Wrap up of Saturday

9-15-11 late brain
Today it was a cool morning here in Iowa- 41 degrees was the low at my house. It’s that time of year when you don’t know what to wear…… summer dress one day, jeans and hoodie the next day. Hard to believe that Ann and I were sweating on Saturday as we took a bike ride.


Since Greg was out of town for the weekend, I thought it was be a good time to finally make it downtown Des Moines for the Farmer’s Market. First Ann treated me to breakfast at the east side HyVee, her usual hang out on Saturday morning. I must admit I had a good omelet there. We then parked up by the Capitol and rode our bikes down hill to the Farmer’s Market. First we passed the 9-11 flag memorial set up on the side lawn.

Coming back we hung out for a bit in the East Village and then started the ride up the hill. Ann was only riding a no-gear bike she bought at a garage sale, where as I had my 24 speed bike, but rode in low gear so I wouldn't get too far ahead of her..... we were sweating a bit at this point, but it was a lovely day..... and we created a memorable trip. Ann was able to haul our bikes with her Dad's red Jeep which she inherited and loves driving now, I'm sure as a way to still feel close to him.

Later that afternoon was my neighborhood Potluck Party. We had a small group this year with only 10 out the 40 houses represented…. But we had some great food, and fun with those you came. Deb's pouring the wine.

Steve entertained us with his keyboard as usual and the kids had fun playing together. It was a perfect day weather wise, but we noticed it was dark by 8PM so we started clean up by 7:30.

Wednesday GUEST Blog

9-14-11 vacant brain
Ann continues with the story and pictures of her summer "road trip" vacation. Tomorrow I'll tell you about how Ann and I made 9-10 memorable. ~Judy

Family Pictures “Priceless”, New York to New Britain


Leaving NYC was just as nerve wracking as getting into the city and I was relieved that I drove out without hitting something or getting my car dinged up. As I drove along the Hudson River, I thought about the importance of this river over the years and of the “miracle on the Hudson”. This is an amazing photo.

Oh well, next stop, New Britain, CT to see my godfather/Dad’s brother, Uncle Mickey. Oh my, my family tree is a bit bent on Dad’s side and something he never talked about. Dad is the fourth of six children of George and Louisa Aloy Chee You. His three older siblings have passed on and he is survived by his brothers Mickey and Willie of Trinidad. His dad was born in Canton, China and was a shopkeeper. His mom was born in Trinidad and her family is from Venezuela. So on my Dad’s side, I’m Chinese and Spanish. Here’s a picture of an unknown relative and when I look at it, feel proud to be of Chinese heritage.

Throughout Dad’s life, he never talked about his parents, who died before I was born, or how he was raised. All I know is that it was not the best childhood and I’ll leave it at that. Over the years, I’ve kept in contact with Uncle Mickey, visiting him twice and he came to Iowa five years ago. I’m so glad he came as that was the last time Dad saw his brother (2006). Uncle Mickey is 77 years old and still works two part-time jobs, God love him (Dad worked until he was 77). Here’s a picture of Dad and Uncle Mickey in 2006.

I was able to get some history and when the time comes, I will put that to paper. I admire my Dad and Uncle Mickey for working hard and making the best of their lives. I hope I’ll be able to do that. Other than some history, I was able to get the only picture I have of my Dad as a young man. Shucks, no picture of him as a child! So here he is, age 25 in 1956 (before he met my mom). Dang he looks so skinny. I’ll cherish this picture for a very long time.

Here are two other pictures, parents and sister and my parents. How come I don’t remember my Dad looking like this?

This leg of the trip was successful, I got to share my Dad’s last days with Uncle Mickey, he got to pass a long some family information and pictures to me and I felt, well somewhat at peace.

Off to Toronto by way of Upstate New York. Wow, the drive was beautiful, all 500 miles. (1200 + 200 +500). Yikes, call me road warrior!

Chat Later
That Girl, Ann Marie

Sunday Continued

9-13-11 Continued brain



FORGIVENESS…….is something I thought I was good at, and like “to preach” to others…. But I was wrong. Sunday morning as I watched TV and the Ground Zero remembrance, my sadness and memories of 9-11 returned and also my greatest frustrations returned….. my belief that our country totally missed the boat on honoring those who lost their lives on 9-11. In fact, I believe we took their names in vain when our leaders, at that time, took us into a false war on Iraq.

