Friends and Family 2024

Nathan and Natalie are some of my funniest family members

I was looking for some inspiration for this year's theme and I received it from one of my favorite artists Andy Grammer. He put out a new album called "Monster" recently. In an interview, Andy said this is the first album where anger showed up. I find that interestingly funny because the songs I have heard from it are uplifting and inspiring. One song I heard was called "Friends and Family" and it struck a chord with me, especially the following lyrics.

I've been given more than any man can reasonably expect

Tasted fame, I've tasted fortune

Undeniably I'm blessed

Other than the fame part (Thank goodness), I can relate to all of those lyrics. So, this year's review will be focused on Friends and Family. Two of my favorite topics in the world. 

The year starts January 1st of course, but last year's blog post did not include our Honeymoon to Iceland. So, I will include that blog post here in case you haven't read it yet. It was quite the trip with some really cool photos if I do say so myself.

                                       YourDalyHug: Icelandic Honeymoon

Now for 2024... The year got off to a rough start for our family. Connie got Covid after our Iceland trip. She was recovering from it when we learned that her cousin died in California. After recovering from Covid, she traveled to Northern California with her mom and sister to spend some time with her Aunt Jan, who was grieving her daughter's death.  

Roman and I clowning around a bit

The winter was low-key. It was filled with some snow, dog snuggling, and bird watching. In March my friend Roman was in Madison for work. I drove down to have dinner with him. We were able to spend a few hours together catching up. I met Roman in 2000 on my first trip to Russia. He has lived in America for around 20 years now. He has a beautiful wife and 2 kids. I am hoping I get to meet the kids someday, before they have kids perhaps :0). 

We also had a fun, albeit short, visit from our friend Gail. Gail was my first clown friend ever, as we literally bumped into each other in the airport on my first clown trip to Russia in 2000! We have been friends ever since and it is a blessing to have her in my life. 

Katie and Connie watch our prairie burn

The start of our burn on the back prairie

At the end of March, we did a prescribed burn for our prairie. Burning a prairie on purpose is important and essential to its well-being. It helps to burn unwanted thatch while rejuvenating the soil to allow more native plants to grow better. I wrote a blog about it of course. If you want to read it, you can search for it on my blog or ask me to send it to you. After the burn, we planted a bunch of seeds that we had collected. The prairie looked really good this summer but still needs a little more restoration. We are working on it. We will probably burn again this year and keep planting native flowers and grasses. I am excited to see what it might look like in 2 to 3 years after we have caught up on the restoration process. Maybe some of our friends and family will come to see it too?!

The Corona around the Eclipse

Judy and Connie are ready with their special eclipse glasses on.

There was a total eclipse of the sun on April 8th.  Connie, Judy, and I took a road trip from Wisconsin to Ohio to enjoy the event with Nathan and Natalie. I am so glad we did! Connie, Judy, and I saw an eclipse in 2017 in Illinois. That was fun as well, but this eclipse was even better. Mostly because I got to see it with Natalie and Nathan! I truly think they were surprised by the spectacle of it. It was fun to be there for their reactions. Plus, the totality in Illinois was about a minute. In Ohio, it was almost 4 full minutes! That may not seem like a long time, but it was long enough to hear owls hooting, coyotes howling and the cows mooing at 4pm! I am sure they were saying "What the Hell is going on?". Spending the day in a beautiful park with 4 people I love dearly was wonderful. These 4 people are awesome, and I am blessed to call them my family. We also got to visit with some dear friends while there. I love all of my friends so much. The ones in Ohio are some of my longest-standing friends and it always brings me great joy to see them and play with their children and grandchildren. 

Indigo Bunting

May is one of the best times of year to birdwatch in Wisconsin. We get a lot of migratory birds returning like Orioles, Indigo Buntings, Red-Breasted Grosbeaks, and Hummingbirds. This year I captured one of my best Indigo Bunting photos, so I had to share it. I was on a solo hike in Parfrey's Glen. There was nobody else around, so I was able to take my time and just enjoy all of nature. The sights, the sounds, and the silence. This little guy flew by me as I was taking a moment to rest on a bench. He landed within 20 to 30 yards of me. What a treat, and luckily, I had my camera poised and ready. 

Mitch and Sandy at House on The Rock

The Infinity Room at House on The Rock

In June, I finally made it around to visit House on The Rock. Judy gave us tickets to the House on the Rock for Christmas. It truly is something to see. The history of it is fascinating as well. One man had a vision of building a house on a rock in southern Wisconsin. It overlooks the Susquehanna River. Over the years it has expanded and turned into a tourist attraction. The attraction started when people would ask Alex Jordan, the owner, if they could see it. They offered to pay him money, and he gladly accepted. Now it is a large attraction where people come from far and near to see it. Alex was eccentric and a bit of a hoarder most likely. The house contains many interesting rooms including The Infinity Room, which has to be seen to be believed. He also had a carousel built inside the home. He has over 250 handmade doll houses, several circus models, and more. It is a must-see, even if you only see it once. 

Aunt Susie

The summer was filled with Bed and Breakfast stuff. We meet a lot of interesting people, that is for sure. Some of whom become our friends in the process. We still find time to do a little bird watching, hang out with the dogs, and enjoy nature as a whole. In August, Connie and I took a day trip to visit one of our B&B friends Susie Gromme. We refer to her as Aunt Susie, which is how she is introduced to us by her niece Lisi. Susie was married to Roy Gromme. Roy Gromme's dad was Owen Gromme. Both men were involved with the conservation movement in Wisconsin. They knew Aldo Leopold and his family personally. Owen Gromme was a fantastic artist and lover of birds. You should check out some of his artwork. Susie is a well-traveled, well-educated, funny woman who we enjoy spending time with. She told us she had a great Indian Restaurant near her home, but none of her friends would ever go with her. Well, Connie and I LOVE Indian food, so we were all in. We met her at her apartment and proceeded to drive over to the restaurant. She was not kidding; the food was delicious! We also stopped for gelato on our way back to her place, which made the evening perfect in my eyes. You know how I love my gelato. I still dream of Morano Gelato in NH. Now we need to get Katie over there for a delicious meal with our friend! She is just another part of the collection of beautiful women in my life. My friends make me undeniably blessed indeed!

Judy, Jan, and Koda

I had a weekend off in September, so it was my turn to go visit Jan. I hadn't seen her since her daughter died. So, Judy and I took a train trip together to go visit. What a fun trip it was. We took a train from Chicago to Reno and then drove from Reno to the coast of Northern California to spend a few days near the ocean. We had so much fun laughing while playing pinochle. We also strolled around the coastal area, which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. We went for a drive to see the redwoods near Jan's home. It is always spiritual for me when I get to explore nature in this way. There were only a few people around, and so many majestic trees to enjoy! I also got to partake in the world-famous vegan reuben sandwich at Jan's place of work The Peg House. It was delicious and I highly recommend it if you are ever in the town of Leggett, Ca.

A view from the back of the train.

It was my first time taking a long train trip. This trip was 52 hours, and I really enjoyed it. Judy has done a few train trips cross country, so it was nice to have an experienced train traveler with me. The train forces you to pause and just enjoy the scenes that go by. We went through the Rocky Mountains which are always beautiful. I am really thankful I got to see Jan. She is doing as well as expected after the death of a daughter. I was able to give her a long overdue hug, while we laughed a little too. Her dog Koda is sweet as sweet can be, and I am grateful to have met him also. I also got to enjoy some alone time. One day I took a nice walk to the beach over the sand dunes. I also got to do some birdwatching along the way. This included the Wilson's Warbler, Cooper's Hawk, Bald Eagle, Black Phoebe, Anna's Hummingbird, a chestnut-backed chickadee, and more! If you have never seen The Coast of Northern California, what are you waiting for? It is a must see in my humble opinion.

The Pacific Ocean

A nice walk over the dunes to the ocean

I felt like I could get lost here.

I also took a solo trip down the coast to see my friend Justin. Justin lives in Moscow. By coincidence, I learned he was going to be in Northern California on the exact same dates I was there. He was only 90 minutes south of where we were staying. I couldn't believe it. I was so excited! I drove down to the cute little coastal town of Mendocino to meet him and his friend Kevin for lunch. I can safely say that Kevin is now a friend of mine, and I hope we get to hang out more sometime in the future. We had a nice lunch and walked around the town for a few hours catching up on everything. I got to hear how Justin was doing, along with my other friends in Russia. I miss them ALL so much! They seem to be doing as well as possible considering the horrible war they are enduring at the moment. I am hopeful I will get to see them in 2025! I doubt I will be able to travel to Russia, but there is a planned clown trip to Georgia in April. I am planning on being there!

