Firstly, Sundance is taking a break. He had some business matters to handle. This blog started on February 1, 2011, and in all that time, except for when he was on his trip to meet with some contacts, and helping out after disasters, I remember Sundance taking off a few days only one time.
He went on a fishing trip and left the gals in charge. We managed not to set the Treehouse on fire, and even resisted ordering new furniture and hanging pictures.
And so, here we are, still in the same Tree.
Like most people, in November I start thinking more about things and people I am grateful for. I don’t want to do a mushy, typical post about that. Not to discount the need for, and value of, stopping to reflect on God’s many blessings in our lives.
I like stories. Indeed, I almost find them irresistible. It occurred to me several days ago, when I posted a recipe over at Stella’s Place, that I often don’t even share a recipe without a story.
I would like to hear yours today, and I think others here would too.
That is a weird, vague, and broad introduction to an idea, huh? Allow me to dial it in a bit. I started following Sundance, Ad rem, and Stella on another blog they used to run. Every day I looked forward to the posts, the comments, the ideas, and the sheer fun.
When that blog shut down, I found Stella over at Lucianne. She was looking for refugees like me, and eventually we all hooked up again. Sundance started this blog, and invited me to join the crew and become an admin.
Even though we started here in February, I always think about the beginnings, and Sundance, Ad rem, Stella, Wee, and Sharon, in November. I found them at the other place then, and the day before Thanksgiving, when I should have been cooking and cleaning, I couldn’t stop reading that blog.
Along this trip through the woods, we have become friends, the best of friends, in my book. I have found people who share my faith, my hope, my joys, and sometimes my sadness. They share foundational beliefs on right and wrong, justice, politics, and a host of other things important to me.
We have shared tons of laughs, as well as more serious discussions, advice, ideas, and, well, just life. We have been so privileged to “meet” some unique and wonderful characters along the way, including you guys.
This site, and the people here, are one of the most important things in my life, and one that I deeply value and appreciate.
You make me think, you challenge me, you deepen my understanding, occasionally you even change my mind. You pray with me and for me, celebrate with me, and laugh with me.
When my grandson Conner was a baby, you old timers were there with me as we prayed, waited, and hoped, while he had open-heart surgery at Vanderbilt. You have checked in on him over the years, and shared in his stories and milestones. Probably my best loved story by Treepers was The Christmas Pumpkin, a story about Conner.
Behind the scenes, Sundance, Wee, Stella, and Ad rem have been even more supportive to me during those trials and tribulations, joys and hopes.
Their support and encouragement really helped me make the leap of faith and decide to homeschool Conner (if you missed those conversations, he’s autistic and really needs extra help) when he needed it. Ad rem, the teacher, found words to help me see the potential through all my doubts and fears.
So, that’s one story about something and someplace and some people I am so very grateful for. I look forward to yours.
P.S. That’s Wee in the cowboy hat. These days she has blinged it up with tinfoil. I’m hiding in the back. I actually did have waist length dark hair at that age.
Here’s a link to a post Sundance made on the first day. Copying it from our old WordPress site to this new one resulted in some formatting issues and loss of his pictures, but you’ll enjoy his post.
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2023/11/11/november-ponderings/#more-252985