Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to all of you who sent cards, text messages and e-mails to Cooper and his worried masters. He is doing well. Still a bit off-kilter but slept most of the afternoon, evening and all-through the night. He’s up and at ‘em now. The real chore will come in trying to keep him away from the other dogs and out of the pool for 2 weeks. How do you keep the prince of rough-housing from doing what he does best? So today Dwayne shared that he wanted me to ask the vet about implants so Coop wouldn’t loose his ‘manly’ form after the surgery. I’m afraid I’m going to come home from work one of these days and see one those sack of balls, like the ones you sometimes see hanging from underneath monster trucks, dragging around underneath the back end of my dog. Oh my word!
My front porch is a great place to sit and watch the world go by.
I have always, since the first day we moved into this house, wanted a writing desk, kind of like the one Mimi has in the family room, to set in front of the living room windows, looking toward the street. So I could write letters, pay the bills, be on the computer. Years ago it was so I could look out and watch the kids play in the yard; keep them safe. I still don’t have my desk; perhaps I never will. So until then…..
My honey recently picked up a pair of chairs (and an unexpected coffee-type table, too) at the end of season sale at Lowe’s. They were originally intended to go under the pergola at the side of the house but stopped here on their way down the path and seemed to have settled in quite comfortably here. In the mornings, we sit here and eat breakfast before it is time to go to work. Some evenings, I’ll sit here and open the mail or peruse one of the many catalogs I didn’t order and wonder how it found its way to me. Patches, the aging Dalmatian, sits at my feet, snapping her jaws at a passing fly. Holly is usually bent down at the steps staring intently at a ball, hoping someone will notice, pick it up, and give it a throw. eventually, if no one notices, she’ll move the ball closer. Today it is a yellow and turquoise soccer ball and much to large for me to pick up with one hand. Yet there she stands, wagging her tail in hopes I’ll stop typing and play with her. It’s kind of sad, really. There are two cats here, too. Allie, the purported favorite, is sleeping in a woven chair to the left of me and Sammy, well, Sammy seems to have found somewhere else to enjoy the lovely day. Cooper is at the vet having terrible, unspeakable things done to his manliness. I feel like a heel. I hope he still loves me when I pick him up today.
I used to sit out here and read a book or the newspaper, or something else. Nowadays, I’ll be on the computer, planning trips, researching things, catching up on family e-mails and blogs, kicking the soccer ball for the dog. No matter what I intended to do out here on the porch, it always seems to end up the same way. Just watching the world go by.
Maybe the real reason I don’t have that desk I’ve “always” wanted is because I found something better on the other side of the windows. I found my front porch. It may not look like the one in the Thomas Kincade painting that I love entitled “Hometown Pride”, but to me, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Saw the most interesting sunset last evening over Morro Bay. Must clean now – dirty dishes/clothes/ice chest/camper. Helping husband throw his necessities into a bag then he’s off for an overnight dove hunt. I, too, have pressing things to do here. Today and tomorrow. More on all that as time permits. Tomorrow, it is September.
One thing you never want to hear from your adult son:
“I think they make a cream for that.”
No, MY son didn’t say that, I’m just saying…..
Part of the eulogy delivered today by Ken Kipp in honor of his friend.
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Everything remains as it was.
The old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no sorrow in your tone.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting, when we meet again.
Source: derived from a sermon written by Henry Scott Holland and delivered in St. Paul’s (London) on 15 May 1910, at which time the body of King Edward VII was lying in state at Westminster. Although not originally derived from Irish writings, versions of this sermon have been used at many Irish and Catholic funerals over the years.
I received a note from my brother that his dermotologist found 4 more spots on his skin that they need to biopsy. So far they’ve been able to stay on top of this and remove all the bad stuff before it progresses too far. Please add him to your prayer list. It’s worked before, let’s do it again! Thanks so much!
Hooray for a good CT scan!
Donald Ray Lanquist
1942 – 2009
Donald Ray Lanquist passed away Sunday August 9, 2009 surrounded by his family and friends, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Although his death was sudden, he was prepared for his journey home, where he was met by those who preceded him.
Don was born June 28, 1942 in Fresno, CA. Don was the son of Robert and Marie Lanquist. He was a true California native, living in Ventura County for the last 55 years.
Don began an illustrious 29 year career in law enforcement on March 25, 1968 when he joined the Ventura County Marshall’s Office. Don later joined the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and quickly moved up through the ranks. Don retired prestigiously as Chief Deputy of Detention Services on June 29, 1997. Less than a year after retiring, Don returned to the Department’s business office where he oversaw budget issues. His financial acuity made him a marvel to all who worked beside him.
