I have been overwhelmed by the comments from so many people. People who knew Mom intimately, people who knew her casually, and people who knew almost nothing about her. And people she never even met. You all have been such a blessing these last months, and especially these last two days. Her life touched more lives than any of us will ever comprehend. What a wonderful blessing she has been to so many, and to Kathy and I especially. We love the verse: Her children rise up and call her blessed. And we do.

I can’t image how I can express to everyone how much their thoughts, messages, prayers, cards, emails, posts, texts, calls, and notes have meant. I cannot begin to respond to each of you with what is on my heart. Thank you all. Thank you.

If any of you know me well, you know that I am not good with disruption to my schedule and routine! Well, these last days have shot that schedule all to pieces. WHAT routine? Yikes! I even miss going to work! I haven’t looked at ‘today in history’ or any national holidays since Tuesday. Hoping you are all coping without those vital statistics! 🙂 Kath and I have been busy with everyday, necessary tasks (I cut the grass this morning so I wouldn’t get lost when I went for the mail….), keeping the family in the loop of plans, and figuring out what those plans might be.

For those of you who do not yet know, the services for Mom will be on Sunday, September 5th, at Kepple-Graft Funeral Home – 524 N Main St Greensburg. Visitation is from 2-4, with the service, conducted by Byron Gurnee (her pastor from Albion) at 4pm. There will be no grave-side service. We’d love to have you join us in honoring her life and her memory.

We picked up her belongings after making arrangements at the funeral home, then went through them. Kathy and Paul were watching Millie while her parents worked, so she helped go through the boxes. She was very good at redistribution, and I found a stowaway (pink button down sweater, size TOO SMALL!) in the box of blankets I was bringing home to wash. But she was having fun, and found herself two balloons and a pretty spiffy hat to wear!

I need to grab something small to eat (it’s after 9pm) so I’m going to close with a quote from the memory book. If you ever had a hero, tell who; tell why: “I think Rev. Russell Wilson from the Church of God. He was a young man and went in the army as a chaplin. He wrote to Hazel, Jim and me.”

Have a happy Friday. God bless…

Today, at about 3:30pm, the heavens gained another angel. She has been in training all her life, and those who knew and loved our Mom felt like she was their personal angel, anyway!

I can just imagine her stepping into the arms of Jesus, getting hugs and welcomed by family and saints. Probably one of the first things she did was to check with the head gardener, to see if she could be any help with the flowers. And just possibly she might give them some quiet advice about how to take care of them, and where to plant what. She had a way of getting things done without anyone actually realizing she was running the show.

I’m wondering if she has to keep our dad and John apart, or if they are all just one big family! Dad would be a handful, for sure! He probably ordered pizza for the whole bunch of them. Mom was soft and sweet and smart and kind, and touched the lives of so many. Right now I am thinking of the song, ‘Thank you for giving to the Lord; I was a life that was changed….’ She for sure had a heart for the Lord and shared His love in her everyday life.

Kath and I were scheduled to visit Mom at about 4pm, but just as I was getting ready to leave the house, Kath called me with the news. They let us go into her room and see her before the funeral director came in. The hospice chaplain was waiting, and had prayer with us. He had visited her often and we were comforted by the fact that he had shared scriptures and hymns with her. She looked peaceful, and it really seemed like she was looking right at me.

Tomorrow we will go to the funeral home and make the arrangements for the viewing, the service and final resting. Not sure yet so will share when we have details. In the meantime, thank you for your love and support – we could not get through this parting without all of you! We love you!

We rejoice with Mom, settling into her mansion, meeting old friends and making new ones; hearing the heavenly chorus and walking with God in the garden. We will miss her, every day, all the time, but we can’t be sad that she is where she always wanted to be. Rejoice with us, and with her, as we celebrate her life. We’ll miss you, Mom – we already do!

