Good Morning Christy, and all the fine folks reading.

Oh man, I so miss my kids’ younger days lately. My daughter is now 12, and I’m not allowed to have her “good” e-mail address that she checks every day, because that one is just for her friends. :p

I have an favorite aunt who has been in the hospital for 2 months and is now on limited visting, no phone calls etc. I called her once a month or so for as long as I can remember and now I’m glad I did. She may pass on at any moment, and I will always know that I keep our relationship full of laughter and love.

Good Morning, and Happy Mother’s Day Weekend!

My “just in case” legacy has been to raise my sons in a way that at 10 and 12, when their brother was born 7 weeks ago they both scrambled to change diapers, dress him, and learn how to take care of a baby. I taught my older sons how to fly on the trapeze with me when they were 3 and 5, and I started catching them on the trapeze when they turned 7. What does this have to do with things, you might well ask? The bond of trust between us is to the core. My sons have learned to trust themselves, and to trust me. That basis of love and compassion is my legacy. I am very, very satisfied.

Have a lovely weekend, and go fly with someone you love somewhere!!

Need to go in to work for a bit, but I’m kind of looking forward to it because Saturdays are unofficially “Bring Your Dog to Work” days.

That is truly & powerfully beautiful.

Morning Christy – our azaleas and rhodedendruns are about a month behind yours so I get to see the apple trees in bloom and the lilacs here. My “just in case” moment came when i was taking care of my mom while she was going downhill with multiple infarct dementia several years ago. One day, she woke up from a nap and it was as if she was her old self again. We talked about the kids and my dad. She asked about the price of her Corning stock and told me to tell her bank guys to sell it – “I doubt that Corning will go any higher than this”. She asked me to make her a cup of tea and when I got back, she’d gone back to sleep. When she woke up, the dementia was back forever. I’d gotten her back for about 45 min. So, being there for those moments is really important.

Mrs Peterr is out of town, so my six year old son and I have the place to ourselves. As we were eating dinner and watching the news, there was some story about the Bush Administration screwing up the forests, including interviews with a couple of senators. My son put down his fork, looked me straight in the eye, and said “I can’t believe it. When I get big, I’m going to change things.”

“Are you going to be a Senator, too, so you can make some new laws?” I asked.

“No,” he replied quite calmly. “I’m going to be President.”

It was a good dinner.

This isn’t just my legacy — Mrs. Peterr has a lot to do with it too, as do the programmers at Animal Planet & the Discovery Channel, the docents and rangers at a hundred parks and forests (local, state, and national), and the kind folks at the Public Library. (Librarians are the secret masters of the universe.)

My just in case legacy is what my parents taught me about helping others when needed, and to offer to do when a need is seen. I also hope I have some influence on my niece since I don’t have any children of my own.

Happy Mother’s Day Christy and Firepups. I haven’t had much time to post lately because I’ve been giving care to my Mom. There is nothing in the world like caring for an ageing parent to get you real about life. Today I’m going to Pennsylvania to visit my “The Kids” and my Grandbaby, Fiona. What an unexpexted bleesing it has been for me to be a Na-na. I am one of those women who has been childless by choice. I made a decision in my early twenties to pursue my art carreer and forgo motherhood.

Shawn is my husband’s son from his first marriage and though he has been in my life from the time he was seven, I could never have immagined how close we would become. In two weeks Grandbaby #2 will arrive and increase my blessing again. So, as the accidental Na-na, I extend my great good wishes to all of the Moms at the Lake. What a miracle it has been for me to share your joy.

Off to do some community volunteer work. Thank you Christy for providing a positive place for inspiration to do what’s right, and to everyone who responds with stories and ideas that reflect the good things that are possible.

Not having any children I have to content myself with the joys I see in the world around me. My house full of tigers are one thing but there are other joys out there as well. Yesterday as I was hanging out on the back porch of my workplace a gorgeous little mockingbird was hopping around on the ground picking up debris from the palm trees alongside the building. Ohhh, must be nest building time. I watched for quite a while and this little bird showed no fear as s/he hopped around my feet picking up these little bits of stuff. Butterflies were flitting around the plants around the building, plants chosen as attractions for flutterbies. And the dragonflies have made their appearance. One bright red fellow was somehow attracted to the little button on top of the aerial on my truck. S/he would stand on the button, fly off, then return to the button. And the little mockingbird returning repeatedly to this bonanza of building material. There’s a school diagonally across the street with a good sized retention pond. Three mallards doing their crazy little walk around in the open space. Where did they come from? A group of Ibis searching for food in the yard across the street. The only thing missing was the two or three black racers that inhabit the bushes around the building. The largest is a female I think and has been around for a few years. Nice and sleek. Well fed and healthy. I didn’t get a lot of work done yesterday.

