tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86241378054212848862024-03-05T20:27:43.728-06:00At Home in English ValleyWhere Love is an Endless SeasonAt Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.comBlogger1308125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-20300066651189756072021-03-05T07:39:00.005-06:002021-06-01T02:06:17.217-05:00My Blogaversary 11 Years!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJLFd1kVv-3X2KHShSy8s9qauVboaZY6h5ycVZm9gMPpKgum8a71KHk0DrVvIJ6zCNo0CeFwJxLQor4QnvwbpmkOqYsFkJ2G5EJxlraxswSY8ajflRm_z1c6bJi0Ke5WPcDKOSvtf-uqN/s5184/IMG_0843.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJLFd1kVv-3X2KHShSy8s9qauVboaZY6h5ycVZm9gMPpKgum8a71KHk0DrVvIJ6zCNo0CeFwJxLQor4QnvwbpmkOqYsFkJ2G5EJxlraxswSY8ajflRm_z1c6bJi0Ke5WPcDKOSvtf-uqN/s320/IMG_0843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Sure I've only posted a couple of times this year but don't the previous years count? I only remembered about this anniversary because of a post that came up in my memories on Facebook. Yes 11 years ago when I was a naive 55 year old I started this blog. It was a brave and adventurous thing to do for me back then. <div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP-zIXEYrJIoUjTbYSFgwMYNSBRXpX84n6YSqBSSrXo0cwlcxiwSnEZvxgGoHu89raPnY27HMcv7h-hm-bVxQpMd-ZEB8oxmB-YSx2k3Qmm-C71pzGafCi0P83afY0DWjp-o9S2zNIh0c/s5184/IMG_0844.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP-zIXEYrJIoUjTbYSFgwMYNSBRXpX84n6YSqBSSrXo0cwlcxiwSnEZvxgGoHu89raPnY27HMcv7h-hm-bVxQpMd-ZEB8oxmB-YSx2k3Qmm-C71pzGafCi0P83afY0DWjp-o9S2zNIh0c/s320/IMG_0844.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div> It was so much fun, making friends and having my techy hubby in the office next to mine. My security blanket in the brave new world of blogging. So much has changed. I have changed. I could say that the world has made me jaded. but that that would be untrue. I still am curious, full of wonder and happy most days. On others I am brokenhearted. lonely and full of memories. Honestly, the memories are 99 percent good and happy. There is that one percent where I dare not go. Maybe will never be able to face.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriaFIs8C9x0XkN1RLAxDdQCpQGw31kIBlG80t0P1BpKHufWieIhk7yvzT8dq2yUD2iEHTId1HA_BGowXNX_bAhu2vQMle4mSP41O-fU5-r53UKRYK70S5gY8oQOq7viPuzbwL3tSi25hH/s5184/IMG_0845.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriaFIs8C9x0XkN1RLAxDdQCpQGw31kIBlG80t0P1BpKHufWieIhk7yvzT8dq2yUD2iEHTId1HA_BGowXNX_bAhu2vQMle4mSP41O-fU5-r53UKRYK70S5gY8oQOq7viPuzbwL3tSi25hH/s320/IMG_0845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For now my days are filled with giggles and fun. Not unlike my days with my dearest. We laughed all the time, and my girls make me laugh hard each and every day. They are learning by leaps and bounds. Their vocabularies grow by the hour.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmYPtA7K5dVmBohYHH5ippJr3nVICZFA2PSAF9YjHK3QPjZRiqkp1W-rJvOaZbm_xz-pE_2eBIn1fSOcDXzZ9y67Sx8vNICW4zCYBM2LTUcbqav_JRoTqKi27N36SMZLecUUu8DGeKSrf/s5184/IMG_0846.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmYPtA7K5dVmBohYHH5ippJr3nVICZFA2PSAF9YjHK3QPjZRiqkp1W-rJvOaZbm_xz-pE_2eBIn1fSOcDXzZ9y67Sx8vNICW4zCYBM2LTUcbqav_JRoTqKi27N36SMZLecUUu8DGeKSrf/s320/IMG_0846.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div>I had to abandon my daily walk because of our constant snow cover, and the strength it takes to push almost 60 pounds of stroller with the girls on board is more than this old girl could handle. I feel my creaky bones yell OILCAN! If it were only that easy!</div><div><br /></div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJpuQ0ZKA-EXnZoc2Jwr1ePd3prh_yaqUXxt6IVIJ4WuHYX37oZAC6YB9Bu_iBLfVxbIt7lkuWyvSxafC0-fdpCSqw38p4pNVqnIV1PgFE-MHLCDcUvSQdH3Fty51bBnJjLTIH04xRKpp/s4032/IMG_3705.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJpuQ0ZKA-EXnZoc2Jwr1ePd3prh_yaqUXxt6IVIJ4WuHYX37oZAC6YB9Bu_iBLfVxbIt7lkuWyvSxafC0-fdpCSqw38p4pNVqnIV1PgFE-MHLCDcUvSQdH3Fty51bBnJjLTIH04xRKpp/w320-h240/IMG_3705.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I make dates with myself to have some time to think and remember. Now that spring is at our doorstep and I have had my first shot of the vaccine the world will start to open up again. I miss my extended family and my friends. I miss thrifting. Silly, because I don't want for anything. It's just some thing I really enjoy doing. There is so much I want to share with the girls. They will be two in a week! Missing my time to write but loving my job as Ma, watching Mo and Dan Dan and dancing to our songs. Life is good. I am good, life goes on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for stopping by, keep safe and find happiness </div><div>whenever you are able. Thank you for your kindness.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy this beautiful day.</div><div>Love, Penny</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2V8vMLEDTpLsARrrilqkRmjuPkTlE6bCNj5KX6MDp6IwkMOEJiHL-a4X5_j7NJMkEBRi65styddFgniijNIiNBoRzZEIkjBxtRf3i0S0jXWQC_Ophcy2O6YVY6zGzob7-EiYGo57_l1P/s2048/IMG_0693.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2V8vMLEDTpLsARrrilqkRmjuPkTlE6bCNj5KX6MDp6IwkMOEJiHL-a4X5_j7NJMkEBRi65styddFgniijNIiNBoRzZEIkjBxtRf3i0S0jXWQC_Ophcy2O6YVY6zGzob7-EiYGo57_l1P/s320/IMG_0693.PNG" /></a></div><br /></div>At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-76109581744096615542021-01-18T13:40:00.001-06:002021-01-18T13:40:40.956-06:00How in the World Did We Get Here?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05CQSrhD4TWKk3qT2kbnPoEzTq4johud_M37Hy8happzm3Hw5tcHoe3_oEjHl8bAI1NQVI8CZx__r23S-0cu3wyXaVumjIv6CNFPfvwGy39rw-cjvk1kRNbEWRVvu7RvIyIsAt68dmQJA/s320/IMG_0796.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05CQSrhD4TWKk3qT2kbnPoEzTq4johud_M37Hy8happzm3Hw5tcHoe3_oEjHl8bAI1NQVI8CZx__r23S-0cu3wyXaVumjIv6CNFPfvwGy39rw-cjvk1kRNbEWRVvu7RvIyIsAt68dmQJA/s0/IMG_0796.jpg" /></a></div>Just checking in. This is where I sit and watch the news when I am not watching Elmo or Daniel Tiger. My days are filled with my girls, my family and a weekly shopping trip to the grocery. Since March of last year, things have not changed much here, but the world, well. just for historical sake, a raging pandemic, an assault on our nations capital, a inauguration in our nations capital that looks like a war zone. Without the comfort of two strong arms around me, I am left to face this all, and it's been hard. Still my spirit has not been broken. I have hope that our future will be better. There is a new administration, one that cares. The vaccine, though mismanaged, is still a wonderful thing. I would like to think being the ripe old age I am that it will be available to me soon. We as a family have followed the rules. I was alone for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve we all wore masks and opened the windows to be together. Seven adults and three children. We had a great time together, and missed the whole family that always gathers here each Christmas Eve..<div><br /></div><div>I hope that all of you have been weathering the storms around us. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">"A
good friend of mine said, "You are married to sorrow." And I looked at him and
said, "I am not married to sorrow. I just choose not to look away."</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">And
I think there is deep beauty in not averting our gaze.</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">No
matter how hard it is, no matter how heartbreaking it can be. It is about
presence. It is about bearing witness.</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I
used to think bearing witness was a passive act. I don't believe that anymore. I
think that when we are present, when we bear witness, when we do not divert our
gaze, something is revealed—the very marrow of life. We change. A transformation
occurs. Our consciousness shifts.</div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">
—Terry Tempest Williams </span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We will all be forever changed by the events of the last year. Hopefully for the better, more resilient more compassionate and more appreciative of life.</span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Thank you for stopping by and for your patience and kindness to me.</span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Love, Penny</span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></div>At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-40005685747632540382020-12-07T14:20:00.000-06:002020-12-07T14:20:12.286-06:00Back on the horse that threw me...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDklwQ8DlGhIu88qSgRjuINHgIFqV3UQvSjw4wRA0GdE0sc39j-NTMSKL35By8P5IJK9ytvj9yuAYcpKQJ15FTg4SDEI1ce1Y3F3a9jMG67KFQRBGanIjm5bq_u8w14L0slA5Y60Ar8Tp9/s5184/IMG_0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDklwQ8DlGhIu88qSgRjuINHgIFqV3UQvSjw4wRA0GdE0sc39j-NTMSKL35By8P5IJK9ytvj9yuAYcpKQJ15FTg4SDEI1ce1Y3F3a9jMG67KFQRBGanIjm5bq_u8w14L0slA5Y60Ar8Tp9/s320/IMG_0807.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh I do love blogging and the almost eleven year history I have here At Home in English Valley. Time alone is so scarce, and my office was in such a shambles that I never wanted to share the little extra time I have in here. With the Corona virus out of control and my world, that has been small since losing my dearest, has become even smaller. My life is a happy but lonely one without Tyke. Not for want of company. I have two beautiful, happy and wonderful constant companions in my sweet toddlers Stevie and Irene. We are not visiting as we had been doing with our bubble of daughter Kris, Doug and Penny or Mikey and Amanda. We are all in the same boat, so no use complaining. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> I just miss everyone. </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/AVvXsEiCMpKm_8Yje-GHL5kf66iGJYrUyrz72XzcKGvqTgNZJYNI0CQCW7GqZR4FkPwW3r7-KngB23UdKFzmXiityo6R2MQx6fEdHo_M2OfcdghVuoI0KWJlhYNJDIaGGObu5hQIhWTpLlzQfe4M/s5184/IMG_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMpKm_8Yje-GHL5kf66iGJYrUyrz72XzcKGvqTgNZJYNI0CQCW7GqZR4FkPwW3r7-KngB23UdKFzmXiityo6R2MQx6fEdHo_M2OfcdghVuoI0KWJlhYNJDIaGGObu5hQIhWTpLlzQfe4M/s320/IMG_0808.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I made it a point this weekend to make sense of the mess I call my bedroom and office. We are bursting at the seems in this house. Every nook and cranny is filled. It was just a matter of a little sorting, purging and organizing that got me to the point that I am in my office, with a clean table!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPARAVZwr8cJtBs9nhmSefjH9qu6A7T2xD9lNK0-ubsctwyrfVn0tjrBkYZcFciYYVFDZleVbhAsEocUdZuPPOY73k9owg54WUd_2AtkFKG0CmcyDiDJUxRaJ8189pkRwUehOoxHP_cy_J/s5184/IMG_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPARAVZwr8cJtBs9nhmSefjH9qu6A7T2xD9lNK0-ubsctwyrfVn0tjrBkYZcFciYYVFDZleVbhAsEocUdZuPPOY73k9owg54WUd_2AtkFKG0CmcyDiDJUxRaJ8189pkRwUehOoxHP_cy_J/s320/IMG_0813.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I started decorating on Thanksgiving while I was home alone. Jon worked, Charlotte was visiting her Mom with the girls. I didn't even have to start dinner until 2:30 when I put our turkey breast in the oven. Very unthanksgiving like. I made care packages for Kris and Mikey. Homemade pierogi and bread, sweets and even oranges with cloves for making pomanders, a holiday tradition that goes back to when I was a kid</div><div style="text-align: center;">.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I purchased a Christmas tree through a website, since I could not imagine shopping for a tree in person. It's the nicest tree we have ever had. It's from Balsam Hill and it was on sale, but still a splurge. It looked great just out of the box, three pieces fit together like butter. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> I plugged it in and was done.</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/AVvXsEisPOfzFLv3HvuXRTbYrCYgD26x7ALMmfB3RvANtzeNeEztMzpHkDuXYIorsiNfCmevdSjFf03mb0H0az8SmePwFvGgfj94aLM0kA0omint3uJRCdR6CzHH0JG4ohyaFejPbNg-AHFA6UtD/s5184/IMG_0814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPOfzFLv3HvuXRTbYrCYgD26x7ALMmfB3RvANtzeNeEztMzpHkDuXYIorsiNfCmevdSjFf03mb0H0az8SmePwFvGgfj94aLM0kA0omint3uJRCdR6CzHH0JG4ohyaFejPbNg-AHFA6UtD/s320/IMG_0814.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I searched for a few pieces from my Christmas stash, put up the old tree in the family room </div><div style="text-align: center;">and called it Christmas.</div></div><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/AVvXsEgnkGmHETBlBEOLgjVvju8UZszjQa3Pyd4QZmD6HeRqf5Zj_0M2b5sH3OZ0hN20ZJKKtzzMNpQ87J77HnS1b2SUSwiy0Kdg8MCrBbf4J4lTohO4eFu0MsnrB1s8Ejz16zYjdS76DgoC6bbw/s5184/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkGmHETBlBEOLgjVvju8UZszjQa3Pyd4QZmD6HeRqf5Zj_0M2b5sH3OZ0hN20ZJKKtzzMNpQ87J77HnS1b2SUSwiy0Kdg8MCrBbf4J4lTohO4eFu0MsnrB1s8Ejz16zYjdS76DgoC6bbw/s320/IMG_0815.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's surprising how little I need to change for the seasons and how much things stay the same. </div></div><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/AVvXsEi5d9FpVczUsT_OtqRYp_rniUqiCJuXE17VXb5K6bBtx968yB1WI_w_baAbWSMLCYKbJlhQ7ZNCHNL8xAaHFH6tptHV9EGuhTRypw_3rEA_PivL79QkDWy8j0qKgwf87UUfHF1lOHyNxujn/s5184/IMG_0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5d9FpVczUsT_OtqRYp_rniUqiCJuXE17VXb5K6bBtx968yB1WI_w_baAbWSMLCYKbJlhQ7ZNCHNL8xAaHFH6tptHV9EGuhTRypw_3rEA_PivL79QkDWy8j0qKgwf87UUfHF1lOHyNxujn/s320/IMG_0816.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Penny and I bought these sheep in the spring. </div></div><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/AVvXsEgSE3Y5lku6cprVt2IKP0CPW9vKa-6M_5T_cvw9HgraQ4UhjVyOokrMrZT9JREP1ZinJ5eIBPf7FkIMQdCiliO5bFGcfJh-YnvrRfcrTGwY4SDksW75Epk-RECdn3LDhyphenhyphenqRyCPiZLNqcMcQ/s5184/IMG_0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSE3Y5lku6cprVt2IKP0CPW9vKa-6M_5T_cvw9HgraQ4UhjVyOokrMrZT9JREP1ZinJ5eIBPf7FkIMQdCiliO5bFGcfJh-YnvrRfcrTGwY4SDksW75Epk-RECdn3LDhyphenhyphenqRyCPiZLNqcMcQ/s320/IMG_0817.