Hear ye...Here ye...it's Izzy Day...

I sit here reflecting on the day...Izzy day!   This was proclaimed last night but one tired little Firecracker that yesterday was LaLa day and that today would in fact be Izzy Day!   Doing everything that Izzy wanted...we would start the day off with B's and G's on the menu...

So this morning I had an idea while laying in bed....to figure out some sort of sign proclaiming such...

And so upon awakening...I am called upstairs while I am in the kitchen making biscuits and gravy for one little princess...Well cooking the meat...Anyway I do my usual Fee Fi Fo Fum as I stomp up the stairs and then whatever rhyme I come up with usually finding one little "stinky" one as I sniff and search for one little Izzy Bell who is usually hiding under the covers...but today I proclaim "Izzy Day"...I then find her and sometimes wrestle...sometimes just visit...depending how awake she might be...

So I head back down to check on the biscuits and so the princess comes down and asks if she can help me...today she wanted up on the counter to help and asked if she could put the flour in and then was ready to stir as well...

...we share breakfast with Tim's cousin Ed...and a good morning of my house full...my kids home...and then the boys off doing "chores" and Heather going to shower and Izzy with instructions for a bath or shower to race her mom says, "Ahma the sooner we get my bath over the sooner we can play"...and so we get a bath in...actually she went to the ocean...there living a dolphin...a baby whale...a baby alligator...a baby octopus and what I say a sea turtle she says as she holds it up..."Ahma it's a crab"...to which I stand corrected and say I didn't know there were tea cups in the ocean.   Izzy says people lose tea cups in the ocean all the time...I had no idea...we floated them around and then when it comes to wash hair...we play where I welcome her to IHOP...well today it was Olive Garden because the "soup" of choice was chicken noki...I go to look up the spelling and perhaps it has gnocchi...she really doesn't care as much for the noki part...but that is another story.   I tell her welcome and ask if she would like soup and then I dump it on her...she enjoys the game as do I because there are days...she wants to do herself.   Then when it is time to soap...I spill ice cream all over her and we wipe off with a rag...how I treasure these moments...

After getting out of the tub...we dry off singing "Rock me Ahma like a wagon wheel"...then we get a few moments to which we play Mr. Fox what time is it...we sneak up while her mom is getting around and get past the bathroom door without being seen.  I was with Spy Girl you know.  She made me invisible.   We run to the bedroom find clothes to which her mom comes in and we are hiding behind the bed...her mom goes about her business...and we sneak out...

Earlier we had changed the goose...went ahead and did Halloween because I was informed that she would not be here for Halloween but would be doing trick or treating and "such"...I love when she uses this word...But I have her pose after she had went scavaging the house for coins to fill  her bank...her mom had cleaned out an old desk finding ALL kinds of pencils...a treasure you know!

And so after lunch having her choice...TACOS...accompanied by Oppy's homemade salsa with tomatoes picked from the garden...One little Firecracker tells Oppy that she wants to help him do stuff...and so since her ride with Uncle LaLa is about to leave...her and Oppy go check out his calves while her uncle works on ridding a few of the pigeons and her mom finishing packing out...I choose to stroll around with my camera and snap just a few more fleeting moments of IZZY DAY!

Gathering rocks...a shared love...

in her boots since she is helping Oppy!



Hands on our hips...



Catching a turn around and smile...



Uncle Lance on patrol...

Loves her mama!



And a few pics on our Hoopee rock...

Bocephus hanging out watching us all...



And I catch one last pic of those beautiful blue eyes as we find some juice for the road...

 

 

A good Izzy Day indeed!   But like I told Lance this morning about having an Ahma day...every day is an Ahma day...especially days as this...

lya

Family Tradition...

Here at my kitchen table I listen to the sounds of the morning...I watch the eastern sky wondering what will come next of this sunrise...it turning almost gray.    I think of yesterday and the abundance of gray skies that seemed to surround (eventually followed with beautiful Colorado blue)..   Almost fog and one special family was in my thoughts and prayers.   As the rooster crows I think of my journey yesterday...with thoughts of the family of Everet Miller...All I had written the day that we lost him when I started this was:

I sit here in the darkness and feel the loss from miles away...today we lost one of "the good ones" my brother called him perfectly.   Everet Miller...Big E...Ev...and of course I used to hear him called Butch.   He was my Grandma Bessie's sister's son.   A Texas man through and through.   He had such a love for life and just had such a way about him. 

