GOOD BYE, MY DEAR FRIEND….

 

GOOD BYE, MY DEAR FRIEND….

Just a few days ago… the 20^th to be exact…our last words were to each other was……..  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CIS……. And I answered HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WAYNE….. we knew you were not going to make it to your 73^rd birthday…. TODAY…the 31^st.

 

This ending a friendship that lasted 49 years…

I know it is 49 years because you were my husband Marv’s best friend.  And when I met your wife… we were both pregnant…very pregnant. And your son turn 49 two days before you left.. and mine turns 49 next month.

It was the 1970’s… in a small town called Roslyn, Washington.. and old logging town taken over by a lot of “hippies”… Wayne was kind of a hippie at the time.. just not a full bore one…  

With Wayne and Marv it was the beginning of a great relationship.. best buddies who could almost get in trouble..   It was drinking at the local bars, and playing pool thru the night.  Working on cars in the back yard.. some times his.. some times ours.. There was times of ….. well, I guess I can tell now.. with both of them gone…… but times of poaching.. Being we both were poor families… we needed the meat. But there were some wild rides, at least that is the stories that came back ….. with them laughing over how they almost ran off the road, and the time that Marv was so  tipsy, that Wayne had to hold him up, so he could shoot. Because even being tipsy, Marv was a hell of a marksman…  There were A LOT MORE STORIES.. but some I have forgot and some I don’t want to repeat.. after all they might try to get me for accessory after the fact.

Some times Pat and I would get a baby sitter and go to the restaurant where the guys were playing pool…. We were not the bar type..we were the people watcher type… So there you have it.. two very pregnant women in the corner of the room watching the funny drunks.

We had great times together… And Pat is my best friend… We have been for 49 years….  

Pat and Wayne got married very young.. in their teens… and then Pat’s mother was killed in a car accident… so Pat and Wayne raised her brothers… 3 of them as well as their own 3 children..  But as a lot of teen marriages, they grew apart when they hit their 30’s and divorced.   Pat ended up in France…and Wayne found another lady love, Debbie. 

As Wayne got older, in his late 60’s he started to get health issues..The wicked sticks called cigarettes finally came home to end up taking him away from all of us.

Wayne will be missed by all of his friends.. and friends he does have. Many…. Wayne was the kind of guy who if he decided you were his friend… you were his friend to the end of time.  Even if you screwed up… he would go to jail to visit you…not happy with what you did…but still your friend.  Always there to help. Anyone he saw that was with a broken down car, he would stop.  

He also was a man of many trades over the years… Always had an eye for valuables… and would sell and trade.

Wayne and I had a weird friendship… even after Marv died.. There seem to be a bond… even if we had not seen each other for a few years… if one of us was in trouble.. we would know it…  It was kind of weird.. as years ago.. while Marv was in the Vets hospital… Wayne stopped by to have a cup of coffee and check up on the kids and i. This one time…he brought what he called was “bones” I don’t know what they were made of, or even if they were real bones… but it was kind of a game he said.. a Native American game he had learn a few years before… It is kind of a shell, or keep away game.. you rub the bones in both of your hands… for a few minutes.. and then keep them in one hand…… the other…guess which hand.. We played this game for about half hour… and then every time, we did, it the other was able to guess.. I guess every time… and so did he.. no matter how straight I kept my face.. or stared in space with my eyes.. Every time   we just knew… He got up to use the bathroom… while in there, I thought about a man who was a mutual friend… I had a question to ask Wayne when he got out…  the question was … was this man gay… we had not talked about this man during our visit at all or anyone near him. Yet when Wayne walked out of the bathroom.. he looked at me and said… “Yes, he is”… I asked him.. what was he talking about…and he said.. you were going to ask me if (man’s name) was gay…and the answer is yes.. I was blown away… I asked him, how did he know what I was thinking… he said to be honest, he didn’t know..but while in the bathroom the thought came to him, with the question.. And that is the kind of relationship I had with Wayne.. kind of a kid brother like. Kind of kindred souls…… But I left Vay area, moving into Sandpoint, so we drifted apart. Running into each other occasional and always happy to see each other.  You know how it is, after the fact, you think .. how you should have stayed in contact more.. but life happens. 

