A Posy for Your Thoughts

These are in my daughter, Corinne's yard...

My parrot, Spanky (Nanday Conure)
He hates the camera! 

I typed a post the other day, re-read it and dumped it.  No particular reason, I just thought it sounded "lame."  Then I got to thinking, I'm not getting graded on what I post.  Although there's always the chance you won't want to come back and read any more posts!  I think since I started out blogging to work out some issues, I still have the feeling that I need to be writing essays or about some super epiphany that unlocked the key to my existence.  Okay, I think we all know that's not gonna happen, so here goes nothing.

I used to be a very good speller.  Nowadays I find myself typing along like mad only to find words underlined in red and I have absolutely no idea why!  I'll retype and it's still wrong.  Sometimes I'll figure it out or just give up and use another word. Or I'll forget words and can't remember the word I'm looking for.  My cousin assures me it happens to her, too, so either we're both losing our minds or it's just more of this crappy aging process!!!

I was out working in the yard the other day and had a "heat thing."  I made it into the house, aimed for the chair, missed, wound up on the floor and the next thing I remember is Wally sitting with me on the floor with cold rags on my face and neck.  I should know better.  I wasn't outside very long but I haven't been doing the amount of yard work I'm used to doing.  I had heat prostration years ago while doing yard work, and I've got to be careful.  I tend to go full bore and get spent quickly.  Anyway, I'm fine.

The dogs are finally starting to play!  We got Sophie for Homer since Katie died, and he was used to having a play pal.  Sophie was so sick and undernourished when we brought her home she didn't feel like doing much other than sleeping, eating and getting loved.  Within the past couple of weeks, they've been chasing each other through the house, but tonight they really put on a show!  Sophie was spinning in circles and leaping in the air.  Quite entertaining!

Loving Big Brother as usual but especially liking Rizzoli and Isles!  I've read most of the books by (okay brain, kick in!) can't remember author's name but I'm sure you know who I mean!  The TV show with Angie Harmon is actually very good...

Leah posted on FB that Robby's headstone had been placed.  I was surprised it was so soon.  The guy from the mortuary actually took a couple of photos and sent them to Bob and Leah!  I thought that was exceptionally nice. I'm going to take some flowers over for them.  It just still doesn't seem real.....

Well, do I get graded for this mess?  Hope not!

My Blog-lite!

Our new dog, Sophie.  She's a rescue from the pound. She's a real sweetheart.

Since these photos were taken, I think she's gained a pound or two!

Here are some of the roses in my garden....

All of my well intentions of blog-lite!  I've been having a migraine festival that comes and goes. I keep trying to come up with something cute and clever - ha, ha.  So, nothing........

My granddaughter, Ashleigh, had her birthday yesterday!  She's now the ripe ol' age of 24. My birthday is today - and I don't really care, but I'm the ripe ol' age of - choke - 64.  I don't feel a second over 75, at least.  Funny, I don't think of myself as being 64 but my body sure looks like it!

I'm still working on the blog-lite stuff but in the meantime, here's a link:  Life is but a vapor..

And Roses for all!!!

Levon!

Dear Levon,

I don't know how to contact you, but I am so happy that you left me a comment!  I have been worried that something might have happened to you, and I understand that things may have been rough for a spell, but I am just SO glad to know that you're here and I hope you'll reach out again. I have missed your posts and hope that you'll feel up to posting again soon.

I plan on listening to the songs you suggested.  Music is a large part of who I am as well.  Thanks for your musical offering...

Dear friend, please post or comment again soon!

Blessings,
Gracie

A Beautiful Face

 At Robby's services this young man stood at attention as the casket was carried into the chapel.   He's from Jamaica but is now proudly a citizen and serving his country.  We were lucky enough to spend some time with him and a lot of his buddies as they stayed at my younger daughter's home for a couple of days before returning to the base.  I thought he should head to Hollywood when he leaves the service...he probably has different ideas, though.

Anyway, it's been a horrific few weeks, and I'm going to try to get back in the swing of things.  While I'm far from being over the hurt and loss I'm going to use my "Echoes in the Night" for further posts about grief and the process of healing.  My whole purpose for blogging starting out with the loss of my son-in-law, Doug. I don't want to use this blog for more grief.  

I'll go back to the things that make life worth living and enjoying. None of us know when we will leave this earth and I'd like to make it as pleasant a ride as possible.

In Memory of Robby

This Memorial Day is far different than those of years ago.  This one is personal although it was not through an act of war.  We've met some wonderful young men and women who serve our country as they came to the service for Robby.

There was a group of 12 out on a sunny day riding their motorcycles.  I didn't know this until Friday as I thought he was alone when he died.  This gives all of us a lot of peace knowing he was surrounded by his best buddies.  We got to spend a lot of time over the past few days with these young men.  We broke bread together, laughed together and you bet, cried together.  Our country is in good hands.

This is the tribute I wrote for his On-line Obituary.  If any of you would like to post a comment, the link is on my Facebook page.  Again, thanks so much for your prayers, support and well-wishes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Life sometimes hands us such sadness we think we will break under the sheer weight of it. Death reaches out to wrench from us our very hearts, but we must keep going. There's no rest for this, no stopping. 

My children have been given the saddest of all tasks; losing a son. My heart has broken watching them as they grieve his loss, but the love they have for each other will help them endure it. 

