Whispering Pines

Supermom

2009-04-18T13:55:00.002-07:00

2009-04-18T13:55:00.001-07:00

Ahhh Breakfast...

2009-04-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

Great Horned up close..

2009-04-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Springtime 2009 Sunset Beach

2009-04-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome to spring 2009. The weather is perfect. The flowers are blooming and the birds are nesting here in Sunset Beach. This is my favorite time of the year...all things new. We have a great horned owl raising two beautiful snow white babies right here on our street. People come from all over to get a glimpse of them. I see them almost everyday. I've seen the mom in flight and the remnants of prey that she has fed her young for dinner. There are feathers scattered on the ground under her nest and legs of herons sticking out of her nest. We have an abundance of birds in and around our yard from the smallest chickadee to the great blue herons flying overhead. How blessed we are!

sugar snap peas sprouting

2009-04-18T13:31:00.001-07:00

my first attempt at container gardening

2009-04-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

flowers on front porch

2009-04-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

chickadee nesting in my bluebird house

2009-04-18T13:18:00.000-07:00

great hornes owl nesting two babies

2009-04-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

candytuft

2009-04-18T13:16:00.000-07:00

flowers by walkway

2009-04-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

Petunias

2009-04-18T08:29:00.001-07:00

spring blooms

2009-04-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

The Whole Family

2009-03-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

Jennifer and Wyatt

2009-03-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

Pop Pop and Sonny

2009-03-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

Pop Pop and River

2009-03-17T19:29:00.000-07:00

Trip to Maryland

2009-03-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time on our trip to Baltimore. We started by driving to Brian's new home in Halethorpe MD. It is his first house which has an upstairs apartment for additional rental income. He is very excited to be a first-time home buyer. It needs some work and TLC which I'm sure Jack will be happy to be of assistance. From there we drove to Kevin and Breezy's home in Churchton to meet our new adorable grandson....River Silas. He is absolutely beautiful. He is only five weeks old and already does multivariable calculus. Sonny is three and is so smart and full of life. We met Jennifer and her new beau the next day. What a wonderful couple. Jennifer is so happy and Wyatt is just a delight. We couldn't be happier. We will definitely be going to Baltimore frequently!!!

My 60th Birthday

2009-02-28T16:13:00.000-08:00

Well....I am officially the big 60. I actually had a great birthday. Mike, Emma, Mark and Genevieve came to the cabin and celebrated all weekend with Jack and I. We played games, ate birthday cake all weekend, went out to dinner and took advantage of free labor to cut down some unwanted pine trees. Mike and Emma planted a peach tree (a birthday gift), and Mark installed a water filter..... It is so nice to have such talented children. This was the perfect celebration....spending time with the people I love the most.

2009-02-28T16:08:00.000-08:00

2009-02-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

2009-02-28T16:04:00.000-08:00

2009-02-28T16:02:00.000-08:00

2009-02-28T16:01:00.000-08:00

2009-02-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

Our new addition

2009-02-02T15:12:00.000-08:00

We are the proud grandparents of River Silas Gorman...born on Superbowl Sunday about 3:30 AM at home. Breezy did a great job...no complications. He weighed 8 lbs 7oz. Kevin is elated. Sonny slept through the whole birth and woke up in the morning to greet his new baby brother. Breezy and River are doing well. Breezy's Mom and stepfather are helping out. We are planning to give them a few weeks rest and adjustment...then we will pay them a visit. Can't wait!!!

Breezy, Sonny, and River Silas

2009-02-02T15:11:00.000-08:00

Brian and River

2009-02-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

Jennifer and River

2009-02-02T15:09:00.000-08:00

Sonny and his new brother River Silas

2009-02-02T15:08:00.000-08:00

Kevin,River, and Sonny

2009-02-02T15:06:00.000-08:00

Our Beloved Sadie

2009-01-07T11:57:00.000-08:00

Our dog Sadie died yesterday. Last summer she was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor which we treated aggressively. She was progressing nicely and enjoying life. She loved to go for walks especially at the cabin where she could be off leash and run through the clover. She enjoyed Christmas and New Year at the cabin then suddenly developed some lumps under her jaw. We immediately rushed home to have them biopsied. She had a very aggressive form of lymphoma which was spreading rapidly. She was put to rest yesterday afternoon and is now in doggie heaven chasing squirrels and enjoying a pain-free existance. She was a loyal companion and will be missed from the bottom of our hearts. Bear (formerly Shelby) will help to fill the void, hopefully for many years to come.

Sadie 1999-2009

2009-01-07T11:55:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

2009-01-03T04:13:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas was wonderful! We spent the holiday at the cabin with Brian and Jennifer who drove 8 hours from Baltimore to spend a few days with us. Kevin and Breezy couldn't make it. They stayed close to home expecting their second baby in a few weeks. Mike and Emma were in Guatamala with friends and Mark and Genevieve were in CT.

We had lots of food, laughter, games, hiking, and rest during the 3 days Brian and Jennifer visited. Jack and Brian even got to play a round of golf. The visit was way too short. We were sad to see them leave.

