Don’t Forget Me, Promise?

Time really got away from me today. I packed a little this morning. My son and daughter-in-law invited me to Kentucky Fried Chicken for lunch. They brought baby E. along so I got to spend some time with him. I always remember how old he is because he was born a week before Al passed away. Can you believe Al has been gone six months? It still seems like yesterday to me in my mind and heart.

He now has one tooth through and the one beside it is almost through. He can say mama and dada, and he loves to slap the table. It is fun to watch babies and see all their new developments. They gave me some gifts which I was so surprised. One of them is a shadow box with the grandkids in it. It is ready to hang on my new walls.

I came home and did some more packing. Before I knew it, it was supper time so my friend and I had supper together one last time. I love eating at Penguin Point. They have the best fries ever.

I came home and called my auto insurance and changed state coverages then packed a little more and ended my night with a shower and a see you soon my friends. I shall return very soon. Have fun, stay safe and keep writing. I will definitely read blogs and try to answer what I can.

Don’t forget me, promise?

My Thoughts to You

Well my friends, it is 9:30 in the evening. It has been a long and yet fast-moving day. I have so much to do here at home yet, but it is those things you can’t deal with until the last day and sometimes the last hours.

Today, I went and met friends for lunch. Tonight, my neighbor and I went out to supper. I have packed some things. My place definitely looks like I am moving. Tomorrow evening will be the last time I can write to you until the internet is hooked up in my new place.

I will be able to use my cell for some internet, but it just isn’t as good as the real deal. So if I don’t respond back to a comment, don’t think I am being rude, I probably can’t until later.

Maybe a break will be good for you and me. I know I haven’t written any real good writing since Al passed. I wonder if it will ever come back. When Al passed, a lot of my followers died too and the ones who remain, are friends forever.

Hopefully, new scenery, new thinking, and better days ahead will help me out. I know I had been writing a third book while writing the book about Al. I plan on continuing that one. I also have plans to write a pamphlet on the real details of MSA for those who are wanting more than a general idea.

With new people to see and a new job waiting, who knows where this will lead me. I have thoroughly enjoyed my camera. This has been a new discovery for me this year.

I dread tomorrow in a way because the only thing left in my freezer is a package of hot dogs. It isn’t that I don’t enjoy them once in a while, but they don’t like me and besides; they are much better on the outdoor fires than in a pan of boiling water. I have two cans of soup left, so there is no planning on my meals for tomorrow.

Well I know I will write one more time tomorrow, so I will talk to you real soon.

Pumpkin Blossoms – Shugary Sweets

Pumpkin Blossoms – Shugary Sweets.

Going Away Party

Tonight my friends and I met at Pizza Hut for a going away  party for me. We had a good time. Lots of laughter and chatting. The waitress spilled one of my friend’s drinks and we all even laughed over this; although I am sure that ice-cold pop in a warm lap didn’t feel the best. When we parted ways there was a lot of hugging but no tears. I never say goodbye. I always say, talk to you later. It makes it easier on my heart. Here are the photos that I took of all of us. I will miss them so much but they will remain in my heart. Just think, because of Al’s terrible illness I met all these nice ladies. God always makes something good with a bad situation and he proved this with this group of ladies.

One Pot Beefy Chili Macaroni and Cheese

One Pot Beefy Chili Macaroni and Cheese.

Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts with Maple Glaze

Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts with Maple Glaze.

Litmus, Litmus on the Wall

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/litmus-test/#like-90029

 

Daily Prompt

If you had to come up with one question, the answer to which would determine whether or not you could be friends with a person you’ve just met, what would it be? What would the right answer be?

 

I am not very good at meeting people in the first few moments. I want to be more out there, but I am shy. I usually get over it quick enough by saying something to draw laughter. I also stay a little in the background and listen.

When we listen we can hear what the other is truly saying. While I am listening I also have a bad habit of comparing myself to that person. Thoughts such as; do I look too fat, I am heavier than they are.

Stupid thoughts but I do have them. The moment then comes when that group conversation is over and people go to other people repeating little chats. I am still standing in spot and the lady ask me those routine questions. Are you from around here? How many children do you have? What do you do for a living?

I don’t really mind hearing these words. I have nothing to hide. If we are hitting it off fairly well, I will ask the question. Want to get together one day next week for lunch?

 

I Saw Someone Taking a Bath

I woke up this morning. I flipped the television on. Ever since Al passed away the TV has become my friend who helps me remember I am not  alone. I heard so much negative talk. Fires in California, woman missing from the grocery store. The only clue they have is her van was found a few blocks away but it was burned. I learned of the airstrikes signaling us something bad could be about to happen.

