What are the Holloways doing

Dad

2009-06-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

I have found that I am turning into Dad. Wow, I typed that, didn't I? I only wish I had that good job behind me to make it possible. I walk around and see something that needs work and find myself compelled to fix them or find a way to make that happen.

Thank you Dad for inspiring me and filling me with goodness and an interest making things right. "Hey, that window is busted ... let's fix it." "This chair needs fixing ... I'll get it."

great news

2009-05-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

Thomas went to doctor and his PSA went down again. That is just marvelous! Lois went to the doctor for stomach issues and it might be an ulcer, which is a lot easier to treat than many other conditions.

They hired a 2-person team, father and son, to remodel the bathroom. Here are some photos!

I am very thankful that health issues are being addressed.

my forty

2009-04-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

or (2^3) * (2+3)

And so ... I am four decades old. Man, and to think I am shooting for four more decades. It has been a long haul to get my reckless insidious hide to this point. To for that I thank family and friends.

I am surprised indeed that I have friends up to this point especially since "Marcus stories" proceed me.

I could not find a good pictures of several people.

I appreciate all the effort and work it took to do this. I truly don't deserve friends like you, but I appreciate you very much!

I would like to thank:

Tawnya

Amy, Andrew, Charles, Charlie, Christopher, Connie, Dave, Dave, Dylan, Heather, Jeff, Jeff, Jeremy, JJ, Josh, Keith, Lisa, Lori, Maddie, Mike, Paula, Scott, Simone, TJ, William

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thanks Keith, Lori, Charlie for hosting.

The bomb cake was the bomb. I also didn't smash anything. How wonderful!

I look forward to the many photos that you all have.
--------------
For my family who was not there ...
Tawnya, dear sweet woman she is, set a surprise party for me. She and Simone, her daughter, met up with me in Fort Wayne claiming that they were stuck in slow traffic on US 30. They were doing last-minute things and waiting for people to show.

We went there and SURPRISE!

Lori made a bomb cake with explosives. After many attempts to light the fuse, we improvised. As it turned out, the moisture of the icing and cake wet the fuse. Keith installed another bomb and blew it into two. He tried to pitch the cake onto me, but I caught it. I leaped at the chance to give it to Tawnya.

In one photo you can see Dave helping me get Tawnya to share the fun with the cake. Tawnya made me wear cake, I made her wear icing. The other cake was of a wine glass on a hand. This goes back to a story when:

Marcus was at Keith's folks' house. I thought that ninja me could use a spinning force so fast that it would remain on my hand. No. It went onto the floor promptly in full view of all. Ninja, graceful, and talented I am not.

The icing on the cake gave me the chance to do it for real.

clearly meddy

2009-04-09T08:20:00.001-07:00

"Yesm. But me backin upm mym pcm. It ism maknm mem madm. Som patientm I am. Callm inm minims."

Debbie was a bit off in typing.

They got back

2009-04-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

I called Jessica and Diane on progress of their trip when they were there ... I got "we got lost, but are now back on track".

dead round

2009-03-27T18:51:00.001-07:00

The front tree makes lots of shade and so too -- the grass dies. Thomas bought about twenty-four bags of soil using Marcus as pack mule. The grass seed might start growing in a week or so.

red

2009-03-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

Lois went to Red Hat Ladies meeting and she wore this to go. They went to the Firefighter's Museum then to the genealogy department at the library.

remember when

2009-03-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

This one makes me cry

singles shingles

2009-03-18T17:52:00.001-07:00

Cripes! I suppose since no one else will post on this, I will.

Lois injured her wrist last Tuesday. She had it X-Rayed and they found nothing. She is going in for more tests on other areas tomorrow. She is taking physical therapy for her hip. Other than that ... she is OK, all things considered.

Thomas has had good reports from the doctor regarding his PSA as it is lowering. He has been able to golf this year at the dome. The courses are still muddy, yucky, unprepared.

Debbie made it back fine from the doctor's with her surgery!

Marcus has tried to help family and friends with little issues. Diane has her share of dumb things happening to her.

A family member was diagnosed with shingles.

I wish that family member very well and a speedy recovery.

Father and I got home and found that there was a possible shingle loose on the roof. Yep, fudge and darn. I will replace that on a solidly dry day.

I helped Thomas get the mower ready for summer.

That kids, is the end of this story.

mouse?

2009-03-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

Diane has a small issue. It happens to be a mouse. Maybe, just maybe, it will be caught or leave on its own accord. I suggested a cat, Jessica relished the idea of a kitten. Lilly may not agree.

auf Debbie, health through family from God

2009-03-08T19:56:00.000-07:00

Thank you for all the extra prayers and warm well wishes. My surgery on Friday went very well. As always the plea for prayers for Tony and the family as they help me recover. My sister-in-law, sister, and both mothers have been coordinating efforts this weekend and have organized food and groceries for most of the month.

Ana will be home for some of her spring break also.
I will behave and not lift or work or overdo... pinky swear with Megan!

Dave, Jon, Meg and Tony have been angels for months now. I hope soon to be productive and not a burden.

May Christ Bless you this Lent Season as we prepare for Easter.
With Love,
deb o

Great!

2009-03-06T12:10:00.001-08:00

Debbie's surgery went fine and this morning I got a call that she was in her recovery room. Yea! God works in great ways and it feels better when it appears God is making miracles for us, personally.

I am so happy! I also hope that she gets the heck out of there soon and also that she "OBEYS the doctor's directions on limited movement, lifting, etc.".

I love you Debbie!

I need to type more but will quickly post this

2009-03-04T22:40:00.001-08:00

Good luck to Debbie on her surgery. While the above does not depict gambling, nor shall I believe there is a gamble on her safe recovery. God grant your will with Debbie, please.

Jenny's new friend

2009-02-18T11:20:00.001-08:00

Actually, she's Jenny's new roomie.

cold day in ...

