FIRST A CHRONICLE

NOW AN ODYSSEY: It has been said that when it rains it pours. However, here in our area, that is more like poors, rather than pours.  In this case, though, the odyssey is mine, and has nothing to do with the weather.  I mentioned a few posts back that I had some medical problems and the procedure that took place at that time.  My mother was not doing very well at the time and I wanted to go to the valley of the sun to visit her. I had to put that off for a period of time because of the a fore mentioned medical items. As I was cleared from that issue, and was preparing to make the trip I developed a case of of roofing materials, AKA shingles. I sincerely hope there was enough shingles in this case to do the roof, cause I don't want no more. Now, nearly 6 weeks later, I still have some shingles left, so I think I will have sufficient to do the job.  So, I delayed the visit for a while longer. Then came the message from my sister that Mom was failing and so the decision was made not to put off the visit any longer. I decided to make the 4 to 5 hour trip on a Tuesday and return on Wednesday. That decision made, I stewed some over it and had the feeling that I needed to do something different. So I followed the prompting and my wife and I made the trip on Sunday instead. We spent time with Mom Sunday afternoon/evening and Monday morning. Monday mid afternoon, as we were traveling home, I received a call from a different sister that Mom had passed away just an hour or so before. As the instruction from the President of our Church has said, never delay acting on a prompting. And I firmly believe that is was a Spiritual prompting that I make the visit on Sunday and Monday and not delay any further. I am ever so glad that I did.  This past weekend the family laid her to rest in the cemetery of the town that she loved, by the man she loved. One who had preceded her through the veil 28 years prior. This town, where lies the ditch bank of my blog name, is at 7000 feet elevation and is populated by pine trees, and the breeze in the pines, the sunny blue skies, and the stream gurgling in the ditch, was nothing short of idyllic. The tribute's paid to Mom that day were appropriate to a lady of high standards. Family traveled from places far away, even from across the pond, to pay their respects to this wonderful lady. In so many of my posts when talking of a subject I often say nuff said. In this case I will end, but there will never be nuff said.
As far as my shingles go, I have been very protective of self when people wanted to give me a hug or something. This past weekend I just grinned and bore it. As a results I received many slaps on the back. It seems I suffered no ill affects from said slaps. I hope these slaps beat the shingles in to submission, like nails tack real shingles to a roof, never to be worried about again.  Well, one can hope, any way. Rest in peace Mom.  AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK