Summer 2010 - It Is Humid

June 13, 2010, so much has happened since my last post.  Sherisa and the baby (Evan John) are fine.  Evan will be born July 1st.  We are going to the hospital today for a tour of the delivery area.  We will decide what part we will each play in Sherisa and Evan's big event.  Jill or I one will be in the delivery room for this cesarean birth.  Jill was with her when Ethan was born so I may be there this time, for Evan.

This year we planted only tomatoes and a few squash plants in our garden.  A few pepper plants, but nothing like in past years when we tried to grow the whole variety of vegetables.  I think this fall we will remove the blackberries from the garden and put them in an area adjacent to the greenhouse.  They tend to spread out and make it difficult to navigate to the tomato plants.

We recovered the greenhouse and hopefully came up with a solution to prevent the covering from being blown or torn off again, as it was last winter. We still have to trim the front and back to make it look neat, but I believe we have it secured at the bottom, on both sides in a way that won't come loose.  Jill has planted "monkey grass" on three sides and her usual scattering of wild flowers.  You can see some more pictures of our garden this year, if you click HERE

Ethan began Mandarin Chinese lessons with a tutor at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and he is doing really well.  He also completed a one week camp at the Hunter Museum of Art in Chattanooga.  He made several musical instruments and had a really good time and more importantly - he began his journey into the world of art and the appreciation of art in all its forms.  Check out his week by clicking here: Hunter Museum of Art  He has his own blog now and we invite you to check it out at www.EthanJamesKutz.Blogspot.com

I successfully completed my 1st semester of graduate school with a grade point average of 3.85 and was very relieved.  I have enrolled in two accelerated courses for this summer, which will keep me very busy.  You can read further about my grad school experiences at www.jamesepowers.blogspot.com  I also entered the race for a seat on the Bledsoe County School Board and you can view my political blog at: www.votejimpowers.blogspot.com

New neighbors next door are very nice and always willing to help and surprise us with gifts of firewood and excess bedding plants.  Good neighbors are a true treasure.  I am going to wonder out in the yard and see if I can be of help to Jill with any of her many projects.  Until that day....Jim

A Walk In The Snow

Jill, Ethan and I just back from our walk in the snow this morning. I really snowed hard last night and covered the tree limbs and everything else it could find to sit on with 4 inches of soft, fluffy, dry snow. When we returned from our walk, we put a few more logs in the stove, Jill made some hot chocolate and we laughed at the photos we made. It was a good walk!

My studies are going well and I am pleased to have learned so much, so fast.  I am now able to do a number of "digital things" I could not do just a month ago.

I activated my Facebook page again and you are all invited to visit me there.  Just send me your email address and I will invite you.

Until the next time

Jim

It Is 2010

2010 Wow! - We all made it.

For me, and the Powers Family, 2010 holds the promise of undiscovered truths just as 2009 presented us with challenges, rewards for the challenges we faced and met, and the increased awareness of our limitations and potentials.

In 2009, Jim graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a bachelors degree in University Studies, John, Sherisa and Ethan moved from California to Tennessee and Jill, bless her pretty heart, keep us all focused and moving forward.

The first day of 2010 was dreary here on the top of the mountain, and this night promises to be very cold, in the low 20’s. The fire is lit in the wood stove, lots of wood brought in to prevent the trip outside to the woodshed at night, and we are all at peace with each other and the world around us. Oh…I forgot to mention that Sherisa is pregnant and Jill and I hope for a granddaughter…but will be thankful and blessed with a boy or a girl.

I have been accepted into the graduate school of Education at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and I am very excited about the possibilities.

Our dog Tag “came up missing” don’t know where he went or who took him, but we think of him and hope he is well. Bubba D is in poor health, but is still with us - and - more spoiled than ever.

We look forward to the challenges and rewards of 2010 and wish all our friends and family a prosperous new year.

Jim