2009-02-13T08:07:00.000-08:00

My car wouldn't start. Oh, man! I called the shop and they predicted, not seeing the car, that it was the starter and it would be around $200. Ouch! I had to call a tow truck to get it there.

I cannot overstate this: "GET an AAA Chicago Motor Club Membership". I have gone through a lot of miles with two cars breaking down.

The tow driver pulled the car up the ramp and popped my tire. The company, likely later the driver, then is responsible for getting me a new tire. I got to the shop late and the owner had a critical question: "Is that a 2.7 [liter engine]?" He reported that the 2.7L engines were junk and he had lots of them sitting, broken, unusable. Thankfully, I have a 3.2L, which is "less of a problem".

Yoikes!

pampering pooch

2009-02-11T15:50:00.000-08:00

There is a dog, while old and need of support sometimes for his weak legs, is granted an unusual diet. He has dinner prepared for him, but not just any meal. He won't eat kibble, oh no. He requires special food. His humans make him food that has to taste like people food. He even gets picky about the spices. It has to smell and taste like people food, so it gets a bit of spices too.

remembering

2009-01-30T10:04:00.001-08:00

MR found this in his yearbook and sent it to me. Hmm. I suppose that it was a long time, or rather it seemed like a long time in my youth to get through school. Later, I went again and got a degree. It might be that I get yet another, yet different degree. Hopefully this one will net real money.

Thanks folks, family, friends for encouragement throughout my many years on Earth!

She likes cookies

2009-01-26T11:43:00.000-08:00

Now where did those cookies go?

por (and poor) D

2009-01-26T07:29:00.000-08:00

It is better to be dead than well read. A family member will not have a contract renewed for teaching. Apparently that family member failed too many students who would otherwise endanger people if allowed to pass. Remember, in some schools, it's OK to be so-so or flunky when finishing your degree in medicine.

hearing loss

2009-01-20T11:04:00.000-08:00

Tom took the bold move of losing his hearing aid today. Despite great efforts by a few people, it was not found. It has been a great hearing aid so far, cough. It has lodged in his ear a few times and doesn't work as well as he would like. Now it is lost. Wonderful!

Going Back

2009-01-19T14:26:00.000-08:00

I have been requested to do something. . .
My dear, sweet, love of my life has requested that I go back to school, get my credits to renew my license and teach again. "Just when I thought I was out ... they pull me back in again." My sister also thinks it's a good idea.

MR before had suggested that I do it. I suppose that if all the signs point in a direction, then maybe I ought to go in that direction. I don't think I will be teaching at FWCS, but I hope to wipe out the classes in Summer and teach in Fall somewhere.

May God have mercy on my soul.

+ picture composed of 2 scenes from, "We Don't Need No Education", and from Back to School

Christmas 2008 continued

2009-01-09T12:27:00.000-08:00

Betty didn't join us this year as she normally does and we all have many people whom we miss dearly. We were granted great traveling weather for the day. Tawnya and three of her kids, Justin, Simone, Cheree came up and met us at Diane's. We ate lots, opened gifts, but then they had to leave for the day. Tawnya confessed to me that her later Christmas at her family's, it wasn't without problems.

Debbie and family came up after their vacation in TN. That is a story Debbie and Ana can write/type about on their blogs. Beth and Tom came up and we had a good time. Tawnya had to work and I left to pick up her in Warsaw. Her kids had other plans.

Tawnya and the rest of the family celebrated New Year then she and I took off for Jeffy's. We got back to Fort Wayne and saw family for New Year, then went back to Warsaw. After many hours of driving and staying we were beat.

I got back to Fort Wayne and spent some more time with family before they left.

May God's graces be with you always!

Christmas 2008

2009-01-09T12:17:00.000-08:00

It was a tough Christmas, but well appreciated.

We had the typical multiple Christmases. I thank everyone for coming and for reminding us of love, Christ, and hope. Thank you Diane for hosting, food, and for making it special for Tawnya and her kids!

I will write some more later, but simply there were more players this time.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!
Family and friends:
Diane, Deb, Beth, Dad, Mom, Jim, Tony, Tom, Joe, Jenny, Jessica, Ana, Dave, Jon, Megan, Jeffy, Scott, Kit, Lucas, Jake, Maddie, Charlie, Lori, Jessica (sadly slipped into near coma thanks to Keith's mixing), Kayla (and boyfriend), Tawnya (my true, dear love), Simone, Cheree, Justin, Zane, Logan, Lilly

This is not an exhaustive list nor is it in any order at all. Peace be with you forever and always!

Christmas & New Year 2008 (6 of many)

2009-01-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

Christmas & New Year 2008 (4 of many)

2009-01-09T11:32:00.001-08:00

If you look carefully, you can find something added here.

Christmas & New Year 2008 (3 of many)

2009-01-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas & New Year 2008 (2 of many)

2009-01-09T10:44:00.000-08:00

Christmas & New Year 2008 (1 of many)

2009-01-09T10:25:00.000-08:00

Gah! I'm getting older!

2009-01-08T14:12:00.000-08:00

Here I either have to shake my head and say "No, no, no" like the Emperor in Revenge of the Sith or I have to say, "no" like this:

Special

2008-12-27T21:25:00.000-08:00

While I am thanking everyone for a great Christmas, I would especially like to thank Diane for hosting, helping us when we were out of power and for making Christmas for Tawnya and three of her kids great!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Winter, not winner

2008-12-22T20:26:00.000-08:00

Well, we have power and heat again. It was still a might chilly at 60 F when we entered. After some time and more lights shining (heating) it was a nicer near-70 F. Yea!

To Diane,

What a bad weekend!