My sweet Robby has touched so many lives and hearts. He had so many wonderful friends who will keep his memory alive. They'll relive the goofy things they did and treasure each joke, each moment of laughter a thousand times, repeated through time... The young men and women with whom he served his country - his brothers and sisters at arms - they'll remember all of the days spent abroad in places they'll never forget nor want to return to. Some will return willingly because they love this country and are so very willing to give it all they have, in some cases, their lives. We honor you.

I was able to share some very special moments of time - too fleeting - with Robby a few months ago. Just watching his expressions as he talked, the spark in his eyes, his willingness to share with me his thoughts as he talked about his future and which path he would take, and how much he loved being with "the guys." Robby had an enormous capacity for love. He was always prepared to give of it freely and without conditions. That is a gift. My grandson occupies a place in my heart that I will treasure as long as I walk this earth.

Here is a gift to all of you from the one who gives us peace: "Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." --- Hebrews 4:16

Broken Hearts

Our Marine, Robert William Rawlins, "Robby," went home to be with Jesus today, May 21, 2011.


Our darling grandson, Robby, our marine, passed away today as the result of a tragic motorcycle accident. Our hearts are broken, and it's only through the peace and grace of Christ that we will endure. Please pray for his mom, (my daughter, Leah) and his dad, Bob and sister, Ashleigh.  


The top three photos are from March, the last time we were with him.  The bottom picture is at his folks' home on leave.  He's got Chico , his mom's dog in his hoodie.   That was our Marine, silly, funny, loving and very much a wonderful young man.  We loved this child so much, and will always treasure his memory..  

Time for a Laugh!

Little "factoids" amuse me.  I love hearing things that make you shake your head and go, "WHAT?"  And not in a political way, either!  Just little snippets of info that make us smile and amuse us...


My favorite:  It is a law in France that you have to provide your toilet to anyone who suffers from Crohn's Disease.  Seriously, sufferers have a card issued to them by their doctors that oblige anyone who is the lucky recipient of a knock on the door to provide use of your restroom.  Can you image having a total stranger knock at your door and you have to let them in???  Well, it is France, after all.....


ODD FACTS:

*SPAM makes excellent furniture polish (Uh, I'll pass!).
*SPAM can steam-proof your mirrors.  When showering rub spam on your mirrors. (Uh, don't think so!).
*SPAM makes excellent fishing bait (Now that might work!).


*Peanut butter:  Former senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona, once shaved with peanut butter while on a camping trip (for best results, avoid shaving with extra crunchy!
*Grease a car or truck axle.  George Washington Carver developed axle grease from peanuts.  (I think Jiffy Lube might be cheaper!)
*Bait a mouse trap with peanut butter!  Unfortunately, I know this works!


*Coca-Cola:   Clean a toilet bowl.  Pour a can of Coke into the toilet bowl and let the Real Thing sit for one hour, then brush and flush clean.  (When do you add ice?)
*Remove grease from clothes.  Empty a can of Coke into a load of greasy work clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular wash cycle.  (These "handy hints" sure aren't cheap!)
*Shaking up a bottle of Coke for use as a douche immediately after sexual intercourse has been considered an effective method of contraception among the uneducated.  It does not work. (Holy Krap!  Wonder when they caught on - after the 9th or 10th kid?) 

"Every cloud has a silver lining, and soon they'll 

figure out how to tax us for that, too...."

Thank you all...

You all have helped me through this difficult week.  Katie was 12 years old and was stricken suddenly with Pancreatitis.  I'm thankful that her illness was very brief and she didn't have to suffer very long. This photo isn't very clear but it's such a good example of her good nature and sweet spirit.  Can't you just see Homer sitting there waiting to get her attention?

Zoe passed away last year, and we brought Homer home to "Aunt Katie."  He bugged and pestered her to no end.  She did everything she could to escape from him but finally accepted him and they became very good buddies.  She endured having her ears bitten, her tail chased, and being awakened for another round of tug-of-war.

She gave us so much pleasure and she never gave us a minute of worry.  Sweet, sweet Katie.  We'll always miss you...

Point of Grace

I don't usually post music videos but this one really touch my heart.  Things are so tough right now; people with life-threatening situations, illnesses; employment on the decrease; gas increases; food increases; wars; government run amok all over the world.  And yet.....
there's hope.  Not the kind of "hope" promised to us by politicians, but real hope.

I hope this brings you comfort as it has me.

Definitely Not a Good Thing!!!

Bakersfield is the nation's most polluted city Photo: David Jordan

MSA: Bakersfield, Calif.

Worst county: Kern County

PM2.5 annual design value (2007-2009): 22.6

Total population: 807,400 people potentially exposed

We make either the top or bottom of so many lists!  We're at the very southern end of a valley. and the wind blows all the junk from the bay area, where it sits blocked in by mountains.  It's another reason so many of us have asthma, sinus infections, and valley fever.  And we get Tule (toolie) fog, which like the air, hangs in the lowest places and holds in all of the particulate matter (and causes way too many wrecks!).  

Honestly, we can drive to the coast for a day, and you can feel the pressure start receding.  When you drive home over the Grapevine (Hwy 99) and start the decline you can see the brown stuff hanging over the valley.   Move?  Where.  How.  All of our kids are here...Maybe a mass exodus is needed!

I've gotta go use my Netti Pot!