Spring in January?

We, along with all of you, and the rest of the U.S., have been somewhat baffled with the mild weather this Winter.  I cannot remember a single January in my lifetime that was so mild.  I have to admit that I have really enjoyed this mild season.  It is very comfortable, it allows for more ventures out of doors and time to clean the yards.  It is also comforting to know that those who have no home do not have to endure the extreme cold outdoors.  How very sad to know that there are so many thousands of families in the U.S. who have no home. 

Lee has been busy pruning his fruit trees and small vineyard in the backyard.  He has been fortunate to have grandson, Jeffrey available to help him one to two days per week.  He has been somewhat dismayed to see that his peach trees are beginning to bud.  He said it would be a miracle if we had peaches this Summer.  Nonetheless, it is so good to see him out of doors and able to help with some of this yardwork.  Prior to his illness and since his retirement in 2005, he had planned and was able to plant his many apple trees, pear trees, and peach trees.  In addition, he had begun a small vineyard for his muscadine vines.  In 2008, he planted his blackberries and blueberry bushes.  He now has his orchard, but it does require upkeep and maintenence.  I might add, that if it is proliferative, it will require a lot of work on my part in preserving and freezing the bounty!

How wonderful it is to be able to write about our life as it is today!  I honestly never thought we would be able to see Lee planning another day to work in the yard and to be pruning his trees and vines!  This is truly a blessing!  We do not miss a day without thankful prayers for the doctors and nurses and all the people who have helped Lee along the way. 

As I write this blog, Lee is already outdoors at 9:15 this a.m. and he has plans for more projects during the afternoon hours.  He never tires of planning and of having the energy to once again be working.  Sometimes he finds it difficult to fall asleep at night because he is planning what to do the next day! He is looking forward to the Super Bowl on Sunday and to our grandson, John's thirteenth birthday party on Saturday evening.

And so it is, on this the last day of January, 2012, the weather promises to be sunny and warm @ 65 degrees, the days are getting a bit longer and Lee Kanipe is getting stronger and stronger.  It is with great joy and a grateful heart that I end this month.

More Later...........................Brenda,