Trek to the Biltmore

We had some more fun last weekend. We took a trip to Ashville, NC to visit Biltmore House

Grandpa and Dad get the kids
settled in the car.

Then we follow the leader.

It's a really good picture of the Clan.

The boys are off to get their hands wet in the fountain

And as we drove to the winery
we passed the garden.

Will have to return just to do the garden walk.
It was a lovely experience and a grand way
to celebrate
Father's Day!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Honest Scrap Award

My sincere thanks to Lisa at Are We There Yet and Eileen at Umma's World for this delightful award. Both of these ladies offer me a place to go and enjoy the environment and down home friendliness. I will try to do justice by them in accepting this award and sharing a bit of who I am.

Rules:

1) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award.
2) Share "ten honest things" about myself.
3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.
4) Tell those 7 people that they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving it.

Ten Insights I may not have shared before:

1) I knit, crochet, embroider, and do counted x-stitch (not all at the same time) but cannot skillfully use a sewing machine. My poor mother really tried, but I am totally inept!

2) I played the organ at church for 5 years, but found it to be the most difficult thing I ever had to do. I felt as if I never celebrated Mass on Sunday because I was so concerned about "getting it right." I am grateful I was able to assist in this ministry, but am most grateful to have passed it on to another.

3) I take real pleasure in being a part of the RCIA process here at St. John the Baptist Church. Being "used" in the preparation of those entering the Catholic faith has been one of my great joys. Witnessing the work of the Spirit in the lives of those choosing to enter is a thrill!

4) I love to travel. Will spend a good deal of this summer on the road! YEAH!

5) I have 5 children born in four different states, Colorado, California, Oklahoma and Indiana.

6) When in nursing school I found that the worst patients in the hospital were the Dr. and nurse. I was determined that when I was in the hospital I would not be demanding and bad humored. I hope I was successful.

7) Giving birth in a military hospital is an interesting experience. One is not allowed to lie around and feel sorry for oneself. The next day the corpsman comes in with your sheets and towels and gives them to you so you can get ready for breakfast. You shower, change your sheets and then get breakfast. (That was 30 years ago so I'm not sure if it has changed.) Not much time to develop postpartum blues.

8) I enjoyed Forensic and Debate in high school. There's a lot to be said for being able to stand in front of a group, perform, and take the criticism...Like American Idol?

9) Would much rather watch a live sporting event than watch it on TV...No on can hear me yell when I'm home alone watching!

10) One of my favorite flowers is the day lily! When we were in NC this last weekend I saw BLANKETS of day lilies on the highway medians!!!! It was glorious. I just wish I could have gotten a picture to show you all!!!!!

Now for the hand-off (football term)!

Abbey at Abbey's Road

Anita at Castles, Crown and Cottages

Eileen at Eileen on Him...at least I try!

Dorothy at Musing at 85

Jennifer at My Chocolate Heart

Sarah at Ora et Labora--Journey of Truth

Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii

It just occurred to me that two of the women above are in Hawaii! INTERESTING!

~~~^j^~~~

For all this fun and ecxcitment I say,
"Thanks again
and
Thanks be to God!!!"

Gold Fever II - Clint Eastwood

So, Paint Your Wagon is a family standard. Unless you have ever experienced gold fever or been around someone who has it you probably won't understand. It's a disease...

We laugh about it now, but 30 years ago it was an all consuming "hobby." Weekends were spent at the placer, concentrating and the rest of the week after work was spent panning it down.

It was fun! We got to take the kids to wonderful places. They learned what it was like to be a '49er. Totin' bucket, dirt, sluice, diggin', pannin'...all that work! When all was said and done it was a great lesson in life. One in which none of the kids wanted to pursue. All passed on the back braking work and chose to go on to other endeavors, no less demanding, but less physical.

Following are more pictures.

The owner, mine boss, and miners-in-training

The Stamp Mill where the gold was processed.

Tight quarters...

Not a glamorous job, at all, at all.

And so ends chapter two of the Gold Saga. There's still gold out there. It's still hard work and of all the jobs in the world out there, it has the most risk and the least guarantees. All for the sake of GOLD!

~~~^j^~~~

For the gift of adventure,
Thanks be to God!!!

Gold Fever Part I

This last weekend we spent Father's Day in North Carolina with David, Kelly, The Boys and Maddie. I cannot tell you how much fun it was for us. It was a weekend full of fun and surprises. The first surprise came Saturday morning when David announced we were going to Reed's Gold mind. Ron's eyes lit up and his ears turned red.

