The Big Day!

Rene, Grandbaby Bella, Me

We looked it up to be sure. We were looking for traditions surrounding Leap Year and Leap Day. We found that if a woman asks a man to marry him on leap day and he refuses, in Great Britain, he has to buy her a gown or jewelry or some such as a penalty. In Scotland it is considered bad luck to be born on Leap Day. We should watch the Movie 'Leap Year' for deeper insight. My Rene' and I are starting a new tradition - We are getting married on Feb. 29th. Both of us for the 2nd time. Our first marriage partners were the loves of our lives and when we lost them, it seemingly broke our hearts and we never thought we'd find another again. But we did!  What are the chances??? 

Now The Big Day is Here.  Today Rene and I will stand before the Pastor and both will say 'I Do' , 'I Will' , 'I Promise' , 'And Forever'!  Surprisingly, I am not nervous.  I worry a little about saying all that is expected correctly.  I also worry a little bit about breaking down.  In the past few years I have found that given the right circumstances, my tears can fall like rain.  If my tears start to flow, I will get choked up and will have a hard time spitting it all out.  My emotional breakdown will probably have a negative affect on Rene and she too will get all emotional and she too will have a hard time saying what is suppose to be said.  I will get angry and will back away from the alter and when I do that, Rene will get angry and ask me 'What the hell are you doing?' and then the Pastor will grab her arm to calm her down and her Brother Mike will take a swing at the Pastor and miss instead hitting Don and then Don will turn on Mike and accidentally hit Dave, causing Nikki to grab Bella and run out of the church.  The next thing that will happen will be the spirit of 'My Pat' and 'Her Bob' will start going at each other causing their Aura to knock over a lit candle beside the alter.  As the smoke begins to build the Pastor who had fainted will start to come around and will say 'I Now Pronounce You Man and Wife'.  Gee I hope we get pictures!

We hope your leap year / day will be as sweet and wonderful as we know ours will be.

Love to All, D.   MYD

PS:  Wish You All Could Be There!

Invitation

As some of you know, a while back I met this very nice lady who helped my heart beat again.  She has been very good for me and I think I have been good for her as well.  And then as most of you know, about six months ago I asked Rene to marry me and we have now set the date for that event which will happen on Wednesday February 29th - Leap Year.  The ceremony is going to be very private and very low key.  Rene invited her daughter Nicki and her brother Michael, while I have invited Don and Nancie. Sara, Michael and Mr Branden due to work and school will not be able to attend and that is OK, Rene and I both understand.   We also know that her 'Bob' and 'My Pat' will be there in spirit.  The ceremony will take place mid afternoon in Jacksonville.  We have nothing planned for afterwards and in fact Rene is going back to work the next day.  Instead of the traditional wedding reception, we are planning a low key get together in our home in Palm Coast on the following weekend.   I know that some family and friends in the North will not be able to attend and in light of that am planning a similar type of get together sometime this summer in the North - but the when and the where will have to be determined.  For those of you that cannot attend either time, we will have you in our hearts.    I hope this note finds you all well and happy!  

Love to All,  Rene & Doug   MYD  (Miss You Dolly)

Travel's North

Rene', Fort Clinch, 1/22/11

Have you ever heard the phrase 'Best Laid Plans'?  My plan this coming year was that this Spring, I would head North from Florida and make some stops along the way to see various family and friends.  That is what the plan was before I met Renee.  My last few summers in New York were very painful and lonely.  I don't plan to go through that again.  

I made contact with this very nice lady way back in July of last summer via E-Harmony.  We spoke almost every day from then until our first face to face date in January.  She told me later that on that first date she was so nervous that she thought she was going to throw up and ruin everything.  I asked 'Why were you so nervous?'  and her response was 'I liked you from the get go'.  I told her that I was really glad she didn't puke on me cause then I would probably have puked on her.  We both laughed at that and have since put together and retold a bunch of scenarios regarding what might have happened that first date had this or that happened.  On that first date we ended up at a farmers market and I was introduced to her daughter.  I was so touched at meeting her that to avoid breaking down in tears, I gave her a hug.  Her daughter Nickie is pregnant with her first child and Rene's first Grandchild.  They are all so excited.  It is a girl due in about 60 days.  As a suggestion for a name I offered 'Dougalina' which for some reason I think scared them all at first.

