Papa’s World – “MERRY CHRISTMAS”!

Over the years, “CHRISTMAS” celebrations with family!

When we lived in Brambleton-

It was a drive to the Metro some miles away –

And take the family into D.C –

To the White House lawn and the nation’s Christmas tree!

Here is Sherry on one of those trips!

We have spent many holidays in DC.

Always forming memories –

We keep them in our minds and souls!

We have spent many Christmases in Lake Holiday with the older grandkids and their parents!

Forming memories for years to come.

When family visits –

And going to a Christmas show at Barefoot Landing.

You can see the mild winter conditions of winter in December!

And of course, there is MARLEY –

The family granddog!

Such a gentle dog!

And then –

It is “CHRISTMAS IN A BARN” with the older grandkids and their parents!

The twins –

Reading for a Christmas service.

At Community Lutheran Church in Sterling, VA.

Around the Holidays –

And game days for football-

Celebrating with friends.

Yuletide feelings with our neighbor Diane.

Many fond memories of Christmas past –

And looking toward the future!

From family to you-

“MERRY CHRISTMAS”-

And a “HAPPY NEW YEAR”!

PAPA’S WORLD –

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

“MERRY CHRISTMAS”!!!!

Papa’s World – HUMOR – THOUGHTS – SMILES!

This goes along-

With my motto all my life!

Do all the little things right – and the larger things will mainly take care of themselves!

Just a thought for today!

LOL – True, but also a smile!

Our fan belief goes back decades –

The Buffalo Bills –

Sherry leans more to the Bills –

While I lean more toward the Washington Commanders.

But –

It is only a little bit.

We are fans of both teams.

My thought for the day!

On one of our group get-togethers-

This was a wine tour in Virginia.

Jim was a driver,

And I back-up-

As I do not drink wine.

Needless to say –

In this picture are Dottie and Sherry-

Cindy was in the way back-

By the time we were on our way home-

All three were together and a little bit funny!

In fact, a lot of it is funny!

WINE – WINE and WINE!

GOOD TIMES REMEMBERED!

Two of my best friends.

Bobby is on the left, and Jimmy is on the right.

Bob and I went to grade school and High School together.

Jim and I played softball and worked together.

All of us are from-

A small town in NWPA called Eldred.

Decades and decades of friendships!

My good thought for the day!

LOL – funny but true!

On our 75th. birthday in 2024!

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD:

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

SUBSCRIBE – IT IS FREE!

BEFORE WE STARTED OUR JOURNEY TWENTY PLUS YEARS AGO INTO OUR SENIOR YEARS:

WE SAW THIS SUPPLEMENT AND READ WHAT IT DID –

AND THEN READ THE PUBLISHED RESEARCH IN JOURNALS!

WE STARTED TAKING IT AND HAVE NOT MISSED A DAY IN OVER TWENTY PLUS YEARS!

OUR GOAL WAS THEN AND US NOW –

TO AGE AS HEALTHY INTO OUR SENIOR YEARS-

AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

IF INTERESTED IN MORE INFO-

GO TO http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

YOU CAN BUY THIS YOURSELF,

ON THE WEBSITE-

OR IF YOU NEED TO COMMUNICATE-

SHERRY’S EMAIL AND PHONE NUMBER ARE THERE!

MY ONLY REGRET IS WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS YEARS BEFORE WE STARTED!

ALOS – THIS IS SOLD IN OVER TWENTY COUNTRIES!

AND IS ALSO USED BY THE OLYMPIC TEAMS!

Sherry – certified for health and nutrition.

Papa’s World – The past and now!

LOL- I have learned –

“It’s not for me to question WHY – but for me to DO or DIE!!!! LOL

Some humor to start the day!

This is our home to the left in Brambleton, VA. at sunrise.

We lived here for 14 1/2 years.

Thinking it would be the home we would stay in and retire to.

But – the PANDEMIC changed all of that.

The 401K went way down –

But at the same time,

The housing market exploded.

We decided to SELL!

And spend three or four months living with both daughters and their families!

Then, we wanted to move to a warmer climate,

And the NVA area was so expensive!

We ended up in Cameron Woods Community-

Ocean Isle Beach – North Carolina.

Today we have sunrises and Palm trees-

Warm weather –

Sunshine most of the time.

Two beaches are within ten to twenty minutes.

Around 30 golf courses within thirty minutes.

And the cost is substantially lower, as are the taxes.

We have room for families to visit.

We have found our place in the sun.

And this becomes THE PAST AND NOW!

Buck – Papa and Jimmy.

For over four decades –

Friends – buddies – golfing partners.

Vacations – trips and world traveling.

On the golf course –

GUYS vs GALS!

And the GALS are good.

These two pictures represent –

THE PAST AND NOW!

Marley and Taylor.

Marley was a puppy in this picture.

Taylor has now taught her so many things.

She is so good with her.

Marly is so lovable.

She will snuggle with you.

She listens – thanks to Taylor.

Taylor today horse riding.

Four years later.

She loves horses and working in the stables and barn.

Today, the family and Marley.

She has become our “GRANDDOG”!

Thus giving us A PAST AND NOW!

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD –

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

SUBSCRIBE – IT IS FREE!

FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS –

AGING AS HEALTHY IN OUR SENIOR YEARS!

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Enter the website and see what it is all about!

Papa’s World – Fun times in pictures!

Above – H.S. and Grade School buddy – Bob.