I think of my Grandma's family and how there has been several losses this year...I came across a picture of Everet's dad....Uncle Frank from a reunion gone past...and he seems to be toasting while his sister's stand.   I think of a father being reunited with his son...I am taken back of the seriousness on all of these sister's faces because usually smiles...but I think it focuses all the more on the smile of Frank Miller...Butch's daddy...and I think of reunions...

And while on reunions...I find another pic...that all of the "more mature" cousins say is "Butch"...and I think about him joining the reunion in heaven...at what seems too young...but again...he might be one of those guys that just wouldn't have done well as an old man...he worked hard...he played hard...and I think to those he loved...he loved with a deep passion...

The picture was titled "Frank...Reedie farm by Bert Store"...memories of days gone by...that takes me back to my own memories...of one of my most cherished with the "Big E" as he was loving called by his family.   At our family reunions there is sometimes a competition between the different branches...and so at the last reunion I went to in Branson...we gathered the Adams branch that was there and I convinced Everet and Jimmie to join the "white trash bag pipe" band...we dressed in white trash bag kilts and we sang Family Tradition.   I still see Everet there and that smile on his face and singing along as this was not really in character of what I thought he might do...but how I loved him all the more for it...when together I seemed to gravitate to he and Jimmie...his sister Kay...special family...

And yesterday I thought of her as well...Kay losing her baby brother....and I thought of them as I told my brother, Shane, that they were a lot like us.   They thought so much of each other...and even if not together...they always knew the other there...and so I know there is just so many losses in the family...I think of his sons...his grandsons...his nephews and great ones...yes...he was one of the good ones and yesterday while thinking of him...a Don Williams song came on that there are certain ones that song goes for and Everet Miller you were one...

And as my day went yesterday...I passed a field of feed lying in the windrows...of harvest time...that we all must come to that place and though that is a truth of it all...it doesn't stop it from hurting like hell for those that are still here...but there is HopE...that word just keeps coming back to me...and as I drove yesterday down to the river...Everet was everywhere...HopE with a Big E...

But probably the one that caught me was the sunflower sitting next to the water hole...for those that didn't know him...Everet was a fisherman...a hunter...and though I didn't share those with him...it was a family tradition that he shared with others in my family...in his family...I think of his birthday being the same as his daddy's and that I think he has a son that shares the same day as well.  I think of the song family tradition and there is a line that says "I am very proud of my daddy's name" and though maybe not all of the song fits...it is family tradition that sticks.    How Everet loved his family...his boys...his grandsons...his wife.   Jimmie talked of spending Grandparent's day with all of them...Jimmie had said...

"Grandparents Day was a special day for Everet and I. The entire family, Chad, April, Colby, Ryland, Bryder, Everet and I had brunch at the JW Marriott in San Antonio. Lots of laughs.....beautiful food."

These gifts we are given...gifts we do not even know how very precious they are...but gifts all the same!   And I go back to the family tradition and a picture that I seen of some of Jimmie and Everet's most precious gifts (one I stole off of Jimmie's wall)...ones in which they adore...a couple of Miller boys that seem to have that same spark and twinkle in their eye...and though not enough time with their grandpa...I know that their daddy and others will pass on Big E stories for them...and there has to be plenty!

And I return to my day yesterday...of being down by the river...almost picturing Ev hunting...and the water...I had the word HopE in my head as I drove...and knew it had to go with this picture some how...HopE with a Big E in it...and one of the Scripture that came to me for all was Psalm 23...one of my most cherished...and so I add this pic I came upon...the sunflowers of his Kansas roots...the brush that makes me think of Texas...the tall grass...and of course the still waters...fishing waters...and I think this morning of someone in Heaven that loved him some fishing and hunting too...I HopE you meet up...

And then there is the kicker...I go to fix breakfast in between writing and decide...a day for some wild mustang Texas grape Jelly...and I have been given a hard time about how long my jelly lasted...but Cory or Rory...whichever one of you gave me the hard time...today I emptied my jar of grape jelly...and I would be lying if I said it didn't bring tears to my eyes and lump in my throat as I know today that one of the ones who helped make that jelly...is being memorialized today...and the other whose hands of love touched this I hold up in LOVE...and pray for her strength as I think of her and her family....

And much like that grape jelly...it is like life...though the harvest has come and the fruit is gone and even the remains...there is one thing that remains...LOVE...and I pray that when walking by  a stream...savoring some grape jelly...or singing along with Family Tradition...we will be reminded of one of the "Good Ones"...and I am thankful that I got to know and love such a man.   I will miss the out of the blue e-mails of some political joke or story that would show up and make me stop and think...give me a laugh...and though not much time with you in my life...a part of family...of the family tradition...Love you...and I end with two things I shared already but wanted to keep them close...for Jimmie and family for that matter...you are all stronger than you seem with a Strength that is there for you...and hE  and He will always be with you...

