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Love come softly, brush against my heart
Yearning for its closeness, not ever to depart
In God’s Infinite Wisdom, I place my life,
And trust for tomorrow, what be, what might
Whatever path this love may go
It carries with it the willingness,
to let it go
And hope that one day, it will again, brush against my heart ....
To stay forever.
Karen A. 05/30/06 
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PASSING TIME
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Nov 12, 2008 10:13 am
1204 Views
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My friends birthday was yesterday. Since she was out celebrating all day, I was unable to talk to her (phone) until this morning and she told me about all the good things that happened yesterday. Then she said "do you realize 20 years ago (well actually 19) we were all together celebrating my 50th birthday!"
It is strange how some things hit you right between the eyes! My gosh, I remember that birthday party as if it was yesterday, and here it has been 20 years already. Now I'M feeling old.
Where has the time gone?
*****************
Top Old Folks' Party Games
1. Sag - You're It!
2. Pin the Toupee on the Bald Guy
3. 20 Questions Shouted into your Good Ear
4. Kick the Bucket
5. Doc, Doc, Goose
6. Simon Says Something Incoherent
7. Hide and Go Sleep
8. Spin the Bottle of Mylanta
9. Musical Recliners
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HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED?
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Nov 10, 2008 12:05 am
1350 Views
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Every once in a while there will be blog titles back to back from different people, and the titles kind of blend together? I get a kick out of some, and decided to go back and pull a few for you. To make this blog a little more worthwhile, I've also provided the link to each blog just in case you missed it the first time around.
I have listed them in the order they appeared on the blog page, reading from the top of the list to the bottom.
dallas49: Oh Shoot I Forgot:
loofy: Lest we Forget
simplysimple08: As i woke up this morning....
volleyballgranny: I had the strangest dream last night...
Maynilabelle: conceding defeat....
pictureman6911: First Place Winner of the Costume Party!
Volleyballgranny: Don't provoke the lunatic...
jrh63: Who then????
SingtoMySoul: TELL THE TRUTH
Spunkylady051: [post 94263]
nathaly7: Lauther the Best Medicine
Ola2006: OUCH! THAT HURT!!
Veita: [post 94034]
Elvis3700: I DID IT!!!!!!
earthytaurus3: A re-post .... this one mysteriously disappeared, but remained on my blog page.
Yeshuaishi: gone, but not forgotten, lol....
swanman1959: What "us folks" do for fun !!!!!
DaisyMae100: SEX ON THE BEACH...............
There are many more I am sure, but I think I'll stop with these. It at least gives you an idea of what I'm talking about.
I'll end with the funniest one of all, IMO.
Hawkslayers: She put her hand between my legs and said....
Shay2006NewLife: YEEEE & HAWWW
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26
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OUR FAMILY COO COO CLOCK
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Nov 8, 2008 9:23 am
1212 Views
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Back in 1957-58 when I was around eight years old, my parents purchased a Coo Coo clock. A couple were going door-to-door selling their merchandise and from what my Mom told me, the gentleman wanted to sell them the clock for $80.00. My Dad was able to talk him down to $50.00 (which at that time was pretty expensive for them anyway.) With my Dad being a logger, they usually didn't buy much out of the normal necessities.
So, for the next 20 years of my life under my folks roof, the clock graced the living room wall and every 15 minutes that little bird would come out and coo coo to be sure we knew what time it was. It continued to faithfully notify my folks of the passing of the day through the years after I left home.
My Dad became ill in 1996 and was no longer able to help keep up the big house that I grew up in. My parents sold the place in 1997 and moved into a small apartment closer to medical facilities. In preparation for the move, I helped my Mom with a couple of big garage sales. Downsizing was a definite must. However, the Coo Coo Clock remained, and was placed on the wall of their little apartment to continue reminding my folks that time does move on.
There are certain sounds for me that stir up long ago memories. One of them is the sound of a buzz saw. I always think of my Dad and the frequent times my brothers and I would accompany him when he gathered wood for the winter. The other sound is the coo coo of a Coo Coo clock.
