My Rememberance of September 11 2001

As we approach September 11, 2011 , I think of the birthday gift my daughter Susie gave me, a plane ticket to San Francisco, California From Yuma, Arizona, my home.  She was also flying to San Franisco from Oregon so that we both could visit my Brother Bill and celebrate together.  What fun we had planned.

My husband took me to the airport for check in, but by that time all air travel had been shut down.  We all felt the disappointment of missing the visit together.  But we all felt as many around the world that the United States had lost what we who live in one of 50 States felt was our "special" place in this world.  It was a wakeup call to us that we no longer were untouchable.

In the 10 years that have passed Oh so many changes have been made, good or bad. Our youngest grandson spent 2 deployments in Iraq.  Now our oldest grandson is soon going to be deploying to Afghanistan--to a place so unfriendly.  I keep asking myself "What for"?  There are lots of reasons running around in this old head of mine, but best kept to myself.  I wish that our government would spend half as much money on the education of our children.  And the other to feed and clothe them.  They are the most important roduct we produce in this country.

I pray that God will lead the elected officials of our country  into the next 50  plus years with the interests of all  this country as number one, not just their INTERESTS.

Reunion day is here and gone

August 21, 2011
Thank You Flyod and your lovely wife for your hard work and dedication to the
Class of 1946.  We graduated from the old Central school of Amherst,Ohio.  We were a class of 62 and half of the class is still living.  Most of us are 82 or 83 years of age.  Many of the class have stayed in Ohio.   The rest of us  are spread from border to border.  Unfortunately some are not in the best of health, but at our age that is to be expected.

A lovely dinner was eaten,with lots of conversation and then pictures taken at the Oberlin Inn,    We all agree that we grew up in the best years of the 20th century, in best town in North Eastern Ohio.  I'm so happy that I was  able to be with my fellow classmates and feel the love in each Hug we gave to each other.  Thank You God for granting this time we spent together.  It most likely will be our last reunion.  But Oh, what special memorieswe all have.

Preparing for the reunion

As August 16 approaches and I prepare to fly to Ohio to celebrate with my fellow classmates our graduation from High School in 1946.  The population of my hometown at that time was perhaps 4500.  Some of the fellows had already been drafted into the Army in 1945 and received their diplomas.  There were a total of 62 people in the class of  1946.  Today there are just half of them still living.  Most still live in and around Amherst, Ohio where we all grew up.  Some others spread their wings and left for the big world out there and what it had to offer.  The area always had strings on my heart, especially  when my Mother and Step-father were living, also my kid brother Donald.  Today Donald's children and grandchildren still  are there so HOME is still there.

This being our 65th year it is an important time.  All of us are 83 or 84, some do not have as good health as others.  After the 40th year the class began to meet only every 5 years.  Just think in 5 years we all will be 88 or 89.  I'm sure that Bob will not  let me go off alone and perhaps I won't want to.  However it still is my plan to live to 100.  It would be one more milestone for me. 

I have the car rented so that is one thing off my list.  If  I have any misgivings about traveling alone, it is arriving in Cleveland in the evening and having to find my way in a city that has grownup as I have grown old.  God will be with me and my angel Susie hovering over.  This trip will only be one week in length but will be fun.  Kim, my neice whom I am staying with is taking off a week while I am there and that will be nice.

LOOK OUT AMHERST HERE I COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summer of 2011

It soon will be Memorial Day of 2011.  65 years ago was the last time I put on the Band Uniform of Green and Gold to participate with the marching band of my high school.  We had marched and played in Cleveland, Ohio to celebrate the ending of the war in Europe just a few months before.  Oh how we played our hearts out with the march " Stars and Stripes Forever!!!"  Most of us had been together for 4 years and it was coming to an end, but we had the world by the tail.  Oh so grownup and ready to face  the big old world out there.