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a thrifted plate. That is one vise I miss. Going to the local thrift. </div></div><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/AVvXsEjLQzn7MfkOwgI1sNnuudmP56uTL1ANkO3Jwqlqh8LFPxC5HOBJITJzoqxaL3D2j-hhIxqNywAoerfzdhiLxFafavkguoA4hbGtZi_t6g_hfJPerO4kR2OR4Zl-5Ht3M_EoxpI77wYzK6vR/s5184/IMG_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3888" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQzn7MfkOwgI1sNnuudmP56uTL1ANkO3Jwqlqh8LFPxC5HOBJITJzoqxaL3D2j-hhIxqNywAoerfzdhiLxFafavkguoA4hbGtZi_t6g_hfJPerO4kR2OR4Zl-5Ht3M_EoxpI77wYzK6vR/s320/IMG_0818.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This little display came out of a sack o trees and the little sign.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so rusty here, so much to say, really difficult to express all I feel during nap time. I am so very grateful to these little ones. They are so excited to see me. This morning I got so many hugs. Stevie wants to hold my hand and walk with me. Irene loves snuggles. They love to laugh and sing. I read the same book over and over. We build with blocks, in good weather they love to get out. They are past being happy in the stroller, but are too fast for me to leave the yard without reinforcements.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My family is doing well, working remotely except for Amanda and Jon. Penny is doing very well in school, though not happy about remote learning. Looking forward to seeing the girls reaction to Christmas morning. Not sure if we will be together with the rest of the family,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but our Facetime calls are pretty funny. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> You can count on our guys for the jokes </div><div style="text-align: center;">and the girls for the entertainment.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> This year will be different. Nothing is promised to us, </div><div style="text-align: center;">so I will enjoy today and every beautiful day</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I get with my wonderful family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Take Care, Stay Safe, Be Well.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sending love and hope and peace to you all.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy this beautiful Day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love, Penny </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="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;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-11135890168185309072020-10-22T18:13:00.000-05:002020-10-22T18:13:51.245-05:00Dedicated to the One I Love<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkgBUvA4mUD5RrOaId7hq3W1QEwnRvNVo0xSkW7Eykpb_hawp3rUrBxNueoZp00xJ3XlZXN9D7tp0NkBcaNioqx27NpNbi1W7AWKlDjFPb6sRqNJITKtgUS3kEvCWcJIAFDH_p7NRKSrR/s4032/IMG_3297.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkgBUvA4mUD5RrOaId7hq3W1QEwnRvNVo0xSkW7Eykpb_hawp3rUrBxNueoZp00xJ3XlZXN9D7tp0NkBcaNioqx27NpNbi1W7AWKlDjFPb6sRqNJITKtgUS3kEvCWcJIAFDH_p7NRKSrR/s320/IMG_3297.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>Sorry I have been so busy with Grandmothering that I have had little time to write. </div><div> I wrote this draft weeks ago but never hit publish since </div><div>I was so sad and had such mixed feelings about Tyke's Bench.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> On October 3rd under the light of the Harvest Moon,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> we dedicated this bench at the </div><div style="text-align: center;">Hamilton Reservoir, in Palatine. Illinois </div><div style="text-align: center;">in loving memory of Tyke.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEiGfTFLKFBeGeO5vuYwvVVfE-kctpE5-9nSZj9_V3HInOPQhGBYiZkeFuNGAVN9xkJ34_Iu0OBUBh6vJEQFi0wsYyk5NBw9fIkjaWEaeBHEEnKTWUfo3WVs-NvwB35wyksQ__y_7AN1mYEn/s4032/IMG_2789.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfTFLKFBeGeO5vuYwvVVfE-kctpE5-9nSZj9_V3HInOPQhGBYiZkeFuNGAVN9xkJ34_Iu0OBUBh6vJEQFi0wsYyk5NBw9fIkjaWEaeBHEEnKTWUfo3WVs-NvwB35wyksQ__y_7AN1mYEn/s320/IMG_2789.HEIC" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Penny cut the ribbon, as Kristen, Doug, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jon, Charlotte, Stevie. Irene, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mike, Amanda and I looked on.</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/AVvXsEjBNbERj8t3L8wZQWFWXpBSaFXVEtgXNrjc_AiEDQICDrGFwwqy0KeRpMnlVusfhnvp6gI36Q5dhpKqgSqk4uXfBmiS97Kq11MCUfvA1lc5TehlG2GBF6coHoWafnxQjk8DiQtjRRuvwkt3/s320/IMG_2499.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNbERj8t3L8wZQWFWXpBSaFXVEtgXNrjc_AiEDQICDrGFwwqy0KeRpMnlVusfhnvp6gI36Q5dhpKqgSqk4uXfBmiS97Kq11MCUfvA1lc5TehlG2GBF6coHoWafnxQjk8DiQtjRRuvwkt3/s0/IMG_2499.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We waited so long for the bench and plaque to be installed. I started the process just a couple of months after losing my dearest. Weather, delays, and finally Covid kept it from being installed. I visited the Reservoir often, but no bench. Then I sent a email to our Park District to see if we had any hopes of having it installed this year, and they replied that it had been installed just the day before!</div></div><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/AVvXsEi3YmvDGBM6PiXlMh10qhUVm1j64s_Ub5VSvEhVyW3Ptchl_yu_METJV0nMhpQwgxrTxhzIrFCTxhGYGYP1juixuPDgwoHIbrMIM9udx4xbWuUm73mghBE16UiFQBC-R2Xlh4Z-Ll11Zgh8/s320/IMG_2517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YmvDGBM6PiXlMh10qhUVm1j64s_Ub5VSvEhVyW3Ptchl_yu_METJV0nMhpQwgxrTxhzIrFCTxhGYGYP1juixuPDgwoHIbrMIM9udx4xbWuUm73mghBE16UiFQBC-R2Xlh4Z-Ll11Zgh8/s0/IMG_2517.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had the girls with me as I read the email. I got them in the stroller and we walked over to see it.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">There were people already sitting on❤❤ the bench. I tearfully waited nearby, then asked if they would mind if I could sit down and explained why. They were kind and left us to Tyke's Bench. I can't even explain the mix of emotions. Grief first of all. The reason we had the bench was because I didn't have Tyke. I was pleased with the location of the bench, and the bench itself. Blue was the color of Tyke's truck, and I loved Tyke in the color blue. I teased that it brought out the blue in his eyes. His eyes were brown and soulful.</div><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/AVvXsEhNHwdkOC-8ipSEdabUUAgSmbiIJd4ICI9Xy4cqt7nt_wJlw8jRns0Lw6BVPrlRhb2CV6onuBCnD3esFUNKvzmZnn34jzYjGEKxTEIcFRyz4s9Ep3vddhoKhlJ1z23BMWEONNUNrY4iMFr6/s320/IMG_2518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHwdkOC-8ipSEdabUUAgSmbiIJd4ICI9Xy4cqt7nt_wJlw8jRns0Lw6BVPrlRhb2CV6onuBCnD3esFUNKvzmZnn34jzYjGEKxTEIcFRyz4s9Ep3vddhoKhlJ1z23BMWEONNUNrY4iMFr6/s0/IMG_2518.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This pic was on our next visit. </div></div><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/AVvXsEjkZW0zRo6Ab6OZpu5OKax8F-eIiZtbvgMvUusIY6HTyLEP6Sc7SdMG6gI8AbVwLBqLvV9934wg_sVO31_cJL8zl2ypyp-py4FNiBUSbThiBDEeigCOZ7ByCf5YuuWiP9q3nJ-eJkmKSCxv/s320/IMG_2538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZW0zRo6Ab6OZpu5OKax8F-eIiZtbvgMvUusIY6HTyLEP6Sc7SdMG6gI8AbVwLBqLvV9934wg_sVO31_cJL8zl2ypyp-py4FNiBUSbThiBDEeigCOZ7ByCf5YuuWiP9q3nJ-eJkmKSCxv/s0/IMG_2538.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is Penny on her first visit.</div></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/AVvXsEgAEZbR0_5i2VfT3NnuKZc9lyblxK2kJCeJ_k8YEhhiIIY266nNMEBd3Ib48YtmrWDWPGbqKEw8IRX0M1yzzE6xi_Mp5utvMlIrMdqmBp6OiC4yIl4v5UZOCo-OMriZhgN7rJTb958siU6G/s320/IMG_2831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEZbR0_5i2VfT3NnuKZc9lyblxK2kJCeJ_k8YEhhiIIY266nNMEBd3Ib48YtmrWDWPGbqKEw8IRX0M1yzzE6xi_Mp5utvMlIrMdqmBp6OiC4yIl4v5UZOCo-OMriZhgN7rJTb958siU6G/s0/IMG_2831.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our Program. Penny rang Grandpa's serenity bell. Charlotte read All is Well, a beautiful story about loss and life. We listened to Andrea Bocelli and his son Mateo sing Fall on Me. Amanda read the words I included here. Penny cut the ribbon on the bench and we listened and laughed to Shine on Harvest Moon sung by Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Tyke would sing this song and howl at the Harvest Moon and make dogs in the neighborhood howl and bark along.</div></div><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/AVvXsEgSw-DgW4yL_EXXybTdDRVfLgYYRRwgsXmW9FxYZV2HetP90wazFULnTC2I9Yd-5eDeu2NasjMaCl_X2vuLc_6kAHWDz61Al_r8Dc8Lav8A-SxoUjJpzMMMSFfuBcwKkGBh7qQ0mihIhjRy/s320/IMG_2832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSw-DgW4yL_EXXybTdDRVfLgYYRRwgsXmW9FxYZV2HetP90wazFULnTC2I9Yd-5eDeu2NasjMaCl_X2vuLc_6kAHWDz61Al_r8Dc8Lav8A-SxoUjJpzMMMSFfuBcwKkGBh7qQ0mihIhjRy/s0/IMG_2832.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cried and laughed and the babies squirmed until we set them free to run in the field. </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/AVvXsEhPgWPI8qhRnjaG6E-GdpTvXWOurAzHVEsGkCB-p-Xa66bBLkDr_3nFQbqAJgevHWKXAYQMcn33SQHne1svQVW2pEokGxzgWHKCINBoM6jZCjH7pMThglZXfnvkFtcPtimVE2foKY3Mpf7c/s5184/IMG_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgWPI8qhRnjaG6E-GdpTvXWOurAzHVEsGkCB-p-Xa66bBLkDr_3nFQbqAJgevHWKXAYQMcn33SQHne1svQVW2pEokGxzgWHKCINBoM6jZCjH7pMThglZXfnvkFtcPtimVE2foKY3Mpf7c/s320/IMG_0794.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjN-l3SUHm-lGxGntRX8sX7r6Ed_7oZ7vl45hjKJvXhowBdHWGIpfthazfQhJYs8X17434NYR_vq_n9HkW_q1A3dsk-jsOC4uc4et9XvMRwJn0uCsxkpOjCYezD7mL91nE2hcqKoJOIZfff/s320/IMG_9675.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-l3SUHm-lGxGntRX8sX7r6Ed_7oZ7vl45hjKJvXhowBdHWGIpfthazfQhJYs8X17434NYR_vq_n9HkW_q1A3dsk-jsOC4uc4et9XvMRwJn0uCsxkpOjCYezD7mL91nE2hcqKoJOIZfff/s0/IMG_9675.PNG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Shine on Tyke. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"We talk about them. not because we're stuck or</div><div style="text-align: center;"> because we haven't moved on, but we talk about them</div><div style="text-align: center;"> because we are theirs,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and they are ours,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and no passage of time</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">will ever change that."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Author Unknown</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are gratefully all well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The girls are growing, talking, singing and are my constant companions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Penny is doing well in remote learning and my gang is my saving grace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everyone is working, Charlotte is doing well in her studies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The house is rarely quiet, never empty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Sister In Law Elizabeth is comforted by her family and we were able to </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">have a fire with s'mores and apple cake and cider when her girls were in town.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Things are very different. Tyke and Greg were a big important part of our families, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and they are deeply missed by us all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Life seems to be in a holding pattern, but in fact, goes on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have each other and the best possible memories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love lives on in our hearts forever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you if anyone is reading.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I want to write, just hard to do right now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you are all well and hope you can find something beautiful in today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love, Penny</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-3349767801095596352020-09-09T12:35:00.000-05:002020-09-09T12:35:51.607-05:00My Brother Greg<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzx-nDliUHjJcrqJHGvELADYt-OOCmXtmSDFnCkeAPfczyPSb_c8_sVKjkXRwcAf3mdwlQTAxbzifoGs1TUnmbjCgLSOcwQqz-aBc6kuiLLoPxzRWNVu9NTCGSMnDvykohzMb6mwl_YyL/s320/IMG_6216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzx-nDliUHjJcrqJHGvELADYt-OOCmXtmSDFnCkeAPfczyPSb_c8_sVKjkXRwcAf3mdwlQTAxbzifoGs1TUnmbjCgLSOcwQqz-aBc6kuiLLoPxzRWNVu9NTCGSMnDvykohzMb6mwl_YyL/s0/IMG_6216.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I lost my Brother Greg last week. I spoke to him on Sunday and on Tuesday he was gone. Greg is the brother who always remembered our parents birthday and anniversary. He'd call in the last year just to see how I was doing. Greg had the best stories, running jokes with his beautiful granddaughters and my kids. As if the world didn't seem empty enough without Tyke, now there is another void in out family that will never be filled.<div><br /></div><div>I loved Greg and so did Tyke. They would start watching a football, baseball game or movie and pretty soon they would both be sleeping. They loved a nap, followed by a good meal, then maybe another snooze. Nothing made me happier than all the sofas, chairs and floor to be filled with sleeping guys, and a very occasional sleeping lady. On a holiday or fall Sunday, the peanut jar was filled and they were happy campers. A baby was another excuse to nap, as long as they were holding a baby... My dear SIL Elizabeth, Greg's wife and their wonderful kids and grand kids are suffering a great loss. The pandemic makes it terribly hard on them and all of us who would like to be there to comfort, cry and grieve together. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have my little sweethearts taking care of me, or is it the other way around? This loss has brought back so many feelings, memories and thoughts. When the girls see me sad they put their little heads on my lap. It is the best comfort for me. Greg lived a good life, was generous and worked extremely hard, He made friends where ever he went. He had just retired and had plans to travel. We will miss him so. He leaves behind a legacy of love and so many happy and funny memories. Greg always said I was his favorite sister. I always reminded him I was his ONLY sister ! 