Karen, it was good to read your detailed update on your trip. I wouldn't say you're lazy! It takes time just to sit down and write all that! I'm still trying to get back into things. Yesterday I swam laps in our pool. I think I ate too much in Israel and decided I better get going on some kind of exercise. The bills can wait...

Yup, I am back! And like Lori, a little out of it. Re entry is tough when you have been gone for three weeks. I had a good vacation and lots of great weather and visits. Saw Kathi and Janice for lunch one day and had some porch time with both of them as well. Kathi got a few pics but I haven't seen them yet. Bar Harbor was fun as always, with just some fog a couple of mornings. My parents are doing well at 81, still taking care of their own place and getting out everyday and doing flea marketing on the weekends. Rich's mom was able to come up from FL for a month visit to her house in Perkinsville. Her memory is failing her but she is in good spirits. Stopped by to say hi to Pat Harrington. Took my mother in law to see Tom Stapleton's mom Doris, as they have known eachother for years. The Tafts stopped by to visit Rich's mom, they seemed great and filled us in on the kids. I met Tony Stevens who graduated in 1976 I think ... he is going to paint the house in P'ville. Saw all three of my siblings. My sister Marleen has a camp on Lake Dunmore and lives in Weybridge. She has done a lot of work to fix it up. We went to the cabaret at Weston Playhouse with Butch and Janice Stearns one night and I met a college friend at Bistro Nouveau in Claremont another. I saw my neighbors from Pittsford, VT for a couple of hours, it had been about five years since we visited. I really wanted to reconnect with people this trip and only missed a couple that I thought I would see. Before coming north we went to a wedding in Lexington, Ky and saw lots of our old friends from the 7 years there. I am hoping that we can get back to VT before winter to get some things organized for the sale of the house that Rich grew up in Perkinsville.

Jerry, Larry Millay is actually my cousin, his dad Irving was my uncle. Larry and Marlene are very nice people and have been good to my mom and dad over the years. My dad is the last sibling still alive in his family. I'm glad you had a good time at alumni weekend ....... I kind of wished we had made the effort to get to the class of '70's big one this year. We never get the info for the reunions anymore, even after I wrote to the assn.

School begins here on August 15th. My son Kellan will be at a newly built school this year, it looks beautiful from the outside and there is an openhouse next week. Evan goes back to college around the 20th, so things will get much quieter here soon.

I have been pretty lazy since getting home. Maybe Monday will be back to normal for me. Nice to see so many entries on the blog since I left.

Lori, glad that you had a good trip and are back safe and sound. Hopefully, jetlag won't last too long!
It is suppose to be in the high 90s tomorrow with lots of humidity...too bad we can't bottle it up for winter.
Karen will be back from vacation Friday night...so she should be back writing! Happy Thoughts!

Hi everyone. I got back yesterday. I'm kind of out of it at the moment. I guess most people are glad to get home, but I always have a hard time getting back from vacation and into my "regular" life again. Part of it is jet lag. In Israel I'm constantly seeing people, so when I get back here I feel really lonely at first--until I get back into it and start appreciating my time to myself again. Just need to complain a little.....

Glad to hear Neil is back to work and doing well, Kathi, and that you've got your life back again!

P.S. Neil is like a new man being back to work....it is soooo nice....not only having him work and having some time for myself...but that he is back to normal!!! It was a very long 4 months. Thanks for listening...

School is starting Aug 26 for kids...teachers start 8/23....much too early! I am just getting into the swing of vacation! Weather here has been beautiful. We need rain. We did get a heavy shower here earlier this morning maybe more tomorrow. Sat by my friends pool this afternoon. I could like that life! Sorry that Maine weather has been so cold....that is why when it is in the 90s and humid, I try not to complain too much because we know that the cold weather isn't that far behind. Lori, I hope that your trip went well and that you had a smooth journey home. Happy Thoughts!

A couple of mornings ago it was 43 degrees when I got to the fair. I was chilly!!! Makes me wonder where the summer has gone.

Pat, I noticed in the paper that Presque Isle was the low in the continental US Sunday at 38 degrees! Better wear your goose down bikini from here on out.

It's very much like the Rutland Fair Kathi but on a smaller scale. Very agricultual influenced. Demolition derby is a big draw and the horse and tractor pulls. Unfortunately the weather yesterday and today are messing up the attendance. Bad thunderstorm last night during the harness racing closed the fair down. Much of the same predicted for today.


