With all the rain that we have had I find  myself staying inside more and watching television.  My front porch is still the place to gather and is well protected from the rain, but the dampness seems to make  my bones hurt. You know what I mean?   {"old age."}

 

The other evening Dave and I watched the Glen Campbell movie about his fight with Alzheimer. This past week we observed the ninth anniversary of the passing of my mother. She suffered with Alzheimer's and subsequently it claimed her after a 10-year battle. Watching the movie brought back such memories of moms valiant fight.  It made me think of things that perhaps I was trying to forget.  The hardest part of all is when you finally accept the fact that this person who gave you life, who rocked you at night, who taught you all the values of life, who cheered you on and comforted you no longer knows who you are.  For so many years when I sat by her bedside, I would look into her eyes and wonder just what she was thinking.   Often I  said that if I ever wrote another book it would be about these eyes. and would be titled "The Eyes Have It." From the moment of birth when the first person we see is our mother, and throughout life, much is said with just our eyes.  She could just look at me and her eyes told me I was out of line or just how proud she was of our accomplishments.

 

There are many diseases that claim our loved ones, but none seem to affect us as much as Alzheimer's. Some  diseases allow our loved ones the privilege of at least having their memory until the end, but not Alzheimer's. And when the end comes we wonder if we told them all that we should have. We get mad because we did not ask them the things that we wanted to know, always thinking that we would have another chance and that chance never came.And then the worst part is that we wrack our brains wondering if we possess that gene and if someday we will contact this disease. You know some say that it is hereditary. I do  not know if I want to know that I am in the early stages. How would this affect my life?  On the anniversary of my mother's death I think and pray for all the families who have been affected by Alzheimer's. I only hope that soon we may  be able to find a cure and I urge each of you to help in any way that you can to speed up the process.

 

We observed the Fourth of July by watching the WDTV fireworks from our usual place, "Starbucks."  Even though it rained they were beautiful.  My favorite two things in the world are fireworks and riding the Merry Go Round  Still a lot of kid in this 75 year old body

 

We visited Dave's son, Dave, in Ohio and spent the Fourth of July morning visiting Marty. Talk about a book, we could surely write a best seller about Marty. A lifetime of experience in just eight months. I miss him so much and especially this time of year when he had his annual Fourth of July party on Moonshine Mountain. There were many celebrations in our area and I  hope that each of you got to enjoy them.

 

This past week I received an email from a lady who is related to the Frattos.  She was seeking some information about our roots in San Giovanni.  When I was trying to answer her I touched something and lost the entire email with her name and address. If she reads this column or if any of her family does please have her contact me again. So sorry.

 

Well I have really good news to report.  The second planting of  my Swiss chard is coming up and looks great.  I must say our garden looks good.  I hope your gardens are doing good.  My friend, Frank Fernandez, told me that they dug up his garlic and it is tied and hung Soon we will be canning for this fall. I did  make a minestra this week with greens I bought in Ohio, but soon I will be making one with my own chard.

 

Dave and I will be having visitors this week from Alabama.  Dave's neice, Nan, her husband Mike and daughter Leila will be here for a few days.  We are planning a trip to Elkins to take a train ride.  I took one a long time ago when my kids were little, but I am looking forward to this one.

 

An update on the prettiest little great grandchild in the world. I got to hold her this past week and she is such a good little girl.  Marty and Cathy are great parents.

 

I hope that all of you will make arrangements to buy tickets to the Vera Bradley Bingo that the PWA is sponsoring on July 26 at the VFW. The tickets are $20.00 to win a purse that is filled with great gifts.  One purse will have a $100 gift certificate from Wonder Bar, another will have a $50. gift certificate to WV gift shops and we will be awarding a free airline ticket on Allegiant to Myrtle Beach..   There are many other great prizes all for the cost of just $20. Get your ticket by calling me at 304 842 2662 or the PWA at 304 6214 6881.

 

Remember summer is the time to enjoy yourself and the great weather.  If you are going on vacation please be careful and drive safely.  Take care and until next week "Now You Have Heard It Through The grapevine.