85 N. Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
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Blog“Just Over the Hilltop”

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You’ve got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive and e-li-mi-nate the negative” is an old song that’s been ringing around in my head the last couple of days. I love the old songs that gave a clear message of positive encouragement in our lives seemingly riddled with different kinds of negative things happening. Whether it be the news, a tragic sickness, the loss of a basketball game, or even the disappointment of losing a job. Those songs seemed to encourage us to see the positive in each situation and rise above the negative insults or belittling of our abilities.

Maybe part of that was the internal faith in both ourselves and in God. Without faith there is no hope. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1) Oops, I guess I started out with what I’ve been thinking about and didn’t greet you.

Spring sights

Good afternoon from just over the hilltop in Norwood where a small flock of geese have dropped by to graze and say, “hi.” Today the skies are gray, the air smells of spring, and the battle of the box elder bugs continues. With the warm temperatures the box elders bugs are advancing their territory by climbing in through the windows and doors. Here is the deal: if you enter my house you do not survive. Those who want to live maybe should return to their homes in the trees this spring when the April showers come. They are not welcome in my home.

the light snow was swirled around leaving delightful drifts

With the beautiful blizzard that arrived last week along with the high winds and cold temperatures, the light snow was swirled around leaving delightful drifts of mountain peaks and grand canyon-like plateaus of rippled snow. They were gorgeous and though I tried to take pictures they really didn’t come out. The natural beauty the eye sees is much better.

Writing and composing

The local writers came Thursday evening and once again their skill, style, and dedication encourages me to keep trying to improve my writing. I am thankful for this group and appreciate their open and honest writings that oftentimes bares our souls.

My Grandpa Bills had written a song for his mother when he was ten years old. If my memory serves me right, his mother was away and he was missing her. It is dated March 9, 1916 – 101 years ago and the title is “That’s How I Need You.”  The music was never composed for this heartfelt song and so I am attempting to do that now. If possible, I will have it done for our next writer’s meeting and share it with them first. It is a safe place. Have I ever composed music before? Never, but I will certainly give it my best shot.

To be honest, history is not my forte.  But people are!

Friday my friend Susan and I visited two more Hepburn Libraries, and are writing our reports on Madrid and Waddington. This has become a very special time with Susan, and I love finding out more and more about Mt. Hepburn. To be honest, history was and is not my forte. But people are. And that is the best part! I’ll share those reports with you as soon as I can.

Accomplishments

Saturday morning Dick helped remove the old furnace in the church meeting hall and install a new one. It had served the church well for over thirty years which I’d say is a good run for their money. That afternoon we attended a movie and pot luck supper at church and enjoyed getting to know more and more people. I am still playing the piano and helping with the choir. Another enjoyment in my life.

Sunday evening we visited at Eric’s to catch up on their lives and have pizza. Eric is beginning a new phase in his business by hauling long distance with his recently purchased Frieghtliner and 53’ livestock trailer. Jessika has written her first song for the flute in her music class and Danielle is listening and memorizing songs her Daddy plays on his guitar and then she plays them on the piano. “No dream is too big, no challenge is too great. Nothing we want for our future is beyond our reach.” Donald Trump

You can do it dear family and friends. Continue to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative! I am. With much love, Sharon

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