BLUE MONDAY AND UNCLE TC. - QUILT PROJECT 01/17&18/10

Please visit Sally at, Smiling Sally for lots more blue.  Thank you Sally for the chance to share our blue.  

Yesterday I posted a tribute to my Uncle TC.  I wanted to share a Christmas letter from him for this past Christmas in 2009.  He was a very special person and he passed away this past week.  You can go HERE to read about him.  He is wearing a lovely blue shirt so I think he can be considered for Blue Monday.  I am very blue because of his passing.  His letter tells you what a vibrant man he was right up to the end.  It is remarkable that at age 97 he lived alone and took care of himself. He was found sitting in a chair looking like he was asleep.  Please dear Lord, let me die this way.  He was not feeling well, but I can assure you he enjoyed 97 years of good health.

Uncle TC

I loved him dearly as did everyone who ever knew him.

Please understand why I want to share his last words.  It says so much about his life and what he thought about life.

Dear Family and Friends, Christmas 2009

How can another year be coming to an end? December already? I guess it’s true, “time flies when we are having fun!” I keep busy as best I can, but, I am slowing down a bit.

I am still driving and shooting, but don’t ask me how good! There was no trap shooting competition this year for our County Senior Games. Must be budget cuts. My eyesight hasn’t been up to par lately so I may have to do something about that soon.

Earlier this year visitors from my Michigan families stopped by. Nephew Bobby Willobee arrived for a few days visit. A few weeks later his sister, Cheryl and husband Mark stopped by on their way to Key West and Dry Tortugas for a bird watching trip. Niece, Marilyn and hubby Jerry visited in March for several days. I enjoy their visits as Marilyn takes over the kitchen and cooks many a delicious meal. What a treat! Jerry and I enjoy going to the trap range and my Hollywood gun club.

In June I had a very pleasant surprise! My nephew Ken Rossman called to tell me he would like to see me. He flew into Ft Lauderdale, rented a car, came to the house for a great visit for almost two hours. Ken loves hunting! He has hunted Moose in Canada, he got an Elk in Colorado with bow and arrow and has his own White Tail Deer ranch in Michigan. His sister, Bonnie, is a very good hunter also. Ken was then on his way to West Palm Beach for a business meeting. Our visit was so very special. Thank you Ken!

Our Hollywood Rifle & Pistol Club is thriving with many new members. There isn’t enough weekends in the month to run all the matches we’d like to have. My son-in-law, Bill Hart, is now Stat Officer and does our bi-monthly Newsletter. Sure keeps him busy and he’s doing a great job!!

My good friend, Russ, painted the outside of my house with two coats of the best paint then sealed and painted my tile roof. My home improvements were long overdue. He also replaced old/worn out plumbing and installed a new sink and cabinet in my guest room. Russ recently remodeled Ken & Kay’s guest bathroom and it’s beautiful. His work is top quality, he’s trustworthy and so talented at the work he does. He’s the best.

My two sisters live in Michigan and I talk to them often. Shirley (Conner, 82) enjoys her antiques and buttons. She buys and sells thousands of buttons every year! She shares many buttons with sister, Loraite (Teays, 92) who designs and sells her beautiful unique handmade button pins! Each one is an original and collector items.

Oldest daughter Carol and husband Bill (Hart), continue to enjoy retirement. Carol keeps busy as a volunteer at two county libraries, (one she retired from), enjoys reading, trivia’ and gardening. Bill volunteers at Ft. Lauderdale’s Museum of Science & Discovery, a county library with Carol and is Treasurer of Friends of the Library. Bill also holds two positions at our Hollywood Gun Club.

(Hart) Grandson Michael is now a Producer at CBS Sports in Ft Lauderdale. He LOVES it!! Grandson David works at Broward County Main Library and is a Lighting & Sound Director with a local theatre group. Wife Lee does legal work at our County Courthouse. Great Grandson Paul is now 9, in third grade. Wow! Time does fly.

Daughter Kay and Ken (Ellington) love to travel! A 21 day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Seattle WA was followed by a 10 day visit with son Chad, Mary and grandson, Meson (3) in WA. Both daughters & hubby’s cruised with the local Walgreen Alumni Chapter to Eastern Caribbean in Oct. In Labadee, Bill, Ken and Kay ’zipped’ along the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line - the longest ‘Zip’ line over water - 500 feet high, 2,600 feet long.

(Ellington) Grandson Kirk, Pharmacist at Walgreen’s and wife Beata, Pharmacist at Brd. General Medical Center, our county’s largest hospital, enjoyed family skiing in Colorado and visiting brother, Chad, in WA state. Kirk’s mountain biking took him to Vermont for a long, wet, cold ride, followed by a family vacation around Boston. Great grandson, Alex, (now 13) is in a 7th grade Honors Program at a private school and plays piano.

(Ellington) Grandson Chad, Professor of Astronomy & Physics, with wife Mary, Air Force Major, recently relocated from WA to Oklahoma. Chad anticipates returning to teaching Astronomy at Oklahoma City colleges. Mary returned from Afghanistan earlier this year and is assigned to an OK base. Active Meson (3) loves camping and being outdoors.

