BOB WAS A ROMANTIC FELLA

People wouldn’t know that just by looking at him.

Bob was 6’2”, and a hefty man as time progressed forward; he was my gentle giant.

Bob got along with everyone – but, he was a loner: even in a crowd.

Bob was an outdoors man; more at peace with nature, than crowded elbow-to-elbow with the human rat-race.

No one looking at Bob would think he had a romantic bone in him.

BUT, with me, Bob was gentle and loving. He took the time to plan surprises for me … and got a bang out of watching my excitement when he whisked me off to enjoy his surprises ;-)

Today, 5 years ago, Bob planned a surprise "Honeymoon" roadtrip for me while I slept – we didn't have a honeymoon when we married August 27^th, 1974, because we got married in a fever; and Bob went to work as usual the following morning ;-)

This is how Bob & I felt from the get-go.

But, September 5^th, 2014, he planned a romantic getaway; and whisked me off before my eyes were even sufficiently open to welcome the new morning. LOL! He started the adventure off with a trip to Mount Baker - then we made our way back home through Sedro Wooley & Leavenworth (https://leavenworth.org/). I asked him if he wanted me to spot drive him while we were on the road, and he said, "Nope - you just sit back and relax. This trip is for you: enjoy the sights."

That roadtrip lasted a full week.

He really surprised me: I will never forget it.

I will never forget the man who lavished so much affection on me.

Entering Seattle

The land of glass giants …

The Space Needle in the distance

Puget Sound - water always caught Bob's attention ... the way the mountains always caught mine.

Our first glimpse of Mount Baker … Canada is that close: if we had thought of it, we probably would have crossed into Canada too: the boundary line was that near. But, we didn't think about it until we were back home. We went and got our passports to go into Canada - but Bob was transported to Heaven instead.

Mount Baker is the youngest volcano in the Cascade Range, and has a thermally active crater – 2^nd only to Mount St. Helens. Mount Baker’s last eruption was in 1880. Mount Baker is the 3^rd highest mountain in the State of Washington, and the 5^th highest mountain in the Cascade Range. Mount Baker is also the most heavily glaciated mountain in the Cascade Range, having 10 major glaciers documented. Mount Rainier is the only other mountain in the Cascade Range to outrank Mount Baker in snow accumulation ratio, although Mount Baker is one of the snowiest places in the world
(https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2000/fs059-00/)

Bob enjoying Picture Lake, with a view of Mount Shuksan: our Mount Baker trip, September 5th, 2014. What a guy!

Picture Lake, with a view of Mount Shuksan. This german couple said they come to this scenic spot every year from their home in Tacoma, Washington.

We were so high in elevation that tree growth was severely stunted and handicapped.

Columns of Fire basalt rock formation (https://blogs.agu.org/georneys/2012/11/18/geology-word-of-the-week-c-is-for-columnar-jointing/)

Bob

Columns of Fire basalt rock strewn around like pickup sticks

Beautiful alpine lake

Lava fields …

Mount Baker’s peak

Bob

We were very high up in elevation …

The danger here was very present – and very real

This pretty bold hued “pond” may look small, BUT that is a deceptive illusion: it was pretty large in actuality.

We were walking over that trail like billy goats: I hate heights, but for some reason, trails like this in the mountains don’t seem to bother me – or even play with my equilibrium.

I love these creamy-milky-green mountain rocks

Back off the mountainside, and nearing our truck in the parking lot, we met this couple heading up the mountainside to get married: they were starting their marriage, and my husband was surprising me with a “honeymoon” vacation 40 years later :-D We visited with them for a little bit and shared in thier happiness; and they in ours.

What a thrilling experience visiting Mount Baker was!

We traveled on, and came to a mountain community called Sedro Woolley:

I loved Sedro Woolley, too. I LIKE places like this. Sedro Woolley is an old cowboy, mining, and logging town

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedro-Woolley,_Washington).

I like the building detail …

It was a charming place to visit

Leaving Sedro Woolley, we traveled along the Skagit River; the water here was simply beautiful!

Beautiful emerald green water …

I laughed when I saw this little “church in the woods”: my mind immediately went to that old country song, ‘The Church in the Wildwood’; my mother used to sing that song with her cousin Easter – they sang in perfect harmony; in sweet voices, singing old Appalachian songs. I did manage to find a link to the song on Youtube, sung by The Browns family; and it’s not bad. I like this  song.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZSGxXY3xeQ)

I’m pretty sure Jim Reeves sang the song too, but I can’t find it on Youtube by him :-(

Bob has a soft & gentle voice, like Jim reeves.

