Lest We Forget

A life lived

KRISTIN M. (Mullaly) TIMKO
(nee Mullaly), age 40. Loving wife of Christopher; adoring mother of Morgan (18), Kaleigh (15) and Mollie (14); beloved daughter of Rose (nee Pezzulo) and Michael Mullaly; dear sister of Keri Metres (Christopher) and Daniel Mullaly; granddaughter of Vincent and Helen Pezzulo; daughter-in-law of Linda (nee Sherck) and William Timko. Passed away May 20, 2010 after a ten year battle with cancer. Funeral Mass Monday, May 24, St. Mary's Church, (250 Kraft St., Berea) at 10 a.m. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME, 86 ADALBERT ST., BEREA, (ONE BLOCK NORTH OF BAGLEY OFF FRONT ST.), SUNDAY 2-7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 902 Westpoint Pkwy., Westlake, OH 44145.

Kris was my daughter-in-law Traci's friend. A good friend. A dear friend, A friend from school.

Kris and Traci kept in touch for all those years. From 8th or 9th grade in Olmsted Falls. Smiles, weddings, births, tears, laughs. All the things shared that best friends share.

The church was filled with young people supporting Kris's daughters, friends of the family, family and neighbors. A most beautiful service with lots of music and a nice Homily about Kris and Christ. She lived a life that touched so many. She was selfless and did not complain. Even in her own life of pain she took time to think of others in their times of need. I treasure the gift of a lap afghan that she crocheted for Tim when she learned he was going to be in cancer treatment. She said "He will get cold during the treatments". She should know. She entered the Clinic for the umpteenth time to have a new port for chemo installed in her chest. She never left the Clinic.

The thing that touched me the most was looking at the girls, wondering how much life their mother will miss by not being physically here with them. The dates, the tears, the grades, the dances, the colleges, the boys, the weddings, and the births. Looking at Morgan, the eldest, I knew that her prom was only two days after her mom had passed. A prom dress that was purchased by Traci for Morgan was worn to a dance that Kristin never saw on earth, but in heaven...you bet!

My prayers are that the girls will know that Kristin's love will surround them forever.

Amen

The "News" that I wish would go away

Yesterday morning I was watching Channel 8 News in the Morning when I saw a videao of unmentionable cruelty to animals. There was a hidden video camera place at the Conklin Dairy Farm which is located in the Columbus area. The video was recorded by a rescue/humane group and filmed unspeakable cruelty to the cows and calves on this farm.

The image of a young calf being abused by a man who repeatedly stomped it's head onto the floor with his foot a half adozen times, and then walked away and then returned and kicked the calf in it's head again made my stomach wretch. The abuse to the cows was brutal.

All day long the visual came into my mind. Again and again it flashed before my eyes. The video is on the Fox 8 website.

The comment from the Dairy Management was "the offenders will be fired" among other statements.

Fired! They don't need to be fired. The "eye for an eye" applies to this case.

I am not a violent person but I would secretly like to be in the same room with these offenders for just a few minutes. They want to repeatedly punch a cow in her udder, they would not know what hit them!

Five minutes, just five minutes.

What kind of person does that to an animal?

How to "Use your Noodle and Stay on the Ball"!

This weekend I audited a clinic put on by reknowned Arabian Horse Trainer, Tommy Garland, Powhatan, Virginia. His "CPR" for horses clinic teaches horses to become trusting and fearless in a couple of words. Three solid days of intense yet humane training resulted in Maggie Schlunds' filly, Lucious Lorraine becoming a star in the clinic with the help of her trainer, Sarah Vas. Wow! It was a sensational experience and well worth the time and money to attend.

Mr. Garland is a true horseman, kind, gentle and respectful of the animals and their handlers/riders.

It was a awesome experience for this old broad who has become disenchanted and jaded regarding the "training methods" of Arabian/Half Arabian showhorses. I believe the training process now consists of "rumor and lies" "Smoke and Mirrors" and survival of the (not the fittest) horses that submit and lose their will.