2008-12-21T18:50:00.001-08:00

Well, at 6:19 a.m. Tom and Lois lost power and therefore heat. Since there was no power, getting news on when it would return was non-existent. At around 10 something, the LAN phone line went out. Therefore there were only cellphones that worked. Not only at night were we in the dark, but for information too.

While it appears lovely, it is a thick layer of ice that is dangerous on which to walk and drive. So too is it that made the limbs too heavy, which fell off trees and snapped phone and power lines.
Our poor neighbor got a pounding, obviously. I was going to walk over and help, but during the time that I could have, three limbs fell. I might have been hurt or killed. I changed my mind about pulling limbs while they were still falling.
This other neighbor lost the top half of the tree here. Oh, man!
Diane was nice enough to put us up for the night, which went to two, perhaps three. Joe was with us and so the many of us stayed with Diane and Jim. While there Diane found Lilly chasing something. This opossum crawled up on the grill for safety. It later crawled away.

Jeff sent this photo of a Glenbrook flag, destroyed by the weather.
In all over 100,000 people lost power in Allen County alone.

Ho Ho, uh oh

2008-12-17T13:35:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again when Grandpa Claus gets gifts for everyone including and especially his favorite -- animal crackers. Look for yours today!

Saturday for a Sunday

2008-12-16T13:42:00.000-08:00

I helped out the Tom and Lois' church by helping them put out chairs. It went quickly, but there wasn't a planogram to figure out all of it. In the end, we winged it!

Vindow

2008-12-12T18:42:00.000-08:00

a new window

There came a tapping. A rapping on my window, nothing more.+
Diane had a drafty or windy window. She bought a window, but had yet to get it installed. Time was awastin' so she contracted it to a small company. These two guys, John and Keith installed it and ensured it was neat and correct. It was instantly warmer in the room. Yea for Jessica!

+ paraphrased from Edgar Allen Poe, of course.

Bethy Shocks the spunky

2008-12-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

"I DID IT!! AFTER 6 YEARS I GOT HIM!!!! It was only a little startle, not a big jump but it counts! He was weak I took advantage of it! THAT WAS SO AWESOME!!!!"

Lilly proves she was mis-named

2008-12-11T07:05:00.000-08:00

Lilly, or as I called her Chewy, has warranted stricter measures to limit her mobility.

1: Lilly got banished from the blue room with the Christmas tree. She brought to her mommy well-chewed precious and unique ornaments.

2. Lilly is required to be on a leash outside. She had been getting into Thanksgiving trash -- getting her sick. When that was gone, she ran out to the busy road chasing something.

Now, hardly Lilly of the Valley, she is Lilly of the Limitations (or the Leash). She is still puppy and full of energy. She also still likes to chew, especially hands regardless of the toys surrounding her.

Lump of coal in her stocking I'm afraid. Maybe next year she'll opt to be better behaved.

almost 5 feet and tough

2008-12-07T08:35:00.000-08:00

"thanks beth. you are the terminator."
-- co-worker commenting on Bethy stopping nuisance running applications

Beth will not stop ever, until the background processes are terminated.

happy note

2008-12-06T10:46:00.001-08:00

I got to see and obviously photograph this ...
Simone gets baptized. She is the-love-of-my-life-Tawnya's elder daughter.
2008 and God is still great!

21

2008-12-05T20:07:00.000-08:00

The was cut, not too cautiously.
I bet you wish you had more "death by chocolate" cake.
Yeah! Thank you hugs.

Well, Jenny now 21 and gets all the priviledges therein. Since she's not really a drinker ... not much advantage.

Jenny had a quiet little birthday celebration where we tried some wine with lasagna. Lilly helped lots with pulling paper from wrapped gifts, off the table to be shredded. Grandpa didn't go, he was ill.

Happy Birthday Jenny!

notes from a somber trip

2008-12-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

dark setting sun

I looked at this and thought of a wink.

We traveled to Jack's showing and funeral. I won't labor the painful loss though I could easily.
It was really nice to see people there. I will highlight the funny little things.

We got to the hotel late that night and the girls wanted tea. After we went to the restaurant nearby, Debbie couldn't, for the life of her figure out the coffee maker. She didn't pour it in the right area. Really, we were all loopy, sickened with sorrow and tired. It was still funny that Debbie, coffee-hound that she is, couldn't figure it out.

I had the misfortune of odd circumstances. Diane was to sleep with the girls, but ... that didn't happen. She didn't go to sleep in Joe's room either. She bunked in with me, no worries, save one. I am a very light sleeper. Diane snores uncontrollably. I had no options. I slept in the car and a restless and cold night it was.

After the funeral there was a delay ... a drained battery. Thankfully cables and capability -- voila, it started. Susan lost her ride and frantically called to ride with Dad and I. We were happy to have her. We were following Don back for it was easy to get lost. Susan, in Brooklyn baroque spoke of jolly ol' England and her first 4 months there. She broke her leg and the flat was burglarized while they were away. Of the years she lived in Brooklyn, not once was she burglarized.

Barney sucked up to most people who had that special charm, love ... food. He grabbed anything Barney height and made it his.

Debbie, still tired, couldn't figure out the parking brake at night. So goofy.
Sorry Diane, this one is for you ... Diane kept us up to date with play by play action, including the obvious. Debbie was in tears with laughter with, "Hello, Mr. Obvious? Long time listener, first time caller." "OK. We're turning around here."

Diane lost her cellphone.

Joe spilt caramel coffee in the van -- ew! At the same time Beth nearly gagged with the smell of a cigar-smoker in the parking lot.

We agreed not to take the same long-butt route we did. In the end we shaved off 40 minutes, but there is no "quick" way.

We got back home with few breaks in Ohio with three voices calling, "potty!"

I will bear the name, "Neo" with my black trenchcoat. I'm no Keanu, thank you.

quick

2008-11-15T08:04:00.000-08:00

I know. I should have photos here. My weeks have been very busy.