Great news about Neil. He must be feeling so much better now. When did you say you start back to school?

Is this like the Rutland Fair? Sounds like fun. Nothing new here. Weather is beautiful. I went to Lebanon to meet my sister today. She has my brother's two kids for the weekend...they are 7 and 4...so their Mom could have a break for the weekend. So I took them out for lunch at LuiLui's....in West Lebanon. Then we hit the big bargains at JCPenny and Kohls....Neil is back to Work! We are both so excited after 4 months! He is like a new person. I hope to get my kitchen painted this next coming week...still have to decide on the "color"....big decisions in my life! Here's hoping that everyone is enjoying the weekend. Relax and have some fun and remember....Happy Thoughts!

The fair starts today and runs for 9 days. I'll be working selling tickets at the gate 6-8 hours each day. It's a lot of fun. You see "everybody". It's good money too for just a weeks work. Then school is scheduled to open a few weeks later.

Dave's sister Kathy and her daughter Lena left this morning. They're living in CA. Moved there last Jan. Today is Lena's 13th b-day so we had a little party last night.

I think his other sister and her two very energetic kids are coming in the next two weeks. Sometime in early Aug. Not too specific but that's what we hear from Kathy.

Happy days everyone!

We camp at the Calumet Lutheran Campground in Ossipee, NH. It's not far from Conway the shopping Mecca of northern NH. We've been going there for 16 years. We were living in Rutland the first year we went.
Jerry, thanks for letting us know about Bo Birsky. It's weird to me still, having to think that as we are going older so are our parents. We're sort of pushing them forward.
Rachel's house in Florida has officially sold so on the 4th of Sept. She and Dad are flying up to Burlington. They'll be moving into a new assisted living housing development up there. I'll be coming over sometime after that depending on when school opens. 8 hours in my car versus a day in and out of airplanes for several hundred dollars. Sounds o.k. to me. I wish Carburs was still there. Or the Black Cat. I'd enjoy a yard of beer.......

Glad everyone is getting to rejuvinate with vacations, families, and friends.
My sympathies go to the Birsky family. Memories are the treasures you keep for a lifetime. May you have many.
Jerry, been by your mom's house lots...they've been cutting down lots of trees up that way!
Lori, glad that you are having a wonderful time with your family. You are lucky to be able to spend the time with them. Have a safe journey home.
Karen should be coming to Springfield sometime this week. Hopefully, Janice and I are getting together with her.
Patti, where do you vacation in NH? Do your boys go with you too?
Richard, keep thinking positively! Good things do come!
Neil will hopefully, get cleared by the back surgeon to go BACK to WORK! later this week!!!! 4 months is a long time to be home from work. But he is feeling good and ready to get back to the job.
Well, have a great day and enjoy the beautiful weather. No humidity the last couple of days!
Happy Thoughts always!

Hi again from Israel. Yes, Patti, our apartment in Tel Aviv is right near an internet cafe, so I do get to check my emails while I'm here. I have to admit, though, I've been lazy about actually writing on the blog--but I am keeping up on all of you and what you're all up to! I'll be flying back to the U.S. on Aug. 3.

Here I am for a few seconds. My brother sent me an obituary from the Rutland Herald for Bo Birsky who passed away in Florida Sunday, July 17 at age 82. I think I last saw him and chatted with him briefly five years ago when I was in Springfield watching the SHS Alumni Parade. I remember David Carr from the Class of 1970 going by with his class and stopping to shake Bo's hand. A memorial mass will take place at St. Mary's Church on Saturday, August 27.

Hey everyone, we're back from our annual camping trip to NH. Had a great time, wicked hot but the water in the lake was spectacular most days. That's what I miss most when I come home I think is the ability to just jump in the water when I get hot!!

My gardens are all overgrown so that is a project I've immersed myself in and just love. It's so satisfying.

Heard a rumor that our new school won't be ready to open for a couple of extra weeks. I'm all for extending the summer vacation. Won't hurt my feelings one bit.

If it's not too late Karen, please give my love to Janice and Butch. I miss them dreadfully.

Hello to Lori in Israel. How great that you're able to keep in touch from there. I'm in a technology free place when we're away. Sometimes that tough to get used to.

Richard you know we still support your efforts so hang in there. Just wish our support made a difference in the outcome.

Welcome back Jerry!

