So You Say Its Your Birthday

It’s not often I get invited to a 6 year-olds birthday party, but I did today. My cousin’s son, Connor, celebrated his birthday at Chuck E. Cheese….the only place where a kid can be a kid. It turns out to be a very happening place on Friday nights. There were so many kids running around having fun, especially Connor. His face shows how excited he is in almost every picture. I did say almost. The one picture he’s not smiling is when he discovered his name on the cupcake collage was spelled wrong.



The candy alphabets you can get at the grocery store for cake decorating had only one N but Connor is spelled with two. So his mom put an M on it instead of one N hoping it looked close enough to Connor that he wouldn’t notice. Six year-olds are smarter now than they used to be, don’t think you can fool one when it comes to spelling his or her name.

Connor and my Dad share a common interest. They both like John Deere items. I got him this shirt for his birthday from my Mom, Dad and myself. He said he really liked it. Good thing. It looks great on him.



Enjoy Easter with your families. Pray for the people suffering from flooding in Minnesota and North Dakota as well as those out of work….like myself. I am more fortunate than many, I have a place to live.

Until next time.

Legend of the Dogwood

While at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens on Sunday afternoon, I found a lovely Dogwood Tree. While I was framing my picture for the perfect shot, I overheard two women discussing the legend of this beautiful tree. I’d heard this legend throughout my life.


One lady turned to the other, holding a delicate petal between her fingers, she said, “There is a story about this tree but I can’t remember what it is.” The other woman stood in silence and the first woman continued, “I wish I could remember that story. It has something to do with Easter, I think.”


I turned and smiled at both women, waiting to see if they discussed the matter anymore. They steadily admired the blooms and smiled back at me but said nothing. Finally, I felt the Spirit urge me to speak.
“I know the Legend of the Dogwood, would you like for me to share it with you,” I asked. They both smiled and nodded.

Legend says in Jesus time, the dogwood was a large and mighty tree. The cross on which Jesus was crucified was made from a dogwood tree. After the crucifixion and resurrection, the tree was deeply saddened by playing such a part in the death of Christ. God decreed that the dogwood tree would from that day forth never grow large enough to be used to make a cross.

Thus, the dogwood tree is a small and spindly tree. The flower of the dogwood has four petals which makes the shape of a cross. The center of the flower resembles the crown of thorns with bright red, clustered fruit in the center representing the blood of Christ. The dogwood blooms when Easter is near, marking the resurrection of Christ.

Until next time. :)

Photo Essay

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, here are a few thousand thoughts. Due to tight restrictions with this domain, I may have to create different posts for all the pictures I want to publish.

Everyone is fascinated by my cat, Cricket. The distinctive line down her face also goes midway down her back. She also has a great personality, if cats have "person"-ality.

Until next time.

Who Lives in a Pineapple Under the Sea?

This is a test, only a test. Please be patient with me. If this doesn't work, I will soon post more pictures from my latest toy. Yep, I'm unemployed and bought myself a camera. I figured I shouldn't have to be bored if I'm not gonna be working, right?

I had some code to embed the Spongebob Quote of the Day on my blog, but naturally it didn't work out. I'll be back soon.

My favorite is, "Secretly, I'm a little nieve."

Until next time!

Proof I am Irish

I told everyone that I'd soon have proof that I am of Irish lineage. Well, here is a picture of my parents. Paddy O'Brien (R) and Paddy O'Furniture (L).

Don't they look very Irish? You can't deny my ancestry now can you?

Well, here's the real story. St. Patrick's Day is coming up, the day when millions of Americans claim to be Irish. The heritage and lifestyle of the Irish are celebrated across America. Here is a bit of Irish quotes and blessings:

"He was a bold man that first ate an oyster"--Jonathan Swift

Marriage: When two people are under the influence of the most violent, most insane, most delusive, and most transient of passions, they are required to swear that they will remain in that excited, abnormal, and exhausting condition continuously until death do them part.--George Bernard Shaw

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.--John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Life does not cease to be funny when people die anymore than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.--G. B. Shaw

God gives the gifts where He finds the vessel empty enough to receive them."--C.S. Lewis

Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.--Jonathan Swift

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time -- a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic!--Adrienne Cook

Our Irish blunders are never blunders of the heart.--Maria Edgeworth

No wise man ever wished to be younger.--Jonathan Swift

Irish Blessing For the Home
May these walls be filled with laughter,may it reach from floor to rafter.May the roof keep out the rain,may sunshine warm each windowpane.And may the door be open wideto let the Good Lord's love inside.

Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.May the wind always be at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face,and rains fall soft upon your fields.And until we meet again,May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

An Old Celtic Blessing
May the blessing of light be on you—light without and light within. May the blessed sunlight shine on youand warm your hearttill it glows like a great peat fire

COMING SOON

Proof that I'm Irish!

Here is a gratuitous funny cat photo, just for the heck of it and because I think cats are so dog-gone cute. However, I refuse to become the crazy cat lady.

I had a picture of my own cat, but I'm saving it for another blog. This is just a place-holder until I can get the images out of my camera and onto the web for the whole world to see.

Until next time, which hopefully is very soon!