"Claire" the Korean Arbie updated photo, thanks to Winston and Susan!
Dave and I just got back from a trip to Waldoboro. We stopped to visit with Winston and Susan and to see how the Korean Arbie "Claire" was doing. Susan said they had a rough winter, but she survived with new growth!
I came home from work last night to find Goku, laying on my project table where he always joins me when I'm home. As soon as I touched him I knew he was gone. I had not a clue it was his time. He was as spirited as ever in the days before, always up to his usual tricks. He stretched out to take a nap and drifted away. I am grateful he didn't suffer.He lies tonight under an angel trumpet plant in the back corner. Give him our love.
Dear Mom,
You'll be sad to hear my little Gizmo passed away last night. I know you loved having him sleep by your side and his little affectionate ways. Give him our love.
I can remember mother singing this song to us in French
and playing it on the piano
Frère Jacques, frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines!
Sonnez les matines!
Ding, daing, dong.
Ding, daing, dong.
Are you sleeping,
are you sleeping,
Brother John?
Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing!
Morning bells are ringing!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
Prior to my first visit to Maine, I heard of Claire's ability on the Scrabble board. She reminded of this fact daily before the visit. Being competative, I thought to myself "I'm going to teach this lady a lesson on how to play Scrabble. " In short, I had my chance. I was beaten decisively on numerous occassions and I was one who was schooled. I was both humbled and happy to partake in one of Claire's love.
On a new subject ..."Jam" . At the age of 5, I tasted jam for the first time. I hated it and swore it off for the rest of my life. Fast forward to the present. Lori (Bentley) sat down to attack a stack of pancakes. I noticed Lori was topping her cakes with her mom's jam. I winced. She noticed and I told her of my childhood experience. She finally convinced to at least try. I did and I'm glad I did for it was fabulous.
I shall always remember her for the scrabble games and the her world-class jam.
Just a few shorts weeks before my Grandma passed away my Sister, Husband Jim and myself took a wonderful drive up to Auntie Linda's to visit. My Mom flew in for the week and while Linda's son Alex was keeping the house in beautiful music we all enjoyed each others company, lots of great food and of course many games of scrabble. This is a fantastic picture of three generations of my amazing family!
I received a beautiful card in the mail today from a co-worker. It is the kind of card that makes you glad and sad at the same time. I wept uncontrollably, as the card was so appropriate... It read:
I'm sure you will miss her,
The very one who rocked you
in the beginning
needed you most in the end....
You were there with your tender heart
and your steadfast loyalty,
doing the right thing
exactly the way she would have hoped,
exactly the way she taught you to do.
What a beautiful tribute to your mother.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
You were an amazing daughter to your mom and made this past year easier than it would have been without you.
Mom had discovered this fabulous recipe for Apple Dabble Cake, It was delicious. She was so happy with this recipe she talked constantly with everyone about this recipe. After that, LuAnn dubbed it the "Apple Dabble Babble Cake" rrr
Mom loved animals and they loved her. Many years ago we were in Ernies back yard grilling something.....Ernie had several dogs and cats. Mom was sitting there and suddenly a cat jumped in her lap. She looked over at Ernie and said which one is this? Ernie told her he never saw that cat before in his life!
Mother drove from Connecticut to Florida around the due date of my first son's birth in April of 1978. She had taken a two week vacation, and had to leave Florida before Jason was born, as I ended up two weeks late. I'll never forget the large casserole of baked flounder she made for me then, I even ate if for breakfast.
Since she was not able to be there when Jason was born, I traveled to Connecticut a couple of months later with the baby and surprised her one day when she came home from work!
The picture is from a visit to Newport Beach a couple of years later.
