rae1tom
 
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Background
Birthday: January 31
Gender: Female
Religion: Christian/Protestant
Location:
Washington
United States
Hometown(s):
Missouri
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Virginia
South Carolina
Connecticut
Washington State
Quote:
"Whenever God closes one door He always opens another, even though sometimes it's hell in the hallway" "Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up" "Do everthing to the best of your ability!"
    My Comments (246)

My Journals (40)

"A Thanksgiving to Remember"

 

 
“A Thanksgiving to Remember”
 
By….RaeDi ©
 
I was in the fourth grade when my Grandpa Charlie had come to stay with us for several months. He came each year for an extended visit. This trip had been different. He was helping to renovate our home. We had a tornado, which had done a lot of damage the month before. He was here early this year because carpentry was his trade. He was going to be doing the final changes and a few other finishing projects for our Mother on our home.  I always enjoyed it when Grandpa Charlie came. When I see candy corn, the first thought is of my Grandpa Charlie always having candy corn for us children. If he came in the fall, he always brought a bushel of fresh picked apples too. He would surprise me with a quarter here and a fifty-cent piece there. I knew I was his favorite and he gave me things that he did not give my siblings. I never told them, I never bragged about it. I think a part of me wondered why he would give me things that my siblings would not get.  When I was younger, he would always take me on his walks. We lived in town at that time. We would walk up to the twin parks, sit on the benches, and watch the people and cars go by. Then we would go to the five and dime and he would tell me I could pick out one thing. I would usually pick out a pack of Dentine Gum. There were more pieces per pack. This was something I would share with my sister Jacquie. We would tear each piece in two and we would each have a piece of gum for several days. Sometimes Jacquie would come along and she too would get to pick out one thing too. Those times we went for what would last the longest. Generally, our choice was a Fire Stick or a Sugar Daddy. They would last us for days. Usually she would pick one and I picked the other. Then we would share so we both had two different kinds of candy.  This visit Grandpa Charlie was busy getting the things done on his lists. He would install new windows in all the rooms. He would be restoring the kitchen cabinets and a few other jobs.  My sister Jacquie and I were always there ready to help him. To this day, I know how to use a square. I know what a level is and how to use it. We each had a makeshift carpenter’s belt. He gave us our own carpenter’s pencil. We got to hold on to the piece of wood he was cutting. We were his “fetch girls” and proud of it. We were Grandpa Charlie’s shadows. Jacquie and I had so much fun helping Grandpa Charlie out. That was one of my best visits in memory with my Grandpa Charlie.  Mom did not like us to ‘hang’ around him when he was smoking his cigars. Every once in a while he would let us take a puff of the cigars and we’d end up coughing and he would laugh at us and tell us, “Girls, do not start smoking, it’s bad for you!” I do not know what our Mother would have done had she known he let us take those puffs. When he smoked his pipe, we both loved the smell of the tobacco. He let us try that too, with the same outcome. Mom never knew about the puffs we had or that he let us fill his pipe for him too. Grandpa Charlie always had that smell of leather and fine pipe tobacco. To this day when I smell that special scent, it always reminds me of my Grandpa Charlie.  Grandpa Charlie got everything done a couple weeks before Thanksgiving. He had a couple of weeks to do what he wanted and he took us girls along with him. Trips to the five and dime, more candy corn to share with our siblings. We could have our own Fire Stick or Sugar Daddy, but just do not tell the others. We had time to watch the cars and people from the park. We had not been to the Twin Parks in town in a long time. Before when we lived in town, we were at the Twin Parks several times a week.  Our Mom had been very busy getting things done and readied for our company coming in from Iowa. My Dad was out of state working and could not come home for Thanksgiving. My Dad’s sisters and their families were coming down for Thanksgiving. Their trip down was to take Grandpa Charlie home. His time with us was about to end. I always felt such sadness when it was time for Grandpa Charlie to go home.   Mom had baked pies, pumpkin, cherry, apple, and mincemeat. She had prepared all the condiments and her specialties to make this a grand dinner for all. She had a turkey in one oven and a ham in another. We were to have sweet potatoes and so much more. The cellar door was very busy for a couple of days. A true holiday feast, no one would be disappointed. Our Mother was a good cook and everyone knew it.  She had finished by mid-morning Thanksgiving Day and had everything to the precise timing. The house was completely cleaned and readied for our company’s arrival. We all were excited, except for the fact that Grandpa Charlie would be going home. Mom was finishing up on everything and she had my brother take the garbage out; some was for the compost pile and the rest was to be burned in the burn barrel.  The next thing we knew my brother came running into the house and was yelling fire. He had been burning the trash as was done in those days, the wind picked up, and the fire was spreading rapidly. He tried to put it out himself, but it just kept spreading. It had been a dry summer and to date no real rain. The fuel for the fire was all the dry grass and it was spreading swiftly in all directions.  My Mom and Grandpa Charlie and my brother were all trying to get this fire out. It was spreading quickly. Jacquie and I were wetting blankets in the cow trough and taking them to our Mother, Grandpa, and brother: they were trying to beat the fire down with the wet blankets. We lived out in the country and there was no fire service. I remember waiting back until another wet blanket was called for and trading the freshly wet blanket for the one that was used to wet it again. My Grandpa Charlie who was in his sixties was working so hard to beat the fire back. I remember thinking he had his hat on. He had a brown wool Stetson hat he had worn for years. It would not be my Grandpa Charlie without his brown wool Stetson. He wore his brown checked wool zippered jacket, which had a brown leather collar, and brown leather buttons at the pockets at the start of cool weather. I cannot remember him not wearing them when the cool weather set in. My Mother already dressed for our company in one of her beautiful homemade dresses and apron. My brother, I could see the fear in his eyes.  Finally, after what seemed a lifetime they got the fire out. They then walked around and looked for any fire amber's that could set it afire again. No one got hurt. However, we all looked a mess. When we looked at each other, we were all covered in suet. We started laughing as we looked at each other. Not only our clothes but also our hands, faces, and necks were covered in black suet. The opening of our ears and at our nostrils was thick with the black suet. The only thing not black with suet was our eyelids and teeth. We did look funny, even though we just fought a fire that could have taken our house. It could have injured anyone of us. Nevertheless, we were all standing there laughing, I think, part of it was the aftermath and the realization of what had just happened and all that could have happened and did not.  We were standing there laughing and looking ridiculous when our company pulled into the drive. The look on my Mothers face, I will never forget. She had worked so hard to have everything perfect and readied for our company. Some of the dinner yet to be readied set dinnertime back a bit. Cleaning ourselves up was another matter. It was not going to be just a quick hand cloth to face and hands. We each had to take a bath.  That Thanksgiving Day we had lots to give thanks for, more than we thought we would at the beginning of the day. The dinner was perfect. Everyone enjoyed himself or herself immensely. You could smell smoke throughout the air. That could not be avoided. However, we had our health. We still had our home. The only thing sad about the day was Grandpa Charlie would be going home in the morning.
 
