News from our August: birthdays plus horses, dogs, crows, and a cat

Let's face it: the fall season is upon us

And tidbits from our early September too, come to think of it.

In mid-August I invited my friend Marsha over for a mini birthday celebration. Hers.

my dear little friend Marsha and her birthday cupcake

It was a Thursday late afternoon, since she has Fridays off and can relax after work on Thursday. I cannot remember what I served us for a light meal, but I did have a cupcake for her.

Of course I got her a balloon too, and presents, without which it's not really a birthday.

I got her the prettiest balloon I could find

Marsha is engaged to be married and will be a beautiful bride next May. She is working hard to make everything happen on time.

Towards the end of August, TG and I took a trip to Knoxville for our grandson Guy's second birthday.

Mysterious brick gate at Market Square in Knoxville

Upon arrival in downtown Knoxville on Sunday evening and checking in to our hotel, we walked in Market Square and got a light supper, then strolled on Gay Street until dark.

In a half-acre grassy area across the street from the iconic Tennessee Theatre, we saw two mounted police officers.

Phil and Buzz on a late summer evening in Knoxville

We walked over and were invited to commune with the horses, whose names were Phil and Buzz.

We were not in town for Guy's party, which had taken place earlier that day, but we were able to hang out with him and Andrew the whole next day, Monday, and it was pretty special.

Either Phil or Buzz. Either way, nice horse.

We walked in Knoxville's World's Fair Park, took some pictures at the War Memorial there, and Guy played in the playground.

Brittany is in nursing school, so we were not able to see her during our visit. But in addition to spending the day with Andrew and Guy, we had some park time with Ember after she got out of kindergarten for the day, and later all went out to supper.

Either Phil or Buzz. Either way, quality equine unit.

The next morning, Tuesday, Andrew was able to come to our hotel and have coffee with us at the Starbucks downstairs, there on Gay Street.

It was pretty great to see him.

I enjoyed coffee after not breaking my nose

Later that day we drove home and I was glad to get there because I tripped and fell in our hotel room that morning, landing -- how this happened I will never know -- on my nose. 

I didn't break it, which has to be some kind of minor miracle.

Baby Guy, at the park, two years and one day old

But I had a headache and a swollen nose and fear of getting black eyes, and in general felt fairly weak and tired by the time we reached home that evening.

(I did not develop black eyes, but rather just a faint greenish discoloration on both sides of my nose.)

Ember at the park after a long day at kindergarten

(Easily covered with makeup.)

My nose is still sore, three weeks later. I must learn to stay on my feet.

Random photo of my heroic granddog Sibyl Porter, a/k/a Sibi

My friend Sara in Virginia called me one day a few weeks ago. We had a lot of catching up to do since we had not talked in a while.

A few days later there was a good-sized box on my porch, from her. What could this be, I wondered.

Ember and Guy dressed for church on September seventh

Turns out it was a trove of crow-themed gifts. Because one, Sara operates two wildly successful antique stalls and has deep inventory, and two, she knows how much I love crows. And ravens.

Corvidae, as it were.

You've heard of throw pillows? These are crow throws.

There were two needlepoint pillows, plus a primitive crow on a canvas with its own easel, and a distressed wooden crow up on a dowel anchored in a wooden base.

This was thrilling and I have had such a good time with those crows.

Random photo of my treasured feline unit, Sweetness

Then it was Labor Day, and on that day it's our custom to celebrate our Stephanie's birthday. 

She turned forty-five this year. We had a nice meal with Stephanie and Joel plus the Chericas and the Maudags, and then a big birthday cake, and presents.

Dagny and Rizzo during a recent Cubs game

The weather had already turned gorgeous, and it has remained super nice, although still moderately hot.

We had a few cool-ish days in late August and I was lighting scented candles and switching up the decor and eager for autumn.

Stephanie's birthday cake

I still am, and it's closer than ever.

Summer is on the wane.

Our Skippy and his Uncle Joel on Labor Day

Another trip is coming up, and I can't wait to tell you all about that at its conclusion.

