End of the Year Celebration of Sound and Silence

It was a very unusual festive season.
Each child is in its own nest.
Each child is on its own adventure.
It was a very good feeling as a parent to see your children soar, especially at the time of celebrating the Birth of Jesus. It was a special heart gift given unawares and unasked for, which are always the best gifts!

This year, when the song started, “Silent Night, Holy Night” I did not cry, I did not sigh, I sang right along with the words and kept all the blessings right there in front of me and celebrated each one with a silent blessing on that holy night. That was a most unusual event for me because I have not been able to sing that song in years without crying – so I had my own little celebration right there and right then too. Peace and silence were the gifts given and received.

This Christmas was full. Cookies to bake, cleaning to do, birds to feed, ideas to blossom and lots and lots of laughter, love and hugs, hikes and walks to take, shopping to do, sights to see, sisters to visit with and nieces too, cousins visiting, new traditions to replace the old! It was very full of fun and lots of healthy noise.

As the holiday dwindled so did the noise. The silence was welcomed and very productive in its own way. You can sort things out in silence. You can look at things, count things, and measure them in accuracy. All while knitting, reading, or sitting in a hot tub. Silence after the noise is very good indeed. This was different from a retreat silence or a Sabbath silence – this was a cleansing silence. The season of mourning is at end – life and tradition can now move forward anew.

Here are some pictures of cookies, socks and laughter…

Please note that the socks have about 36 inches of yarn left over. I did not believe the clerk at the LYS that 2 socks could be made from one skein - and so there is another skein coming in the post soon!

Yes, the Pizelles were nummy - both batches! And yes that is a very full couch of life, love and laughter

Happy New Year. Happy 2008 to all.

We had company today!

Not just any company - family.
Do you know how good that sounds in my head and heart?
Do you know how happy it makes me to have a sister visit?

I have spent a lifetime not having family visit us because we did not live in the Hometown.

So now to have a sister, neice, brother in law come for a visit - I was thrilled and enjoyed every crazy minute.

My children were here too - but they are part of the sight sound and taste of home - but my sister came to visit - - it was the best day of the year!

Thanks, sister.

Hope the Mister feels better tomorrow - seems he is getting what the Son in law had on Christmas day - so much sharing going around here - - so now the house is quiet and everyone is home in their nest...

Off to bed for me - tomorrow the only chore is to finish socks... and post the picture here...

what a day

OK so here is the story

DD#3 is on her way to Guatemala for a vacation to visit a friend who is doing missionary work there. Her flying interim was spent visiting with me - we chat and we text - I will miss those convos over the next two weeks...

I started my Christmas shopping today.... still not quite in the spirit but I will get there... My sisster is visiting between the holidays and I am happy about that!

I had my annual migraine first day of vacation event! How typical is that!

The dog got stuck so far under the deck that the mister had to do the low crawl under the deck to get him. Jackson is getting lattice for Christmas! We are getting a new front door and a new deck door - Santa is very good to us!

So what have I been doing with the needles...

in this book is a pair of socks called Columbine which is a favorite spring flower of mine... I have been knitting them for DD#1. I have the first sock finished and was almost to the heel of sock two when House came on the TV.

Well I should have put he sock in the bag! I tried to knit while watching but that did not work. I ended up ripping out all but two inches of the sock! I am ready to watch boring TV and finish this sock... not while watching House which comes on at 11 pm! I love that show because he is a brilliant smart ass and he gets away with it... if life were more like this I would have a fine time!

OK Tomorrow is alraedy here...

I am ready for some sleep and I love the feeling of vacation now that the necessary miagraine headache has passed... bring on the fun!

WINTER THOUGHT

Flannel sheets and Flannel Pajamas is like sleeping in velcro.

Brings back memories of felt boards.

Just a memory and thought for today when the winds are blowing and the snow is scattered.

Anatomy of a tear

Tears
Tears form a thin layer that covers the cornea and conjunctival epithelium (skin). The functions of this ultrathin layer are:
1. To wet and protect the delicate surface of the epithelium.
2. To inhibit infection by mechanical flushing with each blink and the action of chemical components within the tear film.
3. To provide the cornea with necessary nutrients.
4. To make the cornea a smooth surface for light to pass undistorted into the eye.


The tear film is composed of three layers.
a. A superficial oily layer derived from the Meibomian glands situated along the eyelid margins.
b. The middle aqueous (water) layer supplied by the main lacrimal gland and minor lacrimal glands (Krause and Wolfring located in the conjunctiva superiorly).
c. A deep mucous layer derived from Goblet cells scattered throughout the conjunctiva.
The oily layer helps prevent rapid evaporation of the tears, and the mucous layer helps the tear film to adhere to the surface of the eye.
Changes to the tear film components, and or the surface of the eye cause instability resulting in what is called dry eye syndrome.

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OK so there you have the real explanation - let me tell you the reality: My eyes were rivers falling off my face so much that I had chapped cheeks!

I saw an eye specialist that ordered a medicine that cost $100 and burned like crazy then made my eyes itch like crazy - that went out the door. Then they wanted me to take a medicine that causes glaucoma when I already have narrow angle glaucoma and have been told to never take any medication that has that counterindication!

I saw my family physican who told me I did not have strep and that I should see an eye doctor.

I called my eye doctor that told me to see another eye doctor because he was out for two days.

The final doctor listened to about 4-6 weeks of history and asked about 50 questions. It was a very good exchange of information. Turns out that I produce too many cleansing tears and not enough of the waxy goopy tears. So I need tear duct plugs that have a very fancy name. I currently have temporary plugs in my eyes and they are a GOD SEND. Final installation is December 26 - GOD IS GOOD

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So whenever you hear the Bible verse about being Carefully and Wonderfully made - you can believe it - God made tears in three layers - who would have thought - God does make us so very wonderful and all the balance in our bodies is a miracle indeed.

Knitting a sock with a fun lace pattern - getting ready for Christmas - going to do a different form of Christmas as we are all pretty much done with stuff but sure have fun hanging out - so we are planning some hanging out events...

Read the Bible story - see how God made us so very wonderful indeed! Psalm 139 around verse 13 I think...

December 10 - what a great day!

There have been birthdays that I have dreaded - let us say 29 was not my favorite bday but 30 was fine.

