my parents moved us to another school district and I never really connected with Lisa again till we were adults.

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She went to Junior High with Mr. FixIt. We saw each other at the class reunions and picnics. Then, when we were married in 2018, I couldn’t think of anyone I wanted more to perform the ceremony than our friend, Lisa.

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As I replayed what could be her last farewell to us, my conversations with Gail ran through my mind. Lisa is likely closer to seeing Jesus face-to-face than I am. He knows her well. She’s a pastor and a “good and faithful servant.” I have to ask myself…will He know me when I get there?

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I still keep my nose in politics as I vote for my own self-interests and those of my family and community. God gave us free will and I intend to utilize that gift. However, opinions and thoughts are as vast as the universe filled with billions of stars. As I gaze up at the Milky Way, I’m reminded of what led me to Jesus in the first place. He showed me that I am no more consequential in the grand scheme of things than one tiny dot in the blackness of the heavens. All I can do is follow his greatest commandment and LOVE.

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Just LOVE.

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The rest will get sorted out.

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“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”

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‭‭Psalm‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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“If God seems quiet right now, just remember…no one shouts when they’re standing right next to you.” @abbyshopeshop

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#god#heaven#friends#Politics

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-09-24T02:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/09/24/when-god-seems-quiet.html", "tags": ["Grace","God","Friends","Heaven"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/09/21/knit-nosh-nap.html", "title": "Knit, Nosh, Nap", "content_html": "\n
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OMGosh! Y’all…I just had the BEST three days camping with my bestie, Gail. She’s the camphost for September and October and I always come up to spend a few days with her. We sit around and knit. We take naps in the afternoon. And we nosh on all kinds of yummy foods. It’s totally decadent. I honestly slept 12-14 hours Wednesday and Thursday nights! I’ve been burning the candle at both ends and, as Gail says…I must have needed the rest.

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My contributions were breakfasts and my newfound crave…Nature’s Snickers bars. I took huge, moist and chewy fresh dates, stuffed a great big pecan half in the middle, and dipped them in melting chocolate. Oh SO yummy! Gail made wonderful beef barley soup. I made homemade fettuccine and topped it with Gail’s meat sauce. Then last night we had homemade orange chicken with veggies over brown rice. We ended our campout with a fire and s’mores. Women NEED their girlfriends…even more when we’re older. It was just a delightful visit. I’ll miss her but at the same time, I can’t wait to get home to see Mr. Fixit!

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We went for a long walk yesterday and I got a lot of pictures I’ll share with you today. The leaves have turned a lot here in Northern Ohio. Gail is a good three hours north of us. The only icky thing at the campground was the darned stinkbugs. They were out in force, but I discovered the Thermocell Mosquito Repellent did a decent job of keeping the stinkbugs at bay. At the end of the evening, I noticed I was getting eaten up by mosquitoes then I checked and the fuel cell had run out on that handy gizmo. I’ll know better next time to check it periodically.

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I brought along a sweet little wooden Welcome Fall sign for each of us to paint and that was fun. I’ve known Gail for nine years now. We met in the fall of 2015 at Girl Camper’s first official gathering and became fast friends. We have SO many things in common but our glaring difference is politics. We very rarely speak of such things. We respect each other very much and I only mention this because I have seen so many people lose family and friends over politics and we won’t have it. We pray for each other regularly. We love each other deeply. And we both serve a loving God and do our best to emulate Jesus. What more could you ask in a dear friend, right?

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I hope you have a beautiful Sunday. The weather is fabulous but it’s getting darker so fast!

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A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

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#fall#camping#knitting#besties#smores

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\n\n", "date_published": "2024-09-21T02:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/09/21/knit-nosh-nap.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Uncategorized","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/06/24/i-love-you-more.html", "title": "I Love You More…..", "content_html": "\n
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(Trigger Warning: This post discusses sexual abuse.)

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What a week. There was a time when any one event of last week would have sent me into pure panic mode. Anxiety, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rushes of adrenalin over my entire body, dissociating, destructive behaviors. That’s how most of my life has been. But the last sixteen months have been different. Lots of prayer. No sugar, no preservatives, no caffeine, weight loss, exercise, meditation, journaling, Noom, and RYZE mushroom coffee. 

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I first noticed the difference when something happened that normally would have caused me to crash and burn…and it didn’t. I had a call from my brother’s group home that he had been taken by ambulance to the ER with chest pain and his blood pressure dropped precipitously. I felt the smallest surge of adrenalin which was immediately followed by a thought. 

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“That’s information.”

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I surprised myself. I didn’t have to talk myself down or do anything, really. All I had to do was tell myself I just received information…from my body and from the nurse. Information itself cannot kill you. It speaks to you. What you do with that information is what counts. Instead of focusing on what I was feeling, I listened to what I was being told, asked the questions I needed to ask, and the adrenalin backed off as fast as it came. It was the weirdest feeling.

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I think all my body needed was ONE successful experience with coping appropriately to the fight or flight response. Since then, I’ve rolled with the punches regularly and I cannot tell you what utter relief that is to me. Full on panic attacks are awful. And they affect you for days afterwards. My whole life has been spent riding the rollercoaster of my emotions. Knowing I can deal with whatever comes my way has taken a huge load off my mind.

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When you have an anxiety disorder, you spend your life trying to control every possible scenario of every possible circumstance to try to avoid that out-of-control feeling you get. Now that I’m not feeling anxious all the time, I am functioning like a normal adult. And it took till 70 years to get there.

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This was one heck of a week. In one day, I found out my dear high school chum had died. My brother made another ambulance trip to the ER. And someone I care about deeply is suffering a severe health crisis. Every day since, it’s been one thing after another. And I’ve rolled with the punches. Then yesterday was the funeral. My friend and I shared a very deep bond. Not just the bond of friendship. It went beyond that. We were both victims of sexual assault by the same person…a family member. My episode with him (other than verbal) was just that once, but hers lasted years…repeatedly, brutally.

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I stuffed that information down deep inside and convinced myself it wasn’t really sexual assault if there hadn’t been penetration. It wasn’t till I was 35 and in therapy for depression and anxiety that I discovered I couldn’t just brush it off by downplaying it. What had happened was real and it was sexual assault and I needed to deal with it.

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As I began to unpack that information, a thought crept into my mind that I couldn’t brush away. If he had been so brazen as to do what he did to me in front of my friend…what must she have been going through in the privacy of their home. The internet was new, and I found her phone number. I called her up and was like, “Hey…voice from the past here!” After a few pleasantries, I told her I had to ask her a deeply personal question and if she told me to go to h***, I’d hang up and never call her again.

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“Did _____________ molest you as a kid?”

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She went silent. Then in a softer voice she said, “Why do you ask that?”

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“Well….because he molested me, too.”

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We both cried. We had so many conversations about this. We helped each other heal. She had an amazing countenance. Her faith in God was the absolute center of her life. Without Him, she would have never survived. We talked a lot about the power of forgiveness. My dear, sweet, strong friend led a support group for women who also walked that path. She invited me to speak to the group in her church and I could see how much it helped to know they weren’t alone.

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So, that was my week. One thing after another then walking through the past one more time in honor of my friend. She will be missed and many stories will be told. I felt a sense of closure after the funeral. I know she’s in a better place because the Healer…has healed her for all eternity.

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As she would say… “I love you more…”

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🙏🏼

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“Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.”

\nLuke 13:10-13 ESV\n
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We had a lovely day, keeping cool and swimming in the pool. We grilled steaks and corn-on-the-cob and were just truly lazy. A day spent doing nothing is not necessarily a day wasted. We enjoyed each other’s company. I worked on my laptop all afternoon, trying to get a handle on the 65,000+ e-mails I’ve ignored for far too long. I’ve made a commitment that if I am sitting in the Big Red Chair with Mr. FixIt, I’ll work on this unless I’m writing. 

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We need to buckle down and get things packed for the trip. My list is long and time is short. I don’t think we can take a whole day off before we leave Thursday. We have all the arrangements made for the house sitter and the lawn mower. Pumpkin Kitty will be well cared for. 

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We have the funeral today and I’ve gotten a late start on this post. So I’m going to leave this here and I’ll be back tomorrow. Stay cool, my friends.

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☀️

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“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

\nMatthew 25:13 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-06-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/06/23/making-the-most-of-time.html", "tags": ["Growth","Friends","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/06/19/highs-and-lows.html", "title": "Highs and Lows", "content_html": "\n
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Another early morning here at Marshmallow Ranch. Mr. FixIt and I headed to town in separate vehicles in order to leave Frieda the Ford at the truck doctor for a little engine work. She needed a new water pump. Mr. FixIt took her in last week to diagnose the problem then shopped around for the best price. He had a business card with the price written by the owner of the shop. When we went back in the afternoon to pick it up, he went back in with me just to make sure the price was what they agreed to. Not so much. He handed me the bill and it was over $100 more. I was glad he was with me, because I wouldn’t have known and would have just forked over the money. The guy didn’t like it but he ended up charging the right amount. I’m not a pushover with people. But, Mr. FixIt’s love language is service and taking care of these things is one of the many ways he tells me he loves me.

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While we were waiting for the truck, we went out for breakfast then over to our friend’s house to try not to get overheated. Again…late nights and early mornings caught up with me and I ended up stretching out and taking a nap. Mr. FixIt watches the house for his friend so we can come and go as needed as long as no one’s there. It’s come in handy many times. When I woke up, I suggested we run up to Sam’s. 

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Once we picked up the truck, we went our separate ways. I ran over to the big bougie Kroger store in Belpre to pick up a few things and he had a few stops of his own. While I was getting gas at Walmart, Mr. FixIt called and asked me to meet him at the McDonald’s down the road. His tailpipe fell apart. I took him to the hardware store for some wire then he hooked the tailpipe back up as a temporary fix. He has to go to town today for an appointment so he’ll take it into the muffler shop to get it fixed.

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It’s always something, isn’t it?

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One of my dearest childhood friends has been very ill and you all have been praying for her. I anxiously watch for updates from her daughter every day and there wasn’t anything posted on Monday. That worried me. Then yesterday, the news came that the family had made the very difficult decision to call in hospice and palliative care to help support their mom as she transitions. This just breaks my heart. She and I have been through so much together and I know she has gone through some really hard stuff in her life. She has done the work and healed from the demons that haunted her. She deserves peace. But…it’s just so hard to let our loved ones go. 

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I was just thinking the other day how so many of our contemporaries are passing away. I mean, here we are…preparing to drive across the country for a month long visit with family. And at the same time, people we know and love are in a very different place in their lives…in their journey. This is where we have to chalk it up to “God’s Plan.” We do not know the number of our days. But God does. He counts the hair on our heads and the names of the stars.

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I do not want to lose my friend. I do not want her children and grandchildren to have to say goodbye to their beloved. But if it is God’s will that this is her time to Home? Well, then…I pray her transition is gentle, peaceful, and all together glorious as she takes her last breath here and her first breath in heaven. And that all the angels will wrap her family in their silken wings.

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🙏🏼

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“But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—”

\n1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV\n
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We knew yesterday was going to be a scorcher. Since we both worked hard on Saturday, and we had the family cookout in the evening, we both figured we deserved a day of rest. And rest, we did. French Toast for breakfast followed by a lot of time in the Big Red Chairs was the order of the day. The kids all called their dad for Father’s Day, which is always welcome. We nibbled through the day and had leftovers from the party for supper, followed by the last of the brownies and homemade ice cream. I gave Mr. FixIt a big container of Atomic Fireballs and an Ancestry DNA kit for Father’s Day. They don’t make Atomic Fireballs anymore and I had to scour the world to get him some!

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We spent time in the pool when the “feels like” temperature outside hit 111°! It was 84 degrees in the house. We don’t run the whole house air conditioner because it makes no sense to cool rooms we aren’t in. We have a series of fans running that keep things at some semblance of comfort. We will resort to the AC this week, though. It’s going to be brutal for the next couple of weeks.

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While Mr. FixIt snoozed in his recliner, I spent the afternoon leaning out the inbox of him email account. I have always had a very bad habit of not deleting emails when I’ve read them. Between that and spam, I’ve accumulated nearly 65,000 unread emails! So, whenever I want to just veg out and not think about anything…which is rare…I sit down with my laptop and use the “sweep” function in Outlook and get rid of a lot of baggage. I always feel a little better after I clean out 5-6K emails.

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We leave on our trip a week from Thursday and there’s still a lot to get done before we go. My list is long, but I’m checking off things every day. I had great visions of getting the curtains made before we leave, but now I’m not so sure that will make the cut. I have to set priorities at this point. On the other hand, sitting at my sewing table in the cool basement may not be such a bad thing. We’ll see. When it gets hot like this, I kinda lose my mojo. lol

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Oh, yesterday, I posted a picture of our sweet little grand-puppy, Cooper. I meant to explain who this good boy was, and it escaped me. Cooper came to our cookout Saturday night and it was the first time I’ve seen him. He’s a five month old English Golden Retriever. Once he got over all the excitement of the new people and smells, he was just happy as a clam up on the deck with us. He eyed the pool, but he didn’t jump in!

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I hope you all are staying cool and safe. Stay hydrated, my friends…and take frequent breaks if you need to be out in the heat. Nothing needs to be done that badly that you make yourselves sick over it. 

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I didn’t get a Prayer Circle posted last night, but if you could please keep my lifelong friend Sharon and her family in your prayers. She has been critically ill the past week so this coming week is going to be filled with challenges. Thank you for always being here and offering prayers when I come to you with requests. You have no idea what you all mean to me.

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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
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Ever have one of those days that you do SO many things, you can’t keep track of them? That was what yesterday was like. I’d set timers and alarms and notes and if I didn’t add what they were for, I was toast. I got up early and finished making the chicken and noodles for Mr. FixIt to take to the biannual company alumni dinner. He had to leave for the event at around 10:30. I worked on the pool. 

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I dug the pressure washer out of the building and cleaned the algae off the pool ladder. Try as I might, I could NOT figure out how to put it together so I left it on the pool deck for Mr. FixIt to do later. I thought the paint party I was attending was at noon. Turns out it was 1:00 so I had an extra hour to work. I suctioned the bottom of the pool till it was time to go.

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One of my knitting friends hosted the paint party I attended and another of our knitting gals came. We had a whole table full of people…probably twelve of us. It was fun to see everyone’s interpretation of the subject… “Three Daisies.” It was also nice to meet new people. They were a very friendly group!

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When I got home, I immediately jumped on the tractor and started mowing. It takes me about four hours to mow. I was hoping the extension of the pollinator gardens would cut down on the mowing time, but it actually takes a little extra to mow all around them to keep them looking the way I want them…with paths meandering through. It also takes longer at this time of year because I will not mow over a bee if I can help it. So, there’s a lot of starts and stops along the way. But, I don’t mind…I’m just so grateful to see the bees and they are loving the new gardens!

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Mr. FixIt got home shortly after I started mowing. He told me my chicken noodles were a big hit! (He’s such a sweetie!) He took the sand out of the pool filter and dumped it on the driveway and put the new sand in. When I was finished with the mowing, I vacuumed the pool one more time then we put the chlorine in. It immediately started cleaning and the pool water changed colors right in front of our eyes. I’m showing you a picture and you have to believe me that this looks a hundred times better than in did when we started…and no frogs!!! They have decided the trees around the creek are a better place for them than the pool. (I did take the hose and sprayed under the metal rim of the pool but I didn’t scare up any froggies so I think we’re good!)

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I will tell you what…by the time we were finished, it was dark and I was D.O.N.E. I didn’t even have the spoons to take a shower. I just went out to the camper and vegged. I think today will be more of the same!!! It’s the Lord’s Day and we will rest.

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🐝

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“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.”

\nColossians 3:17 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-06-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/06/02/country-living-is-the-best.html", "tags": ["Fun","Farm Life","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/31/reconciliation-and-grace.html", "title": "Reconciliation and Grace", "content_html": "\n
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Photo Credit: Internet

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Back in October, I told you about a friend of mine that’s been my sister-of-a-different-mother. She reached out to me in a time of need. At the same time, Mr. FixIt came down with Covid and was dreadfully ill and I totally forgot to listen to her message. When I hadn’t responded in a reasonable time, assumptions were made. When she ghosted me, assumptions were made on my part, as well.

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After trying unsuccessfully to connect, and knowing her as I do…I backed off and gave her space. I reached out every week or two just to let her know I was thinking of her. Eventually, she started responding but her tone was more like the conversation you might have with someone in the line at the grocery store. But still, I knew she was going through some terribly hard stuff in her personal life, so I practiced grace with my lifelong sister/friend. We practiced grace with each other actually. She could have just walked away permanently.

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Finally, I heard from her over the weekend and she asked if we could FaceTime. We selected yesterday. I prayed repeatedly ever since we made the date…asking God to bring me the right words to convey to my friend. To let me be quick to listen and slow to speak. She poured her heart out and spoke her truth. She was devastated that I hadn’t reached out to her during her time of dire need. She felt abandoned. She was confused, hurt, sad, then mad. 

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I listened carefully. I nodded and agreed with her. I acknowledged her pain. And her frustration and anger. I could see the edges soften a little just getting it off her chest. But I knew we were at a crossroads in our friendship. Neither one of us wanted to end our lifelong bond, but we were unsure of what the other wanted to do. I respectfully corrected a couple of her assumptions which brought some clarity to the situation. 

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In the end, we professed our love for each other to the bitter end. And we enacted a strategy. Should one of us absolutely NEED the other, we’ve agreed to text “911” and we will drop what we are doing right away and reach out. The crux of our issue was miscommunication. Extending grace with patience and love showed maturity and grace on both our parts…something I feel I’ve just been able to tap into in the last few years.

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Life is just entirely too short to waste a minute of it on misunderstandings. I know not all relationships will come together like we did and reconcile with love and grace but it can never hurt to try to practice kindness in our interactions. There will be plenty of opportunities in the coming months to practice grace. Difficult conversations are never easy, but approaching them with grace and kindness will help ease us back toward the give and take of normalcy. This is my prayer, anyway.

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🩵

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“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

\nEphesians 4:32 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-31T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/31/reconciliation-and-grace.html", "tags": ["Growth","Gratitude","Grace","Forgiveness","Choices","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/16/after-the-storm.html", "title": "After the Storm", "content_html": "\n
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I thought for sure I’d hit the ground running yesterday and get so much done but that didn’t materialize. Bestie Gail didn’t get to the campground till noonish because she was babysitting her sweet three-year-old granddaughter. I gave myself a slow start then I could hear the neighbor camper gathering things to move from the site I had reserved for the rest of my stay. As soon as he left, I had Grace all ready to hop into the new site next door.

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I got everything settled and organized for the rest of my stay, pulled my chair out of the truck, and sat under the awning drinking my RYZE and reading one of my summer books. It was delightfully cool and quiet. I was wondering where Gail was and when I went in the camper for a refill. I glanced out the window and she was there! She thought I was napping and didn’t want to disturb me. 

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I took my hot beverage over along with the new Tunisian Crochet Hook to try to figure out how to do it. It wasn’t long till I remembered crochet really isn’t my jam. About the time I gave up on it, the rain started and we came over to my camper because we have the comfy recliners. Gail and I looked over the vintage tablecloths and came up with what we want to do for the curtains. We decided I needed to use white cloth for a liner to give them a more finished look. She suggested buying a white king-size flat sheet instead of yardage. You get a lot more fabric for the money that way. I was going to take the wooden valance boxes off because I hate the brown, but I’ve come up with a better idea and I think it’s going to be darling!

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When I bought the tablecloths, I also picked up some embroidered valances for $1 each. I vacillated over full curtains or just the valance on the windows in the slide out. They are behind the double recliner and I really love the light coming in. We don’t bound around in our nothing anyway so privacy isn’t really an issue. We either draw the big curtain across the bedroom area or change in the bathroom. So I decided to just put the valance up and keep it light and airy. As you can see, I used old towels to create antimacassars for the back of the chairs. I’m going to change that and use some of the tablecloth fabric to make that area cheery, as well.

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The fabrics will be mix and match with a jumble of color but a theme for cohesiveness. I’m really excited about it. I want it to look homey and comfortable without being too she-she for Mr. FixIt. I don’t mind the wallpaper in here at all. It’s kind of a basket weave…like linen. There is entirely WAY too much brown for my taste, but I’m not clear yet on whether I want to paint the cabinets. That may come down the road…not sure. I think if I change a little at a time, it might be easier on Mr. FixIt than a huge abrupt change. Most people get their campers to their liking in time to buy a new one. I’m honestly hoping this will be the LAST one! (Didn’t I say that about the A-Frame? lol)

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Gail made taco salad for supper last night. The rain came in again so we went over to my camper to sit in the comfy chairs and knit. We had tea and solved all the world’s problems and by 8:30, our eyes were drooping and we were done for the day. The frogs were calling and I could hear the cows from the dairy farm down the road. They were up near the fence by the playground…bellowing. I listened for the owls, but I have a feeling the storm kept them quiet.

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My solar lantern hanging from the awning struts to keep me from banging my head on them when I walk by in the dark!

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Today we head over to our friend Jan’s farm for a visit. I love her to pieces and I love her place…it’s so peaceful and she has this really great old barn. Jan is a spitfire…she may be small in stature, but she is larger than life. A widow, a mother, a banjo picker, an activist, a naturalist, and a retired pastor with more energy in her little pinky than I will ever have! Can’t wait to give her a squeeze!

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🩵

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“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

\nHebrews 11:3 NIV\n
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#Rain, #Camping, #Vintage

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/16/after-the-storm.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Comfort","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/14/getting-ready-to-camp.html", "title": "Getting Ready to Camp", "content_html": "\n
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It feels like we just got home and I’m heading out again tomorrow. I’m taking the camper with me to have a girl’s weekend with my bestie, Gail. We love camping together. It’s supposed to rain a lot over the next few days, but that handy dandy dual recliner will make knitting much more comfortable…and dry.

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After knitting group yesterday, I stopped by Happy Jim’s Trading Post. Yes…it’s a real place in our tiny little town. OMGosh! You can ALWAYS find something you can’t live without at Happy Jim’s. I was on the prowl for curtains or something to make curtains from. I really want something that’s bright and cheery. The first thing I came across was several vintage tablecloths. OMGosh! I LOVE these things and have owned several over the years. These were a mix of red, blue, green, and yellow. Primary colors with cheerful fruit and floral motifs. I bought all of them!

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Gail will bring her sewing machine to the campground and I can make the curtains while we’re there. I have a clear idea how I want to make them. When I had the opportunity to tow the Girl Camper Raffle Trailer around in 2019, I loved the curtains that Janine made. They allowed the windows to be totally covered, half covered or fully open by using a series of hooks.

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These tablecloths are authentic mid-century vintage and have obviously been used. There are small stains and discolorations on them. I purchased a product that you soak age-stained textiles in to brighten them. I’ve used this before and it really works! The package said to set the container with the solution and textiles out in the sunshine to keep it warm. But what do you do if there isn’t any sunshine? You just have to do what you can and hope for the best. I’ll show you the after pictures tomorrow and we’ll see if they’re brighter.

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Remember I told you the other day I have to sing for my supper. Well, Mr. FixIt was gone most of the day so I deep cleaned the kitchen and got most of the extras in the family room put away. Do any of you use a Shark Steamer on your floors? They are especially good on kitchen floors as they cut the grease and you don’t have to use any chemicals. I don’t want to leave him with a lot of extra work to do while I’m gone. I’m really looking forward to camping with Gail. And the day after I get back, we leave for the Eastern Panhandle for four nights camping in the mountains. I’m hoping it’s warm and dry!

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🩵

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“Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)”

\nRevelation 19:8 NIV\n
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#Linens, #Camping, #Curtains

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/14/getting-ready-to-camp.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Change","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/03/29/so-long-my-friend.html", "title": "So Long, My Friend", "content_html": "\n
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I heard yesterday that we have lost a dear friend in the camping community. I met Lynn Butler soon after I moved back home to West Virginia. She was the ultimate girl camper. She owned Setzer’s RV in Huntington, WV and hosted Girl Camper College a couple of times. I was fortunate to get to camp with her once. And there was a story that went along with it.

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Remember when I had the honor of traveling around with the R-Pod 196 and I camped all over West Virginia? Well, I was traveling for a couple of weeks with Janine…Camper-in-Chief of Girl Camper fame. We attended the big RV Show in Elkhart, Indiana then moved on to the RV Show in Pennsylvania where we picked up the R-Pod. 

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When the Hershey Show was over, Janine and I drove down to our place here at Marshmallow Ranch and camped overnight before we headed to a camp out at Girl Camper College at Beech Fork State Park. If any of you have ever driven up the road to Beech Fork, you know it is narrow and twisty-turny. We were coming around a curve and there was a truck coming right at me in my lane. I scooched to the right and my right wheel dropped off the pavement. We moved on a little bit, but I could tell I definitely had a hitch in my get-along.

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Lynn on TV in one of her commercials!

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Lynn was driving with us and Janine was following with her camper. I finally found a driveway I could pull into and Lynn stopped with us. In her expert opinion, she wanted the trailer hauled back to the dealership to fix it. She called her service guy and he was there in a heartbeat. I drove on with Lynn and she put my up in her Riverside Retro so I could still camp out. I was so embarrassed because I hadn’t been towing the new R-Pod for ten minutes! 

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Setzer’s RV was Lynn’s mom’s business. Lynn took over when her mom couldn’t do it anymore. And, now that Lynn is gone, her daughter is doing the same. Lynn was a force of nature. An excellent business woman. A good friend. A fabulous mother and grandmother. And avid Marshall fan. I wish I would have taken more opportunities to camp with her. But I will always remember her generosity and kindness.

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Whenever I hear of a loss like this, it makes me pause and ask myself, “Am I doing all I can to be a good person and contribute to the world?” Lynn was four months younger than me. It’s sobering to lose your contemporaries and it seems to be happening more and more often these days. It makes you stop and take inventory. We don’t know when it’s our last day, and I know I have a ton more I want to accomplish. None of us are getting any younger.

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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. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.“

\n1 Corinthians 13:12-13 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-03-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/03/29/so-long-my-friend.html", "tags": ["Grief","Aging","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/03/26/monday-is-for-making.html", "title": "Monday is for Making", "content_html": "\n
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Monday knitting group was great fun, as always…even though one of our regulars couldn’t be there. One of our gals is just learning how to use her Addi 42 Needle Knitting Machine so I’ve been helping her with some of the finer points of technique. Another is SO excited…she is buying a thirty foot camper for a “She Shed” out behind her house. She’s already planning some knitting get-togethers for the summer and we can’t wait to share in her joy. The third of my compadres is the gal who introduced me to the group and she was busily crocheting bunnies for Easter. We’ll be meeting at her house next week.

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I finally finished Sue’s socks and I think they turned out pretty well. They aren’t perfect, but she will love them and I think they’ll fit her well. When I got home from group, Mr. FixIt and I headed into town to pick up a few things. I go through blueberries like crazy and I was almost out. And, I decided I wanted to try a different way of doing the dishes. Our dishwasher has been out of commission for a couple of years now and, honestly…I don’t mind washing by hand. That being said, I am being more conscientious about my water usage. I decided, instead of letting the water run to rinse the dishes, I’d get another dishpan for the second sink and a draining board for under the dish rack. I won’t need to use nearly as much water. 

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When I wash dishes out at The Farm these days, I really have to be mindful of the water. The pump for the well is currently not working so any water I use, I have to haul it in. I heat up about a half gallon of water in a stockpot and pour it in the dishpan with a very small amount of detergent. Then I heat another half gallon and set it by the sink. I wash the dishes, then the pans, and swish them in the rinse water. Then the dishes dry in the drainer. I can wash all my dishes in less than a gallon of water, then I use the water to wipe down the stove, countertops, and floor. I figured if I could do that at The Farm, there’s no reason I can’t do it here at Marshmallow Ranch.

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So, after all that, we had to stop at Lowe’s to get a couple of chainsaw blades. While we were there, Mr. FixIt told me he’d seen there was a 30% off sale on major appliances. We went back and found a simple dishwasher for a steal, so I guess we’ll be getting one. Whether I use it or not is yet to be seen, but it will come in handy for when the whole family is over and we have a LOT of dishes to do.

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It seems Mondays are for making…and marketing. It was nice to not have to cook. And the weather was warm enough to camp out in the field! We’re getting to my favorite time of the year!

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🌷

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”For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.“

\nGalatians 5:14-15 NIV\n
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Shark Slippers!

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I’ve had such a great time this week with Gail and Janine! Janine had to leave yesterday morning to try to get home before the big rains hit. She made it just in time! It’s been raining here in East Palestine since around 5:00 last night. 

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I got a lot accomplished while I was here. I knitted about two inches on Sue’s second sock. I finished knitting and felting this beautiful hat from wool that Gail spun. And I got the first shark slipper finished for our dear friend, Lesa.  

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The Finished Hat

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We ate lots of yummy foods and I’m happy to report the scale did NOT go up! Our friend Jan came yesterday morning with Baked Oatmeal and Fruit Salad. I fixed grits, as well. The girls loved them. I didn’t realize we were actually supposed to go to Jan’s farm for breakfast! Somehow our wires got crossed, but we’ll definitely have to go out there next time.

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Gail sat with her spinning wheel last night while I worked some more on Sue’s socks. The house was so quiet after our friends were gone. Gail and I are good about working side by side. We don’t have to have a lot of conversation. We just know each other so well and we’re comfortable in our silent fellowship.

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Apple Crisp

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I can hardly wait to get home to see Mr. FixIt! And he’s just as anxious to have me back! He worked on cutting up the trees he felled last week. I’m sure he’ll be happy to have some help at Marshmallow Ranch!

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I was saddened to hear of Kate Middleton’s report of cancer. It must be incredibly difficult to live in the limelight and have every move scrutinized. I truly hope people will back off and leave them alone now…give them some privacy and let the family deal with this in their own way. 

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Let’s all be good humans and lead by example.

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🌷

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”and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.“

\n1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-03-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/03/23/what-a-wonderful-retreat.html", "tags": ["Health","Gratitude","Peaceful Moments","Girl Camper","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/03/20/no-responsibilities.html", "title": "No Responsibilities!", "content_html": "\n
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I was way off when I described the color of this yarn yesterday. It has PINK in it…not blue. I think it’s going to make a beautiful felted hat!

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Happy Spring! We got up to a dusting of snow yesterday and C-O-L-D!!! Brrrrrrr!

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Gail and I had a great day. I cooked brunch…biscuits with sausage gravy and fried potatoes. Yummmmm! I actually used canned biscuits for the first time in years. I bought Pillsbury Grand Buttermilk Biscuits. The really flaky ones. I’ve always thought canned biscuits tasted a bit bitter, but these were really good. I guess if you put enough sausage gravy on something, it’s bound to taste good, right??? 

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After I cleaned up the kitchen, we retired to the living room and spent the entire day knitting. I’m well over half finished with the hat I’m making. This particular pattern is for a felted wool hat…something I’ve always wanted to try, but never have. You knit it much bigger than your head size, then you wash it in a washing machine on the hottest setting. It has to be a washer with an agitator or it won’t work right. You can also felt it by hand. The agitation causes the fibers to mat together creating a dense fabric. I’m sure it’s going to take quite a while to dry so I may not be taking it home with me…we’ll see. I’ll just be happy to finish the knitting and get it felted and on the form before I have to leave.

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It kinda matches the sofa!

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I have really enjoyed having the dogs around. I love dogs. I just don’t want to commit to having another one. I love to sleep in. I don’t want to have one more thing to worry about or have to spend money on to make plans around. I’m “of an age” where I can enjoy the dogs of others…just like I enjoy the children of others. Then I can go home to the relative peace and quiet.

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Tuxedo…aka Tux! What a pretty boy!

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Speaking of quiet…this is a TV free zone this week! I glance at the news a couple of times during the day. I check the weather forecast. I check on the blog to see how you all are doing. And that’s the extent of my screen time. I would be just as happy to have NO TV every day! But alas…TV and Mr. FixIt go together. To be without TV at home would mean to be without Mr. FixIt and that simply will not do! I love my sweetheart.

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Gail made a great supper with salad and a Butternut Squash with Ground Turkey dish that was not only low cal…it was crazy good. Here’s the recipe: https://gardeninthekitchen.com/ground-turkey-butternut-squash-skillet/ We knitted a while longer, then she made baked apples for dessert. It was such a wonderful day!

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The little cottage at Gail’s has an old claw foot tub. A deep, hot soak after a day knitting and eating is as good as a week at a spa! The king sized bed is cushy, the crisp white sheets are fresh, and the open window lets in the chilly night air. It makes for great sleep! 

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This is divine!

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🌷

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”He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.“

\nPsalms 104:10 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-03-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/03/20/no-responsibilities.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/03/19/a-home-away-from-home.html", "title": "A Home Away From Home", "content_html": "\n
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Every time I arrive at Gail’s I’m so relieved to give her a great big hug. We have to cherish our friendships and our girlfriends are a lifeline in many ways. She always meets me in the driveway and helps me carry my things into the little cottage next door that is always reserved for me. I have to have my quiet time in the evening to write. It’s as important to me as the air I breathe and my friends honor and respect that. 

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Gail’s three dogs come to greet me. Little Jake, the Shih Tzu, thinks he belongs to everyone so he’ll bark till you settle down on the couch. Then your lap was made for him and that’s where he will stay. Well, my legs, actually. My lap is always full of knitting. Bailey, the Yellow Lab, is a gentle old lady. She’ll come to greet me but after the newness wears off, she’s snoozing on the floor. The one who has a bit of tizzy is Tux…the Border Collie. He thinks you’ve come to steal the television or his ball or that you might just be there to pet HIS dogs. God forbid! However, if I sit quietly, talk to him gently, and don’t make immediate eye contact, it won’t be long and he’ll be nosing my hand for a pet.

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When I finished putting things away in the cottage, I took my knitting over to the main house. Before I even got in the house, I could smell dinner cooking. Gail is such a good cook! She made a meatloaf with 3/4 beef and 1/4 venison. I couldn’t taste the venison at all. I usually don’t like it, but this was delicious! Along with baked potatoes and broccoli and iced tea, we had a meal to rival any restaurant. 