💔</div><div><br /></div><div>Take care everyone.</div><div>Love, Penny </div>At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-2295496377356706692020-08-31T12:34:00.002-05:002020-08-31T12:34:44.822-05:00Summertime Slipping On Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsMMYU3JcLB4-m_h4PdBKxWtUUyeE9G-9G14U7GJ-ijdHnhsk0kwWZKauoyr1-bCxMAGkTcPlhwUVK-OzsHWm5t5n3fLwVYZdMHW3FoU0cMic_3HqmiFKQuI08VwmQ9d2S-j1fwn5W_xd/s320/IMG_2593.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsMMYU3JcLB4-m_h4PdBKxWtUUyeE9G-9G14U7GJ-ijdHnhsk0kwWZKauoyr1-bCxMAGkTcPlhwUVK-OzsHWm5t5n3fLwVYZdMHW3FoU0cMic_3HqmiFKQuI08VwmQ9d2S-j1fwn5W_xd/s0/IMG_2593.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The soundtrack is James Taylor, October Road. The song September Grass. Do your musical tastes change with the season? This album sounds like Autumn. Brings to mind many a car ride rolling down the windows when we saw the smoke from a pile of burning leaves. The evenings are cooler.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5b-jmG7HV-qFBLBscWlSgkZ1CTs-GvarCEgfdN00zdj4CDyEei8FD_MrxFga6eQoiNqQEX_HXOKvGBY_9HTK23NbjLSZSCZCbkpl9uSECulOD_oz157N3Ma-1GNFuqynovkF79b9IlQJ/s320/IMG_2594.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5b-jmG7HV-qFBLBscWlSgkZ1CTs-GvarCEgfdN00zdj4CDyEei8FD_MrxFga6eQoiNqQEX_HXOKvGBY_9HTK23NbjLSZSCZCbkpl9uSECulOD_oz157N3Ma-1GNFuqynovkF79b9IlQJ/s0/IMG_2594.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I went in search of a new scraping paddle for my Kitchen Aid mixer. I went first thing hoping to avoid too many shoppers. Williams Sonoma was open one hour before the rest of the stores in the Fancy Pants Mall. They were very helpful and ordered me a new part. With my errand done, I though I should check out the windows at Pottery Barn. Not too much inspiration. White dishes on a pine table. Not much decoration. I passed Anthropology and took a couple of photos of their windows</div><div style="text-align: center;">Leaves! Paper leaves, from colored paper and map pages, gilded with gold markers. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy238P-znQotjmGqjZqDQQZ_OPfpkgl8Ti2sEYynxLqHkwnoIYPUmqXQd4xwt3A8SLgEwBvx5vXbDuio3AjyJapVVfV9nJ00rtmuBR7qoy5jB7kp8NYuIm-Bx8yyS_6Ql_n7sLm9I5i_oB/s320/IMG_2595.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy238P-znQotjmGqjZqDQQZ_OPfpkgl8Ti2sEYynxLqHkwnoIYPUmqXQd4xwt3A8SLgEwBvx5vXbDuio3AjyJapVVfV9nJ00rtmuBR7qoy5jB7kp8NYuIm-Bx8yyS_6Ql_n7sLm9I5i_oB/s0/IMG_2595.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sky was dramatic, but we have had so little rain. Some trees in the neighborhood are dropping leaves, I think from the stress of a dry summer. The granddaughters got together for some sprinkler fun, so there might me one little green patch out back on our lawn..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIvvhRLvEZcdStFWg8AdVYKg-oGC9xDeqc80ySOzDS6Kw9u_ELndI7TT5Fe2LkrogI3j9LotNz-d5EJykpZyf2p7mmfplllh1QqoYLWZVsUq_UP4UlFcR9SWJlad7pOE_rAL9yzVZRc-K/s320/IMG_2590.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIvvhRLvEZcdStFWg8AdVYKg-oGC9xDeqc80ySOzDS6Kw9u_ELndI7TT5Fe2LkrogI3j9LotNz-d5EJykpZyf2p7mmfplllh1QqoYLWZVsUq_UP4UlFcR9SWJlad7pOE_rAL9yzVZRc-K/s0/IMG_2590.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Charlotte's friend has a farnstand and brought me home a zucchini. The little ones were the biggest fans of the spicy zucchini bread. It was delicious and added to the fallish vibe. My secret ingredients, a bit of nutmeg and orange zest. So flavorful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sent most home with Kris and some for Elizabeth and family. Sure is different without my main taste tester and biggest fan of my baking, Tyke. He would hold baked goods up to his nose and breathe in. He loved when I baked. So easy to please that man. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope all is well with you and your families. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy these fleeting summer days, fall is upon us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"And all at once, summer collapsed into fall..."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Oscar Wilde</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks so much for stopping by.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy this beautiful day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love, Penny</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-19494018455603775112020-08-24T12:37:00.000-05:002020-08-24T12:37:14.574-05:00What you see...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiblCXnDp5sF-YQw-XppdnSMV7iHr0tEA_L3LHKyen6rS3xGC5NmQDnNinHle3DlJGOWTc5ypmImr71dpi4vMzQv5wdOIYiYffu8Bypbgc3ZGDl6nhI72cdM2tkOoy2rNIUwODVz0fYnd/s320/IMG_2517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiblCXnDp5sF-YQw-XppdnSMV7iHr0tEA_L3LHKyen6rS3xGC5NmQDnNinHle3DlJGOWTc5ypmImr71dpi4vMzQv5wdOIYiYffu8Bypbgc3ZGDl6nhI72cdM2tkOoy2rNIUwODVz0fYnd/s0/IMG_2517.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I mentioned that a bench was installed at a local park, in memory of my dearest. I briefly told you about my first emotional visit. I went back one morning with the twins. It was cool and shady as we walked around the path. I took the girls out of their stroller and set them on the bench. As people passed and stopped to see the babies, I mentioned that this was their Grandpa's bench. I visited again, this time with Penny this weekend. She was surprised that a phrase she suggested was included on the plaque. We are planning a small dedication service, just for our immediate family in several weeks.. Then I will share some photos of the bench and the plaque. <div> </div><div>"It's the beauty within us that makes it possible for us to recognize the beauty around us. The question is not what you look at but what you see." </div><div>-Henry David Thoreau</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6fn8yxP1Uwmk-foXqrHRqGRq_TUUMl-xtJ6jZhFrMHoygvfy3XSjLFAgKxnWlop_RMNAb5UTfjUAnszxjNMi2v5sxYkjy-m8VCiIlD9M3zQFdzhiPSeQBux8-fqBkVnzQtzYIYEnV-ee/s320/IMG_2543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6fn8yxP1Uwmk-foXqrHRqGRq_TUUMl-xtJ6jZhFrMHoygvfy3XSjLFAgKxnWlop_RMNAb5UTfjUAnszxjNMi2v5sxYkjy-m8VCiIlD9M3zQFdzhiPSeQBux8-fqBkVnzQtzYIYEnV-ee/s0/IMG_2543.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>What I saw through my window Sunday afternoon was a short lived but much appreciated storm. We had just come home from a ride to the Lake. The bridge that has kept me from the Lake is still out, Jon followed the detour and got us to our favorite spot. We could not find a parking space, anyway, we saw her (Lake Michigan) and she was beautiful. The babies were at Grandma Roseann's with Mommy for the weekend. Jon stayed home to finish up a few things, but was totally lost without his girls. Penny came for a visit and she accompanied me on a few errands. The house was QUIET., until the storm.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G6g2pDSWHv5U0zyf9Qsmg9GUG_UO36ddmf1C_IGIAJ54N4TKhrG5L-fdl6TZA_N-EQZ31vlMw_XXvyI8o4WuENG7sHfpWo-Nwa_BKY-KuCCwqZ1eNSOa218JacJP9DLaU5hw1azVPHIH/s320/IMG_2544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G6g2pDSWHv5U0zyf9Qsmg9GUG_UO36ddmf1C_IGIAJ54N4TKhrG5L-fdl6TZA_N-EQZ31vlMw_XXvyI8o4WuENG7sHfpWo-Nwa_BKY-KuCCwqZ1eNSOa218JacJP9DLaU5hw1azVPHIH/s0/IMG_2544.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div> I ran to the back to see if there was a rainbow after the storm passed.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BzMzxi0_bArYexvQn3_6YYW4X09JRLZRwKNHppbL0GuI3TTEETULZperWZta-DyV_fqqcLnEP1UfAgV7QV_i4OfBWuK20ebIz3dXhOQcXPMUHEGNe9kvIDKfzGq6cJEMHXW99zNFL-kr/s320/IMG_2545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BzMzxi0_bArYexvQn3_6YYW4X09JRLZRwKNHppbL0GuI3TTEETULZperWZta-DyV_fqqcLnEP1UfAgV7QV_i4OfBWuK20ebIz3dXhOQcXPMUHEGNe9kvIDKfzGq6cJEMHXW99zNFL-kr/s0/IMG_2545.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The air smelled all fresh and the trees sighed. It has been a long dry spell for us this summer.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QCFudca8R2Nl5kqcM6jp9E1BKm03CsFtF6DjbIxja6pjrAaFZb-h8Tv_S-5Lh6XtW9AziC7kE5D7GkycnI8rxyopaKe6WDW265r6C-jNFhfWboRv5yVNFZ_0KsjjLWPZqCGILGbTjbSN/s320/IMG_2546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QCFudca8R2Nl5kqcM6jp9E1BKm03CsFtF6DjbIxja6pjrAaFZb-h8Tv_S-5Lh6XtW9AziC7kE5D7GkycnI8rxyopaKe6WDW265r6C-jNFhfWboRv5yVNFZ_0KsjjLWPZqCGILGbTjbSN/s0/IMG_2546.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Love seeing the leaves drenched with rain.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQgxySwe2IMAr9dq_OteLbQNLtRjQ2M5H-vZR93Yg_TFoxvlkvubAAr8hp_0pdVN8gEl5Er5x3S0Y9TxnVi8iila_QTGliIwYpb1CMY8MwOkVF81UObp06FbkuKcd0N_g9zEFbEg0eNBN/s320/IMG_2548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQgxySwe2IMAr9dq_OteLbQNLtRjQ2M5H-vZR93Yg_TFoxvlkvubAAr8hp_0pdVN8gEl5Er5x3S0Y9TxnVi8iila_QTGliIwYpb1CMY8MwOkVF81UObp06FbkuKcd0N_g9zEFbEg0eNBN/s0/IMG_2548.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A break in the clouds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope all is well wherever you are.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoy this beautiful day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love, Penny</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;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-63404974200495841032020-08-18T12:03:00.001-05:002020-08-18T12:03:48.974-05:00This Summer is a Bummer<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruyBmDhEcQ_lSpiTexuRSTmnkWcAdNzJb6eJwv2uOXbpzHavm3zL3ojhjJj4u_CV6CwFP-0nYJzype8-hrkIc96uh1zpzwiwhblqevPBnAEhh-N4HopXpkQOJtmlRFWK8672mGn2zC_49/s320/IMG_2475.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruyBmDhEcQ_lSpiTexuRSTmnkWcAdNzJb6eJwv2uOXbpzHavm3zL3ojhjJj4u_CV6CwFP-0nYJzype8-hrkIc96uh1zpzwiwhblqevPBnAEhh-N4HopXpkQOJtmlRFWK8672mGn2zC_49/s0/IMG_2475.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>No matter the spin you try to put on this summer, I can say without question it has been a bummer.<div>Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for my family and our continued good health and happiness, but the ceremony and sacred of summer this year is all but gone. I miss having the freedom we all had just 5 short months ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still, I try to do some things, like walking with my Penny on a local path. I was really stressed this morning and just had to get outside. Penny found a small piece of bark that was smooth and told me to stroke it, that it would be comforting. My girl is wise.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZalf8mZJ4QyUqc1O-9-iO9MFn_BZc2pAJmc9eLhmEkm6qkKpHJT9Lk3QBgytWtxtDDg3qtGNMHhMNI9W8tvAS1-4wZTILZ8kUm19ahwJwq2BfAjKi5fKZpfruwjSe9VMtuTE2xtlWz6Su/s320/IMG_2478.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZalf8mZJ4QyUqc1O-9-iO9MFn_BZc2pAJmc9eLhmEkm6qkKpHJT9Lk3QBgytWtxtDDg3qtGNMHhMNI9W8tvAS1-4wZTILZ8kUm19ahwJwq2BfAjKi5fKZpfruwjSe9VMtuTE2xtlWz6Su/s0/IMG_2478.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Of course these girls are my saving grace. They make everything fun, and their laughter is music to my ears and balm for my heart. Every kid ends up in this fountain, either getting in on their own or getting lifted in by a willing Uncle. I have to scrub it regularly, because I can't keep the little hands out of it, and because the birds depend on it as a water source. The chance that the girls will lose interest is not good. They are water babies. They do have their own little pool and water table, they prefer the forbidden!</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JdnGctNwoQIZfqJq1FS366hldvyihovma5vcJE4Klq2d6vzJ1sHxq5jAeYwcluCo0X-PRkPMxnGp2VS3BzxVVWfSQDASKwpJRnaIVNE_jC9ERQlDGyVKH_tbKXvdMNYLMVhnUHP1bHr7/s320/IMG_2481.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JdnGctNwoQIZfqJq1FS366hldvyihovma5vcJE4Klq2d6vzJ1sHxq5jAeYwcluCo0X-PRkPMxnGp2VS3BzxVVWfSQDASKwpJRnaIVNE_jC9ERQlDGyVKH_tbKXvdMNYLMVhnUHP1bHr7/s0/IMG_2481.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our days are filled with walks and naps, snacks and Daniel Tiger. Stevie likes to clean, and this stainless steel fridge hasn't been clean since delivery. What's the point? Little fingerprints are cute.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIz6X8e53FcIh0L2pbqB59-iPl-fIRISSt5G_G5QYffW8UaY8VpnbokgEGShRvRqLZkqK3-DUrgN6UnIEaD91A7YTP2IN2XXAOF4Uk1G4hvC7Cc06Rc3kJwV_HHBMRFAt9t7GfztXXVd7/s320/IMG_2486.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIz6X8e53FcIh0L2pbqB59-iPl-fIRISSt5G_G5QYffW8UaY8VpnbokgEGShRvRqLZkqK3-DUrgN6UnIEaD91A7YTP2IN2XXAOF4Uk1G4hvC7Cc06Rc3kJwV_HHBMRFAt9t7GfztXXVd7/s0/IMG_2486.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div> The oaks are filled with acorns, and the sidewalks crunch under my feet. I talk to the girls and tell them about the trees, give them branches to hold. Even the hottest days have cool nights. We need rain badly, especially the trees. We weathered the derecho that swept across the Midwest with just a few leaves and twigs to clean up and nary a raindrop. In Chicago, hundreds of trees were lost.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you know about That Tree? It is a Burr Oak tree that Mark Hirsch photographed everyday for a year using his iPhone. Sadly, the tree was blown down in the derecho as it passed through southern Wisconsin. Tyke and I had hoped that someday we would go and see That Tree in person when we visited Galena. The tree was in a farm field outside of Platteville, Wisconsin. Unfortunately that never happened and now never will for me. I love trees, always have... In fact during our wedding our friend and celebrant of our Mass, Father Tom mentioned how sad I was that the tree right outside the rectory was cut down. Wish I remembered everything he said. I feel so bad for Mark, the photographer and friend of That Tree. Trees are tremendous! </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green
thing which stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity, and
by these I shall not regulate my proportions; and some scarce see nature at all.
But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself."