My Dad passed away in the spring of 1998 and my Mom eventually moved and remarried. She took the Coo Coo clock with her. However, it was in need of some tender loving care and repair. All the years that it faithfully coo coo'd for my folks had taken its toll. My Mom found a local clock repair shop and entrusted the clock over to him. Being the only person locally that worked on clocks, business was booming and the clock man ended up having the clock for over eight months before all the work was completed.
I got a call this past weekend from my Mom. Her voice cracked as she said "listen to this" and then there was complete silence. I said, "Mom, I can't hear anything." Then she said ... "oh, okay ... just a minute" .... then silence again, but just briefly when I then heard "coo coo" "coo coo" "coo coo"
The clock was back home, fully repaired and spruced up. It now graces the living room wall again and all is well. It's funny how something so insignificant (in ways) as a coo coo clock can cause me to tear up.
The Family Coo Coo Clock
[click on the picture to enlarge] It's not real easy to see, but there is a carved deer head at the top, just above the door that the coo coo comes out. Then on either of the door I believe its a carved rabbit and a bird. Very intrigate carvings. A beautiful family heirloom.
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JUST IN GENERAL
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Nov 7, 2008 11:14 am
1156 Views
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This is one of those blogs that my friend(s) MinnieTed call mundane.  and 
I just wanted to post a blog to wish everyone a good Friday, and a fun weekend ahead. I'm getting ready to leave here in a few minutes to go work (volunteer) for a few hours in the gift shop of one of our local hospitals. I started doing this about 6 weeks ago and sure am enjoying it. The lady who buys the inventory for the gift shop has wonderful tastes and I love all the cute knick knacks and gift ideas she has. The cool thing for me is that I get a 20% discount on anything in the store and I've taken advantage of that a few times. There is this little stuffed duck I plan to get as a birthday present for my Uncle Dad. It's about a foot tall, and when you push a little button on its wing, it waddles and quack quacks  silly, but cute and I know he will like it. He says he likes ducks because they are always smiling.
So, you all have a good day ~ and share a hug with someone!
 ~ Karen
p.s. The "mundane" thing is a good thing, so please, no comments derogatory directed to anyone. Appreciate it.
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A LITTLE OF THIS AND A LITTLE OF THAT
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Nov 5, 2008 1:59 pm
1169 Views
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I'm sitting here listening to the rain. It's been PRETTY wet around here the past few days. We even had some thunder and lightening night before last.
Well, the elections are over. I just want to say my little bit about it and then I'll get on to other things.
I did not vote for Obama .... but when the election results were all in I said "so be it" and will do my part by supporting him. I will do that one way by praying for him. He has a huge task ahead, and although he kept talking about "change", it remains to be seen just how much "change" he will be able to bring about. I hope he can, don't get me wrong. I'm just pretty cynical about the whole process, no matter which side of the political fence a person is on.
Now I'm going to go pop me some popcorn and watch a movie. I've already been out and did some errands, so its time to kick back for a little bit and get lost in a little fantasy, care to join me?
Without getting to inappropriate, what is your great fantasy? Mine changes, depending on my mood. Today, I think my fantasy would be to be able to snap my fingers and shrink down to a size 8 dress size. 
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17
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THE OLD MAN IS SNORING
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Nov 1, 2008 12:35 pm
1042 Views
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It's raining, it's pouring, the Old Man is snoring,
Bumped his head when he went to bed
And he couldn't get up in the morning
(or in this case, the "old woman")
Good old childhood nursery rhymes. This one came to mind today as I looked out my living room window and watched the rain come down hard and strong. It's dark and dreary looking, but I'm warm and cozy indoors. It's one of those days to curl up with either a good book, or watch a good movie and listen to the sounds of the rain on the roof. I've put a pot of beans on for some homemade chili and the place smells good, as well as feeling cozy.