Let Freedom Ring: Andrew and Guy

Meanwhile we are all grieving the loss of true American Hero Charlie Kirk, and praying for his family.

God bless and help the United States of America, and confound her enemies both foreign and domestic.

Especially domestic.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Tuesday

Comments

[Lori]

Hello my friend! It's good to see a post from you but not good to hear you had a fall. I hope you're doing ok and I'm SO glad your nose wasn't broken.
I miss seeing police on horses. We had many in Florida but not here in our area now.
I'm glad you've had a number of celebrations over the last month or two. The photos are all wonderful.
I was so upset when I heard what happened to Charlie Kirk. Such a horrific thing to happen in our own country. I'm just heartbroken and a bit angry.
Take care!!

[Ginny Hartzler]

I am so sorry about your fall, but glad your nose was not broken. I live in fear of falling! The cake is gorgeous. And what wonderful closeups you captured of the horses! the faces! They do look so sad! Their eyes! I adore crows and ravens!! Corvids rule and are so smart! what wonderful gifts!! The cake is beautiful. Amber has the perfect name, because she is like a beautiful ember!

[Barbara]

Ember and Guy, dressed for church, are so so cute!
Regarding Stephanie’s birthday cake, if I were left unattended in a room with that cake, ALL 5 of those frosting roses would disappear ….. (true confession)

The death of Charlie Kirk has stirred up the grief over the passing of my late husband nearly 5 years ago. I feel so for Erika. Thankfully, our grief is lessened with the trust in what our Lord holds for us for all eternity.

[Mari]

Hi there! I was so happy to see a post from you pop up in my blog feed.
Happy Birthday to Marsha. I know she enjoyed that little party.
Your friend Sara did good. I love the pillows.
Ember and Guy are just as cute as ever, actually cuter! I'm saving that pic of the two of them. Glad you got that time together.
Yes - you need to stay on your feet. Your poor nose can't take any more. :)

[Donna]

I was starting to get a little worried...no post in a while. Glad you are celebrating in grand style all the babies birthdays. Guy's smile made me smile Big! They both are adorable!
And Look at our Dagny! She's not engaged yet is she?!!! A beauty!
I'm really looking forward to the cooler weather! And poor Charlie Kirk! I'm just sick over what happened. But his influence on especially the youth, will only continue to grow! Larry said Sunday service here was crowded!
Love to you sweetheart...your friend has a lovely smile!
hugs
Donna

[Dianna]

SO good to see a post up from you! Loved the pictures...especially of the grandchildren. They are so adorable. It sounds as if you've been enjoying life, with the exception of the fall in the hotel room before leaving for home.

[Carla TePaske]

Hello Jenny, I am praying that all is well with your nose. I fell last summer. I skinned up my knee, elbow and landed on my wrist!! Thank goodness no broken bones.
I am sending scratches to all the pets.
Hugs to all the cuties in the photos .. young and old. ;-)
And most of all ... my prayers for the Kirk family and our nation.
Love, Carla

[Amanda Bennett]

Dear Jenny,
We’re so happy to hear of all your gongs on! I know you’re very busy. Your grandchildren are so adorable!
I know a lot of us would still like to see a post that is Audrey’s wedding extravaganza! Her photos at the Governor’s mansion grounds were so lovely. I would love to see all of the decorations and photos from the event of the year.
Thank you,
Amanda

[Jane]

Belated happy birthdays!
Ouch, hope your nose heals quickly.
The mysterious gate is an archway built in 2000 that marks the entrance of the Miller Building. There is also a sculpture and a seating area.

