The Front Porch Swing

[bruceha2000]

I don't even know how to post this. My husband, Doug, committed suicide this morning. I am still in shock. We do not even know why. Please Pray for him and for me. He was my life. I have no way of knowing how I will go on. If someone can contact bee, please PM me for my phone no. Her son was planning on apprenticing with him to be a gunsmith.

No words can suffice Deb. Who knows what stresses he felt were so insurmountable that he couldn't crawl out from under them or what one "last straw" hit him today. I wish you well in your long journey ahead as we all know it won't be easy. Please do what he apparently did not - talk to people who care about you and let them help as much as they can. That means emotionally, physically, financially, logistically. Don't say "I'm OK" if you are not .... and you likely won't be for some time.

Bruce

 

[rrrmamma]

When someone we all care about has had such a horrible shock and loss, it's kind of hard to think of much else. So I hope that a post on a lighter note isn't inappropriate. If it is, I apologize and hope you will forgive me.
Blooie, I do not expect the world to stop for us. This thread and the humor and caring will keep me going for the next few weeks while I process what just happened. The love and prayers you have all offered have helped me through the worst of times. I love you all and appreciate your kind thoughts.

 

[Blooie]

Katie did pretty well through the fireworks last night. She had her foamies in her ears, then her headphones, and took a rolled up towel to put over her headphones for an added layer of protection. She had a great time - she went to Dave Rael's all-town-cookout with her friend SaraGrace. Dave gives every child in attendance a little backpack with fireworks in it, and this was the first year Katie didn't say, "No, thank you." She ran home, dropped off her backpack, then ran back over to Dave's.

Ken and I were sitting in the shade in our yard watching the festivities across the street, and waiting for the traditional "cutting of the birthday cake", which is actually a stack of red, white and blue cupcakes with sparklers on a couple of them. It's wonderful to see - first Dave and his wife Lisa get on the PA and thank everyone for their continued support. Then Dave tells the story of "Old King George" in such a way that you feel like you were there, and it's done in language the kids can enjoy. (My favorite part is when he puts on this thick accent and says, "Drat those pesky colonists - they're going to defeat us and start drinking coffee instead of good British Tea! All those taxes, gone!" At that point the kids all yell back, "Take that, King George!" I giggle every time.) After the sparklers are lit, the kids sing "Happy Birthday" to America. Then the music kicks in and there's dancing until time for the fireworks to start. I mean, this is a BIG deal in Cowley, and the Raels go all out. Not one penny of town money goes into this celebration...I know that now after being on the council. I thought for years that the town helped with the expense, but nope.

The show was amazing, as usual. I'll put that display up against any I've ever seen, and as a Navy wife I've seen 'em all over the country! And this year Katie actually enjoyed most of it - except for the finale, which was beautiful but LOUD! Sitting out in the yard you can feel the concussions in your feet and your chest! Um, Kendra slept through it. She stirred during the finale and whimpered for all of 2 seconds.

Oh, and the chickens slept through it too!

 

[Blooie]

Blooie, I do not expect the world to stop for us. This thread and the humor and caring will keep me going for the next few weeks while I process what just happened. The love and prayers you have all offered have helped me through the worst of times. I love you all and appreciate your kind thoughts.

And we'll be right here for you! Your bucket is safe.

 

[Alice28]

Katie did pretty well through the fireworks last night.  She had her foamies in her ears, then her headphones, and took a rolled up towel to put over her headphones for an added layer of protection.  She had a great time - she went to Dave Rael's all-town-cookout with her friend SaraGrace.  Dave gives every child in attendance a little backpack with fireworks in it, and this was the first year Katie didn't say, "No, thank you."  She ran home, dropped off her backpack, then ran back over to Dave's.

Ken and I were sitting in the shade in our yard watching the festivities across the street, and waiting for the traditional "cutting of the birthday cake", which is actually a stack of red, white and blue cupcakes with sparklers on a couple of them.  It's wonderful to see - first Dave and his wife Lisa get on the PA and thank everyone for their continued support.  Then Dave tells the story of "Old King George" in such a way that you feel like you were there, and it's done in language the kids can enjoy.  (My favorite part is when he puts on this thick accent and says, "Drat those pesky colonists - they're going to defeat us and start drinking coffee instead of good British Tea!  All those taxes, gone!"  At that point the kids all yell back, "Take that, King George!"  I giggle every time.)  After the sparklers are lit, the kids sing "Happy Birthday" to America.  Then the music kicks in and there's dancing until time for the fireworks to start.  I mean, this is a BIG deal in Cowley, and the Raels go all out.  Not one penny of town money goes into this celebration...I know that now after being on the council.  I thought for years that the town helped with the expense, but nope.

The show was amazing, as usual.  I'll put that display up against any I've ever seen, and as a Navy wife I've seen 'em all over the country!  And this year Katie actually enjoyed most of it - except for the finale, which was beautiful but LOUD!  Sitting out in the yard you can feel the concussions in your feet and your chest!  Um, Kendra slept through it. She stirred during the finale and whimpered for all of 2 seconds.   Oh, and the chickens slept through it too!

My son passed out when we came in and slept through most of the fire works too! Sounds like you had a lot of fun.

 

[Blooie]

My son passed out when we came in and slept through most of the fire works too! Sounds like you had a lot of fun.

And you know the best part? We never even had to leave our yard!

 

[Loc20chick]

I don't even know how to post this. My husband, Doug, committed suicide this morning. I am still in shock. We do not even know why. Please Pray for him and for me. He was my life. I have no way of knowing how I will go on. If someone can contact bee, please PM me for my phone no. Her son was planning on apprenticing with him to be a gunsmith.

Praying for you and your family, I don't know what to say. May the good Lord give you strength.

 

[LindaB220]

We had a good day yesterday and today too. Next door neighbors are wealthy (at least family is) and they threw a bash that started at noon. About 25 20 somethings swimming, laughing , loud music. and BBQ. They were having a blast and at 9pm started a full hour or more of fireworks. Aimee gets up at 5am and was not happy but what can you do? They weren't causing trouble, just NOISE. Matt must have known that it would be in issue because he gave SIL a huge platter of grilled deer steak and 4 more frozen pkgs.

Matt is the one that married into the money because he went from great guy to an ***** in no time. We had to drug the dog. 120 lbs of shivering mass at the sound of fireworks.

The rest of the family was a little envious of the party. Not me. That would be he// for me.

Everybody is eating and drinking great and happy happy in their little coop. All 13 of them. I have another 18 SBEL's hatching in another 2 wks and 15 white ply. rocks a week after. Where to put them? I really am going to have to sell the hatchery pullets at POL

 

[Alice28]

Well all, in about an hour I can offer up some out of the oven sheaperds pie. I will warn you, we do are sheaperds pie a bit different! We do organic grass fed beef, cook it and save the juice. Put the beef down, then carrots, broccoli, cabbage and corn, then a layer of cheese. On top we do mashed potatoes, but we do red potatoes and one yam. Mash it all up with the juice from the beef and some from the corn, put in on top, then throw in oven until the edges brown. Super yummy! No gravy

 

[lazy gardener]

Sounds delightful. (Shepherds pie) We got to have a quiet 4th celebration. Kids went camping... in a rain storm. So, hubby and i stayed home alone and made the best of it.

I've never quite understood what all the excitement is around the noise and crowds on the 4th. The lights are pretty for sure, but I'll put them up against the beauty of a summer thunderstorm, or the delicate way perfect rose petals unfurl against each other, and tickle your nose with their scent... or the feel and smell of a wiggly little puppy. Or the downy fuzz on a new born baby's head. Or the soft cheep of contented chicks.