I have been writing the memiors of my youth with my sister Jacquie.  We had a wonderful childhood and it has been comforting to remember all the things we did and just who we were.  I know now ~ we are made up of all the things that life throws our way.  We both made the best of whatever the situation was, I think because our Mother sat the example of doing just that.  I hope that each of you have a wonderful, bless filled Thanksgiving Day, your friend with love and hugs....RaeDi
 
 
Added: November 26, 2008
Views: 25 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

"Tomorrows Beginnings Are Today's Endings"

 

“Tomorrow Beginnings Are Today’s Endings”
By….RaeDi ©
 
 
Tomorrows beginnings are today’s endings.
Days, weeks, months, and years all fall at the end of each.
They set in motion all new beginnings.
Everything drifts onward, unbroken it course and never stands still for whatever thing.
The tide is taking each moment of time, with its comings and goings.
So too each of our minutes, move on to the loss of time, approaching is our conclusion.
The sunup’s bring about the sunsets, each a new beginning to the drawing of each day’s resolution.
The colors of spring are in contrast to falls scenic shows.
Spring’s colors are the insertion of new beginnings and falls bold show of colors
is the absolute completion.
Winter’s splendor of white has her rigid hold.
Today’s unfolding is tomorrows yesterday full disclosed.
As the foliage falls, and leaves bare the skeleton of the trees, so does our death bare ours?
Our birth is the spring, our infancy, and newness of steps and play of new-found words and time marches on to our formative years, the summer of one’s childhood.
Fall brings our adolescence and early youth, life to all stages of adulthood.
Winter is our twilight, as the frost, ice, and snow; we grow white as the Snowbirds.
As the days get shorter with each day of each year, so does our finality of being.
Time stands still for no one, it marches on in silence, without pause until the ending.
Added: October 30, 2008
Views: 77 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

"Naya This Is Your Special Day"

 

 

 
"Naya This is Your Special Day"
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 Naya, Your Friends have spoken and you my dear are our “Special Person” for the month of October 2008. Naya having you as a friend is an honor. You are there when all is well, but you are there when one needs a friends more than anything else, with the love and support only a dear friend can give. I can say that your support of me during my time of tribulation, meant a great deal to me. You my dear have helped me with my recovery. All your kind words and the time you take with you wonderful graphics. I am not the only one that receives from you; our community is in your heart. I was reading your profile there is so much sound advice and sincere words of wisdom that you have placed on your profile to be shared with the whole of the community. Some people no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty – they merely move it from their faces into their hearts. (Marilyn Baxbaum) Your unconditional love of each of your friends sets you high above the normality of friendship. This is what makes you truly special in each of our eyes and hearts. I want to thank you for being my friend. Your friendship means a great deal to me and to all your friends you have made along your life span, I do wonder how many hearts you have touched. Countless, I am sure. Naya with you, I sat down to write this and the thing that came to me is the quotes of others and their words are what we think when we think of a person such as yourself. Therefore, I am going to let their words be our words….
Friendship is one of the most valuable assets that we create in our lifetime.  That is why people hold friends in such high regard.  .
Latin Proverb
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
 
Robert Louis Stevenson
A friend is a gift you give yourself.
 