Page from Mom’s memory book: Share a memory of going to church as you were growing up: “I remember when I was very small we went as a family. They closed the church and after that I went with the neighbors to their church. When the second world war started and gas was rationed, Aunt Hazel and I walked to our church, about 2 mile from us.” God bless my faithful mother!!!

Nice morning for an early walk. Neither store was too busy today – but I stopped at Gabe’s on the way home to look for a fall patterned blanket. I didn’t find that, but there were shelves of Christmas items out all over the place! Too soon for my taste, and I’m a Christmas persons!

After a quick grilled cheese sandwich (on homemade bread), I made a few phone calls then cleaned out my box of files for Mom, John, and the farm, etc. I was able to toss quite a bit of unnecessary paperwork, and I had a lot of duplicates, for some reason. I think there were about 8 copies of her Driver’s License and Photo ID cards. One is enough! All neat and tidy now.

It started to rain on my way home, and although my phone app said NO RAIN all day, it RAINED all day! It let up to a drizzle about 4:30, and I went out and pulled some weeds. I did get pretty wet, and did not entirely finish, but at least I accomplished something. I was hoping to mow – so I’ll hope that again for tomorrow! (Although it DOES say rain all day tomorrow….)

My cousin Paul’s wife Laura is in the hospital with pneumonia, so requesting prayers for her and the family. This is a tough time for them. Thank you.

Here is another page from Mom’s book. Tell about your first kiss: “Frank Redinger was in my class at Davis School. His sister Vera and my brother Jim would take us with them when they went out riding in the evening. They kept teasing us one night about kissing. I guess we thought that was what they wanted us to do so we kissed. Nothing very exciting but we pretended it was something great. We liked each other for a long time. He is a nice person today.” (Written in 2004)

On this say in 1895 the first professional football game was played: Latrobe (PA) YMCA beat Jeannette (PA) Athletic Club, 12-0 (Web site shows conflicting dates…). Right in our own back yard! In 1997 Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a car accident in a Paris tunnel at age 36. Laurence Olivier (Rebecca) married Vivien Leigh (Gone with the Wind), and Arthur St. Clair died at age 81 in 1818 (15th president of the Continental Congress). Today my niece Sarah and her husband Kyle have been married for 8 years. Congrats, and happy Anniversary! Love you!

TOMORROW September 1 is:

• National Burnt Ends Day *
• National Acne Positivity Day
• National Chicken Boy’s Day
• National No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day

There seems to be no rhyme nor reason for tomorrow’s national day celebrations. I will celebrate National Clean your House day! And maybe, National Mow your Grass day! 🙂 God bless…

Took a morning walk, then had a pretty crazy day at work. It felt like the stars were not aligned – everything was off-centered and uncooperating. But – here I am to tell about it, and all is well! Joe told me they had the pretzels I like at Aldi so I stopped and bought some. THAT was a happy event!

Ron sent me this picture earlier – I guess that’s most of what we need to know, right?

We went to see Mom – she slept the entire visit, but we talked to her and told her stories (Kath is better that THAT part) and sang songs to her. We were glad that she looked more relaxed and peaceful. We were told she ate her yogurt and pudding for breakfast so that was encouraging, too!

Here is the next thought from Mom’s memory book, February 21st: What is the biggest problem you remember having in Grade School? “When the boys would keep us from going to the outhouse. Our teacher said to wait and go when everyone was back in the school house after recess. We couldn’t go together. We each took our turn. We had the ‘bullies’ in our day the same as today.” (Poor Mom! That would definitely be a problem for ME!!!)

On this day in 1682 William Penn sailed for the New World, and in 1993 it was the 150,000,000th visitor to the Eiffel Tower. Shirley Booth (TV show HAZEL – Kath and I loved that show!) was born in 1898; Fred MacMurray, actor (My Three Sons) in 1908; Kitty Wells, Queen of Country Music, in 1919, and Cameron Diaz (The Holiday – love that movie!) in 1972. Vera-Ellen, Judy in White Christmas) died at age 60 in 1981. And Happy Birthday to one of my ‘bosses’ – Ken Moore. Hope you had a great day and your year will be successful and fun! And today would have been my Grandad Crooks’ birthday. He was born in 1892. Miss you, Grandad!

