Aunt Hootie and Kyle...

At "Little Rock"...Gettysburg, PA. November 23, 2007.

*

When Kyle was just learning how to talk he called everything "Ba". But there was one thing he named. When someone would point to me and say "Kyle, Who's that?" He'd reply, "Hootie!"

*

Over time, my husband started calling me Hootie. In crowds I'm the only person who will answer to that name.

*

It's not right to have a favorite. So I'll not use that word. That said, I don't know what it is about the connection I feel to Kyle. I can't explain it. I don't even have to say anything to him when we are together. I just feel a certain closeness that exists. I love all my neices and nephews, but Kyle...there is something special at him. :)

Thinking of my Grandma...

The waiting is over.

On Saturday, Nov. 10th I saw my grandmother for the last time here on earth.

May she rest in peace.
****************************************
This picture was taken on November 24, 2007 at The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indians in Washington, DC.

Wall 4.3.
****************************************


Teresa Simonetto

TERESA RITA CASSIDY SIMONETTO CROWN POINT, IN Teresa Rita Cassidy Simonetto, age 88 years, formerly of Crown Point, IN and a current resident of Hebron, IN, passed away Friday, November 16, 2007 at Hartsfield Village in Munster, IN.

Teresa was born July 30, 1919 in North Braddock, PA to the late Henry and Margaret McGreehan Cassidy.

On January 3, 1938 she married John Ambrose Simonetto of Albia, IA, who preceded her in death on April 12, 1986, in Gary, IN in a double wedding with her late brother and sister-in-law, Reno and Bernice Simonetto Galletti, also of Gary. Surviving are three sons: Joseph A. Simonetto and wife, Tamara of Munster, IN, Michael G. Simonetto and wife, Theresa, of Roswell, GA, John A. Simonetto and wife, Charlie, of Marysville, TN; a daughter, Pamela M. Simonetto Pampe and husband, Bob, of Winchester, VA; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Preceding Teresa in death were daughters: Carol (1940) and Patricia (2006); a brother, Patrick; and a sister, Betty. Teresa was an active member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic parish in Valparaiso, IN; a member of the Lakes of Four Seasons Fire Auxiliary; the Red Hats Society; the Miniatures, Dolls and Quilting clubs; a member of the National Audubon Society, a Blue Bird Trails of Indiana award recipient; a St. Anthony Auxiliary member and receipt of a special honor from the American Red Cross Blood Services division for donating so many hours of her time on behalf of their organization. Teresa left many gifts behind to those who knew her. She passed recipes, bird lore, gardening secrets and the love of books to anyone who met her. Nature was her best companion. Orphans and needy children held a special place in her heart.

Friends may call on Sunday, November 18, 2007 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN. Prayer service will be held on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. A funeral will be held at Burns Funeral Home on Monday, November 19, 2007 going to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 509 W. Division Road, Valparaiso, IN for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Services will terminate at the church with cremation at the Burns Funeral Home Crematory. Private interment of the cremains will be held at a later date. Donations can be sent to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

Published in The Times from 11/17/2007 - 11/18/2007.

Old Churches...and Fate...

This weekend I went to an old Catholic church for a funeral of a great uncle who had almost made it to his 97th birthday.

*

The church was unmarked on the outside. Only a large cross with a broken heart was planted near the door with a sign that read "For the Aborted Children." My husband and I had to ask some parishioners if we had the correct location. As we walked in the door it was like we were stepping back in time. The whole church felt like stuck in the late 40's. There was not a single bit of evidence of any improvements or updates. I went to a steel tank that was labeled 'holy water' and I pressed the tap to expel a small amount of water to bless myself. Old habits are hard to stop. Although I don't practice Catholicism any more, I feel a level of respect that must be paid to God and the church.

*

This large statue of the Infant of Prague was on our left. This was my mom's favorite saint to pray to. I felt her spirit must be near by.

*

The service was spoken in English by a Croatian priest. He looked a bit like Jimmy Kimble's parking attendant - Guillmo, and he sounded a bit like Andy Kaufman's character, Latka.

*

The stain glass windows in the church were gorgeous. But seeing all the confessionals made me feel like we were in a religious prison. I was quickly reminded why I needed a different church in my life...the Catholic faith is too confining for me, too judgemental. I need to be mentally challenged, allowed to interpret the writings in the gospels, make my own choices, feel that all who worship God are good - not just those who practice like me.

*

No blinders on...we are all God's people.

---------

Fate

I am a huge believer that things happen for a reason. A week ago while I was out walking I found a set of house keys. I thought they must belong to a child walking to and from school since I was near an elementary school when I found them.

*

After contacting several of the parents whom I know have children who walk to school I decided to take the keys to the school office and go write a note on the sidewalk in chalk. While I was writing my note two men in a utility truck pulled up. I asked, half jokingly, if they lost a set of keys. The first man said no in a voice than said 'very funny' but the second man said, "as a matter of fact I did, about a week ago." He went on to describe the keys I found.

*

That, my friends, is fate. It was meant to happen. I don't know why yet. Maybe that man just needed to be reminded that good is in the world. Maybe I just needed to be reminded that little actions can have big rewards. My reward was that wonderful feeling I am still having from knowing I was able to do something good for someone I don't know.

Afternoon surprise...

Late in the afternoon yesterday I had a visitor on my old Bluebird house.

*

I am not sure what kind of owl this is, but I'll be reseaching in soon. She sat on the house for at least 5 minutes. Then she was circling over head making the area Crows very upset.

*

I always wonder when I see birds of prey hunting at unusual times if that means bad weather is ahead. It seems like they are good predictors as well as preditors.

:)

Memories...

Have you heard of this show? It was the greatest in it's time. I was a senior in high school when a group of friends and I would watch it. It came on in the early mornings and we all watched it before school. Arriving at school we'd chat about the episode. I recall us all having characters who we became during the school day. Star Blazers was our "other" way to make it through the school days.