Thanks to neighbors Jeff and his wife, we can see the garden and pasture again! Daughter Lise talked about bushes that had gotten out of hand, and they offered to remove them. Using a little tractor, belts, a chain saw and shovel, they laid the bushes to rest on the burn pile. What a team! Look at the before and after photos. I am very grateful, as you can imagine.
The dynamos also cut the useless climbing plant that had produced one bloom in eight years. They removed most of the living branches, and Lise picked out the skeleton. That wall must feel that it can breathe again. I smile at the emptiness.
Nieces Kathie and Julie, with Michael and dog Gumball, came from the east, providing lunch. They brought fantastic salads, bread, wraps, desserts, and drinks. What a spread! We restored our bodies with the food and our spirits with lively conversation. David paid special attention to Gumball.
We ladies went through family photos, letters, and clippings that Lise set aside for them. Most amusing were a couple of post cards that my brother and I wrote each other when we were children. I wonder if that was a voluntary activity. It amazes me that John had saved so much family history, and now it is going to the people who lived it. Marvelous!
This was the best photo of the day of Lise, Julie, and Kathie.
I enjoyed this special family time and appreciate all Kathie, Julie and Michael did to make it possible.
Mehrling Muse 
Precious moments with family and it is so nice to have caring neighbours 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounded like a Amish barn raising event …………except this one was a de-bushing event!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or neighbors are amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! They did a nice job. I’m happy you are able to share these precious memories with family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The yard looks amazing! And now your view from the porch is clear. Love that. Great to see the family pics, too. What treasures you have to share with them!
LikeLike
I didn’t know those treasures were in the house. John must have moved them without opening them.
LikeLike
You are blessed with good family and neighbors and nice memories – who could ask for more?
LikeLike
And don’t forget blog friends! I’m blessed with those, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our blogosphere buddies are the best in the world. I often wonder how boring my life would be without blogging. (Even worse, with no internet – I guess I would still be an avid reader.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good weekend! Getting rid of those bushes is wonderful. We have the same issue here, it’s on the docket for fall so think.
LikeLike
The bushes were nice until John couldn’t keep up with them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful family and friends you have! The house looks great, too.
LikeLike
I have been greatly blessed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a beautiful family ,neighbour & friends. Your house & the yards good look. Happy to share your memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!
LikeLike
Sweet. Cousins and aunties and nieces are the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet the changes give you a clean, fresh feeling. We had a couple of trees on our side yard removed as they were contributing to erosion, and nothing could really grow there because of all the shade ~ plus the limbs were staring to get too close to our roof. What a difference! It really opened up that area and we now have grass and some gardening containers that are flourishing because of the additional sunlight!
LikeLike
You had a very successful rejuvenation. Nice!
LikeLike
It’s funny how bushes are small one day and giant the next. At our last house with a screened porch, I specifically told the landscaper I didn’t want anything large in front of the porch. I wanted to be able to look out and see the yard and back tree line. He put in little things that in 5 years grew to 6′. We had to pull them out. We replanted them elsewhere but they were two big to transplant. Only one survived and gave us good crops of lilacs each year. It’s good to have help to get these things done. Revisiting old treasures is always good too.
LikeLike
Sometimes plantings can take over. I’m glad to be rid of our huge things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always fun to look at old pictures and things. Sounds like a great family get-together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful ‘coming together’ Anne
LikeLiked by 1 person
John left such a wonderful legacy to the whole family! With so much love. ❤
LikeLike
John left a big impression on many people. I’ve enjoyed listening to folks talking about him.
LikeLiked by 1 person