For some reason I was mistaken in thinking I was 57 all year long when I was only 56. Today I am 57. And I am standing when I say that!

I had a great day - lots of phone wishes that make me feel good that others know my number! Lots of smiles all day and that was a great gift. I had time alone which I relish and time together.

In the gratitude column I have many too many things to list - the Dear Husband is number one. He is too sweet to me and always gets such thought filled gifts - replacement items that the dog chewed from VS. Candle sconces because I broke one yesterday with a candle lighter and a WREATH. Plus dinner at a favorite restuarant where they serve poached salmon - it don;t get no better than that!!

All our married years we have had wreaths - most were hand made by me in the fall for the Christmas season - but since we have been here life has been so devastatingly changing - that if fell off the horizon line - so - now - - - I will start collecting for a hand made one in the spring...

I also drank a cup of chamomile tea that I grew in the garden this summer with Stevia leaves and some lemon balm - OH dear that was good... nothing like a little garden planning in December....

OK sleep beckons - tomorrow I will start the day with joy and exercise - then the rest of the day will be as good as it can be - RESOLVE for the 3rd anniversary of my 19th birthday!

Now a thought about peace from a favorite author

The best snowman ever!
By Bob Perks
All stories copyright 2007

It just came up in a casual conversation. It was one of those times whena young child asks a simple question expecting a very complex answer, but then, much to the delight of the child, hears a simple one.

It didn't carry the weight of "Where do babies come from?"

It didn't require a dissertation on religion in the 21st century.

It did however need to satisfy this child's curiosity.

It was late on a snowy Saturday afternoon. The young boy and his fatherwere cleaning up the remaining leaves and branches that fell during the windy approach of the snow storm. They stopped for a moment and sat quietly watching the snow fall.

Both were bundled up from head to toe. Mom insisted, "Im the one who will have to take care of you if you catch a cold."

So they complied adding a scarf and hat as they walked out the door.

"Dad, my friend told me that every snowflake is different," the child said.

"I believe that is true," dad replied.

There was silence.

"How do we know that?" the child asked.

Dad, now smiling, turned toward his son and said, "We just do."

Not a good answer at all. It falls into that category of "Because I said so."

"But they look all the same to me," the child added.

Now dad feels obligated to come up with a more satisfying answer.
One so profound that his son will remember this moment for years to come.

"Son, snow flakes are like people. God makes everyone of us different. We are each unique in a very special way. How do we know that? We just do," he said.

Oh, what a let down. He was doing so well. Any time you can bring God into the answer, you're heading in the right direction. I mean, when
you say "God did this" or "God wanted it this way," then you're covering
all the bases. But he went back to the original answer and blew it all...
"We just do."

The child stood up, put out his hand and watched as the snow landed
on his glove.

"They are different," the boy said. "Like people."

It worked. I was wrong the boy was satisfied with Dad's answer.

Then came the big question.

"When they are all together they are so beautiful," he said.

Then sitting down next to his dad, he looked up and asked, "Then
why don't they get along?"

"The snow flakes?" dad asked.

"No, people, dad. Why don't people get along? If people are like
snow flakes and each one is unique and special like you said,
why don't they get along?"

Wow, that's a good question. One deserving a good answer.

"I mean, when you look at these snow flakes on my glove they are all different.
When you look at the snow in the yard, all together, they look the
same. Together they are even more beautiful."

What a moment. One I believe that will hold a special place in
dad's heart forever.

But how do you answer that?

Dad sat there for a moment thinking.

"Choice," he said.

"Choice?" the child asked.

"One of the greatest gifts that God has given us is the gift of choice. As different as we all are, we have one thing in common. We can
choose what we do, how we dress, where we live, and how we
treat each other. "

"So choice is a bad thing?" the boy asked.

"Only when we choose the wrong things. Only when we make choices that go against God's plan for us."

"How do we know what's right and what's wrong?" the child asked.

Dad looked around now struggling to build upon this moment. Yes, it would have been easy to fall back on "We just do." But he was in
special place right now. He was given the chance to build upon
the very foundation of his son's faith.

Dad nervously shuffled his foot in the snow as he searched his
heart for just the right answer.

"Let's say all of this snow was all the people of the world . You are
right, together they are beautiful. They are now given the gift of choice. They realize how well they work together so they begin to build."

Dad reaches down and divides the snow into two sides.

"Both sides acknowledge their differences. One says, "Let's get
together and build upon those differences. Let's do things that will
help the world. The other side says the same thing, but can't come
to an agreement on how to do it, so they each break off into
separate piles."

Dad stops for a moment and looks at his son.

"Do you understand so far?"

"Yes, I think so," the boy replied.

Then, without saying another word, dad continued to work with the snow.

On the first side he builds three large snow balls. On the other he
builds several smaller ones.

"Which side did the right thing?" he asked the boy.

The child looked at both sides and couldn't come up with an answer.

"Dad, I don't know."

Then dad stands up and places the three larger snow balls on top
of each other.

"It's a snow man!" the boy shouts.

"Now who did the right thing?"

"The snow man!" he replies with enthusiasm.

"Yes, all these people came together and recognizing how special each of them were, they joined in an effort to build up mankind,"
dad said.

The child then stood up and gathered an arm full of the smaller snow balls. Then, one by one he began to throw them at the other small piles of snow.

"What are you doing?" dad asked.

"This is what happens when people can't work together. They call it war,"
he said.

Dad was stunned. He stood up, lifted the boy and held him tightly.

Whispering in his ear he said, "I pray to God that your world will learn to
work and live together."

The boy leaned back in the comfort and protection of his father's arms, looked at him and said, "I will make the right choice.
I will learn to build the best snowman ever."

"I believe in you!" Bob Perks

I encourage you to share my stories but I do ask that you keep my name and contact information with my work.
If you would like to receive Bob's Inspirationalstories, please visit http://www.IWishYouEnough.com and submit your email address.

and today the loft bed is finished

While Mr Jackson was eating a pillow from the bed that had fallen on the floor

We assembled the loft bed

(that should have been our first clue - how many children have we raised - to know that a quiet kid can be getting in BIG trouble)

Without further ado here is Loft Bed #2

Tomorrow the delivery to Troy and Em should be in heaven!

