Harley's Graduation

Friday evening Harley graduated from the 8th grade. She is now officially a high school student. The ceremony was impressive, as graduations always are, and Harley won awards in addition to being valedictorian. The whole family is so proud of her!

In the photo below Harley and Cierra Dennis presented the class history.

This is Harley with her Mother.

And Harley with her sister, Haley, and her Dad

Harley, all smiles after the program was over. She had a large group of family in attendance.

We are finished with graduations for 2 years now, until Haley graduates from high school.

Presented with pride,

Grandma in the yellow house

Birthday-Farrell David

Today is Uncle Farrell's (Doc) birthday--87 years old! He still gets around well for his age. He goes grocery shopping, walks to his mailbox every day, pushes his trash container to the street on pick up days, and still watches all the Cardinal baseball games.

This photo is of Uncle Farrell at about age 4, taken probably in 1927.

Farrell served in the U.S. Army near the end of WW II, but spent most of his life on the farm, helping first his father and then brother Virgil with the farm chores and field work, and also helping his mother with the gardening, the chickens, and the household chores.

We had German chocolate cake to celebrate, but no candles.

Hoping he will have more happy days

Grandma in the yellow house

the Birthday Party

Our great granddaughter is now 16 years old. Her birthday was the 28th, but the party was last night at her Uncle's farm. It began with a big barbecue, followed by dancing with live music provided by a local band.

The surprise birthday gift, a 1999 Ford Ranger. She was hoping for a new truck, but alas, the finances did not stretch that far, even with both parents working. I could have told her I did not get a vehicle until after I was married, but I am very sure she would not have appreciated that information. Is it obvious that she comes from a redneck family by wanting a truck rather than a convertible sports car?

Haley , third from left, with some of her friends who were at the party. They all had a good time.

This is Haley dancing with one of her nephews. They call him Little Bubba, another redneck tradition. They start dancing at a very young age here.

All the adults and teens enjoyed the dancing. I can see Haley way back on the left, just in front of the band, being whirled around the floor.

I did not stay long at the party, but put in my obligatory appearance, and wished Haley a happy 16th, then came home to put my feet up.

Grandma in the yellow house, who only dances in her living room these days. When no one is watching......