A friend of mine went in for surgery. They believe it was endometriosis, tests will confirm. She was out within hours of her surgery. She is recovering now.

A "friend" of a friend has had a wicked series of events:
serious injury to foot, pain in side, perhaps someone else with endometriosis, her daughter was continually ill. The results were that the daughter had elevated lead levels.

At other times, apart from working at my job, I get the chance to meet with my true love. I spend much of my time driving. Blogging and driving seems dangerous, I'll skip that.

More work and more projects ahead.

God speed and my the Lord be with you!

Jack

2008-11-05T10:07:00.000-08:00

It was terrible at the viewing. I didn't want, but had to see Jack. Damn that was terrible. I weighed more, or I thought I did, as if pillars holding my roof started giving way to the weight above. I was crushed and miserable.

Before I got there, I had no time to grieve. I had little time to grieve while there and when I got back, I had little time to grieve. I will fully let out soon before I burst.

The next morning was the funeral. Oh, but it was too quick. Perhaps I'm reading something into it, but I believe that Jack and God whispered a truth to me.

I looked again at the casket. That wasn't Jack. When I sat around the gathering of people -- there was Jack. Jack stayed and STAYS in the hearts and minds of those who knew him. I can see his wry smile and eye-twinkle in his children, and his compassion and love from all.

I wanted to hug him one last time. I wanted to see him smile one last time. I wanted to hear him one last time. There were a lot of lasts that I wanted. He would have suffered and so it would be to his suffering that I would have had him. I can't want that.

He has left a legacy far beyond genes -- family, but also in friends who he has touched, inspired, motivated, loved. They too have loved and found him to be a profound role model.

When people call out, "what is love", they don't know Jack. I know Jack, he's a friend, an uncle, an inspiration. I will, of course, miss his physical presence, but he has not gone. He is in everyone who ever met and knew him.

I expect to see Jack waiting for so many people to come to Heaven with him. He never looked down on people on Earth, he isn't now. He's still here, with us, teaching us not to look down either. Love, look forward, be a friend.

He has given his life to others. I can't write or ever say that my gift to him is equitable. Simple and lovable . . . I will miss our many before-lasts and our many lasts Uncle Jack. I love you and with you alive in others, past-tense is inappropriate.

For my Uncle Jack

2008-10-31T07:18:00.000-07:00

Please pray ... he and his adoring family need it!

Thank you!

my weekend

2008-10-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

Charlie's Jack O' Lantern

It's great to be loved. Kissed is great too!

I got a chance to have Tawnya meet Keith, Lori, Charlie. Charlie took a liking to Tawnya. While he is normally a bit shy, not so. It was good and I guess everyone had a good time! Yea! Charlie did mention that he was bored and so I put on a simplistic video game for him. He was quickly bored of most games. We later played board game of LIFE. Keith finished last. I squeaked by with a timid win. The five of us played poker after that. I think the integration of family and friends is going well, however slowly.

I mucked up with X and certainly don't want to do that again. Moreover, I truly and deeply love Tawnya!

On Sunday, I bade a sorry good day to Tawnya and helped Keith and Lori take out the dock at Lake James. Don showed which was very helpful. Two people can do some, but in the end three or four people work best. It went quickly except for ...

rrr click
rrr click
click
click
click

The pontoon boat would not start for all the money in the world. Lori couldn't get it to turn over, nor could Keith or Joanne. Pffstt! Done. We raked up some leaves and headed out taking Micah with us. Charlie and Micah played some games. Keith and I went and got pizza fixings.

Lori stopped functioning like the boat. She had pain in her neck, back, ribs, heart, arm. She was done. She lucked out and didn't have to go to emergency room.

It was an exciting weekend and Lori's mom mentioned that I should come up to the lake to enjoy it, not just work on it. Point taken and made. I never made it up this year. I hope to do so next year.

On Sunday

2008-10-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

Tom, Lois, Marcus went to the Zoo. It was a great day, nice weather! It was nice that Lois was feeling well enough to go as she has not been feeling so fine generally. Lois and Marcus rode the sky view in the African section (sans animals) and later Tom, Lois, and Marcus rode the train.

Thanks folks for a great day!

Faith

2008-09-24T15:34:00.000-07:00

Tom and Lois attend here and quite frankly, I think they do a great job! The people there have helped more than I can say.

Standing Still on Boot Hill

2008-09-22T20:22:00.001-07:00

"Normally I'd be dead now, but my new [heart] worked great!"+

I should be dead afraid of how much of a financial mess I have. I should be sweating bullets and thinking of eat a few high-velocity ones, but instead I am standing still. I can see the grim carnage of what I did to bring this on myself. I also have lived to see another day and likely more after that.

I'm not a new man, not really any different save one small detail...
I have hope.

While I won't soap box God, as I have been typically-human wishy-washy, I thank God for a will to live (better). God also sent me someone to help. She is my closest friend and knows what and who I am. We have kept each other in the shadows for a long time. We are soon on our way to more perfectly blend our families and friends together. She and her daughter got to meet some of my family. [photo]. I hope slowly we can integrate our lives into one.

No, there aren't marriage plans now and there aren't "little ones" on the way. She has braved much to get to where she is and I still have more broken glass to get to the end. I don't have a problem using the "love" word. Here she is with her daughter who agreed to meet me.

+ John Candy as Den, Heavy Metal

Marcus' interviews

2008-08-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, I've had a few and I did it my way!

Oh, singing aside, I did some interviewing. My Friday interview yielded, "Dear John . . ." ie: thanks, but we've found another. I did an interview today and that seemed to go well. She gave salary info at the end.

"Sheesh! I've never worked for so little. Only once, but that was a very worthy cause."+

Tomorrow I have another interview for, dun, dun, dun, dun ... sales. Go figure!

