"B" is for Baseball

I love baseball. Everything single thing I know about the game I learned from my late father. He was an incredible person. He played in a semi pro league long before I was dreamed of and he was a catcher.

A truthful statement! I really love this baseball image.

This is not the most fantastic photo but I could pick my dad (4th man in on your right). His older brother, my Uncle "Moon" (Rudy) is the first gentleman on your right side as he was the manager. These guys played baseball for a local brewing company, Walters. It was quite the place in it's heyday. My dad and his brother were steelworkers. My dad spent 47 years at the Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation. He retired at age 62 as a head roller in the Rail Mill.

My mom was a baseball fanatic too. She played with other gals locally but WWII women had pro teams while the men went off to war. The Rockford Peaches were from Rockford, Illinois. I know many women who could play as well well as the guys.

Ah wise words from a wise baseball man Casey Stengel. My dad was the catcher so of course, I love watching a great catcher call those pitches!

My dad had an autographed ball signed by the Great Babe Ruth.

I thought I would add a fun fact for you here.

One of my favorite New York Yankee players, Derek Jeter. Aw....baseball isn't the same without him as he retired last year.

Although Warren Spahn was a Milwaukee Brewer he was a great pitcher. Check out his form. He always said "Hitting is timing, pitching is upsetting timing." Plus he was left handed and you can't beat greatness! (Wink wink)

Thurman Munson was a favorite Yankee player. He perished in a plane crash way too soon but he was an amazing catcher. More than that, he just wanted to be a good dad to his kids and a devoted husband to his wife. Forever in my heart.

Ah...Joltin' Joe DiMaggio the great Yankee 'Clipper'! He loved the game with a passion we don't see today.

Rich "The Goose" Gossage grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was a first class closer, a relief pitcher. He attended Wasson High School so as a teen I had the opportunity to see him play  before he became famous. His only baseball regret, that his mom did not live to see him inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Satchel Paige played with the St. Louis Browns. He was ahead of the times and played the game with heart. He is quoted as saying "Age is a question of mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter, "

My two favorite quotes as I hope you will visit Ms. Jenny and all the "B" Alphabe Thursday folks! I guess you knew I was choosing "baseball":

Memorial Day/ Everyday Living/Memories/Aw...Monday's/Love is...

This google image by Eric Haggart depicts "Old Glory" flying high.  It is always easy to find some blue for Blue Monday with Sally and the Blue Crew.

Always a tough day for me. I start to remember those we gave so much especially my grandmother's cousin Frances who gave her only son Bruce who died in WWII in a submarine. Because I am uncertain of the spelling of his last name, I am not having any luck finding him on the WWII Wall. I often thought how sad for a mother to send her only child off to war and never have him return.She along with 400,000 families who lost loved ones in WWII.

My nephew Ed was at the Traveling Vietnam wall last week in his hometown in Kentucky. He took this photo of my mom's cousin Hedwig's only son James L. Turner. He died in Vietnam in 1968. It still hurts my heart to this very day.

This is the late dad of my nieces Karla and Holly. Their dad Bob served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He passed away last year and my niece Holly let me use this image on my blog. Thanks Holly.

 My late brother-in-law served twenty seven years in the US Army. My nephew Ed made sure his dad had a proper military burial.

 The GreatWar 1914-1918

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

A favorite poem.

Remember those who served, those who never returned and those who remain today. Please never forget.

My middle Rebekah with her pretty hair. Thank you to Hannah her baby sister for the nice style. We all enjoyed a huge barbeque for Jeremy and Brittany and Addy's house warming yesterday. Rebekah is cute with her blue jean jacket.

Tiny girl before her hair makeover.

A flashback photo of Mr. Kitty in his naughty stage. He was a terror! "hey, who made this mess mom, not me?" Visit Sandee and Michael for Aw...Monday. I put this photo up but know you will read my Memorial Day post too.

I could not leave without sharing a Love is...

I hope you will visit each and everyone who participated today in these wonderful shares.

A is for Authors

I thought I would share some of my favorite authors here!  This is a book I just finished reading, Maeve Binchy wrote about her beloved Ireland. She was a wonderful storyteller. She could weave all the characters together. I have several of her books and was saddened when she passed away way too soon in July 2012.

The very first Amy Tang book I read was "The Joy Luck Club". Amy writes about her culture and the land her ancestors came from, China. She ties in the Chinese American experience beautifully. I like the fact that she writes about the relationships between mothers and their daughters. I gave my daughter Noelle an Amy Tan book for Mother's Day! We are both avid readers.

I have read every book this terrific author has written. The wedding is a favorite. Nicholas Sparks writes stories that always touch my heart. He is a master storyteller and he hails from North Carolina and ties his heritage into his books.

