tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38023272018189020092024-02-08T00:42:08.706-05:00MoodscapesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.comBlogger393125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-29179529939377739152014-11-04T23:25:00.000-05:002014-11-05T10:55:09.708-05:00Dona Nobis Pacem<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Dona Nobis Pacem</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYc20kqSLpCgBrk8rdYQAh2lctgbLrhbxqbDMZE73TIdKl6tbCkeW_jnnPkmii59-kPyU3jg8IAj6W64mmnraItGFuciK7BBSR662KltyWWmFEL2nEMA1gkLqKUzarisNC05S_jLs1T8/s1600/Image5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYc20kqSLpCgBrk8rdYQAh2lctgbLrhbxqbDMZE73TIdKl6tbCkeW_jnnPkmii59-kPyU3jg8IAj6W64mmnraItGFuciK7BBSR662KltyWWmFEL2nEMA1gkLqKUzarisNC05S_jLs1T8/s1600/Image5.jpg" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>"One little person, giving all of her</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>time for peace, makes news.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Many people, giving some of</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>their time, makes history."</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>~Peace Pilgrim</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;"><b>~***~</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>As I think of my children and grandchildren I have always wished for them a world where they would know Peace. Unlike the world that I grew up in. A world that when we weren't involved in a war, the threat of war has always hung heavily in the air all around us. A world where shelters were built or at least talked about, not to keep the family safe from tornadoes and other disastrous storms, but from the chance that war might some day come to America. </i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>This year, the first of another generation for my family was born. As I </i></b></span><b style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>watch</i></b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i> my Great Granddaughter sleeping in my arms, I feel an urgency to see a world of Peace for this little one and other children of her generation that will come into this world. But how do we bring about Peace? I am 65 years old and in my lifetime Peace has not been realized. All of my life it seems that Peace has been no more than a dream with wings. A dream that flits and flies about just out of reach from becoming a reality. It comes close enough to brush against our fingertips. Close enough to feel the gentle movement of it's wings, yet never coming to rest anywhere.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>For centuries, some of the most gifted minds of our world have shared their message that we will find Peace within our own individual hearts. However no one chose to listen. We need to heed those words while we still can.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>May we all look within for Peace and then share it with the world. </i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I wish you Peace!</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>~Jo</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTlzIYBfQlTNkb1wHEOn3oNnb0kFr44lhGGAmA8-KNr8el7HTSQUyEXqWaGwrfZ0gghykMEWpAB-QY4jzmmTUXBhrPMkvOp0t2U3rr76vzi3cM_WVJJy1AWEgVPXCkK3T-qGoKEjg41c/s1600/1979750_10152291778255891_1046576651352909112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTlzIYBfQlTNkb1wHEOn3oNnb0kFr44lhGGAmA8-KNr8el7HTSQUyEXqWaGwrfZ0gghykMEWpAB-QY4jzmmTUXBhrPMkvOp0t2U3rr76vzi3cM_WVJJy1AWEgVPXCkK3T-qGoKEjg41c/s1600/1979750_10152291778255891_1046576651352909112_n.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b><i>In my dreams the world is filled with Peace .....</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-35570867578769992372013-11-04T23:14:00.000-05:002013-11-04T23:14:03.850-05:00Dona Nobis Pacem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJifrB6kwjIEcUqxgbErGXkPmXD5jk5jwTNQuB6hqOqO3X_lA_j2bb0DFRvTMlaPzdf4sUQFhIcQHToFK7ZJopuXbgwI6jnA5pG6MFRs56r0NCrB2Etq0ijbkMTA9lKXmn-cYkWF3cYQ/s1600/dadFVPunm7qpHTB2w17xMayJhfROHCwBrAhhsmtSUKc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJifrB6kwjIEcUqxgbErGXkPmXD5jk5jwTNQuB6hqOqO3X_lA_j2bb0DFRvTMlaPzdf4sUQFhIcQHToFK7ZJopuXbgwI6jnA5pG6MFRs56r0NCrB2Etq0ijbkMTA9lKXmn-cYkWF3cYQ/s320/dadFVPunm7qpHTB2w17xMayJhfROHCwBrAhhsmtSUKc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I was about the age of my grandsons when I first started thinking about Peace. I grew up in the days of the cold war, when bomb shelters were discussed as a reasonable additions to the back yard. A time when the nuclear missiles lighting up the sky was a very real possibility. </span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">As much as I dreamed and wished for world Peace, we all know it didn't happen. There is a formula for Peace. It lies within each of us. All we have to do search it out and bring it to light. </span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Dona Nobis Pacem ~ Grant Us Peace </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Jo </span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzFHu7pLqP7atcMd60WWjSrV7VPwif4XYZr1Vxuxpt-FyJ20151zfmNusSkp4vnSrTOPl-7L7GsdhB7I9FDYWAZ2EGAkx8tUEPIhyemLJv2ZZ7z9PrM1cugy6wJXqlbndrqjUdhF-pGI/s1600/windflow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzFHu7pLqP7atcMd60WWjSrV7VPwif4XYZr1Vxuxpt-FyJ20151zfmNusSkp4vnSrTOPl-7L7GsdhB7I9FDYWAZ2EGAkx8tUEPIhyemLJv2ZZ7z9PrM1cugy6wJXqlbndrqjUdhF-pGI/s320/windflow.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-25153874746320874662013-04-22T03:08:00.000-04:002013-04-22T03:10:12.618-04:00Earth Day 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS-U8z352vDR40ksgwM_Vh4yBfcmUXiwuROtW5shoqkZi6Dk0myI-BydamRNfKlHz3ZHDfy4r9vH1CgbzmlgODEgASbO9pFCuCta7rTRLd9zGMSo1hkTuicVPNy5EcvR6frI2-sWSSPU/s1600/1074_1074921kdapekti4c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS-U8z352vDR40ksgwM_Vh4yBfcmUXiwuROtW5shoqkZi6Dk0myI-BydamRNfKlHz3ZHDfy4r9vH1CgbzmlgODEgASbO9pFCuCta7rTRLd9zGMSo1hkTuicVPNy5EcvR6frI2-sWSSPU/s320/1074_1074921kdapekti4c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Trees</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I THINK that I shall never see<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">A poem lovely as a tree.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">A tree whose hungry mouth is prest<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">A tree that looks at God all day,<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">And lifts her leafy arms to pray;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">A tree that may in summer wear<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">A nest of robins in her hair;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Upon whose bosom snow has lain;<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Who intimately lives with rain.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Poems are made by fools like me,<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">But only God can make a tree.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Joyce Kilmer. 1886–1918</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I remember learning this poem in grade (primary) school. I even remember the teacher that thought it was important that we learn it.... Mrs Crone. At that point in time I had no idea how that poem would stir something within me. Something that has stayed with me over the years just as the words to this poem has. A deep respect for the world around me. I thank Mrs Crone to this day for that awakening. I hope that some where in this world another teacher is at least reading this poem to her class! </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Earth Day! </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">~Jo<!--3--></span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-8983226953983051052013-03-20T08:15:00.000-04:002013-03-20T08:15:43.606-04:00WELCOME SPRING<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAceXCrruxHP9ApDeFSL9WGyHe9r4H4xcRpeZXlsChuzvIGj2B6E61p1xe7hKiMDOsx7Hv0e6X3IKhdD4MnK2jZSzwt9-6uZsCFBvcJ4NlHsGHp8qCIr7jcwtOlDcDN4ECpOGe7Ts8C4k/s1600/sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAceXCrruxHP9ApDeFSL9WGyHe9r4H4xcRpeZXlsChuzvIGj2B6E61p1xe7hKiMDOsx7Hv0e6X3IKhdD4MnK2jZSzwt9-6uZsCFBvcJ4NlHsGHp8qCIr7jcwtOlDcDN4ECpOGe7Ts8C4k/s320/sunrise.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"NEWS FLASH" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a strange Object in the sky! </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is a blindingly bright orb that is spilling shades of warm yellow hues everywhere! WAIT! I vaguely remember seeing this object in my distant past. I believe it was called {{SUNSHINE}}! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome Spring.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy the day everyone, ~Jo </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-15906521355368962902013-01-20T12:48:00.000-05:002013-01-20T12:48:06.166-05:00Make Me Smile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJwl8zbUNMPUMQa-ypFKw7SFmSiXGkWSxvX5YSwc9CmUO9NQgO34GoZXt7lFvL0uSX95iHFyOXuAH1X7mF0uXH4XktCnXzuglmcRmgSDutzZDvcRUPYDtVvGEcXI3ticXDSDpGc0o0BA/s1600/cool_pic_37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJwl8zbUNMPUMQa-ypFKw7SFmSiXGkWSxvX5YSwc9CmUO9NQgO34GoZXt7lFvL0uSX95iHFyOXuAH1X7mF0uXH4XktCnXzuglmcRmgSDutzZDvcRUPYDtVvGEcXI3ticXDSDpGc0o0BA/s320/cool_pic_37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Even the heaviest of hearts can be uplifted when it comes in contact with children and their down to earth innocent way of thinking and expressing themselves.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8f6k8RXcdGe3SDxfX-4Og3qqY8x5gAh3eQcIye3xp5JclZfQzQp9_TPaeh8JmfOVSdxZHgWFCxfzXSJlbMSJvw2ombLTgUonCrPa0_Esy1O339mm_xR_3dgdLcdBwRSLshTpIp426ss/s1600/IMG_0891+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8f6k8RXcdGe3SDxfX-4Og3qqY8x5gAh3eQcIye3xp5JclZfQzQp9_TPaeh8JmfOVSdxZHgWFCxfzXSJlbMSJvw2ombLTgUonCrPa0_Esy1O339mm_xR_3dgdLcdBwRSLshTpIp426ss/s320/IMG_0891+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Recently my 9 year old grandson told his mother that he will be starting puberty on Tuesday. I had no idea that puberty was scheduled these days. All it took was a look at the school lunch menu hanging on the fridge to see that it is indeed true. There it was scheduled to start on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 just like he said. Perhaps knowing when puberty starts will ease the mind. Especially if your friends have already started their puberty and you are feeling a bit left behind. You can just look at the calendar and say no big deal.... I start my puberty on Tuesday.