UNCLE CLIFF’S FAMILY REUNION

The majority of the immediate Hargand family; Bob's mother, siblings and thier children.

There are 12 years between Bob and his Uncle.

Uncle Cliff likes to combine his birthday with a family reunion: it’s a long-held tradition.

Uncle Cliff is Bob’s Uncle: Bob’s father’s brother.

Cliff and Bob loved each other like siblings; they are only 12 years apart in age.

Bob and Cliff were very close – they deeply loved each other.

I love Uncle Cliff, too.

It hurt my heart to think I’d never see him again.

Uncle Cliff was the first person Bob introduced me to when we started dating exclusively: Grandma Smalley was the second.

When a fella introduces you to his family … it’s a big step: he’s making a statement, and cementing a relationship.

Both liked me, and both told me, “You’re good for Bobby. He’s happy when he’s with you.”

I thought so too 😉

Their immediate welcoming of me into the family fold, and their unconditional love extended towards me, endeared them to me for life 😊

When widowhood was thrust on me 30 months and 10 days ago, my actual tie to the family was severed.

I didn’t think I’d ever be invited to Cliff’s, again. 

But I was; and I was happy with the invite.

But over the years others were not so welcoming, and they didn’t love me – unconditionally, or otherwise – and as badly as I wanted to see Uncle Cliff, I did not to deal solo lobo with the bitter anger of the others.

My stomach had been miserable with jumpy nerves all week long, just thinking about the upcoming weekend.

Last night, when I crawled into bed – I still wasn’t sure I’d be going; but this morning … I did.

Decided to go to Uncle Cliff's Family Shindig, after all.

I was raised that it is rude to turn down an invite given in friendship.

So, I bit the bullet, and went.

On impulse, I grabbed the Remembrance Urn with some of Bob's ashes in it for Alex, if he came. He didn't want it in 2019; but he might want it now. I was hoping so.

I was prepared to wrestle with snarly and snarky lions: but they behaved like lambs.

I.e.x.p.e.c.t.e.d.t.h.e.u.s.u.a.l.

And was surprised by Elohim’s blessing 😊

19 months and 11 days ago, at Bob’s celebration of Life, I had been deliberately hurt by a few of Bob’s relatives; I’d pretty much written them off and erased them from my life: I was stressing meeting them face to face again.

But Elohim wasn’t going to allow that – He was working in everyone’s lives.

Kasey Musgraves – Family Is Family: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nQXGOY1wDY

I do believe today’s gathering of the clan was the most enjoyable time anyone has ever spent together: seriously.

I did get wet-eyed when Alex showed up; he looks like Bob, my heart squeezed for a few minutes. Alex, Kerry & Cliff.

There was no backhanded remarks or underhanded activity towards anyone ‘just to get a rise out of them’.

People had matured.

Immediate family and cousins; except me ... I was taking pictures.

Mingling with the family was blessedly enjoyable today.

New babies added to the family, since the last gathering, years ago.

Cliff funning and sticking his tongue out when teased about his aging.

Sly & The Family Stone – Everybody Is A Star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d248d06PWhY

Not a single word was spoken out of place. 

Not a single poisoned dart was shot. 

There wasn’t a frown, or a sneer on anyone’s face.

Toward anyone – for anything.

No one made overt … or silent judgements that gets betrayed by facial expressions and body language.

I smiled and laughed a lot; my stomach settled down.

And everyone was glad to hear of my latest decision to get on with my life – they all agree that it’s a good idea; all said they’d be praying it works out for me: and they meant it when they said it. I could feel Bob smiling.

4 babies had been born since the 2017 Reunion: a set of 2-year-old toddler twin boys, a 6-month-old baby girl, and a 3-month-old baby boy.

It was wonderful to see the babies!

Babies are Yeshua’s guarantee that life goes on, and family continues.

The older ‘kids’ who were present today ranged from 52 (the oldest son born to the oldest Hargand son: Bob), to 10 years old (the youngest son born to the youngest daughter of the oldest Hargand daughter: Merry).

The last baby born into the Hargand lineage, was Azariah – who recently turned 7 (but sadly, my children and grandchildren did not make an appearance) … the babies on display today, were a delightful addition 😉

Everyone behaved.

Everyone who came today; except Cathy's husband, who took this picture. I'm the chub in the purple shirt, 2nd row.