Speaking of snoring. I for one will be glad to turn my clock back tonight. With the winter weather coming in, the mornings get later and later. I normally don't set my alarm clock, so I rely on the daylight to stir me to wakefulness. Its taking longer for the sun to make an appearance the past month, and therefore I've been sleeping longer. I didn't sleep real good last night, so this morning I decided to stay in bed a little longer and snuggle down into my covers while I waited for the sun to lighten my room up. With the rain and dark clouds, that didn't happen too quickly and when I finally got up I was shocked to discover it was 9:30! I never sleep in that late. I hate sleeping half the morning away .... mornings are my best for getting things done. So, naturally, I'm not going to get a lot done today!
Since it is a day for staying in doors, I've decided to tackle my kitchen cupboards. My spice shelf in particular. The past few days I've made a list of pantry stuff I need to have on hand for making some of the recipes I've been checking out in my WW cook book. I know I have some very outdated spices on the shelf and need to make note of what I need to stock up on.
So, tell me, what is your favorite spice?
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12
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OUCH! THAT HURT!!
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Oct 31, 2008 11:22 pm
1058 Views
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16nCyde just did a blog about falling, and it stirred up this memory for me, although it isn't about falling.
First off, Lee, if you are looking down from the Heavens at me as I write this, please forgive me for telling this story at your expense. You must admit, it is a funny one.
Years ago I made one of my weekend visits up to see my folks, and also visit with my brother and his wife, Lee, who has since passed away. I loved her so much, and I miss her still. She was the best sis-in-law.
Anyway, when I arrived at their place, and walked in, Lee was sitting in a recliner. I didn't notice that she had her foot propped up on a pillow, and as I walked by I grabbed hold of her toes and gave them a little affectionate shake. You'd think I'd given her an electrical shock. She yelped and grabbed her foot and I of course felt horrible because it was obvious I had caused her great pain.
Apparently she and my brother, and my folks had been out earlier that day taking a walk down an old logging road. Up ahead they could see a can of some sort standing upright in the road and a conversation began about the game of "kick the can." As they approached the can, Lee took a run for it and kicked it only to discover that the can was actually covering a pipe that was sticking up from under the ground. Needless to say, that can did not go soaring into the air at the point of impact. To hear them tell the story, as Lee layed there on the ground in pain, my brother went to her aid, with difficulty, as the rest of them tried their hardest not to laugh ...... unsuccessfully.
If looks could kill, I would be dead today from the one she gave me as I too tried to stifle my laugh, unsuccessfully.
What I wouldn't give to be able to sit with her now and have a good laugh over that story.
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STORIES FROM AN OLD ADDRESS BOOK
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Oct 25, 2008 3:24 am
1166 Views
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I was cleaning out some "catch all" drawers the other day and came across an address book of mine well over 20 years old. Some of the pages are placed in there loosely, the outside cover frayed and curled at the edges from a lot of use. I now use my computer address book, so many of the addresses are obsolete. As I leaf through the pages, it tells many stories. A history of sorts, of my life, and the friends and family who have passed through it.
For instance, the very first page has my Mom and Dad's old address and phone number from when they lived in the house I grew up in. (I don't know why I had theirs written down actually. I knew the address and phone number by heart and still remember it to this day). My Dad passed away in 1998. Then there is my oldest brother and his wife, Lee. She passed away in 1997 and he has since moved from that address and in the process of getting it ready to sell. Our family spent many a summer around their outdoor swimming pool, having bbq's and sing-a-longs.
The third entry on that first page is my baby brother and his wife, Linda. Although they are no longer married, they had two great kids from their union, one of each and both have families of their own now.
There is a piece of paper stuck between the pages listing the names of three co-workers from my days at PSU that I was to call in case of inclement weather. I was on the phone tree. I wonder, should I call them up and say "hey, you don't have to go into work today" just for old time sake?
