The Old Man on August 30th, 2010
Times of fun in sun (yeah right) are nearly over in the fabulous districts of West TN. I know you may have heard many complaints of just how hot it has been (often with a heat index of 110F+) but those days we hope are beyond us.
Fall rituals are to begin soon! The pest control, the yard prep for winter and so on. We can’t forget to winterize our cars unless we plan to spend countless hours wrapped in a blanket on the side of the interstate. I am sure my Fall rituals will be slack and a lot less detailed than in the past. I seem to have lost motivations of doing but my brain still has all the plans in place. The yard has been fairly maintained by myself with the help of family throughout these hot months.
Daniel…… oh that boy! He already has plans to get going on the pest control since the leaves will be falling within the next month. Here in TN it is an absolute must to get treatments done before that point as to keep the insects that feed off the fall foliage at bay. The good news is we have an industrial sprayer and a golf cart to make this a smooth process. Well, at least smoother for Daniel 
I will certainly still be in the shade supervising with my whip in hand.
I still think back to the days of childhood when we had so much more to do in order to prepare for fall. We had the outhouse to re-lime, the crops had to turned at the end of the season….. and this often lead us to the fact that there would be plenty of maintenance to perform on the equipment. Chopping firewood today is no longer an issue. I remember days upon days of doing nothing during the Fall but chopping enough wood to get us through the winter. Thank you to the marvelous inventions of what we consider the small things (Insulation, Central Heat, Non leaky Windows etc.) that make us happier than a pig in a mud hole.
Not that I haven’t been busy already! Daniel and I have spent countless days in the past two weeks sitting in lawn chairs in the shade contemplating all the things we need to prepare to do. I will not promise that we will get up from these red metal chairs and actually get started soon. I figure if I put it off long enough the initiatives of others will make all of this happen while I keep considering the things not done yet! After all! All these things should only take a minute!
The Old Man on July 15th, 2010
As the months pass and my world seems slow it is now that I truly understand the importance of a loving family. Family to me has moved closer to the heart, with each passing day blessings keep coming my way.
Last weekend (and still today) I was blessed to have several of my family members come into town to spend some time with me. I must say they have kept me on my toes and have added many miles to these worn out feet. It is just a wonderful dynamic when we all get together and can plan events and make them happen in a hurry.
My Grandchildren being here makes my heart beat as it hasn’t been able to for 4 months now. Renewed vigor and happiness that has been missing since my wife’s passing is slowly drifting back towards the happy side of the meter. Watching them and talking with them has done much for me that I have been missing. I thank them with all my heart and want them to know just how much their company means to me.
With the house receiving more attention than it has in months it is a welcomed sound. People moving and people stirring keeps the memories alive of the parties and celebrations we had in the past. Travel is on the immediate horizons and many new adventures to be had. I look forward to the continued time I have with my family and am thankful for their support and company.
Take a minute today to let your family now what they mean to you. Be sure and try to commit to plans to see your loved ones that just might need company to keep their spirits high. Remember….. One minute with a loved one in need will provide comfort and love for much longer!
The Old Man on March 9th, 2010
I Love You my Dearest Wife!
It is with great sadness that I announce the very untimely departure of the woman I loved very dearly. Many of my readers know of my great respect, admiration, love, and companionship I held for my wife Lois Glisson. Lois was far more than a wife. She was and still is the world in which my every breath revolves around.
Lois was a very loving and compassionate person. She has always had the ability to overcome anything and everything that may have crossed an intersection of any stage of a project she was working on. She was a veteran of cancer fights and had overcome obstacles brought forth by cancer on several occasions in our lives together. She always maintained a smile and a can do attitude. This was just one of the many beautiful traits that allowed me to adore her every footstep.
In April of 2009 we had received news from her doctors that her newest battle would be one fought but not won. She was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer known as a Klatskins Tumor. We were told then that our expectation should be low and that we would have a battle that would be tough it would also be short.
My Lois not only took the news lightly, she also took it with a smile as an invitation to not only challenge her cancer but to enjoy life to its fullest no matter what stepped into her life’s now fast lane. Lois made available opportunities that would fill our memory buckets with love, fun, and happiness. We took time to travel, visit with family, and even travel and visit with family! I love her for her drive! She made the past year not only memorable and remarkable, but with the battle at full force she still kept my heart filled with love and hope!
Lois has departed my physical life on March 09, 2010 at 3:30 in the morning. This is indeed a very sad and hurtful time in my life. I do still rejoice in the passion and understanding that she will forever be with me spiritually and emotionally. I love my wife every bit today that I did the day we got married well over 30 years ago. I am able to find happiness in my heart knowing that I always did everything possible to insure Lois knew that she was not only loved, but also adored for her strength, courage, and guidance that she provided to everyone she knew.
Lois, though you are missed on this Earth, you will forever be remembered and respected. The love we felt on a yesterday will continue for as long as a today continues to show a new sun and a tonight brings forth a new moon.
Fall rituals are to begin soon! The pest control, the yard prep for winter and so on. We can’t forget to winterize our cars unless we plan to spend countless hours wrapped in a blanket on the side of the interstate. I am sure my Fall rituals will be slack and a lot less detailed than in the past. I seem to have lost motivations of doing but my brain still has all the plans in place. The yard has been fairly maintained by myself with the help of family throughout these hot months.
