Happy Mother's Day

I have seen the face of God in her face. I have touched the hands of God in her hands. I have heard the voice of God in her voice.

Thank you, Mom! I love you...

Callaway Gardens in April

Pause the playlist at the bottom of this page then enjoy a few minutes at Callaway!

Happy, Happy Easter

Kenny's Latest Project

Mom and Dad in front of a beautiful 1946 Mercury recently restored by Kenny Coggin (in the sepia photo below)! What a beauty! Remember that Mom and Dad were married in '46!

Happy 63rd!

Mom and Dad celebrated 63 years of marriage today at a luncheon at my house. I love them so much and am very proud of them!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My sweet Mom turned 81 today! For her birthday lunch, she requested meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, and turnip greens. She got it! And I surprised her with a fig birthday cake. She had a great day. I love you, Mom!

Where It All Began

Sixty-Three Years Later

Mom and Dad outside the pastorium where they were married. After 63 years, they still love each other! Amazing!

Another Window

The Entire Window

Great Grandparents

I took this photo at Chatahoochee First Baptist where my grandparents generation gave a stained glass window in honor of their parents. Pretty cool! This is the church where Mom and Dad were married.

Before the Party

Happy Fourth, America!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

You don't get to pick your parents but I couldn't have done better if I had tried. I needlepointed Dad a piece once that says, " A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow". Thankfully that is very true in my family!

We had a nice lunch today at my house and, as you see, dessert stole the show. Wish you'd been here to join us!

Chattahoochee First Baptist

Today was the anniversary of Dad's cousin and his wife - celebrated at Chattahoochee First Baptist in Atlanta. I enjoyed wandering the grounds and through the church while Mom and Dad visited with family they seldom see. The church is Dad's home church where he and Mom were married (in the white building, the Pastorium, beside the church) and where both Mom and Dad were baptised. It's a beautiful church and we all had a great day. At the end of the video you see Dad's elementary school and the house he grew up in. Pretty cool, huh?

A couple of my favorite shots are the mossy brick path to the church and the cornerstone on the front right of the sanctuary building. And, of course, the stained glass is remarkable!

Sibling Unit Scores BIG!

My sister played a perfect Wii bowling game today.  Holy smoke!  I've never done that!  Guess I have to now...

My Boy

My Boy

August 2, 1995 - February 10, 2009

I love you, Little One!

MRS. DINGLEY'S DOG

"Pray steal me not, I'm Mrs. Dingley's,

Whose heart in this

four-footed thing lies,"

--- Jonathan Swift ---

inscription on the collar of a lapdog

As Thanksgiving Approaches...

...I realize how truly thankful I am. For:

• a special family. I couldn't be more loved.


• Mom and Dad's new home. They are happy.


• my boy who is so small and fragile - he's an aging teacup Yorkie for those who don't know.


• health and happiness. Some take these for granted -maybe I used to.


• close friends who know me so well and love me anyway.


• the children in my life - reminders that life goes on...


• my home that I now have time to enjoy.


• the wildlife that call my backyard home. They wow me with their beauty, antics, and ability to eats many pounds of expensive seed, suet, and critter munchies.


• even the chipmunks who take many pounds of safflower seeds underground for the long winter's nap.


• America - even in the tough times - but my generation has never seen REAL tough times - and I hope we never will.


• God's love for me and for all of us. I list this last because it is the one that I want to dwell on as I go through my day. Such undeserved love, mercy, and goodness - what all I could do so much better.

Happy Thanksgiving. May this season be filled with happiness and love!

And, did I mention that I am very thankful for smiling horses? I am!

For Camryn and Andrew

If you go to my YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/stwalraven, you can watch this video in high quality. It really is much better that way!

Getting Ready for Halloween

My boy and I are considering our options for this Halloween. As inspiration, we pulled out an old photo. Who knows what we will come up with by Friday. Happy Halloween Week!

Mom's Birthday

Yesterday was Mom's birthday. We had a great time in Senoia where my boy got to play in his favorite creek. October is a beautiful time for a birthday - don't you think! I was entrusted to make the birthday cake and this one worked! Happy birthday, Mom! I love you!