Sunday Letter: 01.24.2021

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

(I may earn money from Affiliate Links in this post.)

I woke up this morning thinking about how when we were kids, Momma always said GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY. That was the mantra of mothers all across the country. We played outside most days when the weather was good, and sometimes when the weather wasn’t.  Wouldn’t the world would be a better place if we would all make it a point to spend more time outside?

Playing. Walking. Soaking up sunshine and fresh air. Bird-watching. Cloud-watching. Watching anything other than constant news.

I know some people can’t go outside and play because of illness or other reason, but if we would all stop stewing about the past and start dreaming of the future, I tend to believe our days would look brighter.

Last week, the inauguration occurred without incident. I hope for the sake of our nation, we can move forward and heal.

Two other notable things happened at our house: Gracie got her first haircut, and I finished the first round of edits for my next book!

Gardening Nerd

You might be a gardening nerd if on a cold day you inspect your shrubs for evidence of new growth using a magnifying glass.

You might be a gardening nerd if the only thing on your Christmas list two years ago was a magnifying glass.

Yes, this week I’ve been inspecting roses, our serviceberry, a row of spicebushes. Everything has new growth! While the growth is teeny tiny, with my handy dandy magnifying glass, I get an up-close look. I can practically see the blossoms that will follow, imagine bright green caterpillars that will turn into butterflies, smell the powdery pink heirloom roses.

It’s happening. Just like it happens every year.

55 days until Spring!

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry

Late last spring, we planted a serviceberry. Serviceberries will soon be blooming all along the Ozark highways (often mistaken for dogwoods). We can’t wait to see ours bloom for the first time.

I’ve shared this history before, but it is worth repeating: Back in the day, our northern-most neighbors couldn’t bury their dead during winter because the ground was frozen solid. People waited until the serviceberries bloomed to have their funerals. The first serviceberry blooms were a sign the ground had thawed and graves could be dug. Also, the blossoms were used in the funeral services.

It’s hard to believe these crimson buds will soon transform into white flowers.

Bernie Everywhere!

The funniest thing to come from the inauguration has been the Bernie pictures popping up everywhere.

Who knew Bernie was such a traveler?

I suppose I should have known.

He was at my very first book signing in 2016, at That Bookstore in Blytheville. We thought it was a little odd that he wore a mask, but when he told us his allergies flared anytime he traveled toward the Deep South, it made more sense.

I’ve always been intrigued by the notion of time travel. After looking back through some old photographs, I can now confirm it exists.

The picture above was taken at the Memphis Zoo back in the 60s. We KNEW there was someone behind us, but every time we tried to look, Momma kept shouting, “SAY CHEESE!” Later, on the drive home, while Momma and Aunt Lavern talked about their new diet, we whispered about how creepy the whole experience had been. We vowed to never end up in “real” jail, and so far, we never have. Maybe Bernie kept us on the straight and narrow.

I call this next one, Christmas with Bernie.

And lastly, further proof of time travel.

Paint by Numbers

I know I’ve already shown you a picture of my first Paint by Number painting, but for my new readers, I give you Red Poppies!

Paint by Numbers have come a long way since the ones we did at Momma’s kitchen table when it was too bad to go outside and play.

Here’s a peek at my in-process painting:

I ordered both these canvases from My Paint by Numbers. They’ve given me my very own Affiliate Link, so if you decide you want to order one as well, use THIS LINK and I’ll earn a small percentage of sales. Also, through my link, you can order a custom kit using your own photograph! How fun is that?

For those of you who want to turn off your left-brain for a while and stimulate the right-brain, this really fits the bill. And it’s an entertaining alternative to working puzzles.

Things Momma Says:

I’m glad President Trump didn’t pardon the man with the horns.

 

Alrighty, carry on, friends. Thanks for reading this Sunday Letter and for supporting my imaginative and often silly efforts.

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.