Vacation on the High Seas

As I have stated before the only true vacation, is a Cruise for me. No computers, no phones and only those on the ship with me can find me. If they look hard enough that is.  My friends can usually track me down, if there is music and dancing, I am there.

This past cruise we were back with our Florida family and cruise buddies. When we are together you can expect a lot of laughter and practical jokes. It is always someone’s birthday or anniversary while on board. Whether the true date or not, we have to celebrate while together.  This trip was no different but we did have an actually upcoming anniversary for our new friends Kathy and Karl.  Nancy, for some reason, blamed me for her surprise birthday celebration. Go figure.

This trip I took a Waltz Ballroom class since I had already done a class in Tennessee.  I was surprised when they started on the wrong foot, then realized that they were teaching international version.  Now you would think they would tailor class toward those on board, we sailed from Ft. Lauderdale and not from a European port.

The line dance class I took was taught by a girl from England so I felt that I was back in Stella’s Class in Tamarac. I took up the back row and the ladies back there wondered while I seemed to know the dance already.  “Waltz across Texas”. Try doing those turns on a rocking floor, looked more like a drunken sailor turn.

Part of our group did an extreme Obstacle Zip Line course in St. Marten and we all succeeded in completing the course. The best part was watching an elderly couple, Helen and her husband Frank both in their 80’s complete the course and Helen stating it was not part of their Bucket List because they had already completed that list. Now that is a couple you want to be when you grow up.

It was a great 8 days with old and new friends and as usual we have all scheduled our next cruise together. The destinations really do not matter as long as we are all together and making the most of our time together. Whether sitting in the Schooner lounge playing cards on sea days, dancing, working out, and playing in the casino. We all do our own thing and eventually hook up throughout the day.  We are more than friends, cruise buddies, we are family.

Keep Dancin’   Larry B

Life Changing 208 days

It seems like it was longer than 208 days but that is the number I come up with this morning as I think back on 2013. That is the number of days that I was on a mission to if not save a friend to ensure he received the best care and assist in ensuring his last days were filled with love, companionship, family and friends.

Yes, I am talking about my friend Luke Henry, it was this time last year that we learned that Luke was stage 4 Gastric/Liver Cancer.  Thus beginning a mission to be the best damn friend a person could have, to be the loudest and most persistent Patient Advocate possible and to be the supportive counsel to family. I did not realize at the time what this journey would do to my own life, my psychological being and my faith. I just knew that I had a friend in desperate need of support and I had to do what I could.

At first, Luke’s health was stable so we focused on his bucket list, which mostly consisted of things he wanted to do with the kids, Michael and Katelyn.  So I pulled together his friends and we were able to provide him the opportunities to provide those important events on that list for Luke and his kids. To see the joy in Luke’s face as he was able to do things special for each child was overwhelming to say the least.

I recently came across a folder in my computer that was named “LL”. It was filled with emails and copies of text messages that Luke and I had exchanged over those 208 days.  I became lost again in reading these and how our relationship developed and expanded.   It was interesting to see how our conversations went on certain topics such as plans for kids, health issues, philosophy, religion, life events and his wishes for after his death.  

208 days does not sound like a very long time but I can tell you it was one of the most rewarding 208 days I have ever experienced.  I gained so much, a Best Friend, a better understanding of human nature and strength, a deeper appreciation of my relationship with Paul, increased knowledge of Cancer and its treatment.  One of the greatest things gained in 2013 is a wonderful extended family that has become to mean so very much to Paul and I.

So as I thought back on my year, I know that I have experienced a life changing event. I could never look at life as I had prior to January 2013. I have to ensure I live my life to the very fullest, to step out of my comfort zone as often as possible. To show those in my life how important they are to me for we are never guaranteed tomorrow. To always offer support in any way possible to those in need around me.

Most of all Enjoy life and not let the everyday stresses rule…

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

Passage of Time

I sit in my living room listening to 30 clocks ticking the time away. I look at ornaments on the Christmas tree and see passage of time.  As the clocks tick, the lights shining on the ornaments, I see all the memories represented on the tree. Each ornament places me at a different time and place in my life, childhood through present. All representing the passing of time.

I realize that I don't do this reminiscing often enough, it was a cleansing mentally to wander through the memories. I also know we let time pass without making note of the people in our life's and events that occur every day. Before we realize it all we have are memories.

Each of us get so wrapped up in our daily grind, just trying to make it to the end of our work day, the week, the month, the year. Everyone is entrenched in making ends meet and not taking the time to actually live in the moment. It is always tomorrow I will get to it. Then tomorrow becomes next week, next month and then it's too late.

