I’m writing this on January 4, and it was really cold today. It was about 30 degrees here in Mendota. I wanted to go for a walk, but I couldn’t get started, so Mike just “dropped me off” about two miles from the house. I took my camera because I wanted to photograph the Granny Bott’s house.

My parents were friends with Ed and Edith Cunningham. Granny Bott was Ed’s mother. When I originally put this post up, I said that Granny Bott was Edith’s Mother, but Dianne, Granny Bott’s great granddaughter corrected me. Thank you Dianne! I have always liked this house, and I remember when it was lived in and kept. There was a lilac bush growing by the house, and the last family that I recall living there was Pastor Sifford’s family. His son, Joe Sifford, and I were about the same age. Pastor Sifford was the pastor of the Mendota Bible Methodist Church, and I believe he was also an auto mechanic. I wonder where this family is today?

We are are going to have some road construction on the road in front of the house, and while I haven’t heard for sure, this old house could come down. I’ve never been in the house.

There was a little store across from the house when I was very young. It was known as Granny Bott’s Store. The store was composed of logs and it was moved around the corner five or six years ago.

The road that you see in this picture is Barnrock Road, and it is being “reworked” to make it a little wider and a little safer. I really do not know who makes these decisions. A few might think it’s important, but for the most part, it’s not something most people in Mendota care about. However, removing the sharp curve at Granny Bott’s house will make the road safer.

The signs were put up this week.

It must work like this…someone comes out and identifies where the sign should go and they spray paint the road and then the sign is put up by another crew. Right beside the sign, “RWA” is sprayed on the road.

I wonder if I write on my driveway “PCHH” if someone will put up a sign “Please Clean Her House” and then someone will actually come and clean my house? I may try this!

Here’s another change on Swinging Bridge. Steve and Mary McCroskey, owners of Riverview Dairy, have moved some of their cows to the pasture running along Swinging Bridge. I love these cows, and I’m thinking they were bottle fed because they are so friendly. They ran over as if I had a treat for them. (I may have a treat on my next walk…I’ll get some sweet feed!)

Isn’t this one pretty? I love those faces.

Here’s another…look at the funny face in this picture (below). The little guy to the right? If I were a cow, that would be me!

It was so dang cold today that the ditch water was frozen when the sun was shining.

I enjoyed this walk. I need the exercise and I need the sunshine. I get a little Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) in these long, dark winters.

A walk really helps…especially on a sunny winter day. It’s one of the bright spots in my day.

I took this picture looking up to the house. So thankful to live in this beautiful place. With pretty cows.

Just getting outside felt good…and it reminded me to look about for the bright spots in the winter landscape…such as the presence of these red berries in my back yard…reminding me that brighter, longer, sunnier days are ahead.