Self Sheltering

Papas World – Good thoughts – give – pray – the World turns.

/ Tom / 2 Comments

In this time – Day#58 of Sheltering –

The World turns regardless –

Try not to read the bad news – or listen to the negative

Give of yourself – food to the hungry – clothes to the poor.

Even though you see and hear all things –

filter them out – for it is up to you and me

To make this a better place.

In our time of silence – in our time of isolation –

Think how the normal is now the abnormal

and how to bring the sanity back into our lives’

The World turns regardless –

Put your faith into whatever you believe in

and make it a better place.

Positive thoughts – positive well being – positive actions

The news is full of the negative – channel it out

there are good things out there

We are humanity –

Give of yourself – help less fortunate –

Those in need – those that are hungry

donate time – collect food – and help deliver it.

Laughter – zooming – tic – tock – video – messaging

stay in touch – drive by honk your horn

Sunday streamed service

walk – ride a bike – say hello from a distance

Faith – hope -charity – love and kindness.

Sheltering Day# 58

The little ones depend on us –

“Now I lay myself down to sleep “-

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

“Pray to the Lord my soul to keep”

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

Papa & Bode

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – DAY # 100 with friends – RESTON VA.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

We have been on the move – packing –

going back and forth to the storage unit.

So we were invited by friends to meet up at the Reston Town Center.

Where we found four chairs – placed them at least six feet apart

and sat down and ate our curbside pickup!

We met up with Jason & Ginger Child –

and while it was raining – sometimes a cloud burst

we found shelter under the covered ICE SKATE RINK

Now covered in artificial grass –

with all these colorful chairs and decorations!

Our peaceful little space – under the clear roof – with a slight rain!

It was so nice to just sit and talk – eat – and watch people –

all respecting distance – and being outside – we took our masks off

to of course eat and sip our ice teas!

The topics were one and many – the laughs – well – a way to relax.

We have a lot to be thankful for – sitting with friends outside

in the fresh air – listening to the rain –

eating lunch –

it is the little things in life that are full of surprises

Thank you Ginger for the invite!

And Jason – who works from home 7 days a week –

A chance to take a break –

Someday my friend – we shall play a round of golf!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – I have a neighbor – his name is Dexter – a good dude.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

I started to mow yesterday – and I have always mowed my two neighbors lawns.

To the right of the tree and light post – Dexter’s lawn

He came out and I shut the mower down.

I have know him for almost 14 years

He has been going through hard times the last three years.

You see – Dexter has Cancer – he is young – early 40’s.

He sometimes rides his bike on the same trails as we walk.

He told me Susie had told him we sold our house.

Susie lives between us and I mow her lawn also.

He said it is hard to believe that soon there will be

No more Sherry and Tom – to talk to.

He has gone through a bone marrow transplant.

He is in pain a lot of times now with his back.

He has not worked in three years and is on total disability.

We sometimes send food over – he does not have much and is on a limited income.

He has always watched our home when we are away –

carefully attending the Tower Gardens.

Even before he became ill and the Chemo has eaten away at him

We would talk on the front porch or stand and talk out front

He has our code to the garage door

when we are away he checks and makes sure everything is okay

I started doing that after we had gone away

and had a major water leak that destroyed

our first level wood floors – causing us to replace 800 some feet

because we could no longer match the thickness.

Dexter is my friend – trusted neighbor – we talk

we laugh – I help him out –

Dexter is African – American.

DEXTER IS MY NEIGHBOR & FRIEND

BLACK LIVES MATTER

Going to miss him.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – RESPECT – the store – your peers – family

/ Tom / Leave a comment

The other day we were out on a mission

To meet a lady who had masks made in Vietnam

and were high quality.

We ordered 10 of them – at less than the going price.


And they fit much better than what we had.

But we had some time – so into Wegmans we went.

And there was not one person in that store that did not have a mask on!

There were a lot of people in there.

No one complaining – shouting – just people going about shopping!

This will rub people – it will cause some of you to be disgusted

You will say your RIGHTS are being infringed upon.

But – I will say – it comes down to RESPECT!

Wearing a mask will not keep you from getting Covid19

But if you sneeze or cough

and you do not know you are affected

It will help protect those you might have coughed or sneeze on!

So much in social media – so much hatred

RESPECT for that store

RESPECT for you peers

RESPECT for your family

The path may never be the same again

The journey will be different

But – our lives still live on

and RESPECT is much needed.

