Day 2956: Happy Birthday, Uncle Skete!

Uncle Skete, (Russell Shoemaker): old photo and digital.

Want music?

 

Click here for Lionel Richie, Easy.

then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?

"Uncle Skete, photo & digital

When I think of Uncle Skete, I smile. I really do.

His real name was Russel, but I called him Uncle Skete?

He was third born in a family of 10 children.
He began farming as a very young boy. 

His Dad gave him young horses to break and 
use as his own. He drove a horse/buggy 7 miles 
to Lebanon High School each day.

not sure?, Uncle Owen, Uncle Jerry, Uncle Skete, Uncle Pete & Grandpa

5 years older than Aunt Fern, my Mom's eldest sister,

 he was out of high school before Aunt Fern started
.

Uncle Skete, Aunt Fern, Aunt Pauline, Uncle Owen, Aunt Martha, Uncle Jerry & Grandpa

Uncle Skete and Aunt Fern were sweethearts 

for many years before marrying in 1925.

Wedding day, 1925

Aunt Fern finished her first year of teaching 

and they were married the next day.

She went on to be a Principal and poet.

They had a daughter, my cousin, Katha.

There were married over 50 years.

Personally, when I think of Uncle Skete, 

I can hear his laugh as I picture him in his chair ...

after a long day working his farm.

 

( 4 year young WW with Uncle Skete on the farm, 1977)

Special memories of a wonderful man. 

Today is his birthday.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Skete!

Just because ...

(athletic pigeon?)

•  A one-minute+ video, denim ballet, here.

•  A 2-minute+ video, Gangavva, Grandmother/star, here.

•  A 4-minute video, artist creates with her eyes, here.

A smile for Sunday ...

Day 2953: Pardon my sentimentality.

"Brickwall": old photo, collage, acrylic & digital.

Want music?

Click here for Jacob Collier, You Are the Sunshine of My Life.

then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?

Moody today. Not actually moody but sentimental.

Twenty-five years ago my baby and her love

were married. And their love for each other is

even stronger now than those young & restless days. 

And I thought of their engagement dinner. 

 

It was  Erin's 21st birthday, so that was the pretense 

of the lovely dinner at Las Brisas in Laguna Beach.

Bassel invited his parents, Erin's Dad, me, and my Dad. 

We all knew his intent to propose, but Erin did not. 

The restaurant knew as well and gave us a prime table. 

His plan was to propose at the dessert course, but

he was so nervous, he got down on one knee after salads.

The very full restaurant became quiet as if they wanted to

hear as well. There were tears at our table, but also

at nearby tables. It was so sweet and perfect.

When she accepted and he placed the ring, 

the entire restaurant applauded. 

It all comes back to me now, so many years later as

they are dining there this evening.

Pardon my sentimentality.

Just because ...

(Happy) Owl

• A 6-minute video, inside an art journal, here.

•  A 1-1/2 minute video, morning musings, here.

•  A 2-minute video, approaches to journals, here.

A smile for Thursday ...

The two rocks at Ise, known collectively as Meoto Iwa 

(the wedded rocks), represent Izanagi and Izanami, 

the married deities who created Japan and kami, 

according to Shinto mythology. The larger rock, 

about 30 feet tall, embodies Izanagi, the male, 

while the smaller rock, standing around 12 feet, 

is the female Izanami.

Together forever, no matter.


 

Day 2877: At the house on the hill.

"Anybody listening": old photo, collage, color & digital.

Want music?

 

Click here for Playing for Change, What's Going On.

then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?

I am at the house on the hill for four days.

It has been a busy house.

Wednesday Night there was a MLB draft party for Garrett.

Superman and Garrett Mitchell

Best friends, Garrett and GH#2, Jake.

It was quite a party I hear, but today the house is quiet and shiny with just Laker, Zoey, and I. They (8) left in 3 cars for the river 

this morning to celebrate GH#2, Jake's 21st birthday on Saturday.

GH#1(Jordan), GH#3 (Zack), Jason, GH#2 (Jake), Garrett, Chris in AZ.

It's been quiet here, the dogs are napping.

Zoey is getting maternal and likes her babies near.

The white blob was initially a pretty unicorn, months ago.

Zoey destroyed the horn, tail & appendages. 

WW kept repairing it for her and now she has finally 

taken care of it. We all have our own time schedules?

Today's sunset, a little smoggy.

This what it looks like from blog-post central post-sunset.

I am listening to here. My favorite right now, I keep looping it.

At home, I am a night owl, but when I am here I go 

to bed when the dogs are ready, usually around ten.

And then it's up early, maybe a sunrise?

• A three-minute amazing video on Monarch Butterflies, here.

• A 2-minute video on a Dik Dik Antelope baby, here.

• A 3-minute fantastic Singapore Airport video, here.

Smiles for Friday ...