We ate here (http://www.buffaloruninn.com/).

I was interested in the building design: I like stuff like this; I always told Bob I was born out of time – I would have made a good ‘mountain woman’ ;-)

The water here was a beautiful hued glacial water; and SO clear.

I was captivated by this old steam train – told yu’all in earlier posts that I am a tomboy ;-)

(https://www.historylink.org/File/2963)

I liked the colorful rocks of this region too, and started going after some to haul home, when I saw a sign out of my peripheral vision, that stopped me in my tracks ...

Darn it! I really wanted some of those rocks to take home >;-(

We were still real high up in elevation:

And the waters were still so vibrantly colorful, they could be seen real well from a distance ...

Bob walking out on the sky walk to view The Gorge Dam waterflow. He was always a dare devil – heights never bothered him. Ever.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skagit_River_Hydroelectric_Project

Bob took this waterfall picture for me to view later on … there was NO WAY I was going to follow him out there for a viewing!

This is s side view he shot on the way back to me: I was more than content to see it later on.

I love wild places like this. And the color of the water! I will never get over it – it was breath taking: these pictures do NOT do it justice.

But, I DON’T like the dangers that go with the wild places … we really were taking serious and real risks on this adventure.

Bob looking out over Diablo Lake (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diablo_Lake)

The color of the lake was a different hue at different angle … but it was always that beautiful turquoise color.

The minerals here turn the waters here pretty hues. You will leave this region with happy eyes :-D

Further up the road, we started a snaky trip over the mountain range to Leavenworth:

We stopped here to stretch our legs on this long trip, and gawked at the awesomeness of the Cascade Mountain Range – the sheer force of nature that it took to create the range is mind boggling. When I read, a few years following our trip, that a family had stopped here and defaced the rocky outcropping with graffiti WHILE THE FATHER RECORDED THE ACTION AND POSTED IT ONLINE!, I was furious. The stupidity of both actions was inexcusable. I think they were later tacked down, and fined – and rightly so!

Twisp, Washington. I really LIKE old towns like this. Bob did good planning this surprise trip for me :-D (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twisp,_Washington)

Leaving Twisp, modern day life slapped me back into reality like a splash of cold water in the face ...

Lake Chelan. We didn’t stay in this area very long – the people were snotty and snarky: this is the ‘rich man’ playground. I didn’t care for it much.

And THEN, we were entering Leavenworth – and WHAT A SIGHT it was!

This is the Bavarian Lodge - the fanciest place to stay in Leavenworth.  Bob booked us a room here – we stayed in the room next to the tower: 2nd floor; it was perfect!

Bob laughed when he saw this picture on the room wall – it SO describes me ... and our marriage, which we pretty much spent in the mountains ;-) I am a snowbaby and gotta HAVE my snow fixes. Thankfully, Bob understood that: Bob was a GREAT guy.

A gas fireplace, but it was a romantic illusion that fit the vaca ;-)

Pretty painted elevator doors …

I was partial to the red one; so that is the one we used: it was “our elevator” LOL

The view directly across the street from out room. We crossed the street to eat Supper in the underground german restaurant there. My Grandpa Brockway was german, so I grew up with a germanic background when we lived in Minnesota - but the german fare here in Leavenworth was new to Bob. He liked it too.

A nice, warm welcome ;-)

I LOVED the headboard! I really am so simple to please …

The whole room setting couldn’t have pleased me more – Bob did good :-D

Sitting on our balcony, relaxing after that hearty and heavy German Supper, I liked looking at the window boxes across the way. I like window boxes; I had window boxes on our front windows back home (the home we had then in Lexington/Kelso, Wa. – before we sold and bought the one I live in now), but I didn’t have them planted with foliage and flowers like these boxes were:

Our room balcony

A direct view from our room balcony: so pretty

All of Leavenworth "downtown" is like this ... some even fancier. I LOVED IT! Our financial advisor kinda had us on a tight leash, but we bought that Toyota Tundra luxury ride anyway ;-) We figured that Bob had WORKED HARD for his $$$$$, and if stock brokers got a hefty share of it, SO SHOULD BOB. I don't regret the money spent on that truck. We enjoyed spending many miles, every month, in it.

