Soon – that word – meaning like just around the corner – is about to happen!
Our little grand daughter Maddy – with her “PIGGY” – which went everywhere she went. Just outside Sherry’ s parents home.
She now is 18 and about to graduate and start a brand new journey at The University of Lynchburg, Va. And signed a letter of intent to play soccer.
Maddy sitting next to her sister Ella at Raquet Lake N.Y.
She has grown into a beautiful young lady – who maintains a 4.10 GPA. Playing soccer at a high level.
Here she is with her two other sisters and her twin cousins. With GIGI who sadly passed away last November – Sherry’s mother.
Through the years – when she was almost as small as the soccer ball – she played – co-ed and then onto two travel teams. One in Winchester Va. and then – to better herself- she traveled 60 miles each way three times a week to practice with the Loudoun RED soccer team.
Forever young in my mind.
The years have swiftly marched by – all the games in and out of state have passed – memorable only in so many pictures taken. Now – she is about to take the final walk on stage – graduate and then go on.
Her drawing years ago of her ” PIGGY” as she called it – so innocent on a swing – memory of sweet youth.
The memory of the little girl – always smiling – always so small – everyone else was so much bigger until the growth spurt of the last few years. Today – she is almost as tall as her grandmother Sherry who is 5 ‘ 9″ !
She has grown into her role as starting midfielder the last four years.
Three sisters – the start of college – leaving the home – and two behind.
The years have gone by so fast – the other two will be left behind at home – but her presence will always be felt – her favorite “PIGGY” on top of the stuffed animals – her MANATEE blanket on the wall. The trampoline will only feel the bounce of the younger two. The sound of the soccer ball will be down to one – her memory will remain – but her journey begins.
Her determination – all conference – signed letter of intent- to play college soccer
Today I blog not a end or an old story – but the beginning of a new book – a new chapter and a new page about to open up – the little one has gone into memory – but the image still lingers in my mind – PACA – is what she called me – I think because she couldn’t quite say PAPA – but she made my World – and I look forward to the travel to watch once again. The memory shall always be with me – the little foot striking the big soccer ball -and then the smile and off she would go.
SMILE A SMILE FOR ME MY LITTLE MADDY
I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did writing it – my tribute to the little one – the soccer ball almost as big as she is.
This was a common occurrence for me during the Pandemic! LOL
LIFE AS A SENIOR –
For us walking the beach.
Volunteering for Protection of Sea Turtles.
And having our granddaughter – Taylor- intern for a week in July to assist in the protection – inventorying the nests and helping get the baby turtles to the water.
Here is Taylor in her last performance in a play.
Today, she plays soccer, basketball, and flag football.
Now sixteen years old –
She has ridden horses since she was four years old!
Taylor – her first time ever on a horse, and it continues to this day.
She now rides and jumps obstacles!
LIFE AS A SENIOR has given us opportunities to be with all the grandkids as they mature.
Thanks for reading my blogs!
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” You have to get on face book – all your friends keep asking
about you”! circa 2011 or 2012!
So – I joined and made lots of old and new friends –
And then – about three years ago – it happened!
Sherry – independent free thinker church family country I love her for that
She asked me what I thought –
She wanted to march in protest
#metoo Women’s rights The women’s march in DC.
ONE MILLION WOMEN and she wanted to represent
herself and her daughters!
I have always encouraged her to stand up –
We do not always agree on the same things
but we agree to disagree.
I have always believed in equal rights for women.
She went three years ago – I watched it all on TV.
Some of the things she saw and heard upset her.
Mostly she was proud she made a statement
and I was so proud of her – she would talk to me
she would tell me what was happening
And it was all good until she posted on face book.
The first message came in PM Not to me but to her from a friend of mine I grew up with ” I don’t understand why you and all hose women are there” ?
The question –
I thought “REALLY” !
But – since we were friends –
we talked it over
and she explained to him!
She did it for her self worth – her daughters and to protest
the new amoral administration.
She did it for the inequality and looking down to
she had to see and hear in her work life.
The unequal pay – and yes being harassed.
“He did not see any of that in his life – nor his wife did either” he returned.
And so it went on – as the years passed a few more quips then I became involved
About a year ago – I BECAME INVOLVED –
she had asked me not too-
over the previous years.
I answered – and it was a long answer –
but also based in facts.
