MAGIC FOUNDATON and George

This is George Chmiel Jr. (the son of a former co-worker) and he is making a big splash in our little corner of the world. Last year he ran a 155 mile race in the Sahara Desert and this year he is running 155 miles in the outback of Austrailia. He runs for Luci (the daughter of a friend) who has a disease that has a long name that I can't say (see www.LuciAndGeorge.com). This site will give you info that will lead to other sites. There is also a FB site that can be accessed. This young man is an inspiration to a lot of people and I encourage any and all who may either intentionally or accidentally read my blog to follow his adventures and to donate to his cause if so inclined.

In last year's race he came in first in his age bracket, was the first American to cross the finish line and was fifth over all . Quite an accomplishment. The Aussie run starts on 4/25/10 and is going to be a grueling race. It is going to take him 60 hours to travel to the start of the race and eight days to run it. Say a prayer for him and if you manage to find your way to the www. site send a few encouraging words.

A Tribute to my Friend

George Davis was one of the three muskateers. There was him, Bill Sims and my Paul. Their favorite place to hang out was the mechanic shop down at the corner. This friendship started in 1986 when we moved to Carroll County and grew into a "family". Bill is the only one left. George died on Easter morning. It is a big loss, he was one of the good guys. He had some medical issues that were starting to wear him down and then the final blow was dealt.

He found out about two months ago that he had cancer. He had enough time to go through two bouts of chemo and one bout of radiation, none of which worked. He was tired and in a lot of pain at the end but he is now at peace. Someone told me today that he is in heaven with Paul and they are sitting around having a cold beer. I can picture them doing exactly that.

The three muskateers - they were quite a group. Theirs was the kind of friendship that is hard to find. If one needed help the other two were there no questions asked. George and his significant other, Joan, became my friends as well.

George was my "oyster stew" buddy. I have a family tradition of making oyster stew every Christmas Eve (been a tradition with me since before I can remember); however, neither Paul nor Terry liked oyster stew I needed someone to help me eat it every year. So on Christmas Eve I made it and on Christmas Day I would take a big jar of it over to George. Now I have to find someone else to share my oyster stew with - it's not the same unless you have someone to share it with. He has been sharing with me for 23 years - I have lost a good friend.

I have but one regret - I was not as good a friend to George as Paul was. I should have visited him more often after Paul died, but I didn't. George and Joan were in my thoughts a lot over the years, but it was Christmas Day before I would actually see them.

George's "gathering" is Wednesday. Terry and I will be going to pay our last respects. Bill will be there - the only muskateer left. Joanie and I will have to represent the other two members of the group. It is sad saying good-bye for the last time.

Waxing Poetic

I woke up yesterday morning to the sounds of birds gossiping about what the day is going to be like, even included the "honking" of a solitary Canadian goose flying overhead. My wind chimes were doing their thing as well. The sun was shining brightly and there was a cloudless blue sky peeking through the trees.

This morning was a repeat of yesterday, but a woodpecker added his "rata tat tat" to the mix and the trees in my backyard are displaying signs of new beginnings. Won't be long and allergy season will be upon us.

I had all sorts of descriptive words running through my brain to describe the life that is abundant outside my bedroom window, but in a senior moment when I sat down to type everything just flew away - my mind went blank. Such is my life - if I don't write things down right away they slip away into the abyss of my mind never to see the light of day.

I have been listening to the sounds of my neighborhood - kids playing, someone mowing their lawn, the guy up the street "playing" with his hot rod with no muffler - can be annoying at times - and the traffic going up and down the street.

I also sit here and contemplate all of the work that needs to be done in the yard to repair the damages caused by the blizzards of 2010. It is going to take longer than I thought to get this done because the person who takes care of my lawn had to have surgery a couple of weeks ago. He is going to have to heal before he starts all of the work. At least this is going to give me time to save up more money, but it is also going to give me longer to look at the mess. "Patience Vicki" is what I keep telling myself. Good things come to those that wait.

Looking out the window now it is hard to imagine that just a few short weeks ago we were up to our bottoms in snow and really cold temps, only to be followed by more rain than what we knew what to do with. Mother Nature knew though - things are greening up nicely and it won't be long before the grass will need to be mowed and this years crop of dandelions will be blooming away. Ah the joys of spring, summer and fall - I will enjoy they all immensely.

A Gentle Reminder

I was directed to the blog called Lifespetals Photography (see link listed at the right), which belongs to a former schoolmate of mine who is a genius when it comes to using his camera to capture life's smallest beauties and make them grand and glorious. I never knew that the desert of Arizona could produce such beauty. He also does weddings and posts a lot of pictures of his family and friends, all of which are beautifully done.

I live vicariously through his work. I can point and shoot with a small digital camera but I do not produce the quality pictures that he does. Looking at his work makes my day. It brings a quiet joy to what is sometimes a grey and colorless view of the world. It helps me to keep my faith and convinces me that the simplest things in life (i.e. spring flowers growing with wild abandon or the fact that there is beauty in even the most formidable of plants like the cactus) should not be overlooked and can be so awe inspiring. God works in mysterious ways every day and his pictures prove that each and every time I look at them.

I thank him for sharing his talents and bringing my sometimes colorless existence back into focus and letting me know that no matter how bleak things can look at times there is always beauty to be found.

A Milestone

Went to a 20th Anniversary Party for a former co-worker today. It was a very nice luncheon held at Snyders, a restaurant on Nursery Lane, just off the beltway. The food and company were excellent as per usual. This is the same place that I had my retirement party.

The honoree's name was Charles Smith III and he has been with the government for 20 years with 18 to go before he can retire. He is a super cool guy that was a big help to me when I was still working. I almost missed everything; however, because I was forgotten about. It was just by dumb luck that I found out about the party and called to give "what for" to the person planning it. I had my name added to the guest list and I was glad to be able to help him celebrate this milestone in his career. I had a chance to give him a hug and to tell him that he will be able to retire before he knows it. Time will fly by for him.

At this point in his career he is the office photographer (also does photography on the side) and an Elder in his church. He is a true Christian and lives his life as such. He has been a friend to those in need and it was an honor to attend his party and to help him celebrate his 20th.