Swine Flu 1976 & Propaganda

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Swine Flu 1976 & Propaganda
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Grandma Bliss

Her Gift

So wee a gift-yet wealth of so many lands

Could never buy it in the richest marts!

So frail a gift, and yet those baby hands

Take mighty hold upon two human hearts

-Burges Johnson

I've been busy this week giving our daughter, Christy, some help. She has adjusted well with the new baby and seems to have lots of energy. Baby Lucy sleeps five hour stretches at night and nurses about every four hours. She looks so much like Christy as a baby that I feel I'm enjoying Christy all over, again! Her two older brothers, age two and two and a half love her lots, but want to be babied, too. Christy has her hands full!!

Happy 17th Birthday, Julie

After giving birth to three boys in a row, we were blessed with our 4th girl, our 10th child. She arrived quickly after a short labor and I'm a little embarrased to say, born on the bathroom floor of our local hospital. We used to tease her and say we almost named her Flora.

We brought her home to a very busy, noisy household. She fit right in and was a happy little girl with a wonderful disposition, with lots of love to give. In her home schooling journal she kept when she was little she would always begin it with, "Dear Mom, I love you so much."

Growing up in a large family and being the next to the last and the baby girl has given her character! Her sisters have been more nuturing, but the brothers have made her strong! For instance, when she was a baby her grandma bought her a special crib with netting because they had been caught trying to drop heavy objects on her. Her young years were sprinkled with alot of teasing and recently, pictures taken at "awkward moments" and then posted on facebook would make any girl not enjoy being little sister. But, she has taken it in stride, and has also tried to think of ways to get even!

Julie has been a joy to raise and is easy to please and is fun to be with. She loves people and social events. Has an artistic flair, an ability to do hair, make-up and put an outfit together. Katey and I often ask for her advice and by her expression know if we can leave the house or not. She talks of going to beauty school and becoming a beautician and then at other times not sure. She does know she wants adventure, excitement.

Julie, whatever the Lord puts in your heart, I know you will follow, as His plan will make you the happiest. I love you and can hardly believe my baby girl is 17!! Enjoy this last year of being a girl, before you know it you will be an adult woman. So I quote this song," You're gonna miss this, you're gonna want this back, you're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast. These are some good times, just look around, you may not know it now, but you're gonna miss this."

Love, Mom

Bittersweet

Last night, our 24 year old daughter, Katey, told us she will be moving out next week. She will be moving in with one of our married sons and his wife and family of three little girls. They are housing a student from out of state and thought it would be nice for Katey to be her roommate and she agreed.

Katey is a joy to have around with her easy going, peaceful ways. We've been blessed having her home this long as most of her siblings left at a much earlier age. Every time it's a new adjustment for me. Each one leaves an empty spot that not another can fill. Julie is not too happy as she now will be the only girl amongst the brothers.

On a lighter note, when 18 year old, Carl, found out he got a big smile on his face and said, "Yes!" He's been eyeing that room for quite awhile now. Being child #9 he has never had his own space and is already talking about buying a mini refrig and a new bed, he's got big plans.

I found this poem that I can relate to at this moment.

A Mother's Mixed Emotions

How does a Mother let go

Of the children that she's borne

How does she let them know

That her heart can be so torn

To keep them by her side

Would not be just or fair

And let them have a free ride

Would mean she doesn't care

She knows she taught them well

And that they know right from wrong

Now....only time will tell

If they can be as strong

But watching them go through the door

Makes her feelings sway

She must cover the tears....and more

And pray for them each day.

Melissa Simpson

Cucumber Salad

Mmm...this is a good summer salad and has been a great way to use up my abundance of cucumbers from the garden. My son, Nathan, shared this recipe with me, recently. You need 3 cucumbers, 1 avocado, tomatoes (as many as to your liking,) olives, fetta cheese, I didn't measure the olives or fetta cheese either, just what looked good, 2 T. olive oil, about a half cup of rice vinegar, one teaspoon of basil, salt to taste. Mix together and refrigerate for a couple hours. It tastes better when it's chilled and allowed to marinate. The grocery store I shop at (Winco) now has an olive bar so I like to choose different types of olives instead of the typical black ones. Thank-you, Nathan.

Newest Grandchild

Lucy Alyssa was born, today. She is our 16th grandchild, 8th granddaughter. She is a beauty and I was fortunate to be at her birth. Her mommy was a real trooper and labored for many hours. It was hard to see my daughter in pain, but I also saw her strength and courage and I know with each birth comes new growth in each woman who goes through it.

Watching my son-in-law giving her love and support through each contraction was such an awesome sight to see.

Glad you are finally here sweet, precious Lucy!

Morning Coffee

When I smell the aroma of coffee brewing it brings back the memories of the comfort and coziness of my grandmother's kitchen. I started drinking coffee in Grandma's kitchen when I was just a girl. I would spend the night, sleeping between her ironed sheets and when I would wake up she would be sitting at her kitchen table, reading her morning paper drinking from her vintage 50's mug. She would make me a cup of her fresh brew, later I learned it was more milk than coffee, lots of sugar and I would feel so grown up. Coffee became a comfort to me as I enjoyed those times and would think of Grandma and our time together.

In my early marriage years it would be Grandma, my aunt and mom who would be sitting around the table with me early morning having our morning coffee, laughing and sharing some time together. I had moved 90 miles away and so when we got together they would usually spend the night or weekend. I look fondly back on those times.

Another move, 1000 miles this time, and I'm still blessed to have morning coffee at times with my mom. Grandma and my Auntie Cele are both with Jesus, now.

My coffee has gotten fancier. A couple of years ago, Chuck bought me a Starbuck's Barista coffee maker and it has saved me alot of money as I have made many a cup for family and friends and no need to run to Starbucks. I even bought paper cups with the lids so I feel like I've been to the coffee shop. My favorite is a mocha with a little mint.

When it's just me, I like to go out on my front deck to enjoy the view and quiet of the morning, still a time of comfort, also a time to reflect and pray.

Here's to you, Grandma!

August Garden Update

I've been picking lots of zucchini, different types of squash I forgot I planted, cucumbers, tomatoes. The strawberries have dwindled down to just a few once in awhile. Last year I really enjoyed the few cucumbers I planted and so this year decided to plant extra. Well, I have so many I don't really know what to do with them. I have resorted to dehydrating alot of them and will be looking up recipes to get some ideas. I do enjoy them in a vinegar, salt mixture, and when the grandkids were here they enjoyed dipping the sliced ones in ranch dressing.

I found a recipe on the internet for oven roasted tomatoes. I sliced up the tomatoes I recently picked, put them in a bowl with 2 Tablespoons of olive oil, 1 to 2 teaspoons of basil, oregano, and an Italian seasoning that had marjoram in it. Mixed them up in the mixture and then put them in my stoneware cookie sheet on 200 degrees for about 12 hours. They turned out so tasty. I'm planning on using them on a pizza.

Today, I picked some more tomatoes and this time added my zucchini and onion and will be roasting them the same way. Also, found a good zucchini bread recipe and had Julie make some loaves. I have lots of grated zucchini waiting for more bread to be made in my freezer, I just need to convince Julie it's fun.

Missing You

One day

When all the smoke

Has cleared away

And gone are the tears

Of anguished dismay

I shall see you

In a brand new way

And we will start anew





Dedicated to my dad who suffers with dementia.