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Gail’s husband was off bowling, so we sat in the living room and knitted, happily chatting and catching up with each other’s lives. Gail and I text every day, several times a day most days. And we talk on the phone or FaceTime frequently. You would think there isn’t a thing to catch up on, but there always is. I have a new pattern for a felted wool hat. I showed it to Gail and asked her what yarn I should use and she said, “Hang on a sec.” She went to her stash and came back with two balls of wool that she spun and plied herself. It is plied with a dusky blue and medium brown twist and it’s perfect for the project. AND, it’s extra special because my bestie made it. It’s leftover from a sweater she knitted. She spun too much and she won’t be using it for anything else. So…it’s MINE! (Thank you, Gail…you’re the best!)

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Our other friend won’t be here till Wednesday, so we’ve got another whole day of knitting and catching up. There are a few little shops in town I like to visit when I’m here, but honestly, I’ll be happy as a little clam to sit with this little fur ball on my legs and knit to my heart’s content!

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🌷

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”Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.“

\nProverbs 27:9 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-03-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/03/19/a-home-away-from-home.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/02/20/mondays-are-for-knitting.html", "title": "Mondays are for Knitting", "content_html": "\n
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Forgive the color…the light in my lamp is so yellow.

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Our knitting group met yesterday and as always…we had a lovely visit. One of the gals is just learning how to use her circular knitting machine so there was a lot of teaching going on. My time as shopkeeper and a student in the needlearts has paid off over and over. I love to teach people new skills. If we have an opportunity to create beautiful things that will outlive us, we’ve given the world a gift and part of us lives on. Enabling others to do the same is a duty and a privilege. 

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My dear friends Gail and Janine and I have a group chat where we touch base every day. Janine is the creator and Camper-in-Chief of Girl Camper. Every spring Girl Camper has a fundraising raffle benefiting the Hold You Foundation. They provide funds for things like utility bills and gas money to the families of ill children so they have one less worry. Gail and I will make some handmade items to contribute. I started knitting a pair of woolen mittens yesterday. This is my favorite mitten pattern…so quick and easy.

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Mr. FixIt had an appointment in town midday so I had the afternoon to myself. While I would have loved to sit and knit, I got the jump on taxes and updated my online banks account. Online banking has made the old way of balancing a checkbook nearly obsolete. At any given time you can access your bank account and see exactly what’s going on. You can easily pull reports that list transactions to use when filing your taxes. There’s much to be said for the conveniences computers bring to our lives even as they can be misused tools of destruction. I actually have friends who wouldn’t know thing one about using a computer for anything but email. And a smartphone would make them apoplectic. In some ways, I envy them the simplicity of a life unplugged.

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I remember when I crossed the threshold into cyber life. I was working on the computer and I very clearly knew I was at a crossroads. I could step off the edge of the cliff and learn things I couldn’t dream of…or I could hit the off button and tend to my knitting. Given that I am here, writing to you every evening, is a clear indicator that I jumped with both feet. Maybe someday I’ll pull back, but for now…I’m in the thick of it and not nearly ready to disconnect from you all. What a tiresome life it would be without knowing all of you beautiful people!

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🩵

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”Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.“

\nIsaiah 64:8 NIV\n
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I spent a little time in my favorite shop in town…Mulberry Lane.

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I love the Monday morning knitting group. Back in the day, when I had my little needlework shop in Colorado, we had one day a week when the ladies came for the day. They were lined up when I opened the door, and I walked out with them at 5:00. We ordered lunch in and no subject was off the table. I opened that little shop a year after Hubby #2 and I split up. I had big hopes for that little place. It was a safe haven for me…a therapy. of sorts. An opportunity to rebuild my seriously damaged self-esteem. I lost my shirt…twice actually…but I learned many valuable life lessons.

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This little shop is filled to the brim with eye candy!

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After Mr. Virgo died and I left Colorado, I didn’t touch a knitting needle for years. I didn’t have the mental spoons to concentrate on anything detailed. Eventually, I picked up my needles again and I found knitting to be soothing. Grief has cycles and once I got to where I could focus, knitting became my therapy. I was thrilled to get back into a knitting group and share time with like-minded women.

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Mr. FixIt’s eye appointment takes hours, so I browsed…for hours!

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We had a lovely time, sitting around the tables, sharing our exploits of the past week. One has started making little knitted babies and I spent some time with her, showing her the ins and outs of construction. It reminded me of the days I taught knitting in my shop. “If you build it, they will come.” It isn’t just about baseball. You teach someone to work with needles, they’ll keep coming back to your shop to feed their hobby. Kinda like a pusher…I get ‘em hooked, so to speak. 

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I stopped to pick Mr. FixIt up and we went to town for his eye appointment. Then we went out to dinner at Olive Garden with a gift card we got for his birthday. Soup and Salad…the best! And we were actually home before dark…can you believe it?! We spent a quiet evening watching old episodes of Bull. And, just so you know…and I stay accountable…I had a nice piece of pie with my tea. It was divine…no guilt attached!

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shhhhh….don’t tell anybody, but…I bought a hat!

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🥧

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”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.“

\n2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-30T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/30/knitting-and-driving.html", "tags": ["Fun","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/25/a-me-day.html", "title": "A Me Day", "content_html": "\n
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The World’s Best Dish Cloth from Rada Cutlery!

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While it wasn’t a day of self-indulgence, I did have the day off to myself with a trip to town. I met some girlfriends from my high school for lunch which was just delightful. After lunch I picked up the former Mrs. FixIt to run an errand with her since her car is in the shop. When we were done, I stopped at a darling little shop in our town. I would have loved to just spend an hour or two browsing, but I had too many things to do. I did have a goal in mind there. One of our granddaughters gave me a really cool dishcloth she bought there and I wanted some more. They are great! They are textured enough to clean your dishes and wring out so well, they dry quickly and never smell. I selected four so I always have a clean one handy.

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My next stop was Hobby Lobby for some yarn then Sam’s. I love going there. I have several things that I buy over and over and I know where they are located in the store so I can get in and out of there quickly. A stop at Rural King for birdseed and it was time to meet my sweetheart at the diner for an early supper. I made one last stop at the big box store to pick up a few things then headed home.

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It rained all day yesterday and was a balmy 53°. By the time I headed home, it was nearly dark and was very foggy. It was hard to see very far in front of me. It wasn’t long and I had a string of cars behind me. I hate doing that, but there are so many deer out this road after dark, I didn’t dare go faster. Mr. FixIt beat me home by twenty minutes and met me in the driveway with the dolly. I got everything put away and I was done for the night.

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The yarn I bought at Hobby Lobby will help me finish the baby blanket and make some more babies. I can do that today. Mr. FixIt will be going to town this afternoon to meet one of his buddies and go to the funeral home for the mother of one of his bowling buddies. I am expecting to stay home today and play in my studio. I just love these little babies and they are so much fun to make! 

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🩵

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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": "2024-01-25T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/25/a-me-day.html", "tags": ["Fun","Friends","Happiness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/23/three-little-babies-all-in.html", "title": "Three Little Babies All in a Row", "content_html": "\n
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I was so happy to see all those smiling faces at Knitting Group yesterday. They are such sweet ladies. I didn’t get quite as much done as I had hoped because one of the gals needed some help with a knitting project. But that’s half the fun of being in a group like that. You don’t have to just focus on yourself and your projects. You have opportunities to teach, minister, listen, and learn. 

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I had enough pieces knitted to make three more little babies. I’m close to having the fourth one finished, but I needed more fiberfill from downstairs and I just didn’t go down. I’ll do that today. Then I’ll make more babies and finish another strip for the baby blanket. I think I found enough yarn to finish that one strip that’s still sitting on the machine.

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We didn’t do much in the afternoon. I cooked some hamburger and seasoned half of it for tacos. I put the rest in the fridge and will make Cabbage Roll Casserole today. We haven’t had that since the last time we went camping. Ohhhhh, I’m really missing the camper. I can’t wait till it gets warm enough to sleep out there again. 

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I finally ordered an Amazon Echo 8 for my brother. I’m hoping to get him hooked up with it next week then we can see each other more often. I think I told you about my friend Alice who is the whiz kid with technology for the disabled. She even gave a TED talk about it. Alice has a daughter who received a devastating injury on the ski slope when she was only I’ve. We were all afraid Kara would die, or be a vegetable. However, while she does need some assistance, Alice has worked with her extensively, incorporating technology in her life and she now lives on her own in an apartment. We are all so very proud of her! Here is a beautiful story about Kara and her mother, Alice.

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We are happy to stay home again today. We both have things to do in town tomorrow. The sunshine has brought a wonderful change and it will be warming up for a little January thaw in the coming week. I hope you are thawing out a little, too!

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❄️🩵❄️

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”Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.“

\nGalatians 6:2 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-23T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/23/three-little-babies-all-in.html", "tags": ["Peaceful Moments","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/21/im-a-happy-little-hermit.html", "title": "I’m a Happy Little Hermit", "content_html": "\n
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We got a little more snow on Friday night and it was SO cold. It was another indoor day here at Marshmallow Ranch and I was a happy camper. I ran out of my Popcorn Pancake Mix so I just made some from scratch. The were so fluffy and good…the recipe used buttermilk and both baking powder and baking soda. I didn’t have any buttermilk so I did what my mom always did…just add white vinegar to regular milk and it works great!

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Mr. FixIt had to run the snowblower again and I retreated to the basement to work in my studio. I made a second strip for the baby blanket, then ran out just a few rows short of finishing the second. So I looked up projects for the 22-needle machine and found this darling little Amish baby doll. I fiddled wit the pattern a little and just love the way it turned out. I think I can make these and sell them along with hats and scarves. I am trying to get several things made then I’ll post them. 

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Big did great in her swim meet this weekend. She won one of her events, and her relay team came in 2nd Place. It is so exciting to watch her on the big screen…and it’s free! And I don’t have to leave my little nest. I’m such a happy little hermit! I can stay here and create to my heart’s content…and my husband brings me tea! I do 95% of the kitchen work…cooking and cleaning. I love it, but when I’m really involved with a project, Mr. FixIt will make me a sandwich to go with that tea. He’s the best husband EVER!

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While it’s nice to hibernate here in the “craft cave,” I’m also making plans for travel this year. I’ve got ideas about where to camp this year and I definitely need time with my besties. We’ll need a trip to Colorado to see the family. I need some time to myself at The Farm. I would also like to entertain more. We have such a comfortable home…I’d love to have some dinner parties scheduled. Small groups so there’s always room for conversation and the budget doesn’t take a big hit. 

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The low for last night was predicted to be 14° and tonight is supposed to get down to 9°! After that, we should warm up some. Still, I’ll be happy making beautiful things in my little studio. 

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❄️🩵❄️

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”For nothing will be impossible with God.”“

\nLuke 1:37 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-21T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/21/im-a-happy-little-hermit.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/11/in-loving-service-to-our.html", "title": "In Loving Service to Our Fellow Classmates", "content_html": "\n
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My Beloved Alma Mater

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Our high school class was huge. Somewhere between 700 and 800 kids. One would think it impossible to know more than two or three dozen of the kids. But, our class was extraordinarily tight. There were cliques, for sure. There were jocks and nerds and stoners…but most of my friends were happy to just love everybody.

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We have a group of people who adopted one of the big flower beds in the City Park. For over ten years, they have religiously tended that garden, making it one of the showpieces at the entrance of the park. One very dedicated classmate has taken care of the memorial and flower fund for as long as I can remember. We send her checks periodically to fill the coffers and there has never been a former classmate go without something from us to show their family they have not been forgotten.

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Somewhere along the line, one of our fellow classmates started a Facebook page for our class and that really started the ball rolling. We were able to reach out to our classmates all across the country and we became even tighter. As time went on, we started losing more and more people and it occurred to me that, should the page administrator pass away, no one else could access our page and that wouldn’t do. I reached out to the administrator..a gal from my home room…and she added me as a page admin. I in turn added another friend who was willing to help out. Having three admins just made more sense to us and it’s gone smoothly ever since.

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My main duty is keeping a close eye on two of the most important files of the page… “Where Are You/They Now?” and “Gone, But Not Forgotten.” If I don’t catch news of a death, or things get hectic and I don’t get the pages updated in a timely fashion, I can count on my friends to be sure I’m up to speed. Over the years, I’ve had people say they wish the lists had pictures to go with the names on the list. Not everyone has their high school yearbook anymore and as we age, our memories fade.

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We lost three classmates in the span of the last two weeks. I was going through my list yesterday and one of the things on it was to update the page. Since I was going to be on there anyway, I decided to start on the Memorial Wall and add photos from our yearbook. As of today, we have lost 139 classmates, and I at least wanted them to have a photo by their name. So, I sat down and got to work. 

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Mr. FixIt went to town yesterday to help his friend Joe fix a toilet. I knew I’d have a quiet house in which to work. By 10:00, I had that list complete. I will plug along and get photos on the other list as I have time. But, I felt really good getting that part finished. That’s just one thing checked off the list. Today’s a new day…and I’ll be checking my list to see what I can get into next!

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❄️

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”As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:“

\n1 Peter 4:10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-11T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/11/in-loving-service-to-our.html", "tags": ["West Virginia","Choices","Memories","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/19/stitching-up-a-holiday-together.html", "title": "Stitching Up a Holiday Together", "content_html": "\n
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Showing off the new Slipper Socks!

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Knitting group was a lot of fun yesterday. We had a full house and lots of goodies to nibble on. One of the sweet ladies remembered I’m watching what I eat so she made this great dessert that tasted like a Creamsicle. It was made with sugar free orange Jello, sugar free instant vanilla pudding, mandarin oranges, and sugar free Cool Whip. It was SO good…a guilt free indulgence!

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We had lovely conversations and shared what we are currently working on. Then we exchanged little gifts. I got a crocheted scarf, a crocheted basket, five ornaments, a package of lavender bath salts, a pair of wool slipper socks, a pint of home canned bread and butter pickles, and a Russell Stover Chocolate Marshmallow Caramel Christmas Ornament. I never dreamed I would get so many sweet things from these beautiful ladies. I’ve really come to love them in the short time I’ve been gathering with them on Monday mornings.

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When we finally went our separate ways, I drove into town to pick up some things in town. I’ve been working away making things and needed to replenish my stores. Right now I’m crocheting scrubbies for stocking stuffers in WVU’s colors. I also finished another Christmas Stocking. I’m having a ton of fun and not feeling a bit of stress over the holidays. 

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We’ve been getting snow squalls off and on since yesterday. And we are now up to eight people who caught Covid at our class dinner on the 8th. We are praying no one gets seriously ill and no one else comes down with it. It looks like I don’t need to go anywhere for the rest of the week so I am quite content here at home with my baking and my projects!

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Are you all getting last minute preparations completed? If you are in bereavement, I hope you’re enjoying what you can while practicing good self care. Just breathe, my lovelies…we’ll get through this. And if we make some memories…that’s a bonus!

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🎄

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”Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.“

\nProverbs 13:20 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-19T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/19/stitching-up-a-holiday-together.html", "tags": ["Fun","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/13/we-have-a-new-roof.html", "title": "We Have a New Roof!", "content_html": "\n
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God has taken care of us in ways we could never imagine. We went into the year with three vehicles, a leaky roof, and somewhere along the way the furnace died.  We’re going out with the money from the totaled car, a surprise warranty on the heat exchanger, and a guy that knocked on our door and asked if we needed someone to finish our roof. We had a pallet of shingles sitting at the end of the house for the last year, and he was just driving by.

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What a nice guy. He had a crew of helpers who worked so hard in this cold. While I’ve enjoyed the the warmth of my house, knitting hats. So, yesterday I decided these young men needed a nice warm hat. I had several hats made for gifts, so I tucked a little folding money in each one, and gave them each a hug. I made some comment like, “Call your mother, she worries.” One of them turned to me and said his mother had died in 2009. Then the next month, his father died, and the next month, his grandmother died, as well. Bless his heart. I wanted to adopt them and bake them cookies. 

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So, it may be slim pickin’s here for Christmas, but my heart is full and I have a boatload of yarn, and the time to knit it up! We had a wonderful meal seated at our dining room table. Our house is warm and clean. We have food in the pantry and freezer. We have to look for the silver linings of life and be grateful for what we have. 

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Today’s post is dedicated to my dear friend, Sparky. Gone two years now, but forever in my heart. Two separate people, on opposite ends of the country have told me she came to them and said, “Don’t you worry about me…I’m doing fine. You’ll come along one of these times. But don’t you hurry. Live your life! There’s live music up here!!!”

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You are deeply missed, Sparky.

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🎄

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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": "2023-12-13T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/13/we-have-a-new-roof.html", "tags": ["Gratitude","God","Farm Life","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/11/30/opportunities-to-rise.html", "title": "Opportunities to Rise", "content_html": "\n
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We stopped at an art gallery and I saw this amazing nativity. I’ll share more photos tomorrow.

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Mr. FixIt and I needed to leave home by 10:30 so I could drop him off at his friend’s house and make it to lunch with my friends at 11:30. I fixed us a quick breakfast and we sat down to eat and have our coffee. The sun came out and we were thrilled the temperature was going up as it got down to 13° during the night. I took a sip of coffee and glanced over at the wall above Alexa and there was a ghostly apparition above it. I studied for a minute and finally realized the sun was reflecting off the window bird feeder. I couldn’t have had some fun with Mr. FixIt but I opted for adulting. lol

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I had so much fun meeting with my high school friends at lunch. We laughed and told stories and shared memories. I love to see us at this age. We’ve gone full circle. Most of us really only made friends as adults, but you’d never know it. For some reason, our class is really tight. We talked about how meaningful it is to know people now who may not have treated us well in high school. When we come to realize everyone suffered the angst of adolescence in different ways.  And the majority of them grow up and become pretty cool folks. 

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One of the gals told us she was at a class reunion and a group of gals came in who had heckled her in high school. She sat back and figured they would leave her alone. Instead, they all came over and asked her to go sit with them. She had heard one of them had breast cancer. She asked how the lady was doing. She said she was doing really well…great in fact. Then…she died three weeks later. She thanks God that she had the opportunity to rise above.

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The same thing happened to me. One of the girls who gave me all kinds of grief in gym class wanted to come to the next reunion. She had never attended and she felt nervous about it. I had connected with her on FB a few months before to encourage her to come. She told me she was afraid people wouldn’t like her because of the way she treated them in school. I assured her we had all grown, and if there were anyone still holding a grudge, it would be an excellent opportunity for her to mend some bridges. She showed up and folks welcomed her with open arms. And… a few weeks later, she died instantly of a heart attack. 

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Sometimes God gives us opportunities to resolve conflicts long before we are called to the Golden Gates. When we have the wisdom and maturity to step up and make things right, it’s good for our soul. When we can clear things off the slate, we not only get to talk to God about the bad thing, we get to talk about how we made it right. He knows, of course. But He wants to hear it from us.

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I hated to pull away from our conversation, but I needed to get Mr. FixIt to an appointment so I rushed off. When we were finished, we stopped at a little restaurant we neither one had been to. We had a lovely meal and when we got ready to leave, I couldn’t find my phone. Mr. FixIt couldn’t call it because he left his in the truck. The ladies in the next booth offered to call my phone so I could find it, which I did. I turned to you and said, “Well, now you have my number, you can find me anytime!” I stuck my hand out and said, “I’m Ginny McKinney!” She paused and looked at me a moment. “From Marshmallow Ranch?” OMGosh! This lady came to a talk I gave at her church seven years ago! It’s a small world, isn’t it?

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We went on and made a stop at the store, then headed home in the dark. It was a good day and I’ll be darned if I don’t have to go back in today for a follow up medical appointment of my own. It just seems to be a never-ending thing at this age. As much as I would love to stay home, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to see good doctors and have adequate healthcare. I’m grateful it’s nothing worse. I’m grateful no one is dropping bombs on us or stealing our neighbors away at gunpoint or killing our children. We are so incredibly blessed to live in this country and we all need to start acting like it. 

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So go out there today and do something good for your neighbor. Mend your fences where you can. And bless ‘em where you can’t. Life is too short to hold onto anger and resentment. It’s the poison you take hoping it hurts the other guy. 

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God bless you all today. I love y’all!

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🎄

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“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the Lord, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong. But if the man has no next of kin to whom restitution may be made for the wrong, the restitution for wrong shall go to the Lord for the priest, in addition to the ram of atonement with which atonement is made for him.”

\nNumbers 5:5-8 ESV\n
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

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Christmas Words… this tree of words reminds us of what we should all focus on this season of goodwill.

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-11-30T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/11/30/opportunities-to-rise.html", "tags": ["Growth","Gratitude","Wisdom","Courage","Insight","Friends","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/11/11/its-always-good-to-get.html", "title": "It’s Always Good to Get Home", "content_html": "\n
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I packed and cleaned up at The Farm before I could fritter away too much time. Mr. FixIt had an appointment in town at 1:00 and he needed the truck. We’re kinda down to one vehicle at the moment. There are a few things we have to do to his before we can use it again. I got home about 20 minutes before he had to leave. He looks even better than he did when I left on Tuesday, which did my heart good. He has his sparkle back in his eyes. He still gets tired pretty easy, but he’s SO much better!

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The Former Mrs. FixIt, our daughter, and our great granddaughter dropped in on Mr. FixIt on Thursday. They had been out in the country to the burial service for one of Little Bit’s great grandmothers on the paternal side. They didn’t come in a sit because they were in a hurry to get back to town, but Little Bit needed to use the potty so they stopped in. When they came back out, she looked up and studied Mr. FIxIt.

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“Papaw,” she said. “Your house is a wreck!!!”

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Mr. FixIt laughed and said, “Well, that’s all the stuff we took out of the camper when we were done camping for the year.” 

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“Well, you’d better go put that stuff back in the camper!”

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She’s not wrong. She has never been in this house when it was in disarray. I can’t stand it when it gets like this. It doesn’t happen often, but we just haven’t had the time to stop and clean everything up. We hit the ground running as soon as we got back from the beach. Then Mr. FixIt got Covid. And things came to a standstill. I took a before photo, because I rarely do that. I don’t like to admit I’m not a neat and tidy internet superstar with nothing left out of place, because I’m not. I’m just gal who loves the outdoors more than cleaning the house. And sometimes that shows!

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As soon as he left for his appointment in town, I got to work. I went through both big trunks of camping stuff. I took the food items and put them away in the pantry. I wiped down and tidied up the rest of it getting all of the utensils, kitchen tools, and trailer goods in one trunk to wait for next camping season. The other trunk is ready for food goods.

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My next project was to tackle the huge tote of yarn that my friend Steve brought out to me a couple of months ago. It was all of his late wife’s yarn and crochet projects and, if I didn’t have two other tubs of yarn, I might have kept it. All of her yarn was acrylic and I usually just knit with natural fibers. I went through it, untangling a mess of yarn and winding the different colors in balls. I picked out what I thought I would use, and now I have two big bags of yarn to take over to the Former Mrs. FixIt’s next week for her to browse. What she doesn’t want will go on over to our daughter’s house. And if she doesn’t want it, she can pay it forward someplace else like a senior center. I can guarantee it’s not going to be wasted.

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When Mr. FixIt got home, he was starving so I made Chicken Parmesan again. I tried moving it from the iron skillet to a covered baking dish and I didn’t like it nearly as well. The coating was not crispy at all like it had been in the iron skillet. To keep the sauce from picking up a bitter metallic taste, I’ll bake it in the iron skillet and heat the sauce up separately. Then I can serve the chicken on a bed of pasta and pour the sauce over all. It was still good. It’s just the texture that didn’t cut it for me.

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I’ll hit the family room this morning and see if I can get it in good shape. I want to put up the tree next week. I did hang up one decoration. When my new friend Lonnie closed her little antique mall in East Palestine this fall, she was so distraught. Her home is unlivable because it’s so close to where the train derailed. They ended up buying another house some distance away where they will feel safer… away from the trains. I went into her shop on a nudge. I met her before and I just loved talking to her. But this day, the Holy. Spirit moved me to go in and check on her. We ended up sitting on small stools behind the counter… our knees touching, clapping hands together and I prayed fervently for her to find her way through this and for the Lord to bring her peace with this decision. We prayed for quite some time and eventually her tears lessoned and she breathed a big sigh. 

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Another customer came in so I browsed around the shop and bought a boatload of things that I love. I admired a wreath she had made. She said when things come into her shop that are special, but not necessarily sellable, she sticks them in a box for inspirations later. Then when the box is full, she makes something with them. She made a gorgeous wreath for her Mom with the best of the trinkets. Then she made this one. She decided not to take it with her when she moves, so she put a price on it and put it in the shop.

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I already had so many things by the time I saw the wreath, I just decided it wasn’t going to come home with me because I just couldn’t justify spending that much more and I really didn’t want to put the treasures back that I had picked out. When it was time to pay for my purchases, I had to take several trips to the truck. When I came in the last time, she handed me a big Christmas wrapped package. 

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“Here. I really want you to have this. Your visit today has helped me so much, you have no idea. I want you to decorate with this and think of me every year when you hang it up. I hugged her again, thanked her profusely, and walked out with this stunning Christmas wreath that I will treasure for the rest of my born days. I was Lonnie’s God Appointment that day, and it turns out… she was mine.

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💙

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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 little Santa and Elf are just too cute to not post again!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-11-11T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/11/11/its-always-good-to-get.html", "tags": ["Gratitude","God","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/11/07/self-indulgence-or-self-care.html", "title": "Self Indulgence or Self Care?", "content_html": "\n
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Sometimes you just have to do it. It isn’t selfish to do something just for you. It’s healthy, and something I wish I would have learned a lot earlier in my life. I joined the craft group at one of the local churches yesterday morning. And by morning I mean 9:00AM. Ok, it was 10:00AM to my body, but still… I don’t usually get moving around much before that and I’ll never schedule an early morning appointment in town if I can help it. I spent all my life either getting up at the crack of dawn for work or for kids. I don’t do it if I don’t have to.

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There were only three of us there, plus a woman who is part of the lay ministry there. She’s thinking of getting back into crocheting. I originally met one of the gals in the Post Office this summer just before we left on the big Colorado trip. We got to talking about crafts and I asked if there was a group that meets. She said yes and invited me to join them. I told her I had to wait till the summer travel season was over but then I definitely would come!

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One was working on a crochet project. And the other was using a round loom to make slippers. I worked on the afterthought heel on that pair of socks I started at the beach in April! I did NOT get much knitting done this year. Between the king sized quilt, the wedding, camping, mowing…well, you get it. I’ve been busy. So yesterday was a much needed break to chat with other women.

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It’s fun getting to fellowship with other women, especially those who live in our community. I’ve lived here for six years and I’m only just beginning to recognize people at the grocery store. I love hearing their stories and watching their projects. It’s also a great way to learn about the little town we live in. There are so few opportunities to do this. I’m still going to check into doing something at the senior center. 

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It’s not that I’m lacking in things to do. When I got home from knitting, I tackled the pile of documents that I set aside to be dealt with this week. We have to go to town today for Mr. FixIt’s follow-up appointment for covid. I have a list of things that I need to do… get the oil changed and tires rotated, get the truck inspected and the new tags, and get the transmission flushed. These are all things that get put off till mowing season is over. And thank goodness it is!

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Are you having trouble with the time change? I was sitting in the family room yesterday along about 5:00. I looked at my husband and asked, “Is it time for bed yet???” He just laughed, but he agreed it felt a LOT later than it was. That’s also because I woke up at 4:30 yesterday morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. I hate that. I go through periods where I sleep like the dead, then there are others where I toll and turn all night. Maybe it’s the moon!

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I think I’ll hit the family room hard when we get back from town and get that camping gear downstairs. (No, it didn’t go anywhere…I was taking care of a sick hubby.) If I get a good portion of that done, I might be able to go to the farm for a couple of days and work on the fast internet.

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When it was time for supper, I asked my sweetheart what he wanted. He’s never really sure, but since he’s had Covid, his appetite comes and goes. He wasn’t on top of his game yesterday, so I told him I had some chicken and I could make Chicken Parmesan if thought that sounded good. He perked right up and said YES. It was SO easy. I pounded a huge chicken breast with a tenderizing tool. I dipped it flour then beaten egg, then Italian style Panko break crumbs, back into the egg, and finished with panko. I sautéed it in an iron skillet till the breading was getting crispy. I topped it with just enough Italian Sausage Spaghetti Sauce to cover it. You don’t want to cook tomato sauce in an iron skillet. The acid works on the cast iron and gives an awful metallic taste. I covered it lightly with a sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil and popped it into a preheated 350° oven for about 25-30 minutes. I cooked some spaghetti al dente, topped it with half the chicken on each plate and sprinkled parmesan over it. OMGosh! It was as good or better than any restaurant. Mr. FixIt did everything but lick the plate clean so I think it passed his approval. It’s definitely good for company!

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So, that was my Monday. A good start to a good week!

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🍁

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“Give us this day our daily bread,”

\nMatthew 6:11 ESV\n
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Ho Ho Ho! Cute little Santa to brighten your tree!

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Shop Now and Support my Small Business…please and thank you!!!

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-11-07T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/11/07/self-indulgence-or-self-care.html", "tags": ["Fun","Crafts","Friends","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/29/catching-up-with-a-dear.html", "title": "Catching Up With a Dear Friend", "content_html": "\n
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“Grandma’s Farm” - c.1997 - Colored Pencil on Paper

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A lot of things get put on the back burner when I’m up to my eyeballs in chores here at Marshmallow Ranch. I got a little reprieve because it rained a lot on Wednesday and through the morning yesterday. And you know what that means! No mowing!!!

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I had a thing for drawing quilts when I worked full time and didn’t have time to create one myself.

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I holed up in the office all day catching up with phone calls and shopping for new eyeglasses on Zenni. My dear friend Steve came over so I could help him change his Facebook page to include his soon-to-be bride. Steve became a widower the year before Mr. Virgo died and he really took a long time to do things like clean out his wife’s personal items. Finally, sometime over the winter, he decided he was ready to find a partner to spend his Golden Years with.

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Another one I found.

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As his close friend, I was glad he wasn’t one of those men who go out shortly after their wife dies to find a “replacement.” But he’ll be the first to tell you, he wasn’t interested in replacing his gal. And, like so many, when he really WAS ready, Sharon crossed his path and lightning struck again! He totally changed his house in preparation for her…redecorating, painting, and putting down new floors. It was finally time for him to move forward. So, along with his internal and external housecleaning came a change in the Facebook page and his status…ENGAGED! I was honored that he asked me to help him make it the perfect landing place for sharing his expanding family with the world. It turned out perfect, and he was able to keep all the friends he had from before…including those of his late wife. I’m so happy for him. And proud of all the hard work he did to get to this place. I know what he went through to get here.

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“Daughter #1” - c.1997 - Pencil on Paper

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Now I’m creating some personalized Christmas gifts he ordered while he was here. Hey…captive audience! I told him a little shopping spree in exchange for all that computer time seemed like a fair trade! 

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Interesting…I drew the picture on the left in ~1997. My marriage was on the skids and I often dreamed of a peaceful place where I could just be myself and be happy. I totally forgot about this drawing till I found it stuck between two pages in my old portfolio. The picture on the right is my Big Comfy Chair in our family room here on Marshmallow Ranch. A message to God…a plea for relief…delivered in HIS time.

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Other than my back hurting from sitting in this chair too much yesterday, I feel refreshed. Much better than the day before. Thank you all so much for you continued support and encouragement. You’re always there when I need you! Mr. FixIt goes to town today, so I’ll be working on those gifts and doing more with the family room.

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It was a good and productive day.

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?

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“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”

\nProverbs 18:22 NIV\n
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It’s Apple Harvest Time. Time for a fresh candle to warm up your cozy nest!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/29/catching-up-with-a-dear.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Love","Marriage","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/17/autumn-makes-me-miss-sparky.html", "title": "Autumn Makes Me Miss Sparky", "content_html": "\n
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The dog days of summer are past, the nights are downright chilly, and folks are getting out to soak up the last of the warmth from the sun. Mr. FixIt and I had a slow start to our day. I made my streamlined French Toast for breakfast then headed over to the farm to mow. Mr. FixIt worked on putting the stuff away that he pulled out to install the new garage door. He’s still pretty beat up from working so hard this week and I wanted to get things done so we’d have today to relax. 

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The grass was thick and damp at the farm so I had to go over it twice to mulch it. I had to sit on the front porch for a bit and enjoy the fruits of my labor before I headed home. Mr. FixIt wanted to go to town to see the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, so we stopped to pick up some supper and had a picnic at the park then looked at the names. A cousin of Hubby #2 is named on the wall so I looked him up.

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A quick trip to Sam’s then we headed home. I needed to help Mr. FixIt put the last of the stuff away that was removed from the garage to install the new overhead door. They predicted rain for last night so we wanted everything picked up and put away. By the time we finished, it was time to write.

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I noticed when I opened my iPad that yesterday was my dear friend Sparky’s birthday. She would have been 70 years old. Grief is a funny thing. I’ve lost people I dearly love and it has hurt me to my core. Losing Mr. Virgo was the worst. Losing Sparky was right up there in the top five. My chest still hurts when I think of her and all the fun we had. Even though we graduated from high school together, we didn’t really become friends till I moved to West Virginia after Mr. Virgo died. She kinda took me under her wing and steered me in the right direction when I messed up. She was my confidante…my 3:00am chat partner…the person I went to when I needed to know something. She was a walking encyclopedia. She cussed like a sailor but her heart was an ooey gooey marshmallow. If she liked you, she’d give you the shirt of her back. Cross her and she let you know about it in no uncertain terms.

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Little has “The Gift.” She’s sensitive to messages and communications. She texted me last week and told me my friend came to her and told her to tell me to check in on my brother. I asked her which friend. She said the one who died because she wouldn’t go to the hospital. She said she’s happier on the other side and specifically said to tell me “We’ll see ya eventually, but don’t you dare rush to get here!”

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I miss her like crazy…but somehow, that message comforted me. I know I’ll see her again.

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Eventually.

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?

