Today is Bear’s birthday.  Barry Shirey –  my special, delightful, talented friend for over 25 years.  We worked together, played together, even acted together (I had a cameo in a play about a year or so ago!) and ushered together.

I have sat in the audience spell-bound at wonderful shows like ‘Same time next year’ and ‘Witness for the Prosecution’, and laughed at the British Comedies.  Sang along with the musicals and enjoyed every one.

I’m surprised he trusted me with the gun, although of course it wasn’t loaded – he had to give me a hand holding it.  ha ha. But I’m here to wish the happiest of days and a wonderful year to my Bear – from his #1 fan –  Break a leg, Bear.  Love you!  Happy Birthday!

Just an update to add to Saturday’s post.  Here is a photo of the three of us after the workshop.  I am holding my storyboard and am on the far left. 

Joanna Moyer, Educational Director for the Westmoreland County Historical Society, is back-center.  She spoke on genealogies, researching them and interpreting them and even creating fiction stories from what you uncover.  Lots of amazing things out there if you are open to the possibilities!

On the far right is Mary Ann Mogus, a member of both the Greensburg Writer’s Group and the Ligonier Valley Writers.  She also volunteers at the historical society and is well versed in archives and archeology.

It was an amazing day; a great pleasure to work with both of these ladies and to have the opportunity to be part of this project.  Fun times and great people!

Well as you can see, writing Memoirs can take a lot of out you:  I had 2014 on the program booklet!  I guess I had already decided to go back in time…

We had a great turnout at the workshop, and spent about 90 minutes talking about unearthing memories that were buried in time. There were a lot of laughs, deep thinking, and the sharing of memories some had long-forgotten.  I talked about the importance of journaling (Just do it!), how to jumpstart your creativity, what structure to use in putting your work together, and how to research publishers.

There are several ways to jar your memory.  Look through old papers and photographs, revisit homes or schools that were a major part of your life.  Cook foods that were your favorite; listen to those songs from yesterday, and do storyboards and time lines.

I did two story boards; one of my neighborhood growing up, and one of Grama’s house.  We had a good time talking about how one memory (steeling a kiss in a friend’s car) can lead to a whole string of memories (cat-tails in the pond in the fall).  I don’t suppose you could get the connection, but there definitely is one!

If in the future you’d like to have me present a workshop for writing Memoirs, just let me know.  I’d love to share some of my history with you, and help you remember some of your own!

We arrived at mom’s just a little before dusk on Friday, but by the time we had eaten our grilled cheese and soup, the full moon had risin and was glistening on the snow – all 18 inches of it!  So peaceful and beautiful!

My parents are in good health and great spirits, and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit.  One of our chores was dumping the compost bucket out in the wood.  My short little mother gets lost in the snowdrifts so we bundled up and set out.  We didn’t have boots high enough to tramp through the deep snow, so we taped Walmart bags over our boots and pantlegs.

Then we set out.  We had fun following the paths around the driveway, then trudging through the uncharted fields. 

Kath led the way, so I could follow in her footsteps.  As it should be – she’s the perfect person to emulate! 

As we pulled out of the driveway on Saturday, the view of the old farmhouse, with the inviting porch and the two precious people inside, I was struck again by the fact that I am blessed beyond words – to have such wonderful parents, a kindred-spirit sister, and a family who loves each other and their God.  Indeed, a priceless blessing!

After a crazy 24 hours of snow and impossible roads, I was glad to get home after work safe and sound.  I cleaned off the driveway again (3rd time in that same 24 hours) but had a little help from the friendly moon.  It really did glisten off the snow and made everything bright and clear.  I must say, though, that it was very cold!  My fingers were REALLY numb by the time I got the last little corner cleared.

All the little shrubs and bushes wore their winter white, and seemed to dance with the songs playing on my old radio in the garage.  Regardless of the tiresome work and the very cold, it was very beautiful.

I do believe that my Adirondack chair did not at all call my name, and I’m sure my cousin Susan (who loves the beach!) would agree that now is not the time to stick your toes in the sand.  Kenney Chesney, enjoy your old blue chair in the sun!

I’ll keep shoveling and waiting for spring –  I’d much rather cut the grass!!!

I had my little Chrissy – who is almost nine! – spend the night with me on Friday.  We went for groceries, had chocolate chip cookies with green icing, and stayed up until almost 11pm!  When it was time for bed, Isabelle – her new American Girl doll – quickly donned her new PJ’s – complete with eye mask – and climbed into the spare room bed.  They both slept all night with nary a peep!

