Saturday 9 with Linda Ronstadt...

Back in the USA

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme! 



SATURDAY 9: BACK IN THE USA (1978)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here. 

1) This song lists seven cities -- New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge and St. Louis -- that Linda just loves. How many have you visited?  Chattanooga, Baton Rouge, and New York.

2) The lyrics refer to hamburgers sizzling on the grill. What toppings do you believe make a perfect burger?  Tomato, onion, mayonnaise, and ketchup.  Cheese and lettuce if available!

3) The original recording of this song by Chuck Berry has always been one of Linda Ronstadt's favorites, one she used to enjoy singing along within the car. What's the most recent song you sang? I don't remember but most likely something from the 50s playing on Sirius Radio in the car.

4) Linda sang The National Anthem at Game 3 of the 1977 World Series. The New York Yankees won both that game and the series. How is your baseball team doing this season?  I'm not a big baseball fan, but Joe's Phillies are in second place so far.

Since this is our last Saturday 9 before Independence Day, let's ask some questions about the holiday.  

5) During the Revolutionary War, General Washington celebrated the 4th of July by giving his troops a double ration of rum. Will you imbibe any spirits on Independence Day?  Probably not.

6) The first man to sign the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock, said he wrote his name so large King George could see it, even without his glasses. Do you require glasses for reading?  No. I am near-sighted and read without my glasses most of the time.

7) Since July 4 is a federal holiday, banks are closed and there's no mail delivery. Thanks to email and ATMs, Sam finds going without those services isn't a hardship. What about you? Will you find it inconvenient that banks and the USPS are closed on July 4?  Nope. Not a big deal to me.

8) The first 4th of July parade each year is held at 12:01 AM in Gatlinburg, TN. Will you attend a parade or fireworks to celebrate the 4th?  No parades.  Our fireworks are the night before, here in Lakeland.  We have never been.  I avoid crowds whenever I can.

9) More and more Americans celebrate our nation's holiday by eating foods from Italy and Germany. For the July 4, 2016 holiday, more than $50 million was spent on Italian sausage and bratwurst. What's on your 4th of July menu?  We are going out for BBQ with friends.

  

Thanks to Crazy Sam for this week's Saturday 9!!  You can find her HERE if you want to join in!

Thanks for your visit!  Peace & hugs!

Friday Foto Friends Time...

It's time to link up with Deb over at Breathing In Grace for her Friday Foto Friends meme!  Thanks for hosting each week, Debbie!

Joe's client (on the farm/ranch) asked us to come down on Thursday, instead of Wednesday, because she had a doctor's appointment on Wednesday.  I had my facial appointment yesterday morning, so we told her we would be there around 1:00.  Of course, our summertime afternoon rains have started and that brings some interesting scenes that we don't usually see in the mornings.

 Just look at that menacing sky as we drove back the lane to the house!! 

 Some of the cattle were hanging out in the lane.

 They look at the car like they are daring it to come closer! LOL

 I waited for awhile on these few and actually ended up honking the horn at them.

It worked. The big one on the left actually jumped when I honked.

 Roho and Coby were hanging out with me, and yes - they were both on the picnic table

under cover of the rain.  We had a love-in and I got lots of "kisses"!
The cats get on the counters and table at home, but I've never seen a dog jump up on a table!
Both of these guys seemed quite comfortable with being up there!  Ha!!
Who was I to tell them to get down?  😁

 They are bird-sitting their daughter's parrot. He is beautiful and very vocal!

 The Guinea hens decided to hang out under cover. They are SO noisy!

 And here they are, leading us out when Joe was finished with his work.

Blessed that he felt like going and held up well for the 3-hours we were there!

 The gas gauge told us to fill up the tank.  We always find the best

price for gasoline at Sam's Club.

And that is my sweetie putting gas in the tank and it was still raining.

No Florida sunshine photos or clear blue skies this week.  Today we go back to see Dr. Band at the Express Care clinic.  He is the first walk-in doctor who ever asked us to come back so he could check up on how Joe is doing with the compression sleeve and the hematoma.  We are really impressed with him!  Just as a reminder, our primary couldn't see Joe for three days and we were worried enough that we took a chance on the Express Care clinic associated with the clinic where our primary doctor is. It was a good call if I do say so.  Our primary did call (her nurse called) and we told them to check the notes from Dr. Band.

