ThrowBackThursday-Santa Claus
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Posted:Apr 29, 2021 4:40 pm
Last Updated:May 3, 2021 5:24 am 6828 Views
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Germany in the 1960's Hohenfels USA Army Base Meeting Santa Claus aka Sargent DAD!!!
The First Photo is me with Santa aka Sargent Dad, The Second Photo is my sister with Santa aka Sargent Dad
Fast forward 30 plus years later - I took my boys to a Christmas Party at my youngest boy's day care. Santa was Spanish Speaking, A few days later, a Christmas Party at a GLAD (Greater Los Angeles on Deafness) Santa was communicating in sign language. A few days later, a Christmas gathering at the local park. My older boy pull off Santa's beard. I made him apologize Santa.
My remarks "One day Santa speaks Spanish, another day, he does sign language, and NOW I get lectured by a fake Santa who doesn't even give me a present!"
A few years later, I meet Grumpy and his boy . We are going on a PWP (Parents Without Partners) Christmas hayride. Grumpy throws me the Santa Suit and I decide go for it. Santa rides the hay loft with a bunch of and a few pathetic Ho Ho Ho's!
A few days later, we are attending a Christmas Party ran by IBEW (International Brothers of Electrical Workers) Once again Grumpy tosses me the Santa Suit. This time the kiddos are lined up to sit on my lap, telling me what they want for Christmas.
I am not sure how convincing of a Santa I was but the liked the presents so they didn't complain.
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Photo Friday LIGHT!!!
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Posted:Apr 23, 2021 6:02 am
Last Updated:Apr 24, 2021 11:18 am 6940 Views
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 As a youngster, My father would go fishing on the Ventura Pier and I would walk over to the Ventura Mission nearby and light candles to the Saints.
Even now, in my travels, I tend to explore old churches and light candles to honor loved ones who have crossed over.
A few years ago, I booked a bed at a Baltimore Hostel. I started google searching the cathedral which held the mortal remains of Cardinal Gibbons (my late husband's famous cousin) It was right across from the hostel that I booked.
I went to the Baltimore Basilica to light a candle to honor Grumpy and his mother. They passed within a few months from each other in 20.
The Baltimore Basilica claims to be the oldest catholic church in the United States but Cathedral in St. Augustine, Florida makes the same claim. St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest city in American founded by the Spanish.
I took the bus to St Augustine and lit a candle for my Step Spiritual Advisor. She was catholic and what better way to honor her.
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ThrowBackThursday Queen Mary, Club 210, and Cops looking for Drunks
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Posted:Apr 22, 2021 3:37 am
Last Updated:Apr 24, 2021 11:20 am 5691 Views
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My late husband often told me that I opened up his world. He always wanted to know where the shady places were and I knew where they were. 
One of the places that I introduced him to was the Queen Mary Night Club in North Hollywood. It was hilarious when we took a group of folks from Parents Without Partners to a Drag Queen Show at the Queen Mary. The Costuming, Chorography and singing was actually very professional and well done. The PWP folks loved it but the Higher Uppers had a cow.
Several years later, I am living in Charlottesville, Virginia. There was what is now called the Impulse Night Club for Gays with live shows. I have found men to be problematic in my lifetime and have considered changing lanes. Unfortunately or otherwise, I am not wired that way.
Nevertheless, I decided to check out the club when there was show in town. The show was nothing compared to the entertainment at the Queen Mary. I was quietly seated, sipping on a club soda, watching the show when a young man sat next to me.
"I suppose you are here to pick up the women" the young man remarked. "Actually, No! If you will note the women are here with thier partners. I don't intend to to pick up anyone - male or female!" I replied as I continued to watch the show.
The young man was telling the story of his life including the fact that he had a girlfriend and was bi. I don't judge but looking for hook-ups in a gay bar or any bar for that matter is risky. When he communicated his fantasies about a sensual encounter with a Queen and a cougar, I determined that it was time for me to ghost the hades out of that place.
When I was driving home, I was stopped by a cop. It has been my experience that cops stop cars at the wee hours in anticipation of busting a drunk driver. There are definite advantages to being a long time teetotaler. He advised me of a nonworking taillight. I thanked the police officer for telling me about it and head for home. Safe and sound in my bed. ALONE!!!!
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RigerousHonesty&Knock-OutBananaTempera
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Posted:Apr 18, 2021 3:06 am
Last Updated:Apr 18, 2021 11:07 am 5545 Views
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There have been times when I savored something in a restaurant and thought, I can make a better version of that dish. Last week, I was at my favorite Sushi diner. I would never attempt to make Sushi. I will leave that to the experts but I decide to have Banana Tempera for dessert. I was curious to find out what it was. It's simple. Cooked banana covering in whipped cream, drizzled with chocolate with a couple of maraschino cherries tossed on top. Easy Peezy........ I can make that at home.
