Out of focus, tilted, not properly framed and lacking a story. So what makes it amazing? The tree lives at my sister's house in New Zealand, and I took the photo from my home in San Antonio, Texas in real time. That's amazing! It's the magic of iPad and Facetime. It allows us to share our daily lives while resideing 9.000 miles apart.
You talk about a "golden oldy", this one has seen its golden anniversery, I'm pretty sure. You know the beauty in my lap. Standing behind me is Grandma and sister Susan, who now lives in New Zealand.
I just finished new covers for my deck furniture. What I had was old, pink and pretty worn. With the hand-holding and encouragement, my friend, Carol Johnson, helped me to renew what had become really shabby. I'm proud of myself, and I really thank Carol for all her help.
The highlight of our trip has to be all the family time we enjoyed. We are front row and included in my sister's family portrait. The only one missing is husband Tony who had to be in Christchurch on business. Not only did he miss being in the picture, he didn't get an ice cream cone. Took a long time to cone-up this group, and many gobbled theirs down before others were served.
The lovely lady eating fish and chips with Walt is Helen, my sister's sister-in-law who lives in Whangarei. She graciously invited us up for a tour of the far north of NZ. The highlight has to be the viewing of the great kauri trees in New Zealand's rain forests. Many thanks, Helen, for a wonderful outing and all your hospitality.
Remember the All Black Plane in the photograph a couple of posts back? We got to ride it Monday from Wellington to Auchland! All black leather seats, more room and more luxury. We were thrilled. Then we boarded a 20 passenger prop from the tarmac to Whangarei. How "Casa Blanca" is that!
While in the Auckland airport, this beauty popped in. What a treat to get to see up close and personal, especially after these guys just won the world cup. Just part of the adventure of getting here. Delays and layovers and an unexpected day in Fiji.
The Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery was composed of rolling hills, Fall painted trees and a small lake with a fountain bordered by a memorial to our war heroes replete with flags waving over the edge of the lake. The ceremony took place in a pavilion bordering the same lake. There were two marines at attention, holding the American Flag which was neatly folded. The minister was from Janelle's and Travis church and he was a tall elegant man with snow white hair who had the most wonderful kind expression on his face.
Brother Grey gave a wonderful sermon about the nature of death. He gave the analogy that death was like birth. The baby is content in its mother's womb with all that it needs to survive, but in order to pass into Life it must leave that safe haven. It does so and enters a totally new and better life. So the person dying must leave the safety of this life for a new one that is even better. We are afraid of this passage but it is just as natural as birth and just a normal passage into a new phase of "living". After his sermon, the taps were played and the two marines unfolded the flag and refolded it into a perfect triangle. Then each Marine saluted it in turn and one of the young men went to the family and knelt on one knee. He presented the flag to Travis with the words "On behalf of the President of the United States,the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a grateful nation please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to Country and Corps."
I have been to several military funerals, army, air force, navy and now marine. The ceremony never fails to touch my heart and make me so very proud of our country and the men who defend it. Rocky served in Viet Nam during the Tet Offensive when some of the most brutal fighting took place. He had a wonderful kind heart and loved and admired Herb. Herb had served in the Army ahead of Rock in Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam. They had much in common in their shared feelings about the war and their love of family and country.
We will miss him very much.
His son Travis did a wonderful job of honoring him with such a beautiful service. Present for the service was his son Travis Crofford, ex-wife Janelle Crofford, his sister Judy Hennig, four cousins including us, and a sister in law. Melissa and Mike Catlett.
I was about 6-years-old when I got my first camera...a box Brownie. I've been in love with the camera ever since. Digital set me free because I no longer have to worry about the cost of film and developing. Plus, that delete button gets rid of mistakes instantly. Friends and family have come to expect me to pull out a camera at any time. Friends are polite; family members groan but usually endure. I enjoy.