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>In case you haven't figured it out yet, what he was referring to was Puberty Classes. Evidently, they no longer call it Health Classes or even Sex Education Classes. Just like Home Economics no longer exist. Now I believe it is called Domestic Engineering, unless they have renamed that again as well.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The countless times that my children and grandchildren have brightened my life and lightened my heart with priceless little jewels like this story still brings a smile to my face. I wish I had made note of all of the giggles and laughs they have given me over the years so I wouldn't forget any of them. What a best selling book I could have written. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Wishing you all lots of giggles and laughs as you journey through life.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJKEEgyXZtBKjr6eSw6Mlmr_xGrZvgtbpBtFMb1kFK0oH3TYL9_NzW97Of0sLfOJQP105UVtPaEe_g1TduMEJpCUpFXH98c2e949rXm7wKPEzcJ_VC61QeSobFQbPHMfO55yg9U8YBYg/s1600/jowritesig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJKEEgyXZtBKjr6eSw6Mlmr_xGrZvgtbpBtFMb1kFK0oH3TYL9_NzW97Of0sLfOJQP105UVtPaEe_g1TduMEJpCUpFXH98c2e949rXm7wKPEzcJ_VC61QeSobFQbPHMfO55yg9U8YBYg/s200/jowritesig.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-21288915043029627712012-12-19T12:26:00.001-05:002012-12-19T12:26:48.916-05:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrC_9PGGQyM4KGg8i9LbRJ3ec9RM3WimgUG1RRHKKBa28eupNglQgeUT8eXcwikoEzOVywZIo_TPQmzKuupxSp8DVpNKIQ6uFoSumWigYaksm0bYT_xjOuRWqEPi0R8q8Yjo8YiKZDngE/s1600/snopeeps.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrC_9PGGQyM4KGg8i9LbRJ3ec9RM3WimgUG1RRHKKBa28eupNglQgeUT8eXcwikoEzOVywZIo_TPQmzKuupxSp8DVpNKIQ6uFoSumWigYaksm0bYT_xjOuRWqEPi0R8q8Yjo8YiKZDngE/s320/snopeeps.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> Forgive me for my prolonged absence....... About two weeks before Thanksgiving I had a gall bladder attack. To make the holiday more festive, a few days before Thanksgiving I broke out with the Shingles. I am still dealing with both of these. There was a surgery planned for day before yesterday to deal with the gall bladder, that was set aside thanks to some nasty little bug that I caught Thursday. It has been a few years since I have been laid up with a bug as relentless as this one is. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Come Christmas, I hope to find the Shingles and my little friend "The Bug" gone. As for the gall bladder, I have a feeling I won't be shed of it without surgery. That has been rescheduled for December 31st. I can't think of a better way to ring in the New Year than to be relatively pain free. WOW.... My idea of a good time has sure changed in the recent years. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>If You don't hear from me again before then...... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to my dear friends and loyal followers!</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>~Jo</i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQDRtD59sLgPJ3b7oqPT7CeWeXwj6SITrPyRFy21U8h2W5xRPKRpSFS3MU9bFEMwdQSma7Ngff6e0GnqecXAwuXlKjTHxgjSvbPeNMg4irdChhx357TkXvoLv3WtVvHQvjQUNQo7AWLY/s1600/orn.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQDRtD59sLgPJ3b7oqPT7CeWeXwj6SITrPyRFy21U8h2W5xRPKRpSFS3MU9bFEMwdQSma7Ngff6e0GnqecXAwuXlKjTHxgjSvbPeNMg4irdChhx357TkXvoLv3WtVvHQvjQUNQo7AWLY/s1600/orn.gif" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-83807329446116473852012-11-11T14:06:00.001-05:002014-02-07T15:36:22.314-05:00Heroes Unaware<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvumMqAsaXVo44tESeuipN6_9fZ1SLjzQnudUaOeGWg1ZgmIp_FPs_xmNGWBD6XLZAUxss_6nmy3_Sn-H3rZ-BIdSoFdFC76axhQvek6otkaYFjq5qzEdckoVIKUUh7HfKHctEMVlwew/s1600/144_144160txnpbq0bb9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvumMqAsaXVo44tESeuipN6_9fZ1SLjzQnudUaOeGWg1ZgmIp_FPs_xmNGWBD6XLZAUxss_6nmy3_Sn-H3rZ-BIdSoFdFC76axhQvek6otkaYFjq5qzEdckoVIKUUh7HfKHctEMVlwew/s320/144_144160txnpbq0bb9.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Heroes Unaware</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I first saw him on a park bench</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I've seen him every day</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Sitting in a shady grove</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Where my children come to play.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Some days he feeds the birds and squirrels</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Or whittles little toys</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes he just sits and smiles</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">At the laughing boys and girls.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">And I never paid him any mind</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">'Till one day just this year</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I noticed that he wore a frown</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">And on his cheek....</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">A tear.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Well, I asked him why he seemed so down</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">He looked up, b</span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">egan to say</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I lost half my friends</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">60 years ago today.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">He told me of the terror</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">As he fought to reach dry land</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">By the time the beach head was secure</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Half his friends lay in the sand.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">That was just in one long day</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">He fought on for 4 years more</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">And the 60 years from then 'till now</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Had not dimmed his sights of war.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">He said they have reunions</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Just to keep in touch and share</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">And for each comrade that has gone on</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">They leave an empty chair.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Well, his park bench has been empty now</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">About 6 months or so</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">And if I had never took the time</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Then I never would've known.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">That sitting on that simple bench</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>With bread crumbs and little toys</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Was a man who gave his all</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>To guarantee my daily joys.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>So give thanks to all the men and women</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Who are still here or gone before</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>And made the highest sacrifice</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>In both peace time and in war.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Because they bought our freedom</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Paid their own blood sweat and tears</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Then endured the heartache of those empty chairs</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>For all of these years.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>So please do not ignore them</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Or speed by without a care</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>'Cause you never know</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>When you might pass by...</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A Hero Unaware!</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>~By Mark Knight</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>HMC (SS)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>22 June 2000</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>~***~</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I came across this poem several years ago and posted it here on Moodscapes. It just seemed to fit perfectly with giving tribute to our veterans. I thought it was time to post it again, because the sentiment is far to beautiful to forget. I want to say thank you to all those veterans past and present who have sacrificed for me to live in a world of freedom. </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">May God Bless You and Hold You in the Palm of His Hand....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TalqAUnUePE79JpekV39iNjZGUbXWNU_-2zsP2wOfRnNiKXYkhvJOO09X_ksldfTsTTVbLkrrkq_48zxQEgiogFWxpFjPfdGlPvy5DiYoZhdr2QozcGG6zBlEd-__rvfNOxzG2VXRCE/s1600/peacesig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TalqAUnUePE79JpekV39iNjZGUbXWNU_-2zsP2wOfRnNiKXYkhvJOO09X_ksldfTsTTVbLkrrkq_48zxQEgiogFWxpFjPfdGlPvy5DiYoZhdr2QozcGG6zBlEd-__rvfNOxzG2VXRCE/s1600/peacesig.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-57894765219290420662012-11-04T14:30:00.003-05:002012-11-04T14:30:45.145-05:00"Dona Nobis Pacem"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LmXXEyOX6QLaB3yhn8-f59u1dqs4WykUUReOv3ZkcunEW6HLcfX8B6y1vKrM7_l8hg6dKvfF9wL3rfMHc3OlYmDxeY-3UaRSDQ3OEBsZyJrZa9A47-1pArcxcQshnajnK_KmfcxpIlE/s1600/3044_3044688kbqem1i6bz+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LmXXEyOX6QLaB3yhn8-f59u1dqs4WykUUReOv3ZkcunEW6HLcfX8B6y1vKrM7_l8hg6dKvfF9wL3rfMHc3OlYmDxeY-3UaRSDQ3OEBsZyJrZa9A47-1pArcxcQshnajnK_KmfcxpIlE/s1600/3044_3044688kbqem1i6bz+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Prayer of Saint Francis</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where there is hatred, let me sow love;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where there is injury, pardon;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where there is doubt, faith;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where there is despair, hope;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where there is darkness, light;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where there is sadness, joy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">O, Divine Master, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">grant that I may not seek </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to be consoled, as to console;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to be understood, as to understand;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to be loved, as to love;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For it is in giving that we receive;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">it is in dying that we are born again</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to eternal life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>May you be blessed with Peace and Love....