Throw Back Thursday: 1973 Titusville Florida

May 1973

Astronaut High School Junior-Senior Prom

This is a scanned image of an old, worn polaroid of your's truly and my first boyfriend, Bill Anderson, in Titusville, Florida. I don't remember the dance but I'm sure it was enjoyable. The early '70s where still a time of innocence for America. It was also a time of fantastic music that still lives on today. Anyway, I remember Bill as a gentle, kind hearted, jolly, generous fellow. The following year we went our separate ways but I always think fondly of our time together. Time has obscured the reasons for the split. We both went on to marry good, loving people and have productive happy lives.

My step-mom, Myra, made the dress. She made almost all my clothes. Myra was so talented, she could have been a professional seamstress. I learned a lot about sewing from her for which I am eternally grateful.

Hope your day is blessed.

What Dreams May Come

It was in the ethereal world of sensations, ideals and memories when I dreamed about her last night.

I was back in the town where I grew up. In the succession of confused, smokey images, I was running from yard to yard yelling her name, “Maxie! Maaaaxxxxiiiiiiieeeee!” Then mumbling in my snarky way, “Where are you you stupid little dog!” Hunting everywhere for my little girl. Getting more and more frantic. A sudden, overpowering fear. Alas, she was nowhere to be found! I lost her. I awoke teary eyed with the realization that she is gone. Never to return to this Earthly plane.

It’s been almost two years since she succumbed to the ravages of Cushings Disease. Why dream about her now? Perhaps it’s because the family is in turmoil. Or because we daily learn that blameless babies are being chopped up and body parts sold with a sanction by the government. Could be the ear infection I have right now. Or how the food prices keep going up, and our tiny annuity keeps going down. It seems to never end. In my heart I must be searching for that little security blanket wrapped in grey fur that would sit in my lap, to make that caused discomfiture go away. That’s what Maxie did. She had that gift. Whenever I felt unhappy, unloved, frightened, or unsettled, she would make the bad evaporate. Her joyful innocence for life brought contentment that would always affect my countenance positively. She was a ray of sunshine on four legs. I really miss fuzzy britches.

Well, because I know that life is important, I must soldier on.  This is not a single human incident embedded in a sea of souls with perfect lives. Everyone has their sack of rocks to carry. It’s time to pick up the pieces, build new memories with The Boys, and strive to be happy.

And just trust God.

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all the earth; make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”

Psalms 98:4

Wordless Wednesday

Antlion (Glenurus gratus)

From Treehouse To Tiny House

Since the advent of Treehouse Masters (Fridays, 10 pm, Animal Planet) about two or three years ago, I have desired a house high above the ground. Hubby and I know how to construct things. We have put in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, telephones, etc. How hard could it be, right? Famous Last Words. But time has been unkind and taken a toll on the frail shells we walk around in. So, with a heavy heart, that idea was laid aside. Now, thanks to watching Tiny House Nation the plan is to take a different tack. As soon as we’re able, a local distributor will supply the tiny pre-constructed building (8' x 16') with a porch and convert it to an extra bedroom with 1/2 bath. The buildings are surprisingly affordable and the manufacturer will finish them nearly anyway one desires. The new 8,000 BTU unit from the Great Air Conditioner Debacle purchased during the 4th of July weekend will be more than ample for comfort. 

Being a nature girl, I might even order the building with two windows placed together to make a small picture window facing the woods. We also plan to complete all our own electrical, plumbing, flooring, walls. It will save money going this route. 

Ok, I admit it, I’m also a bit of a control freak. *grin*

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The concrete block and solids (left) have been purchased to build the footers. This morning we began clearing the area of low limbs (middle & right), and were going to complete it, but the heat and humidity prematurely ran us inside. It is so bad right now I almost succumbed to heat prostration. Good thing there is lots of time.

[click to enlarge]

The inside decorations will be mostly Mason Jars (light fixtures, toothbrush holder, liquid soap holder, etc.) or anything that looks “country”. This is the plan, anyway, but as many know, the best laid plans may go awry.

Then I was racking my brain trying to come with a clever name for the shed. (I have to name everything.) A dear blogging friend came to the rescue! Cattales supplied an appropriate name for the new cabin: The Bird House. Clever, huh?! Why didn’t I think of that.

So that's been our week so far. What have y'all been up to?