Easter 2016

When planning for Easter, it is difficult to predict the weather, but this year was beautiful. The sun was shining and beautiful clouds filled the sky. We had dinner with Nancy, Joe and family and a few friends. There were 5 youngsters who participated in an egg hunt. We didn't stay late and now, a few hours after we returned home, I'm hearing thunder and raindrops on the window. Spring showers are to be expected.

Let me digress for a a few minutes while I review the past week. As I may have mentioned before, I've been taking an online class to learn more about my DSLR camera. Last Monday when we neared home after our morning workout, I asked Ray to stop so I could take a photo of a fountain on the grounds of an assisted living facility. After taking two shots of the fountain, I saw a pair of geese and thought I'd try to get a closeup. The geese were on the other side of the fence but when I ventured a little closer they started walking away. I got one quick shot and then we headed home. I had noticed someone walking toward us as I was taking these photos and when we started driving, he flagged us and asked what we were doing as this was private property. I explained and we drove away.  I won't try photography there in the future.

We've watched many of the NCAA basketball games but now have a team to root for in the Final Four: Oklahoma! (Indiana was in the Sweet Sixteen but lost to North Carolina and wasn't a factor in that game.) The baseball season starts next week. Will this really be the year of the Cubs? It's a long time until October.

We returned to the park for a long run yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. The last several weeks the conditions were cold and windy but yesterday was the best so far this spring. A small hill facing south next to the trail caught my eye because of all the dandelions blooming. I asked Ray to pose so I could document that spring is really here.

Shirt sleeve weather on a sunny afternoon 

I attended the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Tenebrae services. Today's sunrise service began at 7:00 a.m. with the adult choir adding to the service with two beautiful numbers. After the service, Ray joined me for Easter breakfast with a wide selection of breakfast casseroles. Today we had an overload of calories considering the meal at the Martin's house.

Josh helps Jayden with his kite

Beautiful sky and day for kite flying

Star Wars kite is flying high

Jayden's haul on a 70 degree afternoon

Bunny ears are already gone!

Today begins the last week of March 2016, marking 1/3 of the year already history! Where has the time gone?

March Madness 2016

I wonder who coined the phrase "March Madness." Certainly this middle week of March is fun if you are a basketball fan and your team wins or not-so-much fun if your team loses. It's also when I celebrate my birthday and a day later St. Patrick's Day. I spent most of Wednesday at church helping prepare and serve a meal for a church member who had died at age 89. That evening I was back for the final midweek Lenten service and then Ray and I went to dinner at Chili's. Later, we Skyped with Bart, Christy and Persephone and I also had a long phone conversation with Nancy.

The next morning I finished making a Baptist Grasshopper Pie (non-alcoholic version) which I served after our bridge game. The pie was a lovely shade of green in honor of the day.

Mike & Jan surprised us with a bouquet of
homegrown spring flowers and maple syrup

After bridge, we turned on the TV and were disappointed to watch Purdue blow a 14 point lead and then finally lose in two overtimes. Indiana did much better so as not to embarrass the Hoosier state. Hometown Butler won its first game but didn't make it to the Sweet 16. Ray continues to follow Oklahoma basketball and football and, especially, Buddy Hield as the Sooners also made it to through the first two rounds. Indiana defeated a tenacious Kentucky team on Saturday and will play again next weekend. 

Today is also the first day of Spring and, indeed, it was nice and sunny but not as warm as we've had in the past weeks though the temperature was probably near average. Even though a bit chilly, I've noticed many flowering trees and daffodils blooming. So I hope you are enjoying spring and you aren't bothered by all the pollen floating around. Enjoy spring--it's only here a short while!

DST

Sure was a short night last evening and much darker than usual when heading off to church at 7:45 this morning--all because of Daylight Saving Time.

Even though our table came in second last, we enjoyed a night of trivia last evening. We were part of a table of six working together to answer 100 questions; 10 per round. Lots of snacks on skewers or toothpicks.

When we returned home it was time to set the clocks ahead by an hour. We'll be ready for a long sleep tonight after having less than seven hours last night. Already looking forward to gaining back the lost hour next fall!

The past week was filled with lots of different activities. One afternoon I was able to donate blood and then head right to church for the Wednesday evening Lenten service. The next morning Ray and I had physical exams and another blood draw for me.

Today I noticed lawns are turning green and the other day a daffodil blooming; the temperatures have been quite lovely for this time of year with occasional rain showers. I hope that you are enjoying spring-like weather wherever you are.

Winner

A week ago today, February 29, I received an email and a phone call letting me know I had won a painting given away by the Indianapolis Star! I had 24 hours to decide if I would accept the prize and, if not, they would award it to someone else. I chose to accept and had to fill out some paper work. This meant a trip to the downtown Indy art gallery to pick up the painting but we waited until today when we heard the weather was going to be a bit nicer.

Artist is M Gray and this is #3 of 50

I'm not sure what our plans are for the painting. It isn't framed so if we want to hang it somewhere we'll probably need to purchase a frame or have one made. 

Since this is the third prize I've won from the Star; I plan to keep entering their sweepstakes. After all, who knows what I might win next. I'll be sure to post if and when that happens.