Worthy of reposting and apropros:

Boom-de-ada

I Love the World

http://youtube.com/watch?v=V5BxymuiAxQ

Wow. Wonderful and wise.

My favorite Aunt Monica died three years ago this week. She had no children, but about a month before she died of lung cancer, two of my cousins and I arrived on her doorstep in San Francisco unannounced. We spent the last month of Monica’s life with her, making sure that all of her wishes were met.

That month with Monica was fulled with more grace than any other time of my life.

Her bequest to me was her LPs, CDs, and a small trust which allowed me and my partner to buy our home. And every moment we remember and appreciate all that she did for us.

giving to others and just listening–

well, on my way to help clean up the flower beds at the local little park–garden club does it every year…we all go chow afterward.

parents were coming today on their way to marietta, they are three hours away, but ends up that was an excuse-mom called to cancel and say why they really were coming–they traded cars around and FINALLY did something fun for themselves—bought two used saabs–a convertible for mom!
and are giving me dad’s sable, i badly needed a car, good thing i have a great mechanic……i am crying, i can’t believe how lucky i am…but i am really crying because they finally aimed the giving back at themselves for a change and did something fun on a whim!!!! mom’s dream car is a saab convertible–four? years old with 31,000 miles on it…they have spent their lives giving physically and financially to others, i am so happy they did this!!!

last week when i visited, helped my mom make 50 pizzas for charity at her elks, we do this once a month…last weekend we potted up her pots with herbs and marigolds on her deck as her mother’s day present, i took dirt, osmocote, soil moist and a variety of herbs that she likes, plus a few new ones…

visited with friends who are having hard, emotionally, times, best friends is a teacher whose school has lost 6 kids in the last two years to suicide. just lost another one, she has also lost 4 friends to cancer in the same time frame.

another whose brother ends up died from heart attack at 46 from tuberculosis instead of the heart attack they thought…died hanging a picture for his mom…

hyper sister battling with ankle surgery, ready to take a dremel tool to her cast…..and teaches 9th grade english,at the last minute they found a sub that can teach english last week, so, the kids can now do ’to kill a mockingbird’…everyone should read that one and it was going to have to be something else if it was a non-english sub…

could go on, but the thing is, just showing up can be the difference–show your face or something that says you are thinking of them…what i always learned was that we are here to use our resources and support for each other FOR the bad times, the good times come anyway…and some of my best memories are what goes on because something bad/tragic happened, and what came from it…have had a lot of that in my family and circle of friends, and i think that’s what makes us what we are, how we handle it, with honesty and love..didn’t put that well, but hope you know what i mean.

love to all. and i mean it.

Sorry for the OT.

General”there will be no aquittals” Hartmann dropped as too close to prosecution to act as a judge on military tribunals aka kangeroo court.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05…..mo.html?hp

Good morning firepups.

Oops, not to act as a judge but unable to participate in the prosecution.
Sorry.

Shark-fu, the Angry Black Bitch, has her own way of making a just in case legacy, as she posted last Wednesday (emphasis added):

Happy Wednesday, people!

Shall we?

Last night this bitch moderated a debate between my Voter Education students and I now have a new appreciation for folks who moderate debates (wince). Things got rough a few times but settled down after everyone was trash talked out.

Background for the uninitiated – a bitch volunteers at several local women’s shelters to teach Voter Education classes. My classes address why people should vote and what government is supposed to do. They are built on my belief that an educated voter is a lifelong voter with a curriculum that combines the United States Citizenship test with a healthy dose of realness. . . .

Click on through to see what a debate with that combination looks like.

Tim Russert’s head would explode.

Oh, man, the tears when your child is teased are the worst for a mother. But, I have the cure. One of my sons was the object of the class bullies taunts when he was about 10. He was very unhappy. I threw a party for the boys in the class (there were only about 15 of them). Everyone was invited, especially the bully. It was a great success. I had to promise to do it again (for a little insurance) but it worked.

Actually, thinking back, it worked too well. My house became ‘the party house’ which was a bit of a problem when the 10yr olds became 16yr olds.

whatever it is that you are feeling about politics 5:15a

I like to think that politics is a trickle down phenomena…the goodness starts at the top and we pass it along.

QuakerGirl, your Quaker ways have assured me that moral outrage is still alive and well in our country. Your voice has energized me many times when I thought I might just give up and go stick my head in the sand. My thoughts are with you.

(((firedoglake)))

My Sprout is 9 now and some learning issues are starting to show up. I know he feels terrible about being the slowest one in his small class (nowhere to hide), on top of being the oldest, although he is also one of the most popular and one of the class leaders. He cries sometimes, bitter tears. The testing is almost complete and we should have a clear picture soon of where he shines and where not.

