Missed you.......

To those who normally follow my blogs I am sorry. I have not been on here since Thanksgiving. I have been sick. I am finally beginning to feel better. I am hoping to begin December on a better note. Thank you for your support and understanding. Janice

Goodbye Chewy........................

In Memory of Chewbacca "Chewy" Schaub November 21 in Serenity Animal Hospital My baby was sadly put down today to ease his suffering. He was a loyal and loving friend for more than 10 years. I will miss his little nose kisses and hugs at all the right times. He was a gentle kitty and in his later years was very accepting of strangers. He was a very proud kitty and loved to keep his coat immaculate. Sadly in his last month he hasn't been able to keep himself clean. I don't believe in a pet afterlife but it was an honor to be his "daddy" for the brief time we had together......Jason chewy and Dexter in happier times. I am not really a cat person. I prefer Poodles. I am an all animal lover though and there have been a few extraordinary cats in my life who I adored. Chewy was one of them. He was not sick for very long, but it was a tumor that could not be treated. Jason decided to get another cat so that Dexter would not be lonely and I suspect for him too. Chewy was the love of his life much like Buttons was for me. Well it didn't take long to find 3 cats who may be suitable companions for Dexter. One was named Alec, but Jason could not find him. The other a kitten and with the holidays coming up he decided against a kitten. Cole was his final choice. He is a 7 year old and very much like Chewy. A beauty of a cat. At seven it may have been difficult to find him a good home so I was happy Jason chose him. He took him home and he is settling in. I think Dexter is a little confused because he looks like Chewy but hmmmmmmm does not smell like Chewy. There has been no swatting or hissing so far and Cole is exploring Jason's home. Dexter wants to play. Cole found the cat nip. So here's wishing a very long and happy life to Cole. The newest member of our family.

My first giveaway.............

I am having a giveaway over at English Spirits Pretty Things. Do go over and check it out if you have time. This is the book I am giving away. Please go over to English Spirits pretty things and leave a comment there, read the rules.

Tristen's Weekend With Auntie Laura...........

Tristen went to Auntie Laura this weekend. I don't think he has been for about 3 weeks. So this weekend was so much fun for him. On Saturday they went The Festival Of Trees. Its an annual thing that's done for charity. They happened to have a petting zoo this year. He seems to really like animals. Maybe its because we always throw him together with them because we all do. Anyway, he will grow up around animals and learning to respect them. He will learn to be safe around them and how to treat them right. He loves our poodles but they are small and I still have to keep him at a distance. He really loves Bodi though, she is a bit bigger and so soft she would not hurt a fly. Looks like they may have stopped at Gander Mtn On Sunday they went for a walk along a trail close to Laura's house. He loves being out in the woods and here is a lovely picture of him and their dog Charlie. I love that picture. A boy needs a dog and I am tempted to get another one just so he can have one of his own. It would be rather difficult being as we already have 4 poodles. Laura says that he and Charlie chase each other around the house. He tries to do that with Bijou but it just scares her. Bodi cant run fast enough so that's out and the small ones are just too scared of getting hurt. Anyway they had a grand old time. Down by the lake, he always finds a stick. That's Granddad's fault, he always grabs a walking stick. Later they had a Moomers Ice cream.............he loves his icecream. So that's his weekend. He is a fortunate little boy to have such a great auntie and uncle who do fun things with him.

Raindrops on windows.............

