In 1999 – we took a chance – and we both transferred from SWNY state to NVA with the company we had worked for – taking all of our time and benefits with us. It was to us a Leap Of Faith – leaving behind security and friends and family.
The storm was brewing – we steadied our life
But – excitement also was in the air – we left our little church behind – put our faith in God’s hands – and ventured South – from rural farm – country – to city life – right smack in the middle of Alexandria Va. A town of less than a thousand to a city of more than a million. ( D.C. ) area.
Our new home – after 8 years of searching – Community Lutheran Church
We searched for eight years – almost every Lutheran church in the area – finally finding Community Lutheran Church in Sterling Va. This was the church our daughter – Tammy – married Marcus in and was his home church and that of his family. We had found a home.
It has now been twelve plus years – and even though the storm has ceased – we find comfort in walking through those doors – open arms and friends. Truly a Community !
Today our faith in humanity rests with in these walls.
In today’s World – our faith provides us with comfort – and also the outreach in the community. We saw this 12 years ago – and it is us. When we left – we did not know where we would worship – but it is here – all are welcome – service to the community and other religions – all faiths – we found a home among the brewing clouds – just as today the clouds are around – we maintain our faith and our church.
Passing it on to the next generation
And we are able to share that with the next generation – after all – that is but one facet of life – the here and now – #livinglifetotheplus – kids are free – free to see the community of church.
Family
Family – friends – storms may brew – but life together forms a bond – one that comes together in our new life so far away from back home – we found a new home – Community Lutheran Church – Sterling Va.
I hope this gives insight into dramatic moves – ones that up root your lives – ones that cause you to search and find your new roots – God Bless !
A COMMUNITY EVENT – a coming together of the neighborhood – where SOUP and DESERT –
was held as a way to promote neighborhood bonding together.
Some 30-plus neighbors brought SOUPS and DESSERTS for people to try.
Food – conversations and meeting new neighbors – although some people do not do social media – we have to find an outlet so everyone knows in advance –
This time in addition to Facebook -and our Community page- it was by word of mouth that some knew it was happening!
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PAPA’S WORLD – “SOUP AND DESERT – COMMUNITY – NEIGHBORS!”
Back in Brambleton before we sold the house – six grandkids – five granddaughters and one grandson.
PICTURE OF A MEMORY GONE PAST!
Celebrating a neighbor and friend’s birthday – CHEERS – SHOTS and GOOD TIMES!
A very long-time friend – grew up in the same town – played softball together – and yes – we drank some beers together – this might of been one of those times! LOL
When friends visit from AZ. A day trip into DC. exploring – walking and taking in the sights and sounds!
Our friends from back in WNY – Portville – Kurt and Carol – still friends after all these years!
At our home in Brambleton – Cassidy and Taylor – now 13 and Sarah – now 17 – MEMORIES – PRICELESS!
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PAPA’S WORLD – SHARING PICTURES OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
Here is BILL – checkered blue shirt – talking to George – we went to Local on the Water –
Marcea – to the left – married to Bill – invited us neighbors to help Bill celebrate!
LOCAL ON THE WATER is in North Myrtle Beach and was the first place three years ago –
Sherry and I found to go to with live music – this was 2020 and during the Pandemic.
At that time – live music was rare but we could see in the future it would be a place to go to!
A salute of SHOTS for the birthday man – HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY BILL!
A selfie of the group – live music inside is quite loud – we will be back when the music is outside on the stage – but the band was good and we danced.
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Living life to the plus – not being political – but observing fundamental lapses of common sense all around me!
We have both believed in grace – love and forgiveness.
We have different leanings on a political scale yet we listen and see other points of view.
Recently – she posted to what I saw as common sense – a “CUTTING” of what some people call “ENTITLEMENTS”!
A few people choose to discredit this post as not being the “TRUTH”!
My answer is that for 48 1/2 years – I worked and paid for those benefits.
Those were and are a lifeline to exist after retirement.
During that time of my work life – the “COMPANY” also paid into the “ENTITLEMENT” and was considered part of my “BENEFITS” package.
I “EARNED” that “BENEFIT” after many years of toiling in the work field.
The POLITICIANS who want to end this “ENTITLEMENT” as far as I can describe –
are wealthy and more than likely never to claim this “ENTITLEMENT” –
yet to the vast majority of seniors living out their lives to the plus – it is a survivor reality.
Without it – we could not live to any old age – and most likely depend on children.
Now – to get back to the “TRUTH”!
I researched what was said – via the written word and what was said on the tape.