We will get better at RESPECT

or it will end up being worse than Covid19.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

RESPECT – the store – your peers – family.

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – A World of trying times – keep smiling!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

The end before the beginning – a upside – inside out World!

When one little thing goes wrong –

it cascades – only in my case – it was with the KEURIG

And I forgot to put the CUP in! LOL!

Now imagine – if the top disappeared from your life

and the bottom took it’s place!

In my case – exactly what happened!

I was a fast food junkie –

and then thanks to my wife – we changed

for 14 years now – no fast food –

and I take my WHOLE FOOD SUPPLEMENTS

Of Juice plus – ORCHARD – GARDEN – VINEYARD and OMEGAS

made not from fish oil –

but where the fish get the OMEGAS – JP own ALGAE FARMS!

So my World turned upside down and right side up!

Our World which was normal is now abnormal

and we may not live long enough to see it go back

if it ever does!

So – we evolve – we change and we go on.

That has been the Human evolution since human kind began.

Laugh – think and do new things.

Times have changed – say GOOD MORNING –

Drink you coffee or tea or hot chocolate

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

I hope I brought to you words to think about

and I hope you come back

for this is PAPA’S WORLD

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – Can you IMAGINE !

/ Tom / Leave a comment

I have never watched those shows with Zombies

The walking dead – but I look outside and everything seems normal.

It is not like the movie The Quiet Place

The birds are chirping – you hear the planes overhead

not like it was at 911 when the skies went silent

Nor is it like when the DC sniper caused you to hide

behind your car door as you pumped gas at 4:30 in the AM.

Papa and Tom
this past Feb. at Disney Springs

While I have never experienced Zombies and Walking dead

I was in NVA during the sniper attacks

and was in the exact middle of the area affected.

Yes – I had to be at work at 5:00 AM.

And when I needed gas – I did exactly as I described.

And when the skies went silent –

that day where I worked in Alexandria Va.

The Springfield area – the plane flew overhead and hit the Pentagon

I did not see it but heard it – and several of my co- workers

were outside in the parking lot loading customers and saw it!

Now – we are in trying times – from something you can not see.

Yet – it is there stalking –

It is scary – because you can not see it –

But has shut the World down.

Wars come and go – snipers are caught – planes fly again.

I would of never imagined this and how there is no place to hide.

IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!

Yet – we live day to day – we find ways to talk – to see one another.

IMAGINE – A World – brought to its knees and we are surviving.

Sort of WAR OF THE WORLDS IN REVERSE!

No haircut for 80 some days

Just the two of us – but that in itself – we are blessed –

a lot of people have no one.

We are getting through this – we are becoming whole once more

The World has changed – normal has become abnormal

Stay safe – stay having faith –

Believe in humanity

Look outside – see the beauty – smell the air and soak in the sunshine

The birds are chirping – it could be a lot worse

There could be Zombies and A Quiet Place!

As a World – we sill have one another.

We are moving on – one day at a time.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – now – the helmet hides the hair!

/ Tom / 1 Comment

Life is so different now in Sheltering – we still walk –

ride our bikes – deliver groceries

collect food for the food pantry

and now are on a schedule to bring meals

to a vet and his wife who are home bound.

Resting on the trail – I can walk – but biking is a whole new ball game!

You use different muscles –

plus my bike is acting weird

when I am coasting – it constantly is changing gears

so I never know how it will be when I start peddling again!

Plus it does it when I apply the hand brakes!

The whole World has changed – life is not like we lived it!

We must adapt – and we are.

But – we are ready to explore once again.

I miss being able to drive and stop to eat.

Or pull over and see the beauty of the country.

I wonder what those who have passed away would think of today?

One thing that I have not been able to do –

IS GET A HAIR CUT!

It now has been 75 days!

And it is getting long and curly – which is natural for me!

Back in the ’70’s – I had long hair – although it was tight curls.

And for almost ten years – I rode a motorcycle.

Those days are long gone!

Now days I keep it cut and trimmed – usually every four weeks!

Since I started Juice Plus – it seems to grow faster!

So today – I am going to show you what it looks like now.

The question is ” DO I LET SHERRY CUT IT” ?

Or do I just bite the bullet so to speak and keep going!

All I do now is shower – wash it – towel dry it –

and run my fingers through it!

No comb or brush –

and I put nothing in or on it!

My wife wants me to buy some “STUFF” for it.

She says it will hold the curls more!

So Here It Is!

