A Weekend Together-Corvette Funfest 2011

Being married for 27 years takes a lot of hard work. I always say David and I are ying and yang. We are about as different as you can get. I can't imagine being married to someone just like myself. We would literally kill each other. I always think difference make a better match than similarities in marriage.

With our work we spend more time on the phone than together sometimes. It was hard early in our marriage. Yes I cried alot and complained but after many years I have learned to except (as best I can) that his job puts him away from home usually 290-295 days a year. So the days he is home we try and take as much advantage together as we can.

Five years ago he came back from one of his trips out and showed interest in attending a Corvette event in Illinois. As long as I can remember he always wanted a Vet. One year for Christmas I bought him a Red model and said, "Honey this is probably as close to a Vet as you will get". Little did I realize that many years later we would be able to fulfill that dream.

So that first year we went just as observers. Some were for sell, but definitely out of our price range. That same year his good friend told him about a neighbor who had one just sitting in his garage that he might want to sell. It was in good running order but had been painted over and needed a little work. Of course David thought he would have time to "work on it" and five years later it still sits in our driveway.

When our 25Th Anniversary came up two years ago we found another Vet that was calling our name. This one was in much better shape.

Although we only get to drive it maybe 4-6 months out of the year. We both look forward to our time driving it. I guess we are living our second half life zipping around in a cool car. Nothing the matter with that!! It actually makes us both appreciate the time and work we have accomplished in being able to have such a special car.

We scheduled this year's trip and were glad when time came to attend the Funfest this year. It's a time we get to spend with each other and enjoy looking at the other Vet's and reconnect again. We were able to attend some seminars on troubleshooting, doing things that can make our vet continue to work better and look better too. The theme this year was Patriotic, so our red Vet fit in perfectly.

We are considering maybe joining a Corvette Car Club so we can better utilize the networking available through the clubs and also go on run's.

A dream was realized that we never thought would be and it also brings us something that we both enjoy. Looking forward to getting to the funfest next year if time permits.

It is wonderful to find something that gives us relaxation time and gets us away from the daily ratrace. I recommend everyone stop and smell the roses or the smell of exhaust from a beautiful car. The roses smell better but the cars sure look good too.

9/11/2011 Ten Years Later

I like millions of Americans turned the television on and couldn't believe my eyes. The first tower had already been hit and I was numb watching a second plane come what seemed like slow motion hurl into the second tower. Was this happening? My second thought took me immediately back to the late 1980's and a trip I made with a group. We had our pictures taken in front of the Tower #2 sign and also again on the 107th floor in front of a window. The view that day wasn't good, it was very foggy and cold and I remember how I felt like I was swaying side to side being up that high. I remember my friend saying it was like being up in heaven in the clouds. Little did I realize that thirteen years later those words would send a chill through me.

I also contributed to the 9/11 fund back in 2001 but the other thing that went over and over in my mind is what can I do and what should I be doing?

It had been several years since I had been to church to worship and that first Sunday after the attack I went to church with my mother-in-law. I felt I needed to have a little time with God and make my presence known or a sort of repentance that I was sorry that I had been away so long. My time had stood still that day and I was at a loss as to what I should be doing to make my life better and those around me. Over the past 10 years I went to adult confirmation (something I didn't do as a young adult) and have tried to do as much for myself religious feelings as well as helping others at my church.

Everyone has been touched by this tragedy in one way or the other. I believe it is our Pearl Harbor, our Kennedy Assassination. We will always remember where we were that day and how it touched our lives.

Today's television remembrances have left me with a Kleenex in hand and feeling for all those families who may have finally got a little closer. I was surprised to hear that 40% of those lost in 9/11 they never found any tokens or remains of them. Not that a name on a memorial will give them complete closure but at least there is a beautiful place with there name in bronze that can bring them a little closer to a form of peace. Sacred ground it is. May the lone surviving tree that has grown 30 inches since 9/11 reach a branch to the heavens above and touch each soul lost that day.

That days affect on the world will never be forgotten. Amen..