Yesterday evening, I decide to do just that. I drove to the store. I noted that there were a few folks not wearing masks. The sign on the store indicated that the mask mandate is no more although social distancing is encouraged.
I forgot the maraschino cherries but there was a deal of buy two whipped creams and get a one pound box of strawberries. I purchased the needed ingredients along with a few other miscellaneous items.
The cashier rung up the purchased, placed the in my reusable bag. Afterwards, I noted a single banana and two plantains still in the cart. OMG! I apologized and we started a second transaction. "I am sure glad I found them BEFORE I got to my car." Last week, i inadvertly left a bottle of French dressing and had to go back into the store, stand in line and pay for the darn thing. I did have to confess to the cashier that there were a few times when I had done something similar and just tossed the item into the bag and went home. No excuse, I was just tired and wanted to be home.
However, NOW that I have the Covid Vaccine - the word is that the FBI has installed microchips into the them so they can listen to my every misdeed. Mostly they will be bored, but I would not like going to jail over some ill gotten plantains.
Truthfully, I prefer living a life with integrity and honesty but I do on occasion fall short.
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Photo Friday TREES!!!!!
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Posted:Apr 16, 2021 11:21 am
Last Updated:May 1, 2021 1:59 am 5585 Views
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One thing for sure is that West Virginia has PLENTY of Trees. If we lived in California, forest fires would be a major league concern but for whatever reason, floods are the most likely disaster here. Luckily, Trees will absorb the water so it could potentially be much worse.
Another type of tree which I frequently explore is the FAMILY TREE!!! When I was researching for DAR membership. Birth Certificates are required for the first three generation of living relations while death certificates are required for relatives who have passed. Beyond that, it is census records, family bibles, ad infinitum.....
Brick walls happen when you can't find records of a particular ancestor. This happened when I was looking for records of my 2nd Great Grandfather - John Adams Willett. He was found in an 1890 Census but disappeared in the 1900 Census. My second great- grandmother was left widowed with 6 including my Great Grandmother whom everyone called "Honey." I loved that woman. I never realized that she lost her father at such a young age. What was my 2nd Great Grandfather's story.
It is interesting how when researching family trees we get to know our ancestors. Who they were, what struggles they had to deal with, and all those lovely family skeletons.
I was finally able to write to Sacred Heart Catholic Church to find records for my 2nd Great Grandfather but by the time I got the needed verification from the Church, I had already submitted for membership using my 2nd Great Grandmother's line.
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Throw Back Thursday - Monticello
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Posted:Apr 15, 2021 10:23 am
Last Updated:Apr 15, 2021 7:09 pm 5141 Views
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During my SSF Era, I blogged about my "stupid" relationships where I relocated and got stuck in BumFiretrUCK, Texas and BumFirtrUCK, Nevada - courtesy of the dufus truckdriver.
Ugh! What a total disaster!
My relationship with Gemini-Rising was really bad. He brings in a blonde alcoholic bimbo and introduces her as my "replacement." She died of cirrhosis of the liver a few years later. She got an enabler for a while. I was stuck in Charlottesville, Virginia for a few years.
At least this, I was stranded someplace that I didn't mind being. It was fun working at Sam's Club and I loved the historical aspects of Charlottesville. I spent time hiking the trails around Monticello which was a trip in itself.
Nevertheless, I am glad to be back in West Virginia and not in a stupid relationship
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GodNatureSacredHerbsChakraBalancingStones&VACCINEs?!
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Posted:Apr 14, 2021 1:44 pm
Last Updated:Apr 17, 2021 7:38 am 4988 Views
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God is the biggest conceivable existent, which is the totality of existence itself. In a word, God is Nature. Not “nature” referring to trees and shrubs and rocks, but “Nature” referring to the entire system, the universe, in which we live. With this definition, many theological claims start to make concrete sense.
]It is ironic how Herself says that women of faith have no connection to nature. I recall taking a class in Native Spirituality which taught "Understand God, Observe Nature. I have spent a lifetime studying the happenings of the stars (The Celestial World) , growing scared herbs (The Terrestrial World), and wearing magickal stones (the Telestial World). It is by incorporating these three aspects of nature that I feel a connection to God.
When I study the stars, I know that we have a lot of energy from Uranus and Pluto along with Aquarius. Uranus is sudden change which knocks us out of our comfort zone but ultimately liberates. Pluto tears down old structures but ultimately transform them into something better.
