Moodscapes

Have You Forgotten Him?

2011-03-09T13:48:00.002-05:00

The navy pilot pictured in this newspaper article is Lt. Ron Dodge being escorted by Vietnamese soldiers. This picture first appeared in the Paris Match in 1967 and has appeared on the cover of Life magazine as well as on the cover of over five million VIVA brochures. Every place that this image has been featured, it has aways been accompanied by Lt. Dodge's name. However when the North Vietnamese gave our government what they called a "Complete" list of Prisoners of War his name was not there. He is one of many whom there was proof of capture, whose names were never found on any list handed over by their captors.

I was among many people that wore a POW/MIA bracelet. I wore mine until I developed an allergy to the metal in it and broke out in a rash. I battled that rash with creams and even tried coating the back of the bracelet with finger nail polish. Nothing worked and I eventually placed it in my jewelry box. I still watched for the name, Maj. Lawrence N. Helber in every news article I came across concerning POW/MIAs. His aircraft went down over enemy territory on January 24, 1966.

I have since done a google search and found information at the The U.S. Veteran Dispatch . The information page for Maj. Helber can be found here if you would like to read about him. He never returned home to Logan, Ohio and his family.

At the end of the write up on Maj. Helber there is a paragraph that I have copied and will paste as the closing words of this post. I couldn't find a better way of saying it than the original words that were written.

"Military men in Vietnam were called upon to fly and fight in many dangerous circumstances, and they were prepared to be wounded, killed or captured. It probably never occurred to them that they could be abandoned by the country they so proudly served." ~ The U.S. Veteran Dispatch

Mosaic Monday

2011-02-21T12:10:00.002-05:00

Children Of War

I have always believed that no matter what the war is called or on what shore the war is waged, the children are the ones that ultimately pay the price. Among the numerous news articles that were tucked inside the pages of the Viet Nam Cease Fire scrapbook that I have been sharing with you were these. I won't add a lot of wordy comments and thoughts to the pictures. Just the captions that were below them. They pretty much speak for themselves.

Near Michelin Plantation, these two children struggle with a large sack as they flee a battle.

Four children on a highway near Pleiku back-pack their possessions and head for a refugee camp.

A young girl rocks her baby sister in a hammock at Long Thanh, which was destroyed during a firefight.

At Bu Chi, which was destroyed in fighting, a bicycle wheel is all that this tot has to remember his father.

It's a happy and a little bit uncomfortable moment for Maj. Hayden J. Lockhart Jr. as he meets for the first time, his 7 year old son, Jamie, at Travis Air Force Base.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You are probably wondering why I added this last picture with the first four. The first years of a child's life are the years when those lasting child/parent bonds form. I can only imagine the struggle that this father and son had building those bonds after 7 years.

Wouldn't it be nice if mankind would find another way to settle their differences? Just saying!

Why not join me at at the Little Red House to visit some more mosaic presentations. Have a Blessed Day!

The First And The Last

2011-02-19T12:40:00.002-05:00

Other than the families of these two brave Americans, I wonder how many people know the names of the first and the last Americans to die in Viet Nam.

The first American to die was Spec. 4 Tom Davis of Livingston, Tenn. He was killed December 22, 1961 near Duc Hoa while serving as an adviser.

The last American to die was Lt. Col. William Nolde of Mount Pleasant, Mich. He was killed at An Loc during an artillery barrage 11 hours before the cease fire.

Joyce Nolde, lays a rose on the casket of her husband in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington. Taps sound as Lt. Col. William Nolde is laid to rest. Left behind was his wife Joyce and his five children ranging in age from 12 to 19.

"I will remember the names of these men for the rest of my life."

That was my thought as I read this small article in the Honolulu Advertiser giving tribute to the first and the last Americans to die in Viet Nam while serving our country.

The troops came home, the POWs were released and many of the MIAs remained missing. Life returned to normal and I eventually didn't remember their names.

There was something that I never forgot though. It was the great sacrifice that was made by these two men and the countless brave Americans who died between the first and the last casualties of the war in Viet Nam.

Viet Nam touched everyone's lives in some way. How could it not, when every evening it was right there being played out over and over again in our living rooms on the news. As tragic as it was it was happening to other people and I was just sort of a witness to history.

The day came though, that Viet Nam got right in my face and became up close and personal to me. I was shopping that day and the store that I was in was playing the local radio station over the loud speakers. At that time the D. J.s at the radio stations read a daily updated list of the names of local men and women that had died in Viet Nam. I heard the name Dean Pope come out of those speakers and hang there in the air. My heart fell to my feet. Dean was a friend and the husband of one of my best friends. He had received his orders shortly after their wedding day. Before leaving though, Dean and Liz had enough time to conceive a baby resulting in a beautiful baby boy that was born while Dean was fighting in Viet Nam. He didn't have much time left on his tour of duty when his life was taken. Never would he hold his son in his arms. Never would he be there beside Liz to help her raise their son.

There were many stories like this that played out across this country every single day that the War in Viet Nam waged on..

Where were you when Viet Nam first became personal for you?

Pieces Of The Past

2011-02-18T11:32:00.000-05:00

Last weekend Theresa brought a large scrapbook to me that I had given to her quite a few years ago. She is now in the process of moving and needed a safe place for it until she gets settled into her new home. This scrapbook is the keeper of memories from major events in our lifetime.

Among those memories can be found newspaper articles all about the release of the POW's following the end of the Viet Nam war. We were living at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii at the time and I was obsessed with collecting anything I could find concerning the POWs. Other news of major events that were tucked inside that scrapbook was the shooting of President Reagan, The release of the 52 American hostages after being held in Iran for 444 days and the tragic loss of the astronauts aboard the space shuttle Challenger.

Look what else I found safely stored within the pages of this wonderful book of memories! A photo of President and Mrs Nixon and their daughter and son-in-law. We were living at MCAS El Toro, California at the time of his stop over at the base and was fortunate enough to capture this historical moment on film. Although MCAS El Toro has since been closed and no longer exist, it did have it's moments in the lime light.

Is there anyone among us that doesn't recall this great moment? I remember being glued to the television when they broadcast this wonderful unselfish effort. I remember being so touched by the song and these gifted performers that tears streamed down my face.

In the days and weeks to follow, I will be sharing the contents of some of these news articles and memories of my thoughts and feelings at the time they occurred. Until next time, may the blessings of Peace, Love and Happiness rain down on you.

Share The Joy Thursday

2011-02-17T10:21:00.002-05:00

This week has been one of those rare ones that is not packed full of doctors appointments and any number of errands to run. Meaning plain and simply {{WE}} time for J.D. and I. Having put a few things on hold for a while, we decided that we would take care of some of those things on Tuesday. I am thinking that it would be difficult for the average urban dweller to grasp the fact that when you live in the country in the Midwest and you say you are 'going to town', it is still a country experience.

Our trip to town included a trip to the post office to place a couple of packages in the mail. I seldom go to the post office any more since they now sell postage stamps at the grocery stores. For whatever strange reason that is a part of me, I have always enjoyed going to the post office. It rates right up the with book stores, art supply shops and and office supply stores, where I am concerned. These places are a treat to my senses. So I was looking forward to the trip to our little Post Office.

As I took my place in line at the Post Office I was in a good mood because we had already taken care of two things that we had put off for quite a while.

That good mood turned to plain and simple JOY! when from the far reaches of our little post office I heard the morning song of a rooster....... !!! Now I am no stranger to going to the post office in the spring and hearing the sounds of little biddies coming from the back of the post office, but this was a first for me. I have never heard a rooster's song coming from the back room. This was early afternoon so his clock was off by quite a few hours. It just reaffirmed for me that spring is right around the corner, bringing a smile to my face and lifting my soul from a good mood to pure JOY!

What brought you JOY! this week?

Come Share The JOY!

at Meri's Musings

Have a BLESSED and JOYFUL week!

Follow Me Friday

2011-01-28T11:25:00.001-05:00

I know this is going to come as shock to many, but I woke up this morning and discovered that it had snowed again. Yes, sometime in the night or early morning hours Mother Nature decided that the children that live in this area were in need of another day off from school. Californians, as well as many European countries are familiar with year round schools. It is beginning to look as if this school district is going to become familiar with it too, without even planning to go that route. If I am not mistaken all of the allotted snow days for the school year were used up before the end of December. Usually when they go over their limit, they take away days from spring break to use as make up days. They do this so they won't have to run the make up days too far into summer vacation. All of that isn't looking too promising at this point. I just hope the senior class will get this year finished in time to start fall classes at the universities of their individual choices.

If you have followed Moodscapes for any length of time you will remember that at end of this past summer we put our house on the market in hopes of getting it sold so we can move to town. There were many factors involved in our decision to do this. However, we cancelled the contract with the Realtors right before the holidays. During that time there was only one nibble, but the couple that was interested were wanting to buy on land contract. I had a bad experience with a land contract before and we weren't interested in taking that avenue, so they never came to look at the house.

We received a message the other day that someone else had inquired about the house and are we still interested in selling. With the real estate market as slow as it is right now, we decided to list the house again in hopes that we can get it sold before winter rolls around again. This means that our plates are going to be pretty full for the next few days getting the cob webs knocked down and preparing the house to be shown again. With a few breaks in the mix for me to have blood work done, a follow up appointment on Tuesday with the doctor for the results of the MRI of my brain and then on Wednesday I am scheduled for a needle biopsy. Wish us luck on all of this.

I'm taking part in 'Follow Me Friday'. Lydia @ Still On The Verge is hosting this weekly event. It looks like a great way to find new blogs, make new friends and get new followers. So why not take a few minutes and click your way over to see Lydia and join the fun. Don't forget to add yourself as a new follower here at Moodscapes before you go. You will find the Follow Me Widget on my side bar.

Have a Blessed Weekend!

Mosaic Monday

2011-01-24T12:02:00.003-05:00

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet

After three months of being laid off and struggling with everything from the finances to finding another job, my daughter is once more gainfully employed. With a little networking, a few phone calls, an immediate interview and she was hired on the spot Friday and is starting her first day on a new job today. Our God is so Awesome. Lots of prayers went up and God's abundant love came pouring down. A huge amount of Thanks to all those that kept those prayers going up.

May you be wrapped in a quilt of God's warm blessings until your springtime arrives.

Join me at the Little Red House to visit more blogs taking part in Mosaic Monday.

Share The Joy Thursday

2011-01-20T08:29:00.003-05:00

Life takes many twists and turns along the way. You follow the path as it is laid out for you and try not to question HOW, WHO or WHY. There is sorrow, pain and disappointment along the way that you tend to carry with you. You need to examine these things and study them for a while to understand what you are supposed to learn from them. At some point though you must lay the sorrow, pain and disappointment aside. Hopefully the journey will be long and unless these experiences are set aside they become heavy and burdensome until they become overwhelming and are all that we see and feel.

While traveling on this same path there are experiences that would otherwise be the same, that needs to be laid aside after studying except for one reason. That reason being the people or person in your life at that time. An experience that could be unpleasant can instantly be turned into one that brings laughter and JOY! all because of the reaction to the action.

Such is the experience of falling down (not a good thing for someone that has two new knees) and being pulled out of the snow and ice by the love of your life. So many times since we have begun our journey together, my husband has helped turn what could have been my unpleasant experiences and heavy baggage into backpack memories that I can carry with me because they are light and JOYful.

The JOY! that I share with you today is my husband, J.D.

Why not join me at Meri's Musings

to share in more JOY!

May your journey be blessed with JOY!

The House With Nobody In It

2011-01-19T12:44:00.001-05:00

THE HOUSE WITH NOBODY IN IT
by: Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)

HENEVER I walk to Suffern along the Erie track
I go by a poor old farmhouse with its shingles broken and black.
I suppose I've passed it a hundred times, but I always stop for a minute
And look at the house, the tragic house, the house with nobody in it.

I never have seen a haunted house, but I hear there are such things;
That they hold the talk of spirits, their mirth and sorrowings.
I know this house isn't haunted, and I wish it were, I do;
For it wouldn't be so lonely if it had a ghost or two.

This house on the road to Suffern needs a dozen panes of glass,
And somebody ought to weed the walk and take a scythe to the grass.
It needs new paint and shingles, and the vines should be trimmed and tied;
But what it needs the most of all is some people living inside.

If I had a lot of money and all my debts were paid
I'd put a gang of men to work with brush and saw and spade.
I'd buy that place and fix it up the way it used to be
And I'd find some people who wanted a home and give it to them free.

Now, a new house standing empty, with staring window and door,
Looks idle, perhaps, and foolish, like a hat on its block in the store.
But there's nothing mournful about it; it cannot be sad and lone
For the lack of something within it that it has never known.

But a house that has done what a house should do, a house that has sheltered life,
That has put its loving wooden arms around a man and his wife,
A house that has echoed a baby's laugh and held up his stumbling feet,
Is the saddest sight, when it's left alone, that ever your eyes could meet.

So whenever I go to Suffern along the Erie track
I never go by the empty house without stopping and looking back,
Yet it hurts me to look at the crumbling roof and the shutters fallen apart,
For I can't help thinking the poor old house is a house with a broken heart.

"The House with Nobody in It" was originally published in Trees and Other Poems. Joyce Kilmer. New York: George H. Doran Company, 1914.

A special thank you to my dear friend Ellie Mae at 'Over Good Ground' for pointing me in the direction of this poem. I wasn't quite ready to walk away from yesterday's post and this poem seemed to be what I needed to finalize it. You Know me so well, my friend.

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Mosaic Monday

2011-01-17T19:30:00.004-05:00

To look at this house today, most people would just dismiss it as an old run down, forgotten house that is slowly being reclaimed by nature. However a closer look and a listening ear might tell a story of a happy young couple that once made this house their home. A home where they planned to raise their four children. A home filled with love, happiness and laughter. A home where music was plentiful. A home where evening entertainment for the children might be shadow puppets done my their mother.

Life can turn cruel when you least expect it though. My husband's father was 37 years old when TB took his life. Suddenly J.D.'s mother found herself a single parent with four children to raise on her own. J.D. was 9 years old and remembers the day that his daddy died and how he felt as he watched him being carried away.

The shell of the house that was once home to J.D. and his brothers and sister still stands. The memories that they share, keeps their childhood home from fading into the landscape.

Join me at Mary's Little Red House For links to more Mosaic Monday participants. Have a blessed week.

Share The Joy Thursday

2011-01-13T11:49:00.003-05:00

As the snow continues to fall outside my window on this fine Thursday morning, I am finding my JOY in the warmth radiating from the little wood stove in the kitchen and a soothing cup of coffee.

I was hoping to share whatever news I received yesterday about my MRI results, but due to obstacles beyond my control I didn't make it to the doctor's office. The sheriff's office had issued a Snow Emergency Level 1 warning until 7PM. A Level 1 warning means that the roads are hazardous and may be icy in places. To reach the main roads, we first need to travel 5 miles down J.D.'s mountain. By 10AM I still hadn't seen or heard the snow plow bopping up and down our road performing it's magic with that road salt. Taking all of this into consideration, J.D. and I decided it would probably be best to reschedule my appointment. So now we wait until February 2nd for those results.

I have appointments coming up the first of next week to discuss two other test results with other doctors. God willing and we don't get hammered with another snow storm come Monday morning, I should have at least a few answers by Tuesday.

Why not join us at 'Share The Joy Thursday' and share what has brought JOY into your life. May you find blessings in all that you do today!

Amid The Falling Snow

2011-01-12T08:20:00.000-05:00

Lyrics to Amid The Falling Snow

~ Enya

How I remember sleepless nights

When we would read by candlelight,
And on the windowpane outside
A new world made of snow;

A million feathers falling down,
A million stars that touch the ground,
So many secrets to be found
Amid the falling snow.

Maybe I am falling down.
Tell me should I touch the ground?
Maybe I won't make a sound
In the darkness all around.

The silence of a winter's night
Brings memories I hold inside;
Remembering a blue moonlight
Upon the fallen snow.

Maybe I am falling down.
Tell me should I touch the ground?
Maybe I won't make sound
In the darkness all around.

I close my window to the night.
I leave the sky her tears of white.
And all is lit by candlelight
Amid the falling snow

I was so pleased to find the lyrics to the song that is playing from my play list right now, so I can share those words with you. For some with hearing problems, the words can be elusive. I have been a fan of Enya's music since the first time that I heard her. Enya's music has always seemed to calm me no matter what was weighing on my mind or on my heart. When my mother died from cancer in 2001, I found myself sleepless most nights as I laid in bed at night, a lifetime of memories of my mother played through my mind. It was almost as if I had to keep replaying those memories over and over so I wouldn't loose even the smallest detail from any of them. I just didn't seem to be able to turn them on and off. I started listening to Enya as I struggled to sleep and the music seemed to wash over me with a calmness that allowed me to drift off to sleep.

Our winter storm of 2011 did arrive yesterday as forecast. I just wish that the previous snow had been melted away before it got here. Here on JD's Mountain we tend to have temperatures that run a few degrees colder than what is just 5 miles down at the base. That difference between living in the clouds and those five miles down has often meant that we will still have snow for two weeks after it is gone everywhere else. We are so thankful though that the county is as a rule, very quick and dependable about cleaning our road and keeping it cleared.

This is especially important to me today since I have a follow-up appointment to discuss the findings of an MRI I had recently. I have been having some health issues and hopefully this appointment will be able to explain the cause and treatment of at least some of those health issues. I am trying to take a positive attitude and trust that I will be able to "Share The Joy Thursday".

A special welcome to my new friends and followers of Moodscapes, as well as my long time friends and followers. I hope that you will always be able to find something positive here to take with you as you travel through your day. At least a smile and the warmth of friendship to hold you over until your next visit.

~Winter Blessings To All ~

Mosaic Monday (a day late)

2011-01-11T08:00:00.002-05:00

I thought I would revisit the winter

of 2009 while I wait for the incoming

storm of 2011.

Ohio Winter Poem

2011-01-09T12:16:00.000-05:00

It's winter in Ohio

And the gentle breezes blow

Seventy mile an hour

At thirty-five below.

Oh how I love Ohio

When the snow's up to your butt

You take a breath of winter air

And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful...

So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave Ohio
Cause I'm frozen to the ground!

Note from Jo: Once more I have come upon a poem that is so fitting for the here and now that I had to share it with you. Unfortunately it is one that comes without the name of it's creator. If anyone knows the author of this cute little bit of winter poetry please leave a comment so I give credit where it is due.

Winter Blessings To You!

Home Sweet Home

2011-01-08T17:49:00.000-05:00

“Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need.”

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Home is indeed where the heart is!

Share The Joy Thursday

2011-01-06T07:49:00.000-05:00

Every journey contains twists and turns in the path ahead, as well as areas of shadows and light. While walking in the shadows my heart is filled with fear of the unknown which lies ahead of me. During this time it is so easy to feel as if I am alone. Joy is when I take that one step into the light and discover that I have never been alone.

May your journey be filled with light, friendship and loved ones!

Why not join me at Share The Joy Thursday.

Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening

2011-01-05T11:46:00.001-05:00

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

~ Robert Frost

Should we ponder how many miles we have yet to go or just continue our journeys without giving thought to it regardless of how emotionally and physically tired we are?

May your journey be blessed!

Mosaic Monday

2011-01-03T10:26:00.001-05:00

'Meet Miss Lucy'

This weeks mosaic is of my grandpuppy, Lucy. She is a Cairn Terrier and an important part of my daughter's family and our lives. It is one thing when your own little four legged children are happy to see you, but something else all together when one that your only see once a month, at the most, thinks you are the greatest thing since peanut butter dog treats. Well folks that would be the welcome I always receive from my Miss Lucy. She now tries to communicate with me verbally. I speak to her and she will roll and wiggle all over the place and make throaty noises using her mouth like she is trying to form words. I love you my furry little grandpuppy and think you are pretty great too.

No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does.

~Christopher Morley

Join me at Little Red House to visit more blogs taking part in Mosaic Monday. Have a Great Week.

Desiderata

2011-01-02T09:31:00.002-05:00

Go placidly among the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

(c) Max Ehrman 1926

Quite a few years ago, when I first read this verse, I found the message that it delivered to be 'Words To Live By'. Since then I make it a point of reading it at the start of each new year. I thought I would share those wise words with you today.

We have no control as to what obstacles we will encounter as we travel through this life of ours. We do though have the option of either controlling them or allowing them to control us. Regardless of what we are dealing with in our personal lives, if we just take a minute each day to look past it all, we will see that the world is a beautiful place.

May you be blessed and take pleasure in the beauty of the world around you!

Happy 2011

2011-01-01T11:26:00.002-05:00

A new day, a new year and a chance for all of us to have a new beginning. It can't possibly get any better than that. I woke up this morning to the sound of rain tapping on the tin roof over my head. My first thought was how strange it is to be hearing that sound on New Years Day, instead of the silence I should be hearing as snow drifts down from the heavens. From those thoughts my mind turned to how fortunate and grateful I am to have that roof over my head, when there are so many people on this very day that has no roof to shelter them from the rain or snow.

I was up by 5:30 this morning and enjoyed a smidgen of quiet time, which I used sipping a cup of coffee, sending Birthday greetings to our now 18 year old granddaughter (Happy Birthday Brittany) and thinking about the New Year's resolutions that I won't be making. It didn't take me long to figure out that it was pointless to make lists every year of resolutions that I knew I would not keep. For instance, there were a lot of resolutions in my lifetime to quit smoking. I didn't quit, if anything the stress of even thinking about laying down those cigarettes and walking away from them, prompted me to smoke more. When my youngest grandson was born we spent a lot of time on the road, taking him back and forth for blood work to be done because he had jaundice when he came home from the hospital. What helped me give up smoking was looking at Seth through the car window one wet rainy day, while I stood outside puffing away. I asked myself how long was I going to allow a little tobacco stick to control my life and separate me from my grandchildren, children, and husband. So no resolutions from me on any given New Year's Day. What ever changes I need to make in my life will come when it is time for it to happen.

I do have the New Year's 'Good Luck' food cooking as I type. Since J.D. and I have been married, we get a double dose of Good Luck each year. I fix black eyed peas, rice and cornbread for my southern raised husband. For me, I fix that traditional northern menu of a pork roast, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. Of course we eat a sampling of it all. You just can never have too much good luck.

As you dig into your New Year meal today, I hope along with the tasty food that will nourish your bodies, that you will receive a double helping of blessings. Happy New Year from our house to yours.

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T13:22:00.000-05:00

As my end of the year post I am offering you a 'Condensed Year In Review' collage. We made many great memories in 2010 that I will carry forward into the new year. My awesome evening with Melody and Kate at the Martina and Trace Concert. I was able to cross that one off of my Bucket List. Britt knocking the socks off of the audience at the Wizard Of Oz musical, in her role as Dorothy.

Even though our hearts were broken when our beloved Buddy was hit by a car and died, rescuing our Paddy girl from the dog pound the day before being put down and St. Paddy's Day has helped us move forward and heal. What a blessing she has been to us. I turned 61 this year and spent most of 2010 thinking I was 62. Of course that entitles me to spend most of next year when I am 62, thinking that I am 61. We went to band concerts, football games, chorus concerts, soccer games, School plays and even had breakfast with Santa. We traveled this year to Chicago, Louisiana and Texas and did some camping. We even fed the water fowl at the park, but the best part of the whole year has been the time spent with family and friends. Those memories are priceless.

As we celebrate the coming of 2011 tonight, we will also be celebrating the hope of a better year than the one we are leaving behind. I not only wish for my family and friends (....and if you are reading this post, I consider you my friend) good health and happiness in the new year. I wish for those that have found themselves jobless in this year, the joy and prosperity of a new job that is far better than the one lost. For those that have lost loved ones to death, I wish for you to be able to replace the hurt, emptiness and anguish with warm memories and the healing that you so very much deserve. For those that have suffered from poor health, I pray that God' loving touch will heal you and bring you good health. Above all else, I wish for you all to be able to look at the world around you and see a world filled with love and peace.

Happy New Year!

Remembering Mama

2010-12-21T11:00:00.003-05:00

Some times memories can be such a mixed bag of emotions. Something as simple as a photo of a Colorado Blue Spruce tree can spark such memories. My mother and father were living in Virginia when he passed away in November 1979. For a while after his death my mother was so unsettled. She couldn't even seem to be able to make a decision as simple as where she wanted to live.

For a while following Dad's death she moved to Ohio and lived with my sister. While there, she found one of those 'too good to pass up' deals in a seed catalog for Colorado Blue Spruce trees. I don't recall now how many seedlings of this beautiful tree she ordered, but I do know she got a lot of them for a minimal price. That spring following my dad's death, she and my nephew, Brett planted every last one of those seedlings on approximately 15 acres of my sister's property. For a little while my mother became the Johnny Appleseed of Colorado Blue Spruce trees.

Like I said, Mom had a difficult time making decisions for a while. Eventually, she went back to Virginia where she stayed with my brother Joey until wonder lust struck her once more. In the winter of 1984 she moved to Ohio for the final time to live with my family. We bought a house in the country with 1 acre of land and a little cottage separate from the main house. This was perfect for her because it not only allowed her to live close to one of her children, but also gave her the independence she needed by having her own little home. It must have been right for her because she lived there for the following 14 years.

One day she went to visit with my sister and came home with two of those Colorado Blue Spruce trees in the back of her car. Her car had a hatch back and it was jam packed full with those two trees and there was still quite a bit more sticking out of the back. By this time it had been about 7 or 8 years since they had been planted as little saplings. They were no longer little saplings, but now full fledged trees. She had already envisioned where they should be planted and we went to work digging the holes and getting them planted there. In the front left corner of the property we planted her trees and they were beautiful standing there. She could sit at her kitchen table, sipping her morning coffee and look out of the window at two of the trees that she and God had worked together to grow.

It was just before Christmas in 1996 that she thought it would be nice to decorate these two trees with lights. I bought enough lights to display a cheerful twinkle and we went to work wrapping those trees in them . Oh my, but they were beautiful. It was about a week before Christmas day that year when my little Mother came stomping into my kitchen madder than a wet hen. She grabbed my hand and dragged me out the door to show me what she had discovered when she was sitting at her kitchen table that morning sipping her coffee.

Some time during the night someone had stopped on the road, unplugged the lights to the fullest of the two trees, sawed it down and drove off with it, lights and all. I really think that what upset her the most wasn't so much that the tree was gone, but the fact that it was stolen. In fact as she mourned the loss of her tree that she had nurtured from a sapling, she mentioned on several occasions that if someone needed a tree so bad, all they needed to do was ask and she would have given it to them. I have no doubt in my mind that she would have done just that. It was the kind of person she was.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your visits through out the year and your wonderful comments along the way. This week I have appointments for medical tests as well as some baking and cleaning to do for the coming week. Keeping this in mind I probably won't be posting again until the New Year. J.D. and I want to be sure to wish our old and new friends a very Merry Christmas and a healthy Happy New Year.

May God's love and blessings rain down on you and yours this Christmas Season....

Christmas Memories

2010-12-20T19:01:00.004-05:00

Some of my sweetest memories are those that include my children. 1. My yearly quest when my children were little was searching out a Santa for that photo with my babies. 2. Theresa's Grandpa was bound and determined that she should be the next Annie Oakley. This meant that Grandpa kept her dressed in cowgirl gear for the first few years of her life. 3. The first year that we stayed home for Christmas and put up a tree, money was a bit tight. To get by with less we placed our tree in a corner and only decorated what wasn't against the wall. Theresa took care of the decorations on the lower branches. 4. I will never forget the year that Chris made a bird feeder for me in Cub Scouts. He was bursting with pride when he gave it to me.

Chris' first Christmas he wasn't much bigger than his stocking. He was a sick little guy that winter. In fact, I don't recall many years that Theresa and Chris weren't both sick at Christmas time. Hey, I just noticed, I really was young once.

Christmas programs and concerts have always been part of our celebrations. Theresa's instrument was the flute and I so enjoyed hearing her play.

This was the year that we moved to California. Knowing that the move was coming, I had Christmas bought, wrapped, packed up with the furniture and sent ahead with the movers. Sounded good at the time, but there was just one little catch. Once we got there we couldn't find an apartment right away to rent that would accept children. We did manage to find one apartment complex that rented to us for one month just out of the kindness of their hearts and the fact that it was so close to Christmas.

For that one month our furniture went to storage along with the Christmas presents. Our furniture for that time was lawn furniture and sleeping bags. I believe our tree was the original Charlie Brown version sitting perched on a cardboard box with very few decorations. Santa didn't bring much that year, but what he did bring put smiles on my children's faces. That was the year that we had Christmas twice. What child wouldn't smile at that?

What a joy it was today going through old pictures. I not only found photos that had captured moments of happiness for my children, but I found priceless memories tucked away in that trunk too that warmed my heart and brought me happiness.

I hope that you will take the time during this Christmas Season to rediscover your own priceless happy memories.

My Christmas Prayer

2010-12-19T13:06:00.000-05:00

So many lives today are touched by cancer. My guess would be that everyone has a family member, friend or acquaintance that has or is battling with this terrible disease or has lost the fight of their life to it. There are some fortunate ones that have survived and are now in remission. Will we ever be completely free of this horrible disease? My Christmas prayer is a small one that I hope others will join me in saying:

Dear God, I pray that You will guide someone to find a cure for cancer. ~Amen

Today I will create a place for the candle on my side bar and list the names of my loved ones and friends that have lost their battle to cancer. If you would like someones name added to my list please leave their names in a comment and I will be honored to add them.

This prayer and candle came to me via e-mail. Feel free to add it to your posts and e-mails as well. A Candle Loses Nothing by Lighting Another Candle... Please help keep the flame from burning out.

Wishing all a day filled with warmth and love.

Dare To Believe

2010-12-18T08:25:00.001-05:00

When I came across this picture this morning I found myself once more taking a walk down memory lane. I remember the year that the bubble lights found their way to our Christmas Tree. I was mesmerized by them. I remember sitting in front of the tree for what seemed like forever waiting for the lights to warm up so the bubbles in the colored liquid would bubble repeatedly. After the bubble light show would begin I would sit for hours watching them and doing some Christmas dreaming in the process.

The Christmas' of my youth were not commercialized like they are today. I recall early memories of believing in Santa. I would faithfully write my yearly letter to Santa and ask for that "ONE" special gift. I always agonized over what I wanted that gift to be. There would be no Christmas cash from grandparents for shopping after Christmas to go buy what I wanted, but didn't get. All of my grandparents had passed away except for my maternal grandmother and her gift to us at Christmas was handmade and from the heart. I appreciated that far more than an envelope with money in it. With my letter written, I knew that jolly little man with the red rosy cheeks and hearty 'Ho Ho Ho' would do all that he could to make my wish come true.

I will never forget the year that my belief was shaken. After a Sunday service at our church, all of the members were invited to a Sunday potluck dinner at the minister's home. I was at that age where although I enjoyed playing with the other children, I also liked to be within ear shot of the adults to see what they were talking about. On this particular day it proved to be a bad idea. As I stood quietly by the doorway of the kitchen I heard the church ladies discussing Santa. I knew this was a conversation I didn't want to miss, but should have. My heart was crushed when I heard the words........ "At what age should we tell our children that Santa just doesn't exist?"

I think I was in shock. Of course back then I had no idea what shock was. I just knew that I had to find a quiet place to myself. When I did, I sat and cried until there just wasn't any tears left to cry. These were church ladies that I had overheard talking about there being no Santa. Church ladies wouldn't lie, would they?

This was also the year that I asked Santa for a beautiful ballerina doll that I had seen at the store. If there really was no Santa, then I might as well forget about that ballerina doll. To reinforce that thought, the next time I went shopping with my mother, the doll was no longer there. I was sure that someone had bought it and taken it home to their little girl. Being stubborn and bullheaded as I sometimes can be, I remember laying in bed that night and saying over and over to myself until I fell asleep, "There Is Too A Santa!" "There Is Too A Santa!" I don't think I ever put as much effort into believing in something as I did that year trying to rebuild my shaken belief in Santa's existence.

When Christmas morning came that year, there under the Christmas tree was the ballerina doll that I had wanted with all of my heart and that I had asked for in my letter to Santa. Although I never again wrote yearly letters to Santa after that Christmas, I still never completely let go of my belief in him.

Many years later as a mother and faced with the question of Santa's existence from my own children, I just simply told them, "When you stop believing, is when Santa no longer comes." This year my children are 35 and 40 and I'm pretty sure they still believe. At least in the goodness of Santa in a person's heart.

Dare To Believe!

Oh! The Snow

2010-12-17T11:24:00.000-05:00

Oh! The snow, the beautiful snow

Filling the sky and the earth below

Over the housetops, over the street

Over the heads of the people you meet

Dancing, Flirting, Skimming along.

~ J.W. Watson

Share The Joy Thursday

2010-12-16T05:48:00.004-05:00

The Sound Of Sunshine

~ There is a short Vevo ad right before the video begins. Please be patient. ~

one two three, uhuh

i wake up in the morning its six o'clock

they say there may be rain but the sun is hot

i wish i had some time just to kill today

and i wish i had a dime for every bill i've got to pay

some days you lose you win

and the water's as high as the times your in

so i jump back in there where i learned to swim

try to keep my head above it the best i can

that's why,

here i am, waiting for this storm to pass me by

and that's the sound of sunshine coming down

one two three, uhuh

i saw my friend bobby i said "what's up man"

you got a little work or twenty to lend

i opened up my hand he said "i'm glad to see

they can take away my job but not my friends"

here i am, waiting for the storm to pass me by

and that's the sound of sunshine coming down

i wanna go where the summer never ends

with my guitar on the beach there with all my friends

the suns so hot and the waves in motion

and everything smells like sun tan lotion

the ocean, and the girls so sweet

so kick off your shoes and relax your feet

they say that miracles are never seizing

and every single soul needs a little releasing

the sterio bumpin till the sun goes down

and i only wanna hear that sound

that's the sound of sunshine coming down

i said you're the one i wanna be with

when the sun goes down

i said you're the one i wanna be with

when the sun goes down

singin you're the one i wanna be with

when the sun goes down

that's the sound of sunshine coming down

I'm not sure why, but from the first time I heard this song it filled my heart with joy. There is no mistaking the fact that we are living in hard times. We deal with all of the darkness that comes along with a poor economy on a daily basis...... job loss, unemployment, poor health, high crime rate and depression. The list goes on and on. I hope that by sharing the joy I experience from hearing this song you will find a little joy today as well.

Prayers going up for all that are out there today interviewing or searching for a job today...... My daughter Theresa among them.

Join me at "Meri's Musing" for Share the Joy Thursday.

Warm Memories

2010-12-14T07:15:00.003-05:00

Here I sit in the early hours of this fine day wrapped in the warmth of our home that we are fortunate to have. I look out of the window and see the thermometer hanging on the porch post telling me it is a {{CCOOLLDD}} 7 degrees outside this morning. The area schools are on a 2 hour delay, so my grandchildren will get to squeeze in a little more dream time before getting up and heading out into the cold. While I have been sitting here drinking my coffee and counting the blessings we have received, my mind drifts back from time to time to days long ago when I was a child on a cold winter's day.

When this girl went to school there were dress codes and one of those was that if you were a girl you wore a dress to school. There were variations to that dress code though. Can you imagine going out in these kind of temperatures wearing a dress? Well, the dress was still required, but on really cold or snowy days we were permitted to wear long pants under the dress. I remember wearing corduroy pants sometimes, but the ones I really liked to wear were the jeans that were lined with flannel. Ohhhh, talk about Heaven on a cold morning! By the way, I am talking about public school here, not private school. As a matter of fact dress codes in the public schools I attended were in effect until after I graduated in '67.

We lived in town, so that meant that I walked to school. When we arrived at school back in the day, we weren't allowed to just go in the door and go to our class room. No, we waited outside for the bell to ring and then we were allowed to go to our class room. I recall a very lengthy preparation time just getting the outerwear on and ready to head out the door. Of course I had my long pants on, thick knee socks, shoes and boots (if there was snow on the ground). A sweater was usually part of the winter wardrobe. Let's not forget of course, I needed to have a warm hat, mittens, coat and a scarf wrapped around my neck several times and then once around the lower portion of my face. I am serious when I say that I could totally identify with the little brother in the movie, "A Christmas Story".

Even though times were hard when I was growing up they were also simpler and safer times. If I was given the opportunity to go back and change anything I wanted about those long ago days, I wouldn't change a thing. I hope that on this cold day that you can wrap yourself up in the warmth and happiness of some childhood memories like I just did.

Mosaic Monday

2010-12-13T07:26:00.004-05:00

Our first significant winter storm of the season took place yesterday and continued through the night. I had planned on putting our Christmas tree up on Saturday, but just didn't feel up to it. As a result, there sat a few well worn sad looking boxes containing the tree and it's decorations in the living room waiting for me to find the spirit to put it all together. That spirit came when I looked through the french doors to the deck yesterday morning and saw snow floating down.

Of course along with the decorating of the tree comes the prep work of dusting, cleaning and furniture rearranging. Done. Done. Done. Tree up and decorated. Done. The Christmas Angel on top. Done.

While all of this was going on our little Paddy Girl just wasn't real sure what to think of all of this activity in her otherwise stable world. You need to keep in mind that this is her first Christmas with us. She also was a rescue puppy from the dog pound, so we don't know what she witnessed or dealt with last Christmas. I am sure that her little mind was active asking questions like: Why is a tree being brought into the house? What's with all of those beads, shiny balls and colored lights. Poor baby, spent quite a bit of time curled up on J.D.'s lap. She knew he wouldn't let any of this strangeness that was going on hurt her.

Have a safe and warm week.

A Random Act Of Kindness

2010-12-09T10:17:00.002-05:00

Today's message is short, sweet and to the point. I know that this time of year many of us are looking for ways to pay forward random acts of kindness that have come our way. This morning J.D. forwarded this information to me that he received from an e-mail friend of his. Thank you Peggy J. for the information and the link. What better way to pay anything forward than to shower those young women and men serving in our Armed Forces with messages of thanks.

Several years ago about this time of year an address was circulating that could be used to send messages to our troops. We tried to take part in that, but our cards came back to us. I was disappointed to say the least. I have checked this one out and it does seem to be legitimate. I hope you will take the opportunity to spread a little kindness. The only cost is a couple of minutes of your time.

Just click on the graphic above to follow the link to

"Lets Say Thanks".

Wishing you a blessed day!

Rest In Peace

2010-12-08T05:49:00.001-05:00

While at the hospital yesterday having some routine tests run, I heard on the news that Elizabeth Edwards had stopped her treatments for cancer after being told that it had spread to her liver. Along with this report the news media found it necessary to also add past news concerning her estranged husband's extra marital affair. I found this little snippet uncalled for and in poor taste.

Later at home, I switched the TV over to the evening news only to hear that Mrs. Edwards had died. They reported that in her final hour she was surrounded by loved ones and her estranged husband, John Edwards who was there to comfort his children. To add a foot note to the picture they had just painted of Elizabeth Edwards surrounded by her loved ones as she passes from this life, they continued their story with the details of her husband's affair, illegitimate child and the fact that the divorce she had filed for wouldn't be final until the first of the new year.

I have one question............ WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE? Wasn't it enough, what this amazing woman has dealt with for the past six years? Not only did she contend with the cancer, having a husband that turned out to be a louse and the tragic loss of her 16 year old son, but the news media can't even allow her the dignity to pass from this life without dredging up dirt to add to the report of her death. Shame on every last member of the press that thought this was appropriate news reporting. This lady fought a courageous battle for the past 6 years and loss. She left behind family and friends who loved her and she will be admired and missed for years to come.

