Book Of Likes Faces

Happy Heavenly Birthday Dad! On October 10, 1953, the greatest man I’ve ever known was born. What a perfect dad he was to me! I am thankful for his love, encouragement and most importantly, time, his time. He gave me the precious gift of his time. We did things together. We talked. We hugged. We said “I love you” every time we saw or spoke to each other. I absolutely love (loved) him with every ounce of my being! I know that my dad loved me. He showed me each and every day of my life. What a wonderful man! I’m so blessed to have called him “dad.” When he passed away, a major part of me died that day along with him. I have never been the same. Life has never been the same without him. Oh, what I would give to have him back again.

Do you wanna know why so many people are driving around uninsured? Because even when you’re a great driver and have no claims your insurance goes up at renewal time $70+ extra dollars per month. So now we’re back at almost $500/month for “just in case.” It’s about irritating. My rant for the day! #insurance

The Book Of Likes poem by poet Heather Sweeney that I can personally relate to being an urbexer: 'Home is people's souls. It's not a place. If you go back to a place after souls are gone, then all you see is an empty space. Home is where your heart is, more than where you lay your head. Home is not a place, it's a feeling, a state of mind, not a bed. Earth is our temporary home. Every home is one of a kind. A house is shelter, but a home is love and not a smelter.'

Last night I was working late putting out the remaining Christmas stock. It had been a long Friday, I was tired and it was quiet in the store. In the distance I suddenly heard someone singing Christmas carols. As I walked toward the front of the store I saw a large group of carolers assembled. They sang several of the Christmas classics. I enjoyed it because it flashed me back to when I was little and my Grandfather would take us caroling. Beginning to finally feel a little bit like Christmas for me after all. XD

Hi all, I haven't been posting much because I have been truly busy with life and stuff. I have been dealing with a minor back injury the last 5 weeks (feeling better) and then getting news of other family health issues, besides spending time with my nephews and working/worrying about finances etc. etc.. It has just been a lot. I am heading to Utah in the next couple of days to stay with my sister and family there for Christmas and will return home by next Tuesday or Wed. So I will be traveling. I may not post much since there is a lot going on atm and I did not want people to worry (I guess?). Anway, I hope everyone has safe upcoming Holidays, New Year 2024 , etc!

Normally a huge horse-fly would put me in panic mode but it's funny how it only becomes a minor nuisance when all of a sudden a crap load of the biggest fire ants (I believe that's what they are) all begin attacking your bare legs all at once...I haven't felt this alive in awhile!

@BobbiGrizzo you are nothing short of a beast, and although it would be an impossible endeavor to choose my favorite chaperone , I must say in terms of heart, courage, strength and motivation, you could darn well give any other rugger out there a run for the money!

So, I took my little nephew Sammy's disposable camera from summer camp to finally get developed for him and I inadvertently grabbed some random disposable camera of my mom’s that I didn’t even know she had ?!?…Well, Sammy was so disappointed when he opened it and discovered it was not his photos…So, to comfort him, I shared my relatable childhood trauma when I eagerly opened my photo package from my 110 camera and had 24 pictures of one eye...lmao

Sending out a HAPPY HEAVENLY 100th BIRTHDAY to my maternal Grandpa Joe aka "Paw Paw" who was born on June 23, 1923. A proud member of The Greatest Generation, he was a real-life Nazi fighter and a hero of the D-Day invasion, storming France's Omaha Beach in June of 1944, and eventually receiving two purple hearts for his service. Paw Paw didn't like to talk about the war very much. He kept his medals in an old cigar box on top of an upright piano. When I asked him about those medals, He said all they meant was that he was lucky, because His family could have very well been receiving those medals. While I do recognize That he was lucky and protected by the grace of God, I am still proud To be able to look back at the history books And know that someone that someone I loved so very much truly played a part In helping to save the world on that terrible day. Paw Paw, You've been gone almost 22 years, but you are still very loved and very missed. Without you I would not be here, And if it were within my power to give you another purple heart, I would. I just hope you'll settle for for a family whose hearts are still filled with love for you.

Been reading up on the legendary tales of life in Appalachia. Times were/are hard there and there are there are many stories of married women with few rights who suffered great abuses at the hands of maniacal husbands. There are also tantalizing tales of maniacal husbands who went off "looking for work" and never returned, leaving his wife to an early widowhood and a conspicuously absent cast iron skillet. Interesting read.

Would you like to know I manage to get along with most everyone and maintain healthy relationships in this very volatile world? I don't talk all that much, at least in mixed company about social issues or politics. I only care about politics to the extent of how it relates to history. You can't be a serious student of history without paying attention to the changing tides of politics. That doesn't mean I'm interested in the politics itself. As for other things my opinions on any given subject are something that I will give you if you ask me personally. But be prepared that my opinions have usually been formed over years with said subject and are not likely to change, so don't think I will fight about it. And as for giving my opinion in public almost subjects, I figure there are 6 billion people on planet Earth with an opinion, so ask somebody else. That's how I manage to get along with such a vast and diverse group of friends. After all I'm interested in most everybody, and there's something about most everybody that I find interesting.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to my beautiful aunt, Marietta Felicity Deere, who was born on March 3, 1975. She would have been 48 this year, and the five years since her passing have left a great gap in our family circle. She was a teenager when I was born, so in many ways she was as much like an older sister. We made a lot of fun memories together. Concerts, state and county fairs, and tons of wineries. As I look back, one thing I can be sure about. Aunt Marietta had a heart of gold, and a heart as big as Texas. She would share everything she had, and often gave away things she didn't have to give. I know she loved me, and I loved her so very much. Happy Birthday, Auntie-M!! I miss and love you! Go ahead and eat the birthday cake, in heaven, the calories don't count!