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Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness:
Congratulations to newdealfarmgrrrlll and Al the Spook on their engagement! [video here]
Wishing you all the joy in the world!
And my engagement present is this photo of a couple who held a Star Wars theme wedding, which sounds like one of the possibilities. Thanks be to Google.
We have evolved into a real community now with joys and concerns that touch people we've never met in "real" life. Some future sociologist can expand on what it means for us to have so many traveling companions that we know only electronically.
But every once in a while there is an opportunity to put a name with a face, jump the fence into that other world out there. I've had the privilege of attending Suzanne's excellent Boulder Creek pup meetups and getting to know other folks through Yearly Kos and the trial.
The people here at FDL have touched my life in so many ways from encouragement and support to challenge -- and did I mention support? And I have a feeling that some of the rest of you have similar stories to share about FDL friends who are there in good times and in sad times.
We are hoping that QuakerGirl is reading the many, many expressions of love coming her way throughout the comments every day as she struggles with leukemia in hospice.
There are those among us who have lost a parent recently, our hearts go out to you with much love. Nothing can prepare you for this kind of grief, it is an experience that changes your world. How can the sky still be blue? Don't people know everything is different now?
We are there for each other in ways visible and invisible.
I like the idea that we have some time to set aside our work, our struggle for Liberty, and talk with each other about Life and Happiness. Come on in and have some homemade cookies, and pull up a chair....
photo by sci-figal
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Mornin’, eg!
How nice for you to mention losing a parent. I still have a number of sort of regular or special times it comes to me to call my mother…to check in, chat, whatever. It is a physical,spontaneous impulse that makes me long to talk, hear her voice. Like now. Thanks
(((QuakerGirl)))
Good morning doggies!
I know what you mean about going to call, that and write to.
Morning egregious, QuakerGirl, et.al.
and more Happy Birthdays for Millineryman!
Ah, me too, and my mom’s been gone for 30 years… I still find myself thinking “I’ve gotta tell mom about that.”
Downstairs Millineryman let slip that today is his birthday. Anybody a good cake baker? It’s not one of my skills.
I did not know that QG was ill. (((Quaker Girl)))
My dad spent the last two years of his life in and out of convalescent hospitals. It wasn’t fun for any of us.
Driving through the Valley, I pass several of the places where he stayed. Still gives me the willies.
My sister and I have made a new habit of meeting on Wednesday evenings and take mom over to the park. We take turns walking my dog and pushing mom in her wheel chair. And, we all yak our brains out before going back to mom’s for dinner.
We promised dad we’d take good care of her. And, we promised to all get along. It’s working out well.
But, boy, do I miss my daddy. It’ll be a year this July.
Everyone here was so graciously supportive. Thanks, all.
I think FDL might have to get a 50-state license to practice therapy. Sometimes this group of “strangers” is the most amazing port in the sturm und drang of life, isn’t it? Many of us have learned that dealing with life-threatening illness 24/7 is even harder than living in the shadow of Junior and Darth. Quaker Girl knows. Prairie Sunshine knows. So many of you know. I wish that weren’t so. But (cliche alert: incoming) it is what it is. Thank you all for being so gracious when I dwell in the slough of despond, when I ask hopelessly naive questions of this body of wisdom, when I blather (much as I am doing now) about cancer, about BushCo, about whatever happens to be my issue du jour (du moment?). You are amazing folks.
EG, you are a huge part of this community. You’re always so kind and helpful. Will I get to see you at Netroots Nation?
How long has QG been in hospice care, and does she comment?
O dear: 30 years. After my mother died, someone told me it gets easier, it doesn’t go away. I guess that’s about what you are saying. What also surprises me is that often I will feel or think that I may know what my mother would say back.
I haven’t seen any comments from her since she told us she was in hospice, I think a week ago yesterday.
But, I could easily have missed some.
The last time she posted was here. She had one other comment later in the thread. (I had missed it, too, but
Google found it for me.)
((((QuakerGirl))))
Good morning pups, anybody got coffee?
Funny you say that about W. When I turned on the radio, it seemed to hit me hard that W is yet again still the Prez and mouthing off in the ME. About 6 months to go I guess. I do not recall when who’s the Pres. so effected my mood. Although I did go to the 1st Clinton Inaugural, and the hope/cheer in DC were palpable. Maybe that’s what is coming.
Someone (oops, I forget who) named her new rosebush Quakergirl and said she’d think of her on every bloom.
