Scruffy was a very fine hamster

Scruffy was a hamster

Of the Golden Syrian kind

He was cute and very squeezable

And didn't seem to mind

When I snuggled him or held him

Or suspended him up high

Easter Hats 1963

It was Easter, 1963. Leah was 4 years old. I was six. Mom had already picked out and ironed our smocked Easter dresses but had not yet purchased hats for us to wear. It was down to the wire and my father was recruited to take us shopping for Easter hats. Therein was the mistake that would lay the groundwork for "The Story of the Easter in Which Father Took the Girls Shopping for Easter Hats" (and the photo that proved it).

As evident in the photo, my younger sister did quite well in choosing a tasteful Easter Bonnet to complete her ensemble. I, on the other hand, chose a hat that was sanctioned by my father to go down in the family history book as the hat that cracked us all up for years and years to come.

Camping with Father

My father turns 80 on July 1st.

I believe this is the 4th summer he has parked the R.V. at the Naval Campground on Perdido Bay. It is a beautiful and serene place. The sun goes down right over the bay.
I like to sit on the wooden porch swing and push myself into the relaxing back and forth motion that so easily reminds me of my childhood. I still have the occasional dream of being at home with both of my parents. It is always a sweet dream; I feel safe and loved and content.
I know my father will not live forever. I know life is always changing, and we must also change and hopefully grow and acquire some wisdom along the way. My sister and brother and I cherish these days with our father. There is laughter and love when we get together, as well as long periods of silence. I have always worried about those periods of silence... "Should I be more entertaining? Can I help it if I am "the quiet type" just like my father?" Now, I just try to relax in the quiet and enjoy the time we have together. This quiet place is perfect for doing just that.

The Stuff I'm Made Of

This is a photo that was taken of my parents before I had ever been dreamed of. How young and full of hope they must have been. She, a sheltered southern belle...he a young naval officer from Connecticut. They were from different worlds.

When I think of the stuff of which I'm made, I feel honored and proud, because I hold both of my parents in high esteem. I am inspired by them and aspire to be like them.

Reconnection and Joy

After several years of trying to track down a dear friend from high school,
I found her.
She was such fun when we were kids,
Always laughing, picking at me and teasing -
She taught me how to ride a horse on her parents' farm.
"Here. Put your left foot here..swing yourself over and into the saddle.
Now. Hold on, and your horse will follow mine..."
I fell off a couple of times, but what fun!
What sheer freedom and joy!
She had a trampoline and we would jump on that thing until the ground felt like another planet under our feet.
Such a sweet friendship; such wonderful memories...

I found her a couple of months ago.
She is living in Mississippi, a short drive away.
Life has been hard for her...
Lost her home in Katrina -
Recently completed the all-draining effects of chemo and radiation for breast cancer -

I made the trip over right before Christmas.
We have both aged and matured (a little bit)!
I still see the child in her.
She still teases me.
She is still a delight to be around.
Like old times ... but so much sweeter.