The weekend is nearly here and so is JULY!!  How can that be??  Summer is speeding by at warp speed!! Yikes!  Do you have plans for Independence Day?

Thanks for your visit!!  Peace & hugs!

Thankful Thursday Link-up...

I am linking up with Rebecca Jo at Knit By God's Hand for her Thankful Thursday Link-up!  You can join in HERE.

** I am so thankful that we found Dr. Band at the Express Clinic! He had us get a compression sleeve for Joe's arm and the swelling has now gone almost completely away! The hematoma will take weeks to dissolve, but the swelling is down and he can use his hand and arm again!

** I am also thankful that he is working on getting the strength back in his left leg!  By the time his physical therapy appointment happens, he may not need them! Wouldn't that be fantastic!

** I am thankful for Sam's Club!!  I need new glasses and have an old frame that I love and want to use again.  My eye doctor works at MyEyeDr here in town.  I priced new lenses with them, right after my exam.  $376.00 and that was with my insurance (which is just a discount plan).  I told them I needed to shop around for the price and left with my prescription.  Yesterday I went to Sam's Club to get a price with their optical department. How does $199.00 sound?!! I couldn't believe the difference and for like products and options. No brainer.  And that was with NO insurance (they don't accept Medicare plans).  My new glasses will be ready by July 6th. Whoohoo!

** I am thankful for so many blessings, of which I am always humble and mindful.

Thanks for your visit today!  Happy Thursday! Be thankful always!  Peace & hugs.

A New Jersey kind of Hodgepodge...

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 357

Thanks to our busy hostess, Joyce, for this week’s Hodgepodge!  Joyce, we appreciate you!!

Copy the questions, answer on your blog, and then link back to Joyce HERE!!

1. Security or freedom?  There is room for both.  Can you have both?  I believe so.  Explain.  Gosh, couldn’t we write a few pages about this subject?  I’ll just say that I am SECURE in my faith in Jesus Christ and He has FREED me from sin and death.  Now that is security and freedom!  But again, we could write pages on the subject.  

2. If you could visit any historical American site what would it be? The Ancient Cliff Dwellings out in New Mexico.  Why?  I find them fascinating and would love to see them in person.

3. Free as a bird, free reign, be free of, free enterprise, free trip, walk away scot-free, free for all...which 'free' phrase can best be applied to your life in recent days or weeks?  Be free of…  Explain. Joe and I both need to be free of joint pain and free of doctor appointments.  Praise God, things are improving a little each day!

4. Something in your frig that's red?  Bookbinder’s Cocktail Sauce.  Something in your house that's white?  My kitchen cupboards.  Something in your view that's blue?  A blue depression glass candy dish.

5. July 27th is National New Jersey Day. Have you ever visited The Garden State?  Yes.  If so where did you go?  Ventnor City and Atlantic City. Are there diners where you live?  Yes.  Have you tried Taylor Pork Roll?  I’ve never heard of it. Do you like to play Monopoly? Yes, with a fun group.  Saltwater taffy-yay or nay?  Yay, but I don’t need a whole box. How do you feel about shopping at the mall?  It’s been a few years since I went to our Mall.  Springsteen, Sinatra, or Bon Jovi - you have to pick one.  I like them all but choose Sinatra.

Raise your hand if you know why these add-on questions are appropriate on National NJ Day. I’m just guessing, but they must all have originated or been born in New Jersey.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I had such a nice time out to lunch with a dozen of my former co-workers yesterday! I was invited to join them to help celebrate one of their birthdays. It was so good to see everyone and catch-up on what’s going on with everyone.  I am so blessed that they asked me.

Joe did much better yesterday, with his walking!  Perhaps we have turned a corner. Praise God!!

Thanks for checking in!  Peace & hugs!!

Tickled Tuesday...

Well, I was TICKLED yesterday to get Joe out of the house for awhile. I needed to make a return at Target and also pick up some cat food.  He stayed in the car, but he was out of the house!  After that, we went to Sam's Club, mainly for spring water and Propel (Joe's habit).  Again, he waited in the car.