 Sicilian Proverb
Only your real friends tell you when your face is dirty.
 
 John Lennon
I get by with a little help from my friends.
 
Khalid Gibran
Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.
 
 Edgar Watson Howe
When a friend is in trouble, do not annoy him by asking if there is anything, you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.
 
Charles Caleb Colton
True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.
 
 E. M. Forster
If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country.
 
 Winnie the Pooh
You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.
 
 Epicurus
It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us.
I will add to these to the list above, they are favorites of mine. Ralph Waldo Emerson has several that I have loved:
A Friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of Nature.
The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
A Friend is the hope of the heart.
 
On your profile page in reading I found – The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. She brings joy, love, and hope. Naya this is you. I thank you again for being my friend and the community thanks you too. Have a very special day indeed my friend….RaeDi and all your “Special Day Friends!” 
 
Added: October 18, 2008
Views: 68 | Comments: 2 | Bookmarks: 0

700 Billion Dollars, How Many Zeros?

 

 

 

 

A Andrew Carnegie Library in Illinois,

Almost like the one in my small town.

 

 
Below is something that I copied from Wikipedia. I was looking for some information and come across this. I found it very interesting. I grew up with an Andrew Carnegie Library in my small rural town in Missouri. A beautiful building, I remember climbing the many steps that lead to the front double door. Right inside was the librarian’s desk. The floors were all hardwood. I loved going to the library and I always was surveying the design and the way in which this library was made. Nothing else in our little town was built in its fashion. It so intrigued me. I was saddened when in (I believe) the nineties they built another library. It is nothing like the beautiful ornate one that I knew from shelf to shelf, window to window, and floorboard to floorboard. The Carnegie library now is used for several different kinds of business.  
 
I thought what I just read about Andrew Carnegie and how he used his monies for educating the people (and many others ways) - without his help some would never had learned to read. His belief in helping those that could not help themselves would go a long way in today climate. Our countries economy right now, and the 700 billion dollar bill that they are trying to pass as I write this, things could and should be done differently. We had one “Andrew Carnegie” of sorts in Warren Buffet who come forward with 5 billion to try to help to stabilize the carnage that is happening on Wall Street and in our Banks. Many more could and should be doing just as Warren Buffet has done. The first time Congress voted it did not pass to help big business, the stock dropped 778 points. The next day with no bill, it had gains. The middle class cannot be expected to carry this load on our backs. The monies need to be redirected to help the mass of Americans; we are OF, BY and FOR the people in this country. Those we elect are helping themselves, they were voted in to serve us not themselves and the lobbyist. I realize there are bad apples in every bushel.  We got to this point because of greed. In addition, many Americans are/were living far past their needs, means and income. There are many pieces to this puzzle, but the answers do not lie within the middle class of our country. I believe it is easy for the old guard in Washington DC to leave things as they are. When they have spent their lifetimes as our delegates and have an exceptional retirement with good benefits or if they should be voted out of office, many go on to be lobbyist and CEO’s. Why would they want to change things that would benefit their future? I do want to make it clear that we have many who do serve us and are there for us and try as hard as they can to change things around so our country and we the people overall will do good. If all elected delegates did the same thing it would and could be a balanced society. I do not think everyone that sits in Washington DC wants that. 
These are my opinions; we each have the right to our own opinions. I am very thankful that we do have freedom of opinion in our wonderful country. Everyone and we each have the same rights, use them to make this country better, to help those that cannot help themselves. I do hope that you and all your family members that can vote, your neighbors, your fellow workers, and those that have been able to retire all get out and vote come this November. If you know someone that cannot get to the polls, offer them a left.  
I do not generally hang myself out with my political views. I see too many souls around me suffering and with no relief in sight. When will our government step up to the plate for the average American and those that cannot help themselves.  It is to the point that the average American that helped those who could not do for themselves, can no longer afford to help, donations are down, and food banks are empty. I hope that you all see what I saw in the information I found (this was not what I was looking for) as one of the ways to help our country and ourselves. Let us hope that we can get a handle on the huge crisis we “all” face and come up with some solutions that will not cost us 700 billion dollars. I do not even want to know how many zero’s are behind the 7.  If you have not written you Congress person (s) or Senate person (s), do.  I am now on what they call the mega-vote email list.  I know when they are voting and how they vote.  I hope sometime in the near future we will be able to know just what is in each bill and how much pig has been added and by whom.  Get involved, we cannot blame it on them entirely if we don’t vote and let them know what we want and don’t want.  That which started me on this “my” opinion follows:    
 
Andrew Carnegie believed in using his fortune for others and doing more than making money. He wrote:

“
I propose to take an income no greater than $50,000 per annum! Beyond this I need ever earn, make no effort to increase my fortune, but spend the surplus each year for benevolent purposes! Let us cast aside business forever, except for others. Let us settle in Oxford and I shall get a thorough education, making the acquaintance of literary men. I figure that this will take three years active work. I shall pay special attention to speaking in public. We can settle in London and I can purchase a controlling interest in some newspaper or live review and give the general management of it attention, taking part in public matters, especially those connected with education and improvement of the poorer classes. Man must not have an idol and the amassing of wealth is one of the worst species of idolatry! No idol is more debasing than the worship of money must Whatever I engage in I must push inordinately; therefore should I be careful to choose that life which will be the most elevating in its character. To continue much longer overwhelmed by business cares and with most of my thoughts wholly upon the way to make more money in the shortest time, must degrade me beyond hope of permanent recovery. I will resign business at thirty-five, but during these ensuing two years, I wish to spend the afternoons in receiving instruction and in reading systematically!

