More Christmas 1987

I used to string popcorn and cranberries to put on our tree. Our first dog, Bama, loved popcorn. This is a picture of her begging from Mom while she helps string.

Christmas 1987

I got a scanner for Christmas and this is the first picture I've scanned. Carl and David as they first came out on Christmas morning 1987 and see the tree.

Merry Christmas

May the blessing of this season be with you all year.

Images of Christmas

Chet, Bub, Jenn, Gini, Dad, Mom, Tom and Patty. Patty, Chet and Bub grew up together.

Chet and Aunt Kate

Todd, Scott and Chet. These guys started working for Chet when he had his own company & they were in high school.

Christmas Cards

I love getting Christmas cards - especially ones that have photos. I love hearing from people I haven't seen in years - and those I see everyday. The idea that so many people are thinking of me is wonderful!

Decorating Mom's Tree

Once again, Bub and Jen brought Clayton and Eric over to help us decorate the tree. It is so much easier with their help. As we were decorating the snow was falling. I told Eric and Clay that they needed to come over and try out the new toy Chet had bought at an auction this past summer - an old fashion toboggan. Hope to be able post a picture of them using it soon! (or anyone else who wants to come over and use our hill.)

Our Christmas Tree

We got our tree up yesterday. Molly is a little confused because she likes to sit in that corner. I tried to take the "red" out of her eyes, but it made her look like a devil dog. I didn't think that would be good for a Christmas posting! We go to decorate Mon & Dad's tree this afternoon.

Happy Birthday Carl!

You make the world a brighter place!

First Sunday of Advent

I don't have my tree up yet, but it is the 1st Sunday in
Advent, so this is my Advent "wreath". Now that the holiday season starts in mid-October it's hard to keep the meaning alive. My wish is to use this time to prepare for the coming of Christ in my heart.

I am thankful for family far

I am thankful for family near

I am Thankful for:

The prettiest fall we've had in years

Happy thanksgiving

I am thankful for a place to lay my head

and family and friends to share the feast.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

Remember the Military this Holiday Season

I already e-mailed this out to some people, but decided to try to reach a broader audience.

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:
A Recovering American soldier , c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue,NW , Washington, D.C. 20307-5001

I was searching through some photos and came across these good looking guys!

Carl doing what Carl does best!

I completely missed the fact that the calander page had turned and it was time to give congratulations to some special people. S0 - Mar, Mike, Nettie and Sadie - hope your specials days were truly special!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Nettie! You are just a beautiful as ever - and I hope my big brother spoiled you (or at least plans on doing so if you are still with your Mom).

Love from Ohio.

Happy Anniversay

Congratulations on making 40 years! I looked for a photo from your wedding, but couldn't find one, so settled on this of Michelle's 1st birthday. I know you will enjoy many more anniversaries to come! Love you lots

I have heard people say they won't vote for Barack Obama because he went to a Muslim school, and others say they wouldn't vote for Mitt Romney because he is a Mormon. I don't know who I am going to vote for, but those won't be my reasons for withholding my vote. Religious beliefs do, and should, influence how leaders govern. However, not everyone within a particular faith interprets those beliefs into action in the same way. It was not okay to withhold a vote for John Kennedy because he was Catholic, or Joe Leiberman because he's Jewish. Nor is it okay to vote for them for that reason only. It might be easier to use blanket criteria to judge - but it doesn't get us the best candidate. And, it is not the American way. Everyone has a right to aspire to any position in this country. We have a responsibility to listen to what they say, see how they act and try to discern who will be the best for the job. It may be that we decide we don't like the way they interpret their beliefs, but the mere fact they belong to a particular faith is not good enough.

Playing Hooky

I played hooky from work this afternoon and went to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park for a hike. There are 125 miles of hiking trails there ranging from 0.5 miles to 19 miles long and from easy to hard. The 19 mile one is actually an easy one - along the Ohio & Erie Canal. I took the Ledges trail & the Octogon Loop for about 2 1/2 miles. I think you can see from the pictures why it is call the Ledges trail. This is a beautiful park nestled between Akron and Cleveland (closer to Akron). You would never know you are so close to two cities. I got some really great photos and will share more of them with you in future postings. In case you can't tell, Fall is my favorite time of year and I just don't think you can find it much prettier than in Ohio.

These steps were made by the Civilian Conservation Corp.





This is a root/tree trunk that grew down, or up and then back again.

Harvest Time

I was intrigued by the way these peppers looked drying on the bench, so I decided to share them with you.

October

"The harvest moon hangs round and high

it dodges clouds high in the sky,

The stars wink down thier love and mirth

The Autumn season is giving birth.

Oh, it must be October

The leaves of red bright gold and brown,

To Mother Earth come tumbling down,

The breezy nights the ghostly sights,

The eeire spooky far off sounds

Are signs that it's October.

The pumpkins yellow, big and round

Are carried by costumed clumsy clowns

It's Halloween - let's celebrate."

- Pearl N. Sorrels

Fall Mornings

I love fog. I feel transported to a different time and place. Everything so still..

Mogadore Reservoir

October

I took Molly for a walk today at Mogadore Reservoir to enjoy (?) the unseasonably hot weather. The leaves are just beginning to turn. Hopefully we will have a colorful fall. Last year just wasn't that pretty around here. As the leaves started changing, they fell. At least the reservoir is pretty, no matter what color the leaves are.

I can pass this everyday on my way to work.

Update on Sassy

Sassy was scheduled to have her surgery today. Over the weekend she had visibly deteriorated. When I got to the vet's, we discussed her condtion. After getting the results of further blood tests, Chet and I decided the best thing for her was to put her down. Of all the dogs we have had, I would have to say that Sassy was the most loving - and that is saying alot. She will be missed.

Cruisin

This article appeared in the Record Courier in June of 1988. The kids loved this truck and spent many hours driving it. It will go up to 35 mph - and we often had to tell them to slow down. They weren't supposed to leave 2nd gear, but you know how that is. We still have it in the garage. It has flat tires and hasn't been started in years, but no doubt will run if called on.

Roger's Retirement Party

I'm not so sure about this - for all I know these young guys have this rigged!






No see - right here it says "Roger"!












I think I'll just stand back a little bit anyway.