April 22, 2012
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Just A Few Words About Tara And Some Other Stuff
TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM
First, I want to talk about Tara. I find it hard to catch my breath every time I think about what she must be feeling. She has a very tender and generous heart. I don't know anyone who is so loving and giving of herself. No matter how busy she is, she can always find time for others in need. I think most of her children have inherited this trait. I know Kevin did. Tara depended on him many times. That was because he also was generous of spirit. He wasn't one of those kids that gave you a hard time about anything. If you needed his help, he was right there, ready and willing. I know he got that from his mother.
Tara was wonderful with me when I was in the hospital. She never missed a day of coming to spend time with me. I told her I knew her family needed her but she would laugh and say she needed the rest.
In that, she reminded me of my sister, Cee. Cee is her mother. I would never have believed that she carried this trait from the kid she was when we were young. However, it may have been that she suffered somewhat from being ignored since she was just one of seven children. But she does have the same generous heart, patience and loving spirit as her daughter. I wish *I* had inherited that. I do what I can but I doubt anyone sees me the same way. I know that Tara has a strong belief in God and that will help sustain her during this time. Like me, she sees that Kevin has joined with our Heavenly Father and is an angel. He could be nothing else except, perhaps, a guardian angel for some fortunate child or even his family. He had too good a heart to be anything less.
On to mundane things. The Beast has been working on putting that Thompsons wood stain and sealer on the deck. It looks wonderful so far. He says he's going to put some Spar varnish on it after he's finished and that will be a pain in the ass. It takes a couple days to totally dry so that means letting Baron out front to do his *duty*. We have to be outside for that because he will run off if there is another dog out running around. Unfortunately, we have a few neighbors who just let their dogs run outside without any guidance. We've never done that with Baron. He's too scary in size for anyone that doesn't know him. We don't want him shot by someone who hasn't a clue.
We also decided to plant some potatoes. I watched a program on it and saw how many potatoes were able to be harvested in a space about 5X6 feet. Since they're not harvested until fall, we will be able to put them in a net bag and hang them in the garage or the shed. The fact that we will have to put hay over the soil once the plant tops are about 1-1/2 ft. tall (potatoes must grow in the dark) was the interesting part. The hay keeps the sun from reaching the soil. Now I know why we never got any sweet potatoes. There truly are things you can learn on TV.
When the Beast found out our kids are coming for the memorial service for Kevin, he suddenly saw the need for straightening up the cottage. We have a semi-bedroom section set up in there with a king size bed and our one son and his wife can sleep out there. They will at least have privacy. It has light and both heat and air conditioning so it's not like being put into a closet or anything. The cottage is a large one which is why I seldom call it a shed. When does a shed have a porch or several large windows? Even the door has glass in it and looks like one for a house. It's very confusing but the Beast has put up insulation and is trying to get all the paneling up and done. So, what would YOU call it? The only things missing are water, a toilet and a shower area. I laughed and bought a solar shower to use if we should ever need it.
I've been getting the guest room ready. Since Chewlee and I slept on the bed twice now, I thought I should have fresh sheets and blankets on it. I'm so glad that I am a blanket/quilt freak because I will at least have enough for everyone to cover up. It makes me laugh because I have given away a lot of the ones I had. I wasn't really sure of what I had left. When I checked, I thought...*Okkkkkkkkkkkkkkk. I think that will handle it.*
Love you all. It's been chilly here and I turned on my baseboard heater to warm up my computer room today. The high was only about 60 but it's going to be around 40 for our low tonight. The heater stays ON. Be good. Be careful when driving. Say a little prayer for Tara and her children. They need some healing prayers for their broken hearts.