Our country’s knee jerk reaction was vengeance. Terror and hatred was just going to be mirrored back out into the world, and sadly, at a time with great hope and the opportunity to be embraced by the unity and love from each other, and from those around the world, we blew it.

I found myself once again being pissed off, and wondering what our country would be like today if the Iraq war, which bankrupted us morally and financially, had never happened. Some of you know of my opposition stance to all this back in 2002 and 2003 in the months leading up to the invasion of Iraq. This was the start of my walk with peace, and today I still believe I was correct in my predication of doom at this move to war….. but Sunday, I also have come to realize that these negative thoughts (towards Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld) have became a scar on my heart and I too was still in need of the Bible’s lessons on FORGIVENESS after all. This is one of my great challenges today!

Pastor Scott reminded me that FORGIVENESS is a process and he said:

“We can only be FREE when we are forgiving people”

Since Jesus forgave the people who crucified him, ( Luke 23:34)..... Then it is clear that this is what is expected of me, and those to call themselves Christians.

PS: Greg flew out to Ohio this weekend to attend a Browns game with a friend from high school. They lost, but I know he had fun. I love it when he sends peace to me!

Bless your Face.... Peace Out!

My thoughts on Sunday

9-12-11 emotional brain
Sunday turned out to be more of an emotional day than I expected. I woke in the morning to the sound of church bells (typical for that time of day), but I also heard the sound of an Iowa National Guard fighter jet roaring over Des Moines (not typical for a Sunday)…… So I scrambled out of bed to turn on the TV, wondering if another attack on the 10th anniversary of 9-11 had happened.

All I found on the TV was the ceremony from Ground Zero taking place and the reading of names. I had intended not to watch any TV on Sunday, but was drawn in for a time.

Then, in a somber mood, I walked over to church and was greeted by a visual surprise in our fellowship room. The walls where lined with the colorful dresses made by our women for the girls in Africa. This put a smile on my face…… Although I felt bad that my material bought for this project still remains in a sack unsown.

Our church service was powerful, moving and healing. The start was the reading of the “Devotion upon Emergent Occasions” written in 1623 by John Donne.
 http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Meditation_XVII


You might know the famous lines:
“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”


At the closing of our service, we all sang “We Shall Overcome”…… the ending lines:

“We shall live in peace. We shall live in peace. We shall live in peace someday. Oh, deep in my heart I do believe. We shall overcome someday.”

You can’t beat this version done by Bruce Springsteen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plBmwPYIG9g


The middle part of the service was the scripture lessons (Genesis 50: 15-21 and Matthew 18: 21-35)….. and sermon contained reflections on 9-11, and centered around FORGIVENESS…….

Continued tomorrow-

Blue Sky Interrupted

9-9-11 memorial brain

I've been thinking about the 10th Anniversary of 9-11, as I'm sure most people have.... and the news shows are covering the story. BUT I fine myself not really in the mood to do that much deep reflecting on the topic this year..... as I also fine myself loosing interest in writing blog posts lately.

Either I'm worn out, or just tired of talking about myself at this point in time.

So to keep it brief today, I'll share with you here, the Peace Art I made specifically for my peace blog on Sunday. One of the strongest memories for me of 9-11 was that it was such a perfect autumn day with the prettiest blue sky.  I remember walking outside in my back yard after the attacks, and I watched the squirrels for awhile and took a long look upward. I wondered if the squirrels felt the shift in energy that day?.... In varying degrees, life changed for all of us that day, everyone on the planet.

Wednesday GUEST Blog

9-7-11 traveling brain
I'm in Iowa City this week giving training, so happy that Ann send me another of her guest blogs. ~Judy

The Day Before, Remembering September 10, 2001


The world is filled with “if only” when an accident, death or tragedy occurs. I often think about this with my Dad, “what if I had said no to hospital discharge or why didn’t I take him back earlier to the doctor? That got me thinking and I ran across a USA Today article titled “The Day Before” USA Today article by Rick Hampson (published September 11, 2002). Wow, all I can say is wow! God works in mysterious ways, some were saved by an intervention, others had a chance to enjoy their loved ones and others, well one can only imagine. Thank you Judy for posting the article (in abbreviated form).