I am just as guilty as the next person in getting into this entrenchment. What I learned this year is to take life and live it to the fullest. Take time for yourself, family and friends. Step out of your comfort zone and experience life. As I sat wandering through the memories on the tree, I can say I have been doing better at stepping out of my comfort zone and making time for family and friends.

 I still find myself slipping at times, letting work and daily life demands control me. This time of year can be even more demanding on our psyche and finding that balance is difficult. So what can one do to find that balance, one way I have found that works is to go old school. Old school is placing all electronic devices in the off position and out of sight.  Granted that first hour is very nerve racking being totally disconnected from the electronic governors in our live. Then I realize how free it feels and I can spend quality time with family, friends, pets and most of myself.

Look for community activities that are interesting for you or for you significant other, then get out there and participate. Plan special time with friends and family, like the night we have planned tonight with Brian/Melissa. It takes an effort form oneself to break the cycle of becoming entrenched in the every day grind. The benefits of time with family, friends, pets and oneself is priceless.

So as the multiple chiming clocks alert me of another hour that has past, I take a deep breath knowing I am on track to not let any more time pass without taking time for myself and the special ones in my life.

Keep dancin' Larry B.

Messages from my Best Friend…

I have debated whether I would share this story but decided my friend would not mind. As you know, I lost my Best Friend on August 3, 2013. Luke Henry was a total Nerd at heart; he was always doing things to our I-phones and I-pads.  So it should not have been such a surprise to receive a message on my calendar the week that we met a year ago.

It was a reminder that simply stated the following: “This week a year ago, I met someone that has become my True Best Friend...  He will either do the following when receiving this reminder.

A. come down stairs and smacks me on the back of the head

B. Shed a tear and has good thoughts if I am no longer downstairs.

Love ya Bulldog... Your Little Bro.”

Unfortunately, I only had one choice when I read this reminder.  Little Brother pulled a fast one on me, score one for Little Bro.

I thought okay what else Luke had done to my calendar or reminders. I only had to wait a week and got a reminder that stated:  “we need to find the Emmett Kelly photo ornaments. I want to give those to kids with new pictures.  Or You do... Love ya Little Bro. “. Luckily, I did remember that tidbit at the time we separated his belongings. I had them already to deliver to the kids to put on their Christmas tree as a gift from Dad.  I completed that task this past week.  Score one for Bulldog. But still getting these messages now were a little unnerving as well as healing.

I just received a third reminder this week, now he is getting on my nerves, just a little.  This reminder stated: ”I gave you a pin to hold for safe keeping, do you remember where you put it?  Depending on whether things are good or bad by now with Joyce, may want Paul to wrap. If I am not with you now please do what you think best but don’t’ forget to explain the pin to her.  Remember I am the top bird then the kids and then the three of you.  Thanks    Little Bro.”

So the reason my article this week is a day behind my usual Friday night post is I had to follow the last reminder through and give Joyce the pin before I could post my story.  Paul and I spent Saturday with our Henry family in Paducah and had a wonderful day.

I have been following Luke’s directions since August 3 ensuring his last wishes were followed and that I was able to wrap up his business and his electronic presences.  He apparently is always going to watch over us and send me reminders in his own manner.  I patiently await the next one, no telling what he will remind me to do. We talked about so many things the last few months; I cannot remember it all now because as he planned for the end, I never would accept it till it was actually here.

So Little Bro. thank you for the reminders and letting me know you still have my back.  I only wish you could answer just when you decided that I might need some reminders.

Keep dancin’ Larry B.

Time to Reflect

As the year draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the past year and how very important our family and friends have been in our lives.  I am sure most of us are in that frenzied state of just trying to get through the upcoming holidays, but we should all take a few moments to think about those around us in our everyday lives. 

This has been one very stressful and yet amazing year, so much has changed in my life and those that I consider family. So many happy and sad occasions have occurred that it still seems that I am walking in a surreal landscape.  It is hard to imagine at times that we all have gone through so much in just a short time and it is that bond of family that has kept us all strong enough to move on with our daily lives to honor those that we have lost this year.

We tend to take many things in our life for granted and sometimes neglect to express or show our true feelings for those immediately around us in our daily lives. Being from a farming family, family gatherings with lots of good food, good fun and camaraderie were what were important throughout the year. It was during these family gatherings that you caught up on family and nurtured the bond that makes us all family in one way or another.

Paul and I come from very different family backgrounds but the one common thread was that family was the most important aspect of our daily lives growing up. There were weekly or Monthly family gatherings that included everyone from Grandparents to cousins. The feeling of having that common denominator that made you whole and who you are today. 

