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“W”here did the summer go?
Can you believe it’s July?! Where did the summer go? I had knee replacement surgery in April, recuperated in May, fell twice and began recuperation again in June. I’ve noticed the seasons change and have been outside some to enjoy it. We’ve had a lot of rain, too, so it’s made the corn tall, the rivers full and the greenery lush. Before we know it, it will be August, then September, then fall, my favorite time of year. I know, for a lot of people in the midwest, they prefer summer to other seasons so I’m trying not to look too far ahead. I thought I’d list my 10 favorite…
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“V”agabond or victor?
Photo by Diane Weidenbenner. There is something romantic and mysterious about old barns. It’s amazing to me that many of them are still standing after time and weather have taken their toll. They were built by human hands and simple materials. Their designs are unique and functional. And, they housed prized possessions at one time – whether it be livestock, hay or equipment. No two are the same. No two stand up to the test of time in the same way. Some are painted while others exhibit the natural beauty of the wood grain. Oh, what stories those wooden walls could weave! I’d like to think that these stately warriors…
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“U”nsung heroes
Photo by Diane Weidenbenner. Why is it that all the carefully plotted, planted beauties get all the glory? Rose bushes and Geraniums are majestic! Zinnias and Hydrangea have character, color and class. However, it is sometimes the unsung heroes of the field that give us pleasure as we drive by on a Sunday jaunt, like the frothy blanket of yellow against a green, leafy background. Is it a wild mustard plant or rapeseed? I’m never quite sure. It’s more prevalent in some fields over others. And, it seems to grow, and multiply without a lot of human effort or forethought. In doing a bit of research on the Internet, it…
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“T”horoughfare
It’s been raining a lot in the Midwest! And, we’re not unique. There has been flooding throughout the United States this season. There is actually an area of Terre Haute that floods regularly when it rains heavily. People live near the Wabash River and their houses are on stilts. When the street floods leading up to their neighborhood, and their homes, they actually have to park on a nearby street and take a boat the rest of the way home. I’m wondering how the “For Sale” description reads for these houses! “During periods of heavy rain, house is accessible by boat. However, no fishing license required.” I’ve actually driven down…
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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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“O”rigin
My dad, Sterling, and my nephew Matt. A person’s “origin” can mean several things. It can be a place/location where I was born (Denver, Colo.), it can be a culture from where my ancestors originated or it can be my very beginning, which I consider to be in God’s image/likeness. My brother, sister-in-law and I took a trip to Pennsylvania last year, to meet some first cousins that we’d never met before. My dad was from Allentown and we discovered cousins on my dad’s sister’s side of the family. It was so much fun to see the physical similarities and commonalities, even though we’d never met each other before. During…
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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: F-arms
It’s happened. I’ve become one of those weekend drivers who likes to wander the countryside, aimlessly looking for something: an old barn; a herd of sheep; a cool flower garden; any type of unique farm animals (miniature horses, goats, etc.); tractors (the older the better). I happen to think farms are cool! I drag my friend Sandy with me, along with my Canon Rebel, just in case there is a neat composition. It may be the silos or the worn wood of the barn that attracts me. It could be the Tootsie roll-shaped bales of hay. Or, it might be a rusted-out tractor in an overgrown field of grass. It…
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Very thankful
It’s Thanksgiving day and Joe and I arrived safely back home among snow flurries and unexpectedly icy roads, after enjoying a delicious dinner made by my sister-in-law, Amy, in Indianapolis. We had all the familiar foods that warm our tummies and remind us of gatherings past: home-made dressing, melt-in-your mouth turkey, sweet corn casserole, green bean casserole, two sweet potato casseroles, cranberry sauce, other delicious carbs and of course yummy pumpkin, peanut butter and apple caramel pies. My nephews were present with their sweet wives and children. My two great nephews seem so grown up (the oldest is three and a half) and a great niece is expected mid-December. And,…
