"Without Rain"

I have heard that without rain there would be no flowers. The Alien and I are living proof that this saying is definitely true. We have been in a monsoon for the past several months but the little flowers just keep peeping out of the water.

This has not been a banner year for us yet we have so much to be thankful for. I have escaped back surgery (so far) by completing the physical therapy. The Alien has escaped the big "C" word for the nodule. So there is a whole flower garden right there.

It just seemed like when our health went south (once again) so did lots of other things. We lost a family member that has stretched our endurance for pain. The Alien lost his job which will stretch our financial situation.

Then I have lost some of the most important people in my life. Not through death. I see the little faces in my mind and just feel such indescribable sorrow. I am trying to accept it as one of those things that I cannot change but its hard. I feel that I was judged, convicted and sentenced without so much as a hearing. What ever happened to people being able to resolve differences? God teaches love over all else.

On to a happier note. The Cub is settling down in school. She still doesn't like it but hopefully she will continue to make good grades. She has adjusted to her contacts very well. She and her Dad are working on the jeep continually. She is so proud of it even though she is not the least bit anxious to drive.

The Alien and I are in the planning stages for our country store for our Church's fund raiser for the Compassion Outreach Center. Can you believe he is even going to donate some of his peach jam for it? We have lots of ideas and hopefully it will be successful. It is just a small part of the big fund raiser night.

I think all of you know how my older sibling feels about our dogs. Well, she had a birthday last Saturday so I went down and took her birthday to her. The Alien didn't get to go as he had to go to Texas to attend his sister's husband's funeral. Anyway, I found the cutest little white dog birthday cake and took that. I explained to her that Casper and Frosty ordered it for her and I forgot to tell them she was a "people". She was beside herself!!!!!!!!! I had to do something to lighten her day since it was the first birthday without B. She put it in the freezer to save until the three of us could eat it together.

Well enough chatter for now.

Thankful

We live in an awesome world.

Make it an awesome day.

Peace To All and May God Bless You

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
MY FRIEND :)

"Book Review"

I have just finished reading "The Shack" and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is the most inspiring book that I have ever read and it still has me thinking about life and its many turns. Also, I am now reading "The Five Things That We Cannot Change". This was referred to me by my cub and it is very timely for me to read at this time in my life with all that is going on. I won't ruin the book for you but want to list the five things:

1. Everything changes and ends
2. Things do not always go according to plan
3. Life is not always fair
4. Pain is part of life
5. People are not loving and loyal all the time

If nothing else, I can certainly embrace all five of these things. Being the eternal optimistic "fixer", I have and (still) experience sadness when I can't seem to fix things that are so important to me.

During the past week, I have often made remarks that endorse all five of these facts.

Our cub here got her contacts and she is doing well with them. Her biggest challenge has been putting drops in her eyes when they get dry. I was teasing her yesterday that she couldn't call her Dad to come to school and put in the drops for her. Speaking of school, she starts this Thursday and neither she nor I are anxious for it. She is so low maintenance, I hardly know she is here during the summer. Maybe her dad and I can lose some weight as she has been making cakes way to often and of course we "have" to eat them, lol.

Frosty had surgery on his ear to remove the lump. He did great but we don't know until we get the lab report back what the growth was.

My older sibling and her daughter came up this Saturday. We enjoyed their visit. She is impressed with what all we can find on the computer. She is wanting vertical blinds so I found them online and they are sending free samples for her to choose from. Needless to say, she was impressed. We get to tickled, often we get a call wanting us to look up information or find an item online.

I have escaped back surgery, at least for now. I start physical therapy (this week) three times a week for four weeks to see if that helps.

The day awaits so I had better get busy. I wish only love, peace and happiness to all of you.