The old saying you can pick your friends but not your family is so true. Yet we have friends in our lives that we consider family and have that bond that comes with family.  Knowing they will be there for you in your time of need and support you in whatever venture you undertake. 

So let me say this to all of you and you know who you are in my life that I consider Family and Friends, Thank you for being in my life, our life.  Thank you for your support, your love and your tolerance...

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

 

For My Best Friend, Luke Henry-Words of Remembrance

Luke asked me several months ago to speak for him at his funeral. I asked him if he was sure because he had others in his life that had known him longer if not his whole life. He gave me that typical Luke cockeyed expression and said “You are my Best Friend, You take care of me and I asked you—Yes or No!"

So I stood before those there to celebrate my Best Friend’s Life, honored to have had the privilege of knowing such a remarkable young man. Blessed to have had him in my life and  to call him my true Best Friend.

I struggled from that day to the day of the funeral on how to make Luke proud that he asked me to speak. How do you summarize a person’s life and really get across just who that person was. Each of us had our own unique perspective of who Luke Allen Henry was and what he meant to each one of us.

Luke was a son to Sarah and Butch.  A brother to Brian, a brother in law to Melissa, husband to Joyce, brother in law to Rob, son in law to William and Levena. He was an uncle, he was a colleague, and he was a friend.  The number one thing that Luke Henry was and I got to see this first hand so many times was he was a DAD to Michael and Katelyn.

Luke was a kid from Paducah, who was afraid of storms and took refuge till Sarah came in from work at Marilyn Stewart’s home.

Luke was a member of the Boys’ Choir; he had a beautiful voice from a young age. He befriended and showed kindness to a young boy named Glen. He toured Europe with the choir and even brought small gifts back for so many including his teachers at the church.

As young professional designing books at Turner Publishing, he was  brilliant at problem solving, and tormented Ina Morse with practical jokes at her expense. She told me that the one great memory she had of Luke was when he came to work one day and quietly told her he had met a girl... He told Ina how sweet and nice she was and how much he liked being with her. Ina said just by the tone of his voice and facial expressions, she knew he was already hooked on this girl named Joyce.

Luke had a quick wit and quirky sense of humor. This was one of the first things that I realized and from talking to his longtime friends he had this from an early age. Ina, Michelle, Joellyn and Glen, just to name a few all said when you were with Luke you were sure to laugh and sometimes at your own expense but always in a good natured way. I can attest to that as well.

Luke had a way with people although he described himself to me as a loner. He said that was why he went into computers and IT so he could work alone and at his pace.

After his Diagnosis, I saw all this support for him on his Facebook page, I told him you may see yourself as a loner but you are one loner that has touched a lot of souls. You have this vast support system whether you realize it or not.

Let me explain how Luke and I met and you will see what type of person he was. I teach line dancing as a way for me to exercise and relax. I had been trying get a contract with City of Clarksville. I decided I was going to canvas the Parks and Rec department till I got the right person. I thought okay anyone one with city id badge was my target this one day. Luke was coming out of the Parks and Rec building. I spotted ID and swooped in. Introduced myself, gave him my card and started my spill. He was very polite said he was in IT department and was not sure who I should speak too...

I thought okay, nice man but waste of my time. I got nothing but I told him you have my card with my phone and email, if you think of a name let me know. So I went into the P and R and was told the Lady I needed to see was on vacation to come back. The following week, I was back at city and the first person I saw as I got out of my van was Luke Henry.

Now I remembered his name because he was the first Luke I had ever truly met. I struck up another conversation, expressed my frustration with trying to get into see the right person with City. He might have thought I was stalking him because he was walking to his car and I just kept walking with him and chatting. Into the P & R building this time lady was in budget meeting.

A Week later I got a call to come in to discuss possibility of a class. The week after that I signed a contract, as I was signing the contract and Melissa stated that Luke Henry from IT had put in a good word on my behalf.

I got back to my office and sent Luke an email thanking him for putting a good word in for me.  That it was greatly appreciated especially since he really only met me a couple times. His response, "I figured you were a nice guy and was trying hard to get yourself established. No big deal."

Luke did not know just how big a deal this contract was to me... we kept in touch via email and our friendship just grew from that point on.

Luke became more than a friend to me. I called him my Little Bro. He was funny, a great sense of humor and a big heart. We simply clicked in so many ways.

Luke was a man of faith and he renewed my faith, just watching how he handled his diagnosis. He was at peace with the diagnosis and eventual outcome from the beginning.

Now I have been a nurse for over 31 years, I have worked in Hospice, long term disability and many other arenas. I never met a young man so at peace.  To tell you the truth it frustrated me to no end.  I wanted to scream, be angry, cry and yet Luke simply said God had told him as he sat at his favorite place on earth (Morton's overlook in the Smokey Mountains) “to Prepare” and that was what he planned to do.