Pam is his wife, Sherry, and Diane is our neighbor.

They stopped by for a visit on their way North to N.H.

We see them at least once a year.

Here we are at INLET VIEW – for lunch/dinner!

FUN TIMES IN A PICTURE!

We were neighbors in Portville, New York, from the mid-80s to the mid-90s.

Cindy and Buck!

They sold their longtime home and moved to Wilmington, N.C.

Eventually, building homes in Magnoilia Greens, Leland, NC.

We stayed in touch and have traveled the world with them on vacations.

Today, we live about 38 miles from them-

and still get together.

This was taken at OIB FISH COMPANY on the ocean side of the causeway to OIB.

FUN TIMES IN A PICTURE!

A group of longtime friends.

On our way to Shakleford Island to see the wild horses.

I have known one couple – Jim and Dottie – in the middle –

Since before Sherry and I were married-

All three of us grew up in Eldred.

Craig and Debbie, we met through Jim and Dottie –

And Craig, seated next to Debbie on the left of the picture-

Grew up in Sheffield, Pa.-

Close to where Sherry was raised in Mount Jewett.

FUN TIMES IN A PICTURE!

We all travel –

and stay,

and play golf together.

And this is so true to all our games! LOL!

Troy and Shawn –

My two sons-

They still live back in Pa., where they were raised.

They have both been to visit us at OIB.

Looking forward to them coming again.

FUN TIMES IN A PICTURE!

Three couples who knew each other in the NVA!

Today, they live near us in OIB, NC.

The lasting friendships have now made their way to N.C.

Jim – Papa – Sherry – Ginger – Jason and Claudia.

FUN TIMES IN A PICTURE!

April and Brian, her husband-

Sherry and I worked with Brian back in Olean at Dal-Tile.

We left in 1999 and transferred to NVA.

The Olean plant closed in 2012, and Brian transferred to the Gettysburg plant.

We have seen them in our area and gotten together with them.

Soon, they will be retired and moving somewhere to a warmer climate.

FUN TIMES IN PICTURES!

When family visits –

Debby, Sarah, Ella, and Sherry.

I like to take them to visit “FAT HAROLDS” in North Myrtle Beach.

For almost 80 years –

The dance called “THE SHAG” has been the rage on the Carolina coast.

And “FAT HAROLDS” is in the center of it all.

Walk through the JUKEBOX door into the world of dancing.

North Myrtle Beach is the “SHAG CAPITAL” of the world.

FUN TIMES IN PICTURES!

Thanks to all of you who read my blogs-

FAMILY – FRIENDS and where we live in Cameron Woods Community-

Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

For over twenty years –

AGING AS HEALTHY AS WE CAN!

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Papa’s World – Oyster Bay – golfing with friends!

Papa – Sherry – Buck and Cindy!

Every so often,

We get together and golf with our dear and long-time friends.

This time in the late Spring-

It was Oyster Bay.

A beautiful day –

High 70s – sunshine – blue skies and no humidity!

Oyster Bay is about fifteen minutes away.

We only played nine holes –

The back nine, which has water everywhere!

While there are a lot of gators here –

We only saw one in the water.

There is wildlife in abundance-

That is one reason we like this course.

While I did not play very well,

I seem to be in a funk!

We had a good time –

Laughter, as always.

A few days before –

Cindy had a hole-in-one on the 23rd hole –

Island green at Magnolia Greens!

Grand old trees with moss!

Lonely giant pine in the middle of the fairway-

An obstacle from the tee as you tee off!

Buck is waiting in the cart!

We had a very good day and had dinner at Fiber MaGees –

Thanks for reading-

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – 6-25-1982! MARRIED!

AGING HEALTHY –

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Papa’s World – Thoughts – Family – Friends!

This is our granddaughter Sarah –

Standing in the entranceway to her H.S. – James Wood –

In Winchester, Va.

She is very talented and artistic.

Her graphic design was chosen to represent 75 years in the history of the H.S.

Here – you see it painted onto the wall above her, where it shall remain –

To honor the H.S.!

In this picture, she is a senior,

And by the time this blog is posted-

She will have graduated and entered her freshman year of college.

As she goes forth into the future –

A part of her shall remain in James Wood High School!

THOUGHTS – FAMILY and Friends!

Six of us lived in the neighborhood of Pleasant Acres Drive in Portville, N.Y.

I grew up with two of these friends in a little town across the border of Pennsylvania.

Called Eldred.

We have remained friends for decades and decades.

Today, we still get together-

Boating, golfing, and just plain friendships.

Years and years of friendships.

THOUGHTS – FAMILY and FRIENDS!

Being alive – being a senior –

And living a life we only dreamed of.

One day at a time-

Living life to the fullest.

THOUGHTS – FAMILY and FRIENDS!

BE HEALTHY –

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Thanks for reading my blog.

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

SUBSCRIBE – IT IS FREE!

Papa’s World – Positive writings!

Opening my “STATS” page at WordPress –

I find daily the places folks live –

That reads my blogs.

Here is a snapshot of when I opened the page.

The number of “SUBSCRIBERS” is now close to 660 – WORLDWIDE!

I started this at the suggestion of my wife-

Sherry-

To write and save the blogs to a site –

And then they would not be lost in the Cloud!

My blogs are mostly about Family, Friends, Places, Events –

A journal of our life together.

My goal is to have a place where future generations can read what our lives were all about.

I also bring kindness, compassion, humor,

and laughs.

