Remembering

Today I got an e-mail from Sharon Sullivan Starling that her father had passed away. He had been battling blood cancer for many months and there wasn't anything more they could do after Wednesday. I remember lots of fun barbecues at the Sullivan's house and how well he and Patsy managed in a three bedroom house with 6 children (4 girls just two boys.)  But thing I will always remember Don and Patsy for was how they introduced me to a person called Jesus. For them Jesus wasn't just a name in the Bible or an obligation it was a following and a way of life. Don was a very caring husband, father, grandfather and  great grandfather. He will be missed. RIP

Friends

Gosh, I am tired! I spent the weekend (23 hours). Friday night and Saturday morning with some of the ladies from OBF church. We drove down to a lovely area near Cincinnati and stayed in hotel style rooms with rather hard beds. The ride down was good with Kathy, Tutu, and Barb. At the retreat location we had three meals, one was fried chicken, a hay ride and marshmellow/hershey s'mores. This was the first retreat I had been on since Jonathan was a baby. It was also the first one that was girls only since 8th grade.  I loved that the place was the same location where Lita had 4-H camp.
After this trip I feel I know Barb and Tutu much better and cemented my relationship with Kathy even more. Not only did we have my favorite food, but we did each other's nail.  And we wrote letters of encouragement. When was the last time that ever happened? Well, Katie, Kathleen and I did that once this summer.
Terry led a prayer and discussion over materials presented by the speaker, Angela Thomas, no relation to the famous Danny Thomas daughter.

My reaction: thank God I know the God who changes ashes into Beauty. Kathy felt it was very good and useful. Barb,Tutu, and I not so much, but maybe we were just tired from staying up and talking? Sometimes the barbecue sauce needs to soak in a bit before we taste the flavor.

2 New Things

Today Karen and I went out to dinner. Most of the time we go to Bob Evans or Phan Shin. If we are really trying to have an adventure we go to Applebees or Panera. But today we walked on the wild side and tried two new places here in Oxford. We went to TGD and got Turkey dinners.  Then afterwards we went to a soft serve ice cream place.  Love that orange swirl!

Remembering

So today was September 12, the day after September 11. Things have changed here in the USA security wise. People seem more fearful of strangers, but there are still places where you feel safe at night to walk on the street. People are more aware of bullies and now have a way to handle that sort of situation. The hate crimes are not just shoved under the carpet any more. It also has taught us how we are proud to be American and we won't give up. So I think that September 11 has opened up the eyes of Americans in many ways.

I am posting this picture of yellow roses because they make me think of  love and of hope. They symbolize strength for today and  a bright hope for a better tomorrow.

This Cat again

When I get up early or in the middle of the night this cat attacks me. She bites my ankles gently and loves to play with my shoe strings. When I take off my shoes she sticks here head where my stinky feet were.  Today and several weeks in a row now she has a favorite spot in which to sleep. I have even caught her picture on occasion. Notice how she has grown.