It Takes A Village

The very best part of my job is interacting with the various kids who consider the library "home away from home", or as is often the case, their ONLY home. We make our library a fun, safe place for kids who tend not to "fit in" in other social situations. These kids are my VERY FAVORITE ones. Here's a group shot of the self-named "freaks" who spend the first part of their school day with us. Delaney (dead center, front row) is the most kind-hearted young lady you can imagine and she has an incredibly difficult life. Look at those eyes...they say it all!

Spring and Then Some

It has been a long, long winter in our corner of the Pacific Northwest. Spring has teased us several times over the last 6 weeks, only to retreat as cold winds and plunging temperatures moved in to set up camp for a little longer. But I think I can safely say that spring may really, really have arrived. How do I know? Well, one sure sign is more than one cloudless, sunny day in a row. And last week we had just that. In fact, we had many days of sun and temps in the 60's in a row. Doors and windows were flung open. People were giddy and took to the streets and parks. Why I even donned sandals without--gasp--SOCKS last week. This is the first time my lil' doggies have seen fresh air since last October!

And....I was able to hang my clean sheets on the line to dry in the SUN!

And the tulips in Skagit Valley are finally blooming. Even though we go down to see the fields every spring, it never ceases to thrill my heart to see pink, yellow, purple and red stretched as far as the eye can see. Why is that? I have my theory that it's vindication for my nursery school/kindergarten days when I spent too many hours in the "thinking chair" because I didn't color my pictures the proper way. Well, who says grass has to be green? Where's your imagination I ask? Skagit Valley is living proof that God thinks wide bands of bright colors are A-OK!

Follow the yellow brick road!

There are "rebels" everywhere! :)

The Day The World Changed......

forever! He is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluiah

Happy Easter

The Problem With Education Is.....

NOT this teacher! http://jessicakelseywhitaker.blogspot.com/

It is good to remember that for every "teacher" who's in the job for the summers off (and there are those!), there are many, many dedicated and passionate ones like my daughter who are there (and hopefully will get to stay there) for all the right reasons.

Hats off to you, Jess!

Derailed

The Amtrak train left this morning--early--after I had to be at work. I wasn't there to see it leave, but I know it has gone, I heard the whistle. It has precious cargo onboard. Jess is riding the silver rails back to Portland and away from us. She was here for a brief 5 days. Her presence fills the house and our hearts. Her absence leaves a void that is not filled by anything else. Her train will arrive safely, but our hearts are derailed and waiting for repair. It's a union job and can only be done by one person, and she's in Portland. It's a long wait!

Showers of Blessings

It may be cold and cloudy and rainy outside, but this past week I received 2 very special gifts.

A bouquet of stargazer lillies from the bearded one which fills our house with the sweetest fragrance. These flowers never cease to fascinate me, they are over-the-top dramatic and gorgeous. God is truly a consummate artist.

And then....

my friend Jill presented me with this gorgeous basket of posies to thank me for helping her out a few weeks ago. I am blessed!

In Spite Of....

the fact that it was 17 degrees this morning with a wind chill of -9 degrees, and in spite of the fact that we had yet another snow storm yesterday morning making my morning commute akin to skating on an ice pond, there is still much to be thankful for. Check out this photo, which is taken from my kitchen window. You'll see the sun "peeking" out from behind the trees in my neighbor's backyard and around the corner of our "back building". This is a banner day because this is the first direct sunlight my kitchen has had since last October!