" Discoveries "

My Daddy who is 82, has a favorite saying when someone inquires "how are you" ? He will tell them; "I'm still above ground". As long as you are still above ground, life will present opportunities to make new discoveries if you just pay attention. Via this blog last year I discovered a cousin, Linda, whom I knew nothing about. She is from the O'Gwynn side of my family which is my maiden name. Last week Linda's mother discovered this picture of Maryann Elizabeth Broughton Thames who is my Great-Great-Great Grandmother!!
Her daughter Margaret, married my great-great grandfather Charles David O'Gwynn. How amazing it is to me to see this woman from so many generations past!! What a discovery!!





This morning, I discovered that Spring appears to have arrived at Swiftwater Farm!!
The Magnolia Saucer (tulip tree) is about to be in full bloom................


The Forsythia is in full bloom...............

The Josephs Coat Rose is coming on strong with new growth.............

The Spring Bells have sprung their blooms............

The Spirea is full of new leaves..........

As is the Weigela............

The Bradford Pear is showing out!

I have discovered that watching the chickens free range is more fun than watching them in the chick prison............

The inmates LOVE their yard exercise!!!!

As you know, I recently discovered a new to me NC author named Peggy Poe Stern. These are the books I've read by her in the last few weeks. One, Tamarack is missing as I loaned it out to a friend. I LOVE this woman's writing!

She is not the only new author I've discovered. These are the new books I've gotten lately.

The first two are connected to Louisa May Alcott; Hospital Sketches is her own account of her days as a Civil War Nurse, Eden's Outcasts is a duel biography of Louisa and her father.
These Is My Words and Sarah's Quilt are written by Nancy E. Turner. I learned of this author through NC author Vicki Lane's blog. I discovered North Carolina author Rachel Keener through FaceBook. She has garnered great reviews for both of her novels; The Killing Tree and The Memory Thief. The last three; The Apothecary's Daughter, The Silent Governess and Lady of Milkweed Manor were highly recommended by a good friend. I'm looking forward to reading all of these! I LOVE discovering new authors works................

As for my back problems.......I'm getting better! I'm walking, standing straighter and
I've lost 5 pounds! I do not sit at the PC for long periods and I'm now constantly aware of my posture. I've also stopped the sweet snacks! HA! :)

Have a great weekend everyone!!