One Voice, Dressed in Purple-Alzheimer's Walk 2011

This Saturday was my fifth walk. Hard to believe. Each year it gets more and more important. My friend, Linda Fisher who has become the voice of Alzheimer's not only here in Sedalia but also I am sure if you mention her name anywhere in mid-Missouri or Washington D.C. they not only know her as an author of Alzheimer's stories but also as an advocate of getting Alzheimer's more and more in the spotlight and she has!

What used to have the tag of old-age, senile is now dementia/Alzheimer's. It was given a name. It is the #6 disease and quickly climbing to #1. Although it does not know color, it actually is more common in Hispanic and Afro-Americans. I believe it could out number cancer if more research and money contributed to finding a possible cure. If you don't have someone in your family who has it you know someone with early stages or full on Alzheimer's. Like cancer it's not just the individual who has it the family has it. Linda has an ongoing blog www.earlyonset.blogspot.com where she puts together everyday stories with memories of a time when her husband Jim was fading further and further away. He continues to give her strength today. Each year at the release of purple balloons in memory I look over at Linda and whether she is standing along or with other's the tears that flow are her connection to Jim and other's she has forged friendships or memories with.

Most recently in the news has been singer, Glenn Campbell and Tennessee Women's Basketball coach, Pat Summitt was recently in the news announcing her early onset. Ronald Reagan, Charlton Heston, Perry Como, Rita Hayworth, Peter Falk are just some of the famous who have succumbed in years past.

In Sedalia there were 354 walkers and Sedalia raised $22,860. Linda was there at the first walk. And I am sure she will walk until she can't. As I've heard her say many times. She will go to Washington D.C. every year even if her grand kids have to wheel her there. That's dedication!

Each year I see new people at the walk. Some with signs with pictures of there loved ones who have succumed to this unforgiving illness.

One Voice leads to another to another. When a choir of millions is heard it just might be possible people will say Alzheimer's? What is that..wouldn't that be wonderful.

A Labor Day of Love

I have always enjoyed working in the yard as long as I can remember. My grandpa introduced me to gardening when I was very young. It can be very relaxing and the accomplishments obtained from it can also be quiet rewarding. Today with a hint of fall in the air was a perfect day to hit the dirt and weed and prepare the yard for the seasons to come.

Growing up in the west we had a vast aray of plants at our fingertips. My grandpa had many fruit trees, a vegetable garden and many flowers in the front of his yard. I can't think of a carnation without thinking of him and also bird of paradise makes me think of my childhood. There wasn't a time of year that you wouldn't find him puttering in the yard.

My father also had a green thumb. He was very maticulous about his yard. He had every yard tool imaginable and many weekends he would be cutting and trimming. Sometimes I felt like we lived in a jungle-like atmosphere at home because many of the plants we had were large and leafy. We also had many varieties of rose bushes, ferns and ivy plants.

One of my most favorite places is Hawaii. I haven't seen a flower there that I don't love. The fragrances are just wonderful and the colors so vibrant. One of my favorites is the plumeria. In deep pinks, oranges and varigated colors they are simple yet beautiful. Three years ago while channel surfing I stopped on QVC because the segment was on plumeria plants you could purchase and plant. You received two stocks and were not told what colors you would receive, that was just one of the surprises when your plant did bloom in three to four years from planting. Each year I go up one pot size as instructed. Each year around early fall when the temperatures reach under 55 degrees I bring the plants inside for the winter season.

This being the third yard I repeated the process in hopes that my plants would bloom. I guess all my hard work and care paid off this year. How I could get so excited for a blooming plant sounds strange I am sure but just being able to know I had a little bit of Hawaii there with me this year was happiness that was unamazinable.

My front yard has only a few potted plants each season and several hedge plants. When you have dogs who like to navigate through the yard you have to work around them when putting in plants both that are safe and easier to maintain.

With fall just around the corner the weather will turn to leaf pick up and preparing for winter. I will sit back and look at my dorminate plumerias that in hope that next year will be another wonderful blossoming year.