Happy 14th Birthday Michael.
Love to you on your birthday and wishing you every happiness, always.
FF Ruthie
Handmade card by Froo Froo Marlene, his other grandmother
Fourteen Years Today
Category: Family
At Sixes and Sevens?
“Sabina’s opening monologue from Thornton Wilder’s 1942 Pulitzer Prize winning play The Skin of Our Teeth: “The whole world’s at sixes and sevens, and why the house hasn’t fallen down about our ears long ago is a miracle to me” – Wikipedia
Today I’m sixty seven. That number seemed to come up quickly! Sixty seven isn’t exactly at sixes and sevens -which is defined as “a state of confusion or disarray”- but the phrase certainly came to mind when I thought of my new age for the year. I looked up the origin and meaning of the phrase and you can click the blue phrase for more details.
In light of a recent conversation I was asked, “what would your seventy seven year old self write in a letter as advice to heed now?”
Hmmmm, I didn’t start writing the actual letter yet but here’s a start-
Dear 67 year old Ruth,
What can I tell you from the vantage point and wisdom of 77 years of age?
Are you living your life to the absolute fullest every single day? Come on, be honest.
Tell me how are you coming along with your practice of that Golden Rule? Be kind.
Are you making a point to learn from past mistakes or are you repeating them? What did you learn today? You can still increase your vocabulary.
Be sure to become less judgmental, less critical and always choose to take that elusive high road. Difficult, isn’t it? It will be no easier when you’re 77 years old. Trust me. To whine and complain is tiresome and unattractive. Don’t do it.
Work on your listening skills. Hear what others are saying. Ouch.
You know you should really commit to doing serious physical exercise, eat more dark leafy greens, drink lots of water and by the way, what’s with all that cheese? Take good care of yourself and avoid the sun.
Be sure to clear out all those possessions you’ve accumulated all these years so your grown up kids aren’t burdened later. Just remember- no one wants your stuff.
Becoming 67 today doesn’t mean you’re at sixes and sevens for the year.
Anyway have a good birthday-and be grateful you have one.
Love ❤️.
Multiply it to the nth power.
My baby cup.
Fantastic Four
Happy fourth birthday Charlie. 
2019
Milestone Birthday Wishes
My brother and I are 4,937 miles apart today, on his milestone birthday-also Flag Day in the USA.
A nine hour time difference between Okanogan WA and Berlin. I’m posting birthday greetings as he celebrates so far away.
Today’s photo was taken last Saturday at the Winterfeld Market Platz.
Garlic grown in Poland
At the end of the summer my brother always ships me a box of organic garlic that he’s grown and it’s so fresh and delicious.
Happy Birthday David! Lots of love, Ruthie
An old pic from Twisp WA in Hank’s Market
Lacrosse Game in Berlin
Lacrosse game in Berlin. Berlin, Ohio!
Not to be mistaken for Berlin, Germany.
Waiting for Jack’s game to start.
The morning drive out to Ohio was gray skies and rain so it was good to have sun and blue skies in the late afternoon.
Fifty Years Ago Today
Sharon and Chuck celebrate their fiftieth anniversary today, January 24th, but the surprise party was last Saturday. Right in the middle of a winter storm.
Only a few people couldn’t make it due to the weather.
Kim and James planned the event and their mom and dad were definitely surprised.
When the caterers Tessa and Maria arrived with all the delicious food, despite the treacherous roads, we knew the party was a GO! Everyone had a wonderful time at Chuck and Sharon’s fiftieth anniversary celebration.
Once a schoolhouse, there was a slate blackboard where party guests wrote greeting with chalk.
Grandson Simon tied balloons onto the mailbox
Karon and Sharon
Charlie showing 5 and zero.
Tessa and Maria braved the elements to deliver the dinner.
From the archives- Walking in the Apple Orchard
Today’s post is from nine years ago-
“Photo from the archives. V suggested posting an occasional favorite photograph from before I started the blog. She requested this one.”
Anna, Erika and Michael walking in the apple orchard. Jack was home napping with Mark. Maura was born Nov 2008 the month after this photo was taken
Same Shirt, Same Couch- 38+ years Difference
My son Mark, (uncle to Charlie) on the left holding his brother Matthew, Philadelphia Christmas 1980.
My grandson Charlie on the right, holding “Henny” Pittsburgh, January 2019.
(Yes, the couch used to be jewel red)
The brand of shirt was Health-Tex and I’d say it held up quite well. Who knows why I saved it.
As His Parents Left For a Wedding
Charlie (3 1/2) watched Laura and James pull out of the driveway and head to a family wedding last Friday the 27th. Mary and I stayed and played with Charlie.
He didn’t cry. Penny watched by his side.
I’ve posted similar pictures of the same scene. You wonder what’s going through his mind. A little wave.
Naptime on the Couch
At Laura’s house Wednesday afternoon. My grandmother knit the afghan on the back of the couch.