Some ill spirited bumpkin took my sweet LSU flag.

It's a brand new day with endless possibilities to love and laugh.

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.
John Burroughs

Have a nice day friends.

Today

September 21, 1983, my childhood friend and sweetheart died in a motorcycle accident. I will never forget that day. It changed me forever.

It was a very misty, rainy Louisiana morning. The first cool one of the year. I was at LSU, and I can remember walking to class noticing that the rain had stopped, and it was becoming my favorite kind of day. Bluest sky, cool air...the best. I remember seeing my brother Vance and thinking that he was not supposed to be there. He was there to pick me up and bring me home, since Danny had been in a wreck. I did not understand why we weren't just going to the hospital instead of my house. But we did, and when we drove up, I noticed all the cars. So many. When I walked in, everybody was crying and looking at me. I knew.

For the longest time I would go hang out at the cemetery, talking to him. If you've ever done that, you know it's a very quiet empty feeling. A one way conversation. After some time, I decided to take my flowers to the nursing home instead of Danny's grave. I would just pick random rooms to give them to. It seemed more productive.

I know that no matter where they are, his family is thinking the same things that I am. Where they were, how they reacted. I love you, McNemars, all of you. It has been 26 years. Peace, Danny.

My Starry Night

Bradley

Today, 20 years ago at 8:08 am, I became a mother. I remember when they called out the time, I was surprised because that was my birth time as well. I never knew until then how much I could love. I remember looking at him and thinking that I didn't really know him yet, but if anyone comes near him, I may hurt them. That was my first feeling. Protectiveness. It has since become, as I have said before, heart bursting love. I am so proud of my son. He is one of the funniest people I know. He is home with me for now while he is going to school. I am enjoying every minute. I love you, Bradley. My heart literally hurts when I try to put into words how much. Peace and Happiness to you today and forever. My boy.

Tuesday

Hopefully everyone is doing well. My weekend was wonderful, and now I am getting through the week. My cats are, as of today, outside cats. Seems that one of them is feeling the need to mark the territory. Unfortunately, that means my clothes and Evan's. Not a good move on the part of the cats. I think it was Mike. I've always known that he owned me.

Roux, my chocolate lab, decided to take off running yesterday when I let her out. She went across the lake and lingered. This got on my nerves. I had to go and retrieve her. These are times that it is good that I don't have a rifle. I think I could have taken her out with a scope. I don't know how I would have explained it to the kids, but...

So that is it. Animals. (I didn't even mention Russell the ferret or Beauty the bunny).

I am going paint my toenails. How is your week looking? Carole, I will try to be raw sometime this week. Promise. I also put my playlist on shuffle. This is BIG. Very new and exciting on my Porch. That's kinda raw.

My Playlist

Most people probably hit pause on my playlist when they visit (Clyde), but I rather enjoy it. Most of the songs are directly related to events or seasons or people in my life. Some are just funny.(all the Weezer songs!) Shadows and Regrets by Yellowcard reminds me of Andrew along with Troublemaker. The Greatest Man is Evan's (If you don't like it you can shove it, but you don't like it, you love it.), and Bradley is Get Low (no explanation needed if you know Bradley at all!)and Honestly by Zwan. I need to put some Miley on here for Bellie, and Honey likes all of it! There are others. Some do not know that In the Still of the Night is my Mom's favorite. You Belong to Me by Jason Wade will always be from me to my kids. They all mean something...

Assassins

Ok, for the past week or so we have been playing this ridiculously funny game. It is called Assassins and we play with nerf guns. I am dead as a type this, but I feel I should document. In this game, everyone is given a "hit" or someone to shoot with their nerf gun. People do not know who is hunting them. We are all in utter paranoia. There are kids (and some childlike adults) running around trying to off their targets. People have been set up, lied to, chased, stalked, and gunned down. It is hilarious. So that is what's going on here. We never go outside without sending Isabelle and Honey out to check the perimeter. The coast is usually clear, but you never never know. Great times!

Post Game

Above, some studliness: Shaq, Evan, Chase, Robbie, Quinton




Me and my Evan. My hair was a little big. Don't judge. It was humid.

Keystone Varsity Football

These are my boys!! Evan is 1, Wynston 2, Ryan 8, Chase 10, Tyler 67, Robbie 32, Zack 12. There are more, but I can't see the picture while I am typing this, so forgive me if I leave someone out. The only one missing from the pic is Zak Davis. I am so bummed he is injured and not playing this season. The only people that are glad are the other teams. Seriously. That is Zak #9.

Tonight we play our rival Bradford. I love the feeling before any game that there is so much hope that anything can happen!! I hope no one gets hurt, but I hope the hits are hard! Go Keystone!

Oh, and I just noticed Evan's helmet.