Musician’s Widow

Photo Share is my personal replacement for Weekly Winners, since that link exchange is no longer happening. It’s just my own challenge to take great photos through the week, as it gives me a venue to share some of them on this blog. Consider it my own little P.S. on the week before.

Photos this week taken with my Sony DSLR A230. Edited using Lightroom 3… or using my Droid Razr and Instagram. You can probably figure out which is which.

Aggie Women Basketball

Writers Round

Eye exam

Outlaws Rising

Look to the night

A dusting

EVERY day

The following is an email I sent out to friends and family yesterday… I thought I’d run with it for a post today.

—

Every year, the Muscular Dystrophy Association holds “Muscle Walks” across the country as a way to raise funds for the organization. As you (may or may not) know, my nephew has Muscular Dystrophy. Specifically, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He’s done amazingly well through the years, and if anyone ever asks me who my hero is… I’ll answer without hesitation that he is my hero. I adore that young man.

He’s a freshman in high school, and he’s a member of the band. And despite being in his mechanical wheelchair, he even “marched” at Cowboy’s Stadium during the state championship game in December! To say I had tears in my eyes would be an understatement. He plays saxophone and wants to be a chef someday. And NOTHING stands in the way of his dreams. Especially not Muscular Dystrophy.

Needless to say, MDA is an organization very, very, very near and dear to my heart. At the beginning of each year, my family participates in a Muscle Walk to help raise funds for MDA.

Let me say with 100% certainty, MDA is an AMAZING organization doing amazing things for everyone dealing with all the different types of Muscular Dystrophy.

I am not going to be able to attend the Muscle Walk this year, but I am still a very proud member of our family team. Despite the fact I won’t be actually walking at the walk, I’m looking for people to support me, our team, and MDA.

I totally and completely understand if you pass on this. I know I find myself having to pass on friends’ causes from time to time because I just CAN’T. Nonetheless, I thought I’d ask. Even $2, $5, $10 will help. A lot. Every little bit adds up.

If you can, just click here to make a secure, online donation before March 2, 2013.

Thanks so much.

Make a Muscle and Make a Difference.

Denise

If the link above does not work, please cut and paste the address below into the address bar of your Internet browser.

http://www2.mda.org/site/TR?fr_id=4162&pg=personal&px=1061702

Photo Share is my personal replacement for Weekly Winners, since that link exchange is no longer happening. It’s just my own challenge to take great photos through the week, as it gives me a venue to share some of them on this blog. Consider it my own little P.S. on the week before.

Photos this week taken with my Sony DSLR A230. Edited using Lightroom 3… or using my Droid Razr and Instagram. You can probably figure out which is which.

American Flag

Sunset over a small town

Bold red

Pretty pink

Reflections

Sandwich Shop

Czech it out

West, Texas

Kara on the Opry

Backstage Entrance

Bus waiting

Its happened to me twice now. Both times in Arkansas… perhaps a coincidence but for now I’m holding it against the state.

We were traveling between Texas and Tennessee (which might be obvious since I already said this happened in Arkansas) and needed to fuel the truck. Thank heavens since I was doing the, “I gotta pee dance.”

My husband gets out to fuel, I bolt for the store to pee. Only to be denied. 

The first time, “The restrooms are locked at 10 because I don’t want to be back there cleaning them all the time.” I am pretty sure I almost broke down in tears. I ran out, told my husband to quit fueling. I would NOT give that store another penny. We went across the street where I was able to relieve my screaming bladder and my finish filling the gas tank.

I wrote several scalding reviews on social media for the offending station… 

The second time I wasn’t in as dire a need.  As my husband fueled, I strolled to the store.  I could see the woman inside sweeping. I knew they were closing in about 20 minutes.

I stepped inside and was promptly told, “Ma’am the restrooms are closed.” I stared at her. I sighed loudly and walked out.

I told my husband.  I considered stopping fueling again until I realized we were almost done already. My husband went to talk to the lady but didn’t get anywhere either. I made a quick “tip” on Foursquare about what happened, ending it with, “Why did I spend over $60 in fuel here?”

My husband informed me it was more like $75. Which just irritated me more.

I finally stopped  to pee later when I finally reached the pee dance stage. I picked a truck stop I knew wouldn’t deny me. Thankful for them atleast!

Tell me… anyone else run into this? What did you do? Am I wrong to be highly annoyed to be told the restroom is closed when I’m spending a LOT at the pump? Thoughts?

I sit here right now deep in thought about two losses to this world last night.

Last night, news came out that country singer Mindy McCready took her own life, leaving behind two little boys. I posted on Twitter that I was sadly not too surprised, knowing she was a very troubled soul. Now, don’t take my lack of surprise as a lack of compassion! My heart goes out to her family and close friends left wondering why. Left wondering if there something more they could have done. I’m standing among the many going, “This is not an answer! There was still so much to live for… whether you can see it in that moment or not!”

Less than two hours after news broke of McCready’s death, my brother texted to let me know a friend had lost her husband. She and my sister-in-law are close friends, and we’ve spent many holidays and get-togethers with their family joining us.

Her husband had been sick for a long time, and I won’t pretend to know all he/they have gone through the last few years. But fighting is something I know he did every day… for himself, his wife and his kids. I can’t… I absolutely CAN’T… comprehend what his family is going through, and my heart aches for them. I pray for strength for them.

So here I sit, thinking about these two people taken from this world last night, and I see this cruel, cruel irony. As one gave up their life purposely, and the other had spent so much time fighting to live. Both leaving behind small children.

I guess, no matter what, my hope is they both are at peace, and that they families can pull together and support each other, love each other, and know that there are many, many others thinking of them and praying for them.

Photo Share is my personal replacement for Weekly Winners, since that link exchange is no longer happening. It’s just my own challenge to take great photos through the week, as it gives me a venue to share some of them on this blog. Consider it my own little P.S. on the week before.

Photos this week taken with my Sony DSLR A230. Edited using Lightroom 3.

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Masked

Valentine’s Roses

Valentine’s Roses

Valentine’s Roses

Coloring