"Lots about Nothing"

Last week the Alien had volunteered to take two pies to work. Now he had every intention of making them himself but when I saw he was going to use instant mix to make a coconut cream pie and banana pie, my vanity kicked in and I was afraid they would think "I" made them so I got busy and made them from scratch. I have to admit after all these years I have never been able to get my meringues to look like the restaurant pies. Well, I just got on the old dependable internet and watched a video of how to do them. I am happy to say, I have now learned how to make them. They were an instant hit and they had George call me and tell me that they would be glad to eat any more pies that I needed to "get rid" of.

We had little Grace Kelly for the weekend. We kept her pretty busy. A trip to Braums on Friday night (when it should have been bedtime), a trip to Aunt K's on Saturday to play with cousins. She also got to see a "real" deer right beside the road, plus cows and horses. This plus swimming twice and helping her Grandpa give the furry boys a bath sure seemed to make her ready for bed early. After a trip to Church on Sunday, a trip to Wal-mart for two new outfits for school (which she promptly put on one of them) and an afternoon of watching movies with Resa, we took her home to Norman.

We took the cub's jeep to the paint and body shop today to get the hood painted. It is in otherwise excellent condition "body" wise. Her school starts in two weeks but we are ready. We started early.

The Alien is having a biopsy done as soon as they get it scheduled. They found a nodule on his prostate and are being cautious. It will be done in OK City as an outpatient.

My heart and mind are more at peace as I am trying very hard to practice the serenity prayer. It is still very hard when such dire untruths can potentially do so much damage.

The Alien has finished making his peach jam. I think the reason for him to get in such a hurry was the rate that I was eating them. I have been on these eating binges of just eating one thing, meal after meal and day after day until I get so sick of them. I have discovered that I cannot eat lettuce on my bologna sandwiches anymore or my favorite paydays. Now if chocolate starts upsetting me, I will just fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I take the Cub next week for her contacts. She is going to be so relieved to put her glasses up.

So long for now.

"Humpty Dumpty"

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the Kings' horses and all the Kings' men
could not put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

I wonder why Humpty fell off the wall. Did he just fall or did someone or something so jealous of him that he was pushed. In that light, I have done some research on jealousy. It is defined as an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, such as a relationship, or love.

Jealousy is a familiar experience in human relationships. It has been observed in infants five months old and older.

Jealousy is an emotion whose effects "frequently get out of control". People do not express jealousy through a single emotion or a single behavior. They instead express jealousy through diverse emotions and behaviors.

The experience of jealousy involves:

Fear of loss
Suspicion or anger about betrayal
Low self esteem and sadness over loss
Uncertainty and loneliness
Fear of losing an important person to another
Distrust

Jealousy in children and teenagers has been observed more often in those with low self esteem and can evoke aggressive reactions.

That is exactly how my heart feels these days, broken into zillions of little pieces Some damage can be corrected but there is some that cannot! Is jealousy behind my heartache? I will probably never know. I confess to being totally unable to grasp the concept of jealousy.

FAMILY

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think? So what is behind the story.

Do you know what the word FAMILY means? FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU.

"Home Front News"

Its been a few days since I have blogged but hopefully the back will let me sit here long enough to completely bore you!!

We had little blue eyed blond haired Grace Kelly for a couple of days. What a joy she is but I am telling you even the energizer bunny could not keep up with her. She has more energy than 15 people put together. I wish you could hear her read. She had a Mother Goose book of rhymes and I thought she was reciting them she was saying them so quickly and then realized that she was reading them when I saw her turning the pages. She and I sleep together in the middle bedroom (she calls it hers and Grammy's room) and several times during the night I feel that little precious hand reaching out to touch me. She does it ever so lightly but just wants to make sure I am still there. She loves to go in the pool and did several times each day. She reminds me of a dolphin in the way she comes straight up and then dives back under water. I wish I had the strength to have her for lots of days.

My doctor is making an appt with a neurosurgeon for my back and believe me I am ready for whatever they have to do to fix it. It has literally "grounded" me almost and I don't do grounding very well.