William Blake. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlArm-liHHs7ievYNyznVMob0kiWSXItyqG-xG5ba6kU-7itbyHzDqy8DRjQuqSqauk9ftwGtMJLkLVLe0Vvh2CC3ZAMajRjBxLAowYHrrAzXDjZm0VgTl1ubaylzinNpOS1QZDTJ0Uwy/s320/IMG_2487.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlArm-liHHs7ievYNyznVMob0kiWSXItyqG-xG5ba6kU-7itbyHzDqy8DRjQuqSqauk9ftwGtMJLkLVLe0Vvh2CC3ZAMajRjBxLAowYHrrAzXDjZm0VgTl1ubaylzinNpOS1QZDTJ0Uwy/s0/IMG_2487.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My favorite weed the Queen Anne's Lace put on a great show this year.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfseeI46GE1nJclGi8tDYyqn0uCv-bzG56c33hNawcRkZfuwVR-FQzIdbt3HyINDgLQQkqO1qNW4xFPXybH0ms6TivPyKOBgrN2y7v4dNSj-i4wh0fVsA2NbusAMCGNqg1mg6atOelMUx4/s320/IMG_2491.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfseeI46GE1nJclGi8tDYyqn0uCv-bzG56c33hNawcRkZfuwVR-FQzIdbt3HyINDgLQQkqO1qNW4xFPXybH0ms6TivPyKOBgrN2y7v4dNSj-i4wh0fVsA2NbusAMCGNqg1mg6atOelMUx4/s0/IMG_2491.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Speaking of weeds, can you believe how big these girls are getting?</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYtzgCs9-6eIbdWdS4adqmOa8QB0Z1775s0nIGzu1wYwCyuYxWC0LRpBF7uNksZLKPECd7OoG4axC1IDTuF1M6GQpxYucRy86fhR4mTASbAFSoB2vZ8PJMrIQE9DwIWyP1n2bbPTr7qs6/s320/IMG_2494.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYtzgCs9-6eIbdWdS4adqmOa8QB0Z1775s0nIGzu1wYwCyuYxWC0LRpBF7uNksZLKPECd7OoG4axC1IDTuF1M6GQpxYucRy86fhR4mTASbAFSoB2vZ8PJMrIQE9DwIWyP1n2bbPTr7qs6/s0/IMG_2494.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My house, is now our house and looks like mayhem most days. These girls are full of life and love, and having son Jon and Charlotte here is a comfort. Charlotte started Law School this week. I know she will do great. Kris and Doug and Penny are here often to help with the girls and visit. Mike and Amanda get together with the siblings for sushi (as Tyke would say, "I don't eat bait.") and eat other strange things and laugh and talk. The fact that they choose to hang out together is sweet. I know that Tyke would be so happy that their relationships have only gotten closer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday when I wrote this I was waiting to hear about the installation of Tyke's memorial bench. Then in the afternoon I received an email saying it had been installed on Friday. I got the girls, just up from a nap in the stroller and walked over. I will talk about our visit and our plans for a dedication ceremony soon. A couple were sitting on the bench when we got there. It was a very emotional afternoon. The path it is on was one of our favorite places to walk together in every season. My grief is still close to the surface, but I know Tyke would have loved being remembered this way. This bench is a special place to remember him for me and the whole family.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_AY4YeexLvYA-7pxC8V4Y3KE4o7SLXOSjMIUaojzRwnt7BJXYXJKojpH2giJ40WnUXW88xfrICYEe9gr6qjThmhkqv81XsT0k6Smda0_g6_dK6C8RFIytYr_gnClpTD1tJ0kfiZx3RV3/s320/IMG_2495.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_AY4YeexLvYA-7pxC8V4Y3KE4o7SLXOSjMIUaojzRwnt7BJXYXJKojpH2giJ40WnUXW88xfrICYEe9gr6qjThmhkqv81XsT0k6Smda0_g6_dK6C8RFIytYr_gnClpTD1tJ0kfiZx3RV3/s0/IMG_2495.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoy this beautiful day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love, Penny</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-26107042769404211122020-08-03T07:25:00.001-05:002020-08-03T07:25:54.813-05:00It was 44 Years Ago...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBhfZaOssCIyjHQgCxhYyDvUIP2jxvGjG6a0foiAx2UioUTdTaMzEqTsRT5R_GSGeH59m8mTR9VBRk9TWOVDvK1yFs4_bZQlcb2XlfkFdyJocrtmKJJN-enRcT-cAd2b_JTfSLl_rPEaQ/s1600/P1010203.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBhfZaOssCIyjHQgCxhYyDvUIP2jxvGjG6a0foiAx2UioUTdTaMzEqTsRT5R_GSGeH59m8mTR9VBRk9TWOVDvK1yFs4_bZQlcb2XlfkFdyJocrtmKJJN-enRcT-cAd2b_JTfSLl_rPEaQ/s320/P1010203.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our wedding invitation.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tyke and I were married on July 31, 1976 in a beautiful church ceremony.</div>
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What we knew, we were madly, truly and deeply in love.</div>
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Everything that came afterwards we learned on the fly.</div>
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We were so very happy and stayed that way till the very last days of Tyke's life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvov2P3oEnpgyd5tdoufMO1yfLr16V6JzhUloaBY8Jr-JStV1JqHlSKJsFlZnuImSsE8KtA3mSRK9GO8xlWfsbkpiIcb_dt4dkG8pVS_JCjzk6s7U_RLYtbDXC9SdIacS5C5jlcehmuutv/s1600/P1030853.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvov2P3oEnpgyd5tdoufMO1yfLr16V6JzhUloaBY8Jr-JStV1JqHlSKJsFlZnuImSsE8KtA3mSRK9GO8xlWfsbkpiIcb_dt4dkG8pVS_JCjzk6s7U_RLYtbDXC9SdIacS5C5jlcehmuutv/s320/P1030853.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Gosh, he was gorgeous. We were smitten!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRAAANeF0VXUQyKQZ7EBfDqJIBWjMrz3hZR35gyCjE2YpKROEObfd9cf0b-OTHYtDEJdBSFkKbwRPNTv9PMycq0qlA8xRe2uoiPwkU8lXzjPssYMV0EKNfXk6Y19wu7xXMRYao8fO4FQ8/s1600/P1060235.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRAAANeF0VXUQyKQZ7EBfDqJIBWjMrz3hZR35gyCjE2YpKROEObfd9cf0b-OTHYtDEJdBSFkKbwRPNTv9PMycq0qlA8xRe2uoiPwkU8lXzjPssYMV0EKNfXk6Y19wu7xXMRYao8fO4FQ8/s320/P1060235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We made everyday beautiful for each other.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I am so grateful, filled with happy memories... </div>
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and longing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I will open our wedding album, read the vows that Tyke wrote for me when we renewed them at our 30 year mark. I will remember it all, misty water colored memories, gratefully.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Thinking of all the happiness and contentment we knew throughout our almost 43 years together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remembering that dearest guy of mine and that girl I was and still am on the inside.</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;"><br /></div>
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Stay safe and be well.</div>
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Enjoy this beautiful day.</div>
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Love, Penny</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-22600904632375544092020-07-20T10:00:00.000-05:002020-07-20T10:00:08.345-05:00Our House is a Home Again<div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.58; margin-bottom: 12px;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nV8Ii4ZHNW-mIExWZaMBEZHmNGTiDpz7olnRItuLSgjbEsuIisVnN9XgwxMqe4cNGgfSA0Z3L_X6-cskLzLa7pO-0Yc-2y8mUc6C-Ox9LuiPlnPrzip9x8Rw2w3SS6jkf4Hhnh1YczfD/s1600/191.TIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="961" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nV8Ii4ZHNW-mIExWZaMBEZHmNGTiDpz7olnRItuLSgjbEsuIisVnN9XgwxMqe4cNGgfSA0Z3L_X6-cskLzLa7pO-0Yc-2y8mUc6C-Ox9LuiPlnPrzip9x8Rw2w3SS6jkf4Hhnh1YczfD/s320/191.TIF" width="320" /></a></div>
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A New Beginning!</div>
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<span jsname="YS01Ge"><br /></span></div>
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I may not see my floor for several years, </div>
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but I will not go to bed without a kiss and a hug either.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzZ4RXJXYUu9L85Goy8Uo1A1vWXmBpsNzjwY2E42ortrY9OTU8u_9VzxmHlWPhSm_qejkOxI3_3LcfAgsvlZmrqia-WbatR3nT6Mj0i3B6JS00ak1lW1oVlhNmHeOOJMEGobqQ3oJfxHN/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzZ4RXJXYUu9L85Goy8Uo1A1vWXmBpsNzjwY2E42ortrY9OTU8u_9VzxmHlWPhSm_qejkOxI3_3LcfAgsvlZmrqia-WbatR3nT6Mj0i3B6JS00ak1lW1oVlhNmHeOOJMEGobqQ3oJfxHN/s320/IMG_0714.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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A chair is still a chair</div>
<span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">
Even when there's no one sitting there</div>
</span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">
But a chair is not a house</div>
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And a house is not a home</div>
</span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">
When there's no one there to hold you tight</div>
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And no one there you can kiss good night</div>
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<i>-Hal David and Burt Bacharach</i></div>
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The family has arrived and it will take some time to get the hang of their schedules. Otherwise, it's smooth sailing. I have two feelings right now, and Daniel Tiger told me this morning it is OK to have both at the same time. Joy and Sorrow. We are so happy to be together, but I am still missing my dearest. What fun he would have, how much he loved to have family with us. Life moves very fast with two babies, but I will still be posting and will continue chronicling my life here. </div>
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Thanks for all of your good thoughts and wishes.</div>
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Enjoy this beautiful day.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
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At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-53056775600201606492020-07-15T10:18:00.000-05:002020-07-15T10:18:19.883-05:00The Reason<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh984S4u2gwtVdxgSNn84CfhlObX6K59M5S_sFrNOBdzpHC5ToyKDXxldJ284nPWld4mwGNEZZ77upcxib7tX652Lhl8RHNYkemTgn1DT5fWEIdB5-EGAYKt75LdeAO3guogL4l_Xsr22Y9/s1600/IMG_0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh984S4u2gwtVdxgSNn84CfhlObX6K59M5S_sFrNOBdzpHC5ToyKDXxldJ284nPWld4mwGNEZZ77upcxib7tX652Lhl8RHNYkemTgn1DT5fWEIdB5-EGAYKt75LdeAO3guogL4l_Xsr22Y9/s320/IMG_0681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Things are going well. Three rooms and closets emptied. The floors are tiled in both bathrooms.</div>
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The plumber is coming to install the fixtures. Penny helped, and is surprisingly good with a crowbar and hammer.</div>
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The milkweed is attracting Monarchs, though I haven't photographed a one. One comes right up to the patio window, inviting me to come out and play. There is little time for chasing butterflies right now...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimE4Qcxyk-utEvPpKc_An_HKNFQv_8JAMEQ600WiHFq-759V7UmRzndjhn6_Si7vXzIdK0QckkLQflhdNi2e004J-N2_nkuMYQax-6P_zKrsYDIr2eRQkRJjOtgpXV3bGRS9tfa-MmbCNm/s1600/IMG_0683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimE4Qcxyk-utEvPpKc_An_HKNFQv_8JAMEQ600WiHFq-759V7UmRzndjhn6_Si7vXzIdK0QckkLQflhdNi2e004J-N2_nkuMYQax-6P_zKrsYDIr2eRQkRJjOtgpXV3bGRS9tfa-MmbCNm/s320/IMG_0683.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The babies are coming! I have been alone for months, and though you can get used to being alone, for me it never felt right. We are combining households while DIL Charlotte goes to Law School. We lived together for about six weeks when Tyke was ill. We helped each other. Tyke rocked babies</div>
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and watched movies with Jon. Under extreme duress, we were there for each other. We comforted each other. I have no reservations about this big change. I am so looking forward to happy morning smiles, Daniel Tiger and breakfast. Songs and games, snuggles and naps all come with the territory. Long walks, books and music. DANCING! Oh how I love my granddaughters. </div>
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They are bringing me back to life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahTjPsKelARO7RTSYmcdMFTtTgbTF6AtE_F7KpDn7VHmVLhumvH8ueA8qnApIQfkJDliLq867yW0vZ1bDk_aqXiAIxL2YLQhJDXXTEbVwTPqZlF07vycPwT-96ymb_S87EbpaHycWDnJo/s1600/IMG_0684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahTjPsKelARO7RTSYmcdMFTtTgbTF6AtE_F7KpDn7VHmVLhumvH8ueA8qnApIQfkJDliLq867yW0vZ1bDk_aqXiAIxL2YLQhJDXXTEbVwTPqZlF07vycPwT-96ymb_S87EbpaHycWDnJo/s320/IMG_0684.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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There is a Mother who is not happy with me. This Mother Cardinal was chastising me. (On the upper right hand corner of this pic) I knew a nest must be near with so many visits to the deck.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTKjVI9yFH3KVHuYhawioATVwnd9yIZOh9PQG__WDWoMfP7hrBWxn1Hf-WMMHcW5S1AJe0MVf4tXy2uK2u7S7rtAjMvgl7eMchkBQaz9sG8dEIbEZZmCqJsHCMAjNavKCIn69w-6d0gbU/s1600/IMG_0686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTKjVI9yFH3KVHuYhawioATVwnd9yIZOh9PQG__WDWoMfP7hrBWxn1Hf-WMMHcW5S1AJe0MVf4tXy2uK2u7S7rtAjMvgl7eMchkBQaz9sG8dEIbEZZmCqJsHCMAjNavKCIn69w-6d0gbU/s320/IMG_0686.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Watering plants and deadheading flowers, she would not stop. TWEET TWEET!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5Sq8f68xg4a7Pc-No_uBugBWVKEjtEN1A5Z4LFP7DeVOi4xCfY9NvhD-ZSJ1rC5-hobUdgff-8-9KFHnWADg2wKLYbAEMaKwtb1sBwtm-ECh9VYJ9dC3rs71S8AUS_7goZSMdyoDNFvd/s1600/IMG_0696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5Sq8f68xg4a7Pc-No_uBugBWVKEjtEN1A5Z4LFP7DeVOi4xCfY9NvhD-ZSJ1rC5-hobUdgff-8-9KFHnWADg2wKLYbAEMaKwtb1sBwtm-ECh9VYJ9dC3rs71S8AUS_7goZSMdyoDNFvd/s320/IMG_0696.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had no idea they are brown at first.</td></tr>
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Oblivious to the fact that the fledgling was right next to me. There he is, baby cardinal.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRN7G_k0IhIdgGl7w6RZRmAMJ5uYmkFKLkn-_UNf7ER8QKj3KdCTjfmpUYhGhnXhWw4Hx0dFvW8A6wdlB0F92QMCuJuDzQXjJqaAHM9pGLKfcvBEWuqZp4tSRuPVnqI915QKGas6fDcc7Z/s1600/IMG_0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRN7G_k0IhIdgGl7w6RZRmAMJ5uYmkFKLkn-_UNf7ER8QKj3KdCTjfmpUYhGhnXhWw4Hx0dFvW8A6wdlB0F92QMCuJuDzQXjJqaAHM9pGLKfcvBEWuqZp4tSRuPVnqI915QKGas6fDcc7Z/s320/IMG_0688.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A refuge in the garden. When I am tired or worried, and who isn't these days?</div>
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Even an angry Cardinal is a pleasant distraction.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3G5WBmUrYwX4tdIcm3mNkXj1Bp7g-wnUuNwLy2Cal2EveqGsUcm4Kh279bg0qU1AwGP33MoivnaO2_GAnyJgIFC_NqgY-MWFTDe0nu5OW6JPsw0uFNB4v58GOQ7WbEao0RF_STxenkT7p/s1600/IMG_0690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3G5WBmUrYwX4tdIcm3mNkXj1Bp7g-wnUuNwLy2Cal2EveqGsUcm4Kh279bg0qU1AwGP33MoivnaO2_GAnyJgIFC_NqgY-MWFTDe0nu5OW6JPsw0uFNB4v58GOQ7WbEao0RF_STxenkT7p/s320/IMG_0690.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Summer is half over, and all the hallmarks of summer have been postponed or cancelled.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAemOyjEjj4etbZb9Bwlp-O5pvi7s2MH1w63M6t1UcDCTsSju6uPO_Fs6DGI12sVqFcy_NOU4PqDg4UkYezF9EtQVpKe1TNhb8HBDhkMt2w1gYl6gcEFLYDYOZdMTPQ2e8gSGrWn4jqAR4/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAemOyjEjj4etbZb9Bwlp-O5pvi7s2MH1w63M6t1UcDCTsSju6uPO_Fs6DGI12sVqFcy_NOU4PqDg4UkYezF9EtQVpKe1TNhb8HBDhkMt2w1gYl6gcEFLYDYOZdMTPQ2e8gSGrWn4jqAR4/s320/IMG_0691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Still, memories of summer's past is a comfort. </div>
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Celebrating every day seems appropriate with the pandemic taking so many lives.</div>
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This girl loves the ceremony of fire. She gets very calm, as we all seem to do, watching a fire burn.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I miss Tyke so much especially in times like this ..</td></tr>
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Dan Rather posted this on his facebook page and it spoke to me...I share it here with love.</div>
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“Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and living
alone won’t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have
to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here
to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that
you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes near, let
yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in
heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself you tasted as many as you
could.”</div>
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~Louise Erdrich </div>
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Take care my friends.</div>
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Enjoy this beautiful day.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-81790941919081046502020-07-06T09:49:00.000-05:002020-07-06T09:49:11.452-05:00Fireworks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfUKAQO48rme2GIIOyS6TiMeaB2VREHIGRJRbtqBzL8Fq7n7LicUDkWSjIW98_mTJBd2nA1MAYrlzdwhP1_I7POoLCm1BEtB5-phGKxBJHBNWjL7yEgCCIYHv1ev7L7Uo9euQFtBHV7Nz/s1600/IMG_0648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfUKAQO48rme2GIIOyS6TiMeaB2VREHIGRJRbtqBzL8Fq7n7LicUDkWSjIW98_mTJBd2nA1MAYrlzdwhP1_I7POoLCm1BEtB5-phGKxBJHBNWjL7yEgCCIYHv1ev7L7Uo9euQFtBHV7Nz/s320/IMG_0648.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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How does the Fourth of July feel? I guess I can't explain but each holiday has it's own smells, sights and feelings. I woke early and hit the grocery store while everyone else in our town seemed to be asleep. I bought sweet corn, a watermelon, some burgers to add to the things I had already purchased in because I was to have visitors.</div>
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I cut up the watermelon and made individual cups to grab and go. </div>
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I made Pasta, Pesto and Peas a Ina Garten recipe that Kristen had mentioned recently. </div>
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Again small containers to grab so not to share a serving spoon. </div>
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Something happened while I was preparing...</div>
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IT FELT LIKE A HOLIDAY!</div>
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Nothing has felt right in so long that it was almost shocking. I got out some flags, and made a centerpiece with a jar of cracker jack boxes and old glory.</div>
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Mike and Amanda were up north, and Charlotte was at home packing. Jon came with his girls, and Kris, Doug and Penny came by. Jon worked the grill with burgers and brats, Penny liked my choice of baked Lays chips and cheetos in little bags. We even enjoyed tiny drumstick cones. </div>