 

lyp

She loved me from the start...

Today the birthday of one of my favorite red heads...my niece Tonya...my husband's sister's daughter...one of...

I reflect on her and I picture a little red head and remember clear the first time I met her.   From the first time we met...we clicked...she liked me from the start...even if I made her mom sick to her stomach...because her mom said she knew I was the one her brother would be marrying...probably still make her queasy at times!

But I picture this little red head who had the cutest smile.   I found a picture but am having technical difficulties so if I can get it scanned tomorrow...I will put it back in.    I remember "Mushy" spending the night with us when not very old.   I hope she doesn't mind putting her nickname but I hold it as a name of endearment!   Always been one to give love and I smile now of her and her husband.   The Good Lord found her the perfect match.   And I am thankful that he tolerates me as well.   In fact even has hung with me through some wedding photo shoots.   My kids got me a camera like Jeff's so if problems...I could call him...to which I do.   I know it isn't Jeff's birthday but he and Tonya are a pair...a package deal.

So I say Happy Birthday and love you and thank you for loving me from the start...as I have loved you!

I do have some other pics that don't require scanning...might be a little older pic...but one of my faves!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

lyap

Bill Ray Scales...

Another that has been building...first reading a post by my cousin Jody of the loss of one of our own...then the other day a song...today a picture appears as it was the memorial for Bill Ray Scales...Bill Ray was what I always heard him called...I think because of many Bill's in the family...though I don't know if that is the case.

Bill Ray was the son of my Grandma Bessie's brother, Lem.   And also a light in the eye of his mother Aunt Bert...a pair forever etched in my heart...The picture I seen today and I share was Bill Ray as a young man...and with it the wife of his nephew shares:

Today we say goodbye to Mark's Uncle Bill. He was a wonderful man who lived a good life and overcame many obstacles. He contracted polio when he was 18 and lost the use of his lower body but that never stopped him from accomplishing his goals. He was inspiring and amazing. In the 5 years I knew him, I never once heard him complain. RIP Uncle Bill. #TBT

I look at his picture and I reflect on though he was one of the family's celebrities almost...I thought how little I really knew of him...I remember  him in a wheel chair. put there by polio..I remember my mom loved and enjoyed him and going to Emporia after the tornado and he telling of going through it in his car...and I had thought how brave he was...I remember it seems that same trip going to his and his wife Kathy's place and I remember music...of my mom being happy there...I am not sure the year and if it is in fact a collage of memories that I put into one visit. 

But as time goes on...I did not know Bill or see him as I got older and so I do what I do and I Google as I remember thinking there was a story written that he was in and I remembered he went to school in Emporia, KS...and so I find the article...and another handsome picture...making me think of the movie stars of that day...I remember he had a beautiful smile...and such an upbeat energy about him.   But I read in the article a little more of Bill Scales...This picture I "borrow" from the Emporia State University Spotlight... http://www.emporia.edu/dotAsset/910b718b-7bed-416d-9333-c72f67fcb7f0.pdf 

"The vision carried over to the students. Scales (BSE 1959, MS 1962) was active in disability issues as a student, then he became ESU’s coordinator of  services, and eventually became the director of disability

services at the University of Maryland in College Park."

I read how his way to access places in the college was to be carried by football players...and I wonder about more of what this story entails and I will have to talk to his sister some time and learn more...Bonnie...another amazing woman in her own right...and I know her heart must be heavy...and I send love and prayers and think of my other morning thinking of Bill...of Bonnie...of Vicki Jo a younger sister...And I find another picture of him with Vicki Jo...and I think of all the love this family shares...

I think of all the odds Bill Ray went up against in his life...he comes from tough stock and lived I am sure much longer than what many might have thought...and was an inspiration to so many...he was one who had a "disability" and instead of thinking poor me...he did things to make it better for others...I find an editorial to the same Emporia State newsletter...one that gave me a little more glimpse into the life of this one special man...

Responses to “A Promise of Accessibility”

I was delighted to see in

“Promise of Accessibility”

an old mentor, friend and

colleague, Dr. Bill Scales,

among those credited for

ESU’s richly deserved national

reputation as an accessible

campus. An inspiration to

ESU students with special

needs, Bill was a singular

force in the professional

development of this writer

and many others…. Few will

ever forget the boundless

enthusiasm, infectious laugh

and constant encouragement

that emanated from Bill as he

rolled in, around, up down

and throughout the campus….

To know and work with Bill

quite literally transported

those around him to a new

understanding of the disabled,

indeed of the very term itself….