I will let you be the judge – and comment if you like!

It has been 45 plus years since it has been this long

and it was way longer back then!

Now the abnormal has become the normal

Thank you for reading Papa’s World!

Will wait for feed back!

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – things I had to do – risky – so far – good.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

During this time of not knowing how this all will turn out

I had to do a couple things that were risky

and I thought long and hard about.

The first was when my front tooth felt different

and it was actually loose!

OBOY – I was in Florida and I thought just get through this

get home and take care of it there.

Then we got home- I made the appointment

and COVID 19 happened!

So I canceled and waited it out!

Then it happened – it broke off – it was a crown –

but I had a gap right in the front!

Now – I had no choice – before it got infected –

I had to go to the dentist – so I made my appointment on line.

They would only do emergency’s.

I was worried – but I went in – they were the only people there

the husband and wife dental team.

He drilled it out – the post – and put in the temp.

No shots – there was no root.

But I would have to be careful and go back

when the crown came in!

That took place over several weeks and it all came out good.

I have my new crown – they were very professional

and there were no other patients there

and they wore gowns – masks – shields – gloves

and stayed away from me when not working on my mouth!

The next thing was the car – I have maintained it right on schedule

for seven years – and it now has 122,000 miles.

I needed a oil change

the last time was back in January just before we left for Florida.

I already was over the mileage and we had driven

a lot of miles while we were in Florida.

So – I made the appointment

and in I went – hardly anyone there!

I waited all by myself

They had put distance between all the seats

and no one was in there.

I got the oil change – replaced a bulb and was on my way!

Yesterday I saw my doctor – by phone!

I now have this app where you go into her office portal

and you can see and talk to her!

Since my heart attack almost seven years ago

I see my two doctors every six months and the one every twelve months.

That part was easy – but they have to draw blood every six months.

So – today I go to the office – where they have one person at a time.

They check your temp. plus she could see me yesterday.

I am feeling good , no head ache – cough – pink eye –

Then – I must wear a mask –

they take me right in – draw the blood and I leave

as quick as possible.

God bless these front line people!

So – during all these I had to make choices

I am healthy – have not taken the FLU shot in 15 years!

I take my Juice Plus and Omegas

I drink water all day – no dairy – very little sugars –

my one vice is coffee with almond cream.

However I am doing a 16 hour shred – fast

I do not eat for 16 hours after my dinner.

And I can have no coffee so I am having a cup of tea in the morning.

I am livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Welcome to Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

Thank you

sometimes you just have to trust in your faith

Go in Peace – thanks be to God.

Papas World – a Mothers day to remember – covid19

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Sometimes – you just have to suck it up – still maintain –

And see your family!

That happened yesterday – Mother’s Day – 5-10 – 20

The year we were sheltering for COVID19 !

We decided after 58 days – and this being a special day

we would make the trip and see the families

while still social distancing.

We have not been to either set of family houses since Christmas.

We left for Florida the 28th. of January –

Came back home March 4th.

and 10 days later went into Sheltering!

The Tree little ones as I call them –

Bode – age 5 – Taylor and Cassidy – age 9.

We miss them terribly – as every day after school they would be here

until one parent picked them up –

and in the morning – Bode and his mother would be here

after she dropped the twins off at school

and wait until Bode had to be at preschool at 9 am.

Sarah – mother Debby – Sherry – Maddy and Ella

The three oldest – even though they are now older

the bond is still there

They live 1 1/2 hours away

But we always attend special events for them.

The social distancing is hard – you want to hug.

But just talking to them – well – it made this a very special day.

As we age – thoughts tend to get lost – memories fade –

but – I think this day because of the virus –

will always be remembered

and we caught it in a picture

to be talked about for years to come!

Mothers day – 2020 – MORMOR – meaning in Swedish – MOTHERSMOTHER!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – Sheltering Day#56 – birthday!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

May 7th. 2020 – 71 years old – Pandemic – Social Distancing

Guess I am always going to remember this one!

My wife Sherry – made it a very special day – but she messed up –

and two days before – let the cat out of the bag.

We were going to practice SOCIAL DISTANCING –

BUT – we were going to use our patio which is very large

over 500 square feet and enclosed by a fence and the house

and each family of grand kids will come at specific times

so no one is here at the same time!

My little buddy would also be here
Bode – this picture taken two years ago
gosh – how I miss them all

The first family of Mike – Debby – Maddy – Ella and Sarah

came at 12:30 pm. They parked outback – walked around the back yard

and into the patio –

where we had seating for everyone but at least six feet apart.

They gave me cards they had made – the three girls –

they always make me special crafted cards.

I cherish them and save each one.

Have since they were little!

Now the whole family except Ella – eats very little meat

so we ordered a pizza delivery –

we paid on the site and they delivered

they do not even see you or knock

they text that the pizza is by the front door and then drive off!

We had also fruit – gluten free chips – salsa – wheat less pretzels

And my favorite cake that we made a special trip to WEGMENS

White coconut cream cake! ( which has been years since I had)

We celebrated by each staying in our own seats – laughing –

and then the text – the second group were on their way.

Time to leave – no hugs – but lots of smiles – kind words.

They left – and then it was time to see the little ones and their parents

same routine – the little ones have followed their older cousins

each in turn made special cards and gave to me

(Tammy – Marcus – Taylor – Cassidy & Bode !

How I miss them all.

They dressed up – the little ones – just for this occasion.)

I guess at my age I am sentimental – but to me –

these are the best presents – the cards

for years and years I have saved them!

It will be fun one day to bring them all out and show them

when they are all grown up!

We spent two hours just the same as we did with the older ones.

Sheltering in place on my birthday – strange no hugs –

no handshakes – but – the smiles and laughs.

Earlier I had gotten a call –

From my two sons back in NWPA –

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD” !

I AM BLESSED – my wife made this all happen –

And the boys called me!

What more could I ask for –

A PUZZLE!

Sherry got me another puzzle – 500 pieces!

And a new warm pull over shirt –

which in this freaky Spring of rain and cold

I SHALL WEAR!

Sheltering in place Day# 56 – best birthday ever –

now to get busy and put PUZZLE # 8 together

glad when this is all over!

Welcome to Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – took a little road trip – to buy some seeds

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It has now passed TWO MONTHS since I had my HAIR CUT

and today I looked in the mirror

YEP THIS IS ME!!!!! LOL

I have decided to wait as long as I can –

no place to get one anyway

and not that I do not trust her

but my wife is encouraging me to let it go!

Jerry Garcia I am not – but getting there!

So – anyway – we went to a team members house

about one hour and fifth teen minutes away

You see she has started a TOWER GARDEN FARM

with over 20 TOWER GARDENS!

And she also grows and sells seedlings!

Other Tower Garden growers wanted strawberry plants

Which right now at different growers we use from all over the country

Do not have any – so we purchased 60!

We have a small strawberry patch in the ground as seen here.

But wanted to start some in our Tower Garden

and two other team members also wanted some.

After we were there and toured the Towers

She had 10 inside and 10 outside

and quite the operation in various stages

We made our purchases and then drove through the Va. countryside

for another hour and twenty minutes

This whole time we practiced social distancing with our masks.

We arrived at the second team members house

She had set up two tower gardens

and had a whole table full of seedlings growing with grow lights!

And she wanted 31 strawberry plants as she had two more

tower gardens to set up!

One of the two tower gardens
we have set up plus our indoor
tower garden in the garage

We delivered the plants and Friday – the rest of the strawberries

plus a whole tray full of seedlings which two more team members wanted

well we have arranged to meet them while still practicing

Social Distancing!

All in all our little day trip turned into a 6 1/2 hour journey

and over 150 miles

Oh – I might add – we had to leave the house

Our dryer had to be fixed

and the only way was for us to leave and the repairman come in

Such has now become the norm from the abnormal.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – Sheltering – warm days – seems normal!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

We finally had some warm weather a couple days in a row!

Friday – Saturday and Sunday – low 70’s to low 80’s.

Beautiful skies – blue – white clouds and sunshine!

After Sunday supper – I sat down on the front porch and noticed

the clouds were coming in from the South West.

Going to storm I thought – but it was warm –

and I told Sherry if it does and the temps drop

we will have our first Spring Thunder and Lightening storm!

THE GRATEFUL DEAD
To all you deadheads out there!

We had watched our church service streamed live

enjoyed a great breakfast

and decided to walk to our town center 1 1/2 miles away.

So we could get in our three plus mile walk!

When we got over there after walking through the 15 acre park

we saw they had set up the Farmers Market –

with the whole width plus some – the street in between the booths

and each booth had yellow caution tape in front

so you could not get close.

You had to point and tell them what you wanted!

It was very well set up with a large table in the middle of the street

with hand sanitizer on it to disinfect your hands before and after

you made the purchase.