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The girls were dressed in red white and blue, with cousin Penny in a beautiful blue frock. </div>
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We laughed about silly things, and got friends involved by text. The girls danced and played.</div>
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You have never seen more serious dancing by two 16 month old girls. So much twirling, and bouncing! Penny makes them laugh just by showing her face. </div>
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Stevie carried around a photo of Tyke and I from our youth. She loved it, and didn't want to put it down. Grandpa is talked about and remembered. The girls get snuggles from Auntie Kristen in Grandpa's chair. Nothing makes Kris as happy as holding a sleeping baby. I concur. There is peace and pure contentment there.</div>
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We are still working on the house and Jon took a carload of stuff to be donated. I am almost finished emptying my craft room and office. Oi Vey, the stuff I have. My bathroom has a new subfloor and is ready for flooring. Makes my head spin.</div>
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I mentioned fireworks, these were mine. Penny and I went to the deck after dark and watched lighting bugs, so many of them all over our tree and in the grass. Neighbors were putting on their own firework shows, and the full Moon was spectacular. Precious moments with this amazing girl.</div>
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She's got the biggest heart and grownup thoughts. What a way to end a really nice day. </div>
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These little beauties. Lil' Firecrackers! I love the way Stevie is looking at Irene. Stevie is always smiling, but Irene's smiles, those big toothy grins are reserved for Daddy who is taking the photo. So much fun these two, filled with energy, and mischief. Listening to music with them a song caught my heart and I started to cry. Stevie actually wiped my tears, and they both looked at me with so much love. I know they are a part of Tyke and that he is still here with me through all three of our granddaughters. </div>
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"Unable to perceive the shape of you, I find you all around me.</div>
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Your presence fills my eyes with your love, </div>
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it humbles my heart, for you are everywhere."</div>
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<i>Guillermo del Toro</i></div>
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Take care my friends.</div>
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Enjoy this beautiful day.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
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At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-43838906936069787282020-06-29T23:17:00.000-05:002020-06-29T23:17:19.998-05:00Lavender Harvest & Garden Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I dreamed of lavender. </div>
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...And a blue eyed, blond hair princess.</div>
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It happens every June, the Lavender harvest. My little plot on the side of our house. It found a home it loves on the southern exposure. We barely picked half this year. Left much for the bees, and the babies that will be visiting soon to pick lavender for the very first time.</div>
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We picked and laughed and bumped heads. An embarrassment of riches.</div>
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We had a reservation to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Penny and I were so happy to be back to this special place. It was very well supervised, everyone had a time to enter and park. We only saw one family that did not have on masks. At 10:00 am it was 85 degrees. Penny wore Grandpa's hat.</div>
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The gardens we saw were beautiful and well kept. Not everything was open.</div>
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We were free to stay as long as we liked. </div>
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Summer at the garden is always busy, and though the walk looks pretty empty, there were many many other visitors. There was no taking off our masks for we were always passing others.</div>
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To see a Blue Spruce just as we started our walk was a good sign. One of my favorite trees.</div>
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A walk through the rose garden. One rose more spectacular than the next.</div>
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My beloved cupboard.</div>
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One day when I can thrift safely I will find </div>
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a smaller cupboard of my own. </div>
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Penny loved it too. A project for us to do together.</div>
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Grandpa's gate. I will never see it without seeing him there. </div>
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The entrance of the English Walled Garden. </div>
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The flowers were amazing, beautiful and plentiful.</div>
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A budding photographer. </div>
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Have I mentioned what a pleasure she is to spend time with? </div>
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She has the best ideas, and so much</div>
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enthusiasm about EVERYTHING. </div>
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When I am with her I find myself happier and find her amazing.</div>
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This bit of shade was most welcomed. </div>
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We didn't spend much time, but enough that we saw and felt that though many things have changed, our place is still there for us. We will go back, on a cooler day, Penny suggested. </div>
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We like the familiar, and appreciate the many memories these gardens hold for us.</div>
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We went looking for the Bonsai,</div>
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but found this little guy.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAfpMSHF8XD_pwRhUU7vzkm2S3Dc2W5cbur1hOc7MYz5SR0TvH9hANjFsTWGWrXPx0lWpXY7NID19uZiSVKLFqu-ZXZFq4d6zTd5DrJjxzJN3Rb7rS2mJsfA4KpjxJMJIWb1enrty9cD5/s1600/IMG_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAfpMSHF8XD_pwRhUU7vzkm2S3Dc2W5cbur1hOc7MYz5SR0TvH9hANjFsTWGWrXPx0lWpXY7NID19uZiSVKLFqu-ZXZFq4d6zTd5DrJjxzJN3Rb7rS2mJsfA4KpjxJMJIWb1enrty9cD5/s320/IMG_0627.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Granddaughter Penny</td></tr>
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"You will see in the world what you carry in your heart.'</div>
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<i>-Creig Crippen</i></div>
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Thanks for stopping by,</div>
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Enjoy this beautiful day, but please be safe.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
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At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-21316005806267972532020-06-23T09:49:00.000-05:002020-06-23T09:49:40.845-05:00Happy Season between Spring and Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Strange things afoot . All is well, except y keyboard. Notice the letter that would not type.<br />
A few pics to see what I a up to, until I can get this fixed.<br />
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Happy Sunnnner!</div>
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Oi Vey!</div>
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Enjoy this beautiful day.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-71870170800185881972020-06-15T11:02:00.001-05:002020-06-15T11:02:59.776-05:00Repairs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The deck was great for most of the twenty five or so years we enjoyed it. Then the tree grew. The deck buckled and the boards lifted. It got bad the last few years, but there were more important things that needed attention. Last week a local carpenter came and repaired our deck.<br />
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Paul replaced a number of boards, built two safer sets of stairs and railings. Our family will get a few more years our of this old deck before we need to replace the whole thing. The dappled sunlight was especially lovely on a job well done.<br />
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"I like fixing things," he said as he worked. "The world is always breaking, here and there, this way and that. Fix a bit of it, and I feel like I am helping." <i>- Bruce Coville</i><br />
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There is satisfaction of getting things done, even though I am just the project manager. My new refrigerator was delivered. Can deck repairs and new refrigerators make me emotional? ...Yes! Moving ahead is scary. Doing it alone is hard. <br />
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"Smile, smile until all that's left are the pieces of your broken heart that are slowly fixing itself."<br />
- <i>Ammiel Monterde</i><br />
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I found an inexpensive basket of geraniums that I hung on Tyke's IV pole. A staple on the deck from the very beginning. Tyke was in an accident before we even closed on our home. He recovered in our living room, in a hospital bed, with forty pounds of traction holding his repaired hip in place as it healed. I was his grateful and loving nurse, and treated him with IV antibiotics for weeks. He healed to walk beside me for another 26 years. Sentimental about an IV pole? Hell yea!<br />
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I did plant some pots, not as I have in the past. A local nursery went out of business. It was where I used to find blue salvia, "Veronica", white bacopa, and other varieties scarce in the big box garden centers.<br />
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A little herb garden.<br />
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A bad year for roses. There are a few, not like the abundance of a few years back.<br />
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Milkweed. It reseeds itself. I will plant zinnias today for the butterflies. I am a month late in planting, but the zinnias are small plants with a good start. Hope "Jerry" (the name of all Monarchs that visit our garden) won't mind waiting.<br />
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There will once again be an bumper crop of Annabelle hydrangea. The Lavender Princesses will help me celebrate another Lavender Festival next week. The little patch of lavender got a good weeding. Penny is an excellent weeder and helped with other garden chores. She is very much into the traditions of the seasons. I look forward to Stevie and Irene picking flowers and enjoying the spaciousness of our quarter acre. Right now, when they are here, it's like herding butterflies.<br />
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Son Jon took to cleaning the garage. Oi vey! What a mess. He worked while I entertained the girls.<br />
Later Kristen and Doug came by. Kristen had boxes from years and years ago in the garage, as all my kids do. Kris found many treasures, but was especially thrilled about a pair of Doc Martins she had always wondered what happened to. Stuff was sorted and tossed. Still a work in progress, but a start. Later we had a fire in the yard, with s'mores and laughs, and a few tears.<br />
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A big change is in the works as Jon's wife Charlotte starts Law School and we combine households.<br />
More on that as we go through the summer.<br />
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The privet bloomed this year, and the fragrance took me back quite a few years to when I wrote a story for Tyke. I haven't been able to find it, but I know it's here somewhere. I have been looking for different things, but the most important of them was of a copy of vows that Tyke wrote me as we renewed our vows on our 30th Wedding Anniversary. While looking for the story, I found the vows. I was so very happy to find them. (as a email Tyke sent to me)</div>
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I'll share them near our anniversary. He surprised me that day, in front of our kids, plus *Yentl. (aka Jenny *BFF of Kristen and like one of our own.) I did some silly thing for my vows and Tyke was so serious, romantic and beautifully sincere. Finding them again was a gift.</div>
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"Everybody talks about wanting to change things and help and fix, but ultimately all you can do is fix yourself. And that's a lot. Because if you can fix yourself, it has a ripple effect."</div>
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<i>-Rob Reiner</i> </div>
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Thank you for stopping by and for your friendship and kindness.</div>
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Enjoy this beautiful day.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-50522140074299657932020-06-09T09:27:00.000-05:002020-06-09T12:25:50.747-05:00Remembering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remembering Tyke on his birthday. Grateful for 16,441 beautiful days together. A life of love, kindness, happiness and fun. Our kids, "We have the best kids." He wanted to see our granddaughters run and play in our yard. They ran together through the grass for the first time just last week. The joy I felt was tinged with sadness. I saw it for us both. </div>
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I could almost hear you laugh. </div>
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My love for you is endless.</div>
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Life is so complicated. The horrible injustice in Minnesota.</div>
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As a Mother, it tore at my heart. George Floyd. Black Lives Matter. </div>
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A chance for us all to be better to each other. We must do better.</div>
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The threat of Covid keeping us apart. Missing my extended family and friends.</div>
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I was living in self imposed isolation before things shut down in March. </div>
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I so long for normal, whatever that may be today. </div>
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What's happening at home?</div>
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Having my deck power washed and repaired. Something that has needed attention for a couple of years. DIL Amanda put me in touch with a craftsman she works with. What Paul did in an hour would take me all day. No hand cramps for me this year. Feels good taking care of the deck since the family spends as much time outside as possible. </div>
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Then, finding all the food in the freezer turned to mush.</div>
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I only feel bad about the ice cream I lost, I told the salesman at the appliance store as I purchased, a new refrigerator (alone) for the very first time. I went to Abt in Glenview and was helped by the kindest gentleman, David. He texted me with a new delivery date for this week, after giving me a date for late next week. Before entering the store my temperature was taken, everyone was wearing masks. I was anxious, took me 65 years to make a large purchase alone. The universe put me in the hands of a kind, compassionate and friendly man. Now I have a guy at Abt. That's cool because I need a dishwasher and stove in the new year.</div>
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I hope that you are all healthy and that the stress of life</div>
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has not taken away the many happy moments</div>
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our lives are filled with, if only we recognize them.</div>
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As I finish this post, a song I love came on my itunes shuffle.</div>
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It's called Montana Half Light.</div>
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It is pure, calming, so beautiful.</div>
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It takes me though my life, the beginning, the middle, which is Tyke and </div>
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the now. I couldn't change anything that happened, </div>
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but I can be so very grateful for that middle.</div>
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Who gets 16.441 days of bliss?</div>
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I did.</div>
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Enjoy this beautiful day.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
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At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-91161033629174013542020-06-01T12:39:00.002-05:002020-06-01T12:39:45.103-05:00Healing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lord. make me an instrument of your peace.</div>
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Where there is hatred, let me sow love;</div>
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Where there is injury, pardon.</div>
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Where there is doubt, faith;</div>
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Where there is despair, hope;</div>
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Where there is darkness, light;</div>
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Where there is sadness. joy.</div>
