We are members of a couples Bible study that we've belonged to now for about 15 years. One of the couples is leaving due to a new job out of state. We are very sad to see them leaving but hope the very best for them. I am not one for saying good-byes and this couple will truly be missed.

I remembered a book that we both read "Some Wildflower in My Heart" by Jamie Langston Turner. One of the main characters is Birdie Freeman, a remarkable character. Birdie became a common thread between us, Pam even had the same job that Birdie has in the book. She's not far off from Birdie's personality either.  So what better gift to give than one of my watercolor snowmen, she's a snowlady actually, and represents Birdie Freeman and is holding a wildflower, a Cosmos.

Pam is an incredible person, and she mirrors Birdie Freeman in her walk with the Lord. I am really sad to see her and Dave leave.

Okay the "Bee Man" came this evening, assessed the bee situation, found their nest at the top of a snapped-off cherry tree in our back yard. He felt it would be best to leave one of his hives here, baited to entice the queen and her drones out of the nest and into the hive. He took my hummingbird feeder covered with honey bees to the hive and shook them into it. "Yum" they said and moved in. He hung the feed back up and gathered another swarm and shook them into the hive as well. Now we are hoping the rest of bee clan will find their new hive and move on in. Here is a picture of the bees starting to congregate on my hummer feeder. Man am I glad that is taken care of. The only down side is I can't put my hummingbird feeder back out for a couple of days, I hope my 35 to 40 hummers don't leave permanently. I'll be bummed!

Yesterday evening we had the surprise of our lives . . . I went to step out onto our porch to enjoy a cup a coffee and hundreds of honey bees were latched onto my two-cup hummingbird feeder! They were buzzing too and fro. I ran back into the house to fetch my hubby and we watched from door discussing what to do. The poor hummingbirds couldn't even get near it to get a nourishing drink. Finally I realized the water hose was close by. So I handed the hose over the railing to my husband and said when I get to the top step spray the feeder and I'll rush and get it and bring it in the house. It worked successfully and after awhile the bees left and I put the feeder back out until it got dark. I put the feeder back out this morning and by the time we got home at 4 p.m. the bees were back in full force and the feeder was completely cover. We went through the whole process again, however, what to do about it permanently.

In the twenty years we have lived here there hasn't been even one honey bee interested in our feeder, I don't get it . . . did they just now discover this treasure house sweetness or are they traveling bees from a near by farm. Hard to say, but my hummingbirds are not happy and neither am I and need a solution without harming the honey bees. Honey bees are dying off and I really don't want to add to their demise. Any suggestions out there?

Sunday my husband and I went to Emlenton Mill, an old grist mill that is in the process of being restored and renovated. We specifically went to try out the creamery inside the mill for a taste of their ice cream. Well let me tell you it was wonderful! I had a Rocky Mountain Raspberry and my husband had Blackberry . . . one word—DELICIOUS!

While there we had an opportunity to speak with the manager, Julie, and talk about the history of the mill, what the owners, the Newbury family, have accomplished as well as future plans for the mill. I am really excited to see all of their plans come to fruition especially in these times of economic stress. This restoration not only preserves history and part of Pennsylvania heritage, but it has the possibility to revitalize this small community once again to become a wonderful place to bring your family for vacation and learn a small part of American history and Pennsylvania culture, not to mention their coal and oil industries.

I have hopes that Emlenton's residents and business owners have an eye for the future and want to see their community growing once again boasting it's beautiful scenic landscapes, lovely victorian homes, and its historical buildings and culture. There are so many small communities in our country that were rich in heritage that have gone by the wayside—its such a shame.

I grew up in a thriving fishing community, a very historical area and I watched it start to deteriorate when the malls began to build up out side the city. But the chamber and landlords of the empty stores got together and did something miraculous! They got some grant money to restore their much needed brick sidewalks and beautified the park and spruced up everywhere. The landlords also did renovations and offered three months free rent to potential new specialty shop businesses. They had a wonderful stationery shop, wooden toy store, Irish goods shop just to name only a few of the many little shops. Local artists also participated and collectively rented a store front for a gallery. It worked! This was more than 25 years ago and today it is still thriving and has become one of the finest tourist communities in the United States.

The key to this type of success? Is the community itself, and their willingness to work together to save their town or city. It takes strength, courage and love of their country. There is no room for narrow mindedness—our country wouldn't have survived and become the greatest nation if our forefathers had not been united, displayed a strong in faith in God, had courage to take a risk and give up everything they had. Look around we still have liberty, justice and freedom!  

Hello Friends!

Have a few of bookmarks to share with you I just finished. I get so much enjoyment out of painting, it does something for my soul that words just don't seem fit to describe. "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." This anonymous quote has taken perfect seating in my studio. I found a rubber stamp with this quote on it in Hobby Lobby several years ago and began stamping it on the backs of my watercolors that are given as gifts. I do this because what ever the receiver is going through I am hoping that my watercolor does just that—wash away from their soul the dust of everyday life!

I am considering doing a small watercolor demonstration day at a local establishment. I am of course just in the planning stages at this point. I need to talk to the managers of the two places I am looking at to see if it is even possible. I'm a little nervous but sure it work out if it is meant to be.

May you day be blessed beyond measure!

Enjoy!

Sam