A Quiet Weekend

Hey, Y'all,
Well, here it is a beautiful sunny Saturday, and I am up early just puttering around, and seeing what the weekend will bring.

Gramps and I went into Knoxville yesterday to spend some time with Imazo, Mae, and David (Imazo's son from Arizona). We went to do one of our favorite family things, which is to eat. ha. We decided to go to Louis' Restaurant and put on the "feed-bag". They absolutely serve the best spaghetti and meat sauce you would ever want to wrap your tongue around. YUM! I can never eat the whole serving, and usually bring half of it home. Yesterday was no exception to that rule.

David is returning home today, and I know that Imazo is going to miss him terribly. He and Jeff (her younger son) have been helping her to go through bills and other paper work that she needs to get straight, since Hugh was the one who took care of all the business matters.

After we got back from the restaurant, we sat around talking and just enjoying visiting with one another.

Gramps and I stopped at the Food City Grocery on the way home and I purchased a few items that we needed.

This morning, I began clearing off my computer desk of items that need to be filed in my filing cabinet, and right now they are lying in the floor ready to be filed away. Just as I was beginning today's blog posting, my daughter, Teresa, sent me an IM and we have been chatting away for the past hour and a half. What fun! I so enjoy the time I can spend with her. We never run out of anything to say (mostly just inconsequential stuff, but still fun).

I hear Gramps playing the tv in our bedroom.

(a Few hours later)
Mark called and asked me to follow him to the auto mechanic's home to take his truck over for a small repair. He came over in a short time and I followed him and then brought him back to his house. We sat and chatted for awhile, then I came back home. I found Gramps sitting in the living room, dressed and waiting for me to make his morning coffee, which I did, then made myself a sandwich for lunch.

Not much else doing today, except to file the papers I have lying in the floor and to balance my bank account using my Quicken program. I guess I will do that sometime before bedtime. If I can work up the enthusiasm, I may even do so this afternoon. The other day while at Walmart, I purchased the cloth to make the squares for Will's quilt. I have that to cut into one yard lengths and launder, then press prior to cutting the block squares.

We have been invited to Mark and Allie's tomorrow for a Super Bowl party. If I can get the man to go with me, we can go. It all depends on what kind of mood he will be in at the time. I am hoping he will be able to get up for church in the morning. Who knows? Only time will tell, but for now, time is not talking. ha.

Well, this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Love to you all. Bye for now.

A Time of Recovery

Hey, Y'all,

Over the past couple of days, I just stayed in my gown and housecoat, and didn't bother with dressing. I was in my blue funk mood, and was not considering doing anything except maybe a little housework, and sewing. That is exactly what I did.

This morning, I woke up ready to shower and get dressed. After taking stock of the contents of the pantry and refrigerator, I knew it was time to do a lot of things this day. No milk for breakfast, no bread for sandwiches, and there was trash to be bagged up and carried to the local dumpster. There happened to be just enough milk for Gramps' breakfast this morning, but not mine. I had collected the trash, took my Nexium for reflux, taken my shower, and gotten dressed by 9 a.m.

I was going to go ahead and do the chores I needed to do, but had not had any breakfast. I scrounged up an egg, a slice of cheese, a couple of slices of raisin bread, made some hot tea, and fixed my breakfast.

Scrambled the egg, added the cheese, toasted the bread, and sat down to eat. Then I really felt up to running out to do the errands needed to be done.

I left Gramps putting some shoe laces into a pair of shoes he wanted to wear, carried the trash out to the car, grabbed my purse, put on my coat and purple cap, and headed out to New Market. I stopped to visit with Judy at the church, went on to deposit the trash at the dump, stopped to pay our electric bill at the co-op, went on to the drug store to download some pictures into their machine, then went on to the Wal-mart for needed things, and groceries, then back to the drug store to pic up the pics. After I picked them up, I went on to the Library to get some books to read, and headed home. All that took me about two and a half hours, and I was truly worn out when I got home.