He started calling me His Bulldog because if he mentioned something he needed or wanted to do for the kids or himself, I made it happen.

I organized his FB supporters into Luke’s Angels so as a group we could assist Luke with whatever he wanted to do with the kids or for himself.

Luke wanted to take Michael on his first airplane ride and he did

Luke wanted to take Katelyn to have an American Girl Experience and He did

Luke wanted a tattoo, he designed it and he got it with my encouragement. That night I almost lost Best Friend Status, I got two tattoos that night and he said I made it look so easy and not painful. I got the Luke Look for couple hours while he was getting his done.

Luke wanted to go tandem Hang gliding and I agreed to do it with him. I found the perfect place near Chattanooga, you could go 1500 feet or 3000 feet. I told Luke if we were doing it and I was being attached to a Big Kite then it was the 3000 foot flight.  It was the most amazing experience and a fantastic weekend for us to share.

He started living by a quote that he had put in his tattoo design.  He later learned it was from Mohammed Ali. “Don’t Count the Days Make the Days Count”. Luke did just that he made every day count especially for Katelyn and Michael.

Luke Henry 5/14/69-I have quoted that statement what seems like a hundred times for Luke over the past few months. That name and date are for every ingrained in my soul.  So much so that I recently went to an appointment for myself on the medical form for date of birth I instantly wrote 5/14/69. I had to really think hard to remember my own DOB.

Luke A Henry, man of faith, son, brother, husband, Dad, Best Friend. We will always have you in our hearts and know you will always be watching over us here. We will miss you and Love you my friend...

 

keep dancin' Larry B

 

 

 

A Man and His Word!

A repost in honor of my Best Friend Luke Henry.  Little Bro. I kept my word as I said I would. Miss you..

I am always amazed when I tell someone I will do something and when I do it; how surprised they seem to be that I am a person that keeps his word.  I suppose we all become jaded toward our fellow man that we expect nothing. So we are surprised when someone actually does what they say they will do.

I was reared in the Midwest and it was instilled into me as a young child that you do whatever you state you will do.  Be that for the family, friends or strangers.   I was taught that you treat others as you wish to be treated. You state you will do something you do it and that everyone was the same in God’s eye and you should treat everyone the same.

I strive to be a good man and to do whatever I can to help others in need. I see so much hate, so much distrust and so much of the “ME” attitude around me. I can understand at times because of the economy, stress of job and family that one can become this way easily.  I can say that I have seen less of this since moving back to the Midwest and it is very refreshing to actually have others even say “hello”,” thank you” and “How may I help you”.

Is it that in the larger metropolitan areas that everyone is just too busy trying to survive?  They have forgotten that the only way to truly survive is to reach out to others, to accept the differences that God has created and to treat each other with respect and dignity.  I don’t have the answers and probably never will.

I know that who I am I cannot change. I know I will always look after my family, my friends and try to help complete strangers. It is what I do and hopefully it is enough.  I may not be rich in terms of wealth but I am rich beyond believe with love, understanding and compassion for those in my life and those that I encounter along the way in this life.

I recently told a  friend that is dealing with a health crisis that no matter what I was going to be there to assist him and his family. I was not going anywhere. It is who I was, that once you become a friend you become part of my family. I am like an old grizzly bear protective to my last breath.  I think at first he was skeptical that I would be there for him and his family.  I think he has come to realize that I am a man of my word. 

I honor my word, with action and not just speech. I honor my family and my beliefs by doing the best I can each and every day.  It is who I am, it is what I am.  Who among you can say the same?

Friendship

This is a repost of an article that was published back in January and inspired by my Friend Luke Henry.

Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say.

Friendship is a distinctively personal relationship that is grounded in a concern on the part of each friend for the welfare of the other, for the other's sake, and that involves some degree of intimacy. As such, friendship is undoubtedly central to our lives, in part because the special concern we have for our friends must have a place within a broader set of concerns, including moral concerns, and in part because our friends can help shape who we are as persons.

Developing friendships can be difficult in today’s society. Who can you trust with the intimate details of your life?  Who is not just out there to use you and then discard you once they achieve their goal? We face this every day and moving to a new location only emphasizes the difficulty of meeting and making new friends.

Yet there are times in your life that you happen to talk to a person for short time, then by chance meet them again. You talk and in only a few moments of conversation you know in your heart that this is a good person and worthy of exploring a friendship. I have had this awesome experience a few times in my life that only after a brief conversation knew that person and I would become long lasting friends.

