I went to make some changes to my blog background and header and viola'...everything is screwed up and I can't make my blog look like it used to. I hate blogger when they make changes and make it so difficult to get back to normal. Maybe I'll figure it out or maybe I'll find another way to blog. Whatever. For today I'll just do a post and see what happens. The truth is not much has happened at all...thankfully. Ashland had it's annual Balloon Fest over the weekend and the weather was only good for one flyover but the rain did stay away at times so the festival on Freer Field could go on with lots of food trucks, games, and activities for families and kiddos. We stayed away but I was glad for a successful event for the city. After having to cancel last year tons of folks just want to go back to normal stuff. In our little corner of the world the gardens are growing and we're getting the Pines back into it's usual Summer mode.
Blueberries are getting ripe. We won't have tons this year but a few for a tastey snack is good.Tuesday, June 29, 2021
What The Heck Blogger?
Friday, June 18, 2021
Moving On
This week has been an emotional one. We traveled to Kentucky for my brother's funeral and met with family and friends to say a final goodbye. We cried, laughed, shared stories and food as is usually the case at times like this. The funeral service was very moving and a wonderful tribute to a great guy. His daughter's eulogy brought everyone to tears and even some laughter as she shared her love for her Dad. The Marine Military honors were so touching. I can't even put into words how special it was. So now we move on as a family as everyone goes back to their home and their lives with our memories and special moments spent this week. Jack and I are slowly getting our yard back into order and I'm finally able to be of a help. I still can't lift heavy objects and I do get tired more often than I'm used to. But it's getting better day by day. I can drive and even mow the yard! So I'll end this with some pics and a wish that everyone gives their family members a hug or an "I love you" while you can. It's a shame we need reminding to do that and I hope it's something you all do naturally.
Our front walk is starting to bloom out and Jack and I planted a new tree to replace the one that died.
Back deck coming together. I still have patriotic decor for this spot and will be finishing it up this weekend. My little herb garden is coming on nicely.My owls used to be out front but I moved them to help brighten up the ugly heat pump! Jack calls them my "baked potatoes"...well, they do kind of look like potatoes I guess.My spinning balloon wind catcher is in honor of Ashland's Balloon Fest coming up at the end of the month..like next weekend! Hopefully the weather will cooperate so the big balloons can fly. Everyone is looking forward to this festival as it was cancelled last year like so many events were.Saturday, June 12, 2021
Finally There Is Joy
This week has been one filled with the ups and downs of life. Isn't life always made up of the happy and the sad? The up and down? The hellos and goodbyes.? Friday night we had reason to celebrate one of the joys of life as our Granddaughter, Driana married her love...Jonathan..in a lovely ceremony and a fun reception with family and friends. Driana is our first Grandchild. She's the reason we became YaYa and PawPaw! She has brought so much happiness over the years and we have celebrated her journey threw her almost 26 years of life. She found her vocation as a registered nurse helping hospice patients and their families. She works hard and loves what she does and she loves her family. We wish her and Jonathan all the happiness in the world. Time has flown by and the little girl we babysat, shared birthdays, watched cheerleading, basketball, and graduations has grown into a beautiful wife and maybe someday....a mother. Best Wishes Driana and Jonathan!
Our son Jack walking her down the aisle.The rings. I sure hope the real photographer did better than I did!Jonathan wanted Kip to be there as the "Best Dog"! He was very well behaved and made everyone smile!Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Another Farewell
Sitting down to write this post I keep thinking of what words I could pen that would say all that is in my heart tonight. Last night I received a call about my older brother, Greg. He was taken by squad to the hospital near his home in Louisville. After phone calls back and forth and hours of waiting I received the call nobody wants at midnight. He passed away. It has sent shock waves through our family and we struggle with trying to come to terms with yet another tragedy. Another gathering. Another funeral. If you looked up the word success in the dictionary you should see Greg's photo there. That is if success is a kind person. If success is a generous man. If success is a loving husband, father, grandfather. If success is a wonderful brother who did all he could to be there for the family. If anyone needed help he was there. If success was being a hero that would be him. A brave marine who fought in Vietnam. If success was running a company he built up himself and then made sure to employ any family member who needed a job and wanted a trade, he would fit that definition. Greg loved life. He hosted many of our family Christmas parties and summer cookouts. All were welcome in his home. A smile, a laugh, a hug. I have so many memories of a big brother looking out for me. Letting me drive his car when I was 12! (secretly of course!) Giving me advice. Going off to war when I was 14 and thankfully coming home. He proved you don't always need a college education to be smart. He had class and grace and I know I sound like he was perfect. We all know nobody is but in our family he was lovingly called St. Gregory. So I'm betting he is with Mom and Dad and my nephew Jono. What a party we're all missing. We will be here to honor his life and gather as siblings to say a final goodbye on Monday. A time to reflect on a life well lived but gone too soon. A brother we will all miss and another empty chair at the table. RIP Greg...we all love you.
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Hello...Glad To Be Back
It's time to hit the blogging trail after a short break. The month of May blew by in a blur. I was very nervous about my surgery and certainly concerned about the outcome as well as being down during a busy time of year as far as the outdoor work goes. There were gardens starting to come to life and of course that means weeds. The lawn that needs mowed sometimes twice a week. Planting the veggies and on and on. I came home as expected 2 days after surgery. I'm pretty good at handling pain but this sort of threw me for a loop. Because the incision was posterior they had to go through the muscles in the back. Yep, I think I felt...and still do at times...every fiber they stretched! PIC ALERT!!! Scroll on by if you don't want to see my scar. This is my journal so it's going in for history sake!
The bandage on the right side was covering the area where I had a drain. Thankfully all healed well. I had my 3 week post op visit and I don't have to wear the collar unless I feel like I need it or when in the car. All else is coming along and will just take time to completely heal.
This section of my couch has become my best friend. It reclines on both ends and I slept in the recliner until this past week when I was finally comfortable laying down. Heat and ice were and still are good buddies also. I guess having a broken wrist at the same time hasn't exactly helped but by and by it's getting better. I wasn't able to be up for more than 5-10min. at a time and now I'm back to a few of my activities...even driving. I wouldn't stand next to me in a thunderstorm if I were you. Jack kids that he could scrap me out at the metal recycle place! So at times if you think I have a screw loose..well, you could be right! In the mean time, Spring sprung and the flowers bloomed. My sweet Granddaughter, Summer, and her boyfriend, Spencer, came and did some weeding and then planted annuals, containers, and my flower boxes for me. My awesome boys came and have taken care of mowing the yard. Jack planted all the veggies and has taken great care of me as well as working and doing household chores and cooking. Since I can reclaim some of those chores we're back to some kind of normal. My peonies bloomed on time for Memorial Day. We had peonies in our yard growing up and Mom enjoyed them and I always think of her when they bloom. I can't believe it's been one year since she passed away. Her birthday was May 17th and she would have been 95. What a party we would have loved to have had for her. I sure hope she's having a party in heaven with Dad and all her family. I picked a nice bouquet in her honor.