Elizabeth Edwards

1949 ~ 2010

May you Rest In Peace

There's No Place Like Home

2010-12-05T08:50:00.001-05:00

It seems as if no matter where you go, how long you are away or how much fun you had while there, it always always feels good to be back home again. With my second knee replacement surgery ahead of me on September 13th, we had a lot to do still ahead of us and not a lot of time to do it in.

Our first order of business on returning home was to get the house up for sale. With a little tidying up, yard mowing and cob web dusting done and we were ready. Before we knew it, the Realtor that would be handling the sale was at the door, the contract was signed and a 'For Sale' sign that had taken residence next to the mailbox.

Taryn's birthday dinner was next on the agenda. This of course was a special year seeing as she turned the dreaded 13 and became a teenager. She got her Pandora charm bracelet for her birthday and a few charms. That makes deciding on what to buy for future gifts a lot easier. Taryn had commented some months before that she would really like to have a cake that looked like a pizza for her birthday. Melody, being our talented cake creator fixed her right up with that request. She did an amazing job as usual. The candles on her cake said 03 instead of 13 because I thought I had a 1, but didn't. I have complained for sometime about disliking the number 13 birthday because that seems to be the age when our sweet little grandchildren seem to just disappear on us and become people that we no longer recognize or know. This problem seems to worsen when the number 16 birthday comes around. It is coming up on 5 years since we first started noticing this pattern in grandchildren and we are still waiting for that first grandchild to be returned. We had another grandchild that turned 16 in August and sure enough...... "POOF" she was gone. Maybe in my subconscious I thought if the candles spelled out '03' instead of '13' we will have found the way to break that pattern. So far so good.

We had been looking forward to our camping trip over Labor Day Weekend since we decided to do it. When the Grand daughters were young we would take the three of them camping on the 4th of July weekends. This year we rented two spaces next to each other and Chris, Mel and the boys joined us. Things didn't even get off on a good foot from the start. Although we rented two spots, what we ended up with was 1 1/2 spaces because the State Park didn't know what they were doing when they designated their camping areas. It is a long story that I won't get into the details of, but can say that they did offer to appease us by allowing us to use the 'Host' Campsite's entertainment area. We thought things were all ironed out until the last night we were there. I woke up hearing voices outside and seeing campfire flames that shouldn't have been there. When we went outside to investigate we found the tent moved from the 'Host' campsite entertainment area into our already crowded area and a campfire going next where the tent had been when we went to bed. It seems as if the 'Host's' mother and step-dad had decided to come visit unannounced and even though no one answered the camper door when they knocked, they went ahead and built a campfire not three feet from Chris' tent. It totally ran them out of the tent with all of the campfire smoke going directly into the tent.

Other than that we did have a really good time. We cooked all of the meals over the campfire. I for one love food cooked over an outdoor fire. One of our camping neighbors turned out to be Chris and Mel's next door neighbors from home. Sharyl, Brian and Kassidy added to the fun and good time. Riley pretty much spent most of his time going back and forth. Britt, now {{{17 years old}}} was working and didn't make it to the campsite that weekend. Theresa and Michael came out and spent part of the day with us on Sunday. I am thinking that even when you weigh the good times, fun and memories created against the hair pulling aggravation that took place that weekend...... Well, the fun and good memories would have to win out.

The last event on the agenda was catching one of the soccer games before my surgery because it would be doubtful that I could walk the distance to the field for a while after the surgery. It was especially important to me that we do this because this was Seth's first year playing soccer. He had been wanting on that field for a couple of years now while attending Riley's games. even when he was just a wee little guy, a few times he did make it to the field and was carried off kicking and screaming. Riley's team made the all stars this year..... YAY RILEY!! I enjoyed watching Chris coach Riley's team as much as I enjoyed watching the games. I am very proud of the great job he does dealing with the kids and the fair and impartial way he handles his team by not showing favoritism toward Riley.

Have a blessed day today and check back for the rest of the story.

Country Roads Take Me Home

2010-12-04T06:41:00.002-05:00

The last couple of years before J.D. retired from PPG in Lake Charles, Louisiana we bought a camper and lived out of it to save some money and to already have our home on wheels when retirement time came around. The RV park where we lived during that time was owned and operated by Millie Mylander who just happened to originally be from Ohio. We became very close friends during that time and make it a point to stay at her park any time that we are in SW Louisiana. It is always like going home when we do , because Millie, Earl and Deb (their daughter) are like family to us. If you are ever in Sulphur, Louisiana and need a camper park to stay in look up Mylanders RV Park. Millie and Earl will treat you right.

We were busy busy busy while there, trying to get in visits with family and friends. J.D.'s oldest daughter, Darlene hosted a get together at her house. His middle daughter Debra and her family was there, as well as all of the grandchildren, great grandchildren and a couple of long ago friends of J.D.'s that live in the area. Other than the sweltering heat wave that was going on, it was a great visit.

No trip to Sulphur, Louisiana is complete without getting together with J.D.'s brothers and sister. We did miss visiting with his brother Kennith and his wife Jackie on this trip though, as they were running the roads in North Louisiana while we were there. If memory serves me right, they got back the same day that we left for Texas.

Our next stop on our journey was Paris, Texas to visit with son, Greg and his family. Greg and everyone else was working when we arrived, but his son-in-law, Butch met us and helped us get the camper settled in.

I know I mentioned several posts back that Greg is an RN. His wife Tami and mother-in-law Sandra also have careers in the medical field. It has been a dream for the three of them to free lance and travel all over the country when they got their daughters, Alaina and Becky raised. Well, that time is quickly approaching. Alaina is now married with two beautiful children of her own and going to school to be a teacher. Becky is going to school to be an RN.

They are getting their ducks in a row right now, which became obvious when we pulled into the driveway and saw this big beautiful camper that will be their home when they get their show on the road. It is a beautiful camper and very spacious. I am sure that Greg, Tami and Sandra will be able to live very comfortably in it. They have it all set up and operating. Becky calls it home for right now, which is great because it serves to give her the privacy and independence of her own place, while at the same time saving her the cost of an apartment. Another plus to Becky living in the camper now is that the kinks and gremlins that usually shows up in new campers, vehicles, etc. will get worked out and fixed before they take it on the road.

Like all trips, this one came to an end too soon and we were on our way back to Ohio. We had a birthday to celebrate when we got back, a Labor Day camping trip with family here, and a couple of soccer games to attend before I went back to the hospital for my second knee replacement surgery.

There was something that saddened me to see as we made our way south and then back north to home. I couldn't help but notice that there were so many little country churches along the way that had their doors and windows boarded up. I thought, how sad that the lagging economy has not only found it's way into everyone's lives and homes, but also into God's House. At a time when we can all find the solace we need in the welcoming warmth of God's House and family......... The doors and windows are boarded up. It was then, that I really put some thought into what I was thinking and found a reassuring peacefulness in the knowledge that God's real house can be found within the heart.

By the way, Paddy proved to be an awesome traveling companion.

............. To Be Continued.

On The Road Again

2010-12-03T06:55:00.001-05:00

It is time to hit the road running and I am trusting that you packed enough clothes to last you for a couple of weeks. These interior photos of the camper doesn't do it justice, especially when you consider that the slide out was not run out when they were taken. I think there isn't a greater way to travel than with a camper hooked up to the back of your vehicle. You can leave home without completely leaving home, because you are taking bits and pieces with you. After J.D.'s side trip to the hospital and his follow up appointments with his doctors following his release from the hospital he was given the OK to travel. Of course there were also ground rules laid down for him by his doctors that he didn't exactly follow.

Take Paddy to the kennel? Leave Paddy behind? Well, that wasn't going to happen on this trip. She just about ran her little legs off running back and forth from the house to the camper as we loaded things. She certainly got her exercise prior to leaving and enjoyed her last bit of freedom off of the leash. If I could read her mind I would be seeing all of the pent-up excitement inside of her while she jumps up and down barking "road trip, road trip, I'm going on a road trip."

Of course Maggie (our GPS with an attitude) took us way out of our way and was hateful on top of it all. I swear Maggie is possessed. Sometimes she is just pure evil and I can almost hear her laughing when she gets the upper hand. We were on our way south none the less, with a lot of ground to cover, a lot of people to visit, new family members to become acquainted with and some much needed relaxing to do while we were there.

Our timing probably could have been better though. Taking into consideration that they were dealing with the oil spill in the Gulf, gas prices were ridiculous. We really didn't save any money by taking the truck and camper on this trip because of that. Let's not forget that the duration of our time spent in Louisiana and Texas, the south was having that heat wave that wouldn't quit with sweltering temperatures. Thank heaven for air conditioning in both the truck and the camper.

The very first part of the trip Paddy got a little car sick, but after that she was fine. She was with us and not in a noisy kennel. That was all that mattered to our Paddy girl and for that reason alone, I am sure that in her mind it was all good.

I will be back tomorrow to share more with you on what went on while I was MIA from Moodscapes.

As a P.S. I would like to clarify a misunderstanding concerning my post yesterday, 'Aqua'. My dream of being an architect did remain just that, a dream. Unfortunately, the Good Ole Boy network did break me and my dream was shattered because of it. It obviously wasn't meant to be. However, that dream was replaced by other accomplishments that have brought me happiness over the years. Since that time though, I have possessed a tremendous respect and admiration for any woman making their dreams come true in a man's world.

Aqua

2010-12-02T05:00:00.005-05:00

Before continuing our journey south with you, J.D. suggested that you might enjoy a post highlighting this wonderful piece of architecture that we had the pleasure of seeing while in Chicago. The name of this 82 story residential skyscraper is 'Aqua'.

Due to the unique design of the balconies for each apartment and the special reflective glass, the building gives the illusion of water/aqua flowing down it's sides. That reflective glass, by the way reduces the need for air conditioning.

The Aqua tower was designed by Jeanne Gang. It was the tallest tower ever built by a female architect and was her first high rise project. Aqua also received Emporis' 2009 Skyscraper Award.

