Three generations of cookbooks

My brother, sister and I continue to get my Dad's house ready to sell. We recycled and donated items--household items to Purple Heart, a few pieces of furniture to Salvation Army, linoleum, floor tile and other building supplies to the Reuse Center. I had contacted my brother about 3 twin sets of bedsprings and mattresses, 3 upholstered chairs and a lift chair. I was afraid that we'd have to haul these items to the dump or have a big bonfire. It's funny how thought processess evolve. I thought, "what would it hurt to list these items on craigslist in the freebie section." Amazingly, every last item was taken. Someone picked up Dad's favorite chair to reupholster. A young single mom took the matching twin beds. Another couple took my mother's lift chair and Dad's 2nd favorite chair. A woman needed an upholstered chair for her apartment. A Dad picked up a beautiful double dresser for his daughter. I am so happy that the contents of my Dad's house have been repurposed! I am meeting with a realtor on Monday, and then hopefully we will get the house in pristine condition for the new owners--clean curtains and drapes, clean carpet, wiped down shelves, sparkling bathrooms. I want the house to go to a family and that happy memories will be made once again. And proudly on a bookshelf in my living room are three generations of cookbooks, my Grandmother's, my mother's and my own. In another corner, is my favorite collage of a picture, barometer and pllaque from Mackinac City about "A mother thinks her work is done until she becomes a grandmother."

Remarkable rescue

On the afternoon of Thursday, January 9, 2019, Jeanne Nutter and her dog Henry arrived at their cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin. Henry wanted to go for a walk so Jeanne clipped on the leash and they headed down the rural road. Not far away 13 year old Jayme Kloss made a break for freedom from another cabin. She had been abducted by 21 year old Jake Thomas Patterson, her parents killed during the kidnapping, held captive for 88 days. Patterson had left the cabin. Jeanne and Henry walked, Jayme ran through the woods and came out by Jeanne and Henry. And now Jayme is home with her aunt, her dog, and other extended family. Truly amazng! Wonder why Jake chose Jayme to kidnap. What was he thinking? And young Jayme...praying for your healing.

2018--Year of Loss

My husband stopped into the flower shop today. Since he delivers car parts to the store next door, I thought he came in for a quick visit. I was wrong--he had come in to tell me he had lost his job. After 17 years with the company, he was canned. Management told him that the store was going in a new direction, and effective immediately, he was fired. His friend was fired too, but he drove to a rival parts store and was hired. As I age, I know that my relatives age too. This year we said goodbye to two uncles, a cousin, the husband of a cousin and my 92 year old dad. One day I woke up and my 2 algae eaters and 2 pictus catfish had died. I followed the advice of a young sales associate at the fish store and added a new filter and a water change, killing all the beneficial bacteria that keeps nitrate levels in check. My poor fish. That same day, I shopped at the mall and two other stores and lost my set of keys for the stores. I have lost a warm red mitten that my daughter gave me as a gift. The weight of loss is heavy.

Student crisis?

This afternoon a truant officer with the school came into the flower shop to buy a bouquet for his wife She teaches 4th grade and has some difficult students. He hoped the flowers would cheer her up. I asked why the students were struggling. He answered that some parents do not want to be parents. He also said that students are upset with arguments on the national level. He attributed some of the causes to a death in the family, drug addiction and mental illness. This is a serious and concerning problem. Our youth are our treasures. We need to fix this situation.

Terrible tragedy in Indiana

A small Indiana town is reeling after the death of three siblings and the serious injury of another student at a bus stop. A young woman hit the children as they crossed a rural road to board their bus. A horrible horrible tragedy. My heart is saddened for the family and friends of everyone involved. I have a toddler grandchild. I have read over and over, "have layers and layers of protection for your children." Yes, the bus had red lights, the stop arm was extended, but we are human. We can all make deadly mistakes. We say to ourselves, "I would never pass a school bus with the red lights flashing." or "I would never forget my toddler in the back seat of my car." We are human and given the right circumstances any of us could do something to injure or kill another person. So why didn't these children have layers and layers of protection. Parents had complained that the road was dangerous. It was early morning. The driver was young, the age of my youngest daughter. Why couldn't the stop have been located in a safer place? We need to be protected from ourselves because no one is immune from wrong thinking that can cause harm to others.

My Dad

Last weekend my Dad entered the hospital in respitory failure. He had low blood pressure and a chronic kidney issue. Because of his poor health he felt he should go to a hospice facility. He felt better, decided to continue medical treatment and came home on Monday. His cousin and her husband came to see him on Tuesday. My husband and I cooked dinner and visited with him on Wednesday. After dinner he put on his "ears" to listen to the TV. Very hard to carry on a conversation with his ears on. I'm hoping to take a small vacation at the end of next week. My brother and sister are hoping to take one also. Dad is hoping to live until after our vacations.

Celebrating a life well-lived

My cousin's husband died on Tuesday. He had several heart attacks earlier in the year. We had talked with him in April at my uncle's funeral mass. My husband and I had our baby granddaughter with us and she flipped things on the floor, a toy, her sock and he retrieved them. She dropped a cheerio or two on the church floor. As my husband was cleaning up, my cousin's husband said, "Don't worry. The rats will eat em." Made me laugh. We will get together next week to celebrate his sense of humor, his love of life, a life well-lived. I know when I go on, I want people to celebrate my life as I have had a life full of happiness and joy. My husband and I cooked dinner and visited with my dad yesterday. His energy level was pretty good and we talked and laughed. Each Wednesday visit is a gift since he is 92 years old and has various physical ailments.