And here we go again, my dad is supposedly moving back to the Burlington area around Labor Day. This time last year that was the case but it didn't work out. It would be so much easier for me to get to see him if he can do it.

Hurricane season hits early!!!! They say this year the east is going to get clobbered. I got hit my lightening and luckily I have a tin roof on the cabin as all it did was leave a burn mark and raise a panel about 8 in. The othere hurricane took part of my sunroom roof and its still tarped until we dry out a bit and I can fix it. But.....Alls ok. Oh, Cingular towers were down for a day too. Business is good though in fact I have to turn some down. This ol Irish Catholic is enjoying the services and studies at the Baptist Church now. We have a sat nite service that really rocks!! I also attend the wed night fellowship suppers and hwlp out in the kitchen. We just did mission trip with the youth choir to NYC with a stop over in DC. Wow did they get and education!! What a grand group of youth though. One of the finest I'ver ever had the pleasure to be associated with. In todays age you don't see may youth singing out for the Lord in public!

Hi Everybody. I am back from my weeks trip to Raleigh to visit my daughter and grandbabies. They are the most adorable, loveable little people. Being a Nana is so much more fun then the motherhood stuff! haha. Its easier to be a good Nana who can hug and play without the responsibilities of raising them! It is just as hot here as it was down there! My suitcase was not put on the flight going down so it took two days to retrieve that! It went to SanJuan.....pretty sad when the bag goes on exotic vacations without me! So remember to carry on the things you really want or need....Richard, I am sure things will start to turn around for you soon. Lori, sounds like you get exotic in person! Hi Jerry....I suppose that I will have to weed out those flower gardens tomorrow! My husband took care of the vegetables....only.....did water the flowers though....We had green beans, zucchini and summer squash from the garden for supper...pretty delicious. Glad to be back home! Happy Thoughts.

Just wanted to say hello to you all. I'm still in Israel, having a good time visiting with people, going to the beach, etc. I also took a kind of spontaneous trip to Greece with my sister Katie. I've always wanted to see Greece, and it's only about an hour's flight from here, so I finally fulfilled my dream and went with my sister for 4 days to Rhodes. Other than Lindos, which was unbearably hot and crowded with tourists, we enjoyed the beaches (cozy little coves), villages, old city of Rhodes, Valley of the Butterflies, great food, friendly people.... It was good traveling with my sister cuz we have the same pace and are really similar in what we like and don't like.

Nice to see you here again, Jerry. Richard, we're still rooting for you with your wood projects! Karen, have a good trip up north. Enjoy your summers, everyone.

Hey, this blogger looks very different from the last time I was in here. I hope I can post what I write okay. I was in Springfield for Alumni Day to see the parade. I wanted to see my brother Ron's class (1975, 30 years) float Jurassic Park which ended up winning Most Outstanding with the $500 prize. Karen, your Uncle Larry came and spoke to my mother and me. He occasionally sees my Mom or Ron walking on South St. or Parker Hill Rd. and stops to chat. What a guy! Before the parade going to get some of that good popcorn I ran into Steve "Coot" Ankuda, and then after the parade I saw Rick Ingalls. Both don't look a day over 50! I saw the Moody Blues in concert in Manchester (NH) on the 7th. Was up St. Albans way around the 4th and saw the fireworks at St. Albans Bay right on the lake. A nice spot. Keeping busy and out of trouble here in Nashua. I'll check in again soon. Yeah, I should put in my name which is Jerry unless that automatically shows up. Going to the Nextel Cup race at the speedway in Loudon tomorrow so should get to bed soon. Bye.

i liked batman begins. liam neeson was great. haven't seen war of the worlds, although i feel like i am living it sometimes with mom tossing older son out of the nest as she tells him just one more helpful thing to remember. i went to the jazz festival in montreal and had a great time. the best was dinner at a medieval restaurant. the wild boar burger with brie was fabulous and our dwarf waitress screaming "saxon" at us was definitely different. the nine inch nails coming through planks over my head in the bathroom made me nervous, but my aim did not falter.

Sorry to hear the disappointing news Richard. Maybe the next round of grants will be the golden ticket. I leave tomorrow for my three week jaunt to the north. I am hoping for good weather and not as much rain as we have seen here. July has broken all records in GA for rainfall. Saw "War of the Worlds" last weekend and "Batman Begins" the weekend before. I liked them both. Will talk to you all in three weeks. Happy Trails!

hi guys, i am chilling in burlington and enjoying the summer. i did not get the grant i applied for, too bad! i am still working on my designs and i am protoyping some new wooden parts. it is a good thing that i like the work because i see no end to justify the piles of wood shavings. 17 people lost their jobs at the company i work for. i have survived 9 layoffs in 4-1/2 years. let the sun shine and rub me silly with cocobutter!