I cry bitter tears some nights over showing my frustration with his slow pace doing homework. I know now it’s not laziness or stubbornness that makes him take 2 hours (only sometimes, other times not) to do what the others do in :30. I love him so, I want to be the shelter from his storms, not the thunderclouds and lightening bolts.

As an older mama, smack dab in the middle of menopause with the frickin’ hot flashes and irritability, my patience is thin. I hope and pray he’ll be OK in spite of me.

…and the kind folks at the Public Library. (Librarians are the secret masters of the universe.)

Ah Peterr, that is truth. My late mother was an English teacher and librarian and the public library was two doors down when I was growing up. Between the two, my life-long love of the written word was encouraged and allowed to flourish.

One of the most disheartening statements I ever heard was some years ago when some parents were battling the schools and the local library in court over some books. One of the mothers was quoted as saying, “We must put bounds on our children’s imagination.”

I felt so sorry for those children.

(((Christy)))
(((Quaker Girl)))
(((BobbyG)))
(((Pach)))

Cascade of tears.

(((My David)))

And all that you did for her. How very gracious and loving.

(((QuakerGirl)))

Should have thought of her first.

Meaning before I posted anything else. Promised myself I would do that each morning.

{{{{ Christy & all FirePups }}}}

Life doesn’t leave me much time for comment threads these days, but i treasure the time i have each day to read the posts.

today i’m trekking down to Wisconsin for the family’s First Annual Pancake Brunch. My baby brother and his kids tapped the maple trees in his yard and made several gallons of maple syrup, hence the Brunch. He learned how from our Grandad, he’s carrying on a family tradition. Afterward my sister and i will go to the local cemetery with our mom and help her with the beautiful flower garden she has planted outside the entrance as a gift to the community.

I so appreciate the community here tho i don’t often comment these days. Love n hugs!

Good morning, Christy. What an excellent post to start this Saturday.

My daughter was married last weekend, & the newlyweds just returned from a short honeymoon in Lake Tahoe. I’m so proud of my only child, who’s 27 & currently writing her doctoral dissertation in psychology. In spite of a mother who was a wild 19 yr. old, too immature to have a baby (& was a real hairpin @ times), she’s turned out beautifully. I’ll be spending tomorrow evening w/the brand new Mr. & Mrs., but starting around 8 tomorrow morning I’ll be over @ Covenant House tutoring & counseling. Mother’s Day, like many holidays, can be tough for the residents there. More walk-ins than usual on major holidays too, more tattered kids just showing up @ the door.

Miracles?
My own wonderful daughter. The CH kids I’ve tutored all these yrs., worked through GED practice tests with, listened to & counseled, set up job interviews for, filled out job (sometimes, happily, college) applications with. Kids who have managed the equivalent of climbing out of a hole 500 ft. deep to get off drugs, get off the street, get away from pimps, pushers, & abusers of all kinds, who are building some self esteem, trying to live decent, happy, productive lives. Those are miracles so concrete you can touch them, hold them in yr. two hands. Here is a link for Covenant House & one for Children of the Night, another great local organization. They always are in need of volunteers & donations:

http://www.covenanthouse.org/
http://www.childrenofthenight.org/

Happy Mother’s Day (a little early) to all.

David’s legacy will be his gardens. Our yard is filled with them. And right now, they’re sporting tender little shoots that have survived another MN winter. The hostas are compact and separate from each other, on their way to becoming a gorgeous tangle of border plants. Daffodils and mayflowers are almost done, even as the lily of the valley proliferates. When he feels well enough, he putters in those gardens with the hoe and tenderly cares for his several hundred seedlings sprouting in the cold frame.

Our yard is filled with assorted bird feeders. Just put out the jelly jar for the orioles (not yet seen) and several hummingbird feeders. Word is they’re in the ‘hood, so it’s only a matter of time. Neighbors spotted rose breasted grosbeaks this week. For us, bird feeders are one of the ultimate symbols of hope.

And for every toxic political pairing snarkathon, there’s a Christy/Peanut pairing somewhere to offset it and bring our attention back to the things that truly matter most.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms and to everyone who has one. *g*

Thanks, Christy, for that lovely thoughtful post. I don’t have much time for comment threads these days, but I try to keep up with the posting.

A wonderful grown child is the jewel of whatever legacy I leave behind. But I do a lot of work in my small community, too. This morning I’m off to plant flowers in the city park flowerbed.

This year marks my 25th year of singing in the community, mostly classical music. Tonight we sing the Verdi Requiem, an operatic piece, with soloists from the opera world. Choral singing is a lot of work, for a lot of people. The Nashville Symphony Chorus has about 150 singers who rehearse two hours a week during the school year, and perform several times, each of which requires 2 to 4 hours for the entire week of performance. Most of us sing in church choirs and opera, for no or very little pay. If people don’t do this, it vanishes.