Memorial Day once was called Decoration Day.  All the graves of the brave men of all wars fought before the "Great World War"  to end all wars were decorated with flags and flowers.  My brother fought in Korea, My Son in "Nam" and my oldest grandson in Desert Storm.  Then came Iraq with our youngest grandson laying his life on the line twice, and now Aphganistan.  Peter our oldest who went back into  the Navy for all good reasons is headed into harms way again.  This time as a 40 years old father of 3 wonderful children.  Will this never stop???My husband who was in WW2 with the Navy says that God is trying to tell us something.  But of course we never listen.

In August I shall journey to Ohio and help my old class mates celebrate 65 years of living out here in the big old world.  I like to think that we have done some things right.  God has been good and kind to us.  At our ages of 83 and 85 we still are on our own with good health and each other.  What more do two people need?

My rainbow continues

The only way to have a rainbow in your life is to see it through the clouds. Here in the Arizona Desert rainbows do not happen much as we have very little rain. I have learned to find beauty in the sparse landscape down here. Cactus blooms are the most delicate you will every see and the smell is so delightful. They look mean and the spikes are but that protects them for being eaten.

Time moves on and we keep busy. Just finished working at the county Fair. When I was a child my grandfather always took my brother Bill and I to the Lorain county Fair. Oh what fun we had. Now that I am old I see my grandfather had more fun watching us then we had. What a WONDERFUL TIME OF LIFE.

I'm looking forward to going to Ohio in August. My high school class is celebrating 65 years. How fortunate that we can enjoy seeing each other again. with all the wrinkles grey hair or dyed as mine is, puggy tommies and balled heads. Life is a rainbow for sure.

my thoughts

For the last six months the airwaves by all means of communication have been full of hate, lies and underhandness. a poor word but my meaning is clear. At 82 and a positive person I am saddened by what is happening to our government. I grew up in a small town during the best time of the 20th century, even if it was the time of the great depression, in my little world it was peaceful and loving. One of the reasons that I love living in Yuma, Arizona is the feeling I had as a child in that small town. The foothills of Yuma gives me that feeling. within walking distance of my church, close to my food store and drugstore and several medical clinics. BUT that ugly undertone is creeping into even this little place of peace.

We are quick to accuse the other person for what we believe is wrong in any area, and then find ugly ways to prove that what was said, written or just thought to be the truth. I am so ashamed of our leaders one and all. Nothing matters except that we get our way. The method does not matter, just so our thoughts and actions are the only way to make things work. We have become selfish, mean, untruthfull and just down right ugly. I suppose many would say that these words are just the ravings of on old lady who is not withit. Oh how I am glad that I was born in 1928 and have lived my life as a Rainbow with a few clouds along the way. Oh give me the slow kind world that I remember as a child. But in the time I have left I shall keep believing that all will be better tomorrow and the Rainbow is still there.

It's Saturday afternoon. The house is clean and I am ready for the shower so I will be clean
then I'll finish sorting the pictures I have for the boys and my son. What a job writing on the back of each picture. who,what,when.and why. Wonder if anyone really gives a darn.

September 19, 2010

I finally got it right and Mary Ellen my sister-in-law was able to access my Blog "Life is a rainbow" These computers can be such a mistery to an old lady of 82 but by george I try.

Got home from Church early today. I did not have to teach. Judy and Gina held the fort down.
I am so proud of the Childrens Church we have created. It is growing well even if it is part of an "old peoples Church" The kids give us an engery that is wonderful. Time to get dinner so I can get to my crafts today.

september 2010

It is the first Sunday of September. We are just before Labor day, soon it will be Christmas. Here in the southwest the problem of snow is not one for us to worry about.
Today at 3:30pm it is 109F. I'm looking for the first of October. The heat of the summer will be over and I can start to get my flower bed,pots and barrels ready for planting. Also my little raised garden. My garden window in the kitchen has become my greenhouse.Oh how I'd love to have a greenhouse but it is to costly to have one here in Yuma.