Even the additional babies 😊

Baby cousins hugging goodbye.

I am glad the day was a good one for Cliff; and a blessing for me.

The gathering actually went waaaay better than anticipated; thank You, Yeshua!

Everyone behaved, and I was able to give Alex his little Urn of Bob's ashes.

I feel blessed and encouraged. Thank You, Lord.

ACTION-PACKED DAY

Today was my Thursday Naselle Coffee Hour … so, I was up bright and early.

Longview to Naselle - 1 hr.10 mins.

Passing through Cathlamet towards Skamokawa, I noticed there were a lot of loaded logging trucks passing me in the opposite lane: I was wondering where they were coming from; they were following pretty close together, so I knew the logging site must be fairly close.

And it was – I was driving along, listening to Roddy Crowell (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiTqnpmPKRk&list=OLAK5uy_k0AxexO6cz9s1EMsZGw__lVzwWkuuIF3g) sing contemplative songs; when suddenly I was startled by a shovel operator in action, swinging the grips towards the highway: a little too close for comfort.

I was shown where the trucks hailed from: up close and personal.

Things had changed on this stretch of the highway since Sunday.

Shovel operating on a small scale (YouTube Vid): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmFgLkUdY9c

I decided, on the spot, to reroute my home route; following the coffee hour 😉

Logging on the downside of the KM.

It was a good country hour where coffee flowed, conversation was spiked with howling belly-laughs, and chocolate cake was enjoyed 😊

Driving through Pe Ell on the way home, I noticed a new addition to the little backcountry town…

New Cafe in Pe Ell; Tin Snug: 217 N Main St, Pe Ell, WA https://tinsnug.com/

MAP Tin Snug Cafe in Pe Ell from Naselle, WA; 1 hr. 15 mins via Raymond-Menlo.

Gaelic window design; the Celtic knot.

Heron Point from Tin Snug Irish Cafe, Pe Ell - 1 hr. 11 mins; via Boistfort & Wildwood Road.

Leaving Pe Ell, and driving along the roadway between Pe Ell and Boistfort, I came upon a family of deer, leisurely walking the roadside.

While I was watching the deer, birds on the wing were darting about the passenger side window … so I started easing the car forward to evade the dive bombers.

That small stretch of road was filled with action. 

Mama Deer & twin fawns.

Bad Company Album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHdLk0hXeDE&list=PLrpyDacBCh7AaQbdD8PhgfpnEVXE5eC9E

It was here that I received a phone call inviting me to Supper on Coal Creek – I accepted, and told my friends there, I’d be pulling into their drive around 3 PM.

As the convo was ended, I thought about how various friends, in various places, had blessed my life this week: David invited me to breakfast Monday … and surprised me with his son, Tavis – who was also joining us for breakfast: I had not seen Tavis since his mother’s Celebration of Life gathering 16 years ago. Marla was my best friend for three decades, and our kids grew up together – it was a good surprise David sprung on me 😊 This Thursday, I was blessed twice by different friends in different counties: noon coffee hour in Pacific County … and Supper in Cowlitz County.

I am truly blessed, and always thankful for the friends Elohei has gifted my life with.

Our friendships are love in action. 

Just before I was dropping onto Coal Creek Road from Delameter Road, I saw a damaged car in the right-side-ditch.

Car wreck coming into Coal Creek off top of Delameter.

Apparently, someone else had an action-packed day, too.

Supper on Coal Creek (I arrived slightly before 3 PM) was enjoyable, as always.

I like that my married friends out Coal Creek Road, invite me into their family nucleus and treat me like a loved family member – there is no pretense of perfect family unity; there is no uncomfortableness when Bob’s Name is mentioned; conversation flows easily-joking is encouraged-love is present; laughter is the theme of their family – they are a family that laughs: I like that. I like that I am included in their family, as one of the family.

The best kind of action is the action of love in action. 

My day today, was all of that … and more 😊

BIRTH OF AMERICA ~ BY INSURRRECTION

 Isn’t it strange that the demonrats continue to push the “January 6^th, 2021 {insurrection!}” propaganda … when since their first political coup with anti-American muslim, barah hussain obama in 2009/second political coup in 2017 – again with obama/third political coup in 2020 – again with obama pulling demented biden’s strings?