I hear that there is snow and rain and ice in Chicago

DD#2 is ready - has blankets and extra candles and plans to sleep right through the whole thing

I hope the people from the 200 or so flights that were cancelled are as equally as prepared to camp out and wait out the weather...

Next week new adventures in Advent!

That Dog Jackson

He is an angel but he is all dog.

He loves to torment the cats by sniffing the tail end!

He loves shoes and slippers and socks.

And as you disrobe for the shower he loves to capture the tightie whitie du jour.

So add one complete female ensemble to his list of chewed items. I would not be as frustrated but he sniffles through your disrobement and finds your unmentionables and spreads them about after dining on the parts he likes the best.

OK done with the rant. Back to your regularly scheduled programming!

SUNDAY - THINKING - PLANNING - PLAYING

OK

So maybe the planning for 2008 should commence

PLAYING MORE

LAUGHING MORE

LEARNING MORE

That is enough planning. With those three goals for 2008 I think I should be able to do what the heck I want and cover any one of them sucessfully.

So today I will start practicing by playing all day!

See you in the funnies!

TRUE CONFESSIONS

It has been quite the year.

I remember very little of it - most if it is a blur.

That is OK except I find that it creates some circumstances that are truly not acceptable.

And they say confession is good for the soul.

TRUE CONFESSIONS!

Witness the fact that nowhere in the garden was Parsley even planted. Not even in a pot for the deck. What the heck was I thinking? I remember I was not thinking when I planned my garden, obviously. So I have bought a pot of parsley and it will grow on the kitchen window sill until it comes time to plant some in the spring.

I have been working longer hours than I have ever worked before. New job in 2006 has created some stressers that I did not even think about. What was I thinking? I was bored and going to work each day was getting harder and harder to do. So I instigated the change. Did the interview thing and have gotten what I deserve in the day to day.

Secondary to that change, the dear husband has taken up the cooking for the most part. He creates great food and it is hot and on the table when I get home. How wonderful is that? It is almost a no brainer! I do not look to see what we need when I shop and he never says what he used up in the creations - - - this will change now because.....

When it came time to make the turkey I openned the spice drawer and found NO poultry spices. No Rosemary

No Sage

No Thyme

No Parsley

Oh dear, but alas, I am a gardener. I had cut some of each of the above herbs earlier in the week and they have been hanging to dry for a few days.

SIGH!

So with great courage I chopped some up and in the dressing they went. I had no clue as to how much or how many. So I went with abandon!

I have held conversations about how I grow the herbs but very seldom use them in an Herb Group. The moderator of the herb list I subscribe to told me to start - what did I have to loose? So I at least had started collecting them to start using them - - without her guidance Thanksgiving may have been an entirely different day. Thanks Tina!

Well, I am off to the showers now... I have a sock (toe up construction) I am not happy with so there will be some TINKing in my future today and maybe start of a vest.

Back to your regular scheduled chaos!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

da' Boys

Have I told you about da' boys? It took the mister 35 years to finally out number da' girls.

Here they are gathered for a fine night of TV viewing...

Been crabby for the last few days

I have really negative reactions to any kind of sedation - or numbing element - it makes me cranky and crabby as it leaves my system...

OK so the dog eating my sock did not help... the stockings I have to wear for the leg surgery are making me nuts... lifting restrictions make me cranky because I am accustomed to moving what I want where I want it... I am not one to say "Honey, can you empty the trash?" and then wait - I empty the trash when I want to... I do the laundry when and how often I want to and if I go to the store - I never have had to ask "Can you please pack them light?" All this makes me sound like a whiner and I am not a whiner - - except when I am crabby - like today.

Things are not settling well with me... I hear the words of an old friend and Colleague "Always do the right thing." these words echo through my head as the daily events unfold - work - politics - news - environment - you name it - how hard can it be to do the right thing - how hard can it be to get along? Is holding your tongue such a hard concept - is letting another voice be heard such a travesty?

SIGH

The garden is done and needs to be tilled one time before winter - I thought I was going to get some berry bushes planted - but not so much... come spring they will go in besides they still will not bear fruit this year and I need the time to get the deer gear ready!

I have been learning new sock patterns with Cat Bohrdi and her book - New Pathways for Socks - so much fun to learn to knit a sock from the toe up and to be able to expand for the ankle in your personal choice of areas - - - there is head work involved - - - but what fun to make the sock the way you want and put the increases at random and not according to a set pattern!

OH Kay - need to find the camera tomorrow and post really cute pictures of DH with the dog and the cat all laying on top of him as he rests on the Lounger - too cute - there is a picture of harmony - - - SIGH





GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Almost!

I finished a pair of socks for a Knit A Long that I joined a few months back - it was suppose to be a pair a month - well I have not met that expectation - not even close.

I did finish a pair yesterday while resting. Today the dog ate one. So now Felecia and Emily have a new one sock. Sigh.

So Jackson has had 3 watchbands, 1 bra, couple stray socks, 2 skeins of sock yarn, 3 stuffed dog toys (which hardly count as they were his) and now a hand knit sock. I think he is about even with the rest of the pets - so up goes the gate and not so much trust about being alone in the basement. From the looks of the table the cat must have pushed things off for him. What a pair!

Sigh!

Off to the shower for me and I am going to chalk this up to trusting a puppy too soon!

Lesson learned - these things take time... Lots of time

Sigh!




GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Dog vs Watchband

In case you are keeping score...

Jackson - 3

Watchband - 0

Yarn - 2

The last one was too late retrieved from under the bed - which required lifting the bed and getting between the board to get what was left of the watch band. Now we have determined that anything under 48 inches off the ground is not safe. Pretty soon we will be hanging things from the ceiling.

I forget at night when I am done knitting to put my bag on the table or hang from the chair - so we are knitting a pretty knotted skein - but usable - the fitst one he got was done for!

OK so I hear some chewing... chat later... maybe with a picture of finished socks and the other hat - 2 hours - 3 attempts - 1 hat

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Instant Gratification in the knitting world

2 hours

1 skein

voila

OK In reality it was 6 hours and 3 skeins but who is counting

tee hee hee

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Few thoughts

RANDOM THOUGHTS

• It is becoming more sensical to follow the directions.

