There is a sign that hangs over our front door. Let’s get to that in a moment. Actually we have lots of signs hanging on the walls of the house; both inside and outside. On the front porch there are two. One is made of tree limbs that spells “welcome” and another just says “Greetings”. We want people to feel at home when they come to our house.

In the old dogtrot there are a few more. “Our love will always grow” is a stitch art with a farmer and his bride. I am not sure it looks like Eva and me, but for sure our love continues to grow. Above it is one that everyone feels is right for our farm. “We create our tomorrows by what we dream today”. I am not sure who said that, but it has deep meaning if you have gone from where we were on this farm to where we are today. I guess not much would get done in the world if it were not for the dreamers and the doers.

In our dining room is a paper cut print. “Our family is a circle of strength and love. With every birth and every union the circle grows. Every joy shared together makes the circle stronger. On the back I have written in the marriage and birth additions to our family. This makes it a keepsake. I have refrained from putting down deaths.

Also, in that room is a piece of art we commissioned to be painted. It’s a southern primitive farm scene with all of the animals, barns and buildings we have painted Grandma Moses style. Around the border is written, “I live each day and each night, that’s what makes my life so brite. I love my family and my home. When I am there I am never alone…could we sit, could we talk, take a long summer walk. There are quilts on the line. Can’t life be ever so fine? Amen”. For sure that reminds me of this house and this place and all that I am grateful for.

Eva’s kitchen has two little plaques. “When it’s dark don’t be afraid, just try your wings and you can catch a star. Take a chance”. The other says, “Never too old to be top banana, to go plum crazy, to be a hot pepper”. What does this collection of signs made over the years mean? Well it goes back to that sign over the door; “All Because Two People Fell In Love”. All the dreams we have had, all the things we have, all we have done, all of the family we have would have not have happened if we had not met and fallen in love in 1976 in New Orleans. That whirlwind romance between mid-January and Valentines Day when I proposed changed everything. So to sum up the past 32 years we look to the door sign; all of this because two people fell in love.