Saturday, April 4, 2009
More Tuna!
John, my brother Mark, and two friends went fishing again today. They got a 30lb,20lb and 2 10lb mahi and they caught about 15 tuna...10 were over 60lbs. That is a lot of fish! I'll post a picture later...I'm off to dinner...hope they are all cleaned by the time I get home...:) John said it was the best day of fishing he's ever had!
remembering Jenifer
Spring break started here and you've never seen so many kids riding around on their bikes with huge grins . I don't even get a Spring Break and I feel happy!
I have another poem for the day..
.
Pippa's Song
The year's at the spring
and the day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his heaven----
All's right with the world!
Robert Browning
It is a lovely morning and all feels right with the world...but I must confess that I have been feeling a little sad. (more than I expected). Two years ago this time as many of you know, my sister Jenifer was dying. She had been fighting rectal cancer for about 5 years and had reached the point where there was nothing else to be done. The cancer had spread to her brain and there were tumors all up and down her spine. She was in lot of pain and naturally very sad to know the her time was up. All throughout her illness Jenifer was so positive and upbeat that she had almost convinced us all that in spite of the numbers and test results, that somehow she was going to beat the odds. She did manage to beat them for a while...carrying on with work (for as long as possible), parties and celebrations (as many as possible), volunteering at school, etc.
That April...Elizabeth and Ellen were able to be with her when she came home from the hospital and then when they left, I was able to get there along with my (future) sister-in-law(one of these days)Bridget, Bridget is a nurse and she came up and took charge and with a little help from me we took care of Jenifer. (I won't go into the whole story). Once the word got out the outpouring of love, support, sympathy and kindness was almost unbelievable. Friends, neighbors, co-workers (Jen's and Rob's), teachers, classmates, you name it. It was non stop. It was an incredible experience.(As hard as it was...it was also amazing) A few very close friends came and stayed and for the next week or so we shared many laughs, tears, and quiet moments with each other and Jenifer. It is of course, something I will never forget. That is the way it should be.....surrounded by family, friends and lots and lots of love.
Two years has given me time to move on and the heaviness in my heart is not as bad...most of the time...so it is strange to feel this sadness again. Many times I will think of Jenifer, an wish I could share a laugh with her...and it's hard to stop and think...she's gone.
I think writing a blog would've been good during that time...being able to share my thoughts, concerns, worries, etc.
And while I don't dwell on the past,,,there are some things I learned from my experience. I will always be grateful to my co-workers who called me, to tell me to stay as long as I needed to,,,to not worry about work, they would handle anyhting that needed to be done. (I had planned to be gone a week) When it became obvious that this was it...I was a little concerned about asking for more time...and I certainly didn't want to leave.... so for them to call me and put my mind at ease is something I will never forget...it meant so much.
Another thing is that I try very hard to reach out to people who are going through a difficult time. In the past, like many I would say "Let me know if you need anything"...but I know...I never called anyone to ask for something., didn't want to put anyone on the spot...what if they were busy?..That said there were a few times when I would have loved for someone to call
me up and say "How are you today?" So now I try very hard to do the same for others. I do think about them and want them to know it...because sometimes you just don't know what to say and it's not easy...but it's really not that hard to do and it means a lot. I know I was grateful to those who called out of the blue or stopped by at work and asked how things were going. (hope I didn't scare anyone off! I can be a little reserved sometimes...so I might have surprised a few people when I just opened up) It doesn't have to be some grand gesture...just knowing someone else will listen is often enough.( Long walks and hot baths help too! I took lots of those...nothing clears your head like a long walk...listening to the birds, enjoying the breeze, etc.)
So...I am going to enjoy this spring day and try not too be too sad...because I miss Jenifer...but she was such a happy, giving cheerful person...she would not want us moping around...she would say "It is what it is" and then just keep on going and make the best of it. I usually do...but sometimes it's just a little bit harder than others.
I have another poem for the day..
.
Pippa's Song
The year's at the spring
and the day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his heaven----
All's right with the world!
Robert Browning
It is a lovely morning and all feels right with the world...but I must confess that I have been feeling a little sad. (more than I expected). Two years ago this time as many of you know, my sister Jenifer was dying. She had been fighting rectal cancer for about 5 years and had reached the point where there was nothing else to be done. The cancer had spread to her brain and there were tumors all up and down her spine. She was in lot of pain and naturally very sad to know the her time was up. All throughout her illness Jenifer was so positive and upbeat that she had almost convinced us all that in spite of the numbers and test results, that somehow she was going to beat the odds. She did manage to beat them for a while...carrying on with work (for as long as possible), parties and celebrations (as many as possible), volunteering at school, etc.
That April...Elizabeth and Ellen were able to be with her when she came home from the hospital and then when they left, I was able to get there along with my (future) sister-in-law(one of these days)Bridget, Bridget is a nurse and she came up and took charge and with a little help from me we took care of Jenifer. (I won't go into the whole story). Once the word got out the outpouring of love, support, sympathy and kindness was almost unbelievable. Friends, neighbors, co-workers (Jen's and Rob's), teachers, classmates, you name it. It was non stop. It was an incredible experience.(As hard as it was...it was also amazing) A few very close friends came and stayed and for the next week or so we shared many laughs, tears, and quiet moments with each other and Jenifer. It is of course, something I will never forget. That is the way it should be.....surrounded by family, friends and lots and lots of love.