Scales was an integral part

of the reason so many KSTC

graduates completed doctoral

degrees and had their own

highly successful careers in

higher education. No doubt I

speak for literally hundreds

when I say,

 

“Thank you, Bill,

for not only challenging each

of us to redefine ourselves and

what we might become, but for

the profoundly brave, warm

and supportive manner in

which you did it.”

 

- Gary G. Peer, Ed. D. (MS

1967), Stephenville, Texas

And I felt like those words gave just another glimpse and I think back to the other day as I showered and a song began to almost haunt me...and I then began to think of Bill...the song by Eva Cassidy kept playing in my head and I continued to almost feel a part of this man that had touched many...I think the part of walking in fields of gold...though I thought he must be running!

 I have had special pictures come to me that seem to be a picture for a special one that is no longer with us in body...and I think of the words of Bill Ray's niece Jody Rae..."Uncle Bill had a profound impact on my life. He was my friend, a confidant, and while I will miss him, I will never forget him."

And so I return to my picture...these sunflowers caught my eye today as I went and grained calves for the shepherd...and of course my camera with me.   Before I went to leave...a butterfly landed on it...Sunflowers...what more could a Kansas boy be remembered by...who ran the race with dignity and joy...thankful for those who come through our lives that inspire us to be more...Thank you Bill!

lyp
 

It is what it is...

Today I went to the funeral for Veleta (Larrew) Wilson...Aunt Veleta is how I thought of her...my husband's mother's sister...Though I hadn't been around her for quite awhile...I thought of times I had been and I thought...I do not hardly remember her not laughing and smiling when you seen her.   As the music played I could almost hear her laugh and that twinkle in her eyes and that certain way she would smile...I thought how I didn't have any pictures of her...so I went back in and tried to take one of the one there...and since I didn't get as good of a shot as I wanted...I played with it a little...so please keep in mind this is not the same as the pic sitting there amongst the flowers...but I love the blues and it seems almost a painting...

And I put her smile upon the sister bouquet...I loved the roses...and I think of those that lost a sister...because those are the ones I know...though I watched her sons...her grandchildren...her husband...and felt their pain of losing one who I feel was a glue in their family...and I send prayers of love and comfort during this time...to have someone who you love much...it leaves a bit of a hole in your heart...

A large family...and I think again  of the sisters...of their mother Grandma Larrew...Ruth...and see glimpses of her in them all.   I got a pic of the remaining siblings together...and it seems many a time...these are the times we get together as family...

I think of all of these...sisters...brothers...those that have known you your whole life...who know your story...I capture shots of part of the girls individually and think of them all...each tough in their own ways...but such beautiful women...like their sister who has gone ahead...and there was a poem included in her memory that made me think that when her family sees a rainbow...perhaps they will be reminded of a special sister...a special mom...a special aunt...a special wife...a special friend...

I always like to see those that come to pay tribute...and today as we got out...I look across the street and wonder if this bike belonged to someone inside...of the Wilson's and their motorcycle connections...friends there that may have came for the family...some that I seen this bike could belong to...thinking Veleta could have rode it...that she wasn't just a minivan kind of girl...

In losing those we love...it makes us think more of our own mortality...about our faith in Jesus...of Heaven...though I know those we love are not physically here...their love seems to transcend...and they are a part of us...

Music always touches me...and the songs chosen...seemed to hit many areas...of the Garth Brooks song...If Tomorrow Never Comes...and a reminder...If tomorrow never comes...will she know how much I love her...a reminder that we do not always have tomorrow...will those we left behind know how much we loved them...

Another by Carrie Underwood...See You Again...Where faith comes in that we believe we will see those we love again...

And then it all comes down to one of the three songs...a familiar favorite..."In the Garden" ...I find a beautiful version of Alan Jackson's version but the actual video won't come up so I just put a link...one to think about and ponder...AND HE WALKS WITH ME.  You really should click on and watch it...

In the Garden...Alan Jackson

And again I am brought back...and I think of Veleta's attitude...of Tim talking about going to see her and even though dealing with the darkness of cancer...he said she still was up beat.   And I think of being told her words..."It is what it is"...Instead of wallowing in feeling sorry and the poor me's... saying, "It is what it is."....and so perhaps after a fresh rain...and a rainbow appears...a good reminder to stop and think of someone who has gone to a better place and stop and say...It is what it is...

Godspeed Veleta...something was said today during your memorial...on the order of being successful...if you made a difference in someone's life...if their life was better for you being there...and they said Veleta Wilson was a successful woman...She was what she was!

lyp