What's so funny?

I spend a lot of time looking for things funny.  Yes I said "things funny" not "funny things" cause I think there is a big difference.  I think I got this idea from George Carlin who pointed out really funny things about something that weren't obvious.  Such as "always do whatever's next" or "what does it mean to pre-board? do you get on before you get on?".  Just google George Carlin and you'll find lots of these.  Laughter is very important in life, it creates endorphins (I tend to think of them as tiny critters running around my brain tickling me), relieves pain, makes your face look better--all kinds of things.  But when circumstances are very sad (like a loved one with Alzheimer's) it becomes difficult to laugh.  So that's why I say to my self "self, you've got to find something funny today or create it if you can't find it". 

And that's how I got this story:  Richard now lives in a locked memory care unit in a nursing home.  It's sort of like he died but not quite.  He's never coming home again and the house can feel it and I definitely can.  Going to visit him is hard because I'm so sad when I leave but recently I became aware of this and it amuses me every time I go.   He has a roommate Vernon (whose name has been changed to protect the innocent) and neither of these men can remember each other.  They've lived together for a month now but each time upon entering the room Vernon introduces himself to Rich.  They shake hands and the next time they do it again!  It is really funny especially since I've witnessed it several times now.  When he leaves the room Rich will look at me with a confused expression and I'll say "do you know him" and he'll say "no, I've never seen him".  A couple times, I've gone in and Vernon will be sleeping and Rich will be standing beside the bed, hands clasped behind his back leaning forward slightly watching him sleep.  That one I can't figure out.  If Vernon were to wake up suddenly it would probably scare him half to death!  He'll come in the room and see me and say "oh excuse me I thought this was my room"  I'll say "it is come on in" and he'll say "I'll just go ask them where it is".  I've heard tales of Richard going into other's rooms  and they all do it.  Everytime we go to visit Rich spreads his arms wide, looks surprised, and says HI!  like he hasn't seen us in years instead of a couple days.  That kind of joy is hard to resist.  It's nice to be loved.   toodles.....Anita

just out of my mind...

Today I was driving down I-235 and a car getting on just barged over into my lane--not staying in her own lane at all and not looking.  If I hadn't been watching carefully, I would have hit her.  I slammed on the brakes and hit the horn and she flipped me off!!!  I couldn't believe it--she  cut me off nearly caused a wreck and blamed me!!  I swear.

Well guys are finally coming by to look at my roof.  That terrible hail storm we had in May totaled my roof which was only 3 months old. All the roofers have been so busy that they are just now making it by to give me estimates.  I have to get new siding too.  I really could use some down time.  My brain is exhausted with all the thnking and decision making I have to do these days. 

Rich seems to have settled in pretty well-did I already tell you that?  He's always happy to see me but it's okay when I leave too.  Sad...the long slow death. 

I'm knitting a "Spring is in the Air" shawlette.  It's crescent shaped, I like those better than triangles.  I'm using pink Lorna's Laces sock yarn and clear beads with a pink cast.  It's really going to be pretty and I'm enjoying the project too.  I'm really hooked on lace and the beads just add so much.

Did I mention that Kacie and Jimmy are getting married? In October.  I'm glad for them. 

I'm reading "Skein of the Crime" by Maggie Sefton.  It's okay, very light.  Her first few books weren't all that good but it's a knitting mystery and it fills a niche.  She's getting much better--has progressed to hardbacks from the paperbacks.  Monica Ferris also writes a needlework series and I really like her.  So many books, so little time.  I'm listening to James Pattrerson in  the car and I've got Debbie Macomber waiting on me.  Also Earlene Fowler, Carolyn Hart, and Susan Wittig Albert.   Like I said....