How many of us played this game on wet rainy days? Trapped in the house for the day we resorted to looking woefully out the window as it came down in buckets. The fire roaring in the background kept us snug and warm. More often than not my mum would have laundry drying around the fire, the smell of dampness mingled with the toasty smell of drying clothes. The kitchen would be hung with the lighter things and everywhere was afloat with drying laundry. Steam from water on the stove that she was using to wash with added to the soggy atmosphere. The children learned a game of choosing a rain drop each and seeing whose would get to the bottom of the window first. Later we would get yelled at for writing in the steam that appeared on the windows. That would mean mum would have to clean them. That was a chore. There was a product, it was pink, one pasted it onto the glass and let it dry. Later one would use a lot of elbow grease to wipe it back off so it was not a job she relished I wrote this poem today as I was thinking of the raindrop races........... Raindrop Races Raindrop racing on window pane... Children waiting for the sun again.... Noses pressed against the glass... Who will win the children ask... One drop races out ahead.... Just as mum says time for bed.... One more minute Joey said... My raindrop just streaked ahead... Sister Sally on her way home... Is out in the rain all alone... It's raining hard and the wind does blow... Grandma says it looks like snow... The back door slams and Sally comes in... Joey's raindrop is sure to win... The fire crackles and sputters with glee... A nice warm house is where to be... Sally warms hands beside the fire... Joey now begins to tire... Up to bed he goes with a yawn... Hoping for a sunny morn... JKS 2012 JKS 2012

Remembrance Day................

In England we call it Poppy Day. People sell poppies that we wear on our lapel and the proceeds go to help the service men and women. Each year around Memorial Day, Veterans of Foreign Wars members and American Legion Auxiliary volunteers distribute millions of bright red poppies in exchange for contributions to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans. The First Two Minute Silence in London (11 November 1919) was reported in the Manchester Guardian on 12 November 1919: "The first stroke of eleven produced a magical effect. The tram cars glided into stillness, motors ceased to cough and fume, and stopped dead, and the mighty-limbed dray horses hunched back upon their loads and stopped also, seeming to do it of their own volition. Someone took off his hat, and with a nervous hesitancy the rest of the men bowed their heads also. Here and there an old soldier could be detected slipping unconsciously into the posture of 'attention'. An elderly woman, not far away, wiped her eyes, and the man beside her looked white and stern. Everyone stood very still ... The hush deepened. It had spread over the whole city and become so pronounced as to impress one with a sense of audibility. It was a silence which was almost pain ... And the spirit of memory brooded over it all" My Uncle Bill was killed at Dunkirk and he now lays in a grave in France, I never knew him and his oldest daughter never met her Dad. My Father was a prisoner in Japan. When Singapore fell,he and his cousin and brother in law were taken and spent the rest of their war years in Japanese labour camps. It effected the rest of their lives due to ill health and a bug they picked up there. They were the lucky ones who came home. The poppy was chosen because of this poem, and because the fact that poppies grew in those fields of battle. A perfect symbol for the blood that was shed. Not only in our modern times really but from Agincourt to World War Two English blood has been spilled in those fields in France. We must not forget either that the war often comes home to us. In World War 11 the Royal Family did their part along with everyone else. The Queen Mum went to cheer on the people of London. She could have sat safe up in Scotland at Balmoral or some other place out of the way but she staid. She stood with the rest of London and was almost happy when a bomb fell on the palace, she said that now she felt she could face the people of London. Princess Elizabeth served as an engineer mending the trucks and driving them. All nations have lost their sons, fathers, family to war one way or other.SO to the old men who bring about the situations that cause war, who use these young men for cannon fodder without conscience.............when we think of starting a war.........THINK AGAIN. Remember 11-11-11-11 ..................two minutes of silence and reflect.

Semper Fi......

Happy Birthday USMC............. To all Marines everywhere. Thank you for your service. Thank you for what you do for your country. In my family both my boys became US Marines. My daughter married a man who was a Marine. They later divorced but he is still in our family even now. We are a pretty close knit family. They were all so young. Apart from this immediate family, my nephew Greg Schaub was a Marine and my son in laws family had their share. I remember the days that my granddaughters would go with their Dad to the Marine Corp Ball. That would be on the Marine Corps birthday. There were some good days when my boys Jason and Justin were serving. They were based in North Carolina and South Carolina and we would go down for vacations. My daughter and her husband were usually in North Carolina so we got to see all of them when we went down there. and of course the grandkids too. We had some good times down there. I thank God that the days that they spent overseas were not during war time. I honestly do not know how wives and family stand it knowing their kids are in constant danger. You do what you have to do but I pray that we bring all of our service men and women home very soon.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.........

