Sunday, November 11

Before I get started with my actual blog I want to say thank you to all  the men and women that are serving or have served in the military on this Veterans Day week end. I thank you for my many freedoms and your selfless duty to protect them.  My two favorite veterans are pictured below!

My dad, WWII, Merchant Marines

Matt, US Army & Navy, Operation Enduring Freedom

Busy, busy, busy describe the weekend.  Trying to take advantage of the nice weather I had planned to put up some of my Christmas lights on Saturday.  Plans changed somewhat when our neighbor, Beth, told us that her house had finally sold, after about 3 years on the market.  I am happy for her but I am not sure I am too excited about breaking in new neighbors at this stage of my life.  Back to the change of plans.  Before Beth's husband Paul died 8 years ago, Andy and Paul built a green utility shed together.  It sits on Beth's land but we split the cost so now the building will belong to the new owners so we had to clear all of our things out of the shed.  So instead of getting the lights put up on Saturday, we made numerous trips moving trailers, weed eater, sprayer, tools, lumber and Andy's valuable junk to either the barn, pump house or the garage. Amazingly, we got it all moved and today we got some of the lights up and cleaned the gutters. We also almost burned up the trees that we had just put lights on when the scrap wood we were burning down by the creek caught some leaves on fire and started burning up the hill.  Luckily, we saw it in time to get it under control.  The dogs and I took a nice long walk in the woods, sure hope the new owners still let me take my walks.  We saw the does, 3 maybe 4 of them and they never seem to be too alarmed when they spot us.  Friday all 4 of them were in our yard and for several mornings now,  Andy has seen at least two different bucks.  Looks like we will be having more fawns next spring.  Tomorrow I will be attending Rev. Gensler's funeral in Dayton with several friends from our Sunday School class.

Early morning visit

All four does in the yard, Thursday morning

American Goldfinch

Northern Cardinal

The ever lovable, Carolina Chickadee

Saturday, November 10

The weather today was just about as perfect as it could get for the middle of November.  As I get older I find myself thinking I would like to live where the weather would be just like today, every day!  But I like Ohio, despite the gray winters, because there are always those stand out days like today that make us appreciate the good days.  In the song, That's What Faith Can Do by Kutless, there is a line I really like.  "Don't you give up now the sun will soon be shining, You've got to face the clouds to find the silver lining."  When you think about it, those gray or difficult days are what make the sunny, good days so sweet.  Yesterday, a very dear person left this earth to bask in everlasting Son-shine.  A former pastor of our United Methodist Church, Dale Gensler, died after a lengthy illness as a result of a stroke earlier this year.  He was such a special man and was the perfect example of "what would Jesus do?" before it became such a catch phrase.  He ministered to everyone, not just his congregation but to the people, no matter their beliefs, background or social status, never judging, just loving and listening.  He baptized and confirmed both our daughters and came to visit Andy several times after his accident.  When Andy's father died, Rev. Gensler had just became our pastor but he came out and talked with Andy for over an hour.  Andy only went to church if the girls were doing something special or if there was a potluck.  Dale used to kid with us that he would only see Andy if there was food around.  Dale and Barbara attended Sara and Matt's wedding in 2006 which meant so much to our family.  Dale will be missed by his family and friends and the Bichler family.  I imagine that Dale has already found his buddies from the Lamplight and is having a cup of coffee and listening to one of Mac McGuire's stories!  I will remember him with the fondest of memories.

Dale and Barbara at their home in Clayton after his retirement

Wednesday, November 7

It seems to be official that President O'Bama has won the 2012 election and will remain our president for the next 4 years.  We can only pray that the people that we have elected can somehow work together to solve the issues at hand.
On a lighter note, I had a "life bird" come to my feeder today.  I was sitting in the hot tub early this morning when not one, but four Evening Grosbeaks landed on the feeder.  I was so excited and tried to very slowly reach over the side to get my phone to snap a picture without scaring them away.  I managed to get one pic but it was pretty far away and somehow on the second picture I accidentally hit the reverse button and took a picture of myself in the hot tub.  Can you say "delete"?  One of the females did come back later and I was able to capture her photo on my good camera before I had to leave to take my mother to the eye doctor.  Hopefully these migrants will stick around for the winter and I can take a few more picture to share.  Like I said they are a first for me but I recognized them because we have a pair in the North America Aviary at the zoo.  Never thought I would see one in my yard.  So to date I have seen three birds that I have either never seen or rarely see feeding at my feeder this fall.  Looks like it might be a great winter!