I hope that everybody is enjoying their vacations. Must be everyone is off somewhere without computer access....weather has been beautiful here in VT. I love summer. I am flying down to my daughters house on Wednesday morning to visit with her and my grandbabies for a week. Hopefully, Neil will not be doing too many "projects" while I am gone. He is recupperating nicely. Enjoy and Happy Thoughts to all.

Seems like everybody is so busy! Weather here in VT has been hot and humid with showers in the pm. Today is a cloudy day with showers expected. Probably a good thing...I need to do some inside things that I have put on hold because of the nice weather. Seems that maid never shows up. I am flying down to NC to see my grandbabies next week for a week. I am so excited. Neil continues to recover slowly...but will hopefully be back to work by August 1st. School starts here the 3rd week in August. Summer used to seem so long now it just flies by! Happy Thoughts!

The Atlanta area will see rains from Cindy starting tomorrow morning and I think the weekend could be affected by Dennis. We have had a very rainy summer, not typical they tell me. We went to Lake Lanier to picnic and see fireworks but after we ate the dark clouds started rolling in and the skies let loose shortly after. We tried to wait it out but ended up coming home without seeing the display. The summer is flying as usual and my youngest will be starting his junior year on August 8th. Hope you all are enjoying your summer wherever you may be. Later ........

Hey Isreal, did I tell you my preacher is going sometime this summer? I can't wait to hear about it. Hope you all have a safe and wonderful time as we celebrate the 4th. They legalized fireworks in GA this year to hopefully avoid inferior products and accidents. We're doing to lazer show at Stone Mt and then a big "family" picnic around the pool.

Hello from Israel. It's great to be with family and friends again. And I love the beach here. The Mediterranean is WARM, not like the Pacific Ocean in L.A. It's so relaxing..... Hope you're all enjoying your summer.

Hope that everyone is having a relaxing enjoyable summer. The weather in Vermont has been hot, humid, and now showery, which is a good thing because the gardens needed the rain. Hope to hear about everyones great adventures! Happy Thoughts.....

Hey all, sorry for not writing but been real busy with the business et el. Summers hit here full swing and celebrating the 4th with friends @ Stone Mountain. We have a Mega picnic on the water and then there's the lazer show at night along with fireworks. Finally into my little cabin and love it. Lots of finishing to do but its livable and cheap to keep. It came with a little grey kitty too. We sold most of the critters and my friends are moving the rest. Its alot of upkeep when you are also running your own business which has just gone through the roof with some major contracts. Hope all is well and I'll try and checque in from time to time. Oh, my email address changed Pat as joi sold out to Earthlink who is just about as terrible as aol now so I kept my old address @ Juno and its: punchman1@juno.com.

Hope everybody is off having fun in the sun! Very warm here in VT...90s today...with a little breeze, thank goodness. I try not to complain in the heat because I really do not like to be cold. Too bad we couldn't think of a way to bottle the energy for winter! Think of the millions we could make. Enjoy and Happy Thoughts wherever you are!

Well, our numbers on the blog seem to be waning. I hope everyone is having a good summer. I had my oldest son home last week for a few days, which was the first time we have all been together since Christmas. It was really nice and I love to see the kids relate to eachother now that they are older. Still some sibling stuff ...... don't get me wrong, but they do appreciate eachother more. I am enjoying the GA weather and have been walking and working in my gardens. Rich is building an extension onto our deck and being the graceful person that I am, I fell through the frame this weekend and am now sporting a black eye and bruised legs. We will be leaving for our trip north in the middle of July and I am looking forward to that. Hope to visit with Kathi and Janice, some college friends and of course family. Our first stop is a wedding in Lexington, KY, then a week at the family camp in Bar Harbor, ME, followed by two weeks for me in VT (Kids and Rich will go back earlier). Can't wait! Anyone coming south? My door is open .........

Have a wonderful trip and enjoy your family! Travel safely! Happy Thoughts!

I'll say good bye to you all now. I'm leaving for Israel tomorrow. I'll try to check in on the blog from time to time when I'm there, but if I'm out of touch for a while, it will mean (hopefully) that I'm busy having fun and haven't found time to sit in front of a computer like I do at home. Have a good summer everyone!!!

