Monday, April 7

Friends, Flood Photos and a Beautiful Award


I have lots of girls in my circle and decided that they all needed to know that someone cares about them and appreciate the difference they make in my life. If you are here it may be because I tagged you as one of the girls in my circle! If I didn't tag you , no offense intended. Tag! You're it! Consider yourself tagged.

Those who are tagged are listed below in no special order. Whether you are first or last, you have made a difference in my life. Thank you so much! I have been truly blessed.


Just to let you know, I am not tagging anyone but if you decide to participate, please let me know so I can visit and read your list.


Anni at Hootin' Anni's
Grams at Talk to Grams
Deena at Can I Be Pretty in Pink
Denise at Samaritan Women
Denise at Shorty Bear's Place
Lady Di at Kitty Justice
Pea at Pea's Corner
Karen at Karen's Korner
Mama Bear at Bear's in Exile
Jackie at In the Land of the Living Skies
Virginia at Small Reflections
Betty at Country Charm
Ruth at Body Soul and Spirit
Mary at Isabella's Closet
Paula at On a Rainy Night
Lori at Pink Faded Roses
Renie at Renie Burghardt's World
Sharon at Rose of Sharon
Sharon at Sit With Me Awhile
BJ at Sweet Nothings
Deb at The Canvas Grey
Tina at Tina's Odds and Ends
Willow at Willow's Cottage
Katherine at Yellow Rose Arbor

Wanna let your friends know you love them and appreciate the difference they make in your life? Go here to learn how.
It was such a nice day here yesterday (Sunday) that hubby and I decided to go for a drive along the Grand River. We had heard that the river was over its banks in some areas and what we heard was true.

This is the highest I've seen the Grand in a long while, though it isn't as high as its been. The water was not over the road today but we could tell that it had been.

The trees above are right near the road and as we passed through this area we realized that the hiking trails were flooded. If I had stepped over the guardrail, I would have been standing at the very edge of the water.


Here is another photos that shows part of the road. You can tell how close to the road the water is. We saw people in different areas exploring the river bank. A very dangerous activity for this time of year. The police have warned people to stay away. Each year, the Grand claims at least one life in this area and sometimes more.

This is the opposite side of the road from the river. The water is laying in pools in all low-lying areas.

I can remember a time when the Grand River flooded all the homes in the areas anywhere near it. The worst I ever saw was in 1974. I'm glad that precautions have been taken to prevent the Grand from flooding like it did back then. A deserted house was flooded up to the second story windows. Somewhere I have pictures of that flood and I never want to see anything like it again.

My BFF, Hootin' Anni surprised me with a very special award on her Sunday post. It is incredible and I was thrilled to receive it.

Isn't it beautiful? And this is what Anni had to say about presenting it to me:

This is an award I would like to pass onto Mary @ Mary's Writing Nook! It's a new award made by me, and I wanted to pass it on first to Mary...we, in my mind, being of kindred spirits. She and I have so much in common and we find more and more familiarities daily. With this Kindred Spirit Award, I try to convey the spirit of friendship. Her generosity and self worth is beyond compare. She is a giving, loving, wife, mother and grandmother. Thanks for being a good blogging friend!!! I want to pass on to others in time [each an individual 'award' -different], but Mary just had to be the first ever to receive one. I had her in mind when I designed this. The intention behind this is not to pass it on by those who receive it...I want it to have a very special, personal distinction, for each individual. It means a lot to me in doing acts of kindness and giving a little of my time, when I can find time[!] to others who are so willing to give of themselves, unconditionally! May your kindness be everlasting Mary!!

Anni, you loving gesture and kind words have touched my heart in a special way. I am so blessed to have you in my life. My wish for you is for all of your dreams to come true, that good health follow you for many years to come and that you are blessed abundantly. Love you, Girl.




Well, it's time to get out the Toronto Blue Jays clothing for the boys. Yes, they are second in the eastern standings, right below Baltimore. They beat the New York Yankees in their first game of the season and then they beat Boston twice. That is terrific. I do hope they have another three seasons like they had in the '90s. Three back-to-back World Series. Way to go! And Roberto Alamar who played second base at that time was just recognized for his outstanding career. Way to go Roberto. Now I am not a diehard Toronto Blue Jays fan, but do enjoy seeing them win. If they get in the playoffs, I always watch the games. So I'm hoping they do well this season.

In other sports news, Canada won the Gold in curling last week and the Canadian women beat china in hockey. Team Canada has moved on to the qualifying round of the 2008 IIHF World Women’s Championship thanks to an 11-0 win over China. Canada will be joined by Finland and Team USA in the qualifying round. Congratulations to all involved.

With that, I will close for today. I wish everyone well and hope that your week will bring you much joy. ~Blessings, Mary~

22 comments:

  1. Congrats on your awards Mary, You deserve them. What an honor for the kindred spirit award. Also those are great pictures of the Grand, it is really high over here also.
    Have a Blessed week:)
    God Bless,
    Deb

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  2. Those are beautiful pictures of the river. I can't imagine having to go through a major flood like the one you discribed!

    Congratulations on the beautiful award!

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  3. Hmmm...is it Monday over there already??? hehe Awww, dear Mary, thank you so much for including me in your circle of friends, I feel so blessed to have you in my life as a friend I can always rely on. Thank you for being YOU!!

    Oh wow, the Grand certainly is overflowing, isn't it! Our snow is slowly starting to melt...they were worried about some flooding but so far it's melting slow enough that the drains can handle it. It's the fast thaws that wreak so much havoc. I took pictures this morning of what snow we have left and will post them tomorrow.