In 1889, Carnegie published "Wealth" in the June issue of the North American Review. After reading it, Gladstone requested its publication in England, where it appeared as "The Gospel of Wealth" in the Pall Mall Gazette. The article was the subject of much discussion. Carnegie argued that the life of a wealthy industrialist should comprise two parts. The first part was the gathering and the accumulation of wealth. The second part was for the subsequent distribution of this wealth to benevolent causes. The philanthropy was key to making the life worthwhile.
 1901: U.S. Steel
In 1901, Carnegie was 66 years old and considering retirement. He reformed his enterprises into conventional joint stock corporations as preparation to this end. John Pierpont Morgan was a banker and perhaps America’s most important financial dealmaker. He had observed how efficiently Carnegie produced profit. He envisioned an integrated steel industry that would cut costs, lower prices to consumers and raise wages to workers. To this end, he needed to buy out Carnegie and several other major producers and integrate them into one company, thereby eliminating duplication and waste. He concluded negotiations on 2 March 1901, and formed the United States Steel Corporation. It was the first corporation in the world with a market capitalization in excess of $1 billion.
The buyout, which was negotiated in secret by Charles M. Schwab (no relation to Charles R. Schwab, the brokerage house founder), was the largest such industrial takeover in United States history to date. The holdings were incorporated in the United States Steel Corporation, a trust organized by Morgan, and Carnegie retired from business. His steel enterprises were bought out at a figure equivalent to twelve times their annual earnings—$480 million (approximately $120 billion in 2007 dollars) [3]—which at the time was the largest ever personal commercial transaction.
Carnegie’s share of this amounted to $225,639,000, which was paid to Carnegie in the form of 5%, 50-year gold bonds. The letter agreeing to sell his share was signed on 26 February 1901. On 2 March, the circular formally filing the organization and capitalization (at $1,400,000,000—4% of U.S. national wealth at the time) of the United States Steel Corporation actually completed the contract. The bonds were to be delivered within two weeks to the Hudson Trust Company of Hoboken, New Jersey, in trust to Robert A. Franks, Carnegie’s business secretary. There, a special vault was built to house the physical bulk of nearly $230,000,000 worth of bonds. It was said "...Carnegie never wanted to see or touch these bonds that represented the fruition of his business career. It was as if he feared that if he looked upon them they might vanish like the gossamer gold of the leprechaun. Let them lie safe in a vault in New Jersey, safe from the New York tax assessors, until he was ready to dispose of them...."
As they signed the papers of sale, Carnegie remarked, "Well, Pierpont, I am now handing the burden over to you.” In return, Carnegie became one of the world’s wealthiest men.
 
Among his many philanthropic efforts, the establishment of public libraries throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, and other English-speaking countries was especially prominent. Carnegie libraries, as they were commonly called, were built in many places. The first was opened in 1883 in Dunfermline, Scotland. His method was to build and equip, but only on condition that the local authority matched that by providing a site and operating maintenance. To secure local interest, in 1885, he gave $500,000 to Pittsburgh for a public library, and in 1886, he gave $250,000 to Allegheny City for a music hall and library; and $250,000 to Edinburgh, Scotland, for a free library. In total, Carnegie funded some 3,000 libraries, located in 47 states. Carnegie also built libraries in Canada and overseas in the United Kingdom including the Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the West Indies, and Fiji. He also donated £50,000 to help set up the University of Birmingham in 1899.[4]
 
The chart below lists libraries in the year after Carnegie’s death. Carnegie libraries continued to be built. The last public library funded through Carnegie’s generosity was the Wyoming Branch, completed in 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At 231 East Wyoming Avenue, it continues as an active branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia.[13]
 
I do hope that each of you saw what I saw in the few words that I copied from the Wikipedia. I think if only….RaeDi
 
 

 

Added: October 2, 2008
Views: 61 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

"Full Circle"

 

 

"They Can’t See Me!"

