What a year 2023 has been by KimB

[Editor's Post}

2023 has been an eventful year for the family and our global family.

The passing of MrsB and the loss felt by all who knew her in life, or knew her from her writings and art works, brings us sorrow. Our sorrow is a reminder of all of the wonderful things she gave us during her lifetime. We mourn for those things that will never come again, but we can rejoice in all that she gave us.

Joy, Happiness and Wonder

A never ending curiosity about the world.

The important things that we keep in our hearts

The global family is also suffering. There are calamities both natural and man made, circling the planet. Some will abate in time, yet worse is to come. The man made suffering is a long term, self-inflicted catastrophe that repeats and repeats and repeats. We seem to be addicted to unnecessary suffering. When we are not miserable enough ourselves, we drag the rest of the global population into our depression, as if having company will mitigate the actions that created it.

There is a capacity for humans to experience hope even in the worst of conditions.

We hope for ...

Whatever we hope for...

Sometimes our hope is for small things that do not really matter within the scope of our lives. Sometimes we hope for big things that will make significant changes in our living situation. We have hopes for others, that their lives will be full of wonder and contentment.

It is our hope that severs us from suffering.

Hope, Suffering and Sorrow are temporary fluctuations in our lives. We know that suffering and sorrow will happen and we build bulwarks against the worst effects with hope. Blocks of hope appear, even when we cannot see or feel them. Hope surrounds us until enough of its aura envelops us, and we can see that hope is everywhere.

Despair cannot exist in the presence of Hope

Hope is not the same thing as Luck. Luck is some external force, sometimes called Randomness, that we invoke as an explanation for things we cannot otherwise account for. It's a factor outside of our control. It's unpredicatable and lacks a defined pattern. It can be either good or bad. It depends on the point of view.

Good Luck occurs when something pleasant happens. Something unexpected but once present is considered a happy event. Since Luck is unpredictable, we imagine that Hope can somehow influence this unpredictable event and we Hope For Good Luck. But Luck does not respond to Hope.

Bad Luck happens when some random, unpredictable event occurs and the outcome is not a happy one. We do many things to avoid Bad Luck but events happen whether we want them or not. But Luck does not respond to Sorrow, Sadness or Despair either.

Hope is not external, it is inside us. We do not have to search the Cosmos for it. It is inside all of us, all the time. It can get buried by sorrow, despair and unhappy events but it is still inside each of us, just waiting for a chance to bubble up again.

Hope is not unrealistic in scope, we know there are limits to the extent of our Hope. The fundamental quality of Hope is internal. It resides in our mind and our feelings. We have control over Hope, and that is not just Luck.

As each of our years pass, we build new hopes. We cherish joy. We celebrate all the happiness of our lives. We marvel at the wonders surrounding us, from the smallest droplet of dew, to the tallest of snow strewn mountains, and to the scampering of scooters as they wait for the walls to warm from the sun's rays.

Is it any Wonder that we have Hope?

MrsB 1922-2023

[Editor's Post]

MrsB passed away on March 6, 2023.

She was a remarkable person, and remained active until shortly before her death, studying chess books, doing art projects, reading, watching her favorite baseball team: The Astros, and keeping up with current events.

She was the last of her immediate family and with her passing, the ending of an era that started with her parents lives in 1900 and continued well past a century later.

US History is cataloged by dates of wars: WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam but her life was dedicated to peace, tolerance, acceptance, equality and social justice. She was not afraid to stand up against what was wrong, and she was not afraid to stand up for what was right.

Her life spanned historic times:

• When wood burning cook stoves meant chopping wood daily, to microwave ovens.
• When ink wells and pen nibs and cursive writing were how letters were written, to electric typewriters, word processors, and when text messages became the method of our times.
• When distance and costs meant travel and communications had limits, when making a long distance call was extraordinarily expensive and you placed your call through an real person operator, to zoom and video conferencing.
• When people thought more of about each other and cared for strangers, a meal ready for anyone to join in, through times of great hunger and deprivation which stalked the USA during the Great Depression and watched its creeping reemergence.
• When society determined your limits, based not on who you were but how you looked, to seeing the possibilities of better futures for everyone, to seeing social barriers lessened, but not eradicated.

