Bentley

Hello Friends ~

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and comments on my previous post.  It has boosted my spirits greatly. 
 

Speaking of a spirit boost, Friday, March 2 the world was made better by the birth of my new Grand-Godson, Bentley Mathew.  

 

Our home was abuzz with activity as big brother, Skylar, spent the weekend with us while his mommy was in the hospital.


Skylar…

hung out with Uncle Jordan…

 

baked cupcakes to take home and helped clean the spoon…

visited Mommy, Daddy, and Bentley at the hospital...

and bonded with his baby brother.

He was a little angel and enjoyed being the center of attention.  By Saturday afternoon, however, he was ready to be home with Mommy and G-ma-la was ready for a nap. 

 GREET EACH DAY WITH GRATITUDE

Remember Me?

After a very long hiatus, I am back.  I missed all of you so much…even those of you who visit, but never leave your calling card.  Knock on wood, I think my life is starting to resemble normalcy…or at least as close as it ever has.

After back surgery, congestive heart failure, a major heart attack, three weeks in two hospitals, and six weeks in a physical rehabilitation center, look who is home!  Dad came home on Friday, February 17.  Although it has taken a couple weeks to acclimate to our new normal, things seem to be settling down.  

I am now playing doctor with my Dad three times a day.  There is something totally wrong with that sentence.  What I mean is I take vitals, administer breathing treatments, and dispense medications.  Dad is still making great progress and is now able to walk up and down the stairs alone.  God has truly blessed us with answered prayers.

STOP THE PRESSES!

I wrote this post three weeks ago.  Before I could publish it, Dad fell and dislocated his elbow.  It was a setback for which we weren’t prepared and it knocked the air out of his sails.  He, again, had to make adjustments and today he is improving and looking forward to getting his splint off Tuesday and being fitted for a hinged brace.  

So, that is what I have been up to…so how ‘bout you?  What is keeping you busy?

Greet each day with Gratitude!

 

Turning 87

Caution: Poor quality photos ahead!

Hello Friends.

It has been a glorious weekend here in Ohio.  Today the sun is shining, the skies are bright blue, and there is a crisp freshness to the air.  It is an ideal fall weekend.  

Last weekend, my dad turned 87!  We gathered at my brother and sister-in-law's home for a potluck celebration of his birth.  Dad enjoyed having all his children and grandchildren together in one spot.  

The joke in our family is how Dad fixes EVERYTHING with Duck brand duct tape.  Do you have someone like that in your family?  Are YOU that person in your family?  I digress...  At Jordan's urging, I ordered Dad a special individual birthday cake to resemble a roll of duct tape.  He got a kick out that. 

After dinner, we all stuck around to watch the Ohio State football game.  It was an exciting game and Ohio State pulled out the victory with only seconds left in the game.  That was the "icing" on Dad's birthday cake. 

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!     

Life is a Whirlwind

Hello friends.

Yes, I am alive and kicking.  It has been a very hectic and stressful fall here.  There have been fun times with birthdays, festivals, and football.
 
Unfortunately, there have also been many health issues.  In the past couple of months:

• Niece-in-law - shoulder surgery
• Brother #3 - shoulder surgery
• Nephew #2 - knee surgery
• Nephew #1 - shoulder surgery
• Great Nephew (age 4) - broken arm
• Brother #3's girlfriend's son - broken foot
• Sister-in-law - hospitalized with chest pains

Although I am not responsible for the day-to-day care of these loved ones, I don't worry any less and their illnesses have been a distraction.  I am happy to report they are all healing nicely. 

The one person to whom I am responsible for day-to-day care is my father.  He too has had some health issues lately.  At 87, I suppose that is to be expected.  In recent months, he has undergone eye surgery, his kidneys have been in distress, and he has some much needed back surgery coming up.  I was not thrilled about the idea of surgery, but the problem is diminishing his quality of life.

As if this weren't enough, our family sustained quite a scare two weeks ago when my youngest nephew (age 8), who is wiry, funny, and energetic had a seizure.  He was so brave as they poked and prodded him at the emergency room.  Thankfully, they quickly ruled out a tumor and referred him to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus.  He has undergone tests and early indications are that this ailment can be treated with medication.  We are very thankful. 

Speaking of thankful, don’t you just love your blogging buddies?  They are the most encouraging, thoughtful, and generous people.  

Lynn always has an encouraging word to share with me when I am feeling vulnerable.  She has become a real pal in the past year.  While I was away from blogging, I received this wonderful care package this special buddy and her sidekick, Earl.

She sent me a jar of her homemade jalapeno relish.  Look at how sweetly she decorated this jar.  Does that not say Hi, I’m Happier than a Pig in Mud?!