"RudiRue" My Little Fella

 
 
"Full Circle"
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                By….RaeDi ©
 
I had heard it said repeatedly since I was young, each life will go in a full circle. As a child and even a young adult, I wondered what going in a full circle meant. To me it was a very perplexing statement for the entirety of my life until here recently. I had not a clue, no understanding as to the gist of the true essence of what it would take to go full circle or what one should feel.  I had wondered at times if I would even know when it happened. It took me until I was fifty-one years old before I knew what it truly meant. My life and its direction and lifestyle would all undergo an all-encompassing transformation of my complete being. I knew instantly when I had gone full circle. It was an exceptional hot early evening. The phone rang; I had been waiting for this call for several days. The time had been fast approaching. I had my bag packed and everything in order for this most special of occasions.  I would be present and unknowingly I would play a significance role, the role of my lifetime in just a few short hours. There were no rehearsals, no planning on my part. I thought I would be an observer. I was happy to be an eyewitness to this amazing appearance. The reality had not set in as we drove the thirty-one miles to our destination. The trip for the most part was quite. My mind was thinking about whom I had been. How this would change me and would I ever be as I was before. My purpose in life I instinctively knew was about to change. This amplification of my enter being would only be enhanced; the part of my life that had the most meaning and enjoyment was going to swell further than I had known possible. I had no idea at the expanse this would bring my spirit. I have heard from so many who have gained this status nothing in this world can you compare it with. We arrived at our destination and all was going as planned. I had been afraid that I would miss it; I would not be there for the special revealing, I so wanted to experience it firsthand. We knocked and we heard a familiar voice call, “Come on in, the door is unlocked.” We opened the door all was quiet and we looked at each other to see if we either one knew what was going on. Then a person appeared down the hall and told us we could come on in. As we approached the room, we looked, and our eyes locked, we both were being held in our own expectancy.  Everything seemed so quiet. The closer we got to the room we both then heard the soft classical music playing. The drapes were drawn and a lamp with defused light was the only glow in the room. Everything was going as planned. I had questioned and even had anticipation of the decision of where this would take place. I had prayed there would be no concerns or problems to visit this small home during this special time. Within thirty minutes of our arrival, it came about. I knew what coming full circle meant. The birth of the most precious little fella I would get to know and I would have the honor, the privilege of separating his lifeline, his link to his mother; he was now on his own. I was then told to take him, I was being honored this special blessing of being the first one to hold this ever so small little boy. As I held my only Grandbaby, a boy with skin the color of pearls and he had the lightest rufus colored hair. He was the exact image of his father at his birth. I was holding my Grandson and looking at him, his perfect little fingers, and toes, his body the same build as his father. He came into this world as quietly as the dimness of the light in the room.  Both his parents were in tears, this brand new Grandmother was in tears as I took inventory. I was so taken by the miracle of life in itself. It was while I was holding him that I come to know what “Full Circle” meant. I had just come full circle in my life. Up to this point, I was encompassing-encircling for the completion of my circle, for this very moment. The circle was complete. As I held this precious gift from our Lord, I was giving thanks for him. I heard someone speak faintly, “His name is Noah Mathias, the son of Andrew Paul.” I was a Grandmother and as I looked from my firstborn - my Son to my Grandson I gave my thanks for all the goodness that our Lord has blessed me with, this blessing would be so cherished. My circle of life was complete. I had a new perspective now on my life.  My understanding came instantly as I held my Grandbaby.  I knew why so many individuals in my life who had already experienced this had spoken how dearly it had changed their lives like nothing else. I also knew I was going to love being a ‘Mema.’ “Welcome to my world RudiRue. I love you more my little fella.” 
 
Since RudiRue’s birth, I have come to the realization that going “Full Circle” is as individualized and each individual. No one’s “Full Circle” is the same. I also have become conscious of the colors in each individual circle.  All the experiences and challenges, all the highs and the lows and everything in between are represented in each of our circles. Now when I see a rainbow it means so much more to me. I now realize the events for the rest of my life I am here on earth will bring completeness in the whole of the circle. When we took our leave for a few moments so Noah’s parents could have time with just him,   we were sitting out on their balcony. As we sat there, a sunset of every color in the rainbow appeared across the horizon. To me the Lord was showing His full blessings of the events that had just taken place. I believe my many blessings will add to the total sum for the better part of the whole of my circle of life.
 

 

 

Added: September 22, 2008
Views: 83 | Comments: 2 | Bookmarks: 0

"How Many Blessings?"

 

"Seabreeze Hydrangea"

 
  "How Many Blessings?"
 