FYI...... a little known fact about me is that my childhood hero was Frank Lloyd Wright and it was my dream to be an architect. While other girls were reading Nancy Drew, I read any book I could find that showcased his designs and spent hours looking at the photos of the many buildings he had designed. When I finally attended a high school that offered an Architecture I class, I signed up for it as an elective class. It became the class project I think, to see how fast my male teacher and his students (all male) could get me to drop the class. Any extra help that I ('THE GIRL') needed was not forth coming from my teacher or fellow students. That was a time though when it was still pretty much a man's world and females tended to just deal with it. Our purpose in life at that time was to be wives and mothers. Heaven forbid if any of us were to venture out into the job world. If we did, it was to do 'women' jobs like telephone operator, teach, nurse, wait tables, etc. Thank God some of us just refused to sit quietly and accept our lot in life. I applaud Ms. Gang on her design of Aqua and her many architectural accomplishments.

In the mean time, start packing and be ready to head south with us tomorrow. Have a blessed day.

The Windy City

2010-11-30T02:37:00.002-05:00

The end of July took us to Chicago to visit J.D.'s youngest daughter, Angela and her husband Nick. We decided to drive since it really isn't that far from us. It proved to be a nice scenic trip and not a real long and tiring one. I especially enjoyed seeing the miles and miles of wind turbines along the way. It did have the look of being futuristic and I thought of all the homes that they were supplying clean energy to. It sure is a far cry from my the days of my childhood and seeing miles and miles of open top railroad cars hauling coal from the Kentucky and West Virginia coal mines. As the train moved along to it's destination, the wind whipped up clouds of coal dust leaving black residue, almost like fingerprint evidence of the lung disease and global warming that would someday result from it.

As we entered the hustle and bustle of the Windy City I was keeping my fingers crossed and saying little prayers along the way that Maggy (our GPS) wouldn't get her usual attitude going and start sending us off on side trips that we didn't want to take. As we rounded one corner we came to a sudden stop due to road blocks and what looked to be the results of an explosion or a terrorist attack. There were big pieces of buildings spewed all over the street. Later we found out that we had come upon the filming of the newest "Transformers" movie.

The last time I had been to Chicago was 40 years ago, not even a week after Theresa was born. Her paternal grandfather had been living in Iowa at the time and had passed away following a battle with brain cancer. We were flying there from North Carolina for the funeral. There had been a flight delay leaving Atlanta, which put us into Chicago just late enough to cause us to miss our flight out by minutes. As a result we spent the night at the airport until we could catch a flight out the next morning, on what looked like a toy plane. It's seating capacity was about 10 and as I looked out the window of the plane while we were waiting to take off, I am certain that I saw them winding up rubber bands attached to the propellers. I think they call them puddle jumpers. On that trip I was not impressed with Chicago in any way, shape or form and I hadn't even left the airport.

Angela did an excellent job as tour guide and hostess. We saw quite a lot of the city during our visit and tasted many of their wonderful foods. My favorite tour of course was the Museum of Art. I am sure that I could have spent a week just roaming the exhibit halls and soaking in all of that rich culture. When I look at art, I don't just see the piece of artwork in front of me, but also mental visions of it's creator and the hardships endured during the creation. I feel as if I need to memorize every little brush stroke and even the tiniest of lines. To say that I feed my soul would be a pretty accurate description. With that said, you can understand why I would need more time there.

We didn't get to see as much of Nick as we would have liked to while we were there. He was still settling into his new job at BP during that time though. Our visit came to an end and it was Home Sweet Home here we come. I would highly recommend Chicago to anyone wanting to take a trip to a big city. Do they give out "Clean City Awards" ? If so, I nominate Chicago.

Lost And Found

2010-11-29T06:18:00.000-05:00

The dreaded cleaning went rather well yesterday. I am sure that the reason for that is because J.D. jumped right in and assisted. Actually he did the majority of the work and was amply rewarded with a skillet of cornbread with his supper. We now have a clean and cozy little corner of the kitchen where we can retreat in the chilly months to come to be creative or entertained, depending on the mood of the moment.

The really good news is that I did find my muse. She was hiding amongst the tangle of electrical wires and a mountain of dust bunnies. She almost got swept up with the vacuum, but was saved when I saw her wings flutter. So all is good and we are back in business.

Tomorrow, I will begin trying to catch you up on all that has happened since I strayed from Moodscapes. Those that follow me on Face Book are pretty much up to date on this information, but I have found that as quickly as Face Book moves along, it is still easy to miss things.

Happy Cyber Monday everyone. Wishing you a day filled with blessings too numerous to count.

........ and the beat goes on

2010-11-28T08:50:00.000-05:00

To say that I took a little break from blogging would be an understatement. A lot of time has passed since I last posted and it has been a very eventful year here on the ridge. Over the past months I have thought about sitting down and sharing my thoughts and the events in my life, but kept putting it aside. The urge struck me this morning to dust the cob webs from my brain cells and get these fingers busy typing. With that started, the next task is to find and dust off my muse and organize my work area.

The many changes that seems to have taken place on blogger didn't slip past me without notice. When I signed on the thought did go through my mind........ "Hmmmm, I wonder if I am going to remember how this all works." We will be finding that out in the days to come.

......... and hey it's good to be back home again!

Summer Time.............

2010-07-06T11:52:00.000-04:00

It has been a long time I know! I am still alive and well on J.D.'s mountain and still kicking. Since I last posted I have finished my therapy and received an " Atta Girl" from my doctor. The knee replacement, healing and recovery time went so well that we are going to do it all over again on September 13th. My right knee is just as bad as the left knee was just not quite as painful. Riley thinks it is really cool that I will have matching gnarly scars.

We sold our camper a few years ago when the gas prices were so high and bought a car that would be easier on gas than the truck is. We have both missed having a camper so we bought another one. The idea being that with the camper we can take Paddy with us when we travel instead of having to put her in a kennel. Our plan is to go visit the youngest of the rebel children who is living in Chicago later this month. We will come home and rest up a little bit and head south to Louisiana and Texas to visit with the rest of the family. We will get an opportunity to see how well Paddy is going to travel.

When we get all of our traveling out of the way we will be busy putting the house up for sale. Yes, you heard me right.............. We are going to sell our home here on J.D's mountain. It is just getting to be too much for J.D. to handle. In the winter it is hauling all of the wood for the wood stoves and then keeping up with the yard maintenance all summer. Of course we need to take into consideration that we are getting older ( I know it is hard to believe that, but it is true) and it is at least a 30 minute drive in any direction to medical care. We really need to move to town or at least closer to town. We will have our work cut out for us. It is amazing how much a person can accumulate in just 6 years. If we sell this house before finding some place else to buy, we can always park the camper at a RV Park and live out of it for a while.

You may not hear from me for a while as we are traveling around, but I promise to touch base when ever I can. May your guardian angel watch over you, keep you safe and sprinkle you with many blessings as you enjoy this beautiful season full of breath taking sights, sounds and smells.

Angels Watching Over Me

2010-05-21T16:25:00.000-04:00

I realized that I haven't posted much about my knee replacement. So I will correct that right now. I want to thank Theresa, J.D., Melody and Amy for keeping everyone updated on my progress until I came home from the hospital. It is great to know that I have this kind of support. I love you all!! The last few things that I remember before the surgery was my Doctor came in and asked me what my name was and what knee he would be doing the surgery on. He then autographed my knee. The Anesthesiologist then came in and explained that he would be doing a spinal block, as well as putting me to sleep. The next thing I knew, I was waking up and the nurse was putting the button to the magic pain machine in my hand and giving me the instructions on how it worked.

As I drifted in and out of sleep I remember my leg being on a machine that continuously kept it in motion. When I was awake enough to realize that the pain medications were wearing off and my leg had been moving with the help of the machine for quite some time. I was so surprised that I wasn't experiencing the " fight the tears back pain" that I had before the surgery. I was feeling some soreness but not the searing pain that I have had for the past few years.

I was told by family and a couple of the nurses that at some point during surgery or in recovery my blood pressure had dropped to 40 over 20. I have pondered that information and came to the obvious conclusion that not only do I have Angels watching over me, it just wasn't my time to meet my Creator. So I will just keep on keeping on with what I have been doing and that is mostly paying forward the good that I have received.

Meanwhile I am keeping up with my physical therapy. The plan was three sessions a week for six weeks. Thursday was my third session. I walked in using my walker and walked out without it...... Not even a cane. The therapist was surprised with how fast I am progressing. With my first session the range in my knee was at 85% and yesterday it measured 110%. The therapy is painful and at times I find myself reliving the " fight back the tears painfulness "" that I had before the knee replacement. It is the necessary path though that has to be traveled if I want a full and complete recovery. I will do what has to be done and I will fight back any tears that tries to surface. In the future I will remember to take some pain pills before the session and not after it.

That pretty much catches you up to where I am in my recovery. I am hoping to get around to do some more visits as I continue to improve and the stiffness and soreness in my knee becomes less. Until then I am hoping that you have sunshine in your days and the wonderful sounds of springtime in your nights.

Mosaic Monday...... God's Canvas

2010-05-16T19:52:00.001-04:00

I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.
~ Claude Monet

Why not visit "The Little Red House" and take part in Mosaic Monday.

Have a wonderful week basking in the warmth of the sun and enjoying the beauty of the world around you.

Post It Note Tuesday......

2010-05-11T07:47:00.000-04:00

Mosaic Monday "If Walls Could Talk"

2010-05-10T09:20:00.000-04:00

My heart flutters when I see an old house that is slowly deteriorating and leaving no more than possibly a concrete foundation. Eventually even that will crumble and disappear. While they are still here I like to look at them and imagine the family that once lived there and what became of them. If walls could only talk what are the stories they would tell?

Is this the house that was home to an older couple who opened their door to all who came knocking in need of food and shelter? The same couple who never locked their door because everyone knew they had nothing worth stealing, but if someone wanted something that they had all they needed to do was ask and it was theirs.

Perhaps this house sheltered a family that included four young children. A family with so much love that it spilled over to neighbors and friends. All of that love could not be contained by walls. Could this house tell stories of laughter, joy and happiness? Stories that turned to sadness the day the father of these young children was carried away after losing his battle to TB?

I see Sunday dinner spread out at the table with mix match plates , complimented by mix matched chairs around the table. Fried chicken is piled high on the meat platter with mashed potatoes, gravy, Cole slaw and green beans with new potatoes as side dishes. Apple pie is cooling in the window. Decades later all that is left is a shell of the old home place and those Sunday dinners with a family drawn together by love and respect for one another are but echoes of the past.