I got up and poured my coffee and sat back down waiting to hear more bad things happening in our world. While I was half listening and half thinking about what I was going to do today something turned my ears from the noise box to the noise outside.

Of course the familiar sound of squirrels using my roof to frolic and play had begun. I have tried going outside and talking to them about how I wish they would play somewhere else. I have advanced to scolding them. Yesterday I took my outside broom and tapped it on the frame of my porch. This chased them away for several hours but today they are back. I hate to have a new name titled, The Broom Lady, so I don’t know how to get them to leave.

Now the squirrels were chatting wildly. I have been friends with them long enough to recognize when they are happy or upset. I got up and looked outside the window. I didn’t see anything.

I grabbed my house coat and went outside. I instantly saw three of the squirrels. They were standing up waving their bushy tails and screaming about something. They were definitely upset. Out of the corner of my eye I saw another movement. I then smiled, remembering that my one goal the last few months of Al being here with me was still with me today.

I smiled because right on the ground, covered with my many trees; sunlight was peeking through, allowing warmth to seep through for anyone who wanted to feel a little warmer on this chilly morning.

What was it that caught my eye? A beautiful, fluffy, calico cat. He was bathing himself. He had taken advantage of the peeking sun and decided that he was going to enjoy primping, but oh how this upset the squirrels. Their chatter transferred in human language was saying loud and clear; this is our yard, get the hell out of here. Go find another place to claim as your own. How can we frolic and play as long as you are around. I silently thanked the pretty cat for quieting my roof and helping me to remember to see one good thing about each day.

Do You Have any Love to Spare?

 

Look at my eyes

See my needs

See me shiver

I am cold

Fear takes over

For I belong no where

Can you help me

I am all alone

I am hungry

Do you have any food

Can you please hold me

I need love

Do you have

Any love to spare?

Written by,

Terry Shepherd

09.22.2014

Flash Talk/ The Daily Post

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/flash-talk/#like-90027

Ben Hubberman

 

Daily Prompt

Flash Talk

You’re about to enter a room full of strangers, where you will have exactly four minutes to tell a story that would convey who you really are. What’s your story?

 

I put on my most beautiful dress I owned. Applying my make-up ever so carefully, checking for hairs out-of-place, I twirl around gently hearing the material dance in the wind.

It is my night, the night I have waited and dreamed of for three years. I have been invited by a white and gold trimmed invitation to speak about MSA, Multiple System Atrophy.

Ever since my brother passed away I have tried in so many ways to spread the word of this disease. I promised Al that I would carry on in his name sake, but alas I am a nobody. A pebble on the beach. A mouth with a soft-spoken voice. No one hears me out of my circle of associates and friends.

It so happened that I went to visit a friend of mine in a plush city. We were having drinks at an infamous jazz club in downtown Chicago. Of course among our delightful conversations, I managed to bring up the topic of MSA.

Little did I know that one table over was a lady eavesdropping who just happened to be a researcher for rare and unusual illnesses. As our duo party was coming to an end we stood up to leave and the lady at the table slipped me a small  napkin with her name and phone number on it.

I looked at it and then at her. I smiled as the thought of her coming on to me was too funny in my eyes; but I thanked her and she introduced herself formally and handed me her business card. As I turned around I promised I would call when I had empty time.

A few days later, my visit over, I was relaxing and watching television. A lady on the news was speaking. She looked so familiar. Wait! That’s her! The lady from the club. I ran and found the card she had given me at the bottom of my purse. I went back and listened to the last few sentences she said. She was looking for speakers for a convention on rare illnesses.

The next morning I called her and here I am in a hotel room she reserved for me and now I was on my way to the hall where I would be speaking.

Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Terry Shepherd. I am the sister of a gentleman who had a rare illness for seven years. It is called Multiple System Atrophy. I promised my brother that I would do what ever I could to help spread the word of this rare illness. I am determined to open your eyes and explain what this illness is all about and how you, each of you can help me to make a difference. With your jotting down important information I am about to give you, you will be able to take it back to your own people and teach what I have taught you. There is a web-site where you will be able to not only donate funds but it will also allow you to set up your own conventions, drawing in more and more people. When I am finished I will spend as much time answering questions that you have for as long as need be. Now let’s begin. Turn off your cell phones, turn your eyes on me and place pens in hands.

 

http://www.multiplesystematrophy.org/