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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

25th Anniversary April 23, 1994

Guests on a boat on the way to snorkel at a tourist location.

Nearly 2500 miles of open ocean between California and Maui and we’re going into the water to see the wildlife…hmm…

Almost 20 years since we’ve seen the movie Jaws, knowing the wildlife includes sharks, and we’re determined to play. Ah well, this is the way…

Wish, oh wish we could do it again.

Giving You My Heart Forever – All-4-One

Don’t ask me how it could be
Sometimes it’s hard to believe
That in my lifetime I could find that someone
Who can make me complete

You are the air that I breathe
I’d surely die if you leave
’cause I have never felt this way
’bout any girl like I feel for you
So this is what I’m gonna do

I’m giving you my heart forever
Every beat of my heart says it’s true
I know we’ll always be together forever
You lovin’ me, me lovin’ you
And I’m giving you my heart to you

You are so special to me
Your love is all that I need
And I’m gonna spend the rest of my life
Loving you faithfully

This love I feel is so strong
With you my heart’s found a home
‘Cause no one in this world could ever love me so tenderly
So you can best believe

I’m giving you my heart forever
Every beat of my heart says it’s true
My love for you won’t fade no never
You lovin’ me, me lovin’ you
And I’m giving you my heart to you

And when I’m holding you close to me
I know all of my dreams have come true
Wanna let you know how I feel
Girl my love is for real
And I just wanna give it to you

I’m giving you my heart forever
Every beat of my heart says it’s true
I know we’ll always be together forever
You lovin’ me, me lovin’ you
And I’m giving you my heart to you to you

And when I’m holding you close to me
I know all of my dreams have come true
Wanna let you know how I feel
Girl my love is for real
And I just wanna give it to you

I’m giving you my heart forever
Every beat of my heart says it’s true
My love for you won’t fade no never
You lovin’ me, me lovin’ you
And I’m giving you my heart to you

I’m giving you my heart forever
Every beat of my heart says it’s true
I know we’ll always be together forever
You lovin’ me, me lovin’ you
And I’m giving you my heart to you
To you and I’m giving my heart to you

Giving You My Heart Forever – All-4-One

October 16, 1999

Look at those smiling chops! So very unexpected that my so much better half could ever be touched by the end of time.

Never, saw Ma as ‘old’. Lived with Ma, worked with Ma, loved with Ma, couldn’t do enough time with Ma…!

Next thing you know, doin’ time alone is a thing and life isn’t goin’ as fast as before…

Next Thing You Know – Jordan Davis

You swear that you’re stayin’ single, next thing you know
You meet a girl at a bar and next thing you know
You get her laughin’, it’s 2 AM
You’re tellin’ your buddies three months in
That she ain’t movin’ in, the next thing you know
There’s a U-Haul trailer, next thing you know
Your old apartment is y’all’s new place
There goes the carpet but the deer head stays

Next thing you know
You’re savin’ money like never before
Just to spend it all at a jewelry store
Gettin’ down on one knee on her mama’s porch
Just prayin’ she don’t say, “No”
Next thing you know
Your best man gives a half-drunk speech
And you’re sunburned on a honeymoon beach
And your left hand’s gettin’ used to that ring
And there the next two or three years go
Next thing you know

You weren’t really tryin’, next thing you know
There’s a test on the counter, next thing you know
She’s standin’ there cryin’, noddin’ her head, “Yes”
You’re half excited, half scared to death

‘Cause next thing you know
You’re wearin’ scrubs and a funny white hat
And the doctor’s sayin’, “How you doin’ there, dad?”
And nobody’s ever called you that
And you take the drive home slow
Next thing you know
It’s first steps, first dates, first car
It’s 11:01 wonderin’ where they are
You’re sayin’ that USC’s too far
It’s amazing how fast seventeen years go
Next thing you know
Next thing you know

Next thing you know
You get to know your wife again
And you’re more in love than you’ve ever been
With a lot of years of remember whens
And still some down the road

‘Cause next thing you know
You got a yard full of your kid’s kids
And you take ’em to church, teach ’em to fish
And you tell ’em stories every chance you get
About how fast this life down here can go
Next thing you know
(Next thing you know)
Next thing you know
(Next thing you know)

Next Thing You Know – Jordan Davis

1982

Soulmate 101 – be young at heart and get out often to seek the good ones in your path, whatever…

My so much better half loved her Dad. Wonder if they had this kind of heart-to-heart moment to discuss “boys”…?

Love is Passion – William Parish – Meet Joe Black

Love is passion, obsession, someone you can’t live without. I say, fall head over heels. Find someone you can love like crazy and who will love you the same way back. How do you find them? Well, you forget your head and you listen to your heart. The truth is, there’s no sense living your life without this. To make the journey and not fall deeply in love; well, you haven’t lived a life at all. But you have to try, cause if you haven’t tried, you haven’t lived!

April 23, 1969

Off to San Vicente, Baja California for Honeymoon, driving our 4-door Canary Yellow Toyota packed over the roof with our stuff; somehow, we managed to bring more stuff back than we took. Jenf could always pack the car, having learned how-to on many of her coming-of-age family trips. Federales got a few bucks after they stopped us on the road to ask about our overstuffed car. Jenf had fun with them, Honeymoon and all…

Nothing in San Vicente but chickens, goats and farmers. We’d travel to Ensenada for fun, but we preferred Tijuana. Always managed to get back to our Honeymoon cottage by next day. We loved 12.5 pesos for every dollar back then. Right now, can go and touch the big chess set we got in Tijuana on our Honeymoon. Snoopy on his dog house painting packed in the Xmas stuff for every year display.

John Michael Montgomery’s long story short – I Swear

I see the questions in your eyes
I know what’s weighing on your mind
But you can be sure I know my part
‘Cause I’ll stand beside you through the years

You’ll only cry those happy tears
And though I’ll make mistakes
I’ll never break your heart

I swear
By the moon and stars in the sky
I’ll be there
I swear

Like the shadow that’s by your side
I’ll be there
For better or worse
‘Til death do us part

I’ll love you with every beat of my heart
I swear

I’ll give you everything I can
I’ll build your dreams with these two hands
We’ll hang some memories on the wall
And when there’s silver in your hair

You won’t have to ask if I still care
‘Cause as time turns the page
My love won’t age at all

I swear
By the moon and stars in the sky
I’ll be there
I swear

Like the shadow that’s by your side
I’ll be there
For better or worse
‘Til death do us part
I’ll love you with every beat of my heart
I swear

I swear
By the moon and stars in the sky
I’ll be there
I swear

Like the shadow that’s by your side
I’ll be there
For better or worse
‘Til death do us part

I’ll love you with every beat of my heart
I swear
I swear

I Swear – John Michael Montgomery

Maui April 1994
25th Anniversary

Travel Agent setup on-the-beach cottage for 10 days in Maui. Peaceful flight, got up to the check-in counter, oops, overbooked…

Still, wouldn’t trade the fun we had, not in the room much…

1st day, by the wall overlooking the waves, got hit by a rogue wave to stand there soaked. Learned Hawaiian shirts dry very quickly, by design! Photo of Ma at Luau hosted by the Marriott.

From the Heart touches Another Level

I know you’ve heard these words a hundred other times before
And you’ve been hurt and so your heart has chose to close the door
Love broke your heart and brought you lies
Look in my eyes
You’ll see a love that’s deep and true
Tender and strong and all for you
You can trust this love
Honest, that’s the honest truth.

From the heart
I’m giving you everything, everything
From the heart
I promise you that I’ll be there
I’ll be there to love you
From the soul
I’m showing you all I feel, all I feel is
From the heart, from the heart.

I will protect you and respect you and be all you need
And when you reach for love you’ll only need to reach for me
These arms will never let you down
They’re staying around
I’ll walk with you through every storm
I’ll keep you safe, I’ll keep you warm
And you’ll have no doubt
You’re the one i’m living for

From the heart
I’m giving you everything, everything
From the heart
I promise you that I’ll be there
I’ll be there to love you
From the soul
I’m showing you all I feel, all I feel is
From the heart, from the heart.

I’ll provide the love you need
Just trust my touch
Believe in me
I’ll never make you cry
Giving all I’ve got with all I’ve got inside.

From the heart
I’m giving you everything, everything
From the heart
I promise you that I’ll be there
I’ll be there to love you
From the soul
I’m showing you all I feel, all I feel is
From the heart, from the heart.

From the Heart – Another Level

Lake Shasta, May 1980

Sold our new home after a year and off to Washington State in early May 1980. A night or two in our popup then Mt. St. Helen erupted 5-18-1980…woof… Visited with our buddies a couple days enduring the ash then off we go on a months long spelunking. Arrived in Manitou Springs, CO to stay a month at shaded camp next to Fountain Creek. Gave it our all for the rest of our lives in the neighborhood… until…

The Air That I Breathe – The Hollies

I think I’d pass
Can’t think of anythin’ I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound
Nothing to eat, no books to read

… Making love with you
Has left me peaceful, warm, and tired
What more could I ask
There’s nothing left to be desired
Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
So sleep, silent angel
Go to sleep

… Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe
And to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe
Yes, to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe

… Peace came upon me
And it leaves me weak
So sleep, silent angel
Go to sleep

… Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe
And to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe
Yes, to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe

… Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe
And to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe
Yes, to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe
And to love you

PGI Convention, Potato Field

Got there and found the Convention was on a huge potato farm with thousands of them still on the ground after harvest. What better thing to do than make potato guns. Asked the powers that be, they said ‘Why not!”. Got a sales table in the supplies shed, off to every hardware store to get materials, up that night making kits, sold so, so many over the week. People saying they haven’t had so much fun in a long while. Easily launch a fat one near 100 yards. Cheap hairspray and Coleman flint igniters were in short supply after we bought out the town to make the kits. Jenf in 7th heaven playing with Customers. Ma had a very good time, so we made sure to bring stuff with us to sell in annual Conventions, but not potato guns – they were a one time thing because of Potato Field.

Dream a little dream with you. Woke today remembering a nice visit in a dream. Like water, it slipped away, but felt warm and fuzzy, together again, blink of an eye…

Might get 40 years, not enough, might have to spend some time alone…

Damn, death is so…  permanent…!

If We Were Vampires – Jason Isbell

It’s not the long, flowing dress that you’re in
Or the light coming off of your skin
The fragile heart you protected for so long
Or the mercy in your sense of right and wrong
It’s not your hands searching slow in the dark
Or your nails leaving love’s watermark
It’s not the way you talk me off the roof
Your questions like directions to the truth

It’s knowing that this can’t go on forever
Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone
Maybe we’ll get forty years together
But one day I’ll be gone
Or one day you’ll be gone

If we were vampires and death was a joke
We’d go out on the sidewalk and smoke
And laugh at all the lovers and their plans
I wouldn’t feel the need to hold your hand
Maybe time running out is a gift
I’ll work hard ’til the end of my shift
And give you every second I can find
And hope it isn’t me who’s left behind

It’s knowing that this can’t go on forever
Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone
Maybe we’ll get forty years together
But one day I’ll be gone
Or one day you’ll be gone

It’s knowing that this can’t go on forever
Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone
Maybe we’ll get forty years together
But one day I’ll be gone
One day you’ll be gone

Summer 1982

Bright summer day, sun behind Ma, grabbed the Pentax to snap one through the patio glass. Oh my, just gimme five more minutes…

Not enough, wouldn’t be enough, never get enough, five minutes taken to the depth of infinity still won’t do – damn… death is so… permanent…!

Five More Minutes – Scotty McCreery

Eight years old, couple cane poles sittin’ down by the creek
Lines in the water watchin’ those bobbers, seein’ that red sun sink
Mama’s on the porch yellin’, “Supper’s hot, y’all come and get it”
We yelled, “Five more minutes”

At sixteen it was 12:03 standin’ at her front door
Katie’s dad said midnight, but we needed just a little more
Yellow light flippin’ on and off, interruptin’ that goodnight kissin’
We wanted five more minutes

Time rolls by, the clock don’t stop
I wish I had a few more drops
Of the good stuff, the good times
Oh, but they just keep on flyin’
Right on by, like it ain’t nothin’
I wish I had me a, a pause button
Moments like those, Lord knows I’d hit it
And give myself five more minutes

At eighteen, turned my helmet in and walked to the fifty-yard line
Just the coach and me after we lost eighteen to nine
And I cried, “Man, next time to get in here, I’ll have to buy a ticket
Can’t you give me five more minutes?”

Time rolls by, the clock don’t stop
I wish I had a few more drops
Of the good stuff, the good times
Oh, but they just keep on flyin’
Right on by, like it ain’t nothin’
I wish I had me a, a pause button
Moments like those, Lord knows I’d hit it
And give myself five more minutes

At eighty-six my grandpa said, “There’s angels in the room”
All the family gathered ’round, knew the time was comin’ soon
With so much left to say I prayed, Lord, I ain’t finished
Just give us five more minutes

Time rolls by, the clock don’t stop
I wish I had a few more drops
Of the good stuff, the good times
Oh, but they just keep on flyin’
Right on by, like it ain’t nothin’
I wish I had me a, a pause button
Moments like those, Lord knows I’d hit it
Yeah, sometimes this old life will leave you wishin’
That you had five more minutes

Five more minutes

Birthday 1997

During many of our landscape-rich drives, Ma and I would put on background music. Rarely a lull in our conversation, ever (joyfully), we’d hear a note or two of the music, on occasion. After a few runs through the mountains, we learned one soundtrack would crescendo at just the right moment. Like when we’d just clear the top of the road to see a waterfall, or round a bend to see a golden meadow, or herd of wildlife, or autumn Aspen’s, or a majestic mountain range or awesome water feature. Without fail, the soundtrack from Meet Joe Black would be at the peak of one of its arrangements to match the scenery. Got so we could count on its music to match the “mood”. Got so we looked forward to the coincidence, planned on it, surprisingly inspired by it, made for so many ‘time capsules’ to encourage even more road trips.

Loved to park at the Clinton Gulch Reservoir off Hwy 91 out of Leadville to watch the painters and admire the view, which is on the long-way to Frisco and Dillon Reservoir, another of our favorite spots on the planet near home. Even visited with locals at Clinton Gulch to share our “time away from the grind” – we’re retired – no rush – Ma’s skills make anyone a talk-buddy…!

Meet Joe Black is tear-jerker music… still…

32 minutes from Meet Joe Black Soundtrack

Such a youth…!

Sparkling in the 80’s!

Can’t get enough, didn’t get enough, won’t ever get enough, definitely not enuf, but no end to regrets…

She’s Everything – Brad Paisley

She’s a yellow pair of running shoes
A holey pair of jeans
She looks great in cheap sunglasses
She looks great in anything
She’s, “I want a piece of chocolate”
“Take me to a movie”
She’s, “I can’t find a thing to wear”
Now and then she’s moody
She’s a Saturn with a sunroof
With her brown hair a-blowing
She’s a soft place to land
And a good feeling knowing
She’s a warm conversation
That I wouldn’t miss for nothing
She’s a fighter when she’s mad
And she’s a lover when she’s loving

And she’s everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
I talk about her
I go on and on, and on
‘Cause she’s everything to me

She’s a Saturday out on the town
And a church girl on Sunday
She’s a cross around her neck
And a cuss word ’cause it’s Monday
She’s a bubble bath and candles
Baby, come and kiss me
She’s a one glass of wine
And she’s feeling kinda tipsy
She’s the giver I wish I could be
And the stealer of the covers
She’s a picture in my wallet
Of my unborn children’s mother
She’s the hand that I’m holding
When I’m on my knees and praying
She’s the answer to my prayer
And she’s the song that I’m playing

And she’s everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
I talk about her
I go on and on, and on
‘Cause she’s everything to me

She’s the voice I love to hear
Someday when I’m ninety
She’s that wooden rocking chair
I want rocking right beside me
Every day that passes
I only love her more
Yeah, she’s the one
That I’d lay down my own life for
And she’s everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
She’s everything to me
Yeah, she’s everything to me
Everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
She’s everything to me