This recently occurred and I know my life has been enriched by meeting this person.  This new found friend is someone that I instantly felt comfortable to open my life too and have developed a close connection within just a short time.  They say the Good Lord places people in our lives at certain times for a reason and I believe this to be the case.

For there is no other reason I can think of that we would meet; start developing such a great friendship and then he is diagnosed with Cancer.  I felt cheated, upset, and simply royally pissed off. I mean why him and why now.  God knows I don’t make friends easily; this hillbilly can be a difficult person to deal with to say the least.  So yes, I was a little ticked off.

Since my Mom’s passing, I call upon her for guidance; she after all is one of my guardian angels. As I was talking to her the other night, this beautiful white tail Doe walks out of the woods and comes within 20 feet of me. She did not run off but simply stood there and stare directly at me. For me that was the sign I needed, I knew I was on the right path at this juncture in my life.

I knew in my heart what I had to do, first I had to come to terms with the fact that my friend was in a crisis.  The next thing was simple; to have friends you have to be one and I am determined to be the best friend this individual has ever had in his life. 

Of course, I have teased him because you know laughter is the best medicine; He now has to deal with the stubborn Hillbilly who will badger him to stay motivated, positive and to take every day by the horns.  

The following are two quotes that really hit home for me when it comes to friendship. The first is just one I think is cute yet true, the last one is one that is close to my heart and the way I feel about my friends.

“If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't jump with them; I'd be at the bottom to catch them.”

A friend is someone who, upon seeing another friend in immense pain, would rather be the one experiencing the pain, than to have to watch their friend suffer.
-- Amanda Gier

So yes, as always WE will Keep Dancin’ Larry B

A True Best Friend

Many people, not all, go through different best friends throughout life. I believe you can have several Best Friends at one time. However, usually a person only has one real, True Best Friend. Someone with whom one shares the strongest possible kind of friendship. I have been blessed to have found my True Best Friend here in Tennessee. 

This is a person that just in a matter of months there is such a deep bond that it seems that we have known each other for our whole life. In fact, I even over heard someone ask this friend if we had known each other since childhood. I realized then that our friendship was so strong that others assumed we had known each other for a lot longer than actually was the case.

This person knows what I’m thinking just by the look on my face. The connection is so strong that one word is complete sentences between us. We have such a connection; we know when the other is in distress or in need.  This is a person I love, have nicknames for each other, inside jokes and have pointless text-a-thons with everyday.

This friend is family and gives the opinion I care most about. A true best friend is the one who tells you the things you absolutely need to hear regardless of whether you want to hear it or not.  It is this friend that you can be around always and never get sick of.  This is the person you are grateful to have as a friend and confidant.

This true best friend is not only someone you have a good time with, it is also someone you know you can trust your life with. Someone you can totally be yourself around and not give a care in the world about your actions or feelings because they won't judge you for the stupid things you may do or say.

Yes, I have found my True Best Friend. It is said that God puts people in your life at specific times and you may not know the reason. I know this is true for God placed me with this remarkable individual to experience this ultimate friendship. For you see, my True Best Friend was diagnosed with stage four cancer not long after we met.  I questioned why God would place the two of us together at this time only to eventually take this wonderful relationship away. I realized it was not for me to question his reason but to make the most out of this fantastic friendship.

As a friend, as a care giver, I pledged to this True Best Friend that I was going to see him through this fight. I am there for him and his wonderful family to provide support, care and love. God placed us together at this time for this journey and I would not want to be anywhere else doing anything else but to be here with him.   I know I have a True Best Friend that I will always remember no matter what comes about. I may lose the only true best friend I will ever have, and even when I  get new "best friends" .. this old, real True Best Friend will always be on my mind and forever in my heart.

 For my True Best Friend. Luke A Henry. From the heart of your True Best Friend, the Bulldog!

Keep Dancin' Larry B.

 

 

 

JUDGE BY DEEDS HONOR THY WORD

I am always amazed when I tell someone I will do something and when I do it; how surprised they seem to be that I am a person that keeps his word.  I suppose we all become jaded toward our fellow man that we expect nothing. So we are surprised when someone actually does what they say they will do.

I was reared in the Midwest and it was instilled into me as a young child that you do whatever you state you will do.  Be that for the family, friends or strangers.   I was taught that you treat others as you wish to be treated. You state you will do something you do it and that everyone was the same in God’s eye and you should treat everyone the same.

I strive to be a good man and to do whatever I can to help others in need. I see so much hate, so much distrust and so much of the “ME” attitude around me. I can understand at times because of the economy, stress of job and family that one can become this way easily.  I can say that I have seen less of this since moving back to the Midwest and it is very refreshing to actually have others even say “hello”,” thank you” and “How may I help you”.