J has gone back in the VA hospital. Hopefully he will stay this time until he can conquer his demons. He would probably enjoy a card or call. The address is on the net at VA Hospital in Omaha.

Well my time is up so will write more later.

"Life Goes On"

We are working through the fog that has surrounded us for these past several months. We just have to keep remembering that without rain there would be no rainbow.

The Alien is being very creative these days. He has rigged ("oops, meant invented) a way to pump the water through the solar panels into the pool to warm it more quickly. I felt the water this morning and it is working. I am anxious to get in that warm water. The cub has already been in it but when she turned blue she decided it didn't match the color of her bathing suit so out she came. She has a dead line of Friday (our deadline for her) to prepare for taking the written test for her learner's permit. I am sure that we will "rue" the day we pushed this issue, lol.

Talked with my older sibling this morning and she had a strong voice which made my day.

Hopefully, I will be getting to see and spend some time with little Grace Kelly soon. I think she comes next week for her visit. Haven't heard when or if the NE crew will get to come down. I think Z has summer school in English.

Our cub is getting excited about her mission trip with our Church group to Florida in July. We have dental appts, eye appts, etc this month trying to fit everything in. Since her school starts the middle of August, she has a busy schedule ahead.

We had our first two ripe tomatoes yesterday. Will let you know when we chomp into them just how good they taste "or not".

"Broken Hearts"

The cycle of life brings happiness and sadness. We seem to find the happiness easier to deal with than the sadness which is natural I assume. Sometimes though, the cycle of life brings sadness that we just think we are unable to deal with. That is when God puts his hand on our shoulder and says, "there is nothing that you and I cannot handle together". This has been one of those weeks. Our life as we have known it is gone forever until we meet in a better place. My sister has a hole in her heart that cannot be fixed. I know that God has put his hand on her shoulder also.

I don't know who wrote this "saying" but I dedicate it to my loved one that we must learn to live without until we meet again.

GOD SAW YOU

God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be,
So He put his arms around you and whispered, "Come to Me".
With tearful eyes we watched you
and saw you slip away,
And though we loved you dearly,
we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating
hard working hands finally at rest.
Even though our hearts were breaking, it proved to us
that God only takes the best!

So while our tears are pouring, we must accept that you are in a better place and that the struggle with pain is finally at rest.

Assertive Training

I am definitely going to find an assertive training class. Yep!! that is the situation that I have allowed myself to fall into. You may be asking what is bringing all of this about. Well, I know this will come as a surprise to you but it is not the cub, alien or furry boys, it's that dad gummed bird!!!!

Now cubs, just because when we went out to eat the other night at the "Prairie Chicken" and I had an untoward episode there, that is not the reason. Anyone could make the mistake there that I made when I picked up the coffee carafe and poured coffee all over my pancakes. After all, the colors were similar. The carafe was black and the syrup carafe was silver. See what I mean by "like" colors. It's that blooming bird!!!!!!!!!!!

And no it is still not the furry ones. Even though they let me know rather forcefully when it is time to fix their food i.e. come pull on the leg of my pants, sit and look at me and howl or pull the newspaper out of my lap. No it's not them.

It's not the cub, even though I have to keep her bedroom door shut to keep from committing a felony.

Not even the alien has pushed me to the limit, it's that darn bird!!!!!!!!!!!

I have managed to adjust to all these other irritants; however, the very fact that I cannot even walk out on the front porch without that bird screeching at me. She snuck in and made a nest in one of the palm trees and proceeded to build a nest and lay eggs. So we are stuck until the cotton picking things hatch. Who knows how much longer that will be. I should have been prepared since a bird did the same thing to me on the patio. In one of my favorite big pots that I always put geraniums in for decorations in the front yard. I now have four little furry beaks staring at me. By the time they are gone, so will be the geraniums.

That didn't push me over the edge, it is that darn screeching bird that won't let me out the front door!