A little back street we found and strolled, when we crossed the main highway 

There were other accommodations in Leavenworth, but they paled next to ours ;-)

The restaurant we ate at: Frontal appeal

The restaurant is actually underground: SO European ;-)

Doesn't look like much, does it? BUT this is the entrance to a lovely German Restaurant where we ate. There was live music at Suppertime, and the food was excellent - not too healthy by American standards - BUT it was delish! The entire atmosphere was german in nature. Bob enjoyed it too.

I enjoyed how much Bob was loving me with this trip: he wasn’t just telling me he loved me ... HE WAS SHOWING IT; he really indulged me ...

The next morning, we parked here while we walked; and I gawked along the other side of Main Street: across from the Bavarian Lodge, on the main highway, where we stayed. Bob was so patient. I knew we'd never get back this way - and I didn't want to miss a thing: I wanted THIS imprinted on my memory like a branding iron. LOL

Humans were not the only walkers and gawkers in Leavenworth. LMAO

The colorful, artistic murals were fun to look at, too.

Leavenworth was the end of our week long, belated-honeymoon-vaca.

Leaving our cozy hideaway in the mountains, on our way out of Leavenworth (on our way home through Liberty, Cle Elum, Snoqualmie Pass, Hwy 18; and eventually down the freeway – I don’t remember exactly WHERE Bob decided to take the freeway along Hwy 18), we stopped at ‘The Alps’ Candy Shoppe, because I wanted some peanut brittle and fudge to snack on (SO YUMMY!), on the way home ;-)

While passing through DuVall, I saw this cute bookstore, so Bob stopped for me ;-)

Isn’t it the cutest thing?

DuVall Book Store; now closed - no longer in business.

This rabbit is what actually drew my attention :-D

But, I likd the bench too ;-)

It was a good road trip, a great vacation, a surprise “honeymoon”, and a week where Bob & I just spent time together without sideline interferences.

I sure miss Bob. His smile & twinkling eyes. His love and loving. The enjoyment he got out of watching me enjoy his surprises.

I miss Bob.

Bob gave me so much love.

Bob gave me so many wonderful memories.

Bob’s essence lingers …

I love you, Babe.

Forever.

OX

MOD KNIT AUTUMN KITCHEN TOWEL SET

I started this set way back in July, and I finally finished it up :-D

It took a while to finish because I got bored with it, and working on it kinda dragged along until I tied the last knot. I like to complete a project within a week’s time … if it takes longer than that, I get bored and put it off when I move onto something else. That is what happened with this set – I DO LIKE the way it turned out, but the designing of it and the working of it up took more time that I anticipated.

When I started the set, I didn’t know what I would design: I just knew I wanted a fall themed towel set. I wanted to knit it myself because the towels to buy in the stores seem made out of plastic materials that do not wick up moistures at all; they just smear water on surfaces (including hands), without actually doing what a towel is supposed to do. So, I thought I would design my own kitchen towel sets that WILL wick up wetness.

I browsed Pinterest for some Fall themed graphs; and finally found one I liked, and think will work with the variegated cotton yarn I would be using for the background – then I drew it out scaled, on paper I had ‘graphed’:

Autumn kitchen towel colored graph chart.

Then, I thumbed through my pattern books ‘til I was happy a detailed hemline pattern I thought would fit with the towel …

Autumn kitchen towel hemline detail. Knit.

I used a size 9 needle & cotton yarn: 1 skien MC, scraps for leaves, and a skien for contrast hemline and crochet topper.

I worked my towel to graph demensions; it is larger than a regular kitchen towel ... and that is what I want.

And it started coming together as I knitted along ;-)

Knit Autumn Kitchen Towel hemline detail.

Branch detail; Duplicate Stitch used.

Leaves & Lettering detail: Duplicate Stitch embellishment; same towel - different lighting.

Ready for the crochet topper to be added.

ALL THAT was done a while ago – but I was picky about the button to use: I wanted something “woodsy” to go with the pattern. One day, last week, I was cleaning my crafting area … AND FOUND IT! To be honestly truthful, I had forgotten I even had the button I stumbled across. LOL

But as soon as I saw it, I KNEW it was THE button for my completed towel ;-)

And I made a dishcloth to match:

  

Finished! I am happy with the way it turned out.

On laundry day, when the towels are washed and dried, I will put the summer towels in storage until next summer – and bring the Fall towels sets out for use this year; I made several new kitchen towel sets last fall while Bob was in the hospital (I knitted them up while he slept) – and now I have 2 new ones to add to those this year.