Is it that in the larger metropolitan areas that everyone is just too busy trying to survive?  They have forgotten that the only way to truly survive is to reach out to others, to accept the differences that God has created and to treat each other with respect and dignity.  I don’t have the answers and probably never will.

I know that who I am I cannot change. I know I will always look after my family, my friends and try to help complete strangers. It is what I do and hopefully it is enough.  I may not be rich in terms of wealth but I am rich beyond believe with love, understanding and compassion for those in my life and those that I encounter along the way in this life.

I recently told a new friend that is dealing with a health crisis that no matter what I was going to be there to assist him and his family. I was not going anywhere. It is who I was, that once you become a friend you become part of my family. I am like an old grizzly bear protective to my last breath.  I think at first he was skeptical that I would be there for him and his family.  I think he has come to realize that I am a man of my word. 

I honor my word, with action and not just speech. I honor my family and my beliefs by doing the best I can each and every day.  It is who I am, it is what I am.  Who among you can say the same?

2012 a Year of Loss

I can honestly say I am happy that this year is finally coming to an end. It has been a year filled with great loss for my Florida Family.  We lost so many great family members this year, and it was difficult to be so far away during their time of need. I know they understand we were there in spirit and our prayers were with them throughout.

Being here in Tennessee has it draw backs as far as we are no longer next door and able to participate in their everyday life.  Our Florida family will always be an important part of our lives. They are the family we chose and not our blood family but there is no difference in our hearts.

So I wanted to pay tribute to those of our Florida family that have left us this year.

Louis Lozito, Uncle Louie to my dogs.  Louis was the kindest, sweetest man that I have ever met.  He was big softie when it came to animals. He would watch over my two or three whenever I had to be gone during the day. It was also common to see the wild ducks following him around because they knew he would sneak them treats as well. Connie Lozito, the Grand Mother of our group, always ensuring everyone was okay and doing what they needed to do to stay safe and healthy.  Connie would show up with home-made soup if she saw your car in the drive way for two days. Connie and Louis lived across the street and I never had to worry about my house when I was away for Connie was always on watch in our little corner of the neighborhood.  The best times where on Friday afternoon when all would gather on Connie’s Corner; catch up on everyone’s week, plans for weekend, and simply enjoy each other.

 

John Persico, a man’s man, good friend and who had a heart bigger than the East Coast. If you ever needed something John was there to assist. John was always full of life and could always make you laugh; yeah I will admit it even for a Yankee he was okay.  I mean we supposedly share Connie’s front yard one night or so our Florida Family would claim.  …

 

I know Paul and I will always have a special place in our hearts and in our home for these three wonderful dear Florida family members. They may no longer be participating in our gathering, or our cruises but we know they are always going to be part of our lives.

So as we had a wonderful Christmas here in Tennessee. Our family was together and remembering those that are not with us.  We had the Evelyn tree, the Elizabeth angel lit and the memories from the Christmas past.  Each holiday is more special as we get to spend it with Dad and Sister but our Florida family will always be in our hearts and thoughts.

Keep Dancin’

LB

4th of July, A Day of Celebration for many reasons

This will be the first 4^th that I will spend with my sister since we were kids in Rural Southeast Missouri. For the past 20 years, I have spent the 4^th holiday with my Florida Family.

As families gather together across the country for their 4^th of July events, we will be doing the same.  Paul and I will be joining my sister and her Women’s Softball teammates and spouses. We will be having the typical gathering of food, drinks and watching fireworks.  It will be a great time I am sure but the best part is spending time with my sister.  Although Paul and I will miss our Florida Family, just being with Family is what is most important.

We hear so many opinions in the world today as to what constitutes a Family.  I have read that originally the word family meant a band of slaves. That even after the word came to apply to people affiliated by blood and marriage, for centuries the notion of family referred to authority relations rather than love ones. (Stephanie Coontz, The Way We Never Were, pp. 43-44)

Webster's Dictionary offers twenty-two definitions. The Census Bureau defines a family as "two or more persons related by birth, marriage or adoption who reside in the same household". There are cultural differences all around the world that defines a family. There are political, economic, legal, sociological and religious interest bound up with the definition of family.  Pet owners and their pet owning friends may view Dixie and Pixie as "family"--and Dixie and Pixie have been known to inherit the bulk of their deceased owners' estates.

My question is what difference does it make how "family" is defined? 

My definition for family will be as different as the person reading this entry. What person, government or religion has the right to say my definition or your definition is the correct one or the only one.

The most important thing in my life is my family. My family is those here with me as much as the ones that are elsewhere in this great country. Family are those in your life that you protect, you encourage, you support, you love.