</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>~Jo</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-18693796245708017972012-11-04T14:14:00.002-05:002012-11-04T14:18:09.852-05:00"Dona Nobis Pacem 2"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1z8qOTugSo3zgCZ-TVBua80uvM2tAbdbWH3XfWta3apDfaI9T7S_CPvGX92h_KvD8lMjFOS20uqX0Kf2fqBtrrKsGriTvyAVrYFMeR_-LSQ4Mmd-QahxPpayDORuagCuDD9luMXoiYk/s1600/FxCam_1352052896982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1z8qOTugSo3zgCZ-TVBua80uvM2tAbdbWH3XfWta3apDfaI9T7S_CPvGX92h_KvD8lMjFOS20uqX0Kf2fqBtrrKsGriTvyAVrYFMeR_-LSQ4Mmd-QahxPpayDORuagCuDD9luMXoiYk/s320/FxCam_1352052896982.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Imagine being able to hold Peace in the palm of your hand.... Imagine being able to pass it along with just a simple handshake.... Wait!!! Why must we imagine, when it can be done. With just a touch, Peace can indeed be passed along.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have a Peace filled day my friends.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">~Jo </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-58519211993885273822012-10-31T16:20:00.000-04:002012-10-31T16:20:07.832-04:00Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbVteCd8cniUF05fX-PwQC8Hlt9gBe4pwUqz5PDvMMqSMEAzYWSirtPIUAPiFUaR0j-PuYMfoaw8XEnRxkysGBJpyjCcsa30_AVqudrcY8q3sgY5EyQytJWBsovqZssRDVYEWpwj4X7w/s1600/Halloween-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbVteCd8cniUF05fX-PwQC8Hlt9gBe4pwUqz5PDvMMqSMEAzYWSirtPIUAPiFUaR0j-PuYMfoaw8XEnRxkysGBJpyjCcsa30_AVqudrcY8q3sgY5EyQytJWBsovqZssRDVYEWpwj4X7w/s320/Halloween-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Black Cat</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>by ~ Shane Hubbard</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Under the stars the feline crept, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Her fur as black as unmined coal.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Under their light she slyly stepped;</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This way and that she stole.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Oh, pity the victims who suffered her wrath,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And the people she crossed on her path.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Under the mounds of trash and rot,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And about dim alleys, the cat,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Black as both the kettle and pot,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Skulked, never hearing, "Scat!"</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For no human dared to offend the stray,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And neither did the predator's prey!</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Under the eaves, throughout the town,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This omen of terrible luck</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Nimbly walked in her sable gown,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>All with fear were struck.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For fables tell that the cat who is black</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> May bewitch all those who cross her track!</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>~*~</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For many years now I go on a trip when I feel a chill in the air and the leaves on the trees have turned so many vibrant earth-tone colors. I love to watch, as those same leaves slowly begin floating to the ground. I always hope that it doesn't rain for a while, giving the fallen leaves the opportunity to turn brown so I can walk through them and listen to the crackling noise that they make under my feet. I visit many homes while I am on my journeys and the people that I see are always so happy and welcoming. Like me, those that travel with me are never dressed in a trendy manner. In most cases it is old clothes that we wear, put together and with a little makeup added to disguise our true identities. </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am always met with smiles, kind words and sweetness, as are my companions.</i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>There is no price tag on this trip that I take and I don't have to book it in advance, because my means of transportation is through the recesses of my mind. Memory takes me back to my childhood home on Halloween night to go trick or treating in a time when parents didn't have to walk with their children as we went door to door unless they wanted to. We were safe within our community where children were loved and cared for. This was a time when there was no need to fear strangers just for saying, "Hello". Parents didn't have to sort through the mounds of sweet goodies that we carried home searching for signs of tampering or take it all to the hospital to have x-rays made to check for hidden needles and razor blades. In fact a lot of what we received wasn't sealed in packaging. Things like apples and oranges, homemade cookies, candy apples and popcorn balls. What a wonderful time it was for growing up. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>If wishes came true, it would be for every child to experience such a Halloween at least once in their lifetime. Have a Safe and Happy Halloween! </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">May God Bless You and Hold You in the Palm of His Hand. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~Jo </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-50327529204163503602012-10-29T17:06:00.001-04:002012-10-29T17:08:54.428-04:00Hurricane Sandy<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6U-h7j45fxlfeZbgkfGZbbpEUJWPtZVSf9xmFLlModH0waHOf5d82A6N3uvezzaQSaBb0Zp0yJDlj3o_0_cIIXbNtbEDo-EVntye4RbCAmzV6h-Yo9TPulRAfykWshqh8DH6PpFH_A_g/s1600/stormy-seaside-weather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6U-h7j45fxlfeZbgkfGZbbpEUJWPtZVSf9xmFLlModH0waHOf5d82A6N3uvezzaQSaBb0Zp0yJDlj3o_0_cIIXbNtbEDo-EVntye4RbCAmzV6h-Yo9TPulRAfykWshqh8DH6PpFH_A_g/s320/stormy-seaside-weather.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>As hurricane Sandy makes its way north along the Atlantic coast, I am keeping family and friends that will find themselves in the path of this Frankenstorm in my thoughts and prayers. All reports say that it will be far reaching and pack a powerful blow.</i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I went in search of lamp oil this morning to fuel our hurricane lamps, only to find that the shelf where it should have been stocked stood empty. No problem..... I can do candles as well. So now we are all stocked up with our </span>necessary<span style="font-family: inherit;"> supplies and will hunker down to wait for this storm to arrive and pass. In a day or two, no matter what this storm brings our way, we will emerge like everyone around us, none the worse for the wear. At which time we will pick up where we left off and continue our day to day journey. Come to think about it, that is pretty much what we do regarding all storms in our lives. Those that invade our emotions, as well as our environment.</span></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be safe everyone and may God Bless You and Hold You in the Palm of His Hand.</span></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">~Jo</span></i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-62410873234599240812012-03-21T13:55:00.002-04:002012-03-21T13:55:50.663-04:00This Time Last Year....<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYjkVodcnD6uFvdKT6MRnsE4ilxbbYfepHADtJ6U4Vs_zN2KLJ1VmyBNj6XUMp6Aozy0TS-2FXqd7-RkXyPbh_6WTtY858tGAz4Gu3dtIWHWf-Byi0uWXodBBmWb3MgLGPH-1450DwJo/s1600/196797_1689389632603_1173596471_31501785_6791131_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYjkVodcnD6uFvdKT6MRnsE4ilxbbYfepHADtJ6U4Vs_zN2KLJ1VmyBNj6XUMp6Aozy0TS-2FXqd7-RkXyPbh_6WTtY858tGAz4Gu3dtIWHWf-Byi0uWXodBBmWb3MgLGPH-1450DwJo/s320/196797_1689389632603_1173596471_31501785_6791131_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Getting back to what was going on in my world while I was away from my blog last year...... Brittany, my oldest granddaughter was completing her senior year of high school. She made her last appearance in the High School Musical with the lead female role in "South Pacific". </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS4fmEBVgEb1ipM01ha-8jfR5PMHgpXWJkNcLv1EXm3lk1hQvgv6NPOT5ElwontURefPvf5l48HOHwjRfGA-aoIhoM35sgV5G0SjVhNqOtBNyhBbJGiJPkC48BvTBIbjqpGmbs5B0mtk/s1600/196252_1689397112790_1173596471_31501792_4744183_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS4fmEBVgEb1ipM01ha-8jfR5PMHgpXWJkNcLv1EXm3lk1hQvgv6NPOT5ElwontURefPvf5l48HOHwjRfGA-aoIhoM35sgV5G0SjVhNqOtBNyhBbJGiJPkC48BvTBIbjqpGmbs5B0mtk/s320/196252_1689397112790_1173596471_31501792_4744183_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Watching her perform and hearing her sing on that stage for the last time was a melancholy experience for me. Who am I kidding, pretty much all of her senior year was a melancholy experience for me. It was just the reality that our Britt was all gown up and about to take that giant step into being a responsible grown woman on her own and there was no holding her back. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jYAgz4ny-QzJzRP2qCJslfRjxqfLWwFM_RijPOg8gqCIOZaaYIkletSio0DqZ61t1sg_ue-I7Ad4nx0MBuuNEV9Wk66BqVNvoRiOGGtldDGyxvAJ61Kto9EogCi5xmvgsM3kmzdlvqg/s1600/216394_1739162556895_1173596471_31565193_433695_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jYAgz4ny-QzJzRP2qCJslfRjxqfLWwFM_RijPOg8gqCIOZaaYIkletSio0DqZ61t1sg_ue-I7Ad4nx0MBuuNEV9Wk66BqVNvoRiOGGtldDGyxvAJ61Kto9EogCi5xmvgsM3kmzdlvqg/s320/216394_1739162556895_1173596471_31565193_433695_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a very busy year for her. Along with working a part time job after school and on weekends, going on college visits, play and band practices followed by performances...... She still found time to sing at a fund raiser for one of her friends. He was chosen to join a group of talented high school musicians from around the country to travel through Europe performing. The fund raiser was to help finance his trip.