Thank you and Afterthoughts

I sincerely appreciate all the kind words y'all have left here in this difficult time for our family. I decided long ago that if I really wanted to call myself a Christian (and I don't anymore), that I had to forgive others even if they hurt me. I always fall back on Gandhi: "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians; they are so unlike your Christ." I don't claim to be perfect, but I do try not to compromise myself -- unlike so many we read about every day.

My mother is a hater and bitterness has consumed her. Frankly, I think hating is too much work and requires too much energy. I don't care to expend all that negative energy -- it eats one soul and doesn't accomplish a damned thing. And I see too many self-proclaimed Christians (from both sides) acting in horrendously un-Christ-like ways whose views and actions are counter-productive to achieving peace and happiness for our country and that saddens me greatly.

I can't shoulder that burden; I'm just try to tend my my little corner of the world as best I can. I'm just glad that I'm managing to get through all the craziness without selling my soul -- so far.

Happy Blogging!!!!

Kay

Saying Good-bye

Yesterday we said good-bye to my ex-husband, Frank. I like to think that he will live in our hearts forever. It was a small gathering at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery up north of here and I think he would liked that as he was very proud of his service to his country as a member of what he called "Uncle Sam's Canoe Club" as a submariner during the VietNam war. It was a small gathering -- all family despite their having called all his friends and neighbors -- and I think he would have liked that. He really hated funerals (don't we all?) and mostly refused to go.

Both our kids came in -- Kate flew from Maine (who stayed with friends in Cleveland) and Eric drove up from Kentucky with his eldest son, Drake. The latter stayed here in town the night before and took granny out to dinner!!! Drake is a truly bright and lovely young man and I was brought up-to-date on everyone's accomplishments. My brother brought Kate and his eldest, Matt drove up from Akron. And his cousins from Mansfield joined us, too. It was a very nice gathering full of family and Frank stories and I think Frank would have liked it a lot.

I promised Eric and Kate that there would not be any problems when my time comes and no burden placed on them as I'm working on it already and that Uncle Mike would be taking care of things since he lives fairly close. They both said thank you. With them living so far away, this was really difficult for them and dying without a will or insurance can really be a mess.

I'm going to miss him and mourn his passing.

Kay

Miscellaneous Ramblings

It's been pretty chaotic here the past few weeks and hopefully things will be slowing to a simpler pace soon. Thanks to all of you who have stood by me as I tap danced on the edge.

* We will be finally will be putting my ex-husband's ashes to rest on Saturday -- one day sky of his 68th birthday in the veterans' cemetery up north of here. I'm going to be nice and just say that I miss him.

* I've been spending a lot of time on the phone because Mama Barb, my stepmom, was placed in a nursing home and finally passed away this week. She was eighty-seven. They're burying her on Saturday. too. I will miss her. She has been good to me. Her best friend, Karen, said that nothing made Barb happier than a visit from me. I just am sorry I didn't get up to Toledo more often.

* They say that deaths come in threes. I wonder who's next. . . If it's me, I'd best get busy.

* Thanks to all of you for your input on changing my blog program. The bottom line is that I hate Google trying to invade my life without my permission. Silly me -- I think that I have the right to choose to social network or not and I refuse to join google+ or facebook.

* Alice over at My Wintersong sent me an excellent email about her Wordpress experience that I will consider if I decide to expend the energy to move.

Hope y'all are having a great day!

Happy Blogging!!!!

Kay

Question

I'm soooooooooo tired of Google foisting all their you know what on me. I'm about ready to move my blogs else where. Tell me why this is a good or bad idea!!!!!!..

Happy Blogging!!!

Kay

I HATE GOOGLE!

* Please forgive me if I cuss on this post because I'm as angry and upset as I've ever been in a long.

I want to sue Google. They are trying to force me to use their stupid Google+ and if they added me to yours, please delete it. They also want me to get gmail account. I already have two gmail accounts -- one of which I use to pay my bills -- and they won't let me into either. As most of you know, I use my hotmail account as my main account and I DON'T WANT TO CHANGE IT and I don't think I should have to do so.

If you know anything that can help or anyone who can help, please let me know.

You have no idea how frustrating this is!!!!! I just want to be able to keep my world intact.




I am losing my mind. I would appreciate any/all help!

Kay (in 19th nervous breakdown mode.)




=

Yikes!!!!!

Will someone please tell me what happened to my reading list? It seems to have disappeared and says I don't follow any blogs -- & I think all y'all know better.

Please let me know what to do!

Panic-stricken Kay

Listen to Bernie -- It's Our Life!

Bernie Sanders takes on the big money! Click here for seven minutes of telling audio!

I'm not going to say anything -- it speaks volumes. If you're not tired of corporate welfare, this could change your thinking!

Happy Blogging!!!

Kay

Wee Hours Phone Calls

I don't think I've ever had a phone call in the wee hours that brought good news.

It's 4 am in Ohio. Now I do tend to be a night owl but this is late even for this crazy old lady. Why am I here at this ungodly hour? My phone rang a couple hours ago and that that rocked my world -- again -- and now I can't sleep. I am, fortunately, not looking at a busy day today which is probably good. They say that troubles come in threes; right now I'm at almost two down and one to go. I'm trying very hard to convince myself that what doesn't kill me makes me stronger but I'm wondering. When I know more, I will let y'all know more.

It's 11 am now and I'm tired but I managed to get some sleep. There's not much I can do except worry or pray and both are what my late ex-husband would say, " about as useful as a screen door on a submarine" so I'm going to be as patient I can and spend my time getting caught up with y'all and doing some house-keeping here while I wait for news.


Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!

Kay

It Ain't Easy.

Quitting smoking isn't easy. I have now officially quit after a month or so of cutting down. When I was down to three a day, it was time. It's taken me a while. They say one can't quit by cutting down but that's what I did. I've been cutting down since my surgery last Spring. I think that breaking a habit is different for everyone. My biggest fear is gaining weight which I think is equally as bad as smoking so I'm fighting two battles at the same time. . . and it's no fun.

I found that the Internet is a great help on one hand and my worst enemy on the other as smoking and blogging seem to go hand in hand -- as you muse, compose and research your latest 'masterpiece.' The 'Net provides a lot help with quitting strategies. My favorite is the 5 minute rule, i.e., if you get the urge for a cig, wait five minutes -- it usually passes. Sometimes five minutes feels longer than others but it works for me -- so far. And if it doesn't, there are lots of other strategies to try. I'm committed to no drugs or pills or gum and not gaining a ton of weight.

Can I do it? Yes, I can.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!

Kay