And, Eureka Spring said he planted some wild flower seeds in her honor.
It is easier, and it’s not painful any more. More wistful… But at this point I’m getting to where I’m saving up things to tell her when I see her again!
The duct tape on the alarm clock didn’t work? heh, heh.
Good to see you.
Coffee, tea or hot chocolate is always available on my virtual counter. And there are waffles this morning too.
I love my veritable family
and I love my virtual family.
FireDogLake changed my life,
gave me hope, friends, and faith in the system. And most importantly the
beliefknowledge that we can make a difference, by giving us the ability make that difference.This is a wonderful community.
and as egregious notes, prolly will be studied by future sociologists.
.
Are there any homemade cookies to go with the love?
Elliot, Marion, demi and Loo Hoo left you a note at the end of the last thread.
248 days and counting…
Was also at the 1st Clinton inaugural. The optimism was indeed palpable. I remember the huge crowd cheering when George Bush I’s helicopter flew away from the Capital building. This time when this flys away the world will be cheering.
and who’s counting?
(I should say, “Who isn’t counting?” ! ;)
It’ll be like New Year’s 2000! Fireworks all across the globe.
Linky you wanted at end of last thread……enjoy!
I recall the report that it was the highest ridership on the Metro to date; crowds poured out. Maybe I saw you…the weather was great on that morning.
Thanks Waccamaw.
It’s great to be a part of this community. It’s changed my life in may ways. Another link in my personal evolution.
NDFG and AK!!!
Is this engagement the first for FDL?
I would like to think that means there is only so damage he can do…but I dare not think. He is always so surprising, and I am in no mood for his surprises.
Oh, I hope so. The Bush years have really eroded our collective optimism, haven’t they? It’s hard to hope for the best with an intellectually challenged, socially obtuse narcissist squatting in the Oval Office.
Indeed it was a beautiful day. I had organized a bus trip for volunteers that had worked on his first campaign in MI. Rode the metro, went to a nice restaurant in Georgetown. Cabbies said Dems were much better tippers than Repubs. Who would have thought?
AFAIK
First that I’m aware of.
She told me they are thinking of tying the knot next year.
Up for a train ride to Texas? I offered to play my flute at the wedding.
You could see your old room mate Betsy.
I’m off to get more birdseed and possibly some plants for what has recently become the front weed bed. And then I’ll be working at home to pay for all that birdseed. But I’ll be lurking, so keep on being kind to each other.
((((QuakerGirl))))
Thanks, egregious.
I haven’t said anything here on the site, but egregious knows we buried my Dad this week, Thursday. I spent the last three weeks here with him at his bedside and Mom and I were there as he passed, though he was not aware in any way we could tell.
He’d been sick and declining and he took a real downturn in late April, just after my birthday. However, I happened to be in town on business then and we had a good little birthday dinner together.
Dad was a very good, honest and loyal man who always took good care of the people who needed his help, without fanfare or expectation of reward or recognition. He made people laugh and never talked about the war he fought, as he never thought violence was anything to be proud of. He even hated movies or tv shows with guns or killing, had no patience for romanticizing violence, be it the Godfather movies or whatever.
I’m proud to be his son, I’ll miss him terribly, but we’re all okay. Today I drive with my own family back to our own home in Virginia. Thanks to everyone who sent their condolences and warm thoughts our way, they have all been more appreciated than I can express.
Good morning all.
For several years now, since Christy was a commenter known as reddhead, CBL and I have been slavishly devoted to FDL. It has been our online base station, life preserver and touchstone. I mostly lurk because CBL is the brains of this outfit and I rarely have anything meaningful to add to the threads. However, my job allows me to have FDL up in the background all day at work and I follow along. You have all become a source of joy, wonder and information for me. The recent additions to the site are taking some getting used too. It seems a bit overwhelming still.
A bit of a ramble, sorry. I think what I really want to say is, thanks all. Especially Jane, Christy, Marcy, LHP, Egregious, Attaturk et al. Without y’all I would be woefully uninformed.
(((QuakerGirl)))
(((BobbyG)))
((((((((Pachacutec and family))))))))
Love and peace coming your way.
Sorry for your loss Pach.
That’s really thoughtful and very, very touching.
Why don’t they just get married during Netroots Nation?!!
(((Pachacutec)))
My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.
It’s a tough transition, certainly.
I’m glad you have fond memories. That helps a lot. I know.