I was TICKLED to talk him into going to the Express Clinic to ask a doctor about the swelling and lingering hematoma in his arm and hand.  We got to see a new doctor who we both liked!  He looked at the results from Joe's ER visit last week and ordered some blood work to check on a level while we were there. He told us to get an elastic sleeve for his arm to help with the swelling and told him it was okay to go back on the blood thinner, but to make sure we have a discussion with our cardiologist about it.  Our cardiologist is on vacation this week (we called there first).  So Joe feels a little more confident about how his arm is doing (and so do I).

From there, we found the place that had the kind of sleeve the doc wanted us to get and we were shown how to put it on, etc.  TICKLED to have that done.

I was then even more TICKLED when Joe suggested we pick up some food for dinner, rather than having me cook when we got home.  Suited me just fine!! We used over a quarter tank of gas running around, but it was worth it to have Joe out and about with me!!

My weekend recap post was late because I forgot to change the posting time when I scheduled it. My bad!!  Thanks to Myra for "fretting" about my not having a post!!  I'll pay attention to the schedule for this one!!

TICKLED that you stopped by today!!  Peace & hugs!!

Weekend Recap on Monday...

We had yet another very lazy weekend, which isn't all bad.  Poor Joe and his injured bicep that has caused a terrible hematoma down his arm and even across his chest. It looks like he has been beaten to a pulp. Seriously.

I took him to the ER on Thursday because the swelling had gotten so bad from his injury on Monday. They did x-rays and a CT scan to make sure he hadn't broken anything or snapped a muscle or tendon. He was ordered off his blood thinner for a few days. We know that is what has caused so much trauma.  I will call the cardiologist today to try for an appointment with him as our ER follow-up.  They gave him a strong pain med to take and all it does is make him sleep.

The good thing about Joe sleeping is that I got a cupboard cleaned out, a drawer sorted and a few things thrown out that I have been putting off. I do feel bad for him.  He isn't hungry, but has been eating and drinking okay.  The arm has taken his mind off his hip and knee, I think.  We are both looking forward to his physical therapy and that injection in his hip. Just waiting for July to arrive.

Friday evening, we had plans to go out to eat with Helen and Cheryl.  He thought he would enjoy getting out, so we picked them up and they wanted to go to a new BBQ place that opened about a month ago.  Do you have a Mission BBQ where you live? They are a chain, but I don't know how big they are.  The meals were very good!  We were pleasantly surprised.  The decor is all about military and law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, some sports, etc.  They have marked handicapped parking spaces and also parking spots marked for veterans. Very nice.  Here are some photos I took:

For new friends, Helen is our 90-year-old friend of almost 30 years. She and her hubby were our first friends in Lakeland. Her hubby died five years ago, and she asked us to look after her finances, pay her bills, etc.  Her hubby was a CPA and so is Joe and they were great friends. We are happy to look after her and are also happy her niece, Cheryl, was able to move in with her. Cheryl does work full time but is there with her at night. It helps both of them. I hope I am doing as well at 80 as Helen is doing at 90. She is sharp, healthy, and can almost run rings around me. Amazing woman.

So... a sleepy and not too productive weekend. Hoping things will start looking up this week.  I am going to lunch with my former co-workers on Tuesday to celebrate a birthday for one of them. I feel honored that they asked me to come.... said it just seemed like I should be there.  Sure do love my friends from work!

Wishing everyone a great week ahead full of many blessings!  Thanks for peeking in! Peace & hugs!

Sunday Stealing...

I've been away from the Sunday Stealing meme for a few months, but decided to join in today!  You can find Bev Sykes and her questions HERE if you want to join in!  Thanks Bev!!

Cricket's Drivel

Hi! I'm your host Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World". . Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and published on WTIT: The Blog. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. (Past hosts include: Our first - Judd Corizan, Mr. L, Kwizgiver and Bud)  Cheers to all of us thieves!

This is from "Cricket's Drivel"  

1. When was the last time you went to the doctor?  Twice just this past week. Do you like your doctor?  Yes, I do. I like them all.

2. My back is itching, will you scratch it for me?  Sure.

3. Do you have nice handwriting?  Yes, thanks to Mrs. Gablehouse.

4. We are sending you to either New Zealand or Canada, which one do you choose?  New Zealand. I've been to Canada.

5. Do you sing in the shower?  Good heavens, no.

6. Have you ever been streaking?  Nope!  If so, how far did you streak and did anyone see you?

7. How soon is too soon for Christmas decorations and music playing in the stores?  Please go back to waiting for Thanksgiving to be over!!

