you need to.....

I was privileged to spend the day with family and friends of my late friend Lorna.  I know some of them better than others, but all of them through her pictures and life stories.  She loved her family more than life itself, and never gave up even when things looked bleak.  The celebration of her life was held at Ellington Hall which is a fantastic venue for all sorts of gatherings.  The assembly hall is next to the newly remodeled museum that was named after her grandfather RC Donaldson.  I have not been there since the days when we took kids to see the snakes and whatnot and I was pleasantly surprised to find a place packed with the history of Reelfoot Lake.  If you don't know the history of how that lake was formed, google it.  We spent a lot of time with the manager of the facility as she told about future plans and dreams for the state park located there.  Girl knows her stuff!  

After that we all met up again to break things down and head toward our respective homes.  That time was most precious to me.  I watched as her great grandchildren played and played as we  elders divided up flowers to take home.  I have two vases billed with fresh flowers to remind me of our friendship.  Because of my vision I was having trouble seeing the pictures but Ann pointed me out to myself when I rolled around on the collage. It was fascinating to see her as a younger woman, and a very beautiful one at that.  She led an exciting life and was a pioneer in the organic farming community along with her husband John.  

With Ann at the wheel the trip to Tiptonville went quickly and we noticed a bunch of solar panels in the works.  We wondered why so many people are against that.  She  brought me two pair of Doc Martin boots for Reaves that her g'daughter had outgrown which will tickle Lizzie to death.  One pair is red!

LP is dashing to earn us some money because neither of us has a job yet but, all things in time.  The holiday season is not a good time to be job hunting.  We still have no tree up.  I would settle for a Snoopy tree actually.  The whole "drag it down and put it up" thing sort of wears me out now.  A lot of my Christmas decor from last year is still laying around down here because I didn't want to climb the steps to put it up.  There is often method in my madness.  Lauren is an excellent organizer and has this place lookin' good after only 2 weeks.  For that, I am thankful.  What I need is more storage space but, no.  We will make do.  

Hug your people and tell them you love them.  Church hugs are nice but the full on one that lasts 20 seconds is the best.  According to my friend Gaylene, that releases the oxytocin.  Love y'all.....mean it ^j^