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)

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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

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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.

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

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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...

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

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

I AM SO BUSTED

Long ago and far away I said I never wanted a microwave - they were a fad and they took up so much space - - - well once it came into my life it has stayed and been a very useful tool that I use about everyday...


Well with the completion of the deck I was asked if I wanted a grill - - - no I said - - - and was reminded of the microwave incident by a child or two - and then thought about it and agreed as long as it was propane and not charcoal...


Well I have only used the oven to bake cookies since the arrival of the grill. I cook EVERYTHING on the grill. This includes stuffed peppers the other night that I individually wrapped in foil and baked them! They were most nummy. I also steam vegetables and have even cooked fish in foil. Fast and easy and it keeps the house cooler...


So I am soooooooooo sorry for refusing the grill at first and I soooooooo love cooking on it - new adventures every night...


On to garden matters: Deer have had roses and Rose of Sharon for breakfast this week. The tomatoes are growing fine. The daylillies are fine because I park my car near them to protect them. The finches amaze me everyday. Last night hummingbirds were zooming around the yard like crazy.


Tomorrow I will have sock and blank wall pictures - er' not so blank wall pictures.


The collection of siblings are together for the Harry Potter festival in Irving Park IL. I wish them a good time and safe travels...

Do you play the Kevin Bacon game?


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

Wordless Wednesday part two

Quiet the novelty in our house a blank wall

How long will it stay blank?

We will see next Wednesday

I also have some Chamomile drying but the pixels are too many!

Have a good week - be extra patient with the world - that is my new life goal - - just gonna be patient and try to be kinder to everyone... You are not responsible for the ineptitude of others BUT you are responsible for the response to these people of God...

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

Almost wordless Wednesday part one

Dahlias and I think Bellflowers from the Nobis farm
Far right wall of office
Desk nect to book shelf far right wall
Desk and computer space left wall
Carpet pattern
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD