Air Force Friend

Here I am days after high school graduation, and in the thick of things at Basic Training in the Air Force. After riding on a bus, plane, and bus again, all day, I arrived in San Antonio, Texas about 2:00 in the morning. I had made some quick friends on the journey. Some I never saw again, a few I only heard about, and one girl, Jeanne, became my best friend for the next 6 months.

After Basic Training in San Antonio, we traveled up to Wichita Falls, Texas. There we went to Tech School to learn to become dental assistants. Though Jeanne and I were in separate classes, most of our free time was coordinated together. When I got stationed in the desert of California, and she was sent way up north to Alaska, we only had contact once. She had married and had at least one child, I remember her saying.

From then until now...no contact.
I wonder if I will ever come across her in the future. If so, I hope she recalls me fondly, as I do her. At a time of great struggle in my life, she was my savior.

Babies and Mother

Although I have never had a baby shower myself,

many family and friends have had their share,

so by now I can throw a fine shower for anyone.

 

I'm choosing to hostess a shower for someone

I'm not related to,

someone I know a bit, but not very well.

 

Does one need to know so much

about an expectant mother?

 

Don't most mother's share the yearning

to get the baby out!?

To sing lullaby's while holding

their precious bundle(s) of joy,

whether a girl or boy, or both,

and sniff the fine hair and the soft baby skin

that smells

of Johnson's baby wash and baby powder?

 

Don't most mother's share

the hopes, dreams, and joys

that revolve not around themselves,

but about their angel-child(ren)'s

head, a halo, yes,

even in devilish times?

 

Don't most mother's grieve the same way

when their little one,

even when fully grown,

falls down and bleeds?

 

Don't they run for the

ice, crème, and Band-Aids

to make the boo-boo "All better,"

with a little kiss of love

for good measure?

 

I've offered to hostess a baby shower

for a young friend who has a mother

who would do this herself,

but is graciously allowing me

a little bit of Heaven by  letting

me throw the shower I never received

myself.

The Wheels Go Around

As I sit

on the

cushioned seat,

I

move my feet,

and around

the

wheels

go...

with

each revolution

I get

further away

from

the

place

I just left,

and

closer to

my

destination,

yet

it is

not in getting

there,

it is

the

journey

along the

way,

that

makes the

wheels

going

around worth

the

effort

and

worth the

trip

around

the block

on my

bike!

After I

go

straight

for a mile

I

begin

to turn

the

handlebars

left

and then

right,

in a wiggly

fashion,

in order

to

liven up

the

ride.

Then,

in an

attempt

to show

I have

a

sense

of humor,

I do a

few circles,

wide and

small,

then

go fast

and

slow...

...so slow

I almost

don't

go...

Instead

of the

wheels

going

around,

I am

falling

down!

Back up

I

get and

try again

to ride

a mile

with

no

hands!

Umbrellas in the Rain

Today, just as hot as yesterday

and the several days before,

Instead of hanging out on the couch

I talked my husband into going outdoors...

 

'Let's go over to Calef's ballfield', I say

'They're having a craft fair and raffles today!'

 

My husband replied in a positive fashion

that we could water the flowers at church,

for flowers and God are his passion.

 

I agreed...so off we went on by

even though dark clouds were in the sky,

While watering the flowers in the muggy air

I'm dreaming of attending the big craft fair!

 

Thunder, oh my, is rumbling in the sky, I hear,

while hubby waters...it will rain...I fear.

I race to the car and bring out two umbrellas,

one for the gal and one for the fella.

 

While it pours from the sky and mists our toes

we continue to water from the long green hose,

for you never know, the rain could stop right now,

when it continues, with umbrellas, out we bow.

 

Home to change and then the sun comes out

I want to race back to the craft fair and wander about,

Now hubby is relaxed back on the couch with t.v.,

that leaves plans to make...Miss Conniving me!

 

Shall we go back and try the craft fair again

or watch a Hallmark movie that just began,

Maybe neither, maybe go for a walk,

maybe pour some lemonade

and have a meaningful talk.

 

It matters not, actually,

what my husband and I do,

as long as we're together

to kiss, cuddle and coo...

 

 

Robin Floated Away

It has been a hectic day of emotions being on a roller-coaster ride.
I learned that a friend of the family, who's been battling cancer,
LOST HER BATTLE TODAY!

Yes, I'm sad...
I am only glad
that I have the knowledge
that she and devoted husband
continued their religious faith,
that she clutched a cross in her hand
that with each labored breath her hand-strength
grew more weak...
...also growing weak was the clutch the devil held upon her.

Yet still she clung on to the promise of GOD
that off to Heaven she would float
to the bright light, where peace and no pain, await.

She passed away into the light,
and on my way home from work
I detoured and drove to my friend's house,
HER BROTHER,
who was in need of a hug...
who's voice quivered,
who's eyes glistened,
and who's wife showed him affection
by rubbing her hand across his back...
not only once, but twice.

Roller coaster rides have never been my friends,
no more true than today,
when we are left to mourn and Robin floated away...

Now with time to reflect on the
wonderful life Robin shared with us,
from our days of youth when riding
to and from on the yellow school bus...

To life moments when Rick she wed,
and sugar-plum dreams danced in her head,
to babies born from love and devotion,
to children-raising and all life's commotion.

Amid the commotion a calming belief held true
that embracing Robin's family was the Lord she knew,
That God, at her request, was with her every step
and dried her tears,
though truly blessed, Robin seldom wept.

Now released to her Promised Land in the sky,
plead not for answers to your questions 'why?'
True, the devil invaded her body within,
but Robin's Lord equipped her with religious tools to win!

Holding true to her faith set an example for us all
to call on God when in trouble or when we fall.

Hold on tight with all your might to the cross,
just like Robin did.

Have Faith, claim your room in God's mansion-in-the-sky,
just like Robin did.

Don't agonize this day and continually ask 'why,'
just know that the devil gave up
and Robin embraced the courage
for her Savior and her to WIN!

Roller coaster rides never seem to end,
and with Robin's bravery and fine Christian example,
she allows us to ride life's roller coaster
knowing Robin will never leave our hearts
and she will be our guardian-angel-friend!

Robin floated away,
but her beloved memory will always stay.
Keep Robin in your heart and memory,
for one day, if you love the Lord like she,
we will float away and our Robin we shall happily see!

EIGHT...TOO MANY FOR ONE FAMILY!

Count them...
that's right...
EIGHT!

EIGHT
kids
in
one
family
seems
like
too
many!

Too many personalities
to keep straight,
to keep happy,
to keep busy,
to keep evolving,
to keep judging,
to keep forgiving,
to keep blaming,
to keep liking,
to keep wondering
why my parents
chose to have sooooooooo many???

But who would I leave out?
You decide!

Every Nook & Cranny

(Photo By Lisa (Allen) Kennard) Ray at Ossipee Lake

Ray and I spent a wonderfully lazy day
touring the Ossipee area like a couple of tourists.
The difference...
Ray has memories
in every nook, cranny, and cemetery.

Gazing at headstone names
of parents, grandparents and
great grandmother aged 103!

Walking down memory lane
with his childhood friend, Burtie,
as he sits on a smooth granite bench
at the base of his headstone.

Giving a little boy some potato chips
to throw to two friendly ducks
that run away each time
little feet get too close...
...but run back for crumpled, salty chips.

Lunching and soaking up the sun
at White Lake, while the beauty
of God's creation lays in the
mountain vista before us...
...Mt. Chocorua...

Climbing a mile up and a mile back
on Mt. Chocorua's trail,
going slower than usual
as Ray picks his way
and favors one knee...
...recalling five decades
of hightailing it up and down with ease.

Today, husband and wife enjoyed a day
in Ossipee, NH like a couple of tourist,
but the man knows each tree and brook
like a road map in his heart.

Every nook, every cranny, every cemetery
holds a memory...

Way Too Busy for Weekdays

There's no better motivator than an upcoming event.

 

For me, the event is hosting my

30th Class Reunion.

I have a class of approximately 32...

a small class in yesteryear

compared to current classes of

one to two hundred.

 

But quantity doesn't mean quality!

 

Whether ONE or 32 classmates come to my house,

I'm doing chores.

Some chores I've been putting off for years.

Some chores I've been doing for years.

Some chores I like; some I loathe,

but all chores must be done

and check off my 'to-do' list.

 

I am way too busy for weekdays.

I expect to be busy on weekends,

but during the week I usually watch

television to relax.

Not so in the past two weeks.

Not so easy to be so busy!

 

A few days time will tell if all my efforts

were worth the calorie-burn,

were worth the time consumed,

were worth the money spent,

and if my guests will even notice.

 

I am way too busy for weekdays lately,

but come Monday,

my event will have passed

and once again,

I'll watch television to relax,

but will do so in my wonderfully

clean house!

Weeding & Trimming, Etc.

I am busy these days. My 30th class reunion is coming up mid-June. I volunteered to have the party at my house. I've been waiting to share the new, bigger house with company. Except for family and an occasional friend's visit, Ray and I haven't had various groups of friends come entertain us.

(Because Ray and I are pretty quiet and reserved, we like friends who talk a lot, thus, they entertain us!)

Last night, I got home from work at 4:30 and stayed out in the yard until dusk...weeding and trimming. As my witness, just ask the wild turkey that wanders into our yard several times daily for her breakfast, lunch, and supper that Ray provides at the bird feeder. This female turkey came to the feeder, heard and then saw me...and ran back in the woods.

Fifteen minutes later, I was crouched between the two raised beds of strawberries, weeding and trimming, and when she heard me move the metal weed bucket, she scooted away again. Five minutes later I heard a shot in the back woods. Momentarily, I felt guilty at not letting our wild turkey come in for her 'Last Supper.'

Then I remembered, hunters can only shoot and kill the male turkeys. So I went about my business of weeding and trimming. Ten minutes later, having given up being afraid of me and with a supposed growling belly, the lady turkey, who must have by now figured me out to be fairly safe, came to the bird feeder and ate up the sunflower seeds Ray threw out on the ground in anticipation of her visit. Then, to my surprise, she scooted passed me and ran through the garden and back behind the barn. A pretty brave turkey!

I was glad our female turkey-entertainment wasn't shot. Ray would've been sad.

This morning, I was up at 8:30 and outside to continue my weeding & trimming in the yard...if you've never seen my yard, believe me...it's big and there are many shrubs/gardens to trim and weed. I concentrated on the small shrubs leading to my small pond. After those, I trimmed around my small fire pit and the small hand-dug pond itself...trying to ignore the fact that at any second a frog might jump and a snake might slither...but no jumping and no slithering happened. Relief!

Right now I'm taking a break. I've downed a can of Sprite. I'm contemplating what's for lunch and whether my husband needs more ice for his knee, that he hurt a week ago when he fell while mowing the lawn. Needless to say, I'm doing more chores, including watering and feeding the chickens and baby chicks and gathering eggs. I have told Ray that I...I will rototill the big vegetable garden, but I fear it, since I know I will kill my back! But the planting season is upon us and we really need to till in the winter rye grass.

Back in the old days, fat pregnant women till the garden if their man was layed up or at war, so I should feel confidant that I can till the stupid garden!

Good thing Ray bought me my new brown, polka-dotted rubber boots. With these swanky boots on, I don't mind doing dirty chores so much. At least I look hip!

Soon, as soon as I stop writing and gain momentum, I will save my post, rise from my computer chair and get on with the day...but I love writing and these days, since I'm taking a sabbatical from romance novel writing, writing on my blog is the only writing I'm doing these days...
...except for an occasional poem...
...about weeding and trimming,
...etc!

My Mama

...my mama taught me many things
like how to bake and how to sing...
...like how to make the best of
a situation turned dark and gloomy...
...how to plant seeds and bulbs
have a spring garden colorful and bloomy...
...my mama gave me grammy,
aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings...
...once we gave our mama jewelry
with eight birthstones on a mother's ring...
...today we had a flower planting and tea party,
we're working on friendship (however tardy)...
...my mama taught me many things
like how to volunteer and wear some bling...