We celebrated the new year with a group of Jack's golfing buddies at a local restaurant in Forrest City. Great Italian food!!! Then home by 9:00 to watch movies. Didn't quite make it to midnight.

There is nothing more precious than time spent with family and friends. We are so blessed!!!

Happy New year!

Christmas 2008

2009-01-03T04:02:00.000-08:00

New Puppy News

2008-12-21T09:24:00.000-08:00

I forgot how much work it is to raise a new puppy. The first week at home was a nightmare. Shelby had separation anxiety and diarrhea.....what a combination. Then things got better....she now is sleeping through the night, is learning her manners and becoming socialized. She sits, knows the down command, walks on the leash politely and shakes her paw when asked. I've never had a smart dog before. She starts dog training after her shots are complete in January. Shelby has been good for our old Sadie as well. Sadie now plays like a puppy instead of sleeping all day. Hopefully things will continue on the right track...to be continued.

Shelby 10-11 weeks old

2008-12-21T09:18:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-12-21T09:16:00.000-08:00

Mike and Emma visited for Thanksgiving weekend...what a great time!

Jack and Mike practicing flycasting

2008-12-21T09:14:00.000-08:00

Emma painting a watercolor....such talent

2008-12-21T08:23:00.000-08:00

Williamsburg Virginia Oct 2008

2008-12-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

Some photos of historic Williamsburg.

Jack at battlefield site

2008-12-21T08:17:00.000-08:00

clay bric firing, sifting for relics from early settlers

2008-12-21T08:14:00.000-08:00

tannery, blacksmith

2008-12-21T08:12:00.000-08:00

Basket Weaving,Spinning Wool

2008-12-21T08:09:00.000-08:00

Williamsburg Virginia...ferry trip across James river

2008-12-21T07:55:00.000-08:00

In Oct 2008 Jack and I visited historic Williamsburg Virginia to experience what it was like for our settlers during the Revolutionary War. We stayed at the Marriot Manor Clup which was fabulous. We toured the village and learned about early settlement life. Brian was able to join us for a few days of golf and relaxation.

Cleghorn Golf Plantation

2008-12-13T07:05:00.000-08:00

We happened upon Cleghorn Golf Plantation one day while golfing with friends Becky and Joe Cleary. We immediately fell in love with the course. It has a history of being a southern working plantation of the Cleghorn family. On the 4th hole we came across the gravestones of the Cleghorn family and further down on the hole the small grave markers of the slaves. Someone had placed small bouquets of red roses at each grave. The golf course is magnificent with each hole having a unique layout both natural and manmade. The rock formations, flower beds, and pine forests add a beauty that is breathtaking. We look forward to each time we play golf there and love sharing the experience with family and friends.

Stone Bridge 17th hole

2008-12-13T06:23:00.000-08:00

Backdrop seventh hole

2008-12-13T06:22:00.000-08:00

Water Wheel

2008-12-13T06:19:00.000-08:00

Jack & Janet

2008-12-13T06:11:00.000-08:00

Wildlife at the cabin......Wild Turkey

2008-12-13T06:07:00.000-08:00

Buffalo Farm in N.C. (not for consumption)

2008-12-13T06:06:00.000-08:00

Flock of Canada Geese

2008-12-13T06:04:00.000-08:00

Prehistoric? Lizard..

2008-12-13T06:03:00.000-08:00

Black snakes mating...

2008-12-13T05:59:00.000-08:00

Wildlife at Whispering Pines

2008-12-11T05:25:00.000-08:00

Wildlife is abundant at Whispering Pines. I have attempted to capture some photos of various wildlife that I have seen at and around our cabin. There are several animals that are photo shy and escaped before I could get them on camera. I woke up early one morning and went out on the deck and staring at me from a pine tree was a screech owl. By the time I got the camera it was gone. Another time I was cleaning and went to shake a rug outside .....scaring off a flock of wild turkeys. Since I am an avid bird feeder and watcher, I have managed to attract three rabbits (probably more soon) and four raccoons to my bird feeders. Also there is evidence of bear in the area...have not seen one...Thank God!

Shelby 8 Weeks Old

2008-12-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

New Puppy News

2008-12-03T08:42:00.000-08:00

Now that the Thanksgiving feast is over, we look forward to the Christmas season. This weekend Jack sings in an all-city cantata with over 100 choir members. All our neighbors and friends attend and it truly puts us in the Christmas spirit.

Our new puppy is officially named Shelby with input from Mike and Emma. She passed her 1st vet checkup with flying colors. She cried for the first few nights, but with some pretty strong discipline, she is coming around. She is extremely smart, cute and a bundle of energy. Pictures will follow soon.

Whispering Pines log cabin

2008-11-27T09:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving from Jack and Janet at Whispering Pines!

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-27T09:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my first blog. My thanks to Emma for setting up my blog. We are spending a wonderful long weekend with Mike and Emma here at Whispering Pines. The turkey is in the oven, Jack is watching football, Emma is painting a watercolor picture and Mike is playing with his new flyfishing rod and reel. We are planning a trip to West Virginia on Saturday to pick up the latest addition to our family....an eight week old aussiedoodle...name to be determined. Pictures and more adventures to follow.
Happy Thanksgiving !
Janet