The Girl I Used To Be

I came across this poem that my aunt gave me many years ago.   When I had children, I decided to stay home and take care of them every day, all day, so you can see how much this poem means to me.

She came tonight as I sat alone
The girl I used to be...
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye
And questioned reproachfully;

Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes that I had for you?
The great career; the splendid fame
All wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height
With all of its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the jewels for your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad,
For I wanted her pleased with me...
This slender girl from the shadowy past
The girl I used to be.

So gently arising I took her hand,
And guided her up the stair
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay
Innocent, sweet and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems,
And precious they are to me;
That silken robe is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know;
Is serving each day in these sheltering walls
For the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me;
And I saw that the woman that I am now
Pleased the girl that I used to be.....

~Rowena K. Lewis

When my kids were in school, I worked as a Teacher's Aide, Photographer, and other jobs, but most of my time was spent raising them.  Sometimes it was a difficult thing to do being with them all the time, but it is something that I've never regretted, and I wouldn't trade the experience I had teaching, disciplining, guiding, playing and dancing with, and loving my children for anything.

~Sheri

         

Window Shopping

Me and Nel went shopping one day while she was here for Easter.  I love to window shop and see all the windows decked out displaying their latest items. 

Sometimes you have to get a little something for yourself too.  I thought these gold sandals were cute, and looked a bit Greekish (is that a word?).   ; )

 

 

Have a lovely week.

 

 

 

~Sheri

 

Happy Easter!

 

love,

~Sheri, Jess, Nel

My Secret Special Place

There is a Rose garden in the next town over, and I visited there yesterday.  It's a peaceful place, and the railroad tracks are right next to it, so occasionally a train will run through the town.  I don't use the word beautiful  that often, but this place surely is.

 

Someone carved these words

on the wooden table

that is in the

center of the garden.

 

There's not just roses there,

but other flowers as well.

 

 

 

It was nice going back-
it's been about two years
since my last visit.

 

My secret special place.

 

 

~Sheri



Jazzy Art

During Black History Month, I taught my 2nd graders about one of Red Rose Alley's favorite musicians, Louis Armstrong. 

We read Satchmo's Blues by Alan Schroeder, 

a picture book about Louie Armstrong as a child and his dream to own a cornet. 

Before painting portraits of him, we looked at real photos of Louie Armstrong. My students loved his expressive nature and his big smile.

Armstrong grew up in New Orleans, so we also studied bright paintings of the French Quarter to make our backgrounds.

As we worked on our art, we listened to What a Wonderful World and La Vie en Rose. 
 

I just LOVE how they turned out!  

  

~Jess 

Take A Walk With Me

Come and take a

walk with me in the

country.

 

A sweet goat

grazin' in the grass.

 

Our flower,

the California Poppy.

 

These horses roam

in a large open

field, and I was able to

get a close-up

of them.

Not sure what

fruit these trees produce.

 

Open fields,

wild flowers,

white fences,

aahh yes, the country. 

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

~Sheri



The Turtle Dove

Mourning Doves

are also known as

Turtle Doves.

 

 

To the Native Americans,

the Mourning Dove

represents communication

with the spirit.

 

 

Gypsy folklore believe

that Doves are

messengers of love,

linking our hearts to the

spirit world.

 

 

Mourning Doves

represent

peace and safety.

 

 

Some Native Americans

believe that the

appearance of the dove was

a sign of rain.

 

 

Their call is a

CooOOoo-woo-o sound.

 

 

This little fellow

came to me while I was

enjoying nature

one morning, so I took

many pics of him.

 

 

Do you see the

Mourning Doves around

your neck of the woods?

 

 

~Sheri

A Little Bit Of Easter Around My House

I've been wanting this little table at Target for some time, so I decided to get it.   It has glass doors that open and two spacious shelves to put things inside.

I put my Easter décor on top of it, and I'm glad that I eventually bought this little table.

 

This is a special picture that I put out each year from Kim at Daisy Cottage.

Easter's right around the corner.
Do you decorate for it?

 

~Sheri