"Not good news"

We went down to the south this afternoon to check on the brother-in-law. He is a heart breaking sight. So ill and so tired and sooooooo ready for it all to end. I truly feel if he was told, "its okay to go now, you deserve the rest", that he would just go to sleep and not wake up. He just can't stand what his wife of so many years will go through. I wish I had the strength to ask her if she could say that to him. We must all prepare for this inevitable event since borrowing a miracle it can be any day now. All we can do is be there for them with hugs and prayers. Life is so fleeting and fragile. It is so important to enjoy and make the most of every minute of every day. You know when our time comes, all the material things we have worked so hard to accumulate are just so meaningless. I believe totally that our lives will be judged by what we do and not what we have.

He would probably enjoy a silly card or phone call. Our hearts are so heavy but we have to put the emphasis on the blessings he has been to us over these past years and nothing will take those memories away.

Maybe we all need wake-up calls to not let time go by with telling those we love how much they mean to us.

Marbela's alter ego

I knew it was just a matter of time until Marbela hit a low spot and I could escape for a while.

She is such a drag. Always worrying about things she can doing nothing about.

Do the dogs have a balanced diet? What is the status of the progress of an addiction problem while really knowing but hopelessly hoping? Is the cub making good grades? Is there enough toilet paper in the closet? See what I mean? How tiresome!!

She sure struggles to keep me intact but once in a while I can make an escape. When I was struggling with her and she was giving me all these excuses and worries, I replied from a quote from "Gone With the Wind", "frankly, my dear, I don't give a d_ _ _." And at that moment, I made my escape.

The first thing my spirit did was to soar with the eagles through the beautiful blue white fluffy clouds. What a magnificant sight. What a feeling of sheer freedom. No pains, no worries, only beauty.

Next was my swim with the dolphins. What an experience. Such graceful gentle partners as we swim through the sparking blue waters of the ocean it was a very spiritual feeling. So light, so refreshing.

Then comes my most taxing deed. Have you ever wanted to stand on the top of a fast moving train (no tunnels of course) and let your hair blow and the wind hit you in the face so hard it takes your breath away? What an awesome release.

Then on to the horse back ride on the beach. Picture a deserted sandy beach at almost sunset. A cool breeze blowing off the water, the majestic sound of the roar of the ocean and all of this enjoyed with I was riding full speed on the back of the most graceful horse with no saddle or bridle to burden him just the connection of spirit and horse.

Well, the "drag" has taken over again so until next time.

Grandmothers

Don't kids say the most unique things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


1. She was in the bathroom putting on her makeup under the watchful eyes of her young
granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, 'But Gramma,you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!' I will probably never putlipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye...

2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, '62.' He was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, 'Did you start at 1?'

3. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, 'Who was THAT?'

4. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: 'We used to skate outside on a pond and I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods.' The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, 'I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!'

5. My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, 'Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?' I mentally polished my halo and I said, 'No, how are we alike? You're both old,' he replied.

6. A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story. 'What's it about?' he asked. 'I don't know,' she replied. 'I can't read.'

7. I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last she headed for the door, saying, 'Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these yourself!'

8. When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billywhispered, 'It's no use Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us withflashlights.'

9. When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, 'I'm not sure.' 'Look in your underwear,Grandpa,' he advised. 'Mine says I'm four to six.'

10. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, 'Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today.' The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. 'That's interesting,'she said, 'how do you make babies? It's simple,' replied the girl. 'You just change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'.'

11.. Children's Logic: 'Give me a sentence about a public servant,' said a teacher. The small boy wrote: 'The fireman came down the ladder pregnant. 'The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. 'Don't you know what pregnant means?' she asked. 'Sure,' said the young boy confidently. 'It means carrying a child.'

12. A nursery school teacher was delivering a station wagon full of kids home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties.' They use him to keep crowds back,' said one child. 'No,' said another. 'He's just for good luck.' A third child brought the argument to a close. 'They use the dogs,' she said firmly, 'to find the fire hydrants.'

