Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Amy Jon!

I vividly remember this day 36 years ago when your Dad ran every red light between our apartment and Memorial Hospital, doing at least 100 m.p.h. I thought I would give birth to you in the car, I was so frightened. LOL

But, I love you baby girl!

You've turned out to be a beautiful lady!

Have a happy, happy birthday, sweetie.

I love you!

Mom

Wonderful Birthday!

I had a wonderful birthday yesterday. Yes, it is on the 14th. My daughter, Amy, made me a delicious chocolate cake, and the boys gave me handmade cards. They also brought me peach colored roses (my favorite) and a gift.

My BFF (GB) cooked a whole turkey dinner complete with mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green beans, and home-baked rolls in honor of my birthday. Everything was delicious, too. After all these years of being friends, I had no idea she was such a terrific cook. Hopefully, she'll contribute to the cookbook I plan on writing someday.

After that GB and I made various kinds of Christmas cookies, baking until 9:00 p.m. Then the fun began as we cleaned up all the while eating our newly baked goodies.

There were also many, many calls (most from NC - thanks), cards, and birthday wishes. Thanks everyone for the calls, cards, gifts, and wishes; they are all greatly appreciated.

It will be a birthday I will long remember.

Autumn

Sorry for the lack of posts. I promise to try and do better, but it is difficult at times traveling at least four days a week as I do, then having my grandbabies part of the weekend (no complaints there - lol).

My "territory" as we say in the sales business includes all of West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, and a small portion of Pennsylvania.

In my travels, the leaves are rapidly turning gold, yellow, and burnished looking. Such beauty! God is busy being the wonderful, amazing artist that He is, and I am constantly in awe of His talent.

Autumn is absolutely my most favorite time of year! So much so, I've written a poem about it and have also included it in one of my song lyrics.

But, if you would like a closer look at West Virginia's scenic beauty Google Fayetteville, WV. There, you'll find fantastic pics of the New River Bridge (the longest arch span bridge in Eastern US) along with pictures of last years' Bridge Day.

Bridge Day happens the second or third Sunday of October each year (you'll find the exact date on the Fayetteville website), they close down one side of the interstate, allowing people to walk on the Bridge, and parachute off or bungee jump down into the Gorge.

If you are into thrill seeking, this is your event. Or, if just plain splendor and nature's beauty calls you, this same event would be for you as well. Plenty of it. Thrills and chills.

Once, while driving down through the Bluefields (WV & VA), it felt so surreal. Almost like being in an actual painting with all the thick foliage and burgeoning trees. God is so awesome to share such beauty with us, no?

Check back soon as I will begin posting pics of my many adventures along Life's Highway.

But for now, enjoy the poem, I'll probably post the song lyrics a bit later.

Be well; God bless.

Autumn

Gold leaves ride in on the blustery wind,

sailing gently to the ground.

The air grows light in the silvery night,

spreading coolness all around.

The Harvest Moon hangs low with an erie glow,

cascading moonbeams to the ground.

While the frost in the air seems to declare

"Summer's gone, Autumn abounds!"

BELOVED

Beloved

Don't punish me for loving you,

for such cannot be helped.

Don't be angry or abuse me,

for a torment Fate has dealt.

I'm at the Hands of Mercy,

for no other will ever do.

My heart sold out, betrayed me,

that someone, Love, is you!

Say you spare me from the anguish,

protect me from the grief?

But I say it's far too late,

our love far too brief.

For I loved you before this disease,

I loved you from the start.

And now is such a cruel time

to break my heart apart.

Don't punish me for loving you,

by pushing me away.

Just hold me tightly in your arms,

and forever with me stay.

Reality

Reality

As I lie here half asleep

in the darkness

contemplating rising,

only half of me wishes

to accommodate

my semiconscious state.

Yet I rise,

dropping bare feet into slippers,

before they can touch the cold floor,

and push me into harsh reality,

long before the day dictates I must.

Before the sun rises,

before the warm tea

has any effect upon me,

my thought patterns emerge

and for the hundredth time they ask:

Who turned the sunlight off?

Who took all the colors from the rainbow,

leaving everything so gray?

Who stole my hopes and dreams

out of my heart and head away?

Who, please tell me,

took my passion for love,

my zest for life?

Then the answer

to all my cerebral torture comes

and says very simply, you did.

You did, when you decided

not to participate in my life.

You did, when you took my heart

& in it's place left a gaping, bleeding hole.

Because with you

went my skies of blue,

& sunny, happy days.

Even now in this lackluster haze,

I recognize

you were my strength,

my courage,

my heart.

For only with you was I totally alive.

But, now it seems I've died.

Or, is it simply I have wanted to,

for lack of you?

If only someone could tell me now,

how do I separate you

from the very fibers of my heart,

my soul, my being?

So, I can once more breath again,

live again,

laugh again?

Please, does anyone know?

Why?

Why?

Why do I feel so much, yet can say so little?

About how my heart feels inside?

About how it's breaking apart?

How part of me has died?

Why do I long to touch your face, your lips?

To feel you ever close to my heart?

Deep yearnings all so real,

yet, we're a million miles apart.

Tell me, my love, how do I stop the pain,

as only you really can?

Tell me, too, how do I stop loving you?

For it's more than my wounded heart can stand.

Virginia Wonderings (aka Business Trips)

Sorry for my absence these last two weeks, but a funny thing happened in Virginia. I stayed for two weeks instead of the usual one. Why? Well, business mainly, but the area is so beautiful I couldn't resist. If you've never visited Smith Mountain Lake you are in for a real visual treat. The views from the Peaks of Otter - at a breathtaking 4,000 feet - are stunning to say the least. I think (know) West Virginia is a beautiful state, but the central mountains of Virginia rank right up there in my humble opinion. And, although I don't drink, it seems to be a region where grapes and wineries flourish. I counted 30, yes 30, "Wine Events" that are held throughout the year. Just reading the list is enough to make a tea totaler giddy. LOL Of course, with all the surrounding farmland, and the hard-working German Baptist farmers, there is no end to fresh, local, and luscious produce. Plus, the scenery alone is well worth the trip! I'll publish a photo or two when I can get the chance to upload. DJT