Here it’s been a week since Penny posted and there’s nothing new on my blog.
I know you aren’t out there waiting with bated breath to find out the latest in our exciting lives. Still. My mom always said, as the owner of a small business, that you had to have consistent hours, you had to be reliable, or people won’t come back.

I think about her a lot, my mom, and the advice she gave. Her birthday is in two days, August 11th. She would have been 96 this year. These days, as I creep further into my senior years, 96 doesn’t seem all that old.
Though I suppose it is.

Anyway. My mom told me I should be consistent, and I will try.
In the last few weeks I’ve done a little traveling, seen a few barns, had some fun, thought about political stuff, and tried not to sink into the divisiveness of our country. I’ve watched my yard bloom into summer and followed the flight of little birds, eagles and turkeys. I’ve asked Penny if she wants to go out, or to the park and what is that in your mouth and to stop that!
All of that is stuff of blog content.
But sometimes all a person can do is think about her mom who’s turning 96 and isn’t here. So that’s what I’m going to do today. And maybe tomorrow too.

Happy Birthday, Mom. You’d have made 96 look marvelous.
August 9, 2024 at 1:12 pm
happy birthday to your mom… I love what she said …
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August 13, 2024 at 11:24 am
She was a smart mom.
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August 9, 2024 at 1:16 pm
It’s a lovely post and great pictures.
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August 13, 2024 at 11:25 am
Thank you.
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August 9, 2024 at 1:37 pm
Sometimes memories are what keep us going. Hugs.
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August 13, 2024 at 11:25 am
Yes that’s true. I’m lucky in my memories.
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August 9, 2024 at 1:39 pm
Uh oh…. I fail at the consistency part 😉
My mom’s birthday was the 5th. She just turned 83 and is doing pretty well.
Memories are the stuff we can count on when there isn’t much else to share. I think you made a lovely choice and a happy heavenly birthday to your mom. xo
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August 13, 2024 at 11:25 am
Happy birthday (belated I know!) to your mom!!!
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August 13, 2024 at 11:27 am
Thank you!!
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August 9, 2024 at 1:50 pm
Happy Almost-Birthday to your mom in Heaven! My mom just passed in February, and I miss her every day. Your post here tells me I’m going to be missing Mom for a l-o-n-g time. In fact, I don’t suppose one ever outgrows the desire to have one’s parents around. Hugs, Dawn.
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August 13, 2024 at 11:26 am
Your loss is so recent. But it is true I miss my mom every day too, but the pain is less intense. It’s been 20 years for us…and it seems like last week.
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August 9, 2024 at 2:33 pm
Moms are special. I sure miss mine. She’d have been 86 this year and has been gone five years. I’ve been thinking of her and the dresser I got when she died…. My daughter will be taking it off to college this year. Sometimes it best that we simply sit down and think about our moms. Peace.
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August 13, 2024 at 11:27 am
Moms are the most special people in the world. I’m sorry your mom had to go ahead. 5 years is a blink in the eye and forever, right? I like to think about my mom and wonder what she’d say about the state of affairs today. On the other hand maybe I wouldn’t want to know! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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August 9, 2024 at 3:16 pm
My mom just missed being an August birth – she’s 7/31 –
But her mom – my grandmom Brown is 8/11 too –
Yep August birthdays rock!
Happy Happy To Your Now Angel Mom!
H&K&W,
Willow & Phyll
PeeEssWoo: mine is 8/26 🙂
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August 13, 2024 at 11:28 am
Lots of August birthdays! Happy almost Birthday TO YOU!!
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August 9, 2024 at 4:03 pm
Happy Birthday to your Mama in Heaven. You look like her!
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August 13, 2024 at 11:28 am
Awwww, thank you!
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August 9, 2024 at 4:10 pm
Hugs! My older stepdaughter was here at my bookstore most of the day, and she’s still processing the loss of her mom, who died recently, and her dad, who has been gone two years March. Glad you have Bruce and Penny!
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August 13, 2024 at 11:29 am
That’s a lot of loss for her and for you. Yes I’m glad I have Bruce and Penny too. They sure keep me busy!
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August 9, 2024 at 4:31 pm
Happy Birthday to your beautiful mom!
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August 13, 2024 at 11:29 am
Thank you!
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August 9, 2024 at 4:55 pm
How sweet and melancholy it is to remember the birthdays of loved ones who have passed. A very happy birthday in remembrance of your mother.
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August 13, 2024 at 11:29 am
Yes it is. Some years I don’t notice as the date comes and goes, and other years it hits me over the head. Who knows why.
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August 13, 2024 at 8:46 pm
Funny, but this year Mom’s birthday was on my mind a lot too. But just like you — some years it comes and goes and I don’t think about it, same with your and B’s birthdays, or even our brother’s . . .
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August 9, 2024 at 6:05 pm
Sending you hugs Dawn! 💕
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August 13, 2024 at 11:29 am
Thank you!
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August 10, 2024 at 10:29 am
I find being consistent at blogging difficult too. Keeping up on others’ blogs is part of the fun and keeps the conversation going, but can also be hard to keep up with. I haven’t blogged yet this month. Just got home from Niagara Falls and have much choosing and editing to do with photos.
Hugs to you on your mom’s birthday.
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August 13, 2024 at 11:30 am
It is VERY hard to keep up with other people’s blogs, but I try. Sometimes it’s hard to write posts too, though I usually have a couple bouncing around in my head. Sitting down and writing them is another story. Thanks for the hugs.
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August 10, 2024 at 9:37 pm
My mom would have turned 98 on Valentine’s Day. Like you, I think of my mom often. I am grateful for her wisdom and am happy I am like her (well, except for obsessing over keeping the house clean – we did disagree on that point). May those warm memories cheer you tomorrow when Mom’s heavenly birthday arrives.
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August 13, 2024 at 11:31 am
How sweet that your mom was a Valentine’s baby! Housekeeping is overrated.
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August 13, 2024 at 8:53 pm
Yes and tomorrow is bittersweet for me because we’d go out to celebrate Mom’s birthday if it fell on a weekend so we went out for lunch but if it fell on a weekday/workday, we’d go the week before as it’d be way too busy for dinner otherwise. It was also dicey for her going out in the Winter as she had mobility issues when she got older. So every year we celebrated her “half-birthday” on August 14th. I would take a vacation or personal day and we’d do something special then go out to eat. So August 14th is a sad reminder … also our good friend/neighbor who urged me to start a blog passed away on August 14th. I agree about housework. My favorite season is Fall, but I enjoy every day I can in the good-weather months.
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August 14, 2024 at 7:43 am
I’m sorry that today will be sad for you. I’ll be thinking about you.
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August 14, 2024 at 8:58 pm
Thank you Dawn.
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August 12, 2024 at 7:50 am
Happy Birthday to Dawn’s mom!
Some days are a struggle. Take care of yourself. ❤
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August 13, 2024 at 11:31 am
Thank you Sara!
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