+ Princess Bride

down time

2008-08-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

Here you can see Thomas playing with Lily. It is a simple game. "I have it, you can't have it." Lily seemed to like the game, but not nearly as much as Beth & Tom's dog Sampson.

Marcus' 2nd Indy interview a

2008-08-19T12:22:00.001-07:00

Marcus' 2nd Indy interview a waste. That's OK. His first one went very well.

from the files of DLF

2008-08-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

Well, Friday Diane, Jessica, and I worked on one of Diane's offices. She need to resort student files, and purge one whole year's worth. It is an annual practice she makes.

Diane found that switching the titles of the cabinets is easier than moving files.

Diane walks into with water for her fish. The poor little things go with water quickly.

Jessica tips a glass of iced coffee. Diane got Jessica and me coffees. Jessica turned her into an iced coffee.

This is a small selection of stuffies. Jessica remembers some of them from when she was young.

day journey

2008-08-17T14:08:00.001-07:00

Please pardon my Dante-like story introducing my pictures. I have, for a while, shunned my idealistic attachment to God, thinking that a loving God doesn't induce slow and withering agony to persons. I shuddered to think that a God-fearing church-goer could develop Alzheimer's and die a miserable death while criminals remain alive and well. Some felons living rich.

I was really thinking nothing of that when I saw some pictures ready to take. I walked on my little journey just thinking of taking pictures and of the week coming with only two known interviews. I carried with me a bit of self-pity on which to snack on this trip, however long it might take.

Clouds with a streak (of good luck) with a nearly hidden jet in the sky.

I was drawn to a shaded area where I could take a picture of clouds with shade cast off them .

I could not believe that I found this...
what appeared to be God's mailbox and God lives locally.

I was always hoping that God would give me a plainer sign. I think God has this time.
OK, so God exists, then I wonder what does God do?

I should reflect on my life, maybe.

Should I lie in wait or be active?
While there is a certain attraction to waiting, living is better.

There is beauty everywhere, often closer than you think.

There is death. There is always death, it is the cycle of physical existence.

Should I take a seat and listen?

I should grow on old decaying ideas and learn to develop, regardless the challenges.

Bright, colorful ideas can be seen, if you look hard enough.

Bird by the roadside, quite dead.
I could fear flying, fear trying, but then I would die anyway having never known flight.

I could leave a mark here and there.
I could think of all the times I got burnt, but no.

Despite the peril, the challenge, it starts with a first step.
Here, I nearly sank inescapably. I chose a different path.

Though trains move back and forth over the same tracks, they begin somewhere, right?

"Now, why was I trying to catch a train" came to mind, but instead I think it is a well laid track for me to follow.

With a train-like snort, this deer by the railroad tracks watched me intently, but didn't run away for I didn't chase it away. I watched it, and it me.

New life, little tadpoles swimming happily in murky water.

I looked down to my left and saw a small path in the wood where I had been walking.

I got on my journey from a cement road to one like this.

In the middle of my walk, I saw a creek and the life surrounding it.
It was cool (temperature) and lovely.

There is life plain, simply neat to see and watch.

With some patience, you can see the details of things you dismiss as common.

If you walk slowly enough to enjoy your walk, you can see how you can have a unique perspective. It's not just a beetle, but one you haven't seen, haven't photographed, haven't touched before.

I started off on a purposeless journey. It didn't matter what I did for it was purposeless.
Perhaps life isn't so. Perhaps God has an influence that I just can't perceive.
I am a doubter, a skeptic, a dreamer of sorts, but call myself practical.
I also haven't been really observing, but just moving in a plane of existence.
I should have a purpose-driven life.
Now, my question isn't to God, but to me.
What is my purpose?

While my prose is terrible, I thought that I would introduce the pictures with the kick in the head I got. At the end of my journey I was sore with a sprained ankle, which I thought was just twisted. I also had to walk on it for about 90 minutes, as well as climb a barbed wire fence to get out of the wooded area. I wasn't hurt, just sore and I walked funny (or funnier).

I've taken pictures, so what? What is the point without a track, a path, a direction?

For now, I guess I could encourage people to turn off the car and walk where you have never walked before. Go, enjoy, smell scents you haven't, seen things you haven't ... touch, hear, live.

All of the photos were taken in Fort Wayne, IN in various locations.

Thank you Father

2008-08-12T19:53:00.001-07:00

Thanks for the lead for some work today!

Marcus visited friends

2008-08-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

Thank you Cerpicio, PK, and Josh for inviting me over. PK's food was great! PK does a great job!
Josh saw Daddy pluck something from these bags and munch. Hey! I'll get some. Although sporting a few teeth, he isn't quite ready for chips. He instantly recognized bowl. Well, bowls have toys or food. Either way, that's for me! He was not allowed guacamole either. Boy! Talk about meanies!
PK had this bear at her other job. She noticed that Josh is able to chew away some of the fur. The other kids who experienced this bear were older and weren't chewing on it. Regardless, Josh seemed to like Mommy playing with the bear with him.

Although no charges have been filed, Joshua has stolen a number of hearts. With a change in schedule, PK has more time off with Josh. According to Cerpicio, the grandparents aren't happy with having the so-called obligation to watching him and loving and kissing him.

Anyway, all you need is love!
Josh fell asleep after a feeding and was loved on by mom and dad. He didn't wake for that. He needed his diaper changed and for that he woke. This particular picture is likely a very common one, as common as the wall standing, but far more interesting -- Josh getting love and kisses.
He was at the table with us and decided that he ought to be eating too, so he allowed daddy to feed him, but after each bite looked over to mommy. It didn't matter if he had to twist his head nearly 180 degrees.
Josh is a quiet, lovable little boy who is inquisitive and wants to skip that whole crawling part in favor of standing, walking, then running (all in one day). Josh was intrigued with the camera and generally stopped still while I took a shot, not showing his clever and clear happy grin he most often wore.
While there are many toys here around him, he seems to favor toys nearly his same size. He like a musical, chewable dog and Charlie Brown. He also likes to play the "gravity" game or what my father called the "step-fetch-it" where the child, here Joshua, would swing around a toy and when you were least prepared, he would drop it or launch it. It is a great game. While he gets stronger, the objects will go farther.