Two years has given me time to move on and the heaviness in my heart is not as bad...most of the time...so it is strange to feel this sadness again. Many times I will think of Jenifer, an wish I could share a laugh with her...and it's hard to stop and think...she's gone.
I think writing a blog would've been good during that time...being able to share my thoughts, concerns, worries, etc.
And while I don't dwell on the past,,,there are some things I learned from my experience. I will always be grateful to my co-workers who called me, to tell me to stay as long as I needed to,,,to not worry about work, they would handle anyhting that needed to be done. (I had planned to be gone a week) When it became obvious that this was it...I was a little concerned about asking for more time...and I certainly didn't want to leave.... so for them to call me and put my mind at ease is something I will never forget...it meant so much.
Another thing is that I try very hard to reach out to people who are going through a difficult time. In the past, like many I would say "Let me know if you need anything"...but I know...I never called anyone to ask for something., didn't want to put anyone on the spot...what if they were busy?..That said there were a few times when I would have loved for someone to call
me up and say "How are you today?" So now I try very hard to do the same for others. I do think about them and want them to know it...because sometimes you just don't know what to say and it's not easy...but it's really not that hard to do and it means a lot. I know I was grateful to those who called out of the blue or stopped by at work and asked how things were going. (hope I didn't scare anyone off! I can be a little reserved sometimes...so I might have surprised a few people when I just opened up) It doesn't have to be some grand gesture...just knowing someone else will listen is often enough.( Long walks and hot baths help too! I took lots of those...nothing clears your head like a long walk...listening to the birds, enjoying the breeze, etc.)
So...I am going to enjoy this spring day and try not too be too sad...because I miss Jenifer...but she was such a happy, giving cheerful person...she would not want us moping around...she would say "It is what it is" and then just keep on going and make the best of it. I usually do...but sometimes it's just a little bit harder than others.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
It's not raining now...but it might later. We didn't have ANY rain for so long...now it seems we are back on track. Yesterday we had close to 2 inches...lots of flooded streets...but thankfully not too bad. The Weather Channel has been busy keeping up with all the stormy weather...and I always worry about family and friends in places having severe weather. Hoping for the best....
I must say after all the rain last evening...this morning was wonderful... lots of fresh, clean, cool air. Since I love to be outside whenever possible.....it was a treat! Soon it will be so humid that a trip around the block with the dog means you have to change your shirt! I am going to enjoy this brief Spring here in FL!My poem for the day...by another favorite poet of mine.....
APRIL RAIN SONG by Langston Hughes
Let the rain kiss you
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops
Let the rain sing you a lullaby
The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk
The rain makes running pools in the gutter
The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night
And I love the rain.
* I do like the rain...but like the poem says it plays a little sleep song...and it doesn't take much to get me sleepy sometimes....so too much rain and I start dragging around. I need the sunshine!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
It's April 1st...the first day of National Poetry Month, which means I am going to have to share a poem with whoever is reading this.(ha ha)....I love this little poem:)
KEEP A POEM IN YOUR POCKET
Keep a poem in your pocket
and a picture in your head
and you'll never feel lonely
at night when you're in bed.
The little poem will sing to you
the little picture bring to you
a dozen dreams to dance to you
at night when your in bed.
So---
Keep a picture in your pocket
and a poem in your head
and you'll never feel lonely
at night when you're in bed.
Beatrice Schenk de Regniers
Poems are fun....I can think of a poem or song to fit just about any situation...(and usually do)
may be it's just a little quirk of mine....but I'll take it. It keeps me happy!
KEEP A POEM IN YOUR POCKET
Keep a poem in your pocket
and a picture in your head
and you'll never feel lonely
at night when you're in bed.
The little poem will sing to you
the little picture bring to you
a dozen dreams to dance to you
at night when your in bed.
So---
Keep a picture in your pocket
and a poem in your head
and you'll never feel lonely
at night when you're in bed.
Beatrice Schenk de Regniers
Poems are fun....I can think of a poem or song to fit just about any situation...(and usually do)
may be it's just a little quirk of mine....but I'll take it. It keeps me happy!
Monday, March 30, 2009
What's cookin?
Here's what we had for dinner! That was one big tuna! Over 50lbs..(.scale only went to 50)
.Cleaned them and cooked some and bagged up the rest. A friend of Anthiny's (Chris) came over and painted both fish and made prints of them Pretty cool.
.Cleaned them and cooked some and bagged up the rest. A friend of Anthiny's (Chris) came over and painted both fish and made prints of them Pretty cool.P.S. what do you think Brenna? I figured it out!
Tuna!
Okay...they are still about 10 miles off-shore, but on the way in. They got only two fish...one mahi and one approx 60 lb yellowfin tuna. Yum Yum!
Fish for dinner?
The boat is out...and hopefully there are fish in it! Won't know until later....
I really could use some fresh Tuna! It's a beautiful day...a little windy...so I hope they don't have too much trouble getting back in...but they have a plan. we'll see
I really could use some fresh Tuna! It's a beautiful day...a little windy...so I hope they don't have too much trouble getting back in...but they have a plan. we'll see
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