Justin and Kevin on The Coast near Mendocino

I was so grateful to be able to see Justin and laugh a bit with him and Kevin. My list of friends keeps growing and my blessings are multiplying! Who knows what 2025 will have in store for me? Whatever it is, I am ready for it! 

I got home from our train trip on Sept. 12th. That just happened to be our 1st Anniversary! Luckily, I got home in time to have a nice dinner with My Sweetheart! Spending time and laughing with her is one of the greatest joys in my life! We had dinner at Mexicali Rose, which is where we ate last year on our wedding day. It was still delicious. 

A toast to us at Mexicali Rose

In October we were able to see the Northern Lights from our front prairie! Who needs to go to Iceland to see them, when we can see them right here? I am just kidding of course. Iceland was so worth the trip for many reasons, including the Northern Lights. Anyway, we had seen the Northern Lights 3 times this year in Wisconsin, but this was the first time they danced over our front prairie! I didn't get any great photos, but I do like the one below a little. Very little, but still. 

The lights are more visible in a dark setting, but they are dancing I promise. 

Also in October, I took a little time to go and explore the International Crane Foundation. We just love that place, and it is always a treat to go see the cranes and walk the trails. I really like a few of the photos I got this year, as the cranes were really active. So, I wanted to share them with you as well. Enjoy.

It looks like this Sarus Crane is laughing it up.

This Gray-Crowned Crane is napping.

This Brolga Crane seems to have an itch.

As part of our prairie restoration, we have to collect seeds in the Fall to replant in the Spring after we burn. This year we invited some of our most loyal customers/friends to come for a customer appreciation weekend. We spent the weekend chatting, laughing, eating, and collecting seeds from our prairie. With the help of our friends, we collected 18 pounds of seeds! They all seemed to love it, and we hope to make it an annual event. Thanks to everyone who participated!!

Our prairie is looking good, but we can make it even better.

Lead Plant in our prairie. We hope to get that spread more! 

Butterfly weed. This is another beautiful plant we need to spread. Monarchs love it!!

In early November one of my cousins and her family came from Utah to stay with us. My family has some really cute kids I must say. We had a lot of fun playing and giggling. We sure hope they come back to visit again. The kids just loved running around our prairie and tromping through the woods. Of course, what kid wouldn't enjoy that? I believe kids still love just running around and playing in nature and we encourage it as much as possible. 

Dorothy, Walter, Kenyon, and Florence walking the prairie.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we are looking forward to a family gathering to enjoy a meal, games, and laughter. In early December Connie and I will be going to Arizona for a week and then over to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas for a week. It is migration time there and we hope to see a lot of beautiful birds. Hopefully, we will get to see some lifers, like the painted bunting! Wish us luck. This blog will be posted before that trip, so you will have to check back into my blog in late December or early January to read about it and see some of the photos of the birds we will see! Until then, have a safe and happy Holiday Season!

They are best friends!!

Louie is a snuggle bug. I love it!

Dixie is the sweetest dog ever. I love her so much!!

To close, I would like to say that Friends and Family are indeed what makes life worthwhile. And, YES, dogs are part of the family! We love every one of our family and friends and we hope you are all doing well! We also hope to see each of you. Perhaps in 2025 even? I still believe in magic, do you? One of the songs on Andy Grammer's new album is called Magic and I want to leave you with a video of his. He sings the song Magic with a children's choir at school PS22. Enjoy!!

 

                                "Magic" Andy Grammer ft. PS22 Chorus

    No Go Out and Hug Your Family and Friends Today!!!

Susan the Artist

 

Susan starting on her artwork

I have written about Susan before, but I had to brag about her again. She recently sent me an email with her latest artwork, and I was blown away. I had to share it. For those of you who don't know about Susan, this is the short version of her story. At the age of 23, she had a massive brain stem stroke. It left her physically incapacitated, but not mentally. Immediately after her stroke, she could only move a few fingers on her right hand. Her dad, a Navy man, taught her Morse code and that is how they communicated in the beginning. Her dad quickly realized she was the same, smart, funny woman he and Shirl raised. Through a lot of therapy, dedication, and determination on Susan's part, she regained some of her physical capabilities. She can walk with help, peddle a large tricycle, use her electric wheelchair controls, and paint with a brush. She is a wonderful artist and has painted a few paintings over the years. I have seen some of her watercolors of wildlife and am always impressed with them.