POSITIVE WRITINGS!

My son Shawn, Sherry, and his wife Trisha.

They still live back in NWPA –

Where Sherry and I both grew up.

It takes them pretty close to 16 hours to drive down here.

They own and operate their own Auditing – Insulating business –

For contracts from the state-

Power companies –

To help the elderly in Pa.

Shawn also competes in Pool tournaments –

Numerous times,

winning his way to Las Vegas!

A POSITIVE WRITING ON FAMILY!

Cassidy – one of the twins!

She is competing in Gymnastics –

She is also a cheerleader.

Here she demonstrates her ability at OIB-

Sunset across the marsh!

POSITIVE BLOGGING!

Cassidy is also an artist.

She drew this when she was eleven years old.

She can look at a subject and put it on paper.

A POSITIVE INFLUENCE IN HER YOUNG LIFE!

Today – Taylor, Cassidy, and their mother Tammy!

The Swedish genes from Sherry run deep in the family!

They are twins –

And before full term –

The doctor said now is the time.

They were taken from the womb-

Both under 2 pounds.

Taylor was the bigger of the two.

There was no choice,

and it just happened to be Tammy’s birthday.

So today they all share the same birthday.

A POSITIVE WRITING!

LOVE IS POSITIVE IN OUR LIVES!

We were all friends back in NVA!

Today, Jim and Claudia live a short four miles from us.

Having sold their home in Reston,

they built a house near us.

Ginger and Jason sold their home back in Reston –

And built a new home outside of Leland, N.C.

They are 38 miles from us.

Left to right-

Jim, Papa, Sherry, Ginger, Jason, and Claudia.

A POSITIVE IN OUR LIVES!

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com – A POSITIVE IN OUR LIVES!

Thank you for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Good times in memories!

He is now 11 years old –

The first grandson from Debby and Tammy –

Debby has three daughters-

and Tammy has two daughters,

and Bode.

Today he plays soccer, flag football, and golf.

He is all boy.

He also sings like his sisters in the church choir –

And is interested in performing in plays, as are the older girls.

These pictures bring back GOOD TIMES IN MEMORIES!

Before we sold our home in Brambleton –

Each Easter, we would have an Easter Egg hunt!

Taylor – Cassidy – Sarah – Ella – Bode and Maddy.

The many memories we had here in this home –

All the grandkids are coming to spend overnights.

THESE ARE GOOD TIMES IN MEMORIES!

Sherry is in my brother Rogers’ second golf cart.

We would spend six weeks in the winter after Christmas with him –

At his home in The Villages in Florida.

We often went golfing with him

He had two golf carts.

This is the one we would use.

Many fond memories of traveling throughout The Villages in this cart.

Sherry had an app that was a GPS,

and we would never get lost.

GOOD TIMES IN MEMORIES!

A humor of marking my ball!

One of my dearest and longtime friends.

Buck McBride –

We were neighbors in Portville, N.Y.

They moved away to N.C.

In the mid-90s.

But we stayed in touch-

And we have vacationed around the World with him and Cindy.

We now live 38 miles away from them and often get back together.

Here we are on our latest vacation together at Winter Garden in Florida.

GOOD TIMES IN MEMORIES!

Bob and Pam –

My grade school buddy –

Playing sports together-

Pam and Sherry hit it off.

They have traveled and camped in a Class A RV –

For the past six years.

They have made it a point to camp near us-

for the last six years, for a week.

This time, after we spent a week with the McBrides –

We stayed on and spent four days with them-

Staying in a friend’s camper near them at the campground.

Here, we spent a day with them renting a golf cart-

and touring THE VILLAGES.

Creating GOOD TIMES IN MEMORIES!

Papa is on the beach with my new hat to keep the skin cancer away from my face!

I go every six months for check-ups!

Preventive care for me!

Irish skin – and the Sun – do not mix!

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD!

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

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Papa’s World – More memorable times in pictures.

We were all friends back in NVA-

We were the first to move to N.C.

Then Jim and Claudia and Jason, and Ginger bought lots-

And had their homes built.

Jim and Claudia are about four miles away-

Ginger and Jason live just outside Leland, near Buck and Cindy.

We often get together, and this time was at Barefoot Landing –

At The Big Chill restaurant.

Becoming a memorable time in a picture!

Sherry and Cindy-

Back in the late 80s and mid 90s –

We were neighbors in WNY.

They moved to Leland, and we would visit.

We have traveled the world with them!

Buck and I are on the golf course.

We almost always play a scramble with the girls.

Neighbors from a long time ago –

Today we live about 35 miles from them.

We have traveled the World with them –

Most recently –

To Florida, where we met up –

Shared an AIRBNB –

And went to Epcot together.

Becoming memorable times in pictures!

Before we moved to N.C.-

We often went to D.C.

Here we are at the National Harbor-

With Tammy and Taylor, Cassidy and Bode.

Many memories of fun family times.

Becoming memorable times in pictures.

Humor and laughs keep me coming back for more golf – LOL!

Playing golf here in N.C. and S.C.

If the ball goes into the water – “LEAVE IT”!

Also, snakes – I am always careful in looking for my golf ball!

Another memorable picture in time.

My brother Roger at The Villages car and golf cart show.

We would spend the winter with him at his house near Lake Sumter Landing.

He is now gone, but forever remembered by me.

Another memorable picture in time.

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD –

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

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Papa’s World – PICES RISING- Mount Dora, Fla.