When I worked on last year's patterned towels, I was hoping Bob would be coming home, and I couldn't wait to show them to him: he always liked my designs. But, Bob didn't come back to our home - instead, he was called Home.

But, I believe he can still see me ... and likes these designs too ;-)

1 YEAR AGO, TODAY …

One year ago, today, I posted this to my FB Page: Bob, had, at that point in time, been in the local hospital for 5 days.

It showed up in my “FB Memories” reminders today – and tears threatened.

BUT, I KNOW where Bob IS today: and Elohim is STILL on His throne.

And Bob is walking the streets of gold – up yonder, where there is no more pain, no more tears, and he is enjoying a brand-new body & life. I am happy for him.

**********

1 year ago

Valeria Hargand is feeling peaceful.

September 4, 2018 at 7:05 PM

Just had a hair-graying moment!

While talking with Shay around 2 p.m., Bob's doctor called me and said he had been moved to ICU with heart failure and difficulty breathing ... so I rushed to the hospital as legally as possible to make sure I was there with him IF he decided to walk the streets of gold; and his sister Merry called all his siblings and mother - I would have preferred Rose NOT be called because she is 80-something - downside of 80 - and I didn't want to send her into heart attack mode.

The skinny is this: he is critical and being kept in ICU overnight, BUT I talked to the doctor outside Bob's room and she assured me that while she "can not 100% guarantee that he is not dying; he is not dying right now". Relief time. So SIL called everyone back and told them to cancel plane tickets and take their shoes back off.

If he behaves in ICU and his body relaxes, he will be bumped back upstairs tomorrow. MORE days in the hospital. He is in SO MUCH pain and discomfort as 1 by 1 his organs go into shock and searing pain. Doc says the gall bladder still has to eventually go and that the liver, pancreas, and kidneys are "doing much better", but that the heart and lungs are struggling because the water they filled him with to rehydrate him sent THOSE organs into water-logged shock; and his lungs are filling up too (because he has been bed-ridden for 6 days).

HOWEVER, before I prepared to come back home because he was wanting to keep talking to me through the face mask and he isn't supposed to be talking or fidgeting, he asked me what I thought he should do. I said, "Please don't ask me that; I love you Babe. We have already talked about this (years of talking about this) and naturally I want 20 more years with you. But not in constant searing pain if you want to go meet Jesus. Don't worry about us - we'll be fine." And we will be: I KNOW where he is going. And I want him to leave, IF he wants to, with peace of mind and assurance that he won't be leaving any of us in a lurch IF THAT IS his CHOICE.

This has been the hardest day of my entire life.

But I know that Elohei has it ALL under control.

And I know that WHATEVER the outcome will be ... HE is still ON the Throne and Yeshua is on the Mercy Seat.

Help me Yeshua as I walk through the valley of death with my loved one ... comfort us as we face the unknown, and hold us up when confusion and uncertainty threaten to undo us. Amen.

MIND AT EASE …

After I came home Friday afternoon, following Bob’s Celebration of Life event, I was bugged about there being no actual marker to show specifically where Bob’s cremains urn-box WAS; so, this morning, I set out to rectify that – the headstones are set quite a way back from the actual location of placement; and I don’t want to lose sight of the actual location when the grass growth comes in, blends well, and hides it:

My backpack purse is right above Bob's Urn Box location - quite a ways away from the headstones. I wanted to mark the exact location today.

But first, I had to figure out how to let the back seats down. I went out and studied the seats … and could only set them down half way. I came back in the house and researched the Highlander “quick reference” books – NO GO; not helpful at all. Finally, in desperation, I drove across town and crossed the border into Kelso, driving into the Toyota Dealership service kiosk, and ASKED if someone could please show me how to set the back seats down: someone could :-D I paid attention, and now I know how to do it too. LOL

I also found out that there is a 3^rd row of seats behind the back-passenger seats; this Highlander is more like a minivan than a car – that was a surprise! But, that’s good to know, in case I ever need extra seats. I had the tires checked too; I noticed at the cemetery on Friday, that there was broken glass in the gravel – if my tire had been compromised, I wanted to know: they hadn’t. Thank you, Yeshua.

