Updating . . . well, trying to

It seems that every time I post an update, it begins "Life has been busy around here!" And it has been, once again! We returned Friday from a week at the older grandchildren's regional student convention and competition (A.C.E.). Almost all of the family went, and what a blessing it was! I have been trying to upload pictures, but keep getting error messages, so maybe that will wait until tomorrow.

THEN, with one night in my own sweet cuddly beddy-bye, we got word that strawberries were available! That means get out the buckets and go! One of our family of homeschooling friends near Plant City (strawberry capital of the world :) ) has connections with one of the growers, and call goes out when the growers are ready to burn off and turn under their fields. They give us the opportunity to glean, and we try not to miss it, no matter how tired everyone is.

Off we went on Saturday -- the Dischers, the Stricklens, the Millers (even though they are moving way away), and even Granddaddy! We met lots of sweet friends there, and with so many hands, the work went quickly. Every cooler was filled in a couple of hours, and yet there still were more berries by far than we had picked -- how sad it was to leave the field with beautiful red fruit calling out to us, knowing it would soon be brown and dead.

Not only is it a wonderful way to have delicious and nutritious treats for months to come (free, aside from the outrageous price of gasoline) but it is always fun. The fellowship in the fields and at Sonny's restaurant afterward is something the young people look forward to every year. Strawberry season -- thank you, Lord!

THEN -- Sunday evening, we were blessed to meet in real life the Little family. I had "met" mother Daisy on the Patriarchs' Wives group online. We discovered that we both live in Florida (they live way down south) and that their family does Civil War re-enacting, as do many members of ours. They were at the Narcoossee event this past weekend and found that they could stop by our house on the way home. What a wonderful time of fellowship we had! All our families were able to be here, and the children enjoyed each other as much as the adults did!

Our rowdy bunch was probably a little jolting at first, but it seems that their boys soon were chasing chickens with everyone else! (No, not in a bad way!) They ended up spending the night with us, and after a country breakfast, made their way back home Monday morning. We really loved meeting you, Littles, and hope you will make your way back up to central Florida soon!

Now for a day or two of restful. peaceful life -- uh, oh! Who's that coming in the driveway . . .??