Pach: I am very sorry. The only words I know are that it’s just very hard. Take care and travel well. B
It’s threads like this that remind me no matter how bad things seem to be, there is a better future ahead and friends to help us get there. We’ve had three hospital visits for our family members in the past three weeks. Nothing as frightening as above, but coming here always helped me find some peace.
Spot on the job, as usual LH.
I’ll pass that idea on to them via facebook, but they might even be reading now.
(((Pachacutec)))
((((Pachacutec)))
I’m sure your dad was very proud of you.
Pach,
We had no idea. You need to know that you have long been one of CBL’s favorites at the site. Please accept our most heartfelt condolences.
Sending you our thoughts for your comfort and peace.
Our dear friend Southern Dragon had a personal loss this week as well.
You doin’ okay, dear?
hugs to you and yours Pach,
He must have been a great man.
You were lucky to be there with him til the end, and he was lucky to have you. As you and your Mom treasure his memory, may he visit you in your dreams at night.
Is this the one in Austin? I read about that just about the time I had signed on here. I will need to get more information about the event.
That was a nice way to start the day, thanks again. I sometimes reply to people I know who ask how I am with some outrageous comment to see if they are listening. Their reaction is funny and we usually end up sharing a good laugh.
Yes. July 17-20!
Well, now I know what Al the Spook has been up to.
Pach, love to you and yours :(
(((Quakergirl)))
(((BobbyG)))
(((FirePups)))
Can’t begin to tell you all what you mean to me so,
((((((((((((( Each and every one of you pups )))))))))))))
((((((((((((( QuakerGirl)))))))))))))
(((((((((((((Pachacutec and Family)))))))))))))
Thank you for this post egregious.
*poof*
What a brilliant man he is. I remember last summer when he was on late night, he could keep up with 15 or 20 of us asking him questions. He’d answer with LINKS!
Good Morning everyone from Arizona…. the sun is just peeking over my back yard wall….. the Red yucca is in bloom… the last of my roses and the star jasmine is busting out all over…..
A big {{{{{{{{FDL}}}}}}} to one and all….. you were my family when I needed it and I return it back…… Pack, Quaker Girl and BobbyG and all those who don’t think they need it but really do…. I really do not know how I would survived last fall without you all….
EG I have a fresh pot of French Press coffee using Greek coffee I found in NYC…. Just warming up to the next vacation….
Thanks so much. I have been wanting to know more.
Oh, Pach, I’m so very sorry. Sending hopes for healing and peace your way!
Dan Schorr talking about how “inept” W was in Israel with his stupid remark; he’s so disgusted.
Your post really got to me…what a good man.
The sun is peeking through my lemon tree….. I can smell the fresh coffee, the rosemary bush right next to me and the bees buzzing around the jasmine…. everything was misted (low water use sprinkler system) this am and it sparkles with water drops……
My friends, the elitist, vicious, twisted liberal horde is holding forth at FDL this very morning. Read the current post and all its comments to get a good handle on how the wicked left thinks and conducts itself.
What everybody has said and so much better than I.
Having few blood relatives left, those who love the Lake have become the best extended family this pup could ever have hoped to find. Sanity and support you provide every day……more than you can possibly know.
Very sorry to hear of your loss.
well there’s Southern Comfort most every morning ;)
It’s just beautiful here in San Diego too. Amazing. Everything is in bloom and the avocados are ripe! It’s going to be really hot! My niece is graduating this morning top of her class from San Marcos State. The ceremony will be at the Del Mar Fairgrounds where the horses race, then the party will be this afternoon at my brother and sis-in-law’s.
Did you all see this?
Finally got a decent night’s sleep. Thanks to you and the other pups for the support I’ve gotten this week. I means a great deal to me.
For some strange reason I’ve been either out of the country or on the opposite coast when a family member passed. I got a call from my step-mother that my dad was in hospital. They had done an upper GI and suspected cancer. Opened him up, closed him up and gave him two weeks. Pancreatic cancer. I was scraping the money together to get to Myrtle Beach when two days later I got the call. He was gone. Absolutely the worst day of my life. I can only imagine how Pach feels. My dad was always my hero. A great piano player, couldn’t throw a baseball straight to save his soul. My parents and grandparents imparted a value system to me that passes the test of time and which I hold dear to this day. It’s been 28 years and I still miss him terribly. Grandfather, grandmother, mother. Same thing. I didn’t get those final minutes or hours to share my love with the ones I loved most in the world. Haunts me.