Some of Susan's watercolor artwork done with a brush

Her recent artwork was done with the help of her partner Carl and her wheelchair. Carl had the brilliant idea of taping down a white sheet for a canvas. Then he put paint on the wheels of her chair and let her go at it. I don't know the specifics of how that happened exactly. I don't know how many times they put different paints on the wheels. I don't know if Susan decided on the colors or if Carl did. Either way, the end result was a masterpiece in my opinion! Susan is really humble and doesn't take nearly enough credit for her extraordinary talents, but in the last photo, you will see she looks pretty proud of her work. And I don't blame her! She should be! Thanks to Carl for helping her with this project and thanks to Susan for sharing it with us. 

The final result

I LOVE Susan's face in this photo! She looks so happy.

This post is going to be short and sweet, just like my friend Susan. I just had to share her artwork with everyone I knew. Have a colorful week, weekend, Fall, Christmas, New Year and beyond!

     Now Go Out and Hug an Artist Today!!!

"Imagine" A Different Perspective

 

This is a different perspective

My friend Pluk sent me a video recently. It was a one-minute video of clowns playing with refugees, hospital patients, and nursing home residents. It is set to the tune of "Imagine" by John Lennon. You can watch it here. 

                                                           Video - Google Photos

Well, it got me to thinking... what if we all looked at the world with a different perspective. Imagine, if you will, that you had to live like a refugee. No, I am not referring to the Tom Petty song. I mean live like an actual refugee. If you lived like a refugee, would your perspective on life be different? I imagine it would be. I am sure my perspective would be very different. If that was your life circumstance, what would change your perspective on things? Would a group of people, coming to visit you, ease your burdens and change your perspective on life? On people? On the world? I believe it would, and I have amazing friends who do just that. They travel to war torn countries and spread love and laughter to the refugees. This is clearly not a cure for their lives, but it does give them a much-needed boost to keep fighting for their rights!  

My friend Guillaume with a refugee child. On the cover of his book "One Smile at a Time" 

Guillaume does as much or more than any other humanitarian clown I know. He travels the world to places few others want to go. He does this in order to bring a little joy, love, laughter and smiles to people who desperately need it! He has a different perspective on life for sure! And he tries to educate people on the things he has witnessed. He has educated me on plenty, and I still have a lot to learn. 

My friend Pluk travels to bring joy to refugees around the world. She also brings joy to local people in her country of Holland. 

Pluk is an inspiration to me and everyone she meets. She is the one who sent me the video from the beginning. She has traveled to Russia/Beslan many times and we know a lot of the same people. They all love her and look forward to seeing her, like an old friend. She has also traveled to Morocco, Georgia, Armenia and several other countries. All for the sake of bringing joy to people who desperately need it. I believe the people who meet her get a change of perspective, and in the best possible way! Her perspective on life is pure. I try to emulate that as much as I can. 

Imagine if you had to use a wheelchair to get around. I think your perspective would be different for sure. Just like the young man in the photo above with Pluk. I have many friends who need to use wheelchairs, and each one has a different perspective on life. Some of them wonder...  What the world thinks of them. How can they get along better and do more in their life. Why did this happen to them. When someone like Pluk visits them, makes them laugh, and showers them with love... then their thoughts change. They start to realize they can do way more than they ever imagined. There are kind and generous people out there who will help them. AND, I believe they realize it is OK to ask for help. We all need help, not just people who have to use wheelchairs. That is my perspective anyway.

In the song "Imagine", John imagines there are no countries. I must say I have a different perspective on that. I like it that we have so many countries, cultures, and kinds of humans. That is what makes life interesting and fun. The key is to enjoy each country from an open perspective and learn from the people of other countries. Try new things, explore, and enjoy the fun of the differences of each person you meet! That is my humble opinion on the matter. 