NPR did a piece on the Portland Opera Chorus, focussed on their performance of Aida. I bet if Nashville Public Radio did a story on any of the groups I sing with, it would sound the same.

The miracle of friends. Heard yesterday from old friends, not seen in 15+ years but in contact, who are moving to another country. Come and visit they say, there is room for guests.

As part of the email telling me this, it linked to a handful of others–some friends, others I know as friends of these friends. Life’s circumstances have kept me apart from the friends of many years, but through this electronic Indra’s Web, I’m now back in touch with them. Nice.

Echoing yr. post, & adding one extra name:

(((((((barbara)))))))

I so appreciate the community here tho i don’t often comment these days. Love n hugs!

What she said!

((((everyone at fdl))))) for your support for an awesome candidate, Jim Neal, who did not win his primary in North Carolina. He inspired a lot of people, carried two far west counties who are used to being ignored, because he went there and listened. My wonderful nine year old son and I will bake banana bread to help Jim regain the weight he lost by his full-tilt campaign. My Mother’s Day is sweet because I have a son who loves to cook,recognizes a good candidate, and as a bonus, thinks I am the best mom in the world. My own Mom is still a Republican, but she loves me and adores my boy, so life is pretty good.

)))Spending time with family, even if they have become twisted fundies and speak evil of you when you are not around(((

Can you tell I’m not home? Nephew in Nebraska graduating HS today, it’s pouring rain and I’ve just been called a commie, before breakfast. How out of touch are these people anyway?
/rant

Good morning everyone on this fine day. ;-)

I truly appreciate my parent’s marriage. They celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this year (got married real young) and as I watch them today interacting with each other, I wished all marriages and relationships could be like theirs. They’re not “mature”, mind you, but that’s okay. They’re still like a young couple starting out in their lives even at their age. I love it.

Case in point:

Before they left Florida to come home, I called down to talk to my mother about something, but when I called their ONE cellphone, my father picked up the phone instead. I yelled, “Dad, what are you doing?”, because the background noise was loud and I couldn’t hear him very well. “I’m fishing!”, he said, and I yelled, “Is Mom with you?”. He told me she was at the house and to call her there. So I did. My mother says first thing to me, “I don’t know about that father of yours. He loaded up the boat the other day and put too much of the stuff on one side, so when the wind blew, the boat tipped over and sank. Twice. In 4 feet of water.”. Laughing, I asked her why it was so loud when I was trying to talk to him when Dad was supposed to fishing. She said back, “Well, your father is testing 3 different types of motors today on the boat and can’t decide which one he likes best”. LMAO! She said, “I never have to worry about your father cheating on me, because there is no woman besides me who will put up with him”.

OMG, I love their relationship. They’ve never had an argument and they take each day as it comes. Their attitude is, “We are in this together”.

It’s been a nice life because of them. ;-)

We haven’t heard from Zennurse lately. I’ve been wondering about her.

I’m taking a break from tilling the garden. We’re expanding it to roughly double the size (gotta find room for all those tomatoes!)

The smell of the soil is something I miss.

Seeing all the worms and nightcrawlers also makes me want to take the kids fishing, but I have a day slated for fundraising calls. Need to make $1000 before I can take them fishing. :(

Sad. Sorry to hear you’ve got closed-minded relatives who can’t set their views aside to celebrate even a high school graduation.

Karma is good. Remember that. ;-)

I lost my mother ten years ago this month. She spent her last month in our home and became increasingly debilitated and confined to a bed. For me, it seemed an apocalyptic period: The Lewensky situation and impeacment were in progress; it was becoming apparent that my mother was fighting a losing battle; our beloved dog was developing a brain disease which caused him to blindly wander and bump into walls; smoke from burning fields in Central America covered our sky in the soutwest every day; and I was reading a novel which graphically described the end of the world for Aztec civilization. My mother was a life-long Democrat, and I can remember her failing voice asking me about Bill Clinton, “Son, are they still hounding that poor man.”

That was ten years ago and, of course, life goes on. But I remember my mother and miss her every day. I have been truly lucky in the parents, wife, and children who have been my partners in life. One of the lessons I’ve learned is to tell them how much you love them. It’s the things you should have done and didn’t, that you regret.

Morning all — Had a wonderful sleep-in the morning, courtesy of Mr. ReddHedd taking the early wake-up shift with The Peanut. Sipping a little coffee and having my foot run over with a toy car and a rambunctious puppy…

This is OT, but: Is it just me or have others noticed that people are beginning to not ’see’ Obama’s race? I’m detecting a shift with the people I talk to.

