The Wood's Secret Garden

"What is it like?" they ask. So many people have asked me, "What is it like to go Viral on Social Media. So, below are the Good, Bad and Best things I have ex perienced: #1 Worst Things about going Viral You realize how bad you look and sound on video (“Really? Is that me?) Clearly, this has been a reality check and I think I would have preferred living in my delusion.  And you realize just how cracked and in need of repair your driveway is.  My goodness. #1 Good Thing about going Viral More people get to enjoy the gift God has given me, which has opened up great opportunities to meet new people and talk about truly, meaningful things and establish new relationships with people around the world who I would have never had the opportunity to have met had this not happened. #1 Best Thing about going Viral A woman who was grieving the loss of her mother; deeply depressed, and, who had lost all joy, wrote to me wanting to tell me what a difference that my art ha...

This year, for my Birthday, my husband bought me something I have wanted for years--a Power Washer.  From the very first time I used one to help a girlfriend get her mom's house ready to sell, I have wanted one for my very own.  There is something so therapeutic about seeing dirty siding, fences, bricks and cement go from yuck to clean. Over the past month, I have power washed everything I could find: the patio, the fence, the siding on the shop, several dirty shutters; and, even the garbage cans.  I was putting off tackling the biggest project (the driveway) until I had a full day to work on it. Well, this opened up a whole new world for me.  When I realized how long it would take (we have a very long and very dirty driveway) I decided to turn it into an art project.  I realized that I could do word art in one tenth the time that it would take to power wash the entire driveway and it would allow me to leave most of the dirty part dirty.  As pleased as ...

Looking back to 2014... As promised, the following are some "after" pictures.  We have moved everything in and organized most of our things.  We still have several all day projects, like replacing the diverter valve and the washers in the shower.  Currently no functioning shower; but, I can always take a bath until we can get this done.  Yuck! No time to write.  Just enough time to post a few pictures: Bedroom - Notice the TV that plays VHS - Really Modern stuff in a 1964 House - (smiling) Michael at his desk preparing for Sunday's Sermon Looking out from the Kitchen into the Living Room Temporary Patio - Hope to build a small, screened in Platform Patio in a few months Looking into the hallway Bathroom My Favorite Room The Breakfast Bar The entry way - Looking in through the Sliding glass front door! and clearly - Monkey is back to normal!

The Newt, His Flute, and the Red Cowboy Boot Written and Illustrated By Dianna Lynne Wood © For Squirrel, Designs – (Wood) Kane 2004 Note to the Parent or Educator:    This story book is much more than just a delightful rhyming story   It is an interactive educational book that is designed to increase your child’s vocabulary, improve communication, gain a better understanding of rhyming words and sounds, and promote and develop your child’s natural creative talents.  It is recommended that you first read the story to your child.  Pause at any words that may not be familiar to them and provide a definition only after asking them if they know what a word might mean.  After reading the story through once, go back to the beginning of the story and review the sets of rhyming words out loud with your child.   _____________________________ ON MONDAY I was en route to Beirut with a Newt in a sailor suit ...

The Flea, The Bee, and Me! Written and Illustrated By Dianna Lynne Wood © For Squirrel, Designs – (Wood) Kane 2004 Note to the Parent or Educator:    This story book is much more than just a delightful rhyming story   It is an interactive educational book that is designed to increase your child’s vocabulary, improve communication, gain a better understanding of rhyming words and sounds, and promote and develop your child’s natural creative talents.  It is recommended that you first read the story to your child.  Pause at any words that may not be familiar to them and provide a definition only after asking them if they know what a word might mean.  After reading the story through once, go back to the beginning of the story and review the sets of rhyming words out loud with your child.   _____________________________________ Oh, Waiter! I would like bee’s knees with a side of peas and a squeeze of che...