She's got a man

2008-08-05T19:28:00.000-07:00

Ah, this was found on Zane's profile. Jessica has herself a man.

Summer plaiting

2008-08-03T13:22:00.001-07:00

Tom and Lois worked for a bit on the flowers. The weeds are growing very fast this year. Anyway, it was a weekend with ups and downs with health, but the flowers were nice to see.

just funny

2008-07-31T15:44:00.000-07:00

It looks like Greg is unavailable.

Tom's tests

2008-07-31T11:06:00.001-07:00

Tom had a bone density scan and a abdominal scan. A week later he gets the results. He shows signs of aging -- bone loss due to age. Other than than he appears to be doing fine.

What a great bit of good news, right?!

summer shots

2008-07-30T20:26:00.001-07:00

small deer perhaps

wasp holds onto grass

one of many types of grasshoppers

Diane's case of Mondays

2008-07-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

In the afternoon, Diane called. Jessica's car pooped out at Walgreens. Diane lent her car to Jim because his truck crapped out in the morning. He went to South Bend and returned in the evening. I picked up Diane, Jessica, Joe. I dropped off Joe, dropped at Diane's house, then Jenny called me and nicely dropped off a cable to me. I helped Diane with computer issues, clean out a smelly freezer that sat dormant for two years after a nasty accident with it shutting off for a few days. They didn't immediately catch it and the freezer smelt badly of rotted food -- primarily not of meat but of home-grown tomatoes.

It smelled of cleaner now, so I dropped in fruit rind (tangerine) to improve the smell. Jim suggested it be mixed with cloves (potpourri). Anyway, that was that mess.

Diane's still-puppy (Lilly) has apparently a longer-than-normal cycle. She was in day ten of her bleeding. She was sad being relegated to the kitchen only, no carpet, no furniture. Little drops here and there and the sporadic dragging of the butt. I did notice that the blood was thinner, perhaps mixed a bit with urine, but unclear.

Diane also planned on the contingency of having to arrange a person's burial whom she did not personally know. The person, body, was Jim's first cousin's wife's mother. "What does that make you and me? Absolutely nothing."+ Summarized: the daughter was injured and in hospital on weekend of mother's death and is still in hospital. She can't plan much from there, but is executor for the estate. Her husband is, well, not a good man. The brother is in jail. Diane has helped that family some, so -- is in good with them, but the task may befall her. She is wisely trying to plan now, rather than being given the task ten seconds 'til doomsday.

With this, she found MS Word 2007 to be a major pain in the butt, which it is. Whoever was in charge of the interface should be flogged for days on end. It is the worst and most illogical arrangement for an interface. I refused to install it on my computer. With luck and time I got it to do what she wanted. She didn't have any older version of Word, so we had to use 2007. I pitched in and helped with my idea for quick sorting of pictures.

-- The pictures were from a Mike's (Jim's brother) daughter's wedding. Sad to say, none of the wedding party really looked happy including the bride and groom. I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Unhappy!

+ Spaceballs

card sick

2008-07-28T05:05:00.000-07:00

Well, Lois and Tom played cards with friends. They generally play girls vs boys. The girls have a 90 something win percentage. This weekend was no exception. Later, Lois got ill and continued to be such.

Tom and Lois were due to do tests today, but Tom left alone for his "battery" of tests as they were.

mash of photos

2008-07-27T11:06:00.000-07:00

Marcus took some notable photos

cicada molt in web. No, the spider didn't catch a cicada.

The doors made it clear that they wanted through the gate.

picnic table with bite

shot under trampoline

twisted and scratching

slow speed showing movement ... seemingly headless

You found old axe heads.

parasites from bird poop

This weekend's big splash!

Doing a search, I wonder . . .

2008-07-27T11:04:00.001-07:00

Who is this knocking, knocking on my door?+

+ Raven, Edgar Allen Poe

From Bethy

2008-07-25T09:11:00.001-07:00

She got me "brownies".
Apparently some brownies drink. Do you notice the empty glasses?

Then the world opened up to Bethy and she found that the bulk of the world was, sadly, bigger than her. When in defense she can "pull a Flossy"+ and win every time.

+ So named for Grandma "Flossy" who spoke her mind well when angered, if not confusing, in loud angry German.

Tweet!

2008-07-25T08:33:00.001-07:00

Tom and Lois have another nest near the front door. This little bird is weary of passersby, but stays. No one has yet seen chicks or eggs, but undoubtedly they are there.

2008-07-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

It is very important that puppy, Cinnamon the golden retriever, be included.
This was obviously from Bellefield.

Cinnamon made it about 2.2 years before disease took her. She was great around the kids.

Marcus' secondary work

2008-07-23T20:29:00.000-07:00

no sooner

2008-07-23T11:11:00.000-07:00

No sooner do I post the note for Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Jack when I read through the mail and viola! I get a letter.

You are welcome, but first ...

THANK YOU!

grandmas'

2008-07-23T10:57:00.002-07:00

I found lots of old cards. This collection is dedicated to Grandmas who are not with us anymore.
I am sad to write that I cannot hug them now. I cannot thank them, while looking into their eyes. I am, as are we all, left with memories. I only hope I was a "smidgen" as positive of a force for them as they were for me.

names and cards

2008-07-23T10:57:00.001-07:00

I do not want anyone to feel slighted in the least here. I kept lots of cards, not every single one. I have to note that the folks left me with many cards, sisters (and families) too. By far the most consistent closing was this.

