Friday's FIVE!

I recieved an email from my Aunt Barbara this week - I've always had a very special place in my heart for my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Ovie. Aunt Barbara is my Daddy's older sister. When I was 4 years old, they moved to California - and to my four year old mind, that was a million, gazillion miles away. I vividly remember the day we gathered for a cook out at my Grandparents house to wish them farewell. I remember that I cried. My sentiment for my Aunt Barbara has always been strong - there is a very, very special bond between us. I'm thankful for this dear Aunt of mine.... and I'm thankful she is still very present in my life, even though she lives a million, gazillion miles away. While I hestitate to focus on 'things' - her email this week informed me of a few items that belonged to my Great Grandmother and my Great Aunt that she wants me to have. I appreciate that I will have these items - but mostly, I appreciate that my dear Aunt wants ME to have these things. So in appreciation of my Aunt's generosity to share these items with me... this weeks Friday FIVE! will focus on a few of my most sentimental treasures....

1. My Mothers Wedding Dress - She loved her wedding dress....and she loved my Daddy.

While the dress is beautiful - the marriage that began the day she wore it is the true sentiment of this dress.

2. A Quilt that my Grandma Pence gave me - A quilt made from my Aunt Barbara's dresses and stitched by my Grandma, My Great Grandma and my Great Aunt Vera

3. An amethyst ring that my Grandpa Alexander had given my Grandmother for Valentines Day before I was born. I was very small when my Grandma promised it would be mine on my 16th birthday - because the heart shaped amethyst stone symbolized my Valentine birthday. She kept her promise and gave it to me on when I turned sweet sixteen.

4. A small black and white pillow that my daughters, Katie and Betsy gave me....that says "Your love and belief in me have been my inspiration. Thank you for being my mother and my guide, I love you" I love my daughters so much - and am so proud of the beautiful women they have become.

5. My 'handcarved' engagement ring from my dear husband, Bruce. When we were engaged, he lead me to believe he couldn't afford and engagement ring, so he 'whittled' one for me. He asked me to marry him with the little whittled ring, and then suprised me with the real thing later that Christmas day. The ring did not matter to me - I was just delighted to say yes to him!

Red Breasted Mergansers!!

This evening - we were entertained by three male Red-Breasted Mergansers that seemed to be engaged in synchronized swimming...they would dive in unison, swim underwater and then appear - in unison... they swam on top of the water together....and then they would dive in unison - again, and again and again.... So beautiful!!!!!!!

The Loon arrived on 3/26/2008 ... a few days later than usual, but the lake was late thawing.
There are two on the lake - and he calls every evening just before sunset. I love it!!!!!

SPRING THAW!!!!

There is a light at the end of the tunnel!!!! The lake has finally thawed!!! A strong south wind is bringing splashing waves to our shoreline this morning - and while it is cold.... and the lake is too rough for leisurely migration observations.... it screams SPRING to me!!!!
Finally!!!! It's been a long - long.... winter!!!!

Bufflehead and Woodducks!

I love this time of the year ... I have become and avid birdwatcher and I am fascinated by the migratory waterfowl on the lake.... The Wood Ducks are so beautiful - with such vivid color. We have a pair of Bufflehead on the lake right now too - they are so chubby and fun to watch. Bufflehead are divers and you can be looking at them and then suddenly they disappear into the cold water. We've seen a few grebes - and a female Hooded Merganser. The migration season is short - and they are here for such a short visit. The binoculars are always close at hand during March and April. You never know what you are going to see out on the lake during this quiet, peaceful season. I'm happy to see signs of Spring arrive while I continue to wait patiently for our calling Loon......

Friday's FIVE!

My husband will celebrate his birthday tomorrow... and as a birthday tribute - today's Friday FIVE! will recognize some of HIS favorite things! (Of course, these are also favorite some of MY favorite things as well, but that is why we are such good partners)... I married my soul-mate 6 years ago - and we have such a good time sharing things that we both enjoy.

1. Pedaling his Mountain Bike on any trail... but Winona Boys Club is his local favorite.

http://www.villageatwinona.com/village-bike-trails.asp

2. Paddling his Kayak ...

He made sure that he was the first out on the lake this morning....even though the lake still has a covering of ice in the middle.

http://www.greatcalusablueway.com/

3. Catching Crawdads and minnows with his Grandson, Tyler....(or any other 'boy' games... like building stuff, a round of squirt guns, water balloons, fishing, etc. etc. etc.)

4. Enjoying time out on the lake in our pontoon or with our friends, Allen and Esther.

5. Cold Microbrews - anytime, anyplace!

http://www.madbrew.com/ontap/beer.php

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRUCE!!! I love you! ?>

Friday's FIVE!

Soon - the lake will thaw, and spring will arrive... I'm anxiously awaiting the annual arrival of the LOON - that clearly marks that Spring has arrived!!!

This is our 6th Spring as residents on the lake - and every year, we've seen the Loon on the lake within 3 days of the Vernal Equinox.

The call of the Loon is so peaceful.... and is one of my all time favorite 'sounds'..... So -with great anticipation....This week's Friday FIVE! is devoted to my Five Favorite evidences of Spring!

1. The Loon's arrival and hearing him call on Yellow Creek Lake

http://www.ns.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/loons/index.html

2. Migrating Bird Season... a favorite for any bird watcher!

3. Blooming Crocus

4. Mad Anthony's/Lake City Tap house Mug Club party, tapping the Spring BREW!

5. My New Grandson, Trevor - due to arrive soon!!!!!!

Friday's FIVE!

This week marks the 6th anniversary of my fathers death - I miss him. I miss his laugh -

I miss his wisdom - and I miss his love... but mostly, I miss his love for my mother, because... I know how much she misses him. My Daddy was a very smart, thoughtful man....and he loved words. He was a crossword puzzle enthusiast and an avid reader. While I'm not a big fan of crossword puzzles, I do love the English language, the study of vocabulary and am somewhat of

a linguphile.

So, in honor of my Daddy who passed on his love for words -

This weeks Friday's FIVE will focus on five of my FAVORITE words!

1. PLETHORA

- noun
overabundance; excess:

2. KISMET

- noun

Destiny; fate.

3. HOMOGENOUS

–adjective
composed of parts or elements that are all of the same kind; not heterogeneous: a homogeneous population.

4. PLACATE

–verb (used with object), -cat·ed, -cat·ing.
to appease or pacify, esp. by concessions or conciliatory gestures

5. QUINTESSENCE

–noun
1. the pure and concentrated essence of a substance.
2. the most perfect embodiment of something.

Friday's FIVE!

In the news this week - a couple from Georgia won the largest Mega Million lottery in history ...
275 Million dollars - for a single lottery ticket. The numbers they picked, were their grandchildren's birthdates.....
I have a new grandchild due May 16th - so I know how special those days can be....
My favorite dates are:
1. 2/14 - My birthday.... and my wedding anniversary ... and valentines day. It is my TRIFECTA day -
2. 3/22 - Bruce's Birthday
3. 5/17 - Katie's Birthday
4. 10/31 - Betsy's Birthday
5. 1/18 - Tyler's Birthday

I love my family and I love to celebrate their special days!!!
It would be a good guess, that if I were playing the lottery - the numbers on the ticket would be (and have been)........

1-5-10-17-18-31

or a any other combination of the above 5 dates!