Spring!

Hello, friends!  It's been a while. . .and it's Spring!  Well, in my neck of the woods it doesn't really look like spring, no crocus' or any flowers popping up as far as that goes, but I do have faith that they will be showing up soon.  We still have snow in the shadows and ditches and of course there's the mud and lots of it.  There is something to be said about frozen ground when you live in the country.  

In our family,  there are plenty of March birthdays, here are the latest three birthday boys. . .and can I just say that they are wonderful young men who stole their grandma's heart the first time I saw their little faces.  

This is Christian, he's my oldest grandson and we sure do love him.  He chose to come and spend the afternoon of his birthday with us, and in fact, he brought us gifts!  That night we had dinner with him and his family.  I made an apple crisp instead of cake, at his request.  Christian is quiet, super talented, strong, fun, and giving.  We've spent so many fun days watching him play football, camping, hunting and fishing with this amazing man.  I hope it continues for a long time to come.

This is Brody, he turned 18 this year!  Brody is wonderful, funny, very funny, kind and intelligent.  He never ceases to impress me with his kindness and ability to make anyone smile, and did I mention that he is funny?!  I especially love those days that he just stops to say hello and give us a hug, not even realizing how much I needed it.  He's a great cousin, and a wonderful grandson.  And most impressive, he's always willing to set at the "kid table" to hang out with the littles.  This is a boy who has gone through more than most adults and has persevered and stayed strong through it all. . .we love him to pieces!

Meet Caleb!  Caleb is such a fun, happy, sometimes shy but always humble young man.  He loves to fish and hunt and does both really well.  The day before we celebrated his birthday with him he went fishing with his dad and brothers and they caught 19 huge fish.  Last fall he went elk hunting with his dad and uncle and they got their elk!  After they shot their elk, he and his uncle hiked about 7 miles out to the road to meet his dad. . . in deep snow, up steep hills, in the dark and in freezing weather,  he's a true hunter!   We have also spent many hours around a campfire with this amazing boy.  We sure do love him. 

Today was my mother's birthday, she would have been 94 years old.  I sure do miss her and love her.  

I was feeling a little sad today, so my husband loaded me in the car and took me to see the swans.  I love going to see the swans that gather in the empty fields as they migrate through our area.  There are thousands of them, but they're pretty shy and tend to stay as far away from the road as they can get.  But there are always those few swans who just can't resist a puddle.I forgot my good camera so all I had was my phone.  These were the closest shots I could get and they are still a little grainy.  I love how they always turn their back on us and try to quietly walk away!

As we were driving down the road, Bob spotted this big Bald Eagle.  By the time we got stopped and I got my phone ready to take his picture he decided he would take flight, but he was beautiful!  Again, a grainy photo.  A little further up the road was a young fledgling sitting on a phone pole.  I'm just betting that it was one of her babies.  We also saw a few huge raven and a coyote.  It was a lovely day, despite the tears.  

A health update.  Bob is doing well, his left shoulder is bothering him more than it should.  Today he went to the doctor and they took an x-ray.  It was hard to tell, but they suspect that there might be a fracture on the top part of his shoulder.  They'll take another x-ray in a few weeks to see if it looks any different.  But he has good motion and is coming right along with his therapy.  

I am healing up from my surgery, but still having complications because of covid.  When I first got covid I lost my taste and smell.  After my surgery it came back,  but slowly started to leave again.  Along with losing my smell and taste, came other terrible side effects.  Most foods, especially meat or strong flavored food, anything tomato based, taste like I'm eating very acrid, almost burning chemicals, it's not good.   I also had vertigo for almost a month and still have to be very careful standing up quickly, bending down, or turning around too quickly.  If any of you have experienced these side effects,  please leave a comment and tell me how you are doing and what you have done to make it better.  There's really not much help out there.  Also, covid brain is a alive and well.

I'll be really honest, it's been a long winter and I have more than struggled with anxiety and depression.  I'm hoping that spring sunshine will make me feel better.

Still praying for Ukraine...and peace.

Stay safe, XOXO

Hugs and Love,

Barb