After leaving Toyota, I drove further into Kelso, to Wilco, to find a windchime I thought would please Bob: he always liked windchimes, and I thought that would add a nice touch to the marker I had in mind to set up on our plot block. On my way back to the car, I saw a dime; so, I picked it up and felt very blessed thinking about the 10 pennies that make up that dime: it almost felt like Bob was approving of what I was about to do later on ;-)

When I thought about doing this, I had intended to be on the road by 9 a.m. … instead, with the drive into Kelso and back home; where I then loaded the wrought iron marker I wanted to use; hunted for the tape measure, pliers, needle nose pliers, ball-peen hammer; grabbed a solar light; shovel; and my little ladder … it was 10:19 a.m. Still pretty early, so I took my time: if cars riding my bumper wanted to pass me – I let them …

I settled in for a leisurely drive, and enjoyed the ride :-D

Ocean Beach Highway doesn't scare me, at all ...

There was a little bit of weather disturbance happening at Nasa Point, but it played itself out by the time I got past Cathlamet:

When I got to Eden Valley Cemetery, the ground was still soft enough to be worked, so I didn’t need the shovel at all – I just used the ball-peen hammer to set the wrought iron hanger in place (I used an old citronella lantern cup holder I had on hand): I set it alongside the placement. It went in easily – but the setting was solidly in place because I hammered it in well below the surface; and as the ground settles and wettens with the season, it will be set fairly hard, helping to keep the wrought iron hanger in place. And I noticed, that when I stood up, I could easily reach the cup to set the ivy in (silk foliage, so I won’t have to worry about it drying and dying: I brought this from home): it is over my head, but I can reach it with a stretch that doesn’t make me stand on my toes. I was able too, to hang the windchimes easily – this I did with the aid of the needle-nose pliers to securely fasten the added chimes holder to the cup’s open-work design. I figured the added sturdy chime holder, which I bought with the chimes, would be better than trying to fasten the chimes with baling wire (which I always have trouble tightening significantly – Bob did it perfectly. But, I am not Bob). I also pounded a metal pipe into the ground at the right-side front corner, to highlight the length and width of the placement. Then, I placed the solar light atop the pipe – the pipe does stick up quite a length out of the ground, but that’s okay with me: at least it won’t get sucked under when the ground begins to settle. I am happy with the result …

I used Bob’s tape measure to measure the accurate location from the top of the headstones, so if the groundskeepers move the things I set in place today – I will KNOW where the placement IS to reset everything. Sometimes the groundskeepers lift things to make mowing the grass easier ... and they don't reset them; they just leave them on the headstones. That can be a problem with Bob's placement location if it isn't properly marked, or noted.

I thanked Elohim for blessing my endeavors with decent weather and ease; and I spent a few moments at Bob's urn-box location – just remembering his handsome face and his infectious laughter, then I did a walk through.

Cemeteries don't bother me; and this cemetery is full of Bob's relatives, so I felt right at 'home'; maybe it's the Hungarian blood in my DNA ;-)

Old headstone - gothic in design.

Bob’s mother’s grandfather, Frank Smalley married Mary Matilda Olmstead – whose father was Allen Olmstead. Frank Smalley was Bob’s great-grandfather; his grandfather, Henry Smalley’s father …

Bob's relative, and a Civil War Vet. Family records have it that Allen’s real name was Oris Olmstead. He had enlisted in the confederate army – but got disillusioned, deserted & enlisted in the Union Army: he changed his name so that the confederate army could not trace him; his new name, Allen Olmstead is listed on the Civil War Union Army records; Company “A”, Seventeenth Infantry. The Olmsteads were Seventh Day Adventists. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_in_the_American_Civil_War)

I am GLAD to KNOW I did not marry into a confederate family! It did worry me when I found out his family came from Kentucky – I am dead-set against ANYTHING that smacks of confederate leanings or connections: I am Yankee, born and bred … and so was Bob’s grandmother, Myrtle Smalley.

JAMES SMALLEY. Frank Smalley’s father – Bob’s mother’s great-grandfather. Born in Mason County, Kentucky; married Martha A. McCann in Feather River, California; settled in Crooked Creek (Eden Valley), Washington

Henry Smalley’s father – Bob’s mother’s grandfather. Born in Tigard, Oregon; married Mary Matilda Olmstead – daughter of Oris Olmstead (Allen Olmstead) – in Crooked Creek (Eden Valley), Washington. Frank Smalley’s homestead on Crooked Creek, Eden Valley is recorded in Wahkiakum County book A099, Cert# 3364, Appl# 7331, July 1896. Bob’s Grandfather, Henry Smalley was born in the house on that homestead, October 13^th, 1900. Henry married Bob’s grandmother, Myrtle Goodrich, September 1^st, 1925. Henry was 81 years old when he died; I loved Bob’s grandparents: they welcomed me into the family with open arms when Bob & I were dating.

