May 7

Last year the cave swallows built a nest, lay eggs, and baby birds hatched. I never knew if they survived and flew off on their own or not. They are back at it this year. 

Funeral

Before the weather turned hot today, a graveside service was held for Brenda, the sister of my oldest friend here. It was in a cemetery I did not know of, and it was beautiful in the Wilmington way. The man who simply stood and sang How Great Thou Art pitch perfect was as inspiring as the words to that wonderful song and reminded my of when it was sung at the funerals of my loved ones. And I didn't cry. On the way out I drove past huge live oaks laden with Spanish moss. It is good to be home. 

I love being on the river

 

May 3 - Bunny

 

May 2 - Colorful Shoes in Dillards

 

May 1 - Picking Strawberries

A Most Special Song

Here in the gallery I usually have some sort of neutral music playing. It cuts the deathly silence and gives life to the place. 

Today I asked Alexa to play Johnny Mathis. Old timers like me who remember the sixties probably have fond memories of his soft singing style. Amazon had quite the repertoire of Johnny's songs, and after about twenty minutes, I hear The Sweetheart Tree - or as I call it, The Tree in the Forest.  Nostalgia welled up inside. It is not even played on oldies stations, so I hadn't heard it in years. 

It was 1965 or ‘66, and I was at a church picnic with my parents, husband and baby where, after the eating portion of the evening was over, the entertainment began, and someone sang this briefly popular song on a makeshift stage during the talent show. (Talent shows were common and a great source of entertainment during my childhood through young adulthood.) It was the first time I had heard it, and I loved the easy melody and tempo and learned to sing it. It became my go to song, replacing Brahms Lullaby, that I sang quietly to my children at bedtime. All through the years. 

When I was fifty and my daddy lay dying, I sang it to him. I just had to. Sometimes after a death, things happen to let you know God is paying attention to you, letting you know He is there. It was my first day driving to work after my days off. The car radio was on as usual and seemingly from out of the blue, Tree in the Forest played. How and why did it happen on that station at that time? Some people talk about seeing cardinals, or finding a penny, but for me it was the sweetest and most nostalgic of songs.