There is a number in there for the step-son of one of my uncle's. He's now in prison doing time for drug related offences. He was such a neat kid, much younger than me, more like a nephew. It's sad his life has turned out as it has. His step-dad, my uncle, passed away a couple of years ago.
Through the pages I come across names of family and friends who have since passed away, and/or divorced. One such person was Barbara, the lady who hired me and was my immediate supervisor for over ten years at PSU. She and I remained close friends after she retired and it was such a shock when, in 2003, her daughter called to let me know she had died after having a heart attack. There had been no warning at all. I learned a lot from Barbara and she built up my self-esteem through our working relationship. We use to have long talks about men and my weight issues, and to prove to me that some men did like BBW, she placed a personal ad in the paper for me. (this was way before computer dating!) I actually got some contacts, but ... that's another story.
I have tried to locate my best friend from grade-school, but I couldn't remember her married name. It's been over 20 years since I last saw her. When we were in grade-school we use to walk around during recess holding hands and singing the song "we ain't got a barrel of money, maybe we're ragged and funny, but we'll travel along, singing our song, side by side." I knew she was living in Texas, but that was it. Well, she's in the address book too, so I now have her married name again. Right away I went in and looked her up in the online white pages. I did find the last name and first initial of someone who could be her husband. I may try and call it.
People I have lost touch with, some that have moved away and I never got a new address. Others, we just drifted apart.
Then, there is my friend Carmen. I tried several years ago to contact her to no avail. The last time I saw her was over ten years ago when she had just lost her son from AIDS. She took it very hard. She was a recovering alcoholic and had lead AA meetings for over ten years. She quit doing that right after her son died, and disappeared out of my life. I've always wondered how she has faired since then.
There is the address for an ex-housemate, and her husband Wayne. He passed away recently from lung cancer. Many years ago I had gone over to visit them over the Christmas holidays. Jan and I were sitting at the kitchen table when Wayne hollered for me to come into the living room so he could show me something. He then surprised me, meeting me at the archway leading from the kitchen, pointed up at some mistletoe hanging there, and then gave me a big smack on the lips, as Jan looked on and laughed. They had been in cahoots.
Another couple, Dusty and Diane. I knew Dusty first when he was single and was part of a circle of friends of mine that would get together about once a month for a potluck and fellowship. He was (is) a small man in stature, and I remember when he brought Diane along to one of our get togethers; this little petite thing. She was shorter than him. They had one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever attended When it came time for the minister to pray over the two of them, Dusty knelt down on his knees and someone had painted (unbeknownst to him) on the soles of his shoes, on the left sole "YAH" and on the right, "HOO".
Oh, and there is a number in there for the Jenny Craig center that I went to, and the name of the woman who was my "coach", Susan. She was such an encourager. I managed to stick with it long enough to shed about 40 lbs. Since then I've gained and lost that same 40 lbs a few times. I'm on the downward side now and this time I think I'll surpass those 40 lbs.
Then, there is Amy. I supervised her when she was a student worker in our office. She was such a neat girl, and we had a great working relationship. After she graduated, she met a young soldier and married. The last time I saw her she had come into visit me, bringing her little infant daughter in for me to coo over. That was back in the mid 90's. Her little girl is a teenager by now.
Addresses that have been lined out, and new ones written in. A few names of people that I don't even remember who they were? I guess I didn't know them for very long. I even have one with just a phone number, no name, no address. Maybe I should call the number and see who answers at the other end?
So much time has passed by, and much history taken place just in my own little world through the pages of that little address book. You see, there are a lot of stories to be told. Some are good, some not so good. (I could go on and on, but this blog is already long enough). I've finished the chapters, and gone on to read new stories, but I think I'll keep this little address book around ... and like a good book, pick it up and read it again sometime.
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22
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I AM HERE, REALLY I AM
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Oct 24, 2008 11:56 am
1180 Views
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I just wanted people to know that I haven't fallen off the face of SFF. I have disappeared off of the front page though LOL. I noticed that no one has come to visit my blog for a couple of days, so I thought I'd better type a short blog to see if some of you would come over for a cup of coffee and a chat.