Oh my, is it DELICIOUS!!  To my family…you won’t like it so don’t even try it.  ;o) I’ve tried it on hot dogs and in tartar sauce and it is amazing.  I may try it in my potato salad next time, if there is any left.  

Oh, and there is this sweet little sachet.  It smells heavenly.  
Thank you so much, Lynn.  YOU ARE THE BEST!   

I hope all of you are having a wonderful fall.  It is just beautiful here today.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Ohio Renaissance Festival

Greetings Lords and Ladies.  

Recently, Jordan, Ashlee, and I ventured into Southern Ohio for the Ohio Renaissance Festival.  Jordan and I wanted to go to this festival for years, but something always got in the way.  

This year we planned ahead and made it happen.  We got up early in the morning and drove the two hours to Harveysburg, Ohio, which sets four miles (and four centuries) west of I-71. 

As we got out of the car, we saw many people dressed in Renaissance Period garb.  These were not people dressed up for a Halloween or masquerade party, these people are lovers of history and assume a new persona.  

We were there just prior to the opening and people were gathered outside the Castle's gate.  Standing above the grated gates, the queen greeted her people.

What lay before us inside the gate was much more than I anticipated.See for yourself...

Jordan decided he wanted to join in on the fun so we stopped in at Swan Lace to get him transformed.  There was so much to choose from and as Jordan was trying things on, Ashlee and I oohed and aahed over the pretty dresses and corsets.

Check out my handsome bard.  Jordan, who is shy by nature was being coached on how to pose by this interesting gentleman.

The day we went, the festival was celebrating Romance Weekend.  While we were eating our lunch, a flower vendor came by and asked Jordan if he wanted to buy his lady a flower.  She chose a beautiful rose.   

The festival offers many of the usual fair foods of chicken strips, fries, and pretzels.  However, we opted for the specialties.  Jordan and I enjoyed bread bowls filled with beef stew for Jordan and Ceasar Salad for me.  Then Jordan and Ashlee had THE festival specialty, smoked turkey legs. 

The festival boasts 11 stages with continuous entertainment.  We enjoyed several shows, but still left a lot unseen. 

We had a lot of fun and look forward to returning next year.  We are already making plans for OUR clothes.  If your area hosts a renaissance festival, we highly recommend you check it out.  It is unlike any other festival you've attended. 

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

I will be linking to the following parties:

Mosaic Monday

Seasonal Sunday

Blue Monday

Fuzzy Friend

This post was designed using My Memories Version 2, a digital scrapbook program.  The generous folks at My Memories is sponsoring a giveaway HERE.  Be sure to enter to win this fabulously versatile and fun program.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

I will be linking up to Blue Monday.

First Responders

Hello Friends.

I hope you each had a spectacular weekend.  My weekend was filled to the brim with football games, the Marion Popcorn Festival, and remembering the events of 9/11/01.  

Last night as I watched one of the many specials, I saw hundreds of firefighters marching toward the one remaining tower and I wondered what was going through the minds of these brave men and women.  Certainly, it must have run through their minds that this may be the fire they don’t survive.  Still, they marched forward without a discernible instance of hesitancy.

While the heroism the first responders exhibited on 9/11 is irrefutable, the truth is there are first responders throughout the world who put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of the public daily.

Friday, during my lunch hour, I visited First Responders Park in Hilliard, Ohio.  My purpose for going was to take pictures to share with you on 9/11.  I was not quite prepared for the emotional impact of this visit.  

The park is dedicated to the first responders nationwide who sacrifice their personal safety to protect our citizens.  Although the memorial is in Hilliard, Ohio, it carries the message that no matter where you live, all Americans are stakeholders in the events of 9/11.

The focal point of the park is a unique sculpture by Ohio artist, Dale Johnson.  A new element will be added to the sculpture each year, making it an ever evolving piece.  The sculpture is made of individual cast and fabricated stainless steel figures, which were then welded together.

  

When you first look at the piece, you see that it represents the flames of the inferno which enveloped the towers.  Upon further inspection, you see the individual figures represent the people who perished in the flames. 

 

This amazing sculpture sets atop a platform, surrounded by a reflecting pool.  Fire hoses, 9 on one side and 11 on the other spray water into the pool.

 

Three granite walls, each representing the three places where planes crashed are engraved with the names of the victims who died on 9/11.

 

The sculpture below is made of fiberglass and represents the image of the tower remnants that remained standing.

I visited the World Trade Center and ate at Windows on the World when I was a senior in high school.  A month before the attacks, Jordan and I drove through New York as we drove home from Cape Cod.  I pointed out the buildings in the skyline and promised Jordan we would come back in the spring and we would tour some of them.

See those two really tall buildings?