Perhaps they need an AMERICAN History Lesson, BASED ON AMERICAN FACTS instead of the political social study garbage they are peddling to deadheads and black hearts.

America was born out of insurrection roots.

Personally, I think it’s time for another freedom insurrection to wrestle bully power out of the racist demonrats ‘history rewrite of American History’ claws sunk into the backs of The People.

The demonrats know The People will at some point fight back: that is why they want to ban ownership of personal guns and limit the amount of personal use ammunition.

Let’s review REAL AMERICAN HISTORY – and shut down the demonrat 1619 bullshit based on the muslim twisted mindset that “muslims founded America” … promoted by the obamas.

**********

245 years ago. 

The colonists dared to dream. 

They dreamed of freedom.

They dreamed of a country of their own; where they could reap the benefits of their hard labor and harvests - instead of having it stolen from them to feed the aristocrats across "the pond".

They dared to dream their children would learn to read and write ... and be able to openly state their opinions and make choices for how they chose to live their lives - without having Britain's knee on their necks (today, we, The People, do not want the Anti-American/muslim loving DC Congress knees on our necks. Much has been shouted in congress and in the media about criminal george floyd's demise ... but nothing noteworthy is being shouted about The People's demise).

They dared to dream that their mothers, sisters. girlfriends, daughters, cousins, and nieces - the girl next door - could walk the highways and byways without fear of being harassed or sexually violated by the Tories that bullied and brutalized the colonists: just because they could … without fear of repercussions; they believed themselves untouchable.

But the colonists were fed up.

Today, we, The People, are fed up.

They were meeting in secret.

They were building a small army.

They were designing and sewing a Freedom Flag in secret.

They were being careful in what they said and how they said it when in company of friends or family they weren't sure would stand by them if push came to shove in the daring plan to forge a future of freedom and dared for promise.

Today, we, The People are being as equally cautious with family members, friends, and neighbors: the demonrats have boldy called for those close to us to nark on us if we cleave to our American Freedoms, and do not fall in line and goose step to the demonrats mandates and propaganda demands.

They boycotted British goods - and refused to eat or drink anything that carried a tariff tax. Britain was already taking more than was agreed to ... and the tea, flour, and fabric taxes were outrageously unfair.

Under the cloak of darkness, the brave colonists declared war.

Britain retaliated.

A signal between the colonists was agreed upon - a torch would be lighted to announce the way war would come to the shores of this great land; "1 - if by land: 2 if by sea".

Paul Revere watched.

When the signal was given the evening of April 18th, 1775, Paul jumped on his horse and rode to alert the rag-tag militia of the happening by hanging 2 signal lanterns from Concord's church steeple.

The colonists were excited. 

They were frightened.

They were ready for the fight!

Today, The People are still watching, hoping, and dreaming - and are ready.

The militia didn't have much - the men were farmers, shopkeepers, blacksmiths ... they were not men of war: BUT THEY LEARNED.

On December 3rd, 1775, John Paul Jones - a merchant marine sailor who sided with the colonists, and became the father of the newly established naval force of the blooming America - hoisted Old Glory. The intent was clear to the British forces - there would be no cease in the push for Freedom.

The Revolutionary War lasted 7 long years.

By the time French assistance came alongside the Continental Army of the colonists at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, the colonists of the small army were barely alive - having suffered starvation, lack of adequate clothing: most of them were shoeless, having only bloody rags tied around their frost-bitten feet. There was little $$$ to give to the militia as businesses went bankrupt under Britain's assault/theft ... and all the able-bodied-men of the colonies were engaged in fighting for freedom.

AND THEY WON!

Through perseverance and the desire to be FREE, America was established in 1783.

NOT IN 1619.

NOT BY AFRICAN MUSLIMS.

It is shameful the way the Anti-American Foreign Member Congress demoncrats … wholly devoted to muslim mindset … are intent on taking our freedoms away from us 1 by 1; by twisting and tweaking our own American Constitution!

It is scandalous that Americans are sitting still and staying silent as the demoncrat House is blatantly ignoring our Constitution and handing our Nation's power over to career political talking heads that do nothing in DC – as well as American hating foreigners they illegally seat in Congress.

It is frightening that Americans do not understand what is going on with the obamas, and prince harry and his ‘American family’!

