The adventures of my Grandson and Navy man, Kirill

The collage above is from the Tiger Cruise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMcx3RQEOLo last year, showing Petty Officer Kirill's return from 6 months on the USS RR. His parents and brother met the ship in Hawaii and returned to San Diego with him, on board the ship. There, Elana (Kirill's bride) was joyfully waiting to greet them. Again this year he will be returning from another 6 months tour at the end of October. The family will not meet them in Hawaii, but this time in San Francisco where they will sight see and take in a concert while waiting his return.

Top picture in collage Kirill is standing by the plane he takes care of, in the bottom one his

pilot has ask him to make picture of him in his plane, #303.

The ship was in Thailand several days before returning to Hawaii. Below are some of Kirill's experiences there during his spare time.

And of course, everyone has time for a little play with his civilian friends...

Which one is the sailor?

Kind of makes one want to join the Navy!

FLOYD FAMILY REUNION

The Floyd Family Reunion

We Floyd's are looking forward to our annual reunion

which takes place the third week-end in October.

We will be seeing our extended families from many

states this year at that wonderful little

Commerce Cumberland Presbyterian Church in

Commerce, where our ancestors originated

We look forward to seeing our cousin from Detroit

who has turned 100 since last October.

Katheryn is always our biggest cheerleader.

If you are a Floyd, related to the Floyd's, or

would like to become a Floyd please

meet us at the church at ten o'clock

October 17 - 18, 2009

And Mama makes four

Hugh has a new toy. A camera that e-mails him when a leaf
falls, a mosquito flys by of the bears head toward his jeep.

GOODNIGHT LITTLE DRUMER

These grandparents were happy on

Christmas,1946 to have a grandson and

a granddaughter to share this Christmas with.

Today this granddaughter is pictured on the

right with her husband just before she

left us and went to her heavenly home.

This grandson on the left with

his family. He has grown taller.
Happy Memories

Goodnight Little Drumer

COUNT THE PENNIES AGAIN

MR. WATERTOWN

Today is my precious brother's birthday. How many?

Long ago the Lord blessed our family with a baby boy.

What fun after those girls ! He soon became the apple

of every one's eye, including Miss Grace Hill, my 2nd

grade teacher, who lived in the other side of the "duplex"

that we lived in. She fell so in love with this little baby.

This birth became a longtime friendship - fellowship,

between this baby boy and the community he was to

serve for many years and in many capacities as the

years rolled by. This longtime fellowship that returned

his best self, reflected like a two-way mirror, the joy

others got from just having him around. This was

received proudly by his family. Thank you for your love

of our family and thank you for the gift of perseverance

that keeps old friendships new. This is why there was a

bridge named "The Edsel Cordell Floyd Bridge" This is

why he is continued to be called on for history of this

little town, that is why Miss Grace Hill loved this baby

and why she wanted Cordell put in his name, that is

why he has been called, "Mr. Watertown" down through

the years.

That is why I adore him.

Sister

Sister and Dorothy Dean

I am thinking about Miss Macon today.

Picture made in Detroit, Mi. 1929.

Gwen, age 2 and Dot age 3

Miss Macon , age 24

Birthday Wishes to JUJU 9/1/09

BMJH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JUDY, JUDY, JUDY

I Choose Memories

It is easier to make memories than to unmake them.

It is easier to remember than to forget.

Indeed, it is quite impossible to be sure we have forgotten ~ ~

anything.

And since memory remains, we would do well to look at what

we choose to make our memories.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

What fun she had with her Dad in that wonderful

snow, sleigh and Sonny Boy

THE MOTHER IN THIS HOUSE

For such as you, I do believe,

Spirits their softest carpets weave,

And spread them out with gracious hand

Wherever you walk, wherever you stand.

For such as you, of scent and dew

Spirits their rarest nectar brew,

And where you sit and where you sup

Pour beauty's elixir in your cup.

For all day long, like other folk,

You bear the burden, wear the yoke,

And yet when I look in your eyes at eve

You are lovelier than ever, I do believe.

~ Hagedorn

Louis counted the pennies today.

Happy, Happy Birthday to Louis

I know you have had a great day and I wish
for you another great year. Enjoy mowing and stay
forever young. I love you.
Nanamom

Gray Gardens

I can barely wait for TEA

64 years with LOP 2005

While Dad has gone to "Rest High Upon that Mountain"
I am being looked after by our children.
And waiting for the day we are reunited.

On July 15th 1945 Leonard and I took our walk down the
aisle to become one. We honored this commitment
for the next sixty and a half years when he
left me for the first time and
made his final journey into the presence of his Lord.
The above picture was made a month
and half before our wedding, We were visiting my
Grandmother in Auburn Ky. shortly after WW II .

About 25 years later at a
rehearsal dinner I sat up
on the back porch.

