Give Thanks...Being Able To Support My Sister, One More Time

 Tomorrow we'll gather to remember my sister, her life, and try, albeit, unsuccessfully to express what she means to us. Growing up I attended scores of funerals--that happens when your oldest aunts and uncles were born before the First World War. I attended as a child, but they didn't have a lot of personal meaning for me. Many of the people I hardly knew.

Naturally, as I've gotten older, funerals mean more to me, and the older I get, the tougher they become. Tomorrow, I'm entering uncharted waters. I've said "goodbye" to both parents, and a few cousins...never to a sibling.

My sister's funeral is tomorrow, 2pm (viewing 12:45 - 1:45pm) at the Farmington Russen Mortuary. If you want to attend, more information can be found on my sister's obituary. You can access it by clicking: HERE.

In twenty-four hours, it'll be over. There will be some comfort in that, but the only comfort that comes after going through something you don't necessarily want to do.

I can't thank everyone enough for the comments and heart-felt condolences from so many of you. So many people reached out, even if it was as simple as an acknowledgement from a social media post. It helped us beyond my ability to say. Please know your prayers and kind words were appreciated. 

It's strange to say I'm grateful for a funeral, because I'm not. I wish we didn't have to go--that it wasn't needed, but I am grateful to have known Tara and to call her my sister. I'm grateful that will be able to gather as a group of family and friends to say goodbye.

A Little Blogging Game I Play...Guess How Many Hits

 When I decided to join the blogging world, I was late to the game. I think the mid-2000s is when blogging hit its stride. Once everyone figured out that literally everyone could write a blog, it exploded and for many, the only people reading their blogs were possibly their mother and other close family members.

But, I started the blog not for fame or to one day be the subject of an Amy Adams - Meryl Streep movie like Julie Powell did in 2005. No, I just wanted to write something every day. And I have. And in a few months my blog'll be ten years old.

Because of the reason I write, getting lots of hits is not my priority. Each night, before I start the next post, I check the previous day's total. Because of how things are set up, the dashboard page shows ZERO hits. When I refresh the page, it gives me an accurate account of how well that particular post did.

I began a little game...Guest How Many Hits the Previous Day's Post Got.

It's not the best game, not exciting or anything. In fact, it's kind of lame, but I enjoy it. And, I must say, I've done pretty good with my guesses. I have hints, of course. If I get a lot of chatter about my post on Facebook, or especially on Twitter, I calculate how many hits the site got. If no one comments, likes, or shares, the number'll be low. Like it was for yesterday's post.

I can usually tell when a post will do well. I do my best work when I focus on others, bring out their good points, highlight their work and accomplishments. It's also safe to say some of my most popular--and meaningful--posts are when I'm honoring someone who has passed on. Maybe those do well because they're the most sincere. I really try and create a worthy tribute to them.

I have some idea of how this post will do--probably about as good as my post from yesterday. And that's okay because today, I wrote something, I blogged, and I gave something for my mother-in-law to read.

I hope everyone out there has had a wonderful day. God bless.

Almost A Week W/O My Computer...How Will I Survive?

I think I knew about the recall months ago. I was bored and I searched “MacBook Recalls” on the Apple site. I entered in my laptop’s serial number and, Bingo—we have a match! Turns out my little computer was eligible for a new battery.

Great, because my battery has been showing signs of age lately. However, since there is opposition in all things, getting a new battery means I had to take in my computer and leave it for a few days.

Bummer.

Especially since I need to post a picture daily and post a daily blog.

I wasn’t completely without options. I could use my wife’s computer, or my son’s or daughter’s. That would mean I’d have to log on to my gmail account on their machines. No, I have an iPad and time. Last night I had to write my first post on the old iPad.

Good thing I had the time.

As much as I love my iPad, trying to type on that thing is less than pleasurable. It’s downright difficult. Tonight, I’m using a little Bluetooth keyboard I bought years ago at our local thrift store. And, I must say, even though it’s small, the individual keys work and it’s making this entry much faster.

When I took in my computer, they asked if I wanted it mailed back to me. I asked how long that would take for me to get it back (because we’re moving soon...). They said Tuesday or Wednesday. Since I live only a mile or so from the store, I asked if I could just come in and pick up my computer when it was done. They said, “Sure, but it will take longer.”

That made no sense. They said if I pick it up, it won’t be done until Friday. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for that, but I don’t what it is.

So far, so good. I’m keeping up on the picture posting and blog writing. But, I’ll be glad when I get back my computer.