    Congratulations on the Kindred Spirit award from Anni...it's gorgeous and I can well imagine how touched you are that she passed it on to you:-) She certainly is a beautiful person inside and out...as you are!

    Back in the 90's I use to watch the Blue Jays play all the time but after they traded all my favourite players, I stopped! lol I was so thrilled to find out that Canada had won the Curling gold:-)

    I didn't realize I had missed your last couple of posts...as always, I thoroughly enjoyed getting more educated about Brandon and Asperger's Syndrome. It truly must have been a very frustrating time when he was younger and couldn't put into words what was bothering him when he had melt downs.

    Are you usually home during the afternoons on weekdays? I want to give you a call this coming week:-)

    Take care of YOU my friend!! xoxo

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  4. Thanks for including me in your circle. My Canadian neighbour bloggers are extra special. I went to three different Grand River trails yesterday and they were all impassable. The river is going down, but it is still flowing very fast. Your photos are very interesting. You know how I love this river!

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  5. Thanks for putting me on your friends list! Congratulations on your new award from Anni!

    We're having a lot of rain here in FL!

    Katherine

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  6. Congratulations on your awards Mary. You deserve each of them.

    I plan on taking part in the Circle of Friends, I just need to think on a good post about friends. Give me a couple of days.

    Boy do you ever have water. You could send some west as we are very dry.


    Love the Blue Jays. DH has his hat on watching every game.

    God bless.

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  7. I'm here, chemo & grandsons
    have me rattled senseless.
    i'll be back to check out the
    instructions on the other blog again
    and LOVE YA
    honey!! deena

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  8. You are sweet and I love your heart.
    I have told some of the other girls that I blog with that once we get to the other side... the meeting place for bloggy friends is to the right of the big pearl gate. ;)
    I will see you face to face and give you a great big hug!

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  9. What a wonderful, individualized award from Anni!

    I just read a blog from Arkansas showing high water there, too. Interesting year, for sure!

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  10. I love the country drive Mary. Some great pictures tho I can just feel the danger that lies underneath. Flooding seems to be an issue all over these days. But, all in all, the share of your Sunday Drive was super. I enjoyed the serenity. And, you're so very welcome for the award. You know just how I feel now when I visit with you daily and share emails!! You're a treasure. The baseball season? I watched two games yesterday [both Texas teams] And to be honest....I was glad to read that the Blue Jays beat the Sox!! And I heard it here! Go Jays. Love the List you made up of the girl influence!! What a great idea. And YOUR list would be most certainly identical to mine. [also love the graphic you chose!!] Another great post you've shared with us!!

    Hope your day is blessed!!!!

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  11. How fun to find myself included in your friend circle … especially since Betty tagged me for this and I posted mine this morning. Of course you’re one of MY friends too ;--)

    I loved the photos of your drive along the Snake River. It did look like a lovely day for such a drive. Congratulations on the nifty ‘kindred spirit’ award from Anni. I saw on her blog that she had designated you as the recipient. Anni DOES have a way with words … and you are most deserving.

    I do appreciate your kind words on my ‘tennis’ updates even though you don’t follow the sport. I hope the Blue Jay’s do well this season and make the playoffs!

    I hope you’re having a delightful day!
    Hugs and blessings,

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  12. What a nice award from Anni..and to think that she made it for you too!! Very special..off to work soon just wanted to stop by..

    Sandy

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  13. Thank you so much Mary for the 'tag'. I appreciate it so very much.
    At present we at Willow's Cottage are hanging on by threads as the water damage people and water heater people come and go and we still wait for hot water. I don't think I'll be able to pass this one any time soon. Just too much on my plate...

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  14. Congrats on the lovely award! You are a special lady dear Mary!!! Thanks for including me in your list of friends!!!
    Your pictures of the river are wonderful. Thanks for sharing! You said something about sending me an E mail but I never got it!! Love and Hugs Carolyn I looked in my junk e mail but it wasn't there either.

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  15. Mary!!!! It worked!! I went to the drafts and there it was!! So I have it on my post and I also tagged you for it when ever you get time... or if you haven't done this one!! Love and Thank you!!! Carolyn

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  16. Congrats on your beautiful award, you deserve it. Thanks for including me in your list, I love you bunches. Lovely pictures of the river, thanks for sharing.

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  17. Mary,congrats on the awards. I saw where you have a grand river where you live,we have one here in Ohio as well.Ours was a little high with the rain and melting snow.
    I hopr that you and all of yourshave a blessed day.

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  18. I hope to be out and about tomorrow to catch up........ I got your card today and it is beautiful........... THANK YOU ....... you are a blessing !!!!

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  19. Congrats are receiving some wonderful and well deserved awards! I enjoyed reading your memes. A TAXI driver..that is just too great! I would think that a most interesting job. I bet is was a lot of fun! Have a great day!

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  20. Congratulations on your Kindred Spirit Award. It's a beauty!

    I hope the waters have subsided. We've been lucky. State officials were worried that all that snow, especially in the northern part of the state would melt quickly with the April rains, which would have resulted in another spring of floods. It's melting slowly and the rain has not been bad. Some rivers have reached flood stage, but there really haven't been many problems. I hope Ontario stays safe from flooding.

    Congratulations to all the Canadian sporting teams! I wish them the best of luck. Er, well, all except the Toronto Bluejays. They are great team. I wish them the second best luck - right behind the Red Sox. LOL

    Hugs,
    Tina

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