While at Wal-mart, I ran into a lady who had graduated from high school when I did. It was really great seeing her again, and we exchanged phone numbers. We stood there for awhile talking about people we both knew. I will definitely be calling her soon so we can get together and visit. It is so unsatisfactory to see someone and not be able to talk as long as you wish.

Close friends of mine and Gramps (Mark and Allie, Gene and Judy) sent flowers to the funeral of my brother, Hugh, and I am posting a picture of them. Imazo gave them to me, and I plan to set them outside in the spring. One of the flowers are azaleas, I believe.

Gramps and I are planning on going in to Knoxville tomorrow and having a late lunch with David, Imazo, and Mae. It will be good to spend some time with them.

Well, that is about it for today. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Love to you all. Bye for now.

A Rainy, Windy Day

Hey, Y'all,
Last night, I downloaded a new game (I belong to Real Arcade Games) and get a new game every month for $9.95. Last night's game is a solitaire card game, and is a lot of fun to play and waste time playing. I was up until 1 a.m. playing, and then dragged to bed. I slept until 5 a.m. and then was up for a few minutes to get a drink of water and make a pit stop.

Back to bed and then up at a little after 7 this morning. I will probably be ready to take a nap about the time that Gramps decides to get up. I had my breakfast and cleaned the kitchen, dried a load of laundry that I had washed last night. Yesterday, I did about three loads of laundry, and folded what had already been washed and dried.

Gramps and I watched some television together last night, until he changed the channel and started watching CNN. That is where I drew the line and moved into my work/craft room. I fired up my PC and started surfing and reading.

After breakfast this morning, I came in here and turned on my PC, my television, and checked my e-mail, did a crossword puzzle on the computer at the News-Sentinel webpage, checked the obituaries and didn't find my name or the name of anyone else that I might know.

I have the television on watching (or listening to) the favorite show of senior citizens - "The Price is Right". Gramps and I have always enjoyed seeing people win prizes. I love to watch how they are so enthused when they are on and win.

Imazo said this morning that Jeff and David are helping her to sort out business matters that must be paid and taken care of. Hugh did all the management of business for the two of them, except when she ordered something, and then she took care of paying that bill.

Teresa called me yesterday afternoon to see how we were doing, and while we were talking on my home phone, Carol called me on my cell phone. I had an idea, and thought maybe they could talk to each other, so I tried something. I turned the cell phone upside down and held it to the home phone, and they were able to talk to each other, and they talked loudly enough for me to hear and talk to them. Cool, huh? I thought so.

Well, it is supposed to rain and maybe snow this evening, but I don't think it will lay. I may make some vegetable beef soup for supper. I don't know yet. I will probably go take a nap in a few minutes. No reason to really stay up for right now. More later. Love to all of you.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Bye for now.

A Gathering of Family

Hey, Y'all,

Yeah, I know it is a different size type today, but I thought I would try a different font, and different size to see how it transposes into the post.

Yesterday, our family gathered to say a final goodbye to Hugh, until that time when we see him again. A few of us gathered at Hugh's and Imazo's home, and then proceeded to the cemetery and lined the cars in a procession to the graveside. We alighted from the cars and edged our way up to the chairs that had been placed beside the grave.

The grandsons and nephews of Hugh then carried his bier up to the grave and placed it on the stand above the empty grave. The wind blew in small gusts, making us feel the chill of the day. It was nothing compared to the chill we felt in our hearts for the temporary loss of Hugh in our lives.

The pastors who had conducted the services for Hugh the night before were there to say a few more words in our behalf. Then the flag that had draped Hugh's casket was handed to Imazo, hands were shaken by the pastors, and we were left to proceed to our cars after some of us stood around to talk. I took Dub and Carol and myself on down to the car, because I didn't want to stand around in the cold, when I knew we would be gathering at their church in a short time.

We headed on out of the cemetery and toward the church.

We arrived at the church to find the food ready to serve. They have a fine man who takes care of seeing that food is prepared and served for such occasions as this one. It was not long before we had taken off our coats and picked up a plate to serve ourselves at the bounteous table.

After we had filled our plates, we seated ourselves at one of several tables that had been set up for us, and spent a time eating and sharing stories, and enjoying time together. After we had finished chowing down, I got out my camera and handed it over to Carol, and she proceeded to taking group pictures so we would have a pictorial record of those who were there.

We all had a lovely time and I know Hugh would have thoroughly enjoyed the fact that we were there and would have been happy to see us remembering him in such a fashion. After the picture taking, we kind of all went our separate ways except for Jeff, David, Imazo, Carol, Andrea, Steven, Gramps, and me. We went back to Imazo's and sat around chatting, and enjoying the quiet time. This gave us a while to kind of relax and reflect on the last few days.

Too soon it was time to say goodbye to Steven and Carol. David and Andrea took them to the airport so they could head home to their separate destinations. Gramps, Imazo, Jeff and I sat a while longer and visited.

Pictures:

Top picture is of Middle Generation cousins: Carol (my daughter), Norma (Mae and Bill's daughter), David (Hugh and Imazo's son), Andrea (David's wife), Jeff (Hugh and Imazo's son), Peggy (Jeff's wife).

Next picture is of senior generation: Gramps, me, Imazo, Mae.

Next picture is the whole group of those who were gathered together. All are related to each other and Hugh and I in some way.

Last picture is of the youngest generation cousins, spouses, girl friends, and grandmother, Imazo.

Well, that is it for today. Gramps and I will be headed to Knoxville to have breakfast with Imazo, Jeff, David and Andrea before she heads back to Tucson to work. David is staying on through Saturday before heading back home. I will have a lot of catching up to do of housework when I get back this afternoon, but I have found that housework will wait. In fact, it goes nowhere until it is done. Ha.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Breakfast waits for me, and my tummy says it is time to fill it. Love to you all. Bye for now.

Happy Birthday, Austin

Hey, Y'all,
Today is the birthday of our great grandson, Austin. He is six years old today. What a wonderful age to be! An age of exploring the world around us. An age of wonderment. An age of realization that there is so much one can learn to do and be.
Austin is the oldest son of our grandson, Daniel and wife, Whitney. We don't get to see them more than once a year, but we so much appreciate them all.
To learn more about Austin and his family, go to:
http://waiting4number4.blogspot.com
It is a joy to read about them and what they are all about.
Austin, Happy Birthday! We love you. Have a great day!
Grammy and Gramps.

A Coming Together

Hey, Y'all,
No pictures this morning, except for those I can make with words. We had a wonderful coming together of friends and families last evening, in memory of Hugh. Carol, our oldest daughter, was able to come in and be with us after all. She had thought that she wouldn't, but we were pleasantly surprised to get a call from her that she could come after all. Everyone was grateful for her presence and her physical support. I know that our daughter, Teresa, and her husband Tom were supporting us with prayers, and we were so grateful for them.

Yesterday morning, Gramps and I got ready and went to Knoxville around ten o'clock and joined with the other family members that were at Hugh's and Imazo's. When we arrived we found that Imazo's sisters, Barbara and Dorothy, from Monroe County were already there with some of their kin. Hugh's son, David, had arrived from Arizona with his wife, Andrea, and son, Steven very late the evening before. Jeff and his wife, Peggy, were there also. Jeff and Peggy live in Knoxville.

We sat around talking, reliving memories of the past, as one does when a loved one passes on. Then around 12:30, I left to go to the airport to pick up Carol, and soon after we got back, several of Imazo's nieces from Ohio came in. It was wonderful to see so many people there coming together in support of Imazo, Jeff, and David and their family.

The cousins always enjoy getting together and talking to one another. I really enjoy seeing them all together.