So as usual this July 4^th I will being doing what I have done so many times before, celebrate the birth of this great nation with MY FAMILY.  It should be a day of celebration for a country where we have the freedom to celebrate whatever we, each define as family.

So have a fantastic 4^th of July with your family and show your pride and support for this great country, The United States of America.

More Unique Holidays!

I got into looking up these Unique days of the year, when I was operating Surprise Arrivals. For those that do not know what that is, we operated a Web based Unique Gift and Giftbasket site for several years.  Today June 8 is Best Friend Day. This day is a time to enjoy and appreciate your best friend. It's a day to honor and cherish the relationship.
If you're lucky, you have a best friend. If you are real lucky, you have a number of best friends. Best friends are very, very special people. You spend countless hours with your best friend going to events and activities, or just hanging out. You share secrets, hopes, dreams, aspirations, and disappointments with your best friend.

Some folks say you can only have one best friend. I totally disagree. You can have a couple at the same time, or several over time.  I am fortunate because I have several Best Friends, not only do I share my life with my number one best friend. I have friends that I consider family and have been in my life for more years that we really want to admit. These are friends that have share my ups and downs and probably know me better than my blood family.

I will say that I don’t miss Florida, I miss my friends. Friends come and go for a variety of reasons. It's the result of many things, including moving, changing schools or jobs, and more. I hope that you are lucky enough to have a number of best friends over the years.

With the official start of summer just a few days away, the timing is perfect for National Iced Tea Day on June 10th.

In 1904, English tea plantation owner Richard Blechynden set up a booth to sell hot tea at the St. Louis World Fair. It was a sizzler of a day, and fair visitors didn't want anything hot. Rather, they needed something to quench their thirst... something cold. He dumped some of his hot tea into ice and served it cold. It was an immediate hit. This was the first known use of iced tea.

Chances are, it is already hot in your area. Today may serve as a good reminder to make and enjoy your first (of many) Iced Tea drink of the season. Have it plain, add a little lemon, or sweeten it with sugar. Iced Tea is certainly a favorite summer cooler of millions of Americans.  

It takes no imagination to decide how to enjoy this great day: Grab an Iced Tea and head out to the hammock strung under a shady tree.

Till Next Time, LB

I Hope To Say The Magic Word!

Well my clip art gives away the magic word. On Thursday evening when visiting Dad in Missouri that word is “BINGO”.  At least that is what everyone at the KC Hall in Kelso, Missouri is hoping to yell out. I will be sitting across from my Aunt Dorothy with Paul by her side. Taking Aunt Dorothy to BINGO is one of the activities we look forward to the most when we visit Missouri.

I, personally, caught the BINGO fever after joining my Mother and Aunt Dorothy many years ago. It was our social interaction with local community. BINGO is not just a group of games for money prizes. BINGO is the place you go to catch up on neighbors, friends and yes, even family.  Winning money is just the Bonus of BINGO. 

Aunt Dorothy will give Paul and I the update on the family, friends and of course, the BINGO Buddies. We will know all the local news in the 3.5 hours for this group of BINGO Buddies and have a fairly good update on the family.   It is just another night of fellowship, laughter and love.

BINGO is a very important part of the local community.  At BINGO, you talk, you share, you snack and yes you either win or lose. Odds are that most of the times you never get to scream out that wondrous word "BINGO".  It really doesn't matter; it is the camaraderie that BINGO creates among all the participants.

The only person at risk at a BINGO hall is the ball caller. They have to have nerves of steel to sit up on the platform and call out numbers. For any slip of tongue or hand will immediately be chastised by the unity of the crowd sitting before them. 

Yes, BINGO with Aunt Dorothy is a special time for us when in Missouri. We see old BINGO Buddies, cousins and friends.  They see our Tennessee tags in Dad's driveway and our seats are saved upon our arrival to the hall.  That is Midwest hospitality. 

Now if I just get to yell BINGO… Especially on the Progressive cover-all game, the jackpot is over $5000.

Till Next Time... LB

90 days

It is amazing that we are about to celebrate our 90 day anniversary in Tennessee.  It seems as though we have been here a lot longer than only 90 days.  We have accomplished a great deal since our arrival on October 29, 2011 with two vehicles loaded practically to the roof.  We both only had a straight view out our back windows, the poor dogs only had a small place to sit in my passenger front seat and Paul did not even have that much room in his vehicle.

My Dad sat in his rocker and watched us unload one vehicle into the condo, and then we had to sort through that load. We had to put things in their place before we could even unload the second vehicle.  We moved from a 1500 square foot house with a one car garage to a 1000 square foot condo with a 4 by 5 storage room.  Our saving grace here is an attic that I can stand up in and have it now sectioned with storage.