• Dreams last long after the dance is over.

• Gardens live all year long. Either as reality or as a dream for next year!

• People are an amazing study.

• I am still of the conclusion there are two types of people:
• Ones who are caring and truly respect life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
• Ones who do not care about anyone but themselves and manipulate the planet to spin on their axis so the definition of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness is determined by them.
• Trouble is caused when the Respectful people meet the Self-centered people - herein lies the basis for all discord... think about that for a while!

• I know a lot more about my self today than I did a year ago!

• Blue - Yellow - Red make a variety of colors - and you can decide what proportion you want in your life!

• Dogs are best at your feet and cats in your lap!

• Children may grow up but they never leave your heart!

• Yes and No are both perfectly acceptable answers to questions - and we should exercise the use of both with caution. We should also be smart enough to know when the yes has turned the corner to no. Sad part here - there is no instruction manual for this just daily learning.

• I love to be creative. I hate being repetitive. Probably why no two Tuna Noodle Casseroles were ever the same - ever! Or why no two loaves of bread were ever the same either!

• I love to create with my hands. I do not like creating the same thing over and over and over again. I like variety. Even great big trees change everyday. How did I learn this - I said I would create the same thing over and over and over again. OOOPS - seems my yes has turned the corner to no.

• Fall is here. Rain has arrived - something we wanted - and needed.

• Glad I do not live in San Diego CA - Where in the world is Carmen San Diego was a FAVORITE game on the computer when the kids were growing up and I was stellar at it!

Enough

Sleep beckons - tomorrow I get to have my post-op check on my vein surgery. The jury is still out on the second leg... hopefully thinking about this...

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

October if a BUSY month

Good morning world, It has been a busy month. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the time of the major fundraising for the organization that employees me. Needless to say the J-O-B swallowed up a good portion of September with 12-18 hour days and the recovery from the event has taken a good 10 days. I actually feel rested today.

* * * * * * * * *

Whew, I guess that I do not recover as fast as once I did.

So what is new in the last two weeks.

* * * * * * * * *

Granddaughter turned 11 yesterday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

* * * * * * * * *

Hot tub is up and running!

* * * * * * * * *

Garden is all about over and the deer are eating the Swiss Chard everyday!

* * * * * * * * *

I finished an odd band sock for my other Granddaughter because she likes to wear unmatched socks!

* * * * * * * * *

I needed a mindless knitting project and started a shawl last night and feel better in the head.

* * * * * * * * *

Mindless projects seem to heal the overworked brain (for me anyway)!

* * * * * * * * *

I have a friend having a commitment ceremony today in another city. I wish them both well and happiness in each day.

* * * * * * * * *

I know a lot of people born in October. Valentine season babies!

* * * * * * * * *

Did I mention Jackson has learned how to play Houdini? On one walk he escaped the harness and I came home with an empty harness stating "I could use some help out here!" The next day he was sporting a standard green neck collar. Dogs are cute but clever.

* * * * * * * * *

OK! Off to the races today. We have errands to catch up on and Monday comes fast.

* * * * * * * * *

In a small way try to understand that some circumstances are beyond our control. No matter how hard we try - things break -people get sick - plans change.

* * * * * * * * *

Learning to rock and roll with change is a valuable life lesson.

* * * * * * * * *

Learning what we cannot control is another valuable lesson.

* * * * * * * * *

Whenever you include one single Hu (Human) element in an equation the answer is different.

If you include Hu+Hu then there is more control.

In a perfect world the two humans would work in harmony.

* * * * * * * * *

Always something to consider - the Hu element!

* * * * * * * * *

I pray each day that those ahead of us and those behind us on this continuum called life learn these lessons.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Journal - September 30, 2007

How does that calendar roll so fast?


Yesterday was Homecoming for 1st Granddaughter! WOW!
We went to the Homecoming Game and saw her march in the Band of the High School - just the fact that I put Granddaughter and High School in the same sentence makes my head swim.


I then put ALL NIGHT in a sentence with 2nd Granddaughter and I see that they are both in those wonderful BE-tween years!


I love my Grandchildren. That said - I miss them alot! I loved their hugs when we visited on Friday night and look forward to celebrating the next Birthday event on the Sunday of choice for The Birthday Diva.


Funny story here: One Grand is all about pink and the other is not! They too are as different as night and day when it comes to life. But inside they both have hearts of gold and their smile can brighten any day... I want them to know in that smile I see the HOPE of the future in their eyes and I hold that smile in my heart each day...


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I went out on the deck this morning and the surface was cool beneath my feet. There was a hawk in the tree above; birds at the feeder; a clear blue sky; the reflection of a fading moon; dog on a lead; and the sounds of birds chirping everywhere; the coffee in my hand was hot and the robe was warm. In my mind and heart I will hold that very real moment close as I finish up the last details of a project that have taken so many moments like that away from me.


I strive for balance. I try to also be aware of the moment. I love boundaries and have always had trouble when they become blurred. I like to know what is my job and then try to do that with clarity because at the end of the day that is all I can review as my part in making this blue sphere rotate.


In the boundary realm I realized a long time ago that I am not responsible for the actions of others - I am only responsible for my reaction to them. As I observe others I see that boundaries are a good thing... for me. Maybe others too, but they have not come to that point in the sentence and I just wait....
In the day to day I work with and for DREAMERS and they have their place in the world - BUT - in order to achieve that dream the rubber has to meet the road somewhere and mixing reality with dreams is a lot harder on the worker than on the dreamer...


Which brings me back to BALANCE!

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Did I ever tell you that I also collaborate on projects with the "Mud" of "Fiber Meets Mud"?


I do not watch as much DIY TV as he does but I love to watch carpentry shows SOMETIMES.


(if I controlled the clicker we would be watching chick movies, National Geographic, and the cooking channel)


So today when he came to me in my cave and said he was taking my advice about the current building project, I was at the same time flattered and frightened. We chatted about it and we are OK and on the same page.


I may have missed my calling I should have studied either architecture or a biology but that is a story for another day!

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Did I mention that Jackson has a relative named Houdini!

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breathe
breathe
breathe

breathe

breathe

breathe

breathe

breathe

breathe

breathe



EXHALE

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GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

How do you summarize 35 years?

