My magical childhood place

Once upon a time when I was very, very small, my grandparents purchased a little pink cottage near Port Huron, Michigan. As the years passed, I spent more and more time at the cottage, until I was spending entire summers there.

It was during those summers that I developed a love of flower gardening. My grandma taught me how to pull weeds, transplant daylillies, deadhead daisies, and so many things that are imbedded, but I can't specifically remember. My grandpa taught me all about big lake fishing off a dock. (I can still bait a hook and clean a fish with the big boys!) He also taught me how to safely identify and pick mushrooms and wild berries, and the proper way to carve birchwood whistles. But my favorite thing to do during the summer was walk the half mile down the dirt road with my grandparents to the beach off of Lake Huron.

It scares me to think back about how I would swim out over my head in that big lake. I didn't know about under-tows back then, and I always felt safe when Grandpa was around. I do remember him rescuing me a couple of times. After the second time, I was sternly warned to never go out beyond the sand bar.

I will eventually post some old photos from the olden days when I get my scanner working. But for now, I am posting some photos and a video clip from our visit to that same beach taken during our trip to Michigan. It feels so strange but wonderful to see my children in that same spot, with my childhood spirit running along side of them. The spirit of energy, wonder, and fearlessness, back before I understood the facts of adulthood, grief, and that not everybody was nice like my family.

Rubbing Elbows with Greatness

My family and I were fortunate enough to share a very enjoyable breakfast with a fellow blogger while in Detroit.

Frank Nemecek is a novelist and independent film producer, as well as the creator of two of the blogs on my reading list: The Warrendale Blog and the rather male-oriented The Voices in Frank's Head. Not only is he very talented, he is also very nice!

I didn't know exactly what to expect when we agreed to meet for breakfast at The Dog House, but because of my vast experience of meeting internet friends (can you say ywbb?) I figured he would be fine. (Although Shelby laughed, "Here we go again, meeting strangers off the internet!")


Frank turned out to be a big, sweet teddy bear of a guy. I think he had a lot more to fear from my zany crew!!!

I first discovered him through his Warrendale Blog. This blog serves a real community purpose! I admire Frank for for his efforts to revitalize the neighborhood where Arthur grew up and, although it is a daunting task, there is indication that his efforts are paying off.

I can't wait to see what project he does next!

Matt and Melody's Very Big Day

Here is a small sampling of a really beautiful wedding. My wishes are for many happy years for the bride and groom.


































Guess who caught the bride's bouquet? It was none other than Miss Shelby!!



But it's going to be a very long time before she can do anything about it, no-sir-ee!! This momma says she has to finish college first. :-)

Video link: Wedding Video http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=141972759146472

Shelby's Project

The biggest reason for our trip this year was to attend the wedding of Matt and Melody.



In spite of being a college student on a budget, Shelby wanted to give them a special gift. So, she decided to make one.

























Good thinking Shelby! It turned ot very nice.

The Kids at the Henry Ford Museum

A very cool 4th of July Greeting

I received this e-card seven years ago. It is still one of the best greetings I've ever received! :-) Please check it out and enjoy. Have a safe and wonderful Independence Day!

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1483044612

Click here: From Sea to Shining Sea

Greektown Detroit

Greektown is one of my favorite places to visit when back in Michigan. Although we have a big Greek festival in Oklahoma City every October, it can't hold a candle to this!



This was taken at the Parthenon Restaurant. OPA!!! Flaming Cheese!

Hidden Art

What is art, exactly, and where do you find it? Sometimes it is something that surrounds us on a daily basis and we might not recognize it as art, or even notice it at all.

I have known about this unusual bit of artwork for many years, but took it very much for granted, since it was simply decoration for a place where us teens and twenty-somethings hung out. This basement mural was painted by a friend of Arthur and his brothers sometime in the 1970's, and is a true sign of the times from back in the days of teenage lounging pits with black lights and quadraphonic stereos.