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“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”

\nHebrews 11:16 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/17/autumn-makes-me-miss-sparky.html", "tags": ["Grief","Friends","Control"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/16/more-surprises.html", "title": "More Surprises!", "content_html": "\n
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Playing with the light. “Wedding Pumpkin on Knitting”

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I got home from my camping trip in the late afternoon. Mr. FixIt was so glad to see me, but he was so stoved up from putting in the new garage door on Thursday that he could barely move. This frustrates him tremendously because he is a real go getter. But, between the two mini strokes and the back pain of the last three years, he’s gotten way out of the habit of working that hard. So he’s going to pay for it for the next couple of days, I’m afraid. I don’t mind doing all the hooking up and unhooking anyway. It keeps my skills sharp and it’s good exercise.

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My lovely book from one of our readers….Knit, Pray, Share!

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After the news, I drove over to our little village and checked the Post Office Box and there was a package from one of our readers. She and I had discussed the merits of knitting. She bought a book to learn from and decided it had my name written all over it so she popped it in the mail for me! What a kind gesture. I am going to save it to read on our camping trip next week as I sit on the banks of the Ohio River.

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Hand knitted slippers with a Wedding Pumpkin and Apple.

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Gail gave me a pair of slippers she knitted for me to wear in the camper to keep my toes warm during these chilly fall evenings. The last three nights have been in the mid to low 40’s! That makes for good sleeping weather if you have enough blankets. I also have the electric blanket on the bed so I was toasty warm. It’s crazy…the first night camping I just had the windows open. The second night I had the AC on! Then the last three were “three dog nights!” As I was preparing to leave the campground yesterday, here came Gail with the most beautiful potted mums! I’ll take pictures today and post them tomorrow.

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Chicken in the Woods. This is actually an edible fungus. There are recipes! Yeah….that’s a big nope from me. That looks like something my grandma told me to stay away from. lol

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I stopped at the Pig when I was in town and picked up some fresh ginger root. Gail and Jan both have Ginger and Honey Tea every morning and that just sounded delightful. Not to be left out…I got some for myself and I’ll let you know what I think. 

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Another one of Gail’s misty morning photos. “The Grande Dame!” A stately old sycamore tree in the campground.

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I was thrilled to get home and find the kitchen exactly as I left it! Mr. FixIt is awesome! And now I’m whupped. I’ll write more tomorrow!

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?

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“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”

\n1 Peter 4:10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/16/more-surprises.html", "tags": ["Gratitude","Kindness","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/15/a-little-surprise.html", "title": "A Little Surprise", "content_html": "\n
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I gave Jan seeds from the white pumpkins we decorated with at our wedding in October 2018. She has planted them every year except this one. She surprised me yesterday with a little wedding pumpkin that came up as a volunteer this summer!

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Our friend Jan came to camp with us last night. She just bought a beautiful used Roadtrek 170 and hasn’t slept in it yet so this was her maiden voyage. What a beautiful camper van! I don’t know if Mr. FixIt and I could both sleep in it. The bed is really small. But the front chairs turn around and there is a way to turn one of them into a narrow twin. It might be something to look at down the road when we don’t want to tow anymore. It would be a great way to just jump up and go at the drop of a hat. In other words…my kind of travel.

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Gail and I went to East Palestine again yesterday. I wanted to check in on my new friend Lonnie at Mama’s Attic. She’s closing her shop November 1st and I picked up a few more bargains I’ll share with you down the road. We came back to the campground and it was my turn to cook. I made a big breakfast with scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, and fried apples and peaches. SO good! The low Wednesday night was 43 and last night was predicted to be the same. 

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I love sleeping when it’s cold. I even leave the windows open, but I sleep under an electric blanket and I’m cozy as a kitten. It didn’t get very warm yesterday. Gail fixed a really great meal that I am going to have to make for Mr. FixIt. He loves Cabbage Rolls but they are a pain to make. Gail makes a Cabbage Roll Casserole. You cut your cabbage in big slices and stick it in the microwave for a while to soften up. Fry a pound of ground turkey. I would also add a chopped onion. (She couldn’t remember if I liked onions or not so she left them out.) Then add some jarred spaghetti sauce, a handful of brown rice, maybe a can of diced tomatoes, and add the cabbage, season with salt and pepper and let it simmer on the stove or an electric skillet for a while. OMGosh! It was delicious!

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Gail’s Cabbage Roll Casserole

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With tummies full of warm food (and watermelon for dessert), we moved our chairs around the campfire and tried to call in the owls. We got one barred owl to “chat” with us for a bit. I think maybe after a few days of calling them in, you can’t fool them quite so easily. By 9:00, when the owl conversation was over, we called it a night and went to our respective little homes on wheels. 

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These get togethers with girlfriends pass by way too fast. We had such a wonderful time. I got to camp with Gail four times this year and that was a rare treat. Now it’s time to go home and we may not see each other again till we plan a late winter/early spring craft weekend. I head out this morning and I can’t wait to get home and give Mr. FixIt and big hug! He and his friend Harry installed the new garage door yesterday, so now Pumpkin can have the run of the building at night again.

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Our cozy campfire.

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I’ll be home for three days then Mr. FixIt and I leave Monday to go camping at one of our favorite campgrounds on the banks of the Ohio River. We love mid-week camping in the fall. The kids are in school. The tourists are practically nonexistent. And we often have the place pretty much to ourselves. The nice thing is, this is a Corps of Engineers campground. It will be nice to get away with my sweetie in the camper for a few days. He deserves a break!

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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
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#Camping, #Rest, #Autumn

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Halloween Pumpkin…a black cat just like our Pumpkin Kitty. She got the name because I met her on Halloween!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/15/a-little-surprise.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/09/14/another-lovely-day-at-the.html", "title": "Another Lovely Day at the Campground", "content_html": "\n
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Gail had to be in town yesterday, so I spent the morning deep cleaning the camper. I hadn’t really done much other than sweep it out from time to time and it needed some serious attention. I usually end up throwing bags of things in the camper at the last minute when I’m going someplace, so I collated and organized those, too.

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The lovely lady who was tent camping a couple of sites away from me was packing up to leave. I cooked my breakfast and as I sat down to give thanks for my meal, I got a nudge. “Share with your neighbor.” I looked over at her. It was cold and rainy Tuesday night. I was sure she hadn’t slept well. I split my big meal in half, added some blueberries and an apple and ran it over to her. Jacqueline is a pastor for a small church in Cleveland. It was such a pleasure to meet her.

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Once Gail came back, she came over to tell me lunch would be ready soon. We had a couple of ears of corn and the leftover green beans from the other night. Ohhhh, I will miss the corn. It was so good this summer. We took our leave and went to our respective campers for rest time. I didn’t really rest…I finished up working on the camper. We came back out at around 4:00. I finished knitting my cozy wool hat. Gail finished a pair of fingerless mittens. 

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The low for last night was predicted to be in the forties, and the longer we sat out, the colder it got. I decided to bake some apples for our dessert. When I picked up the dish, I proceeded to spill hot, sticky apple juice all over my freshly mopped floor! Ahhhh, well…what can you do? I quickly cleaned it up and delivered the apples to the pavilion where we sit and visit. They were delicious and we save half to make “fried apples” in the morning.

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We gave up early and turned in. A friend is coming tonight to camp with us, so we’ll have a fire and call in the owls again. Then, it’s time to go home tomorrow. The insurance company did end up totaling the Lincoln and Mr. FixIt said they came and picked it up yesterday morning. Now, a little paperwork when I get home and we’ll get the settlement check, which is twice what they initially offered. When that woman told me we weren’t going to get another dime out of them, I wanted to say, “Really? Watch me.” But what I actually said was, “Thank you so much for your time.” She doesn’t make the rules. She does what they tell her to do and that’s offer the least amount of money possible and they know most people will sigh and say, “OK.” Now I’m praying they don’t cancel my insurance policy. Darned if you do. Darned if you don’t.

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This week has flown by. We’ll have to make today count!

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?

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“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

\nActs 2:42 ESV\n
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Did you have someone special get married this year? If so, a personalized Christmas ornament makes a lovely gift for their First Married Christmas. It’s something they’ll treasure and remember for years to come.

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/14/another-lovely-day-at-the.html", "tags": ["Camping","Grace","Friends"] }, { "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/2023/09/12/i-got-a-jump-on.html", "title": "I Got a Jump on Camping!", "content_html": "\n
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Gail’s early morning walk that I slept through!

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Mr. FixIt goes to the bowling alley every Sunday to hang with his friends. He doesn’t bowl regularly anymore. He subs for a league he’s been on for over thirty years. When I made breakfast Sunday morning…and cleaned the kitchen right after, by the way…I had a great idea. I looked on the reservation site for the state park I’m camping in with Gail and my site was open for Sunday night? Why camp for four nights with your bestie when you can camp five, am I right? I ran it by Mr. FixIt and he said “Go for it!” He’s the coolest husband ever! So, off I went!

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It’s not camping without knitting!!!

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I did NOT get as early a start as I would have liked. There was this and that to do. The drive up was smooth. It was overcast and the temps were in the mid seventies. The only bad part was, I got to the campground just after dark. And man….was it ever DARK! Gail was there and she moved her car over for me so I could see where I was backing in. I’ve camped in this site so many times, I could almost back in blindfolded…which is kinda what I did.

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The woodpeckers have been going to town on these oak trees.

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I knew if I could just mark where the left corner of the driveway was, I could back in on a dime with a nickel left over. My first approach was slightly off the mark but Gail let me know in time. I got out, surveyed the area, pulled forward a couple of feet and bingo. She went right back where I wanted her! I really wanted to visit with Gail, but by the time I got myself unhooked and set up, I was too tired. I went over to give her her a hug goodnight. 

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Gail brought her fall t-shirts she bought from Marshmallow Ranch Designs! They are so cute and really good quality. Thank you, Gail!

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I slept in a little yesterday and I totally missed out on a beautiful early morning walk with Gail. She caught the sun peeking through the dense fog that had settled over the area. She was kind enough to share her photos with me so I could post them here. We had a lovely day. We ent to the grocer and picked up a few things. Then to the big box to get what the little store didn’t have.

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We found tons of big, fat acorns on our walkabout last night…many of them still green. We had a hot summer and that stresses trees.

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By the time we got back, I was ready for a nap. I love my camping crew. We are all on the same wavelength. So many people want to hit the ground running as soon as they get to the campground…afraid they might miss something fun. My second husband was like that when we were on vacation. Not me. I want to sleep in a little, have a leisurely breakfast, hang around the campfire and talk/knit/cook/eat. Then a little siesta/quiet time. Then another gathering at “happy hour.” Have a fire. Eat some more. And, like we did last night…call in the owls!

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Ahhhh…its getting dark noticeably earlier these days. A perfect end to a really great day at the campground!

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Owls are off the nest at this time of the year and you can call them in by playing recorded owl calls over a speaker. I played a few calls. Nothing. Then finally…OMGosh! They were EVERYWHERE! They were flying overhead and perching in the trees all around us. It was absolutely magical! So, turn up the sound and enjoy! 

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\n[youtu.be/KPcQub2iI...](https://youtu.be/KPcQub2iIVs?si=vXMiVqpUUVbx3cVg)\n
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These are barred owls. We couldn’t count how many there were…at least three, maybe more.

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?

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“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

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Romans 1:11-12 ESV

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I Love Fall Camping! It’s my very favorite time of the year to camp. The days aren’t too hot and the nights aren’t too cold. And when you can sit around the campfire and listen to owls??? Priceless!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-09-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/09/12/i-got-a-jump-on.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","goRVing","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/08/18/the-three-amigas-and-the.html", "title": "The Three Amigas and the Banged Up Lincoln", "content_html": "\n
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We’re lucky to get the three of us together once a year. And it’s usually sometime in August when JP does a drive-by on her way to a big meeting somewhere. We had such a wonderful visit, shared a couple of meals, and before we knew it, she was gone again on her travels west.

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After our buddy left, Gail and I went to Main Street to check out a couple of antique shops. I found an old oil lamp for $5 to leave out at the farm for when the electricity goes off. I also found the cutest shower curtain for when we redo the main bathroom at Marshmallow Ranch. Gail found a couple of pictures, a garden flag, and ten Fiesta Ware plates in Cobalt for $9.99! They were definitely well used, but perfectly fine to use. I was happy I could contribute to the economy of East Palestine. Everyone was so welcoming and kind. Good people.

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Mr. FixIt called in the middle of the afternoon and sounded distraught. Turns out he was pulling into the driveway and when he put his foot on the brake, it slipped off and he hit the gas instead. He demolished the garage door and banged up the Lincoln pretty good. He wasn’t hurt, thank goodness! He felt so bad, but it wasn’t his fault. Accidents happen. That’s why they don’t call them purposes.

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Gail heated up the salmon and made another wonderful salad. I love summer meals. So simple and fresh. We went outside and sat on the porch knitting till it started raining then we came over here to the cottage and visited for another hour or so. I’ll leave here this morning but we’ll be back the middle of August to camp nearby. This is such a beautiful place to be with such great friends.

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We’ll need to take the car in later today and pick up a rental car while they fix the Lincoln. I suppose there is a chance they would total it if they can’t find the parts. It’s a 2002, after all. We’ll see.

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Wow…summer is nearly gone!

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?

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“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”

\nRomans 8:18 NLT\n
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#Accident, #Damage, #Insurance, #Friends

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-08-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/08/18/the-three-amigas-and-the.html", "tags": ["Gratitude","Friends","Frustration"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/08/17/boring-photos.html", "title": "Boring Photos", "content_html": "\n
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When our grandchildren have grandchildren of their own, they’ll have entirely different photo albums than we did. Well, they probably won’t even have photo albums. They’ll have the Cloud. That ought to be fun at parties. Anyway, I saw a comedy routine the other day and the comedian was lamenting about photo albums. Our grandparents had great photo albums. If we were lucky, the names of the people in the photos were written on the back, or underneath the picture. When we said, “Who’s that, Grandma?” she’d tell us that was your great-great-grandfather when he got back from the Civil War. Or, “That’s your great aunt. She worked in the shovel plant during the war.” Worldly things. Honorable things. Great things!

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Our great-grandchildren will ask about pictures and their parents will say, “That’s what Grandma had for supper on August 16, 2023.” Or, “That’s me taking a picture of myself doing fish lips.”

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Fun times.

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I came up to my friend Gail’s house on Tuesday because our mutual friend was driving through on a road trip. We like to take whatever opportunity we can to have a visit, however brief it is. Our friend heads on today and I may stay on another night for some extra Gail time. She fixed an amazing dinner last night….baked salmon, tiny potatoes, and fresh green beans. I made a double batch of homemade Roasted Red Pepper Hummus yesterday. I’ve always heard it’s so much better than store bought and man…they weren’t kidding. This stuff is killer. I’ll leave the recipe here for you. The only down side is it’s 190 calories for a 1/4th cup serving. I wonder if it would taste the same without all the olive oil in it?

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I worked on more fall t-shirts yesterday. I think they came out nice. I continued knitting on a pair of socks I started back in February. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to do all the things! We’re going on a little “field trip” before our friend leaves. There’s a thrift shop we really love. Unfortunately, a lot of the businesses on Main Street in East Palestine, OH have closed since the train derailment and subsequent chemical disaster.

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This is the first time I’ve been here since the disaster. All night long, I lay in the bed in their cottage next door and listened to trains going by…one after another…speeding through this little town that is still reeling from the consequences of dumping thousands of gallons of carcinogenic chemicals into the air, soil, and water. There are still hundreds of people displaced from their homes and living either in hotels, campers or with family or friends. You can’t drink the water. You can’t eat the vegetables from the gardens. It’s just awful.

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Please keep the folks of East Palestine and so many other places who are suffering from man made disasters in your prayers. They need them!

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?

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“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”

\nIsaiah 45:7 KJV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-08-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/08/17/boring-photos.html", "tags": ["Prayer","Courage","Friends"] }, { "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/2023/06/24/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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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/2023/06/21/camping-critters.html", "title": "Camping Critters", "content_html": "\n
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The little camp cat…I’m so tempted to take her home, but I’m afraid Pumpkin will hurt her. She attacks anything that steps foot on her turf.

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We awoke yesterday to sprinkles and it looked like rain several times but never happened. We had breakfast under the pavilion. Lynn and Michelle bring their dogs with them when they camp. Lynn has two Corgis and Michelle has a Leonberger. They are best friends who love to travel together and it’s usually in Lynn’s Class B van. Now imagine two people and three dogs sleeping in a Roadtrek. Lynn has it fixed up with crates for the dogs to sleep in and she has made good economical use of her space. But I’m afraid I’d be getting a little claustrophobic with all that extra company.

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Michelle and her big boy! The picture of the corgis didn’t come out…I’ll try tomorrow.

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It’s always a pleasure to camp with them. Gail has her camper van here when she is the Camp Host and we get the girlfriends together at least twice a year for a campout. I come along once and I bring Mr. FixIt with me in the fall. We love this campground…it’s one of our top five favorites. Afternoon tea, naps, magazines, knitting (or other crafts), and good conversation. These are my kind of campers. There is cocktail hour, but alcohol is not the central focus. 

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Chatting around the fire and looking up answers to questions on Google! Better living through technology.

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We had a campfire last night and I made popcorn in the Detonator Popper with the crank that stirs the kernels to keep them from burning. I went online and found the directions so I would know what amounts to use. They suggest unrefined coconut oil because it doesn’t burn or smoke and the popcorn comes out nice and fluffy. I purchased popcorn seasoning at Walmart when I bought the coconut oil on my way here. We had Cheesy Jalapeño, Kettle Corn, Chile Limon, and Butter so you could choose your flavor. It was really good and we had so much fun sitting around the campfire talking. Actually, the campfire didn’t bother me last night. The wind continually blew the smoke away from me so I didn’t get choked on it.

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One more night and I head home to my Mr. FixIt!

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?

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“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

\nRomans 12:10 NLT\n
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Marshmallow Ranch Designs

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It’s nothing to write home about. We ate, knitted, and enjoyed each other’s company. A friend we hadn’t seen in a long time came by to visit. The other two gals who are camping with us showed up midafternoon. We caught up with each other’s stories. Michelle and Lynn hadn’t been here since the campground was reopened after the reclamation project was completed so they were in awe at the thousands of trees that were planted. I learned something new. The trees they removed during the reclamation project were non native species and they’ve replaced them with trees native to Ohio. Thinking ahead for the generations to come. What a novel approach. You don’t see that so much anymore.

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The only bit of excitement was something electrical with my camper. Well, not the camper itself, but I came back in after visiting over coffee and there was no electric in the camper. I went out and checked and worked around and finally figured out my surge protector finally bit the dust. I looked online and discovered those things should be replaced every 3-5 years and I’ve had this one for 10 years so it was way past its life expectancy. We checked online and Gail could get a delivery as soon as tomorrow so I went ahead and ordered a new one.

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What did we do before the conveniences of today? When I went in the big box store on Sunday to pick up some last minute items, I noticed an area full of totes with groceries in them. There were several people pushing carts around the store, filling the baskets from shopping lists so people can just drop by and pick up their items. This one of the things that came with Covid and I think it’s going to stick.

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Today is more of the same. Gosh…I love camping!!!

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?

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“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.”

\nProverbs 27:9 NLT\n
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I love the softness of a light scarf to wrap around your shoulders. Fashion and function is the name of the game for me anymore.

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-06-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/06/20/a-day-at-the-campground.html", "tags": ["Camping","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/06/19/into-the-woods-i-go.html", "title": "Into the Woods I Go", "content_html": "\n
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What a beautiful day to drive up along the Ohio River. The sun was shining and it was 81°. The traffic was light. It doesn’t matter what Siri says…it always takes me longer than predicted because I have to stop here and there along the way. It’s just how I roll. But glancing over and catching sight of boats on the river made my heart sing.

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When I stay at a campground for three or four nights, I set up the campsite to be really cozy. I put out a camp rug to keep from tracking dirt and rocks into the camper. I have a camp kitchen set up where I can put the griddle or electric skillet and my tea kettle. The cooler and the kitchen trunk are off to one side and my two folding bamboo tables are strategically placed with on by my chair. I like to sit and have my coffee there and our new camp chairs rock. Like, literally rock. That’s a nice addition to our camping gear.

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Once everything was set up, I fixed myself some supper. I bought a rotisserie chicken and corn on the cob at my last stop. So, I cooked up two ears of corn and cut off a thigh and leg quarter from the chicken. Then I had some watermelon for dessert. By then Gail was back from her church meeting and we sat and talked till dark. 

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This campground was once a strip mine. It was reclaimed at one point and the campground was created. But the drainage was bad and mosquitoes were crazy bad. The feds came in and did another reclamation, filling in the ponds that had formed and culling a bunch of trees. There was one massive sycamore tree that stood like a ghostly sentinel towering over the other trees. I don’t know if Gail was able to throw any weight around, but she did say once that she really hoped they would save that tree. When we came back after the reclamation project was completed…there stood the Grand Dame of the Forest in all her glory!

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I love camping on the weekdays because there are hardly any campers. It makes for a very slow and laid back trip…just my style of camping. I think there may be naps in my future this trip! We can’t do that on the Colorado trip because we’ll be moving on every morning. Mr. FixIt had a wonderful day and spent quality time with Junior FixIt. My bonus daughter has been sick for a week so he didn’t go near them. We can’t afford to get sick!

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I needed this R&R to rest up for the trip out west. These long cross-country drives are getting a little more difficult the older I get. But it’ll be a long time before I give up on them!

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?

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 “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

\n1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT\n
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Mermaids are everywhere! 

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-06-19T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/06/19/into-the-woods-i-go.html", "tags": ["Camping","Road Trip","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/06/08/finding-peace-in-the-rush.html", "title": "Finding Peace in the Rush", "content_html": "\n
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I really picked the right time to start a “lifestyle change”…There’s so much freshness out there!

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I’m reading a devotional by John Mark Comer about eliminating “hurry” from our lives. He posits that we get our schedules so jam packed that we have to rush faster and faster to get things done. When that happens, you have less time for love, joy, and peace. We all need more of all three and we cheat ourselves when we try to cram so much into our lives.

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I enjoyed a lazy start to my day and sat in the morning sunshine…sipping on my mushroom coffee. After breakfast, I sat down at the desk in the office and started working on the schedule for the Colorado trip. Normally, I would have had this all planned out and scheduled at least two months ago, but…well, the shop and the quilt and the impromptu camping trips and SPRING! I had to force myself to sit down and knock as much of it out as I could.

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Before I did anything, I asked God to pave the way for me and make it easy to find campsites. We’re traveling over the 4th of July weekend! I opened the RV Life site and got to work. I had to laugh because just about every campground I looked at had ONE site left and it was exactly what I needed! It still wasn’t a fast process as I was also learning the ins and outs of a new program. I got as far as the trip from Denver home so there are only four or five more reservations to go and that trip will be all set.

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You know, it’s a lot faster to fly. And probably a lot cheaper. But I just don’t have the chops for flying anymore. Watching all those stories of airlines messing up their schedules and leaving people stranded for days…hearing horror stories of lost luggage and brutally scaled back amenities…and watching grown adults slugging flight attendants and other passengers? Yeah….I think I’ll pass. I love our little camper and I love to drive and I love my navigator so I’m good!

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Before I sat down to do all this stuff, I had to make a quick run into town to pick something up at the post office. When I walked in, there were a couple of ladies standing in front of the door catching up…as folks are wont to do in a small town. I pardoned myself as I slipped in the door and check my PO Box. There was a slip announcing the arrival of something I was waiting for. As the ladies continued to chat, I carefully opened the box and pulled out the contents. I can’t divulge what it is yet because it’s a surprise for one of my loved ones. But when I saw it…I gasped out loud. It was even more beautiful that I anticipated and I was just thrilled by the quality.

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The ladies noticed I had a pretty and came over to ooh and ahh. Pretty soon it was two of us and we continued to chat for quite some time. We finally exchanged numbers and became Facebook friends right away. Have you ever met someone who you just click with? You know right away that you’re going to be fast friends and it just tickles you pink? Yep…it was just like that. I love it. We can never have too many friends, can we? And…she invited us to her church. 

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*smile*

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God’s been pretty busy winking at me this week!

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

\nProverbs 17:22 NIV\n
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#Friends, #GodWinks, #Vacation

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Setting up the schedule for the cross country trip means figuring out how far to drive every day so we don’t arrive in Denver dog-tired. I love a good road trip so making all these reservations at campsites reminds me…campers get more smiles per gallon!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-06-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/06/08/finding-peace-in-the-rush.html", "tags": ["God","Road Trip","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/05/11/back-home-again.html", "title": "Back Home Again!", "content_html": "\n
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Here’s a funny story. Well, I guess it depends on who you’re talking to whether it was funny or not. The former Mrs. FixIt sent Mr. FixIt a picture today. It was a huge…and I mean HUGE possum in a live trap on her porch. She was trying to catch a pesky raccoon that has been eating her birdseed and getting into her plants up on the deck. Instead, she got Mongo the Marsupial! She tried to figure out what she was going to do and finally decided to just open the door and let it go. 

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Instead, it stayed in the cage. Would NOT come out! She had errands to run so she left the door open and left. When she returned, Mongo was still in the cage doing what possums do in the daytime. Snoozing. Well, she really wanted that thing back in the woods where it belongs so she got the water hose and started spraying it. That did the trick! That possum bolted right out of the cage and made a beeline……straight into her house!!! 

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I’m sure she nearly jumped out of her skin. She took off after Mongo into the house and he was nowhere to be seen. She had to go play hide and seek with a possum the size of a Buick! She finally found poor ol’ Mongo, scared to death and cowering in the far back corner of the closet in the spare room. He got as far as he could go and was trapped. The Former Mrs. FixIt spent the better part of an hour trying to get that thing out of there. She opened all the doors and set to evicting the possum.

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About that time, Mr. FixIt was finished with the project he and his buddy were working on. He was only a couple of blocks away from her house, so he decided to stop by and see what she was doing with this guy. He saw the storm door propped open and thought, “What the heck?” So he stuck his head in the door.

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“Hello? HELLO!”

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“HELP! I’m back here!!!” she hollered.

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Mr. FixIt followed her voice and, thinking something might have happened to her, hurried to the back of the house. There she was with a big stick, trying to prod the recalcitrant critter out of her closet. She had removed everything but he still wouldn’t move. She handed Mr. FixIt the stick and told him to press down on the possum when it came out. 

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He looked at the stick and he looked at the possum and he looked at the stick and said, “Don’t you have a laundry basket or something you can throw on top of it?”

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Eureka! They got the basket over poor scared Mongo and scooted him down the hallway and out the door. When she lifted the basket, Mr. FixIt said that possum took off like a shot down the steps and into the woods. By this time they were both overheated and sweating buckets. They turned on the air conditioning and I’ll bet she’s still sitting there, trying to recuperate!

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I, on the other hand, enjoyed a wonderful, quiet afternoon at home working on my shop. Someone commented the other day that I should put my pretty flower photos on note cards and sell them in my shop so that’s what I worked on yesterday. I hope to have them and the Comfort Blankets live in the shop tomorrow. But I also have to mow today, so…we’ll see. Oh, I lost 3.3 pounds at the farm this week!!! Wahoooo!

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?

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“who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?’”

\nJob 35:11 NIV\n
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#Opossum, #Marsupial, #TalesFromWV

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I love the colorful hearts on this Weekender Tote! So cheerful and fun!

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Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-05-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/05/11/back-home-again.html", "tags": ["West Virginia","Farm Life","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/03/20/honeyim-home.html", "title": "Honey…I’m Home!", "content_html": "\n
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It was cloudy and chilly the whole time.

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Did you miss me? Wow…what a whirlwind trip with its ups and downs. First of all, it was SO good to see my camping gals! Some I hadn’t seen in ages and a new gal I’d never met. Now that we aren’t there, I can reveal we stayed at Pymatuning State Park in Andover, Ohio. My campsite was probably the best in the whole park…right on the shore of Pymatuning Lake. The views were gorgeous. It actually wasn’t terribly cold the first couple of days. It rained most of the day Friday. The nights were pretty darned chilly but I stayed plenty warm under the electric blanket (with four more assorted blankets on top) and a small electric space heater running.

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The downside was, I didn’t feel very well. I was sick the night before I left for the campground and I chalked it up to my usually pre-trip jitters. But, I didn’t have much of an appetite the entire time. And there was some WONDERFUL food! I’m telling you…these gals can cook! Everything from vegetable soup to breakfast burritos, cheesy egg and sausage grits casserole to pork roast and sauerkraut. There was fruit galore and nibbly treats. It was wonderful…even if I didn’t get to eat much of it.

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The cabin was pretty tight quarters with six women and three dogs, but it was cozy with a gas fireplace and everything we needed. I was glad I brought my big camp chairs so we were all pretty comfy.

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I started knitting a beautiful Irish wool cardigan in a rich red tweed. I got about four inches finished on Friday. Then…the weather notifications started coming in. They were predicting severe lake effect snow bands from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning. Depending who you got your weather report from, there was an expected snow accumulation of from two to four inches or six to nine inches. Either way, one inch is too much for me to tow a camper in. I did that once in Colorado and that snow is far more forgiving than the snow around here. So, all things considered, I made an executive decision and decided to head home Saturday morning. And since I already had posts scheduled…I just let it ride till last night when I wrote and scheduled this.

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The Bride-to-Be turned 25!

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One of the upsides of coming home Saturday was…I got to go to one of the WV Grand’s birthday party Saturday night. This is the one getting married this summer so there were lots of fun things to talk about. We had a lovely time and I was so glad I didn’t have to go anywhere yesterday. I continued to work on the project. I was hoping to do the big reveal today but I still have some housekeeping on the back channels to finish before I can do that. We’ll just have to continue to build the suspense in the meantime.

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Saturday morning on Pymatuning Lake!

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Mr. FixIt went to the bowling alley to visit with his buddies last night while I stayed in the Big Red Chair working on the computer. The floor of the family room is littered with camping gear…a goodly portion of which needs to go to its proper home at Mr. FixIt Jr’s house. Hopefully we can get that done this week.

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Sunday morning!!! One of the gals sent this to our camping group chat. I am SO glad I didn’t have to deal with that with the camper!

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Today is officially the First Day of Spring!!! We made it, y’all! And while we may be sitting in the cold with snow on the ground (depending on your location) it won’t be long before REAL spring weather shows up for good. And then…before we know it…it will be so hot we can’t stand it! Are we ever really happy with what we’ve got?

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Thanks for keeping the home fires burning while I was gone. As it turned out, I actually had cell service up at the lake and could have written to you but it was kinda nice to have three nights off. It helped stir up the creative juices and get me motivated with new ideas!

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“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

\nLuke 6:31 ESV\n
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#Friends, #Camping, #Snow

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-03-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/03/20/honeyim-home.html", "tags": ["Camping","Choices","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/03/15/one-more-sleep.html", "title": "One More Sleep", "content_html": "\n
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It’s been quite a while since I went on a girl’s trip. Covid changed a lot of things and the way we socialize was at the top of the list. It wasn’t the only thing that got in the way, however. There were illnesses and surgery…deaths in the family and the price of gas. Things have changed in the Covid arena. It’s still out there, but there have been enough people vaccinated and enough people exposed to rein the beast in. It’s not like it was the first year…a near certain death sentence. 

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So, we are heading out and socializing more. And it feels wonderful to walk around in the world with a little more normalcy. Mr. FixIt and. Still wear masks when we are out in crowds like the grocery store. We try to go there during slow periods to reduce our exposure. And, we are militant about not touching our faces and we wash our hands regularly. We are still among those who have not succumbed to Covid and I intend to keep it that way.

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Those I am camping with have either had the illness or they’ve been vaccinated so I feel pretty safe hanging out with them for the next few days. We were originally supposed to gather at my friend’s house and “camp in”, but she lives in East Palestine and none of us felt comfortable going there. We are heading further north. They’ve rented a cabin for 5-6 of them. Another friend and I will be camping side-by-side on the edge of a large lake. It’ll be cold at night, but the days are predicted to be more seasonable.

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Today I need to rid up the camper and stock the things I’ll be needing. I also want to light the furnace and let it run a while. When I ran it last fall, it got hazy in the camper from burning off whatever was on the furnace parts. I want to make sure all of that is gone before I light it up and sleep in there. I do have my little electric space heater and an electric blanket, so I’m sure I’ll be toasty warm. I also need to figure out what knitting project(s) I want to take with me. 

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Mr. FixIt is taking the truck in this morning for new brakes and rotors. I’m really looking forward to being with the girlies. Prayers for travel mercies. I have no idea if there is cell service or wifi at the campsite so if you don’t hear from me for a couple of days, don’t be alarmed. I’ll be heading back home on Sunday. 

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?

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“A friend loves at all times….”

\nProverbs 17:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-03-15T06:53:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/03/15/one-more-sleep.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/03/04/i-love-the-night-sky.html", "title": "I Love the Night Sky", "content_html": "\n
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I was working on the computer yesterday afternoon when I remembered I needed to find the title for the Big Birdhouse. I have looked everywhere and can’t find it. So, I gathered my things and headed to the DMV in town. Mr. FixIt decided not to come with me. I sat for an hour and when I got to the window, it turned out I needed his ID. So we’ll have to go back on Monday and get it. 

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*sigh*

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Other than the wasted trip to town, there was an absolutely beautiful end to the day. As I was unloading the groceries from the car, I looked up at the clouds scudding across the sky. The winds were strong all day yesterday and when the clouds are low, they literally fly by above you. I scanned the sky and there was a full rainbow with the moon front and center. What a sight! I snapped photo after photo of the beautiful clouds that surrounded Marshmallow Ranch. I have a vast collection of sky photos.

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A group of my camping girlfriends and I will be gathering in a couple of weeks for a fun crafting weekend. We’ve done this many times over the past several years. We like to meet in March because the real camping season hasn’t started yet and we’re bored to tears with winter. The girls are renting a cabin but I’m bringing Grace and camping by the lake. One of the girls is bringing her camper and has the site next to mine. It’s going to be really cold, but I’ve stayed in campers during the coldest depths of winter. I will be fine. Besides, I’ll be crafting in the cabin during the day. I can hardly wait! 

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I’ve been working long and hard on this project. I hope to launch it on March 13th. Then, I leave for the camping trip on the 17th. Pray there’s no snow. I’ve camped in the snow, and I’ve towed in the snow…I don’t care to do that again. 

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Camping season is coming, people! I have my truck absolutely stuffed with camping gear from last season as well as the items I took from the a-frame as I prepared it to sell. I’ve got to wrap this project up because I have a boatload of work to do!