Female Evening Grosbeak

Red-breasted Nuthatch

White-crowned Sparrow

Thursday, November 1

We have certainly enjoyed having Sara, Matt and Evelyn staying with us every few days.  They are alternating between our place and Matt's sister's in Cincinnati.  Matt attended a job fair this morning at Vet's Memorial and tomorrow they will head back down to Cincy to continue the job and apartment search.  They are looking forward to having their own place and hope to find something by the time their household goods arrive from Honolulu at the beginning of December.  Trish and Chad made it through hurricane Sandy pretty good and didn't lose power.  I'm sure that they do have many friends who experienced some loss during the hurricane however and they will remain in my prayers as they begin the clean up and rebuilding process. 

We were excited to actually see some blue skies and the sun today!  Evelyn and the dogs and I walked through the woods today.  Evelyn loves to ride in the wagon, which I learned from experience, is much better than trying to carry her. 

Look how big I am getting, and oh, so cute!

Captain Jack Sparrow and the Skullerina heading out for Trick or Treat last night

Molly with her Halloween hat on

Luke is a man of many disguises, Lily is not too sure she likes this one.

Monday, October29

Captain Jack Sparrow

Captain Jack and the Skullarina (not sure what that is exactly)

Hurricane Sandy, also dubbed Frankenstorm, has made landfall has the distinction of causing the lowest barometric pressure ever.  The "mother of all storms" is expected to far exceed the "Perfect Storm" of 1991 in damage costs.  We have been keeping in touch with Trish and Chad to see how they are faring and so far all is good and they still have power.  This morning when I called Trish said schools were all cancelled and no one was to be driving on the highways.  This evening we facetimed with them and the kids were having a great time and Lily showed us her ballerina dance, which was comprised of her spinning in a circle until she fell down and Luke told us about his Halloween costume.  Sara, Evelyn and I went over to the Madison House this evening for Trick or Treat with Grandma Great.  All of the residents seemed to enjoy the nearly 250 children that came to their doors for candy treats.  Grandma Great especially enjoyed her special visitors, Asher, Lillie, Olive and Evelyn.

Lillie, Grandma Great, Asher and Olive

Our little Ewok

Pretty cute costume but it was way to hot to wear it very long at the Madison House

Saturday, October 20

Sitting her watching a pretty dismal display of Buckeye football.  The kids headed back down to Cincinnati.  Matt's niece, Olivia, had a soccer game today and they were going to  watch her play.  Right now I'm thinking that might be more enjoyable than watching Ohio State.  We have been keeping busy over the last few days, going to the zoo, making s'mores outside and yesterday we all went to Smokey Bones for lunch after a visit with Grandma-Great at the Madison House.  Sara and Matt have a lot to do so we are wishing them the best as they get settled in to civilian life.

A red-breasted nuthatch has been frequenting my feeder, a migrant from Canada

And I'm really excited to see this White-crowned Sparrow, I have only seen one other and that was in  California.

Four Generations and Grandma-great's first visit from Evelyn.

Shorty and Molly walking through the woods.

Evelyn just being cute!!

Thursday, October 18 Evelyn visits the Columbus Zoo

Who says polar bears can't climb trees??

Sara, Matt and Evelyn returned home on Tuesday.  They were delayed about an hour getting out of Honolulu because their plane from Guam came in late.  Then when they got to Chicago they learned that their connecting flight to Cincinnati had been cancelled but they eventually arrived in Cincy around 1:30 pm.  Yesterday, I went down and picked them up so are staying with us for a few days before they head back down to Cincy to start looking for a place to stay.  Today we decided to head up to the zoo since, weather wise, it looked like today might be the best for the rest of the week.  It was a little cool early, but it soon warmed up and turned out to be a very pretty day.  We visited the Sting Ray exhibit where Matt and I fed the rays.  We managed to cover the east half of the zoo and decided to do the other side next time we go. It is nice to be able to say "next time" and know that we won't have to wait 6-12 months for that to happen.

Evie's first visit to the #1 zoo in the country!

Having s'mores at home after the zoo.

Grandma, I think you forgot the chocolate and marshmallow on this s'more?!