Joplin Journal Volume 11-1, Issue 2

From the Editor's Desk:

It's a beautiful Saturday morning here. The sun is coming up and a cool breeze is blowing. We've had windows open all week and are enjoying spring. It's quite in the neighborhood right now. Not even the rooster down the street is crowing, and no dogs are barking. But the birds are singing and chirping. Sarah and I walked after breakfast. So nice!

I didn't write a Joplin Journal last week because Grandpa was here. And the Saturday before that Sarah and I were watching kids for a ladies fellowship at church.

Weather Report:

Spring! We mowed the yard for the first time this season. Drew helped me mow most of it Thursday afternoon, and then I finished it up yesterday afternoon. I look outside and see green leaves on all the trees, and flowers blooming. Our lilac has some blossoms. There's a slight chance of rain today. I guess we'll see if it actually happens. Yesterday got into the upper 70s or low 80s.

"Genius Burns":

Well, after last month's record breaking 51k words, I haven't gotten much done. I didn't write at all last week. I think that was because it was a busy week, and I'd just come off of Writing Camp and a new record number of words. (I'd never even written 40k in a month before!) But this week things have gotten better. No 4k days, but steady progress on Kate and Kylie. I keep thinking I'll be able to finish it in a few days, but . . . Yeah, it is taking longer to cover the events I know go in the book. Right now the book is 90k words long.

Project Prognosis:

Let's see how my projects are coming this week.

• Work on Blog Posts for 2023 – I did get my post for next week done, and I have an idea for the last week in April, but I just haven't written it yet.
• Update Website – Oh, dear. This still has not gotten done.
• Design Two Covers – Maybe I should just say 3 covers since Kate and Kylie are going to need one. After I get a real title for the story, and after I actually finish writing it.

Visitors:

Aunt Marty stopped by here twice a week or so ago. Once on the way to Texas, and then again on the way back. Both visits were fairly short, but they were still nice.

Last Friday Grandpa came down and spent the morning working at Jimmy's, and then came over here and spend the night. He went home mid morning. It was good to have him.

Babysitting:

Yes, actually, we did that. Thursday around 11:30 Jimmy dropped Drew on down off. James and Joel were working at the Joplin Greenhouse farm, and Krista was going to her special event (J & M were going along). I took Kins to "the money store" to buy 3 balloons for her birthday. She was pretty excited about them. Drew helped me mow in the afternoon. James and Joel got picked up and brought over. After supper we got all the bikes out and some moved up to bigger bikes. Joel is now riding Papa's bike, Drew is riding mine (and I'm riding Sarah's bike which is what Krista rides if she is here), Lucas is riding Drew's, and Kailyn is riding Lucas's bike but really needs one the size of Drew's because she's so big. And Kinsley is now riding her pink bike that isn't a trike. She's pretty excited and can actually peddle it!

Yesterday morning after breakfast I took James, Joel, Drew, Lucas, and Kailyn on a bike ride. We rode all the paved paths at the park and then took the path to the end of it before riding back. I can tell I haven't ridden for a long time. My legs were protesting by the time we got back. I have no idea how many miles we rode, but it was several.

Mom took James and Kailyn to piano lessons. Kinsley and Grant spent most of the morning swinging and playing outside. The other boys played lego. They were picked up before lunch.

Out of the Mouth:

Oh, the things Kinsley says! She is so much like me! She'll talk to anything, and loves to sing! And if she's thinking it, she'll probably say it.

She was riding her bike with Sarah: "Come on legs, peddle! Naughty legs!"

She was about to take a nap and heard the birds singing and said to me, "The birds talking to me! I like the birds to talk to me."

Election Day:

We had an election for county stuff on the 4th. It was a 3 1/3 baby hat day. (I knit baby hats for a pregnancy center on elections days, and I get more hats knitted on slow elections.) We had a grand total of 68 voters come to my polling place.

The Music Stand:

The orchestra (which was a bit small this time) played for Easter, and the Ladies' Ensemble sang. You can watch it HERE. The ladies sing right after the prayer.

KDWC:

We had a good camp. It was smaller than our last one, but it was good. Now camp is closed until June when we open registration for the July camp.

Sewing Room:

There hasn't been as much sewing the last few days since the kids were here, but Sarah is still staying busy.

Read Another Page:

I wish I had something to report here.

Teacher's Lounge:

Closed for now.

Book Nook:

I've gotten a lot more words read lately. In fact, I have 10 books to share this time. The Time-Saving Mom (very good even if you aren't a mom), Twice Sold Tales (not a favorite), Becoming Free Indeed (very good), Not Until Forever (okay), Tip Lewis and His Lamp (loved rereading it), Larceny and Gingerbread Lattes (short and rather fun), Homicide and Hot Cocoa (not bad for a murder mystery), A Very Bookish Easter (4 stories in one! I really liked 3 of them.), A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting (I laughed over this book!), The Story of Andrew Jackson (interesting). And that's my list. I'm reading another book right now, but haven't finished it.

Farewell:

I'm sure I'm missing some things that I was going to tell you. Oh well. I need to get to work on some other things so hopefully I can get a little writing in this morning. I hope you all have a lovely weekend and can enjoy some delightful spring weather! Until next time!