This past Spring –

While we were in Florida and met up with the McBrides-

We took them to Mount Dora –

Where we had visited years ago.

We parked and walked up the hill to –

PISCES RISING – A restaurant overlooking the lake.

We had been here when we were caught in a sudden downpour!

We always thought that when the time came-

We would like to return and have lunch there!

The food was great and the view was excellent.

The setting is tropical, and we switched tables to have more shade.

The view was what we had remembered.

Soon –

We ordered drinks and lunch and settled in.

Once again,

We were with friends-

that we have traveled to the World with.

We spent the next four days exploring!

So many memories –

And sitting here at Pisces Rising-

Brought many of them back.

Sherry and Cindy –

We were neighbors in the mid-80s –

In Pleasant Acres Drive in Portville, N.Y.

In the mid-90s –

They moved to Wilmington, N.C.

Then we would meet up and travel.

Now –

Four decades later –

We live about 36 miles from them –

And we still get together.

Later, we went golfing –

Just nine holes.

Buck – Cindy – Papa and Sherry!

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Papa’s World – DISNEY SPRINGS with Bob and Pam.

Ppa – Bob – Sherry and Pam – at Disney Springs!

In March we spent a week in Florida and the last half with Bob and Pam.

Bob is my grade school and H.S. friend –

Pam is married to Bob –

And they have led the RV life for the last six years.

They spent the winter in a campground just outside the Villages-

And we decided to take in Disney Springs which they never had.

We explored and took in the attractions.

It was a past memory for us and a new adventure for them.

A lot of what you do here is free –

And just walking around taking in the sights!

We introduced them to the bus that run between resorts-

All free and you get to walk around the different resort areas.

We showed them the overhead tram system which is also free!

Entrance to the overhead tram system.

We had an excellent time here and showed them how to get around.

Bob and Pam at DISNEY SPRINGS!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

SHERRY and PAPA!

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Papa’s World – Memories – pictures and good times.

Found this little gem on Facebook!

It is very informative,

and I wish I had seen it long ago.

If you do not play golf –

Most likely, you won’t be impressed.

But – being one who hits a good shot-

and then falls back into the abyss-

This shows me what I may be doing wrong!

Of course,

I printed it off and will use it the next time I golf!

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

This is our friend Jim –

Whom we met as volunteers for the Protection for Sea Turtles –

On Ocean Isle Beach.

He lost his wife a few years ago –

And we get together every so often at Pelicans Perch-

A local bar and restaurant on OIB.

He also drinks Pabst Blue Ribbon –

as I did in WNY! LOL

This is his yard on OIB next to the canals.

A true friend and a good guy all around.

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

A blanket and gift –

from our dear friends –

Claudia and Jim Martin.

They were our friends back in NVA-

They moved down near us a year ago –

after selling their home in Reston.

They had a new home built about four miles away –

And we get together –

Friendships are PRICELESS!

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

The team from the Sea Turtle Protection –

We sat on this nest until it hatched,

and we made sure-

They all made it to the water.

This involves going to the nest by 7pm each night-

Until 11 pm. or later.

Most hatching occurs-

in that time frame.

On day 50 to 55 –

Those are the days after the nest is discovered by the group-

Who patrol the beach.

Then a team comes in and verifies –

and either moves it to protect from high tides –

Or leaves it where it is –

and erects the screens and fencing.

The nest is then given the number in which it was found.

Our job is to talk and interact with vacationers –

and people who live here.

We explain what we are doing –

and how we maintain the nests.

The nests are subject to be destroyed by people who

do not know or wild animals.

When they hatch –

We instruct people to stay behind the ropes and no lights-

As that distracts the little turtles and causes them to become blind.

Two days are spent after the nest hatches to see if any more are in there-

Then, an inventory is taken –

to see if it matches the number that made it to the water.

All eggs are counted,

and any that did not make it-

out of the nest.

This information is given to the governing body for wildlife

and is compiled yearly.

It shows the impact that we-

as volunteers make –

in protecting an endangered species.

This is done all up and down the East Coast.

We all then go onto other formed teams-

to the next available nest.

This continues to about mid-October –

And begins sometime in early July.

Most of the nests are laid early May to Mid June.

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

Sherry and myself as OIBSTPO volunteers.

Welcome to my blog.

PAPA’S WORLD- My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

Papa’s World – Good memories and thoughts.

Here is PJ ( Pam ), their dog, and Sherry,

and Bob ( my childhood buddy) –

They came to visit in their RV –

Staying at a campground

just a few miles from our home.

This day, we went to Sunset Beach –

To soak up some sun –

Pam had an injury to her Achilles –

So she sat in a chair-

while the rest of us walked to the NW end of the beach-

Right across the channel to OIB.

This is one of many times in the past half dozen plus years –

That they have visited us on their RV journeys!

Here we Kayak the marshes of the ICW!

We have many explorations of the area together.

And they have entertained making this area –

N.C. – S.C.-

an area they might just call “HOME BASE”!

Time shall tell –

But for now –

It is fun times spent rehashing our past!

Golfing has also become a pastime with us.

And some times the ladies take thrift shopping –

While Bob and I go golfing alone.

We played golf together in our early high school years.

Nothing special about our golfing game –

Just two old friends spending our senior golden years together once again

Many memories of growing up in a little town in NWPA –

Called “ELDRED”!

