8/22/2008

He's not heavy

he's my brother.

I just got a call from a friend of mine whose brother has been fighting cancer for several months now. The battle was lost, in one sense, as his brother died Friday. It was won in that the family is rallying around to comfort one another as they pulled together to help him.

This bunch raise just under (an unnamed for privacy amount) to help their bro pay the bills he was inccuring from the medical treatments. They baked, gathered, auctioned, and ran an event that lasted all day. They hauled, set up, hustled, baked, barbequed, and in other ways fed and entertained over 250 people.

They did all this while he was here to see the love they have for him. They did this together.

I can know they will miss him and respect their sadness but I can't be sad for them. This is a family that stays together, plays together and, Monday, they will grieve together, but they will live on knowing they showed their love while they could. Knowing that love is their for each of them while even one other is here to help.

Bless their hearts and say a prayer for my friend. Thank you.

   8/15/2008

Ch-Ch-Ch..Changes

I'm just a little worn out with all the changes in the lasts two years and a piece.

I didn't make the cut with my friend - and MoB is still my friend - so I'm still looking for a partner, darn it. But it's ok, no meanness, no intentional hurts, it's just not gonna happen.

That was ok but then Thursday I got indefinately laid off - which is Michigan short hand for let go. I've been with the same place ten years. It's gonna be scary on just unemployment and finding a job at my age is tricky at best. Thinking I have to think up a shingle to hang...

But for now everything is the same until the transition to UE income so I'm not gonna sweat it until I have to. I'm going up to the Big City tonight to an open mic with MoB. It's still fun to have a friend to do things with. We'll just have to see what happens next.

But that's all you get right now, gotta get the email while I'm snacking at the wifi place. Later.

   8/05/2008

another day is done gone

It was a long weekend. I got out early Friday for a friend. I was supposed to be there for a medical situation. It didn't happen. They didn't have the planned test and got out early, I got there late. I was bumming but then realized I was out of work and had vacation time left so I could be paid for my time off....

Instead of doctor stuff we did breakfast, photos, shopping and then I went home to pack up for the "camping' weekend with the band. That didn't quite go as planned either. We didn't camp out.
I packed for it but ended up leaving most of the stuff in the truck. No worries! We had fun!

In a nice, rural location there was a barn with a stage built on it next to a farm house. There was plenty of acreage to roam in, deer in the fields, little kids and puppies, lots of food, great people and really fun, good and lovin' doin it musicians making music all weekend.

There was so much equipment and so many good music makers that it was a challenge to get everything fixed up for everyone. It got done with smiles and willing hands. The Crimson Tide recorded for everyone on their totally WOW equipment. Can't wait to hear those tunes!

MoB and I ran up Saturday to the Big City and got the Bassman and Ms. Bassman. They hung with us and stayed at MoB's that night. The Daring Drummer showed up to juggle sticks and licks on his Harley. The band played on. And the other band. And the singers sang and the players played and the music just rolled over the fields and into the stars. Both nights ran till after one a of the m. Both nights were just a riot.

The heat was hard to deal with but the ice cream truck took some of the sting out of it and the kids had a pool to swish around in. The host and hostess were caring and generous with everyone. The Bassman's didn' t know anyone but us and left feeling like they made a lot of new friends. They felt right at home. So did I. It was my first time with most of the people there.

Best Girl and #2grand had to chase the escape artist down and put one of my dogs back in the pen for me and when I came home the lawn looked beautiful. I traded a bed for this last goround of help from them and I'm not sorry. They are so good to me!

#1son called and and DIL is still having trouble with her pregnancy. My littlest grandson is proving difficult to hang on to for her. They seem to have the BP back under control but she's on restricted activities. I'm on back up duty there for the dog and house and Mom is on the bedside delivery cheering section. That way if the truck drive is too far out she still is covered. Go Team!

Sunday started rough for me. I woke up early and went down to the local pub for their great coffee. The files of the recordings this weekend were on the USB drive. I got them on the machine and found I can't open them. Wrong file format.

Then I had offended a nice person and had to apologize to them for my thoughtless words by email. Disappointed about the music and in myself, I got a cup of coffee to go and left. As I opened the truck door I spilled that all over me. I did the dance of pain and brushed it off, thankful I had missed the computer bag.

When I went back to MoB's I poured out my troubles. Said I shoulda stood in bed. Said I wasted space walkin here. Got it out of my system while he listened and then I felt better.

I swung at some whiffle balls with the short golf clubs with Bitsy Girl. Then we worked on a canvas stitching project together; I showed, she sewed. She did really well at it. There are more for her to do later on her own. I think she will.

The vonBassman's got up and we all strolled through the day, resting, shopping, a few chores, then cooking and ending up at the table at sunset just too full to move from the great food MoB provided. It was a great good time! I hated to leave. (as per usual)

I got home in time on Sunday to get laundry done, do dishes and catch up with the animals. It was a little late when I got to bed, but I made it.

I'm making it. I'm still here and I'm still loving and living. It's all good.