Yes, Wayne was a man all his own… and he did life his way.. even to the point of leaving this earth.  He kept the ventilator on until the 20^th because he did not want to die on his son’s birthday… And when we visited.. I was joking with him.. that he couldn’t’ die because his birthday was coming… he told me I was living in denial…but I wasn’t. I asked him are you sure this is the way.. he said yes.. I asked him if he was ready for it.. he said yes…  So on the 21 at almost midnight, he had his family surrounding him.. he told them he loved them all but it was time to go.. he took off the mask and went to sleep and passed just past midnight.  He did it his way…  So God rest my friend.. like I told you.. I’ll see you on the other side… 
AND WAYNE……………..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY…

DO NOTHING….

DO NOTHING….

Some times it bothers me when people condemn the people they call Socialist… I don’t mean the actual group, but those who they feel are promoting socialism.   I understand, I get it.. they are tired of those who work, having to pay for those they feel  won’t work.  I really do get the fact that there are people who use the system.. We all have come across those who blandly with no qualms take everything and anything they can when they could have done better. .. fudging the truth, some times …out and out lie.

But we all know people who just don’t seem to be able to get ahead. To no fault of their own.. for what ever reason…Yet they are thrown in with the former.   To condemn them, is like throwing out the baby in the bath water saying.   These same people don’t seem to mind watching the very rich gain their money one way or another by the person who is in the factory working hard to make the product.  don’t seem to complain.  Do Nothing…  they say.. for those who don’t work.  You give to a friend…giving a helping hand, yet you think a stranger doesn’t deserve the same break.  Give to the rich who already has more than you.. more than enough, ones who brag…  When there is a program proposed to take the tax breaks away from Walmart, Amazon, Apple and other such huge profit companies.. They  yell SOCIALISM…. Wanting to put it into a education program.. to give breaks to those who can’t afford the $50,000 and up college education. Heck they can’t even afford the low end.. of junior college programs for $6,000.  They give the rich a pass, yet don’t want to help the poor?  Why?  Do NOTHING???  I just don’t get it.    And I have a hard time with those with out money or low wages…being denied health insurance, or health benefits.. or denied surgery because they can’t afford the bloated cost of hundreds of thousand..

Have you ever read a hospital bill?  $15 for an aspirin?  $5 for a mesh band to hope a iv in place? And other things you don’t understand..  The meds that are rising every week… Pharmacy raising the prices long after they got their money back from the research.  The life threatening of diabetes, cancer… drugs are being raised because they can.  Oh, you see in the tiny print… or the fast announcer saying if you can not afford this med. At the end of the ads on television. I have seen the hoops that those have to go thru. 

Do NOTHING…. That is the answer?  Socialism… like it is a dirty word… using Socialism of other countries that failed? Taking the money from those and giving to others?   When it comes to health, no one should have to go without because of money…. Education.. Do tell me, that those people did not apply themselves because they came from dirt poor families who could not afford college for the 4 to 8 kids…  Sad … very sad indeed…  Too bad they can’t walk in those shoes for 5 years and see how well they would do..

WHAT A MESS....

WHAT A MESS IN DEED…..

Spend the weekend, doing some yard clean up…  As usual after the snow has finally stopped…… and then starts to melt…it reveals DIRT, PAPERS THAT BLEW IN, AND DEAD PLANTS…  WHAT A MESS..

So our first project was the finally be able to snow blow the snow away from the green house door.  We now can get in.. and I clean up a couple areas.. threw some stuff away… took our some of my solar lights that have been lighting up the green house over the winter, when there were sunny days… and set up plant containers.. ready for dirt and seeds..

There were piles of snow to get way from the shed door.. and ice.. to break up.. what I could. And throw out on the lawn to melt. And the cement we proudly put in last summer.. rose with the frost.. and the stairs on the deck had to be removed and shorten up some.. and when the ground goes back to normal.. they should fit just fine now.

Also the neighbor is nice enough to let us push snow from our driveway on to her lawn along side of the driveway on her side.

