The Giant Penny

 In the past blogs I have mentioned how finding a penny reminds me of my son who passed away on October 29, 2016. I have told my penny finding stories and I have blogged about finding the coins but yesterday I had a huge surprise. A friend gave me a sealed envelope and inside there was something heavy. I could not guess what she had purchased for me and as I tore into the envelope, I found a huge penny!

The penny was nice but her written words made me feel so good and here is what it said: I thought of you and your precious son when I found this in a little shop. Her words made my heart skip a beat and brought tears to my eyes at her thoughtful gesture.

All I could say was "thank you for your kindness," and I will forever be grateful at her kind words and gift! 

Sunday morning a few friends and I went out to eat breakfast and one handed me a penny she had found on the ground as she arrived at the restaurant. "Here, your son said to give this to you!"  What can I say, he is even showing up in front of my friends!

"One way a deceased loved one might

send you a sign is by placing a penny 

on the ground in front of you."

From the Internet

Traveling The World

 I visited Ancient Ruins, saw Van Gogh paintings, traveled through Mexico, saw Russian landscapes, viewed different beaches, looked at food from around the world, saw mountains, rivers, farmlands with different crops and many more scenes and never moved from my computer! I was able to travel to different places by assembling jig saw puzzles. Another fun feature is using my own photographs to make a puzzle!

Growing up, jig saw puzzles were something my whole family would do as we gathered around our kitchen table. When I broke my ankle, working jig saw puzzles became my daily fun since I could not do much of anything! And not too long ago, I discovered puzzles on my computer, and I may have become addicted! I have many pictures to choose from and some I buy with points I earn as I finish a picture. There are six levels: 24 pieces (easy), 54 (medium), 96 (hard), 150 (expert), 388 (master), or 600 (grandmaster). Each category has about 15-20 pictures making me feel that I am traveling and seeing many sights. So far, I have done, Madagascar, Machu Picchu, Asia, Wild Animals, winter views, forests, Thanksgiving, fruit, fountains, hot air balloons plus those mentioned in the first paragraph.  As I complete one, another one is unlocked and that in itself gives me a feeling of satisfaction. The winter shots are fun because I am in a warm house working the icy, but beautiful, snow shots. When a picture is completed, a photograph lets me know what it really looks like, and I enjoy looking at the clear and sharp photo.

The puzzles keep my brain searching for color or shapes to complete the picture. I have not attempted the Grandmaster because the Master takes me about three days to complete. 

"Life is like a jig saw puzzle.

You have to see the whole picture,

then put it together, piece by piece."

Terry McMillan

The Sandpits

 In 1946 we drove to a popular place near our home that we called The Sandpits. It was an area of gravel, rocks, sand, and decorative stone. My brother and I liked to run and hide around the huge mountains of gravel. Sometimes, my Mom would pack a lunch and we would have a picnic sitting on the large stones. As I looked through some old pictures I found a picture of my Mom with me and my two brothers. Dad, of course, was behind the camera. 

It's difficult to believe that my Mother was thirty-one years old in the picture, because growing up I never thought about age. All I knew was that she was old since I was only eight years old. My brother was nine and baby David had just been born in 1946. Now that I think about it, I realize she was very young. 

Those were the days when we did everything as a family. Meals, movies, picnics, driving the country roads, parades, working on jigsaw puzzles, visiting relatives, traveling to Denver to see the museums or amusement parks. After graduating from high school, my brother joined a traveling magazine company and left home. Soon after leaving, he joined the Army and was stationed in Germany. I left home after I graduated and moved to Denver to find work. My parents sold the family home and joined me in Denver and we lived together until I got married in 1962. Thinking back, I miss those family together days! Maybe if I had known how lucky I was, I would have enjoyed those days more!

"A person's own family is,

without a doubt, the

greatest wealth that we

will ever possess!"

From the Inernet

Facebook Users Beware

 A friend called me and told me she received a text from me and my message was that she needed to respond right away to receive a Christmas Bonus of  $30,000 as a Christmas bonus. The deadline to collect was fast approaching and I told her I wanted to make sure she did not miss the deadline. 

She responded that she did not know how to maneuver on the phone and was told, "Not to worry, I will take you step by step on how to do it." My friend said she believed it was me because my name had come up and also the name of Young at Heart. She texted that when she got the money, she would give me $5,000. The texter told her, "You are really a nice person." As the texter began giving her instructions on what to do, my friend said that for half an hour they texted each other. Suddenly, a light went on in her brain and she thought, "Nobody is going to give that much money but since she thought the messages were from me, she had believed it. The scammer was very helpful as she told her what to do. Luckily her daughter came in and realized what was happening and told her to stop texting and erase the whole conversation. Her daughter said, "It's a scam!" My friend realized that it surely was a scam and stopped the texting with the scammer.