Since it was late and they were closing up –

I do not know if it was cash or credit card or both.

But – next week we are going as they had hanging baskets for $10.00

and Tomato plants for $2.50

( I always buy one to see if I can produce better than the Tower Garden)

I can’t!!!!!

The storm came in later at 10 PM. with lightening and Thunder

and a little bit of rain.

This morning it is warm 59 degrees.

Everything is lush – green and our roses are starting to bloom!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – Dentist – collect food – deliver to five families – Sheltering.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

The days go by – routines set in –

then the unthinkable – at least to me – happens!

The front tooth crown – number 8 to be exact –

BREAKS off and I had bitten into a piece of bread!

Now – here I am holding it – looking into the mirror –

SHELTERING DAY # 49 – DENTIST!

So – Sherry went onto the dentist site –

They have closed for all except emergency’s!

But – it lets me schedule – 9:30 AM. Next day!

I arrive – 20 minutes early – door locked – no lights

It is pouring out – so I decide to wait – ten minutes

and both dentists show up.

Thank goodness – I would not have to smile missing my front tooth!

I went in and they greeted me – they officially open tomorrow

as per the Governor Ralph Northan of Va.

But – they are caught between a rock and hard place.

They have three employees – of which only one

said they would come back –

The other two say they are making more money staying home!

I believe in the stimulus – but to me this is wrong.

If the state is opening up slowly and your job is there

then you should go back or risk your job is gone.

So – they give me two different ways to fix this.

One – replace the crown – but – because the walls of the tooth

are narrow – it just might break off again – but maybe not!

Two – have a implant – bone graft – and it would be months long!

We do not have dental insurance

Had it when we worked – but always ended up paying a lot!

So – I looked at cost for each and they would give me a discount on both!

I did not want to go through a implant as I have had two of those done.

I selected the crown – without novocaine as the root was gone.

After it was done – he told me he was surprised

at just how strong it was! WIN FOR ME!

Now – today – we will drive to LINK – our County FOOD PANTRY!

Tammy dropped off food she had collected from her neighborhood.

Still Social Distancing – I opened garage door and the trunk.

She filled it up along with what we had already gathered!

We also volunteered for the month of May – to deliver food to families.

Today – we have FIVE FAMILIES to deliver to.

We have our instructions – texted then ahead of time –

We just leave the bags at their door!

These families – this is the only food they have.

And we have been collecting for three weeks.

The list of families has gone at least five times as high

since no jobs!

We need to help these people and make our great country

GRATEFUL in GIVING.

We have done all this while Sheltering – except for the dentist

I have not come in contact with anyone for 49 days!

I am praying that my dental appointment

will be okay – they both were covered

head to toe – masks – shields gloves.

I feel grateful to them and also saddened

in that they also are struggling

and haveing to go through this with their employees.

These times require some strength –

Maybe a drink or two –

But also a time of gratitude –

to be able to help those less fortunate

Giving – sharing and praying

Just another 24 hours in my life!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – Day # 47 – Sheltering – HAIR – HAIR!!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Well – you know it is time when you start scratching your head! LOL!

At least that is what happens to me as my hair gets long!

But – the NOISE from NEWS has me also scratching my head!

It is not like you can go outside and protest – although some have!

And – not keeping SOCIAL DISTANCING!

Since I write – save and schedule a couple weeks in advance

The talk now is some are easing into reopening

while others are jumping in feet first and no masks on their heads!

I do not know how this will unfold –

but I do know that with this as with most other things

It will become ( pardon the expression)

A pissing match and both sides of the aisle

will once again go at each others throats!

Here I am – stuck in the middle

Jokers to the left

Clowns to the right!

But – this is society – always has been

and it seems always will be.

We seem to self destruct and makes you wonder

just how have we managed this for thousands and thousands of years?

So – I write – not knowing what the subject will be!

You see – as I post on face book – every day – I post FIVE THINGS!

To make you smile – to be happy – make you think and provide

a good thought for the rest of your day!

Which – today – I SAVED TO MY BLOG SITE

and Shared them one by one – and not being able to see them clearly

before I share as when saved they are so small I can’t see them!

So – I decided to write as I shared them –

and this blog reflects just that!

I see stories in my mind – I see memories –

I can not explain it – nor do I understand it!

Once again – I share my thoughts

and right now my hair is long –

as always with me – it makes me scratch my head!