The old house in Detroit where Arthur and his siblings grew up is soon to be sold, and when Arthur and I accompanied his sister downstairs to move some stuff I saw the mural through new eyes. It is a true piece of art. However, it may need to be painted over in order to sell the house, or perhaps it will be covered up by new owners. I decided to take some detailed photos to preserve this work done so many years ago by a long deceased friend named Girard Zalno.

Introducing to the public for the very first time: "The Dungeon".





















His work now is forever preserved in cyberspace.

Vacation 2010

Yes, this really it a new blog post from me! For some reason, I needed a break from blogging. It probably has something to do with keeping up with other activities... Family,(they kinda like my cooking) Square Dance, (president) Band Boosters, (fund raising) Church Choir, (attempting to sing) plus a really big push on adding to a big perennial garden. But it's time, so back in the blogger's saddle go I!

The first entries will be about our vacation, but by the time these post we will be home. We are once again making the jaunt to Michigan, and the good news is this time it is for another wedding; specifically Matt and Melody's wedding! A treat for us is they are getting married on mine and Art's anniversary. :-)



Off we go, more soon!

My Son, the Baseball Player! :-)

I always encourage my kids to take part in as many different activities as possible. John decided this year that he would like to join the Freshman baseball team. Since we come from a long line of baseball fans, I was delighted!

This is a video clip of a recent turn at bat. He didn't get a hit, actually he was hit by a pitch! But then he made it to second on a passed ball, and scored on a sacrifice.

This Mom is looking forward to another three years of high school baseball! :)

Happy First Day of Spring!!!

My Daffodils are Blooming!!!!



(P.S. Happy Birthday Jimmy!)

A few minutes in Andy's Heaven

It is 8 years ago today that Andy’s spirit followed the Light. How can something that happened that long ago seem like such a recent event?

I don't want my thoughts to make anybody sad. I am not a sad person, actually I am very happy these days. The pain has been replaced with warm memories, although I will miss him forever. But just for today I need to remember and honor that wonderful man. After all this time, I needed a new way to do that. So on a whim, I decided to take an imaginary peak at Andy in Heaven. I will warn you, though; his Heaven is not the Heaven that most people would imagine! So... here I go, off to find him for a few minutes....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Andy is in his garage taking a rest after getting his favorite vehicle running. He sips on a cup of black coffee, and takes an occasional puff on his pipe full of vanilla tobacco. There is a big thunderstorm booming outside, and he has the big garage door wide open to drink in the ozone smell of the fresh rain. He opens a Louis L’Amour novel while Hank, Willie and Waylon serenade on the radio. Andy is content knowing that there are fried potatoes, red beans, and hamburger cooking in the kitchen. His mama, daddy, Rozelle, Ray, Katherine, Phoenix, and a couple old friends will be sharing the meal today.

He grins, thinking about how he left that danged wheelchair behind when he left his previous life. Now he is able to two-step and waltz even better than he could before he was injured. But, thinking about his previous life reminds him of something he needs to do right now. He picks up the phone, dials a familiar number and then enters the number 222-2222. He knows his message will be received.

Just then, a CB radio crackles beside him, “How ‘bout it Oklahoma Wildman? You out there?”

It’s one of his truck driving buddies checking in with him.

“Yeah, you got the Wildman.”

“How’s it going, good buddy?”

“Oh, fair to middlin,’ I guess. Can’t complain, won’t do no good, no how.”

They shoot the bull over the radio until his friend drives out of range.

As suppertime gets closer, he and Sheba play “fetch the keys” for awhile. After they tire of the game, Andy decides to open up a honey bun. What the heck, he might as well have a snack... he’ll still have plenty of room for the main meal.

The doorbell rings, Andy’s guests have arrived, so he moves to let them in. Although some of his favorite people are not there to enjoy supper today, he is still happy. He knows that within a blink of an eye he and all of his loved ones will be together again.

Being with his “Man Upstairs,” along with that knowledge, is what makes it Heaven.