"Time Flies"

I have come to the realization that time flies (whether you are having fun or not, lol). I can't believe today is the 18th of January already.

The Alien has had his share of "bugs" these last few weeks. Told him to use "Raid" but he didn't listen!!! Fortunately, they have missed me so far. That is one advantage of having a plate full already, nothing else can fit on it easily.

We had a wonderful day today. Great services at Church then our small group met for potluck. I fixed a certain curry chicken dish (again) that one of the cubs made while here Xmas. It was definitely a big hit. I had already made it once for us last week. We have such a wonderful group that are truly Christians in heart and spirit. We (the group) are in the process of helping a young single Mom with a son in the hospital (they go to our church) then we are taking up a money collection for a family (that don't go to our Church) that lost their home in a fire and have no insurance.

Yesterday, we went to a discount place at Stringtown to get carpet for the travel trailer. The last tenant sort of did a number on it and the carpet was already older so it got pretty bad pretty fast. Then we went on to visit the C's. I treasure each time we get to visit as I simply don't think B will be with us much longer.

The Cub living with us has been hired by the Oklahoma Highway Department. He will start next Tuesday or Wednesday. Think he is pretty excited about it.

The NE cub is supposed to get out of the hospital next week. Keep him in your prayers. Gerbeans has been down with the flu bug but is doing better.

Will hush for now and hope that the clock's battery gets low so time won't go so fast!

Update

Well, I don't have much news about ztuffy except that he is still in ICU and the nurse said he would probably be there for quite a while. Wish we could get better information but doesn't seem possible. Did talk to Z today and he sounds very flat and sometimes seems he is disoriented, may be medication, I don't know. He did say that the "hearing" would decide if he got to leave the hospital or not. He thought it would be the 23rd. Will keep you posted. Love ya = Mom

Beans, Beans and more Beans

I may never eat another pinto bean as long as I live. As I write this, I have enough of those little critters on the stove cooking to feed 100 people. Believe me when I say that is more beans than I would ever care to cook again!!!!!!!!!!! Our small group (Church) is cooking for the free clinic that our Church sponsors. Tomorrow night when they come to get their free medication, doctors' appts, etc we are also feeding them cowboy beans, brisket, potato salad and dessert. We have made small Xmas gifts for each one. I made lots and lots of pretty jars full of Russian Tea mix then K put fancy paper and ribbons when they were up for Thanksgiving. Others are doing similar gifts.

We are so looking forward to the holidays! It has sure made it easier for me since we changed up the gift buying. Guess my age is beginning to show, lol. Speaking of age, I called the podiatrist's office the other day for an appt and she said, "What is your problem?" I answered, "I have a young mind but my feet are 69 years old". Needless to say, she was speechless for a minute.

Ztuffy is back in NE. Don't know how that is working out. G is still here with us. So far, no job but he is still searching each day. In the meantime, he has helped the Alien get caught up with a lot of little jobs around here.

Our Cub is taking driver's ed. She came in Friday and said, "I tell you one thing, I would rather walk or ride a bike". The rest of the story - she had almost hit a car (instructor's car) then almost hit the school building. We may not have to worry about her driving for a while, lol

Well, its time to "stir" again.

"Change"

Change is an interesting word. It is often one of the scariest words one can use (or hear). I have heard that change just for change's sake is not productive. I wouldn't know since most of the changes I meet are thrust my way without my knowledge and often my consent. However, God did grant me the intelligence to realize that it is up to me as to how I react to that change is totally my responsibility.

What has brought about these reflections of holidays past and how holidays in the future will change. For instance, Grandkids get married, have kids and then begin to make their own memories with their mom. This occurs when spouses have gone different directions and it makes it difficult to merge all these changes. Then sometimes, grandkids get so far away that they are here in my heart only. I totally realize the time has come for all of these things to come into play but it still doesn't make me like it.

