The death of our family cat

Murphy was just a little black kitten when I rescued him from a church parking lot in Fort Worth where boys were shooting BB guns at him. I picked him up and brought him home that night and he had been with us for the next 17 years. He moved with us to Dallas and then moved with us back to Fort Worth. He's seen several dogs come and go and was there when Gus joined the Gilbert household in 1996. He and Gus were pals and would often lay next to each other. The latest addition of Charlie and Lucy added to his list of pets to endure. They would try to play but Murphy had no use for these two dogs.

He usually slept on my head and would spend most of his days sleeping on the back of the sofa. He would meow loudly in the morning until he was fed. In the last few weeks, he had lost weight and would just sleep all day and night in odd places. We said goodbye to him last week when he died during the night. Charlie was so sweet with him in those last few days. He became his guardian - laying near him, following him around and watching over him. The other animals knew something was wrong with Murphy and sensed that he was sick. It was so touching to see them care for each other.

A Few Days at the River

It's hard to believe that it was just a week ago that I was in Richmond for a visit. As a part of that visit, Mary Beth and I went to our family cottage at the "rivah" as they say. This cottage is on the Rappahannock River at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. My grandparents bought the cottage the year I was born and I spent my 1st summer at the rivah. My family enjoyed spending summer vacations here along with the larger extended families. There were holiday weekends that this little place slept 15-16 people, wall to wall beds. There are such fond memories of time spent with family in this place. I had not been for a long time and was long overdue for a few days at the rivah.

It was chilly but really nice to sit on the side porch with our sweatshirts on and take in all the sites and sounds. Of course, being so close to the water, there is always the sound of the water hitting the shore. I can remember getting motion sick from this but wasn't bothered by the sound this trip. Deltaville is the town across the mile wide river and you could see the buildings clearly. It was so peaceful and relaxing just to sit and talk and laugh and be. I needed that!

The front of the cottage taked from the pier next door. Oh, the cedar tree at the front corner. We used to hate walking that way to the beach because we'd get cedar stickers in our bare feet. That tree is a landmark for the cottage. This little cottage consists of five rooms and a bath. I do remember when there was an outhouse for the bathroom! We don't drink the water so bring our drinking water and we don't have hot water so heat that in a kettle. This is the smallest place around with the land all around this cottage being developed with large homes built on lots all around. But we love our little place!

This is the view of the back! Home sweet home!

What's a trip to the river without eating some steamed crabs. I did get some steamed crabs from a river house in White Stone. That was its own experience. Mary Beth went with me to get the crabs and she asked as we left, "Mom, was she legit?" It was a old farmhouse and an elderly woman with her dog on a rope met us outside. I asked about the crabs and she went to a walk-in freezer to get them.

I sure did enjoy picking and eating them. Yum!

Spending a few days at the river was so nice. I found myself emotional as I remembered all the good times with Granny and Grandpa, Mama and Daddy, aunts and uncles and cousins. Oh, my, what a history! Fifty eight years worth! It looked the same as I remembered it, oh a few new pieces of furniture and fresh paint but not much had changed. I stayed in the "flip-flop" room which used to be the pink bedroom right off the side porch so you hear the water all night long!

Thanks for all the memories!

This was the sunset one of the evenings we were there! It was beautiful and such a great reminder of the days and nights spent enjoying God's creation with family.

Wedding in Alexandria, VA

I've just returned from attending my nephew's wedding in Alexandria, VA. Brian Cocchiola married Caroline Skelly on May 7th and they are headed to New York where Brian will be starting his medical rotations. The weekend started with the Rehearsal Dinner at the La Strada, a wonderful Italian restuarant in Old Towne. The food was absolutely wonderful, served family style and lots of it. The toast was a wonderful way to say best wishes to the happy couple! Caleb and Mary Beth went with me to the wedding. It was fun to be with them for the weekend!

The happy couple taking more pictures on the stairway at the reception.

The parents of the groom - Bob and Jocelyn Cocchiola. Jocelyn is my sister - the one I call "Monk".



The DJ was great! He played great dancing music and the dance floor stayed full. Gotta have a little of the Electric Slide! That's my sister, Bev, and Mary Beth leading the way. Jenna, my niece, and her boyfriend Daniel following. Everyone was having fun!


The Grubb siblings all in the same place - Bev, Monk, Johnny and Karen. They were appeasing their older sister to pose for this one. Glad they did!

Then there were the cousins. Erin Cocchiola Rich, Mary Beth Gilbert Foust, Taylor Austin, Jenna Cocchiola, Brian and Caroline Cocchiola. Katie Gilbert was missed!

It was a weekend full of activity with family and friends. I was so glad I was there!

Still Making Progress

It's been more than a month since we updated you on Tim's progress. He's doing very well and walking with a cane most of the time! The Wound Clinic has declared his two original wounds HEALED. Yep, they were so happy to make that declaration. They are still following him a little longer because he has developed a blister on the side of his foot from the walking. The blister is healing and should be completely healed in a few days.

Tim has an appointment on Friday to be fitted for his shoes and the special insert he'll have to wear which will off load the pressure so he won't have blisters.

I think Tim has surprised them all - Dr. Sotman, Dr. Wagner and the Wound Clinic nurses. They have been with us and this wound from the very beginning and are amazed at the progress even if it has been very slow. They are very pleased with the progress and the healing. They didn't really think it would heal. Of course, they didn't know Tim like I know Tim. He's worked very hard to keep his blood sugar consistent and do what they've asked him to do and it's payed off. He still has his foot and is able to walk on it. Thanks be to God!

Bed Time

I had been sitting in the recliner with the cat in my lap watching TV and got up to get ready for bed. This was the picture I saw on my pillows. Lucy and Charlie had been sleeping on the pillows and looked up just as I took their picture. They were trying to tell me they were ready for bed. What a pair!

They had a busy day playing outside and chasing squirrels along the fence and in the trees in our neighbors' yards. When Lucy sees a squirrel she sounds like she's dying. Her bark is shrill, both ears are flying back and her whole backside wags furiously. She sits in the sun and waits for the squirrels. She also sits like she is the princess of the backyard surveying her kingdom. Charlie sits with her sometimes when he's not off chasing butterflies or bugs. They do enjoy their backyard. They have worn paths around the fence and through the yard where they travel.

Tonight, they are tired and ready for bed. So, it's time for all of us to get ready for bed. Goodnight!

Daisies & Strawberries

Two of my favorite things - daisies of any kind and strawberries, especially strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream. (This strawberry shortcake has the canned whipped cream - it was easier to do! ) I prefer strawberry shortcake for my birthday cake and enjoyed some on Saturday as I celebrated being another year older. Daisies just make me happy and so I bought some for myself to celebrate. Funny how the years come more quickly as one gets older. I spent the day being lazy. I didn't have to get up early to take Tim to school so I enjoyed my coffee and just taking a slow morning. It was very nice!

We did have to make our usual Saturday trip to the grocery store. I don't mind shopping in the store, it's just unloading the car and putting the groceries away that is not my favorite activity. But the groceries did get put away!

Birthday dinner was at, of course, Red Lobster. That seems to be the place we always go for birthday celebrations. It was really good - crab, lobster and shrimp! What a way to celebrate another year older. Gosh, so much has happened this past year. I can only hope that this year will be a little calmer and less stressful. I'm not sure it's going to be either - hasn't started off that way! Guess I'll just have to live it and see what's in store!

He's Driving!

It's still dark in the morning when Tim is leaving for school. As of a week ago, Tim is driving!!! Woohoo! What freedom for him and for me! No more 7:30 am mornings taking him to work. He can leave when he's ready and doesn't have to wait for me. That will be better for both of us!

He is driving with the doctor's knowledge and approval. When we visited the Wound Clinic last week, we asked Dr. Sotman about driving. He paused and said I don't see why not. It uses an even pressure which is different from walking on the foot which he is not doing yet. So, they wrapped his foot with extra padding and put his foot in a sandle boot to give it more protection and a heavy cushion for the bottom of the foot for the driving. It allows him to try to do some walking on his heel. He is doing some of that and of course finding that his leg and foot is really weak. He's improving every day - so much so that we're going to the Wound Clinic every three weeks now. I'm the nurse in between visits changing the bandage and medicine on his foot in between. Guess I'm doing something right because the measurements continue to decrease. Way to go, Tim!