tripe

I haven't read any of the news stories about the little boy in Florida. I've thought about it, but I can't. I can barely even think about it. You see, I have a 2 year old son, JJ. If you've met him, you know that he would be the first kid to try to get into the gorilla cage and the first kid to run to splash in the waters on our Disney Vacation. I can't stand to think about what those parents are going through right now. I can't stand to think about what it will be like to go home without him, and I really can't stand to think about what that father is feeling, especially when so many people have decided to cruelly and obnoxiously tell him that it's his fault. Today I'm praying for this family. For today, and for the rest of their lives, they have a new reality; one that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

Salute

5 for Friday

1. What do you love about Summer?
It being over and a return to the cooler days and the longer nights 

2. How did you have  fun in  summer?
I had fun as a child when I was allowed to play outside after dark, catching lightning bugs and playing kick the can. But otherwise, not really. Summer is my least favorite season.

3. What do you like to do during summer time?
Write, read, genealogy, email (like the rest of the year). Plus,tv and count off the days until summer is over.

4. Do you like the place where you live?
Yes, very much so.

5. If you have given a chance, do you want to live in the tropics?
I've actually never been to the tropics, only the subtropics, so I can't say for sure-- but I tend to like cooler weather, so I probably would not like it. I think I would miss seasons after a while. I'm hard to please weather-wise.

Memorial Day

 

My Dad in WWII Army Air Corps

 

 Dad and his flight crew

  

Memory Box that Joe and I have been working on. It needs a  bit of adjusting but you get the idea.. Please notice his dog tag on the flag, it is his issued tag that he wore.  He served in ETO and was based in Italy.. He flew 22 missions.  

Family tree

        I have quite a few cousins that I do not know.  35 to be exact.  Slowly I have been contacting each one for information on their family.  Each one has a unique story and unique family.  I have missed out on a lot by not knowing most of them.  The other night I called a cousin who now lives in Florida.  OMGosh, what a character,  it was entertaining and a bit scary all at once.  Let's call her D,  after I introduced my self to D, she proceeded to tell me she is about to get evicted, her pets don't have any food, her car is broke down and she has no money.  Now I admit I am a sucker for a hard luck story, however, not this time.  Something was a little off and it was D. not sure if she drinks or was over medicated but she was flat out weird.  She did have a very hard life and she gave me glimpses of it. She has buried 2 husbands, her father (my uncle) died when she was 8 months old.  
     Her father was my mom's only brother.  He married a very young girl named Donna and they had 3 children.. D was the youngest. When Donna's  husband died she was 22 years old with three small children.. According to D her mother went on the have another daughter and marry 4 more times.  Donna  died at age 44.
Now this was back in the day when women did not work outside the home much.  They did woman stuff, and the man made the living and supported the family.  
    I have been enjoying doing our family tree and getting to know my family on my mom's side.   Apparently I have the world's most messed up family.