Mysterious Stone Chambers

Dev and I have been researching the mysterious stone chambers that are in abundance in NY and New England. There are over 160 in the Hudson Valley. When I saw the pictures I knew that I had finally solved the mystery of what I had seen as a little girl in Germany outside the town of Landstuhl. All the chambers are built alike.
Speculators say that colonial farmers built them [but they have been dated to as early as 10,000BC], some say that were built as root cellars [but they are above ground and are facing the elements] and some say they were built by Druids [because they are all over Europe]. Some say they were built by Native American Indians but they worked in wood- not stone. Further speculations say aliens built them [that is an out of this world idea!]. Whoever built them they remain to this day.
We found three within a short distance of each other near Kent, NY. Here are pictures of what we found.

Twilight Zone

I accidentally found another Rees family with Utah roots while looking up something online. They have a son named..yep, you guessed it...Logan!

http://thereesboys.blogspot.com/2008/04/happy-birthday-logan.html

Pioneer Day Thoughts

Sunday I attended Greenwich Branch. The theme of sacrament meeting was the faith of the Pioneers. An elderly gentleman spoke; it was obvious that he had not studied the pioneers and the sacrifices they made in great detail before preparing for the talk but he spoke with such passion, admiration and love for those people that it really touched my heart. He broke down several times during the talk as he related stories of the early Mormon pioneers- particularly those who were in the Martin and Willie Handcart companies. I couldn't help but think of the pioneers in my family and how grateful I am for them. I appreciate their huge sacrifices for the gospel and I am so thankful to be the beneficiary of the blessings that have rippled down to me.

I see the lives my children and grandchildren are living and the love that each of them have for the gospel and I can't help but think that our ancestors are being blessed beyond their wildest dreams.

I believe our ancestors continue to be a part of our lives. I know that they were present when each of my children went through the temple the first time. I know they have urged us on from beyond the grave when things seemed darkest in our lives. How grateful I am for them and for their faith in us. I pray we may be found worthy of their sacrifices...

The Dark Knight

I am rarely at a loss for words but The Joker part in the Batman movie, The Dark Knight has left me completely speechless. Played by Heath Ledger, the evil, diabolical character of the Joker unfolds into complete insanity.

I am still, the morning after overwhelmed with the fact that the character was played by Heath Ledger... All through the movie I kept looking for signs that it was indeed Heath. He had transformed himself out of his pretty boy self and into the crazy, soul starved arc nemesis of Batman!

Only once did I catch a glimpse of the actor I am so fond of. The only thing I can say is "Wow!" That is what I call acting...

Rescue Lilies

These lilies grew up thin and spindly this year. With an approaching storm threat I was afraid they would be destroyed so I took them into the house and plunked them into an old vase. I can enjoy them and they won't have to be pummeled by the rain...

Assaulted by the Dead

Last Tuesday Terry and I took a day trip to Richmond, Massachusetts in search of his 4th great grandfather's home. The home was built by Joseph Richards and his sons in 1812-1815. Joseph had been given 160 acres of land in the Berkshires for his service during the Revolutionary War. The home was completed in 1815 and he moved his family from Hopkinton, Massachusetts to the home in Richmond. [The addition was built in 1821.] Joseph and his wife, Rhoda Howe would have a grandson born in Richmond [son of their son, Phineas and wife, Wealthy Dewey Richards] who would grow up to be an apostle, president of the twelve and counselor to Brigham Young. His name was Franklin Dewey Richards.

We found the picture drawing of the house in a book at the Richmond Library. We had a vague description of where the house was located from the Richards History books. We knew it was on Dublin Road where Mill Creek crossed it. The problem is no one had heard of Mill Creek.

We drove up and down Dublin Road but couldn't find anything that remotely looked like the drawing. It seems a bridge was out and so we didn't have access to the part of Dublin we needed. With the help of the librarian and new directions we found the home. The creek that runs through the property is where their cousin, Brigham Young had "dipped" them for baptism. It was exciting to stand at the door of the home of relatives so long gone. I couldn't help but wonder if they were proud of our lives and glad to say we were their family.

After that we decided to try to find the graves of any of the relatives we knew had died there. In one of the cemeteries someone had planted a hedgerow too close to the headstones. The hedge grows within one inch of the side of the stone containing the information of who is buried in that spot. I would try to push the hedge back to have a better look and was successful until about the fourth stone. I pushed with my left hand against the hedge and instinctively pulled the stone with my right. All of a sudden the stone snapped off its base and left my foot with a huge black and blue egg and the thoughts that it must surely be broken. About that time thunder could be heard and it started to rain. I guess it wasn't meant to be that we find the grave sites and someone didn't want to be disturbed!

Took Devin August 2008- took picture on porch...

Friendships Renewed & Discovered

We had the privilege of becoming acquainted with the grown daughter of an old friend from Connecticut. She is absolutely delightful and we enjoyed getting to know each other. She teaches school in Homestead, Florida [where Terry and I met]. Small world. After she left we found a beautiful new friend for the garden. Meet the beautiful Hibiscus... [Hibiscus were shrubs in the front yard of our Miami home]... such memories.

Picture Perfect Palmyra's Secret Garden

Happy Birthday, Stella!

Bookshelf Makeover

When we moved in this room was painted Big Bird Yellow! We painted the walls a pretty blue green but somehow the walls behind the books never got painted. They didn't show because there were so many books but I knew the yellow still existed. It took me all week [one day without power] to finish my project but here it is! Now, to get rid of all of the extra books!

