Note Card Party with Vee

Linking up with Vee
Here 

You're gonna love it Tuesday. Finally some hummers

It is a most wonderful thing for HH (Handsome Husband) and I to be able to enjoy our home and yard without having to leave and be gone all day at a job.

I loved working when I did it.

I felt so alive being a nurse and taking care of my family.

Now we can just sit on our deck and watch the birds and finally get a shot of a hummingbird.

They are magical, mystical birds.

Just watch a PBS film Nature about hummingbirds.

They are only native to the Americas.

If you get a chance to see it, it is well worth the time.

Linking up with Kathe with an E

Here

Say it Saturday-Happy Father's Day, Dad, RIP

I could not say this several years ago but due to Al-Anon, much prayer and a wiser me I can say it now.

I loved my father.
I wish him a happy father's day in heaven.

I miss my father.

When I was 8 and my only sister was 6 he abandoned us.

 Taken in about 1934
he is shown with his father, and two sisters around the age of 24.
Just before he and my mom married.

He was spoiled rotten by my grandmother and his sisters.

He was  a great looking man.
He was a falling down alcoholic.
Reminded me of Robert Redford in looks.
Sandy colored hair.
Nickname
"Rusty"
Outgoing, friendly and a better than average dancer.

He and my mom were always the center of attention at  many of the dances they attended in the 30s and 40s.


We didn't have any idea where he was for years but our lives were thrown together in 1972 when my only sister was dying at age 32.

It was a sad story.

She died and we grieved together.

Grieved for more than the loss of his daughter and my dearly beloved sister. 

Grieved for the loss of all those years we had lost each other.

We began to build our relationship as adults.
 
I have written about my father before.

15 years before his death in 1984 he earned his sobriety, remarried and owned a couple of businesses about 60 miles away in a town in Ky.

All the years of my growing up I was ashamed of him. Believed all the bad things my mother's brothers told me about him.
I was later to learn he loved and missed us terribly.
Had tried to reconcile with my mother and us for years.
He was very sad.
All the years we lost partially due to others meddling.
To me he is a hero.
He fought the battle of life,misunderstands and miscommunications that go on in family dynamics.
He is my hero.
In the end he stepped up and met his God a real man.
I am so proud of my father
John.

Go here to link up with Say it Saturday

Friday shoot out-theme, Odds

The law of odds.

“Odd numbers are better than Even ones in photography.”

Read more: http://digital-photography-school.com/the-odd-rule-of-composition#ixzz2WC8mRQim

In decorating, for example, 3 or 5 make it more interesting.

More than that makes for more clutter.

7 volleyball players.

3 traffic cones.

3 Canadian Geese

7 golden finches.

5 dried roses.

There are 17 angels in my collection, an odd number, but it does look cluttered.




Go here to FSO linky

Share the JOY Thursday. Loving Lavender

I love lavender.

The color, the scent, the plant.

It reminds me of my mother.

She loved lavender.

She always had powder, soap and/or lotion in the lavender scent.

 

Yes, this is my new lavender plant and yes it needs to be trimmed down.

Because lavender gives so much JOY to me, I am going to let the blooms grow out and make a little dried flower bouquet.

Go here to link up with Meri

New painting-Kathewithane

Finally finished this painting.

Two day project.

8x10

Acrylics on canvas board

Put the smokey look around it with PicMonkey.

Have not sealed it yet. By taking a photo and posting it I can tell what I need to do to make it look better. I need to make my stems and leaves a little greener.

Go here to link up with Kathe

And another graduation celebration

Finally had the latest grandchild graduation party this weekend.

We had 3 in the family, as I mentioned before so had to stagger them so all the family could attend.

Thomas the guest of honor.
Graduation and 18th birthday.

 Spread out on the beautiful lawn.

The sun was a welcome blessing after the cool days of blackberry winter.

 Plenty of room for volleyball

 A father and son ping-pong challenge.

Another grandson limbering up for the upcoming football season and a few swimmers.

 Granddaughter, daughter, daughter and family friend.

 I went snooping on the back forty for a sight of some deer as shadows began to form.

 A beautiful day filled with good food, fun and family and friends.

Linking up HERE with Grandma's Briefs.