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“Q”uiet
The details in the simplest of experiences can be just what we need to see God.
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#AtoZChallenge: Tractor
Photo © Diane Weidenbenner Have you seen the “American Pickers” show that “follows expert antiquers as they scour the country’s junkyards, basements and barns for hidded gems?” (according to History.com) Well, my friend Sandy and I are the Indiana/Illinois Pickers. We go for country drives and we never quite know what we’ll find. We have followed highways, byways, side roads and back roads in search of the unappreciated or forgotten treasures. One time we followed a dirt road right into the middle of a corn field. No, really! Thus far, one of my favorite discoveries has been this Ford tractor. First, my dad loved the Ford brand. He always bought…
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Baking and Christmas memories
My family doesn’t have many Christmas traditions but I treasure the ones we have. Baking sweet treats during the holiday is one of my favorites. My Grandma Rose was the master baker in our family. She played bridge with ladies each week and they took turns bringing a dessert. Between her friends and Grandma’s eagle eye for yummy recipes in the newspaper, she acquired the best recipes imaginable. When I was little, I’d sometimes stay overnight with my grandparents on Friday, and Saturday morning my Grandma and I would make cookies together. This was after she served her famous Swedish pancakes (crepes) for breakfast! She knew most of the recipes…
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A to Z Challenge: “Z”iggy, the hedgehog
On April 16, I attended an Earth Day celebration where I work, sponsored by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. It’s my all-time favorite event and there is something for everyone. I met a new friend at this year’s event, while I was helping to staff the baked goods area. His name is Ziggy. He is a pet hedgehog. He is ADORABLE! I’ve seen a sign, advertising pet hedgehogs at a local pet shop in town. I couldn’t imagine having one, until now. Ziggy’s “parents” were a lovely couple who brought him to Earth Day. He enjoyed being held and also, literally, hung out of a backpack as the two walked…
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A to Z Challenge: “K”itties gone bad
Being an animal lover, I couldn’t help posting some older photos of some of the cats that we’ve had (and still have), doing amazing things. So, thank you for indulging me with this lighter post that is mostly photos. Hope you enjoy them as much as I had captioning them!
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“P”arks
Hawthorn Park is beautiful in the spring, summer and fall. It can even be peaceful in the winter, with new fallen snow. Photo by Diane Weidenbenner. One benefit of living in Indiana is the abundance of natural parks and wetland refuges within a short driving distance from towns and cities. It’s not uncommon to drive 15-30 minutes or up to one hour to reach parks, rivers, lakes and other such beautiful natural settings to relieve stress and enjoy time away. I live in Terre Haute and in a 15-30 minute drive from my house, I have access to Hawthorn Park, as an example, which is on 250-plus acres and includes…
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“M”other’s Day
I’m four weeks out from having a total knee replacement and I’m grateful for the surgery, albeit still quite sore. I’m 52 years old and this is the first major life event that I’ve had since my mom passed away in 2010. You would think at this age that I would be a seasoned professional at handling life’s twists and turns. I’m a Christian, too, so I have faith in God, and in His strength and comfort. Mom and my nephew, Matt, at a family dinner. For some reason, this surgery was harder on me emotionally than it was probably physically. After all, they give you really good pain meds…
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Blogging A to Z: “J”-asper, Indiana
My husband and his family are from Jasper, Indiana, a town founded in 1830, with a rich German, Catholic heritage. Today, Jasper has almost 15,000 residents and is the county seat for Dubois County. The area was originally inhabited by the Piankishaw/Shawnee Indian tribe and was covered by forest. St. Joseph Catholic Church, Jasper, Indiana. Photo by Diane Weidenbenner. Jasper’s name comes from a Mrs. Enlow, whose family owned the town’s first 120 acres. She read Revelation 21:19, which says, “And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was Jasper …,” and the town’s name was born. It’s…
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Blogging A to Z: “I”-n memory of … good friends!
Bestie Sandy (left) and Becky, having a toast to something wonderful, at St. Mary’s Supper Club. A good friend of mine passed away from lymphoma in April 25, 2013, and I miss her. There are those people that you meet and you feel “right at home” with. Becky was that type of person. She had a wonderful sense of humor and many times we’d laugh until we were both in tears. She loved animals and rescuing them, she liked telling people’s stories (she was a journalist) and she had a big heart. She’s a big reason that I have one of the loves of my life, my dog Hershey. And,…
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Blogging A to Z: G-enes or “Who’s your daddy…?”
Genes are a miraculous thing. I know for example that I received my green eyes and red hair from my dad’s side of the family. And, I’ve got my love of learning and my bad temper from my mom’s genetic pool. There are probably a lot more gene combinations in my make-up that I don’t even realize. Hershey, our 5-year-old puppy. Take our adopted dog, Hershey, for example. He’s a beautiful black and brown color with a touch of gray on his chest, tummy and chin (which you’d see if his tongue wasn’t in the way). He’s 70 pounds of pure muscle with a German Shepherd tail and what I…