The key word of that sentence was the word”AND” –
The sentence is taken word for word.
“THERE IS A LOT YOU CAN DO IN TERMS OF CUTTING “AND” ALSO THE THEFT AND THE BAD MANAGEMENT OF ENTITLEMENT – THERE ARE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF THINGS AND NUMBERS OF THINGS YOU CAN DO!”
The question asked?
ASKED – “WHETHER HE HAD CHANGED HIS OUTLOOK ON HOW TO HANDLE ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY – MEDICARE – MEDICAID IN ORDER TO TACKLE THE NATIONAL DEBT”?
Now – a few people commented on her posting – saying you need to quit watching CNN and all how they twist the words!
These words are not twisted – exactly what was said.
I have no POLITICAL AGENDA – I HAVE NO PARTY – I BELIEVE IN LAW AND ORDER –
I BELIEVE IN THE CONSTITUTION AND THE DEMOCRATIC ARTICLES AND LAWS OF THE LAND!
Also, one person began to berate her about the evil crime family – money – etc.
Challenging her to debate offline – or espousing the far-right Maga rhetoric of looney tunes!
When I presented the WORD FOR WORD – and you can read it above – there was a sense that
we – as SENIORS – are being targeted for our “ENTITLEMENTS” – even all our working lives we
“PAID” our own money and that of the people we worked for – into these programs.
Being a “SENIOR” looking down the road not knowing how we shall survive after one of us is gone?
So in concluding this blog – “WHAT SHALL I DO”?
I WILL EXERCISE MY VOTE – as an INDEPENDENT – NOT FOR “PARTY” BUT WHAT IS COMMON SENSE-
And for those who criticized her for posting the truth –
well – as far as I can determine –
you are what you are – my belief is in the poster from above-
Living life to the plus – “ONE LOVE – CHANGE THE WORLD” one VOTE at a time!
Thanks for reading and HGD!
PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
It was in the ’80’s – I believe ’83 or ’84 – we gathered a group of us – my sister and her husband Bill – My brother – my friend Jim and wife Dorothy. And – John Murphy and a few more.
We rented this house at the Outer Banks of N.C. Now – Sherry and I had gone in ’82 – with a whole load of my brother’s friends. And we went back to the same house as it was right across the road from the beach.
Cindy – ( Not there) Jim ( there) Sherry ( there) Dorothy ( there)
We had no children with us – just adults – and a few brews ! The week was friends and family – and it started off with a volleyball game in the sand at the rear of the house. Then – on the second day – we got the news flash – a storm was coming – a big storm – could be a HURRICANE !
Winter in Pa.
Now – we all are from the North – Penna. – N.W. – in the snow belt – where if you mention storm – it most likely is SNOW and or BLIZZARD ! We very seldom get the HURRICANE effect except in ’72 – Agnes !
In NWPA – you live with snow every day – and this was all new to us. We went to the fire department – got a chart – yes – we were going to chart it – when it got close we would leave !
GRAB A BEER – head to the beach – Sun – warm breeze – surf – what else could you want !
As the week went on – the notice got worse – voluntary evacuation – you have to understand –
we had been planning this for a year – it was our vacation – a time where you only got two weeks vacation a year !
RED SKY IN THE MORNING – SAILOR TAKE WARNING
Our chart was up to date – we had the radio on tuned to a station 24 hours a day – the TV also – it was kind of fun plotting the course – seeing the path as it came up from the Gulf.
But we were some 800 miles away from it ! And the weather was beautiful – never mind that NONE of us had unpacked – we were living day to day out of our suitcases !
Then – it changed – to the good – it had turned and was going out to sea – we were saved – no worries – celebrate – it was Tuesday – had the next four days – Sun – brews- unpack – head to the beach.
We turned the radio off – packed the chart up – and got up Wednesday morning to a beautiful RED SKY !
Something was up – turned radio back on – it had turned and was heading right off the coast to where we were. The wind picked up – the roads closed and we were stuck. We could not get out !
There it sat 150 miles due East -the waves were getting bigger – the wind – well some shutters blew off – yes it was scary –
but we hunkered down and then it was over. The beach across the road – part of it was gone with a good five foot drop off.
LESSON LEARNED – DON’T DRINK AND CHART A HURRICANE
Well – it was over – we still had a couple days left – we learned that these things can and are dangerous – we thought we were all right – but they change in a instant.
That was my first and last time with a HURRICANE – today – we still go to the beach – but we always check the weather – and if it seems to be coming – we do not go.
Some have passed on – the rest – we are still friends from all those years ago. We still get together every 4 to 6 months – and last September we were at the beach.
