Father’s Day

Happy Father’s Day dad, miss you -

Memories -

 “so, what do you want for Father’s Day?”

SO Much To Do, SO Little Time

I had to run some errands yesterday, one in particularly that took me back to Walpole and then over to Westwood, my hometown, the town I grew up in.

My visit to Westwood was to pop-in to see a couple different folks and drop off some items but to be honest the main reason was to visit my folks gravesite one last time before embarking on my new adventure (yeah, adventure is what we're calling it.  Hoping it starts to feel that way soon, alas).

Each visit is tough but they also bring with it a rush of wonderful memories too and I cherish each one as it comes.  However, this visit was an emotional one 😢, more so than usual. Although, I'm guilty of perhaps not visiting more often as I should have over the years, my abilities to pop-in on a whim will soon be over, which made this visit special and more emotional -

Yesterday ended with this stunning sunset off my back deck, which are sadly coming to an end soon too.  Brought a smile to my face, as I assumed it was my folks sending me a message to hang in there and stay positive -

It's difficult closing a chapter, even if the next one looks promising.

#Blessed

PPMI & MJFF

What is Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) -

Thankfully, I've not been diagnosed with Parkinson's, but sadly my dad was stricken with this dreadful disease. My participation is perhaps a way to keep honoring my dad and in some small way to help the powers that be better understand this disease, so that one day a cure can be discovered.

You do NOT need to have PD in order to participate in the the Parkinson's Progression Marker Initiative study.

I've been participating in the online survey's since December of 2021 (not sure why the screen shot below shows only 3 years) and just yesterday morning I completed another set of survey activities. Participants complete sets of questions on health and disease in PPMI Online every 90 days -

The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) is a landmark research program from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). PPMI launched in 2010 to better understand Parkinson’s and develop new treatments. Since then, the program has changed what scientists know about the brain and how research is done.

PPMI follows people — with and without Parkinson's — over time to learn more about how disease starts and changes. Gathering information over time helps us discover how brain disease starts, changes and, most importantly, how to stop it.

#Blessed

Signature Required!

I had my first package delivery with cremated remains the other day. Thankfully, they were someone's pet remains but it was still sombering and I handled them with extreme care.

They're shipped certified, which requires the homeowner to sign for them.  If there is no one home, we leave a delivery reminder slip (form 3849) directing them to the post office for pick up.  In my case they were not home, so I drove my route all day with the remains along side me.

If I'm being honest, I will tell you that when I first saw this package it shook me up.  It brought back the memory of a notice I received in my mailbox one day of a package being held at the post office for me.  Having NO idea what this package was, off I went to the PO.  I went inside, handed the clerk the delivery reminder slip, then signed for the package - still unaware of the package content.

It wasn't until I got back in my car did I realized that I was holding the cremated remains of my dad 😥.

Driving back home I had to pull over and park.  It hit me hard and I broke down and couldn't drive at that moment.  It was a VERY emotional and surreal moment.

Dads Don't Die

 Hard to believe it's been seven years since you left us.

I miss you and think of you every day.

Yes, your number is still in my phone, listed first -

Although, I talk to you everyday, sure wish I could give you a call to hear your voice, get your advice and guidance.

#Blessed

Who Walks By Your Side?

I don't put too much stock in these silly things, however, and perhaps because it references my dad, I like what this has to say -

"Oh, The Places You'll Go"!

I came across these .37 Dr. Seuss USPS postage stamps the other day, two pages of twenty.

I forgot I had them.  I don't recall exactly when but they were given to me by my dad.  It was at some time after 2002 since these stamps were released back on June 30 of that year.

Not that I send much mail out via USPS but I gave some thought to simply using these on the few things I do mail.  However, after doing a bit of research and for posterity sake, I opted to keep and display them.

I tried to find matting to fit the page size but no luck, as they're an odd size.  I toyed with the idea of having a custom matting done but too impatient, so I went with a standard 8x10 frame and a 4x6 matte.  It chops off some of the stamps but it doesn't look too bad -

Interestingly, Amazon has this same page of stamps listed for sale and as of this morning there are only (7) left in stock, so order soon if interested - 

2004 DR. SEUSS #3835 Pane of 20 x 37 cents US Postage Stamps by USPS

‼ Also, this "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" posting is my 309th of 2024, making it the most I've ever posted in a single year since I began blogging here back in 2006!

I Don't Care For This Getting Older Thing

It was another beautiful day, so I took a drive to the Westwood cemetery.  I stopped, grabbed a sandwich and ate it grave side.  It was so peaceful and quiet.

I went prepared with supplies and plans to cut back and thin out the hostas and wash the headstone, both accomplished.  I split both hostas clumps in half and intend on planting them here at the ole homestead.  Then I turned the soil in front, as well as edged, then scrubbed the headstone with soap and water.

