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DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:




People don't realise that everyone is under God's Law..everyone breaks God's Law..so everyone comes under condemnation.
No one can be justified by "good" works,There is none righteous, no not one, we need a Saviour, someone perfect, sinless, someone who has never broken God's Law.
But he would have to be willing to die to satisfy God's Law.
You know anybody?
That is why God sent His Son, His only begotten, His precious Son, to suffer and die. Bearing our sins, enduring all the mocking and terrible pain.. So that we might receive the GIFT of Eternal Life.
You cannot earn it.
Romans ch.3.
This is what Easter is all about..not eggs and bunnies.

 





   

Alleluia!


This is the day:
when tears are wiped away;
shattered hearts are mended;
fears are replaced with joy.

This is the day the Lord:
rolls away the stone of fear;
throws off death's clothes;
goes ahead of us into God's future.

This is the day the Lord has made:
death has no fear for us;
sin has lost its power over us;
God opens the tombs of our hearts
to fill us with life.

This is the day ? Easter Day!
Christ is Risen! Hallelujah!

Hi Everyone.  We are headed for another beautiful day and the people attending the Master's will certainly appreciate it.  This is a practice day for the pros but they sell tickets to attend that as well as the actual tournament so things are well underway in Augusta.  It is now in the mid-50's but we are headed to around 85 this afternoon.  This should be a quiet day as have nothing special on my calendar.  We might go out and eat our main meal of lunch time as Pat hasn't been out for several days.

I had an interesting day yesterday as I went to the AT&T store to have the SIM card on Pat's phone checked only to find out they no longer had the ability to do that on the type of phone she had.  I also found out why the phone had stopped working because a couple of days ago AT&T did a system update that made the phone obsolete.  I asked if they had a small flip phone like she prefers and they did, although it wasn't on display where they showed on the iPhones and Samsung Galaxy smart phones.  I bought the phone for Pat as it was actually a few dollars less than what I had spent for the VOCA, which is now useless and will be returned to Amazon for a refund.  They no longer had the equipment to transfer the contacts from her VOCA phone to the new AT&T phone.  However, when I got home and found the on line manual if said I could sign in to her Gmail account and it would download the contacts.  I had a frustrating time doing that but eventually accomplished that and saved a ton of work in trying to re-enter her contacts manually.  So now she should have a reliable phone.  Then yesterday afternoon the AC service tech came and checked out the A/C.  He found that something had caused a pressure problem that had shut down the A/C.  The unit is fine and he told me what to do if it happens again, which I documented so I wouldn't forget.  I was relieved that it wasn't a serious problem.  He didn't know why it had happened as apparently is not something he sees very often but said it was to protect the unit.  So now we once again have A/C in time for the 85 degrees this afternoon.  Last evening we finished up our Easter dinner left overs except for some turkey and a couple of pieces of pie.  Then at 9 pm I turned on the basketball game and watched Villanova beat Michigan pretty severely as they won the National Championship. 

I do hope no one has purchased that VOCA phone based on my previous comments about it.  It really is a nice little phone but now obsolete, at least for AT&T.  It appears all of the phones are now using the nano sim cards rather than the larger ones.

Judy, thanks for giving us a fresh start with a new page for the month of April and sharing the devotional thoughts from Chris as well as the hymn and poem. 

Judy:  Judy:  thank you for your last post -  . 

Larry:  I will keep the freebie phone our daughter gave us - we do pay the connection.  It is so touchy though - I would prefer a cover for it.  Right now, I am trying to get my kindle to charge and it looks like it is working after turning off & holding the power down then restarting. 

I just had to run out to the garage and push the weekly trash bins out to the street.  In my robe, and I am very late today.   

A cousin and wife arrive Thursday -

Hello, friends!
It's cold and windy here today!  I was up early, went to the gym, leaving Darrel in bed, as he was sick yesterday and still not over it.  We went to the doctor yesterday and he got a shot and two prescriptions.  Coughing, lots of mucus, sore throat, fever and chills.  He seems some better today, for that I am thankful.