“The Day Before”
USA Today article by Rick Hampson, September 11, 2002).



For some, Sept. 10 was the last day of an era. For 3,031 people who would be at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on four hijacked airliners the next day, it was the last day of life. The Monday before Sept. 11 was like any other day, and unlike any other. Here is how it went for some.


The sun rises at 6:32 on the East Coast. In New York, the day's high of 86 degrees is recorded at 2 p.m. The Yankees are 13 games ahead of the Red Sox. They play tonight at Yankee Stadium with Roger Clemens going for his 20th win. The day's horoscope for Virgos (born Aug. 23-Sept. 22): "There are major upheavals afoot. ... Even if your life is thrown into turmoil over the next 48 hours, something good will come of it eventually."


A 7-pound abandoned newborn girl, found in Central Park by a homeless man, is in good condition at a hospital. The New York City Opera is preparing for Tuesday night's opening of Wagner's Flying Dutchman. Michael Jackson is playing Madison Square Garden, his first live performance in the continental USA since 1989.


The mayor attends a firehouse rededication in the South Bronx, where the Rev. Mychal Judge, a fire department chaplain, talks about firefighting: "You have no idea when you get on that rig. No matter how big the call, no matter how small, you have no idea what God is calling you to."


On Staten Island, a fire captain named Joe Farrelly understands. He always leaves a love note for his wife when he goes to work. Today he writes: "I can't begin to tell you how much I love you. ... Already I can't wait to come home." Then he heads for a 24-hour shift at his firehouse in lower Manhattan.


Tomorrow, a far more horrible act will destroy entire Trade Center and kill 2,798 in the towers and the jets. A small group of people atop the south tower will escape. But in the north tower, all 1,360 above the 91st floor will die. For them, Sept. 10 is the last time they will ever walk out at closing time, ride home on the train, eat dinner with the family, fight over the remote. It's the last bedtime story, the last kiss good night.


For them, what the world will call "the day before" is the last day. This is how some of them lived it.


It's the first day on the job for insurance disaster specialist Scott Vasel, who is thrilled with the view of the Hudson River from his desk on the 97th floor of the north tower. It's a seemingly lucky day for Greg Clark, who survives layoffs that claim two dozen of his colleagues on the 104th floor. And it's a seemingly unlucky one for Paul Beatini, who has to stay home with his two little girls because his wife has a meeting. This morning, he plays Barbie's bakeshop. Tomorrow morning, he has a meeting on the 105th floor.


Brooke Rosenbaum and Will Raub are both home sick but determined to go in the next day. Rosenbaum, a friend will say, felt that without him, "the whole place would fall apart." Telmo Alvear, a dinnertime waiter at Windows on the World, the restaurant atop the north tower, agrees to cover breakfast the next morning for another waiter. Dorothy Chiarchiaro, who normally works Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in an office down on the 93rd floor, stays home today with her two granddaughters. She'll go in Tuesday instead.


John Cruz, who works on the 101st floor, sets his wedding date: Sept. 21, 2002. Joseph Romagnolo, whose office is four floors above, calls his father to say he's selling his motorcycle — which he loves and his wife hates — and is buying a camper the family can enjoy.


The Last night, the sun sets at 7:06 p.m., but no one sees it in New York City. A thunderstorm dumps .41 of an inch of rain and floods the field at Yankee Stadium.


In Dunellen, N.J., Lydia Bravo, who works on the 94th floor of the north tower, makes Tuscan stew for herself and her husband. In Yonkers, Joanna Vidal is so busy arranging a conference for Tuesday morning at Windows on the World that she eats standing up in her parents' kitchen. Shreyas Ranganath, who's come from India to work on a three-month project on the 97th floor, shares a feast of Indian delicacies with two roommates in Hackensack, N.J., to celebrate the birthday of Krishna, the Hindu god.


Tim Grazioso, who works up on 105th, drives to Clifton, N.J., to take his mother out for a belated 66th birthday dinner. Karen Joyce Klitzman, who works on the same floor, is supposed to have dinner with her mother. But she gets a message saying her mother can't make it, that they'll have to reschedule. In the Bronx, Joe Kelly, who works on the 105th floor of the north tower, has taken his sons, ages 8 and 6, to the Yankees game. The rain has stopped, and they wait to find out if the field is dry enough for play.