[Jennifer]

Hey I want you all to know that I was not able to see any of your comments until today, September 19th! I thought my blog had become invisible! I don't know what happened. I hope that whatever it was, it does not happen again. Now:

@Lori ... I'm glad my nose was not broken too. Although it is STILL sore to the touch! I wonder how long that will be a thing! Ugh! The police horses were wonderful. So gentle and sweet. The officers said that the horses make a difference in encounters with ones who, shall we say, may not always be doing the right thing. I think that's interesting. God bless sweet Charlie's memory, and comfort and help his widow and his babies. I know that He will. xoxo

@Ginny ... I agree that corvids are truly miraculous. I have a whole book on them called Bird Brains! They are so smart! And so beautiful. They always capture my attention and demand my respect. Ember truly does have a perfect name, with her red hair and sweet warm smile! She and Guy are both so precious and what I love most is how much they love one another! xoxo

@Barbara ... Girl I may not be able to be trusted with those frosting roses either! That BUTTERCREAM!!!! Ugh so delicious. Several in our crowd LOVE the pieces with lots of frosting, hahaha! I'm sorry you have had extra trauma with Charlie's murder. It is horrible and unthinkable beyond words or ability to express. Such a terrible grief. I have mourned and cried. And I'm sure we will grieve and cry more with his funeral on Sunday. I'm not sure I can watch it that day because we have church morning and evening, and I don't want to be a puddle of tears. But I will eventually watch every minute of it. xoxo

@Mari ... it's true, my nose cannot take any more! Like Ginny, I live in fear of falling. It's so awful when it happens -- so FAST and there is nothing you can do to save yourself, hahaha! I am such a klutz but since having my hip replacements I have fallen much less, for which I am grateful. I need all the help I can get. Aren't those young'uns just the cutest and sweetest! Those smiles! You know that those smiles do to the heart of a grandmother, hahaha! xoxo

@Donna ... Yes the "Charlie Effect" is a real thing! God bless his memory. Such a great loss and an even greater grief. Only God can help us going forward, just as only He has helped us in the past. Dagny isn't engaged but what she is, is eleven going on sixteen! Audrey and Erica and I are always reining her in, watching her want to be too grown up and saying nooooooo! Be a child while you are a child! But she's so tall and pretty, and has such a charming personality. You know the drill. Love you girl! xoxo

@Dianna ... yes the trip and fall was definitely the low point of both my trip and my fall -- I hope, hahaha! Since it's not QUITE fall yet. Must stay on my feet when walking. I got distracted and next thing I knew, I was nose-to-floor. TG was alarmed but once he saw that my nose wasn't broken, he declared me sound, hahahaha! Yes we love those precious babies ... xoxo

@Carla ... Ugh I'm so sorry you fell. Getting skinned up is the worst! It's so scary for those few moments when you know you're about to hit the floor or ground, hahaha! And then the aftermath! The critters will enjoy the scratches and I will deliver them faithfully! God help our nation indeed. xoxo

@Amanda .. Thank you dear and I figure now that it's so close to her first anniversary, I will do that post the first week in November. I PROMISE. There are a lot of pictures to go through. Plus there are some things about that wedding that I'd rather not revisit (nothing bad about our Mike and Audrey ... just some peculiar circumstances) but you can rest assured that I will work myself up to that post in a few weeks! xoxo

@Jane ... Thank you dear! Yes I think the arch is carved Miller's Building on the top! I have always loved the way it stands there. Knoxville is a whole vibe! Good to see you! xoxo

[Jeanette]

Looks like a nice trip and Ember and Guy are so adorable! I can't believe Guy is 2 already! Our Levi is going to turn 7 next Saturday! Time sure does fly! I'm glad you weren't hurt more on your fall, I had a bad one a few years ago and have walked with much caution ever since. Falls are too hard on our bodies!

[Jennifer]

@Jeanette ... Girl I meant to say on one of your latest posts that I read today, how I couldn't believe how tall those precious boys are! Goodness I remember when they were so tiny! Yes falls are hard on our bodies for sure. I thought I was being careful too, hahahaha but as it turns out, not so much 😂 xoxo

[Jim and Barb]

What a great month (except for your fall) filled with family, memories and good times. Loved the horse pictures, they are so photogenic.

[Jennifer]

@Jim and Barb ... aren't horses wonderful in their facial qualities that translate so well to the camera? They amaze me. I am no stripe of an equestrienne but I admire horses so much. Yes we had a busy August and now we are nearly at the end of a busy September! The best is yet to come, however. Stay tuned! xoxo