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After passing the one year mark of living without Tyke, I realized that I looked to this date as some kind of destination. If I can just get through this year... The reality is I can't believe I survived one year without my husband, but living is what we all have to keep doing. It was not a date that I wanted to commemorate. My kids wanted to be with me, and we all feel better together. That was how we honored their Dad, their Grandpa, my love, all together.</div>
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"Life goes on and you will have a deeper capacity </div>
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to love and empathize in the coming year."</div>
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<i>-Alexandra Stoddard, On healing</i></div>
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My sons took care of some things that were actually things that Tyke would have sought their help for. A dead branch hanging over the backyard, too high to reach with a ladder. My industrious son Jonathan, made a grappling hook with some paracord and a clamp. It was hilarious watching his patience with Penny, who giving him repeated advice from the sidelines. We imagined Tyke, doing the same thing. We all cheered when Jon was successful. I told him that his Dad would have sworn repeatedly. Jon said, "Oh, I was swearing, just like Dad, only to myself." (Two things, first, Jon has been preparing his whole life for this opportunity. He had a "Batarang" he made for himself when he was very young. It was a plastic wrench, with a length of macrame cord attached to it. Second, we talk about Tyke swearing. He was a very kind gentleman, and would not swear in polite company. When he was passionate or was frustrated about something, well, his vocabulary got colorful!) Doug sawed up the branch, and took care of the mess. Then Jon and Mike took our old TV out of the family room, (My babygrand Stevie "tuned" the old set out of existence) and Mike installed a far lighter, but immensely smaller TV in it's place. Tyke would have scoffed at it's petite screen, but it is not the main screen in our home, just for my news and Hallmark watching.</div>
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The babies were overjoyed to see everyone. I had company each day of the weekend, and cards, texts , calls and gifts from my dearest friends and family. Kristen, Charlotte and my SIL Mindy posted on facebook in memory of Tyke. I find it very hard to find the words that can possibly express how I feel. Tyke will never be forgotten, will never not be a part of our lives. I want to celebrate his beautiful life on his birthday each year and honor him by continuing to support the causes that have been important to us. The Paper Source had a card at Halloween that had a drawing of two skeletons that said, " Till death do us part is for quitters." It's how I feel. </div>
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"Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, some where very near, Just around the corner. All is well.</div>
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-<i>Henry Scott Holland</i></div>
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My heart, my family.</div>
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Each and everyone precious.</div>
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I love them more with each passing day.</div>
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Thinking of George Floyd's family who loved him as well.</div>
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Praying for peace, understanding, love and a better more </div>
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inclusive world for our children and grandchildren.</div>
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"What wound did ever heal but by degrees?"</div>
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<i>-William Shakespeare</i></div>
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Thank you for caring and your support though out this last year.</div>
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Find something beautiful in today.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
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At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-34104098429726020982020-05-26T10:29:00.000-05:002020-05-26T10:29:41.970-05:00Reunited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenWAgFdvO1soJcqKCfEppCbpclFajmLx82QVTpG32UcHPsIEPQ9z1XMLENVQQAj4IImFDPp-i4ZlhTaVDlT6e56cLJgywUf3WEzFmjINf4eAnOQiCEx-fQfd1H-AGpQKcR5-2UiUhCV4T/s1600/IMG_0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenWAgFdvO1soJcqKCfEppCbpclFajmLx82QVTpG32UcHPsIEPQ9z1XMLENVQQAj4IImFDPp-i4ZlhTaVDlT6e56cLJgywUf3WEzFmjINf4eAnOQiCEx-fQfd1H-AGpQKcR5-2UiUhCV4T/s320/IMG_0496.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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An occasion that could not be postponed was my dear Granddaughter's birthday. Penny turned eight years old! We did a modified celebration. Last year with Grandpa very ill, her birthday was a sad and anxious one. This year we decided to celebrate, in a safe way and let our girl enjoy and celebrate and be celebrated for the amazing girl she is.</div>
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This Care Bears sign has to be 30 years old!</div>
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Here she is! Penny is loving, caring, kind and funny. She is wise beyond her years. All she wanted for her birthday was to hug me! Masks on, but hug we did!</div>
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Penny received roller derby type skates from Mom and Dad, including all the pads, braces and a helmet that make it much safer. Auntie Amanda polished and tuned up the used pair of skates for her and gave her some pointers.</div>
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Everyone kept their distance. Son Mike looks so like his Dad here.</div>
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Then we enjoyed a fire in the yard. This new normal is anything but. Still it was great to be together, and comforting to know that Penny had the celebration she deserved. </div>
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Not to say that tears didn't flow as I looked to the sky. </div>
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Then the rains came, more like a monsoon. The skies opened up, and the back of our yard was flooded. Rainy Days and Monday always get, me down.</div>
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Surprise surprise, look who showed up on Sunday. Remember that tiny baby from about ten weeks ago? Yep, it's Stevie! </div>
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... and her little sister Irene! Two walking talking toddlers. They were very suspicious at first, when Grandma was wearing a mask. Even their Dad got some weird looks. I had to show them who was under the mask, and then it was just fine. They seemed to remember, Oh yeah, this place is fun!</div>
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Irene had to have a covid test because she was going to have a different test at the hospital. We knew that the little ones were negative. No distancing between twins. Irene is fine, just follow ups from them being preemies.</div>
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At some point, caution is our only ally during this pandemic, so were were very careful. There will be no magic wand when things open up again. We will be in this until there is a vaccine or cure.</div>
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It was bittersweet seeing them play in the yard. Tyke spoke of that very thing when they were born. Irene loved the sprinkler, and didn't mind at all getting wet. She talks all the time, and is always on the move. </div>
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Stevie was content to sit in the grass. They have changed so much, and grown. Especially Stevie who is a few inches taller than Irene, and has lost her round baby appearance.</div>
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All in all, a happy, yet anxious weekend. Wanting to do the right thing for everyone. </div>
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Every one of my family is well aware of the anniversary of our loss this week. Yesterday was 46 years since I met my love. Last year on that day we still had hope that Tyke would get better. That we still had time. This first year without Tyke...who could have imagined a pandemic? Being cut off from everyone while mourning. I can't tell you how much my family means to me. I am here to take care of them, just as they are here to care for me. Tyke is watching, saying. </div>
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" Holy @#$% , What the #$%*". He had a colorful vocabulary.</div>
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Really, it's unbelievable what we, and I mean all of us have been through.</div>
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Your life, my life, everyone, no one has been spared this nightmare. </div>
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I am so very sorry for those who have lost loved ones to the pandemic, or anyone who was unable to be close to their loved one as they died. I was able to sleep next to Tyke in the hospital, we were able to bring him home to peacefully die surrounded with love and family. I can't imagine the pain of not being there. </div>
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I thought this would be a happy post, but the reality is we all have much to mourn.</div>
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I am still here, I am holding my own. </div>
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That's what I hope for all of you. Know that I appreciate all the kindness through your comments and the many friendships I have found through my blog.</div>
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For that, and so many other blessings, I am grateful.</div>
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Find something beautiful in today.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
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At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-86756076276510831352020-05-19T08:59:00.000-05:002020-05-19T08:59:47.435-05:00Wet Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyDsGAWuJ-QJnHtindyNQIeiJQtaaFmMb8L9lK5kFrZIGlfs8z1d2nv9N7xQWMewAoVM-pMGZI_dh4W2atL2-vA1V-ka7VaSXp7qqk10wxfSG5E-y6sQdRGLxxaRGDB98nYZJEKyRbv2v/s1600/IMG_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyDsGAWuJ-QJnHtindyNQIeiJQtaaFmMb8L9lK5kFrZIGlfs8z1d2nv9N7xQWMewAoVM-pMGZI_dh4W2atL2-vA1V-ka7VaSXp7qqk10wxfSG5E-y6sQdRGLxxaRGDB98nYZJEKyRbv2v/s320/IMG_0482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Somehow, all I accomplished this weekend was to buy</div>
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my groceries, pay some bills and hang my annual fern.</div>
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I also hung my angel wind chime. I did the usual laundry, stripping the bed, cooked and cleaned. Even dusted. Still the days go by, and I have little inspiration to do much else. Silly since I am such a homebody. Now, how much I yearn to go...anywhere. These are all the same things I did for Tyke and myself during the week, but I always looked forward to Friday at 5:00 when he was all mine and we hit the road.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0noZDT79D4R3BiGYpYbNHptDQZGZVqtoJLkFz0kdYApwSfzovoWC3r7X95urem4bQlNVpX1VHOGTUNRN2-iaY6W65hvFxMwykzYlDUMhP7a52BhXt3BFwcLNa8GYnr9pjuAXxjC9rbmi/s1600/IMG_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0noZDT79D4R3BiGYpYbNHptDQZGZVqtoJLkFz0kdYApwSfzovoWC3r7X95urem4bQlNVpX1VHOGTUNRN2-iaY6W65hvFxMwykzYlDUMhP7a52BhXt3BFwcLNa8GYnr9pjuAXxjC9rbmi/s320/IMG_0484.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the rain rain rain came down down down...<br />
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A old friend of mine suggested once that if you have a problem, or are feeling blue, light a candle.<br />
I was feeling extra blue so I lit two. Buscia's candle holder and a scented candle.<br />
Some how it lifts the spirit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqFaCJFxwhuH2ym2pA2YdjXcbK2OwKgeWDnu6T4JcihHq602NaXItlKnaj5Bo6enoo8vyR76evIHCWdACCsSgJ6Enh1u2VskdAFHKxu-lvA9Vcnsz2-8ecwr80ELfXyjYHvSBuMXNNHD-/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqFaCJFxwhuH2ym2pA2YdjXcbK2OwKgeWDnu6T4JcihHq602NaXItlKnaj5Bo6enoo8vyR76evIHCWdACCsSgJ6Enh1u2VskdAFHKxu-lvA9Vcnsz2-8ecwr80ELfXyjYHvSBuMXNNHD-/s320/IMG_0487.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The lilac drooped with the weight of the water. </div>
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A pond formed at the back of the lawn.</div>
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"Everyone is like a magnet. </div>
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You attract to yourself reflections of that which you are. </div>
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If you're friendly then everyone else seems friendly too." </div>
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<i>-David R. Hawkins</i><br />
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Next door the apple tree is blooming.</div>
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I hope to get a photo under a clear blue sky, </div>
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but there is no sun in the week's forecast.</div>
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The best view in the house.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjtHEe-9_arkuf-mY7B6KyfbmRA8-1qEOaJ-5h747ktQvqMNT5C41VWZnsGt_l1cbC1avIag_Gwz_a3AHuuZgq34RYT-q6IpsYBSWvpgoYguVNxxCim4NWEbMZV_cZOcXlp4ovn_XMlf7/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjtHEe-9_arkuf-mY7B6KyfbmRA8-1qEOaJ-5h747ktQvqMNT5C41VWZnsGt_l1cbC1avIag_Gwz_a3AHuuZgq34RYT-q6IpsYBSWvpgoYguVNxxCim4NWEbMZV_cZOcXlp4ovn_XMlf7/s320/IMG_0492.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remembering Tyke</td></tr>
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In the minefield of memory, these next couple of weeks are</div>
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dangerous and painful. The fact that we cannot be together to </div>
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share them makes it especially cruel.</div>
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I walked the path where a bench will be dedicated</div>
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in memory of my dearest.</div>
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We thought it would be installed by this time,</div>
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but with circumstance beyond anyone's control, </div>
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we will have to wait until some time this summer.</div>
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*I walked away from the computer on Monday morning and completely forgot to finish this post.</div>
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Lost my train of thought, that is, if I had one...</div>
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When all else fails, a quote...</div>
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"There is no need to run outside for better seeing...</div>
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Rather abide at the center of your being,</div>
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for the more you leave it the less you learn.</div>
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Search your heart and see...</div>
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The way to do is to be."</div>
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-<i>Lao-Tzu</i></div>
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Take care my friends, stay safe and remember</div>
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you are loved.</div>
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Find something beautiful in today.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-17020622594599251252020-05-11T13:13:00.000-05:002020-05-11T18:12:47.639-05:00We carry them in our hearts...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhdFEhHqGP9JbQ1ZoF7j0qacHyKfAcqvrW2Qy8Fq_46CGwVydKdwH2xBllq9s6qotSMHPqMboCGMiIcKH584tMojqmBCEPjeNYaegVblsgbcQClLQut1mWtEPJ56S9bKmzajy_rmJ6SOX/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhdFEhHqGP9JbQ1ZoF7j0qacHyKfAcqvrW2Qy8Fq_46CGwVydKdwH2xBllq9s6qotSMHPqMboCGMiIcKH584tMojqmBCEPjeNYaegVblsgbcQClLQut1mWtEPJ56S9bKmzajy_rmJ6SOX/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet Mommy, me, Greg and Tony. (before Larry and Jeff)</td></tr>
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Mother's Day. Never been a big fan since I lost my dear Mom 35 years ago. Still I love being with </div>
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my family, I even like visiting the cemetery, something I once told my Mom I would never do. This year there were no kids, no visits of any kind. We did have face times, songs and giggles. It's noisy and loud and fun, but just not the same.</div>
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"Whether or not we are blessed to have our Mothers with us, we carry them in our hearts every day, and especially celebrate them on Mother's Day."</div>
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<i>- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO04376q9W43ISN92jBs3iraG23exD1YM_n08gBxpSzpPpkktTGI-XoNrDE8Ex7C3XZQyN33R1vqqPTveFEIpmn-oJqV950UROHRAsa2-RK3TtvHRww_4rZZN81uI3WF47NwiSxiritY3g/s1600/IMG_0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO04376q9W43ISN92jBs3iraG23exD1YM_n08gBxpSzpPpkktTGI-XoNrDE8Ex7C3XZQyN33R1vqqPTveFEIpmn-oJqV950UROHRAsa2-RK3TtvHRww_4rZZN81uI3WF47NwiSxiritY3g/s320/IMG_0467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some of the hardy spring bulbs and hosta are doing well. We had a hard frost last week and it took it's toll on many plants.</div>
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The white lilac is sparse, and will need to warm up a bit before I can smell it's delicate fragrance.</div>
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Some years are off in the spring, and that's putting it mildly about this spring!</div>
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Who knows if the peonies will put on a good show. The leaves are so stunted.</div>
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These lilac look dull in the cloudy light.</div>
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Still beautiful.</div>
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Oh my Bleeding Hearts!</div>
