Christmas

Christmas on the beach with the Burkas and this is the photo I chose to tell the story. No matter where we are, how we feel, how old we are, how we toss and turn, struggle, rebell, follow, or lead, our Mothers will always love us.

That is the Christmas story.

Love

We are imperfect people in the way we love ourselves and others.

Only God can love perfectly.

30th Wedding Anniversary

and still in love

Cherry Berry

This is one of Cherry's favorite books. She just was reading another chapter and dozed off. Cherry is very sick and will not be with us much longer. She has contracted FIP, the same virus that killed YAK. We are heart broken. I believe she is a carrier for the diease and she gave it to YAK when she moved in..Now it has progressed from a runny, very wet nose, to a big fat swollen tummy. The tummy will press on her lungs and make it hard to breath, or press on her stomach and make it difficult to eat. The virus also attacks the blood and depletes nutrition , so she will starve. The vet said that now is not the time, because Cherry is still happy, eating and playing, so now is not the time. The time will be later. Five percent of cats recover....maybe...just maybe...

Seriously?

"Seriously Maury? " You really think Aunt Janet Rose and Uncle Paul are cool?" "Seriously?"

and then there were two

Here is the new resident of 11724 Yarnell Road. If anyone wants any information passed their way, send one months rent of $200 to the above address. Phone calls will be billed at $20 an hour. Photos are not allowed at this time due to processing fees.

Hairy Story

First I got a free haircut at the fair. My hair looked good, if you like having hair one inch longer on one side. Then I went to my hairdresser and told her to do anything she wanted. Well, she had been trying to dye my hair red for 20 years, so , that is what she did.
I am no longer a ditzy blonde, now I am a fiesty red-head.........

So, did I win any ribbons? Um , you bet!

Sam and Danielle

We were visited by Danielle again last weekend. She is Sam's friend.

We went to the Fair and

stayed and stayed and stayed.

"Exceptional Drought Level"

The weather has taken on a persona of it's own. IT It never rains, never. I did an internet search using just the word Drought. NOACC displays various maps, predictions, satellite views and all are so depressing. Guess which state is the "star" of this exceptional drought, okay, you know, it is TENNESSEE. We are now Big Dried Out Country. One report says that we need 18 inches of rin to get back to normal.
You have all seen the weather maps with the little thundercloud predicting a possiblilty of rain. In Ireland the percentages are shown as 70%, 90%, or 50%. Here we get the little cloud with as little as 20%, now think about it, that means there is an 80% of sunshine. It fails to rains so the weather man just moves the emblem a few days further, trying to give a flicker of hope. I think the little tine green blogs that do show up once a week are just showing where the last green grass can be found. Sometimes the weather man will zooom far out just to show us that yes, Virginia, it really still rains somewhere in the country.....like in Texas.
We have only mowed the yard twice this summer. In a good year we have had to mow twice a week. We have picked the shrubs we will try to share and know we will lose the rest. The trees are dropping their leaves, trying to save their roots.
We actually got some rain yesterday. Comments heard, " What is that stuff?" " We used to have stuff like this when we were young, but I can't remember what it is called." "It has been so long since it rained, I didnt know how to open my umbrella" A few days before a man had stopped by the booth and told me he had heard a rumor that it was raining on Merchants Road.

I am sorry but the answer is NO

"Um, I told you yesterday that I would not refill your prescription. It is two weeks early, you do not have insurance, and it is made out for "Mr. Rogers", by Dr. Feelgood. "

"Next" ( oh no, it is that guy that always pays for the entire order with pennys.....sigh )

( Wait, is that lady over there shop lifting again? I hate working in a musuem drug store....)

My shadow

Sassy has been called my shadow. She stays beside me, watching, caring protecting. Always on alert.
I am never alone. What a comforting thought. Psalms 121, current favorite verses in the Bible, tell how God is with you ALL THE TIME. Paul and I read this passage before surgery and again during recovery times. I have enjoyed the wording in different translations.. Have a favorite verse? Try reading from as many versions as you can, the verse will grow in your heart. 'Shall I look to he mountain gods for help? No! My help is from Jehovah who made the mountains! And the Heavens too! He will never let me stumble, slip or fall. For he is always watching, never sleeping. Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is you defender. He protects you day and night. He keeps you from all evil,and preserves your life. He keeps his eyes upon you as you come and go, and always guards you.

Resilience

I just love reading Stacy's new blog. I feel like she is visiting, telling me about her day. She is such a blessing to the Whalen/Burka clan. Knowing Stacy, has made me a better, stronger person.

I have been trying to learn new words since I have been wearing out all my old familiar ones. Today I found the word Resilience. Resilience is defined as the ability to bounce back from adversity or to remain positive in the face of ongoing pressure. Resilience is often clustered with other personality characteristics, such as optimism and acceptance.

After therapy today I went to see a friend who had knee surgery, ACL repair, a few days after mine. We encouraged each other and compared purple ankles.

Andrew has mentioned moving out once again. I find that to be very sad, he has been such a wonderful help during my recent illness. He needs to go I guess

I will just have to be resilient

8 - 1 = 7

I wonder if today is a lucky day because of the date formula 8 - 1-=7 . Today is a much better day than yesterday. My new therapist and I overdid the three week old knee which resulted in some serious bed time for the last two days. This was a serious, stuck on the couch, poor old me and the knee kind of two days. I boo-hooed a bit last night, even cried a bit over my Yak Kitty. Mom and Dad came over to the rescue and were able to help me change my focus to completing a fun project...Thanks Mom and Dad......you guys are super...

