University Park Bear- Dead

University Park, a block from our house, a black bear was nestled up in a tree today.
Officials killed the bear.
Unnecessarily, in my opinion.
I am now a protest poet.

"I killed a bear today

Oh What a man am I!

We the experts knew just what to do

When the bear did not comply."

"This is our space.  We demand you leave!"

The cub stuck up in the tree.

Looked down to the people with fear in his eyes

And said “You are frightening me”.

Black bears are known to be timid

Why not leave it alone?

“NO! We will use all resources to kill the beast,

We won’t be overthrown!”

Five Lethal tranquilizer darts

when one would have been enough

Then lower the bear breaking its leg.

Ending his life in cuffs.

Mother nature cries

Unnecessary actions that hurt.

Please in the future,

Just let the bears be

Nature will not convert

I added my poem to the memorial.

Just ET-ing in Bed

Can you find Elias?

Crow Baby Barentine

 

Night has fallen

Crow baby is lost.

Hops to my porch

The yard across

Right in to traffic

The cars don’t stop!

When she tries to fly

To the ground she plops

Mama runs out

In her nighty,  bare feet

Scoops up the baby

She’s been dying to meet!

Crow baby perched on mama’s shoulder

Until tomorrow when her kin will hold her ......

Enrique Nacho Tigre Fernandez Castillo de Jesus

I love this cat.  So much.   He is our family therapist, our entertainment, and my mid-life motherhood fulfillment.  And he is naughty... sometimes.

Independence Day

Camp Good Mourning

A grief camp for children.  

In grad school I took a class on death and dying.  I enjoyed the work of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross so much that I continued reading her work for pleasure.  She, the mother of the Hospice Foundation, profoundly and wisely contributed to quality end of life care, and grief care.  Although, I never got to meet her,  she has helped me tremendously in my grief.  I am a better person, mother, wife, teacher because of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.

Karli and RubyCatherine-  Camp Buddies

Camp Good Mourning is held at Park River Bible Camp and allows for an attendance of 50 children and teens. The campers partake in activities including low adventure course, canoeing, wall climbing, recreation time, art and crafts, high ropes and campfires. Added to these activities are small group discussions, where children are encouraged to open up about their loss, how it makes them feel and how to move forward. 

Austin & Elias Camp Buddies 

Camp Good Mourning is funded entirely by donations, fundraisers and a $25 registration fee (waived if it’s a hardship for the family). For more information regarding camp (June 22-24, 2018), how to register a child, or to volunteer, please contact Sue Mairs, camp coordinator, at smairs@altru.org or 701.780.5258

Roland, RubyCat, Ned

Although we never wish heartache on anyone-  It is comforting to have good friends who understand.  We love our friends.  

Nauvoo, Illinois

Wagon Ride, Nauvoo Illinois

Best Flossers this side of the Mississippi

Elias saving the baby Raccoon - who nearly drowned.  We named him Nauvoo.  

Mississippi Steamboat Ride-  Hannibal,  Missouri
Home of Mark Twain (Aka Sam Clemmens)

Pioneer Folk- 
Just like the Patti Duke Show-  Cousins, identical Cousins.  Ha!
Salt n Peppa
Sassy and smart!