Frank’s Smalley’s mother – Bob’s mother’s great-grandmother.

Bob's great-uncle, and great-aunt; his grandfather Henry's brother, and his wife. I knew of Vivian before I knew Bob's name ... Vivian baked cakes for everyone in Wahkiakum County - and those cakes were artistic creations. My mother bought birthday cakes and graduation cakes from Vivian. They also raised exotic meats, such as ostrich's - and we would drive out with our children to look at them.

I don’t believe there are any Bell’s in the Smalley or Olmstead lineage, so I am not sure where these folks figure in the cemetery; possibly community folk who lived in the Valley:

I wonder if I am related to these people. There are Bells in my mother's family lineage.

Coming off the KM, headed towards home coming into Skamokawa, I decided to take a turn out West Valley Road, just to stroll down another memory lane – I walked all over the Skamokawa valleys as a teen: the valleys hold a lot of memories for me. First off, I saw the Quigley House and memories of Mike Quigley made me smile and laugh – Mike had been sparking me before my family moved to Cathlamet (I liked Mike, but he wasn’t “the face”), and I laughed out loud when I thought of the time he came calling and I made him donuts that were hard as rocks … he teased me by bouncing them off the blacktop – we laughed about that for years; until he died much too young in a horrific work related accident.

One evening, after I married Bob, Mike came with David Almer to visit after work; and was asked to stay for Supper (Bob was never jealous of my guy pals – he knew I wouldn’t jump the fence): I made Spaghetti Dinner. It was a DISASTER … but my fellas ate it without complaint: their eyes laughed though as they ate the ice-cold noodles smothered in hot sauce (I followed the recipe exactly; but didn’t know to rinse the noodles again with warm water). My mother never taught me to cook – she thought I was too homely to ever catch a man’s attention, so she focused all her attention on teaching the show-pony daughter, Ramona, how to cook: I was taught to clean house and care for everyone – my mother figured I’d be the family spinster. She didn't know that Ramona was a party girl - guys would date her, but no one wanted to marry her. When she did get narried ... it was a shot-gun affair, And still miserable.

My mother never saw Bob coming ;-) Bob loved me for who I was – not for what my mother saw. Bob told me I was beautiful: imperfections included. And because HE BELIEVED IT, I believe it. We had 44 happy years together.

Bea NEVER imagined I would ever be loved, let alone happily and passionately loved by a man who treated me like a queen.

Anyway, back to the cold-noodle Supper …

When Supper was finished and I was embarrassed – Mike lightened the mood by telling Bob about the rock-hard donuts; and Mike and I started laughing so hard at that memory that we had tears rolling down our faces: my mind was off the disastrous Supper and set at ease. The cold Spaghetti paled in comparison to the rock-hard donuts, and Bob joined in the laughter. I eventually learned to cook real good – no more donut rocks, and no more cold noodles :-D

IT FELT GOOD TO LAUGH AGAIN.

A bit further up the road, I saw the field - to the left of the road - where Bob and I were driving one Spring afternoon; and at that time, the field was FULL of daffodils as far as our eyes could see. There had, at one time been a homestead there and field mice had, over time, carried the bulbs all over the field where they naturally naturalized. Bob knew I like daffodils, and waited every Spring for them to appear; so, on this day we were out for a drive, he stopped the truck and walked into the field to gather an ARMFUL of the daffodils for me: that is the kind of man my husband was. He loved me.

I wanted to push on towards Brookfield … but a truck is really needed for that; no telling what the road looked like past the “primitive road” warning: it’s been a while since we’ve been out that way. So, I turned around at the end of the blacktop, and headed back to the main highway. Towards home.

My mind was at ease when I pulled into the carport.

And then, I noticed that the clapper on the windchimes Bob & I had bought 2 decades ago had broken off. I figured I could fix it, so I did:

I am not going to throw these chimes away! They are really starting to show their age after decades of windy abuse, but I am tired of losing and/or replacing things Bob & I enjoyed together - I will keep this thing together!

I’m pretty confident the ‘fisherman’s tie’ Bob showed me how to do, will hold.