Saturday we pretended it was Isabelle’s birthday, and wrapped a gift for her and made posters to hang up.  The neighbor girl Torilyn came over and shared lunch with the ‘girls’, and watched another American Girl movie – McKenna. 

We had a great time together, and I feel very blessed to have my girls so close to me.  Love you! 

Well, here is my very handsome actor/friend Bear – whom I have known and supported for twenty-five years.  I am his # one fan – which he knows and freely admits! 

Friday night Joni and I ushered for ‘Lend me a Tenor’ at the Ligonier Theatre – and Bear was one of the stars.  Along with Bear (Barry, actually!), was a friend of mine from the dealership, Jon, who was the Tenor. 

The play was a fun, and we had a great time.  I never miss a play that Bear is in, and always get my hug and a quick friendly kiss. 

So, break a leg, my friend, and I can’t wait for the next performance — Love, from your biggest fan….. 🙂

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned to my mom that while one of the managers was on vacation, I had the task of opening the company mail and distributing it to the correct recipients.  She didn’t seem to think this was too much of a task until I started to explain.

First I need to explain that the amount of mail received daily can fluctuate to a large degree.  Sometimes the bag is totally full (in case you can’t tell, it’s an army-issue duffle bag) and sometimes it’s just rattling around in the bottom.  Today, the bag was full.  Mostly I like it when it’s magazines and packages.  They take very little time to sort and distribute.

Today, however, it was mostly envelopes.  Business #10 envelopes.  The mail is first sorted into sizes – magazines and newspapers, large flats, mid-size envelopes, and normal business size.  Then comes the task of slicing all the envelopes open.

I like to slice all the envelopes open first, then go through them to see what the content is and who whom the correspondence belongs.  That is easier than opening a piece, setting aside the slicer, going through the envelope, then putting it in the proper pile.  Sometimes the contents are obvious:  checks, invoices for payment, titles, advertisements.  Often they are NOT so obvious, and I have to go through each piece, read and interpret it, and decide the department to which it belongs. 

After the mail is sorted, it is banded together and placed either on the manager/owners desks or placed in the corporate mailboxes in the office foyer.  Today this took me about 2 hours.  Luckily I can switch the radio on and listen to Y108 (Pittsburgh’s Country!) while I am slicing and sorting.  Mostly I have no problem deciding where the mail should go, but there are pieces that totally stump me, and I have to do some research to find out where it belongs.  Every time I open the mail, I learn something or find something new.  It’s an adventure, but it certainly does take time.  So when I say I have to open the mail, it’s no small thing.

Just thought – – you’d like to know!

I decided to play outside for a while tonight.  First, I went up front and made sure Snoopy and his Woodstock buddies were still hangin’ out.  They seemed to be quite settled.

Then I went to work, shoveling and clearing the driveway, walks, porches, steps and patio. It wasn’t as uncomfortable as I thought it would be, and the 45 minutes it took me went by quickly.  By the time I got to the top of the driveway, however, the whole thing needed done again!  I did a couple of quick swipes at the bottom by the garage, but that was enough.  I could have kept going and going – it’s STILL snowing!  I’ll have to get out there in the morning anyway.

Once the work was done, I took a walk down to the bottom of the hill and back – my 10 minutes outside rather than on the treadmill to close out the day.  But I couldn’t go inside until I had thrown myself in the front yard and made a snow angel!  It was amazing to lie there on the cold ground, looking up through the trees, while the soft, chilly white flakes drifted down on my face.  It was so peaceful and still I really hated to come in!

But as I will have to get out there again before daylight and clear the drive again, I came inside, typed this page, and now am headed to bed.  Goodnight, white night!

Happy Valentine’s Day!  I sit here typing, watching the snow fall and swirl and the wind blow it across the deck.  I guess Cupid can perform in any weather so here we are!

Somehow flowers from someone who loves you can make even a cold and blustery day feel light and warm!  There are many ways to say love, but on this day, I’d venture to say that flower will say it louder than most ways!  Normally – people who know me well will share M&M’s and Snoopy cards.  So the beautiful roses and the cute, romantic card (and by the way, with that hat, the little guy could be Ron as a child with no problem!!!) made a statement. 

I know Valentine’s day is traditionally thought of in regards to ‘sweethearts’, but I’m here to say that you can tell anyone who means something special to you that you care about them, and that they speak to your heart and life in amazing ways.

So, Ron, I say that to you, but I will take a little of those Valentine wishes and share them with my family and friends, and with those people who make my life richer and fuller every single day –

And to a God who’s love surpasses all we can think of or imagine.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!