A home made card for a hand made love - - celebrating 35 years of marriage is a very humble point in the day to day and makes a person take account of how in the heck the pages of time rolled so fast.... September 22, 1972 to September 22, 2007.

Please NOTE: There were pictures in the spaces between the paragraphs... they did not follow the blcok copy effort and are lost to the ether!

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Once upon a time you would tie one on and go off to the world… a complement would be answered…. My wife got that for me… Ties today mean two things… we are attending a beginning or ending, those events that tie the world together…





One fall day we tied the knot and our life has not been the same since… and for that I am eternally grateful and humbled.





Once upon a time we would tie one on and trip the light fantastic – dancing and drinking until well past any reasonable time of the night…





Now we enjoy a night cap of tea and comfort of the leather and healing balm of hot water….





We are tied in the aging race of aches and pains, but we still tie our shoes and away we wander, with our wonder dog Jackson…




Speaking of Jackson, Jackson harldy looks like a Lab to me – he just looks right and like love in fur… fun and happy and free of shoulds and woulds and coulds…. Just love.



Tying one on these days means a whole different thing to us….



Today we tie on hoodies and slowly tie our shoes and life - don’t get much better than that…



That just about ties it up… My little story of tying one on, but wait, there is more fun to be had…



You have recently tied on the strings of cooking and I have no words to explain what a relief that is to me…



I talked of humility and how love makes you humble… here is the Akan Dwennimmen - Horns of the Ram a symbol of strength (in mind, body, and soul), humility, wisdom, and learning.



Kinda sorta ties into your love of sci-fi




What would our story be without talking about moving from here to there Euclid – VA – Germany – OH – IN – IL – OH

And the best lesson you ever gave the progeny was to tie it on – pat it – and say everything will be OK….

And so as we tie another day into our string of life I vow again to love you for better or worse, and because we have internet that allows for other venues

Here is a sweet vow from the Hindu world

…Yes, we are partners. I am yours and you mine. ...Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound.
May the night be honey-sweet for us… (which of course I have edited to say what I want)

****************************************
AND SO IT SEEMS WE ARRIVED TO THIS MOMENT BY LIVING AND LOVING THE LAST MOMENTS THOUROUGHLY....

We celebrated the day with hanging out together. We walked the dog together several times... had lunch at an overlook I found while working one day... visited the bookstore and shopped like crazy... rested.... renewed.... went to see a crazy movie that had story lines from other classics woven into it "The Wendell Baker Story" and dinner at the National Exemplar which is always good.

And so we get going on more pages of life.... Autumn is a sweet season and my favorite one of the year... It is such an experienced season and such a good time to review and restart your journey - - - much better than January my personal hibernation month!

A thought for the next season:

THE DREAM LASTS LONG AFTER THE DANCE IS OVER

OK off to the daily grind.... blogging in the morning is a whole new way to pray...

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

How do the walls in your house get thick?

OR THE PECULIAR WAY WE LIVE

First you put furniture in the room

Then there is the lamp or table

Then a basket on the floor for decoration

Then near the basket you take off your shoes
Or
The dog lays down in his bed
Or
You leave the papers there
Or
The project you were working on last week is placed next to the basket which already has shoes, papers and the project laying there. Now you are a good 4-5 feet away from the wall – that my friend is how the walls get thick. You vacuum around them and ignore the space between them and the wall. Humph!

How do kitchen counters get thick? First you have 36 or so inches of counter space. You have a bowl of fruit – then a bowl of fresh harvest – a cookie tin – a toy from the dog – a bag of beans and all of a sudden you cannot even put a cutting board of any dimension on the counter top…. Humph!

So that is how your walls get thick. I noticed that the yard boundaries get thick too! Lawn furniture – decorations – then there is the assembly of used or to be used pots – a hose – some fallen sticks and all of s sudden you are trimming 3 feet from the border because you have stuff on the grass… HUMPH!

So if this is apparent to me – maybe this is the time to de-thicken the walls – put things away and get a little straightness in my life again… Once upon a time I called this clutter – now I just see it that I started a sentence and left it hanging in mid air unfinished!

So maybe this weekend I will unthicken things. Maybe. Fall beckons so the outdoors will be rearranged and with the change in the season so will the indoors. It is just odd that so much collects around the edges of life.... but I guess that is pretty standard... for me... collecting things around the edges.... even the hips collect things! HUMPH!

Thank you Emily and John

One day, earlier this summer, I was pretty upset because the local deer population ate my Sunflower plants. There was something so VanGogh about picking sunflowers that it was not even rational to consider elsewise.

So John and Emily planted some seeds in a small wading pool by the deck. I have watered them religiously and have cared for them each day. Today the gift was given to me. Sunny flowers. Taller than I am. Brilliant yellow. Happy making for a Sunday.

Oh and of course Jackson! He makes me happy too and he left them alone to grow which was a good thing.

I thought I might have socks to show you. But recovering from exhaustion is hard work. Watched two movies from the couch - Man of the Year with Robin Williams and Relative Strangers with Danny DiVito. They were both good and I stayed awake for both and rested while I watched them.

Jackson and I walked each day and that feels good to do again - I miss my walks when my work overtakes my life... Serious thinking ahead about the balance that I wanted when I took this job... Balance needed - it will be reevaluated October 7th...

Sleep beckons.

Prayers for those that wait and watch and weep this night.

Thanksgiving prayers for those things that make our days so extraordinary that without them we would not be who we are.

Thanks for the quiet moments of this weekend and the beauty in nature that renews the soul.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

A MOST Unusual Day

I got home on Saturday morning when I left for work on Friday morning. 16 hour days are not on my list of things to repeat. I have been good about trying to leave on time give or take an hour. The major event season will be over after the first week of October. I will adjuicate life after that.

I napped in the mid-morning and still had plenty of day left to accomplish some errands. I chatted with my two Ohio daughters this midday and my grand-daughter who had just finished a Soccer game - lost by one point - which is good for anyone playing in this heat!

It was an unusal event - I cooked dinner while it rained. I wore a sunviser to keep the rain drops off my glasses! I know I was a site - but hey - It is Saturday and you can be as you will on Saturday. You could hear the trees saying "Please do not stop raining", but it did. Tomorrow is Sabbath.... most deserved.