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“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

\nHebrews 10:24-25 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-03-04T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/03/04/i-love-the-night-sky.html", "tags": ["Strong Women","Camping","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/02/16/throwback-thursday-spa-day.html", "title": "Throwback Thursday - Spa Day!", "content_html": "\n
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Photo Found on Facebook

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I was around sixteen years old when I received a hairdryer for Christmas. It was in a plastic avocado green case with the bonnet and hose…the whole shebang. It even had a little knob with a pipe cleaner attached to it that I pulled out, dipped in perfume, and put back in. When the air blew through the tube into the bonnet, it picked up the scent from the perfume and just like that…my hair smelled like some Avon stuff I found in the bathroom closet. It was trés chic, to be sure.

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My foster sister and I took turns using the dryer on our long locks. We only had one set of curlers, so we took turns with that, as well. We washed our hair with Prell or Herbal Essence shampoo…something that smelled vaguely of sage and pine cones. We used some sort of hair rinse. It was a green liquid and you added some to warm water in a measuring cup and poured it over your head. I always had a lot of static in my hair in the winter, so I started using fabric softener instead of the green stuff. Créme Rinse was something older ladies used. We didn’t have money for the fancy stuff. 

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When we rolled our hair up on those monstrous rollers, we used Dippity Doo to help make the curls stay in longer. Some girls used orange juice cans. We couldn’t afford juice so there was none of that. I remember later on in high school, we ironed our hair so it would be long and stick straight. Never mind that we were frying it in the process. Oy!

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My foster sister and I painted each other’s fingernails while the hair dryer blew Evening in Paris over our sage and pine scented hair. It was always a pale neutral color, or more likely clear since that’s what we had handy to stop the runs in our pantyhose. There was a small vent in the base of the dryer case that would help blow the polish dry. 

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We did all this without our noses pressed to a phone screen. We figured out how to take care of our beauty needs without the benefit of Google searches. We weren’t texting our friends or taking selfies. The extent of our self-absorption was limited by how long we could stay in the bathroom before someone started pounding on the door and yelling, “What on earth are you doing in there??? It’s been twenty minutes! Hurry up…the commercial is almost over!!!”

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Our evening entertainment was limited to the little handheld transistor radio where we caught the evening radio show on WPAR… “The Station With the Happy Difference!” We finished up our homework then went in to grab some milk and cookies and kiss the folks goodnight. I am so glad we didn’t grow up with the internet. It was a simpler time. And, our tomfoolery wasn’t recorded for all posterity!

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I wax poetic because I met some of my high school friends for lunch yesterday and we were chatting about times past. There was a lot of what-happened-to-so-and-so going on. As we were getting ready to leave, one of the gals came back over to the table and quietly asked if turning 70 bothered us. This one said yes, another said a little, everyone allowed it is indeed a monumental birthday. 

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When it came to my turn to chime in, I said it didn’t bother me at all. As a matter of fact, I embrace the change. There are so many of us who haven’t been blessed with as many years as we have. Mr. Virgo, for one. And my dear friend, Sparky. I am obligated to live…really LIVE every day of my life! I don’t have time for this “I’m too old” nonsense. Oh, I was having a few moments of uncertainty a few months ago. But I’ll take aging over the alternative…any day of the week!

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Besides, the temperature was a balmy 75° yesterday. How could anyone feel bad on a warm, sunny spring day with friends?! I finished my errands with the sunroof open, wind blowing in my hair. We had warmed up pizza for supper and I “yard camped” last night! 

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It was a wonderful and much needed break!

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?

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“My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!”

\n1 John 4:11-12 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-02-16T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/02/16/throwback-thursday-spa-day.html", "tags": ["Fun","Friends","Happiness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/01/29/all-work-and-no-play.html", "title": "All Work and No Play Makes Ginny a Grumpy Girl", "content_html": "\n
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I got up early with Mr. FixIt to see him off for his day of fun with his son. My sweetie has a birthday coming up next week, so his son treated him to a trip to see his beloved Mountaineers play Auburn. He didn’t have much hope for the WVU to win, but anytime he gets to see them in person is a rare treat. The joy of spending time with his boy? Well, it was just extra special. One of the grands and her boyfriend and our daughter-in-law went along, to so that just added to the fun.

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As soon as he was out the door, I fixed a little breakfast and settled in the Big Red Chair with my lap desk and multiple electronic devices. I worked through the morning…doing research and the like. Then I headed over to a friends house. He’s redoing his kitchen and wanted “a cook’s perspective” on some of the ideas his contractor left him with. 

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I’d never been in the stately brick home across the street from the courthouse, but I’ve admired it from afar for years. I became friends with Richard after Sparky died. I was really excited to get the invitation for a tour and learn the history of the house. The original owner was a young doctor. He lived in the home and had his medical office next door. He had some interactions with a local family and met their young daughter. He was immediately smitten with her, but she was not of age yet, so the good doctor had to wait a few years before he married the love of his life.

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They added four children to their brood and lived a lifetime in the home. When the elders passed away, Richard bought the beautiful house. He is a collector of some wonderful antiques. He also has accumulated many of the original family’s keepsakes and he has these things housed in various rooms of the house. He hosts tours from time to time so others can share in the history.

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After we discussed the design points in the kitchen, I gave Richard my recommendations then we set out to take the tour. Like my longtime family friends who own the mansion in the historic district of Parkersburg, Richard’s home is filled with antiques to the point it resembles a living history museum. The only difference is, he loves primitives. That’s my favorite too, so I was in hog heaven. I was so taken with the tasteful decor, I nearly forgot to take photos till we were up in the attic. That’s where he has his toys from childhood. He had a Christmas tree set up and had the smaller toys tucked in the branches as ornaments. It was such a delight!

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I picked Richard’s brain about my project and he added some good ideas that I can incorporate. More things to add to my list!

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Big had another swim meet today…the last one before the Conference Championship. She is three time zones away and I watch her on closed circuit TV. However…remember me telling you I’ve been having trouble with my electronics? Well, I could NOT get it to work, no matter what I did. So, I’ll have to rely on the word of her mama and Sue…her other grandma. 

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All in all, it was a fun and productive day that was sunny and warm….ish!

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?

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“….Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.”

\nColossians 3:22-25 MSG\n
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#Work, #Fun, #Antiques

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-01-29T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/01/29/all-work-and-no-play.html", "tags": ["Fun","Writing","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/01/12/farm-sweet-farm.html", "title": "Farm Sweet Farm!", "content_html": "\n
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Oh…the soothing sound of rain on the tin roof! The smell of old wood and home. The feeling of love around every corner. This old house is like a great big hug and it makes me smile. I was up pretty early and made pancakes and tea for breakfast. I needed to pull some things together on my laptop and what I thoroughly expected to only take a couple of hours ended up being an all day chore.

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I was going to knit. That didn’t happen. I was going to read. Nope. But, I’m working on a project and I made some good progress. I’m not ready to talk about it yet…it’s still in the formative stage. But I’m hoping it will be fun, productive, and maybe bring in a little money. We’ll see! 

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I did have time for a few phone calls. My dear friend Gail called to say her kids lost a dear family member and asked for prayers. I chatted with my sister/friend in Florida. I had a lovely long phone call with Arlene, my Uncle Sonny’s fiancé. She would have been my aunt, but Uncle Sonny was killed in a plane crash before they could walk down the aisle. 

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My reading nook at the farm…Grandma’s Window.

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I worked on the toilet a little. It keeps running and I finally figured out what needs fixed. It’s an easy job. We’ll get it done somewhere down the line. I heated up leftover spaghetti for supper and it was wonderful. I always think spaghetti and chili tastes so much better on the second or third day. Have you ever had the pasta that comes in a bag? You microwave it for sixty seconds and its hot and ready to eat! I’m going to get some of those for camping! I finished off the Hummingbird Cake that I brought with me, too. 

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Mr. FixIt called me several times yesterday. It’s the funniest thing. We feel like we need a little break and two hours later we miss the heck out of each other! He had to go to town yesterday to get the oil changed and the tires rotated on the Lincoln because he was so bored without me there. I head home this morning to that handsome man. 

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A photo popped up in my FB Memories yesterday. It was a picture from our high school yearbook. Our high school had a program every year called the Sports Carnival. There were choreographed dances, demonstrations by the fencing and gymnastics teams, and just all kinds of fun things. One of the highlights was the “Living Statues.” One star from each team…football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, and crew were covered in metallic body paint. They turned off the lights in the gym and the “statues” posed, the lights came on. Then they’d turn the lights off again, and another pose was created. Every time the lights came on, there was always a gasp, and wild applause.

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There was the crowning of the King and Queen of the Sports Carnival. Those members who didn’t win walked together…in couples down to the stage to serve as the Royal Court. On January 11, 2011…I shared a photo of the court on Facebook for my fellow classmates. Mr. FixIt was one of the Royal Court members! Little did I know when I posted that photo that I would be widowed sixteen months later. Or that in seven short years, I‘d be married to that tall redhead on the far end there. Who knew? Such sadness…and such joy. God works in mysterious ways.

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?

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“Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.”

\nProverbs 17:17 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-01-12T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/01/12/farm-sweet-farm.html", "tags": ["The Farm","Comfort","Memories","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/18/what-a-beautiful-day.html", "title": "What a Beautiful Day!", "content_html": "\n
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Little Christmas Stockings

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I woke up before the alarm went off. I’m so glad, because I hate an alarm clock. They always wake me with a jar and it doesn’t set the mood for a fun day. I headed out for town and got to the coffee shop in plenty of time to get the tables ready for our gathering of the ‘71 Coffee Divas.

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It is so much fun to get together with women I graduated from high school with. It’s been a while since we gathered because I was so busy this summer. And, since I’m the one with the invite book, we had to wait till things settled down a little bit. You wouldn’t think the week before Christmas would be a great time to to meet, but we still managed to get ten gals together. And one was a surprise as she was in town for the holidays!

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When we went our separate ways, I stopped at Kohl’s to return one of the nightgowns I got for Christmas. It was a little too snug and I need roomy! I wandered around the store for quite some time. I picked up a couple of things. One was a basting brush made out of that rubbery material…silicone, I think. Mine kicked the bucket over Thanksgiving. I love those things. They are soft and flexible enough to baste delicate pastry and strong enough baste a turkey right in the oven.

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I soon headed home and started helping Mr. FixIt. He wanted to make another batch of Peanut Butter Blossoms for bowling tonight and I left the kitchen a mess Friday night. I worked on the kitchen and later vacuumed the house. Then it was time to cook supper. I asked Mr. FixIt to bring a chuck roast home the other day and instead, he brought two beautiful London Broils…priced 2 for 1. I put them in marinade and popped them in the fridge Friday night. I set them out on the kitchen counter for an hour to warm up to room temperature.

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After the grill was heated to around 700°, I threw the two huge steaks on and ran inside. I popped a big potato in the microwave and got the asparagus out. I ran back out, turned the steaks and topped with two pats of butter, and ran back in. I took the potato out of the microwave and set the plate of asparagus with plastic wrap over it into the microwave for two minutes. I ran back outside and turned the steaks back over putting two pats of butter on that side. 

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After another three minutes or so, I carried the steaks back in and let them rest on the cutting board for a little bit. Then I sliced them on an angle, plated them along with half a buttered potato and a few stalks of asparagus and called Mr. FixIt to the table. Neither one of us had ever had London Broil so we really didn’t know what to expect. It’s a good thing it was pretty rare because it was kinda tough, in spite of being marinated. It was quite flavorful, though.

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After supper, I sliced the remainder of the meat and got four more meals. Five dinners for $20 is NOT bad! I put the bags in the freezer and we’ll pull them out when we want a quick dinner. We can cut them up in strips for fajitas or steak salads. We could dice them in really small pieces and season them well to top nachos. Any number of uses without cooking…my kind of dinner.

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When those dishes were finished, I settled in the big, comfy red chair and finished knitting the second Christmas stocking for the little boys. Today, I have absolutely NO reason to go anywhere so I am staying home…I promise! I might bake an apple pie. Mr. FixIt is a substitute on the bowling league so he’ll be heading to town before too late and I’ll have the house to myself for a few hours. I think I’ll put on a Christmas movie and start knitting the next Christmas stocking!

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“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

\n1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-18T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/18/what-a-beautiful-day.html", "tags": ["Holiday","Be Joyful!","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/15/stepping-out-in-style.html", "title": "Stepping Out in Style", "content_html": "\n
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I have the best friends. Remember how we were talking the other day about normalizing regifting and repurposing items? I love a thoughtful gift that is shared from the heart. One that was selected with just me in mind. A few months ago, my mermaid friend in Cali sent me a beautiful selection of items she no longer had a home for. She chose exactly what she knew I would love and sent them to me with gobs of love and light. And I received them…with all that love and light intact. It was enough to make my heart explode. 

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My friend didn’t spend a dime on me specifically. But that didn’t make the gift any less special or personal. I loved it! Well, I got a couple of boxes delivered yesterday from my friend from New Jersey. They were waiting for me when I got home. One box had a few items wrapped in colorful Christmas paper that I’ll place under the tree. The other held something REALLY special. A pair of very gently worn L.L.Bean plaid wool Sherpa lined boots! OMGosh!They are GORGEOUS and I’ll wear them proudly!

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She texted me the other night and wanted to know my shoe size. The boots were a little too snug for her. I always wear heavy socks with boots, and with those socks, they will fit perfectly. I squealed with delight when I opened them!

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We had a really long day yesterday. We left for town, stopping along the way to get breakfast sandwiches. I usually let my sweetheart know ahead of time what I would like for any gift giving occasion on the horizon. I mean, Christmas is next week and I hadn’t given it a bit of thought. After all…we just put a new roof on. We bought a new camper in September. We pay for our April beach vacation in December, unfortunately. And seriously…I don’t NEED anything.

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I was preparing for bed the other night. I haven’t had a nightgown with long sleeves for many years. I usually just throw a long sleeved shirt over a short sleeved gown. But as I was changing I thought…I’d really like to have a couple long sleeved night shirts. I went out and described exactly what I wanted and Mr. FixIt said I should come along with him to pick out them out.

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You and I both know there is no such thing as a quick trip to town, and that was certainly true yesterday. One of our stops was Kohl’s. Mr. FixIt patiently wandered around with me while I found the perfect jammies. Unfortunately, when I got them home, one was slightly small and I don’t like anything binding at night. The other gown was perfect. So I’ll take the smaller one back and exchange it for one in the different style.

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As I snuggled up under the covers to write to you, I had my new Christmas nightgown on. It’s amazingly soft…a pale grey and white miniature leopard print. And Mama’s a happy camper! It’s the little things. Yes…I could have bought these for myself. But they mean so much more that my man wanted me to have exactly what I wanted. 

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I have been incredibly blessed with husbands who always want to celebrate me and make sure I’m feeling happy and loved. Mr. FixIt is such a gem in that regard. I’ve been thinking about Mr. Virgo this week, too. He loved Christmas…it was his favorite holiday. He was happiest when he watched me open the gifts he carefully planned and purchased. I think back at the extravagant gifts he gave me…diamond earrings, a full length Icelandic blue fox coat, a fancy deLonghi espresso machine, among others. 

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Those gifts were lovely…truly. It meant the world that he bought them for me. However, I don’t need, nor want such extravagance. I’ve had the things. I’ve had the fancy houses and the fancy cars and the fancy stuff. And you know what? After a while, they’re just…things. “Stuff” doesn’t make me happy anymore. Spirit moved my friend to share her abundance with me in the form of boots. And the two nightgowns bought on a trip to town with my sweetheart while he patiently waited for me to pick out the perfect ones…with a stop for pizza on the way home?

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You can’t put a price on those things. That’s heaven!

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?

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“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

\n1 Corinthians 12:4-7 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-15T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/15/stepping-out-in-style.html", "tags": ["Holiday","Friends","Happiness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/13/dancing-around-the-big-black.html", "title": "Dancing Around the Big Black Hole", "content_html": "\n
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We’ve talked a lot over the years about anxiety and depression. I had a period of time in my forties when I was clinically depressed. There was a lot going on…a difficult marriage, trying to be a good mom to a 16 year old AND a new baby, and dealing with the newly remembered memory of childhood sexual assault while my children were the same age as I was when it occurred. It was a really difficult time in my life.

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It took a long time, but I finally got off all the medicines because I had a LOT of therapy. I gained the tools I needed to recognize an impending slump and to cut it off at the knees. There have been times I’ve danced around the big black hole that is depression. Maybe even slipped in a little. But I have climbed out and thrived again 100% of the time. It isn’t easy.

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The holidays are hard on people. Especially people with soft hearts and tender feelings. I believe those who have experienced great loss are more susceptible to depression. But those are my thoughts. I’ve not seen any studies about it. It just seems that way to me. I do know along with the advent of cold, dark nights come cold, dark thoughts.

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When I was in the throes of depression, it seemed I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t take a shower or brush my teeth. I couldn’t cook or clean. It was all I could do to meet the most minimal of my family’s needs. And the worse things got, the worse I felt about myself because I knew I was failing them. I just couldn’t stop. I couldn’t pull up out of it.

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I always feel the slump of the winter blues. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing that a lot of people feel at this time of year. There are a lot of tools that can help keep you from sliding down that slippery slope into depression. Here are some that really help me.

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1. When you get up in the morning, get dressed and make your bed. You are less likely to crawl back in if the bed is made. And, even if you only make it to the couch, you’re dressed and that’s better than nothing.\n\n2. Don’t drink alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and, while it may make you feel a little better in the moment, in the long run it’s just going to make things worse.\n\n3. Watch what you eat. Try to get more fruits and vegetables in and lay off the fast, fatty foods.\n\n4. Go for a twenty minute walk at midday. Even if the sun isn’t shining, it’s the brightest part of the day and the activity will get your blood flowing. The endorphins that release with even moderate exercise really help.\n\n5. Don’t rely on other crutches like shopping to help you cope. Negative coping strategies equal NO coping strategies. I know a little treat can help boost your mood, but when there are too many treats and the bills start making you anxious, it’s time to try a different coping tool.\n\n6. Pick up a hobby. I couldn’t have started a king sized quilt when I was in the depths of despair because I didn’t have the bandwidth. Instead, I doodled and journaled. I had a whole stack of journals and I poured my heart out. I drew little pictures and designs. It helped to get the feelings out. Writing this blog has been an excellent tool to keep the gloomies at bay.\n\n7. And finally…most importantly…I meditate and pray every day. Keeping Jesus front and center and reading God’s directions help keep me afloat.
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I didn’t expect to go to town yesterday, but I received a text from the pharmacy that I had a prescription ready. I needed to pay a bill, and there were just a few more Christmas presents to buy for the littles. On my drive in, I felt Sparky’s presence for the very first time since she died. I couldn’t figure out why I never felt her close like I’ve felt my mom and Mr. Virgo. I was thinking to myself how much I really, really miss her and all of a sudden I could hear her as clear as day in my head. She was a salty broad…shot from the hip with language that could make a sailor blush. I won’t tell you exactly what I heard because those words are “not safe for work”. Let’s suffice it to say, she was kicking me in the butt and telling me to get over it and get on with living. She’s right, of course. She would kick me into next week for being a sad sack because of her. It’s been a year today. 

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I think that’s exactly why I “heard” from her yesterday. I’ve given her a year of mourning. I’ve honored her memory. I’ve shared our story. And I’ll carry her memory with me always. It’s a turning point in my grief journey. One of many I’ve had. One of many to come, I’m afraid. That’s the nature of life. There is always someone to grieve. It is the price we pay for love.

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So, here’s to Sparky…may she Rest In Peace and never be far from the thoughts of those who loved her best.

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❤️‍?

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“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”

\nProverbs 27:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-13T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/13/dancing-around-the-big-black.html", "tags": ["Grief","Friends","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/08/step-two-and-im-through.html", "title": "Step Two and I’m Through!", "content_html": "\n
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Tamales!!!
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Ok, making homemade tamales is a CHORE! It’s a delicate balance of cooking and art. There is most definitely a learning curve to it. I fiddled and fussed with the first few till I figured out my masa dough wasn’t wet enough. After adding more broth, it softened up and was much easier to work with.

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When you watch these YouTube videos that demonstrate recipes, you have to remember the people being recorded have done this a million times. They make it look easy. You can follow every step and yours still doesn’t look exactly like theirs. It was fun…and they are pretty tasty. If I make them again, I’ll wait till I have the ingredients for the red sauce she made from dried chiles. I think they would be more flavorful. The tamales will go in the freezer and we can pull them out as we want over the winter. I didn’t count, but I think there were at least three…maybe four dozen of them.

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You can watch Rosanna of Villa Cocina make these lovely Homemade Red Pork Tamales on her YouTube channel HERE.

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After I finished with the tamales and cleaning the kitchen for the 4,987th time this year (insert eye roll and heavy sigh), I went into town with Mr. FixIt. He had an errand to run. I’ve been thinking about getting my hair cut, so I made a rash decision and went to one of those discount hair salons. I don’t know if it’s because my hair has been straight with nothing but a braid or a ponytail, or if it’s a really bad cut, but I can’t do anything with it. I’m hoping with time and some deep conditioning, it’ll be better because I hate to cut it all off. As it is, she cut fourteen inches off! So the upside is, I donated it to wigs for kids! That made me feel a tiny bit better.

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The last couple of days have been unseasonably warm so I slept in the camper and that was really WONDERFUL! My happy place is in the camper. We actually had a thunderstorm Tuesday night which is highly unusual this time of year. Listening to the rain on the roof was so soothing. 

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This is a bit of a hard time of year for me. The hard push of Thanksgiving is over but the Christmas rush hasn’t really started. I always have this little “slump” for about a week to ten days. Add to that…Tuesday is the first angelversary of my dear friend Sparky’s death. It’s hitting me harder than I care to admit. I’ve missed her every day. There isn’t a day I don’t think of her in some way and I still miss her texts and calls. So, I’ve been a little introverted and pensive this week. 

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I’m so blessed to have my sweet Mr. FixIt. He waited in the car for me while I got my hair cut, even though I was in there for an hour. Because he knew I’d feel better knowing he was close. I don’t get like this often, but if there’s anything we’ve seen over and over in the last ten years of writing this blog…grief is entirely unpredictable and it’s ok to not be ok for a little bit. I’m just sad. I can’t run away from it. I can busy myself, but it just puts off the inevitable. I have to make myself sit still and feel the pain of her absence…remember the good things and keep moving forward. 

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I am doing some positive things to honor her memory. I’ll make a donation to her favorite animal rescue. And, I’m meeting a mutual friend of ours next week for a biscuit baking lesson and tour of his beautiful Victorian home. Richard has been a longtime friend of Sparky’s. He’s the one who called me to tell me she had passed away. We’ve shared our grief over the loss of our friend and I think she’d be happy to know people who loved her gathered to remember her.

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“A burden shared is a burden halved.” T. A. Webb

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?

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“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

\nGalatians 6:2 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/08/step-two-and-im-through.html", "tags": ["Grief","Memories","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/22/tales-of-the-great-outdoors.html", "title": "Tales of the Great Outdoors or “Fire in the Netheryea”", "content_html": "\n
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So, yesterday started out great. Mr. FixIt discovered his great grandparents are buried less than a half hour’s drive from the campground. We got up in time to grab breakfast from the Golden Arches and travel upriver on the West Virginia side. Find-a-Grave told us exactly where to go and gave us a picture of the headstone, to boot.

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With McMuffin and drinks in hand, we glided up the old State Route and turned up a hill side road. At the top was a sprawling cemetery with nearly 4,000 Memorials on Find-a-Grave. Mr. FixIt lamented at the sheer size and said it would take forever to find the headstone. I pulled up the picture of it from online, looked around to match the background profile, and drove straight to it. Sometimes I impress the heck out of my husband!

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We stood there quietly, staring at the headstone. Mr. FixIt walked around and brushed away the dead grass clippings from the mower. He told me stories. He never met that great grandfather, but he distinctly remembered his great grandmother. She lived with her daughter in Portsmouth, VA. He remembers she had white hair that went way down to the backs of her knees. Her daughter would brush it for her every night before bed. He figures there hadn’t been any visitors there since his great aunt was buried beside them in 1988. Here’s something we didn’t know. His great grandmother and my great grandmother shared the name Sabina! Middle name on his side…first name on mine!

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We soon left and drove on up the river, crossed the bridge, and came back down the Ohio side. When we returned to the campground, Mr. FixIt gathered his fishing gear and went down to the river’s edge to try his hand. After a few hours in the hot sun, he caught a little blue gill, no bigger than five inches long. I ran over to take the traditional trophy picture and we laughed and laughed.

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The neighbors on the other side of us called out what a great job he did. I went over to visit her for a while. They live in Lewisburg, WV…one of my favorite little towns in the Mountain State. I asked if she knew my friend, Nan and her family. They once owned The General Lewis Inn. And, of course, she did. I met Nan back in the ‘80s when she was a nurse at the hospital my husband was practicing in a little resort town near Aspen. She pulled out a beautiful harp like the one Nan played for the meditation class she had attended. She strummed it for a bit and I could see why she loved it. The notes were soft and soothing…perfect for an afternoon under the shade trees along the river.

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I said fair well and went back to our campsite to fix supper. I warmed up pot roast, steamed some broccoli and cauliflower, and heated up pre-made mashed potatoes. It was a meal fit for royalty, even if it WAS served on paper plates! Mr. FixIt went back to the river’s edge for a little more fishing time and I sat by the camper to knit. 

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This is the time of year when the stink bugs start swarming and they were driving me crazy. They get up on the side of the camper, then fall off on me…on my hair, down my shirt, and finally…one landed in my lap. Well…to be more exact…between my legs. I didn’t want to grab it because those things give off a wicked stench. It’s their defense mechanism. So, I tried to stand up. 

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We have these chairs. Great chairs, by the way. Big, round club chairs that are ever so comfortable to sit in and knit by the river. Which is what I’d been doing for about two hours. Those of you who are in my age bracket…you know what it’s like to sit for a long time in one position, then try to stand up. It didn’t go smoothly, and soon I recognized the malodorous reek of Eau de Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Ugh! I quickly brushed the pest aside and sat back down to knit.

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Then…within a minute or so…things started getting kinda warm down there. It wasn’t long till things started going from bad to worse and I was frankly “on fire” in the netheryea region. And…NOT in a good way!

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I ran to the camper and jumped in the shower to rinse off. We have very little cell service here at the campground, so I texted my dear friend Sue, and said, “Don’t laugh at me, but my hootie is on fire! Can you look on Google and see if the liquid emitted by stink bugs is an irritant and what to do about it?”

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It took a little bit to hear back. I pictured her rolling on the floor laughing, yelling to Ben…”You’re not going to believe what she’s into now!” She finally responded with a polite lol and said to give her a minute. Turns out, people can be really sensitive to these nasty little buggers…as I can personally attest! Fortunately, the fire calmed down after about thirty minutes and I had already treated it correctly.

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I’ll be living in a bubble for the next few weeks, thank you very much!

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We’ll be packing up and heading home today. This has been a wonderful three days away at one of our favorite campgrounds. I can’t wait to get out again!

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?

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“And all winged insects are unclean for you; they shall not be eaten.”

\nDeuteronomy 14:19 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/22/tales-of-the-great-outdoors.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/18/the-august-night-symphony.html", "title": "The August Night Symphony", "content_html": "\n
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Deep in the dregs of January, I could kick myself for not spending more time outdoors in the summer…especially in the evenings. I got a text from our good friend Steve last night. He said he’d heard there was a possibility we could see the Northern Lights if the sky was clear and dark. I said, “Come on out!” 

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We set up chairs out in the field…three friends, listening to a symphony of sound surrounding us. We didn’t see any of the Aurora Borealis, but we did catch lots of shooting stars and satellites. And, it was 11:30 when we gave up and came inside. I’d missed my creativity window by a country mile and I almost decided to just post a repeat. However, every day is remarkable in one way or another, so I’m here…typing in the wee hours.

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We worked on the steps today and got one railing finished. Mr. FixIt went out after supper and put cement in the postholes. We’ll work on the other side today if it isn’t too hot. I trimmed a lot out of the forsythia on the road side of the yard. Everything gets totally out of hand by this time of year. I spent some time knitting on this sweater. I finished the bottom ribbing and used a stretchy cast-off. I picked up the stitches for one of the sleeves and have it done down to the elbow. 

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If you are interested in finding out which bug is playing which part in your August Symphony, here’s a nice sight with the songs of summer. Check it out HERE.   http://songsofinsects.com/thumbnail-guide-to-species

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?

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“Yet among the winged insects that go on all fours you may eat those that have jointed legs above their feet, with which to hop on the ground. Of them you may eat: the locust of any kind, the bald locust of any kind, the cricket of any kind, and the grasshopper of any kind.”

\nLeviticus 11:21-22 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/18/the-august-night-symphony.html", "tags": ["Be Joyful!","Farm Life","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/17/knitting-for-the-boys.html", "title": "Knitting for the Boys", "content_html": "\n
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During the two World Wars, the United State’s Government asked the folks at home to help out and do what they could from home. Women went to work in the factories in the jobs abandoned by the soldiers who headed off to fight. There were collection drives for anything that could be of use for the war effort. People even collected urine during the Revolutionary War because there was a shortage of gunpowder and someone thought they could make it with urine, soil, ash, and sticks. It didn’t work from what I gather.

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One of the most productive things the good folks back home could do was knit sock, sweaters, hats, and gloves for soldiers. Prolific knitters had patterns had patterns in their heads, handed down orally from generations before them and they just knitted them over and over. But not everyone had someone to learn from so printed pattern books were a necessity. 

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The first printed knitting pattern was found in a medical book from 1655. Pattern books became far more popular during the Victorian Era, but mostly focused on needle arts like embroidery, cross stitch, lace, weaving, and others. These skills influenced knitting and the first knitting book was published in 1837.

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I went to knitting group yesterday. I forgot my wallet in the truck, so there was no shopping for yarn at 75% off…which was REALLY hard to take. But God was looking out for my bank account so I was happy to just sit in the white rocker in the corner of the room and chat with the other knitters there. One is a gal named Susan who graduated from my high school three years before me. She pulled something out of her bag and said, “Have I ever shown you this?” It was a pattern book by Bear Brand and Bucilla Yarns. Most yarn companies publish pattern books for use with their yarns. This one was a delight! I had never seen one so I took pictures of the front and most of the patterns. I might try them one of these days! You can read an interesting article about the history of knitting HERE.  

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I love things like this. When I had my needlework shop, I ran across a stack of Needlearts Magazine and just loved looking through them. Some were in poor shape and I used cutouts of the ads in some of my art jewelry when Marshmallow Ranch first started. Some of you may have purchased some of those pieces.

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We only have one more gathering in the shop…next Tuesday then Pat and Mack close down for good. I wish I would have found the shop years ago when I first came to West Virginia. It would have been nice to spend more time with these fun, intelligent and talented women. 

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Mr. FixIt worked on the steps some more but ended up needing more cement and boards so another trip to town was warranted. I sat and knitted all afternoon and watched Tipper’s “Celebrating Appalachia” videos on YouTube. When he got home, I needed to help him hold some boards in place. It finally started raining and that was the end of the job for the day. I toyed with the idea of going to the farm for a couple of days, but my sweetheart needs me here to help with this project. There will be other days to go to the farm when we don’t have so many pressing chores. It will be winter before we know it!

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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": "2022-08-17T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/17/knitting-for-the-boys.html", "tags": ["Fun","Farm Life","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/16/mr-fixit-fixing-things.html", "title": "Mr. FixIt Fixing Things", "content_html": "\n
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I finally rallied after our very busy weekend and was up and cleaning at a respectable hour considering retirement and all. I piddled around the house. Mr. FixIt made oats for breakfast…one of my favorite things. I took my coffee to my recliner and knitted while I watched the documentary I told you about yesterday. “To Which We Belong” was a wonderful story of ways any one of us can make changes that can reverse the effects of climate change. It did it in a way that steered completely away from politically charged terms like “global warming”. As a matter of fact, the entire focus was on individuals and things they are doing to improve the earth’s soil which in turn will improve the air, water, and temperature. It’s not too late and I was so encouraged by this film. I strongly encourage you to watch it.

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As I was settled in my chair, Mr. FixIt headed to town. He has a project in the works and he needed some supplies. He is replacing the stairs to the pool deck and adding a handrail for stability. When my stepson was here last week, he dug the postholes and unfortunately put the porthole digger through a drain pipe. He came out yesterday to help his dad repair that and build the steps. As with most any job, it entailed another trip to town for a part. That is one of the downsides of living this far away from everything…it’s often inconvenient when you need something.

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When the documentary was finished, I put my knitting away and went out to mow. Lands, the grass is growing like crazy with all this rain. I hate when I mow and there’s a thick layer of cut grass left on the surface. However, I don’t like to bag up the clippings. I think it’s better for the soil to put the nutrients back into it by decomposing. They’ll disappear in a couple of days and you’ll never be able to tell it was there. As I mowed this time, I tried to visualize where I would like to start my pollinator garden. It was fun to picture the end results. A friend of mine shared a picture of a logging operation going on in an older area of his farm. As he panned the video, I notices several beehives in the background and I asked him about them. It turns out, he made a deal with a local bee guy. He gets over 20 pounds of honey a year in exchange for letting him keep bees on his property. Now, that’s a fair deal. I might see if I can find someone to do that. We don’t eat that much honey, but I could barter it for canning vegetables.

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Once I got off the mower, I fixed a quick supper. I texted a friend who is newly retired and he was sitting out on his gorgeous covered porch, drinking wine and enjoying a beautiful summer evening. Mr. FixIt was building the steps with his son, so I grabbed my knitting and headed into town to schmooze with my friend. We met and bonded through our late friend, Diane. Sparky always talked about her friend Richard but I’d never really knew him till after she died. As a matter of fact, he is the one who called me to tell me she had passed away. It was nice to sit on a summer’s eve and talk about our buddy.

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I got home and the steps were finished and my stepson was gone. They did a great job on this project. The only thing left is to set the posts in cement and mount the railing and that’s one more thing we can check off our to-do list. Today is knitting group. Only this week and next before the shop closes and we will need to come up with another place to meet. There are several options to look at but I don’t want to take on another project. One of the other gals will try to organize it and I’ll be happy to go.