I had one day to get my office set up and organized to be back to work on October 31, 2011. Since that day we have replaced the windows, HVAC, storm doors, downstairs’ floor and the kitchen countertop/back splash.   I can honestly say the Little House on the Bluff is cozy, warm and Home.

So what is the plan for the next 90 days, I plan to get out in the community to work on establishing a dance class, Paul plans to begin a class on embroidery and we are going to decide on interior paint colors.  Yes, it has only been 90 days since we pulled out of Florida and I have to say it was the best move we could have made.  We both are able to spend more time with  family; we both get to spend time in an area that has the nicest people you would ever meet.

 The dogs are content because they have both of their parents around all the time.  Things are good and we are looking forward to a great 2012.

Family, Friends and a Year of Changes

As the year draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the past year and how very important our family and friends have been in our lives.  I am sure most of us are still in a stupor from our Christmas feast.  It was during our feast that I got to thinking about how 2011 had been a year of many changes for Paul and I.

I started the year in a new/old position after 20 years with Intracorp, the company was sold to GENEX Services at the end fo 2010. So although I am still doing the same job, it was all new with a new employer. The year has been a challenge learning how to do the same job under new policies and proceedures. I do have to state that my new immediate boss has been nothing but accepting and supportive in this year of transition.

I also started a new website www.LineDanceNews.com and also became the host site for Stella Cabeca's website.  Just taking my passion for dancing to a new level.

Paul met a milestone this year and after 30 years retired from the US Postal Service. He has been making a nice adjustment to the life as a retired person.

Then the most dramatic change came the last quarter of the year when we decided it was now time to make the move to Tennessee to be closer to both our families especially my Father. It then all happen very quickly with us selling the house in Florida.  So after 40 years for Paul and 20 years for myself in Florida, we relocted to Clarksville, Tennessee.

So this Holiday season, we got to spend with our families and not our our Florida friends. For me it was a very special holiday getting to spend it with my Father and sister afte 20 years. I know my Mom was smiling down at us, happy that her family was back together again.

I have to admit it was strange at first since for the past years, it was our Florida family that had made our holiday season so enjoyable and memorable.

We  tend to take many things in our life for granted and sometimes neglect to express or show our true feelings for those immediately around us in our daily lives. Being from a farming family, family gatherings with lots of good food, good fun and camaraderie were what was important throughout the year. It was during these family gatherings that you caught on family and nurtured the bond that makes us all family in one way or another.

Paul  and I come from very different family backgrounds but the one common thread was that family was the most important aspect of our daily lives growing up. The weekly or Monthly family gatherings that included everyone from Grandparents to cousins. The feeling of having that common denominator that made you whole and who you are today. 

The old saying you can pick your friends but not your family  is so true. Yet we have friends in our lives that we consider family and have the bond that comes with family.  Knowing they will be there for you in your time of need and support you in whatever venture you undertake. 

So as 2011 draws to an end, We know that our choices were the right ones for Paul and I. Our Florida Friends will always be a part of our lives but now is the time for us to spend with our Family. 2012 is going to be a good year, now we get to show our Florida Family the area I grew up in and around.

Holidays are in Full Swing

Decorations galore are not the only hints that the holidays are upon us. Dinner parties, cocktail parties, cookie swaps, caroling and shopping.   Shopping  and Shopping, did I mention Shopping. Whether it be at the mall or in the comfort of your home in front of your computer. There are so many choices for your gift giving pleasure.

This year the best gift that I will receive is spending the holidays with my Dad and Sister. After 20 years of spending the holidays in Florida with our Friends/family there, this year, I actually get to spend the holidays with Dad and sister.   Although, I will miss the special time we have had with our  Florida family/friends all these years.  This year just has a very special feeling for me. The holiday weekend is planned with a great meal and quality time with the both of them.

Another huge difference for Paul and I is that our complete yard decorations are in storage in Florida, living in a Condo does not offer any real yard space for the 20-25 inflatables that I would put out in my yard and the neighbors yard each year.  Paul is going through Holiday decorating withdraw due to not being able to put up his tree, ornaments and all the indoor decorations.

We have been in our Tennessee home for 30 days and have done a great deal of work to make it home and energy efficient.  New Flooring is the final improvement and so the tree can not be brought out till the flooring is down.  Not sure if this will be completed prior to the holiday, so I may have to see if we brought the little ceramic and 2 foot tree of our mothers to curb his holiday decorating withdrawal symptoms.

Next year, we will have our home decked out to the max for the holiday.  We wish all our Florida Family/friends a wonderful holiday and will miss you all. Take Care. Happy Holiday.. till next time LB