I have become intrigued by sock knitting machines. Very new on the learning curve. I can with focus and normal working days - hand knit a single sock in a week. The machines knit them in little over two hours - two socks. What a concept. Still some hand work - but you always have handwork on socks! If you are interested in seeing one - type Gearhart in the YouTube video search screen and you can watch a machine knit socks.

When we were first married DH and I saw regular knitting machines - they were interesting too. Such fun things out there for the retirement years. I can hardly wait. I will pick my toys carefully in those days of play.

I chatted with my daughter in Chicago - she works in a hospital and brings home all kinds of sickies. She works with kids on the off time - whom I often consider germ factories! I know why she is sick - her environment breeds germs.... By the time we got off the phone she was better - - - hydrated and her blood was flowing better because of the pepper she spiced her chicken soup with...

OK - time to consider sleep - tomorrow I will consider taking apart more pots of flowers... Tomorrow I will take pictures of the sunflowers that my granddaughter planted for me when the deer ate the ones in the garden... the soccer playing - dancing diva is also a bird watching gardener! Hummingbirds were dining on the sunflowers - that site will keep me going for a long time...





GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Looking for the Eb and Flow of Life

During this common time I am seeking to find the pulse of life again. Slow and rythmic. Eb and flow. I have started being more aware of surrounding which helps me focus. Tonight I tapped into a great eb and flow of life: Laundry - it gets dirty - you wash it and put it away - - - how much more eb and flow is that - - - when the kids were younger and I had mountains to conquer daily, I would pray for them as I folded the laundry - - tonight I prayed for me and the mister!

Someone suggested I read and sing the hymn: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. Here are the lyrics...

"Leaning on the Everlasting Arms."

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.

refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlastingarms.

refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.


refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

OK so if you need a visual think about sitting in the lap of the big statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial...

Off to hum a few bars of everlasting arms.... leaning.. knitting... leaning in the everlasting arms!





GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

COMMON TIME

It is common time. The last leg of the journey that lasted one year is finished. The legs of the journey that lasted the 5 years previous have settled in and life is common. It is ordinary again. It is what I have been searching for since that day it all changed… How could it have changed so much and yet stayed the same?

It was like we were sailing in the ocean and a large gust of wind took us off course. The whole time we traveled we could see the right path, we were not in harms way, but the sailing path was not calm, not flat, not settled into any form of current that would allow for some rhythm to pulse through each day, each set of days, each set of weeks, months or years. And yet we survived and thrived and loved abundantly.

The days were full of newness. The learning was extremely intense. There were structures to build and angles to correct. Land had to rise above the water and water to dig below the ground. The windows were exciting to install and crosses marked the panes. People came and went through our lives. Friends were made and lost in the journey. Mostly happy conversations were held and mostly good humor was kept. In he end the change made life different and yet so much the same that you were not sure you blinked an eye.

I cannot say that tears were not a part of the journey. There were plenty of tears to keep the dirt and grime from the eyes, to clear the pain from the heart, to water the dreams that needed to stay alive. We shifted seats at the great table of life. Our parents are all resting in the arms of the Lord. I can feel them about on some days and I can hear their glee at some of the events that have taken place since the chairs have shifted. I have mourned the loss of gardens and flowers and I have cried at the beauty in a new blossom that I have never seen. The tears were an imporant part of the journey... as was the silence.

Some things are more important than ever and others not so much. Loving is important. Being kind and understanding to all that you encounter. Enabling is not so important any more. We each need to develop the skills necessary to traverse our own ocean. Thinking is critical and making the right choices is more important than before.

Working each day is important and for once the focus of the day’s activity makes a difference to me. I am not sure that I am using what I have 100% of the time. I am not sure the waters are calm enough in the 9-5. I am not certain at all, but I know I have the skills to survive and thrive because at the end of the day I can tell I have done what is right and good. Most days I am happy where I am and yet there is that little niggle of wanting something different in the 9-5. I will listen and I will talk and explore at the right time to see what the universe has in store for me. Right now I feel I am in the right sector of the sea. Most days!

So let the common time begin in earnest. The walking of dogs; the cooking of food; the finishing of the garden; the starting of the next season; the adventures of watching all the birds in the nest fly on their own and the love that knows no bounds continue. Let the commonest of times begin. I am ready for the ordinary part of life. It will prepare me for the next leg of the journey.

Slowly I will traverse these common days. Enjoying each moment immensely.

Not much to say

• HOT
• dry
• storms in the North of Ohio
• drought in the South of Ohio
• time for seasons to change

*&^*&^*&^*&^*

How crazy is all that? Floods in some areas of Wyoming and Forest Fires in Montana.

Sets a person to thinking about events in a book called REVELATION...

My Dad referenced it on September 11th. His comment has set in my heart all this time.

*&^*&^*&^*&^*

Thinking about joining a Sock KAL... I have a few days to decide.

*&^*&^*&^*&^*

I am going to take apart all the pots on the decks and in the front - too hard to keep alive in this 100 degree heat...

*&^*&^*&^*&^*

Off for a few days to finish up the details...

*&^*&^*&^*&^*

I had a more concrete blog in my head - but my heart does not want to share it now!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Gardening, litter boxes and Jackson

Yesterday we installed the rope to the backyard so I could garden.

That was fine and dandy for me.

20 minutes in this heat was good for us both.

Today in the cooler morning I thought maybe 30 minutes - water bowl and coolness I thought were enough - we had already been on a walk. I turn my back 5 minutes and I find a small puppy size hole in the lawn. I go into the house on my hands and knees to gather some toys for the dog... much better! Harvest some Swiss Chard, set the sprinkler and we are finished. He does his business and we head in... Note to self: Always toys for the boy!

Like most dogs he loves the litter box and tissues!

I have tired him out and I hear foot steps upstairs - so now I can put him on the other side of the gate (remember gates when you had small children) and I can shower and do some laundry... DH and puppy are both ready for a nap I am sure...

On to Sabbath time...

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Meet Jackson

Jackson loves to cuddle

Jackson loves his squeaky toy from Rob and Donna

Moose is not interested in anything that has to do with dog

Achia the queen of aloof

At his masters feet - can you say small dog!