You got anything you want to talk about? The weather? The price of Gas? Politics? oh please, maybe something a little lighter, okay. However, I did notice that the price per gallon of gas had gone down under $3.00 (I think it was $2.89). I looked at my gas gage and I was only down about a quarter of a tank. I should have gone and filled it up anyway ..... probably back up over $3.00 today! LOL
I have this blog theme floating around in my head, and I hope to find some time later on to write about it. I'll be back soon.
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16
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REMEMBERING FIRST LOVE
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Oct 19, 2008 10:24 pm
1311 Views
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I was 20 years old when I got my first job with the State of Oregon. I started out in the steno pool transcribing narratives for caseworkers, and about three months later I was "promoted" to work in the identification unit, sitting at a big file rolodex machine taking calls from workers and the public.
At that time, there was only one man in the whole office of at least 30 women, and he was a grumpy old one. However, one morning not too long after I started my new job, a young man came sauntering in to the office. Handsome and very neatly dressed. Word got around quickly that he was the new employee who had just returned from serving in the U.S. Marine Corp. His desk faced me. I remember blushing a lot when he would come over and ask me to look up someone's name for him. He had this way of drawing out his words slowly, with this deep purring voice. I was becoming smitten. Finally one of the married girls who worked in identification with me, and who had become quite chummy with him, decided to invite both of us over for dinner, thus the beginning of our romance.
He was my first love and I fell hard. Our relationship only lasted about six months, but I still remember so much of our time together, even now. We planned to marry, but a date had not yet been set when one day he slipped me a note at work and suggested that we go down and get our blood tests and get married as soon as we could. I said "no." I wanted to wait so we could have a traditional wedding. Nothing more was said, still no date was set, and eventually we parted ways. After we broke up, we still kept in contact periodically for a few years. I always kept hoping one day he would come back. It was during our courtship that I experimented with marijuana and speed. I left it behind me after a couple of years and "grew up", whereas, I witnessed him become heavier into alcohol and drugs.
In the early 80's I was working at another state agency and the roof of my building was being re-tarred. I was looking out my office window at the roofers hanging around one of their trucks when I saw him. It had been about ten years since we had last talked. I went all jelly inside. I got brave and decided to write a note to him and then during my break I went out and gave it to one of the other roofers, asking them to pass it on to him. Later, after work, he called me. He was out having a few beers and thought he'd stop by on his way home. I was a little nervous, but really wanted to see him, just to find out how he was doing. I had since changed my life around completely, and was pretty "straight-laced" by then.
When he arrived, it was obvious that he had had one or two beers too many. However, I invited him in and we actually had a nice visit, although somewhat awkward. At one point he excused himself to use the restroom. He was in there for an unusual long time, but I didn't think too much about it. Before the night was over, he confessed to me that he had shot up some heroin while he was in the bathroom. I was shocked and disappointed and in my "counseling" mode, tried to impress upon him the dangers of alcohol and drugs. My words died before they reached his senses. When he left, it was with a promise to keep in better touch, but I never heard from him again.
Through the years I have wondered how he faired. I was pretty convinced that he was on a spiral downward, and felt fortunate that we never married. I don't think we would have had a happy life.
When I got my first computer, I was doing searches for people I had lost touch with and he was one of them I searched for, in vain. I figured he still lived in Portland, but when I tried one time to call him with a number I found listed in the phone book, some other guy answered and had no idea who he was.
Today, just out of the blue, I thought of him. I wondered if he was still in Portland, and how he was doing. I decided to once again do a search, and gaagled his full name. To my surprise, there was his name ... his full name, even the Jr. after it. Sadly, it was his obituary. My first love died September 23, 2008 at the young age of 60. I can only guess that his life choices may have took him to his early grave.
I'm feeling a little sad tonight. Remembering. His name was Frank.
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To link to this blog (Ola2006) use [blog Ola2006] in your messages.
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