We’ve gotten a lot rain lately and nice little pool has formed in front of my house. Birds are taking a quick dip, and all the furry mamamals in the neighborhood are hanging out.
I wonder if they are discussing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
Just wanted to add that FDL has been a bright light in a dark time.
Pach, thoughts of concern and healing to you and your family. I’ve been hanging out here for about a year, and it has become very important to my daily life. I haven’t met any of you, but I feel like you are friends.
(((Christy and Jane (and TRex and Pach and Marcy and, and, and))), see what you started??? *g*
You forgot the vile, foul-mouthed feminazis.
EG as to FDL becoming a family and weddings as one of the outcomes….
Our Dean for America which evolved into the local DFA group here in Phoenix has had a series of matchups with weddings in the 4 years of the group…. it is interesting to hear them talk because many are middle aged, previously married and had been going through the dot.com sites to find someone…… and how surprised they are how compatible they are with their partner they found at our group.
It is so easy to explain….. those who flock to a specific group, work and become a part of that group usually have a specific set of values and core that are pretty similar……
the latest is my oldest friend here in Phoenix who I worked with at my first job here and have been trying to drag her to DFA meetings to get her invovled…… she would whine but not do anything about it….. well they are moving in together this month……
I did, didn’t I?! And the tree-hugging obstructionists and the pesky Constitution adherents and the hippie peaceniks and the tax-obsessed welfare cheerleaders.
((hugs)) to all of you who have lost loved ones…
I had to put my kitty to sleep this past week. She’d been a member of the family for fourteen and a half years.
Oh boogie, I am sorry to hear that. Such a long time to love the little one.
Some day soon, on another post, it would be interesting to shatter the myths about lefties and say out loud (well, as loud as comments can be) who we are, what we believe and how we intend to play that out in 2009 and beyond. Just sayin’.
Totally unrelated. For all these years, I have never known the significance of the name “firedoglake.” Color me clueless. Can someone make me smart? About this one thing?
(((boogiecheck and tiger)))
The fields beyond Rainbow Bridge have a few new loved ones waiting for their servants to come collect them.
(((boogie))), so very sorry.
sorry to hear that boogiecheck, hugs,
don’t know what I’d do without my Sweet Pea
Tom Toles.
Hugs to you.
Jane said she likes to sit in front of the fire with her dogs and watch The Lakers!
Once upon a time…… Lady Jane Hampshire lived at the Oregon Coast at a place called Otter Point….. with her poodles…… so it was poodles laying by the fireplace at a place on a lake = Firedoglake….
Thanks, SD, Egregarious,Elliott, Loo Hoo, Barbara. She gave as much as she took…and I’m not ashamed to say that she helped me through some of the darkest period of my life.
Ouch. GOP afraid of a Beer Hall Putsch?
Katymine. Different take. Hmmm. We better ask her!
Cool. I know Otter Point. Love Oregon. What the hell am I doin’ in Florida?
It could be the Lakers….. when I first started commenting on FDL way back in the olden days Jane did live in Oregon just up the road from my parents place…… but the fireplace & the dogs are right….. and that section of Oregon coast is chuck full of small lakes….
They have a way of doing that. Our furry friends have a sense about emotions that we can only dream of.
Lot of us have experienced that directly and indirectly. Folks at FDL helped me keep going during some rough times in Russia. I wrote down all the encouraging comments and keep them to look at again if the mood strikes. Among so many kindnesses from so many pups I have a special word of thanks to peterr, who got in under the radar one time when I was really hurting.
It just goes to show, you might not know the impact you have on other peoples’ lives.
loohoo and katymine, how cool is that?! Mystery solved. Merci.
For those here @ FDL who are in need of our thoughts & the sharing of our strength today, reading this thread will give that, in abundance.
“When we think of friends, and call their faces out of the shadows, and their voices out of the echoes that faint along the corridors of memory, and do it without knowing why save that we love to do it, we content ourselves that that friendship is a Reality, and not a Fancy–that it is builded upon a rock, and not upon the sands that dissolve away with the ebbing tides and carry their monuments with them.”
-Mark Twain
Maybe she watched the Lakers by the Lake!
‘mornin’, pups. And heartfelt hugs going out to all those who are sorrowin’, Pach, SouthernDragon…
QuakerGirl, we hope you’re readin’ right along with us and knowin’ we love you and the words you’ve shared here with us. Always in our hearts.
