I have been absent from my blog for such a long time, I have also been working on this post a long time!  I guess these stressful times have taken kind of a toll on me.  Don't get me wrong it's not fear, it's just stress...me and stress have never been very good friends.  I have a tendency to just shut down, especially on social media, and it looks like that includes blogging.  I don't spend much time on FB or Instagram either, and I stay away from anything that might have too much political or negative talk.  Although I do have friends and family who post good positive things on social media, and when I am plugged in, I love to read them.  I think it would be fair to say that I have struggled with this pandemic.  But, I hope to be able to move forward, being better prepared both physically and spiritually. 

The spiritual side has been interesting.  I miss church, I miss the time each week to fellowship with friends and neighbors.  I love that Bob and I can study, pray and take the sacrament at home, but I really miss being with and praying with my church family.  I must say that I have come to rely on the Savior more than ever, especially for little things, simple things that I would have taken for granted three months ago. It's easier for me to be still and listen to that quiet voice of reassurance I get from the Spirit...that's where I find my solace.  I have really enjoyed this quiet life and have found that I have more time to explore other interests than before the pandemic.  I could really get used to this!!

On the physical side of things...we decided to plant a small garden this year!  We kind of gave up on gardening a few years ago, but, this year we decided that it was something that we needed to do, and I'm so glad we did.  We've been working really hard on getting the beds filled with compost and preparing the soil, but it's a little too early to plant a lot of things here in Idaho.  I did plant my onions, lettuce and radishes since they are pretty hardy, and they're coming up really good.  Tomatoes, peppers squash and cucumbers will have to wait until at least the end of May, and then they will still need to be protected from some cold nights, as we usually have a frost in the middle of June.  One of the beds is filled with herbs and they are coming back good and strong this year.  Before too long, these beds will be full of green plants and hopefully producing lots of good vegetables for summer.  My son and his wife always plant a huge garden, and so this will just supplement all the good things they share with us from their garden.  We like to help them with seeds and plants so we feel like we're doing our part.  We also like go help them weeding and picking the produce.  One of my daughters started a lot of seeds this year and she was very generous and gave me a few tomatoes, cucumber and zucchini plants, and I gave her seeds to start next year!  It's all about sharing and working together with what you have.

We've also worked really hard in our yard!  I have two Lilac bushes that were completely out of control and needed to be trimmed, I know this one looks really bare right now, but by next summer, it should be beautiful again!  Hopefully they will produce a few Lilacs for us to enjoy this year.  This bush is usually full of beautiful blossoms, so I hope we didn't shock it too much. 

This year after it's trimming.

This photo was taken three years ago in May.  We're hoping to get back to this!

The horses are enjoying the green grass and warm weather as well.  This old girl will usually come to find me if she hears me outside in the evening.  She's getting old, so I'm grateful that we got to have her here for another year.  Her name is, Princess, isn't she a pretty girl?!

  And of course birthdays don't stop because of a pandemic.  Clara turned 9 this year, she's such a precious little granddaughter, we were so happy that we could go spend some time with her on her special day.  When we were there, Clara was excited to show me a book that she's been writing about her experience with the pandemic...I can't wait until she finishes it, when she does I might share some of it with you.  Her mom is a school teacher, in fact she is Clara's teacher, and has always encouraged her, from a very early age, to write stories and be expressive and Clara is really good at...expressive!  So it should be interesting! 

And of course...Mother's Day!  My girls and their families, gave me gorgeous hanging plants this year and my son, Chris, and his family, gave me a grape plant!   I've never had grapes growing in my yard so I'm excited to get it planted and see what it does.  My plants look beautiful in my yard, and will until Fall. 

Our 46th wedding anniversary came and went without much celebration.  Of course we had a really nice day, but with everything closed, we didn't do much celebrating.  Nevertheless, it will still be an anniversary to remember!  Things have started opening up very slowly here in our city, in fact tomorrow, the restaurants and theaters will open.  I'm not sure how I feel about that, I guess time will tell.  We are still being super careful and taking every precaution when it comes to staying healthy.  We have been really fortunate not to have had any deaths in our town, and I thank, Heavenly Father every day for that.  My heart just breaks for those who have lost loved ones because of the virus...hopefully it will be over soon.

The other night as we were driving home from my daughters house, I snapped a picture of this beautiful sunset.  It was late, probably 9:45, so it was getting really dark, but I thought this sunset (or what was left of it) was just gorgeous!  All sunsets are like, God's masterpieces to me...I love them all!

I look forward to catching up with everyone, and hopefully I will find you well and safe!

Hugs and Love,

Barb