Catch up

Pictures: Tom and Kim sing at Loni and Phil's party; Loni dancing the night away; Four Spacious guys with a couple different faces and out of order (: ; Lee and Dave C.; Bryan and Lee x2.

Can't believe it's almost the end of July. Posted pictures from Phil and Loni's birthday party duo from Saturday night and from Bryan Lubeck. I've been a little more teary eyed, thinking how bitter sweet my reunion this weekend and All In Love next week will be. Can't stop myself from thinking Dave would want me to keep it together and support his friends, our friends. I'm tryin' for that. I think he's okay with a few tears too....

peace, love, groove

Glass class anyone?

Pictures: Mickey and Catherine Thomas; mother and daughter's projects; mine- a blue bird.

I took a stained glass night light class with Catherine Thomas Tuesday night. Her nephew and mom were there too. I, of course, made the blue bird. We had six in the class and didn't get totally done. I have some touch up to do and then attach the light...oh and the eye. I don't think mine is very good. But for a first in glass cutting, grinding and matching it all up (that was hard!), I'm okay with the result. We go back next Tuesday night to finish.

I am soooooooooo looking forward to the next three weekends.

peace, love, groove

Get ready

Pictures: a new blue bird on the deck (from Sue); Nikki and Ruthie like the new cushions; an evening in the back yard.

Biggest weekends of the summer coming up. Next weekend Phil and Loni have a birthday party, then comes the reunion weekend and last (but not least) All in Love. I've resigned myself to have most of the back, back yard garden beds and projects done by the end of fall. Yesterday and today I'm working on flea eradication. Nikki is allergic to flea bites....had to start giving her Predisone Friday, poor girl. She's still a happy dog. Tuesday I'm taking another glass class at Water Street Glassworks. This time it's a stained glass class. I watching for the fall class schedule in anticipation to join some bead making classes. Wednesday is book club, it's my month and I chose "The Grapes of Wrath".

Most of all, I look forward to seeing friends, new and old, over the next few weekends.

peace, love, groove

A concert for the future

Pictures: Cardinal bathing in the sprinkler; my art fair purchase- a fairy house; the front deck and back gate; Nikki barking at the birds in the tree; Dave Carlock riding "Free Willey".

Went to hear Bryan Lubeck at Smooth Jazz at Sunset last night after spending the afternoon at the Art Fair. First big gig for him without Dave. He did a short tribute to my music man and played one of his songs. Julie and Joni went with me which was great. Bryan talked on stage about Dave being there...I felt it. His spirit was very strong. Saw Tom Jennings, my friend Denise and some other friends too. Talked with Bryan... hoping to do some more of Dave's songs with him in the future.

I'm amazed at all Dave really left me. His life's work. Now to catalog it and make sure everyone hears...

peace, love, groove

Back yard

So, we are in the back yard. Nikki, Ruthie and me. I'm having a beer and enjoying the great Southwestern Michigan evening. It's about ....oh let's say 72 and there's a light (or lite) breeze from the northeast. Okay, I'm guessing about the last part. Just a beautiful day. The beer is wonderful and we're listening to Sly and the Family Stone. The cardinals having been in the trees and flying over the yard teasing Nikki. We're all feeling good.

Byran Lubeck is playing at Smooth Jazz at Sunset tomorrow night in St Joe. I think the last time he played there was two years ago, with Dave. He let me know today he's playing a song of Dave's and will be doing a small tribute. This is his first big gig without Dave. How that tugs at my heart..... I think this is going to be an emotional month for me. So bitter sweet. Come support live music if you can. Here's the link. I'll be there, the one with bells.

peace, love, groove

Bird families

So the "ex" bluebird house, aka the sparrows' crib, has babies. Haven't seen them but hear them a lot and mama was feeding them Tuesday evening. Today I saw a juvenile Morning Dove with his/her family waiting for more bird food. I ran out and filled the feeder. Two of the bird houses in the back back yard have families. Two appear to still be empty. A good start on the "bird haven".

Just thought I'd mention that thanks to Phil Maki I got an extension on some IRS forms that needed to be submitted within 9 months of Dave's death, which is July 10. First, who'd have known I had to fill anything out let alone when? Second, I can hardly believe it's going to be 10 months.

peace, love, groove

Thinking it through

So I'm thinking about how approximately 2 years ago we were in the ED (also known as ER) finding out that Dave had cancer. It seems like it's time to talk about what I was thinking and, unfortunately, knew because of my medical background. When they presented us with the picture of Dave's 2 lung tumors, it was obvious how close one was to his aorta. I immediately went into survival mode. There's no way I could share my real thoughts with Dave. I knew it was stage 3 to 4 and there's was a time line put in front of us. We sat on the cancer diagnosis for 2 or 3 days before I said we had to let our family and friends know. I remember thinking that I was going to be a widow. Please don't think I was giving up on him....I just realized the inevitable while never (never ever) giving up hope that I was wrong. It was the deep secret I held so close to my heart. Every night when we went to sleep I held his hand and looked at every finger thinking how much I loved him. I tried to embrace every second I could... I think I did that okay, but now it's time to talk about it and probably move on. Dave still is my favorite person in the whole world. I'm so proud of how brave and loving he was until the end. I'm so thankful for all of our family and friends. Sometimes I just can't believe he's gone......

peace, love, groove

Camp David- Fireworks and Campfire

Pictures: Sunglasses and chairs left in the backyard; Cool PLG artwork ala Sue M.; new kitty and fish lawn art.

Great weather for a campfire and fireworks last night. We just about finished a pony keg of Oberon. Great food and company. I let off the fireworks around 10...it was a little light out but we could see them just fine. I think they went higher up than the ones last year. The last one broke the table..hmm. Bonus- no police visit! We had a special performance by Psycho Uke before the fireworks and then Lindsey played guitar by the fire while we sang along. Yes...everyone was gone about 12:30. This morning Joni and Lisa came by to help pick up. I have 2 sunglasses, a guitar thingee and several chairs in the back yard that aren't mine. Come get 'em!

I'm looking forward to many more CampDavid fires this summer. We remember how much you love them Dave.

peace, love, groove

Hot, Hot, Hot

Very warm today. I got out early this morning and managed to get a big jump on the yard work. Tomorrow we're having a cook out here....yes- there will be a couple fireworks too. Hope it cools down a little so I can get back out. Yard work is never really done. More tomorrow.

peace, love, groove