TOMORROW August 31 is:

• National South Carolina Day
• National Matchmaker Day
• National Diatomaceous Earth Day
• National Trail Mix Day
• National Eat Outside Day

Let’s all eat outside tomorrow, even if you carry your toast out to the car and eat on the way to work! 🙂 Have a happy day! God bless…

Another warm day. Right now it looks like it’s going to storm – nothing yet. I was cleaning out the freezers yesterday and decided to defrost and bake the turkey pot pie I made. So it’s in the oven now and I’ll have some when I finish this post. It will feed me for several days, and I’ll be happy to have it! — update – it’s starting to storm out there.

We finished the lessons on Gideon this morning in Sunday School. It was the lesson where the Israelites surrounded the Midianites and blew trumpets and had torches. The Israelites won without even fighting. The boys, Max and JJ, thought that was the most amazing thing! And it was!

As I was tidying up a bit after lunch I was fluffing the pillows downstairs. I saw something poking out of the chair cushion and approached it cautiously. It was just a small spot of black. I lifted the arm and … it was Logan’s sock! Stowaway! I’ll wash it and have it for when they come back up.

Mike’s message was on First Lessons in Discipleship. WE are disciples of Jesus. 1) Requires engagement in spiritual warfare. a) against powers of darkness. b) we’ll be equipped for the task c) the most important war/battles are against Satan d) God’s power is greater. 2) Requires mercy and compassion. a) turns unfortunate situations into lessons and encouragement b) needs personal touch c) be sensitive to the need of those around us. d) it’s not ‘one size fits all’ – our response is individual for each need. 3) requires spiritual recharging a) pray and rest. b) Seek the father c) worship and study scripture). We are in training – all the time!

After the message, Kyle (our youth minister) made the official announcement that he and his wife Janet (children’s director) and their 3 kids have accepted a position as a full-time senior minister in Logan, Iowa. Kyle is more than qualified and educated to take a position as a senior minister. And although we will miss their family, when God calls, it’s important to answer the call! God bless them – and Anaya, Josiah, and Noah – as they make this transition.

On this day in 1862 the 2nd battle of Bull Run was fought – Confederate victory; in 1885 Gottlieb Daimler was granted a German patent for a motorcycle, and in 1896 Chop suey was invented in NYC by a Chinese visitor. In 1929 Anne Lindbergh made her first solo flight (aviator); in 1945 General MacArthur was named Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers in Japan; in 1966 it was the last Beatles concert, and in 2005 Hurricane Katrina’s 2nd and 3rd landfall – category 3 hurricane – devastating much of the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to the Florida panhandle. Ingrid Bergman, Swedish actress, was born in 1915 (Cactus Flower – one of my favorite all-time movies!); John McCain in 1936, politician and American war hero; and in 1958 Michael Jackson, King of Pop. Ingrid Bergman died in 1982 on her 67th birthday, and Gene Wilder (Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) died at age 83 in 2016.

TOMORROW August 29 is:

• National Chop Suey Day
• National Lemon Juice Day
• According To Hoyle Day

Tomorrow we have a planned visit with Mom. Kath and I both have to work. Nate and Dave (B&B Windows) are on vacation! Autmn works, and the other 4 are in school. Have a wonderful week! God bless….

Well, here we are – late at night and I’m starting on the Word garden. I walked this morning, and saw a helicopter circling over Wren drive. Not sure why! Then I did some chores, laundry and ironing, did some research, then got ready for my great-niece’s 4th birthday party.