Thanks for a wonderful post Christy. Warm thoughts to all those who need them.

I’m especially looking forward to this Mother’s Day. A few weeks ago, we were told by the doctor that my mother had only minutes to live, as they were sure she had suffered a massive stroke. After discontinuing dialysis and not reinserting her feeding tube, my stepfather spent the night manually clearing her throat due to suspected pneumonia. I’m very fortunate that he is in her life. He is dedicated to nothing but making sure she gets the care she deserves, and although lacking higher education, he questions every statement from the healthcare providers and then charts his own course on her care.

She became alert the next morning and was entirely lucid. She’s been in and out a few times since, but now appears to be progressing well. She retains a great attitude, despite being blind, having only one nonfunctional kidney and a broken leg that refuses to heal. There is no evidence of brain damage from a stroke and no explanation for her close call and recovery from it.

She’s halfway across the country from us, so I’m looking forward to talking to her on the phone tomorrow. I will bring the whole family to visit her later this summer. She already is planning the visit.

Never underestimate the power of love.

Note to Self: leave instructions in will for progeny to vote for President Peterr.

Losing a parent is not easy, but how lucky your mother was to have her son at the end of her life giving her the comfort & love she deserved. You’re a good son to do that. Some would have thrown their mother/father into a nursing home to be forgot about until the parent died. Your selflessness is wonderful, Crosstimbers. If more people had that, our planet would be a much better place some days.

(((((HUGS TO YOU)))))

Mother’s Day is also a time of reflection for those who have lost their mothers. We’ll be thinking of you, CT. ;-)

Does “that guy’s gonna get shot if he’s elected” instead of “the Black guy’s gonna get shot” mean people are moving past race?

Firstly, I’m grateful for walking early enogh for today’s Pull Up A Chair. It’s my favorite weekly thread.
I’m grateful for dedicated friends here who share. The news, the recipes and the stories of love and service.
I’m grateful for being a mother, daughter, sister.
I’m grateful for my supportive husband.
I thought of Quakergirl and All of my Firedoglake friends when I heard this song this week…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5ALKAaa-TU
We are but a moments sunlight, fading in the grass.

I’m in Urbana Il to see my daughter graduate with a Masters in Eductaion. Her fiance is getting his Masters in Theatre Arts. My wife just woke up and needs coffee. We have a couple of well educated young peoplw who are royally pissed off at all things Republican, and are quite out spoken about it. They are returning to Oregon where all the family on both sides reside and getting married 8/8/08.

I’m going to cry at both events. Tears of joy.

Peterr – my kids are the same way. They really get upset about the abuse and misuse of our environment thanks to the shows on Discovery, et al. I remember growing up watching Jacques Cousteau specials. My kids are so lucky they can see this kind of programming pretty much on demand.

Feel free to throw out a “judge not lest ye be judged.” I find that to be a conversation stopper if you need one. *G*

Thank you for sharing this, Jim. Love itself is a miracle & can cause other miracles to happen sometimes, can’t it?

And thanks to all for sharing on this wonderful thread.

Have to get off my duff finally & take the dogs for their Sat. hikeathon. They’ve been very patient so far, but I can see it’s wearing a little thin now.
Read you all later.

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing. ;-)

Boy, I really wish you wouldn’t go there.

Anyone who lived through the 60’s and/or know the history of that time understands your point, but I don’t know what purpose it serves to bring it up.

I discovered the other day that Cousteau’s son has been doing a series of specials on PBS — including his own children in the shows. I watched one on the Amazon and the environmental threats from unchecked development to the river and the native cultures that live in the rainforest basin around it, and it was fascinating. Now THAT is a family legacy…

Now for a little humor near the end of the school year.

My brother is a retired English teacher and told me the following story about his assistant principal with an unusual name, something like Oberholtzer. Assistant principal Oberholzer told him the story after coming back to school in the fall following the spring when it took place.

As soon as the last day of school ended, Assistant Principal Oberholzer got in his already packed car and headed out for a long trip to the east coast. A lot of the cars leaving the school parking lot were packed and loaded for long trips. He drove all the way across Oklahoma without stopping, winding down and letting himself forget about all the frets and squabbles of the school year. The farther he went, the more his spirits lifted. Around Springfield, Missouri, he got out at a rest stop, feeling wonderful about the two months ahead without having to think about school. While standing at the urinal, he glanced at the wall next to his head. Someone had written, “OBERHOLZER SUCKS.”

Sorry, but that’s the kind of comments that circulate around here.

I’m also grateful that my finger is merely extremely sprained and not broken.
Sorry for the typos.
Another thing I’m grateful for are the good memories.
I remember all of the handmade, crayon Happy Mothers Day card I got when my kids were young.
Those little tissue paper flowers on the covers.