I went to bed early and didn't watch the final BB game, not surprised Villanova won, after seeing how they could shoot, in the game with KU.  I got up at 4:30 yesterday, sod was ready for some shut-eye!

I'm still mourning Beth, and I know this is natural.  It just surprises me how it hits at odd moments, and the things that seem to open the dear ducts.
But she was worth every tear, every hard time of stress and concern.  I'm not at all sorry God gave her to us for a while, to love and enjoy.  Also,
as I work on the book, the memories flood my mind, bringing both smiles and tears.  Because I was busy with Darrel yesterday, I didn't get any typing done on the book.

Larry, I was startled by your report on Pat's phone!  Man!  That was quick,
the obsolescence of the Voca phone!  So glad you got another she likes, and were able to transfer her contact information.  Sorry it was more trouble than it should have been, though.

The housekeeper comes today, I'm glad about that!  I want to keep on track with the book today!

Blessings to you all!

Hi, Carol!  Sometimes I'm in my pajamas for hours before I get dressed.  We're out in the country and seldom have anyone come to the door.  And have to take care of our own trash.

Hope you have a great day!

Hi Everyone.  I woke up and decided to get up early, at least 5:30 is early for me.  About 6 am it started to rain but only did that for about 30 minutes.  We have a 50% chance of rain the rest of the morning and then the afternoon will be partly cloudy so the activities at the Master's shouldn't be impacted too much today.  The Golf Channel is doing a lot of programming from there all day.  I watched some of that yesterday and enjoyed listening to a couple of the interviews with the best golfers that they had.  The azaleas are truly beautiful here now as they are in full bloom.  The only thing on the schedule today is that the kids will be out this evening.  Scott is going to make his taco pie for our dinner.  We have some salad to go along with it.  It is a very filling meal.  I am hopeful he will be willing to install a couple more of the pull out shelves we got several weeks ago.  Yesterday afternoon Pat and I went to the new Dollar Tree store we have nearby where she got cards for the card ministry of our Sunday School class. We then stopped over at the Dairy Queen for our main meal of the day.  I had a delicious hamburger sandwich that was a full meal followed by a free Dilly Bar that I got because I filled out an on line survey.  She had their $6 meal of a small hamburger sandwich with French fries, a drink and a small Sunday.  It was not busy in the restaurant and we enjoyed a very leisurely meal.  It was warm yesterday afternoon as it got up to 85 degrees. 

Carol, our son has a neat little leatherette type cover for his smart phone that has a magnetic back pieces that the phone just snaps onto and then a fold over front cover, which will also hold some cards such as his driver's license.  Perhaps you could find something like that for your phone.  Sure glad your Kindle is recharging OK.

Janet, I sure understand the mourning you are still experiencing.  I still find myself shedding a tear or two once -in-a-while when I start thinking about Stacey and how much I miss her.  I don't dwell on it but it still is there.  Glad you were able to get to the gym and sure hope today finds Darrel improved as never nice to be down with an illness.  He was wise to get in to see the doctor without waiting for the illness to become worse.  I found the Villanove-Michigan game interesting to watch due to the skills of some of the players although it turned out not to be a close game as I had expected it to be.  Aren't you glad you found someone to help with your house as it gives you more time to do things you would rather do?  Our housekeeper is due here again Friday. 

Some Chris Saunders wisdom:

Never let what God can do for you take the place of God Himself.
Never let God's blessings become God.
We do not follow God for what He can give us.
If our loved ones are still not healed or a dear one still not saved, we can have them on our mind day and night and they can actually blind us to God Himself and we only cry our for what He can do for us.
This is completely normal but not completely correct, God deserves worship for Himself for saving us..whether He answers our prayers or not.
It's not an easy life..
It can be a very testing life full of trials and cares, but through it all God is with us and will never break His promise to " never leave us nor forsake us, being with us always."
We must approach Him, the Mighty Creator in reverence and fear and loving worship, for He has all power in heaven and on earth, as we worship correctly perhaps the blessing will come, but if it is not yet the time, we worship for He deserves worship.
Keep the faith brethren, He is faithful Who has promised.