Not so with this outstanding "horse-a-tarian"! I developed total respect for this man and his family just seeing him do his "gifts" in those three days. He focuses on "training through respect and trust" not fear and intimidation.

Mr. Garland has a gift, and I wish those who are looking for someone to help them with their horses can have an opportunity to see his "gift" in action.

I am so glad I had an opportunity to interact with his lovely wife Dawn. (behind every successful man . . . . .)

p.s. I have seen him on RFD TV and he looks a lot younger on TV!

Ain't it the truth?

Gentle Thoughts for Today
Birds of a feather flock together . . . and then shit on your car.
A penny saved is a government oversight.
The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
He who hesitates is probably right.
Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are XL.

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble..
Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words 'The' and 'IRS' together it spells 'Theirs...'
Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way.
I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think of Algebra.
You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.
Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.

Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth . . .. . . . . AMEN!
Thanks to Darlene

A "Me" Day!

Well another "Me" day crept up on me yesterday. I had been gone for three days announcing a Horse Show and Tim had left to go to Solon, Ohio then on to Richmond Hts. to pick up a load and deliver to Virginia. It was cool and rainy and I walked over to the barn to feed the horses at 9:30 and walked out of the barn at 1:00. I puttered around with the horses, raked the aisle, and swept out the hay storage room. Got Country Club out, spruced him up some, same to Chief. Those long tails needed a serious brushing, the manes too. I took the broom to cobwebs and swept walls down. I even went into our barn, got the leaf blower and came back to the barn and "blew the remnants of hay and debris off the rubber aisle mats. No phone calls came in and none went out. A quick bite to eat and then I went up to Sarah's and watched her work horses until students started to arrive for lessons. After they all started to tack up and get on, I decided to ride my mare Zana. I haven't ridden since October. Time and energy are not necessarily arriving together these days.

So I rode, cleaned her up, looked at the clock and it was almost 5:30. Just as I was pulling into the garage I got a call from my neighbor. "Are you alone tonight"? Yes I am said I. "Come on over for supper"!

I fed the horses and walked over with Tobey to enjoy Brunswick Stew and salad.

What a good, cold rainy day!

Thought for the day

The Unrecoverable

(1) The stone..........after it's thrown
(2) The word............after it's said
(3) The occasion...... after it's missed
(4) The time............after it has passed
(5) Loved ones..........after they are gone.

Thank you Linda of Louisville

Mother's Day Review

Above: Tim, me and Nathan

Right: Traci, Monica, Elsie and Kerwin

Wow, what a weekend! Sarah, Kevin and Daniel hosted a dinner for me at the Medina Steakhouse on Saturday evening. The menu is massive, the choices multiple, and the food was very, very good. The only incident was when Tim opened the menu, took a glance and said "Holy Sh _ _!" Kevin leaned over and said "just order something you would not have eaten at home". Well, that pretty much covered everything on the menu! It was a delicious meal and I enjoyed Scampi, one of my favorite treats, but only maybe once every other year! The conversation was great and the company even greater!

Next, on Sunday morning we joined Nathan and Traci, Traci's parents, brother and girlfriend, and Monica (Uncle Don's significant other or Aunt Monica to us) for a sumptious brunch at their home. Traci did all of the cooking and the food and the presentation were so beautiful and yummy! I felt very, very blessed and very special! Both sets of children said all the nicest things to me and lots of hugs and kisses came too!

On the way to Traci and Nathan's house, we passed a small church in North Ridgeville that had a lighted sign out front.

Written on the sign was this saying. I thought it was most powerful and memorable.

"The nicest gift a Father can give his children is to love their Mother".

Amen!

"Take Tea and See"!