8. If you celebrated Halloween as a kid what was the costume you wore at 5?  That was 61 years ago. I have no idea!! It probably had one of those awful plastic masks and a one-size-fits (over a winter jacket) dresses.

9. How many cavities have you had in your life?  I have fillings in all my molars, including my four wisdom teeth (which I still have).

10.  Is there anyone you regret meeting.  I rarely regret anything. Even if it's something or someone bad, there is a lesson to be learned.  

Happy Sunday, blessings to you and thanks for your visit!!  
Peace & hugs.

Let's Dance Saturday 9...

Shut Up + Dance

Welcome to Saturday 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!  

Saturday 9: Shut Up + Dance (2014)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This is about a man who meets the woman who is his destiny on the dance floor. Do you think we each have One Great Love preordained by fate?  No.  Or do you think life offers each of us many opportunities for romance? Yes.

2) Lead singer Nick Petricca says this song is inspired by a true story. He was all keyed up and his girlfriend dragged him onto the dance floor, insisting that dancing would cheer him up. Therefore he considers this song an "anthem to letting go and having fun." Think of the last time you really had fun. Who were you with?  Always with Joe and family/friends.  What were you doing?  We spent the weekend at the beach with family with quite a bit of laughter and fun, plus the week before and the week after!  When you get to be a "senior citizen" fun takes on a different meaning from when we were young and more carefree (and more mobile, without pain).

3) The dance floor incident that inspired this song took place in Echo Park, an LA neighborhood located near Elysian Park and Chinatown. Tell us about your village or city. Do the neighborhoods have interesting names?  I could write an entire blog on Lakeland. It is a lovely city with amazing lakes and parks.  We are a foodie town, supporting MANY restaurants. We have several "areas" that are named.  Lake Morton Historic District, which is the oldest residential area in Lakeland, full of 1920s Craftsman-style bungalows. Then we have Dixieland Historic Neighborhood.  There are many, though, including some not listed HERE.  Our old neighborhood was in "The Highlands".  So there you have more info than bargained for!!  I LOVE Lakeland!!

4) Walk the Moon promoted this record by a performance on Good Morning America. Are you enthusiastic and energetic at 7:00 AM?  Not anymore, though for 20 years, I was already at my desk by 7:00 am.  Or do you hit your stride later in the day?  The retired me is up at 8:00 or 8:30 most mornings, if we don't have early appointments or company.

5) "Shut Up + Dance" is the biggest hit by Walk the Moon. The band members met as at Kenyon, Ohio's oldest private college. Tell us about something that's old and revered where you live.  I have to mention the "Lovers Oak Tree" and you can read about it HERE. It has been much in the news of late.

6) Walk the Moon took their name from the Police song, "Walking on the Moon." What's your favorite song by Sting and/or The Police?   Every Breath You Take.

7) In 2014, the year this song was popular, Robin Williams took his own life. What's your favorite Robin Williams performance?  He was great in so many!! August Rush; The Fisher King; Patch Adams; Good Morning Vietnam; Good Will Hunting; Mrs. Doubtfire; and who can forget Mork? Such talent lost. So sad.

8) Also in 2014, the Apple Watch was introduced. Are you wearing a watch as you answer these 9 questions?  Yes, I am. I have six or seven watches but always seem to wear what I call "my beach watch".  It is a $35 Timex that is waterproof/resistant, has the date, and just keeps on ticking.  It also lights up so it is great at the movies.  It also doesn't tell me what a slouch I am by keeping track of my 500 steps a day. (winking)

9) Random question -- You must create a coat of arms for yourself, representing your life and spirit. Which of these items would you place at the center: a heart, a sword, or a pen?  Definitely a heart.
  

Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. As always, feel free to come back, see who has participated and comment on their posts. In fact sometimes, if you want to read & comment on everyone's responses, you might want to check back again tomorrow. But it is not a rule. We haven’t any rules here. Join us on next Saturday for another version of Saturday: 9, "Just A Silly Meme on a Saturday!" Enjoy your weekend!

Thanks to Crazy Sam Winters for this Saturday 9!!  You can join in HERE.

