I'm Back!!!

Hello Everyone!

I know it's been a couple of months since my last post. Thanks for all your prayers concerning the disappearance of Sweetheart, my daddy's dog. She still hasn't turned up and we're afraid she has been dog napped. Many tears have been shed for that beloved dog and we still pray for her protection. She is terribly missed.

We visited the local dog pound and found a puppy almost identical to Sweetheart. He was about four months old when Daddy adopted him. It was love at first sight for both the puppy and Daddy. He told me immediately that the puppy's name was Sam. I call him Sam I Am, after the Dr. Suess character. He lives up to his namesake. He is such a character! His idea of fun is shoveling his nose into the mud in the drainage ditch leading from the farm pond until he comes up with crawdads and other creatures that would rather be hidden and plunging into the pond for a swim or to fetch any object that will float on the water after having been thrown by any willing participant.

Sam is such a cherished companion and is Daddy's best buddy. They are inseparable. I hope to post pictures soon.

The Farmer's Market opened for the season the first part of May and I've been busy with my gourd birdhouses and jewelry. I have had great responses from customers and have had a lot of word of mouth advertising. By the way, I have been invited to a festival a few counties over by one of the board members who has seen my work. I later found out that the arts/craftspeople were selected by invitation only and it made me feel great that someone would think I have even a little talent crafting my gourds! The festival is in October so I have to get busy for a two-day show.

Blueberries have been kinda slow this year for us. The bushes had sustained damage from the freeze we had a couple of years ago, and they haven't quite recovered fully. Daddy is also slowing down with his age and is not as able to handle a 4 acre blueberry farm like he once was. He still "piddles" about with the vegetable garden he grows for sale at the market.

Today's blog finds us "On the Road Again". Actually, we've been in Albuquerque, NM since the 13th. It's fortunate that I'm not superstitious- I put myself in watchful care of our Lord, Jesus Christ, otherwise we maybe should not have gotten on a plane on that day for these reasons:

1. We received a call at 4 am from the airline that our flight (7am) had been cancelled. It was rescheduled for 4:30 pm. We checked for flights at another airport nearby and got one leaving about the same time as the original one (7am).

2. We drove to the airport for that flight and missed it by 5 minutes-they were doing the final call as we were checking our luggage. We had to wait until the next flight out (11:30am).

3. Finally arriving at Atlanta to make our connection to Albuquerque, we had a 4 1/2 hour layover. With all the plans in disarray, I wondered if we should get on any of the planes that day- BUT God was merciful and kept us in His care. How sweet it is to trust Him!

I have had a great time here. Sunday, we caught up on some much needed sleep (We were up Saturday since 4 am Eastern time until 10pm Mountain time, if I figured correctly, about 18 hours!) After lunch, we went to the Gem and Bead Fair at the fairgrounds. Yesterday, I took a tour of Old Town Albuquerque and visited a turquoise museum where I learned how to shop for "natural" turquoise. My understanding is that some "turquoise" is injected with a resin to enhance color and hardness. When buying turquoise, you want to know if you are getting the "natural"- which is formed over 2000-6000 years or some that is turquoise, but enhanced by man and is usually sold a "genuine" or "real". This is where you have to talk and most importantly "listen" to the salesperson. Dealers in "natural" turquoise should have not problem certifying in writing the mine the turquoise came from and the grade. All this is good to know when you are spending hard-earned money for a gemstone you might later find out is practically worthless. Buying any stone that you like is good, but the pricing should match the quality!

Last night we went to dinner in Old Town . We went to the Church St. Caffe. It was located in what is the oldest house in Albuquerque. The food was a little too spicy for me, but Mr. Plant Lady ordered the fajitas which were excellent. (He graciously shared with me after the fire department (just kidding!) was called).

Tomorrow, me and one of the other ladies at the convention are going back to Old Town to finish our shopping. One gallery caught my eye last night. It was one in which the senior citizens in the area have an opportunity to sell their crafts for extra income. Just peeking through the window, I can tell I'll be contributing to their local economy!

More later . . . . . . .

Be Encouraged!
Plant Lady