My last update included details of the garden fence we built.  Since then we've made great progress on the garden but we've also had a run of sad news.  In early May our beloved dog Noodle was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  We had hoped that chemotherapy would give us more time with her but things did not work and she died on May 31st.  You can read more about Noodle and what she meant to us here.

The sad news didn't end with the loss of Noodle.  A few days after Noodle died I got news that my grandmother and last remaining grandparent also passed away.  Nana, as she was known, was 90 and spent most of life on a farm in South Georgia. Although I saw Nana often as a kid, I can't say I knew Nana very well.  I guess when you're one grandkid out of nine and the excitement of the farm, the woods, and fishing were a few steps away then visits with Nana were pretty much hi and goodbye bridged by smiles and long hugs. I'll say this about Nana, she was always good for a smile and a kind word.  She was also a wonderful cook, the master of southern food.  I was particularly fond of the big farm breakfasts: grits mixed with fried eggs, bacon, and biscuits with heavy cream and syrup.  As kids, we ran around the farm all day and took for granted her kindness and the glorious food she prepared. A few things occurred to me after her death which I never considered when Nana was alive. Nana was raised in an area of the Deep South severely divided on racial lines and in 40 years of knowing her I never heard a single close-minded remark, not one bigoted word.  Also, Nana was a devout Baptist and I realize now that not once did she push her faith on me. Good on ya, Nana.  Rest in peace.  You too, dear Noodle.