Life at Willis Creek Ranch: April 2023

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Carlile comes to visit

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Jackson and Brianna brought Carlile to meet Great Grandpa Jack, Julie and Jonathan. Maverick was with Jeremy and Shonda on this morning so all our eyes were on Carlile. :) What an exciting day. I couldn't help but remember 3 years ago when dear Mama was here to meet Maverick for the first time. So very thankful for Daddy being here.

Sweet Carlile

Great Grandpa Jack holding Carlile

GranGran Marvin holding Carlile

Great Aunt Julie holding Carlile

Uncle Jonathan holding Carlile

Later that day I dug out some photos of Jackson when he was a newborn - I think I do see a resemblance between Jackson and Carlile. Of course, time will tell. But it was fun to remember back to these days no matter what. :)

Jackson - January 1996.

Jackson and my sweet Mama

Jackson often put his hand up to his face just like that.
I have seen Carlile do this already, too. :)

Daddy had driven through an ice storm to get to us -
holding Jackson for the first time.

Random April

Random photos from April that didn't make their way into any other post.

April 2, 2023

Sunday evening was initiation night for Jonathan into Ag Rho fraternity. He was told to wear a suit so he put on the one he bought for Mama's memorial service. It is not quite big enough through the shoulders now so he really needs a new one. But he sure looked sharp!

When he arrived back home he had his Ag Rho pin and was officially a member of the fraternity.

I hope he will enjoy being a member of Ag Rho.

April 4, 2023

You know it is official when you get the hoodie. :)

Dear Zac sent this photo and note on Tuesday night. It is so meaningful to us all. He mailed a hard copy to Daddy, as well. Basically, his message was that he keeps seeing both Harry Truman and Jack Magruder in the soft shadows wherever he walks. (wearing his Harry S Truman Stetson Open Road hat that Daddy gave him) I love this all so much!

April 6, 2023

Jonathan's Plant Ag lab class saw a drone demonstrated that can spray precisely on fields. Very cool! Jonathan shared these photos he took with me. I think he was quite interested in the whole process. I am, too!

Daddy received his copy of the photo from dear Zac - now in a place of honor on the refrigerator. :)

April 8, 2023

I knew I had a full day ahead of me trying to prep for Easter. I was hoping that I was up for it after being really sick all week long. Turned out I was - thank goodness! I just went slow and steady and worked methodically through my list of things to do. I made 2 hams, 2 jello salads, the prairie schooner beans, and a pan of brownies. I also everything ready that has to be done tomorrow... and did some cleaning of the house and tidying up. Felt good to be productive again!

That afternoon Marvin and I looked out and saw a truck and horse trailer had arrived. We weren't sure who it might be, then saw that it was Chester! What a wonderful surprise! So glad he dropped by - it had been a long time!! I went out with Marvin to greet him and got this nice photo. But he and Marvin visited for quite a long time. It sure was good to see him out here at our place again!

I took this photo of the back of the house just for the record... it will look much different when Marvin gets that covered patio built for me!

April 13, 2023

Jonathan brought home some lettuce they grew in Plant Ag. Very nice looking lettuce!

April 17, 2023

Some possible reads for next year...

April 19, 2023

Goodness! This was quite the adventure! Bob and Debbie were traveling to Texas for a family reunion and were able to stop and spend the night with Kerry, Candace and Susanna. However, their relaxing evening of visiting with friends turned into a night of tornadoes popping down all around them! They went not once, but twice, to the underground storm shelter that Kerry and Candace have. I am so thankful they have this shelter, but also know it would be a bit tough to climb in there... it feels like a bathtub (or a coffin) underground. Thankfully, no tornadoes touched down where they were, but there were many tornadoes that night all throughout their state and region. As my brother said, they gave Bod and Debbie the full Oklahoma experience (however unintentional that was!) :)

Sunday, April 23

This was lovely! One of the members of our Zoom Reading Circle, Joyce, was passing through town on a big vacation. She and her cousin, Barbara, another member of Zoom Reading Circle and a childhood friend of mine, met me and Janet for coffee at Scooter's. We really had a good time visiting - discussing books and everything else! So glad to get to meet Joyce in person (she lives in Connecticut!)

Janet, Laura, Joyce, Barbara

Came home to these two fellas that I love so much. :) Jonathan and Goose.

It is definitely springtime - all the critters are coming out again. We spotted this red fox in our back yard this evening. It has something in its mouth - thinking a bird.