He had red curly hair – a smile a mile wide and a laugh and giggle that you knew right away who it was.
He was my younger brother – we were like a second family for my parents –
Donna and Roger were 15 and 10 years older.
We had a sister who died at birth in between the two sets of kids.
We fought like cats and dogs do – but we also were close.
He instigated a lot of it and would scream bloody murder as loud as he could when I had enough.
I was the one who into trouble but mom always knew as she later told me.
He was just o darn likable with that hair and giggle.
MOM ( Mary) Sue ( Susan) his wife and Mike ( we look alike here I think.)
We played all the time together – cowboys and Indian’s – running the neighborhood –
He was always hurting himself – one time he climbed up on top of a attached shed at a neighbors house.
He was going to ambush me but I saw him and pretended to shoot him.
I saw what he was going to do and I yelled STOP – but he did it anyway –
always acting real life he sort of collapsed and rolled off the shed to the ground as if dead.
But there was a stone bird bath under the shed roof and when he came down he hit his elbow on it!
Off to the doctors office we went and then in the ambulance to the hospital to have surgery on the elbow!
He had to have a pin put in and that elbow was off to the side -making his arm seem crooked.
Mom ( Mary) talking to Mike’s daughter Jennifer at the kitchen table.
A few years later – we were on the front porch – and he had climbed up onto the porch railing – I told him he had better get down before he fell.
Well – as always – he gave me that silly laugh and giggle – and I could not help but smile until he did fall.
At the end of the porch beneath that railing – a 2 x 10 stuck out – he came down and hit that board with his other elbow and we repeated the same thing all over again with another surgery – now he had two elbows exactly the same!
But -it seemed like it was a perfect solution for him as it perfected his golf swing and he had a lot of power and strength in those arms – one time I was with him – and this was way before anyone was hitting the ball 300 yards.
We were playing the old number one hole at Smethport – he was a Freshman – me just beginning my senior year –
He hit that ball and because of how his elbows were now shaped – he hit it straight with power. That hole was a gradual uphill some 305 yards!
His ball ended up past the hole and into the yard behind it! Some 50 or 60 yards past! Uphill!
If I had not been there to see it – I would not believe it!
Gene Fazio – who was a card member of the PGA and a premier golfer in the Pa. and NYS area –
told me – “IF I HAD MY SHORT GAME AND MIKE’S DRIVING – I WOULD GO ON THE PGA TOUR”!
Mike was a scratch golfer even with those elbows.
Mike later with a red beard and that red curly hair!
Mike ended up bigger than me – he was as tall as my father who was a little over six foot tall.
The brother’s – Roger – Mike and I got our curly hair from my dad – my grandfather was bald.
Mike ended up around 215 pounds and played football – but he could kick that ball just like he hit golf balls.
Far and straight – he became a field goal kicker way before that was common in H.S.
His kick offs were always through the end zone and he went on to college at Mansfield University of Pa.
Where he became the kicker for the college football team.
He graduated in Criminal Justice.
My step dad John – Sue and Mike.
As I said before he was always doing something and getting hurt!
He was riding my bike one day and I told him to get off as he was not big enough to ride it!
His legs could barley touch the pedals – sure enough his foot slipped and he came down on the cross bar –
off to the hospital we went again – operation for a rupture!
My brother in law Bill nick named him JUICE!
I really do not know why other than he was like electric – energy running through him – always a live wire!
Then one day Bill and I were sitting on the front porch –
and he said “HERE COMES JUICE”!
And then Bill said “JESUS CHRIST”!
And Bill hollered at him – “JUICE- PUT THE ROPE DOWN”!
But too late!
Mike was walking up the street twirling a dog rope with a clasp on the end of it over his head like a cowboy!
He got it too low just after Bill yelled to put it down and it started to wind around his head lower and lower.
It came around and smacked him right on the mouth –
“KNOCKING OUT HIS FRONT TOOTH”!
Off to the dentist office we went – oral surgery to extract what remained in his mouth of that tooth.
THAT IN A NUTSHELL WAS MY BROTHER MIKE!
Red hair – bearded – always smiling and that silly laugh – giggle.
I MISS HIM as he passed away when I was 35.
Sue Mike Jenifer
My brother MIKE – loved – close as brothers are – gone way too young – but never forgotten.
Our daughter Debby is a QMND for the Juice Plus Company
For almost fifteen years she has lived a healthy lifestyle – and guided her family to eat healthily.
Her mission is to help families and their children eat healthily.
With two daughters in college and both playing soccer – making sure they get the Fruits – Veggies and Berries their young bodies need to maintain that active life they lead in college.
Debby with Maddy ( University of Lynchburg – Ella ( Randolph College) and husband – Mike.
Feed your plants – feed your children – health – nutrition – care – love and gratitude.
The effect of whole food nutrition – nutrients in capsule form – Debby – QMND – The Juice Plus Company.
If you would like more info from Debby – use my email – fitztdf@aol.com and I will relay it to her.