When she called me and left a message on my phone, I notified Facebook, in case that was where my friend had been spoofed to let them know that I was not sending out any texts and that it was a scam. Hopefully, my Facebook friends will realize it is a hacker/scammer and cut the person off right away. It is disgusting that they have used my name to get to unsuspecting persons.

😖

If it sounds too good to be true,

regardless of who sends you a message, 

it is a hacker/spoofer/scammer trying to fool you. 

Don't respond!

Forgetting Is An Awful Thing

Every time I forget something, be it my car in a parking lot, an item in the house, the time of an appointment or why I entered a room, it makes me nervous for fear that I might be getting some form of dementia. But last night I had a dream about preparing for a celebration in a foreign country. Relatives came from out of town, and I was chosen to hold on to envelopes with money. "We don't need the envelopes now so put them in a safe place." A few days later I was asked for the envelopes. I could not remember where I had put them. I searched in my usual places, wondered if St. Anthony worked in dreams, yet I could not find the envelopes. Imagine how frustrating that would be as I moved, lifted, opened drawers, looked under and over things, and no envelopes could be found. 

Then I woke up. I should have been relieved that it was a dream, and it didn't matter, but the anxious feeling persisted. Even after twenty minutes had passed, I still wondered where I had put those envelopes. My dream had many parts to it with relatives arguing, decorating, flowers, balloons, and searching. But the looking and trying to remember where I had put them took priority in my dream.

Forgetting is a curious matter in real time but more frustrating in a dream. Once I wake up there is no going back to the same dream for the conclusion. Forgetting is an awful thing, especially in a dream!

I looked up the definition of losing something and found a few reasons for the dream. 1) Kick a habit like smoking, over-eating, low self-esteem, or not understanding those around me. 2) Another item listed was when searching for something it can be the first step in transformation. Neither seemed to apply to me but sometimes I wonder about those around me!

The following night I had another dream of looking for a lost key. I don't remember much about it other than it was at St. Rose Residence. (A place where I lived when I moved to Denver in 1956). Why am I dreaming looking for things? The Internet explained that looking for keys signifies fear of losing control, or my position and status in life. I will see what tonight's dream will be and maybe I can figure out why I am dreaming looking for things and I am happy to know it has nothing to do with forgetting or my memory!

"You are never too old

to set another goal

or to dream another dream."

C.S. Lewis

She Loved God and Micky Mouse

 Today I attended a funeral for a young woman who I met through our book club. She seemed younger though I learned that she was sixty-eight-year-old. Driving to Shrine of St. Anne in Arvada, Colorado, I noticed that the parking lot was full of cars. My thought was that it was a fairly big funeral. The open coffin was at the front of the altar and a few persons gave her a teary good-bye. I found out that her son, who leaned over the coffin as he said good-bye to his mother, was her only son.  

The remembrance announcement with titled Going Home... and it listed that Patricia Gloria Gallegos had been born on October 17, 1953 and passed away on December 27, 2021. There were about seventy persons in attendance, but only three book club members. At the entrance of the church there were photographs of her life and I learned that she had been employed by the Air Reserve Personnel Center until she retired in 2012.

The majority of persons were dressed in black and some of the men had turquoise ties. Two relatives did the readings, and one woman gave the eulogy. It was interesting to hear Fr. Sean mention how devoted she had been at St. Anne's. "She seemed to always be content, was willing to help others, had a generous heart, made rosaries, and she always had a smile on her face.  Evidently, she loved Micky Mouse and had many Micky Mouse items in her house." Her son, sitting in the front row, nodded his head when he heard that comment. Before mass, the casket was covered with a black, white and red afghan and some of the squares featured Micky Mouse!

Her sister came up to us and asked how we knew her sibling. She told us that on Sunday, December 26 the whole family was with her. "How we laughed, prayed and enjoyed the day with her and then she was gone on the following day. I thank the Lord that we were able to be with her and enjoy the time before she passed away."

Even though I did not know her well, I am glad I attended her funeral to say final prayers for her and her family as they said good-bye. This poem was in the remembrance card.

Just One Day

If I could come back for just one day

I know exactly what I would say

to my family and friends and those who I love

as a message from God who speaks from above.

I would say it's okay to be sad for awhile

but what I really want most is to see your smile,

and for you go on and live once again,

allowing the Lord to comfort your pain.