Drive carefully.
It's the first day of summer vacation. Yeah! I've already been outside to work in my flower gardens. Its been raining here for 3 days but is not at the moment and looks like it might clear off. Not quite as cool either...black flies are out and biting though.
Think I'll be nice and make a potroast for dinner....well, everybody, have a good day and think happy thoughts!

So glad to hear that the surgery went well for Neil . That's great news


The funeral is for the dad of Dave's best friend from high school. Dave and Magnus have been stayed close over the years.

We're splitting the trip up going both ways so that we don't have to drive so far at once. We'll have the chance to stayed with Dave's dad overnight on Saturday and take him out to breakfast before heading back Sunday.

Hi Everyone. Neil's surgery went fine...we finally got home around 7:00, had soup, and sent him right to bed. Drugged him for the night and he slept pretty well. Last day of school is today. Its always bittersweet, but mostly sweet for summer. There was a 40 degree difference in temperature yesterday from 90s on Tuesday to low 50s yesterday. Suppose to warm up again today. Hopefully showers will stay away! Have a good day and think only Happy Thoughts!

Thanks, everyone, for the good wishes. Patti, whose funeral are you going to? Anyone we know?

Hey Lori sounds like a busy time again but of course the trip to see family is worth it. Enjoy!

Still raining here but it certainly eliminates the "drought" we usually have goin on. At least we'll start the summer season off moist. Once that sun comes back out the "stuff" will grow and bloom like the dickens.

Richard, I'm sorry this round didn't go well for you. I hope you know we're all pulling for you though for the next time.

We may be heading south for the funeral over the weekend. A 9 hour drive, ick. but we'll see some dear 'ol friends from Dave's high school days.

School is closed up for us now and closed is what I mean. Skyway Middle School is gone forever and the Presque Isle Middle School is being worked on all summer to finish up for opening in late August. I realized Tuesday as I punched out for the last time that for now on I work at a different school. We had a big party here at the house and many of us are good friends outside of school so we'll spend time together over the summer. Bringing in 20 other teachers and creating a new staff will be our challenge. But it's all for the kids and we'll make it work.

Safe travels Lori! Keep pressing on Richard. Kathi, hope Neil breezes through surgery ... again! Looks like a break from the rain here again today ... whoopee!

Have a wonderful trip. Enjoy your family and your friends...remember in the end, everything does get done!
Happy Thoughts!

Richard, it definitely sounds like there's still hope. A "glowing recommendation" for another federal grant sounds good to me. Good luck! You have us all behind you.

I'll be leaving next week (June 21) for my usual 6-week summer trip to Israel to see family and friends. Avi will be coming, too, but only for 2 weeks. I'm always tense before the trip cuz somehow there seem to be a million things to take care of before I leave, but I'm definitely looking forward to being there.

Richard...don't give up. Things have a way of working out when you least expect it. Somehow your dreams will come true. Happy Thoughts!

i have a mixed report. i did not get the grant i applied for. out of 20 finalists, i was one of the 10 losers. they suggested another federal grant and said that they would give me a glowing recommendation, so i still can see possibilities. it is fine. i am used to being squashed like a bug. hey, hold back those tears. otherwise, my work is going okay and the fam is good. that's it from here. karen, the poem does say that there is a lot in seeing the glass half full, but asks the reader to take the next step by making good on the magic that comes when you act from your heart. it is an interesting point for you to consider because you have a great heart that i think you follow a lot. don't ever under estimate how special your heart is, cuz i think you got a really good one. the description of looking into the glass probably has to do with losing yourself in introspection and alcohol. that wasn't my mom's problem, but it was all around her in the three martini lunch crowd she hung with. for me, the poem is a request to my mom to see the magic that she created in me with her heart and to look away from the dark elements of death that she moved into.

I second that one! Congratulations....can you imagine breaking in a new one? I'll keep mine ...most days! Neil is having 2 hernias repaired on Wednesday...to add to his list of ailments...so, it'll be another 6 weeks anyways before he can go back to work. School is out on Thursday.....we'll see!!!
We went for a walk this morning at 6 am...almost to the 2 1/2 mile point, "we" discover that his pedometer is missing...so we back track to find it...and get almost back to our yard when there it is on the ground....so, a 3 mile walk turned into 5 1/2...then I mowed. Luckily, my son came out to help me mow. We were having Neils brothers and families over for a BBQ. It has been so hot and sticky here in Springfield the last few days. I try not to complain too much with the heat because I know I moan and groan with the snow and cold!!
Hope every0ne had a great weekend....Happy Thoughts!