Thus, it once again after so many years –

Lends itself to forming new –

“GOOD MEMORIES AND THOUGHTS”!

Thanks for reading.

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Friendship memories!

Reflections on the “WALL” in D.C. –

Paul – Sherry and Jo –

Paul graduated from the same H.S. that Sherry did –

And Jo graduated from the same H.S. I did.

We have visited their home in Tuscon –

and they visited our home in Brambleton, Va.

Here we are on one of our trips into D.C.-

We spent days walking the city.

Sherry and Jo to her left in front of the famous unfinished statue of great women.

It is unfinished until we have a woman President.

Great friends whom we visit when we can and they in return visit us.

FRIENDSHIP MEMORIES!

Jo – Sherry and Paul – “REFLECTIONS”!

Bob – Papa – Pam and Sherry.

This friendship goes back to grade school with Bob and Myself.

We played sports together – and stayed at each other’s houses.

Drank beer together – roamed the streets of Eldred after curfew.

Today, they stopped in for a week while they were RVING –

across the country.

FRIENDSHIP MEMORIES!

Jimmy – grew up in the same town as I did.

We played softball together –

He worked at the TILE PLANT the same as I did.

We both transferred to the South in the same company.

He to Va. Beach and me to NVA.

Dottie – taking the picture – married to Jim –

I attended their wedding before I met Sherry –

Also, Cindy was friends with Dottie and –

later we moved and became neighbors with her.

Sherry – Buck and Cindy – married – and Dottie –

Our longest and closest friends.

Blessed to have them in our lives.

We have traveled the World with Buck and Cindy.

FRIENDSHIP MEMORIES!

Our new friends we have met here-

in Cameron Woods Community.

Daine – Marcea – Bill – Ken – Mary Lou and Sherry.

We have been fortunate to meet people in this new location.

FRIENDSHIP MEMORIES!

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD-

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

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Papa’s World – More memories – friends!

amily

In what I believe to be Carolina Beach –

near Wilmington, N.C. –

Is a Buffalo Bills bar and grill called –

“THE LAZY PIRATE”!

We have a couple times gone there –

with our close friends –

The McBrides and The Browns.

All of us were BILLS fans before we moved to N.C.

The McBrides – we were neighbors back in WNY.

They moved first just outside Leland –

to Magnolia Greens

We often came down for visits –

and have traveled the World with them.

In this picture –

is Cindy and Jim Brown –

and behind them are –

Sherry and Dottie Brown.

The Browns – are from the town I grew up in –

Eldred, Pa.

I have known them since before-

Sherry and I were married.

All three couples try to get together-

3 or 4 times a year at each other’s homes.

Jim and Sherry –

watching the game at the Lazy Pirate.

This is a true BILLS MAFIA bar!

People gathering

and singing BILLS MAKE YOU WANT TO SHOUT!

And of course whenever we meet up –

GOLFING IS INVOLVED!

GALS vs GUYS!

Years and years of friendships –

Years and years of golfing!

MORE MEMORIES – FRIENDS!

PAPA’S WORLD-

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Papa’s World – More moments in memorable pictures!

On one of our many trips with the Mcbrides –

we stopped at a resort outside of Ashville, N.C.

Here is Sherry with some “BEARS” on the front porch!

This resort had many pictures of celebs over the years

and overlooks a valley with a golf course.

I can not remember the name

but it was recommended we stop and check it out!

MORE MOMENTS IN MEMORABLE PICTURES!

Happiness is with lifelong friends –

Kayaking the ICW –

And having shots of FIREBALL

provided by one of the Kayakers!

Standing in the marsh at low tide –

Something that will go down as –

MORE MOMENTS IN MEMORABLE PICTURES!

My mother Mary –

and if you read her hat –

“She was the boss”!

She lost my father in 1969 from cancer.

Later after years of being alone –

She remarried and in 2001 –

John passed away-

and she lived out her life-

alone once again.

She was almost 98 –

when she passed away-

Gone but in my mind never forgotten.

MORE MOMENTS IN MEMORABLE PICTURES!

“MARLEY” – the Goldendoodle –

She is the dog family member-

of Tammy and Marcus – Taylor – Cassidy and Bode.

Such a gentle-loving puppy –

growing into a member of the family!

Taylor has trained her to do so many things –

She works with her inside-

and outside the house.

She has a knack with animals –

and rides horses herself.

“MARLEY” has provided MORE MOMENTS IN MEMORABLE PICTURES!

LOL – good humor for today!

Marcus at his mothers with the twins –

Cassidy and Taylor.

Two little blond-blue-eyed girls.

They were early-

because the doctor said they had to come out!

It was not planned –

an event that was done right away –

and it just happened –

they were delivered on Tammy’s birthday.

Now all three share the same birthday.

In the NIC unit – both were just over one pound –

Taylor was the bigger one –

but Cassidy was the first to come home.

Today – Taylor is almost as tall as Sherry –

and Cassidy is taller than her mother!

Here – is a moment captured in time that –

Becomes MORE MOMENTS IN MEMORABLE PICTURES!

My oldest son

and youngest son with their family –

A trip they made to spend time with us.

Thus – this too becomes –

MORE MOMENTS IN MEMORABLE PICTURES!

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my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

LOL – how true this is for me!!!!!!!! HGD!

Papa’s World – More memorable times!

Before we moved in 2020 to N.C. & S.C. ( nine months) –

Sherry was a runner – along with her daughters –

pictured here is the youngest – Tammy-

All three of the oldest grandkids also run!