She never stopped moving forward, making life better for everyone. Bringing joy where she could and comfort when joy was in short supply. She never stopped hoping for a future where everyone had enough, where there was place for everyone to call home. Where there was education available to anyone who wanted to learn more. Where our human potential could be expressed in its unlimited variations. Where tolerance was no longer needed because we accepted everyone no matter their race, creed, gender, or national origin.

Her legacy are the words and stories in this blog. They catalog not just her life but the lives of all the others who have written stories to share with us.

But her story does not end there.

We are now The Elders and it is our stories that continue the threads started so many years ago. It is our memories of her generation that remain to be told. It is the story of our own lives that remains to be shared. It is the funny times, the sad times, the happy times that are common to all of us. These are the stories that remain to be written.

And so shall the be.

Marion A Bigelow
June 15 1922 - March 6 2023

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 12 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 12

MrsB:

That I always had a lot of friends

KimB:

I am thankful to my Mother for all the things she has done, not just for me but for others too. She shares the family stories and memories and knowledge. Most importantly, she spreads love like thick layers of marmalade on hot buttered toast, each bite a reminder of happy memories, family, friends, relatives and the countless people we encounter in life. Sweet memories, savory memories, sharp and spicey ones, smooth and soothing ones. Memories that "fight back" like peanut butter and the honeyed memories of hugs with all the family around. A banquet of happiness.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 11 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 11

RCane:

Such a wonderful family - able to spend quality time with mom in constant touch with sis.

KimB:

I am thankful for my DirtPile. It is the "crazy business" in my life. It provides a basis for Maybe-Perhaps-Someday dreams. We all need dreams. We all need an anchor, a line, a ship, taking us to something Impossible but full of May Be. Things that May Be are still undetermined, still open to change, still malliable. My DirtPile provides me with the courage to be all of them.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 10 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 10

MrsB:

I had the chance to travel a lot in both the US and in France & Italy.

KimB:

I am thankful for the people that hosted an All Are Welcome Weekly Dinner. The hot food was delicious and the chance to socialize was even better. The many tables were set nicely and a sit down dinner provided. Meeting other people at the tables each week, learning their stories and swapping information of services and programs. The dinner also hosted a Take It All table with fresh vegetables, fruits, snacks and grocery items, filling a dietary place that canned items cannot.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 9 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 9

MrsB:

My children are loving and take interest in my life

KimB:

I am thankful for my friend T and her family, who all share a passion for horses. She keeps me abreast of the latest information from the barns and the horseshows and how our horse-friends are doing. Sometimes I go with her to the barn to help feed the horses. Horses crunching their hay or rattling their grain buckets are like music for my heart.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 8 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 8

RCane:

generally good health and not seeing my obit in the mornings .. lol .. whilst losing folks I know every day .. (time marches on eh? .. sigh ) incredibly I am reaching 77 years of age ..in January!

KimB:

I am thankful for my 3 cats: Othello, Lucky and Bette.

Othello is my alarm clock, he reminds me to get up and FEED ME-NOW!. Othello enjoys his naps on his human pillow, stretching out on my legs.

Bette saves her affection for when I nap or bedtime. At once, she is on the bed and showering me with head bumps and demands for cuddles. She is fond of snuggling under my arm with purrs of happiness.

Lucky, has been an active companion. He follows me around, he sits next to me and watches what I do. He is curious about every thing. He likes to take my pen away when I write, as if saying: ENOUGH of THAT! He makes me laugh as he bounds around the house and when he curls up on the bed with his super long tail wrapped around him.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 7 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 7

MrsB:

Thankful for TV. So I can keep up with politiics and current news and also so I can watch baseball games on the TV

KimB:

I am thankful for my friend A. We have been friends with for a long time. She has been in similar emotional circumstances and provides wonderous and direct insights. She is compassionate and caring. Her outlook and experience shine as a beacon for me. She knows the drill and can open the door for me to see what's possible and what's important. They are not the same. She provides her knowledge freely to help me navigate the rougher parts of the future: helping me Find A Path that works for me.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 6 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 6

MrsB:

Very Very Thank for my two children, a girl and a boy

KimB:

I am thankful for the Pet Food Pantry, that provides a monthly distribution of pet food, which allows me to maintain my 3 cats: Othello, Lucky and Bette. The volunteers that lug the bags of dry food and cases of canned food for the hundreds of people now able to keep their pets with them.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 5 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 5

RCane:

love our pets and animals .. the wildlife and ducks and life in the country

KimB:

I am thankful for my friend O and her family. We have known each other for many years. Her support and wonderous gifts this year have made what is hard, a bit easier. She has been in the same emotional place with members of her family so she knows there are easier paths. None are easy but some are better to tread. Her constant encouragement to Find A Way is invaluable.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 4 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 4

MrsB:

I knew many of the family members on both the Northern and Southern parts of the US

KimB:

I am thankful to my Brother (RCane) for all his kindness and support this year, even at the most difficult times, he was there with encouragment and compassion. His generous spirit reminds me that no matter what our circumstances, we can find something to be cheerful about. And that happiness isn't always in the Having, it is in the Planning and sometimes in the Doing or re-Doing.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 3 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 3

RCane:

having finally learned Facebook.. and it has opened up several lucrative and fun opportunities plus making many new friends, & business contacts

KimB:

I am thankful to my late husband, Allen, for doing all that he did. As I navigate doing everything on my own, I see how he planned for me to take over after his death. There are of course, things I do not know yet, life is complicated. However, there are daily and monthly bills to pay and paperwork to sort out and files to update and tax forms to gather. His foresight makes this easier for me.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 2 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 2

MrsB:

That I had the parents that I had

KimB:

I am thankful that (with encouragment) I am doing what I need to do for my future. That I was able to set aside my pride and shame to stand in line with hundreds of other people, like myself. To receive the bounty of kindness from thousands of others, whom I will never know, who provide food and items for the Food Pantry. Thankful to the many volunteers that donate their time to sort it and pack it for distribution.

12 Nights of Gratefulness Night 1 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these 3 years of COVID19 and Global Difficulties, it is sometimes hard to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things, spread along the 12 Nights of Christmas, that take us from Dec 25th: The First Night of Christmas to Jan 5th: The Twelfth Night.

We hope our joys, both the profound and the mundane, bring kindess and happiness to your lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Night 1

RCane:

having a blast with my big boy toys and rare treasures .. I love treasure hunting ..

KimB:

I am gratful and thankful to my friends and family, who have been extraordinarily kind to me, and especially throughout 2022.

We Voted! by R Cane

We Voted!!

Me and Mum got our ballots marked and mailed.

As Centenarian, Mrs B has voted in many elections and for many candidates. Her achievement is a milestone along the pathways and history of our country.

She recalled the time when she drove Grandfather Abbott to the Drive Thru Voting site to vote when he was 101.

She figures she has a few more rounds of voting to do to match his record.

We all need to remember that:

Voting Is The American Way!

So,

Get Out There and VOTE!

MrsB 100 years old VOTING

12 Days of Gratefulness Day 12 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these many months of COVID19, it is sometimes difficult to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things both the profound and the mundane, hoping some of them might bring joy to your own lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Day 12

MrsB

Seeing the wild ducks as they come daily to eat the bird seed that falls on the ground under the bird feeder

R. Cane

Thankful for getting this far .. with so many helping hands ... and I have high hopes for 2022 cheers to all all around

KimB

Knitting.

A few months ago MrsB finally got me to agree to let her teach me to knit. It's never been a big item on my list of things to do but with so many hours of nothing to fill I agreed to give it a try. She sent me most of her knitting kit to get me started and even some very red yarn. We talked on the phone and I did look-ups on the internet to figure out what I was supposed to do. I am like all beginners and make a mess of my attempts but that's what being a beginner is about: the joy of imperfection. When we talk I can almost sound like I know what it is I'm doing and I can ask better questions now on how to do different techniques.

It's a lot like Latin. Everything has already been translated, so there's no worries you will miss much.

The main risk is that you don't understand the jargon and miss some pointers but asking the same questions over again there are moments of AH HA! when a LED turns on.

I finished my first project: a scarf. What else? I made a long red scarf and Allen dutifully wears it, even if it's not quite right. It's close to right. It's a beginner's scarf.

I am now on my second project: A full size afghan with 6 colors using Intarsia techniques. Does it sound like I know something?

I cherish the chats with Mom and I try to listen carefully to her instructions:

It's all intuitive!

Until the needles fall off...

12 Days of Gratefulness Day 11 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these many months of COVID19, it is sometimes difficult to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things both the profound and the mundane, hoping some of them might bring joy to your own lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Day 11

MrsB

The many friends during my 99 years

KimB

LOTRO - Lord of the Rings Online MMORPG video game.

I've been playing LOTRO since the beta more than a decade ago. The game has changed ownership several times but the story remains the same a JRR Tolkien wrote it. Of course there are many paths across Middle-Earth and that's part of the fun.

During the first part of the COVID19 shutdown they opened all their servers to everyone so they could play for free.

It was a fantastic gesture and gift.

Recently my brother and I have reached the zenith of the books: the Fall of Sauron. Standing with Aragorn as the last of the free peoples are overwhelmed by the hordes pouring out of the Black Gates of Mordor, and engulfing all that stands in the way of their evil master. The deaths of the Lords of Gondor and the Rangers of the North, some who fell at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and the rest in front of the Black Gates.

"No one Is coming" says Aragorn, "but we will stand until the end."

And so shall we stand against the darkness, despair, death and injustice as the ongoing effects of the pandemic play out in real life.

12 Days of Gratefulness Day 10 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these many months of COVID19, it is sometimes difficult to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things both the profound and the mundane, hoping some of them might bring joy to your own lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Day 10

R. Cane

Actually "WON" a computer game ..!? Lol finished primary LOTRO tale after lo these many years ! ..so .. back to square one/ level 1 .. we "rolled new toons" .. following the instructions on package to .. "repeat"!!?? Lol
[Editor's Note: Lord of the Rings OnLine]

KimB

Life Friends.

Life friends are those people who support you mentally and emotionally, providing insight, comfort and warmth just by being there. Sometimes there are long periods of silence between interactions but they are always there for you when you have need. They cannot do much to change your life or circumstances but their support is invaluable.

12 Days of Gratefulness Day 9 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these many months of COVID19, it is sometimes difficult to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things both the profound and the mundane, hoping some of them might bring joy to your own lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Day 9

MrsB

Pleasure and Amusement from watching the interaction between our pet dog and pet cat that are very fond of each other.

KimB

The stores, people and friends who have stayed open and helped out people like us who still shelter in place. The online delivery drivers making the rounds with loaves of bread and milk have made it possible for us to stay safe until the pandemic fades and new vaccines and treatments become available. The big box stores and markets carried the biggest burdens but a small specialty store near us took my grocery list over the phone, provided us with fresh veggies, meats, breads, many specialty items and did trunk drops. Without them, things would have been much bleaker.

I first met them when they opened their small market. Hardly 2 aisles but packed top to bottom with wonderful items. They were gracious to explain what the packages were and importantly how to eat the contents. They had meats, fish, deli - fabulous salamis, milk, yogurt, cheese, breads and incredible chocolates. Before COVID19, when I started to regain my health, I got a bicycle. I would bike to their store and get a few items and carried them home in my back pack.

After the pandemic started, they graciously took my panicked orders over the phone and did a trunk drop. Now when I call in the grocery order, they remind me of things I may have forgotten.

There is a difference between on-line computer nagware-suggestions and humans. One doesn't care if you order or not. The other cares that you have something to eat and enough of it to carry you through until the next order.
[Editor's Note: Ararat Market, Clovis, California]

12 Days of Gratefulness Day 8 by MrsB, RCane, KimB

[Editor's Note]

During these many months of COVID19, it is sometimes difficult to remember that Good Things Still Happen.

We would like share some of our Good Things both the profound and the mundane, hoping some of them might bring joy to your own lives.

Wishing all a happy, fun and safe holiday season.

MrsB, RCane, KimB


Day 8

R. Cane

Glad me n mum and everyone that comes here has gotten covid19 boosters ..AND the Quad flu shot protecting 16 strains of flu !

KimB

Mom.

MrsB never ceases to amaze. Her creativity is unbounded. Her determination to build a better society and a better America for all has lead her life into some interesting corners of history. Her art reflects not only her own experience but is a mirror to the past, present and future. It is an unbroken line marking every aspect of the country and all of it's best parts.

It's a reminder of what we can be, if we chose to be.