By ….RaeDi ©
 
 
I have been very fortunate to be out in the weather this past week we had sun from dawn to dusk and the temperature was just right to the degree. It is not often that we have blue skies and not a cloud in sight. Having been sick and in the house for the past several months it was delightful and a very refreshing time to say the least. Here in the Northwest she has been rainier and colder this summer than most. To see and feel the sun is a true blessing. I have always been a sun person. I love the sense it gives as the warmth seeped into the completeness of my body. I have Raynaud’s and the sun is more than a blessing to me. Any weather below the mid 70’s is cold and add rain to the mix it can make for a combination of melancholy and very dismal living for me. Poor Tom lives in a house, which when heated for my needs feels like the tropics. Not many in our neighborhood wear shorts, a tee and house flops in the middle of the winter. I could layer on clothes, but as Tom puts it, I am very "sensitive"; I cannot wear lots of clothing, it makes my joints hurt - a whole other problem. He is so good to me, he may tease me about being sensitive, and wearing his shorts in January and the need to put on layers of clothes in the mudroom to go to the woodshed to return and have to shed them as fast as he builds up the fire. What love will not do for you? My walks in my garden this past week opened my eyes not only to all the weeds that have gathered with the lack of my presents, but also to the realization of how much each of my gardens truly means to me. I was thinking about how much work it was going to be come spring and making a list in my mind of some of the things I would need for the repossession of each of my gardens. In my watchful thinking, Tom made sure, when he was taking me for my walk to come close enough to the woodshed so he could proudly show off the 10 plus cords of wood he had chopped and stacked this summer to be ready for the change in the weather. I thanked him and let him know my gratitude and appreciation for all his labor-intensive work it took to fill the woodshed for our winters heating needs. I recognize the fact my work getting my gardens back to their pre-weed days is nothing compared to falling a tree and the amount of energy needed to the finish when it is chopped and stacked precisely in the woodshed. As we returned to the house that day I was trying to count my blessings, I have so many I kept losing track. 
Hopefully when I am up and running we will be able to travel and find a second home for the winter months that meets both of our needs.
I took the picture of  my Seabreeze Hydrangea yesterday, she is one of my favorites in my gardens.  I have planted new starts from her each new season for years, she is now just about everywhere.  She had such beautiful colors, makes for a colorful bush in late fall.
 
 
Added: September 18, 2008
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"A Special Letter of Appreciation To All Of My Friends"

 

"Such Restfull Sleep We Can Only Hope For"

 

 

My Dear Friends,

 

 

I want to take this time to address you all - wish I had the energy to address each of you one at a time, but I do not. THEREFORE, I will thank you sincerely for all your prayers, thoughts and I do know they come from your heart and with love.  That is what  makes them so very special.  I have not been able to be online for the past few days and I miss corresponding with each of you.  I wish I could, but my Chronic Fatigue and FM and a host of other things have become severe.  The doctors and I were hoping this would not happen, but knew there was a great chance that it would.  It does not take much to flare any of it up; each seems to be ready and waiting for any incidence from a migraine, the flu, stress, or just doing too much can sometimes flare them.  Therefore, I am back on bed rest and doing only what I have to and that is not much.  However, with you all in my life and the support that I have received, it has meant the world to me and my health.  I can say that all my friends are wonderful soul’s, without question.  I cannot thank you enough of your kindheartedness and your thoughtfulness.  However, I will tell you that you are no further than my heart and my thoughts and my prayers and praise for each one of you.  My blessings are adding up to the total sum of all my dear friends and that is many.  With so many wonderful and love filled words of encouragement from each of you I can appreciate your love and it shows me your kindness, care and devotions to our friendship.  You do not know how much this truly means to me at this time.  I miss each of you dearly and cannot wait to be able to be with you again.  I am hoping soon, but I will not push it, I want to be back on my feet before winter starts or it could be spring before I have any energy.  The cold weather just zapped my health.  Tom and I were going to go south to find a winter home for the cold raining months here, but I think we are going to have to put it off until much later.  When it is the right time, we will know.  Thank you again for being there for me.  I find those special friends that take the time to involve themselves in not only my life but also others as well, is what makes you exceedingly special.  You each set the standard for being a friend by showing and placing worth and merit for those that are a part of your life.  The consequences of your love and genuine concern about the welfare of other is a characteristic quality that I can only hope that I emulate in return to each of you in the same measure.  I already know from your helpfulness and the support you have shared with me these past weeks you are beyond doubt out of the ordinary of souls.  Being there for each other is a true gift - being a friend and each of you giving freely of yourselves to those that have needs for the moment, you have already realized that it all balances out in the end.  Your goodwill and generosity, and your willingness to help others and be ready the moment needed or called upon is a gift of the heart and it seems easily imparted for each of your friends or fellow man and you are soul set when that time comes.  It can be as simple as making one smile or for those times when prayers and caring thoughts made up of your love and as true friends can, you are each there without question or hesitation.  You are devoted to  each of your friends and I myself cannot thank you enough for the past few weeks; you have helped me get through a very trying, rough patch.  I do hope you each know how appreciated you are and I consider each of you  a very special friend indeed and no doubt you are each a guardian angel in one way or another!  Have you thought about what it truly means when we all unite and are unified as one with the same feelings, enthusiasm, and spiritual inspiration?  Could there be anything more virtuous and honorable than when true friends are giving a helping hand to those in need or simply just being there for your friends for the fun of it.  I thank you each sincerely, Your Friend....RaeDi

 

I also want to thank you for the wonderful comments, graphics and messages of well wishes.  I do so enjoy reading them, I may not get back with you - but know that they are uplifting to my spirit!  Please know as I read them I have fond thoughts of the one who took the time to think of me and leave a comment, or find that special graphic or even the time to send a wonderful message, they each mean a great deal to me.