Those are the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

Therefore, the most powerful aspects of the park, for me, are the six tons of steel from the World Trade Center towers that are incorporated into the memorial.

 

Part of a support beam from Ground Zero sets alone.  No plaque with eloquent words.  After all, what could be said?

These railings are from the subway tunnel that ran under the towers.  I wonder if I ran my hand down this railing on my visit to the World Trade Center all those years ago…

If you know me personally, you know that I am fascinated by all things that fly.  I may be in the midst of a conversation, but will stop and look up if a plane or helicopter flies overhead….usually dreaming about being on board and flying off to somewhere exotic.

Friday as I approached this part of the park, an airliner flew overhead.  Honestly, it could not have been timed more appropriately.  I was chilled by the sound of the planes engines while my eyes took in the sight of this twisted metal.  I was drawn to touch the metal as I looked at it and I wondered what it must have been like for the rescue workers to look for survivors and deceased in endless piles of twisted metal.  What kind of psychological impact did this have on their lives?

Thank you to all the first responders who work daily to make our lives safer.  

To the Firefighters – thank you.

To the Peace Officers – thank you.

To the Emergency Medical Technicians – thank you.

To the two first responders who have 
a special place in my heart:

Lieutenant BJ Gruber

Marion Police Department

And 

Jason Gruber

Scioto Valley Fire Department

Stay safe.

I am so proud of you.

Love, Aunt La

Fall is in the Air

You can feel a change in the air here in Ohio.  The breezes are cooler and the temperatures lower.  

 It's time for football, 

tailgating, and

before long, apple picking. 

Friday was the first game of my nephew Joel's (#2) senior season playing varsity football.  

Joel's scrimmage number is 4

We were thrilled to hear mid-week that he was chosen a team captain.  He and another captain decided to cut their hair especially for the game.

Most of the family turned out for Friday's game as did of Columbus' local news stations. 

It was a fun game and Joel's team, the underdog, won the game 34-21.

  GO COMETS!

Don't forget to come back on Wednesday to share your summer posts.  All participants are eligible to win a fun gift basket.  

Click on the button on my sidebar for details.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY! 

Ohio's North Shore

Hello Friends!

Did you have a fantastic weekend?  I hope you were able to beat the heat with some fun and relaxation.

Some of you know my dad hasn't been feeling up to par lately.  We've made several trips to the ER and doctors appointments lately.  Understandably, these struggles coupled with the excessive heat, have left him home-bound and feeling pretty blue. 

Yesterday, I packed him up and we went for a drive along Ohio's north shore, Lake Erie.  When I was a teenager, my parents had a house trailer just south of Port Clinton on the Portage River.  My dad loved it up there and we spent every weekend and five weeks of vacation there each summer.

** 

It rained most of the trip up and back, but it was nice while we were there.  It was hot and humid, but the overcast skies kept the sun from beating down on us.  There was a breeze, which there almost always is near the lake.  

WE started with a drive around Nugent's Canal, where we spent summers and boy has it changed.  Where there used to be empty lots along the canal, are year 'round homes, and summer cottages.  All the old boat docks have been replaced and most of them have boats tied up to them.  

For anyone who has ever visited, the old bouncy bridge over the canal no longer exists and The Point now has grass, a wooden ship for kids to play on and a decorative lighthouse.  Where the old facilities were now stands a community shelter with picnic tables.  The old restaurant/bar/bait shop is still open and is now called the Lagoon Saloon.  It now has outdoor seating.  Next trip we will definitely stop in for a drink and dinner.    

After this trip down memory lane, we moved along the shore to Port Clinton and Marblehead.  Our destination was the Marblehead Lighthouse so I could take some pictures for all of you. 

If you are a lover of lighthouses, you undoubtedly are familiar with the Marblehead Lighthouse as it is a famous jewel of Lake Erie.  Its location is ideal for views of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, Kelleys Island and South Bass Island.  Yesterday, we weren't able to see the islands due to the hazy and overcast weather.    

By the time I finished taking photos of the lighthouse, Dad was hungry.  A good sign.  We headed back to Port Clinton to Jolly Roger Seafood House for perch.  I was raised on perch as my Grandpa Benson was an excellent fisherman.  It is still my favorite fish.  

Named one of the best seafood dives by Coastal Living Magazine, Jolly Roger specializes in Lake Erie Perch and Walleye.  They also serve chicken, turkey, and other fish and seafood, but we were there for PERCH!  YUM!   

We had a wonderful day at the north shore, and Dad's spirits seem to be lifted.  Since he was such a good boy during our trip, I made him a big ice cream cone when we got home.

I will be linking this to Blue Monday, Mosaic Monday, and Seasonal Sunday. 

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!