So today we worked on getting some of that snow away from a truck that she stored for the winter.  So I shovel near it.. where snow had fallen from her tree and was leaning against her truck…. And the King snow blowed the snow in front and along side enough.. she can pull out…..AFTER the ice  which is about 3 or 4 inches thick melts, that is in front of her tires… but with the snow gone and the sun will melt it pretty soon…

I love the Spring.. but hate the mess that is left after Winter…

The King is gone this week to help his brother in Washington..

He has roof damage from the snow and winds they had… So I have lined myself up with several projects for this week… getting out my table and chairs that I keep on the deck.  So I can have morning coffee if the sun is there.. if not maybe lunch at 11.  And then there are all those flower beds.. with laying over dead leaves and branches. I don’t dare trim the bushes yet.. as I did that one year in March and it SNOWED..  So on I go… projects, projects..   enjoy the sun..

HELLO SPRING… and the fun of computers…

HELLO  SPRING… and the fun of computers…

I have my computer back.. temporary.. by choice..

I have it fixed.. well, actually it wasn’t quite exactly

Broke….  It was throwing a tizzy fit… But was also

offered an update of the hard drive.. so have decided

To go for it…  the part comes in today… so the computer

And the part will go back to my GO TO GUY… and he will

Upgrade it for me… 

I have been surviving with my old computer.. my 10 year old computer which I run to… every time this one gives me fit. This

one, it goes in the shop.  The new hard drive is suppose to be faster.

So will I have a sport car of a computer…  as appose to this VW

one?  I don’t know.. that remains to be seen.   So when I come

back next week.. I will let you know.

So here we are… the first day of SPRING 2019!!! YAH..

Now if we can just get rid of the snow outside.. it might

Be great…  Still have a foot of hard snow between us and

The greenhouse..  Sooooooooooooooo wanted to get started

With the clean out and set up.. But the snow is pack up against the door…   But as parts of the other part of the yard and driveway gives away to dirty messes… but bare.. there is hope.  But oh, I can see

so much work to be done..  Cleaning up the flower gardens.. pruning. And such… But it will be great to work outside in the fresh air!!!!

SO WELCOME… SPRING.. I MISS YOU…

For the next several days

My laptop died so not sure when I will be up to speed on blogging.  SO if you don't see any thing here for a while. ..you will know why. ..in meantime enjoy the weekend and the weather. ..well,off to pecking on a tablet. ..don't know how you all on smart phone do this. .

THESE HANDS…

THESE HANDS…

These hands have served me well… for 78, just about 79 years.

They have held my children, they have held their faces, as I kiss

them on their cheeks. And held on to them dearly with my arms as well, as I say hello, or good bye…

They have held on to reins as I guided horses and ponies over jumps, and held on as they tried to buck me off…

They also have dug out sewer pipes that clogged.. they have held grease from motors that were being worked on…They have guided  smashed cars on to a truck, that was loading for a trip to Seattle scrap iron business…

They have held the elderly, guide them thru to their wheel chairs, and held their hands when they were scared. Almost 18 years of guiding them as they walked, to lay them in their beds.. to help button their buttons, and help guide their brush as they still tried to brush their hair.  Guided their hands as they still tried to feed themselves. And held their hands as they laid in bed… and pass away. 

These hands have held grandchildren… have held great grandchildren.. and held the hand of my husband, as we worry thru some of life’s bumps and bruises...

They may not be as pretty as they once were..  the wrinkles have told on the time for them.. the liver spots shine thru as do the freckles…  all part of life...

Yes, these hands have served me well

Lent… past & present

Lent… past & present

I was raised a Episcopalian… the middle one.. as there were some Episcopalian churches that were close to the Catholic church.

Then there was the other that was more relaxed..   I was told ours was the middle.. which means we did a lot of what the Catholic’s did but not as much.. We did the standing praying, and then down on our knees on the rail near the floor on the back of the bench that was in front of us… Up and sing.. down and pray.. heck, I got a lot of exercise during service.  We had communion first week of the month. We had to take lessons as young teens.. and we did do LENT… we had to find something to give up for the 40 days and nights.

I remember giving up candy… which was easy.. I wasn’t a candy type person… Gave up meat with one of my Catholic friends.. much to my mother’s displeasure, at dinner time.  So it was the usual give up something and hope you didn’t mess it up.