True Grit

Our second date was for a movie and on that day, she sent me a text letting me know she was going to be late.  When she arrived she was all upset and seemingly out of sorts.  I later asked her what was the matter and she said she was upset with herself for being late and keeping me waiting.  I told her 'Don't be Silly' and she responded - 'Be honest Doug, how would you be feeling right now if you had been late and had kept me waiting?'.  I stared at her for a minute and then admitted that I would have been sick had I kept her waiting.  She then said 'I really like you and didn't want to do anything to jinx what was happening'.  I think I said something lame like 'Me Too'.  It was starting to get scary because this very nice lady sounded a lot like me.

Our 3rd date was a day at a Park north of Jacksonville called 'Fort Clinch'.  We met at 9 a.m..  Because she knew the area she offered to drive us around to the various entrances and views.  I got into her vehicle,  and when I sat back in the front seat, I asked 'May I Kiss You' and as I sat waiting for her response, before I knew it, she Kissed me.  My heart skipped a beat with that very sweet little kiss.  We had a wonderful day and I must say I have not felt so happy in a long time.  Just sitting, watching the Ocean, the people, the animals and just talking was for me joyful.  And somehow natural.  She later told me it seemed to her that we had been doing this all our lives.

I invited her to a party at my home to meet my family and she invited me to a party at her home to meet her family.   She has invited me to Nickie's Baby Shower in Jacksonville and explained that today, men are welcome.  She was invited to a Baby Shower in Savannah, GA and told them that she would go only if she was allowed to invite me to go.   I was touched and honored.  Unfortunately they have decided to move away from the name, 'Dougalina' and have moved on to 'Bella', at least I think that is the current front runner in the name the new baby department.

Rene' is the manager of an EMS division in Jacksonville. (Emergency Medical Services)  I think she said she has responsibility for ten ambulances and their crews along with the central call center.  She is a very professional manager of people in situations that can often be highly stressful.  Once or twice a week she actually works the phones herself.  She is dedicated and very proud of herself and she should be.  She isn't required to, but she keeps her company phone on and charged, which keeps her on call to all of her people 24 hours a day seven days a week.

We have learned that we have much in common.  Here are some of the things that we have found.  She too had lost the love of her life some five years before.  She too had suffered a form of depression.  She too made some bad decisions regarding relationships since.  She too decided to build a wall between her and the outside world and kept it there until her family pleaded with her to take another chance.  She is really quite the lady.  She is very candid with her thoughts and she doesn't hesitate to challenge me.  I took her to a place that has 'Buzztime' and on her very first try almost beat me.  Brat!  She has a wonderful sense of humor and we spend hours talking about the highlites of our past life.  I have told her numerous stories of 'My Pat' and she always says something similar to 'I love that Girl' and or 'I wish I could have met her'.  We clearly enjoy each others company and are amazed at the comfort and compatibility that we share.  

Renee might be able to visit north for a few weeks, but due to her companies policy, no management personnel are allowed time off during the Hurricane season.  So rather than spend time alone in NY, I am going to spend this coming summer in sweltering Florida with my new very nice Friend. One other strange thing was uncovered this past week.  When it hit me, the tears just rolled down my face.   My Pat Passed away almost 3 years ago, while Rene's Husband Bob passed almost 5 years ago.  The strange part is that My Pat passed away on April 19th.  So did Rene's Husband Bob.

Love to All, D.   MYD

Epiphany - The 12 Days of Christmas

I remember a long time ago, when My Pat asked me innocently - 'What is meant by the 12 days of Christmas'?  I think I lamely referred to the silly Christmas Song.  Heck, I probably sang it to her over and over again driving her crazy.  I don't know why, but I have never forgotten that casual little request.  Last night I had a terrible night.  No sleep, my stomach was upset, my cold was awful and I got to thinking about the 12 days and answering her request.  I opened my computer and surfed the net to find out.  I am sure that most of you already knew most of this, but here is what I found. 