Another North Carolina native, Jan Karon writes stories that draw you into the lives of the characters and the town where they live. She is a master at holding my attention in each one of her books. Her books always make me want to read another one. I am a huge fan.

Debbie Macomber is a native of Yakima, Washington. She writes about the Northwest where she resides. I have enjoyed her books and last year Hallmark Channel created a series with the Cedar Cove books written by Debbie Macomber. Although I enjoy stories I was disappointed in some of the story lines the television directors used as well as the types of characters they portrayed. I think the original book versions are premier and often too many important characters or places are changed to accommodate a broader audience and the stories lose some of their flavor.

Harper Lee was born in Alabama. When I first began blogging I met a lady who lives in Harper Lee's hometown and she told me some wonderful stories. I have a few postcards Beryl sent me from their hometown. The 1960 Pulitzer Prize winning book "To Kill a Mockingbird" deals with racism and it is my all time favorite book. I am sure I have gone through half a dozen copies of this book and truly love it.

My second favorite book ever written. Pearl S. Buck grew up in China. She was the daughter of missionaries in China. Her writing style impressed me at a very young age and I have worn out two copies of this beautiful book. My late Uncle Louie was a history buff and he knew his Colorado history well. But he also read a variety of books. While his wife, my Auntie Ang read romance novels, something I never was terribly interested in, he read more "meaty" books. He lent me his copy of "The Good Earth" while I was in high school and I can remember seeing it in his barrister case in their living room. It holds many good memories for me.

 Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. ~Charles W. Eliot

I hope you visit Ms. Jenny and everyone who participates in Alphabe Thursday.  I also hope you will share your favorite authors with me here today, and please enjoy a wonderful end to your week and a terrific weekend.

Blue Monday/Love is...

Nick ran in the Cottonwood Classic 5k yesterday! He took first in his age group and third overall. Great day of running with former team mates and coaches! He wore his high school blues with the other team members and look at those blue apartments in the back as he is rounding the road to the finish line. He has such a great kick at the end of his races!

I could not resist sharing this Love is...today!

Stop by Sally's and visit the Blue Crew and enjoy a wonderful week!

Graduation/The Letter "Z"/Good Fences

Finally, this day has arrived! My sweet grandson Colton is a high school graduate. With a lot of pain and perseverance, tenacity, honesty and by the Grace of God, he graduated today. I was so happy to be a part of it all. He and I have had a close relationship. How many of you have a teenage grandson? He has often shared his heart with me and many times I was privileged to his phone conversations with girlfriends. He and I have a trust thing, it started the day he was born! I am very proud of all his hard work. He graduated with a small class, 103 total students and each and everyone of them has been accepted to attend college! He works at UPS and he is a very good young man. I wish him the best in everything!

It was a joyful occasion. Every single one of his fellow graduates all have a zest for life!

zest

zest/

noun

noun: zest; plural noun: zests

1. 1.

   great enthusiasm and energy.

   
   

   "they campaigned with zest and intelligence"

   
   

   synonyms:

   enthusiasm, gusto, relish, appetite, eagerness, keenness, avidity, zeal, fervor, ardor, passion; More verve, vigor, liveliness, sparkle, fire, animation, vitality, dynamism, energy, brio, pep, spirit, exuberance, high spirits, joie de vivre; informalzing, zip, oomph, vim, pizzazz, get-up-and-go "she had a great zest for life"

   antonyms:

   apathy, indifference

   • a quality of excitement and piquancy.

     
     

     "I used to try to beat past records to add zest to my monotonous job"

     
     

     synonyms:

     piquancy, tang, flavor, savor, taste, spice, spiciness, relish, bite; More excitement, interest, an edge; informalkick, punch, zing, oomph "the lemon pepper and cilantro will add zest to the sauce"

     antonyms:

     blandness

2. 2.

   the outer colored part of the peel of citrus fruit, used as flavoring.

   synonyms:

   rind, peel, skin "the grated zest of an orange"

verb

verb: zest; 3rd person present: zests; past tense: zested; past participle: zested; gerund or present participle: zesting

1. 1.

   scrape off the outer colored part of the peel of (a piece of citrus fruit) for use as flavoring.

   
   

   "zest the orange and lemon, taking care to discard all of the white pith"

I thought this was the perfect word for our letter "Z" and I wanted to share it with Ms. Jenny and all the wonderful people over at Alphabe Thursday! I hope you will enjoy my choice too.

A quick zany share for the Alphabe Thursday challenge. I love to be zany. Some would say my choice in graduation wear was zany! I love the flowing flowery pants with tops that remind me of my youth!