Historically, there were many old ideas that really needed to be taken down. The United States was created with a vision of equality for all but it has taken centuries for the people to catch up with that vision. Saplings turn into trees, ducklings turn into ducks, and become adults. We all progress and so does the United States. There is disruption but we are getting closer and closer to that vision.
My world has been disrupted at a closer level. I don't suspect life as I knew it is coming back. Gracefully surrendering the things of youth?! Yeah Right!!! It's not like I have much of a choice. Once upon a time, I ran three miles a day. Now it's a challenge to walk three blocks. I worked in retail and loaded fifty pound boxes of merchandise onto shelves and flatbed carts. Now I do well when I carry 20 pound bags of groceries up the walkway to my doorstep. I order the heavy stuff on Amazon and let them deliver it to my doorstep.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, I thought I was invincible. I was reasonably certain that I would survive if I caught the firetrucking virus. Most do. A recent health scare that led to emergency surgery indicates otherwise. When I got the call for the vaccine, I opted to go for it.
It is also comforting and soothing when I wear chakra balancing stones and surround myself with lavender and rosemary. That is how I connect to Nature and God.
Corn and grain, corn and grain
All that falls shall rise again
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Stepping Out in FAITH!!! Ole Fred Is Going To FLORIDA!!!
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Posted:Apr 14, 2021 4:24 am
Last Updated:Apr 14, 2021 1:45 pm 5081 Views
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When the pandemic hit, my found himself without a job, a home, a car, and with a broken heart. He was in Miami working at the State Fair when it was shut down. The whole crew had to return to West Virginia and go into self quarantine.
He returned to his home and found out that his girlfriend wrecked his car. She was spending the money that he was sending her for something other than rent and utilities. For whatever reasons, the relationship went south and he was out of a home.
The advise that his Mama gave him, "Sometimes you have to just cut your losses and move on." Situations like this will strengthen faith and transform belief into knowledge. It is very difficult for a parent to see thier go though these kind of hardships. Still, I have to remember that my sons have a Higher Power too.
I've travelled that path many time, and it has always fallen into place better than what I would have planned. This is why I have a strong faith. ! One of the first lessons that I learned from my 12 Step Spiritual Advisor is simply to step out in Faith.
This was the lesson that my had to learn. He moved to his friend's farm and between stimulus and generous unemployment payments, he was quickly able to replace his car. He spent a lot of time playing disc golf and hiking.
He was out hiking when he met Ole Fred. This is a beautiful German Shepard who was just as lost as my felt. Ole Fred's owner had recently died and the got lost in the chaos. He pretty much jumped into my 's car and communicated, you are taking me home. They saved each other. Some time later, they ran into the former owner's who confirmed the story. By that time, my and the were very much bonded.
So last month, my got the word that his employer was going to Florida. My was telling me that he absolutely, positively would NOT abandon the dog. The is his and either the goes to Florida with him or he finds a new career.
I advised my , "do the right thing, step out in faith, and it will all fall into place the way that it is suppose to. My talked about getting a newer car, buying a home, and stepping out into a maturity that I haven't seen before. He has a Higher Power too.
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Photo Friday FOOD!!!
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Posted:Apr 8, 2021 10:34 pm
Last Updated:Apr 9, 2021 2:07 pm 5234 Views
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The story of Sushi. Raw Fish = Alluring Ginger = Passion Wasabi= Heat
Eat Sushi to attract alluring heated passion
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THROW BACK THURSDAY..... Ventura, California
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Posted:Apr 8, 2021 1:02 am
Last Updated:Apr 8, 2021 10:34 am 4894 Views
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When I was a youngster, my Dad would go fishing on Ventura Pier. I remember sleeping on the pier at night, splashing in the ocean in the day time and visiting the Ventura Mission later that day. I learned the joys of lighting candles to the Saints. I still have a love of candles.
Years later, I moved to Ventura with my boys after my marriage went south. We acquired some really old bicycles and I found a bicycle seat for my youngest , We only lived a few miles from the beach and there was a magnificent bike trail along the ocean.
Now I live in landlocked West Virginia. I've been to the Atlantic Ocean and still have to see the Gulf of Mexico. My older and I did an 8K Run in Virginia Beach. I drove from Charlottesville, Virginia while he drove from Atlanta, Georgia. We both ran the 8K on very little sleep and fell asleep during Madam Butterfly.
We also ran the Color Run 2013 in Georgia and had some great adventures at Six Flags Over Georgia. My says he's surprise with the rides that I would dare go on. LOL!
Wait till he sees this Old Lady go zip-lining. Somehow, same way I am going to do it.
Pictures - My niece and two boys at Ventura Beach, My Dad playing Santa Claus with my little sister, The Color Run and Six Flags, my younger in Florida
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