Her best run was finishing first in the 60 to 64 age group.

Many memories are here!

All three ran the D.C. Cherry Blossom race! TEN MILES!

I was in charge of grandkids that day –

the three youngest were not born yet.

We went into D.C. with backpacks –

And we found a place to stand – sit near the finish line.

That was a day to remember as all three came across the line holding hands!

Two daughters and their mother!

Until we left to come South – they ran on occasion.

MORE MEMORABLE TIMES!

Debby – Sherry and Tammy-

The Swedish gene runs deep here!

Sherry’s grandmother was born in Sweden.

She still has distant relatives there.

We did take an extensive tour of Denmark – Sweden, and Norway with her mother and sister-

We were on a bus and traveled for 1400 miles –

only staying more than one night in the same place twice!

We saw from a distance her homeland of her grandmother.

That is a cherished memory.

MORE MEMORABLE TIMES!

Friends for years and years.

Sherry – Dottie and Cindy.

Dottie grew up in the same town I did and married Jim who I knew and played softball with.

Cindy was our neighbor but had known Dottie and Jim.

We all lived in WNY and WPA –

although the border separated us –

it was only ten miles or so.

We have vacationed together – raised the kids and traveled the World.

To this day every three to five months we get together.

All three now live in N.C. –

Cindy is 38 miles away and Dottie is about three and one-half hours away.

Over the years which go back to the early 80’s –

We have had many memorable moments.

Today I share this moment on the waterfront-

in Wilmington, N.C.

MORE MEMORABLE TIMES!

I know this to be very true! LOL

Jimmy and I have been best buds since we played softball together in the mid to late ’70s.

We also worked at A.O.T.C. – Dal Tile together.

I went to Dottie and Jim’s wedding before I met Sherry.

Friendship runs deep – The little town of Eldred, Pa. where we were raised –

still holds a lot of special memories for the both of us.

MORE MEMORABLE TIMES!

Close friends through time.

Buck – Dottie – Sherry – Cindy and Jim.

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Papa’s World – Some more good times in pictures!

This picture not only shows Cassidy – Sarah and Taylor

when they were younger –

But was taken in Sherry’s mother’s backyard.

Every spring time this bush bloomed with purple flowers.

Looking out the breakfast room window off the kitchen –

You could see this huge bush-like tree.

Back in NWPA in the Swedish settlement of Mount Jewett –

a place we would return to often after moving to NVA!

This town was settled by immigrants from Sweden in the 1800s.

Her mother lived in this house after Sherry’s father passed away.

The house was right behind the Lutheran church

and Barb would walk out of her side door

and fifty feet at the side entrance to the church.

It is a small town –

today –

most all the store Fronts are vacant.

But – we have so many good memories of the town –

the house and her mother’s presence there.

MORE GOOD MEMORIES!

Sherry hits the golf ball –

you can see the flight it takes –

look at two o’clock from her head-

As the flight takes it to the center of the fairway.

What makes this a good memory for us –

Is this in OHAU –

on a course in the mountains?

Part of this course is in the rainforest –

it actually was raining on that part-

the other part not raining.

Those mountains were quite high

and the cliffs

were where tribal battles were fought among the different islands.

The tribe from OHAU was forced to retreat there

and eventually forced over the cliff

to their deaths.

We saw wild pigs –

mongooses – exotic birds.

Many of the holes –

I just took a stroke and went to the other side of the ravine-

It was a 200-plus-yard carry over the ravine!

You can see how lush the course is.

We can now say we played golf

in the middle of the ocean on OHAU!

ANOTHER GOOD MEMORY!

Back in Olean at DAL-TILE –

formerly American Olean Tile Co.-

We worked with artist Eric Jones

who was in the design department –

which made ceramic murals

out of the small tiles we manufactured –

You can submit a picture

and he would make it real with the tiles.

Today he runs his own business back in WNY –

Every winter he does snow sculptures –

The Buffalo Bills come to mind!

Here is one he did that portrays the mascot-

of the SAINT BONAVENTURE BASKETBALL TEAM!

His snow sculptures are in demand

from corporations and he also has been on TV-

Where he carved pumpkins and won the challenge.

A very gifted artist who also does caricatures.

This is another GOOD MEMORY!

Our life together spans some 43-plus years –

a second marriage for both of us –

two sets of children –

her two girls and my two sons.

Our journey together-

has taken us through six different houses –

and one condo.

Three of the houses we had built.

We span four states –

five if you count the state we were raised in.

We have many friends –

some closer than others.

We worked a combined 79 1/2 years for the same company

and retired from that company.

We worked in NYS and NVA.

Today we are in OIB – N.C.

near the border of S.C.

We enjoy exploring – entertainment in NMB –

and Wilmington.

We travel back and forth to NVA

where most of the family and grandkids are.

We golf – go to the beach

and volunteer for the Protection of Sea Turtles –

Coastal living for seniors –

helping out at the store and library.

And through our church –

the Brunswick County Food Pantry.

Living a Meaningful Senior Life –

provides MORE GOOD MEMORIES!

On OHAU – traveling together

and making GOOD MEMORIES!

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Papa’s World – Senior life – one day at a time.

In our senior life together – I try to capture moments in time – to look back upon.

These moments all have a special place in my heart.

Here is Bode – maybe one year old – and Cassidy together on the couch.