Thanks to you for your visit! Happy weekend!  Peace & hugs.

Friday Foto Friends...

I am linking up with Debbie at Breathing In Grace for her Friday Foto Friends meme!  Join in HERE!

Lakeland is full of excitement this week!! Disney is here filming a movie and our Southgate Shopping Center is the center of attention again. That is where Edward Scissorhands was (partially) filmed 20 years ago. Check out this link from our local newspaper with a video:

Here is a news article about it: One and Only Ivan

I went to our Publix there two days ago and took these photos...

I couldn't get closer unless I got out of the car. There were barricades to keep us from getting too close.  Please click on the photos to see them in more detail.  The movie crew has put new signs on storefronts  There is a Bowl a Rama, where Babe's Dress Shop is, and a Boardwalk Bargains where part of the Japanese Steak House is.  It has sure been fun to watch the transformation and there are also a bunch of classic cars parked everywhere.  I am not familiar with the book the movie is based on but understand it is a favorite for little ones (and adults too).  I imagine we will go see it when it is released!

My friend, Shelley, was there with her son last night and posted this

picture on Facebook.  She was in a good spot!!

There have been quite a few (10-12) movies filmed HERE over the years, including a KFC commercial with M.C. Hammer (remember him) in 1992.  HERE is the link for the commercial.

Back in the 50s, Esther Williams starred in Easy To Love, which was filmed at Cypress Gardens and she swam in the swimming pool shaped like the state of Florida.

I just love our city and county!!  Can you tell?

Thanks for stopping by!!  Thanks to Deb for hosting us on Fridays!!  Peace & hugs!!

Thankful Thursday...

I will post this Thankful Thursday and link it over to Rebecca Jo at Knit By God's Hand, hoping she will be back with us, hosting her Thankful Thursday meme this week.

**I am thankful for our wonderful neighbors who joined us for dinner last night. Both couples are getting ready to venture north, visiting family and friends.  One will be gone for a month and the other for almost three months.  We will be collecting mail for them and keeping an eye on their homes. I made roast beef, mashed potatoes, broccoli, corn pudding, a salad, rolls, and made chocolate brownie sundaes for dessert.  We sat around the table and talked for nearly three hours. We are so blessed by good people here.

**I am thankful that we were excused from going to the farm (Joe's client) this week so Joe can rest his arm.  He started to fall a couple of days ago and tore his bicep trying to catch himself.  It is black & blue and swollen. The ortho doc looked at it and said there isn't much to be done but ice it and rest it, so that is what Joe is doing. Joe is also trying harder to be more mobile. Thankful for that but sorry he hurt his arm.

**I am thankful for my blogging friends!  You are always supportive and kind and generous with your prayers! How blessed I am!!


Happy Thursday and the first day of Summer! Be thankful always!!  Peace & hugs!!

A Summertime Hodgepodge...

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 356

Our hostess, Joyce, gives us the questions HERE and we answer them and link back with her, joining other Hodgepodgers in this fun meme!

Thank you, Joyce,!!

1. Summer is upon us this week in the Northern hemisphere. Tell us three things on your summer bucket list. #1 try to get to the pool this summer for some sun; #2 try to lose a few more pounds; #3 purge a few more clothes from my closet.  I don’t need work clothes anymore!

2. Something fun you used to do as a kid in the summertime? We played outside every day. I climbed trees and read Nancy Drew up in the branches on my platform.  I also had summer jobs when I was older.

3. Rooftop or backyard?  Not sure what this means.  We had a great backyard.   Why?  I didn’t live in an apartment.  ???

4. Do you read food labels?  I check the number of carbs in things some of the time.  Place importance on them? I do think ingredients are important and I do try to watch my carb intake.  Make an effort to find out/care about where your food comes from?  I don’t make a huge effort to find out and I don’t pay extra (often) for organic, though I am particular about the meat I buy.

5. A song you'll have on repeat this summer? I’m not that into music.  Oldies play in the car and I rarely listen to music at home.

6. Insert your own random thought here. Not so random, but Joe and I had appointments at the Florida Orthopedic Institute in Tampa yesterday. 

We met with the PA for the initial appointment and both of us liked him a lot.  I am a candidate for knee replacement since both knees and my kneecaps are all bone-on-bone now.  He said it was up to me and how much pain I wanted to deal with.  They will continue my cortisone shots every three months if that is working for me.  I will know when I am ready.