Don was a true angel on earth. He touched so many lives and inspired all who met him – no matter how brief. Professionally, Don achieved great accolades from his calm demeanor and ability to let all who worked with him knew their importance. Anyone who worked with or for him felt a tremendous amount of accomplishment and always received heart-felt praise from him. He will always be remembered for his ethical leadership and admiration for his peers.
Don’s greatest joy was his family. He and his wife of 39 years, Bebe, have a love that will continue to survive the test of time. Their friendship and adoration carried them through the years with many laughs and pride in their family. Don took great pride in the accomplishments of his children. It was rare to see him without his Naval Academy jacket in recognition of his son Tim’s Alma Mater. He was so proud when his son followed in his footsteps and began a career as a Deputy Sheriff with Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Tim’s wife, Tina, always amazed Don with her patience for her Biology students at Moorpark High School. His daughter Kelly brought him joy with her sense of humor that she inherited from him. Kelly’s husband, John, gave Don pride as he was promoted to Sergeant with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Don was equally proud of the accomplishments of his oldest daughter, Kim, of Baltimore, MD, who works for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Don’s greatest pride and enjoyment was time he spent with his grandchildren: J.P., Bailey, Gunner, Regan, Sam and Sara gave him so much purpose and joy. He shared everything with them and always wanted to be part of all their numerous activities.
He is survived by his sister Vicki Bratcher and her husband Bob of Flagstaff, AZ; his brother Robert Lanquist and wife Jeanne of Oakview; and his sister Linda McLaughlin and her husband Jerry of Ventura.
Don’s passing leaves a void in many people’s lives. He left an unsurpassed legacy and will always be remembered with great admiration and love. For all that knew Don, it will not surprise anyone that one of his final requests was for people to forgive a wrong or do an act of kindness for a stranger.
There will be a public viewing at Pierce Brother’s Valley Oaks Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village on Friday, August 14, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. for family and friends.
Don’s life will be celebrated Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 11 a.m. at St. Julie Billiart’s Church, 2475 Borchard Road, Newbury Park. There will be graveside service at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks in Westlake Village immediately following.
I read this in my daily devotional today and thought I’d pass it on.
Kindness As a Way of Life
by Dr. Gary Chapman
One of the kindest men I’ve ever know was named King Brown. He named his first son, Charlie. He worked at the local post office, but he used his free time to help people. He would rake leaves for the elderly, take food to the sick, give recorded lectures to almost everyone he encountered. He would pay for needy children to go to summer camp.
I once asked him, “How did kindness become a way of life for you?” He said, “Well, when I get dressed in the morning, I picture myself as putting on an overcoat of kindness. Then, I ask God to show me ways that I can help people that day.”
Two years ago, when he died I attend his funeral. The service lasted three hours as people stood and told of how his life had impacted theirs. I wish everyone had an overcoat of kindness.
Wow are there a lot of weddings and wedding related events going on these days! Friends at work being married, son’s of friends at work planning weddings, friends of my kids and of course, family. Seems there is something “wedding” going on everywhere I look. Alot of talk about budgets, details and options. Brought up a lot of great memories and some thoughts of what I would have done differently if I knew then what I know now.
What about you? What one thing did you LOVE about your wedding?
Is there one thing that you wish you’d done differently?
What was your favorite part about any wedding other than your own?
To show that I can take it as well as dishing it out, I’ll go first.
I absolutely love that our rehearsal dinner was at my in-law’s home. A lot of people don’t do that anymore, opting for fancier digs, which is not to slam them for that choice. But for me, how amazing that they were so willing, at a terribly busy time, to open up their home to both families. There were a lot of people there, right down to my hippie cousin, Kathy. It is still a blessing more than 27 years later and a memory for which I will be forever grateful.
What I would do differently is probably the reception. We were on a very limited budget ($1,500, all inclusive) because we had bought into a home a few months before. Perhaps if I had spent less on the dress we could have had happy meals or something (ok, that’s a joke) but it just didn’t seem feasible at the time. I wish I’d tried harder to make it work.
As for my favorite part of a wedding other than ours, I just realized that it’s been awhile since we were actually AT a wedding. There are some special memories we take away from each we’ve been to. But I think I would have to say, because it was the first time I had seen it done and because it was a way to bring everyone in the room together, I loved the candle lighting at Brittany’s and Brent’s ceremony.
Next?