Debby – QMND – The Juice Plus Company
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog email: fitztdf@aol.com
Sarah Maddy Ella – raised taking Juice Plus – Healthy Lifestyle – with Debby – QMND – The Juice Plus Company
Randolph College – the University of Lynchburg – one a sophomore – the other a senior.
Both colleges are in Lynchburg, Va. Ella is a sophomore, Randolph – and Maddy is a senior.- Lynchburg.
Both start on their teams – Maddy a wing and Ella midfielder.
Sad this most likely will be the last game they play against each other – but as a family – MEMORIES!
Captains meeting midfield – Ella middle on left in white – Maddy on the right – middle in black.
Shaking hands
And then THE HANDSHAKE AMONG SISTERS! MEMORY!
And then the procession out onto the pitch – Number 10 white – Ella and number 13 black – Maddy.
For us as grandparents and as mother and father – there is no winner and no loser !
For the granddaughters – bittersweet as for the second time – Maddy’s team has won.
Ella never came out of the game – and she has now started and played every game as a freshman
and now as a sophomore – the only freshman to accomplish that.
She will be a very good player when it is all said and done.
Maddy is ending her career for a third straight year as a starter.
Lynchburg has gone to the NCAA tournament for 16 straight and won a national title in 2016.
Wearing the same numbers all the way through – youth – travel and HS teams.
Since they both could walk with their father working with them on ball handling and passing – shooting and footwork – they both take the corner kicks for their teams.
Today Ella has grown so tall – almost 5’10”
Maddy will graduate in Engineering Science with now a 3.85 GPA!
No one lost here – proud parents Debby and Mike – the tradition of the family – love of soccer and life.
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Stepping out the front door of our house in Cameron Woods to the morning sunrise!
We choose this lot because of the sunrise and sunset from our driveway!
You look right to the East and left to the West!
Looking out the front door to the West!
We have been here going on fifteen months – and have had numerous sunrise and sunset skies
that is absolutely beautiful!
This is us! No snow or ice!
View of the front and looking SW toward the ocean some 2 to 4 miles away!
We are in OIB but on the mainland side – six miles to Sunset Beach and four miles to OIB.
The sunrise from the backyard – all the tree line to the right is protected!
Our backyard borders a protected area – it can not be developed or cut down – the second reason we chose this lot to build our new home!
Looking out at the backyard and treeline.
As we progress into the future – we have carefully had the landscape done – replacing pine straw with stones and mulch – eventually going to all stones and borders.
We also wanted an open patio and a firepit – along with a place to grow our own organic veggies – which we have done now year round!
This is now our third harvest since early spring – and are going on our second harvest of cucumbers!
She finally talked me into purchasing a grill and we often grill out here – we have no gas and the house is all electric – and electric stove tops we have found are hard to keep clean – thus I grill! LOL
Our little flower garden next to the treeline – now if we can keep the deer from munching the leaves! LOL
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I wanted color back here – the builder planted white Crepe Myrtles out front – these are WATERMELLON!
We also replaced all the Pine Straw and moved it to the tree line where we had three Oleanders put in!
They are young plants and hoping they will take hold – watering them everyday – but next year they should bloom
a bright RED againest the back drop of the protected tree line.
The second Crepe Myrtle – all trees in the yard now have stone and brick or edging depending where they are. The ones next to the house are mulched in black and serve as a contrast to the light gray siding.
A quiet neighborhood – but already a man rang the doorbell trying to sell home securtiy!
We are slowly putting in flowers that will come back year to year – hoping to make this area wild but colorful!
This will be a on going work in progress – adding a little bit here and there!
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One is the oldest granddaughter while the second is the youngest granddaughter with her twin sister.
One is in her third year at University of Lynchburg – Enviromental Engineering major.
One is in the fifth grade – so caring she calls or zooms her grandmother almost every day.
One starts at the attack front position for the ranked lady soccer hornets soccer team.
And had played in 13 games as a freshmen – started her Sophomore year and again as a junior.
One moved to sit beside her older cousin at the soccer game.
Both are dear to our hearts!
Cassidy with MARLEY – the newest addition to her family!
Always smiling – always caring – always protective of her brother – just who she is. Cassidy
Maddy – a junior at the University of Lynchburg – Environmental Engineering – playing soccer and carrying above a 3.80 GPA! Next to Papa in the picture.
Number 13 – left front attacker – crossing a dribble with her left foot to get around a defender. On a top 25 team in the Division III national polls.
Granddaughters – oldest to youngest – youngest admires the oldest – both exceptional to us –
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Just a little over a month later from our New Years Eve beach gathering and toast to 2021
We once again were back to see the sunset – only it was windy and cold –
far from the 65 degrees of NYE!
The approaching sunset peeking through the trees!
Papa – Diane and Sherry
We first parked and walked to the end of the street – here the last of the end of the houses –
and this then begins Bird Island – marshland protected and wide-open beach.
Our neighbor Diane
The tide was going out!
Here you see the last of the houses on the marsh and bayside – with the tide going out – This is the end of Sunset Beach and the beginning of Bird Island.
Sun setting – time to go to the beach.
This is where we gathered for NYE and drank a toast to 2021!
The pier and people walking the beach.
