Praise God for back ups! Praise God for friends who call with words of encouragement. And praise God for the folks at Dog School 101, who reminded me tonight of how they began their business. . . . I was off line for a day due to a computer update, but “tomorrow” as we say in the south “is another day.” There will be new photos of the Chipster and Miss Cocoa Joy  as they sort out their friendship and all the toys that are piled three feet high in the den.

This photo was taken a couple of years ago during Toccoa Falls College’s Centennial celebration at graduation. It is such an honor to have the opportunity to march with the graduates. What a great group of students the college has again this year. Rev. Neil Williams is with me in this photo. His mom and dad died in the flood that swept through the lower portion of the college’s campus in 1977. I had promised him that if he would accept the President’s offer to march at graduation, I would be right beside him. It was a wonderful day, and I’m sure the same will be true tomorrow during the 2009 graduation exercises.

Cocoa Joy is usually the one heading out the door to Dog School 101 but that was not the case last night. She stayed home while Chipley went to class to learn his ABC’s of manners and obedience. There was at least two hours of peace and quiet at Pretty Hill, and then . . . he returned!

I guess this is the week for roses. Most of my friends have taken photos of roses and posted them on their Web sites. Last Saturday, I purchased a new one for Pretty Hill, and tonight while I was outside, I noticed a bloom had opened. So, I could not resist joining the growing crowd of sharp shooters.

When I was a kid, I remember this rose bush being in our backyard. In fact, I can’t think of a time when it wasn’t there. Usually, it was on its way to being moved from one spot to another. Amazingly, it survived each move! Mother has always rotated plants like some people rearrange furniture inside their homes. As a result, her yards are beautiful. And even though she is now in her 80s, she continues to do what she has done for years—work outside almost every day.