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Shining in 1982

Today should-a, would-a, could-a been our 65th Wedding Anniversary – damn – can’t hide the pain!

You are the wind beneath my wings…

It must have been cold there in my shadow
To never have sunlight on your face
You were content to let me shine, that’s your way
You always walked a step behind

So I was the one with all the glory
While you were the one with all the strength
A beautiful face without a name for so long
A beautiful smile to hide the pain

Did you ever know that you’re my hero
And everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings

It might have appeared to go unnoticed
But I’ve got it all here in my heart
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it
I would be nothing without you

Did you ever know that you’re my hero?
You’re everything I wish I could be
I could fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings

Did I ever tell you you’re my hero?
You’re everything, everything I wish I could be
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings
‘Cause you are the wind beneath my wings

Oh, the wind beneath my wings
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings
Fly, fly, fly away, you let me fly so high
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings

Fly, fly, fly high against the sky
So high I almost touch the sky
Thank you, thank you
Thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings

Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler

Disney World 2005

Damn it, Ma, OCG is closed after 15 years wear and tear on Paul’s heart strings. No idea how unscathed Paul will be after teeth and claws from regulators. They’re scratching and sniffing what’s left to apply ‘the law’. Business as usual for a closed business?

Wish you could commiserate with Paul. The stench of over regulation is going to close the rest of Ma and Pa shops. Go big or go home is how it goes today.

Love you Ma. Wish, oh wish we could play some more…

The Gift of Love – Bette Midler

You ask me what I want.
You ask me what I need.
It’s nothing you can buy.
My heart’s not ruled by greed.
I don’t love a diamond.
Diamond’s you see through.
I want you to hold me.
I want you to be true.

Give me the gift of love.
Look me in the eyes.
Say I’m the one you’re dreamin’ of.
That’d be the best surprise.
Give me the gift of your sweet love
in the light of the day,
in the dark of night.

Like the colors of the sun,
the feelings in your heart.
It’s all I want from you.
And when the sky is dark
I’ll have you beside me.
Who could ask for more?
I’ll just wear a smile
when you walk in the door.

Give me the gift of love.
Look me in the eyes.
Say I’m the one you’re dreamin’ of.
That’d be the best surprise.
Give me the gift of your sweet love
in the light of the day,
in the dark of night.

Give me the gift of love.
Look me in the eyes.
Say I’m the one you’re dreamin’ of.
That’d be the best surprise.
Give me the gift of your sweet love
in the light of the day,
in the dark of night.

Give me the gift of love.
Look me in the eyes.
Say I’m the one.
That’d be the best surprise.
Give me the gift of your sweet love
in the light of the day,
in the dark of night.
Always. Oooooh.

The Gift of Love – Bette Midler

August 1996 PGI Convention

Thousands of fans at Convention, smelling the smoke, watching the skies, and playing in seminars. Every year for ten years or so. In there loving it to the max. Ah love…

So many of us touched by the end of time. Know and love Traci and Smokey for 25 years but Smokey in hospice after a Covid vaccine. Smokey’s Celebration of Life is April 4. Know and love Scott and family for 40 years but Scott is in hospice not surviving from “We can’t do any more for you!”.

Damn it love… death is so… permanent!

Where Do Broken Hearts Go – Whitney Houston

I know it’s been some time
But there’s something on my mind
You see, I haven’t been the same
Since that cold November day
We said we needed space
But all we found was an empty place
And the only things I learned
Is that I need you desperately

So here I am
And can you please tell me, oh

Where do broken hearts go?
Can they find their way home
Back to the open arms
Of a love that’s waiting there?
And if somebody loves you
Won’t they always love you?
I look in your eyes
And I know that you still care, for me (ooh, baby)

I’ve been around enough to know
That dreams don’t turn to gold
And that there is no easy way
No, you just can’t run away
And what we had was so much more
Than we ever had before
And no matter how I try
You’re always on my mind

So here I am
And can you please tell me, oh
Where do broken hearts go?

Can they find their way home
Back to the open arms
Of a love that’s waiting there?
And if somebody loves you
Won’t they always love you?
I look in your eyes
And I know that you still care for me

And now that I am here with you
I’ll never let you go
I look into your eyes
And now I know, now I know

Where do broken hearts go?
Can they find their way home
Back to the open arms
Of a love that’s waiting there?
And if somebody loves you
Won’t they always love you?
I look in your eyes
And I know that you still care

Where do broken hearts go?
Can they find their way home
Back to the open arms
Of a love that’s waiting there?
And if somebody loves you
Won’t they always love you?
I look in your eyes
And I know that you still care for me, for me
You still care for me

Where Do Broken Hearts Go – Whitney Houston

Christmas 1982

Innocent? Yes, relatively speaking. Only a couple years into Colorado after acclimating for a month at the campground then six months on Inspiration then into Five Fountains to settle down. Didn’t move around nearly as much here as we did where we came from. I figure we became less innocent but kept an inner glow because things had a way of working out for us, together.

Any remaining innocence was lost on November 6, 2019 at 1:42am, when the end of time touched my so much better half.

Innocence Lost – Jeff Beal

Christmas 1983

Talk about the future from 1983! How many cats will come and go, how many cars, how many times will we move to touch all our stuff, how much money will slip through our fingers, how many honey-do’s to get to nirvana?

Looking back on 40 years, the last 4 are a blur that needs Ma to fill-in the blanks. I really haven’t stopped obsessing over stuff. Guess I still need the focus to relieve those enduring sore spots. Time has callused some feelings, still some relentless triggers.

The Painter – Cody Johnson

She talks about the future like she’s flippin’ through a magazine
Finds the beauty in the thrown away and broken things
Gets excited about all my crazy dreams

Got every sunset that she’s ever seen memorized
Saves in a way for a rainy day or stormy night
The sky’s brighter lookin’ at it through her eyes

I don’t remember
Life before she came into the picture
Brought the beauty I was missin’ with her
Showed me colors I ain’t never seen
She took chances
With every wall I built, she saw a canvas
I thank God every day for how He made her
My life was black and white but she’s the painter

She reminds me that it ain’t too late to start again
Fine is good but you need some blue every now and then
How’d I live so long without her reckless touch?

I don’t remember
Life before she came into the picture
Brought the beauty I was missin’ with her
Showed me colors I ain’t never seen
She took chances
With every wall I built, she saw a canvas
I thank God every day for how He made her
My life was black and white but she’s the painter

I don’t remember
Life before she came into the picture
Brought the beauty I was missin’ with her
Showed me colors I ain’t never seen
She took chances
With every wall I built, she saw a canvas
I thank God every day for how He made her
My life was black and white but she’s the painter
She’s the painter

The Painter – Cody Johnson

1982 Through Patio Window

Ah Love, visiting with friends we’ve known for 40 years is really wonderful and tough and rewarding and tears at the heart. Look at your smiling chops lit by the glow of sun bursting through your hair. Is that a perm or just natural glowing charm?

Madly – Emily Vaugn

Fell in love in a taxi
We made out in the backseat, yeah
You’re the only one that asked me if
I’ll do anything you ask me, I

Swear that we’ll get it right
If you wonder how I’m feeling
Just know that I’m always on your side

I gave you more, love me, put you above me
I’m happy when you’re happy
I can’t help that I’m madly in love
In love, in love, in love, oh-oh-oh-oh
In love, in love, oh

Yeah, don’t know what I did before you
But I know that I adore you, ah-ah
If you’re wondering if I care, just-
Say the word and I’ll be right there

Yeah, I swear that we’ll get it right
If you wonder how I’m feeling
Just know that I’m always on your side (oh)

I gave you more, love me, put you above me
I’m happy when you’re happy
I can’t help that I’m madly in love
In love, in love, in love, oh-oh
In love, in love, oh

I gave you more, love me, put you above me
I’m happy when you’re happy
I can’t help that I’m madly in love
In love, in love, in love, oh-oh
In love, in love, oh

Madly – Emily Vaugn

September 23, 2005

Love of my life, soul mate, so very grateful to have and to hold for 52 years. Seems like only yesterday’s road trip away but a lifetime away too. Don’t obsess on stuff anymore, just doin’ time. Snowin’ today, Howard Homebody mode.

Remember one of our 47 moves from an upstairs apartment when Ma couldn’t hold the fridge and it chased me. I wore it well… So many of those cherished memories – Love you Ma.

In My Life – Beatles

There are places I’ll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain

All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I’ve loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new

Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more

In my life, I love you more

December 24, 2005

Never can tell when the last night will come. Truth in Adele’s lyrics hurts to the bone. Damn it Love… death is so… permanent…!

All I Ask – Adele

I will leave my heart at the door
I won’t say a word
They’ve all been said before, you know
So why don’t we just play pretend?
Like we’re not scared of what’s coming next
Or scared of having nothing left

Look, don’t get me wrong
I know there is no tomorrow
All I ask is

If this is my last night with you
Hold me like I’m more than just a friend
Give me a memory I can use
Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do
It matters how this ends
‘Cause what if I never love again?

I don’t need your honesty
It’s already in your eyes
And I’m sure my eyes, they speak for me
No one knows me like you do
And since you’re the only one that matters
Tell me who do I run to?

Look, don’t get me wrong
I know there is no tomorrow
All I ask is

If this is my last night with you
Hold me like I’m more than just a friend
Give me a memory I can use
Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do
It matters how this ends
‘Cause what if I never love again?

Let this be our lesson in love
Let this be the way we remember us
I don’t wanna be cruel or vicious
And I ain’t asking for forgiveness
All I ask is

If this is my last night with you
Hold me like I’m more than just a friend
Give me a memory I can use
Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do
It matters how this ends
‘Cause what if I never love again?

https://youtu.be/rRWJcxa6mdo

Wedding Day, April 23, 1969

Fashionably late to the party is Jenf’s motto to make an entrance with all eyes on you. Worth every moment…!

When You Say Nothing at All – Ronan Keating

It’s amazing how you can speak right to my heart

Without saying a word, you can light up the dark

Try as I may, I can never explain
What I hear when you don’t say a thing

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There’s a truth in your eyes saying you’ll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me wherever I fall

You say it best, when you say nothing at all

All day long, I can hear people talking out loud (ooh)

But when you hold me near (you hold me near) you drown out the crowd (out the crowd)
Try as they may, they can never define
What’s being said between your heart and mine

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There’s a truth in your eyes saying you’ll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me wherever I fall
You say it best (you say it best) when you say nothing at all

Oh, the smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There’s a truth in your eyes saying you’ll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me wherever I fall

You say it best (you say it best) when you say nothing at all

That smile on your face (you say it best)
(When you say nothing at all) the truth in your eyes
The touch of your hand lets me know that you need me (you say it best, when you say nothing at all)
(You say it best, when you say nothing at all) nothing at all

December 1982

Ma loves her Boa’s and wore one at the Company Xmas party. Walking in on a big group of co-workers was something to see. All eyes on Jenf and lots of smiles and appreciation to make the party fun. Great big double wide Boa shames those store bought versions. Wish I could remember where we got them. Got my mind on you and a worthy memory it is.

Mind on You – George Birge

Well, baby, you’re a wildfire
That’ll light me up, little out of control
Yeah, you know
Baby, you’re a tall drink, little top shelf that’ll get me going, hold on
We both know that road that we’re goin’ down
And right now, all I can think about

I got my mind on you and you on my mind
Got these four wheels on a two-lane and we cuttin’ through the night
Got you high in my head and your love on my lips
Girl, I’m huggin’ on these curves, like them jeans on your hips
Every time you hop in lookin’ like you do
I got my hands and my eyes and my mind on you
I got my mind on you
I got my mind on you

Slide a little closer, babe
Wanna get your pretty little head on my shoulder and get closer
Girl, you know I love the way
You slip your hand under my shirt, then it’s over, go slower
We both know that road that we’re goin’ down
Right now, all I can think about

I got my mind on you and you on my mind
Got these four wheels on a two-lane and we cuttin’ through the night
Got you high in my head and your love on my lips
Girl, I’m huggin’ on these curves, like them jeans on your hips
Every time you hop in lookin’ like you do
I got my hands and my eyes and my mind on you
I got my mind on you
I got my mind on you, mmh yeah

I got my mind on you and you on my mind
Got these four wheels on a two-lane and we cuttin’ through the night
Got you high in my head and your love on my lips
Girl, I’m huggin’ on these curves, like them jeans on your hips
Every time you hop in lookin’ like you do
I got my hands and my eyes and my mind on you
I got my mind on you
I got my mind on you

I got my hands and my eyes and my mind on you
I got my mind on you and you on my mind (I got my mind on you, I got my mind on you)
(I got my hands and my eyes and my mind on you) I got my mind on you, yeah
(Got my mind on you)

Mind on You – George Birge

September 24, 2005

Damn… death is so… permanent…!

Ma and I have gone through another set of tires and need an alignment too. Ma doesn’t like the steering wheel on her Kia because it takes some effort to turn when not moving. Never thought about it when we drove it off the lot. Dad’s Cadillac had effortless steering. We asked sales about it and learned we got a performance package…hmm… The little things you don’t know when buying a car. I like it and see it isn’t effortless but that’s me. Of course, we would have waited for a special order but the test drive went straight from the ready to go position onto the street. Not a trick to hide something, just good Customer service. There’s a wheel alignment place Ma likes to use instead of Firestone or Big O or Tire World or Discount Tire. Learned that place is closed after all these years. Off to HH Tire on 85. They’ve been here since we’ve been here back to 1980. Ah, the good ol’ days – never could see tomorrow…

I can think of younger days when living for my life
Was everything a man could want to do.
I could never see tomorrow, but i was never told about the sorrow.

And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.

I can still feel the breeze that rustles through the trees
And misty memories of days gone by
We could never see tomorrow, no one said a word about the sorrow.

And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
And how can you mend this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.

Bee Gees – How Can You Mend a Broken Heart