One of my very favorite places

At my friend Mary Beth's, soaking up the love!

And drinking GOOD coffee!

My 4th of July Weekend

I cannot begin to express how difficult the last eight weeks have been. I have experienced a sorrow that I didn't think possible. A couple of weeks ago, I put off my much needed California vacation I was planning for this weekend and agreed to accompany my mom, whose 70th birthday is Monday, to Colorado to visit her best friend from high school. I think it is going to turn out okay though. My mom and I had a great drive down and it is absolutely beautiful and peaceful here. These are a few pictures of the back patio area that I've taken with my laptop.
I'll post more photos later.

Lois Gunter 1915-2009

Mark's grandmother, Lois Gunter, died today. She was 94. Here is a picture of her and PA (Preston Albert, died 1990) on their 50th anniversary. Lois welcomed me from day one into her family. I think it is part of what maintained me during hard times over many years. I will miss her very much.

Here in my life

Divorce final May 21st. Mark and I are still very good friends. He's gone back to Virgina for now.

Lois, Mark's grandmother, and one of my very favorite people, has been in declining health for many months. She made it all the way to her 94th birthday and a little past before the worst of her ill health descended. She is now in the St. Francis end of life unit. Mark will be back soon for her funeral I'm afraid. I'm a better person for having known Lois Gunter.

Starting Monday, I will supervise a department of 15. Work is challenging.

Nathan started law school. Anna graduated high school May 23rd. She will attend KU in the fall. I will devote an entire post to her graduation in the future. In the meantime here are some prom pictures from earlier in May.

Thank you Dr. George Tiller

Dr. Tiller was shot and killed while attending church this morning.

Rest in peace and thank you for your service to women in Kansas and through your fearless commitment, to women everywhere.

Happy Mother's Day

I seem to lack pictures of my mother and I but here is a picture of her when she is within a couple years of the same age I am now. And at the age I am now, I understand.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

A work of fiction based on the news...

I had to laugh out loud when I heard Janet Napolitano on NPR this morning saying that if they had closed the schools it meant that you should keep your children at home. I am not in an area that has closed schools but I imagine protests from parents and conversations with their teenagers that go something like this…

Parent to self: “Sure Janet…I’ve told my teenager… “DON’T SMOKE...it will give you lung cancer, it smells AND it’s expensive; DON’T DRINK AND DO DRUGS...you’ve seen your Uncle, the reasons why should be obvious; USE CONDOMS...look at your cousin. Yes, I know the baby is cute, that’s beside the point.”

...Now you want me to tell them not to leave the house because school is closed...

Parent to teenager: “No. You can’t go out. The schools are closed because of the SWINE FLU outbreak. I don’t care if your boyfriend’s parents are letting him leave the house. Maybe they want him to get Swine Flu (maybe I want him to get Swine Flu). No, I have to go to work. Swine flu won’t pay the mortgage. Yes, you can eat the frozen pizza with bacon. No, I don’t think the bacon is from Egypt; you’re doing well in your current events class then? Can you go out if you take the recycling to the Mart? (Hmmm...Clean garage? Swine flu? Clean garage? Swine flu??? Hmmmm.) Yes, BUT BUY SOME FACE MASKS WHILE YOU’RE THERE! And some Sharpies. You and your friends can decorate them and show them to your art teacher when school starts up again.”

Sorry, I don't mean to laugh. But failing economy, swine flu, teenagers...as they say, laughter is the best medicine.