He has said something we all need to remember, worship the Almighty, not what he can do for us!

Good afternoon!
I've had a pleasant day, painting with friends.  And after going over the editing I did on his book, George has re-written three chapters!  I don't know yet if this is good or not, as I haven't read them yet.  I was a bit reluctant to tell him about the last chapter I edited--a very LOOONG chapter; but I felt I should be honest with him, so I told him I got very bored while reading it, it wasn't believable, and I advised him to consider shortening it--a lot!  I could tell he didn't like that, but he was nice about it, and after a bit,he said he had been more concerned with the word count than the content; as he wanted it to be long.  To which I answered, "Well, George, do you want to write a book which people will get bored reading, put aside and never finish,
or one that will hold their interest?"  After a pause, he said, "Good point." Then, about an hour later, he came in, handed me $50 and said, "I need to keep my editor happy."   

I got a landscape about 2/3 done today and am pretty pleased with it. It's of a lighthouse. I hope I don't mess it up when I attempt to finish it.

Yesterday I got 1050 words done on the book!     Nothing today,
as I had no time, and tonight is a church function.

Larry, I wish we could get some rain.  Still nothing in the way of moisture,
even though it clouds up almost every day and gets our hopes up. But God knows how much we need it, so I'm sure He will send it soon!

I need to rest a few minutes before we go to church.  Have a blessed evening!

Janet:  You could start a whole new career.

                               Hugs to Janet!

It snowed at my cousins home in Minnesota - oh, the good old days when we wore winter clothes from September to mid-April. 

I am setting up a sausage/egg casserole to cook for cousin & wife - they are arriving tomorrow for 3 days.  They are easy to have around. 







     

Hi Everyone.  This morning starts out as a chilly  but sunny 47 degrees and we should go to about 70 degrees.  It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day for the first day of the Master's Tournament. I have a few things to do this morning.  I don't have to pick up my friend to go to coffee as he has a medical appointment but will still go down for coffee.  While I am downtown I will got to the City Hall and pay our City Property Taxes.  Yesterday I paid the State  Income Tax on line using our credit card. I also plan on making a quick stop at the Church office to pick up a parking placard.  Our Church and the Baptist Church are allowing the baseball team that will be playing in the new stadium to use the parking lots during games and other events at the ballpark.  There will be a five dollar charge to park except for Church members displaying the placard and needing to do something at the Church.  After expenses the revenue from the parking will be shared half and half with the Churches.  The team is supplying all of the labor and covering the liability issues and are to leave the parking lots clean.  I will be watching the Master's Golf Tournament this afternoon. 

We had a nice evening with Scott and Elizabeth but Jennifer wasn't here.  She had physical therapy yesterday and was too tired to come out.  The Taco Pie was very good and after dinner Scott put in the remaining slide out shelves in the kitchen.  That leaves only two to install in the master bathroom. 

Judy, thanks for sharing the piece by Chris.  Have you been able to harvest anymore of the maple sap? 

Janet, it sounds like you have a very nice painting underway.  Does your painting group meet weekly?  It also sounds like the person whose book you are editing recognizes that your suggestions are important and is willing to make the changes.  That was a nice gesture when he gave you the $50. 

Carol, it is nice that you enjoy the company of your cousin and his wife.  It sounds like you don't feel pressured by the visit.

Thanks, Carol!!  And hugs back to you!  It's fun to have company who are "easy to have around."  Enjoy your cousins!  I wish I had a relationship with some of my cousins.  Unfortunately, we all grew up so far apart we didn't even know each other, only the names.  It would be lovely to visit with some of them, even now.  Or maybe, especially now!

I have a lunch date with my friend Peggy.  She's a judge, and a wonderful Christian lady.  Boy, can she ever preach!  She usually is the one who fills in when the pastor can't be there.  Anyway, I'm anticipating a really pleasant time.