I know that you loved me with all your heart

and that none of you wanted for me to depart.

I don't quite understand it myself

but I know you'll get by with a little help. 

Yes, I would say to be sad for a day

and to do what you need to do.

And then lift up your eyes

to the wonder of the skies

and know that I loved you too.

Wanda M. Wolfe

Rest in Peace Sweet Patty.

Chewbacca Is Gone

 I met Chewbacca about 12 years ago when I visited my brother and sister-in-law in Massachusetts in 2010. He had wavy tawny colored fur and I liked him immediately. He was easy to look at plus being a very lovable, friendly Standard Poodle. I remember going with my brother to walk him to a park about a mile away from their home. He loved to romp and play especially when a chocolate-colored lab was at the park. 

When we would sit down for dinner, he stood near my brother waiting for a scrap to be tossed to him. I also remember a couple of cats who liked to hang around when we ate. I remember one dinner when my brother sat and held one of the cats while we ate. My family is a pet loving family and as far as I can remember they have had a dog and a few cats.

This dog was a cuddler. When we relaxed on the couch to watch t.v., he was either at our feet, in my brother's arms and once I saw him try to get into my sister-in-law's lap. He was just too big but he tried anyway! It always amazed me how the cats never bothered him, and I wondered if he thought he was a cat also!

What I remember most about Chewy, as he was called, was his farewell to me. As we were getting my suitcase into the car and we were standing in the kitchen saying good-bye, he stood up on his hind legs, placed his paws on my shoulders, and tucked his head in my neck. He was almost as tall as me when he stood up but a perfect size to say his goodbye.

Speaking with my brother, as he told me of Chewy's last moments, I began to cry. Strange how the heart and mind react without any will of our own. I blubbered something into the phone and realized that my brother was also crying. How difficult it must be for them to lose a faithful companion after fifteen years.

 In my blog dated June 13, 2012, with the title of Dogs In My Life, here is what I wrote:  

Chewbacca: A standard poodle belonging to my brother and sister-in-law. I fell in love with            Chewbacca because it was as if he understood everything. They told me stories of things he does, and I have come to the conclusion that dogs are smart, clever, and understand more than they are given credit. After a visit, I was saying good-bye to Chewbacca and as I got his face in my hands and told him how much I had enjoyed meeting him, he stood up. Standing he was taller than I am, and he gently placed his head on my shoulder. "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." Josh Billings.

On Thursday, January 6, 2022 a good-bye was said to Chewbacca as he crossed the bridge to go to doggie heaven.

Dogs are not our whole life,

but they make our lives whole."

Roger Caras

A Fun Loving Family

 Whenever I visit California and I get a chance to see my son-in-law's family, it is always a fun time. His parents have such a warm way of making me feel at home. They are two people who keep up with world events, authors, plants, food, history, politics, etc. Their kids are also up to date and many times they get into deep conversations making me feel a bit out of sync! The siblings are four brothers and one sister plus their own children. When everyone is present, the house is loaded with laughter, chatter and good food. When the weather is nice, we congregate out in their lovely patio. This year we were indoors because it was cool, on the verge of being cold!

Christmas day we were all in the house but front and back doors were open to keep the air circulating to try and keep Covid germs, if any, moving around. We did not wear masks, yet the worry is still there because the father is 95 and the mother is 93. I enjoy seeing all of them and yesterday one of the sons made corn chowder (which I did not taste but remarks were that it was very good) and roast beef by another son. The meat was tender and tasty with two kinds of horseradish to put on it. Many side dishes: cheese, salami, crackers, cooked carrots, pear salad, Chex mix, buns, stuffed sweet peppers, and cannoli's, pecan pie, chocolate chip cookies for dessert and everything tasted great!

The latest great-grandchild is about one year old and a highlight of the gathering. He is friendly and cheerful and has the cutest little face that I could look at him all day long! 

There was an exchange of gifts but not how I remembered in the past. A flurry of people receiving gift and opening them. The parents enjoyed giving books so there was always discussion about the stories or authors. This year, since many family members were not around, envelopes were handed out to those present, and a few gifts distributed.

Maybe because I have a small family, I love seeing this large family get together. I am thankful that I am included to join the fun when I am in California visiting my family. 

Christmas 2021 was a happy one for me because I was with my two granddaughters, my daughter, son-in-law, my granddaughter's friend and on occasion, three dogs! 

From my happy heart, 

comes a wish that everyone

enjoyed Christmas and I hope 

that the coming year 

will be a great one, 

filled with wonder and joy!

E. Moscoso