 

 

 
 

 

 

Added: August 26, 2008
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"My Heartfelt Thanks To My Friends"

 

“My Heartfelt Thanks To My Friend”
 
To My Dear Friends, Thank you for the heartfelt prayers and caring thoughts. They have meant a great deal to me. I really appreciate all the love and kindness that everyone has shown me.  The worst is behind me, but as I see it "now" there is a long road ahead.  I am sitting in the bleachers “kind of”, my hope is soon I will be able to stand on the track, but it will be awhile before I am able to even take a walk around the track let alone jump the first hurdle.  Nevertheless, I am very happy that I am where I am at this time and I have nowhere to go but forwards. With friends like you and your prayers, I have a hand up for quick healing and complete recovery. 
Romans 5:1-6 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 8:37-39 May they be rooted and grounded in love, and comprehend with all saints what is the breath and length and heights and depth and know the love of Christ which passes knowledge that they be filled with all the fullness of God.
 
I am very blessed to have such genuine and sincere friends. Each of you is exceptional in your devotion of your faith as well as to your family and friends. Your devoutness and faithfulness will bring you many blessings, your piousness that touches each and everyone who comes into your lives is a testament of your true faith. Such love and goodness comes to those that believe in our Lord, have a deep commitment, and dedicate their lives to Him and His Word. I praise and give gratitude for the wondrous of souls who are a part of my life. My appreciation goes out to each one of you and my prayers include each of you and my hope is that the Lord bless you for your support, encouragement, and outpouring of love in His name Amen….RaeDi  
 
Added: August 12, 2008
Views: 148 | Comments: 2 | Bookmarks: 0

Looking Out My Window....RaeDi

 

Point No Point Washington State ~ 2008 ....RaeDi

 

 

Looking Out My Window
….RaeDi ~ 2008 ©
 
I  have been thinking about something for years. When I was young, the window was for checking to see if the school bus was coming. Watching for my friends to go out and play.  Later to see if the car that just pulled into the driveway was my date.  Then as a mother, I watched my children comings and goings.  Then looking for my grandson RudiRue when he came to visit, his arrivals, and departures took me back many years to my own youth.
 
There was a time when I discovered the wonderful art on the windows in the winter. I was amazed at the wonderful landscapes and flowers that Jack Frost left. I remember asking my Mother who put them there. I was young when she told me Jack Frost; I was hoping I could draw that magnificent, to be able to have such minute detail in all that I painted when I got older. At the window, I learned to put out a piece of black paper, catch the snowflakes, and see all the shapes. I tried to draw them before they melted. I do not think I was able to get it completely done, but I would try to finish them to look as amazing as the real thing.  
 
I  do remember looking out the window when in school and seeing the sun and wishing I was out on the playground. I remember in the fifth grade the teacher telling us to look out our window and it was raining. She told us quietly look out the window of the classroom across the hall; the sun was shining brightly on that side of the school. I realized then that when it was raining the sun was shining too, each in its own place. As I was thinking about the differences of what was or wasn’t in rain, snow and the sun bright days  I remembered asking my mom the summer before first grade after having lain in my clover patch watching the stars with my sister, if it was the same time around the world. She explained to me that as the sun and moon went around the earth, depending on where each was that was the time of day. Wherever the sun was, it was day and wherever the moon was it was night. I was a very inquisitive child; I still to this day have many questions. I probably always will.  
 
As a child, I did not look out the window to see what the weather was. 
Our Mother always told us if we needed a coat or hat. It was not until I
was more mature that I looked out to see for myself what the weather
was doing. It seems the weatherperson on TV is not always right about the future of rain or sun or warmth or cold that my day or week ahead may be. My eyes (with new glasses/conntacts) do just find. Assessing on how long I think I will be outside and what I will be doing. Long enough here, in this area I take an extra sweatshirt with hood. If it gets colder or starts to rain, you are covered. That more often than not is the only changes that can and regularly happen in this corner of the world. 
 
 
I  learned a dozen or more years ago in meeting people from all places that their window size would be in how they saw or interpreted things to be, or their logical thinking. The determination of window dimension for each person seems to be equivalent by the amount of knowledge we each had gained to that point in our lives. I found those who grew up in the same place and never moved from where they were born, raised, married, had family all in the same small town, they didn’t see things the same as those who had moved away and lived and raised their families elsewhere. Then there were those that did a lot of traveling and lived in several different places, even more than one state, and some more than one country. It was amazing to me to see the subtle differences in the thinking and the overview on what they thought of things going on in their backyard, town, and state and even around the world. The closer one stayed to the small rural living seemed to be looking through a smaller window. That is not to say everyone; it differed by education, how much one read, and the culture you experienced. Everything seems to weigh in as to what the size of window we each are looking out. There are many varying sizes; it seems one size does not fit all. 
 