I see a sadness that surrounds this home as generation after generation, news is delivered to this family that beloved sons who chose to serve their country died with honor during the time of war. Still years and years later the sons and daughters of this same family continue to serve our country and lay their lives on the line daily in the name of freedom.

Join us at " The Little Red House" For a list of more Mosaic Monday Blogs to visit. Be sure to take a few minutes and tell Mary Hello.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-08T15:43:00.002-04:00

Childhood Doesn't Wait

I was sitting on a bench

While in a nearby mall,

When I noticed a young mother

With two children who were small.

The youngest one was whining,

" Pick me up," I heard him beg

But the mother's face grew angry

As the child clung to her leg.

" Don't hang on me," she shouted

As she pushed his hands away,

I wish I'd had the courage

To go up to her and say....

" The time will come too quickly

When those little arms that tug,

Won't ask you to hold them

Or won't freely give a hug."

" The day will sneak up subtly

Just as it did with me,

When you can't recall the last time

That your child sat on your knee."

" Like those sacred, pre-dawn feedings

When we cherished time alone

Our babies grow and leave behind

those special times we've known."

" So when your child comes to you

With a book that you can share,

Or asks that you would tuck him in

and help him say his prayer...."

" When he comes to sit and chat

Or would like to take a walk,

Before you answer that you can't

'cause there's no time to talk"

" Remember what all parents learn

So many times too late,

That years go by too quickly

And that childhood doesn't wait."

" Take every opportunity,

If one should slip away

Reach hard to get it back again,

Don't wait another day."

I watched that mother walk away

Her child followed near,

I hope she'll pick them up

Before her chances disappear.

~ Kathie Phillips Davis

There is no velvet so soft as a mother's lap, no rose as lovely as her smile, no path so flowery as that imprinted with her footsteps."

~ Archibald Thompson

Mother's Day never passes that I don't feel that ache in my heart, missing my mother. In June it will be 9 years since she passed away. Time has eased the pain of our loss, as I knew it would. Time has also brought long forgotten memories to the surface. Memories of days long ago when my mother would gather me in her arms and lay down on the bed with me at nap time and read stories like Henny Penny and The Three Little Pigs until I fell asleep. We weren't blessed with wealth, but somehow she raised us in a way that I thought we lacked for nothing. My childhood friend and neighbor went to baton and dance lessons. We couldn't afford lessons like that for me, but we had a dog that I loved and my friend didn't have a pet. I was allowed to sit in the middle of my mother's flower beds and let my imagination run wild making mud pies and and dandelion soup, my friend wasn't allowed to get dirty.

I never thought of us not having as much as others because we always had enough and still a little more to help someone else out. When my life is through, if my children and grandchildren can look back on their memories of me and feel consumed with a love that is as sweet as the smell of honey suckle then I will have lived my life to emulate the greatest mother I have known, My Mother!

Happy Mother's Day!

May your day be blessed with warmth and love.

knee surgery update

2010-04-28T16:47:00.000-04:00

Hello.

This is Theresa, Jo's daughter. She asked me over the weekend if I would update her blog to let her readers know how she's doing, following her knee surgery. I agreed, so I'd better get on the ball and take care of my responsibilities.

Her surgery took place Monday afternoon. After work, I made the drive down to the hospital. On my way I got a call from Melody, telling me that Mommy wasn't in a room yet. Her blood pressure had dropped to a scary low rate. She wasn't to be in a room until they had that under control. I continued my trip down the highway with my heart in my throat. Thankfully, not much time had passed before Melody called me back. Mommy had been assigned a room and could accept visitors. Shew.

When I found her room, the nurses were checking her in, so I waited politely in the hallway. It sounded like she was being admitted to jail. They needed to take inventory of all her belongings, among other things.

After the nurses were done, I made my entrance. The room lit up with joy. Okay. Not really. Mommy looked good, for what she had been through. Her leg was hooked up to a machine that kept it moving slowly so that it didn't get stiff and to prevent clots. Her legs were still numb from the surgery. Chris, Melody and the troops showed up next. We had a nice little visit and Mommy started to feel tingling in her toes by the time we were headed back home - and her blood pressure was back up to a not-so-scary level.

The nurses asked her what her goals were for the hospital stay. Mommy said she wanted to be walking before she left the hospital. It seems that she will be scheduled to leave sometime tomorrow afternoon. According to an email that I received from J.D., she's been up and walking around a bit the past couple of days.

The kids and I are going to visit when I get off work today. I hope to add another update after our visit either tonight or tomorrow morning. Thanks for reading!!

Mosaic Monday

2010-04-19T13:28:00.001-04:00

I thought today I would take you on a spring adventure that we had in 2003 while we lived in Sulphur, Louisiana. About 25 miles south of there you will find a marsh that is inhabited by some of Southwest Louisiana's ~~critters~~ wild life.

This sign wasn't necessary where I was concerned, but I am sure that had the sign not been in place some idiot would try to feed or perhaps even try to pet the alligators.

I have always been fascinated with the fact that there is no fence or barrier of any kind between alligator and tourists. There is nothing keeping the alligators from running up the little bit of incline to the walkway and devouring a tourist or two for lunch. This is the first part of the walkway. As you wind your way through the marsh the walkway turns from concrete to wooden walkways that are raised slightly over the water.

My first visit to this marsh was with J.D.'s niece. It was a hot summer day when we went and all we saw was a couple of butterflies, 1 frog and a zillion mosquitoes. When J.D. and I went it was toward the end of March and we saw lots of alligators.

We were entertained watching Mama Gator giving her babies a piggy back ride. Or perhaps these babies have found this the safest place to be to avoid being a appetizer for Mama.

Signs like this one are posted along the canal that runs parallel to the road that leads to the marshland. Yes, there are alligators that swim in those waters and yes, there were people in the water doing exactly what the sign says not to do.

If you are ever in Southwest Louisiana, this really is a nice stop in the spring. I would advise against it in the heat of summer and especially if you have a hip or knee problem as it is quite a long walk.

If you would like to take part in Mosaic Monday or you would just like to see some beautiful mosaics of photos taken by some very talented bloggers just drop by The Little Red House.

Thank you Mary for hosting Mosaic Monday.

..........And One To Grow On

2010-04-16T13:02:00.001-04:00

Today we will be celebrating Riley's 7th birthday. It seems like just yesterday that we were gathered at the hospital waiting for him to be born. I believe that when he went to take his first step it quickly turned into a run and he has been on the run ever since. Only slowing down long enough to give a hello or goodbye kiss and the occasional hug. I don't think Riley will be late for his life. If anything he will be early and have to wait for his life to catch up with him. He had watched the adults in his life and emulated each in one way or another. I have commented in the past that by the time Riley is an adult, there will be nothing that he can't do.

Riley has broad horizon ahead of him. He reminds me of a little sponge, it is almost like he is dehydrated for knowledge and looking around for any that he can soak up. Being the first grandson/nephew/son/brother for this side of the family he received a lot of attention. I was concerned that when Seth came along that Riley would be jealous of the attention Seth would get. No reason for concern there........... Riley stepped into the older brother role like he had been training for it all of his life. Of course he gets aggravated from time to time. Let's face it Seth is just as ornery as Riley is and he doses it out for Riley in a regular intervals. Riley is not afraid to show his little brother love or too busy to look out for him. Just this week when Seth injured his Achilles tendon and was in so much pain when he tried to walk on that foot, Riley showed him how to crawl again so Seth could get around. An example of how Riley's brain works, always busy and always problem solving.

Happy Birthday Riley!!
We Love You Great Big Bunches!

Adventures Of Paddy Girl.......

2010-04-15T08:15:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow will mark one month since Paddy came to live with us. It has had it's challenges for sure. They told us at the pound that they thought she was about a year old. We are thinking that she is younger than that because she has shown so many puppy ways. She was afraid to come in the house at first. This of course told us that she wasn't allowed inside at her original home. We got past that hurdle in just a matter of days. Now she comes and goes through the door without giving it much thought.

House breaking was a major job. When we thought Paddy had caught on to what we expected of her, she would leave us little gifts to find here and there through out the house. So far this week she has done really well. It is already Thursday and she has gone outside to take care of her business all week. I don't think it was just Paddy, I think a lot of times we weren't understanding her when she was asking to go out. We all seem to be on the same page now so it is all good. Way To Go Paddy Girl!!

When we call her and she comes right away she gets a treat. She also gets treats when she potties outside. She would get really excited when it comes to her treats and would hop around on her hind feet like a ballerina minus the tutu, snatch the treat from our hand and off she would go. J.D. has been teaching her to sit for her treats and she caught on to that really quick. We don't even have to tell her to sit now, it is automatic for her now. You would think she has always sat for her treats.

She is just a wee little thing. When I pick her up it is like lifting air. She loves chasing butterflies, birds and rabbits. In this yard she has plenty of them to occupy her time. J.D. commented this morning that he didn't think she would know what to do with a rabbit if she caught one. It wouldn't surprise me if she did catch one, she is pretty darn fast. Yesterday was the first time I heard Paddy bark in the month that she has been here. She has the sweetest little bark I have ever heard. She was in the back yard and had a rabbit on the run and she actually barked at it. Way To Go Paddy Girl!!

Paddy is thriving here on J.D.'s mountain and has carved out her own little place in our heart. We found Paddy at the dog pound and she was two days away from being killed. All it cost us was the price of her dog tags. If you have been thinking of getting a pet, a dog or a cat......... Please give some thought to rescuing that pet from your county pound.

Hope your Thursday is blessed with happiness!

Grandma Shoes

2010-04-13T10:03:00.002-04:00

When I was very little

All the grandmas that I knew

Were wearing the same kind of

Ugly grandma shoes.

You know the kind I mean.

Clunky heeled, black, lace up kind.

They just looked so very awful

That it weighed upon my mind.

For I knew when I grew up

I'd have to wear those shoes.

I'd think of that from time to time,

It seemed like such bad news.