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I’m about ready to start the ribbing around the bottom of the sweater. This pattern is so simple and easy…I love it. It’s hard to believe August is half gone!

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““He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.”

\nJob 6:14 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/16/mr-fixit-fixing-things.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Crafts","Friends","Pollinator Garden"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/12/then-and-now.html", "title": "Then and Now", "content_html": "\n
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A friend of mine shared a photo of a really epic Camaro he’s bidding on. It’s going to be his new toy. That’s cool. We’ve got toys, too. My two favorite toys are the camper and the riding mower. My pickup ranks up there, as well. Mr. FixIt’s old truck has 222K miles on it now, I’ve learned. We need something fairly economical and reliable that will last us. So we bought a 2002 Lincoln Continental yesterday with only 52.8K miles. That’ll last us a while, I’m guessing. We only paid $7500 for it and in today’s used car market, that’s epic. There’s just one thing….

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I feel so OLD when I drive this thing. It’s like…a GRANDMA car! Or…what I always considered a Grandma car…back before I became a hip grandma who towed a 30’ camper back and forth across the country with an uber cool F-150. It’s depressing. Then, I remind myself…

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First world problem, Ginny.

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“God brought you a reliable, affordable, and comfortable ride! Why can’t you just be grateful and leave it be?” Suitably chastised by my own better angels, I realized it’s true. So…in the photos on the left…I was in my early 50’s, working at a 5 Star resort in southern Colorado, with two young grandbabies. I wasn’t a widow yet. In the photos on the right…I am in the last gasp of my 60’s and I AM a grandma. Heck, I’m a GREAT GRANDMA. As in…we have four great-grandchildren thanks to marrying Mr. FixIt. I’ve been a widow for close to ten years. Of COURSE I’m going to look, act, and feel my age. At least part of the time!

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Before we picked up the new-to-us car, we drove out to the farm to survey the damage from last night’s flash flood. It is SO bad out there. There are a few people who lost a lot. Most people lost some things and have a whale of a mess to clean up. As far as I know, there haven’t been any injuries or fatalities reported. They are working with the office of emergency preparedness to try to get some help from FEMA.

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The neighbors across the road had a lot of damage. Three bridges wiped out.

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After we finished with the car sale, we went to the DMV to get the tags, then Mr. FixIt and I parted ways for the rest of the afternoon. I took the car over to one of the MANY new car washes that have sprung up all over our little hometown. Once I ran it through the wash, I took the towels provided and wiped off all the sap from the trees the car was parked under before we bought it. It cleaned up really well. There are only a couple little cosmetic things wrong with it…a little bubbling in the chrome in the front grill, the rear driver’s side seatbelt doesn’t work, and the headliner has come loose at the back by the rear window. Not bad at all for a twenty year old car.

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Our power will be off all day today, so we are going to stay in a hotel in town at least one night…maybe both nights of the reunion this weekend. It’s going to be really hot and muggy and that will NOT be fun with the AC out. This way we can get all dressed up in comfort before we go to the party. 

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It’s gonna be fun, y’all!

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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. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

\nPhilippians 4:19-20 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/12/then-and-now.html", "tags": ["Be Joyful!","Farm Life","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/10/a-time-of-innocence.html", "title": "“A Time of Innocence”", "content_html": "\n
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“Time it was, and what a time it was, it was…a time of innocence. A time of confidences. Long ago, it must be…I have a photograph. Preserve your memories; They’re all that’s left you.”

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This weekend is our 50+1 High School Reunion. Mr. FixIt and I graduated together. We were buddies during high school. We passed each other in the halls and knew a lot of the same people. The first time I laid eyes on him was on the playground in first grade. A red-headed, freckle-face little rascal who chased the girls at recess. He looked all the world like Opie Taylor. 

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My family moved to another school district halfway through second grade and I never gave that little red-headed boy another thought till I started tenth grade. I was in the art department and was high up on a ladder painting a backdrop when I heard someone below me clearing his throat. I looked down and that same red-headed, freckle-faced boy was looking up at me…a toothy grin on his face. He was much taller by that time and wore glasses, yet he was unmistakably the same little dude that chased the girls.

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My heart smiled. “There he is” it said to me. 

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“And just what do you think you’re doing down there?” I asked. 

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With a chuckle and a wink, he pushed his reedy frame away from the pillar he was leaning on and disappeared into the shadows of stage left. He was easy to spot. He stood head and shoulders above most of our fellow students and I would call out, “Hey, Froggy!” when I saw him. It was a nickname one of his friends gave him. He hated it, as most people hate their nicknames. But he answered to it just the same.

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I remember in our senior year, we were both dating someone else. It was “Color Day”…that day when seniors are excused from classes and we had a parade and played games out on the football field. I was acutely aware a change was afoot and we were all heading out into the world in different directions. I remember holding Mr. FixIt’s hands in mine, looking into those baby blues, and saying with perfect heartfelt honesty, “I’m really going to miss you!”

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We didn’t see each other till our 10th Reunion. I didn’t like that reunion very much. It was cliquey and everyone was trying to outdo the next with their accomplishments. But we were so happy to see each other and catch up. We danced and laughed and said, “See ya next time!” We ran into each other several times over the years…each time the same. Just old friends reunited.

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Some time after the last reunion, I heard from that lanky fellow with the now-graying red hair and white beard. He had the very same blue eyes that sparkled when he smiled. He invited me to lunch and the rest…as they say…is history. I’ve been waxing poetic this week with the passage of time. So many of us are gone. So many are missing and no one has heard from them in years. It’s the nature of aging, I suppose. 

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I think Mr. FixIt and I mesh so well together because we’ve known each other forever. We’ve lived our lives and accomplished things and worked out most of the kinks of our psyches long before we attempted to date. I honestly am not at all sure we would have made it had we gotten together in high school. We are who we are now simply because of what we’ve gone through in life. We are the people NOW who are meant to be together at this time.

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I ran across this picture on Facebook yesterday. It was taken by Dave Ferrell, I believe. It’s a photo of young students standing in front of our High School. Mr. FixIt and I were likely playing on the grade school playground when this was taken, but it reminded me of who and where we used to be. It was truly an “Age of Innocence.” While it is a moot point and a waste of energy to wish we were back in times such as this, every once in a while…I do. 

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The world seems so big and scary and angry and dangerous these days. And, in some ways it is. But, it’s equally just as beautiful and fresh and lovely if you choose to look carefully. I’m looking forward to the weekend…of getting together with our friends and reminiscing old times. And maybe…even if just for a moment…it will be all Peace, Love, and Rock ‘n Roll….

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”A Time of Innocence.” <<<< CLICK TO WATCH SIMON AND GARFUNKEL SINGING BOOKENDS/A TIME OF INNOCENCE LIVE AT THE CENTRAL PARK CONCERT.

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“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,”

\nPhilippians 1:3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/10/a-time-of-innocence.html", "tags": ["Aging","Change","Memories","Friends"] }, { "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/2022/08/03/in-the-midst-of-life.html", "title": "In the Midst of Life Comes Grief", "content_html": "\n
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Grief. Unless you are some sort of sociopath, you cannot escape this life without feeling a loss so deep it rips your soul. My first foray into grief was the loss of my PopPop. I was just eighteen. He’d had several small heart attacks so I suppose when he died on his seventh one, it wasn’t a huge surprise to most people. But to me…he and my grandma were my touchstones of unconditional love. I couldn’t tell which hurt worse…losing PopPop, or watching Grandma mourn the loss of the only man she’d ever loved. They got married when she was fifteen. He was her world. It was heartbreaking.

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Life went on and we lost Grandma and Mom and my precious Uncle Bob. Each loss brings its own signature…like a fingerprint. Similar features, different effects. The most grievous loss of my life up to this point was when Mr. Virgo died suddenly of a heart attack. I honestly wasn’t sure I’d live through that one. Yet, I did. Life gets better and can be beautiful again, but every death leaves a mark that traces the trails of a broken heart. I have the most amazing extended family. And I have the most wonderful friends. My support network is immense and I am so grateful for them. They have helped me navigate the waters of grief more than once. 

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I don’t know if it’s because I’m tired. Or if it’s a let down after Bear leaving. Maybe it’s our impending 50+1 high school class reunion that’s coming up in a couple of weeks. Whatever it is…I’ve really been missing my friend I called Sparky. Diane was a firecracker. She had a wicked sense of humor. She had very little control over her mouth and cussed like a sailor. She was incredibly kind and sensitive, but you do her, or someone she loved, wrong and you rued the day you ever locked horns with her.

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Sparky was fair minded. If you crossed a line, she had no problem telling you and for some reason, most people took it and learned from it and tried to be a better person because of her perhaps not-so-gentle correction. I admired the way she shot from the hip. You always, ALWAYS knew where you stood with her. We talked a lot…the majority of which occurred at 3:00 in the morning when we both seemed to be up to go to the bathroom. We both invariably checked in on Facebook when we came back to bed to see what we’d missed. We neither one slept well so we could just about guarantee we would have a conversation in the wee hours of the night.

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She was the funniest woman I’ve ever known. Picture any female comedienne and crank her up several notches and you have a pretty fair idea what those of us who were lucky enough to be in her inner circle dealt with on a daily basis. Honestly, I never ate or drank anything when we chatted. I was sure to choke or spit coffee on the screen. 

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Sparky got sick in December. She held her cards close to her chest and I’d often find out she’d had pneumonia by the time she was on her second round of antibiotics. This time it was a stomach flu that just wouldn’t let up and we all encouraged her to go to the hospital for IV fluids but she refused. And in a week…she was gone.

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It’s been seven-and-a-half months since we lost our colorful friend and I still feel that loss keenly. It sneaks up on me. Diane is my first really close girlfriend who died and sometimes it’s still a punch in the gut when I remember she’s gone. I remember that feeling when I lost Mr. Virgo. Along about the time when he would normally be calling on his way home from work, I’d look up at the clock with a tinge of concern. Why hasn’t he called? Oh. Yeah…

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It’s like that at 3:00 in the morning when I get back in bed from a visit to the loo. I pick up my phone and she’s not there anymore. 

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I miss my friend. 

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“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

\nPsalm 34:18 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/03/in-the-midst-of-life.html", "tags": ["Grief","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/06/28/thou-shalt-not-bully.html", "title": "Thou Shalt Not Bully", "content_html": "\n
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I was angry last week. Now I’m more angry. I shared a post on my personal Facebook page regarding the decision from SCOTUS that will affect all women. I have my own beliefs about it, and I shared them. A dear friend countered with another perspective as is her right. I didn’t engage…I listened respectfully. Honestly, I didn’t really think any more about it because we were camping and I was trying to stay away from all the angry discourse on social media.

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Yesterday, I discovered the comments on my post took a turn and people were attacking my friend for her beliefs. Not only that, some started sending her viscous texts. They attacked her work. They encouraged others to do so, as well. It was unrelenting. I never take down posts, but I did this one out of respect for my friend. I never unfriend someone over politics or differing opinions. But I WILL unfriend and block someone for bullying…so fast it’ll make your head spin.

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I know it seems like civil discourse is dead these days. It makes me sad to see such vitriol…especially from women to other women. We all have opinions. We may not agree with others, but there is never a point where bullying is ok. Respect each other. Show a little self control. I certainly have not been perfect at this. If you don’t like what you read, scroll on. Unhook. Snooze. Unfriend. Block. But never, ever bully my peeps. That is NOT cool. Jesus wouldn’t do that, so neither should we!

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I spent the afternoon riding around the property on the tractor…mowing and contemplating. Should I say anything? Or just let it go? I decided every moment is a teaching moment, so here I am. Teaching Respect 101. 

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It made the afternoon fly by!

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““You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

\nLeviticus 19:17-18 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-06-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/06/28/thou-shalt-not-bully.html", "tags": ["Anger","Change","Friends","Frustration"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/06/26/the-girls-with-the-grandma.html", "title": "The Girls With The Grandma Faces", "content_html": "\n
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We were oh so young when we met. Some of us went all through school together. We played on the playground together in grade school. Yesterday, we reminisced about our memories of when President Kennedy was assassinated…what were we doing, where were we when we found out, whose class were we in? We’ve gone through so much in our lives. We fought together for our rights and freedoms. We come from the same general background but with different upbringings. We love and respect each other…immensely. So, not a single one of us brought up anything remotely controversial yesterday. I don’t think a single one of us have our heads in the sand, but after the week we’ve collectively had, we just needed each other’s company. An unspoken bond held together with time and love and coffee.

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We were oh so young when we left high school to head out into the world to continue our educations and create loves and families and careers. I didn’t really get to know most of these wonderful women until the last eight years or so. That’s when I asked a couple of my friends… 

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“How often to do you all get together for coffee?”

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Crickets.

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They hadn’t done that. Maybe lunch from time to time. But we had families to raise and houses to run and jobs to keep. I don’t think we really had time for friendships back then. And now? Now we have grandma faces. Life is a little bit slower. We appreciate the time a little bit more. We’ve gotten to a place in our lives where our friendships have moved a little closer to center stage. I keep a Facebook page where I can send out invitations for coffee gatherings. We try to meet once a month, although sometimes that isn’t possible. There was a big hiatus during covid and we were so excited to have a socially distanced coffee in the park one gorgeous summer day.

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One of our big topics of conversation yesterday was our upcoming 50+1 Class Reunion. We are hoping it will be well attended. Six years ago, we had a coffee gathering at a Victorian mansion that belongs to a dear family friend/relative and some of the girls wanted to do that again. But, that’s a lot of work, and lot to ask of the homeowners. We talked about it yesterday and decided to have a gathering in the park for our coffee at this reunion. 

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We were oh so young. And now?

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Our youth is on the inside now…tucked away…buffered by the winds of time and change.

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Oh…so much change.

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We may have grandma faces now, but we are still those young girls in the polyester pant suits and platform shoes and bell bottom jeans…on the inside.

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“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
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-06-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/06/26/the-girls-with-the-grandma.html", "tags": ["Fun","Aging","Choices","Change","Friends"] }, { "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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\n

“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/2022/03/20/byebye-birdie.html", "title": "Bye-Bye, Birdie!", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

I met my classmates yesterday morning for coffee. We always have so much fun visiting. We had some new folks and some who hadn’t attended in quite some time, which is always nice. One of the gals brought little pots of shamrocks for us. I remember when Wood County Bank used to give them out every St. Patrick’s Day. I hadn’t had one for ages so I brought it home and put it in the kitchen window. Hopefully I don’t kill it, but I’m not laying bets on it.

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One of the gals who came to coffee was in school with me from second grade on through high school. Barb grew up about twenty blocks from me, but my mom was super protective of me and I wasn’t allowed to wander much more than a three or four block radius from the house. Still, I always knew and liked Barb. 

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One story in particular I remember. This was back in Junior High and “falls” were in fashion. They were long half wigs where the hair attached to a stretchy headband. I remember Barb coming to school one day and her hair was suddenly very long. Now, I was a terribly protected and naive kid. I had never heard of falls. I was mesmerized. I asked her how on earth she got her hair to grow like that overnight. She told me she laid on her bed, hung her head over the edge, and brushed and brushed her hair. I went home and tried that and the next morning…nothing! I asked her if I had done something wrong and she laughed and slipped the fall off. I couldn’t believe it! lol

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I shared that story yesterday and we all had a great laugh. When we were done and the obligatory photo was taken, we all went our separate ways. Barb headed to pick up her husband and the dogs to come to our house to pick up Birdie. This was Barb’s birthday gift to herself. I am so in awe of her. She is a nurse practitioner and lived in Alaska, traveling to remote villages by single engine prop planes. She lived and worked all winter in such harsh conditions in the dark season. Then in the summer, she works at a children’s camp. She recently retired, but couldn’t stand it and went back to work. She’s amazing! 

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I went through the camper with them, showing them how this and that worked. I know they were on sensory overload so I hooked her up with Girl Camper and with a FB group for a-frame campers where they can ask whatever questions they have. And, of course…YouTube. All of the booklets are in the camper as well, and if they can’t find the answer, they can always call us. I am so glad this little camper went with a friend. It was a little bittersweet letting Birdie go, but we just don’t need TWO birdhouse campers. However we DO need a new roof! Priorities! 

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I felt like we really accomplished something yesterday. A little “lightening of the load” around here and that always feels good! Now, on to the next thing!

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?

\n\n\n
\n

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

\n1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/03/20/byebye-birdie.html", "tags": ["Camping","Girl Camper","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/03/16/the-warmth-of-old-memories.html", "title": "The Warmth of Old Memories and New Friends", "content_html": "\n
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\n\n\n

I’m a “yarn junkie” and I went to see my dealer yesterday. We do our negotiations right in front of God and everybody. I shamelessly paw through her sale bin with the fervor of someone jonesing for a fix, knowing full well how many “hits” I already have in my stash at home. *sigh* I can’t help it…I’ve hit the mother lode. A yarn shop! Granted, it’s 20 miles there and 20 miles back, so the cost of fuel is cutting into my savings but….c’mon, man…it’s a YARN SHOP!

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My score yesterday was six skeins of 100% Superwash Wool for mittens. I have vowed to knit something for everyone for Christmas this year. These skeins were originally $14 each and I got all six for twelve bucks! I might be able to get a pair of mittens out of each skein. That’s a pretty good deal if you ask me!

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I stopped at my favorite coffee shop on my way to town and sat in the morning sun, knitting a little on each of the projects I have going. I try not to eavesdrop on people when I’m out, but it was difficult not to overhear the conversation between two men enjoying a cup of coffee together. I got the impression they were retired and may have worked together. I found myself smiling from time to time at the nature of their casual banter. One asked if the other had seen so-and-so recently. The other said he had not. He went on to say he had spoken to the fella some time ago and relayed something he had said to the guy. They hadn’t spoken since and this man was concerned that perhaps he had hurt the other fellow’s feelings in some way. They went on to discuss the possibility for quite some time. And I thought it was only us gals who worried about stuff like that!

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This particular coffee shop gives you a cute little sticker placed over the sippy hole in the lid. They are usually seasonal or some cute little saying. I have several stuck to the dashboard of my truck. They make me smile. Yesterday’s was a shamrock and I thought of Mr. Virgo. He was buried on this day, nine years ago. Being a McKinney…he was all things Irish! I felt like he was dropping by to say hello over coffee. One of our happy places was on the front porch sipping coffee on his days off. Yes…it was a sign that I have oodles and oodles of reasons to be grateful and full of joy!

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I was greeted by a warm hello when I joined the girls sitting around the table in the front room of the yarn shop. We are in that early stage of making friends where we learn about each other and where we’ve been on this life’s journey. I like these women and I am so thrilled to have met them. As I left the shop, they told me how glad they were I found them and that left me feeling all warm and fuzzy.

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I walked across the street and into the Lebanese restaurant for a half order of tabouli and baba ghanoush with warm pita bread to go. I sat in my truck in the warm sunshine watching an engineer maneuver a train back and forth, picking up more and more cars before he headed out on a run. We caught each other’s eye, smiled brightly and waved. Just like when I was a kid, shopping with my mom on this very same street on a warm spring day some sixty years ago.

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I headed home. Mr. FixIt called just as I crossed the interstate overpass. He asked where I was. When I told him, he said, “I see you!” We passed each other, waving like we hadn’t seen each other in a month of Sundays. He went on to town to run some errands and I headed home. I started a third project….a pair of mittens from the black wool I bought earlier. It knits up so nicely and it goes quickly because it’s really chunky yarn. 

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So, I’ve officially joined the ranks of “knitters who work on multiple projects”. I’m also reading a book so I’ve been busy! I was going to head to the farm today, but my bonus daughter and son-in-law are coming over today to help us do some things around the house. We have some trees that need to come down and bushes that need trimmed back. I need to pull “Birdie” around to the side of the building so I can pop the top and clean out what I am sure are a million ladybugs and stink bugs. Her new owners are coming Saturday to pick her up and I want her to look pretty!

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It was a joyful day, full of warm memories and new friends….and yarn.

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One can NEVER have too much yarn, right?

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?

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\n

“You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills;”

\nPsalm 104:10 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/03/16/the-warmth-of-old-memories.html", "tags": ["Fun","Change","Crafts","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/03/02/arriving-for-my-appointment.html", "title": "Arriving for my “Appointment”", "content_html": "\n
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Little baby sweater I started Monday night.

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I believe the Holy Spirit gives us appointments. Just like going to the doctor for a check up, we are given appointments to interact with people. To listen to their stories. To commiserate with them on the trials they face and cheer for them their accomplishments. He gives us opportunities to lift others, to share our own stories, and to meet people in the middle…on neutral ground.

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When I headed to bed on Monday evening, I wasn’t 100% sure I would get up and make yet another trip into town. But this trip would be different. Instead of going shopping or running other errands, this was a trip to the local yarn shop to meet new people. To have an opportunity to work on projects together and to maybe become part of a group of likeminded individuals with a common interest…knitting.

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I woke up early yesterday and thought, “Hmmmm, if I get up now, I can go to the coffee shop for a leisurely cuppa before I go to knit.” It didn’t take much to convince me and before I knew it, I was up and out the door, bag in hand with my current project as well as a stack of my “show and tells”. I brought my new book along and read over coffee. That always makes me feel mellow and ever so cosmopolitan. The yarn shop opens at 11:00. I walked in the door at three minutes after and there were already three women seated around the table.

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Introductions were made and I settled in with my knitting. The conversation quickly returned to the topic being discussed when I entered. I smiled and thanked God for sending His Holy Spirit to direct me where I needed to go. Why? Because the topic of discussion was…grief. Two of the women were talking about Grief Share, a faith-based grief support group that meets in churches everywhere. I was a guest speaker at a Grief Share meeting one winter in Colorado.

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We all experience grief at one time or another during our lifetimes, but every woman sitting at that table was bereaved. After a bit, I shared what I do…that I am a grief writer and mentor. One of the women had heard of my blog, which isn’t terribly surprising since we were sitting in my hometown and there are a large number of readers here simply because they know me. So, maybe we have a mutual friend.

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More women joined us till we had a total of seven, I believe. Just the right size group to get to know each other a bit. We each showed off what we were working on. Some went off in search of a new pattern or a new yarn. There is a bargain bin up front and I bought some warm brown yarn to make some winter hats for the guys in my life. I worked on the little yellow baby sweater that I’ll hopefully deliver to our newest great grandson soon.

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Before we knew it, the time had come to be on our way. I ran some errands, picked up salads for supper, and headed home by late afternoon. As I drove back home through the countryside, I thanked God for His infinite wisdom, knowing exactly where I can contribute my skills and sending me there. His timing is impeccable.

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The weather was sunny and warm…a portent of what’s to come. Springtime in West Virginia. Yesterday was the beginning of “meteorological spring” while “astronomical spring” doesn’t begin until March 20th. If that’s the case…yesterday didn’t disappoint with a high of 67° according to the thermometer on my truck! Bring it on…I’m more than ready!!!

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?

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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\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-02T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/03/02/arriving-for-my-appointment.html", "tags": ["Grief","Fun","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/03/01/an-outing-to-knit.html", "title": "An Outing to Knit", "content_html": "\n
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When I had my little needlework shop in Glenwood Springs, a group of gals gathered around the large table in the back and stitched together. We solved the world’s problems as well as a few of our own. We caught up on each other’s lives, encouraged each other in our creative pursuits, and shared a camaraderie I treasure to this day. It’s one of the reasons I love getting my classmates together for coffee. 

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I love that kind of interaction. It feeds my social side as well as stimulates my intellect. Any time you can gather with people you have opportunities for connection, enlightenment, and personal growth. In that vein, I am going to the yarn shop today to share some time and knit amongst other enthusiasts. I have a bag filled with goodies I’ve knitted in the last three months that I’m taking for “Show and Tell”. 

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I finished the hat last night that goes with the fingerless gloves. It’s so stretchy and soft. I did decide to go back and try inserting a band of lace from the pattern I used on the second shawl I knitted. I think I just needed to have a break from the project overnight and look at it with fresh eyes this morning. As soon as I picked it up, I knew exactly what to do to make it work and I really liked the way it turned out.

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A friend contacted me last week and heard that we are selling the “Little Birdhouse”…the smaller A-Frame camper we bought in August last year. She wants to buy it so they have something easy to pull with the vehicle they already own and this is perfect for that. I’m so excited that someone I know will be buying this sweet little camper!

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This is the month that is not quite spring…not quite winter. It’s a little dicey to think about going camping in March in this area because you never know what the weather is going to be like. It could be warm and beautiful or torrential rains or a freaky spring snowstorm. That’s why I kind of limit my camping to our field during the months from November to at least April.

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My dear friend Gail is having a gathering of gals at her house late this month. She has an AirB&B house right next door to her and she can house the lot of us in separate bedrooms to reduce the risks of spreading Covid. Just because precautions are loosening up, doesn’t mean the virus is gone. It can still be spread. But I do feel a bit braver about gathering with others…especially if they are fully vaccinated and I can wear a mask when I want.

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And, here is it. March. 

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Where does the time go???

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?

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“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”

\n1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-01T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/03/01/an-outing-to-knit.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Crafts","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/02/27/the-common-denominator.html", "title": "The Common Denominator", "content_html": "\n
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I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom when Hubby #2 joined a medical practice in 1986. We lived in the mountains of Colorado. We had a big five bedroom log house on a couple of acres. I fancied myself as some sort of latent hippy mama…a true granola, tree hugging believer in peace and love and Mother Earth News. Those were halcyon days. I was only 33 years old when we moved to Glenwood Springs. 

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I learned to ski. I baked our bread and made our yogurt. We burned wood…cutting and splitting great truckloads of logs. I made friends. Lifelong, lasting friends I’m still close to. I discovered the great joys of female friendship and the lovely tradition of meeting at a coffee shop once a week. There is one piece of advice I give my girls. Never forsake your female friendships. There will come a day…without a doubt…that you will need each other to get through the trials and tribulations of life. Even if it’s just to gather over a cup of coffee to solve the world’s problems and vent about the little difficulties of life.

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When I first contemplated moving back to my home state after Mr. Virgo died, I asked my friends from high school, “How often do you gather for coffee?” I was told they had never done that. It just wasn’t something they did. These women worked and worked hard. Their weekends were spent caring for their homes and families. The economy isn’t as fluid in West Virginia and folks don’t spend frivolously. This is why we didn’t get a Starbucks here till just in the last few years. Few West Virginians will spend upwards of $5 for a cup of coffee. 

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While I totally understood the thinking behind it, I also knew these gals didn’t know what they were missing. I considered how much nicer their lives might have been had they had a group of gals to gather over coffee on a regular basis. I knew how much my women friends added to my life. So I set out to facilitate change in our little burg. I started sending out invitations to a handful of gals to meet for coffee. 

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We started out meeting in the lounge area of a popular historic hotel. We eventually needed to find better digs when the hotel remodeled and out little free spot was eliminated. I found a coffee shop on the south side of town that has a large meeting room…a sunroom, of sorts. We try to gather once a month, although there was a long stretch during covid when we did not see each other unless we met outside in the park.

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My heart bursts when I see women who maybe hadn’t had a trusted female confidant in their lives join in lively conversations. I love when they move and shift around the table to catch up with each other on a more personal level. And at the end of our time together, the first one who needs to leave shouts, “Time for a picture!” Most often, we enlist the assistance of another customer at the coffee shop to take a group picture. Yesterday, we had a more intimate group and I captured a selfie that fit us all in the frame.

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I love these gals. I love listening to their joy in the simple act of gathering. Yesterday was the first time we’ve met since our dear friend Sparky died. I felt her absence keenly. As I was hugging each in turn as we prepared to leave, I whispered to one, “We didn’t even mention our girl.” She said, “I know…it’s ok.” 

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I know Sparky wouldn’t want us crying in our coffee. She was too matter of fact and down to earth than that. She would want us to DO something. Support a charity. Join a committee. Serve on a board. Bring people together to make this world a better place. So, I give great consideration to the subjects of Sparky’s affection…mainly the down and out, be they two or four legged…and I contribute accordingly with her in my heart. And, I continue to gather these wonderful women together to love and support each other and to network ideas. This is my way of facilitating change in the world. We are each different in so many ways, yet our backgrounds hold us in the arms of our youth. We have found our common denominator. 

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Love.

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?

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“God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.”

\nPsalm 46:5 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-02-27T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/02/27/the-common-denominator.html", "tags": ["Strong Women","Fun","Love","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/02/24/were-all-a-little-lost.html", "title": "“We’re All a Little Lost and It’s Alright”", "content_html": "\n
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The irises are sending up their shoots, proving once again…the world keeps on turning.

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The last time I was at the farm, I noticed a leak in the ceiling of the Girl’s Room upstairs. We’ve had a lot of rain recently, so I just wanted to run out and check to see how it was doing. Surprisingly, it was dry as a bone, but I left a galvanized tub on the floor below where it leaked before…just in case. I changed the message on the answering machine to reflect the new number, picked up the mail, and had a look around.

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Spring is on it’s way here in West Virginia. That doesn’t mean we won’t have any more snow or freezes, but the evidence is unmistakable. The irises are sprouting up! I didn’t look to see if any other flowers are breaking ground yet, but it’s just a matter of time. Everything looked great and I enjoyed some time sitting at Grandma’s window.

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Another sign of spring is all the road repairs going on. All the way out to the farm and back, there were numerous slips, rock slides, and fallen trees that had been cut up and moved off the roadway. There are a few choice points along the way where mudslides frequently come down at this time of year. In one such place, the traffic was reduced to one lane with flaggers. I patiently waited my turn, scanning the hillsides of naked trees, looking for wildlife. It is a big time for squirrels to come out of hibernation because I must have seen half a dozen that had been hit by cars. I narrowly missed a couple myself.

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I decided to swing by my friend Sparky’s house on my way home. You may recall, she passed away unexpectedly in mid-December. I am still struggling with a sense of closure. There was a memorial with her cremains present, but there isn’t a gravesite to go to. At least, not to my knowledge. I thought, maybe if I went to her house where she died, I’d find what I was looking for. I did not. 

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I think, sometimes….we aren’t given a neat and tidy little package called closure after someone we love dearly passes away. I remember when Mr. Virgo and I discussed funeral plans a few weeks before he died unexpectedly, I was surprised he wanted to be buried up on the hill overlooking our house. I’ve always wanted to be cremated and assumed he would, as well. When I asked him why, he said I would need a place to go to to visit him.

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I thought that was crazy, and said as much. However, I found myself surprised at how important it was to go to his gravesite and grieve…knowing his earthly vessel was laid there. It helped me immensely to wail and walk in circles around his grave with the mound of fresh earth and the trinkets we had left for him…a pack of his favorite cigarettes, some golf balls, a green plastic coin from St. Patrick’s Day. I don’t have this place to go to for Sparky. Sitting in the driveway didn’t get it.

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Sometimes we need to make our own memorials for our loved ones who have passed. When I hiked into the Weminuche Wilderness to bury some of his hair along the trail he called “Aspen Alley”, I sang songs to him and erected a cross made from sticks tied together with the cord from the blue velvet bag that held his hair. Although I never went back, I know there is a piece of him there. There is also a piece of him buried between my mom and her brother at the family cemetery. 

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I don’t have a “piece of Sparky”. I have a few items she gave me over the years. One thing in particular I smile at every time I see it. It’s a cute pillow that says “Home is Where You Park It”. I have decided to take a little bit of the stuffing from that pillow and put it in a bag in my purse. Then, when I decide the time is right and the place speaks to me, I’m going to bury it. That will be my place. My special place to go to when I’m missing her and need to feel wrapped in her memory.

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This “needing a place to go” has taken me totally by surprise. When I bought Mr. Virgo’s cemetery plot, I bought the one next to it for me. I still want to be cremated, but I want part of my ashes buried next to him overlooking that beautiful golf course across the road from our home. The rest is to be placed somewhere here in West Virginia. Somewhere that those who want to remember me and feel near me can come sit for a while. Maybe a bench somewhere. Maybe at the end of the far field. Maybe back up on the hill at the farm, or alongside my family on King Knob. Or, just someplace special to Mr. FixIt and the girls. 

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I didn’t mean to wax philosophic and get all morbid on you today. I just wanted to share that grief…profound grief…doesn’t only come when a close relative passes away. It can come when you’ve lost a beloved pet…or have to move from the home of your heart…or you go through a painful divorce. It can come if you lose a job…or a close friendship. And, it can come when the funniest woman you’ve ever known who was there for you every day…never more than a text or call or meme away…dies totally unexpectedly and leaves you rudderless for a while.

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It’s ok to feel that loss to your bones and do whatever you need to find closure. 

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“It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay if you’re lost, we’re all a little lost and it’s alright.”

\n- Nightbirde\n
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❤️‍?

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“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

\nPsalm 147:3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-02-24T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/02/24/were-all-a-little-lost.html", "tags": ["Grief","Memories","Friends"] }, { "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/2021/12/20/snapping-out-of-it-albeit.html", "title": "Snapping Out of It, Albeit Slowly", "content_html": "\n
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Art: Mary Engelbreit

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If there’s one thing I knew about my friend Sparky, it’s that she didn’t suffer a fool. She was no nonsense…honest, sometimes brutally honest. There were a couple of times she took me to task over something I wrote in my blog. When I was talking about downsizing, I was acting like I’d just discovered a new language and everyone should start speaking it. She reminded me that some people come from an abusive relationship and leave with what they can carry. She was very proud of…and attached to…the things she worked hard for as a single woman and I should acknowledge that. She’s right, of course. I just didn’t have that perspective and I appreciated her telling me her thoughts.

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Another time, I was lamenting the loss of something important to me. Perhaps I’d been lamenting a little too loud, and a little too long for her. She called me and told me to snap out of it. She said, “This isn’t like you to whine.” She was right again. She kicked me in the butt when I needed it, but she would fight to the death for you if you were rightfully distressed.

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You don’t just “snap out of” grief, of course. She knew that. But I’m picking up the pieces of my broken heart…again…and getting back to the art of every day living. I baked two different kinds of cookies yesterday in between watching football games and a series on the History Channel about the early financial tycoons of this country…Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Morgan, Ford, etc. I knitted dishcloths in between batches of cookies. 