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Even these hardy plants didn't like the frost.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8BjEtsDp3RtcUvvJu5Sm_8iKbsMussJikvuGlVrO6v82NhYlSJ8SmRFOrDBzZNo9Ly_KJjWo_BrbArSShcKF8qXwTLYc-k8gXIJvJZ0nvv4kg9n-LyAMNhnszfbCCr1E6Kni0c64vXqD/s1600/IMG_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8BjEtsDp3RtcUvvJu5Sm_8iKbsMussJikvuGlVrO6v82NhYlSJ8SmRFOrDBzZNo9Ly_KJjWo_BrbArSShcKF8qXwTLYc-k8gXIJvJZ0nvv4kg9n-LyAMNhnszfbCCr1E6Kni0c64vXqD/s320/IMG_0477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A sweet gift from Amanda and Mike. I had a problem with our wifi. Was on the phone with our provider for over an hour troubleshooting the problem. Finally I spoke to Mike and he said he would be over the next day after work. He came to the door in a mask. I had mine on too. He put on gloves before he touched anything and then I tackled him with the biggest hug around his midsection. He held me as tight as I held him! How lonely I have been for that connection. He was in and out within a half hour, fixed my problem, even increased the speed of my internet connection. As he was leaving Mike opened his arms and said, "Bring it in." We had another hug and I heard his heart beating and thought, here is part of Tyke and me. Then, off he went. Yes Tyke, we have the best kids!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UwjM9Y9rlSxoY8Y5ujMtJ0Jg4Y758oYVbvcC376d78TyMVOD1XX1JcKm9XmmIBb9NwU0WCYXqOu7aydlm2oBuuxhIruBecEgcLK83yRpJE1BXYcZxINbKY-hzeguuJjsefEsroDgHPYP/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UwjM9Y9rlSxoY8Y5ujMtJ0Jg4Y758oYVbvcC376d78TyMVOD1XX1JcKm9XmmIBb9NwU0WCYXqOu7aydlm2oBuuxhIruBecEgcLK83yRpJE1BXYcZxINbKY-hzeguuJjsefEsroDgHPYP/s320/IMG_0480.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The month of May is dedicated to the Blessed Mother. I put together this little vignette.</div>
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I have always felt a connection to Mother Mary who promised to watch over the Earth.</div>
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We can really use all the help possible right now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnHIyOlj7HAFEJ0jWqjteG5H2QUqmRCQtKgvRctnyb8DOdenLAjdt2ZmG9bvNPtYd4nSMc3UCgR84NxAZEVBo2podpnb7JTyQTwTNYwrVTQQwpgU7gZ_zsdOjMT9Kf_vBLzlIDmuDDhf6/s1600/IMG_1926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnHIyOlj7HAFEJ0jWqjteG5H2QUqmRCQtKgvRctnyb8DOdenLAjdt2ZmG9bvNPtYd4nSMc3UCgR84NxAZEVBo2podpnb7JTyQTwTNYwrVTQQwpgU7gZ_zsdOjMT9Kf_vBLzlIDmuDDhf6/s1600/IMG_1926.jpg" /></a></div>
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I started looking for something, made a huge mess but found some little treasures.</div>
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My dearest, here he is maybe seven or eight years old? Photos of young Tyke are very rare and precious. This one I copied and made into a card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvyls6aOydquC3SdM5RwgToW5kIU-mf6i2ZBlmfpVEStjgD2E5DFOZEixjC4733qGnC5slQv7baVd8eNtQ87PySthj-neXQAZNAzKa6fPdvf8bbEj8mOIhLm_ufzCBC8rOO-hUO3hUfoM/s1600/IMG_1931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvyls6aOydquC3SdM5RwgToW5kIU-mf6i2ZBlmfpVEStjgD2E5DFOZEixjC4733qGnC5slQv7baVd8eNtQ87PySthj-neXQAZNAzKa6fPdvf8bbEj8mOIhLm_ufzCBC8rOO-hUO3hUfoM/s1600/IMG_1931.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here is Mr. Mallard, taking a stroll down our block. I have been having many bird encounters.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKvITLEsD0qrVvd_ZI1hK8F8kEfrTse6TEQWQ4dluh1Zbfl9s-xJiJpa3jF9YRNm_w8cdvlqszYcncRVxPnjVMx7X7xcSFZBpSI0cgjYNwSsnhZleOy8sM7B0nfE8UARJXAcFQ-ebKQRj/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKvITLEsD0qrVvd_ZI1hK8F8kEfrTse6TEQWQ4dluh1Zbfl9s-xJiJpa3jF9YRNm_w8cdvlqszYcncRVxPnjVMx7X7xcSFZBpSI0cgjYNwSsnhZleOy8sM7B0nfE8UARJXAcFQ-ebKQRj/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" /></a></div>
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I was on my walk and this Kestrel called from a tree across the street. I stopped, took out my phone and took this photo. Little did I know this would annoy the little falcon. He swooped down from the tree very close to me. I was scared and thrilled by this close encounter. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifi1_NVS1KaGZn0DQYTKILDBaxR61OckKSeDQZhxYYwNyD_LcIK1DLb3I5xCeNSuh4ugOAWi5K1zVr9zxX7ey80DzqFyrwaOZY0nuPi_HHumN_F3ylG7oDrdDqSt-PzM4jHcFmphKGj4Rg/s1600/IMG_1939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifi1_NVS1KaGZn0DQYTKILDBaxR61OckKSeDQZhxYYwNyD_LcIK1DLb3I5xCeNSuh4ugOAWi5K1zVr9zxX7ey80DzqFyrwaOZY0nuPi_HHumN_F3ylG7oDrdDqSt-PzM4jHcFmphKGj4Rg/s1600/IMG_1939.jpg" /></a></div>
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Another treasure, a tiny teddy I made for Tyke. (In my Teddy Bear making period)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZOhF8iBDkpQ5BYxlHuhthVQHyb310ACcYyORp8wMW2APkztwDstJ-07EgYo3PS3Ar6-JJA-4LFjMi5qrIWAK2RoerNmsJSjpihHsw94mX0lPwbQVVJa4iAUe5qJD5oHtT1S_g1JkIvUp/s1600/IMG_9980.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZOhF8iBDkpQ5BYxlHuhthVQHyb310ACcYyORp8wMW2APkztwDstJ-07EgYo3PS3Ar6-JJA-4LFjMi5qrIWAK2RoerNmsJSjpihHsw94mX0lPwbQVVJa4iAUe5qJD5oHtT1S_g1JkIvUp/s1600/IMG_9980.PNG" /></a></div>
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My sweet Penny sent along this drawing. I miss her and the twins so very much. Can't wait till we can get back to exploring our favorite place.</div>
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Last Autumn, she was a walking advertisement for Starbucks. We have so much fun together. We were trying to take a selfie when a sweet stranger took our photo. Penny has charisma like no other. She makes friends wherever we go. Someday soon we will cause a ruckus together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChknw_497oQq0-OtEDIPUWhEnWCaZ5iIzxD7r9dHRHnBJztKBDRzOH1IljCN3CfZqmsQh50dinsAxo352rkMKVfmDPCeU0z9X8CvUvqcWu_oDLkrdzqJ8RgSDGnlEll1zUYOAnUNVI_p4/s1600/IMG_0005.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChknw_497oQq0-OtEDIPUWhEnWCaZ5iIzxD7r9dHRHnBJztKBDRzOH1IljCN3CfZqmsQh50dinsAxo352rkMKVfmDPCeU0z9X8CvUvqcWu_oDLkrdzqJ8RgSDGnlEll1zUYOAnUNVI_p4/s1600/IMG_0005.PNG" /></a></div>
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Another treasure unearthed. The strange thing is I never appreciated John Prine until his recent death. I loved so many of his songs that were covered by other artists, including John Denver, not knowing he wrote them. I did love Steve Goodman and his music but never saw him in person even though he was a local Chicago boy. This treasure came from my long time friend Floyd, back in the day when he was away at school. (He was always away at school, just call him Dr. Floyd!) Floyd worked at events at the school and had these two artists sign an autograph for me. </div>
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It took me two days to clean up the mess I made looking for a diary. It was from 1974, a very important time in the life of this (at the time) girl. One thing lead to another and I had to call my BFF Sue in California to share some info regarding her and her now hubby, Laury. Two hours later...after the kind of great conversation you only have with someone who has known you for over 50 years, I started reading May. I met Tyke on the 25th. At first sight, my life was never the same. I was head over heels before I ever knew his name. </div>
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I've been encouraged to write about this by my cousin Kathie. She wrote a memoir of her life that I loved reading, especially the love story between Kathie and her dear husband Glenn. </div>
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I hope that I can do our story justice. In this time alone, I find myself being comforted by the sweetest, most romantic and just plain funny memories of my dearest and of our love story.</div>
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Stay safe, we will get through this. </div>
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Thanks for stopping in and for your kind comments.</div>
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Find something beautiful in today.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
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At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-27940555457851351812020-05-04T11:17:00.001-05:002020-05-04T11:17:38.524-05:00Let's Hang On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdU6f_NMmqcXsQxkVFUyYtksPgC56Cd_H4jp6_hVpPaLe4go0X6VgFpCF_dyU8Hs9MxHNCS6j9Ct-tQb9xXgQVPuQOE6weyTd9d2erjRLA41M5pn1YJvlfsgi_28412CBapXqU7ru-LwP/s1600/IMG_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdU6f_NMmqcXsQxkVFUyYtksPgC56Cd_H4jp6_hVpPaLe4go0X6VgFpCF_dyU8Hs9MxHNCS6j9Ct-tQb9xXgQVPuQOE6weyTd9d2erjRLA41M5pn1YJvlfsgi_28412CBapXqU7ru-LwP/s320/IMG_0456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got down low to take this photo of our little meadow. So many bees visit the purple flowers and the dandelions, it's a busy place. </div>
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The muscari I had inside last year are now in flower again in the old fountain turned perennial garden.</div>
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Sewing as therapy.</div>
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Simple project, just getting started is the hardest. Once I get sewing, it's calming.</div>
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The bag I sewed and gifted to my friend for her birthday. Jean, the birthday girl. liked my granny bag.</div>
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"To sew is to pray. Men don't understand this. They see the whole but they don't
see the stitches. They don't see the speech of the creator in the work of the
needle. We mend. We women turn things inside out and set things right. We
salvage what we can of human garments and piece the rest into blankets.
Sometimes our stitches stutter and slow. Only a woman's eyes can tell. Other
times, the tension in the stitches might be too tight because of tears, but only
we know what emotion went into the making. Only women can hear the prayer." ~
Louise Erdrich</div>
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Missing all of my family. These two are so beautiful. My daughter Kristen and babygrand Penny.</div>
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They are working from home, home schooling and taking in nature. Penny hugs the phone we're on and says the sweetest things to her old grandmother. Oh my heart. Doug called to just talk. I feel so blessed for this gang of mine.</div>
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I am hanging on. Doing better than I could have ever imagined on my own. We have to, right? </div>
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After almost fifty days without a hug, a kiss and snuggle, I fear for my family when we are reunited. I may never let them go. </div>
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These are the toddlers I last saw before they were walking, before they were rolling up and rolling up for Patty Cake and stomping their feet for if you're happy and you know it. They say Hi! Blow kisses and say Daddy! I just noticed the Little Tike labels on their swings. They are part of their Grandpa Tyke, for sure . They sat happily on their swings and are trying to sign "birds" which is amazing. Jon is the best daddy. I love seeing him with his girls, and we get to talk every morning.</div>
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Some of those mornings in the last year were very difficult, but he always left me with a smile or a LOL moment. So like his father, simply the best!</div>
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This little adventure seeker is uncharacteristically holding on. I get to see them most days of face time. I dream of the day the house if filled again, toys everywhere.</div>
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While I was writing I just got a facetime call from sweet Charlotte, and got to play with the girls for a while. Charlotte was accepted to her top two law schools. It's remarkable, she's amazing. The twins won't remember this time, but I will never forget this last year. What a remarkable gift having these little sweethearts to love and be loved by.</div>
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The trees are leafing out. Right now the leaves are tiny and almost translucent.</div>
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"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."</div>
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-Ferris Bueller</div>
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The leaves on this tree turn deep burgundy and are larger than my hand. </div>
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Today they are tiny as my thumbnail.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycetXKZbTk1hUcqHxzVpeQxWbmGyo9Ew_EpIA-ogFCozHdKA3DrIpNdgaj_gi4Z-uNNwf2WdTq16RhT4JAxYEV6f-tqLWspU_jCpQmzG2YTb6EIrPIDTIynORotu_26DT38lxkkiOi7hT/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycetXKZbTk1hUcqHxzVpeQxWbmGyo9Ew_EpIA-ogFCozHdKA3DrIpNdgaj_gi4Z-uNNwf2WdTq16RhT4JAxYEV6f-tqLWspU_jCpQmzG2YTb6EIrPIDTIynORotu_26DT38lxkkiOi7hT/s320/IMG_0466.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The hosta are filling in. </span></td></tr>
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I got a call from Mike and Amanda, they were grocery shopping, but I didn't need a thing. They called later to drop off a treat. Black Licorice! Really, as far a families go, I won the lottery! Thoughtful, loving, everyone of them.</div>
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Tyke is close, in spirit and in heart. Eleven months without him. I can ask him any question and know in my heart the answer. It is a comfort, and I am growing stronger. It is because of the love we shared that I have this family. He took care of me in so may ways. Prepared me for this pandemic, though he could not have anticipated it. I know he is proud of me. He always told me I was Super Woman. So, to have survived the last year, I've had to dig deep and put on my big girl panties and pretend to be a grownup. We pretended together for 45 years, </div>
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when we were always </div>
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just kids in love. </div>
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May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam.</div>
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And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you're far from home.</div>
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And may you grow to be proud, dignified and true.</div>
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And do unto others as you'd have done to you.</div>
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Be courageous and be brave.</div>
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And in my heart you'll always stay</div>
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Forever young.</div>
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Forever young.</div>
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I hope that all of you dear readers are hanging on. Please take care and know that your kind comments and comforting words help me so, and I appreciate each kindness.</div>
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Find something beautiful in every day.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
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At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-76838587780296135042020-04-27T10:28:00.001-05:002020-04-27T10:28:36.058-05:00Nowhere To Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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*Day 42. Stardate April 27, 2020. We are still quarantined. With everything I need to sustain myself, I am bereft of human companionship. I speak to screens and talk on phones, text and email, yet there is no substitute for a hug or kiss...a warm embrace. My neighbors wave and cheer me, they watch over me with a tenderness that often brings me to tears. *A small nod to my hubby who loved all things science fiction. It's kind of like how all the Star Trek episodes started.<br />
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These two months, last year, were my dearest's last. The smell of the air, the angle of the sun, memories popping up in our photos and facebook. It all makes the already difficult, so much harder to bear.<br />
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The numbers of the victims of the virus are staggering. The stories of loss fill the news.<br />
The reality of all the families that have lost a loved one, hits our hearts so deeply.<br />
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Mike and Amanda did my shopping, and we visited through a closed storm door. All I wanted was to hug them both. My kids, my granddaughters... We are all missing each other so very much.<br />
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I got busy with the garden. Cleaned the birdbath, weeded the lavender bed. Planted some hollyhocks, fingers crossed. I even roughed up the many bare spots in the front lawn and planted grass seed we bought two years ago. Again, here's hoping something grows.<br />
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Look at that clear blue sky.<br />
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The bittersweet is budding, but I am thinking, climbing roses. Right now I am cautiously bending and lifting. My back is better and I want to keep it that way. I do get overzealous and forget my advanced age. Young at heart, old in back.<br />
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It was such a beautiful day. Thinking of other sunny Spring Sundays. Hanging on the deck with my best guy. Every Spring for 25 years I'd come in from the garden and thank Tyke for buying us this house. It was and still is a haven, and a comfort to me. <br />
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A good year for Queen Anne's Lace. I have to remind the lawn guys that this is a weed I love.<br />
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I have more moss than grass out front, but once the hosta fill out, it looks perfectly woodsy.<br />
With the Honey Locusts in the parkway and the Maple in the front yard, it is a cool oasis in the summer. <br />
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Coming in from my walk I spotted the heart shadow on the lampshade. <br />
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It's hard to see but I made a chicken wire heart. Doesn't everyone have a roll of chicken wire hanging around? I used a couple of wire coat hangers to make the shape and covered it with the chicken wire. I wired a small string of lights to the edge. This idea was copied from an author, Fifi O Neil.</div>