On Friday I shall celebrate my 82nd birthday. Each year that God gives me is surely a bonus. And I am closer to my goal of 100. My favorite Marine pilot just had his 33rd BD. He is 6 years younger then my oldest grandson. Gosh, pretty soon someone will be scraping the mold off me. Thank you God for the gift of a wonderful life.

Home again,How wonderful!!

We traveled down the coast of Oregon to Ashland and had a short visit with dear friends Ed and Eldora Nelson. They are now living in a lovely assisted living apartment. They are happy there. We all will miss them in Yuma now.

Drove across Northern California into Nevada then on to Orem,Utah for a short visit with a very dear friend of many years, Sylvia Shields. Our last stop was in Havasu City, AZ for a short visit and lunch with another couple Bill and Donna Wendt. We have been friends for over 63 yrs. On the 16th we drove into our own driveway, what a blessing. Home at last. I do love to travel but coming home is really the best.

Now getting back in the groove, that is work too. How very fortunate we are at our age to still be able to take a driving vacation for 4138 miles. Thank you Lord.

meeting Debbie

We met Debbie Simpson the lady in Mel's life. A sweet lady. We hit it off immediately. She was apprehensive to meet us. Poor lady. In her shoes I would feel the same. She and Mel are off to a party this afternoon. Again poor Debbie is to meet folks that knew Susie. Life moves on and Mel deserves someone in his life too. Still anxious to be heading home.

At Susie's garden

August 6, 2010

Here we are in Oregon on the coast. Susie's garden is just a matter of feet away. No matter how long ago she left us it seems just yesterday. Mel has been so very welcoming. To night we will go out to dinner with he and his lady. We will celebrate our 63rd Anniversary which is August 8, 1947. My Oh My!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So many people were wrong. It LASTED. On our Way toward home on Monday Morning

VISIT SOON OVER

Bob and I will leave John and Heather's home on Saturday morning. Going to visit with old friends the Hawkinson's. Bob and Mary worked together at Safeco Insurance years ogo. I'm getting anxious to head home. It is fun to go but not for to long. Besides we do not want to wear out our welcome. It has been so great to see John happy with a smile on his face.

July 2010

Visiing with our son in Edmonds Washingaton. Im freezing this morning. The cool air is coming off Puget Sound and for a desert rat like me, It is cold. Our grandson Vaughn came for several hours on Sunday and will return this evening to shoot a vidio of his grandfather and father. He is quite the producer of fun vidios.
It will be fun to see what he comes up with.

We have been able to see 3 of our 5 grandsons. What a blessing they are. John's greatgrandfather would be busting his buttons,his great grandson has done a greatjob of keeping the family name going as well as John's son Peter. We finally got a girl however.

Heather John's lady is an angel.She has opened their home and her heart to us.We are so glad that we came.

In Edmonds Washington

UP early and drove to North bend and met Dick and Ruby. They drove off 100 miles of their reg. route to ovely oldermeet us and have a visit for just a short time. what special friends. staying with son John and heather. Lovely older home that hAS BEEN TAKEN good care of. Wonderful visit we are having.

It has reached Friday so Soon. Weather here in Rexburg has warmed up some but Bob still is not able to take off his sweatshirt. Jenny and I went to Porters this morning. Looking for some special tatting thread but did not find much. We plan to leave here on Monday Morning and head for Seattle. Will visit our son and revisit with some old friends. I can't believe that we left there almost 30 years ago.

July 14,2010

left home on Sunday Morning. Spent the night in Las Vegas. in the morning I put 5.00 in one poker and wond 65.50. closed out and kept the money. Had a short visit with Slyvia and came here to our Grandson Peter's home. Nice little reumnion with our Son. He left today for Seattle after the 4 generation pic's were taken. We will leave here next tuesday morning and continue our visit with son in
seattle.