Joe’s new hip and knee pain is also arthritis.  He was given a ‘prescription’ for some visits with a therapist to help him learn to stand, pull himself up, etc., and keep his balance better.  The PA agreed that his left side is weaker due to the stroke and that some physical therapy and exercises to work on the muscles will help.  He will also be called (once the insurance approves) to have an injection in his hip that will be done with x-ray guidance.  We have high hopes that it will help.  His hip is not bad enough to warrant hip replacement.  It is ‘just’ arthritis.  He was also told that he needs to learn how to handle the pain mentally (which I have been telling him all along… you have to get so you can ignore it).  Not as easy for men, I guess.  Even though it hurts, we aren’t doing anymore damage by using the arthritic joints.

Thanks for your visit today!!  Peace & hugs.

Reminiscing on this Tickled Tuesday...

Some of you will remember when my BFF, Elaine and her hubby, Jim, were here for a visit a few months ago.  We, of course, talked and reminisced during their visit and our weddings came up. I asked Elaine to share a few of her wedding pictures since I didn't have any.  She was in my (first) wedding and I was in her wedding.  Oh my, we were so young!  She emailed these to me last week and I was so happy and TICKLED to see them!  Bear with me as I share them here!

My 'little' sister Tammy was in charge of lighting the candles on the altar.

 My 'little' sister, Patti, was in charge of the guest book.

 I was a bride's maid.  Look at my long hair. Oh my!!

 Elaine's older sister, Judy, was Maid of Honor.

Elaine's little sister, Peggy, was a bride's maid.

 The happy bride and groom!

The entire wedding party.

The wedding was held in the Methodist Church that we all grew up in.

Thanks for indulging me in this walk down memory lane!!

Wishing you a blessed week ahead!  

Peace & hugs!

Weekend Recap on Monday...

This will probably be the shortest weekend recap I've ever done!  We have done so little, there really isn't much to write about.

Friday, after Jo Anne and Mike left, we had dental appointments.  Got that done, except we both need to see an endodontist for some work on a cracked cap (me) and some major work on the two caps Joe lost a few months ago. It's always something.

Saturday morning, I went to Publix for a few things, including prescriptions. I picked up a few things in advance of the dinner I am planning for our neighbors. One couple will be leaving for a month and the other couple for three months. We wanted to get together before they all take off and Wednesday evening is the one that works for all of us.

Yesterday (Sunday) I did laundry, Helen and Cheryl stopped by to say hello, and Joe wanted Chinese for his Father's Day dinner so we ordered delivery.  Both boys talked with their dad.  Sure miss seeing them. 😞

Today Joe sees the pain management doc for a followup to the injections he got in his back.  He is still struggling with sciatica so I hope they have some suggestions for him.  Tuesday we both see a new orthopedic doc over in Tampa. If Monday doesn't bring relief, hoping the new doctor has a solution for him. I will keep you posted!

We have a new week ahead full of blessings!  Thanks for your visit!  Peace & hugs!

Happy Father's Day!

On Father's Day especially my thoughts turn to my dad and the amazing man he was.  Husband, father, grandfather, outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman, fun-loving friend, professional warehouse manager, and all-around handyman.

 

I can't let the day go by without also mentioning my dear father-in-law, Nick D'Orsaneo.  He supported his family as a butcher.  He had his own meat market and worked very hard to make it a success.  With only a 3rd grade education in Italy, and never learning to read or write English, he was still a successful businessman and made sure all three of his sons went to college. He also sponsored most of his family, bringing them to the United States from Italy.  Joe remembers all of his aunts and uncles living with them until they got established here.  A remarkable man who cared deeply for his family, including me. He always made me feel welcome and loved.

Joe is not my dad or dad-in-law, but he IS the father of my (step) sons and I admire and respect him for the amazing job he has done raising Joey and Jeff.  They all went through a tough time when Joe's first wife and mother of his children bravely fought brain cancer for over a year.  Their strength (including Loretta's) and great faith got them through and that is part of the reason I fell in love with all three of my men  (35 years ago!).

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there!  I am counting my blessings on this day!

Thanks for your visit!!  Peace & hugs!