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

Is anyone feeling like me . . . troubled about the direction this country has headed the past 4 years? Is there anyone . . . I hope so. I sure would like to hear from you. We are losing our freedom, our liberties, our country! Does anyone care? Please tell me! Because it certainly appears the opposite. I hear people screaming from the conservative side but we are being ignored. Doesn't that scare you? It scares me!

My husband and I are both working, my job, however, ended when school ended—I'm a school bus driver and a freelance watercolor artist. This puts us in a more dire straights situation. I can't imagine how couples with children are making it. I am struggling to pay bills and buy food and there is just the two of us. What is wrong with this picture! Although gas prices have more recently come down, the previous sky-high prices caused not just food prices to skyrocket, but just about everything else as well. This cannot continue to go on or it is going to kill every household in this country. I believe that is what the white is trying to do . . . make us all dependent on them and lose all we own. We are being bled dry. Please wake up America, Please! We cannot afford to allow this country to go down the tubes. This country was once the greatest place to be, and it still is, trust me, but it is headed for desaster. I have traveled to third world countries on missions trips—people are fighting to get to this country for its freedom. Do you see anyone rushing to leave to here? Of course not! This president and his stategically placed friends are deliberately destroying this nation, pitting us against one another, trust me those who do have money have worked hard for every cent they have earned. Without the so-called wealthy people who sign our paychecks, who provide jobs and opportunities for us to also become successful there would be no jobs, no products, etc. If this nation continues to slide beyond recovery we will no longer be able to survive as a free nation, we will be vulnerable to invasion and possible take over by some other country. Is that what you want? No I don't, I like being free, free to worship, free to work when and where I want, the list goes on.

These people who are trying to bring this county down are succeeding and will succeed if we don't stop them.

This is what is great about blogging . . . sharing the joy in your day to day life experiences! This past week we were in Jensen Beach Florida for vacation visiting with my sister and brother-in-law. I haven't seen my sister for three years and it was so nice just to give her a hug and enjoy her much needed company. You know how that is, when you're close to someone and haven't seen them for a long time. you just want to surround yourself with them because you know it will end all too soon. Also had a chance to spend a little time with my nephew Jeremy and his wife Lindsay and their not quite-2 year old daughter, Hanna. What a cutie patootie! Here is a picture of her and my sister's hubby sharing animal crackers.

I don't have any scenic pictures because my camera died right after taking this set of photos. Disappointing, but that's okay, next time. I would have loved for you to see the ocean and pier which is directly across the street from where my sister is living. It is just beautiful, they have a great spot. Lots to do around that area too. We went on a wonderful river walk in Stuart, Florida and a drive up to Fort Pierce (lovely little town and great place to vacation)!

I got a great tan from going to the pool each day and relaxing on the pier. Overall it was a fabulous vacation! I got to visit with my family and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather too!

On the drive home we stopped in Georgia for some wonderful Georgia peaches. We also stopped at the Tammarack Artist Center in West Virginia. If you're ever heading south or north on I-77, make sure you stop and visit this place, it is awesome! I picked up a hand-blown glass flower and an item that resembles a Hershey's kiss. Right after we left Tammarack we headed into some severe thunderstorms with wind gusts of 60 mph. Pretty nasty driving that's for sure, but we made it through and home safely. Thank You Lord!