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I just put it there to get it off the table. I've always had a thing for hearts.</div>
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"Home is where you go when you've nowhere to go."</div>
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<i>-Bette Davis</i></div>
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I hope this finds you and your family healthy, hanging on for each other. If you are hunkered down with someone, hold them close. If you are alone, we are all truly in this together, even though the space between us may be far, our hearts are close.</div>
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Take care my friends.</div>
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"We will get through this."</div>
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<i>-Tyke Willoughby</i></div>
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Find something beautiful in today.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
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At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-41663195301215850372020-04-20T10:00:00.000-05:002020-04-20T10:00:10.122-05:00Nothing is fair or good alone...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's thirty three days in solitude. The days pass. I have kept my routine simple. I haven't purged a closet or cabinet, in fact I've made bigger messes. Looking for stuff, always looking through stuff but somehow never setting things right. Lack of gumption. I celebrate my little victories. Getting up and showering. Making breakfast. Clearing the sink. Taking out the garbage.<br />
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Spring is fickle in Chicagoland. One day Winter, the next day Spring.<br />
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Sturdy shoots of hosta. Persistent. I could learn a few things from the hardy hosta.<br />
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I'm not in the mood to learn. It's tough to concentrate.<br />
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My amazing son Jon asked if I would make him a few masks. I got busy and then kept going.<br />
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Using what I have, making more for family and friends.<br />
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The saving grace for me this week was the yard. Pick up sticks, pick up more sticks. Rake up the oak leaves. We don't have an oak tree on my block. I've yet to clean out the birdbath, but I did clean out the fountain where the birds depend on water. I'm sure I would make a few Robins very happy if I get out there today. There is no one happier in the bath then a Robin in springtime.<br />
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Tiny little signs of life on miniature rose bushes I was gifted last year.<br />
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Over in the Meadow...<br />
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<br />
In a nest in the tree<br />
Lived an old Mother bird<br />
and her little birdies three...<br />
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That song reminds me of Penny when she was very little. Grandpa found a Scholastic DVD with several children's songs. One was Over in the Meadow. Beautifully illustrated, so sweet. Now I need to find it for the little ones!<br />
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I love to see the light shine through the glass.<br />
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"All are needed by each one:</div>
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Nothing is fair or good alone."</div>
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<i>-Ralph Waldo Emerson</i></div>
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Still standing. So lonely. Missing my sweet guy. </div>
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Missing our life together. Loving my tremendous kids, </div>
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my baby grands who keep me sane.</div>
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Grateful for all who are risking everything to help. </div>
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When we can hug again, watch out.</div>
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Thank you for stopping by and for your kindness.</div>
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Please take care and be safe.</div>
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Find something beautiful in today.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
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At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-55466648188753690612020-04-13T10:57:00.000-05:002020-04-13T10:57:08.685-05:00Let Your Mind Be Quiet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are some traditions that easily define a holiday or season. Planting wheat grass has become one small thing that brings me and my family joy.<br />
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There isn't a child or adult that won't stroke the grass, and feel the cool and sturdy blades.<br />
This year, it was only me and my memories. Still it brought me joy and one small custom I shared with the kids through photos and text messages.<br />
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I woke up on Holy Saturday, not to fill my basket with food or make one of the many casseroles<br />
the family would look forward to at our brunch on Easter Sunday. Instead I showered and dressed and left the house just as the sun came up to get some groceries.<br />
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I am anxious going out, I wonder how many of us will suffer with symptoms of Agoraphobia, when the world opens up again and we are free to go. I was careful, the store had just about everything I needed. I was wearing a mask and gloves. People kept to themselves and we lined up with plenty of room between us. It was not comfortable. It was not leisurely. It was get it and get out. <br />
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On the way out I grabbed a couple of bunches of tulips. Pink for me,* thanks honey. Yellow for a friend.<br />
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It was the most normal thing I did.<br />
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I sewed for the girls some pillowcases. Found this P.S. I Love You fabric at the thrift some months back. The pillow case is a Laura Ashley sheet.<br />
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I also sewed several masks at the request of son Jonathan.<br />
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I put the masks in an envelope with tons of stamps, just to avoid having to go into the post office.<br />
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Shhh, these are for Kris. A vintage sheet with bunches of daisies. <br />
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Friday night my friends Sue and Ron had a at home concert. (All these shows were virtual.) It was fun chatting with friends as Sue and Ron played and sang beach songs. Texting with friends sure has been sweet, and these concerts have been amazing. A artist I really like Ari Hest had a from home show introducing his new album. It's been on all weekend at home. (available at iTunes called Against the Sky) Then on Saturday a old friend of both Tyke and I had a basement concert. Tim Hart, aka Ace just blew me away with his guitar playing and voice. He sang so many great and diverse songs. Check him out on youtube Tim Hart Music Chicago. <br />
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I did make myself a dutch oven loaf of bread. It didn't raise much, old yeast I think, but still delicious.<br />
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The garden is springing back to life.<br />
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Never knew that name of these cheerful little blooms that cover my lawn in the spring. <br />
Glory-of-the-Snow. <br />
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This is how much that grass grew from Saturday to Sunday!<br />
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Elizabeth sent my brother over with a few gifts for Easter. These sweet little birds in a wire nest.<br />
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One day sure made a difference in the tulip department too.</div>
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These days are a minefield of memories. Tyke insisted last year that we go on with our celebration brunch with the whole family, even though he was just one day out of the hospital with complications. Never in my mind did I once think that it would be the last celebration for my dearest. The next two months were a blur. I feel like Forest Gump, "That's all I can say about that."</div>
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What came after Easter and all that Tyke endured is etched on my soul. But, what it taught me, how it changed me, is why I am able to get through this isolation now.</div>
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"Let your mind be quiet, realizing the beauty of the world.</div>
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and the immense, the boundless treasures that it holds in store.. </div>
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All that you have within you, all that your heart desires,</div>
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all that your nature so specially fits you for--that or the counterpart of it</div>
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was embedded in the great Whole for you. It will surely come to you.</div>
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Yet equally surely</div>
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not one moment before its appointed time will it come. </div>
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All your crying and fever and reaching out of hands will make no difference.</div>
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Therefore do not begin that game at all."</div>
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<i>-Edward Carpenter</i></div>
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Take care my friends, Know your kindness means so much to me.</div>
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"We will get through this."</div>
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Find something beautiful in today.</div>
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Love, Penny </div>
At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624137805421284886.post-87535572435876040652020-04-06T11:20:00.000-05:002020-04-06T11:20:51.493-05:00Another Day at Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSkbdo0GYzMN2RlNcR0VOga4L3hV15FhLLenh4F270Mlhk-xamPScT9OFVshrUE9VUkOrewZ74anUECD841EufMhMSuGullu6Ikh8jxWJyj8BmmxlHDVIg5XTr5ary3T1n4j0kVT5RJPV/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSkbdo0GYzMN2RlNcR0VOga4L3hV15FhLLenh4F270Mlhk-xamPScT9OFVshrUE9VUkOrewZ74anUECD841EufMhMSuGullu6Ikh8jxWJyj8BmmxlHDVIg5XTr5ary3T1n4j0kVT5RJPV/s320/IMG_0371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We are well. Family strong. Rounds of FaceTimes and calls. Deliveries of well wishes from so many. A neighbor called yesterday, noticing I had not walked in a couple of days. My back, though much better, is still keeping me close to home. A online concert featuring forever friends brought many pals together. They arranged a Zoom conference call that I was so happy to attend.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCG31ne7jyLAA4XellPmQvXxrDTne97NZ8WggZNdL70QezHIelGgTuAon8JDYqjVOGLfscOSyIoXgPoAzffD2-QMawf0qsoXTJPHMywOSP58TTtPR46a3n2KDpVhKIJ317NZXy8evgetH/s1600/IMG_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCG31ne7jyLAA4XellPmQvXxrDTne97NZ8WggZNdL70QezHIelGgTuAon8JDYqjVOGLfscOSyIoXgPoAzffD2-QMawf0qsoXTJPHMywOSP58TTtPR46a3n2KDpVhKIJ317NZXy8evgetH/s320/IMG_0376.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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These friends are so very special to me. Sue and Laury, Sue and Ron and Dot and Kevin. We've been friends for over 50 years. Notice they are all couples, and now without my love, I was afraid of how I would react to us being virtually together again. I wanted to do something fun so I made a virtual brunch. Baked muffins, poured my carton of orange juice into a pitcher. I garnished my wine glasses with a orange slice and put out the closest thing I have to champagne. Just something silly to lighten my mood and hopefully my friends would like the joke.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxxOz9-p06niTtjYzgmVE7QF396kAqbN38kXRy_zCR7hDuXICxKvG3k5UYKaxWZ_I3CYq0RKpG8bGqb1Ih6MPpOn0hEYRh8wVj3h1wYaIAlLAB16ycTi14kbm8qqYTLcG7b4O7f6d8q3C/s1600/IMG_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxxOz9-p06niTtjYzgmVE7QF396kAqbN38kXRy_zCR7hDuXICxKvG3k5UYKaxWZ_I3CYq0RKpG8bGqb1Ih6MPpOn0hEYRh8wVj3h1wYaIAlLAB16ycTi14kbm8qqYTLcG7b4O7f6d8q3C/s320/IMG_0377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It wasn't necessary since we fell into our friendly banter. We talked of grandchildren, jobs and hobbies. We talked for over two hours. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6gJA5RqYcoTyo-ZXguivEuvAUjYAJY0aNql2tpc_Me2OpZznEzjInAG1Wqb2byJ-eBRFAVZCNjwtawe4GYLH_I9l0wMzrqSTIR1z4qUbtFHIl0su2-sD_vkDgp_7vjxZIqS41VmdpWMJ/s1600/IMG_0378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6gJA5RqYcoTyo-ZXguivEuvAUjYAJY0aNql2tpc_Me2OpZznEzjInAG1Wqb2byJ-eBRFAVZCNjwtawe4GYLH_I9l0wMzrqSTIR1z4qUbtFHIl0su2-sD_vkDgp_7vjxZIqS41VmdpWMJ/s320/IMG_0378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So happy to see everyone doing their best to stay safe, scolding those that are impatient, planning to meet at another mini concert later this week. Funny thing, I sent a text and photo after our call to Sue and Sue, saying that they didn't eat a thing. Sue K. never saw the table, missed when I showed it in the beginning of the call! It was fun and silly, but I do turn 16 again when I am with these special friends. Tyke came up when my friend remarked that they were surprised that I got on the call without help. Cosmic high five sweetie! You taught me well. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRceaxR8YFNSjCj7penbHrPBblFlOaKx56_pgenDx3DfI_xLYkVcbh3y68S05g5MmI71hJyLfL-vG1ma968GfZS-aSx4uv_N_CDUjMy65heywHxrv-LX1EYkWY-MWUgmdyMqKW0UNWv84Y/s1600/IMG_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRceaxR8YFNSjCj7penbHrPBblFlOaKx56_pgenDx3DfI_xLYkVcbh3y68S05g5MmI71hJyLfL-vG1ma968GfZS-aSx4uv_N_CDUjMy65heywHxrv-LX1EYkWY-MWUgmdyMqKW0UNWv84Y/s320/IMG_0380.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missed Tyke howling at the Moon for me.</td></tr>
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I looked at the clear night sky from my window, and looked up the times when the International Space Station might be passing. Lucky me at 8:19 I was out watching. It is a amazing sight, one that never fails to thrill. I was able to lean on my car and get a steady photo of the moon. </div>
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How beautiful is that?</div>
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If you enlarge this pic, look between the tree limbs, and that little glimmer of light is the ISS!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdXhXwCCkX_gZiVh_3-qi0BhxfeuakRYUMBKOE9ATgxr8GNKomESIq_f0IF4u8DmQPkLpp7gPPD-wwUnGoaQtWhoynMr7C0Re_IRsybyC2Djfz1v9NLRxq8stNlaiJahZZHPJufp6P4Mh/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdXhXwCCkX_gZiVh_3-qi0BhxfeuakRYUMBKOE9ATgxr8GNKomESIq_f0IF4u8DmQPkLpp7gPPD-wwUnGoaQtWhoynMr7C0Re_IRsybyC2Djfz1v9NLRxq8stNlaiJahZZHPJufp6P4Mh/s320/IMG_0371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunrise this morning. I woke up to a call from Jon on his way to work and then a FaceTime with his girls who were doing their first virtual physical therapy at home today. Mike had a virtual appointment with his doctor and got the medication he needs in this allergy season. Visits with friends, Penny playing games with her cousins in another state. Thank goodness for technology.</div>
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I feel a connection to all of those families who have lost loved ones to this virus. Until your life is turned upside down and inside out by the loss of a loved one, nothing can prepare you for what lies ahead. Today, no one has the answers, but we must stay close. Together as families, friends, neighbors and especially to those who are in need. It's such a helpless feeling, but I am encouraged by the outpouring of kindness. The news is mostly off at home, music helps so much. I am doing a little Easter preparation, just for myself. I started my wheat grass today, the muffins went to Mikey and Amanda with some for the freezer. It will hurt to be alone, but I would do anything to keep my family safe, and they in turn to keep this old girl kickin. </div>
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Let fate do her worst,</div>
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there are relics of joy,</div>
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which she cannot destroy,</div>
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That come in the nighttime</div>
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of sorrow and care</div>
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And bring back the features</div>
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that joy used to wear.</div>
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Long, long be my heart</div>
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with such memories filled,</div>
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Let the vase in which roses</div>
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have once been distilled;</div>
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You may break, you may shatter</div>
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the vase if you will</div>
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But the scent of the roses</div>
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will hang around still.</div>
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<i>-Thomas Moore</i></div>
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"We will get through this."</div>
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-<i>Tyke Willoughby</i></div>
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Thank you for your friendship, be well dear ones.</div>
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Enjoy this beautiful day.</div>
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Love, Penny</div>
At Home in English Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392423042816108359noreply@blogger.com1