She hugged me and said ” I wish I could think like that”!
“It was perfect – you did it the right way” !
There never was a reply – but during other conversations
I sensed he was not happy with my answer.
Then – a few months ago – it got worse-
and I could see from that on face book
it was as though it reflected the way the White house
also was responding more and more every day.
They were the same – more and more ugly.
One post came through – we were coming back from something
And Sherry had been following the little girl from Sweden
Her heritage –
and she marveled at the strength of her and her message on climate change
( If you think it not happening – then I can sell you the Brooklyn Bridge)
It was so nasty as she read it – to the extent she should be shot and burried
She was mentally wrong in the head to put it in mild terms
he used something else –
She was reading this and then she said
” I do not want you to read this ” and she deleted it!
She made it so that he could not see her posts .
And asked me not to get involved.
He started to make comments on my posts attacking people who commented on my post PUSHING BUTTONS
When I posted what I thought to be a funny comparrison
I post funny – good and thought provoking quotes –
pictures and jokes every day –
to make people smile and have good thoughts.
I very rarely do Politics
And I keep it clean.
But – out of the blue he attacked the post – my friends and me.
He was doing to us what is being done every day from the White house
almost as if he were given the go ahead to do whatever he wanted!
But – in my life – I can see a BULLY when I see and read one.
And – it is not going to happen on my own face book page.
We can have a discussion we can frame our words not to be nasty we can agree to disagree but you are not going talk down to me
I answered him for myself and my friends-
In no uncertain terms
we could remain friends but this was going to stop.
He did not like it and came back in a unflattering
description –
That was it – I replied and told him I wished him a healthy long life
and May the peace of the Lord go with him
But he was done on my site – and then I blocked him.
Over 55 years of friendship I can see this happening all over and it is a tell tale sign of just what comes from the White house divide It is not the party I grew up and loved It has gotten ugly
I had many messages –
both private and on the site
Applauding me for standing up –
not bowing before a BULLY
and also stating facts –
not groveling in the dirt
I have slowly been not following people who post ugly – cruel posts
I see a lot of posts that simply are not true
The disinformation is real
they post without fact checking
sharing really ugly and slandering posts.
I would hope in this new year that it would get better
But as long as it comes from the top
it will – I am afraid become worse.
This is my setting the record straight blog a lot of people saw what took place and asked me about it I will not stand by and see my wife harassed or my friends bullied I WILL BEND BUT I WILL NOT BREAK
Today is my putting my mind at ease
as it has bothered me
I do not take it lightly those 55 years of friendship
We walk – we eat healthy – but the mental part is also important !
Our roses out front
A healthy body also has to have a healthy mind – at least mine does !
So – when we moved into our house thirteen years ago –
I started digging up – replanting – moving – shrubs – putting in trees
( 3 Crepe Myrtles ) and numerous rose bushes – flowers that came back year after year.
Crepe Myrtle out front
I had to dig these trees on my hands and knees – being so many rocks ! With that being said – when they bloom a bright ruby red – I just love them – and it all was worth it !
Ninety five per cent comes back
Flowers and color do a lot for my mind and peaceful thoughts.
But – as you get older – weeding kills your back – at least mine !
So – this year – I bought the mulch from the boy scouts – and actually paid them to spread it around – 25 bags !
It was well worth it and half the cost of anyone else.
Flowers and flags
These roses will bloom off and on until Fall – most everything in the beds comes up each year.
Walking home – when coming in sight of the house- gives me a great calming thought – seems like any stress just goes away –
and that is for my mental being.
Front steps and door
Sherry always plants the planters around the house – in back -the patio and the front porch.
So – when people visit – the visual of flowers – the welcome mat – sitting on the front porch or in the enclosed patio – brings calm – that is why we do it .
The back patio and Tower Gardens
Each year – in the back – we plant flowers and the Tower Gardens –
which provide our vegetables daily.
In front of these are the other two Crepe Myrtles that I hand planted – all the trees and bushes here I also planted.
Yesterday’s harvest from our strawberry patch
We also grow our own strawberry’s – enough to provide us each morning for breakfast while they last.
Living a healthy lifestyle – to reduce stress – we plant – we grow and produce vibrant colors all Spring – Summer and Fall.
We actually grow even in Winter inside our garage.
For a stress relief – try flowers – smell them – watch them grow –