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8svaYRKEgw5qMQhmVplVjaj-n8DlB06y4RXAv-AXdc1eI2ymD4jsQ2IIl0OX9n0HrIA96E-0Klu2B618jgF-3c2-mGX2MvSzQj5_VkFN1ngrQNOwte5AF09WgXY6uPbKBTaqwNzmvCFA/s1600/249535_1844452429076_1173596471_31717270_6469256_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8svaYRKEgw5qMQhmVplVjaj-n8DlB06y4RXAv-AXdc1eI2ymD4jsQ2IIl0OX9n0HrIA96E-0Klu2B618jgF-3c2-mGX2MvSzQj5_VkFN1ngrQNOwte5AF09WgXY6uPbKBTaqwNzmvCFA/s320/249535_1844452429076_1173596471_31717270_6469256_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally Graduation day arrived and it was most definitely a roller coaster ride for me. I was so proud of Britt for all that she had accomplished in her 18 years. The fact that she had not allowed her Type 1 diabetes hold her back in any way, served to magnify that pride. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF4-7YFmrY7Hzp8Xa89ckNy5wMQNms4omeh6Bsc-8IeiKgMny5Dapaji3EjaLCieEvdWs9qwgTZcyGWybSPRYR09QaWbEXWIDuIs4vb5so9kExBOV97ZMu6oVCV50rBPCnMZskSG3LcQ/s1600/249535_1844452349074_1173596471_31717268_6403125_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF4-7YFmrY7Hzp8Xa89ckNy5wMQNms4omeh6Bsc-8IeiKgMny5Dapaji3EjaLCieEvdWs9qwgTZcyGWybSPRYR09QaWbEXWIDuIs4vb5so9kExBOV97ZMu6oVCV50rBPCnMZskSG3LcQ/s320/249535_1844452349074_1173596471_31717268_6403125_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">At the same time my heart was aching. Our Beautiful song bird was testing her wings and would soon be flying out of the nest.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d2-5XmIoK6W2URkGqeFQ4iBk2UpN3LIWlMLMab06hU28om9TMVmUOKJLKSHgVvGck-xkYsXjSR8VIjexloEKrF2Fi2PJ-Ji6pfKU5QQZQFTmMN6ZkzQhKoqMe-pXWxFrVGbBev3t9v8/s1600/408787_2614727601348_1049815092_32325364_122202437_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d2-5XmIoK6W2URkGqeFQ4iBk2UpN3LIWlMLMab06hU28om9TMVmUOKJLKSHgVvGck-xkYsXjSR8VIjexloEKrF2Fi2PJ-Ji6pfKU5QQZQFTmMN6ZkzQhKoqMe-pXWxFrVGbBev3t9v8/s320/408787_2614727601348_1049815092_32325364_122202437_n.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As I am typing this Britt is about to wrap up her first year of schooling toward being an RN. She is doing great and when the time comes, she will no doubt graduate with honors. That is just who Britt is..... If it is worth doing, she puts her all into it. We Love You Sweetheart and couldn't be prouder of you than we are at this moment!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ilNUoKIOTHjOYGNx2diGnRNPfp6LgEMB0Qw3_mkHJHe0uPDB6qFzXTjsXpiweIYiap38CZazHBaw39Qx67opiDoxBow83qXoaQbMS8sbRZgfdo_p7hpDvdG0ZeZtq9rt4oK-JuyrBrA/s1600/maearth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ilNUoKIOTHjOYGNx2diGnRNPfp6LgEMB0Qw3_mkHJHe0uPDB6qFzXTjsXpiweIYiap38CZazHBaw39Qx67opiDoxBow83qXoaQbMS8sbRZgfdo_p7hpDvdG0ZeZtq9rt4oK-JuyrBrA/s1600/maearth.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I Am Blessed</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~Jo</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-7563563231777882642012-03-20T17:03:00.000-04:002012-03-20T17:03:01.370-04:00Another Beautiful Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaa-83VornCDIAax2JfBsUiQ2or5cxGeamUeUWPLUISKajV8cKIOAzNN-En1HysUsGm5mTZzoXchOIk3g-pyyVPhBhqNYbz8tMVk6OPVpgvcxMj7crmxUOeUUjzoHkOx52yH15BUuFcw/s1600/menu-illustration-of-waitress-carrying-ice-cream-desserts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaa-83VornCDIAax2JfBsUiQ2or5cxGeamUeUWPLUISKajV8cKIOAzNN-En1HysUsGm5mTZzoXchOIk3g-pyyVPhBhqNYbz8tMVk6OPVpgvcxMj7crmxUOeUUjzoHkOx52yH15BUuFcw/s320/menu-illustration-of-waitress-carrying-ice-cream-desserts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Granddaughter, Alley Oop will be working at Wendy's this evening to help raise money for her softball team. A portion of the total sales between 5:00pm and 8:00pm today will go to the team. I hope they get a lot of support for their efforts. I have to admire these kids for getting out and raising the money to help cover the cost of having a softball team. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWQtYFzq-1HUNaPHzXjmKkoDgRft3MybCu2uo3NkOgItJ1EoXOlBok8eMy83YfF5TGc6I1K-mxXauLhgxQeY_3Xhk4p79h6wQa58KIhyphenhyphenF1VHFnITF56eV9jtT6o0jUqNh3w9rqvxErus/s1600/brdnest.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWQtYFzq-1HUNaPHzXjmKkoDgRft3MybCu2uo3NkOgItJ1EoXOlBok8eMy83YfF5TGc6I1K-mxXauLhgxQeY_3Xhk4p79h6wQa58KIhyphenhyphenF1VHFnITF56eV9jtT6o0jUqNh3w9rqvxErus/s1600/brdnest.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can't get over this weather folks. We had another beautiful day going on. JD cleaned off the back porch and car port today. He got the umbrella for the patio table and the cushions for the chairs down out of the attic. When I look out the kitchen window this afternoon it looks so inviting out there. I am thinking we are going to need to get the grill ready to fire up any time now.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7US08bJ-h-bMWzF5-LmbSD2t8myjzuwiwR5dfl_htbFuty3IiyVQU3t47VnfMo4whDNdHGoKew46OXbtsU9eY7wP1FTmGW_X9LwyFsxnn4j1Qxl2YWJVIWdaKUPvnYi7RG9bkjjD-8f0/s1600/chaloner-woods-cheeky-child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7US08bJ-h-bMWzF5-LmbSD2t8myjzuwiwR5dfl_htbFuty3IiyVQU3t47VnfMo4whDNdHGoKew46OXbtsU9eY7wP1FTmGW_X9LwyFsxnn4j1Qxl2YWJVIWdaKUPvnYi7RG9bkjjD-8f0/s320/chaloner-woods-cheeky-child.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The doctor called in a prescription for me that I need to pick up. He is going to try his hand at treating my fibromyalgia. There is a pain medication we are going to try that is not a narcotic, which in itself sounds good to me. The doctor warned me that the only real side effect is that it may make me a little loopy...... I had to laugh at that statement, because I know there are those among us that would argue that I couldn't get any loopier than I already am. I will have to let you know about that one.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMuf-3hutWfUATXNMJ3i_zruO9wL0ljVAAt4lWOe0Ih9PP1zp3BrVAlWiDWQubf0F4nyvM6xQRrqoXbjvXZqK0-hPWfQz8sQBER1f0Zm6BFwReABYbvaAqe4eg6N-DpbBpP4_hzcZ_7Q/s1600/maearth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMuf-3hutWfUATXNMJ3i_zruO9wL0ljVAAt4lWOe0Ih9PP1zp3BrVAlWiDWQubf0F4nyvM6xQRrqoXbjvXZqK0-hPWfQz8sQBER1f0Zm6BFwReABYbvaAqe4eg6N-DpbBpP4_hzcZ_7Q/s1600/maearth.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I Am Blessed</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~Jo</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-62168712728615834212012-03-19T20:07:00.001-04:002012-03-19T20:07:05.350-04:00Manic Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTljM-I9y2h84bVy4bVF_6obRaPcE2Ii9_DzEmsrBWvgWjyQJ36sJ_qhRSGZXpCkkdm0CIodPTyyWd_sGhqytSUmjmvb6kg9PaFdImsS0wGh7dGsrdfNRZzk17PjNcEWAtcmUOnX-odqk/s1600/cristin-atria-estate-anemones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTljM-I9y2h84bVy4bVF_6obRaPcE2Ii9_DzEmsrBWvgWjyQJ36sJ_qhRSGZXpCkkdm0CIodPTyyWd_sGhqytSUmjmvb6kg9PaFdImsS0wGh7dGsrdfNRZzk17PjNcEWAtcmUOnX-odqk/s400/cristin-atria-estate-anemones.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I woke up early this morning, as I usually do and enjoyed my coffee while Paddy and JD slept. It is during quiet times like this that I sort through the agenda for the day ahead of me. This day included a visit to our new Dr. after lunch to get acquainted and let him know if we have any immediate health concerns that needs to be taken care of. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After breakfast and a shower, I had some lab reports that I needed to download and print out to take to the Dr. when we went. As I sat at the computer I couldn't help but notice all of the sunshine that was pushing its way past the curtains, making promises of a beautiful day ahead. I admit I was distracted by this and even more so when I heard one, and then another, and yet another lawnmower firing up around the neighborhood. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would see the day that people would be mowing their yards in Ohio, the middle of March. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I did eventually work past the distractions to get my lab reports copied and off we went to our Dr. appointments. I am pleased to report that I think we made a wise choice and will be very happy with this Doctor. Of course JD turned his charm on and impressed all of them with that sense of humor and personality that is so uniquely JD. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We talked about the nodule they found on my thyroid in late 2010. A second ultrasound has shown that it has grown, so I will be seeing an ENT the first part of April to discuss my options concerning that. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">........... and then I turned around only to find the day was gone. I hope if the sun was shining in your world today, that you had the opportunity to soak up some of those warm rays and enjoy the day. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQuJrb0F2jfBosTV9tJ2O3_kIcZVJWnh-dI-4OJ09Ox3UqEXqE_ft9ZGHiNIwjE3kCAn6LaipRjwdU6XgZOl3-waKnDBMgNHfIRxcgaeQetE7vXv4_3VHkFRzFePl2IOFkjyT0rlVSus/s1600/maearth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQuJrb0F2jfBosTV9tJ2O3_kIcZVJWnh-dI-4OJ09Ox3UqEXqE_ft9ZGHiNIwjE3kCAn6LaipRjwdU6XgZOl3-waKnDBMgNHfIRxcgaeQetE7vXv4_3VHkFRzFePl2IOFkjyT0rlVSus/s1600/maearth.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am Blessed</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~Jo</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-4788999160370524772012-03-17T11:46:00.001-04:002012-03-19T17:12:18.909-04:00Saint Paddy's Day......<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhs1Q_kt4DlQ2mAf1nEhV0SvC4w7hIYuAM6hzJj7XKS3FFQOOaHNs5z5PKfoHSWyxnnVR_-4OfuxriitGNSkRKa04QHDdDTchHBHaOmbPOVr4Oa6lLHsYvU7K0gaw6WKe-1L0q06Cev0/s1600/irish.