Christian tradition denotes, January 6 as the celebration of Epiphany. It goes by other names in various church traditions.  In Hispanic and Latin culture, as well as some places in Europe, it is known as Three Kings’ Day or as most of us recognize the day that the 3 Kings brought gifts to Baby Jesus.  Because of differences in church calendars, mainly between the Eastern Orthodox and the western Catholic and Protestant traditions, both Christmas and Epiphany have been observed at different times in the past. 

Epiphany is the climax of the Advent/Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which are usually counted from the evening of December 25th until the morning of January 6th, which is the Twelfth Day. In following this older custom of counting the days beginning at sundown, the evening of January 5th is the Twelfth Night. This is an occasion for feasting in some cultures, including the baking of a special King's Cake as part of the festivities of Epiphany (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA). 

The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. In some Central and South American countries influenced by Catholic tradition, Three Kings’ Day, or the night before, is the time for opening Christmas presents. In some eastern churches, Epiphany or the Theophany commemorates Jesus’ baptism, with the visit of the Magi linked to Christmas. 

My conclusion is that the celebration of Christmas is more than one day.  It would have to be.  Somehow I think that the evolution of gift giving on Christmas morning and the retail focus and drive by todays society has affected tradition even more.  I also think that our celebration of New Years Day has somewhat clouded our understanding of the 12 nights.  This year I will be celebrating Christmas multiple times and it will seem as though we will be celebrating the original 12 days of Christmas.  I will have Christmas morning at Sara's with Branden and Michael.  Then will enjoy their company for the next few days.  I will then be heading South a few days after, with Stops in Maryland and Viriginia.  I am going to strive to make those stops a form of a Christmas event.  I have estimated that we will depart for Florida mid week arriving in Palm Coast by New Years.  I will take a day or so to settle in and get organized.  But then on the 12th night I am hoping for a modest get together at my place with all of my family members that may be able to attend.  You are all invited, but if you can't attend I understand.  I am looking forward to it.  Have a safe and wonderful Holiday.  

Love to All, D.  MYD

PS:  Sorry it took me so long to answer your question BabyGirl.  Please Forgive Me and I Thank You for planting the seed for my Epiphany.  Love, D.

Happy Graduation

This past weekend I traveled to Charlotte, NC to attend my nephew Jason Roberts Graduation from the University of North Carolina.   I was honored to have been invited to the ceremony which was also attended by Jay's Mom, my sister Delby, his sister Megan, his dad Fred and other family and friends.  He earned the status of 'Cum Laude' which is a symbol of Scholastic Honor and his accomplishment is a stepping stone to earning a 'Master's Degree' in Physics.  I am pretty sure that is a first in our family.  I learned a couple of things that day.  I always thought a physic was something to help  you go to the bathroom, but when I asked, Jay got this look of fright on his face.   Actually, all joking aside, I read his Thesis and was very impressed.  It was a postulation on Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Photovoltaic Characterization.  I am pretty sure that the theme was tied to 'Renewable Energy' which while reading it, actually kinda scared me.  

Sister Delby, Niece Megan, Jason, His Dad Fred, Me

After the ceremony I visited Jay's apartment and gave his friends and family a postulation of my own.  I believe that sometime in the next 100 years our society will derive it's energy needs from a renewable resource.  In the 18th century the energy source was wood, in the 19th century it was coal, in the 20th century it was oil.   And in the 21st century it will be human waste.  I call it the 'Full of Shit' theory.   Have any of you ever noticed that the star ship 'Enterprise' doesn't have any toilets?  Well that is because in the future when someone has to dump, they push a button on their belt and the load is beamed (beam me up Scotty) to the renewable energy factory which is what powers their starship.  When I finished the room was full of silence.  Maybe they needed time to 'Digest' this idea?   


Jay, please don't take my goofing around as a trivialization of the wonders that you have accomplished.  I am very proud of you and what you are doing with your life.  I wish you all could have been there to share in the very wonderful success of one of our family.  Congratulations Jason.  We are all very proud of you!


