Mom's table...

/

We are starting to go through my parent's house. Unfortunately we all have lots of stuff and don't really need anything. But I wanted a piece of furniture of my Mom's and one of my Dad's. This is the piece that reminds me of Mom. Both ends of this table fold down. 4 folding chairs fold and slide into the middle section. When the whole thing is folded down it only takes up 11"x34"x29" inches. Perfect for extra dining in a small space. The interesting thing is that this piece looks completely at home here in the condo. I remember this piece in our house in the 60s... funny how furniture and places that were built at the same time look at home together.

Growing up it was my job to set this table at holidays with the linens and good dishes etc. So it is very nice to have this piece. It would make my Mom happy to know it will live on in our new place.

A thoughtful gift....

/

"Those whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before. 
They are now wherever we are" 
~ St. John Chrysostom My friend sent me this last November or December when my Dad was getting worse. It was this perfect, fabulous gift and I could not look at it so I put it in a drawer. Now of course it is time to get it out and it is a great comfort. When I was home I picked up little things of my Mom and Dad's. It is a very sweet thing to have right now.

Thanks Laurie.

Ray & Rae

/

My Dad died yesterday about 4 PM. He went to sleep in the hospital bed in the living room and and did not wake up. We had been home last weekend and his breathing was very labored and he was uncomfortable. Just as we were loading the truck to move to Madison last July we learned that Dad had lung cancer. Both he and Mom had been heavy smokers in their day but had not smoked for many years. I started my blog in part for my Dad when we went to Paris. It allowed him to follow along on the trip with us and relive his time there in WWII. And then I kept on blogging for him as his world got smaller as he cared for my Mom who has Alzheimer's. My father was such a good man. He was a generous and kind man. He was a strong man. And strong of faith. He was a family man who loved his family and adored his wife. My Dad was a saint of a man. He has kept Mom at home and he cared for her himself until he was unable to do so. I feel like the best parts of me are because of my Dad. He taught me to always give a little more than I got. And when I don't feel like being generous I think of what my Dad would do and that makes me go that extra step. Dad was 87, he had a long and full life. I got to have him a good long time. I will miss him.

Memorial Day...

/

We went to visit my family last Monday. Had a lovely day that included a potluck cook-out. Here are a few photos from my brother's... Darling green house he built for his wife Pat.

Old manure spreaders with trees growing out of them.

Barn shots...

My old gardening tools...