LOL Ouch.

I have a smattering of fingerpainted goodness spread across my desk this morning, as a remnant of yesterday morning’s fingerpainting extravaganza. (Thought it would keep The Peanut busy while I wrote my McCain piece, but instead it kept me busy opening new containers of paint to find just the right color. *g*)

That’s hilarious! Poor guy…

Good Morning Christy and Firedogs -

I see your nosin’ around my psyche again Christy :D

have probably commented on this in the past but about 12 years ago I began keeping a daily gratitude journal – changed me in a fundamental way

every night before retiring you write down 5 things that day for which you are grateful – at a minimum it’s eye opening (especially when you can’t come up with 5) – and quite interesting way to gauge your priorities, in the end you find yourself as someone focused on what is working in your life

looking back, it isn’t the splashy stuff that sweetens – it’s having all the kids home for dinner, an extra hour on the phone with an old friend, a stranger’s kindness, y’all get it

hope I don’t sound preachy, but I can not recommend this exercise enough

Gratitude is the heart’s memory

OT – but since some others watch cspan while we’re here, CSPAn2 is replaying the Alice Walker Book interview.

Hello, other half of my brain… *g*

(((((Love to all and special thoughts to those who grieve or ail))))))

Thanks for this post, Christy. It’s such a joy to read everyone’s ideas.

I’m thinking right now that it’s important not to overlook the impact of the smallest things we do. The smiles, the kindness extended (especially when inside we’re feeling impatient), the encouragement and support we give people who don’t know us well or at all, the gift of receiving help from someone else…..We are so interconnected that the slightest ripple of love we send out can have effects we never know about. Never underestimate the power and importance of the insignificant act!

Scooting out now, to help register voters. Have a great Saturday everyone.

Fresh pot of French press of organic Italian Roast ready…… anyone want a cuppa?

I really have no idea how I would of survived last year without FDL…. from the highs to the lows….. the fun FDL meetups in Portland and Seattle….

the good news is that everything seems to be going so well that all 4 of my specialists said in their last visit…. “come back in 6 months” instead of being seen monthly….

Hello, all. My sister’s been in the hospital for a week, and they let me spend the nights there. She’s had a stroke (along with several other issues) and is pretty confused. She’s always had a sharp mind, so it’s frustrating for her as well as for us. She’s been moved to a good facility in a nearby larger town. They won’t let us sleep over, but that’s probably for the best for the sake of her rehab. I’d appreciate any good vibes you can send her way.

Dear Christy,

Thanks for saying those words. Things are a little tense and messy right now, and your injunction lifted my eyes from the problems of the day and calmed my heart.

behindthefall

My long time friend of 22 years, Paul, died recently from his alcoholism, but one thing he had wanted at his funeral was to have his friend Seth sing a song to all of us to let us know how he felt about us. Seth sang this song at Paul’s request…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2d2llB4oIQ

Loving one another doesn’t have to stop after you die. What a gift we all got from Paul that day. Love is timeless!

Okay, you guys are making me weepy with your stories. I need to go regroup a little bit. (((((HUGS TO ALL WHO ARE GRIEVING TODAY))))) ;-)

(((((QuakerGirl))))) we are thinking about you and praying for you.

The love and encouragement we have for each other is healing in very deep ways. Pass it along, you never know when it might be your turn.

My sweetie and I do this together as we’re going to bed each night. We tell each other what we’re grateful for that day. It is a lovely way to end a day.

Now that is great news! I remember when my rheumatologist got to that point when I only had to see her every few months instead of every three weeks once we finally found a medication that wouldn’t make things worse (my lupus and my body were not playing well with meds for quite a while)…now THAT was something to celebrate. Good for you!

Oh Lindy, I’m so sorry to hear it. After everything you all have been through, living near your sister was something I know you looked forward to — I’m so glad for your sake that you were close enough by to be her anchor in her rough time. Hugs, hon…

Barbara, when David’s gardens reach their happy bloom time, send me some pix. I’d love to see it! Hugs to you, sweetheart — it was so lovely to meet you at TBA.

Glad it helped a bit. It’s been one of those years for a lot of folks, I think…

Ok folks, time for me to head back to the garden tiller. My wife’s recovering from tonsil/adenoid surgery yesterday (on her birthday no less) so I’m keeping away from her so she won’t talk. Spent three days with my daughter in the hospital last week as she recovered from some nasty strep & a reaction to some medication, and next Friday we’ll have the boy in for an outpatient procedure.

Yeah, it’s time for me to head outside and clear my head before making calls.