Happy birthday, Millie! Sarah has been teaching her that her birthday is August 28th. When someone asks her how old she is, she says she’s 28! I’m sure it seems like that sometimes. The party was at her grandfather’s house, as he has an above ground pool and the little ones really enjoy that. They were in there most of the afternoon. When it was time to do the cake (which was actually strawberry Oreo ice-cream!) Millie came running, yelling ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!’ She enjoyed opening her gifts but really just wanted to swim. I know she had a good time, and we all enjoyed watching them.

Here is another memory from Mom’s childhood book, and it’s February 14th and 15th. Tell about a special valentine you once received: “It was when my boyfriend was in the air force and sent me one.” February 15th: Tell about your first date: (Not sure if it’s the same person) – “I was 15 years old and was allowed to go with our neighbor, George Lendyok, to Indiana. He was home from camp, on furlough. We went to Indiana to see a movie and then had ice cream at a soda shop in town. George put money in the Juke Box and played ‘People will say we’re in love’. It was a very special night.”

Ahhh. Young love! Think back to your first date or first love. It WAS a special time!

On this day in 1609 explorer Henry Hudson discovered Delaware Bay, and in 1837 John Lea and William Perrin manufactured Worcestershire sauce. In 1884 the first photo of a tornado was captured in South Dakota; in 1922 was the first US radio commercial (about an apartment complex); and in 1963 Martin Luther King Jr delivered his ‘I have a dream’ speech. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, first American Catholic Saint, was born in 1774; Shania Twain (country music singer) in 1964, and LeAnn Rimes (country music singer) in 1982. Charles Darrow (invented Monopoly) died in 1967. He was the first millionaire game designer in history.

TOMORROW August 29 is:

• National Chop Suey Day
• National Lemon Juice Day

I think I will abstain from celebrating any national event tomorrow. I will just enjoy the day that God sends! God bless – and have a blessed day in the Lord’s house! God bless….

Teresa and I left at 8:03 and headed to Albion. We had lots of traffic at first but beautiful weather, and the traffic cleared out a lot once we got past Cranberry. We were the first to arrive at the farm but Dick and Bobbie were right behind us. Then Barb came. We all worked hard cleaning things out and throwing things away. We are getting better at that. We had a good time cleaning and working and sharing and discovering things together. Like this nut bowl and hammer. It was dull and scratched – I rubbed it with lemon oil and it turned out to be beautiful!

Teresa really got in there and was busy all day. SHE thanked ME when we got home, because she loved being at the farm and all the memories. Theresa actually found the childhood memory book I have been looking for since June. I was very excited and having been reading a few pages. Here is a favorite so far, which Mom wrote on January 23rd’s page.

Question: Tell about the naughtiest thing you ever did. If you got caught, describe the consequences. “Hazel and I were painting the big kitchen. Uncle Edd kept telling us we were doing it wrong (we probably were). I was up on the step ladder and when he came close and pointed and said I had missed a spot I reached over and painted his bald head. I don’t remember what punishment I got but I was very ashamed I had did such a thing.” I think that is pretty funny…

Everything gets covered with dust from the road, as did all the cars. Then it sprinkled rain for about 5 minutes. My car was brown spotted like it had chicken pox! So I came home and washed it, then stuck it in the garage.

For a few days I will share Mom’s quotes – I’ll get back to sermons after that!

On this day in 1859 the first successful oil well was drilled near Titusville, PA, by Edwin Drake – Drake’s well – and I’ve been there! In 1955 the first copy of the Guinness Book of Records was bound, and in 1964 Mary Poppins premiered. Lyndon B Johnson, 36th President, was born in 1908. Tommy Sands, teen idol, in 1937, and Daryl Dragon (Captain and Tennille) in 1942; Pee-wee Hermon, comic actor, in 1952. In 1966 Joe Biden married Neilla Hunter.

