Day 1 to 50 celebration

Woman

 

And God put Adam into a deep sleep,

then, He removed one of the man’s ribs,

 fashioned a woman to whom the Lord 

 gave life and the two became one flesh.

 

Thus, God imparted His eternal Love

that creation might know His Being.

 

God is---Love is…Good!

 

And, everything from God is---Good!

 

Amen!

 

That feminine persuasion appreciates delicate-elegance finery---like…

 

La Garden de Lovely Lady Candice Leah

 

A pristine gleaming white picket fence six feet in length stands sentinel in union with an antique wire gate glowing bright yellow at the entrance to our “Magnolia” Leah Garden which comprises the area contiguous to our residence. A red rose and other flowers adorn the base of the pickets while a black kettle spilling a rainbow of foliage color over its rim sits behind the arrangement; just beyond is a free standing yellow yard swing. The bucolic vignette is one of the elegant Lady’s favorite sites in a yard vivid with loving manicured landscape efforts.

The swing provides pleasant atmosphere where two spirits might take respite to sit in silence holding hands or sojourn down “Memory Lane” in laughter at “humorous” past events. Like...

One fabulous family filling time and space with the adventures of Love under God’s creation.

Santa Claus delivered the girls a dark bay Morgan mare on Christmas Eve; vacations and travel across this greatest of all countries; our “Becky-girl” practicing karate kicks and losing a  shoe in the process, twice; once a perfectly good house slipper errantly sailing into the hot burning fireplace; another time, a “not-so-pristine sneaker taking flight through the dining room to land in dad’s dinner plate of sumptuous food delight. We enjoyed moonlight rides (one alabaster full moon night with sixty-three horses in tandem); playing tag-chase in the creek and drowning daddy; the farm with myriad animal pets from cattle and equines to sheep, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, doves and one lonely turkey, “Tilley” by name. A four-wheeler (not to be driven out of second gear---yeah…right!?) and a virtual litany of exciting creations of fun games.

How about a major move across the country to Willamette University in “Awesome”-Oregon so Beth could study law? Then, to retun dad to his “Hill-billy” roots where she studied for a final year at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Must have looked like the “Beverly Hillbillies” trucking sown the ole Interstate with a bevy of critters in tow. Ah! Glorious!

And, we tried our best to spread the joy. While “vacationing” at Law School on the west coast, we commandeered mom to purchase a turkey and all the trimmings including desserts for a Thanksgiving feast for a family in need back in good old Illinois; they enjoyed a fine celebration and their delight added immeasurably to the pleasure of our holiday, that year.

Then, there was the occasion of Lovely Lady Candice’s fortieth birthday event. Oh! Boy!

Her gift for that auspicious celebration was a bright shiny red Mustang GT convertible with a white top; she could make it fly like the wild wind. Two months and one day later---she gave that chariot away…to daughter Rachel on the day of her sixteenth birthday! Wow! Yes! She did!

My “Gypsy”-blood kept us on the move; however, I did have more “jobs” than houses!

Lady Candice would design the homes, drawing them up on graph paper; I would find a suitable lot, dig a hole and begin the “fun”. Never did we follow the “plan” making changes and improvements and grand “ideas” into the endeavor as we plodded along. We added swimming pools, stables, play houses, lakes and anything else we could imagine. Great fun! Great Times!

About the time we’d get settled in, I’d stumble upon another “dream”. We’d sell our “estate”, sometimes to slight complaint, load the ole Gypsy wagon and head out. Always had to see what’s over that next horizon, I reckon. Oh! Well! We always managed to come out “better’. I hope! They say “The proof is in the pudding”. I certainly have no complaints.

I bought a farm and we became cattle ranchers and I got to be real live “Green Acres”-type farm-boy complete with tractor and equipment. It’s true: Little boys never grow up!

And, my Protestant wife found reverence in Latin Mass and dragged me back from whence I came after a thirty-eight year hiatus; when I take a sabbatical, I do it with purpose and intent.

We travelled from Florida to the Great Northwest in thirty days with Z. Tyler, once; had the pleasure of spectating ole “Skeeter” Davis croon “One Tin Soldier” at the Ryman Auditorium. Saw more than a few ball games, ate home-made ice cream and bar-b-qued. Yum! Yum!

“Surprises” are my very favorite (goes with that Santa Claus thing, I guess). We had a few.

When the grandchildren made their loving appearance, well, we just began all over---again!

And, while I would not have believed that life could ever be more pleasurable, our Adonis-Hndsome Z. Tyler, “Little Professor” Luvy-Lauren, beautiful “Lexli-Lu” and adorable Annie Rie sure added a universal expansion to our time and space. Each “perfect” in beautiful splendor!

Now, as they grow, the “Quality” focus of “Good” people glows like angel halos. Amen!

Merry Christmas! (Yeah---It’s a bit early, but…you “do” know who “I” am?) Santa Claus!

And, Boy! Do I ever practice it! Fun! Fun! Fun! I just Love to give! Any time! Anywhere!

We sure had s some high ole times---Me (Santa) and Christmas! Every day is: Christmas!

I gave you that new bicycle you didn’t get as a kid; you were just a “kid” of thirty, then, and that shiny new yellow ten-speed made you smile and those eyes twinkle like an innocent child.

In all of this grand ole world, nothing rewards the giver like unbridled true charity! Amen!

Through the tome of tales which follows this narrative come myriad remembrances.

This is your life! And, mine, too. Thank you! Dear Lady! For never tethering my wild imagination and “creativity”, never dampening my enthusiasm; life with thee has been a dream come true! I love thee! Lady Candy! Your accompaniment in adventure viewing flutter-bys, riding wild unicorns and chasing life over the rainbows has been beyond expression.

You have completed my life, freed my soul, soared my free spirit wild! Thank thee!

So! Join me, Pretty Woman, in that panorama vista behind the picket fence in a yellow swing.

Hold my hand and I’ll kiss thee tenderly as we reminisce a perfect life though time and space.

 

Oh! Precious Memories! Ah! Sweet Remembrances!

 

Live! Love! Laugh! Faith! Family! Freedom!