Ooops — meant to include this link to one of my fave Sarah McLaughlin songs in the post and forgot to put it in….so here you all go. (YouTube)

With the help from Dr Kirk Murphy….I found a new oncologist who was not jumping to conclusions without doing some real doctoring….. Will see how things are going with the next CT in August….

In the mean time…… going to head off to the bookstore to buy Frommer’s Best driving tours of France …..

That’s no reason to contribute to them.

In honor of Mother’s Day…

“If Johnny jumps off a garage, are you gonna do it too?”

Secondly, I’m here most every day, and thankfully, I rarely see such comments.

Now, what goes on during ‘Late Night’ or ‘Late, Late Night’ I wouldn’t know; by then I’m callin’ hogs.

In a span of 4 years and 1 month, our family experienced the following: my mother passed away from 1 1/2 year battle with terminal cancer. Our two adopted sons were diagnosed with prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol, bipolar nos, ADHD, stress/anxiety and we lived with 3 months of bipolar rage before finding the psychiatry team that could relieve the rages. My father passed from his 4th heart attack and two weeks later I realized that my husband had the same degnerative disease in which his brother had passed away from 10 years prior. The next 9 months resulted in me laying the foundation for the familial genetic diagnosis, disability and finally admitting my husband into the hospital against his will . All in 4 years and 1 month.

Although last month’s brain MRI showed new lesions, bigger lesions and at times my husband loses neuromuscular control of his lower extremities, he is in wonderful spirits and he’s in the acceptance phase of his personal journey with his disease process. We fill the house with loved ones and family, appreciating each day that continues to bless us.

Last July, while lurking at FDL during one of Christy’s cries for suggestions of books to read, a commenter had left the following note: “If you read Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss, your life will never be the same.” I thought to myself, “What do I have to lose?” I devoured the book and ordered everything that Brian Weiss had written. From there I enjoyed Michael Newton’s Journey of Souls. I’m now enjoying Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth – Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose and The Power of Now.

A new light is beginning to shine within all of us, as we learn about the spiritual world of humanity and our part to awaken into a new state of concsiousness and fulfill our existence.

Celebrate with your loved ones and enjoy the moment’s beauty.

I’m going to go all sappy here.
Sometimes i consider that I have a stained glass heart.
From time to time, things happen that just make it break. But, then I pick up all of the little pieces and put them back together. Each time this happens, there are more little pieces and more colors. So, that with each heart-breaking event, the stained-glass becomes more intricate and beautiful.

See if they have this as well: The Food Of France. If you are a foodie, it’s a lovely read — and a hoot as well. He was a correspondent in the 1940s during the war, and then went on to write a culinary memoir about both France and Italy (there’s a second book on Italy). Both books got me through a rough miscarriage as I traveled through his eyes and escaped from myself.

I adore them. It may just be me, but if you happen to like M.F.K. Fisher’s writing, you’ll love that one as well…

Oh Liz, I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with all of this, but so happy you’ve managed to find some joy out of it. Hugs to you and yours…

oh katymine – excellent news !

((mommybrain)) so good to see you here – sorry about your current but temporary circumstances – lots of firedogs deal with this – I let my inner provocateur loose in those situations and tell them things like I wont be happy until a tree huggin’, gun hatin’ mixed race gay couple occupies the WH – works like a crucifix on vampires :)

Southern Dragon – if you are still here – have tried not to be nosy, but am incredibly curious about your “tigers” is that just your name for your house kittehs or are there actual tigers in your life ?

(((LizH))) – Eckard Tolle – once heard him say the only prayer that matters is ‘Thank You’

I love that, demi — thanks for sharing it!

Good Morning, ‘pups.

You’re welcome.
It’s just a concept I’ve had for a while that I’d like to turn into a song or something.
Maybe it’s enough that I shared it here, now.

Happy Mothers Day, Christy.

I hope you know how much I truly appreciate all you do.

Picked up a book called Culinaria France on the sale rack…. have the same brand of book of Greece in hardback….. these series are great …. go by provence or region of a country showing the wine, food, cheese and other items that make it special. It is a food tour of the country. The added joy is the recipes.

There are maps showing the wineries, pages of the labels of vintners, pages of the cheeses with descriptions….. too bad this book weights a ton as big as a phone book…. would be a great travel book

Mother’s Day is tomorrow!

Thanks for the reminder, it always sneaks up on me!

Interesting Mothers’ website here, momsrising.org.

Mornin’ BobbyG. How are you?

mornin’ (((Bobby))) how ya doin’ ?

think of you now whenever I hear good horns – finally found one of my all time faves

Good Morning Christy.

Thank you for your wonderful post(s).

Please ask Peanut to give you an extra hug for us.