Well just thought I'd ramble on a bit, pretty quiet around here, stay tuned.....toodles, Anita

Friday-Friday-Friday

OK, so I was minding my own business (for a change), riding the elevator to the basement room in the medical building where our early onset support group meets.  I had taken my cell phone out of my pocket and set it to vibrate was attempting to put it back in my pocket when it leaped out of my hand.  It made an arc in the air--very graceful, slow motion--and as I watched in disbelief, fell straight down the elevator shaft thru that very small space between the elevator and the floor after the door opens.  Never even hit the sides just went straight down and through the opening.  My first thought was oh s--t, my second, well at least it wasn't my keys so I can get home and in the house...  If my life were being threatened and I had to drop that little sucker like that or die--I'd be dead.  There is no way I could have done that in a million years.  I can't even hit a dart board on purpose!  So I had to call the head maintenance guy the next morning and hope that it hadn't shattered when it hit bottom.  He rescued it still all in one piece and found it quite amusing when he returned it to me.  I fail to see that much humor in the situation but oh well, it takes all kinds!  I did discoer that I could be without a cell phone for 16 hours and survive.   So how's been your week ? 

My Fairy Name is Gossamer Moonwitch

Don't ask..... It isn't worth knowing.

My Fairy Name

spelling vs typing

I am actually very good at spelling. It's typing I'm a disaster at. Just though I'd share that little observation. toodles....Anita

Celebrate the Greatest Generation

Today is the 66th. Anniversary of D-Day. (If you don't know what D-day is---google it.)

My father E. E. (Red) Hern was part of the group of men who endured and survived that incredible event which changed his life forever. He was very young, as were I think most of the soldiers who fought in WW2. I'm going to write a portion of what he wrote down for us to have about his experience on June 6, 1944.

"I was part of the 146th. Combat Engineer Battalion, stationed in Englan, preparing for D-Day. We were divided into boat teams, 44 men on each team consisting of Army and Navy personnel. Everyone was trained for Demolition to blow the heavy steel obstacles designed to prevent boats from landing at high tide, and to destroy the German Teller mines.

We left England on an LST boat pulling the LCM barge where everyone would be loaded one hour before landing. The LST motor failed and the skipper (an "old" Navy man 33 years) made the decision to load everyone on the LCM so they could keep moving. We crossed in very stormy conditions and extremely rough water yet were in position to make our move inland to the shores of Normandy in France at low tide.

We, Dog Red Boat Team #6, landed at 6:27am--3 minutes before H hour at 6:30am on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. We all carried C-2 explosives, gas masks, rifles, a bangolier which totaled about 100 lbs. (I think daddy probably weighed about 125 lbs. soaking wet).

As we were coming into Normandy, it was just breaking daylight. The Germans started to throw heavy artillery on us. The closer we got the heavier it got. Suddenly this day became real on top of being seasick! The skipper put us right on the beach (an amazing feat) but the first men to hit the ground were killed instantly. Due to such heavy opposition from the Germans the soldiers were unable to get the explosives tied and blow them before the second wave of men arrived in 20 minutes and were accidently killed, so they headed toward the sea wall."

Daddy said it took him 3-3 1/2 hours to reach the sea wall and by that time about 50% of the boat team had been killed or wounded. Later in the day, the remaining men went back to the beach to find the wounded and take them to the seawall for evacuation later to a hospital ship. Everyone able helped carry the men in because 7 of the 8 medics had been killed in the battle.

They had been up nearly 24 hours with only K-rations and candy bars to eat, if they had time to eat. At 3:30am the morning of June 7th. they were ordered to return to the beach to complete the blowing the obstacles. During this activity, daddy was hit by an 88 Artillery shell fragment and two of his buddies carried him back to the seawall. Unable to walk and with no medics, they carried him so he could stay with his outfit. He said, in about 3 weeks he was able to walk again.

He felt very proud to be a part of the men who defeated Hitler and established the liberation of Europe. The 146 Combat Engineers Battalion was awarded the Presidential Citation Award for Outstanding Service to Their Country Under Enemy Fire.

Thanks, Daddy to you and all the men just like you for keeping me and everyone I love free to be. I love you, your eldest daughter, Anita Faye.

Daddy died in 1995, forever a victim of war, yet a man proud of what he'd accomplished who loved the men he'd served with. At an Army Reunion a couple years later, his "Army Buddies" told me that daddy, with his always on and very quick sense of humor kept them going after this battle before they were picked up or rescued or whatever happened to them. They said he kept them laughing and moving even when he was injured. What a legacy.....