My mind was at ease ;-)

And I decided to pull the Summer porch décor too, and set the stage for Fall’s arrival …

Raven Wreath hung on the front door. Bob & I were at a Bazaar in Gobel, OR, one year where I was selling my handcrafts; and I saw this wreath ... and just had to have it ;-)

Scarecrow Rug laid at the front door entrance.

The Fall ‘Welcome’ Wall Plaque was hung by the front door entrance.

 I hung a decorative Scarecrow Broom on the windowed carport door.

And laid the Owl Rug at the carport entrance - this will have to be replaced, since there is only me here now: and I am no longer a 'night-owl'; I seem to have taken on Bob's slepping pattern ... early to bed/early to rise. It's weird for me!

It feels good to get back into the swing of things. Doing these simple things, mundane as they are, set my mind at ease.

It was a good day today.

I felt Bob's spirit all around me - all day long.

I love you, Babe.

Always.

OX

ACTION-PACKED DAY

My garden was lousy this year – the sun was hidden most of the growing season by heavy gray clouds (kinda like hovering sea fog), I am assuming were the result of the river so close. Added to those clouds was a thick humidity, and brutalizing strong river gusts that dried the garden growth as well as beat the garden with punishing blows: gardening just plain sucked this year:

While I was watering the tomatoes & peppers, Pam called and asked if I’d like to go walking with her & Frank around the Lake – I said I would. I like walking and walking partners, now that Bob is no longer here, are hard to hook up with; so, I was thankful they called. We had a nice walk, and good convo.

Frank's family lived next door to Bob's family in Cathlamet; Frank kinda idolized Bob - Bob was a good man to want to imitate ;-)

When I got home, I called Indy Way Diner to see if they had liver on the menu today; they did. So, I ordered a take-out meal of Liver w-onions, baked Potato, and Corn on the cob: I love liver with onions; and I need the iron liver provides.

I arrived at the diner early, so I sat out in my car and did a Word Search puzzle until 4 o'clock … and received the news that my sister, Iris, had died. I had been expecting it for weeks, but, when I got the call – it was hard news to hear. My heart, though I do not really know Rick (Iris's husband) other than talking on the phone, goes out to him: he is facing the hardest thing he will ever face in his life. His life has changed in ways he won't be able to grasp for months yet.

Iris and I weren't real close because we had only found each other about 7 months ago; but we became fast friends. And we loved each other. I will miss her sorely ...

My sister, Iris & her husband, Rick. They are Lutherans, and Iris confessed to me that she was "not a good catholic": I do not think she was saved - that was the impression she gave me when she talked about God and religion That means that we will never talk to each other again. That is hard to bear.

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/09/i-will-miss-my-sister.html)

I really hope this is the last death I will have to hear about, and face for a long time …

I WILL MISS MY SISTER

My older sister, Iris, died this evening at 5:30 CDT ... 5 hrs/27 minutes ago.

I always knew about Iris, since I was 10 years old - and heard the adults talking. I was always curious: I wanted to know about this person who was older than me.

I asked questions ... and was immediately shut down. The adults talked about her existence among themselves - but they didn't think "that" was something to be shared with "a child".

I don't know what would have happened had my parents not met, got married, and got pregnant with me. I know they were all caught up in wartime drama; and the result was electrifying.

But, since finding out about her, I always loved Iris - ALWAYS. There wasn't a day gone by since I heard her name mentioned, that I did not love her.

When I met my husband, and we started dating exclusively, I told him about my older sister; who I never met, but was aware of. I told him that I loved her; and I wished I could know her. I wondered what she looked like - where she lived (did she live in Germany, or did she live in the USA) - I hoped she had a good life.

And I always hoped we would meet someday.

Elohim was faithful :-D

That day came shortly after Bob graduated to his forever home above the clouds, December 14th, 2018 - Iris called me shortly thereafter. My youngest sister, Carla had done a 23nme DNA test and that is how we all connected.

Though we didn't actually meet face-to-face, our hearts did meet via a phone call and FB connection following:

I was excited! Elohim was answering a prayer decades old: He was favoring me with my sister's voice!

I wished Bob could have been here for that airwaves "meeting"!

Bob would have liked Iris too - she was SO EASY to like.

Iris & I talked several times - phone & FB; I cherished every convo.

She will be forever missed in my life.

I feel blessed to have had time spent getting to know her - brief though it was.