I am thankful, so thankful that I can share this with you. I love you Jack and Dorothy. I never really expressed it very powerfully or meaningfully to you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Scrape?

2008-07-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

While it might look like a fight scene or CSI shot, this is rather a "work in progress" or "regress". Jenny moved out leaving a few things and Jessica wanted to remove the wallpaper before painting. Hence, you get scraps of paper around other items. I saw a bit of a mess through the door from the hallway. I remarked, Dr. Seuss' Grinch Who Stole Christmas and the crumbs that were left too small for the mouses.

Don't ask me why, no one quite knows the reason. I wouldn't have a guess on the colors.

Diane's friendly rooms

2008-07-22T20:46:00.001-07:00

It is important that you feel at ease at school. These are two of Diane's rooms.
She has a few other rooms.

Is it COE in there?

2008-07-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

COE Heating and Air came out to work on the AC. As Thomas paid for this service it was annoying that came and went May then June, finally in July they come to clean it. The technician found a switch that was arching and would eventually die. I agreed that he should change it. It appears to be arctic cold again, combined with Thomas changing the air filter, which looked a bit hairy from last year(s)' use.

+ "Is it cold in there?"

2

2008-07-20T12:29:00.001-07:00

Same one, twice. The other one on the vine is much smaller.

The rummage sale

2008-07-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

She ran the show. I think she would like to remain anonymous for the moment. She cannot be found on the net.

Well, my friend did a rummage sale and made, seemingly meager money, but it continues. When I was there the first day you could find tables filled. One was like this:

I hope that she does better this weekend. I donated a TV for sale. It garnered a pittance. It was worth a try anyway.

old photo, still a neat shot

2008-07-19T15:44:00.001-07:00

and the rain rain rain came down down down

M's week

2008-07-19T15:42:00.000-07:00

pollen

On a few shots I used a purple leaf to alter the flash.

Hmmm, helped a friend, saw another, met still others.
I choose to include photos of flowers.
How boring, right?

ear parts

2008-07-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

We aren't talking about the stapes. Thomas had a battery of tests today, taking all day to do them. He had a CAT scan, blood drawn, other tests ... filling. Around 3:30, he called me for he didn't have the ear doctor's number. "A plastic piece is stuck in my ear."

He asked me to call the doc to tell them he is coming in to get it out. That was no good, the doctor wasn't in. The nurse there suggested that he use an ear wash. It didn't work. In the end, Marcus used tweezers to remove the plastic piece. Hasbro's Operation game experience came in handy!

Tom and Lois had a surprise guest

2008-07-18T17:01:00.000-07:00

Woof! A neighbor down the street has Charlie here. He was wondering and wondering where are the milk bones.

past revisited

2008-07-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

newly re-discovered school journals from the Freygangs
They weren't really lost in the shuffle, but merely placed where few read, so kept virtually safe.

For Jenny

2008-07-15T16:43:00.001-07:00

Have a cookie; have a smile.
Good luck with your new move.

Diane's Eye

2008-07-15T16:42:00.001-07:00

After a long visit with the doctor ... he did no work on Diane's blood-filled eye. She supposedly has 20/20 vision. Well, I'll be buggered! Well, that's the second bit of good news for her.

Jenny moved

2008-07-15T16:13:00.000-07:00

Well, we got a later start. Marcus had hoped that we would have left at 9:00 a.m. but that was wishful thinking. Jenny wasn't fully packed and so we didn't leave until 10:22. Jenny had more paperwork to sign and then got her apartment assignment -- third floor.

I have agreed to Jenny's request and won't disclose the location of the apartment.

Marcus and Diane tried to hurry unloading for two reasons.
1.) It was supposed to and did reach the nineties today
2.) Diane had a 3:00 p.m. eye appointment

We lugged that stuff up the interior stone steps to the apartment, load after load. The hallways smelled of smoke -- yummy.

After it all, we were all hotter than heck, parched, tired. Still our work was not done. Jenny's was just beginning.

Living room full of stuff
Many boxes were unlabeled.

Jessica and Jenny sweaty, hot, wiped after a hurried unloading.

Jessica agreed to this shot when she was cooler and rested.

closet space not a problem here
small kitchen, large pantry -- interestingly gas stove

bedroom full of stuff. The dresser (back left) is a heavy monster.

Later Shelly came by to help. She will have hours of work ahead of her to unpack and sort stuff.

Shelly, Jenny, Jessica on balcony. Marcus was naughty and locked them on the balcony.

We drove off to eat at Taco Hades. The one we visited was clean, neat, with new decor. The staff there was busy hanging sunglasses from the ceiling and taping flip-flops and sandal paper decor on the walls. We then stopped to get gas at Kroger. What I didn't know is that if you have a Kroger card, you get 10 cents off gas there. Diane paid $4.02 to put in gas in the U-Haul.

We got it to U-Haul and by golly, since we had a fudged up truck at first, we returned it, they docked a day's charge+ about halving the cost.

Shelly and Jenny took two more boxes and left. Diane showered and stinking Marcus left with her to the eye doctor. Jessica, I presume left for Zane's after she showered.

+ "for nappin' on the job"; Blazing Saddles.

experiments in natural and impromptu flash filters

2008-07-15T04:52:00.000-07:00

room without lights, just flash

room with overhead light and flash

bottle on bright orange fabric, which I used as filter

yellowed with petal

natural, both were night shots

flash with green leaf cover as filter

purple leaf cover on flash

flash with purple petal cover as filter

natural color, shot at night

Marcus used a post-it note on a few, then used petals and leaves for the other hues. By placing the material directly in front of the flash, Marcus got some dark images.

ripped leg 3 days later

2008-07-13T22:29:00.000-07:00

Lois learns to pay the bookees. No, this is the mark left from her fall on Thursday with the so-called Red Hat Ladies. They must be Mob, right?