***^^^***^^^***

Today as I cleaned the refrigerator I was thinking how it was that every two weeks I went to the store and did GROCERY SHOPPING. Then it was time to clean the refrigerator of all the leftovers that accumulated over time. Since moving here I shop pretty much everyday. I love my vegetables and meat fresh bought.

That makes the cleaning process not so often. I must admit that my daughter who lives closeby is my inspiration here - whenever you visit and go to get a drink of cold water - the regrigerator is so clean it shines. Well today mine does too - thanks for helping me be better and more like my original self that moved here over 6 years ago. It sure has been one heck of a trip these last 6 years. I want to think I am a better person for every step I have taken.

Oh and incase anyone asks there are two blue lines on a hockey field and the 4 corners of a boxing ring are named: red, blue and two are called neutral - - BATTLE OF THE SEXES questions!

***^^^***^^^***^^^

More thoughts on another day

SWEET DREAMS

GOOD MORNING TO YOU

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY AND A REFLECTION ON CHANGE

the deer did not get everything

chamomile blossoms for tea

D'oh!

band socks started

and verbena

This morning, as the sky was getting light, I became acutely aware of all the change that has happened in the last 6 months.

Acutely aware of the feeling of wanting to crawl in a cave and let the worlds daily activity spin by for a few days.

It seems like years since January 31, 2007 but it has only been 6 months.

Makes a person set to thinking… the changes and chances of the world and the changelessness of God’s love….

Meditation of Thanksgiving

I offer thanksgiving for all this change... the change that has occured has been straight and direct... no dawdling... life ends... opportunities come and we advance... relocation occurs... things change... and it has been done with a fair amount of swiftness - no lingering or deciding about what side of the fence to stand on... getting on with things... THANK YOU LORD.

I believe with all my heart that God knew that if change were to actually occur that would make us each stronger and better people - it had best be done swiftly... I was not given time to whether to join in the change or to fight the change - - - not so much - - just get up that day and love and live fully that day and all else was taken care of for me... there was no anger or fighting back - - - just give in and get along little one get along.... THANK YOU LORD FOR THE PATH.

without the anger I see pretty flowers and gorgeous sunrises

without anger I do not cry as if in an outrage

I can see and hear and taste

indeed Life is Good

THANK YOU LORD.

MY WEEK...

and my favorite part of the evening prayer COMPLINE

Save us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep may rest in peace.

1Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: your word has been fulfilled.

2My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people;

3A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

Save us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep may rest in peace.

********

Be present, O merciful God,


and protect us through the silent hours of this night,


so that we who are wearied


by the changes and chances of this fleeting world,


may repose upon thy eternal changelessness;


through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

SWEET DREAMS

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

So what is in a dream?

Few thoughts:

1. I never remember my dreams.
2. I seldom sleep 6 plus hours in a row.
3. Currently the only common denominator in my life is change.
4. I am not afraid of change - I have done much to prepare for it inside - mostly prayed to accept what was to come.
5. Trying to take each minute as it comes and not anticipate what is ahead because that causes anxiety and stress when things turn out different.
6. My plate is full and I have abundantly been blessed.

So the other night - Sunday or Saturday night - I went to bed around 11 or so which is common. I went right to sleep and slept very soundly for about 5 hours or so. I then had this dream...

It was a beautiful summer day. I was in the backyard and the kids (not sure if they were my own children or my grandchildren) and I were playing some game with a ball and we were laughing a lot and just really enjoying ourselves. We noticed some birds and butterflies in the air as we played.

All of a sudden we saw a "HOPTER-COPTER" as we use to call Helicopters when my own children were small - it is a family game to rename things like that.

All of a sudden we see the "Hopter-Copter" swirl about in a huge circle and flip upside down continuing to swirl in this big circle. Reminded me of some of the M*A*S*H movies I have seen where they showed a crash or maybe another war movie - that vintage of helicopter.

I screamed "the children" and woke up as it cleared the trees what seemed to be about 50 to 100 feet away. I never saw the crash. There were no flames or noise. The trees remained green and the environment serene.

I told my friend about this dream and she said there was probably a lot of fodder there for an analyst. I agreed.

I rolled over and went back to sleep for a few more hours. Very strange indeed.

To me it says there is change about you - no one is going to crash and burn - but normal flight patterns will be disturbed and flights will change. No one will be harmed and we will all sleep better when it is over. Growth requires change. Even rivers have to move along to stay alive. Water left sitting becomes stagnant.

The Lord promised us water to refresh our souls so that we would thurst no more.

I trust that she is providing that water each day.

Everyday I trust a little more that the Lord in her Heaven knows what is best for me and leads me to the pasture just at the right time to feast upon the meal she has set before me.

No harm will come my way and I will live safely in Her protected garden forever.

Yep - my own rendition of the 23rd Psalm...

Now to sleep - perhaps to dream - thanks Will!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Message from Casey

Dear Dad,

I thought I was in heaven. With the way you treated me, the good times we had, and the life that I was living---I didn't know that I would go to sleep and wake up in dog heaven.


I guess I am writing this email to you because I wanted to say a few things. First I gotta say thanks. I know humans say you can't choose your parents and us dogs are in the same boat. But if I had to choose I would have chosen you and mom. You both were listed under my "ideal" category. I didn't know God would actually give me you two.


So, thanks for everything. Thanks for how you rubbed my belly, let me out the backdoor, gave me brothers and sisters, fed me more than I could have ever asked for and took me to more places than I could remember.


Second, I should say that you were the best. I know I was getting old and you loved me until the last day, last minute, last second. I guess I couldn't expect any less. You had it in your heart to take me in when Jan couldn't handle me. You were looking for a good home, I was looking for a good home, and we kind of just fell into place.


I fell into love with you and your beautiful kids. Especially you. I think we were best friends from the start. You know I would have done anything for you. Lord knows you did everything for me.


Up here in Dog Heaven I am getting all kinds of dogs barking about how well I had it. They bark about you a lot, all of them barking that they wanted you too.


Well, God had something special in mind when he put us together---and boy am I going to miss you. Not only you but everyone. Last, I knew I was going. In the middle of the night when you thought I was barking I was singing to you... I knew I needed some practice but I was just trying to tell you that I loved you and that I was going to miss you and mom. I sing much better up here.