But as always I write – I conjure up thoughts

And thank the Lord at my age I can still do this!

Welcome to Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – Day# 44 – I need a haircut – going back to my youth!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

My oh my – I told Sherry several weeks ago – you might want to cut my hair!

But then I decided – the heck with it – you see –

back in the late ’60’s and through the ’70’s

I had long hair and rode a motorcycle

Just a freedom of expression.

I was not for the WAR in NAM.

I had friends who were recruited and drafted

and some never made it back.

I also was in a car accident when I was a senior in H.S.

and spent 51 days in the hospital –

not knowing if I would ever walk again.

Me my Senior year

I was never drafted – but I went to work one week after graduation

I had too – and 47 1/2 years later

I retired from that same company.

So – that was my time of having long hair all those years ago

The problem at least in my mind – my hair is natural curley

So – I looked like Carrot Top only light brown!

I was a Toe Head growing up!

Today – it has been almost two months without a haircut

and since I started Juice Plus 14 years ago

my hair grows really fast – so much that to keep it from covering my ears

I get a haircut every four weeks!

So – I am over due by four weeks and today it is

a Silver – curly gray – white and long!

I have no idea how long this will last but I am not going to expose myself

to this horrible virus –

do you know that now it has surpassed ALL other illness’s

including Heart and Cancer to become number one cause of death

in our great country!

And all in seven weeks with Social Distancing and Sheltering

in place!

So – here I am – fast becoming a HIPPIE once again! LOL

Thinking back all those years ago

The wind in my hair as I rode my bike –

That was before mandatory helmets

And – just after that phase – I met my wife to be.

Now today she will see just what she missed or –

not missed – as it was as curly as this picture.

” GIVE ME THE BEAT BOYS AND FREE MY SOUL “

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

” I WANT TO GET LOST IN YOUR ROCK AND ROLL AND DRIFT AWAY”

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmywy.blog

Papas World – Sheltering – Day # 43 – THE LADIES!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

When we married – each for the second time 38 years ago

She brought into my life two beautiful daughters.

I raised them as my own as she helped me raise my two sons.

Today – after all these years – we remain close –

And they have become the THREE LADIES IN MY LIFE!

Debby – Sherry & Tammy

They are married now – one living 10 miles away

with a set of twin girls – both nine.

And the only boy ( grandson) who is five.

The other lives 65 miles away –

and has three teen age daughters

One in college – two at home!

Maddy – soon to be 20
Ella – soon to be 17
and Sarah – soon to be 14
taken as we celebrated my 60th birthday.

While we do not see them as often as we do the younger ones

and now in day #43 of SHELTERING –

Sherry asked me when this is over –

What is the first thing you want to do?

See our family I said.

My sons live seven hours away.

Back in NWPA

We try to get back there when we can.

But that is hard to do.

So we call them – catching up –

My youngest son has his own Energy Auditing business

and contracts with the state and power companies.

My oldest son runs the crews for him.

We are very proud of all four

and when this is over will sometime this summer make that trip back home.

The days seem to run all together –

although Sherry remains very busy in her internet stay at home business.

Her monthly check has increased.

Health and nutrition and growing your own produce

fits in this time of Sheltering.

Debby and Tammy
all those years ago

Today I cherish my LADIES in my life.

We all are here for each other

and both have followed in their mothers footsteps

Sharing – selling – and teaching good health and nutrition.

Sherry 1967
Tom 1967
The health and Nutrition
plan
Stair way to a living
increasing during this Pandemic
Sheltering in place
Sheltering in place

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

Papas World – Sheltering Day# 40 – puzzles – memories

/ Tom / Leave a comment

It seems only yesterday – Florida – family vacations –

and WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG!

After 40 days – your mind tends to wander a bit.

You put puzzles together

for me under 500 pieces and must be

RAVEN BURGER!

You walk around the house a lot

and you look at pictures on the walls

Your wife digs out the old photo books

and you stop each time you pass the bedroom

where they sit piled neatly stacked on the bed.

All those years ago
Debby and Tammy

The memories come flooding back

the trips to church for youth group

the after school pickups for cheerleading

and basketball and soccer.

The stops at the cider mill for doughnuts and apple cider

the ice cream store

A little town and a neighborhood of close friends

Still to this day we keep in touch!