Most Michiganders remember that November when we were told that the ship was missing. The Gales of November...........it always brings it back. The haunting song by Gordon Lightfoot brings shivers along my spine. I am not a water person, but I love the Great Lakes. We live near Lake Michigan but often go to the Upper Peninsula. Paradise is one of our favourite places and we always go to Whitefish Point to walk the long beaches there. Its a wild place when the winds blow and Lake Superior is a wild lake. To be honest, when the waves are lashing at the beach and the wind is howling, I love it but it also scares me. When you go to the point the waters meet from both sides into a churning maelstrom and crashing waves. They look angry and as though they will snatch you off the beach. It was in those waters that the Edmond Fitzgerald was broken in half and taken down. The power of those waves, its incredible. People who do not know these waters may not know just how many shipwrecks are in the Great Lakes. We have hundreds of lighthouses around these waters. There is one that we visit often right there at Whitefish Bay. There is a shipwreck museum there and holds some of the artifacts there. There is a bird watching area and several gift shops. I believe that the Coast Guard is an unappreciated service. My sons were US Marines and when you hear the different services bantering about who is the best of the best.......they seem to look at the Coast Guard as a by the way sort of thing (just my impression) but in my book they are one of the best. They are there on the Great Lakes as well as in the seas surrounding our country and their job is as difficult as any. They are awesome in their search and rescue role and are true hero's to me. When something like this happens I would think any mariner is grateful they are there.

Festival of cakes............

The Festival of Cakes 2012. I was not able to go but my daughter went and took pictures for me. It looked as though there were some great entries again this year, and more too. The proceeds go to charity and last year was quite successful. Cousin Laura helps organize it. So we go an support best we can. They have local personalities that compete to decorate a cake and this year there was among other the Fire Chief, The National Cherry Queen, our TV news anchor and someone else who is a radio personality. I love the little sheep The chocolate and pink, awesome Its pretty amazing what can be done with fondant and frosting A close up Some are amazing in the details A selection of some of the others Imagination A white peacock? I think this one was buttercream. This one has an amazing tail. So far I have spotted 3 peacocks Another Peacock Holidays anyone? This one looks so eatable.....yummy Reina watching the Cherry Queen work on her cake. Reina and the Cherry Queen I just know that when the time comes Reina will be running for Cherry Queen. How can she not, her name means "queen" ............................................................................................. About Quota Founded in 1919, Quota International is an international service organization that links people of all ages, occupations and nationalities in a worldwide network of service and friendship.With a motto of “We Share”, Quotarians are especially known for their service to the deaf, hard of hearing, speech-impaired and disadvantaged women and children in our community. Serving and encouraging others, developing friendships, and promoting international understanding are values shared by all Quota members. Today’s membership includes both men and women in clubs in North America, South America, the South Pacific, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.

Friends..............