Taylor and Cassidy are the twins – not identical but fraternal.

I can tell you right now – these two should have been the twins!

They are two peas in a pod!

They look alike – act alike and sound alike.

And – they are like oil and water!

You would not know that from this picture –

but it forms a picture that in my senior years –

I can reflect back on the early years!

Bode is much closer to Taylor and I asked him who he would ride with

when they both start to drive. TAYLOR!!!! LOL!

Taylor and Marley – the family dog who she has trained to do so many things!

While you can not tell from this picture – she is very tall – almost as tall as Sherry.

And Marley is a big golden doodle!

Taylor loves animals and has been riding horses since she was four years old.

She spends all her free time at “THE BARN” where she rides.

And hours there cleaning stalls – rubbing down horses –

Her dream is to one day own a horse!

Watching her clean their hooves –

Does not matter if it rains – or snows – she is there.

This picture is a special memory for me as she grows up!

A senior picture in time.

A memory from back in time when we vacationed on OAHU – THE NORTH SHORE!

It was a special time and I would love to go back and also see the other islands.

The time there spent with our close friends the McBrides.

We explored almost every inch –

and had such a good time.

This is a Senior moment in time!

Our friends the McBrides who we have known since they were our neighbors back in the late 80s.

We have traveled the world with them –

and the country.

We now live 38 miles away and get together often.

Always a good time and friends for life.

A senior moment in time.

A SENIOR MOMENT WHICH I AM SURE WE ALL HAVE!!! LOL

At this moment in time is the McBrides – Sherry and perhaps our oldest friends – the Browns.

Dottie and Jimmy.

I was at their wedding and Jim and I played softball together.

The three of us grew up in a little town in NWPA called Eldred.

We took our families on vacations together to the beach.

We watched as the kids all grew up and now we all have grandchildren.

Truly a senior moment in time – Priceless.

Our oldest daughter Debby and her husband Mike –

And the three oldest granddaughters –

Next to Debby and in order oldest to youngest –

Maddy – graduated from college – Ella – soon to graduate from college – and Sarah – soon to graduate H.S.

Here at the open-air music concert on OIB Park.

During the season – May through September – every Friday night – is free music by very good bands.

We tried to go each week and when they visited on vacation – we took them.

A senior moment in time.

This is true each way! LOL

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Papa’s World – The good life.

We have had numerous blessings –

Through our 43-plus years of being together.

When we were married – I converted to Lutheran from Catholic.

Sherry was raised in the Lutheran faith –

And asked me to convert –

I did and have never looked back.

This was and is the first blessing we shared together.

They are very similar but different.

I did not fully embrace the Catholic faith –

But I did and always have believed in a greater being.

Today, we belong to our third church –

all Lutheran and in three states.

This more than likely will be our last home church.

This will be our final resting spot as we have a spot –

in a Columbarium right out behind Saint Lukes Lutheran Church in Shallotte, N.C.

Just five miles from our home in Cameron Woods Community- OIB – N.C.

Close to where the survivor can visit.

We have traveled the World –

here we are on the North Shore of Oahu- Hawaii.

Travel by ourselves –

or with family and our friends – The McBrides –

has led us to the different continents and many memories.

Sharing our love for that with family – friends and each other.

Our senior years have brought us South –

Warmer temperatures – water – surf and sand.

We did not plan this as such –

But a door opened and we went through a window.

A window that we would spend our senior years living a good life.

All – because of a turndown in the economy –

A major loss in our retirement 401K –

but a huge increase in the value of our home-

And a chance Google search showed a condo in North Myrtle Beach –

brought us to NMB for nine months during the Pandemic.

A billboard with Cameron Woods Homes in OIB –

Led us to a sales office model –

And that day a woman had withdrawn her deposit –

on the lot we visited and decided –

this was it!

I consider this to be another blessing in our lives together.

Here is a picture of Sherry and I –

with our close friends Cindy and Buck –

Who came to The Villages to visit us while we were staying with my older brother Roger-

seated next to me.

Growing up – Roger who was ten years older than me –

Was an idol to me.

Everything I did was based on him who I adored.

He left for college when I was eight years old –

and seldom came back home again.

He was nominated and made WHO’S WHO in collegiate circles –

He was married after graduation –

and went into the Navy as an officer during the Vietnam War.

Over the years I only saw him rarely –

But kept in touch by letters.

It was only later in life –

just before his wife passed away and I was retired –

We began spending the Winters with him –

in The Villages in Florida.

He wanted us to move down with him –

but we had young grandchildren –

and our home in Brambleton, Va.-

was going to be our retirement home.

We were blessed that we spent the last 7 years of his life visiting him –

And he also came up to visit us.

To this day I look up to him –

and still consider him to be my idol.

Today we live our senior moments here in N.C.

Where seldom is snow or ice.

Most of the time it is warm –

blue skies and beautiful Sunrises and Sunsets.

We are ten and fifteen minutes from two beaches.

We volunteer for the Coastal Carolina Senior Center –

The Protection of Sea Turtles and the Brunswick County Food Pantry.

We love our church – we have close friends – three couples –

Five to Forty minutes drive from us.

And – the possibility of one more couple moving somewhere close by.

We now play golf as often as we can –

we are right in the middle of 30 gold courses.

We are close to entertainment either in Wilmington, N.C. –

or North Myrtle Beach – Myrtle Beach.

Shopping is also close by

This is now our home.

WE ARE BLESSED!