Congratulations Karen!!!! I think we all deserve medals. It seems to be getting more and more unusual for marriages to last longer than a few years.

Hi gang! Today is my 28th wedding anniversary and yes, I would do it all over again. The amazing part is how fast it has gone and to a lesser degree, how much we have changed. Going out tonight to Cafe Intermezzo as it has awesome desserts and I have an incredible sweet tooth. Pat, when you figure out how to be more optimistic please let me in on the secret. My kids always make fun of my negative nature. Richard, I got some champagne for the occasion but am currently out of Chambord .... Dang!

I like that--optimistic about your optimism! I'll have to keep that in mind for myself!

Well Lori I'm a work in progress you see. My optimism is doing o.k. I'm being very deliberate about it for now and then hopefully it will come naturally to me the way it used it. I'm very optimistic about my optimism.

The progressive supper was fun. I pulled out all the linens and fancy glasses I hadn't seen in a few years. It was a lot of fun and everyone's talking about another one.

Those who host don't have to cook? That sounds great to me! I wish I could see cooking as an art instead of a boring chore that HAS to be done. I try to get myself into a good mood when I cook cuz they say the food tastes like the mood you were in when you made it..... How are you doing with trying to see the bright side of things, Patti? You still have your sense of humor. As long as you have that, you'll be okay!

Such a beautiful poem Richard, thank you for sharing it with us. Especially first thing in the morning, I'm enjoying the thoughtfulness it evokes.

Woke up this a.m. a little less than enthusiastic about it (waking) and found the storm last night had blown over my canopy which I had not gotten around to anchoring when I set it up this Sunday. Nice upside-down mess. but I put on the coffee and went on out in my jammies. Cold wet grass. It wasn't broken and I put the anchors in after I got it set up-right again. I felt good that it wan't broken and rejuvenated by the crisp morning air. Looks good and I feel pretty glad that I wasn't cussing and pissed off about it. The bright side of my experience I guess. It's been a tough last few weeks of school and finding the bright side has been a challenge.

So it's a project for me, looking at the optimistic and not the crappy side of everything which frankly is way more evident these days. I told myself the other day to see how long I could go without complaing. It was about 8 in the a.m. when I decided this and then I realized oops too late! I guess I needed to start earlier.

Tomorrow will be fun. I've organized a progressive supper with my female peers at school. We will meet here and then car-pool to Ellen's for appetizers and cocktails. then over to Elaine's for the main course and finally back here for dessert, coffee, and after dinner drinks. all the hostesses have to do is provide the house and break out the "good" dishes. Everyone else provides all the food. doesn't that sound like a good time.

Let's have a cross country progressive supper. I can't seem to get Richard to come over for coffee so maybe we can try this instead. A virtual supper. Remember, those who host don't have to cook.

Hi Everybody. Happy Sunday. The sun is shinning and it is actually in the 80s here today. Chance of thunder showers. Finished putting in the tomato plants and will hopefully finish planting my flowers this afternoon. I was going to mow but its...shhhh...too hot right now. Probably this evening. Making shish-ka-bobs for dinner....maybe strawberry shortcake, if I get ambitious. 9 more school days before summer vacation. Think I'll take my book and sit outside for a while. Hope the weekend has been good to you. Happy Thoughts!

Richard, thanks for sharing that poem with us. How do you know which were your mother's favorite poems, or are you just reading through all her poetry books? Seems like a good way to get to know someone by reading the poems that meant something to that person. And, Kathi, thanks for sharing that story with us. When I manage to replace the negative thoughts with happy ones, it definitely changes my outlook on life. Luckily, there's only room in my brain for one "subject" at a time, so I try to fill it with the good ones.

Lori, I am sorry for your loss. It must have been quite a shock. Kathi, that is a very moving story and the comfort that it brings you is the best part. Like the poems are for you Richard. I am one that tends to see the glass half empty so that poem told me to look for the good and not the bad. Hard to always do ........ We have not seen the sun here since it peeked out last Saturday. The ground is pretty saturated. Have a good weekend everyone!

kathi, thanks for thinking of me last saturday. the memorial service was nice and i had a chance to catch up with some of the (50 year old) kids from my neighborhood. one of the things that my mother's death has led me to is reading her favorite poets and trying to understand why she liked them. what i now realize is that there is a completely non-mechanical way to understand life and the science of the universe. she liked poets that had organic explanations and who felt there was a lack of images in poems that communicate the meaning. these include happy thoughts and lots of others, too. lori, i read mystic blue by dh lawrence and loved it, i liked the tree by ezra pound, but this is the poem that will always be in my heart when i think of her:

THE TWO TREES
by: William Butler Yeats

BELOVED, gaze in thine own heart,
The holy tree is growing there;
From joy the holy branches start,
And all the trembling flowers they bear.
The changing colours of its fruit
Have dowered the stars with merry light;
The surety of its hidden root
Has planted quiet in the night;
The shaking of its leafy head
Has given the waves their melody,
And made my lips and music wed,
Murmuring a wizard song for thee.
There the Loves a circle go,
The flaming circle of our days,
Gyring, spiring to and fro
In those great ignorant leafy ways;
Remembering all that shaken hair
And how the wingèd sandals dart,
Thine eyes grow full of tender care:
Beloved, gaze in thine own heart.

Gaze no more in the bitter glass
The demons, with their subtle guile,
Lift up before us when they pass,
Or only gaze a little while;
For there a fatal image grows
That the stormy night receives,
Roots half hidden under snows,
Broken boughs and blackened leaves.
For all things turn to barrenness
In the dim glass the demons hold,
The glass of outer weariness,
Made when God slept in times of old.
There, through the broken branches, go
The ravens of unresting thought;
Flying, crying, to and fro,
Cruel claw and hungry throat,
Or else they stand and sniff the wind,
And shake their ragged wings; alas!
Thy tender eyes grow all unkind:
Gaze no more in the bitter glass.

You might think this is too weird but... The Sunday after my brother died (5/25/04) I was absolutely compelled to go to church, which I hadn't been in quite a while. I was obsessed with finding out what time mass was and getting there on time. I was sitting in the pew, trying to listen but not really...when the priest, who is new to the parish and I had never met, began his sermon. He started talking about how he had seen a good movie. Peter Pan...and I'm thinking I hate that movie and why am I here. He goes on to say...what saved Peter Pan from Captain Hook....I can hear my brain answering...I don't know...who cares and what does that have to do with anything...when I hear him say....Happy Thoughts saved Peter Pan. Well, the strange thing is I wrote to Kevin every Monday and I would end my letters with the words Happy Thoughts. No one knew that except for Kevin and myself....except for God...apparently. So, I like to think it was Kevin and God telling me that he was okay. So, that is my Happy Thoughts story.

What's your Happy Thoughts story, Kathi? I'm too curious to let that go. Sounds like something that could help us all.

Every day is a gift. Validate and appreciate your friends and loved ones while you can. Lori, it is hard to absorb the fact that that person is really gone from your life and will seem surreal for quite awhile. That stupid saying about time healing.....it just fades a little and you can remember the good things about the person and not necessarily how they died..all the time anyways. I'll have to share my Happy Thoughts story sometime. Hopefully, things will run smoothly with your husbands business and his computers. As always, happy thoughts to all.

We were home for Memorial Day weekend, but it wasn't the relaxing weekend we thought it would be. A young Israeli guy who had been working for Avi died suddenly on Saturday night, apparently from a heart attack. He was only 33, so we're all in shock here--though he was really overweight and I'm sure that had something to do with it. He was a single guy and all his family is in Israel. They flew the body back today. He (Effi) was the one who took care of all the computer problems in the business--and also at home. Every time we had a problem, we called him. I still can't quite absorb the fact that we can't call him anymore. Kathi, I'm sorry for what you must be feeling at this time. When something like this happens, it makes me appreciate my life more.

Hope everybody had a good Memorial Day Weekend. The Holiday takes on a whole different meaning to me now. Richard, I was thinking on you on Saturday. I am sure that your Mother's service was very special and hope that your family found comfort in being together. I read in this mornings paper that Steve Ankuda's mother died...she was 95. My heart is with you. On a lighter note, I went to go mow tonight after school and had just gotten started when it started to pour.......needless to say, by the time I probably get to finish it'll be waist high and I won't be mowing on the diagonal! Plus I'm not into fuzzy hairdos anymore! Hope to hear from somebody soon....Happy Thoughts.