Upper right Jim and Dottie
friends since we played softball
I attended their wedding some 40 years ago
Lower left Mike and Carol
neighbors for 12 1/2 years
playing jokes on each other
Lower right Buck and Cindy
neighbors and friends for almost 40 years
traveling the world together

Now – the girls are grown with families of their own

The three oldest grand daughters
now 19 – 16 and 13
soon to be 20 – 17 & 14!
Maddy – Ella & Sarah

You wander the house – looking at pictures while sheltering in place

You need a repairman for the fridge – the ice still works

but no water for cups – barely two years old.

It is time for the maint. on the air conditioners

you have a contract plan

the dryer is squeaking

all part of being a home owner.

Before the virus
the three little ones
9 – 9 & 5
soon they will be 10 – 10 & 6
Cassidy – Bode and Taylor

40 days and counting – you watch the news – read the paper

your 401 K is way down

yet – you go on –

memories of times gone by

What was abnormal
now is the norm

But through all of this – one constant remains

Sunday mornings – you sit at your kitchen table

and at 10 am. the live stream begins

Church is still there

God – if you are a believer

is still there – you pray and give thanks

you donate through the app

you still see the help we provide for those less fortunate

40 days Sheltering

Yes – it has been a long time –

a time to reflect – a time to think –

and a time to know your inner strength comes from

FAMILY – CHURCH – FRIENDS & PRAYERS

Sheltering in place
social distancing
Sherry & Tom

We will think back and remember these times

We did it –

ONE DAY AT A TIME!

thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – SHELTERING Day# 39 – GOOD DEEDS!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

In these times – we have found that the smallest of deeds

bring the biggest rewards!

There is a lady – I call her the CAT LADY!

Simply because she recuses cats!

But – she is in need of newspapers –

so every two weeks we save up our Washington Post

and make the 8 mile drive to deliver them to her front door!

Texting her that they are on her door step!

In the past – we have delivered groceries for our food pantry

called LINK!

Now – we are reaching out in this time of need for donations

to this food pantry – which is aided by the churches in the area.

Usually once a month each congregation collects food

at their services and takes it over.

Since there are no physical services

ours are streamed on line –

The food is not being collected.

Last week we put out a appeal

and Sherry and I took four bags to the drop off site.

We are doing it again this week – people drop off at our front porch

and we in turn take it to the food pantry.

With the shut down – more families need this food!

Staying in touch with local friends

Taking a hot meal to a neighbor who has had a bone marrow transplant

exchanging puzzles with friends and neighbors

Exchanging a onion or face masks with friends

dropping face masks off at the church mail box

for the youth leaders aging grand parents

It all has to do with small deeds – kindness –

giving what you can and knowing how it makes you feel

in this time of SHELTERING!

And then at the end of the week –

Social hour ( hours) with friends who are apart by hundreds of miles

Seeing the smiles – sharing the laughter –

GOOD DEEDS come in small packages.

SHELTERING
Day# 39
We shall beat this

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – Day# 39 – sheltering in place – we manage – 39 years!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

It was almost 39 years ago – where did the time go!

We were married June 25th. 1982!

Together one year prior to that.

39 years!

And today – I would not shelter in place with anyone else.

As beautiful today
as she was those years ago
Sherry – our honeymoon
in the Dominican Republic

We were each married before – each had two children

but our world then as it is today

revolved around the fact we found each other.

Today as it was then
has not changed

The years have been blessed for us –

but it all seems to be going so fast.

From loading our big country van

and piling the kids in

leaving at 11:00 pm.

to drive 10 hours to the beach for vacation.

The kids asleep – breakfast and lunch packed

we could not afford to stop and eat

but we would find a place- a rest stop – beside a river

and they were happy and we were happy.

The excitement of staying at the beach

or our very first vacation

a cottage on Lake Erie

We scraped and saved

But we did it!

Today – we all are sheltering in place

Catching up by phone – messenger – face book – zoom.

We are blessed and sheltering in place

but I still dream – I still think back to that time

almost 39 years ago

“GIVE ME THE BEAT BOYS AND FREE MY SOUL “

As beautiful today as she was then

SHELTERING IN PLACE DAY # 39.

” I WANT TO GET LOST IN YOUR ROCK AND ROLL”

Day # 39
Sheltering in place
39 years of being together

“AND DRIFT AWAY”

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – Day # 33 Sheltering in place, ZOOM

/ Tom / Leave a comment
As the days pass
we see new things
helping out people from a distance

ZOOM – which Sherry has been using since it first

appeared – for her network business in The Juice Plus Company.