South Florida has been spared major hurricanes & tropical storms this year. That is a big blessing. My biggest blessing is I continue to keep active as best I can. Recent medical exams/visits to my doctors indicate I’m in good health! As most of us, age 97,

I have aches and pains here and there. I’m getting a bit slower but if I don’t use it …. I might loose it! So I push on and continue to enjoy shooting, daily activities, shopping and hearing from family and friends….like you! Enjoy your many blessings this season.

Happy Holidays.
Love,
Uncle T.　

Dear Lord please let me live a full life of love and activity such as Uncle TC.  If you read this letter you know what an amazing man he was.  He loved life, his family and friends.

I know you will rest in peace and will be enjoying your new journey in heaven.

You were and always will be loved

Jeanne

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QUILT PROJECT DAY 17/18

BLOCK 10 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD

 

Two more to go.  I am getting excited to start sewing.  I just don't remember how to thread my machine.  GET THE INSTRUCTIONS ! Laughing.

Love, Jeanne

Comments

[Beverly]

Happy Monday, dear Jeanne.

I loved reading Uncle TC's letter. He was an incredibly remarkable man, and could serve as an inspiration to many. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.

[cindy dodd]

How nice he lived till 97! Thanks for sharing his letter, it brought his photo to life. Happy Blue Monday.

[Tracy]

Hi, Jeanne! You Uncle T's an inspiration... what a lovely man! Thank you for sharing this and him with us! Your quilt is coming along so lovely...have fun sewing! I'm still around...just busy days, and getting ready to re-open my shop, but still around... LOL! Happy week, my friend :o) ((HUGS))

[Dawn]

What a blessing it must have been to have him in your life. I want to be like your uncle TC to my family!

THank you for sharing your letter. I am sorry you are feeling blue. I hope all your memories of him help you to get through your loss.

take care,
Dawn

[CollectInTexas Gal]

Amazing Grace! Thank-you for sharing the newsy letter, your Uncles 'Love of Family', and his vibrant outlook on Livin A Long and Happy Life! Sew, now you are ready to Sew! Have fun...and be sure the bobbin is in there right! Sue

[black eyed susans kitchen]

Jeanne, Your Uncle reminds me of my father in law who taught shooting at a rifle and gun club in New Jersey for oh so many years! This was very inspiring...97 wow!
♥, Susan

[Sally]

What a super guy he was, Jeanne! I enjoyed learning about him; thanks for sharing. Keep your good memories of him. Happy Blue Monday.

[Helen Chaffin]

what a precious letter, I'd have to frame that with a pic. like a collage , lovely quilt block, I miss quilting, but one of these days... LOl

Helen

[claudie]

Hi dear Jeanne
I did read your other tribute to uncle TC. I now read his lovely letter to family and friends. WOW amazing at his age that he loved to keep everyone in the loop. He was a busy, loved and admired by his family and hunting friends. My mom will be 91 next month & even though she's a little slower, she's still very good on her feet also.
May you live as long as your dear uncle TC, Jeanne. It's in the genes.
Love You
Happy Blue Monday and quilt on dear friend, quilt on. lol
Love Claudie
xoxoxoxo

[Coloradolady]

You are right, what a great letter to share and such a inspiration. Yes, he was an amazing man, and you can see that by reading his holiday letter...very thought out and informative. Lovely Quilt this is going to be!

[Mary]

Jane, I am sorry for your loss, but he was a remarkable man right to the end. He treasured family. I hope you are having a wonderful Blue Monday.

[ellen b]

Oh your Uncle TC really lived a good full life. What a blessing to have him in your life and to have a great example like him to encourage you!

[Cherie]

Ah my heart is with you as I read this post. In the end it is our words and actions that will carry us on. When my Grandmother passed recently, I seemed to see the beauty in who she was and so much want to carry her heart with me by living a life as wonderful as she did in her younger years. The tears are on my cheeks from reading this heart filled post. He was a lucky man also to be so loved and admired as well. I believe that heaven is more beautiful than we can ever know. Much love to you this week, Cherie

[GardenofDaisies]

I'm so sorry about the loss of your dear uncle TC. Sending you hugs! Your watercolor quilt is looking wonderful! Those are so much fun to to!

[John]

what a great tribute for your Uncle.

Bunk Bed Bliss for blue monday!

[Jeanne]

Beautiaful tribute to your uncle. Love this quilt so colorful. Glad you came by to visit. It's fun to 'meet' someone with the same name and we even spell it alike. Have a great week!

[Lorrie]

Oh Jeanne, I enjoyed reading this letter so much! What a delightful man your Uncle TC was--his sunny outlook and simple joy in everyday pleasures is very evident in his Christmas letter. I would love to have known him.

[Diane]

Jeanne,
That is so sweet of you to share the letter with all of us.

Makes you stop and think about what's really important doesn't it?

Love that quilt...it's gonna be lovely just like you!
:)

[Fifi Flowers]

VERY pretty work!

[Clazy]

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