(Widows and Widowers)
Well, another Spring is on the way. This Winter reminds me of when I was young in New England. We used to have drifts of snow always blowing and covering up everything. I remember, living in a two-story home, and the drifts were so big they came up to the upstairs bedroom window. We used to take our sleds, which were in the cellar, and bring them to the window, open the window, put sled down on drift, and ride the sled to the yard. We could then dig to front and back doors. What a fun thing to do then.
Now, I am glad to be living in Florida. We have had some 32 degree weather this past Winter. B-r-r-r. The year we moved to Florida in December 1968, the day we were to leave for Florida, we had one of those Winters that drifted badly. We left anyway and got as far as the Delaware Memorial Bridge when the State Troopers told us not to go any further as the bridge was badly iced over. So we slept in the camper we had with us. The next morning, the Troopers said that we would be taking our lives in jeopardy if we continued and tried to go over the bridge. My husband said we would chance it. I was to lead the way in my car, but he cautioned me not to step on brakes as there was a chance of me sliding. In the car with me I had my daughter, Dawn, and our large Collie dog. My husband had three more of our children and 2 cats, while pulling a camper. We proceeded to go across and got across, but when I pulled the car over to the side of the road, my hands would not let go of the steering wheel. We were very fortunate not to have encountered any accidents in our daring adventure. The rest of the trip was uneventful, except the storm followed us to Georgia line.
I hope you all had good health this past year. The drug prices are ridiculous, I have to pay a little less than $500.00 for 5 insulin pens and that is after the Medicare pays their share. I even called Eli Lilly to see if they could help me, but they said no. I found a delicious recipe for Shrimp. My dance group loves it.
ITALIA SHRIMP DISH 1 stick of butter (softened) 1 lemon (sliced and layer it on top of butter) Shrimp is to be added here on top of items above (Shrimp must be de-veined and shelled) Sprinkle over the top dried Italian Seasoning Place in 350 degree oven and bake for 15 minutes.
REFLECTIONS: I had a special, private dream, That was lost out there somewhere in deep waters; I sought it to the end. I guarded my inner feeling carefully, Showing my mask of optimism to the outside world. A sense of imagery made every experience, As though it were engraved on my heart, As a photograph is etched on a negative plate. My grasp on life was made by lunging forward, Taking hold with great tenacity, And refusing to let go. Moonlight and tides governed, My many moods and changing emotions. A vague sense of nameless danger, Lurking in the shadows, Haunted my very being. Many times I sought Peace and Health in retreat and solitude beside the sea. In the search for recognition in the earthly world, I basked in the reflected glory of applause and praise. I patiently gathered emeralds, pearls, and moonstones, carelessly dropped in the sand by others. As I waited for the tides to wash my silver dreams ashore, Was I in reality a Moon Maiden, luminous and shimmering in the moonlight dissertation, hiding powerful emotions behind a bright facade Or just a lovable looney bird?
The dissertation I just gave you is a description of myself. Those of you who know me, know that I am a deep thinker, a dancer, and I love to write and meet people. I have been a member of this organization since the Maxwell House meeting. I enjoyed these and the Chapter meetings, especially when my husband was alive. I am not always able to attend all the meetings like I used to.
Make sure you pray for our troops as I always do. I appreciate the job they are doing and I wish the government could pay them more than they do. They maybe should dock all football players pay in half and give it as pay to our troops. Just a thought!
Again, save your prayers for the service people. If it wasn’t for them, we would be taken over by some foreign government and lose our freedoms.
May God bless you all and may you enjoy good health and happiness.
Respectfully Submitted:
Marilyn “Lynn” Pineau, The Merry Widow
Florida and TORII Chapters