Love to All,  D


PS:  Merry Christmas.  Be Safe and Be Happy


PPS:  Happy New Year

Current Events

It has been a while since I entered a post and I apologize.  I have been busy which is no excuse.  I have heard back from most of you and I thank you.  It looks like the probability of having any type of 'ReUnion' is slim.  Everyone who responded liked the idea but also implied politely that the viability was limited.  Distance and timing has a lot to do with it I guess and I understand.  Just because I have an open schedule doesn't mean that everyone else does as well.  I have made arrangements to have dinner with some of you and am looking forward to those get togethers.  Last month I had the pleasure of sharing dinner with my niece Marianne.  Wow, she is so pretty.  She reminds me of her Mom.  She is very successful as well.  And she travels all over the place.  All over the US and Europe as well.  I thought I was bad.  We talked and enjoyed a nice dinner.  She told me about her girls.  I was surprised when told me that she doesn't allow them the 'Electronic' freedom that others in her girls generation have come to take for granted.  She is very strict when it comes to that - cell phone, texting, TV time, Computer Time, etc are all limited.  I was amazed and then later I got to thinking about my Grandson who at 7 has a handheld DS that has Net Access.  One day Going through the history on his device I found a file entitled 'Naomibuttcrack'.  And that is what it was.  And I gave him that DS.  Seems to me that Marianne has the right idea.

I had intended to head back to Florida at the end of September, but this and that happened and I kept postponing the date.  My original plan was to head South in September, then I was going to Fly North to spend Thanksgiving with Sara and then they and Michael were going to fly to Florida to spend Christmas with me. Then cousin Michael got a promotion and headed back to West Virginia from Montana.  He had to use time off to get things squared away so he informed me that he won't be able to travel to Florida for Christmas.  Sara too has had to use her personal time for different happenings so she no longer has the time available to travel South for Christmas.  With the delay in heading south and the fact that the kids won't be able to head south in December, I decided to just stay in New York until after Christmas.  I think that will be best for everyone.  Well, at least best for me.  Just hope it don't snow too much.

I plan to visit friends in Eastern PA and then in Annapolis, MD in mid November and am hoping to take advantage of an invitation to visit Marianne's home in Bear Delaware during that same time period.  Yesterday would have been mine and Pat's 40th Wedding Anniversary.  It was a hard day.  I still miss her more than anyone can understand.  Keep in touch.  Love, D.

Trip to Central Square

This past week, Tom and I visited this lovely little farm in the middle of nowhere in Central Square, NY.  It is Named FFF.  Foster Funny Farm and is inhabited by a dog, 4 cats (could be more), two Horses and an abundance of wild life.  There is a beautiful home and a barn.

Oh and the occupants of the home are very nice people as well.  Dave and Chris Foster.

Chris, Dave and a Classic Javelin 

We were treated to a tour of the facilities and learned a great deal about living in the out back.  There is much maintenance and upkeep in a farm.  A lot of work.  I have great empathy for Chris, because Dave is a little out there himself.  He is as big as a horse, built like a pro wrestler, has a permanent grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.  And he races go carts.  Somehow he was able to hook up with Chris, this very smart, sweet and beautiful woman.  And they are perfect for each other.  Rare indeed.

Dave trying to Sign Love, Coordination ??

Their horses are rescues.  One is a Standardbred (Pacer / Trotter) and the other is a Quarterhorse (Rodeo).  I will probably get this wrong but one was called 'Ace' and the other I think was called 'Trixie'.  I am sure you all have heard of 'baby sitters'.  I would even bet that most have heard the expression 'house sitters'.   Well maybe some of you have heard the following, but frankly it was new to me.  Horse Sitters.  When ever Chris and Dave go away, they have to have someone come and take care of their horses.

I bring this up because I got to thinking about a future site for a proposed reunion.  In my mind the central spot for a reunion was Eastern, PA maybe the Pocono's.  In my mind I picked this spot because it was central to all.  After my visit to the FFF, I got to thinking that if we tried to do something in Eastern, PA, either Chris or Dave would stay home to spoil, no I mean take care of their horses.  So as another potential site, how's about Auburn, NY.   Just a thought.  What do you think?  Ya'all take care.  Love, D.