Before the knee I was thinking

Hello Reading World,
I have had my left knee replaced and have been busy recovering. Knowing that the surgery was needed, I played until the last day. Paul took me on my third trip to Ireland in May. The trip came up quite suddenly and within a week, Paul and I plus Adam, Paula, and Victoria were boarding a plane to the Green Isle. We sat in the cheap seats , three across, and I had a very pleasant school teacher to my left, and my Paul on the right. When I go anywhere I try to observe, listen, and learn. My teacher companion was very shy, as was her husband. She had booked her flight six months earlier and found that when they were seated, they were not together, not even on the same side of the plane. As we were all settling in I suggested she speak to the stewards and make arrangements to switch seats. She replied, No, No, I could never do that. What a waste. What difference would it had made? Sure, sometimes when you speak to a stranger, "Excuse me, can I borrow your car?", now THAT might be considered forward, rude, even frightening, but switching seats on the plane? To be together on your vacation which had just begun and you had not had time to be over each other? I chose to be on my vacation and not mention a solution the second time. She and I talked then played with my new, way cool, Brain Age Game. What did I learn. There is a difference between Aggressive and Assertive. Not everyone is comfortable with the later or they can not tell the difference so they are more willing to just spend several thousand dollars for a two week vacation. And then not be together..........I mean, what would the famous THEY think, if one of them had spoken up and asked for the change of seat....Seriously

Sassy and I in the backyard, being beautiful

Gpa

A picture of Gpa looking for the perfect wave...
WHOOO>>>>> WEIRD WATER>>>

My Boyfriend.

Home from Ireland, hugging on this cutie
Happy Birthday to me, and Butch, of course.

Looking for...?

Now where is my family? The bicycles are gone, the parents are missing, and the Whalens have gone to the beach.
I have been left to keep an eye out for pirates.

Who is this guy?

One cute couple.

Amy Graduates

Super Star Amy and several Burka/Whalens....
Amy earned so many honors, one of them being a permanent member of the Burka family! Pictured here are other famous folks belonging to the Membership only Burka Club.

Ocracoke Beach

Once again, Butch is caught waiting hand and foot on Joquita. Being a Burka, he lives to serve ohers.

BBBBBuuuuuuutch

Zoooooooommmmmmmminnnnng with Butch .....Hello World!!!!

Bear with Sam

I went to the beach with Sam, Rose and Paul and a bunch of Burkas. Sam is helping me review my blog. Sam isnt asleep, he is concentrating.
Bee Bear at the Beach

Whelan's Pub

So much fun was had at Whelan's pub, they put me in my own small space just to make me behave. I wanted some of the Irish Beef, Roasted Lamb and potatos, Rhubarb pie, and Death by Chocolate. Alas, no food for the Bear

even one as nice as

me
the
Bee

Can you SEE

Me the BEE and Adam have climbed a crooked tower with crooked steps. Can you tell who is having the most fun?

Birds and Bee

Here I am with a few of my bird friends. We are resting from flying about the Rock of Cashel.


a bit hard for a bee bear

Rock of Cashel

This was Rose's favorite place in Ireland. Wind, Rocks, Celtic crosses, stories of Kings, St. Patrick, and Irish dreams come and gone.

Family

Well Rose did it, she met some of her relatives. Left to right you have Rose, Flail Nichols, Hugh Maloney, and Archibald Murphy.

now aren't they just fine folks

Paul

Neo-gothic church.....

Kylemore Abbey

Beauties and the Bee

Kylemore Abbey

Oh, pretty

Kylemore Abbey and Gardens

Paul and Rose visited an Abby near Galway Bay
It was so exquisted. There were many many bugs around but they only bit the people. They didnt like the taste of bear fur.

ummm

Well you see, it was like this. I was captured and forced to go to Durty Nelly's Pub and , well it was a party don't ya know, and well just know this

They did not let me drive home..


Beeee

Bunatty

Bee u tea full garden at Bunratty!
Bee u tea full Bee in Bunratty Garden Walls!

Murphy

Well now, we had to have a wee taste of our family's ice cream and it was lovely. This is Murphy's in Killarny. We have had a lovely day looking at the gardens at Muckross House. Victoria is smiling because she is about to eat the cookie bear. I am smiling as well, but it is hidden in my fur.


bee bear in ireland

Killary

Here I am with my ladies. Queen Paula and Princess in training Victoria. We are staying at a lovely Bed and Breakfast in Killary. I am waiting for them to pour the tea, now.

Rose

Once there was a lovely lady named Rose
who sent out blogs and email, don't you knows
comments were found
on the blog
all around
but no answers to the emails of Rose

Lepreachaun

Help me, help me, I have been captured by a Lepreachaun!

But she sure is cute, don't you know.


She is Bee-U-Tea-Full


Bee Bear

Narnia

A Doorway to Narnia has opened in Ireland, let me show you the way.


I'll Bee Back Bear

Bunratty Castle

I went to Ireland and all I got was this castle, oh , and these people of course
The Bee Bear

Bears!

Bears in the woods, bears in the woods!
Oh wait,
It's just me


The Bee

BEE Breakfast... yum

I took the two Queens of the Castle to breakfast.

BEARS GONE WILD VIDEO, um blog actually

Ireland will be seen through bear eyes this trip, so bear with me while I turn over the blog to BEE BEAR

We are visiting Bunratty Castle in Limerick Ireland with our friends Paula and Adam Bigelow and their lovely daughter Victoria. After I posed with this giant Poppy, I let Victoria get her picture taken with me, the star of this trip.
After all, it is all about me, the bee