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Remember how I’ve told you God throws gems down in the flames of our grief? Well, I’ve found a gem in my grieving for Sparky in the form of one of her good friends. He was the person who told us that Sparky died on Monday. He texted me his phone number and I sat on our deck in the unusually warm sunshine of December 13th and cried. We lamented how we would miss her and over the course of the last week, we’ve exchanged several texts…usually sharing the funny kinds of memes that our friend used to share with us and telling funny stories. We met him at the funeral home on Saturday evening. Sparky seems to have brought several of her friends together who didn’t know each other before her passing. This is how we’ll keep her alive…through our collective memories.

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Walnut Horns…recipe shared by Richard Lowe

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Our new friend shared a recipe on his Facebook page this weekend and, since I was baking, I decided to try it. It’s for Walnut Horns. I’ve also heard of them called Walnut Crescents. They’re a different kind of cookie in that they have a yeasty dough…kinda of like a brioche, but not cooked. They’re quite good so I asked him if I could share the recipe with you here and he said yes.

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This is how we navigate grief. We form new bonds. We try new things. We bake, we cry, we grow. And each step brings a little tiny bit of healing.

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❄️

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“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

\nPsalm 147:3 ESV\n
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#Grief, #Baking, #Friends

\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-20T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/20/snapping-out-of-it-albeit.html", "tags": ["Grief","Baking","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/12/18/heavy-sigh.html", "title": "Heavy Sigh", "content_html": "\n
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I had kinda forgotten what grief feels like in your body. It’s been over eight years now since I lost Mr. Virgo. I forgot the heavy sighs…that feeling like you just can’t quite take in a deep enough breath. I forgot the deep ache in my chest that physically feels like you’ve been punched in the solar plexus. I forgot how your body hurts…sort of like when you’re coming down with a bad cold.

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I have no real appetite. The tears sit behind my eyes till they can’t anymore then they spill over. I know my friend is fine now. I know the pain she had in her back is gone and she’s healed and beautiful and young and free. She’s probably got the angels rolling in the aisles…if they have aisles in Heaven. She’s with her sister and her mom and her dad and all her loved ones that left before us. She’s probably already looked up every musician she ever loved that’s gone before us and is listening to better live music than any she sought out here.

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But, I’m selfish. I want to keep texting with her and laughing at the absurdities of people and life in general. I want to meet her for dinner and go sit by the river and listen to some great guitar aficionado. I want her to answer all my questions, like “Who do I call to get a new roof on the house?” I want her to text me in the morning to say, “Link’s broken” so I’ll know to go fix my morning post. I want her to call me from her car as she is heading to yet another meeting just to tell me they’re having a sale on turkeys at the Pig.

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We are gathering today to remember…seriously, the funniest woman I’ve ever known. And the world is a little less sparkly. She didn’t want a service. She just wanted her friends to gather and share stories and laugh. I’ll bet dollars to donuts there will be music by the Zac Brown Band playing in the background at the funeral home. I sent photos from my phone to add to those collected from her many other friends for a slide show.

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It’s just barely begun to feel real to me. I went all day yesterday without crying. Because I know she’s ok. I know we can’t understand why God takes people when He does. I know there’s nothing I could have done to change the course of Sparky’s passing. I think it’s perfectly natural to feel some guilt. You know…all the “if onlys” and “I should haves”. A wise friend told me to put that **** in a bag, tie it up tight, and give it to God…and DON’T keep taking it back and peeking in to see if He’s taken care of it for you.

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It’s not easy to say goodbye to someone who was such a huge part of your everyday life. But, I’ll learn to navigate around the Sparky-sized hole in my heart and I won’t fall in every time I think of her. I can hear her now. She could swear till a sailor blushed. The socially acceptable version would sound something like, “Snap out of it!” Yeah…that’s not what I’ll hear her saying though. If you knew her…you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you didn’t, you can well imagine.

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I am actually looking forward to gathering with our friends and fellow classmates and sharing our grief and our memories. I can guarantee there will be tears…but there will be plenty of laughter, too. So, my dear Sparky…it’ll never be goodbye. It’ll only be…wait for us among the stars. We’ll be along, one of these days. Till then…this song’s for you.

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Bittersweet by Zac Brown Band

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❄️

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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\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-18T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/18/heavy-sigh.html", "tags": ["Grief","Gratitude","Wisdom","Courage","Aging","Change","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/12/15/love-is-like-a-maypole.html", "title": "Love is Like a Maypole", "content_html": "\n
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Mr. FixIt had a routine medical procedure done early yesterday morning. I sat in the truck, browsing through the comments on the tributes to my dear friend, Sparky…tears slowly streaming down my cheeks. I can’t think of her or talk about her or text with someone about her without crying. This is what fresh grief is. This is mourning. This grief will be with me for a while because dealing with loss doesn’t work on a schedule. 

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I have experienced other losses since Mr. Virgo died. But none that hit me in the gut like this one. I sat back in the truck seat and looked out as the morning light beckoned the early birds from slumber to begin their morning chorus. I thought about Sparky and why my relationship with her has resulted in a deeper grief than some others I’ve encountered in the last few years. The bottom line is how entwined our lives were.

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Think of a Maypole. People dance around the pole, weaving ribbons in an intricate pattern. It doesn’t come apart easily, but you can trace a particular colored ribbon from bottom to top as it weaves in and out of the others. It takes all of them to make the big picture. That’s the way love is…any kind of love. Parts of ourselves blend and weave in with those we love so that when they are gone, there’s a hole in the pattern.

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All day yesterday, whenever I saw or heard something funny, I thought of telling Sparky and my heart twisted as I remembered. Any of us who have lost someone dear have experienced the same thing. Time after time, I remembered Mr. Virgo wasn’t coming home from work. Time after time, I remembered my mom was gone when I reached for the phone to call her every Sunday night. Now, time after time, I’ll think of Sparky when I see something hysterically funny.

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That’s not a bad thing. I mean, at first it’s gonna sting. But, for the rest of my life, I get to think of my friend every time I laugh. There are worse things in the world than celebrating joy in the memory of a great friend. I’ll get there. For now, I’ll experience the pain. It’s part of the process of grief. It’s the price I pay for having had a great friend.

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I have something cute that I didn’t get the chance to show Sparky. I have a friend in California who is a widow who taught herself how to carve wooden figurines. I showed you the little grandma that I bought from her last year. This year I bought a Santa and I’ve decided to buy a new one every Christmas for the windowsill in the family room. Follow my friend’s page and you can see all the cute things she creates from solid pieces of wood. Cozy Cabin Carvings by Evelyn Jimenez can be found on Facebook HERE. 

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❄️

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“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

\n1 Peter 4:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-15T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/15/love-is-like-a-maypole.html", "tags": ["Grief","Love","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/12/14/never-miss-a-chance-to.html", "title": "Never Miss a Chance to Say I Love You", "content_html": "\n
\"RPod
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“Converting the sofa to a spare bed in the RPod 196!”

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I am crushed. I found out yesterday one of my dearest friends in the world has passed away. Sparky was short but she loved big. She gave selflessly to the underprivileged and had a huge heart for animals. She told me she was one cat shy of being an official Cat Lady. She shot from the hip and didn’t pull punches. If you ticked her off, she’d tell you so to your face. We sent all those “not safe for work” memes that you can’t put on your Facebook page but that we thought were uproariously funny. She adored live music and went every chance she got. We chatted almost every day`and never went more than just a few days without checking in.

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We graduated from high school together…Mr. Fixit and Sparky and me. Although we didn’t know each other until the Days of Facebook, we had become very close. She made me a better person…sometime kicking me in the butt to do it. She was at our wedding. She called from the car all the time. I’m not sure how to navigate again.

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One of my favorite memories with Sparky was when I was pulling the Girl Camper Raffle Trailer around to the State Parks here in West Virginia. She was NOT a camper…not by any stretch of the imagination. So, when she texted me and said she had a surprise for me, I had no idea what to expect. Turns out, she wanted to go camping with me so I could write about it. You know, what it’s like to take a non-camper camping. We had a blast, but I have to say…she informed me she would NEVER be doing that again! You can read about it HERE.  

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Sparky and I said I love you every once in a while when we hung up the phone. It was usually after we found out someone we knew had passed away. When I first came to West Virginia to live after Mr. Virgo died, one of our friends lost her son in a freak accident. Sparky and I went to the viewing together. It was the first time I’d set foot in a funeral home since Mr. Virgo was in one. I don’t know what she read on my face, but she waited an appropriate time then grabbed me by the arm and said, “Let’s get some air.” She always seemed to know what you needed and if she could give it to you, she knew where you could get it.

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We cannot go through life without losing people we love. And we can’t live and love people without getting on each other’s nerves from time to time. But please…please…please, don’t ever miss the opportunity to let the people you love know that. Make it weird. Hug them. Give them goofy cards. Send them funny memes. Tell them they make a difference in your life. It gives me comfort that Sparky knew exactly how much I cared for her. 

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Till we meet again, my friend.

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❄️

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“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””

\nRevelation 21:4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-14T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/14/never-miss-a-chance-to.html", "tags": ["Grief","Change","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/20/give-us-this-day-our.html", "title": "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread and Batter!", "content_html": "\n
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A hundred lifetimes ago, I baked competitively and had a bit of a reputation around town as The Pie Queen. The year I got four 1st Place and one 2nd Place, I realized God keeps us humble in pretty blatant ways sometimes and I stepped away from competition to let others coming up behind me have a chance at the fame and fun. I never really missed it. Funny, one of the things I kept was that box full of ribbons. Tales of the glory days, I suppose.

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After a lifetime of baking, I know a good baker when I find one. And I’m always on the lookout for a really great bakery. Some time ago, Mr. FixIt and I were driving down a two lane blacktop when I spotted a sign pointing up a holler. “Our Daily Bread and Batter”. (You can find them here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074026041367 )  I was intrigued…but I was also hauling a camper. Since I don’t get down that way very often, I never had the occasion to go back, but that little sign stayed with me. I thought, you have to be a pretty good bakery to make a go of it up a West Virginia holler.

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There’s a little house on the main road that goes through our town. Someone came in and tried to open it up as a restaurant, but it just didn’t look very appealing and before long, it was closed up again. The house sat empty for some time. About a month or so ago, I drove through town and saw a sign out front. “Future Home of Our Daily Bread and Batter!” Wahooooo! I went to the post office yesterday to ship off the books to those who wanted them, and on the way home, I pulled into the little parking lot in front of the little blue house for a little…snack!

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As one might expect from the name, I was greeted with artwork and signs of Faith all around. A small basket by the cash register held copies of “Our Daily Bread”…the devotional I used to get from Grandma’s church. I picked one up with a smile, warm memories flooding over me. Or, was that the enticing aromas coming from the little kitchen in the back? Oh, my…it did smell divine in there!

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A small glass case held what was left of the day’s baked treats. It was already 2:00 by the time I got there and someone else had just about cleaned them out. I selected two glazed donuts, two fry pies, and two pepperoni rolls. A few years ago, there was a small country store on the two lane near the farm that sold the best pepperoni rolls I’ve ever had. I have looked everywhere and haven’t found anything near as good…until yesterday! Oh, dear…I can already see that I am going to have to have a weekly ritual throughout the winter to break up the monotony. There’s a small coffee shop that opened this summer. And now, the bakery. Add that to a couple very cute junk shops and a quilt shop housed in the old one room school house, and I can see I may be having some very happy Wednesdays on my calendar!

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I used to have a weekly open house at my needlework shop. Every Wednesday, women would be waiting for me to open the door. They’d haul in their tote bags with whatever project they were working on, and we would sit around the big table in the back of the shop. We’d order lunch in, then the gals would wander around the shop and pick out more projects to work on. The last gal would leave as I locked up the door for the night. Those were always my best days. Not just because I had big sales. That was nice. But, more important was the camaraderie…the communing with other like-minded women. I’ve always said my stitching groups have been my favorite forms of group therapy.

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When I first moved here, I had visions of the big building out back being converted into a space for gatherings, retreats, quilting bees…that sort of thing. Over the years, the hopes of that have slimmed as it’s just so hard for my sweetheart to let go of his “stuff”. I get that…it took losing Mr. Virgo and the need to downsize for me to let go of mine. Now, I picture “the campground”…the space I’m slowly creating to have a ring of campers or tiny homes or a big tent…something where I can gather creative women for an afternoon, or a day, or a weekend. I picture a covered pavilion where we can sit out of the sun or rain…maybe with a fire pit in the middle. It could have sliding doors…or garage doors that could open according to the weather. 

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We always need dreams. It’s what makes us get up in the mornings. It’s what helps us get through hard times. It’s what brings us joy. I’ll keep dreaming and visualizing a real “Marshmallow Ranch”. I will build it…and the gals will join me and we’ll all have a big time! 

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Won’t it be grand?!?!

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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
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Photos: Mostly from Our Daily Bread and Batter Facebook Page

\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-20T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/20/give-us-this-day-our.html", "tags": ["Gratitude","Comfort","Peaceful Moments","Baking","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/18/sitting-at-the-cool-kids.html", "title": "Sitting at the Cool Kids’ Table", "content_html": "\n
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I won’t say my childhood sucked, because there were some really great parts of it. But, due to some of the situations I was placed in as a child, my self esteem took a giant hit and I never felt like I was enough. Or, maybe I was “too much”. Whatever…I never really felt like I fit in. I had a tight core of friends. There were a few bullies. And, there were all these people who didn’t give me the time of day. I grew up thinking it was because they didn’t like me. I internalized it to mean there was something wrong with me.

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It took me a long time, and a lot of therapy, to work my way through some unfortunate events of my youth. Living in Colorado, I never really faced any of the people I thought didn’t like me, save for the class reunion every five years. The reunions still felt…cliquish. I went to West Virginia every summer and only hooked up with my old group of high school friends. Nothing ever changed…until Mr. Virgo died.

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There is nothing…absolutely NOTHING good about losing your spouse. However, you CAN find good in the rebuilding of a life. When I took off in that little camper to heal my grief one campfire at a time, I didn’t realize the ripple effect that period of intense mourning and introspection would have on other areas of my life. One of the most significant changes I made was letting go of fear. 

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Fear had been my constant companion since my early childhood. I saw things and experienced things children shouldn’t see or experience. You can’t unring a bell. I created unhealthy coping strategies because I was too young to know anything about…well, much of anything. When I lost Mr. Virgo and went into the wilderness alone, I had to sit with myself…talk with myself…learn from myself. As I worked on healing my grief, I also worked on healing that wounded child within.

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That was some of the most amazing personal growth I’ve ever done and I came out of it an entirely different person. There’s nowhere I feel that more than when I’m hanging out with the “kids” I graduated with. 

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I had every intention of staying out at the farm last night, but two things happened. One, the little dorm fridge I bought for the farm didn’t keep the dinner I bought frozen. And, since it was fish, I figured I’d be eating bananas and Oreos for supper. Then, I got a message from a high school friend asking if I was coming to the restaurant to see her. I thought it was tonight. Turns out it was last night. So, change of plans.

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It’s a forty mile drive to town from the farm and that’s forty West Virginia miles. I got there a little bit late, but there was a table full of 1971 graduates, just tucking into their meals and heavy into their stories. I ordered a Diet Coke and made my rounds greeting everyone. I finally found a seat near Ruthie…the gal that organized this little soirée. Ruthie recently moved back to West Virginia from Las Vegas. As I looked around the table there were only a couple of these beautiful people that I really KNEW in high school. The rest I’ve come to know as adults…simply because Mark Zuckerberg wanted to connect college students at Harvard and created Facebook.

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I sat and watched as everyone told stories and laughed and it struck me. Here were a bunch of people that ran around in entirely different social circles as kids. Yet as adults, there is so much common ground…merely because we walked the halls of the same school at the same time. Our class has been particularly tight. I don’t know if it was the era we grew up in or what, but we bond easily the older we get. Maybe it’s just something that happens when we age. We are less concerned with petty differences and we’re here for the party now. Because we don’t know when the ball will drop.

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Anyway, I had a blast catching up with these very cool people and I’ll look forward to seeing them again whenever I can. Hopefully we can actually hold our 50th reunion next year since Covid cancelled it this year. 

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You wanna know what I think is the best thing about being sixty-eight? EVERY table is the “cool kids’ table”!

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?

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

\nProverbs 17:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-18T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/18/sitting-at-the-cool-kids.html", "tags": ["Growth","Gratitude","Aging","Change","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/13/the-coffee-divas-and-the.html", "title": "The Coffee Divas and the DMV", "content_html": "\n
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We had errands to run yesterday. Quite often, Mr. FixIt and I are in the minority when it comes to mask wearing in our little corner of West Virginia. We went in the garage to pick up my truck. No one was wearing a mask. We went into the bank to put our change in the cash machine. No one in the bank was wearing a mask. We went in separate directions from there and I headed to the DMV. I was one of four people wearing masks. FOUR! The place was busy but we were able to maintain some social distance. 

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People often look at us funny for wearing masks. Sometimes they even say something designed to make us feel stupid for being concerned. “You’re still WEARING those? I haven’t worn one for ages!” My answer is always the same. “Yes. We are still wearing them. It has been great to not even have so much as a sniffle.” What’s more, if they came out tomorrow and said, “The pandemic is over…you can go without masks everywhere” we’d still wear them in crowded areas. Especially during cold and flu season. 

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The DMV was disappointing…again. The Bill of Sale we got when we bought the new camper didn’t have the VIN number of our trade in. And without that, I cannot get credit for having already paid taxes on it. Now we have to get a new Bill of Sale and make another trip to the DMV. It’s always something, isn’t it? I stopped at Walmart and had my tires rotated. You know…those little jobs that you just have to stay up on. Some days I’m just not into “adulting”. 

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Today is going to be MUCH more fun, though. It’s the first time since July that the girls from our high school class are gathering for coffee. I’ve really missed them! It’s going to get cold again today with a high of 44. It’s sweater and leggings weather and I really love that! As I drove home from town yesterday, the sun was inching closer to the western horizon and the light has that magical golden quality that I love. The trees have taken on deeper, richer colors now. There are shades of honey and butterscotch, burgundy and bronze, and a rich brown like the supple leather of a fine quality men’s bomber jacket. 

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After so much rain Thursday night, I would have sworn the leaves would all be gone by morning. Instead…it was breathtaking. We are trying to decide if we are having a Thanksgiving Dinner at our house this year or not. We had one Thursday night. My bonus daughter is having one next Saturday. How many do we need? Besides…I’d love to go see my uncle and cousins for Thanksgiving. I’ll need to make my mind up pretty soon, I suppose. 

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In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy what’s left of the autumn colors and visit with my cohort of “coffee divas”! What are you all up to this weekend???

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?

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““I command these things to you, that you may love one another.”

\nJohn 15:17 WEB\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-13T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/13/the-coffee-divas-and-the.html", "tags": ["Choices","Friends","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/10/20/not-doin-nuthin.html", "title": "Not Doin’ Nuthin’", "content_html": "\n
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The first thing we do every morning is open the shade on the skylight and oooooh and aaaaaah!

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I told Mr. FixIt yesterday morning that I was not doin’ nuthin’ all day ‘cept what I wanted to do. And that’s exactly how it panned out. I ate cookies for breakfast sitting in my big blue chair. It was nippy so I brought out the little ceramic heater and aimed it at my feet while I knitted all morning. My friend Lynn showed up around 1:00 and sat and talked with us for a couple of hours, which was really nice. When she left, we fixed a late lunch and sat at the table watching the sunshine dapple the ground through the trees. We sat and watched the squirrels running around burying the plethora of nuts available in these woods. There is one black squirrel that hangs out nearby and he’s stunning. I also listened for, and identified, several birds in the campground with my Merlin app from Cornell University…including a Red-bellied Woodpecker, a Nashville Warbler, and a Cooper’s Hawk.

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Once the sun started going behind the trees, we went in the camper and stretched out for a little reading/rest time. We like having that little break in the afternoon to just do nothing. Doing nothing in a day full of doing nothing was just what the doctor ordered! Our late lunches are normally our dinner and we eat fruit or a little cereal before bed. We are getting those “old folks” diets. We don’t eat a heck of a lot anymore.

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I only had my iPhone to take a picture of the moon and it never does it justice.

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As the sun began to set, Mr. FixIt and I hopped in the truck and drove over to the boat ramp so we could get a good view of the lake and the sunset. But what surprised us was the full moon coming up over the pine trees on the far shore of the lake. We were so mesmerized, we almost didn’t turn around to see the splendor going on behind us! The sky was clear, the lake was calm, and the moonrise/sunset was just icing on the cake for a perfect day. Once we got back to the campground, the day was done and we retired to our little nest. Mr. FixIt picked out a movie while I sat down to write to you.

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The sunset was spectacular last night!

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I snapped some photos during the day to share with you all. It truly was a beautiful autumn day here in Ohio!

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???

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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
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-10-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/10/20/not-doin-nuthin.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Gratitude","Comfort","Memories","Friends","Big Bird"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/10/09/paying-my-respects.html", "title": "Paying My Respects", "content_html": "\n
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I am so blessed to have so many wonderful, loving friends who would do anything for me. My besty Gail needed me yesterday. Remember in Sunday’s Prayer Circle I asked specifically for prayers for her stepson who was in critical condition in ICU? Well, sadly…he lost his struggle this week, surrounded by loving family. He was only 32. So, when I woke up yesterday morning, I asked Mr. FixIt if he wanted to ride up to Beaver Falls, PA with me because I needed to go be with my girl.

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My sweetheart has been struggling this week with painful hips from bowling, so he elected not to go with me on this jaunt. Instead, he stayed home and did the laundry and rested. I literally drove four hours up, sat with Gail for an hour at the funeral home, and drove four hours home. I passed the time on the drive talking with friends and family. I mastered hands free voice texts with Little. And I did a lot of thinking. Driving is my best think time…I can solve ALL the problems in a good day’s drive.

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The colors were lovely. Not peak, but still quite nice. I drove up via the interstate with a cut across Cadiz Road. Now, that area of the country is beautiful. Lots of barns and farms and hills with winding roads. I passed through bucolic little towns with their manicured lawns and gardens and white picket fences. Farm stands overflowing with apples and pumpkins and Indian corn stood watch, their honor system buckets weighted down with a good sized rock to keep the money from blowing away. I love Eastern Ohio. It has the rolling hills and green grass of West Virginia with straighter roads and bigger skies, like parts of Colorado. 

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All this driving made for a crazy week. When I pack so much stuff into a short amount of time, I have a hard time remembering what all I did. I’m whupped, but I am so glad I went to support Gail. When I arrived at the funeral home, I signed the guest register and looked up to see Gail trying to figure out who the woman in the black dress was. When I saw her eyes register that it was me, she crumpled and hurried over to me, throwing her arms around my neck and sobbing. I held her tight and let her cry. This is the woman who holds it all together and does for everybody else, asking for very little for herself. She needed me, and I was so glad I could be there for her.

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There was a time, not so long ago, when going there would have been unthinkable. My own trauma and grief surrounding the loss of Mr. Virgo caused me to go into panic mode if I got anywhere near a funeral home. Not long after I moved to WV, a high school friend lost her son in a tragic accident. I went to the funeral home and stood with one of my other besties…Diane. She took one look at my face as I stood there like a deer in the headlights, my fight or flight response getting ready to kick into overdrive at any second. She grabbed my arm and fairly pulled me out of there. As soon as the fresh air hit my face, I realized I was barely breathing.

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Grief is tricky and so hard to navigate. Time has eased so many of the wounds and that allows me to be more emotionally accessible for others. When I mentor others walking through the same path, I make sure they understand they are not alone, they are not crazy, and the things they go through…no matter how painful…will eventually become easier to bear. Life will never ever be the same as it was before losing Mr. Virgo…but I sure am glad I can give more of myself now to those who are hurting.

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My prayers are always with the bereaved. May they find some comfort …“in the arms of an angel”.

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?

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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

\n2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-10-09T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/10/09/paying-my-respects.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Comfort","Humbled","Friends","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/27/time-flies-when-youre-having.html", "title": "Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!", "content_html": "\n
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I woke up yesterday morning to the sun peeking through the curtains in the camper. It was cold…a very brisk 46 degrees! My electric blanket turns off automatically after a certain amount of time and I keep forgetting to reset it when I’m turning off the lights. Consequently, it was off and getting pretty darned nippy in the camper along about 6:00. I turned the blanket back on, as well as the little ceramic heater, and it was toasty in no time and I slept till 8:00. 

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I stretched and watched the shadows of the trees on the window for a little bit, then I heard my friends rattling around out there. Gail threw logs on the fire and it was soon crackling, so I knew I needed to get up and get moving. Anne made peanut butter pancakes with real maple syrup…yummmm! There was crispy bacon and scrambled eggs…and coffee! I don’t know what it is…but camping coffee tastes better than any other coffee I’ve had.

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After breakfast, we each made our way to our campers and started gathering things up and packing for the trip home. There are always last minute reminders of something left at the campfire, but soon enough, we were all giving covid-approved hugs (faces turned away…no lingering…and only with another vaccinated camper) and declaring this the best trip yet. (Aren’t they all???)

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It’s always sad to say goodbye to good friends, but we camp together at least twice a year, and we FaceTime at least once a week during the winter to make the time go faster. We always learn something new with each new campout that we can take forward to make camping even more fun! Like this cool collapsible electric tea kettle. Mr. FixIt went without his beloved nightly tea ritual while we were traveling to and from Colorado. If we would have had one of these, it would have made it easier to do. And, instead of heating up your hot water tank in the camper to do a few dishes, you can heat water up in this, add it to cold in the sink, and get your dishes done in a hurry! It pays to hang with camper chicks!

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\n[www.amazon.com/dp/B08S32...](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S32G8H5/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_K4HMDKDBTB58G7FPQBGN?_encoding=UTF8)&psc=1\n
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?

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“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

\n1 John 4:11-12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/27/time-flies-when-youre-having.html", "tags": ["Camping","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/26/knitting-wounded-hearts.html", "title": "Knitting Wounded Hearts", "content_html": "\n
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I wish I could say I made these beauties, but they are Cindy’s creation!

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One of my biggest goals for the weekend was to be here to support my dear friend, Gail. She has had so many family emergencies with life threatening illnesses this year…she was feeling overwhelmed and in dire need of hugs. I’m so glad we got to spend some much needed one-on-one time yesterday. We sat and knitted for hours. We laughed, we cried, we hugged. Sometimes you just need a dear friend to hug you and say…I’m here for you. 

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When you are knitting with a friend, you are knitting much more than yarn. You are knitting wounded hearts.

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Knitting and chatting with my dear friend, Gail…and admiring the colors.

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We had a crackling fire going all day because it was pretty darned chilly at the campground. We started the day with a hearty breakfast…scrambled eggs, bacon, homemade cinnamon rolls, and coffee. I brought a new variety of apple for snacking. They’re called Cosmic Crisps and they are SO good. It has been a long time since I’ve eaten apples and really enjoyed them, but these just might get me back into “an apple a day”. 

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Three of our camper gals went out exploring in the afternoon so Gail and I continued to knit. I’m using up the leftover yarn from the shawl I knitted this summer and I’m making a hat. I love it so far.

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The camper is working great. The girls love it. It was predicted to get down to 46 degrees last night so I’m really glad I brought my electric blanket and little space heater. They worked well Friday night. Today, we’ll all have breakfast together. Jan brought her banjo so she’ll play a little for us. We’ll break camp then Gail and I will watch church together before I head home. 

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Talking around the fire.

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One of the gals was telling me yesterday that she likes to do a variety of activities when she goes camping so she feels like she’s had a longer weekend. I’m just the opposite. I am SO busy in my everyday life that all I wanted to do this weekend was sit for hours, talk with my friend, and knit. I feel like I’ve been gone much longer than a weekend. Yet…it always ends too soon when you’re having fun, doesn’t it?

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?

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“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”

\nProverbs 27:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/26/knitting-wounded-hearts.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/24/mums-the-word.html", "title": "Mum’s the Word", "content_html": "\n
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It’s mum season. Pumpkin spice everything is everywhere. I’m sorta kinda ready this time. I always hate seeing summer leave us, but I know we will have stretches of “Indian Summer” in a little while so there’s still lots of time to get out and do fun things. I was too busy yesterday to take any photos for this morning’s blog, so I went through my archives and chose some pictures I took of beautiful autumn flowers to share with you today.

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I always say I’m going to plant flowers “this year”…but I end up looking at the price tags and thinking… “I could have a great camping trip with that money!” So, I drive around and visit nurseries and take some great photos. They’re free, they never die, and I can pull them up and look at them whenever I want. I can kill a silk plant…seriously. I’m always amazed at the flowers we have outside that I haven’t managed to kill. That’s because I leave it all up to God to do the gardening. I’m just along for the joy ride.

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Mr. FixIt changed the oil in my truck for me yesterday in preparation for my trip to camp with the girls this weekend. The weather has really taken a turn and it’s predicted to be pretty darned chilly. I rummaged around in the guest closet yesterday afternoon, pulled out an electric blanket and set it by the front door to take with me. I have leggings and sweatshirts packed. I’ll find my hiking boots and wool socks and put them in the truck. I think I’ll even take a heavy coat for sitting around the fire. I have my small ceramic heater in the camper already. The furnace for the camper is actually located under the dinette, which is currently down in a twin bed position, so I can’t light it. It doesn’t matter though…that little electric heater really warms up a small camper in no time.

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I always wait till I get to the town nearest my destination before I buy what I need to contribute to the communal meals when I camp with a bunch of girlfriends. That works out really well with this little a-frame camper. Normally, I would just go in and fill the fridge and pantry in a bigger camper. But I’d have to pop this one up in order to get in and that isn’t feasible. This way, I can just drive the last ten minutes, get set up, and then put everything away. 

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I went through my camping supplies yesterday that I keep packed and ready to go. I use a rechargeable drill to lower and raise the stabilization jacks on my campers. I know I had the charger for my drill earlier this summer in preparation for camping. But now I can’t find it anywhere. So… “Mr. FixIt’s Mercantile” to the rescue again. He has one of everything and two of most, so I just raided one of his drills and chargers. I charged the battery up in it to make sure it’s working right for when I set up today. I may not have been a full-fledged Girl Scout, but I was a Brownie…and that’s pretty close! I like to have every possible scenario covered…just in case.

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I have food prepared for Mr. FixIt for when I’m gone. I made a big pot of spaghetti sauce yesterday and we had it over spaghetti squash last night. SO good! It’s so packed with meat, he can eat it like a Sloppy Joe, or add beans and chili powder and have a nice pot of chili for the weekend. He has sandwich fixin’s and a full pantry, so he isn’t going to starve. I just like to leave him some “love in a pot” when I go somewhere so I know he’s well cared for.

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He has plenty to do to keep him busy. It’s time to close the pool for the year. The garden needs pulled up. The burn pile is growing ever larger so that could use doing. What I really hope he does is put his feet up, call a friend, take a nap, watch a movie. If I’m going to be out playing with the girls, he should be relaxing, as well.

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And, so…it is autumn.

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?

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“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

\nIsaiah 40:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/24/mums-the-word.html", "tags": ["Camping","Comfort","Change","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/20/good-morning-kansas.html", "title": "Good Morning, Kansas!!!", "content_html": "\n
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Ok, y’all…western Kansas is flat…and windy…and flat. And, did I say windy??? Wowza! We’re talking wind-tunnel windy! We’re not in Kansas, Toto windy! When we set up the camper, I had to make sure Mr. FixIt had a tight hold on his side then we threw a rope over the top to anchor it down. I took it down yesterday morning between gusts and all went well.

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Traveling east on I-70 was a little different yesterday with all that wind. It buffeted me around a little and it took more concentration to drive. It was a long driving day…about six hours or so. So by the time we got to our campsite, I was a little over stimulated. And when I get over stimulated, I get snippy. It’s nothing personal, but the person who will catch the brunt of that snippiness will be the person in front of my face. And we all know who that will be…my beloved Mr. FixIt. 

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I recognize it. I hate it. But, it’s also hard to stop. So, when we arrived at the campground last night, as he started to get out of the camper to direct me back into the site, I placed my hand gently on his arm and said softly… “Please just stay here in the truck with me, will you?” Without saying a word, he shut the door. I backed into the campsite with the slightest self-correction of my angle, and placed it perfectly. Then I asked him to please go back and tell me when I was back far enough to still be able to put the rear stabilizing jacks down. He did. And…just like that…it was done. No snippy. No frustration. No feeling bad afterwards. I think we may just have stumbled on the solution to the “I’m sorry for what I said when I was backing up the camper” problem!

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Carol #2, me (camp hair…don’t care! , and Carol #1

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When I realized the other night that I had vastly overestimated our ability to drive all the way to Salina, Kansas the first day…I got out the iPad, opened the app “RV Parky” and reconfigured our itinerary. I realized this would put us in the Topeka area the second night. And, my dear friend Carol #1 lives in Topeka! I texted her as soon as I knew where we were camping and she and a friend, Carol #2, came over. Carol #1 has been following Marshmallow Ranch since before Mr. Virgo died. It was so good to see her. We ordered Chinese food and sat around until the mosquitos started to eat us alive. I hated to say goodbye, but we promised to connect again in the future!

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Lake Shawnee Campground - Topeka, KS

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I stumbled on a real treasure of a campground here. Lake Shawnee Campground is actually a city park operated by the City of Topeka. There’s a large lake and a lovely campground right on the shore with lots of big trees for shade. And, it’s only $24 for a site with electric and water! It was super easy to get to from the interstate. It was incredibly clean and quiet and our site was right across from the bathhouse.

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Eastern Kansas is so much prettier than western. About the time you get to Salina, you start to see some changes in the topography. The grasses are greener and there are some rolling hills. Then you enter the Flint Hills and there are trees! As we travel east, there will be more trees and hills in Missouri. We will camp in “The Show Me State” tonight at a place I’ve never been and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with you. In the meantime, we’ll enjoy our coffee alongside the lake shore this morning before we head out on the open road. 

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?

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“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

\nProverbs 3:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/20/good-morning-kansas.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","The Grand Adventure","Fun","Road Trip","Friends","Birdie"] }, { "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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?