Background: Ron is a '49er! Born too to late but a '49er non-the-less. He has dredged for gold in Colorado instead of attending classes at Colorado School of Mines. He has dredged for gold in California, from the American River to dry creek beds on the Monterey Peninsula. He and his children, all, have panned for gold in Indiana at Gold Creek. (no kidding...that's the name.)

So, you see when David told his dad of this adventure, Ron was up and ready to go. The following are videos of Dad/Grandpa panning and instructing.




"There's gold!"

Grandpa teaches them how!

*******^j^*******

It was a glorious day.

Thanks be to God!!!

Bad Haiku Friday

Haven't done this for awhile so thought that I'd use it as a preview for what is to come on our travels this weekend.

We're off to Charlotte Fun,
Family and play
Happy Father's Day!

Wishing all a grand weekend of family and friends. ENJOY!!! Will be back Tuesday!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

A Victorian Birthday Tea

A wonderful time was had by all.

There was dancing, singing, gifts and the special
birthday cake.

Before the cake we had tea. Constant Comment,
fruit punch and Lemonade. There were chicken salad
and egg salad sandwiches with the all time favorite
peanut butter and jelly sandwich, all courtesy of
Aunt Ruthie's Tea Room

A wonderful way to spend your 5th birthday.

Happy Birthday, Lindsey.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God~

Can You Read This?

letter writing is a dying art
Originally uploaded by Linda Cronin (away till Friday)

RoyaltyLady posted this at her blog and I just had to pass it on. As I told her I had no problem reading this as this is the way I type...This is MY brain at work!
Please enjoy and take time to visit Royalty Lady.


fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too.
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

~~~^j^~~~

Have a grand day
and
Thanks be to God!

Uploaded on May 17, 2009
by Linda Cronin (away till Friday)

Valid Question

Orange Question Mark Button
Originally uploaded by jhhwild

Sue from In Him We Live And Have Our Being asked a valid question in my comments for the previous past. "[H]ow would you differentiate between blogging and journaling? I'd have a hard time doing so; it seems that, at minimum, it would be easy to "blur the lines" between the 2."

And so I pondered this question. I agree there is a fine line. And perhaps my best answer comes this way. The blog, A Bit of the Blarney, is my home for public discussion and friendly banter with time for serious communication.

The journal, Provident God, is my way of separating the frivolity from a serious time of reflection. And because sitting with paper and pencil in hand does not work for me. I have chosen to exchange paper/pencil for keyboard/monitor.

And so you see the key word here is "separate." Blog/Journal is my way of keeping separate two different worlds for me, the public and private. The Journal is private in as much as I choose not to add comments to the post and those who wish to comment on a particular reflection may do so by email. The Blog, my public domain, is where I have not placed any restrictions on my offerings.

It seems it's simply a matter of semantics. I have chosen to call these two worlds by different names in order not to confuse me. In one I can focus on the inner me. In the other I can be frivolous, witty (?), and/or serious. Friends may stop to add to the "blarney" and share it with all.

So, Sue, I say, "Thank you," for asking me the difference. And what I have come to see is that my journal is an extension of my blog.

Have a grand day one and all.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!!!

Picture by ihhwild

Hoping

Hoping this is just another step in my life as a maturing Christian, I have started another blog, simply for journaling. It's called Provident God, and a place I know I can go to put down my feeling.

Since I have failed in journaling with paper and pencil, perhaps I will be more successful in this media. I HOPE so. I would invite others to do the same. It is not for validation, support or justification. It is simply my thoughts on my personal journey for me. If others find themselves at Provident God and wish to comment they may do so via email.

I would encourage others to reflect in this way, either in this media or with paper and pencil. All of us need to look inside and learn a little more about who we are. It's not always a pretty picture, but you can't fix anything without looking at it.

So now I have two blogs...I hope in this case "expansion" is good. Please stop by Sailing by Starlight and Holy Experience who have wonderful examples to offer.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!!

Just a Mom

Again the wise have entered my world. I'm as sure as I can be that there are those of you who have already seen this Bit of Wit-n-Wisdom. But for me it is new. Offered to me by a friend I now offer it to you.

JUST A MOM

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office,
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a ..?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,’ said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. 'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in m midair and Looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?)
And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, Testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mum.' Motherhood! What a glorious career specially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations?' and great grandmothers ‘Executive Senior Research Associates?' I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts' Associate Research Assistants

Anonymous

~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~

So by way of sharing some of the research I have been part of the last week I offer you all an opportunity to do the "Hokie Pokie" with Lindsey and all at her Birthday Tea last Saturday. Being the 'Senior Research Associate' I must commend Annie, Lindsey's Research Associate, for having planned a most successful "project.!"

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!