I also feel that imagining life from a different perspective helps us to deal with our own problems, inadequacies, and so on. It makes us more empathetic towards others, and that is so important! I feel it is more important now than it ever has been in human history. Do you agree? Have I changed your perspective on perspectives? I sure hope so. Let me know, as I would love to know your thoughts! For those of you who can't comment on my blog due to technical difficulties (AKA, my own inadequacy on setting my blog up properly), then email me, call me, or text. 

                          cheepski@gmail.com

    Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today!!!

Buckley Ousey "A Family History"

 

My Great-Grandfather was a great artist. This is a memorial set up at Castle Hotel in his honor.

As we get older, we learn things that we wish we had known sooner. This is the case with me and my Great Grandfather, Buckley Ousey. I wish I had asked my dad more questions about Buckley, and in turn about our family history in general. Luckily, my Aunt Bernice is still alive and knows a lot about the history. Plus, I have 2 dear friends who traveled to Wales last Fall and gathered more info and photos for me. This blog is written with the info supplied to me by my living family and these friends. I can't say for sure it is 100% accurate, but it is really close at least. And I find it all so fascinating! I encourage everyone to ask your parents questions NOW! One day it may be too late to ask. You will certainly hear stories you can't imagine are true, and it will make your imagination go wild. I guarantee it! 

A view of the castle walls in Conwy

My great grandfather was born in Stalybridge just outside of Manchester in England. His father died before he was born. His mom died when he was 2. He was raised by an aunt in York. He showed artistic talent as a youth. He settled in Rowen, Wales in 1884. Thomas Dutton, of The Belle Vue Hotel in Trefriw became one of his main patrons. Eventually the hotel's walls were covered with his artwork. The locals noticed his talent and sent him to Antwerp, Belgium to study art. After his 18 months of education, he returned to settle in Conwy, Wales. When he returned, he was not well. Some believe he knew he was dying. He befriended Sarah Dutton, who owned Castle Hotel. She was also Thomas Dutton's sister. She commissioned him to do some artwork for the hotel. His art is still on display there, 140 years later! He died in 1889 at the age of 37. Sarah had commissioned him for 1000 dollars' worth of art, which he would have finished in a year had he lived. He left behind a wife and 6 children. It has been said he died of lead poisoning, because he tasted his paints before using them. This is not confirmed but adds to the mystique in my opinion. 

Front Entrance to Castle Hotel, September 2023

My friends took the photo of the hotel and his art while there. They didn't stay at this hotel. They did go to the front desk to explain they had a friend whose great grandfather was an artist and perhaps had some art in the hotel. They asked if they could look around. The young lady at the desk was very excited when she heard the name Buckley Ousey. She showed them where his art and memorial were. She knew the history of the hotel well, and the history of my great grandfather. She said that Sarah Dutton was known to have loved Buckley's art. Which would explain the commissioned work. I find it fascinating that a 30 something young woman working the front desk of a hotel would be so excited and know so much about the history there, especially the history of Buckley! 

Two of his more well-known pieces. A lot of his artwork were on panel doors. Either on cabinets or actual doors.

When I told my Aunt Bernice, I had some friends going to Wales, she said Buckley might have some artwork there. She knew most of his artwork were painted on doors and she actually suspected most of it was probably painted over by now. What a delightful surprise to find out they have preserved his paintings! And not only preserved them but maintained and educated people about him. 

Some of his artwork on a door. It looks like this is a door to one of the rooms in the hotel. 

Buckley was a painter and member of the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art based in Conwy. They have a website with some info on him, if you search for it online. When he died, his was the very first obituary published in the local newspaper, The North Wales Weekly. Obituaries were not a big thing back then, like they are now. That is how well he was liked. One person wrote "He had a large and kind heart, his spirit never failed, he always had a cheerful word or merry joke for everyone with whom he came in contact and regardless of his own requirements was ready to give a helping hand when called upon". This would seem to explain the way my dad was, along with other family members who do the same. 

These are not his usual style, but they also hang on the walls in Castle Hotel

 

After Buckley died, his wife raised 6 children alone until she died two years later. She left behind 6 children. One of which was a young boy, age 5, named John Percival Ousey. John was my grandfather. My great grandfather and my grandfather were orphaned at an early age. Maybe this is why I have such an affinity for orphans and children in need? And in the words of the late great Paul Harvey... now you will hear The Rest of The Story. 

A painting of Conwy Castle that I own.