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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/2021/07/31/ahhhhhhrelaxation.html", "title": "Ahhhhhh….Relaxation!", "content_html": "\n
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We got a good scare this morning just as we were ready to pull out of the driveway with the new camper. The highway guys had the big tractor with the mowing arm on it, cutting brush, grass, bushes, and small trees across the road from us. As I watch him coming up the road, closer and closer, I wondered if I might be able to scoot out of the driveway and be gone before he got to our drive. Right about then, I heard him hit something and a three inch diameter tree trunk came whirling like a baton straight at us! Fortunately, he was far enough away the tree hit the front of our truck with a whack.

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We looked at each other in stunned silence then both said, “What the heck???” We got out of the truck and while Mr. FixIt picked up the tree trunk and inspected the truck, I flagged down the worker and made a slashing motion across my throat to get him to cut off the mower. He drove up and I yelled, “You threw a tree clear over here and hit our truck! Do you think you could wait a few minutes till we pull out of here before you mow down this way?” He was very apologetic and asked if it did any harm. I told him not that we could see, but to please be a little more observant of his surroundings. That thing is dangerous. Imagine if it was a rock. Or if one of the babies had been out there.

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Anyway, once the adrenaline came back down, we were on the road. After a quick stop to deliver some zucchini to my bonus daughter, and pick up a loaf of zucchini bread and some cucumbers, we left for the campground. It was 11:00am when we left and about 4:30 or so when we got here. Gail was waiting for us with open arms. We got the camper set up and then went over to visit. We roasted hotdogs over the open fire. Then we had toasted marshmallows for dessert. It was so much fun to visit and relax around the campfire. 

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Once we were getting settled for the night, I realized I forgot my nightgown at home. I know, I know…but it was supposed to get down to 53 degrees last night. And, if I have to walk to the outhouse in the middle of the night, I had to be decent, right? Fortunately, the campground is only about ten minutes from Walmart so we buzzed over there and found my very favorite nightgowns. This is the third one I’ve bought so far this year. They are cotton, sleeveless, long enough to cover but not so long that it binds around your legs at night. I think I need to go back and buy a few more. When I find something I really like…be it shoes or pants or whatever…I buy several in different colors or patterns. I just recently ordered three more pairs of shorts (you can find them here…https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DH8X95L/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_dl_0T3YV0BH3P44S3CX67KY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 ) that I absolutely live in every day. If it works and it’s good quality and it doesn’t cost and arm and a leg, I’m all over it. 

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So, the first day is done. We can sleep well in the woods. It’s cool and quiet and peaceful. The night sounds are soothing and life is good. We are feeling blessed today.

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How can July be over already???

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?

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“I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.”

\nPsalm 3:5 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-31T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/31/ahhhhhhrelaxation.html", "tags": ["Camping","Be Joyful!","Friends"] }, { "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/2021/06/18/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/2021/06/12/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/2021/06/08/on-a-saturday-night-in.html", "title": "On a Saturday Night in West Virginia", "content_html": "\n
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Roller Rink in Belpre, OH - photo by Harry Barnett

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I was born in the Fifties and grew up in the Sixties. It was a fine time to be a kid. We didn’t have a lot of money and we didn’t really go out and do a lot of “stuff”...especially if it cost money. Most of our Saturday nights were either spent at home or at the farm with Grandma and PopPop. During the summer, Saturday wasn’t any different than any other day of the week, except for one thing. Saturday night was “Skate Night” for the cool kids.

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I wasn’t...WAS NOT...one of the cool kids. My cousins were cool. I knew people who were cool. But somehow...I missed out on the cool gene. However, when the Stanley’s moved in down the street in the summer of ‘66, I found my partner in crime. Sharon was my age, in my grade. My very fist same-age friend. Everyone else in the neighborhood were either much older, or much younger. We soon became inseparable.

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We did everything together. We rode bikes for hours. We took tennis lessons at the town park. We were awful, but we had fun at it. We explored the woods up on the hill above our houses. Even though I couldn’t swim and was terrified of water, we went to the pool and “laid out” in the sun. From first light, off we’d go whenever we could. As long as we were home by the time the street lights came on, we were good.

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One of our favorite things to do was go to Cavalier Roller Rink. I was in awe of the older kids who could skate backwards and do spins and never fall down. We were used to those awful metal street skates you crunched down on your shoes with a key. Mine came from the Plaid Stamp store. I can still see them. They were shiny and had a foam pad on the ankle strap that was red plaid. We were really uptown in those, I’m telling ya.

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Skating in rink skates was an entirely differently proposition. The floor was smooth as glass and the wheels met the floor with precision. Smooth....and slick as ice. We fell far more than we skated till we finally got the hang of it. I never did get to be a really great skater. I couldn’t spin or skate backwards, but I could skate arm in arm and in long conga lines. We played “Crack the Whip” which was deliciously terrifying when you were on the end of the line.

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By the time we were teenagers, there was the typical posturing...trying to attract the eye of someone who interested you. Getting to skate with someone during the “Couples Only” skate was our loftiest goal. We most often sat that one out, munching on popcorn and soft drinks till we could get back out there and zoom around and around. I think back to those Saturday nights with great fondness. For several reasons.

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One...I have a birthday coming up soon. Sixty-eight. How that happened...I’ll never know. But it’s been fifty years since we graduated from high school...fifty years ago today, to be exact. It’s been fifty years since I went to a roller rink, too. That’s ok...I don’t miss it. I just miss those days of not being reminded I have knees every time I stand up. I miss long summer days playing in the sun without a care in the world. I miss that feeling of hurrying down the street when you knew the streetlight would be on any minute. The sound of TV’s in people’s houses. The quiet conversations on front porches. The shouts of, “See ya’ tomorrow!” 

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There is a whole lotta space in the “dash” between then and now. A lot was done. Many accomplishments. Too many mistakes. A rich tapestry woven with the experiences we’ve all had over these last fifty years. We’ve postponed our 50th High School Reunion till next year due to the uncertainty of Covid over the last year. It takes a lot of money and planning to put on that show, and it would have been terrible to have to cancel. This way we have another year to take off some of this Covid weight! lol

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I guess where I’m going with this is...my sweet friend Sharon isn’t doing very well right now. She has some pretty major health issues, then ended up with long haul Covid on top of it so she’s struggling to get better. She has a fighting spirit. After all, at church camp, we were notorious, as our theme song stated...

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“We are the Night Owls, Mighty Mighty Night Owls, every where we go-oh, people want to know-oh, who we are, so we tell them....”

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Please join me in lifting up my life-long, good time loving, slumber party giving, all night skating, best iced tea making, bike riding bunk mate in earnest prayer that the gifted doctors at Mayo Clinic will fix her up so she can get back to this wonderful life and we can finally go camping together!

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I love you, Shubs. Please get well soon!

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???

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“A friend loves at all times......”

\nProverbs 17:17 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-08T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/08/on-a-saturday-night-in.html", "tags": ["Faith","Overcoming Obstacles","West Virginia","Courage","Aging","Change","Memories","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/02/01/day-the-path-to-the.html", "title": "Day 322: The Path to The Past is Long", "content_html": "\n
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I can see that I am going to need to put a little structure into my time spent chasing rabbits down the pathways to my past. If not, I could very easily sit myself down in my big comfy chair and never get up. It is not lost on me that my mom developed the pulmonary emboli that killed her by sitting in her recliner, day after day, doing genealogy research. I believe I will need to assign certain hours as acceptable research time. The rest needs to be spent on something more physical and productive in order to maintain good health.

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That being said, I spent an extraordinary amount of time the last couple of days clicking on little green leaves and chasing innumerable “hints.” These are generated by the research of others as well as the algorithms of the website itself. You can’t just click and accept, either. You have to take some time and evaluate whether the information actually matches your ancestor or not. It’s tedious, time consuming, and definitely gives my mental faculties a good workout. Now, if I could just figure out a way to make it an aerobic activity, I’d hit the jackpot.

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One of the most frustrating things in genealogical research is when you hit a dead end and there just isn’t any more information. I’m at that point on a particular 2nd Great Grandfather. They had a huge family with something like seventeen kids. Now, add spouses and their own big families and it amounts to TWO three inch thick volumes of The Nutter Family History. Right now, I can’t put my hands on my mom’s copies. I believe they are at the farm and I need to go out and get them. I need to do some laundry this week anyway, so maybe I’ll make a little sojourn out there for a couple of days.

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I haven’t found anything too terribly exciting yet. Mostly just documents that support what I’ve already done. But I believe there has been a release of census data since I last did this because I’m finding a big influx of that. You can find a huge amount of information on families if the census asked the right questions. For instance, in the early 1800’s, census takers literally just counted heads, male...female...and, unfortunately, race/freedom. More modern census takers asked for names, ages, what their role and relationship was to the head of the household. It listed whether they were in school and sometimes asked the highest grade completed. (My maternal grandparents didn’t go past 8th Grade, yet they put every child but one through college.)

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Delving back into this research is relaxing. And, I have to say, the level of peace I’m feeling these days is remarkable. It hasn’t hurt that I unfollowed, snoozed, or blocked any number of people on my personal Facebook page in the last few months. When you have nothing much more than a “Happy Birthday” relationship with someone you likely will never go out of your way to spend time with...when you have someone who expounds ugly, angry political rhetoric on every single post they make...when you find your blood pressure rises every time you see their name come across your page...seriously, it’s ok to step back and re-evaluate. It’s ok to take a break. And, it’s ok to unfriend and even block people if they’re just plain making your life miserable. Life is seriously WAY too short for that. That being said, I have friends with differing political opinions that I genuinely care for and I maintain a connection for any number of reasons. We’re an odd bunch, humans.

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Speaking of odd, a few years ago I was helping reach out to my fellow high school classmates to encourage them to attend the next class reunion. One particular fellow I reached wasn’t on Facebook. I encouraged him to come on and join us so we could all catch up with each other. I have a robust circle of friends from our graduating class that I sincerely enjoy. This guy was a little...odd in his response. He asked why on earth he should join something that would be able to track his every move for the rest of his life. I poo-pooed the whole thing and thought it was just a little bit more than crazy. Then, I watched 60 Minutes last night.

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First, their story about the bereaved of Covid just broke my heart. I will forever have tenderness for those who grieve the untimely loss of their beloveds. Then, the subject switched to...of all currently relevant things...the popularity of DNA testing under the auspices of genealogical research. There is so much more going on in the back side of that...namely genetic and pharmaceutical/biomedical research. It went on to discuss security breaches, computer hacks, and the role China is playing in the race to win the next “space race”...the acquisition of DNA, genomes, and the resulting data. It is more than a little disconcerting to hear about the real probabilities of “Big Brother” and the data we’ve already essentially given away. 

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Well, at this point, my DNA is out there. So is the DNA of my children and grandchildren... simply because I spit in a test tube to find out where my ancestors came from. We really have no idea the impact what we do today will have on the future. It’s anybody’s guess and the possibilities are endless. I think back on my odd little friend from high school and think...

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Maybe he wasn’t so odd after all.

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?

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“I was young and now I am old...”

\nPsalms 37:25 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-02-01T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/02/01/day-the-path-to-the.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Wisdom","Aging","Choices","Friends","Control"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/01/27/day-missing-my-gal-pals.html", "title": "Day 317: Missing my Gal Pals", "content_html": "\n
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BC...Before Covid...I used to get together with my girlfriends from high school at least once a month for coffee. We had a class dinner at least a couple of times a year. I met friends for walking, lunch, or live music. It seems like that was a whole lifetime ago...maybe two. And now, with the threat of the more contagious variants, it can make one weary.

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I’m feeling there is promise of better days ahead, though. Mr. FixIt and I have had our first dose of the covid vaccine and we get the second on February 18th. The numbers are wobbling but with a slight turn downward. We’re getting a better handle on what needs to be done to prevent the spread and hopefully keep the variants down till we can reach a higher number of antibodies in the general public. Even wearing two masks doesn’t bother me. Whatever it takes to get through this quicker and get it behind us.

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As I told you yesterday, I’ve finished copying the posts from Facebook to my blog. But, what I did yesterday is scroll through the website and double check each post to see if they display properly. There is a step I take in posting where I select the main image I want to show up as the lead on each post online. It’s surprising to me how many times I missed that step. So, I spent a few hours scrolling back and fixing that. And, of course, that took me down memory lane.

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It’s amazing how adaptable human beings are. We are more careful with distance, we wear masks more, and we practice better hygiene. I worked in medicine for 42 years and I swear, I’ve washed my hands more in the last year than I ever have before. I’m fine with it, because I know...or at least I HOPE...it won’t last forever. While I do believe this coronavirus will always be around, I also believe we’ll get enough her immunity through vaccine and illness to tamp it down.

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That doesn’t mean I don’t miss my girlfriends. I am really looking forward to the warm, sunny days of spring where we can sit in the park with our coffee and visit. I’m not pushing it with indoors stuff because...I want all of my girlfriends THERE. I don’t want to lose a single one of them. I know right at the moment, there is mass confusion with the vaccines, but help is on the way. And, I know there is a disparity in the way the vaccine is being distributed. That’s also being worked on. Poor countries need the vaccine as desperately as the wealthier ones. 

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I still keep the healthcare workers, the scientists, the frontline and essential workers, our soldiers, our leaders, and all the people of the world in my daily prayers. I am loyal to my country, but I am also praying hard for ALL humanity...no matter where they live...that this crisis will be conquered sooner rather than later.

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It kinda puts missing my girlfriends for coffee into perspective, doesn’t it?

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?

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“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

\n2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-01-27T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/01/27/day-missing-my-gal-pals.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Hope","Change","Memories","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/10/28/lets-do-the-time-warp.html", "title": "Let's Do the Time Warp Again", "content_html": "\n
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\"It's just a jump to the left...\" Sometimes that jump is a big one. I'm not shy about stepping boldly out of my comfort zone and doing wild and wacky things. But for some, it's a big stretch to reach out into the unknown. Last night I got to do something I've wanted to do for years. There was a showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show at a newly refurbished historic theater. I've seen the film before, but never in a theater.

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RHPS was not a hit when it came out in 1975. It was very racy for the time and there are still parts that would never pass mom approval. It wasn't until they started showing the movie at midnight in art theaters that the movie became a cult classic. Audience members dressed up as their favorite characters and interacted with the film. Squirt guns, newspapers, toilet paper, toast, cards. All become projectiles with certain lines shouted along with the actors.

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I have no problem putting myself out there. But I was not married to men who would play along so I never went. A friend of mine is reinventing her life after losing her husband about a year and a half ago. RHPS was NOT in her wheelhouse. But when I asked her to go she didn't skip a beat and said yes even though she was shy about it. She didn't want to be a showy character. We both chose \"Columbia\". She in the pajamas scene and I as the showgirl scene. I was thrilled to see her enjoy herself and I had a blast.
I came out of the theater feeling like I was in a time warp. I was so present in the moment that I couldn't tell you how long the movie was. But I'd do it again. And so would my friend.

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❤️

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“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”‭‭

\n2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-10-28T01:30:33-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/10/28/lets-do-the-time-warp.html", "tags": ["Fun","Memories","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/09/24/girl-campers.html", "title": "Girl Campers", "content_html": "\n
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One of my favorite things to do is camp with one of my girl camping groups. I didn't get to camp at all this summer so this weekend I came to a state park in Ohio to meet up with the Girl Campers. Janine Pettit does a podcast about camping like a girl and her listeners started clamoring for opportunities to get together. I got to visit with Janine last weekend at Country Living Fair. When I heard the Girl Campers were meeting this close to me, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I didn't bring TOW-Wanda because it takes two people to get her out of where she's parked. So, I took this opportunity to camp in my tent. If you ever want to have a great time, camping with a bunch of women is such a hoot!

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Speaking of hoots, we went on a hike in the woods with a naturalist last night searching for owls. We heard one far off and that was it. We did see a flying squirrel. That was pretty cool. I haven't seen one since I was a little girl.

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I love the state parks back east. The campgrounds are almost always jam packed with trees. They are so beautiful with their nature trails and stunning vistas. I tucked my tent back along the pines. The trailers are all under oak trees and man, the acorns are fat this year. Another sign of a hard winter coming, I'm afraid. These big acorns are dropping this time of year and they sting when they hit you and make a lot of noise when they hit the metal roof on a trailer. I'd just as soon not be startled every five minutes all night long.

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Good news for me...I get to stay at the farm for at least another couple of months. I hope my aunt is at peace with these decisions. I can't imagine what it will be like when my independence is taken away. I doubt I'll take it well. My heart is with her.

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❤️

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\n

“Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.””‭‭

\nMatthew‬ ‭13:3-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-09-24T01:30:57-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/09/24/girl-campers.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/09/17/country-living-fair.html", "title": "Country Living Fair", "content_html": "\n
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The first thing I noticed as I arrived at the Country Living Fair yesterday was the number of women pulling wagons and wire grocery carts, prepared to haul off oodles of awesome stuff. Booth after booth of antiques and high quality arts and crafts spilled out in the pathways, beckoning you to come into the shady recesses of the vendor tents. Soaps, candles, jewelry, clothing, wall art, figurines, signs...it was a veritable cacophony of color and rust, lace and dust. And don't get me started on the food tents! Ice cream and honey and salsa and cobbler and burgers and pickles...it was enough to put me over the edge of my self-imposed dietary restrictions. But I was good. A cheeseburger, no bun. Fries with Sriracha salt. A roasted ear of corn. Yummmm.

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I showed my greatest restraint when I sat in a beautiful Airstream, looking out over the fair goers lugging bags and wagons and carts full of stuff that looks like much of the stuff I dropped off at the thrift shop when I downsized two years ago. Even the clothes held little appeal to me. Most of the styles are loose and flowing and I have plenty of that already. One artist had my attention. I circled around twice, three times. I liked her jewelry last year but resisted buying anything. She's back.

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I don't know what's wrong with me. I used to love to shop. But now all I see is stuff I'll have to get rid of someday. If it doesn't serve a purpose or bring me great joy, I really don't need it. I know at least three men who would have loved for me to have felt this way when they were married to me! lol
TOW-Wanda is ready to be picked up today. They said the water pump worked fine. It hasn't worked for me for months so who knows. Maybe something was loose and driving it up there jerked it back in place. I'll keep an eye on it.

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I am doing something fun today. At 11:00 I'm broadcasting live here on Marshmallow Ranch from the Country Living Fair. My special guest is Janine Pettit of the Girl Camper podcast. I hope it works well and you can get a glimpse of the fair!

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❤️

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“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”‭‭

\nPhilippians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-09-17T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/09/17/country-living-fair.html", "tags": ["Fun","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Country Living Fair","Crafts","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/09/14/on-the-road-again.html", "title": "On the Road Again", "content_html": "\n
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I am so excited for this weekend! I'm pulling the camper up to Columbus to get some warranty work done. While it's in the shop, I'm bunking with good friend and mentor, fellow Sister on the Fly and Girl Camper...Janine Pettit. Janine has a podcast called Girl Camper on iTunes and it's all about traveling the back roads of America and learning how to camp like a girl. Janine has been promoting the Girl Camper movement since 1999. She's not the only visionary in this field. Maurrie and Becky from Sisters on the Fly, Mary Jane Butters with her Glampers on the Loose, and Julie Thorsen from Girl Camping...just some of the great women who promote this lifestyle. I think the original Girl Camper was Mazie Morrison, mother of the real life sisters who founded Sisters on the Fly. She was one amazing woman. She had moxie.

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Janine will be at the Country Living Fair and I get to hang out with her and meet and greet the fair goers as they meander around the Campers that will be there. TOO fun...and all the beautiful vendor booths are more than worth the trip to one of the four annual fairs put on by Country Living Magazine. I'm excited to attend. This will be my third fair.

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I'll send pictures along as the week progresses! Prayers for travel mercies.

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❤️

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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
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-09-14T01:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/09/14/on-the-road-again.html", "tags": ["Fun","Road Trip","Country Living Fair","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/16/buddies.html", "title": "Buddies!", "content_html": "\n
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One of the greatest things about spending so much time in West Virginia has be connecting and reconnecting with my high school friends...most of whom still live here. West Virginia is part of who we are. You can go away, but more than likely, you'll be back.

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This is my favorite picture from Saturday night. My partner in crime...Diane. We didn't know each other in high school, but connected through Facebook. She's the funniest woman I've ever met and I adore her. We travel to the big city of Charleston to attend live concerts at Mountain Stage. We gab and solve the world's problems and laugh till we cry. She's a hoot and a half, this one!

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News from the battlefront...the exterminator was here and I'm writing this from the cemetery on Monday afternoon so you'll have to wait till tomorrow to find out if the little blood sucking vermin have been eradicated. I was up at 5:00 hauling stuff up out of the basement, getting things up off the floor, and vacuuming up fleas and eggs and larvae. I took the vacuum cleaner bag out and disposed of it behind the barn. By 6:30 I was standing in the backyard cussing up a blue streak. I had to vacate the premises for four hours so I went to the greater metropolis of Harrisville on safari. I'm on the prowl for chocolate covered peanuts and wifi!!!

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❤️

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“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

\nProverbs 18:24 NIV\n
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(...or a sister!)

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-16T01:30:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/16/buddies.html", "tags": ["Gratitude","Farm Life","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/14/broken-mended.html", "title": "Broken \u0026 Mended", "content_html": "\n
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One second and forty-five years. It only took one second to drop the cream pitcher that broke this plate. It's irreplaceable, really. But I'll tell you about that in a minute. First, I want to tell you about how mending can take forty-five years to complete.

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When I was a young girl, I was already broken in many ways before I got to high school. Childhood sexual abuse and an alcoholic father took a toll on me long before I graced the halls of Parkersburg High School. Come to find out, I wasn't alone. The rigors of adolescence plays havoc with our world view. At least it did with mine. I was inwardly quite shy and insecure. There were perceived slights, teasing, bullying...few of us escaped that brand of pain.

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This class reunion was remarkable in many ways. It was pretty chill. Till the last two hours. Then it happened. Everyone let their hair down...or what was left of it. We danced with wild abandon. We laughed till we cried. We walked up to people who wouldn't have given us the time of day or we secretly loved from afar and held on. There were surprises at every turn. There was gentleness and love. Genuine caring and respect. There was mending...of relationships, of inner turmoil...an acknowledgement of more similarities than differences because of our common bond of cultural, emotional, and educational experiences. There was a sort of collective sigh of relief that we're not dead yet so bring on the party!!! In other words, I'd have to say, this was a successful reunion. And, the richness of Facebook will keep us reaching out to one another.

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Now, the plate. Yesterday morning, we had a lovely gathering of the '71 Divas for coffee at my lifelong family friend's house in the historic district. I was doing dishes at the end of the event and dropped a creamer onto a plate...breaking it. Then, I found out it had belonged to our hostess' mother who recently passed away at 101. As a matter of fact, it had been a wedding gift. I felt horrid. I spent a good portion of the day scouring the Internet for a replacement. Some things break and need replacing. And sometimes they just need a lot of time and life experience to mend themselves.

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❤️

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“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.”

\nPsalm 91:11-13\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-14T01:30:51-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/14/broken-mended.html", "tags": ["Fun","Aging","Be Joyful!","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/13/hii-dont-know-your-name.html", "title": "\"Hi...I don't know your name either!\"", "content_html": "\n
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A friend wore this button at our class reunion last night. We're at that age where we kinda know the faces but coming up with names is getting harder. There were many classmates there for the first time. There are too many gone for good. We had a huge class...741 I believe. We've lost about 10%. I had so many delightful conversations. I had no idea how many of my classmates read Marshmallow Ranch. It was touching to hear one tell another. I'm so humbled. And I'm so happy I do what I'm doing. I came home with a great big smile. Looking for more of the same tomorrow!

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45 years ago, we walked out of those doors for the last time as students. Today, we walked out with renewed friendships and appreciation. What a beautiful life! ❤️
““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”John 13:34 NIV

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-13T01:30:48-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/13/hii-dont-know-your-name.html", "tags": ["Fun","Aging","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/03/sisters.html", "title": "Sisters!", "content_html": "\n
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One of the benefits of joining Sisters on the Fly is the number of Sisters you get. You can go just about anywhere and find a Sister. And, if you ask, you just might get five of them together for dinner!

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Two years ago, Carol (seated in black) reached out to me here on Marshmallow Ranch saying she admired what I was doing but she wasn't sure she could do it...physically. We wrote back and forth for quite some time and finally I got the message I was looking for...she'd bought a camper and joined Sisters on the Fly. Then, of course, all her friends wanted to join. It is like that with the Sisters.

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I stopped in Abilene yesterday to see the Eisenhower Museum then came to Topeka to visit these great women and eat some terrific Italian food. They housed me and took good care of me. What a treat to be in such good company!!!

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Today, I take off again!

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❤️

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\n

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.”

\nActs 2:42-44 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-03T01:30:58-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/03/sisters.html", "tags": ["Sisters on the Fly","Fun","Be Joyful!","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/08/01/silver-strands.html", "title": "Silver Strands", "content_html": "\n
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I'm going to my 45th high school reunion soon. While the event itself wasn't my motivation to lose weight, I must say the timing is convenient. But there's one thing that's not changing and that's my hair. A lot of my friends are talking about their hair and whether they should let it go to their natural color or keep dying it. I spent a lot of years, and a lot of money, trying to cover up who I am. I won't do it anymore. God made me this way. He promised to love me when my hair is white. I'm just going to trust that and keep on being me.

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I know that's not for everyone. If coloring your hair makes you feel better about yourself, you should do that. But if you're coloring your hair out of fear, I'd invite you to do some inquiry about that. It can be really difficult to embrace that drastic of a change if you have had a full head of dark hair all your life and your natural hair color is silver. The transition is stark. Asking your hair stylist is moot. She/he isn't going to encourage you to come in less often and spend less money.

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Some of my friends say they would love to stop coloring but they're afraid their hair won't be a pretty gray. We aren't all blessed with a natural color that pleases us. For me personally, my hair was always a mousy brown that wasn't particularly shiny. My hair is fine but I have lots of it. Gray hair is a bit more coarse. I'm happier with my hair the grayer it gets. I was visiting friends last weekend. Their houseguest remarked that women would pay big bucks to get the streaks that have shown up as I 'ripen'.

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Hair style and color is a deeply personal thing. It's our way of expressing to the world how we see ourselves...how we want the world to see us. If you're happy, I'm happy. However, if you really want to stop coloring your gray and are afraid of what you might find underneath, I encourage you to be brave and walk your way through that transition with courage. You can always go back if you hate it.

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❤️

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“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

\nIsaiah 46:4 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-08-01T01:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/08/01/silver-strands.html", "tags": ["Fun","Gratitude","Aging","Peaceful Moments","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/25/remembering.html", "title": "Remembering", "content_html": "\n
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I drove to Ridgway yesterday to visit my good friends Linda and Jim. I met Linda on FB two years ago through a mutual friend. She grew up kind of across the river from me. We both graduated in '71 so there's a ton of common ground.

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My friends have company so guess where I got to sleep? Their little 14' camper out behind the house! OMGosh! This is so reminiscent of Little TOW-Wanda. What a treat! That really brought back memories. What an amazing journey those three months were as I traveled the back roads and wilderness of Colorado. It seems like forever ago.

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Linda's house is on top of a mountain with amazing views. As we were preparing the camper for the night, these beauties came up to check us out. A mama with twin fawns. There are bears and what have you here. What a beautiful place to spend some time. Unfortunately, I could only stay one night. I'm stopping for lunch with one of my Sisters on the Fly friends today. It's awfully quiet without Little's chatter.

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I marvel at this path I travel...where I've been, the things I've seen. Where will I go next...next week, next month, next year?

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❤️

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“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

\nPsalm 119:105 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-25T01:30:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/25/remembering.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/21/rancher-spotlight.html", "title": "Rancher Spotlight", "content_html": "\n
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Good morning, Ranchers. I want you to meet Jackie, a \"Rancher\" from Wichita. Jackie has been following Marshmallow Ranch since before Mr. Virgo died. She can't quite remember how she found me but she thinks it was one of my ads I used when I was first making jewelry. For those of you who are new and may not know, I started this page as a way to promote my art studio (called Marshmallow Ranch) and the jewelry I made out of antique silverware and maps. She liked the necklaces because they were unique so she hit \"like\" and started reading my posts.

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Jackie clearly remembers the day I came on here and announced to you all that my husband had died. She remembers going to her husband and telling him what had happened. She felt a little maternal instinct kick in as she followed my progress. Jackie interacts on my blog a lot and I always look forward to hearing what she has to say. Her husband is a pastor and she always has something encouraging for me.

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A couple of weeks ago, Jackie sent me a private message to say her wonderful son-in-law had died in a tragic accident while hiking one of Colorado's fourteeners. You were so wonderful to send prayers when I asked for them and she wants to thank you for the love and support. Her family lives here in Colorado so she is here for the funeral and to help with the family. We thought I might drive through Wichita and visit when I was coming cross country this summer but I went a different route. We couldn't be this close without finally meeting in person.

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I drove down to the south side of Denver yesterday and met Jackie at Mimi's Cafe for a late lunch. I knew her right away when she walked in, of course. There are so many of you I would recognize from your profile pictures because we've interacted for so long. I felt I was truly meeting a friend. Jackie's been here for it all...the uncontrollable tears, the journey into the wilderness, the attempts at \"dating\", the campfires and tutus and cowboy boots. Every morning, she and her husband go sit in the rockers in front of the giant picture window where they birdwatch. He pulls out his phone to tell her what the weather is going to be. She pulls hers out, looks at a different app and corrects him. He reads off the news headlines. She pulls up Facebook, opens my blog, and asks him, \"You want to hear what's up with Marshmallow today?\" He does, of course. Then she proceeds to read my post to him.

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I listened to Jackie talking and thought to myself...\"This is why I do this. This is why I write...day after day after day. So people like Jackie can read to their beloved. So she can take what I've experienced and apply it to her life to help her daughter through her grief. To better prepare herself should the unthinkable occur and she is faced with her own grief walk. This. This is why I write.\"

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Thank you, Jackie. It was an absolute delight meeting you! I'm so humbled.

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❤️

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“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

\n1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-21T01:16:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/21/rancher-spotlight.html", "tags": ["Positive Energy","Fun","Gratitude","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/20/cowgirls.html", "title": "Cowgirls", "content_html": "\n
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I love Americana Roots music. I go to the Americana music series in Parkersburg every chance I get. But last night I experienced a rare treat. I went to the Olde Town Pickin' Parlor in Arvada with some of my Sisters on the Fly friends. An amazing group of talented musicians gathered to play their own music as well as some standards.

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This was Americana with a twist...it was western music. Like Cowboy Poetry western. Juni Fisher was there. She sang about her beloved horses. She sang a haunting song about an Irish washer woman seeing a Native American across the river and recognizing her as a mother, just like herself, and not an enemy. There were a couple of cowboys there who sang other songs about ranches and cowboys and dancehall girls. The slow, sweet strains of a cowboy singing a love song will tear your heart in two.

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I looked across the room and saw a man standing along one wall. He seemed familiar in some way. Perhaps we had worked together in the past. Maybe he just had one of those faces that remind you of someone else. As the evening wore on, I was drawn back to this man repeatedly. Then it hit me. He looked like someone I knew. An old lover from maybe '77. I was pretty young...he was maybe ten years older. I never caught his eye. I didn't interrupt him. He was with a woman I assumed was his wife. Sometimes it's best to let sleeping dogs lie. But, I smiled at the memory of my time with him as I listened to songs about unrequited love, the lonesome lyrics making me feel my heart beat. He was a very nice man and, in my clumsiness, I may have hurt his heart. There was no need to revisit that.

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It's difficult to impress on young people the stories of their youth may show up in the most surprising places...at the most inopportune times. These are the things we learn when it's too late because you can't un-ring a bell. I'm glad I saw him. I'm just as glad he didn't see me.

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❤️

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\n

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

\n1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-20T01:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/20/cowgirls.html", "tags": ["Aging","Memories","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/18/motivation-monday.html", "title": "Motivation Monday", "content_html": "\n
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I met a great gal this spring from my hometown. We have a mutual friend who connected her to Marshmallow Ranch because she was just at the one year Angelversary of her husband's death. We met for coffee one day and ended up talking for four hours at Panera! She recently posted this...her \"Dear Self\" note drawn on her hand. I absolutely love this. It really speaks to me. It's a work of art. I have had a lot of \"Dear Self\" conversations since Mr. Virgo died.

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Grief takes a life that was a beautiful work of art and slashes the canvas. It smears the paints till they're a muddy brown. No color. No definition. It's so hard to look at that mess with any hope. Yet...look. Something as simple as colored markers on the palm of her hand has shown my friend that there can be beauty again. There can be colors. Sometimes we need a reminder.
There will come a day when you will feel like making the choice to see the beauty in life again. It's a clean canvas. A fresh set of paints. Soft brushes. And new eyes.

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\"Dear Self...Today you will shine!\"

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❤️

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\n

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

\nJeremiah 29:11-13 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-18T01:30:36-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/18/motivation-monday.html", "tags": ["Grief","Growth","Change","Friends","Healing"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/13/sisters.html", "title": "Sisters", "content_html": "\n
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I am in need of some Sister time! I am not scheduled for a single Sister on the Fly camp out this summer and I'm totally bummed! So I reached out to some Sister friends and...voila! Tonight is dinner and a walk afterward then Tuesday we're gathering for dinner and live music. That's the coolest thing about Sisters on the Fly...instant friends, just add fun. Available anywhere, anytime!

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I am not in Denver as long this summer as I was last year. I had obligations at the beginning and end of summer so it cut my stay short here. I got to looking at the calendar and realized I only have three weekends left and they're already spoken for. I've had a lot of fun and I'll squeeze as much more fun in as I can manage. I'm also writing a lot so that's cutting in on my fun time. I had to restructure my outline for the book proposal so that has me a few days behind schedule. I spent the entire day yesterday writing in a coffee shop. I met my younger daughter for coffee at 10:00 and ended up staying there till 5:00. So close, so close, so close!

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Today is my wonderful son-in-law's birthday. He is such a gem. A hard worker, a talented photographer, a great husband and father...he's everything I ever wanted for my Julie. After hearing the sad news yesterday of our fellow Rancher losing her son-in-law in a hiking accident, I just want to hug on mine and tell him how much I appreciate him. Happy Birthday, Jason! And thank you for being the son I didn't get to have.

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❤️

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“Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.””

\nGenesis 12:13 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-13T01:30:15-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/13/sisters.html", "tags": ["Sisters on the Fly","Fun","Friends"] }, { "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/2016/07/03/from-sadness-to-summer-fun.html", "title": "From Sadness to Summer Fun", "content_html": "\n
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Life flip flops on a dime sometimes. I was SO dreading my friend Bill's funeral yesterday. For one thing, I have only attended one funeral since Mr. Virgo died and that wasn't someone I even new, actually. I went in support of the parents. Bill's funeral meant looking at his wife and remembering. Bill's funeral hit close to my heart.

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I made arrangements to meet a dear friend at the church. I warned her ahead of time that I wasn't sure how I would react so she was prepared to make a quick exit if it bothered me. The church was absolutely packed. One of Hubby #2's colleagues sat next to me by chance. I hadn't seen him in years. We chatted and caught up which was lovely. The service was an amazing tribute to a man well loved. The only time I teared up was when they presented the flag to his widow. That always gets me. There was a reception after and I stayed so I could visit with people I literally hadn't seen in decades. It was sad that it was under such circumstances but delightful to see so many people who have touched my life. It was a day full of love and grace.

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And now, I turn my attention to the next thing on the agenda. I am driving back to Denver today to avoid the holiday traffic on Monday. Then there will be the 4th of July festivities. And after that, there is a camping trip with Little. Big has swim practice and has not inherited the camping bug, so it's just me and Little heading out for a week of fun in the mountains! I saw this photo of a bacon s'more on FB the other day. SO not on my diet, but decadent nonetheless! Hope you're enjoying your holiday weekend!

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❤️

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-03T01:30:48-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/03/from-sadness-to-summer-fun.html", "tags": ["Grief","Courage","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/02/amazing-grace.html", "title": "Amazing Grace", "content_html": "\n
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We all suffer losses in life. Usually, our first experience with death, aside from a goldfish or the family dog, is a grandparent. They're older. It's the natural progression of things. I lost my first relative that ripped my heart out when my maternal grandfather died of his fifth or sixth heart attack. It was 28 years before I lost the next one when my maternal grandmother died of a stroke. Four years later I lost my mom, a year later my sweet Uncle Bob. Nine years later, I buried my husband. These were the heartbreakers.

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Today, we say goodbye to our good friend, Bill. It wasn't like we hung out socially. I had never been to their home. They had never been to mine. But, he was a caring physician who took care of me many times. I was on his e-mail list for the newsletters he and his wife sent out during their missions overseas. And, I was on his personal prayer list. I read in his obituary that he woke up at 4:00 every morning and got up alone to personally pray for everyone on his prayer list. When he died, that list was twelve pages long. He prayed for every single one, every single day. Even when he was under fire in war torn regions of the world.

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I came up to the mountains yesterday so I can attend my friend's funeral. He was loved by everyone he met. His friends, his family, his colleagues, and complete strangers who came through the doors of his ER. Bill was a devout Christian. He loved Jesus with every ounce of his being. I sat with a friend last night reminiscing. Who knows why God took him home at the age of 59? He was training to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro at the end of the year before starting a new mission assignment in January. He was literally at the top of his game...two grown sons happily married. My friend surmised. We are sent here to learn to love. To love everyone, unconditionally.

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Maybe...maybe on that beautiful sunny afternoon, a mile up this magnificent canyon, God looked down and said, \"You're perfect. It's time.\"
As I drove through the canyon yesterday, I stopped at the trail head and talked to Bill for awhile. I thanked him for taking such good care of me and my family on so many occasions. I thanked him for all the prayers he prayed on my behalf. I thanked him for being such a good husband and father. And, I thanked him for being such a good and faithful servant. He was an excellent teacher, mentor, and roll model to countless people all over the world. He will be greatly missed but we will meet again.

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❤️

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“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

\nPhilippians 3:14 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-02T01:30:52-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/02/amazing-grace.html", "tags": ["Grief","Change","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/28/goodbye-my-friend.html", "title": "Goodbye, My Friend", "content_html": "\n
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A special man died yesterday. I won't identify him by name because he and his wife have been involved in missionary work in extremely dangerous parts of the world. Yesterday, he and his wife were hiking when he fell and hit his head. We know no other details at this time...only that he has died. I'll call him JD, for John Doe.

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JD was the ER Doctor during many of my emergency visits when I was struggling many years ago. I believe he was in the ER when I overdosed. He saved me...but more than just with medicine. He prayed for me. I once receive a hand written note thanking me for supporting his ministry and that he had Mr. Virgo and I in his daily personal prayer list....daily, for years. He always told me there was a special reason why God spared me. He knew He had great things in store for me.

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JD has been in my prayers many times as well when he was off in foreign lands working in very, very sensitive areas. We still cannot speak of where he was to protect the other workers.

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My heart is broken tonight. A good, good man has left us all too soon. His family are left behind to deal with this tragedy as best they can. If you are the praying sort, please send up prayers of comfort for his loved ones...and all who knew and loved him. He will truly be missed.

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❤️???❤️

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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. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

\nRomans 8:28-30 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-28T01:30:19-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/28/goodbye-my-friend.html", "tags": ["Grief","Memories","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/17/fitness-friday.html", "title": "Fitness Friday", "content_html": "\n
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It's not as easy to follow a fitness program when you're traveling. You have to plan ahead and make working out a real priority. Eating choices can be difficult when you visit people whose diet does not closely match yours. I am fortunate to have supportive friends and family who are very accommodating when I travel. I have my bike, weights, kayak, and walking shoes with me at all times. I have a number of people I can call at a moment's notice to exercise with. Fortunately, it's salad season and my brother/friend has fixed some wonderful healthy food. Yesterday I called a friend and caught her just before she left town. She was happy to walk three miles with me before she took off! I'll be doing a lot of walking this weekend so I'm feeling pretty good about my ability to stay on track.

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I was thrilled to get a message yesterday from a fellow \"Rancher\" who lives in town. We met for coffee and as soon as I saw her, I knew I'd met her before. Turns out she taught in the kinder garden class next door to my youngest's classroom. Ann...it was a delight to spend a couple hours catching up! What a treat it is to meet my readers!!!

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❤️

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“that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”

\nRomans 1:12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-17T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/17/fitness-friday.html", "tags": ["Health","Fitness Friday","Friends","Cooking"] }, { "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/2016/06/06/fear-of-change.html", "title": "Fear of Change", "content_html": "\n
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I have a confession to make. I really hate change. Change scares me. Oh...what's that? You, too? Fancy that! I am probably one of the most flexible, adaptable, light-on-my-feet kind of people you are ever likely to run across. Yet, since Mr. Virgo died, I dread change. The seven years he was in my life were the most peaceful years I'd ever known. It was easy being with him. He was dependable. Predictable. Steady. We approached change as an adventure we were prepared to embrace together. Change was challenging and fun. Then he died. And change became an obstacle. A chasm to be crossed...fraught with peril.

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It's not that I am a slave to routine. Quite the contrary. I get bored easily and need distractions. But those changes are under my control. I can pack up the camper and head out in any direction on any given day of the week. I can climb these steps or ride my bike. Kayak or walk. No, those things don't bother me. What bothers me is when people I've come to know and enjoy spending time with have a sudden change in their lives and I'm no longer included in as many of the regular activities I enjoyed sharing with them. Whether they get a new job, a new relationship, or move to the other side of town...I dread that change.

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Recent changes in the lives of several people I know and love and came to depend on for regular companionship have caused me to take a breath and look at change differently. Change is really nothing more than a transition of thought from one state of being to another. The transition takes me from where I was...where I saw myself...to where I actually am. It's life's reality check. I'm not a fifth wheel unless I think I am.

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Depending on other people for companionship in general isn't healthy unless you are in a committed, monogamous relationship. And even then, you should be independent enough to entertain yourself for some period of time...alone. Seek out additional friendships. I know how easy it is to slip into the comfortable shoes of dependability. But you've all heard it before...the only thing certain is change.

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❤️

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“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

\nHebrews 13:8 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-06T01:30:21-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/06/fear-of-change.html", "tags": ["Fear","Change","Friends"] }, { "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/2016/05/26/stellar-day.html", "title": "Stellar Day!", "content_html": "\n
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I got up early yesterday, put on the coffee, and started writing. I had to prepare my paperwork for the conference in DC in August. There was a bio to write and a synopsis of my talk. There was the speaker's agreement and selecting the professional head shot. And, twice when I was almost finished my keyboard would just randomly stop working. I had to do the same thing three times before I got it done right. I finally finished at 1:00 and decided it was play time. I called a couple friends and we strapped our kayaks on our respective vehicles and hit the road.

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We paddled five miles. We went up the channel on the east side of Middle Island and down the Ohio side, then round the tip of the island and back up the channel to the marina. I absolutely love that paddle. The channel is fairly still and there are several places where you glide under a canopy of trees. When you come out at the uppermost point of the island, the Ohio River opens up before you in a grand way. It's stunning, as you can see in the photo. The river is really wide there and, of course, you're paddling downstream so it's nice to have that easier part during the second half. We had a great time and stopped at a little neighborhood restaurant for salad for dinner. I was pretty pooped when I got home.

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Good company. Good upper body workout day. Life is beautiful, indeed!

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❤️

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“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

\nJohn 1:3-5 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-26T01:30:41-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/26/stellar-day.html", "tags": ["Fun","Aging","Fitness","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/15/a-womans-dance.html", "title": "A Woman's Dance", "content_html": "\n
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Our gathering of wild and wonderful women has drawn to a close and we will be traveling our separate ways today. I am always a little sad when these events end. There is something so special about bonding with women over food and drink, laughter and tears, singing and dancing, and the sharing of stories. We cross any barriers, real or perceived, as we reach out to each other and celebrate our differences and embrace our similarities. And when we leave the fire, we take with us a piece of each other's hearts and are all the richer for the experience. We are better for having met.

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As the evening drew to a close, the drizzle turned first to sleet then to snow. I believe the weather has been warm enough to limit any real accumulation on the roadways, but there are three fairly high mountains I need to cross to get home today. Please keep us all in your prayers for travel mercies.

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❤️

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“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

\nHebrews 10:24-25 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-15T01:30:10-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/15/a-womans-dance.html", "tags": ["Strong Women","Fun","Be Joyful!","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/02/lessons.html", "title": "Lessons", "content_html": "\n
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I've been working with a trainer the last two months. We exercise together four or five times a week. Anyone who exercises knows it's a whole lot easier when you're with someone. There's not only the accountability factor, but the motivation and encouraging comments that come with having an exercise partner is priceless.

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It's important when you exercise to stay in breath so you are aerobic...your muscles getting the oxygen they need. One way of assuring that is to carry on a conversation. If you can't talk more than a few words with all the huffing and puffing, you should really slow down the pace a little. Imagine my delight when I can exercise AND carry on a conversation. It helped make the activity much more pleasant.

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And now my trainer, who has become my good friend, is moving on to his next adventure. I am so happy for him, but selfishly I will miss his encouraging words and fun conversation. He has taught me many things. I'm not invisible. Everything we do in life should come from a place of love...for others, for ourselves, for the planet, and for God. Our bodies are machines that need the proper fuel in order to function properly. And, I'm probably not drinking enough water.

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Now comes the hard part. Now I have to stay motivated to get out there and keep exercising at the same level of intensity. I can do this but it will be an adjustment. I hate goodbyes so I'll just say \"See ya later, my friend. Thanks for believing I could make the changes I needed to get healthy.\"

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❤️

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“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

\nNumbers 6:24-26 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-05-02T01:30:49-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/02/lessons.html", "tags": ["Health","Uplifting Stories","Overcoming Obstacles","Positive Energy","Growth","Gratitude","Fitness","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/05/01/coffeewithlove.html", "title": "#CoffeeWithLove", "content_html": "\n
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My Sister friend Michelle had a running bet with her dad. If she had snow in her North facing yard on May 1st, he owed her a cup of coffee and if she didn't, she bought him a cup. He died on May 1, 2013 just six weeks after Mr. Virgo. She really misses her dad and thinks he might have won the bet this year...and sure wishes she could buy him that cup of coffee today.

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How many times have we thought, \"If I could just talk with him one more time, I'd be ok with this.\" That's a lie we tell ourselves, of course. Because you wouldn't be ok. You just want to barter with God. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.

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So, in honor of Michelle and her wonderful dad, her friend Frank suggested we all buy someone we love a cup of coffee on May 1st, then Christy suggested we tell about it and use the hashtag #CoffeeWithLove to share it. I think that's a great idea! Let's make it a \"thing\"!

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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": "2016-05-01T01:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/05/01/coffeewithlove.html", "tags": ["Grief","Love","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/04/24/ripples-in-the-force.html", "title": "Ripples in the Force", "content_html": "\n
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My heart was given a workout this week. I stretched my love muscles over thousands of miles to send love and light to a family in pain. When the end came, I was depleted in that way you get when you've given freely of your heart. It was time to recharge last night. Way back in February, I sat online and on the phone the day the Garth Brooks tickets went on sale for Columbus. I was thrilled I got 2nd Row Center seats! I bought an extra ticket to take a friend. She and I got all dressed up in jeans and boots. We took our Stetsons and fringed jackets. And we were ready to go. We stopped for gas and she asked what time the doors opened. I said, \"Here, let me check the tickets.\" Well, I searched my phone, Ticketmaster, my online bank account, and called the charge card to make sure the payment went through....and there was no record. Absolutely none. No tickets...anywhere. I was SO disappointed. It totally redirected my energy path. We salvaged the evening and went out for dinner at Olive Garden. After dinner, we found out the movie we thought we would go see didn't start for two more hours. So by 5:30, we were done \"painting the town\" and headed home.

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No matter how much I was looking forward to seeing Garth Brooks, this little glitch in plans is so minor in the grand scheme of things. As my friend pointed out, there's a reason God took that away. I needed to recharge this weekend in a smaller venue than an arena filled with screaming fans. I came home and immediately fell asleep for three hours. I meditated, prayed, and slept some more. I'll go to church this morning and fill my well from the Source. Worldly disappointments come and go. This is an excellent opportunity to remind myself from Whom I get my peace. And it's not Garth Brooks.

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❤️

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““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

\nIsaiah 55:8-9 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-04-24T01:30:16-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/04/24/ripples-in-the-force.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Fun","Change","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/04/23/for-isabel.html", "title": "For Isabel", "content_html": "\n
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For Isabel...born sleeping.
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“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

\nMatthew 5:4, 8 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-04-23T01:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/04/23/for-isabel.html", "tags": ["Grief","Comfort","God","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/03/21/honey-im-home.html", "title": "Honey, I'm Home!", "content_html": "\n
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Wow...what a week! Every single one of you should take a break from FB for a few days. I admit, I peeked a couple of times. My granddaughter was out of state at a swim meet. I got a smarmy message from some guy I had to take care of. And even a sabbatical can't stop Fitness Friday. It was great to be away from any negative influence but I sure missed all your positive energy. You're my daily dose of Vitamin LOVE!

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Where to start? I drove to Blackwater Falls State Park on Tuesday to meet with Janine Pettit, Girl Camper extraordinaire. She brought her best friend, Carol from New Jersey. We had adjoining rooms and it was like summer camp sleepovers! The park is gorgeous and we were there with the Tucker County Tourism representative. Girl Camper is hosting a Go Girl Go camping weekend in May at Blackwater Falls. We still have a very limited number of spots left so if you would like to join us, let me know.

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Wednesday morning found me working in my room while Janine and Linda toured the area. I was recently invited to submit a proposal to speak at an international conference in DC in August so I had to focus and get that done. The process was complicated by the need to update some social media and do a little online housekeeping first so it was time consuming. Wednesday afternoon we hiked. Carol is also into fitness so we ran down and back up 242 steps to the lower observation deck overlooking the falls and took the lodge steps two at a time with deep lunging steps down the halls. I'm sure the security footage was entertaining. We ended the night with a working dinner.

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Thursday after breakfast, Carol headed back to New Jersey and Janine and I sat down to record a Podcast on \"Solo Women Travelers\". I'll let you know when it goes live. We also discussed my upcoming Podcasts as the Travel Correspondent for Girl Camper: Going Places, Doing Things. My first will be on Camping in Colorado. Janine is darling and extremely knowledgeable on technology, media, and marketing and I always learn so much from her. And besides that, she's great fun!

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After recording Thursday, I took off for my cousin's house. And what road trip of mine would be complete without a diversion? I saw the sign for Spruce Knob, the highest peak in West Virginia at 4863 feet, and turned off the beaten path. It was 44° and really windy at the top of the observation tower but the views were breathtaking. I backpacked up the other side of this mountain back in 1979 and it was amazingly beautiful with the rhododendron in full bloom in June! I saw an unusual bird this trip, slowly crossing the road...a Woodcock. It has a strange dance. Google it!

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I went to Harrisonburg, Virginia with my cousin and her husband on Friday. We took over the front end of a 1920's Cadillac that he is having rebuilt. The hot rod guy had recently finished rebuilding a 1934 bus and took us for a ride to a local barbecue restaurant for dinner. Such fun!

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Saturday dawned with snow on the ground, much to my dismay. I wanted to crawl into bed and pull my covers over my head! However, that's not what we do when we are focused on fitness. My friends back home started texting back-and-forth about the Blues Festival being held in Marietta Saturday night. How could I resist four hours of dancing for exercise? So, I took off and came home. The music was fabulous and the dancing was great fun. Four of us pooled our money to buy 20 tickets for the raffle, and we won! We will split a year's worth of tickets to live music in the mid Ohio Valley. How cool is that?

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That was my week. My time away reinforced my decision to focus on fitness and my observations on life and not talk about grief all the time now. I will be restructuring my blog next month so that my earlier writings will be more readily accessible when you are needing more support during early grief. I want my readers to see there is life after loss. What message do I send if, after three years, my loss is all I can talk about? You never \"get over\" grief. But you DO get through it. There will certainly be times we revisit darker topics as that is the nature of grief. However, what we do with the rest of the life that we are gifted with depends a great deal on us. That's my focus now...living a life that is genuine, full of joy and purpose, and in as good health as I can achieve. My focus is on \"Positive Aging\" and all that entails. I'm so glad to be back home on the Ranch! Thanks for keeping the fire going while I was gone!

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❤️

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“They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,”

\nPsalm 92:14 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-03-21T01:30:12-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/03/21/honey-im-home.html", "tags": ["Travel","Fun","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/03/14/gratitude.html", "title": "Gratitude", "content_html": "\n
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I have the best friends. Each one holds a very special place in my heart. They make me laugh. They let me cry. They celebrate me and encourage me to be my best. They kick me in the butt when I need it. They lift me up. They love me. I'm not half as good to them as they are to me but I try hard.
I've met some of the coolest people in the last couple of weeks. Have you ever met someone and you knew in five minutes you were going to be lifelong friends? Have you ever felt like you've known them forever? That's the way it is with this group. Our energies are very compatible. I had a weekend filled with belly laughs, good food, exercise, and love. What more could a body want?

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I have a busy week coming up. I'm meeting my dear friend, Janine Pettit and one of her friends for a two night stay over. We're doing some recon work for a girl camper weekend in May. We're going to record a couple podcasts and brainstorm a bit about some projects I'm working on. There will be lots of laughter, I can guarantee. The only thing is, I have no idea how the cell reception or Wi-Fi is where we're going so posts may become spotty in the next few days. After my meeting with Janine, I'll be visiting with family till early next week. I can't wait to post pictures of Spring in the Appalachians!

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❤️

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“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

\nPsalm 119:105 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-03-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/03/14/gratitude.html", "tags": ["Gratitude","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/03/05/make-love-not-war.html", "title": "Make Love, Not War", "content_html": "\n
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The angry, hateful rhetoric being slung around like a bunch of schoolyard bullies continues to dismay me. And it makes me wonder...where are the hippies? Where are the pacifists, the tree huggers, the flower children? I want them back. I want them to protest. I want them to stand up and say, \"No...we won't take this!\" I want them to put flowers into the weapons that are destroying us!

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Where are they? What happened to Flower Power? We fought for something. We stood up for our rights. Everyone seems so complacent anymore. I have nothing to say about who you vote for. It is your right to choose in this country. But I do have to ask you...BEG you to exercise your right to vote. It's an important right that was hard fought for.

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I wanted to be a hippie but my mom wouldn't let me. Wanda Belle would have tanned my hide if I acted like a \"wild nelly\". I know every generation thinks the world is going to h$&@ in a hand basket, but we've never seen anything like this. I want the peace freaks back.

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What do you all think? Where did they go?

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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": "2016-03-05T02:30:31-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/03/05/make-love-not-war.html", "tags": ["Hope","Grace","Love","Peace","Wisdom","Forgiveness","Choices","Change","Kindness","Friends"] }, { "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/2016/01/31/the-granny-girls.html", "title": "The Granny Girls", "content_html": "\n
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We're 18. The only problem is, you can't see that 18 year old because she's stuck inside this 62 year old body. She's in there...though I have to admit, there are days when she does a darned good job of hiding. And...speaking of hiding, she's got a wicked sense of humor because she's always hiding things from me. She's particularly fond of hiding my glasses and my car keys, although she HAS been known to hide the whole danged CAR from me after I've taken her on one of her favorite outings....shopping at the mall. Oh, she LOVES that! She keeps trying to squeeze my butt into HER size jeans and that either makes me laugh or makes me cry or pisses me off. It depends where we are with our hormones. Sigh.

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We like to go hang out with our girlfriends. You can just about guarantee she's going to show up at that event. She's so funny. She snorts when she laughs and doesn't care that it makes me pee a little. She loves to tell stories and make her friends laugh till THEY pee a little, too! We promise each other we'll always be there...just like we did 45 years ago.

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Just look at these beautiful eighteen year olds! They're so wise and wonderful. Sassy and sensuous. Silly and brilliant and adventurous. Loving and loyal and so full of life. It was a perfect day. Lord, let us stay just like this...for as long as we can. Oh, our knees ache a little, and maybe some of us need hearing aids, and Lynn had a heart attack and Rhonda's not recovered from her last surgery so she couldn't come....but, please Lord, let us be 18 as long as we can. Just look at us! We're perfect!!!

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❤️

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“So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.”

\nEcclesiastes 11:10 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-01-31T02:30:34-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/01/31/the-granny-girls.html", "tags": ["Gratitude","Grace","Aging","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/01/19/home-sweet-home.html", "title": "Home, Sweet Home", "content_html": "\n
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Home is where the heart is. Home is where I park it. And home isn't always where I live. The concept of home is evolving within me. I was steadfast all my life in saying West Virginia is my home. And, by all rights, besides being where I was born, it is the home of my heart. As my grandchildren grow and my family thrive, my home is with them which happens to be in Colorado. And, my house is my home and it happens to be on wheels so home may be in South Dakota or a driveway in Arvada or a beach in South Carolina or a bluff overlooking the Ohio River. My view of \"home\" is expanding. It is fluid yet at its core is love, comfort, security. That security is my family, including my son in law's family.

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This \"home\" that I've come back to is on the banks of the Ohio. I love it here. But man, is it ever cold!!! I got in this afternoon and cuddled under the electric blanket to warm up and promptly fell asleep. Then visited with a friend.

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The two speaking engagements went very well this weekend. As a matter of fact, after the Salon was completed on Sunday my friend, Marion, gifted me this painting of my view of the Ohio! I am so touched! What a beautiful gift I'll treasure always and give a prominent display space in TOW-Wanda
My hostess, Jamie, was an absolute charming woman. She has been a widow only slightly longer than me. I was so happy she was with me at the Salon on Sunday. She always adds such insight to conversations. And her beautiful fur babies, Reba and Maggie made me almost wish I had one of my own.

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And now there is some very intense work to be done in the next few months. I'll be doing a ton of writing, editing, and rough drafts. I'll be learning about introductory letters and proposals and writing real life blogs. I'll be learning how to optimize social media exposure. There is a great deal of infra structure that has to be built in order for the books to be released seamlessly. In the midst of all this, I will try my very best to continue writing daily as I always have. But if you notice a little slip in quality or content, I do apologize in advance and I do hope you will stick with me as we go through some inevitable growing pains the next few weeks and months. I promise, the results will be worth it!

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❤️

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“How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.”

\nPsalm 137:4-6 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-01-19T02:30:18-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/01/19/home-sweet-home.html", "tags": ["Camping","Gratitude","Art","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/12/07/hallelujah.html", "title": "Hallelujah", "content_html": "\n
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Yesterday was one of those wonderful days that started out great and just kept getting better. When I first woke up, I still had some remnants of a headache that's been bugging me in the background. So I thought I'd just hang out at home, laze around, and skip church. Then that still, small voice said to get up and go so I got up and went. I was so happy I did because it was another one of those days when the sermon was personally written to me. Have you ever felt that? You go into church, maybe thinking about a problem, or wondering about something and before you know it, you get your answer. I love it when that happens.

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After church, I headed down to the historic district for the Victorian Christmas Tour. I have some close family friends who have the most amazing house down there. Honestly, it's like a museum. I'll post some pictures over the holidays that I took during the tour. It was fun to go inside some of the houses I'd always wanted to peek into.

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Next stop was a lunch treat at Olive Garden. Leftovers for dinner made it more affordable. After lunch, I went back to the Victorian to get some pictures without the crowds. Then I headed up to St. Mary's Basilica of the Assumption in Marietta, OH to hear Handel's Messiah. The picture here is of the ceiling. What an amazing concert. Stellar talent. I saw people I knew which is always nice.

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These are the days you live for. Where joy tips the scale and grief is way below the surface. These are the days you want to keep at the front of your memory box to prove to your dark side there is truly light out there.

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❤️

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“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”

\nPsalm 18:28 NIV\n
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\n\n", "date_published": "2015-12-07T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/12/07/hallelujah.html", "tags": ["Fun","Holiday","Be Joyful!","Friends"] }, { "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/2015/11/08/seven-bucks-and-a-burger.html", "title": "Seven Bucks and a Burger", "content_html": "\n
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I'll say one thing for the Mid-Ohio Valley...you can sure have a good time on the cheap. Really good entertainment can be found in venues like this one in Marietta, Ohio. For less than $20, I heard two bands and had dinner. It was a whole lotta fun!

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It almost didn't happen, though. I had been planning for a week to meet a friend there but an hour before the show I thought, \"Nah...I don't want to go out.\" I hadn't gone out all day and it just seemed easier to beg off. Easier, but not necessarily better for me. Sometimes, especially at this time of the year, it's just too darned easy to stay home and eat a big bag of potato chips and pop tarts. Trust me...I know this. I have the toughest time making myself cook when it's just for me. Give me a bowl of cereal over the kitchen sink and I'm good on way too many nights. I couldn't risk it...I had to go out. In the end, other than the fact the main band was SO loud I thought my ears were bleeding, I'm really glad I went.

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Resisting the urge to hibernate isn't easy, but it's important. Get out there. Socialize. If you don't have friends, make some. Just don't get too comfy with your fuzzy slippers and Ben & Jerry's.

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❤️

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“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.”

\nPsalm 47:1 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-11-08T02:30:30-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/11/08/seven-bucks-and-a-burger.html", "tags": ["Fun","Be Joyful!","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/24/boots.html", "title": "Boots", "content_html": "\n
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There is nothing like a good pair of cowboy boots that you've worn forever. I have a pair I've worn for nearly 30 years. They are molded to my feet. They are as comfortable as house slippers. There was a little boot scootin' going on last night. Rock 'n roll, not country, but scootin' nonetheless. I love going to venues like that and watching the younger crowd moving in and out of this play...like a choreographed dance really...checking each other out, tag teaming to get the shy girl introduced, then coming back to the table and giggling like 16 year olds.

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Does this just not happen when you're 62? Do we project that \"OMGosh! I'm so over all of this. Don't bother me\" vibe? Do all men my age want someone in their 30's? It's discouraging...not that I am interested in meeting someone in a bar. Because what do you get? Someone who hangs out in bars and picks up strangers.

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There was a guy and gal at the music venue last night. I thought maybe they were dating by the way they danced. Turned out they have been divorced for quite sometime but they really like to dance and hang out together. It was a boatload of fun last night. Good music, good company, good times!

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❤️

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“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,”

\nPsalm 30:11\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-24T01:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/24/boots.html", "tags": ["Fun","Be Joyful!","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/10/02/hurricane-joaqun.html", "title": "Hurricane Joaquín", "content_html": "\n
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Here are the current \"predictions\" of the path of the hurricane that has been pounding the Bahamas. Actually, I think it's from a satirical news site, the point being...only God knows what's going on with this situation and He's not telling. It started raining steady around 5:00 last night and it got quite cool. I think we will miss a direct hit but it is still too early to tell in the meantime, lunch yesterday with friends and dinner last night with other friends. Planning a hurricane party if need be. We bought extra supplies today. In the meantime, the rain on the roof is divine!

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❤️

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“But there are many people here and it is the rainy season; so we cannot stand outside...”

\nEzra 10:13\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-10-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/10/02/hurricane-joaqun.html", "tags": ["Hope","Camping","Courage","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/30/fog.html", "title": "Fog", "content_html": "\n
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For miles there were signs flashing over the highway...\"Dense Fog Ahead - Reduce Speed According To Weather\". As we climbed the mountain, the heavens opened and the wipers couldn't keep up. I couldn't figure out which was worse...pulling off the side of the road and risk being hit or ride along as best I could keeping the truck in front of me in my view. At least if I kept a safe distance from his flashing tail lights, I could be pretty sure we'd be safe.

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Sometimes life is like that drive over the mountain. Scary, unpredictable, stormy...like driving blindfolded. Yesterday, my friend was an excellent co-pilot keeping a close eye out for hazards coming up, watching the GPS, the road atlas, and the Weather Channel simultaneously. As we drove over that scary mountain, we talked about God. We talked about seeing the blessings He brings us in our day to day lives...recognizing the littlest things like a choice parking spot or a storm holding off till you are under shelter. We are so quick to seek His assistance when things run amok. But we tend to forget to thank Him for the sunshine and that good parking spot. Let me tell you, we were both grateful to pull off the road for the night at 7:30. And we each thanked Him for getting us there safely.

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❤️❤️

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“then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.”

\nDeuteronomy 11:14-15\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-30T01:30:27-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/30/fog.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Road Trip","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/29/almost-heaven.html", "title": "Almost Heaven!", "content_html": "\n
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Ahhhhhh....this is exactly what I've been waiting for. Camping in the dense woods of West Virginia. We are a little too early in the season for the good colors. I'm thinking it'll be better next week on our way back through. I love the sound of the wind in the trees and the varied wildlife in the area. We stopped today at Tamarack, a beautiful building featuring gorgeous items handcrafted by some of the best artisans of our fair state. We ate in their restaurant....fried green tomato sandwiches! Yummmm! We headed back on the road and stopped for the night in Little Beaver State Park not far from Beckley.

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Our goal is to drive over to New River Gorge this morning. The road down into the gorge is far too steep to take TOW-Wanda, so we unhooked last night before dark and we'll be ready. We'll decide today where we want to camp next. This is one of the best things about traveling a girlfriend. She and I both have the same sense of adventure and spontaneity. It's fun having company to share the experience, she's a good navigator, and we can split the expenses making it much more affordable. We get along great and we know each other well enough we can tell the other when we need a break without hurt feelings.

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Day one done. What's next?

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❤️

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\n

“The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

\nGenesis 2:9\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-29T01:30:17-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/29/almost-heaven.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Road Trip","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/28/bohemian.html", "title": "Bohemian", "content_html": "\n
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I have a gal pal that I hang out with a lot. We enjoy traveling together because we like the same things, we get along well, and what one doesn't think of to get into, the other one does. OMGosh! If we would have been real life sisters, our mom wouldn't have stood a chance. It's probably a good thing we DIDN'T know each other growing up...it could have been trouble. Then again, I'll bet anything my life would have been different!

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We've been planning a trip to Myrtle Beach for months. And now that it's getting close to going, we can't stand to wait so we're leaving early. It started out one day early. Then three. And now, it's five! Oh heck, we're leaving today instead of Friday. Cannot wait because there is nothing like pulling out on the open road, your house tagging right along behind you, a full tank of gas, a cup of coffee, a road map, and a partner in crime. With absolutely no schedule!

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Yep, this is my life! I'll send you postcards!!!

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❤️

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“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.”

\nPsalm 45:1\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-28T01:30:29-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/28/bohemian.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Choices","Be Joyful!","Road Trip","Friends"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2015/09/23/friendship.html", "title": "Friendship", "content_html": "\n
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I have a muse in the form of a middle aged woman going through her own existential crisis. She found herself downsized out of a job that she had a terrific love/hate relationship with. It was the typical case of not knowing how bad you feel till you start feeling better. I love her tremendously. She is one of my dearest friends and I have never met her in person and have only spoken to her on the phone once in the two years I've known her. We have this little mystical friendship that might change if we make it more traditional. But, maybe not. Why push it? Anyway, she and I have deep philosophical discussions. She asks the hard questions. She makes me look. She makes me think. The other day we were discussing friendship and what it means to us.

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It is interesting how my friends, and my relationships with them, have evolved over the years. I had a very small core of friends growing up. There weren't kids in my neighborhood my age so I played with younger kids. Even through high school, I could count my friends easily on two hands. My X-ray class was small. Then I married and moved to England. I had exactly four friends there, one of whom is my very dear friend to this day. But as life progressed, I moved, changed jobs, had babies, changed husbands, and my social circle waxed and waned. Some friendships were extremely important at the time but friends have a tendency to drift in and out of your life with the season you are in. When we are in those busy, productive, hard working, child rearing years, we have blinders on and we often find ourselves quite alone when we come out the other side.

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There are things that have changed as I've gotten older, as well. I've found my friends have become extremely important. My family has become even more important to me. I have many friends...much more than the four alluded to in this meme. And every single one of them touches my heart. That being said, there are things I have little tolerance for these days. I don't like drama. I don't like malicious gossip. I don't like male bashing. I am selective as to who I let in my tribe. And I am content and secure in our love for each other. It's a beautiful time to be alive.

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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\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2015-09-23T01:30:22-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2015/09/23/friendship.html", "tags": ["Strong Women","Courage","Choices","Friends"] } ] }