We walk at the Margaret Carpenter Open Spaces and there are some different fences up there. This one is well worn and a good place to watch the ducks and other water creatures swim by. I like to lean on this fence and enjoy the warmer weather. I hope you will visit the other folks who enjoy Good Fences with Theresa.

Words from Dr. Seuss! He was a brilliant man! Enjoy a beautiful day and get on your way....

Happy Mother's Day/"Y" is for Yellow/Pink Saturday/Blue Monday/Everyday Living/Love is...

Hi everyone! Because I am still disorganized, trying to pray for drier weather, planning to add a cover to our patio, select paint and carpet for Hannah's flooded room, find creative ways to get it all done, I am way behind posting because I am waiting for the roofer to come back to replace our roof .So bear with me while I catch up this past week.

I hope all of the ladies had a beautiful Mother's Day today!We had snow and a lot of it. It was so cold, we felt like we were in Antarctica! I thought I would share  these pretty flowers with you. We have had snow two Mother's Day Sunday's in a row, 2014 and 2015 so nothing ever phases this Colorado born girl!

They call him the "Golden Child" but Nick and I share being born the baby in our phamily so we have a deep connection. All my children are golden to me!

We missed church today because of the crazy snowy weather. Please pray for our Pastor Chad and his phamily. His dad Scott, who is also a pastor is hospitalized with a heart attack. We were sad to miss the Mother's Day service.

Laughing Out Loud! Hey, you have to love yourself and you have to have some fun or life will be very dull and boring! Today is one of those days when I miss my mother the most. She loved to celebrate this special "mom's" day and so having lost her in 2001 it is a bittersweet day for me.

I am sharing my letter "Y" today and you will see lots of yellow in this post. Go visit Ms. Jenny and celebrate Alphabe Thursday please.

Amen! This is such a special quote because I know mom's feel this way about their babies.

Mother's Day 1980. Of course, mom and I were looking into the sun! We really weren't scowling! Noelle was such a tiny girl back then. What a wonderful memory. I had the prettiest corsage with yellow roses and my mother wore white roses with tiny apricot roses. She always told me you wore white flowers in a corsage when you mother has passed on and colorful ones when she is still living.

I always have to share my favorite Love is...with you.  My mother made the best homemade bread. It was as light as a feather and so tasty. She could not make a pie crust for anything and I took after her! Our pie crust could have been used to commit a crime! More like bricks then feathers! Silliness...

A Mother's Day gift...this was one of my favorite authors and Maeve Binchy passed away in July 2012 two weeks after this book was released. She wrote about her beloved Ireland.

I found this at Face Book and had to share it. My friend Jean, an Okie from Oklahoma currently residing in Tyler, Texas loves her fur babies now that her children are grown. She never let's them know that she is not their real mother.

When my kids were small I often read this book to them. I know you must have seen a few blue items tucked into my post today. Visit Sally and the Blue Crew. I am still catching up from last week too!

Free Spirit is a Willow Tree figurine I gave Noelle today for Mother's Day 2015. She has always been a free spirit so the figure was appropriately named!

My daughter has a silly sense of humor and shared this along with photos of the "kiddos". You know you laughed, silly!

My grandson Colton in baby blue. He will graduate from high school on May 14th. Oh my goodness, I was watching his birth just yesterday, wasn't I?

The kiddos Andrew, Colton and Christal with Roger and Noelle and Christal and Alex's three kiddos, Jazlin, Alexis and Devin! Sweetness...

Christal and Alex and the kiddos. My grandson Andrew, the "Photo Bomber"! Aren't the girls so pretty in pink? Join Beverly and the Pinkies for pink goodness. Once the sogginess of rain and snow and other chaos in our lives goes away, I will get back on track here.

Our lives can be complicated. I am very grateful to have my phamily and the support we give each other. Somehow we will get through the rain and snow and messiness of cleaning up after Hannah's room was flooded. I want to ask for prayer. Hannah has a friend, Shaea, who stayed with us temporarily. She has two small children, ages 8 months and 2 years. she was so happy because she had worked at Home Depot for a long while and they gave her full time hours. She got really ill and had to go to the hospital where they found a heart defect with one of her heart valves.. I am trying to find a way to help her so she can pay her rent for a few months until she is able to go back to work, and we know companies often don't hold jobs for anyone these days. I don't want to go to GoFundMe but am looking for creative ideas to help her with her rent temporarily. Anyone have any ideas? I do have a blogging friend I am going to contact who helped a phamily in a similar circumstance a while back. Your prayers would be so greatly appreciated.

Enjoy a beautiful week, always pray and remember how well loved you are.