Summertine

Greetings, All:  It's been a while, and a lot has been going on in my life.

My father passed away April 8th at the ripe old age of 90.  He would have been 91 on 5/7/10.  He lived a long and happy life.  He worked at the Norfolk Naval Base until he retired when he was fifty-five, or there about.  He was retired longer than he worked.

We have a garage behind my parents home where my father customized cars, welded, painted and did general body work on cars.  He was a very talented man who could do and fix anything.  He also was an inventor; he invented lots of things to help around the yard and house, one being an Okra- seed planter.   He made several things for me:  a wrought iron etagere with glass shelves, a wrought iron gate with the letter S in the middle, a very small coal shuttle, etc.  On my mother's mantle sits a pair of solid brass candlesticks that he made; they're beautiful.   He was an artist.

My father also loved the yard and his garden, which he tended faithfully until the last few years of his life.  He was especially proud of his collards and gave away lots of them to the neighbors.  My mother froze and canned most of the garden's bounty.  One of the things I remember most about my childhood is the wonderful food my mother always had on the table.  She was, and still is, a great cook.

My dad was cremated and there was a memorial service at the funeral home in Norfolk.   Many of his friends and family were there.  After it was over, Mama said "...your Daddy would have loved this."  It was very nice to see people I hadn't seen in years and years and to reconnect with family members who live out of state.

My son had a hip replacement yesterday and is doing well.  I called him this morning but he was too groggy to talk.  He should be home in a couple of days.  He has rheumatoid arthritis and will eventually have to have to other hip replaced.  I know he's going to have a much better quality of life with his new hips.

I found out yesterday that I'm going to be a great-grandmother again next February.  This will be the third great-grandchild.  We're all very excited about the news; grand and great grands are truly a blessing from God.

I'm still beading, making rings and bracelets like crazy.  I'll never be able to make all of the ideas I have, but I'll give it my best shot.

I'm still selling books on Amazon.com.   I'm up to over $2,000.00 now.  I still can't believe my success.
I hope I keep selling until I get rid of all of the books I have listed.  The money I'm making each week is paying my grocery bill.

Well, it's time to eat lunch.  Today I'm having stewed potatoes and onions with Texas Pete and Italian Seasonings - YUM!!!

Until the next time, Nana