I had a chance to talk to two gals at the gym this morning who really need Zeal!  And they were happy to receive two samples each to try.  One is leaning way over forward because her back hurts so much.  She had back surgery, needs another one, but they won't operate until she quits smoking. I hope she will get more energy and focus from the Zeal and be able to make good decisions.  Right now, she's in such pain she can't think straight! Not sure what the other one's problems are, but she is very interested, too.

After lunch, I'm determined to work more on the book!!  Unless the Lord has other plans for me!

More from Chris!

"My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
Our heavenly Father had been with His special, only beloved Son from the moment of conception, loving Him, guarding Him guiding Him, conversing with Him, instructing Him, like none of us can even imagine God doing with us.
"my Father is always with Me"
In the garden of Gethsemane He sent an Angel to strengthen Him for the great ordeal, for this was the most important time in the history of sinful mankind, if our Lord didn't go through with this then we were all doomed.
And go through it He did..and the most awful thing about it was the shock of separation..
"Why hast thou forsaken Me?"
But the scripture tells us about God's Holiness, " Thou art of purer eyes than to look upon sin,"
Too holy to look upon sin.
For a brief instant the Father turned His Face away, we mortals will never quite understand all that went on that moment.
But we know, and can be sure of this, the price was paid, the offering accepted, and now He will never fail us nor forsake us, He will never turn His face away from us, because Jesus paid it all.
He Who knew no sin became sin for us.
Glory be to God!

Larry we have several good sap producers.  We have another foot to 18 inches of snow and daytime freezing temperatures and all the sap was frozen.  So big bucket and tapping the bottom of pails and it is all in.  We will go out again tomorrow to check for more.

We are in the remnants of a Colorado low and at this point thankful for the snow.  It is easier to get to the bush on the snow machine than by car, we can only go half way with the car.

Today John picked up the complete boxes to house 2 hives of bees.  When the snow goes and the ground thaws we will set them up on the south side of our barn so they are protected in winter. We pick up the bee inserts the middle of June and we will be into it.  I am so looking forward to this endeavor.  Pat and I grew up caring for bees!

Hi Everyone. It is another beautiful day and we are to get up to around 80 this afternoon.  This is the day for the housekeeper and she will be here soon.  We plan on staying home today and not going out to eat.  We have chili in the freezer that needs to be eaten so that will be our main item for our dinner this evening.  Yesterday I went to the City Hall to pay our taxes only to find the window was closed for the day as the lady was not there.  So I will have to try again. 

Yesterday I found that I could watch the Masters on the computer and there were no commercials.  If you are interested just use www.masters.com.  At the moment I am listening to an interesting interview done with Jack Nickalus  and Gary Players.  I plan on watching a lot more this way the next three days. 

Janet, like you I have never been close to any of my cousins.  Two of them I know better than the others.  As I have mentioned before a few years ago I organized a family reunions in Denver and almost all of my first cousins attended.  Three of them came from California .  It was special as I hadn't seen most of them for over 50 years and know I will never see them again. 

Judy, I hope you and John enjoy the bee keeping. 

We are just home from a trip to Garden City, and glad to be here, as the temperature is dropping fast and the wind is bitterly cold!  I'm already in my comfy pajamas, and ready to enjoy the evening.  Tomorrow I'm taking a class on tiles at the Main Artery; looking forward to that!

I've been asked to be on a committee to chose a design and get prices for a stained glass window for the front of the sanctuary at church.  I'm not knowledgeable at all about stained glass, but we won't be making it, only suggesting and submitting designs, and cost estimates.  On the way to Garden, we stopped in Lakin and looked at what the church there did, as they did a huge remodel/addition four or five years ago.  It is lovely!  I find it sad that there are those in nearly every church who want everything in the church building to stay the way it's always been--don't change anything!!    How many would live in a house for 40 or 50 years and never change any furniture or update in any way?  Our pews are old and in bad repair; can't be repaired any more, but some don't want to get rid of them,
and so it goes.  I hope to just do my little part and not get embroiled in any controversy; I don't need that in my life!