I had a shock the other evening. Someone came to the door and my husband answered. Shock turned to pleasure as I realized it was my friends Chris and Randy. I was shocked because I didn't know they were anywhere near here and then pleasure because I have not seen them since we all left England so many years ago. We have stayed in touch over the years, especially now with Facebook. I knew they were visiting family in Illinois but didn't know about the Michigan visit. A neighbour of theirs in Virginia spends summers in Michigan, more specifically in Traverse City. Well, turns out only one street away from me. So.............we got to chat for a few minutes and agreed to coffee next morning before they headed home to Virginia. How great was that? When it comes to old friends it seems we can pick up more or less where we left off. So much to say, so many years to cover and yet we don't really need to because we know.............we just know. The years certainly have been kind to them. I would have known them both anywhere. When we were young..........ah I love that.......when we were young Chris and me worked together for many years. She had a cousin who was dating an American and got invited to the base at Chicksands. She met her soon to be husband there. She invited me to go one evening and that was the start of a whole new life for us all. The Airmans club was awesome. Such fun we had. There was a dance floor, a band, and food and drink. It was like a nightclub but with very strict rules of behavior. Anyway it ended up that a whole bunch of us started to go there on a regular basis and we all married Americans, we are all still married and we all stay in touch. We don't see each other though as we live all over the country. I think its time to change that. Now I really want to see the rest of those old friends while we still can. What a vacation that would be going all over the country to meet them. These women who are my friends, I have spent the best times of my life with. We have shared so much. My old friends who knew me when I was young and have a special place in my heart. We came from the same background, the same place and the same country. We all moved to a foreign country with our spouses and into a different world with strangers. We understand each other. The friends I have made here I also treasure, its a different friendship maybe, built on a different foundation but I treasure it just as much. They knew only the grown up me. Probably would never have recognized me back in those days. I don't give up on friends, I treasure them too much for that. I need them in my life and I care about each and every one. There are people I have known since I was 4 years old that I am still in touch with. I could never give up on that.............its an honour, a privilege to have a friend and an old friend is as much to be treasured as a diamond. I have special friends who know who they are and I love them more than anything in the world.

Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.......

“Remember, remember the Fifth of November is gunpowder treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot. Knock at the door, ring the bell. Have you got a penny for singing so well ? If you haven’t got a penny a ha’penny will do If you haven't got a ha’penny then God bless you !!” Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder plot.... On November 5th, 1605, the very night that the Gunpowder Plot was foiled, bonfires were set alight to celebrate the safety of the King. Since then, November 5th has become known as Bonfire Night. The event is commemorated every year with fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire. The plot: In 1605, thirteen young men planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Among them was Guy Fawkes (pictured), Britain's most notorious traitor... After Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, English Catholics who had been persecuted under her rule, had hoped that her successor James I, would be more tolerant of their religion as James I mother had been catholic. Unfortunately, James I did not turn out to be more tolerant than Elizabeth, so a group of 13 young men, Guy Fawkes being one, under the leadership of Robert Catesby decided that violent action was needed. To carry out their plan, the conspirators got hold of 36 barrels of gunpowder, and stored them in a cellar, just under the House of Lords. But as they worked on their plan some of the group realized that innocent supporters of their cause would be injured in the explosion. One of the group members sent an anonymous letter warning his friend, Lord Monteagle, to stay away from the Parliament on November 5th. The warning letter was intercepted and the King and his forces made plans to stop the conspirators. Guy Fawkes, was in the cellar of the parliament with the 36 barrels of gunpowder when the authorities stormed it in the early hours of November 5th, he was caught, tortured and executed. The Gunpowder Plot struck a very profound chord for the people of England. Today, the reigning monarch only enters the Parliament once a year, during "the State Opening of Parliament". Prior to the Opening, and according to custom, the Yeomen of the Guards search the cellars of the Palace of Westminster. A tradition the Queen and Parliament still observe to this present day. We all know they rhymes if we grew up in England. .........................Guy , Guy Stick him up on high, Hang him on a lamp post And there let him die. Guy, guy, guy, Poke him in the eye, Put him on the fire And there let him die. Burn his body From his head, Then you’ll say Guy Fawkes is dead. Hip, Hip, Hooray!....................... Kind of barbaric.........but then so were the times he lived in. Kids thought it was fun, little savages (smile) and when I was a child I remember them coming with a home made guy in a wheel barrow. Parents would give them pennies and they would buy candy or fireworks. Much like 4th July here in the USA, every home had fireworks. Sometimes, and I remember several years, the community would have a bonfire. We had one on a vacant lot at the top of our street. There was also a convenient lamp post. We roasted potatoes in the fire and sometimes chestnuts. There would be fireworks and fun...........some traditions are just that, fun for a community to share and kids can have fun with adults in charge. Not sure what goes on these days but I have happy memories. Got to stay out after dark woo hooo.