We left for the funeral home about 3:30, and soon we were seeing a lot of people, some of whom I knew and mostly didn't. Since Hugh was eighty when he died, there were a lot of senior citizens who came to remember and honor his memory. There were also a lot of children who came. A set of triplets who are about five years old came to the funeral. Imazo teaches a Sunday school class of preschoolers. It was so sweet to see her bending over and hugging all three of them at the same time, and them hugging her in return.

You know how it is when you stand for two hours greeting people and you look at their faces, and try to remember if you know them or not. Of course, if you are supposed to remember and don't, it can be a little overwhelming. However, they are very forgiving if you don't. The standing was quite a challenge, and it was really great to be able to sit down and relieve my aching back. It was wonderful to see the great number of people who stayed through the recieving of friends for the funeral service afterwards. The chapel seats were filled for the service.

The line of friends and relatives who came to pay their last respects to Hugh was almost unending. People were still coming through after the service was due to begin. What a wonderful tribute to Hugh and his faithfulness to the Lord, and his friendliness toward his fellow man, that so many came. It was a tribute also to their love for Imazo and their family.

Another thing about funerals is that you see relatives that you only most usually see when you attend a wedding or a funeral. It has been so many years since we have had a family reunion, and we really miss seeing family and "catching up" on what is going on in their lives. It is a thing one really misses doing. Every one stays so busy, and so out of touch that it is no wonder that we lose that closeness that we once had. When I was a young child, we lived close to a lot of my cousins and we played together. Now, many of them are gone on. I have watched them go, and now the society is so fluid, cousins rarely get to even know each other, much less grow up in the same neighborhood.

I was so pleased to see friends from mine and Gramps church come in support of us, and it was a blessing to see them there. It was wonderful to see my friends, Ina Ray, and Dot, there as well. Our neighbors, Scott and Laurie, came with their children. How fortunate we are to be so loved!

Hugh's pastor, Grant, and a former pastor, Earl Wilson, conducted the service for his memorial. The church's music minister, Gene, sang three songs that were beautifully rendered. Two of the songs were "I Can Only Imagine" and "It is Well". Unfortunately, I can't remember the third one, but they were all so fitting.

During the receiving of friends, a powerpoint presentation of pictures of Hugh and his family was being shown in the nave at the entrance to the chapel. It was put together by his grandson and his mother, of pictures supplied by family members. Pictures from my blog yesterday were a part of them.

Last night after the service was over, we were getting ready to go home, and Gramps said he wanted to eat, so we stopped at Shoney's to get some supper, then came on home for the night. Fortunately, we had a place for Carol to sleep and so, were able to bring her home with us. She had been planning to stay with Mae, but then I realized that we had a recently acquired a nice long couch that is very comfortable.

It is now early morning, and I have been sitting here at the computer for an hour, composing my posting for today. I love posting when memories are fresh in my mind. Again, I thank each of you for the wonderful support in words and prayers on our behalf. Today, we are going to the cemetary to place the body of my brother, Hugh, in the ground. It is only a shell, though. His spirit is with Our Heavenly Father. Please know, that if you, my reader, are not a Christian, I pray that you will find Him and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Today will prove to be a long one for Imazo and her children and grandchildren. However, I know they will get through it. We plan to leave for Knoxville around 9 a.m. this morning. It will probably be tough to get Gramps up and fed and ready to go by 9 a.m.

Well, it is time for me to close this out. More later. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Hugh David

Hey, Y'all,

I had to wait until I had somewhat decided what I wanted to write before I sat down to do so. There is so very much to say, and my heart is so full of Thanksgiving for what wonderful families we have. We have so many kinds of families, don't we?

First, we have the family that we were born into. Mother, father, brothers, sisters, are all in that family. Then as we become adults, there are the family units that we compose for ourselves. Husband, or wife, children, grandchildren are in this unit. Then there is the larger family that contains aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws. There is beyond that the friends that we make during life, that contains best friends that we may keep until one of us passes on. Then there is the church family that may contain some or all of the ones mentioned already.

We meet people during our lives that come to mean so very much to us. They will sometimes be in various family groups that I mentioned. As I described each of these family groups, I envisioned people that I love that fit into each group.

During the past thirteen months, three of the people that I love dearly have gone on to be with the Lord. As each have passed on, I imagined them being greeted by family that had gone on before them. I figure that right now, Margaret, John, Hugh, Bill, Ralph, Thelma (Ralph's wife), and our Mom and our Dad are all having a wonderful get together, and saying "Wow! Isn't it wonderful to all be together? Wonder when the others are going to be here?" I know they must be singing praises to our Heavenly Father.

I am here to celebrate the life of my brother, Hugh David, and to say how very much he meant to so many people. Hugh was a very kind individual, and to him, family was primary in his life. He loved his family, and he loved his Lord.

Hugh knew people and was always seeing someone that he knew, wherever he went. We would be out somewhere, eating supper, and he would spot someone that he knew. He would nod to them as they passed our table and say something like "How are you? It has been a long time since I saw you. How is your family? etc." Then when they had gone on by, he would say something like, "I went to school with him, or he used to come in to the store, or I remember him from when we had a store on Douglas Street".

Hugh would have loved to have had a little girl, but he loved his boys with all his heart, and was extremely proud of them. He loved Imazo and cherished her always. He was a family man, through and through.

When Hugh was just a boy, there was a summer when Mom had cut Bill and Ralph's hair very short, and Hugh decided he wanted his hair cut in a burr as well. So, after Mom had agreed and cut his hair short, he looked into a mirror and didn't like what he saw. His head was kind of knotty looking and he grabbed up his toboggan that he wore in the winter time, and would not be seen without it until his hair grew out. It didn't matter that it was really hot weather, he just didn't want people to see him that way.

Psychologists say that middle children have a harder time adjusting and finding their place in society. Hugh was a middle child, but I don't think he had that problem. He was outgoing, friendly, and never met a stranger.

Hugh served in the military during the late forties, and early fifties. He was the third male in our family to serve in the United States Army and was proud of it. He served in the ROTC in high school and was then in the army during the Korean Conflict. He served that time in Germany as part of the occupation forces, and learned a lot about life during that time. He quite often talked about things that he experienced while in Germany. He met Imazo when he came home on furlough, and they corresponded by mail. He came back and courted her, and won her heart and hand. And, as they say, "the rest is history".

Hugh spent a lot of time with Dad during his years before serving in the army. Dad related a lot of stories to Hugh, and unfortunately, a lot of those stories are gone, because they were a part of Hugh. He loved talking about the time he spent with Dad during the times that our family owned two different stores in a poor section of Knoxville. We owned one, then sold it and bought another one. Because my dad could not refuse credit to anyone, the stores were not successful. We never did collect the money that was owed to us.

Yes, as is so often the case, when a person passes on, there are many stories that go with them. Hugh is no exception. He had a lot of stories and loved telling them. He and I would often talk during the last years of his life about things that happened as we were growing up. Ideas and happenings shared were important to us, and one of those things that families do.

We will be laying him to rest on Monday, but he will live on in our hearts and memories. Hugh is loved and cherished by those who knew him. There is so very much more that I could relate and will probably do so in the months and years to come. But for now, I will just say goodbye to my brother, Hugh David, until we meet again. I love you, Hugh David.

Pictures: Top: Hugh, Imazo, David and Jeff circa 1963

second: Family picture of Hugh, Dad, Bill, Mom, Ralph, Margaret,

In front row: me (holding Carol) and John. circa 1953

third: Hugh and Imazo 1952

fourth: Hugh as a school boy in Possum Valley, circa 1938

fifth: Hugh and Dad on farm in New Market, circa 1967

sixth: Baby Hugh circa 1929

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. I'd like to thank my daughter, Carol for filling in for me on Thursday. Time for me to eat breakfast. There is much to do today and in the days ahead. God blesses each of us daily, doesn't he? Thank you all for all the prayers offered up on our behalf. Bye for now.