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhs1Q_kt4DlQ2mAf1nEhV0SvC4w7hIYuAM6hzJj7XKS3FFQOOaHNs5z5PKfoHSWyxnnVR_-4OfuxriitGNSkRKa04QHDdDTchHBHaOmbPOVr4Oa6lLHsYvU7K0gaw6WKe-1L0q06Cev0/s400/irish.gif" width="351" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I think today is one of those days when rather you are Irish or not, we should all take stock of the many blessings that brighten our lives. The spotlight for our blessings shines on our little Paddy girl today. This is the day that we celebrate her third birthday...... </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfEw0ZILgV3So9J04GhUuP5Az1-QO1gQ_Xxoi-yXsiusiRKN7NhB0cozNdVBis-r2oM5lnUuVvA5BIMmL21SzChuSFi4m466h5jrMHKIfIKDW2zPylquALBvjUMFvJdxsjkPlAktTnUk/s1600/428216_3116583151549_1173596471_32493720_501771302_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfEw0ZILgV3So9J04GhUuP5Az1-QO1gQ_Xxoi-yXsiusiRKN7NhB0cozNdVBis-r2oM5lnUuVvA5BIMmL21SzChuSFi4m466h5jrMHKIfIKDW2zPylquALBvjUMFvJdxsjkPlAktTnUk/s320/428216_3116583151549_1173596471_32493720_501771302_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday Paddy! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDstziq8FgyAbe1Zz163SSpMXIqfr9Dv-0Ttose6lxMNZgpPRgcxoCsps7OC-qtT6sr8c26bW_Xz0Dfoa8nwbUw8lMeTYgf4y8DvLol2stAsxcQcxSCf6-d79WMMXvmNuOKgeuTL8LB4/s1600/293695_2250643143590_1173596471_32127879_1244505004_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDstziq8FgyAbe1Zz163SSpMXIqfr9Dv-0Ttose6lxMNZgpPRgcxoCsps7OC-qtT6sr8c26bW_Xz0Dfoa8nwbUw8lMeTYgf4y8DvLol2stAsxcQcxSCf6-d79WMMXvmNuOKgeuTL8LB4/s320/293695_2250643143590_1173596471_32127879_1244505004_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Paddy loves camping</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> It was two days before Saint Patrick's Day t</span><span style="font-size: large;">wo years ago, when </span><span style="font-size: large;">we visited the Jackson County, Ohio dog pound hoping to rescue one of the inmates to become part of our family. Just inside the door was a BIG pen that held one tiny little pup. She was part da</span><span style="font-size: large;">c</span><span style="font-size: large;">hshund, part terrier. She sat in the center of that pen shaking uncontrollably and scared to death. We didn't look any further than that because there was need to. Our hearts immediately went out to her and destiny had spoken. We were told after we chose her that she was sc</span><span style="font-size: large;">h</span><span style="font-size: large;">eduled to be put down the next day. The Dog Warden remarked that she was a lucky little dog to be rescued when she was. That is how Paddy got her name and how she came into our lives. To be honest we think we are the lucky ones.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDdP59JDUh_BaXkgAZ14OZoCPG9nyQ6w-5taoUr71TfcyLHGqxPDZZWeapueylLctAr1wbSDAMvwOw8-bGj4PtI3jiUvyT9Lm8cjzduiN6QXi6dIr62ZzRdOFBUnvg-ej2vMVTYeDcoM/s1600/294417_2250642503574_1173596471_32127877_1665370669_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDdP59JDUh_BaXkgAZ14OZoCPG9nyQ6w-5taoUr71TfcyLHGqxPDZZWeapueylLctAr1wbSDAMvwOw8-bGj4PtI3jiUvyT9Lm8cjzduiN6QXi6dIr62ZzRdOFBUnvg-ej2vMVTYeDcoM/s320/294417_2250642503574_1173596471_32127877_1665370669_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Paddy in Papa's shirt sleeve.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course she participates in whatever we are doing and goes just about every place that we go. She loves to go camping with us. The only thing she doesn't like about it is being on a leash, but rules are rules. In the picture above, JD was playing their version of peek-a-boo / hide and seek with her. He would cover her with his flannel shirt and tuck it around her and she would work her way out of it. This time she had wiggled her way into his sleeve and popped her head out as if to say "BOO!" </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5alFDaJ8qnv_mYt4b08ADC20jWwxGfsVlqs96-hcCpEngebvU6ArJZ1OFwWpKRV6Cgugmu9zWWgcZvqUCatgFcYfQrvnDjoonSBDq5M6hyO9KHTN7MY08B2B_oNGamLSJUlJi0To91GU/s1600/315513_2250642063563_1173596471_32127875_1209037863_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5alFDaJ8qnv_mYt4b08ADC20jWwxGfsVlqs96-hcCpEngebvU6ArJZ1OFwWpKRV6Cgugmu9zWWgcZvqUCatgFcYfQrvnDjoonSBDq5M6hyO9KHTN7MY08B2B_oNGamLSJUlJi0To91GU/s320/315513_2250642063563_1173596471_32127875_1209037863_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Camping makes a girl tired sometimes</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This was the camping trip with the boys..... I think they sort of tuckered her out. There is no describing how much joy she brings into our lives. Wishing you all a Blessed and Happy Saint Patrick's Day!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcm19jQf6clqRsKgNcsG-a9veUb0D7GlLJnABud4pdXA8Ipyoupf-VLBJ76TaCoCYJlQMtpxiJPdhueI2VA-wZ-rFs11BC6HR9T_9_MHsDoAj1NCdWIBj5p4SC5b1toIdVL-2QCjN0gY/s1600/shamrock.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcm19jQf6clqRsKgNcsG-a9veUb0D7GlLJnABud4pdXA8Ipyoupf-VLBJ76TaCoCYJlQMtpxiJPdhueI2VA-wZ-rFs11BC6HR9T_9_MHsDoAj1NCdWIBj5p4SC5b1toIdVL-2QCjN0gY/s200/shamrock.gif" width="140" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I Am Blessed</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~Jo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-67580265052026524822012-03-16T13:57:00.001-04:002012-03-16T13:57:32.636-04:00House Guests<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwTqEdD4Fv2g21L4seFr2Sbk863bwOdLpVsKJCA6-29tuzEmujL-O8zrJw0rQ2a4xMPK80tdh7HyjzgC5F1DBZ8WkWn63PZi86yj7I17ZWzDl4hqkOXUkhTOcaXF57Hge3woWzi2qlr8/s1600/264164_1942572042005_1173596471_31805344_2766945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwTqEdD4Fv2g21L4seFr2Sbk863bwOdLpVsKJCA6-29tuzEmujL-O8zrJw0rQ2a4xMPK80tdh7HyjzgC5F1DBZ8WkWn63PZi86yj7I17ZWzDl4hqkOXUkhTOcaXF57Hge3woWzi2qlr8/s320/264164_1942572042005_1173596471_31805344_2766945_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last spring, in the process of getting the house in town ready to move into, JD had removed the doors from the utility closet and sat them outside on the back porch. He did this to make it easier to maneuver while he put down new flooring. The next morning we found this lovely Mama-to-be perched on top of the bi-fold doors preparing a temporary home for her babies. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rUdLih_B5wPzBXw3PHa-6yU64ft4LumGfih3iBCtOK6_PNyjatXd2lRZNCSE6z-hZm5M6Ehv9GtgbSi4tPusjoFnwwGmy2WlLHSrYoZSeSPr5XIRve0UjLQovrEnxf4SsQ5CMWM1B6U/s1600/184076_1994291614962_1173596471_31870960_3752095_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rUdLih_B5wPzBXw3PHa-6yU64ft4LumGfih3iBCtOK6_PNyjatXd2lRZNCSE6z-hZm5M6Ehv9GtgbSi4tPusjoFnwwGmy2WlLHSrYoZSeSPr5XIRve0UjLQovrEnxf4SsQ5CMWM1B6U/s320/184076_1994291614962_1173596471_31870960_3752095_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">She was completely trusting of us as we came and went. Opening and closing the back door all day long didn't seem to concern her in the least. She watched us as we passed her nest repeatedly, but she never ruffled the first feather or stirred once in her nest. JD had his table saw set up on the back porch and she wasn't bothered with that or the noise from it either. She just continued construction of her nest and then did her motherly duty of keeping her eggs warm. </span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK11wNKbltHVYCv7GTI5PfiHI7y_f5ezIz8mwV3ivEKo69bggo1oyy7RoGM6Nkgp-xe1jTom6l90PERiv6blzMtbXrfOSZfNFs1g0mNVPaHNne33uHb80IoZOomlgrfQ9R0MT7hXzPEXQ/s1600/270122_1942571761998_1173596471_31805343_8119530_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK11wNKbltHVYCv7GTI5PfiHI7y_f5ezIz8mwV3ivEKo69bggo1oyy7RoGM6Nkgp-xe1jTom6l90PERiv6blzMtbXrfOSZfNFs1g0mNVPaHNne33uHb80IoZOomlgrfQ9R0MT7hXzPEXQ/s320/270122_1942571761998_1173596471_31805343_8119530_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Theresa and the girls said that there was a dove that nested on the back porch every year. Most likely it was the same one. She knew she had never been harmed before when she nested here, which is probably why she was so trusting of us. I am anxious to see if she returns again this year. We will welcome her if she does.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYH4cbahz8c435UwUOJ9bLspLavdbzTAO24i3urasJDjJaUSPOAzlGP-37qERL6Y_LBb7I9seLADUVTpU6usU4hvokmsXexv6Az91PQT_GqAIhRquROAmsP3lkQJ938ZjGdJwDAv8yJe4/s1600/maearth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYH4cbahz8c435UwUOJ9bLspLavdbzTAO24i3urasJDjJaUSPOAzlGP-37qERL6Y_LBb7I9seLADUVTpU6usU4hvokmsXexv6Az91PQT_GqAIhRquROAmsP3lkQJ938ZjGdJwDAv8yJe4/s1600/maearth.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I Am Blessed</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~Jo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-9379864092779369732012-03-14T13:00:00.002-04:002012-03-14T13:14:22.199-04:00Unselfish Acts<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eaNS1yWIBSkbPeLhLZccJvrMULJ13vuDh14JaEBL9mIRdljgS3JweFbNPlpbRGZhNpkV89xcQ2TBsIuwFSYj5rHuFnRIZ2IudLZwcJK8xVIUBAtWzIzSmaEVYpVZz65o3BLESiTmPhg/s1600/tornadotwo_03a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eaNS1yWIBSkbPeLhLZccJvrMULJ13vuDh14JaEBL9mIRdljgS3JweFbNPlpbRGZhNpkV89xcQ2TBsIuwFSYj5rHuFnRIZ2IudLZwcJK8xVIUBAtWzIzSmaEVYpVZz65o3BLESiTmPhg/s320/tornadotwo_03a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Arial view of Moscow, Ohio following tornado damage</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I received a phone call yesterday from my daughter-in-law, Melody asking if I would be available to be on call if the boys needed me. She works at <a href="http://www.ovrdc.org/">OVRDC</a> and she and a few coworkers were going to Moscow, Ohio to help with the clean up effort that is underway there. On March 2nd, an EF3 tornado touched down in Moscow and cut a path of destruction that leveled close to 70% of the little village. Melody said that it was a very humbling experience for her. We see film footage of devastation on the news all of the time and think how terrible, but we have no idea the depth of that tragedy unless we are there to witness it first hand. I know that your unselfish efforts were very much appreciated Melody. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GElcERctbOWbjSdpuyya4tnrSnmDI17sMofH-yDmDOUfNbF6zjVldqOQuguQMeXLpHwVKKSNDGLAtP4eimWviK_5zD2YsnYhFHkDgwP-cZEDCoCRm8qQ8CUxbRZy4XMFQmW-7rSF1OM/s1600/french-woman-with-bicycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GElcERctbOWbjSdpuyya4tnrSnmDI17sMofH-yDmDOUfNbF6zjVldqOQuguQMeXLpHwVKKSNDGLAtP4eimWviK_5zD2YsnYhFHkDgwP-cZEDCoCRm8qQ8CUxbRZy4XMFQmW-7rSF1OM/s320/french-woman-with-bicycle.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">While I am on the subject of unselfish acts, this seems like the perfect time to also sing my daughter, Theresa's praises. On August 10th of this year Theresa will set out on a 50 mile bike ride as a participant in Pelotonia. After wanting to do this for quite a while, her time has come. I have furnished a link in case you are interested in the history of <a href="http://pelotonia.org/about/history/">Pelotonia</a>. Theresa has committed to raise $1,250.00 in donations from individuals that would like to sponsor her as a rider. 