This morning I was reliving the Bi-Centenniel Mother's Day Tea that was held at the Jilbare Winery, Valley City, Ohio yesterday. The event committee headed by Suzie Neff, and Tea Chair, Missy Krock outdid themselves.

I reminisced about the 1961 "commercial/ad campaign" for drinking tea. I happened to find one of the ads for the Tea campaign online. I remember stressful situations would supposedly be remedied by "taking Tea and seeing".

Well yesterday's event did in fact remedy the stress of the days in the previous week.

Below is a view of the tables that were set by our teacups, teapots, and sugar and creamers that we all brought from home. Dave Gilbert the winery owner was gracious and let us use the facility free of charge, and it is a beautiful setting for any event. He makes wine in the "old bank barn's" lower level and it is delicious! A Heartfelt thanks to Suzie, Missy, Alice, Della and Mary! Great job ladies!

Also, a photo of the charming cupcakes desined by Alice Cottrel's daughter Jeanette (sp?) and another photo of my dear friend Joanne Dushenke, formerly of Lake Buckhorn, her daughter Leslie on the right, daughter Pat on the left, and Leslie's daughter Sarah next to Pat. Mothers and daughters and tea.

What a delightful combination!

Happy Mother's Day to you all!

An old Al Jolson Song!

Yesterday I heard a lover sigh,
Good-bye, oh me oh my.
Seven times he got aboard his train
And seven times he hurried back
To kiss his love again and tell her
Toot-toot Tootsie, goodbye.
Oh no, Tootsie, don't cry.
That choo-choo train that takes me
Away from you, no words can
Tell how sad it makes me.
Kiss me tootsie and then
Do it over again.
Watch for the mail
I'll never fail.If you don't get a letter Then you'll know I'm in jail. Toot-toot Tootsie, good-bye.
Toot-toot Tootsie, good-bye!



I think that is how the song goes. Anyway, I went along with Sarah yesterday travelling to Ravenna to pick up this mare. Her registered name is Watersprite. Sired by the Arabian Stallion Klugman, and out of a Dutch Harness mare, Onita. She is so cute!

She is a chestnut color with no white markings. Tootsie is at Sarah's farm for a 90 day evaluation as to her Saddle Seat/Carriage driving potential.
She walked right into the trailer, traveled quietly like a seasoned traveller, and settled right into her new room and said hello to the neighbors.

Her owner John Hall calls her "Tootsie" and so far, she is one!

This was an email that I opened this morning!

Reasons why I love my mom...

1. She has always stood by whatever decisions I have made about my career in horses.
2. She's always ready to go to a horse show, the tack shop, to see a potential new horse, to or have a party.
3. She's my son's best friend and best influence.
4. She's always ready to do my dishes or clean the lounge so people don't think me slovenly, even though my lack of domestic habits gross her out.
5. She's a dreamer.
6. She knows best and doesn't take any of my sass.
7. After a long hard day, she always has food for me.
8. She makes me laugh.
9. She sacrifices.
10. She knows how to pick up where I leave off.

I know it's not quite mother's day but I was eating my leftovers and thinking of you.
Love you,
Sis


I am speechless!

The Little Engine that Could!

Our friend Mary Kirkman of Louisville, Ky took this photo of Super Saver winning the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

Mary's father was a well known Thoroughbred aficiando, and Mary's first love are the race horses. She is well versed and knowledgable on all things "track".

I don't think Mary has missed a Derby, and she has even crossed the pond to the Dubai Cup.

Watching the race on TV on Saturday was a thrill for me, but I can't even imagine being able to tale a "Photo Finish" like this.

Wow!

The Circle of Life

Two sets of geese took up residence on our road of homes with ponds. One set laid eggs under our big pine tree out by the pond, and when I was mowing last week, I saw evidence of broken egg shells. I don't know if they were consumed by a critter, or if the goslings hatched.

Anyway, one set of geese have babies, and the other set do not.

They are as cute as the dickens! Goose poop be damed, they are so, so cute!