On the North Shore – loving life and blessed to be together,

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HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Papa’s World – A world full of memories.

If you look straight from Sherry – in between the two shadows – you can see the ball after she hit it!

Going straight down the fairway over the cart path!

She has good form and a nice easy swing.

Most of her hits are like this –

Not as far as she would like –

But straight which I wish I could say for myself.

One time she hit just like this and the ball continued to bounce forward –

On the cart path, she ended up just short of a 300-yard fairway and green! LOL

A WORLD FULL OF MEMORIES!

In my senior years – I battle endlessly with weight –

For the last three and on behalf years –

I have been slowly losing that extra pounds.

To date, I am down some 13 to 14 pounds –

and weigh in at one and one-half pounds less than I did when I graduated in 1967!

IT IS NOT EASY and I am a type 2 diabetic.

On my journey for these last years –

I have dramatically reduced my BEER-SUGAR and depend mostly on WATER.

Also – I have stuck for 19 going on 20 years with my supplements of FRIUT – VEGGIES and BERRIES!

I also take OMEGAS that are made from ALGAE instead of FISH OIL –

That may or not contain MERCURY from FISH!

I watch what I eat and when out try to stick to salads and fish or chicken.

And I get tested every four to six months –

My latest cholesterol was 100!!!!!!

I dress warm for the weather as I get cold easily.

It is not easy and I have brought my A1C down from 7.0 to 6.5!

So yes – the above is funny but I know I have to stay doing what has worked for me!

A WORLD FULL OF MEMORIES!

Sherry’s two daughters and my stepdaughters.

We have been together since they were small.

I would do whatever I can to help them.

The Swedish genes run deep –

Sherry’s grandmother was born in Sweden.

The girls are close to both of us and to each other.

We stay with them when we travel back to NVA!

Debby has two daughters who have graduated from college –

and the youngest H.S. this year

Tammy has two almost 15-year-old twin girls and an almost 11-year-old son.

EVERYONE HAS given us A WORLD FULL OF MEMORIES!

My youngest son Shawn and wife Trisha.

Who still lives in NWPA where he was raised.

Today they own and operate a business that provides insulation for the elderly to conserve energy-

Through the State and Energy Companies.

One side is insulation and the other side is inspections to see if they qualify through AUDITS!

Shawn also is a ranked pool player in the USA and CANADA –

Winning many tournaments and yearly trips to Las Vegas.

They both have brought A WORLD FULL OF MEMORIES to us.

We all are from WNY and NWPA and have been friends for over four decades.

We try to get together every four months and we all now live in the state of N.C.

We are all retired and living our dreams –

Fun – laughter – and singing are but a few of the things we enjoy together.

Thus bringing A WORLD FULL F MEMORIES into all of our lives.

My oldest son Troy and partner Andrea –

along with the rest of the family.

He builds houses from the ground up – EVERYTHING!

He gets that from my own father –

who could do the same.

He still lives in NWPA where he was raised.

He has been down once-

and hoping he can make it this year once again.

Proud father of this man –

They bring A WORLD FULL OF MEMORIES to us.

It all began here on 6-25-1982 for our WORLD FULL OF MEMORIES.

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A WORLD FULL OF MEMORIES!

Papa’s World – What I saw!

Throughout my time here on Earth – I have seen many sights and though how it could be a story!

So – I constantly look for things in my life –

Here is a pile of shoes –

Not just any shoes –

And notice – The pair on the far right –

Both facing in the same direction –

And a pair of socks!

These belong to our young grandson Bode –

And this picture was taken back in our home in Brambleton, Va.

We sold this home in 2020 – during the pandemic and moved South –

To North Myrtle Beach before we built our house in Cameron Woods Community!

I found this shoe placement to be interesting.

They would come for a visit and rule number one –

Remove your shoes! (Bode also chose to remove his socks!) LOL

Now the first pair to the left is Cassidy’s -And the Middle pair is Taylor’s!

Taylor has always been the bigger of the twins.

But what caught my eye was how they took them off and placed them!!!!

Being twins – they are exactly placed alike!

I found this to be interesting so I took the picture.

They are both alike and different.

but in this one instance –

More alike than different!

WHAT I SAW!

Here is Buck in the cart and Jimmy standing.

These two are besides grade school friends –

My oldest friends.

Jimmy and I are from Eldred, Pa.

While I am older by 9 Years –

We played softball together and worked at the American Olean Tile Plant together.

We went on family vacations together –

Raise our children and go to each other’s weddings!

We go back to the mid-70s.

Buck actually knew Jimmy before he knew me.

But – when we sold our first home we moved to Pleasant Acres Drive and became neighbors –

Buck and Cindy McBride became close friends and golfing partners-

all those years ago in the 80s.

Then they moved South to the Wilmington, N.C. area.

On vacations, we would visit and at that time we both loved the area.

We have traveled the World with Buck and Cindy.

And now live 38 miles from them –

They are in Magnolia Greens Gplf Plantation outside of Leland –

Still close to Wilmington, N.C.

Friends for life – WHAT I SAW!

Sherry – Buck and Cindy at Vanish back in NVA near Leesburg, Va. –

While visiting our family.

These are times gone past but remain as memories and times to come.

McBrides and Sherry and me.

Thanks for reading and as always HGD!

Jimmy and Dottie – Julie – Cindy’s sister – Cindy – Buck and Sherry –

WHAT I SAW – is forever friends!

PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog