A Yellow Flower for Terry

Terry's Yellow Flower of Friendship Watercolor 7 1/4 x 8 1/2 Artistico 140lb Cold Press

Terry’s Yellow Flower of Friendship Watercolor 7 1/4 x 8 1/2 Artistico 140lb Cold Press

A Yellow Flower for Terry.

I have a friend named Terry.
His favorite color is yellow.
His husband’s name is Gary,
and they have a dog named Roxy.

Terry is a father,
a son,
a brother,
and a husband.

Terry is a handsome man in the fifth decade of life.
About a year ago, Terry and Gary sold their home in Texas,
bought a travel trailer and had plans to travel the country,
including a visit to Mars, PA, where I live.

About a year prior to that,
Terry began having some pain and health issues.
He knew something was very wrong.
Terry discovered he had cancer.

For the past two years,
Terry has sadly become increasing more ill.
The cancer is taking over his body.
But it has not, cannot, and will not kill his beautiful, loving spirit.

One of the many joys of blogging
is the community of other bloggers
and some very special friendships that are formed,
like the one that I have formed with Terry.

I’ll never forget the special way Terry made me feel one time in particular.
About a year ago and about a year into my new adventure in watercolor painting,
I painted and shared a not-so-great watercolor painting of a red boat.
Terry, in all his sweetness, told me it was “priceless” and he “would pay millions for it.”

So overcome with his kindness,
I offered it to him as a gift.
I sent it to him,
and he posted this beautiful way of thanking me:  It’s a Jodi

Terry and Gary never did get to do the traveling they had planned.
They now reside in Florida, living in their travel trailer,
but Terry has spent more days than anyone would wish
at doctor’s appointments, chemo and radiation treatments, and the hospital.

My sweet friend Terry
is now on hospice care.
He has made the choice to live out his final journey
at home with those he loves in peace and comfort and love.

After seeing Terry’s post yesterday
and thinking of him so much,
I decided to paint a yellow flower of friendship
for a beautiful friend.

Dear Terry,
please know how much you are loved,
what an impact you have made on so many,
and how I will always remember you when I see yellow flowers.

Hugs,
Jodi

P.S.  If you would like to visit Terry’s blog, please click on any of the hyperlinks provided throughout this post.  I know it would mean so much to him and Gary if you would post a little note to him.  If you do, please tell him how much Jodi loves him!

Watercolor:  Winsor & Newton New Gamboge, Daniel Smith Olive Green, Perylene Green, Perylene Violet.

Cause, baby, you’re a firework

fireworks

This past weekend was our local Cranberry Township Community Days.

One of the highlights of this event is the fireworks display that occurs on the last evening of the three-day celebration.

Cranberry Township Community Day used to occur on July 4th (Independence Day) every year, so the fireworks display has become a tradition and symbol of this celebration.

Hubby works for Cranberry Township.   So for the past 15 or so years, we have had front row “reserved” seats for the show.

In fact, we are so close that we have been hit with ash and get to “enjoy” the sulfur smell of the explosives as they light up the sky.

It’s all part of the fun and adventure!

Photographing fireworks is quite difficult.  I should have researched and studied a bit, and I should’ve taken a tripod!

But here is one that represents a snippet of the fun and beauty of the night.

It was a great show, and a great celebration of a wonderful community.

I hope you had an enjoyable weekend – finding time to relax and celebrate – all the traditions, symbols, and activities that make life so sweet – at life in between.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Rompin’ around @ Cranberry Township Community Days & Fireworks

Cranberry Township Community Days is a big deal in our local community, and it was a fun opportunity for me to romp around a take a few pictures this past weekend.  Marty, on the other hand, is a wee-bit tired as he is tasked with assuring everything goes right with electricity for the hundreds of food and vendor booths and the variety of bands playing at the outdoor stage, as well as assuring that traffic operations cooperate with the influx of activity in the area.  It was the first year he was able to remotely coordinate the traffic lights to go into “flash mode” after the fireworks show when over 10,000 people are trying to get out of the park at the same time.  It was a great day, and here are some pics to give you a flavor of our local culture.

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loving all the locally knitted artwork on trees and this quaint bridge that crosses a small creek flowing through a part of the park

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adorable face painting and plenty of fun with bubble-blowing and catching

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Art in the Park comes in many forms

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funnel cake wantin’

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a spot for everyone

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We had the BEST Pork BBQ Sandwiches, Homemade Chips, and Coleslaw from the Cranberry Rotary Club’s booth. I so should have taken a picture, but was too busy enjoying it and forgot!

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bubbles and tattoos and popcorn and delightful precious young faces everywhere

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I’m not sure this darling little guy likes the look of that hot dog on a stick

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Momma joy and love

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this little sweetheart had the best seat in the house for the #BonJourney concert

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just wanted to pinch those sweet cheeks on this little guy enjoying his soft pretzel in the grass

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this young guy is just chillaxin’ amongst the activity all around him enjoying the concert in the park

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riding a mini ferris wheel at dusk

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Oh these sweet little ones enjoying the thrill of a three foot dip in the snake roller coaster. I love how big brother in the last seat is watching over little brother who looks completely thrilled (and a teensy bit nervous), the bravery of the one with her hands in the air, the “I’m not so sure about this” look on her seat mate, and the perfectly poised young lady with her stylish glasses smiling at her family in the front. The joys of childhood captured in a split second.

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Carpet Slide Racing

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I ADORED this knit covered bridge

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My first go at trying to capture fireworks. We were RIGHT UNDER THEM. It was a great show!

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laying on a blanket on the ground as the fireworks lit up the entire sky above us

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Another great show from #Zambelli Fireworks!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi