When I was a child I was raised by my Grandmother who always had a lot to say. I believe most of these to be original thoughts simply because no one else would have the nerve to say them, but some of her words of wisdom you may have heard before. When I was in first grade I won a spelling contest and the nun in charge of it offered me bubblegum as a prize- I was forced to refuse it with my Gram's advice that only whore's chew gum. Needless to say that did not make me very popular with the nuns or any of my gum chewing classmates. But that was not the only reason I didn't have any friends in grammar school- my Gram's insistence of placing cut up onions in my socks and forcing me to wear them overnight at the first sign of a sniffle didn't help either. But when I woke up in the morning my feet may have smelled but those onions were black so they must have drawn the toxins out of my body. Her idea of making me wear herbal poultices under my clothes to ward away colds and flu didn't exactly help either but I did develop breasts rather early so there was that benefit! When I was ready to start dating she had some really helpful advice about men- forget the size of their hands or feet it was big nose equals big hose- I never thought to ask her how she knew. And when my husband and I were about to get engaged her advice was make sure that it fits where it hits- which actually was helpful as my husband and I had a very satisfying love life for over thirty years until he passed away. And for those of us who tend to speak before we think there was always- make sure that your words are sweet you never know when you may have to eat them. I always liked it when she said you are born with the face that God gives you but by the time you are forty you have the face you deserve- can't you just feel everyone rushing to the mirror about now? And my personal reason not to worry too much about dieting after the age of sixty- at a certain age a woman has to choose between her face and her ass. So carrying a little more junk in the trunk prevents wrinkles- what a great excuse for that next croissant!

I have been thinking about love a lot lately because of Valentine's Day. I remember when my husband and I fell in love and it was all so desperate and overwhelming. He told me that he could not breathe unless he was near me and he felt so overwhelmed by our love that he thought he would die. It's strange because I had those feelings when he was dying- it is like life and love had come full circle for us. I guess it is that way for everyone so don't waste a minute.

it is really going !

OMG- just when you think life doesn't hold any more surprises for you - stuff happens ! I was just contacted yesterday by the three daughters from my Dad's second marriage. They found me on Facebook after looking for me for several years. They want us to become acquainted and they think of me as their long lost older sister. I was a teenager when they were young and didn't have much contact with them and after our father died- none at all. But just when I was bemoaning the fact that I am not physically related to anyone in the world - here they are! So as long as they don't want a kidney or something- I am not alone anymore. I will keep you posted !

and goes

I have this theory that we are all connected in some universal way and just to prove my point- I received a letter from the Da Vinci League which is the oldest art alliance in the United States and where my late husband Doug was a member. They will be presenting an Annual Doug Kelly Award and they have invited me to present the first award this year. It will be given to a deserving artist who needs some financial assistance to continue their artwork. So in a way my husband still goes on and he helps some talented young artist achieve their dream just like he achieved his before he died. He would be so thrilled and so am I!

and goes

I have not been blogging lately because I have put myself in therapy. It has been a big help for me and has given me much to think about. I have been beating myself up with questions that there are no answers to so I have decided to give myself a break and dwell on the future instead of the past - and I am sure that is a whole new drama. So I will be back on a regular basis for those who are interested.

AND GOES

Does anyone out there visit chat rooms? I tried to go into one the other day but I was so overwhelmed by everyone talking at once that I gave up. Is there a secret for dealing with these things or am I just too old to learn? Someone out there send me some suggestions .

I just read something that said that the person dies but the relationship doesn't- how true is that. I guess that is why the loss of a loved one is so painful- you can't let the emotional ties that you have go. But the person that you love is gone so there is no where for those feelings to go.