The finished and cleaned up product, looks much better -

The cemetery has done a bit of expanding and with it, mom and dad have a new wide open view, as you can see below.  I preferred it the way it was but we can't stop progress, so I'll accept it for what and how it now is -

It's always comforting to visit.  Since I was in the area, I drove by our old house too.  It looks pretty much the same but a bit overgrown, otherwise no changes by the current owners.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't shed a tear or two.

I miss them both each and every day.

My Peace Lily Is Blooming!

This plant was given to me by my neighbor back in 2018 at the time of my dads passing.

Of course when it arrived it was loaded with flowers and looked beautiful.

This is the first time it has bloomed since.

A sign from my dad perhaps?!

#Blessed

I Guess It's Called Progress...

I took a break from working in the yard the other afternoon, hopped on my motorcycle and rode to the Westwood cemetery to visit my folks.

It was the first time I've visited since the fall, so I was taken aback when I pulled in and saw what looks to be an expansion taking place.  The plot where my folks are buried was a peaceful spot that was nicely shaded for a good portion of the day.  However, now with the clearcutting that was done, there is NO shade.  I find it too open now, and sadly not as comforting and peaceful.

I'm sure the area being worked on will look nice when they're done but just won't be the same.

You can barely see the headstone, below, with how BIG these two Hosta plants have become.  Come the fall I will divide these dudes up, maybe even move them to each side of the headstone versus in front.  Of course I'll bring some home with me to plant here at the ole homestead.  I'm a fan of most variegated plants and especially like the yellow and deep green colors of these hostas.

View of the "progress" from just over the headstone -

View from the access road leading up to mom and dads plot -

I will also tell you that this cemetery is filling up based on all the new plots and headstones I saw, which explains and makes sense on this new expansion work.  I just hope their master plan keeps the serenity, peacefulness and beauty in mind as they expand.  Change is inevitable...

Dad

Happy Father's Day!

Miss you

Way To Go Emilie!

Dad Doodles

My dad drew this picture!

It's of my dad, my mom and the grandkids 💗

Dad always had pens and pencils at the ready.  It was typical to see a doodle, a thought, an idea or numbers jotted down whether on lined paper, in the newspaper he was readying or in a magazine.

I miss him and wish he was still with us.  He would be especially proud of each the grandkids, their accomplishments to date and the amazing young adults they've become.

This Is A Deep One!

Wiser words were never spoken!

My dad had a way with words.

Most were far more profound than this but creative nonetheless.

As Written By My Dad!

A Heavenly BDay

 Happy Birthday Dad!

Miss you

🎂

Happy Anniversary!

Today would have been mom & dad's 60th wedding anniversary!

Sure do miss them both something awful...

Wonderful Memories On Display

I finally hung these pictures up, long overdue!

An acquaintance of my fathers was in possession of these. Apparently, he asked her to hold onto them when he moved out of his house.  Thanks to my brother for reaching out to her and asking for these, as well as some other items, to be returned. They've been stored in my basement for a couple years now and it was time to pull them out and get them up. 

I think they look great!

They sure do bring back some fond memories!

Framed Memories

Out shopping the other day I came across these cool t-shirt picture frames.  I immediately knew I had a use for them and picked up the four I needed.

The four t-shirts that I framed are all reminiscent of my dad.  He wore two of them all the times, the white ones, and the other two are from places he introduced us too.

I held onto these after his passing but they've been tucked away in a drawer with the exception of the Kwaj shirt.  Emilie has been wearing that one from time to time, which always brought a smile to my face when I saw her in it!  She was fine with giving it up for this project.

They're now hanging on a wall for me and others to see and appreciate each and every day.

So many great memories - THANK YOU dad, miss you!

Peace Out

Here is a Peace Lily that my neighbors sent bac in Feb of  2018 when my dad passed -

Here it is today - 

Yes, I realize it looks terrible and nothing like it originally did.  I'm working to fix that and believe it or not, the recent pic looks SO much better than it did a month ago, so there's that.

In the first pic, the plant is actually planted in a plastic pot that is sitting within the clay pot.  In the second pic, I've transplanted directly into the clay pot using fresh new Miracle Grow soil.  New shots are sprouting and starting to pop up.  It's definitely on the mend and I'm hoping that another month outside will give it the oomph it needs before I bring it back inside.

The other challenge I had is that Oliver, my cat, loved to chew on the leaves and did quite a number on the plant.  I'll need to find a sunny location indoors and out of the reach of dumb-dumb the cat...

This is a special plant, that holds a special meaning to me and I will do whatever I can to nurse it back to health, so I can continue to enjoy it for years to come.