Bojan Kostic, who grew up in Belgrade, recites the names of the original 13 states to prepare for his citizenship test. Michael Asher shows his son a picture of an old Jaguar that he wants to rebuild. Martin Lizzul, who always calls his parents Wednesday night to say hello, for some reason calls them tonight. At 8:50 p.m., the Yankees game is canceled, but Kelly's sons are having a good time anyway, feasting on chicken fingers and Coke. In a moment of weakness, Dad buys the older boy a "Boston Sucks" T-shirt. Kelly's happy for a different reason. A week ago, he and his wife learned she's pregnant with their fifth child.


In the Kelly family, Joe takes the photos. As a result, he appeared in only two of the 195 pictures from their vacation at Disney World. But tonight, a family friend snaps a shot of father and sons together. In Verona, N.J., Bill Erwin is just back from Cape Cod with his wife and 2-month-old son. He stays up late, folding two baskets of freshly laundered baby clothes. It's a surprise his wife will discover the next morning as he's en route to his office high in the north tower. Kelly, meanwhile, calls his wife on Long Island to say he and the boys are driving home from the stadium. This is goodbye. She'll be asleep before they get back. The next morning he'll leave to catch the 6:14 from Hicksville to Manhattan before she's awake.


At Windows on the World, Marisa DiNardo Schorpp dances until after midnight at the birthday party she arranged for her mother. Schorpp, a natural gas trader, will be tired the next morning. But she has a meeting at her office two floors below. On Monday Night Football, the Giants-Broncos game ends well after midnight in the East. Some viewers grumble about going to bed late. Tomorrow, some who work at the Trade Center will give thanks for getting in late. The skies clear as a front moves through. Tuesday will be a perfect late summer day.
I’m left speechless, in tears and realizing that my intervention taking Dad home was a blessing. He got to come to my home on March 29, 2011, we had dinner together (rare), watched Dancing With The Stars together then he went off to bed. March 30, 2011 he’s hospitalized and you know the rest of the story. Yes, God works in mysterious ways.

Chat later,
That Girl, Ann Marie

......and Reminder to Fly the Flag on September 11th

Manic Monday

9-5-11 holiday brain
Today, I woke with plenty of hyper energy. I’m not sure why unless it was the fact that I had two relaxing days up in my hometown hanging out with Mom and Dad, and the weather had cooled down 30 degrees. Greg also was able to relax and he was surprised that we didn’t have any thing on a “honey-do” list. So he slept a lot this weekend, probably due to being on so many allergy meds….. Labor Day is when the worst of his allergies hit him hard.

Here I made quiche for us all on Sunday after church.

I did manage to lie in bed for awhile this morning, but my brain started in over drive. I had visions of going down to the kitchen and cooking a big breakfast spread for Greg, just like Ann would do. Then I had visions of starting down in the basement painting project, just like Jean Ann would do. Then I had visions of playing tennis, just like Molly would do. But instead, when Greg left for KC about noon, I headed to my art room. Since it was such a beautiful day out, I moved my paints out into the back yard are garage and “labored” hard at playing with my art.

Here working on project for Westminster art show which will be in January.

I did this for two hours, then managed to force myself to lie in the hammock for 45 minutes, accompanied by the neighbor’s cat, Max.

Then it was off the Ace Hardware; got my car filled with gas; stopped over the Vivian and Clyde’s to deliver some honey from Charles City (they weren’t home)… then ran into Carolyn and visited for a few minutes; meet a new neighbor, Bubba, Chris and Paul’s new cat. By then it was time to pick up Sue at 5:00 for some tennis.

Molly would be proud of us, we managed to play for about 40 minutes and then we decided we needed to eat and ended up at a new restaurant over at Drake University, it’s called Haiku. This is my new favorite place! The BEST crab-rangoon ever!

We had to end the night off with one last trip to Snookie’s Ice Cream shop to celebrate the last day of summer. Boy, if September could be filled with days of this beautiful weather, we all would be so happy, after the hot summer we endured..... we would sure feel blessed.