Eg, what a wonderful thread topic, reflective and yet an opportunity to show why FDL is such a welcoming place.
Hey, Barbara, I think the snow’s finally gone up in the north country!
And congrats to NDFG and Al… what better metaphor and affirmation that we can look forward to better tomorrows.
Happy Syttende Mai, every one…from the Norske land where the birds are beckoning, the spaniels want ball-catching time, and the toobz just tip-toes along…
Boogiecheck,
About a year ago, we lost our beloved hound, Rudy. Cbl was inconsolable. Until 6 months ago when a small, tuxedo colored kitten showed up at our back door. Dora has moved into both our home and heart. She is not a Rudy replacement but is, in her own incredibly way, a source of comfort and joy for us. (She has also reinvigorated the 7 year old Mike the cat.)
Thoughts of comfort and peace from us to you.
Condolences to you and your family, Pach. One day at a time.
QuakerGirl, I hope you’re reading today, but also there are comments of love and support for you every day on the threads. You are in our hearts.
I know the country’s in bad shape, but imagine how much worse off we’d be if the liberal blogs didn’t exist to stem the tide.
When history is written, the blogging pioneers will be credited with saving this country.
There were millions of us out there aware that our country and it’s values were being undermined. But while we were screaming, no one was listening. The internet gave us a chance to find each other, share info, learn from those better-informed, organize, reach new people, educate and vent our rage.
Personally, it saved my sanity.
The repubs had everything lined up to permanently give our country to the rich. And there was no organized opposition. The fights not over but at least we’re strong enough to fight them.
That thread (a CHS thread) is worth finding to see the spontaneous outpouring of affection and support. It was clearly not easy for (((Quaker Girl))) to post and was touching she’d made a special effort to post on a Christy thread to tell her how much she was personally inspired by her and others here.
I would speculate that for every person who shares their sadnesses and concerns, there are many who don’t for various reasons. I, for one, take great comfort and derive support from this community, though people here have no particular reason to know that. I lost the love of my life a couple of years ago and during that period had an incident that cost me a chunk of my vocabulary and my ability to express myself easily and clearly. It is the warmth and acceptance of this community that gives me courage to post at all, particularly when I’m struggling for words or hating using five words when I could have used one if I were on my game.
…the best pets I’ve ever had were the ones who *chose* me…of course, Dora won’t replace Rudy, but as you’ve already discovered, there is enough love in the heart for more. :)
I’ve added some links to the post, including the day when QuakerGirl first wrote us about her situation.
And Sunny, sounds from here like you are expressing yourself beautifully. Hugs to you for your losses.
I’m not sure what my mental status would be today if it wasn’t for the online community I’ve encountered over the past eight years or so. Only a few rotten apples have appeared, but I don’t let them get to me. I laugh at them. The unity of women online is as strong as the unity of women in my real life. I love that!!!!! Thank you…all of you. And you too, Gents, whom always make me laugh too and see things differently than I did before!
(((((WARM HUGS TO ALL OF YOU)))))
My heart goes out to Quaker Girl and her family. I’m sure they’re having a tough time. One thing is for sure, though, hospice is a gift. Thank you hospice care workers! You’re all heroes to me. Anyone who takes the time out of their lives to comfort the dying is an incredible person…unselfish, unwavering, loyal, and truly represents what it means to be a human.
In Christy’s post back along entitled, “In Need of Motivation?”, I talked about TWEAK who was another great patriot as Quaker Girl is and how TWEAK on his deathbed made sure the night of the historic 2006 mid-term election to leave us (AMERICAblog bloggers) a note. He died shortly after leaving it. Here’s what TWEAK said:
http://firedoglake.com/2008/05.....nt-1444306
I still find his words motivating today as I did back then. Here’s what TWEAK’s brother wrote to us later on AMERICAblog letting us know of his passing and how he felt. This is also very motivating!
With the passing of each great patriot we encounter each day on the Internet, we must hold onto them as if they’re an extra pitchfork or torch as we continue to fight the Good Fight! Hey, we can handle holding two pitchforks or two torches, can’t we? ;-) Well of course we can!
Thanks Egregious for the post this morning. You’re wonderful!!!
Okay, leaving to go canvas neighborhoods with my local Democrats. We go forth with pitchforks & torches!!! LOL
Thank you, EG. ((quaker girl))
With that, I’m off to read the links, and then off to start the day.
Thank you all.