As an adult.. I wasn’t so much into it as I was busy raising kids.. I was still a Christian, just not a church going one..  Celebrated Easter, Christmas and half heartedly did Lent.. 

Last year, I did the clothing Lent… that is giving up 40 items in 40 days…  To the benefit of the women’s shelter…  The first 10 was easy… second 10 days wasn’t too bad.. 3^rd 10 days, was a crunchier but doable. 4^th 10 days… was hard…  I don’t know why, as I have too many clothes, that I rarely use.(you know the.. someday I will wear this). so you would think it would be easy. But got to say I enjoyed that Lent better than others.. as it was for the benefit of others..

This year.. I got a Lenten Devotional to read each day..Figured giving my soul a teaching would be better than giving up something.   I don’t know why, I still do Lent.. even when it was half-hearted… but I feel I should… Old habits die hard, I guess.. 

OOPS....

HOLY COW… WHERE DID THE WEEK GO…

I was just minding my own business.. and guess not paying attention..

But the week went flying by… it was Tuesday and then it is Friday..

Where did those days go?  

I guess I was so busy being a taxi, that I forgot to do the blog, I didn’t

get my wash done until early this morning, I usually have that done on Wed. or

Thursday at the latest…… I didn’t even make it to

the council meeting on Tuesday night…

One of those weeks where you don’t know if you are coming or going.

And going I was…  there were dr. appt.  there was physical therapy,

I think Tuesday was the only day I didn’t have to go somewhere..

Oh, yea.. I did taxes on Wednesday… that turn out to be not too bad.

At least I don’t owe the state or Federal anything.. and got small checks

Coming back..   enough to go to dinner and show maybe..

So anyway. This is a heck of a way to start up a new year.. Number 15.

Got to get it together. Lol..  But next week is going to be slower.. so that means

I will have to use my brain… and come up with something worthy reading..

Some one a zillion years ago told me that life as you get older is like a bike with toilet paper for wheels and the paper keeps unwinding from the roll….  Like time….unrolling.

I thought that was funny years ago…… I am not laughing anymore..

SO HERE WE ARE…. ON THIS VERY DAY…

MARCH 5, 2019

SO HERE WE ARE…. ON THIS VERY DAY…

THE anniversary of the blog…

These words were written…. Short and sweet for a beginning..

SatURDAY, MARCH 05, 2005

From a Simple Mind

March 5, 2005
Going to try this out... I am just a word tosser... but a lazy one... don't know if I have enough in my mind to do a daily blog. So don't expect much...

POSTED BY WORD TOSSER AT 10:39 PM NO COMMENTS: LINKS TO THIS POST  

Well, here we are… 14 years later. 3242  post later…..

No one is more surprise than me…. I am thankful for my readership, those who have stuck thru thick and thin….  While the numbers are hardly what they were.. there is still  some who think I am worthy of  the time to read it..   I thank you from the bottom of my heart…  So let’s see where the next year takes us…  I will try not to be too political. As some times, I stress my frustrations, with this Administration… I am as those who have read me over the years know..  I am of the CAFETERIA PARTY .  taking candidates from each side of the table… picking who I hope will do a good job..  And as I have said in the past 2 years.. I have been on a diet, as each side is slim pickings… 

I will try my best to find humor in life… some times life isn’t too humorous.  We lose people.. Cancer enters the family,  but also in our lives come great joys…  As last Friday did… as one of our grandson’s announced the birth of his son..  one Deklan John… he is number 23 for us (great grandchild)…  and number 24 will join us in 4 and half months… another boy.. with the tentive name of Isaac Gallagher … Isaac is solid.. the tentive part is Gallagher.. I love it .. myself..  Irish sounding…  not that we are Irish (wait a minute.. not so fast..my grandson IS part Irish, forgot that) .  I was thinking it might be an Hawaiian name like his brother..

So we start this year off.. the year of the blog,  that is.. heading towards  year number 15…in good spirits.. with hopes, and joy and blessings…   Hope you all…… good readers, also have joy in your life..    UPWARD AND ON WARD..