A Walk in my Friendship Garden

My garden is full of memories of friends. Some have been with me for years and others are new additions . I love them all the same because they came from those who love me. My peonies are from plants carried across the country in a wagon train, my Tiger Lilies from a dear friend's lake house in Otis, Massachusetts, my Bleeding Hearts from a NY friend & Relief Society sister who lives in Idaho,Monkey Grass from a friend in Georgia. I also have Primrose, Sedum, and Egyptian Onions from a neighbor, Iris and Minature Iris from a Garden Club friend and Virginia Bluebells from another Garden Club member... I love them all...

Paradise Found

Sometimes the very thing we seek is in our very own grasp.

I spent about two hours today on the deck reading and talking with my kids [three of them called while I was outside.] The breeze brought the fragrance of the flowers to me as though by command; the birds chirped and sang for me as though they had been commissioned to do so and the hummingbirds provided entertainment with their theatrics.

I would stay quite still and they would fly all around me as though I didn't exist. At one point one of them came and hovered near my sunglasses for what seemed like an eternity. I'm not sure if she was looking at her reflection or if she was trying to figure out if they were windows. It was one of those moments when you connect with nature on a personal level. Whatever the reason, I felt quite privileged to have been in their world.

Is this really me?

You Are An INFJ

The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity. Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is. You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience. You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them. In love, you truly see relationships as an opportunity to connect and grow. You enjoy relationships as long as they are improving and changing. You can't stand stagnation. At work, you stay motivated and happy... as long as you are working toward a dream you support. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher. How you see yourself: Hardworking, ethical, and helpful When other people don't get you, they see you as: Manipulative, weak, and unstable

What's Your Personality Type?

So, that's the Problem!

As Sisters in Zion...

Today M and I delivered an SUV stuffed to the brim with blankets made by the Relief Society of the Albany, NY stake [also sheets and other donated items] to a local women's shelter. The shelter was overwhelmed at the generous gift.

Later I got an email from my daughter that was in keeping with the spirit of Relief Society:

As Latter-day Saint women, we are practically obsessed with anxiously engaging ourselves in good causes. Maybe it's subliminal.

Glancing through the hymnal last Sunday I noted that as sisters in Zion, we who are called to serve are all enlisted to go marching, marching forward because the world has need of willing men to all press on scattering sunshine. We wonder if we have done any good in the world today because we have been given much and want to do what is right, keep the commandments, press forward with the Saints, choose the right, and put our shoulders to the wheel going where He wants us to go. However, as the morning breaks high on the mountaintop, truth reflects upon our senses, and while we still believe that sweet is the work, we also realize that we have work enough to do ere the sun goes down. And thus we ask Thee ere we part, where can we turn for peace?

Modern Medicine

Yesterday was our annual Community Clean-Up Day. Members of the Garden Club pair up with teams of sixth graders and are assigned different spots in town to spruce up by pulling weeds, putting down mulch, planting flowers, etc. I had a dull headache when I woke up but went to my designated spot thinking I would bug out if enough adults showed up. I should have known better. In typical "Meri" fashion the commitment was too great and I stayed until the end, however, I paid the price for staying. As the morning went on my head started hurting worse and worse. By the time I left I had a full fledged migraine. I didn't go to lunch but went home straight a way. I took some Motrin- no relief. I went to bed for a while- no relief. I took some Tylenol- no relief. Terry came home from work and suggested I take an allergy pill [just in case] and within an hour I was feeling much better. Within an hour and a half I was back to myself. I am more appreciative today of modern medicine and the ability we have to have it at our fingertips....

Stella's Day - May 13, 2008

Thanks so much, Stella for allowing us to be a part of this amazing day. What a wonderful, wonderful memory.
[When we entered the temple the lady there said, "Oh, she has so many friends! This is so exciting."]
We love you.

Happy Mother's Day! from your Daughter

As a child, I marveled at how my mother knew how to take care of me when I was sick, how she always had a snack waiting for me after a rough day at school, and how she had this sixth sense of reading my mind. When I was scared or unsure of myself, my mother would put on her warm smile and lovingly open her arms to me. I would snuggle in close, listen to her heartbeat; instantly, I knew that I was safe. As long as she was nearby, I knew that everything would seem right with the world. A gentle kiss on the nose, an encouraging smile, the scent of her pajamas, and the gentle way she would pull the hair back off of my face... are all lovingly tucked into my childhood memories. My mom always seemed to know whether I had really practiced the piano, or if I was really sick (or just trying to avoid an English paper). And whenever I felt the world was against me, my mother was there to speak words of encouragement.

Unfortunately for my mother, not much has changed. She is still always there to listen to the stories of the triumphs and successes and to hear of the struggles and feelings of inadequacy. And just like she did when I was younger, she finds a way to celebrate the happy occasions (with a card, an e-mail, a phone call, a visit, etc.) and to pick me up, dust me off, and send me back into the world when everything seems dark and impossible. It seems that no matter how old I get (or how wise I may appear), I still find it essential to have the approving nod from my mother. I hope that I will always be able to live my life in accordance with the gospel principles that she has taught and shared (both in public and in private), so that I know she will be as proud to call me "her daughter" and I am to claim her as "my mother".

Mom, I love you. Happy Mother's Day! -Melena

Only Cell Phone You will EVER Need!

I have got to have this! Fabulous Mother's Day Gift.
http://www.flixxy.com/sumsing-turbo-3000-cellphone.htm

I Made a Run for the Border...

and won $50!!!!!!!!!!!

[He didn't win...]