TOMORROW August 28 is:

• National Thoughtful Day
• National Red Wine Day
• National Power Rangers Day 
• National Bow Tie Day
• National Cherry Turnovers Day
• Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

And yes, Rainbow Bridge Remembrance is in honor of a beloved pet that has ‘crossed over’. I will think of Tazz tomorrow. Maybe even read one of the marvelous stories he wrote, some of which were published! Happy weekend, everyone! God bless…

Took an early morning walk, and saw several kids waiting for the bus. It’s always strange to see the buses back on the road. It was a nice walk and the fresh air felt great.

I haven’t heard from Christina, but today was her first day back. Tenth grade! And Autmn felt very happy to be done! I haven’t talked to the boys yet – they started Monday. I got home and the bunny that lives under my deck was munching grass. I think it was breakfast before home-school starts…

After work – which wasn’t too busy but productive – I was able to get the grass cut. 87*!!!

Then ran back down to work to switch cars, picked up Kathy, and we went to see Mom. When we walked in, our hearts fell into our feet. She looked so small and fragile – and was just staring at the ceiling. She did reach her hand up, so we took turns holding it. But it honestly seemed like she was not actually reaching for us. We sang to her and told her about our days, but we told her that we wanted her to be happy and well and whole. We told her we loved her and that she was a wonderful mother and how important she was, but she could relax and listen to God’s voice of comfort. We didn’t even take pictures, because it was just too hard. And we don’t want to remember her that way. We were told she ate a pretty good lunch and was doing ok, but she was in a decline. So we pray and sing and love and wait on the Lord! God is good, all the time.

Paul’s message was Losing our first Love. It doesn’t happen in one giant step, but little steps a bit at a time. We don’t realize when God leaves us! First Love: 1) What is it? It’s that experience and feeling that brought you to Him, to embrace God’s love for us. We should protect it. 2) How do you lose it? We lose focus and our wickedness increases. 3) How do you find love that is lost? Remember where you were – God doesn’t move, we do. We have to face the reality of sin; we can’t carry our own sins; repent and turn back to God. The Gospel is for everyone: by faith, not by works. We will be part of God’s family. Jesus holds us together. Stay focused on Him.

On this day in 1682 English astronomer Edmond Halley first sights ‘his’ comet, and in 1873 the first free US kindergarten was founded by Susan Blow. Mother Teresa was born in 1910 and Macaulay Culkin in 1980. Andrew Mellon, banker, died at age 82 in 1937, and Charles Lindbergh, aviator, in 1974 at age 72. Neil Simon, playwright, died at age 91 in 2018.

TOMORROW August 27 is:

• National Pots De Creme Day
• National Just Because Day

We are going to Albion tomorrow …. just because we need to keep working on the contents of the house! We’re getting there! Have a great day. God bless…

It was fun anticipating all day – Concert Night! Autmn sent me a txt: ‘super stoked!’ I was, too. I did have to work, and had a few appointments in the morning, and did some yard work just to keep myself occupied. I had Autmn’s favorite shirt that needed pressed, so did that right before it was time to pick her up.

She picked Panera Bread for dinner. She had mac/cheese and a baguette. I had cheddar broccoli soup and half a turkey bacon sandwich. We drove around a few streets to see if we wanted to park down the block – but the parking garage was open/free for the event so we parked in there and walked up and over to the Palace. We waited in line for about half an hour, talking to other fans and discussing upcoming shows. I’m 100% content with my Beach Boys!

A little bit of history: Mike Love and his cousin Brian Wilson started the Beach Boys in 1961. Three more singers/musicians joined to form the group. Mike has been married five times and has several children. Their first hit was ‘Surfin’ and they signed a record deal with Capital Records in 1962, after hitting the Billboard list in 1961. The band kept their music centered around southern California beach and surf songs. I tried not to get too freaked out when the article said his net worth is $90 million! Yikes! You’d think he could quit charging so much for his concert tours!!!