I would much rather go through a blizzard than a Hurricane and or major storm on the beach !
Just another story in the course of my life –
Papa’s World – it came – it left – and it came back !
For the last three years we have come to North Myrtle Beach to watch the parade and visit some of the hundred vendors lining the street – drink some green beer and enjoy the day!
The waves of green proceed down the street – people catching candy and other prizes thrown by the participants in the parade!
The parade will last about 1 1/2 hours – there are several stages of live music –
the whole of the main street is blocked off and hundreds and hundreds of people are about!
My heritage of Irish – from my father’s side –
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Each day I lace them up – double tie my Sketchers – Kucher would be proud of me !
Sherry walking the trail
We have lived in our community for thirteen years – and during that time – as it developed – so have the walking trails – 15 miles of them !
Soon – as other sections open up – an additional 5 to 8 miles will be added.
Storm brewing over the lake
Walking has become a way of life for both of us – each with our own fit bits !
We have many different paths to follow – and can customize them to almost any length we want.
About a 1/2 mile left to home
Our goal is walk walk 10,000 steps each day – depending on the weather, we also walk for different charities.
I have found walking outside – is much more to my liking than a tread mill – I get bored way to easy on them !
Health – is my main reason for walking.
In 2013 – ( see a previous blog ) I suffered a major HEAR ATTACK –
known as the WIDOW MAKER !
I ended up with OPEN HEART surgery – and am still alive ( I take Juice Plus )
My wife – Sherry – certified health coach
My recovery has been amazing –
and I have the best coach I could have – my wife – who has worked so hard and absorbed so much in Healthy living.
Moving – is what my Heart doctor says is the one factor that means the most to me in my post care – along with eating healthy –
no dairy – no processed food – no red meat – no gluten – a little beer once in a while – and if I do have any of the above – it is rare and a small amount.
One of the exercise stations along the way
Maintaining has become a way of life for me – and taking a supplement – you can search the internet –
I stay away from vitamins – as they are mostly selective in my opinion – I choose the WHOLE FOOD way for my self.
Eating as many servings of fruits and vegetables as I can – and that is hard to do !
So – I use a supplement – called Juice Plus – raw fruits – vegetables and berries – juiced – skins and all – and then slowly dried – and left in a powder of nutrients –
that research proves goes immediately into the blood stream.
The path through the woods.
Walking for health – I have to if I want to live longer !
Sometimes –
yes -I do cheat – it is too cold or raining or snowing
( next Winter we are going South ) so we do not walk outside –
but I walk in the house. I have a routine – but that bores me !
So – we head for the Mall !
We have 5 free library stations along the paths.
I also keep my mind sharp as I can –
I find the exercise of writing – forcing myself to think – to create –
( I do not know what I will write each day ) !
My writing is SEEING and then THINKING and then WRITING !
Our Free Library’s offer a pickup and exchange books – you bring one and take one.
I READ all the time – my wife runs the church book club and I have read books that I have never heard of !
It keeps my mind sharp – you have to keep body and mind going !
Tunnels so you do not have to cross in traffic
All lit up day and night
We have tunnels – under the roads –
so we do not have traffic to stop our walks – there are now FIVE of them and I just read where another trail will open and another tunnel will connect us to it !
Multiple bridges and lakes and streams and woods
We have Deer – Turkeys – Bears – Foxes -Geese – Birds – fish – turtles –
although I have never seen a Bear –
I have seen pictures taken of them and home security footage of them with in a couple blocks of our home !
We are reminded about garbage we put out – I have seen Deer running down the street and other wild life.
Almost home from our walk
I hope this helps in your quest for a healthy lifestyle –
ours is healthy eating – a healthy supplement – and walking – and reading
10,000 steps -trying each and every day – #livinglifetotheplus –
It was a game where Pittsburg played Buffalo in a playoff game – it also was where four neighbors came together – two households were Steeler fans and two households were Bills fans –
And all four houses were close to one another – PARTY TIME making new memories!
So it goes in our Cameron Woods Community neighborhood – NFL playoffs – team spirit!
The gathering before the game – fun – shots – a few drinks and BUFFALO WINGS AND BUFFALO DIP!
Lots of food and snacks – TERRIBLE TOWELS were shaking –
Golf cart decked out – jerseys came out of closets –
and a good time had by all!
In the end – the Bills moved on – but the neighbors remained – good friends!
When the ladies of the Steelers and the Bills come together –
Making new MEMORIES –
REVISITING PAST ONES – PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
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