Now – there is the weekly “HENS PARTY”

A group that has met the last couple years or so

onec a week for lunch and a movie.

Now it is a once a week ZOOM PARTY!

Of course you do not
get all dressed up
no make up
hats – drinks
and lots of laughs

Now – we await our second “FRIENDS ZOOM” on Friday nights

for “HAPPY HOUR”!

There are four couples – who have been friends for I guess 33 years & more!

So – we decided to “ZOOM” and it was new to them!

But – a happy hour with fireballs – some beer and Vodka & Tonics.

First one was themed

HATS & SUNGLASSES

Not sure what this one will be

But it turned into a THREE HOUR HAPPY HOUR!

It has been peaceful at home
we walk – ride our bikes
and take long country back roads rides.

We are trying to keep it as normal as we can.

Once a week we select a different vendor or eatery

and order for pickup or curbside

to help support them in this time of need

to keep them going – a little bit of ourselves to them

Since I am not allowed
to do laundry
seems I do not know what to put where
I fold ( sometimes)
and put my own clothes away
I do the outside
mowing – trimming
in the SUNSHINE!

Family – this is the hardest for us – we are near the three youngest

The three oldest are a hour and half away

and they are in the age group now where they mostly do their own thing

19 – 16 & 13 – soon all three will have birthdays

Then the younger three – twins – 9 years old

and the youngest and only boy 5 years old

Bode – MorMor – Taylor & Cassidy
Each night like clock work
Cassidy calls her MorMor
and Bode – whom hangs on every movement
she does – Taylor – who is old before her day
and talks to her MorMor

It is the hardest with these three –

but we have done FAMILY ZOOMS

and have seen them from a distance

laughing – ZOOMING the three oldest in their yard

and of course all the family at the same time

This has been the hard part for us

See – we are a family unit – constantly staying in touch

making the journey to see both sets of families

sharing times all together.

Friday ” ZOOM HAPPY HOUR”

We are blessed – we try to keep it normal

ZOOM has become a big part of our lives

Church – Juice Plus teams – family – friends

and last night for the first time – Book club.

“EVERY ONE LOVES YOU”
#inthistogether

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

Day # 33
Sheltering in place
Social distancing

Papa’s World – Day #27 Sheltering in place.

/ Tom / 2 Comments
Walking a nature trail
all by ourselves!

Yesterday – we dicided to ride our bikes and then walk

a new Nature trail we discovered the other day.

Trail marker

We had found this by accident – a tunnel had been installed

In the new over 55 community being built one half mile away!

We were riding our bikes on the paved path

and just happened to glance over the bank and saw the entrance!

Rocks placed on the trail to cross the wet waterway!

We followed the path and went trough the tunnel and found

THREE nature trails varying in length

three miles being the longest!

Trail markers with picture
representing which trail
you are walking!

So , we parked the bikes and locked them up

and started walking through marsh lands and forests and watershed.

The markers were well displayed

It was well done with gravel – small crushed pavement

and mowed so we did not get our feet wet.

Markers along the trail

It was quiet and NO ONE was to be seen!

Sherry by the small Broad run creek!

This is called the Broad run water shed and eventually

ends up in the Potomac River!

A beautiful sometimes open walk

We walked in the forest and in fields!

Broad run creek

Walking – we received alerts on our phones

a rain storm was approaching

and we were about 2/3 the way through!

Along the way!

In addition to the makers and historical facts on signs

These what I think are entrances to storm drains

and they were hand painted – very cool!

Another storm drain!

The walk was through forests and marsh lands that had many

planted trees that had been protected with plastic tubes.

Walking the trail

We saw many signs of animal prints and tracks

Deer – fox and maybe dogs I think!

The trees planted
and protected by plastic
tubes!

The marsh was impressive as I had no idea it was there!

At the beginning of the 3 mile walk.

Needless to say – just as we finished it started to sprinkle.

We still had to bike almost two miles

in the rain.

On the way back – we got soaked

and Sherry had a accident and hit a curb with her knee

when she went down.

It ended up very painful – but we iced it

and today she is moving well.

We were afraid she had maybe cracked the knee cap.

Social distancing
while riding our bikes

She has been on our supplement of Juice Plus for 14 years

and building her immune system with nutrients

from Fruits – Vegetables and Berries

directly into her blood stream

Providing the recovery of physical things such as

her running the 10 mile cherry blossom race.

Her recovery from something like this that is not a break

is exceptional and myself also.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World-

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog