May God Bless America and Heal Our Land

As we remember every life laid down and every life that served, may God continue to bless America. 

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Gone to the Vlogs

So what have I been doing with myself during the past several months? Well it's not easy to explain, but I have been hanging out with some interesting people via You Tube. Yes, I've gone to the Vlogs. There are many of them and they seem to be more prolific than most bloggers these days. 

One also has the choice of Instagram, but I do not like the abbreviated sense of life there. From the number of photos that some post, I get the sense that some Instagram participants don't either. So there you have it, I've jumped ship, yet again. 

Did she jump ship?

Here are my absolute favorites: Kirsten and Joerg. I like them because they remind me of people in my own life. 

If, in fact, I like you, (and I'm certain that I do 😊) it's because you remind me of a person in my real life. ツ  Does anyone else do this? I had duplicate people at college who reminded me of those I knew in high school. I'm probably just weird. Don't mind me.

The gist of Kirsten's channel is that she and her husband are Germans living in Great Britain. They share many things and visit many places. Well, they used to go to many places before Covid. The good thing for you is that those videos are still right there. I really enjoy them and I enjoy their calm personalities. Their beautiful walks in the English countryside are so stress-relieving and enjoyable. You can find them *here.*

Edited to Add: Just got the link straightened around to Kirsten and Joerg's. So glad because they are out for a walk today and they're featuring long boats on the canal. That reminds me of another You Tube favorite, but I can't go on this way. Anyway, hope that you enjoy it. 

🎥 🎥 🎥

Sophia is a French woman who married an American and has been living in the States for several decades. Nevertheless, she has not lost her French accent and it's nice to listen to her. She is a Flybaby and so has shared many homemaking videos. She also has her own method of cleaning, which involves a jar and slips of paper with various chores. I could do that. Maybe. 

Sophia tackles anything from changing out a commode to stripping a deck. I have learned a lot from her. Most recently, she taught me how to properly wash my hands. 

Sophia also takes her viewers on field trips. My favorites have been Christmas day trips to NYC and her trips back to France to visit her mother who lives in Paris.

Check her channel out *here.* 

🎥 🎥 🎥

Angela, aka Parisienne Farmgirl, is another amazing woman who lives in Door County, Wisconsin with her husband Joel and her six children. Another she who does it all. Further, she does the most beautiful videography of the 

scenes around her home. Really stunning. Oh, and she was homeschooling before it became mandatory. I think you'll find her fun and informative; you can find her *here.*

🎥 🎥 🎥

What can I say about Stephanie? She loves life. There is lots of laughter and fun at The Chateau Diaries. She's  transparent and will tell you exactly how things work via the vlog world in *this video.* 

When you see a dark cloud coming, that's not the point at which you see the silver lining. ~Stephanie

So Chateau de LaLande is beautiful in the gorgeous French countryside. Truth to tell, I have enjoyed this Vlog more since Covid because life is less frenetic at the Chateau these days. Let's just say that, when the Chateau is full of guests, it's a party. Happily for her viewers, her mother Isabelle has been stranded at the Chateau in this time of Covid. What fun she is! For a complete list of videos go *here.*

The tie that binds these particular vlogs is the creation of home. Each one is creating a home albeit very different ones. It is interesting to see how others live. 

And there are more that I enjoy (I seem to especially enjoy those chateaus), but that should be enough for now. Besides, I'm sure that many of you have gone to the Vlogs, too. If so, please share your favorite. If you have watched any of these, please let me know and let me know what you think. I'd love that. 

                                                 

Mother's Day Weekend

There is really nothing quite so sweet as tiny little baby feet.

My Mother's Day Flowers...much too cold to be outside...

This will be a picture heavy post with few words. A few weeks ago, nearly three, my niece gave birth to her second child, a little girl. As you may remember, this child would be the first baby girl in the family in thirty-five years. 

She had a big brother waiting at home.

He really loves her...

most of the time. ツ

Maternal grandmother, my sister, holding her new grandbaby

What a face...

Obviously, I am now so old that I don't care what I look like and how I present myself here. (I think that brother must have been up to something. Ha!)

On Saturday, I had a wonderful surprise. My sister, brother-in-law, niece, little great-nephew (new big brother), and new baby great-niece arrived for a visit. We had lunch together and spent a few hours soaking up the new baby. She hardly made a peep.

Up Close

Little Big brother did some riding

On Sunday, my son and grands arrived. We had lunch together and then they went outside and did yard work for two hours. Six hours of yard work...woot!

It was a wonderful Mother's Day Weekend... I sure do love my peeps.

P.S. Meant to thank those who commented on last post and left such comforting messages regarding Judy. I am most appreciative.

A Greeting

Source: Pixaby

Ebb and Flow

🎶There's within my heart a melody, Jesus whispers sweet and low, fear not I am with thee, peace be still, in all of life's ebb and flow...🎶

A Sunny Day

Oh my! I have allowed time to get by. And, as always with life, nothing has remained the same. 

Many of you knew that John's sister Judy was not doing well. This was shared privately behind the scenes. Her sister, niece, and I had been terribly stressed by the closing of her nursing home due to the concerns about Covid-19. 

There were no window visits allowed, no pizza delivery allowed, and few phone calls. Judy was so far along in her journey that she could no longer make or receive phone calls. It was a challenging time for all. 

I am grateful that both her niece and sister were allowed two compassion visits during that time. However, there were no visits allowed in that final week, even for them, hence the stress. (Judy was tested and did not have Covid-19.) We are rejoicing that she is safely home and not languishing here. I try not to think of the days she spent alone. Of course, no one is ever truly alone. Every time I think of her being with John, it makes me smile. They were best buddies as you can see from these pictures.  

1986

2015

As you can imagine, a loss in this Time of Covid is almost surreal. When one would most wish to give or receive a hug, that comfort is denied. It is odd to see everyone wearing masks and to have the pastor doing a funeral wearing a mask is bizarre. I thought Judy would have chuckled to see us. 
She loved life and laughter. 

🌷🌷🌷🌷

Stay safe; stay free. They are not mutually exclusive.