We were in the upper balcony and could see right down onto the stage. It wasn’t a sold-out event but there were very few open seats. The usher took our picture for us, then we waited for the show and just talked about all the songs they might sing. When the guys walked out on stage everyone went wild. Even thought Mike Love is 80 years old, he can still sing. And he’s funny, too, telling jokes and stories in between songs. Autmn leaned over at one point and said they should do a Beatles cover, and I said they probably wouldn’t. The VERY NEXT SONG was a Beatles song! They also did a Mama’s and Papa’s song which was Autmn’s favorite. I made it her ringtone on my phone: California Dreamin’.

Autmn and I were both equally excited, and I sang every song I knew (which was a lot) and she was singing the ones she knew, and we were clapping and laughing. A few times we even stood up and danced – to Kokomo, and to Fun, Fun, Fun. We were so into it, I really thought if we got a good momentum going we could be airborne and soar right out of the balcony and land on the stage! The background videos on the stage were very cool – a lot of footage from the original 60’s shows and they were in-sync! How DO they do that?

My favorite, of course, was ‘Wouldn’t it be Nice?’. Autmn’s favorite Beach Boys song was Don’t Worry Baby. I wanted to make that her ringtone but couldn’t find it. Autmn was a very sweet, fun date, and we were totally equally into it and had a wonderful time. As Autmn bought the tickets for us as my birthday present, it was extra special, and an event I will always remember. When did she get so grown up? We decided on the way home to do more fun things together, hopefully things that didn’t cost anything! We got home about 10:30pm, which wasn’t bad — except that she had to work today and they leave the house at 7:15am! She’s young; she can handled it!

Thank you, Miss Autmn Rose, for a precious memory and a wonderful event. Love you!

On this day in 1609 Galileo demonstrated his first telescope, and in 1910 the Yellow Cab Company was founded. The National Park Service was established in 1916. The film adaption of the Wizard of Oz was released in 1939, and in 1952 Puerto Rico became a U S commonwealth. In 1979 “Hart to Hart” premiered, staring Robert Wagner (be still my heart!) and Stefanie Powers. In 1992 in the Dutton, Alabama election for mayor and city council nobody voted. And why should they; nobody ran for office. Neil Armstrong, astronaut, died in 2012 at age 82, and Ted Kennedy, politician, died in 1932 at age 77. Sean Connery, actor, was born in 1930, and Billy Ray Cyrus, country singer, in 1961. My cousin Anita Gaston is celebrating a birthday today! She and Perry were our tour guides in Philadelphia and we had a wonderful time. They are seasoned travelers and I’m sure they are heading home from or to another adventure as I type this! Happy birthday, Anita – have a great birthday and a wonderful year!

TOMORROW August 26 is:

• National Got Checked Day *
• National WebMistress Day
• National Dog Day
• National Women’s Equality Day
• National Cherry Popsicle Day

National Dog Day! I know several… 🙂 Have a happy Thursday! God bless..

..

Short but sweet tonight. I worked this morning, had a doctor’s appointment (something was irritating my foot and it hurt to walk), some yard work in the afternoon, and then Autmn and I went out for dinner and then to the Beach Boys concert. It was great and we had a wonderful evening – but I’m saving that for tomorrow. Stay tuned.

On this day in 1682 Duke James of York gave Delaware to William Penn; in 1814 the British attacked Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812. In 1847 Charlotte Bronte finished ‘Jane Eyre’, and in 1853 Chef George Crum prepared the first potato chip. The first waffle iron was patented in 1869, and 1932 was the first transcontinental non-stop flight by a woman (Amelia Earhart). A friend that I met a Smail’s right before I left – Robin Poole – had a birthday today. Sending her happy wishes for another wonderful year. Happy birthday, Robin!

TOMORROW August 25 is:

• National Park Service Founders Day
• National Whiskey Sour Day
• National Kiss and Make Up Day
• National Secondhand Wardrobe Day
• National Banana Split Day

And tomorrow it will be four months until Christmas day – as Bud would always remind me! Have a great time shopping! God bless…