Our “little ones” are 30-somethings now, AND our best friends. We find we enjoy this stage every bit as much as the earlier ones. They cheer our hearts. In these challenging times, that means so-o-o much!?! We feel very fortunate. ;->

Thanks. My Mom is kinda low-tech. Not too good with computers and likes the phone call :)

“Mother’s Day is tomorrow!”

That’s pretty close to a verbatim quote of what Mr. L said this morning. I assured him I had sent the cards to the three mothers.

He replied with, “no, I mean you. We need to do something for you.”

And thus my weekend started off right, because the kids are his, from his first marriage, and they started off hating me. Now, I’m mom. Never thought we’d get to that point. I’m so proud of those kids. One is in the Navy, the other is heading for law school.

Gonna try to plant some flowers today.

Hey ((((Bobby))))

Nice! Enjoy that garden time too :)

Happy Mothers Day, Momma Peanut!

Signed,

A blade in you fan club, ES

I’m gonna bring my Mom to the house again tomorrow from the nursing home. Gonna cook for a house full of mothers (Ma, my wife, my sister, and my daughter).

Good Morning (((((Demi))))).

We’ve been thinking of you guys. ;->

I found Many Lives, Many Masters and Through Time Into Healing both fascinating reading.

Offers a very calming way to view things.

I think it’s a very good thing that they are putting such shows on for the children, and also that the children will be able to teach the parent. I say that because, even though I’ve been big on making the necessary changes to accommodate climate change so that it doesn’t ruin all our lives and the chances for the human race’s survival, my oldest son told me the other day that he bought a new car. When I asked him what he got, he said he went for the gas mileage this time. I asked what kind of gas mileage he got; he said about 29 mpg. Let’s see, new car, possibly 5+years, 29 mpg. Dunno, doesn’t sound very good to me. Asked why he didn’t get a prius or a hybrid, he’s afraid they won’t be what they’re cracked up to be, I guess. It’s obvious to me that people in this country are so spoiled that they will need to be force fed these changes. We must rid ourselves of the Inhofes in the Senate! We must insist that high cafe standards are passed, or the race will not survive, and like as not, we will take all the animal life on earth with us. Shameful, since we were given large brains so as to avoid this circumstance, but our greed and selfishness have thus far outperformed our brain function.

G’Morning to you too!
With regards to The Meeting, they canceled it. Go figure.
With regards to my son winning the award for his IMovie on Biofuels, the teacher submitted it under her name (!!!) and he doesn’t want to go the award ceremony, and so we are not attending.
He said he enjoyed creating it and just wants to move on towards MS graduation next month.

Very nice indeed.

*waving to ES* Love that tune you put up last night…wow!

Good for you Bobby and remember all the wonderful times you all had with you father, he will be smiling down on all of you :>)
I will be cooking for the Moms at the in-laws tomorrow as I love to do for them:>) Of course I will be thinking of my mom who has been gone 20 years now and I do wish I tell her to her face that I love her!

PW got freshness

keep an image of that pretty flower above in mind before you click through tho!

What a wonderful place, don’t know how I would have gotten through without it. Thanks Chrisy & Jane, and all of you here.

Sending love and healing vibes to all who are suffering or greiving today.

My musical contribution…

Hey wang – long time no see.
Thank you for that song. Yes. Eccliasties.

Hiya, demi! Hope that finger heals up real quick.

Happy Mother’s Day to the moms at the Lake. We don’t have kids. My mom’s been gone for almost twenty years now, but I hear her every day. She’s my conscience.

Leinie, of course those kids love you, you’re their mom. They were born in your heart.

Christy, thanks for having The Peanut. I love reading about her.

-S
still a member in good standing of The Peanut’s fan club

LOL. The Japanese refer to domestic, or house, cats as “the tiger that feeds from your hand.”

Thank you Christy. Thanks for all your efforts to make this most special FDL community possible. I wish you a wonderful Mother’s Day with the Peanut and your family.

What a wonderful, loving concept. Thank you for sharing that.

Checking back.

Sorry to miss your reply earlier. We suddenly realized we had to run errands before the bank & post office closed – & one thing led to another, sigh.

Regarding “the meeting that wasn’t”

GO FIGURE!?! indeed. No explanations? Just a summary we don’t needwant a meeting. I sense embarrassment in the wind. That is just bizarre. Well, graduation’s coming! This year?

I’m glad he has such a terrific mom. Please tell him Adie’s REALLY PROUD OF HIM!!!

liz at 81–yep, that’s what my friends and i said to one another about what had been happening with them…

yep and yep….to all the other special things shared here today…..

and leinie at 97–i have a step-dad and i couldn’t have a better dad if i picked him myself…..he loved my sister and me through everything, ugly and pretty….we love him, too.

Happy Mother’s Day (in advance) Christy!

“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.” – Abraham Lincoln