Don't worry. I woke up yesterday and my tumors were gone, I took off running and for the first time in about three years I had no arthritis pain. You even knew how to get rid of all my pain.


Littl’ bit says hello and she is as young as beautiful as ever. We have caught up on our time apart and plan on sticking close to you. Dog heaven is a little better because they took away all my pain...but boy was it great living with you.


Dad, you are the greatest. Tell everyone I said good bye and that all my pain was gone as soon as I fell asleep. I will be with you forever Dad....always remember that.


Casey


P.S. Make sure Indy doesn't get near my two cats. I got friends in high places now.

*^*^*^**^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

Thanks Brian that was the sweetest thing and just think no calories!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

One Grand Dog - Eulogy by the hearts he owned

He was a great friend and a boon companion. I remember my daughter carrying him on her shoulders when he was a pup. I remember his earning my undying admiration when early in our acquaintance our granddaughter, as a toddler, ran across the family room floor and leapt upon him like he was an air mattress. He turned his head and licked her nose, as I recall. The kids used to use his great golden body as a pillow while watching television. He always got the last bite at lunch.

I always wanted a dog I could call, from Herriott, "a great daft bugger." If you never met Casey, he was that and more. Purebread golden retriever, he was a head taller and a body broader than the average of the breed. As old age, arthritis and a thyroid condition robbed him of the speed and agility of youth, he got greater and dafter, and more loveable. He was the kindest, gentlest, most patient dog -- except when you were trying to groom him. And even though he didn't play like he used to, chasing rocks and sticks, he was always a comforting presence.

At one time, we had two dogs: Casey and Mary Ann. Mary Ann was small, in counterpoint to Casey's bulk. We called them "Big Dog" and "Little Bit." They were the best of chums. When Little Bit passed on a couple of years ago, we worried about Casey. He mourned his friend for a couple of days until Moose, the grand cat, adopted him. For the past two years they have been the inseparable "blonde boys." It was always a hoot to see Moose curled up in the protective embrace of Casey's loving arms.

I think the only thing we won't miss is his middle of the night barking. My wife, the lighter sleeper between us, always had the duty.

Lately, he's been lethargic, full of tumors, and had difficulty getting up. Yesterday he opened up a tumor on his right foreleg, making it bleed. On our way to the vet, we hadn't decided whether to treat him or grant him. He made the decision when he couldn't get up and walk from the lobby to the treatment room. At 130 pounds and over 12 years of age, he was too much to carry around.

My wife came home from work to see me through it. Thank you.

When Lazarus died, Jesus wept. As Casey went to sleep, I wept.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me this time with a companion who taught me a little bit of how to love You and trust You. I pray that letting him go at this time was the kindest thing I could do for him, and within Your will. Reunite him with his friend Little Bit, and introduce him to Sammy and Charlie, who went before him as your messengers of love and acceptance in our house.

Well done, good and faithful friend.

SonofJack
July 25, 2007

*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*

and so we are gathered to remember another good friend to the Malone family:
Casey "Big Dog" Malone
lover of kids, dads, cats and meatball sandwiches.
i, personally, will miss his tail, which would jump up and down in hope and anticipation no matter his state of health or age, whenever anyone walked in the door.
i will remember Casey creeping ever so closer to the edge of the table as my sandwich got smaller. casey's hot breath on my thigh during summer picnics and the drool that would enevitably end up on my jeans. and the times i was lucky enough to be wearing shorts...
i will remember playing catch with him throughout the years, and more point, walk and toss again as he got older. i will remember toys absolutely shredded in hours of bringing home and tossing out the back door.
i will remember dad and the longest army green leash i have ever witnessed when dad actually believed he was going to train a dog to obey his vocal commands to heal and fetch.
i will remember dad saying "we'll give him a place to stay *until he finds a permanent home*" full-well knowing that Casey had already found one.
i will remember my peculiar obsession with blowing into Casey's nose to listen to his lips flap against his jaw. i don't know why, but it still makes me giggle just to think of it.
and i will always remember his large eyes looking up to anyone he loved [and who didn't that dog love?] as if to say "you want to pet me? don't you? go ahead. you can pet me."
he was a good servant, an incredible pet and the best friend anyone could ask for.
we did him well.
amen.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

just keep a good thought

Your pets become your family.

You hurt when they hurt - You are happy when they are happy - the loyalty astounds you 24/7

Pets are to always be remembered for their finer days of youthful vitality.

My friend Barbara Crafton on the Geranium Farm wrote today ever so lovingly about her pet cats. Her Story is the First Checkup. Dated 7-24-07

Well worth the time I spent reading the Emo.

So we will keep a good thought tomorrow as we take Casey, 12 year old, oversized Golden Retriever, who came to us through some convaluted events, but nestled himself deeply into our daily fiber, to the vet for a check on the tumors on his leg.

Long will you be the BEST dog ever.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

HARVEST TIME

DELICATA SQUASH

MORE DELICATA SQUASH

POPPY

CUCUMBERS

PURPLE FLOWER FORGOT THE NAME!

So it seems that the garden is about to produce in abundance. I was happy to discover that Delicata squash is a winter squash and will keep 4-6 months. I have a shelf in the basement waiting for it.

My DD#1 came for dinner (I grilled some pork tenderloin and potatoes on the grill I did not want very much!) After dinner I wanted to show her the squash and while we were out there she discovered the cucumbers had begun to grow. I have been so busy watching the squash, tomatoes and peppers that I completely overlooked the cuces. Way to go daughter. She did say that havesting was her favorite part and she much preferred vegetable gardens to flower gardens any day! So out comes the sun pickle recipe and the collection of herbs and spices I need to make the pickles - an old family favorite...

Stay tuned we are going to have lots of pictures of harvest time I am sure!

Sunday Sabbath - I sat for one hour and I fell asleep and I even know I snored... Confession is good for the soul... my goal was to sit for an hour.... that was success in my book.

Have a peace filled week - give hope to the world - listen longer - encourage one another by being kind.... walk if you can instead of using the car - - - try that two times in the next week and see how you feel about walking on short trips...

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD