Good morning from Smalltown. I am packing my bags to accompany mom to Illinois, so I will be gone a few days. Things have been very hectic for me, but I finally got my spring flowers planted last night. At least I will have beauty to behold as I come and go from my country road.

Good Lord willing I will write when we return. I am looking forward to seeing the blue moon Saturday night. Not often we have a full moon on the first and last days of the month. Enjoy Mother Nature at her best.

Until next time,
Becky
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The wren has such a beautiful melodious song. I have had many generations of wrens in my little birdhouse windchime over the years, and the daddy wren always sang to his mate from the big white birch tree next to the porch. For the past several mornings I have been awakened before dawn with the beautiful sound of the proud daddy. He has moved his stage to the baby white birch right outside my bedroom window. This morning I watched him for quite a while. The happy energetic way that nature lifts its voice in song to the Creator is humbling.

Today is kick butt Monday. I have a stressful day in store for me, but I will remember the morning serenade of the papa wren and the joy in which he sang. Everything fell back into perspective. Have a wonderful day...I am sure there are birds singing for you where you live if you only listen.

Until next time,
Becky
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Those of you who follow my blog are familiar with the wrens who raise little ones in my bird house windchime. I have been preoccupied of late with some weighty issues at work and so much illness and death in our family. Last evening I came home, heard the tinkle of the chimes and smiled. When your heart is heavy life is many times just moving through the motions. We hear, see, do, but many times don't respond or react to life going on around us.

This morning as I left the house for work, I again heard the tinkle of that little chime. Though it still didn't register, I smiled and walked down the walk talking to Chicky. It is a morning ritual for us, and the last thing I do is pat her on the head and tell her to be good while I am working. As I came up the sidewalk this evening, again the chime sounded, and the little birdhouse danced. Only then did I finally realize that a new wren couple had taken up residence to raise another brood. What a blessing. That means that the male will sing his beautiful song each morning and evening to his mate. I will see him flutter around the house, checking on the progress of the little mother. With everything wrong in the world, things suddenly righted. It is a reminder of who is in charge and that if His eye is on the little sparrow- or wren in this case, He watches over me as well.

I wish you a sign of hope tonight. A sunset, the song of a beautiful bird, a child's laugh, the love of someone special, a blanket of stars, or a moonbeam. God bless and keep you, and when your heart grows heavy with the weight of the world and its cares, look up. Something beautifully unexpected is about to happen. I'll keep you posted on the progress of the newest wren family.

Until next time,
Becky
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It is good to be home again. After a long week in Jefferson City I got home Friday evening, a successful graduate of Management Development school. I enjoyed the week, and the other thirty-nine people in the class were great. Once home, I had supper with mom. We caught up with all that had transpired since she had left Smalltown June tenth to travel to Illinois for family business. It is the first time I had not been able to travel with her to help handle things, so it was good to hear that all went well. Bless Rocky's brother Richard and his wife Helen for being there to help mom. It was a great relief for me to know she was with family. I was able to relax and dig into the class without worrying.

Saturday morning we left for St. Louis to pick up mom's vehicle and visit with Rocky's sister and brother-in-law. I was very happy to get home again. After being gone all week, six more hours of driving was the last thing I would have chosen to do. However, as is usually the case, I was blessed for my efforts.

Yesterday mom and I attended church. We were just finishing lunch when my son Jonathan came by, and we enjoyed the visit. Since the weather was so hot and humid, mom and I stayed inside sorting through things and visiting after he left. A late afternoon storm came through while we ate a bite of supper, but we needed the rain. I left shortly after to unpack my bags and do some laundry. As I was getting my briefcase ready to go for work today I quickly went through my purse to empty it of what I might need. In the process of doing that simple chore, I noticed a lip pencil I had been looking for in the side pocket of the bag. Finding that was a blessing, so I reached into the pocket to retrieve it. When I widened the pocket the light hit something shiny. It took me a couple of seconds to register what I had found. My diamond earring!! Immediately I thanked God for the blessing and called mom. We had just listened to a sermon on TV about how God blesses us when we are faithful over what he gives us. That is so true. Today I am still rejoicing.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement when I reported it lost. I am happy to report that the lost is found. This is going to be a wonderful day. Wherever you are today and whatever your plans, I pray you are blessed.

Until next time,
Becky
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Today I am leaving Smalltown for a week in Jefferson City. Instead of teaching this time I will be the student. It should be a good course, Management Development. At least I am rooming with someone I know, so there won't be that get to know someone chit chat. This is usually a good week to exchange ideas, learn new techniques for the situation you are in, and ways to develop and implement strategic plans.

I have my bags all packed and after breakfast we will be leaving. Have a great week, and I will see you right back here, good Lord willing, this weekend.

God bless,
Becky
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I was talking to mom about my latest post, Critter Comforts posted on June 6th. She said all she had on her computer was my post about the APA meet posted on Sunday. While we were talking on the phone, I went to my blog site to check out the mystery. Sure enough my post about the critters was there. I am not sure what happened out there in cyberspace, but for some reason she can't see it on her computer. I printed my post and took it down the hill to her. I know that at least Ellen and I can see it as she left a comment. Do the rest of you see my post written Wednesday the 6th?

While I am sure there must be some technical explination, some things always remain a mystery. Happy TGIF!

Until next time,
Becky
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Mom and I have several small stray cats we try to feed between her house and mine. Actually it is pretty hard to get any relaxation in after work for watching the dish we put out. The cats that are so thin and really need the food are usually the last ones who get it. Napoleon is very protective of his cat food and takes offense when another critter horns in on his dinner. Before Napoleon comes we have to watch out for Blossom, who lives in one of the new houses across our country road. She is really old and has poor eyesight, but a love of cat food. Her owners told us that is all they feed her as she won't eat dog food. The other problems are birds. Blue jays and black birds carry half of it off before the cats realize it is there.

Normally mom and I take turns watching the food so it doesn't disappear before the strays come. Other well fed neighborhood cats stroll by, smell the food, and help themselves. Mom doesn't like to shoo them away as she loves all cats. I will usually go out and bring the dish inside. After a few minutes they move on.

Last night the smallest and thinnest of the cats was eating when Napoleon spied her. He had been perched on the fence preening his feathers and didn't notice her at first. It didn't take him two shakes of his long beautiful tail to run over and scare the wits out of the scared, hungry cat. She ran down the fence line and when the dogs started barking she ran for her life into the big woods.

Trying to help little critters is hard. They are scared of us and at the mercy of the other critters in the area. However....on the rare occasion when the hungry little ones get to eat without being interrupted, it is rewarding. They are always so happy to have the food all to themselves, but they are ever watchful. Mom and I feel that God must have the same pleasure when we notice something He has provided for us.

All in all, we are trying to help the little critters who need it and not get angry at our other adopted critters. It takes lots of patience, but worth the effort. Chucky and Old Yellow are fixtures here along with Chicky now. If you want to help you can't be partial to one over the others. I'm sure sometimes we all look like starlings and grackles to God when we take and never thank Him.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone. Offer a helping hand today. It makes your heart grow.

Until next time,
Becky
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Saturday morning mom and I loaded up and drove to Rolla where the State APA Championship meet was being held. In spite of wanting to get an early start, we arrived just twenty minutes early. I had Rocky's memorial portrait that will hang on the memorial wall in our gym, The Firm. Rocky's coach asked us to bring it to the meet, as all of his powerlifting friends learned of his death prior to our arrival. We placed it at the trophy table where everyone could see it throughout the day. We also took Rocky's bag, which he had packed to take to the meet, and set it by a memorial collage of pictures from previous meets.

We were treated like royalty. As Mrs. Rocky (mom) and I were ushered to chairs we felt the eyes of everyone in the room on us. Most likely due to the fact that they had just heard about Rocky's death, but we also wore our Rocky memorial shirts. We were pleased to see that most of our team were also wearing theirs. Many of the lifters were quiet, but most were really pumped as they all wanted to dedicate their day to Rocky.

There were lifters present from all over Missouri, and some from as far away as Tennessee, Illinois, and Indiana. There may have been others, but it was hard to hear all of the introductions. Only one woman competed, and there were also several pre-teens and teenagers represented. Most of the excitement of the day however, had to go the men who put up the big numbers. The largest squat of the day went to Brandon Cass with a weight of 902.5 lbs. After the lift he came over to mom, Rocky's son Michael, and me. With tears in his eyes, he told us that lift was for Rocky, and what a good man he thought Rocky was. Several other lifters followed his example, with our team outdoing themselves. To see such strong men struggling with Rocky's absence was humbling for us, and it was great they all had a good meet with personal records, State, American, and World records being set.

I realize I promised pictures, but I forgot my camera in the rush, and while mom did take hers, the meet was so exciting we forgot to take pictures. The Grand Champion awards were provided by Rocky's Memorial Fund and our family. Rocky's coach Rodney Wood and others did take pictures, so eventually we will have some to show you.

It was an awesome day. We were treated with the utmost respect, and so many people introduced themselves to us, relaying where they had met Rocky and how much he had meant to them. We also know that Rocky's life will continue to influence others in positive ways, which is a wonderful tribute to the good man he was. Rocky didn't miss the meet....he had the best seat in the house.

Until next time,
Becky
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Tomorrow is the state powerlifting meet in Rolla, and mom and I will be traveling to that. There will be a memorial for Rocky and I will be giving a short talk about the annual memorial meet in his honor. Rodney, Rocky's coach, asked mom and I to present the four grand champion awards in the various age categories. This will be really special for us.

I will take some pictures to post later this weekend. While today may be Friday, I am on my way to Jefferson City to instruct a class. The road awaits. For those of you who are wondering, I still haven't found my earring. Have a great weekend.

Until next time,
Becky
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