245 is still young - there is still plenty of good solid teeth in America's maw.

Shake off the lethargy and rise up, People! 

America was birth with insurrection against a tyrant government … perhaps that is what is needed again to beat back the rabid political dogs in Congress that continually snap at our heels and snarl racist dogma at everyone who disagrees with their power grabs.

Grow a backbone Americans!

LET'S NOT LOSE AMERICA to DC tyrants!

CURVE BALLS

It never gets easy to tell people who knew Bob, that he now lives beyond the clouds.

It seems surreal to me, too. 

In my FB PM Box, a few minutes ago, I received this message: “Hi my name is Kerry Brown, we used to be neighbors of the Hargand family in Cathlamet. We now live on Puget Island. Tell Bob hi for me.”

I remember the Brown kids, too.

They were staggered in school grades above me; Mel was Bob’s age. Kerry was Ralph’s or Merry’s age. Barry was one grade above me – Rhonda babysat me and my siblings, when my family lived in Skamokawa.

One would think that since Bob and I both knew the same families (in Skamokawa, Cathlamet, and Graysriver) … our paths would have crossed long before we actually met face-to-face in March of 1974.

I Saw her Standing There: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qXyw1JiW7I

And in a time-warp moment tonight – a message from a face of the past.

Is Anybody Out There: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2u-ofasXig

Life’s curve balls: they always throw us off our game.

I would have passed on Kerry's "hi" if I could.

But Bob is not here.

I cannot look up from the laptop screen, turn to him and say, "Babe, Kerry Brown says to tell you 'hi'.

But, I can look up from the laptop screen ... and look through the window to the dark night sky, and whisper, "I love you, Babe ... and BTW ... Kerry Brown is missing you, too."

So, that is what I did ;-)

THE 3 C's OF LIFE

It’s been cloudy here, all day long; there was a bit of a misting around breakfast time; but the heavy gray cloud cover never dissipated.

And I enjoyed the coolness, even if the temperature was in the high 70’s.

Yesterday, I vigorously banished the vagrant spiders that hoboed their way inside during the rains … before the heat wave hit … and I used the handy-dandy crocheted broom handle dust-buster, to swipe away the spiderwebs that were becoming very obvious since I’ve been gone from home so much; and let the June Cleaver in me enjoy a domesticity strike.

This morning, putting around my spic-and-span cozy nest, knowing it was Aza’s 7^th birthday and missing him – and refusing to cave to the lure of depression about the situation Stacey is lording over (I can’t even get a picture of our little handsome prince) – I shook it all off, and treated myself to breakfast at Omelets & More; before I went to play Bingo.

I wanted to surround myself with familiarity, and be cocooned in happy memories.

I like eating breakfast there. About once a week, after Bob retires, we’d treat ourselves to an breakfast out of house; and while Aza was with us for those 14 months from June 2017 to August 2018, he went with us and enjoyed his pancakes and bacon. We like the atmosphere (I still do) – it’s got a laid-back vibe that suits.

More modern places have those tall unstable mini tables, and high bar stools that I practically need a step ladder to scale; leaving my feet about 2 feet off the floor when I sit down.

I might strut a 6’2” attitude, but my body is still only 5’2” in height – I have short legs to match my short body 😉

After breakfast, enroute to the Senior Center, I made a major decision concerning more change in my evolving life. I’m not going to say anymore about it until it starts jelling. If things go the way I hope they will … and if the change is in Elohei’s Will … it will be a good thing for me, in many ways.

I arrived at the Center about an hour before Bingo was slated to start, so I played a couple games of pool; and was feeling so good about what I’m planning, that I was making good pool moves without really concentrating on the games – I was basically just wasting time, and working off nervy emotions, but those balls were going right where they were supposed to. I was dancing around the table, and doing the 6’2" strut 😉

Bingo brought my feet back down to Earth: I only won 1 game.

I only won 1 game for $5 payout: and only lost $2 of the $7 I spent to play.

And that’s okay: I play to have fun 😊

On my way home, I saw that the July 4^th festivities are underway: despite the anti-American sentiments being implemented by the governors up and down the PNW states.

Changes are coming.

The Lake is gearing up for the 4th of July festivities.

The People are sick and tired of the demonrat tyranny; we will not be hostages in a losing political maneuver.