Big Head was not amused

2008-07-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

Jenny claimed, "I got my stuff packed." Uh, reality bears out a different story.

Little to big

2008-07-13T22:18:00.000-07:00

Lilly on Diane's chest.

Still, I call her Chewy for that's what she likes to do.
Lilly chewing with Diane's assistance. She is too heavy to be on Diane's chest, though dismissing that idea as limited human-think.

U-Haul It

2008-07-13T19:49:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not ... that is how the driver had to turn to go straight.

This shows how bad the alignment was. Diane and Marcus returned the vehicle for one that was "better". The first one also made the sound of grinding metal. Wonderful!
Two guys at the U-Haul confirmed that it sounded rotten when we pulled in.

It was Jenny's loading day and she was keen on not doing it.
Diane convinced her that loading was happening, either Jenny's way or Diane's way.

As an added bonus, Jessica's phone got wet++ and she borrowed Diane's cellphone for that day. It would have helped with our truck situation.

++ It fell into the toilet.

inside joke

2008-07-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

Well Marcus helped Diane and family organize the hundreds of books in their house, returning them to bookshelves after the bookcases were moved during carpet installing and painting. Among the many books rediscovered was this one. The Spelling Book, which Thomas insisted that Jessica practice and complete during school and summer to ensure that she retained stuff during her youth. She did it, accordingly, but boisteriously protested. She hated it. She "lost" the book so that she could escape the duty. Sad for her, they are at Walgreens, so Thomas bought another one when hers was "lost".

We also found a workbook from school there that was likely, "Mommy, it was lost at school. I can't do my work, but can watch movies, right?" Clever.

'ear me how?

2008-07-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

Thomas went to the same hearing doctor Lois uses, so he is now sporting a hearing aid. It has a couple of drawbacks:
he is not used to it, he will have to grow accustomed to it
it has a medium level of echoing feedback

He may opt to get a "less powerful" one in the other ear his his other hearing loss.

seeing Red

2008-07-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

If you look carefully, you can see the earrings are little red hats. How special!

Lois nearly out of town to meet a group of ladies driving out of state. It was "Red Hat Ladies" trip to Lima, Ohio. They went to a store to buy.... drum roll, red hats.

Lois cut open her leg getting into the van, shedding first blood.

and on Friday

2008-07-11T17:03:00.001-07:00

Well, Diane and Marcus planned on bringing down the marsh with weed-wacking. There is always a complexity to everything. Diane, shortly into the work, got a boot stuck in the mud. So, she went the rest of the trip without either of them. She unceremoniously pitched the other one away from the swamp.
It was, of course, a photographic moment. I walked out in my boots that stayed on for they were tied, and retrieved it.

Grassy!

Diane's wonderful grass socks after the work.

Yep, even from a distance you can see the boot. If you look carefully, you can see how high the swamp is at the neighbor's.

As well as the grass cutting in the swamp Diane wanted to mow the grass.
[mystery music]
Where is the key for the lawnmower? It isn't near the lawnmower.

Jim had to charge the battery also.
Diane had to sort through the junk drawers and found lots of junk but not the key.

Finally, Diane comes back from Mutton with 2 keys.

The wood trailer moved?
No bloody way! Yep, it was moved.
Jim and Marcus had to use a hillbilly way of jacking up the trailer to put on the wheels.
It was a bit of silliness, but it was done and the newer-looking wheels were on.
Then the trouble began.

Jim drove the trailer with his truck and the wheels on the trailer didn't go round and round. They left skid marks on the cement and made wonderful squealing noises.

Losing momentum, the trailer and truck stopped and poof! It was curse here and there.

Jim had us empty the trailer leaving just the frame. They worked and he got it to the firepit.
The trailer made light skid marks in the lawn on its trip.

Well, an empty trailer.

The rotted wood placed on the firepile making a hot, hot fire.
Jim used gas as a last resort to start it.

Another of Diane's, "Aw, snap!"

It's a hole of course in the door.

Lilly isn't much of a hard worker. She is a good player though. She rested her head on my chest when I was using the electric drill to screw in the hinge to a door.

projects for Thursday

2008-07-10T20:17:00.000-07:00

when given a choice between what she could do, Jessica chose to stain the office door.

Diane called up Marcus for projects. We got a few done. The one primary one to do was impossible.
There was not a single type of baseboard that would fully go around the large room. So, Diane is opting out of it for the moment. Later Diane and Marcus cut parts of the dead limb from the tree in back.
In the end, lots of projects, little time.

Happy Birthday Diane

2008-07-10T20:14:00.001-07:00

Diane, Tom, Lois, Joe, Marcus all met at Azar's for Diane's birthday. While short, sweet, I hope that we do something a bit more complete for her. This weekend isn't going to be it. She has too much to do. Love you Diane and I hope that your day was special!

tick tock

2008-07-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

Thomas got a tick, but from where? Here she is ... glutton tick.
Another question is, what kind of tick is it?

Marcus packed it in napkin, coated with alcohol, ignited it.
This was a funeral pyre of one for no one.

no more?

2008-07-09T11:01:00.001-07:00

I popped out to Diane's last night and helped her clean up a bit. There was drywall dust on cabinets downstairs, chairs were a bit messy and there were fuzzies on the floor. We cleaned up what we could, what we saw. We put on "over-sized" face plates on the outlets and put up the railing to the downstairs. It was a slower day for sure, but really I think my sister needed one.

the cutting

2008-07-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

I don't think those are the same scissors.

will fall

2008-07-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

Diane's locust tree has a torn limb.

cabinets

2008-07-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

It took a lot longer than I thought, but ... Jim screwed in the screws to the cabinet. Diane moved dishes and glasses to the new cabinets and all are more secure and bear less weight.

Jim found that the old cabinets were either never straight or had slid down over time, much like people do when older.