Our Xmas this year is going to be quite different. Maybe Gerbeans and new family will be here, but his prior family won't. Maybe Ztuffy will be here, hopefully CO kids will be here but at the time it is sounding pretty quiet especially if the Texans don't get to come. Thanksgiving is going to be almost non existent unless the Texas kids get to come (hopefully).

Well, all the medical tests are in and reviewed for me. Thank goodness. While the news may not be too good at least I know what I am dealing with. The ultrasound showed that the left two chambers of my heart and left ventricle are enlarged (congestive heart failure). The pulmonary test showed no improvement. The blood work was acceptable. CT scan of the lungs showed no cancer, mamogram showed still just the seven cysts. The bone scan showed osteoporsis of the spine but so far so crippling effects. So all in all for my age that is a pretty good report. Enough of that!!!

The son here (G) is hopeful that he has a job. He will know tomorrow. Gerbeans is working at the cemetery. Ztuffy sure needs a part time job, maybe he will see that need soon.

B is out of the hospital again. We think his time is limited. He is now passing out frequently, just stops breathing. We went Friday night for a visit and Alien is on the phone with him now.

Well, it is getting late and I am not making much sense so I had better hush.

Reasons or Excuses

Am I the only person that is sometimes confused by the use of the words "reasons" or "excuses"? Are they the same word? Some people seem to think so. Frankly I don't. For instance, the other day someone made the comment to me that I was making excuses for being rather slow to respond to one of their demands. When I explained the "reasons" for the delay I looked at the word reason as meaning "a basis or cause as for some belief, action, fact or event. However, this person called it an excuse which means "to explain in the hope of being forgiven or understood". Again, frankly I was definitely not asking for forgiveness and knew that my answer would not be understood (at least not accepted). So will you share with me if you think these words mean the same and can be used interchangeably?

"Out of Mouth of Babes"

What, you ask, is 'Butt dust?' Read on and you'll discover the joy in it! These have to be original and genuine. No adult is this creative!!

JACK (age 3) was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister. After a while he asked: 'Mom why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for cold milk?'

MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, 'If you don't remember you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six.

'STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom good night. 'I love you so much that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window.'

BRITTANY (age 4) had an ear ache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a child-proof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: 'How does it know it's me?'

SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. 'Please don't give me this juice again,' she said, 'It makes my teeth cough.'

DJ (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: 'How much do I cost?'

MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: ' Why is he whispering in her mouth?'

CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried. When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, 'I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in it?'

JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: 'The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.' Concerned, James asked: 'What happened to the flea?'

TAMMY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for a while and then asked, 'Why doesn't your skin fit your face?'

I think this Mom will never forget this particular Sunday sermon...'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust...' He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'

"Cowards"

Have you ever known a coward? I am not talking about the British author, I mean just an ordinary old "slinking" coward. I didn't think I had ever really met one until recently. The shocking discovery was that I had known this person for 16 years without even suspecting that this person had an inkling of timidity in them. Just goes to show that we don't always know everything about a person. For those of you that may be wondering who this cowardly one is, wait no longer. It is my previous physician. Of all the nerve, just to retire because I had threatened her with bodily harm if she gave me another diagnosis of something that was not on my rather long list.

This resignation required me to get a new physician and I bet you are ahead of me. Yep, the first visit I came away with another addition to my list. After a bone scan, it was determined (just because my spine was almost black) that I have osteoporisis of the spine. So another pill, another dollar, another ailment. Oh well, I will do with it what I have done with the rest and that is to take my pill and simply ignore the rest!!

The oxygen man will be here in a few minutes to bring my oxygen set-up for my sleeping hours. As one cub stated, if an intruder came into our bedroom at night and saw the Alien with his mask and me with mine, they would run. See there is always something to be thankful for! Except I find it really hard to be thankful for cowards. Even if she is (was) an excellent physician.

One thing about it, I can no longer threaten to huff and puff and blow the house down! And if this is to boring, there are always crossword puzzles, hee hee