My grandfather, orphaned at 5, was taken in by the community. He started working at age 12, which was considered of age back then. So, he started working to support himself. He was somewhat of an artist himself, although mostly in masonry work. When he was older, he moved his family to Canada to live. He had a wife and 3 children at the time. When World War 1 started, he joined the Canadian Army and went off to war. Early in the war he was shot twice, once in the arm and once in the leg. He laid in the mud for 4 days and 3 nights until the German Red Cross found him and took care of his wounds. He became a POW for 3 years until the war ended. He traveled back home to his wife, who had a new child. She said it was his, but he suspected differently. He was still a loving husband and father, but work was hard to find. He heard about masonry work in Chicago paying 2 dollars an hour. He moved there to work. He begged her to come with him, but she refused to leave Canada. He sent money home routinely to help with the children and kept begging her to move to America. She adamantly refused. After some time, they decided to go their own ways. I am not sure if they even divorced, but it doesn't really matter in the end. Moving along, he rented a room in Chicago at a guest house. A nice lady named Eva Falvey Daly was the clerk there. A romance blossomed and they became a couple. She was married to an Irish drunk named Dan Daly, but he had died a couple of years before she met my grandfather. They stayed together for more than 35 years, had 4 children together, but never married. Those children were my dad John, his brother Earl, and their sisters Bernice and Mary. My grandmother never used my grandfather's last name on the birth certificates. She chose her last name of Daly. Hence, our "family" name became Daly. I always thought I was an Irish Hillbilly since our name was Irish and my mom's parents were self-proclaimed hillbillies. Turns out, I am an English Hillbilly via Wales via Canada via someone else's last name. So, my last name of Daly has no connection to anyone in our family, other than a first marriage of my grandmother. My true family name appears to be Ousey. Or maybe it isn't? :0). Anyway, now you know The Rest of The Story.

A painting of Conwy, Wales that I own

The last two paintings look like they could have been painted by my great grandfather Buckley Ousey. Instead, they were actually painted by my grandfather John Percival Ousey. So, artistry runs in the family, but alas I did not get any of those genes. However, my dad did! He never painted anything on canvas exactly. But I remember when we renovated our house after the garage fire, he painted a scene on the new playroom wall. It seemed like a simple scene of a sunset with geese flying. In retrospect, it may not have been quite as simple as I remember! I wish I had a photo of it now. I may have one in old albums, but not sure. If I find it, I will share it. My family is full of great artists/painters, and I could not be more enchanted by it! So, tell me something fun or interesting about your family history. I want to hear all about it. And if you don't know anything, then ASK another family member.

     Now Go Out and Hug an Artist Today!!!

Recipes for Love

Karen and Toby. Two of the most loving people you could ever meet.

I went home to Ohio recently to watch the Total Eclipse with Nathan, Natalie, Connie, and Judy. It was such a great trip. It was filled with love! I also visited with some friends. While visiting with Toby and Karen we had a discussion about love. It got me thinking about it. Toby is a chef and Karen is a psychologist. During our discussion, we were talking about the best way to live a life, and we all agreed that living life with love was the best way. Then Toby offered up a thought that I was intrigued and impressed by. He said something to the effect of "Love is such a simple recipe, we just shouldn't have too many cooks in the kitchen". As I thought about that statement, it really struck me how right he is! Love truly is a simple recipe. And living life with love is the best. Just because it is such a simple recipe, doesn't mean there aren't a lot of different kinds, forms, or ingredients to it. To me, love has many ingredients to its recipe. You can use any or all of your ingredients as YOU deem fit. It is just like chili, if I may use food as an analogy. If you ask 5 people about their recipe for chili, they will surely give you 5 different ways with various ingredients. But to them, their recipe is simple. The common ingredient would be some sort of chili. Whether it be a chili powder or chili pepper. If you ask 5 people about their recipe for love, they will surely give you 5 different ways with various ingredients. We can discuss what those "ingredients" should be ad nauseum, but my humble opinion is that every recipe for love should have heart. I also believe every form of love should have kindness. That is what makes it so simple! Heart and kindness. Those are two simple ingredients. Then you can add other ingredients that make it your own. Maybe you like things spicy? Maybe sweet? Maybe sweet AND spicy? I believe as long as it comes from the heart and you mix in kindness, you will have a great recipe.  

Pete and Jack. A father and son.

Also, there are all kinds of love. There is a love between Father and Son. Mother and Daughter. Mother and Son. Father and Daughter. Cousins. Friends. And so on and so on. They all have different ingredients in their recipes, that is a guarantee! I still believe each of those recipes should have heart and kindness in them. A parent and child recipe might have an ingredient that makes their love tough. As long as that toughness includes heart and kindness, it is all good I believe. Cousins might have silliness in their recipe. Friends might have laughter or hugs. The ingredients for a recipe of love are countless. 

In the photo above, Pete is making a speech about his son Jack. Jack had his confirmation in his catholic church that night. You could see the love in Pete's face and hear them in his words. You could see the love Jack felt from his father, and from the God he believes in. It was incredible to witness. I am not here to persuade anyone to love God or anyone else you don't believe in. Love God, Mohammed, Buddha, Jesus, Spirits, or any other entity that you deem worthy. It is YOUR love that should shine in my opinion. As long it has heart and kindness, it should be a great love. This goes back to "not having too many cooks in the kitchen". From what I can tell, all religions and good-hearted belief systems are based on the principles of love. Each religion and good-hearted belief system has its own ingredients. I say search for the ingredients and people that speak to your heart. Then add what ingredients you want to the recipe to make it your own. Don't get muddled by too many "cooks" in your kitchen. Follow your heart, with some guidance from friends and family, and your path will surely lead to love and happiness.

Cousins Beatrice and Addie, with Scarlett in the backdrop.

A love between cousins is usually fun. Addie and Beatrice show this all the time. Every time I see them, they are laughing and playing together. Enjoying each other's personalities and quirks to the fullest! Sometimes they are a blur, as you can see in the photo. Ha. Scarlett is Beatrice's dog. A love between pet and owner is special. I know I have loved every one of my pets. And I have loved them differently with different ingredients. I have always loved them with all my heart and with kindness! I am sure Beatrice and her family do the same with Scarlett.

Three clowns pretending to watch a Total Eclipse :0)

Nathan, Me, and Natalie. We share a strong love!

One of my personal favorite recipes is the one I share with my nephew and niece. Nathan and Natalie are two of my favorite humans on Earth. To witness the Total Solar Eclipse with them and see their reactions to such an incredible event did my heart good. We are bonded even more than ever. Our recipe includes laughter, heart, kindness, and hugs. They give the best hugs! They humor me with my love of clowning, and that makes me love them all the more! If that is even truly possible? They are such wonderful, caring, smart, fun, and beautiful humans! I will love them until the end of time. We have never discussed ingredients for their own recipes, but I am quite certain that theirs have some unique ingredients, with heart and kindness as their staples. I have seen their kindness and heartfelt acts firsthand. I learn from them, just by watching them. We can all learn more about love by watching the people around us. Especially ones that exhibit the best qualities in life. 

Connie and I have a great recipe ourselves!!

The love between a woman and a man can be incredible. So can a love between a man and a man, or a woman and a woman. Connie and I have our own recipe, and I think it is one of the best recipes out there. We use a lot of different "ingredients". Every day we use different ingredients. Our ingredients include laughter, trust, play, respect, heart, courage, kindness, adventure, etc. I honestly can't list all of our ingredients because there are so many, and they are forever changing. Some days we use all of the ingredients in our spice cabinet. Some days we only use 2 or 3. You truly don't need a lot of ingredients for your recipe. Again, I believe heart and kindness should be there. You can add anything else you want to make it your own recipe. Some of the best chili recipes only have 3 ingredients. Or any other dishes you want to cook up. You can also relate it to music if that helps. 3 chords and the truth make for great songs. 3 ingredients and the truth can make a great recipe for love in my opinion! Do you agree? 

Again, I am not here to persuade you into any certain "kind" of love. All love is great in my opinion. I just use certain examples to express my thoughts on the wholeness and totality of love in this world. This is how life should be lived on Earth. Just like the Total Eclipse we just witnessed, with totality comes a ring of light around the edges. This ring of light is the outer atmosphere of the sun. It is only visible during a total solar eclipse. It is called the sun's corona. So go out there and use your totality of love to create your own ring of light! Are you with me? 

     Now Go Out and Hug Someone with Abundant Love!!!