100% of the money raised goes to cancer research at The James Cancer Center, OSU Hospital in Columbus , Ohio. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I think just about everyone's life has been touched by cancer in one way or another. It is a complicated disease that takes many forms and does not discriminate. It will attack regardless of age, sex or color and is unmerciful. If you would like to make a donation and sponsor Theresa in Pelotonia you can make that donation on <a href="https://www.mypelotonia.org/riders_profile.jsp?MemberID=172484" target="_blank">Theresa's Profile Page</a>. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am so proud of both of you girls. Melody and Theresa, you both are setting some fine examples for my grandchildren to follow. I love you both. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEice4Dd7z38w8Vih3l_ek6d-kkWMj8eSvBnFKSLK_2dlsLADS1ZAo7_t8SUYguliD8xadyxLWjuzrXFaClB8ZlQ_qHpCxsVEbjmBHXiT-UwjrCYP4_UEMoPMFfITsFGBnjufmfhd57Aa64/s1600/maearth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEice4Dd7z38w8Vih3l_ek6d-kkWMj8eSvBnFKSLK_2dlsLADS1ZAo7_t8SUYguliD8xadyxLWjuzrXFaClB8ZlQ_qHpCxsVEbjmBHXiT-UwjrCYP4_UEMoPMFfITsFGBnjufmfhd57Aa64/s1600/maearth.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I Am Blessed</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~Jo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-55084071012307155372012-03-12T18:50:00.000-04:002012-03-12T18:50:57.639-04:00Lesson Learned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3qnIo8QQ3xKqYZWyY5DCk7R5WBGkoxnvceLvUggQGMv5VkGLB_zy20n69HmTZqmYfMkMR1jJXbvGwEPui2cgJpAqEQNt1XGMGmxN2UZPhPdBlTsuTDAhDTTyJBpMTCNpAZ96JUoe4vg/s1600/Jo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3qnIo8QQ3xKqYZWyY5DCk7R5WBGkoxnvceLvUggQGMv5VkGLB_zy20n69HmTZqmYfMkMR1jJXbvGwEPui2cgJpAqEQNt1XGMGmxN2UZPhPdBlTsuTDAhDTTyJBpMTCNpAZ96JUoe4vg/s320/Jo2.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As sometimes happens in families between siblings, my sister and I had a falling out. She became angry with me and I honestly did not have an inkling of what horrible thing I must have done to be excommunicated as a sibling. We existed like this for 11 years. There were occasions, such as a death in the family, when I would call to pass on the information. The conversations were strained and quick. There were also those times that we crossed each other's paths in public. Of course when that happened there was the polite impersonal exchange of two or three sentences inquiring about the kids and grand kids. Sounded more like grunts and moans than anything resembling speech. None the less, that is how it went for 11 years. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">There was 14 years difference in our age, so when I was starting school my sister had already moved out on her own. We didn't have the kind of relationship that sisters have when they grow up together. She was somewhat of a second mother to me, because as a small child my care fell to her when our mother wasn't there. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxsuSCSJDFOC9H0oIawVm8Pe-8zbEk0mPySd1tNBmgXzFmBjkwDe3ZVtxguEztGcuHrUr5obd9ECIBj9mzwv-EtAWIhxusRbsOPKYpB0isoMnUoUvkYTBSmjBsO5srl1ArR3x6DigR94/s1600/passengers-970484152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxsuSCSJDFOC9H0oIawVm8Pe-8zbEk0mPySd1tNBmgXzFmBjkwDe3ZVtxguEztGcuHrUr5obd9ECIBj9mzwv-EtAWIhxusRbsOPKYpB0isoMnUoUvkYTBSmjBsO5srl1ArR3x6DigR94/s320/passengers-970484152.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">To be brutally honest with you, I can be stubborn at times, with a twist of bullheadedness thrown in. So when my sister had decided to delete me from her list of relatives I was clueless as to why and hurt, but was determined that no one would know how I really felt. Word did come to me through someone who I should have known would be an unreliable source. In fact it was someone that would get a lot of pleasure from my pain. What I was told only served to make me angry because I saw it as pettiness on my sister's part. There were times over that 11 year time span when I considered calling her and talking it out. Before I could dial that phone though that stubbornness would kick in and I rationalized why I shouldn't be the one to make the first move.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just prior to to selling the house and getting caught up in what seemed to be the never ending process of moving, I had a Saturday that I decided to spend watching some movies that I had been wanting to see. 'Passengers' was one of those on my list. By the time it was over, I was a mess with tears that just didn't want to stop. In a heart beat, I had the phone in my hand, dialing my sister's number. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU1vFJ6awEqLu1WT5k6iJXeRB0dXSDPPks0Lm6Y27tducCGwu6qY54q3eToweQXMFeenhqJo7iiXuGfWKTPTOckgWnFLO4zlYbzVq_bsI78dGyOouUqIBQv6fF97nU1xAtNW18INofTY/s1600/1653_1653377rj5jsozb72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU1vFJ6awEqLu1WT5k6iJXeRB0dXSDPPks0Lm6Y27tducCGwu6qY54q3eToweQXMFeenhqJo7iiXuGfWKTPTOckgWnFLO4zlYbzVq_bsI78dGyOouUqIBQv6fF97nU1xAtNW18INofTY/s320/1653_1653377rj5jsozb72.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have spent these recent months since I made that phone call mending our relationship and healing. During this time my brother-in-law passed away. I am so grateful that I was able to be there for her and to help her through her loss. I am also grateful that my brother-in-law knew that we had settled our differences before he died. There was an important lesson learned through all of this... One that I won't soon forget. When it comes to loved ones, never ever let pride and stubbornness stand in the way of mending fences. In the blink of an eye the opportunity could be taken away from you. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday, my sis and I are going to visit our favorite aunt while we still have the chance to. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MXxrL4CJX87g9Hw_xdmdIgRoiAqK8OrbTyFlk-ZCpRoVgcta29iZF_gtvgdl4We_z8b2z7zhwqv-5J6hIUAt5391D5DI9nNXxAyHB6PDZxqPY5LFSmwJB4LOz2Wf9Cyb8U9jC5Xfvqg/s1600/maearth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MXxrL4CJX87g9Hw_xdmdIgRoiAqK8OrbTyFlk-ZCpRoVgcta29iZF_gtvgdl4We_z8b2z7zhwqv-5J6hIUAt5391D5DI9nNXxAyHB6PDZxqPY5LFSmwJB4LOz2Wf9Cyb8U9jC5Xfvqg/s1600/maearth.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>God Bless</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>~Jo</i></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-12915629045390185682012-03-10T07:09:00.001-05:002012-03-10T07:10:20.166-05:00Moving Day Revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEIXS8gzDc3amqDyFyS3YbnMeypZv91YYSIgsRmwWQbOU_GRBUOa708RFke-iO-ACoQigSpDuFddSEzPoQYDD0KV8ep6cdh82xWdOCAy7Cu2ocHDDHrcn72rTPEYMqs_njPZaTzrnwbk/s1600/john-bull-packing-clearing-magazine-uk-1957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEIXS8gzDc3amqDyFyS3YbnMeypZv91YYSIgsRmwWQbOU_GRBUOa708RFke-iO-ACoQigSpDuFddSEzPoQYDD0KV8ep6cdh82xWdOCAy7Cu2ocHDDHrcn72rTPEYMqs_njPZaTzrnwbk/s320/john-bull-packing-clearing-magazine-uk-1957.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I left you yesterday JD and I were feeling the mixed physical results of moving and being old. Notice that I said 'being' old and not 'getting' old. At this point in time I was certain we had <i><span style="color: #660000;">'Arrived'</span>. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We were like a three ring circus. While JD removed the carpeting from the house in town and laid the laminate flooring, I was climbing up and down ladders painting. At the same time we were both unpacking and sorting through what little bit we brought to the house and not placed in the storage unit. As we were getting down to the wire when we would meet with the Realtors at the Title company's office to sign papers and turn over the keys, that final trip to JD's Mountain had to be made and the job there finished. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijEMxyYNKjJDWEOgm9zl4g5bQMbYWs8cEgyUOg-hPRP_7PhV3krXNfqxSZ4X-2r3mUDRbpBdYOwJKCpvv2DCIKFTyY6ljyLq_okOh60Wkp24otspsnGNm-NpgKVoSEcyK6OTaLkRZ_oc/s1600/1a2prisonersgfairy003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijEMxyYNKjJDWEOgm9zl4g5bQMbYWs8cEgyUOg-hPRP_7PhV3krXNfqxSZ4X-2r3mUDRbpBdYOwJKCpvv2DCIKFTyY6ljyLq_okOh60Wkp24otspsnGNm-NpgKVoSEcyK6OTaLkRZ_oc/s320/1a2prisonersgfairy003.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As we pulled into the drive we noticed that the door to the well house was standing open. Although not something that we did on a regular basis, occasionally we had gone off without locking up one of the out buildings before. While JD stopped to check things out in that building, I went on to the house to get started with the task at hand.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I unlocked the door and went in I sensed that something just wasn't quite right. I went through the living room, kitchen, dining room and into the spare bedroom and that is when it hit me. The boxes that I had packed and left in that room to be loaded up and moved looked as if they had exploded. After seeing this I walked back through the house and found the same situation in the kitchen and living room where we had left the rest of the packed boxes. The items that I had carefully placed in the boxes had been rifled through and thrown everywhere. Someone had broken into the house in the few days that we had been gone. They had come in through the mudroom door and then through the laundry room, just off the spare bedroom. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It made me physically sick to my stomach that this had happened. With our belongings packed up and in three different locations, it was next to impossible to pinpoint at that time what had been taken. I am still discovering that some things are missing. All we can do is assume that these things were among the items stolen. I am so thankful that we had already moved our belongings with any monetary value on the first move days before the break in. Chris had done a walk through before we left that day and made sure that no valuables were left behind (I raised a very smart son). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was an ideal house to break into. It couldn't be seen from the road or by the neighbors when the trees had leaves. In fact during the winter months was the only time the house was visible to the outside world. Memories came flooding back of how many nights we slept with the doors wide open and only the screen doors latched. I thought of the times that I had stayed there alone when JD had to make a trip to Louisiana and I wasn't able to go along for one reason or another. Up until this time I had been carrying around a heavy heart about leaving our little piece of heaven, but now found myself looking forward to living where my doors and windows will be visible to my neighbors. Living close enough to people that if I screamed in the night someone will hear me. I don't know that anyone would act on it, but at least I would be heard. I hope to never again experience the flood of emotions that I felt that day when I discovered we had joined the growing ranks of people who are being violated by home invasions. I am thankful that we weren't there when it happened and that the only damage done was to the doors they entered through. It could have been much worse than it was.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We are Blessed..........</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">~Jo </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-51737589410453432822012-03-09T11:26:00.001-05:002012-03-09T11:27:42.232-05:00Moving Day 2011<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohhN7ppfL2YUdhhNtlNUtdhDDKyDkvANQx9HE5AjH-_uWYdJX-xpD4bhWeA_zq4gQc-tLsFgVtbl1g04U7wzyeCXuOuccJuUWP3sCb6APddqAOyr9GBKRuxg6Mdu3j5hpFYi3K8Znmp8/s1600/john-bull-housewives-packing-kitchens-magazine-uk-1955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohhN7ppfL2YUdhhNtlNUtdhDDKyDkvANQx9HE5AjH-_uWYdJX-xpD4bhWeA_zq4gQc-tLsFgVtbl1g04U7wzyeCXuOuccJuUWP3sCb6APddqAOyr9GBKRuxg6Mdu3j5hpFYi3K8Znmp8/s320/john-bull-housewives-packing-kitchens-magazine-uk-1955.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Summer before last JD and I faced the fact that due to health reasons, we really did need to sell the little house on the mountain and move to town. Our Realtor advertised the house online. Not long into spring of last year a buyer out of New Mexico, who's job was transferring her to this area saw the photos of our house, fell in love with it and had to have it. Meanwhile after the business that my daughter worked for closed it's doors for good, she found the job of her dreams and moved to Columbus. This left her with a house in our little town that she needed to get rid of. We could have searched the rest of our lives and not been able to find a better deal than what she gave us on purchasing her house. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Long story short ....... the buyer for the house on the mountain needed to move in right away. Theresa wasn't all moved out at that time so we more or less moved in on top of her. It was a nightmare unfolding right before our eyes. My ideal move would have been to sort through things and toss what we no longer needed, instead of moving it with us. Needless to say it wasn't an ideal move by any stretch of the imagination. We packed everything up and my son, his wife and the grandsons came out to help with the move. The majority of our belongings would be going into a storage unit. Only the bare necessities came to our new home at that time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We had some remodeling plans for the new home and wanted to get walls painted, bathroom redone, carpet taken up and laminate flooring put down before moving a lot of our belongings in. On moving day we did get the majority of our things moved out of the house on JD's Mountain. We still had another trailer load to move and cleaning to do. We waited a couple of days before we went back to move that final load. In the midst of this JD had to go to a Chiropractor for his back or walk humped over for the rest of his life. We were both feeling like we were in our mid nineties about this time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Since I am learning to pace myself..... I will leave you with this picture. JD and I sitting in the midst of Theresa trying to move out of her house and us moving in. Hurting and sore enough that I did give a passing thought to just throwing our hands up and saying we just can't do any more.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'll be back tomorrow with the conclusion to Moving Day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">God Bless, ~Jo </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-65318729649231076112012-03-08T12:19:00.002-05:002012-03-08T12:19:46.416-05:00Baby Steps<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRXfh61IFUrW21kN_vuTnYidxRJBYOZImiBDe7E9piCY-MV-UwZl2nlkf979glTJcpYVK8NxUaQ8YvKO1DZPEFrLWmNkZFWtadlQ-QkCi1fxtziqcb3xqPHFHiDvssgRy17QrVPvRAbs/s1600/418498_278957462175967_109759299095785_710629_1550252189_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRXfh61IFUrW21kN_vuTnYidxRJBYOZImiBDe7E9piCY-MV-UwZl2nlkf979glTJcpYVK8NxUaQ8YvKO1DZPEFrLWmNkZFWtadlQ-QkCi1fxtziqcb3xqPHFHiDvssgRy17QrVPvRAbs/s320/418498_278957462175967_109759299095785_710629_1550252189_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So that this will not be too much of a shock for anyone to handle, myself included...... I am taking baby steps and hopefully blogging will once more be a daily (or almost daily) part of my life. I came to visit yesterday and was surprised to see that it looked as if someone had taken a big spoon and stirred my graphics and background up. It looked to be a big swirly mess. The thought did cross my mind to just close the browser and forget it, but then there was this darn tug at my heart and tinge of pride that whispered in my mind that, "No, I needed to stay, look around and do what is needed to fix it." I was surprised at how many changes have taken place in my absence. I was almost overwhelmed, but thought back to when I first started this blog and remembered how overwhelmed I was then too. So here I am taking that first step back to the world of blogging and sharing once more, "The Many Moods Of Me". </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the recent months our desktop computer went to it's great reward. Wherever computers go when their little brains get fried, it took with it my vast collection of graphics, links and notes for future blogs. So I really am taking this in baby steps one day at a time. I did miss you all and look forward to sharing the events of my life over the past year as well as my thoughts and events in the future. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy.............</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">~Jo </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-11056795178058238262011-03-09T13:48:00.002-05:002011-03-09T13:55:36.190-05:00Have You Forgotten Him?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jowl8enkcQckiNDj72nHnCLLlERnyTK2T0Z1XLDFbFqoC0Sis6AhIHLd9bbd9fuVzzwDyoNh8ofUR3SCspIwP5qS-OwWjPu65hyphenhyphentAk75z5ZmInGUOGrJ-m0q6Qxqfe3KX-209YWNXwo/s1600/100_4186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jowl8enkcQckiNDj72nHnCLLlERnyTK2T0Z1XLDFbFqoC0Sis6AhIHLd9bbd9fuVzzwDyoNh8ofUR3SCspIwP5qS-OwWjPu65hyphenhyphentAk75z5ZmInGUOGrJ-m0q6Qxqfe3KX-209YWNXwo/s320/100_4186.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i>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></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeYfHWurG0C-yX27kH4iyjdlfBQV62f369U8IWmJGXeg6f3NHRpyJm2Yw2Ce8Xof1SV8d-e-H5EOS3oyg9z0lsg-8sd3cpJKCEtd8JyCNKhbjGxOfC2cSkXD9kMZxsNUtpAQzvgaDZ_Y/s1600/100_4194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeYfHWurG0C-yX27kH4iyjdlfBQV62f369U8IWmJGXeg6f3NHRpyJm2Yw2Ce8Xof1SV8d-e-H5EOS3oyg9z0lsg-8sd3cpJKCEtd8JyCNKhbjGxOfC2cSkXD9kMZxsNUtpAQzvgaDZ_Y/s320/100_4194.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i>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></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i>I have since done a google search and found information at the <a href="http://www.usvetdsp.com/">The U.S. Veteran Dispatch</a> . The information page for Maj. Helber can be found <a href="http://www.usvetdsp.com/vn_pw_bios/h037.htm">here</a> if you would like to read about him. He never returned home to Logan, Ohio and his family. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wMWQfup-OyCKFZ_o1u1GuBRtkca0mJ7AK4qlssvUVnqUKUFkxqukyPc5TvTiCZram209eUGvwlI14wvsGwfNEgrDn8yHtO_lo3pBNnVTwNHpc3GgESxZNQYJRK3l5nvL1TlAUiEMd3k/s1600/d3b24754b6b10f66a2787b1b01c004a6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wMWQfup-OyCKFZ_o1u1GuBRtkca0mJ7AK4qlssvUVnqUKUFkxqukyPc5TvTiCZram209eUGvwlI14wvsGwfNEgrDn8yHtO_lo3pBNnVTwNHpc3GgESxZNQYJRK3l5nvL1TlAUiEMd3k/s1600/d3b24754b6b10f66a2787b1b01c004a6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i></i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><i></i></i></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">"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." </span><b>~ The U.S. Veteran Dispatch</b></span></i></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFW43B2EOzSIOr4h8fUZIpxpqqAxaLTADOp24FcCTTThBdsnCJI7NzruwcTqIALeun4uattxcmfmj464cqbXaXgtPOC10Q1PT5klYBJc351s_W3Pw0oWn2I-Kx3CQM7RSvehIaHKnbiw/s1600/jowashere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFW43B2EOzSIOr4h8fUZIpxpqqAxaLTADOp24FcCTTThBdsnCJI7NzruwcTqIALeun4uattxcmfmj464cqbXaXgtPOC10Q1PT5klYBJc351s_W3Pw0oWn2I-Kx3CQM7RSvehIaHKnbiw/s1600/jowashere.jpg" /></a></i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><i><i></i></i></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><span id="goog_1074427980"></span><span id="goog_1074427981"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-77283044223368098282011-02-21T12:10:00.002-05:002011-02-21T12:19:09.652-05:00Mosaic Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: x-large;">Children Of War</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqngulFUVVKqSw1lIHnpCW55dZTSRB4nM2bU8uqPlWef-SaChDF88ToS3g0M7JEE5DSiPrmajAELR834tjcHWXBAm7WugqgvTlbjUKdtPt2X6DV9p9Nds1fBZx6EiQTM2LeGioxjI1tYU/s1600/%2521achild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqngulFUVVKqSw1lIHnpCW55dZTSRB4nM2bU8uqPlWef-SaChDF88ToS3g0M7JEE5DSiPrmajAELR834tjcHWXBAm7WugqgvTlbjUKdtPt2X6DV9p9Nds1fBZx6EiQTM2LeGioxjI1tYU/s320/%2521achild.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwgdxjKS9FYbDpybnkh7ejp3-6WDMhNeWaxRrqZbyOy_wZ7Czali3oBR4BmhKfpMFxqlNkax6ugzHTiSgaoJA4y_RYBRT-GI6mPOD08-Z6lKtK5ArYYyAt0Zo9D__UCtWwM6D9MCsXzU/s1600/100_4209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwgdxjKS9FYbDpybnkh7ejp3-6WDMhNeWaxRrqZbyOy_wZ7Czali3oBR4BmhKfpMFxqlNkax6ugzHTiSgaoJA4y_RYBRT-GI6mPOD08-Z6lKtK5ArYYyAt0Zo9D__UCtWwM6D9MCsXzU/s320/100_4209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i>Near Michelin Plantation, these two children struggle with a large sack as they flee a battle. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9MHqHEwTdlHmzEtGJZK2xefv7XdJrA3KbmKJ3Qa6tNsdpdtwhzLIE3bRw8JZ9Y1wv1SE7HL_XrD7apJHQnCuEKnrLjniAOeFxFrJLFW6Oc8SRDhlq6fXJksTqbEoEpIXwpKFmfSEaLE/s1600/100_4208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9MHqHEwTdlHmzEtGJZK2xefv7XdJrA3KbmKJ3Qa6tNsdpdtwhzLIE3bRw8JZ9Y1wv1SE7HL_XrD7apJHQnCuEKnrLjniAOeFxFrJLFW6Oc8SRDhlq6fXJksTqbEoEpIXwpKFmfSEaLE/s320/100_4208.