Now when I look out my window I see all of nature. I see the beauty of the sky, the sun-ups, and the sundowns. So many wonderful colors I could not name them all. To look and to see the green of the new grass in the spring, that is the only time of the year the grass will have that special greenness. My eyes take in many colors of all the different flowers. I smell the freshness of spring and all the wonderful fragrances coming from different flowers and trees. I hear the wondrous songs from our birds of so many species and the frog’s calls for their mate. I watch the thrasher flipping the leaves on the ground to find what is there to eat. The deer coming and going, they see me, but they know they are safe. I now have a nice sized male black bear that comes to visit us regularly, see him always in our front yard checking things out.  Then moves on.   I watch the Eagles and hawks, and the Barred Owl is new and has decided to take up residence with us too. I have seen and heard the Great Gray Owl, what a magnificent picture that makes. We have the Pileated Wood Pecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, doves with their special calls, the Flickers and the cedar-waxed wings and I cannot forget Momma Wren that has lived in the eve just above my window for years. I have watched her in as many springs, summers, falls, and winters. I have watched her raised so many different broods. What a tireless singer she is. They have such a lively way of searching for food and they miss nothing. So many different species of birds that one day I have promised myself to start making a list of each and everyone that I see on our properties. Maybe I will start that list tomorrow.
 
From my window I see not only spring but there is summer. I can see a part of my gardens. I am so proud of my vegetables and the neat rows. I love my above ground boxes; they make it that much easier for me to do my work in this my summer garden. I like the bench at the top of each side.  I can knell or sit which ever I choose to pull the weeds or pick the French green beans. As the season warms the grass, get gold like hay. Then before we know it, the leaves are falling and it is autumn. I do love fall and all the colors that it displays. I love the smell of leaves in the fall and the sound it makes when you are walking though them. I remember when we as children would jump in the piles of leaves and have the leaf fights all of us laughing and having such a good time. Those were the days of raking, playing, and then the hot cocoa. I love the pumpkins and corn stalks at harvest time. Our youth group at my church would have a hayride each fall with horses and a party at the end of the ride. I knew winter was not too far off; there were a few years that our hayride was a sleigh ride with snow all around. That was just as much fun and we could to hear the bells that hung on the horses as we went around town.  There was always lots of singing and laughing on these rides. I can remember people watching out there windows, I wonder if they were remembering their youth. I now when I see playful sites it brings to my mind the games we played and the joy of being a child all over again. 
 
It is an amazing site to look out my window when there is fresh snow; its blanket covers everything as far as you can see. It is beautiful, the purity of the white color of snow, I love it when it is virginal with no tracks other than those of nature. I love watching the snowflakes has they come down, it is magical and hypnotizing watching them free fall until they land, you feel so much comfort in your warmth by your window watching the world transform itself in front of you once again. Each time you look out it will show you something else, something changed or one of nature’s wonders walking or flying through. In all of these years and all of the times, I never see the same thing, never twice. Of all the wonderful beautiful sites, I can remember it was a winter wonderland of white. Everything covered in winter’s white, the limbs of the evergreens laden with the weight. The beauty and dept of all, the snowdrifts, the mounds and nothing disturbed, so fresh. You never know what you will see or what you will remember as you look out your window; it depends on your mind’s eye. It is a wonder to look upon what is out there, but it may just take you back to by gone and beyond. That is when I say my window took me on a trip in time I saw it all in my picture window every time!
 
My window I look out as my day is beginning. When the weather is bad, I can just watch all that nature has to offer. At my window, I can sit and think things through. However, often times my chain of thoughts get interrupted by what I see out my window. It does not take much. My window is where I go wrapped in my blanket when I am not feeling well. It is the best medicine I could take. I will take several doses several times a day and in a few days, I am back to myself. My window is the eyes of my world, I love my window, and it has become my favorite place to just be silent and watch, watch whatever, watch it all. I watch the seasons come and go. I can leave and go but I know when I come home it is my window I will seek.  
 
I  at times, think of an elderly man that I would see sitting in his window every time I went past his house. He sat in that window watching the world for several years that I know of. I noticed him on about the third time going down his street. I started waving at him each time I went by. The first few times he just looked. Then he started waving back at me each time. I could tell he knew my schedule, he was waiting on me, and he now was the first to wave with a big smile on his face. Every time I went down Cherry Street, I would see him as he would see me. This went on for several years two times a week. On one Tuesday, I went by and he was no longer in his window. The next time I went by, I saw his family was packing up his things. The house and its window were empty there on Cherry Street. I wondered how long he had lived in that house. How many years did he watch everything from his window, I knew of several and I was glad to have been a part of his sites. I think of him often and think of his smiles. I wonder too will that be me in my window some day. I hope so.  
 
I am learning that your window can be just your mind. In the past few weeks this has become my window.  It will continue until my recovery allows me to sit and watch out my window.  I want to thank all you dear friends for your heart, thoughts and prayers, each and everyone of you has a very special soul.  Your Friend....RaeDi
 
  
 
  
Added: July 28, 2008
Views: 183 | Comments: 5 | Bookmarks: 0

"Thank You All My Dear Friends"....RaeDi

 

"Anna’s Winter Watch"....RaeDi
 
“Thank You All”
….RaeDi ~ 2008
 
I want to take the time to thank you all for your prayers, well wishes, and concern. I have made so many wonderful, caring friends in this small community. With all you praying and supporting me, I will be back on my feet in no time at all. You all have a wonderful summer and know I will be thinking of each of you. 
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING….RaeDi
I leave you with some of my music for my friends, I put them under my quotes!
  
 

 

Added: July 17, 2008
Views: 98 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
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