Sherry – braving the wind chill – it was cold.
As we looked out on the ocean – to think we can do this every night if we want to –
and there still is Ocean Isle Beach – living our dream.
One final look before we returned home – Sunset at SUNSET BEACH, N.C.
I seem to be the person if it is going to happen – it will happen to me.
This is very RARE here this close to the ocean so I am told.
And to be fair – within an hour or so – it was gone!
Looking out the lanai at the snow on the ground and swirling in the air.
Now – really – I could care less if I ever see snow again – some people think that is nuts –
but I just do not like the snow-ice and cold – and I lived in WNY & NWPA for 50 years!
So I know all about blizzards – running my van up and down the driveway to pack it down –
Shoveling – chipping ice – burning 21 cords of wood hand carried inside and to the basement for the woodstove – that stove kept us warm through one week without electricity – and power –
that plus the living room fireplace –
going to work at 5am. through unplowed roads and a foot of fresh snow and another foot on the way.
The Tower Garden all covered up and survived all the ice – snow and cold.
I think it is so pretty coming down – covering in white – but that is my extent of liking it.
Back North – we would go cross-country skiing – in the Alleghany National Park on groomed trails.
As a kid, we were always outside sledding – building forts and snowball fights.
My memories are in the past – my present is NO SNOW! LOL
Lonely birdfeeder with no birds in the snow.
As I said – it was over in an hour – sunshine and no snow anywhere – the WHY we moved South.
The Sun is back – the air still cool – the roads dry – NO ICE – NO SNOW!
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Diane – Sherry, and Papa – walking after the snow – in the sunshine and cool air!
After walking through the paved road area where the infrastructure is already installed –
We decided to walk the access road beyond the huge mound of dirt to the pond.
Diane Sherry and Betsey waiting for me to come down off the mound of dirt.
We now are on the access road – through the cleared area walking to the large pond!
Sherry and Diane walking the road with a huge drainage ditch on the left – I call this the “GATOR HIGHWAY”
Yes – we have seen a small gator in this pond – but as Sherry says – “WHERE’S THE MOTHER”?
This is the old access road that they put in to make the pond and clear the land.
This old access road runs right behind our house – the tree line here is protected –
That is the back of our home in the picture – these woods will not be cut or cleared and this old road is blocked off – where another new home has been built.
I hope they make this part of the already trail system we have that goes around the other pond.
This now seems to be where they dump and storm drains – pipes, etc.
This area will be the last to be done in the next phase – suppose to be according to map site plans
A third pond somewhere to the right of this picture eventually.
The second pond – looks to be as big as the other one or larger.
We have seen many tracks of deer around here as well as other tracks.
People have said they have seen Bobcat tracks and coming home one night –
I saw something bigger than a normal cat on the main highway – ?????
I took this picture a couple months ago – right behind the new community center.
Betsey – Diane and Sherry – heading back up the road away from the pond.
There are five houses to be completed in our phase – and then they are done there- I was told the construction will commence here in the finished area with paved roads sometime in March.
They are selling the lots now – LENNAR is the builder now – new designs and new elevations will be the difference from what we had to choose from.
We shall see what this all looks like a year from now as aI think it is a two-year build-out or more.
PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
CAMERON WOODS – off Old Georgetown Road – Ocean Isle Beach – across from the back entrance to Ocean Ridge Plantation – home of the BIG CATS golf courses.
From that little one to an adult and a junior in college. Maddy was the first and now there are six.
TAYLOR and Papa.
Cassidy – TAYLOR – Bode
TAYLOR – today – who is going to be taller than all the rest – no longer my LITTLE ONE!
ELLA ( tiny) and Maddy
ELLA ( tiny) now a Freshman at Randolph College
We called her the nickname from her father – she always had a soccer ball or basketball in her hands.
Today – she is the starting midfielder for the college – playing almost every minute of the games.
Tiny now is taller than Sherry who is 5′ 9″.
CASSIDY and Taylor
CASSIDY – the caring little mother to Bode.
Today she is the smaller of the twins – with the biggest heart – always protecting Bode when not arguing with him! LOL, They should have been the twins they are so much alike!
She is the one who counts the days down to when she can see us – who zoom calls every week.
A little fireball with the biggest heart of them all.
SARAH and Ella
SARAH – Bode – Cassidy – Taylor and Ella.
Today – Sarah is almost as tall as Ella who is 5’10” – the fashion girl who wants to go to NYC!
The twins adore her and whenever we get together – they are three peas in a pod.
She is only a Freshman in H.S. – already was a contender for prom queen.
She is her own self – funny – outgoing – and just might have been a very good soccer player like her sisters.
Cassidy BODE Taylor
Taylor BODE Cassidy
So much like Cassidy that they should have been the twins – yet – he is growing –
and someday I think will be taller than Taylor who he is built just like at seven years old.
Full of energy – always on the go – wear no socks or shoes most of the time.
Or a jacket or gloves!
Out of the six grandchildren – the only boy.
Bode Ella Cassidy Taylor Maddy and Sarah
Here today at Christmas day for presents – memories from the past to the present.
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