Today is the last of the Fraudulent Document classes I have been teaching in Jefferson City. It has been a very good experience, but I am glad that I will have a break before the next round of classes begins in May.

This evening I will travel to KC to visit my brother George, my good friend Diane and her family, and my dad. I have been trying to make this trip since fall, but events and the weather just wouldn't cooperate. While it may be a quick visit, I need to check in with everyone. This summer looks to be quite busy at work, and my appointment calendar is already filling up.

Mom and Rocky will be busy with company, and won't even notice I'm gone. Hopefully you also have plans for a good weekend. I will see you right back here when I get back to Smalltown.

Until then,
Becky
|

I had a working birthday this year. Tuesday was a beautiful spring day, beginning with a breakfast party at work. The part time housekeeper at the office cooks breakfast for the person who is celebrating a birthday, and the honoree pays the tab. At least I didn't have to bake my own cake! At noon I left for Jefferson City for my last week of teaching. Of course I had cards and gifts from my family, and last night when I got home mom made super nachos for a belated celebration.

I have no problem telling people I am 53 years young. It is good to be alive, my life is full, and I have a lot to look forward to. The only thing that would make my life better is for Rocky to feel good again. For all those who are fighting disease and illnesses, my thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find hope and strength in the beauty of spring, listening to the songs of the birds, and warm sunshine on your face.

Thank all of you for your good wishes and emails for my birthday, and may you enjoy your day whatever lies ahead. God bless.

Until tomorrow,
Becky
|

I think that my little home is enchanted. Two years ago a peacock appeared and set up house. Of course Napoleon still lives among us, and is beautiful. It is still amazing to all of us that he is here. For the past two nights he has begun the lonely mating call we experience each spring. While we know this is most likely a futile effort, if you had told me two years ago a peacock would wander into our lives I most likely would have thought you daft.

Yesterday afternoon I was coming back from town, slowing to make the turn into my drive. I was focused on not running over Chicky or Napoleon when a huge bird flew low across the road into the big woods. It had been sitting in my yard, most likely eating the dry cat food I set out for the strays. At any rate, I stopped in the middle of the road and as it landed it looked just like a road runner.

Okay. I know what you're thinking, but it was either a very young peahen or a road runner. Since the tail was up instead of down, I think it was a road runner. Time will tell. For Napoleon's sake I hope it is a peahen. Poor fella. I told mom and Rocky that I saw the mystery fowl, so we will see if they can spot it as well.

You just never know what will happen next......here on my country road.

Until next time,
Becky
|

After ten weeks of being gone three days per work week, I am down to four more days. Today will finish this week, which will leave only next week. It has been a good experience, but at my age the travel has been difficult. Driving when you are tired is not a good thing. Also at issue was the fact that my eyes have been bothering me. That was easily taken care of with a trip to the eye doctor, and they called yesterday to tell me my new glasses are in. Saturday I will pick them up, so the last week of driving shouldn't be the strain it has been.

I was shocked yesterday when a coworker handed me a newspaper with my picture in it. Local papers picked up the story of recent promotions within the Highway Patrol, and the fact that my Chief Examiner promotion and that of Chief Radio Technician were noteworthy is we are women. I was the first female DE Supervisor in our Troop, and now the first Chief Examiner. The new Chief of Radio being a female is the first for the State.

We are still enjoying Spring here in Smalltown, but a cold front is supposed to work its way through over the next few days. With the arrival of Spring this week it should be Winter's last gasp. I hope so.

Since today is Friday it will be a great day. Enjoy!!

Until next time,
Becky
|

When you hear the words March Madness what comes to mind? I daresay most of us would say they think immediately of the NCAA Tournament. I am sure that there are other strange, odd, and different things going on if we just look around.

Typically March is the month that should come in like a lion and leave like a lamb, at least according to legend. When I was growing up it was fun each year to see how that played out. March is also a month known for its wind. My brothers and I always took advantage of it with a ten cent kite and a ball of string from the Ben Franklin Dime Store. It was an annual rite of spring as well as a challenge to keep our beloved kites out of the electrical lines so they could soar. If the winds were too strong though, the thin balsam supports would snap and the mortally wounded kite would fall to the ground in a heap. There was just no fixing that.

March is also the month when everyone is Irish. For one day the St. Patrick's Day phenomenon embraces all things Irish, welcoming all who wish to join the celebrations. Chicago pours green dye into the river, green clothing and head gear prevail, and green beer is the drink of choice. Since we have Irish ancestry in our family it is fun to watch the revelry play out on TV. There are no parades here in Smalltown, but that doesn't keep us from cooking corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes.

Watching the progression of nature around us tells how advanced Spring really is. We have daffodils blooming, bushes are budding out and tinged with a wash of green, and the birds and other critters are choosing mates. Once again, life is a circle. March is the month that welcomes Spring on the twenty-first, calling forth the sleeping Earth from the grip of Winter.

I love Spring because it is a new beginning. Today is kick butt Monday, also a new beginning to the new week. I hope you are seeing sure signs of Spring in your neck of the woods...

Until next time,
Becky
|

I was walking out of the office last night and heard the sound of a lawn mower. The sound combined with the smell of freshly cut grass brought back memories of childhood. Many times I would be swinging in the back yard after supper while dad or my brother George mowed the grass. I could see mom in the kitchen window washing dishes and putting the kitchen in order. My little brother John and I would swing, and if the KC A's were playing we listened to the ball game. The only thing that made the picture complete was if the ice cream truck bell could be heard making its way around the neighborhood. John, George and I were pretty good at begging dimes from mom and dad. I loved the sky blue bomb pop, but cherry was good too.

It is funny how one sound can transport you back to childhood or a happy time of your life. Those were precious days filled with memories. Later in my life I was the one in the kitchen window while my husband mowed the lawn and the kids played. Now I am a grandmother and I play with Brady while my son mows his lawn. Hopefully Brady is storing away happy memories that will take him through his life. Just as I used to visit my grandma and grandpa here on my country road, Brady will come to visit me. Life is a circle.

Today I wish you all things good. God bless,

Becky
|

Temperatures have continued to climb here in the Ozarks. It is welcome after the cold winter months, and yesterday I noticed the sure sign of spring. Each year I write of my daughter's love of picking flowers. Since daffodils are the first noticeable flowers here, she always picked me a bouquet of sunny yellow blooms for the kitchen table. When we moved back here twenty years ago it didn't take her long to notice a row of daffodils planted along the border between my brother George's property and my grandparent's lot, which is where we live. Of course I am alone now that the kids are grown and gone, but each year it warms my heart and makes me smile to see the little yellow blooms bobbing in the wind and reaching toward the sunshine.

I suppose that we will still have cold weather before spring finally arrives, but the daffodils are brave little souls. I have seen them survive late snow and ice, and even being forgotten the rest of the year with no pampering or care they bloom each spring.

Since this is kick butt Monday, what better way to start than to share the story of the daffodils. I am getting ready to write my daughter and tell her I wish she was here to pick them for me. Enjoy your day, and I wish you spring flowers to brighten it for you.

Until tomorrow,
Becky
|

I hesitated to say this too early, but we are enjoying a touch of Spring weather here in the Ozarks. The strong North winds have given way to gentler warmth from the South. Gray skies and dreary days have been replaced with sunshine and a bright blue sky.

The Ozarks is a fickle region. One can never count on the weather this early in the season, and as I have written many times before you only have to wait five minutes for a change of weather to happen. Officially we are still two weeks away from the first day of Spring, and even with the new season arriving it is no guarantee. For now we will enjoy the warm weather and sunshine while it lasts.

The seven year old girl killed in the tornado that swept through the area one week ago will be buried today. The father remains in the hospital in serious condition, but the mother and brothers have been released. A local church has been helping to clear the rubble that was the family home and have pledged to build a new house.

Thursday awaits. I need to get started, but not until I watch the sun come up through the trees of the big woods. Enjoy the beauty of your day!

Until next time,
Becky
|

Mom and I had a girls weekend while Rocky was gone to his powerlifting meet. It was good just to relax and talk about the things we are interested in, family, and shopping a bit online. Having completed the afghan I had been working on for some time I was just happy to sit and relax.

The whole weekend was bitter cold, winds blowing at 30-40 miles per hour, and dreary. It snowed off and on Sunday morning before the clouds parted midday and we welcomed some long overdo sunshine. There is hope that today the wind will lay and temps will climb into the low 60s. Only in Missouri.

I am happy to report that I got a lot done at home and am ready for Monday. Chicky is enjoying a new box I made for her to sleep in. I gave her an old afghan to sleep on, so she was going in and out of the box getting used to it while I was working in the garage yesterday. I may have to move it to a higher location, but for now she is happy.

The coffee is done, so I am on my way to pour a cup and listen to the news while I eat breakfast. I have a full day ahead of me, so these quiet moments at home are precious to me. The day is waiting for us to get out there and make a difference, so let's get crackin' !

Have a wonderful day,
Becky
|

|