I never was a rebel,

I wore saddle shoes to school.

And next came ballerinas

Then the sandals, pretty cool.

And then came spikes with pointed toes,

Then platforms, very tall.

As each new fashion came along

I wore them, one and all.

But always, in the distance

Looming in my future there,

Was that awful pair of ugly shoes,

The kind that grandmas wear.

I eventually got married,

And then I became a mom.

Our kids grew up and left,

And when their children came along.

I knew I was a grandma

And the time was drawing near,

When those clunky, black old lace up shoes

Was what I'd have to wear!

How would I do my gardening,

Or take my morning hike?

I couldn't even think about

How would I ride my bike!

But fashions kept evolving

And one day I realized,

That the shape of things to come

Was changing, right before my eyes.

And now, when I go shopping

What I see fills me with glee.

For in my jeans and Reeboks

I'm as comfy as can be.

And I look at all the little girls

and there, upon their feet

Are clunky, black, old grandma shoes,

And I really think that's neat.

~ Betty Cessna

I received this yesterday from my friend, Sue in Houma, LA. As I read it, that little light of remembrance clicked on in my mind. I had long forgotten the memory of my own grandma's ugly shoes. I thought of them as grandma's ugly shoes too. Those shoes seemed to be the describing factor that said " Grandma" in the same way that bib overalls once shouted " farmer". I can honestly say that if wearing those ugly shoes was a requirement for being a grandma, I would wear them with pride.

Blessings to all of you as you journey through the week.

Mosaic Monday

2010-04-12T21:10:00.001-04:00

What is a weed? A plant who's virtues

have not yet been discovered.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson, Fortune Of The Republic, 1878

We gathered the wild-flowers.

Yes, life there seem'd one pure delight;

As thro' the field we rov'd.

Yes, life there seem'd one pure delight.

~George Linley

None can have a healthy love of flowers

unless he loves the wild ones.

~ Forbes Watson

My idea of gardening is to find something

wild in my wood and weed around it

with the utmost care until it has a chance

to grow and spread.

~ Margaret Bourke-White

As one grows older one should grow more expert at finding beauty in unexpected places, in desserts and even in towns, in ordinary human faces and among wild weeds.

~ C.C. Vyvyan

I have found the beauty in our flowering weeds that thrive in and around the land that we have cleared and call our yard. It is almost like they are the scouts for the rest of the army of the flower world by checking out the dangers of frost and snow. We left about 3 feet of wild growth on the fence line of our property. Beginning with the spring months into September, we have a constant show of beautiful colors for the wild flowers and weeds that grow there.

The weather has been really great the past few days and Paddy has had such a wonderful time playing outside. She tracks rabbits all over the yard, then she takes a bit of a break and gets back to work tracking those rabbits some more. The butterflies enjoy the wild flowers as much as I do. Yesterday Paddy deviated from her routine long enough to chase a butterfly. She is such a sweet little pup. She has added so much joy to our life and certainly keeps us entertained.

To visit more blogs taking part in Mosaic Monday visit Mary @ The Little Red House.

Prayers For Mary......

2010-04-07T21:31:00.000-04:00

I was making rounds today and noticed that Mary @ Mary's Writing Nook had a new posting. I knew that her grandson was in the hospital and she had been updating his progress, so I hurried over to see how he was doing. Well, it wasn't an update on Josh after all. Mary's husband had contacted Anni @ Hootin' Anni's
and asked her to do a post letting everyone know that Mary is in the hospital. At the time Anni didn't have any more information than that. I learned later from a posting on Mary's Face Book Wall that Mary has had a heart attack. Please keep Mary and Josh in your prayers, as well as their family. Anni said that she will be posting information as she learns it, so you can follow the link above to check for that information.

I received a notice the other day that my Endocrinologist and her husband will be moving to Oregon in May to be closer to family. I can understand them wanting to be close to family, but it just won't be the same without my Diabetes Boot Camp drill instructor. According to the letter that I received the practice she is with hasn't found a replacement for her yet. About two years ago our family doctor moved to Utah for the same reason. The practice he was with didn't replace him and I couldn't believe how difficult it was to find another family doctor. Until you start looking for a doctor, you don't realize how booked up they are and how few of them are accepting new patients. What has happened to the small town doctors of my youth? I remember the days when your family doctor finished med school, hung his shingle out and stayed in the same place delivering babies, to the babies he delivered a generation before and taking care of the whole family for every thing from a bad cold to diabetes. I truly do wish her the best. She approached Diabetes aggressively and that worked for me. Hopefully I will be able to find another doctor with the same approach to Diabetes.

May you be blessed!

Mosaic Monday

2010-04-05T09:40:00.001-04:00

Since today is Monday that means it is Mosaic Monday hosted by Mary. I hope you will join me today as I visit the wonderful blogs that take part in Mosaic Monday. You will find the links to those blogs at The Little Red House . I am finding it to be a great way to start out the week.

Saturday we ventured out to the flea markets and my mosaic is of my wonderful flea market finds.

I have decorated our dining room with Native American items. You will also find these items throughout the house. Some of them I have had for many years, some are fairly new additions. I recently started looking for items that feature Native American children and have found those items are few and far between. For that reason alone I would have to say that this picture was the deal of the day. The fact that it cost me all of $1.00 made it even a better deal.

I am always on the look out for dishes, dishes and more dishes. I love stoneware, as well as the intricate designs on many china plates. The Blue Willow is one of my favorites.

I thought the blue design on this plate complements the Blue Willow design. I found my plates at the roadside flea market at $2.00 each.

This plate caught my attention because of the tiny delicate violets painted on it. I have seen quite a few dish sets that I really liked, but when I look on the bottom I find the words " Made In China" . That is enough information for me not to buy it. Remember when the news came out that Fisher Price toys that were being produced in China contained lead paint? A man in Columbus was interviewed on the news about that time. He had bought one of the home lead testers to check his child's toys. In the process he decided to test some of their dishes that they had purchased at Kroger during one of their promotional sales. Sure enough those beautiful stoneware dishes contained lead paint.

I am finding it more and more difficult to remember things as I grow older. The last thing I need is to eat my meals off of dishes containing lead and risk even more brain cells being destroyed. If the dishes I buy doesn't say 'Made in USA' they don't come home with me.

Another passion I ave when it comes to shopping flea markets and yard sales would be glass bowls. I found this little beauty amongst the dishes that I bought. It will be perfect for serving up a fruit and Jello dessert.

Last but by no way least were the signs that I found. J.D. has made an improvement to the kitchen by making an alcove to put the refrigerator in. It is surprising how much space was freed up just by doing that. Our kitchen feels huge now. I thought signs placed on the wall above the fridge was just the ticket.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and that you will return for another visit with us soon here on J.D.'s mountain.

May your week ahead be blessed!

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T06:30:00.002-04:00

Wishing you a Blessed Easter.
~ Jo

This And That Saturday

2010-04-03T08:14:00.003-04:00

I had my appointment yesterday with the orthopedic surgeon. First there were x-rays taken of my knees and then a long wait in the examination room for the doctor to come in. When my turn finally came around he didn't need to spend much time on looking at the x-rays to tell us that my knee is bone on bone and that I need a knee replacement of the left knee. From what the x-rays showed him the right knee won't be far behind. By having the left knee done now it may delay the need for surgery on my right knee. So for right now we are waiting for a call that the surgery is scheduled (up to a 2 week wait), the surgery itself will follow ( a 3 to 6 week wait), I will be in the hospital for three days and the next day after surgery I will be up and moving as best as I can. As for the recovery time, we are looking at 6 to 8 weeks following the surgery before I can race Seth up and down the ridge and give him some real competition. The doctor asked if the pain in my knee was stopping me from doing things that I enjoy doing or need to do. I never really stop to list those things that I can not do any longer because of the knee pain. Thinking about them one at a time just didn't seem that bad, but it is quite another story when I list them in my mind. Angela (JD's youngest daughter) and Nick are living in Chicago now and that isn't really a long drive from here. We have been trying to pin point a good time to go visit. I don't want to miss the opportunity to go to the art museum while we are there. I am thinking that after I have finished my recovery will be great because I will be able to do the walking that a trip to the museum will require. There are so many things that I haven't been able to do for so long without having to deal with the pain during and after.....Well, I am a little excited about the possibilities that will be coming my way.

On our trip home from my appointment yesterday we saw people setting up their tables at the outdoor flea market. We decided that will be on our agenda for today. They have a big indoor flea market not too far from the outdoor one which we may or may not go to. The one indoors have higher prices on their stuff. I am thinking the reason for that is to cover the overhead of being inside where they have permanent booths and don't have to pack everything up come Sunday. I am looking forward to our little adventure today. J.D. enjoys the flea market as much as I do. How great is that? We are such a perfect match........

Wishing you a beautiful Easter Weekend!

Good Friday

2010-04-02T08:57:00.000-04:00

Bound upon th' accursed tree,

Dread and awful, who is He?

By the prayer for them that slew~

" Lord, they know not what they do!"

By the spoiled and empty grave;

By the souls He died to save;

By the conquest He hath won;

By the before His throne;

By the rainbow round His brow;

Son of God, 'tis Thou! 'tis Thou!

~ Rev. Henry Hart Milman

This graphic says it all.

Wishing you a blessed Good Friday.

Happy Anniversary

2010-04-02T06:00:00.003-04:00

It was 10 years ago today that we were married. As we stood on the river walk in Columbia, Louisiana and exchanged our vows pledging our love to one another for the rest of our lives, I had no idea at that time that you would complete my life the way you have. When you ask what I would like to have as a gift for one occasion or another you have no idea how difficult it is to think of something. The reason being because I have you. What more could I ask for? You are my husband, best friend, confidant, soul mate and my happiness all rolled into one. We have laughed together, cried together and held on tightly to each other when the loss of loved ones felt as if we would be crushed by the pain we were dealing with. There isn't a day that passes that I don't thank God for you.

" Across the years

I will walk with you~

In deep green forests;

On shores of sand;

And when our time

On earth is through,

In Heaven, too,

You will have my hand."

~ Robert Sexton

Happy Anniversary J.D.

You are the love of my life!