I took photos of each of the Lakin church's new windows (though we aren't replacing ours) and also of the huge one at the front.  I have some ideas percolating in my brain, will make suggestions at the meeting Sunday;
they can accept or reject them, it won't bother me.

I got 1390 words done on the book yesterday!  I hope to do more tonight,
but my back is hurting, so not sure how long I will last.  If I can't type,
I will do more editing on George's book.

Our chiropractor got a severe cat bite last Friday, it went clear through his forefinger, damaging the bone.  Infection set in quickly and he has been hospitalized since then, and has had surgery to open the finger and attempt to remove all the infection; however it is into the bone, so he's still going to be on IV antibiotics until it clears.  He was to get out of hospital today,
though.  The Dr. said she's had three patients in the hospital in the last week with cat bites!!    I feel so bad for him; he literally depends on his hands to make his living!

Judy, I find the sap collecting fascinating!  And I remember Pat's mentioning several times that your father was a bee keeper.  We have a fellow here who is doing that; he sells the honey at The Main Artery!

Larry, how great is that, for you to be able to watch the Masters in the comfort of your easy chair via computer??  Great!  So much less tiring for you!

I need to get busy here!

Hi Everyone.  It looks like it is going to be a rainy day here in our area. It sounds like the golfers at the Masters will have a long day and perhaps not get to play much golf.  It is only to get up around 60 today.  I feel for those who paid big money for the tickets to the Masters for today being out in the cold and rain.  I guess as long as we aren't having lightning and not raining too hard they will continue to play.

I really accomplished nothing yesterday as it was one of those days that I just had to rest.  I think today is going to be pretty much the same although may make a quick trip to Walmart to pick up a prescription and get some bread.  I am not going to attend my meeting this morning.  I do have things in the kitchen squared away and am ready to prepare Pat's breakfast when she arises.  We did not go out to eat yesterday as we often do on the day the housekeeper is here as neither one of us felt up to it.  Fortunately we had a meal of beef stew in the freezer that made a good evening meal.

Janet, hope you enjoy your class on tiles today.  You are a natural to be on the stained glass committee for your Church.  Will you be creating your own design or choosing one from a catalog?  Our Church has beautiful stained glass windows on each side of the Sanctuary and a really big one at the front of the Church with a  wood cross in front of it.  I guess the status quo is preferable to some folks rather than risk change.  Our Church had to update a few years ago when lightning hit and gutted the interior.  It has been kept in very good condition and looks like it is brand new.  It sounds like you are coming right along on your book as well as the editing project.  Yesterday afternoon I brought the Masters site up on my iPhone and watched from there while I was doing things on my laptop.  Then I switched to the laptop and the Dish Anywhere app and watched the ESPN coverage.  This allowed Pat to watch what she wanted on the TV.  the earphones are wonderful in these situations as the TV as and computer are both silenced.     

Good morning!  I've been up since 4:45, and am getting a bit sleepy!  But I'm sure I will stay awake for the class.

WE HAVE SNOW!!!  Hallelujah!  Only 0.1 inch of moisture, but we'll take it!
Much better than dry winds day after day.  I'm praying this will break the long drought and rains will start falling with some regularity now.

Darrel and I watched the movie Heaven is for Real again last night.  He happened to notice it was on TV, and I'm so glad he did.  I really enjoyed seeing it again and being reminded of Colton Burpo's visit to heaven when he was only four.  I have met him and his dad a couple of times and have a picture of myself with them.  They are very humble, God-loving people.

I was about to start typing on the book again, but stopped to watch the movie, so didn't get anything done on it.  But I think it was a God thing, as we do need to spend time thinking on and thanking God for what He does for us and others.  I will get it done, of that I feel sure.

Larry, that is too bad you have wet weather for the Masters.  I'm sure there are a lot of disappointed folks.  But I'm glad you hadn't purchased expensive tickets to it and therefore not disappointed over the money.  What they do manage to play, you will get to watch!

I need to look at The Main Artery's website to see what supplies, if any, I need to take with me to the class.  It's from 10 to 3 today, so I will have time to wash my hair and do some things when I get home.  My hairdresser was sick and has to reschedule my appointment.

I see Darrel has the Masters on TV just now, and they are saying the wind will be a problem, as well as the cold.

See you later!

I wish everyone had loving faithful cousins like me - so very grateful.  Don drove to Tombstone (the gunfight at the OK corral ) and we watched the reenactment plus a short history movie and had an expensive burger.  Just as we were leaving, we walked through Boot Hill and read the tombstones - it was a colorful and sad cemetery - many young people and especially babies - too many shootings and hangings.  Must have been an awful  place years ago.  Don was very tired from driving so instead of going out for pizza, I fixed a standbye meal - things always handy for a meal.  We sat outside under the stars - and talked about our faith - our churches and family.  It was good.  they want us to come out to Washington and we shall see.  First, we have to get home. 

Terrible bus tragedy of a Canadian junior hockey team involved in a crash.  I feel so sad for the families.  Prayers for the boys and all the family members.  May they remember "my father is always with me" - the message sent from Chris through Judy.

Janet:  we went to a special meeting with the speakers - the young boy and his father spoke.  It was so moving. We believe their message.   I have read the story too.  Glad to read you have some fresh air from the snow. 

Well, the lovely little snow is all gone now!  And my class got canceled, so that was a disappointment.  But I have typed over a thousand more words on the book.  So I'm not wasting this day.

Carol, Todd Burpo grew up here in Ulysses, that's why the connection.  I knew his grandmother pretty well, attended her funeral where Todd spoke and Colton sang.  Wonderful Christian family, and yes, I believe it too!

Darrel has been watching John Wayne, now is watching Braveheart, so it's too noisy in here for my taste.  I'm about ready to take out my hearing aids.
He isn't wearing his, so has the volume up too loud!

But I'm thankful he is here and able to hear!  I wouldn't want to be without him!

Back to work now!

Hi everyone I have a very short new hairdo. It is now my avatar here.

Very nice, Marilyn!  Lovely photo!

Hi Everyone. It is another overcast morning but no rain in the forecast and only a high of 63 degrees.  It should be a pleasant day on the golf course.  The Masters was not interrupted by the weather yesterday.  I think there were two or three brief periods where there was light rain but no lightning that caused an interruption of play.  Today the pay begins at 10 am so the spectators don't have to get there as early as on Thursday and Friday.  Yesterday turned out to be a very down day again for me as just had no energy.  The only thing I accomplished was a brief trip to Walmart. Pat fixed a good spaghetti with hamburger and sausage in the Instant Pot yesterday around noon and kept it warm all afternoon, which is a feature of the Instant Pot, and it with a salad made a very nice evening meal. 

I plan on going to Sunday School and Church this morning and then get something to bring home for our main meal today.  I expect the attendance at both to be down as a lot of people over here leave town on Masters week.  Things should be back to normal for the new week after today. 

Janet, sorry to read you didn't get much snow and that your class was canceled.  I don't think the threatened weather had any impact on the crowds at the Masters yesterday.  Tickets are very hard to get.  There is no way I could attend that event as there is lots and lots of walking involved.  They said yesterday it is actually one of the hilliest golf courses on which tournaments are played. 

Carol, nice to see you had a nice visit with your cousins.  That sounds like an interesting trip to Tombstone but sure understand it wearing Don out to drive that far and back.  I expect that Canadian hockey team bus crash got a little too close to home since your grandson plays so much hockey. 

Marilyn, I like you new avatar and the haircut looks very nice.   

Good day to all. Yes, the teams on the bus does "hit close to home" since our grands have been on many a school bus trip - through bad weather and mountains.  I shed tears and prayed for the families and the region.  Wishing we could drive up there to help somehow.  Hockey is a close family.

Larry:  Sorry that you had a 'down" day.  I am glad to see you checking in here.

Marilyn:  Nice photo -

The Instant Pots look interesting - I have two crock pots and use them often - mainly to cook steel cut oatmeal overnight with dried fruit in it - that is one breakfast for company but we have it a few times a month.  Is it easy to clean the Instant Pot?

Three weeks from now we drive home and it is becoming warm/hot in Tucson so time to get some things in order.  It is quite a routine to close the house here -  we "bomb" the garage and such for bugs before we leave and never have a problem.  Every other month the yard keeper comes in to check our place and sends or calls us if anything is amiss - we have a neighbor or two as well.  What can go wrong with cactus?  We do have some shrubs with a drip system and that seems to work.  There is no grass - that would be a waste of water.  It doesn't bother me a bit, there is so much color in the yard and it is always filled with birds for our entertainment. 

Hi, friends,

Larry, my sister in law is still in the rehab center. The non-healing wound on her foot is still the size of a quarter.  All other indications are showing she's ready to go home. I would appreciate prayer that she will soon be able to come home, for it seems it's more difficult for me to get up there these days. She's been in health care since Christmas Day.

Also, I was out on errands with my daughter and realized my strength is not good. I'm trying to remedy that with more walking. Prayers requested for me, too.

Thanks to all who participate. I've spent wonderful time today catching up.

May God bless y'all really well this evening.

Ruth Ann

And may He bless you real good too, dear Ruth Ann!

Well maple syrup season is upon us and hopefully will go on for a couple of weeks. We have tapped 25 trees this year, which a little over double what we did last time. We still have 2 feet of snow in the bush which makes it a bit challenging to get around and gather the sap, and we have more snow in the forecast. One good thing about all this snow is that we can travel to and from the bush with our 40 year old snow machine. I know its an old machine but so am I and we understand each other. In the picture is our evaporator which was built from a 45 gal steel drum and we burn wood to boil the sap. A long process but well worth the effort. It takes about 40 gal. of sap to get 1 gal. of syrup.


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Hi Everyone.  We had some light rain here this morning and only a high in the upper 50's is predicted.  I just got back from making quick trip downtown to the UPS store as forgot to send off the phone I am returning to Amazon.  I then went on down to the city hall and paid our city taxes.  Other than that expect to stay home all day and take it easy. I do plan on helping Pat's sister with her new laptop later this morning.


Carol, I felt pretty good yesterday until last evening when my heart wanted to let me know it was there.  I went to bed at 8 pm and listened to music and it helped.  I then had a good nights sleep.  The Instant Pot will cook the food and then keep it on warm for up to 8 hours.  Pat doesn't use hers everyday but fairly often.  She can put something on to cook at noon for the evening meal and it will be at the right temperature to eat at dinner time.  She usually feels more like cooking at midday than in the evening.  Pat still have two crockpots but I don't see her using them as often now.  Yes, it is easy to clean the Instant Pot.  There is an insert into which can be used for cooking or she has several other additions like smaller pots or a double pan set that will cook two different things at once.  I think she has about all the bell and whistles that go with it.  It seems your time in in the South has gone quickly but expect getting back to your home in Denver will feel good. 

Ruth Ann, sorry to see you are still having to deal with the cat for your SIL.  It sounds like having a pet may be too much for her and you both to be dealing with. 

John, that is quite a process to make that maple syrup.  No wonder it is so expensive.   Thanks for posting the picture. 

I am going to by-pass all my negatives of the last couple of weeks  ...Went out for a lunchtime meal to a local to us, not been there before but a restaurant tucked away in a nice location where we met up with Richards niece who was over our area for a few days break...They brought with them there two children, I say children but of course they are young adults now with partners, although neither engaged nor married...So a group of eight of us...I enjoyed myself probably more than I thought I would, at least all went well, I made plenty of conversation, especially to the children and partners... The restaurant was as good as empty...the meals we all agreed were large for our money...not one us were complaining of course...the last time I had seen the " children " they were just that...children...well at least this passed a three hour usual day of silence, glad I tagged along in the end...it was worth it...