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i>Four children on a highway near Pleiku back-pack their possessions and head for a refugee camp.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID98Jx-C806Sswe5QNmm4CqdrgmvO29V8XbG11o1iZdR-zuVMLxaQnZgSVjuc9UOPxgPsc-pg6ZVIorok4twJZP51C0CvYkFpg-KxtmcCJAWXl-4r22voIp20dEQoAUgyYlLbYFQn3OI/s1600/100_4207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID98Jx-C806Sswe5QNmm4CqdrgmvO29V8XbG11o1iZdR-zuVMLxaQnZgSVjuc9UOPxgPsc-pg6ZVIorok4twJZP51C0CvYkFpg-KxtmcCJAWXl-4r22voIp20dEQoAUgyYlLbYFQn3OI/s320/100_4207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i>A young girl rocks her baby sister in a hammock at Long Thanh, which was destroyed during a firefight.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JuV8TnW2P0gwUBI1HZRM0FjRqJvyKUOwSN52wE7jfViakZABHgkO6VIzWGz-tnWNFHVE0peoWE1AodWNeFHMe9tg0qAs70FdhJK060aI8ESHxzlLmjfsgWKeZeJeTDQhTNYtElr9qy0/s1600/100_4210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JuV8TnW2P0gwUBI1HZRM0FjRqJvyKUOwSN52wE7jfViakZABHgkO6VIzWGz-tnWNFHVE0peoWE1AodWNeFHMe9tg0qAs70FdhJK060aI8ESHxzlLmjfsgWKeZeJeTDQhTNYtElr9qy0/s320/100_4210.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">At Bu Chi, which was destroyed in fighting, a bicycle wheel is all that this tot has to remember his father.</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"></span> </i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUb4-ytMfZzLp_tq7-g9litTlVcvbLoglNjrrOyzyAUVnfFfk3kGwfWCvgbXcXuWtIRQPWmeikdh8Eq9H3vkkISm_shuDGhO1jOoYxw6KGlV_QM_Xd0I6bjtM0fmUSb1lU7qufMB3THo/s1600/100_4175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUb4-ytMfZzLp_tq7-g9litTlVcvbLoglNjrrOyzyAUVnfFfk3kGwfWCvgbXcXuWtIRQPWmeikdh8Eq9H3vkkISm_shuDGhO1jOoYxw6KGlV_QM_Xd0I6bjtM0fmUSb1lU7qufMB3THo/s320/100_4175.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b>~*~*~*~*~*~*~</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcwoinQOogV4QMdnY7VRgbibmOIww1ZUNVDIO8P_CdUCQv_A3-kUBSr-Eij87OkSXMcMPOvh4MJpKNpYABcY4qPVAovzcpIYIoKL8LluHf_3MwNOcdEzgwp6-dExBwdEsIUXULgI_rLY/s1600/d3b24754b6b10f66a2787b1b01c004a6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcwoinQOogV4QMdnY7VRgbibmOIww1ZUNVDIO8P_CdUCQv_A3-kUBSr-Eij87OkSXMcMPOvh4MJpKNpYABcY4qPVAovzcpIYIoKL8LluHf_3MwNOcdEzgwp6-dExBwdEsIUXULgI_rLY/s1600/d3b24754b6b10f66a2787b1b01c004a6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><i>Wouldn't it be nice if mankind would find another way to settle their differences? Just saying!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnG20odRuI84SPVx5bH1sHqygQi03bBZr_ykcZuUUx2XK3DiNh0BCwXWPzjW0upMfm5H9BVbUb2PkfW-JI4eYIH_EmutKySwPhN7rRN7udhpwvdKuOpRtrpg9NNsukY_sCEYLwibUr_8/s1600/jowashere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnG20odRuI84SPVx5bH1sHqygQi03bBZr_ykcZuUUx2XK3DiNh0BCwXWPzjW0upMfm5H9BVbUb2PkfW-JI4eYIH_EmutKySwPhN7rRN7udhpwvdKuOpRtrpg9NNsukY_sCEYLwibUr_8/s1600/jowashere.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Why not join me at at the</span> <a href="http://www.dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/">Little Red House</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">to visit some more mosaic presentations. Have a Blessed Day!</span></i></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-7021644854215538932011-02-19T12:40:00.002-05:002011-02-19T14:50:35.303-05:00The First And The Last<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbrA6AjcDsAyQ_JIpTy6FdT4LLvm7yVuFqH_w5m8lnZ_GdBlgbCkbHwGH9BED2FIk3X642QqUMfNM9jTeEJP9e9VYORIAVLBGB9hq5hsZ7lNqeiMytruitD3xaMBL8kLFpVntD3kRuGc/s1600/100_4212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbrA6AjcDsAyQ_JIpTy6FdT4LLvm7yVuFqH_w5m8lnZ_GdBlgbCkbHwGH9BED2FIk3X642QqUMfNM9jTeEJP9e9VYORIAVLBGB9hq5hsZ7lNqeiMytruitD3xaMBL8kLFpVntD3kRuGc/s320/100_4212.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN39CfsrdFeQ71L_6aIcLg2M3FuW1NqhmhvJaIEazNdrd4UgvdqEt4v4Qs6qF-sVVi-9azEJbA3iO2flUh_Tuc45ieN8pnFNJ1ms6PQ8GjFMsVMvlaGFM9nWXAnnfXTXp0WXZT4R69Hc/s1600/100_4180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN39CfsrdFeQ71L_6aIcLg2M3FuW1NqhmhvJaIEazNdrd4UgvdqEt4v4Qs6qF-sVVi-9azEJbA3iO2flUh_Tuc45ieN8pnFNJ1ms6PQ8GjFMsVMvlaGFM9nWXAnnfXTXp0WXZT4R69Hc/s320/100_4180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL4IgPo2rXX1T2sVAiyQAkp4C_oOhn8jmn6ExDlpLrvuz2TLFEfIcN-iCAwq0awvRX6HCQ9rXljA1SpoV47dRcPB-9BbUufkInpD3lHwl1oZQLEpNf1ponDjMbQ4nvf-jJWGvlh_thZY/s1600/100_4179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL4IgPo2rXX1T2sVAiyQAkp4C_oOhn8jmn6ExDlpLrvuz2TLFEfIcN-iCAwq0awvRX6HCQ9rXljA1SpoV47dRcPB-9BbUufkInpD3lHwl1oZQLEpNf1ponDjMbQ4nvf-jJWGvlh_thZY/s320/100_4179.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7M7dMX9ofPPaV1ej3FOUQiHWRCQDqqbSrz2fNF_UAbzSNjLDCn9euc1oKmhHYnKuRVtMYQV2wFGH7sie4mU2ksZ_wq7XFDh8O-ZL7UFkRGA3u9yxpa8CZjbCMWXp8RCepYIXHcCG3Xrg/s1600/100_4204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7M7dMX9ofPPaV1ej3FOUQiHWRCQDqqbSrz2fNF_UAbzSNjLDCn9euc1oKmhHYnKuRVtMYQV2wFGH7sie4mU2ksZ_wq7XFDh8O-ZL7UFkRGA3u9yxpa8CZjbCMWXp8RCepYIXHcCG3Xrg/s320/100_4204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>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></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVPgLNl6iLPu0Os1AgK3VMfdwv-DjCt6n2YkLhfbHgRUgDamfKrzFUfvtJx7ExGOdE8v2mggGSvyfBMw3MOyaVTwrstbWj1u9ll1Fcye7PdKai_MwpTWbR7SIA_6Ky4ZbzDnCd2L-uGY/s1600/peacehrtsmle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVPgLNl6iLPu0Os1AgK3VMfdwv-DjCt6n2YkLhfbHgRUgDamfKrzFUfvtJx7ExGOdE8v2mggGSvyfBMw3MOyaVTwrstbWj1u9ll1Fcye7PdKai_MwpTWbR7SIA_6Ky4ZbzDnCd2L-uGY/s1600/peacehrtsmle.jpg" /></a></div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>"I will remember the names of these men for the rest of my life."</i></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>There </i><b>was</b><i> 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.</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVPgLNl6iLPu0Os1AgK3VMfdwv-DjCt6n2YkLhfbHgRUgDamfKrzFUfvtJx7ExGOdE8v2mggGSvyfBMw3MOyaVTwrstbWj1u9ll1Fcye7PdKai_MwpTWbR7SIA_6Ky4ZbzDnCd2L-uGY/s1600/peacehrtsmle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVPgLNl6iLPu0Os1AgK3VMfdwv-DjCt6n2YkLhfbHgRUgDamfKrzFUfvtJx7ExGOdE8v2mggGSvyfBMw3MOyaVTwrstbWj1u9ll1Fcye7PdKai_MwpTWbR7SIA_6Ky4ZbzDnCd2L-uGY/s1600/peacehrtsmle.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>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. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>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. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>There were many stories like this that played out across this country every single day that the War in Viet Nam waged on.. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><i>Where were you when Viet Nam first became personal for you? </i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pi76ZWCVtBJEYvKTotOWMvEoYCBWxjMRWWfNcgAxU9g4gK0VxIPVrNVlAeGy2ethBeMBUpICy_RoFj3Qvku7L2Ek1uo78uaMnxRmlN9xot9z9bBFCU2Rtr77EZP_W1V_oTZYJWbB3EE/s1600/d3b24754b6b10f66a2787b1b01c004a6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pi76ZWCVtBJEYvKTotOWMvEoYCBWxjMRWWfNcgAxU9g4gK0VxIPVrNVlAeGy2ethBeMBUpICy_RoFj3Qvku7L2Ek1uo78uaMnxRmlN9xot9z9bBFCU2Rtr77EZP_W1V_oTZYJWbB3EE/s1600/d3b24754b6b10f66a2787b1b01c004a6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVInZKk1YUFSvmxpbUStFlBtn6enMAE_YJh51rLQiViOvWt4FOxt_6m2VC-vhBWwDy3WWH2stnhezAHPz0wJ1FMeVQ-GiqBLLr2wd9N0L3mu9JXT3Nq_C6fHm-Y-jR_PyqOryCMC9xS8/s1600/jowashere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVInZKk1YUFSvmxpbUStFlBtn6enMAE_YJh51rLQiViOvWt4FOxt_6m2VC-vhBWwDy3WWH2stnhezAHPz0wJ1FMeVQ-GiqBLLr2wd9N0L3mu9JXT3Nq_C6fHm-Y-jR_PyqOryCMC9xS8/s1600/jowashere.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3802327201818902009.post-19064052703548170922011-02-18T11:32:00.000-05:002011-02-18T11:32:21.613-05:00Pieces Of The Past<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yDo-39od-FB32pukkF0h-xNur3JyPoGNKngXoGrHSD4Cm-3TEheq7G9FG0wMFNDbklRinZ85qxsu9ReXBPVpmvtDsIGfi-iAag7gYjwaTTu8HuZNU6VfndqOBrpYI-aXOXv9TJbRylg/s1600/100_4149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yDo-39od-FB32pukkF0h-xNur3JyPoGNKngXoGrHSD4Cm-3TEheq7G9FG0wMFNDbklRinZ85qxsu9ReXBPVpmvtDsIGfi-iAag7gYjwaTTu8HuZNU6VfndqOBrpYI-aXOXv9TJbRylg/s320/100_4149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0ZNnVfFOQjbz-6OJAzT3445Fs_RqG4KfVmSiqlwh_vAchlPpAUVayu6IzU8tVR5eZRC5-PFHbAUPz2gfOOC_N3izvRyfrgF90Lvs9U5NS6lT-yxUEwzNhIXHfwXYzmAG2EcNulVR4hk/s1600/100_4150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0ZNnVfFOQjbz-6OJAzT3445Fs_RqG4KfVmSiqlwh_vAchlPpAUVayu6IzU8tVR5eZRC5-PFHbAUPz2gfOOC_N3izvRyfrgF90Lvs9U5NS6lT-yxUEwzNhIXHfwXYzmAG2EcNulVR4hk/s320/100_4150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00gnLKMiSRDVOVicuxWzjiypHI-x4Tot8ctxTbuwe0InebNvPRS_aLnA-ZW6n6KFdlBMAFK_6jbcJVAymaTMZ6HeKx6KvykeVmAqbrHcazz9W7aNeOW1oJqC5thm1RHjZ5N9yhjdjgkE/s1600/100_4154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00gnLKMiSRDVOVicuxWzjiypHI-x4Tot8ctxTbuwe0InebNvPRS_aLnA-ZW6n6KFdlBMAFK_6jbcJVAymaTMZ6HeKx6KvykeVmAqbrHcazz9W7aNeOW1oJqC5thm1RHjZ5N9yhjdjgkE/s320/100_4154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs66xPqwAaHamgwZjCZYNTxwFQVypMKipLt2JW0IaffBB6i7olFeNxtQw8S02UcJfJxAPLBL3YxLHaUMW2mYttJtJKGsvycDgcZDVknsbQwqECRY0dmt868iwVTJb5Xjs5kJX3-iSciY/s1600/100_4155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs66xPqwAaHamgwZjCZYNTxwFQVypMKipLt2JW0IaffBB6i7olFeNxtQw8S02UcJfJxAPLBL3YxLHaUMW2mYttJtJKGsvycDgcZDVknsbQwqECRY0dmt868iwVTJb5Xjs5kJX3-iSciY/s320/100_4155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i>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. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i>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.</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE7nHKJgpxjMGdKEXMG1AQFaRV4_QyqgEgaMGGPR9X6jK1fcQrF_er9PunnZ51NzSypaN0muTP3fy8KpGvBd-M3M9Rt8Arb8Dp4ClH7a3CBdfruiyMtFkTnCSJQhCtnswCDbFqIYy2M0/s1600/d3b24754b6b10f66a2787b1b01c004a6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE7nHKJgpxjMGdKEXMG1AQFaRV4_QyqgEgaMGGPR9X6jK1fcQrF_er9PunnZ51NzSypaN0muTP3fy8KpGvBd-M3M9Rt8Arb8Dp4ClH7a3CBdfruiyMtFkTnCSJQhCtnswCDbFqIYy2M0/s1600/d3b24754b6b10f66a2787b1b01c004a6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAU8n_DvuU20k8sEUW7TLOQ2rugqANsQewmtYCEihh5BykWs5WADgjpVSeKKpcfjUXqRQm0rbR1Mlwt09ABUTl3AXNQD28tjx8rk7wqNe4CecUS3oGcslBl9s_kyjEfHjGlzcxaCoLlM/s1600/jowashere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAU8n_DvuU20k8sEUW7TLOQ2rugqANsQewmtYCEihh5BykWs5WADgjpVSeKKpcfjUXqRQm0rbR1Mlwt09ABUTl3AXNQD28tjx8rk7wqNe4CecUS3oGcslBl9s_kyjEfHjGlzcxaCoLlM/s1600/jowashere.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12204654300524316224noreply@blogger.com3