HAPPY SUMMER!!!

We're certainly enjoying times sitting on the porch and even having a meal at the picnic table. The weather here has been incredible. Ronnie has so looked forward to warmer weather, but the hot is really hard on him. We're certainly thankful for this beautiful weather. Our friend "Red" has taken Ronnie turkey hunting several times, but no turkey yet. I'm not the best wild turkey chef as we found out Sunday.

I failed to mention in the last post how excited we are about the addition of a new grand baby. It's been over four years since Simon was born and we're ready for "baby Blacker". I would refer to our new grand baby by the name Ronnie affectionately calls him/her, but I think Megan is afraid it'll stick. We know Mike and Megan will be wonderful parents and we can't wait to be grand parents again.

Ronnie continues his favorite routines. He doesn't feel as well, but continues to push himself, for that we're grateful. His pain is greater and comes more often--we continue to be thankful the medicine mostly controls it. He was the overseer on Tuesday evening of the annual garden planting. Now I know many of you are chopping your gardens by now, but Ronnie has never believed in getting in a hurry when planting. We had lots of fun. We just might make farmers of Jeremiah and Simon yet. Ronnie's trusty 4-wheeler came in handy for him to travel from place to place that night.

Ronnie has been concerned about all the HUGE trees really close to our house for quite a while. I finally agreed to the loggers. We watched from the safety of our front porch yesterday as logs hit the ground with such a thud they shook the earth. I know we'll feel much safer during storms without all those stately poplars so close. I went through the woods closest to our house with strings in hand as Ronnie agreed for me to mark some trees for keeping. Thank heavens we have some pretty large white oaks on the outer edge that we can keep.

We're so thankful for family and friends as well as each day we have to spend together. Ronnie continues to enjoy visits and calls. Please continue to pray for God's Grace for our family.