A second postscript

It occurred to me after going over all 38 pages of Life is a Rainbow two things I have done that I left out of the saga---The summer just before I was 16 the Sailor that I spoke about in the early years was going to be in Norfolk, Virginia after a long cruise looking for German subs along our eastern coast and the coast of So. America. One of his sisters just a little older then I had been writing to a sailor on that ship. In a letter to her he suggested that she come to Washington DC when he had his leave time and spend a few days there. Now her father was not to cool about that. Her brother Jim, whom I had carried on a correspondence with was friends with this sailor, he suggested that he come to chaperon. Betty and I got our heads together and we went to her father and told him that I could go on the trip if she could. Then we had to go and convince my Mother that If I went Betty could. Her brother Jim called my Mother and told her that he had arranged for Betty and I to stay in a boarding house that the fellows could not come in to except when she was there. Again I had a guardian Angel. My Mother said yes and then Betty's father had no choice. Now when I look back on it--My Mother must have said a million prayers for us. We got on the train in Elyria, Ohio In July 1944 and what a wonderful trip we had. Those Sailors showed us every important thing that there was in Washington DC in 1944. I remember that 9 out of ten young men were in uniform of one service branch or another. As a small child I looked up at the trains when they stopped in Amherst. I always told myself , someday I'll get on one of those trains and even sit in the dinning car with the white table clothes and really go someplace. God heard my thoughts and made my wishes come true.

Bob and I began to square dance in 1976. So much fun we had and so many lovely people we met. We danced all over the west and Even in Omaha, Nebraska once. I made all of my dancing clothes and most of Bob's Shirts. We danced for about 5 years and then Bob's knees just gave out. Eventually he did have to have them replaced. I missed dancing a lot but found other interests to take up my time.

July 3,2010
Just returned from the printers with all the copies for "my Life" story. Really have a hard time realizing that I could put 82 years on 38 pages. Yet my life has never been dull. Looking forward to the rest of it. As stated before my goal is 100 at least. The blood line that my genes are from are good solid every day genes. It is my hope that my grandsons and my great grandhildren can be as happy as I have been in my life time.

Got lots of tatting and sewing ahead of me. Good afternoon

A postscript

I have reviewed all the posts on my blog that have been my life. I do have some regrets but even with those I still would do the same thing. If it was possible to choose events that could have been stopped. Number 1 would be the death of my father. I remember him as a happy guy with a great smile and warm arms that gave wonderful hugs. Number 2 would be that our daughter could have lived to a full life. She had so much to give to others. Number 3 the death of our grandson Nichols. So young with a whole life ahead of him. My brother and I were brought up to believe in God. He is our Saviour. So he knows why he called all of these, his children home to Heaven. "Ours, not to ask why but, just do and then go home also."

We have a wonderful Son. Golly, Not many people believed that we would even make a year of marriage. WE FOOLED YOU!! Whatever I have accomplished in life I owe to my Mother. She set the standard for me to follow. I have strayed from the straight path`many times, but the sound of her voice in my ears and the strong hand of God have pulled me back from the brink of many bad mistakes. She helped both my brother and I KNOW that we must learn to lean on God, HIS love and FORGIVENESS to move forward in our lives.
LIFE TRULY HAS BEEN A RAINBOW!

July 2, 2010
We are looking forward to a summer trip to visit friends and family. Our grandson Peter with his sweet wife Jenny has given us 3 beautiful great grandchildren. The Oldest "Will", Robert William Stilling named for both of his great grandfathers begins the next generation of the Stilling family. How proud his Great great grandfather Nels Peter Stilling would have been. Sidney. FINALLY we have a grand daughter. She is just what every grandmother hopes for in a granddaughter. Then Samuel the youngest. Really hoping to get to know him much better this visit.

A visit with our Son John and the 2 other grandsons. Vaughn who is a number1"fixer" of most anything. In fact all of the boys are very knowledgeable with tools. Just runs in the family. Then there is Kyle our former Marine. He did two tours in Iraq and again God was kind and kept him safe to come home. He is studying to become a surgical Nurse. Blessings each and everyone of them. They are all the colors in my RAINBOW.