Fifty year anniversary.

After 59 years of our sweet marriage,

2005

It was a great life until the last moment.

1945 ~ 2005

This Side of Heaven

The mountains have claimed yet another member of our family. First Merry and Terrence bought “Northcroft”, then Judy and Louis, “The Falls”, and now Hugh and Natali have been bitten by the bug. Something about those mountains that draw on the memory of their youth and make them buy a second home.

High in the Smoky Mountains, Hugh and Natali have purchased a welcoming retreat that they have named, “Heavenside”. They have shored up its walls, weeded the yard, put up a new sign and placed, in the corner, a bed for Murphy. They are ready to enjoy!






Can't wait to come visit! gp

THEY TENDED US WELL

Pause with me as I play again in the dusty

lanes of childhood at grandpa's house.

Remember these bigger than life companions

who helped us bridge home and away, child-

hood and maturity. In their footsteps, we

made the journey. Thank you for such a

heritage and a day on which to express

our gratitude. We salute you this day.
Richard, William, Herman and Leonard
Below and bottom left the precious

father of my children.

My father, I also salute

for the Christian heritage

he gave me. Seen with

part of his wonderful

family.

.Happy Fathers Day to my

son and sons-in-law.

Please click on small pix

to enlarge.

THE 13th ~ The Queen's Eighty-Second

The Queen has a birthday, I'm so glad

we will see how many she has had

as we count the pennies we are told

she's

1~2~3~4~5~6~7~8~9~10~11~12~13~14~15~

16~17~18~19~20~21~22~23~24~25~26~

27~28~29~30~31~32~33~34~35~36~37~38~

39~40~41~42~43~44~45~46~47~48~49~50~

51~52~53~54~55~56~57~58~59~60~61~62~

63~64~65~66~67~68~69~70~71~72~73~74~

75~76~77~78~79~80~81~82~

My goodness I am out of pennies, and I

am so proud of every year.

No one could have a better life.

I look forward to tomorrow, the trip

to Atlanta, Kate's dinner,

Terr's soft shoe dance and song,

and seeing my grandchildren I have not

seen since Thanksgiving.

Abundant Life with the class of "HOPE"

Grace for our feast

We gather around this feasting table,
Humbled by our bounty,
Lord of abundant life:

We have so much more than we need.
We confess that we are poised,
Fork in hand, ready to overdo.

Help us to learn better how to live as
Grateful, if overstuffed, children --
Delighted, surprised and generous

With the sharing of our good fortune.
Bless us now as we enjoy it amidst
Food - Friends - Family

We give you the heartiest
Thanks for your diligent
Steadfast care.

Love from Patton Place
Gwen

The 28th of May brought my Sunday School class to Church Street for lunch and our monthly meeting. How good and pleasant it is when this circle of ladies gather to greet each other with beautiful morning faces. Sometimes we arise grumpy, sometimes smiling, sometimes behind in our duties, but our goal is to always be prepared to please our Heavenly Father. Such were these ladies on Thursday and joyfully, in their midst, I experienced a little of Heaven on earth. Did we discuss everything? If not, we will pick up where we left off on the 4th Thursday of June. Thanks to all who were able to attend.

Thanks to daughters Merry and Judy, and also to sister-in-law Geraldine, for helping so I could better enjoy my guests.

As always I was inspired by the blessings of a lifetime.

It was a hopping good time.

gp

(P.S. Tiny ceramic frogs were my choice of favors!)

Birthday memory

Today is my Leonard's birthday...

Indulge me and join me in my happy memories.

My Mother's Garden

~Betty Lynn Patton Willard ~

(5/2/46 -10/30/02)

My Mother kept a garden,
A garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
That gave my life its start.

She turned me to the sunshine
And encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
The seeds of self-esteem…
Her constant good example
Always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
That will last a lifetime long.

I am my Mother’s garden.
I am her legacy-
And I hope today she feels the love
Reflected back from me.

Everyone has a garden, a garden of their own. Each garden reflects the true heart of that person, a glimpse into their very soul. This year instead of recollecting memories, I am choosing instead to bring my Mother’s garden out for all to see… a garden that was watered with among other things, beanie babies, sports, antiques, NASCAR, and nature. Our Mother’s Garden….. Her children:

November 13, 1963 Ken came in loud and proud. Even today he makes sure that everyone knows he was first and was the apple of his mother’s eye. He was watered with baseball, basketball, the love of ‘fixing things’ and of nature. Ken, with his wonderful wife Anna have started their own garden. Casey Patton Willard. If Ken was the apple of his mother’s eye, it is safe to say that Casey was the cherry that was on the topping.

June 18, 1969 Leigh, yes that’s me.. Arrived, I feel bold and ready. I can say I was watered with the love of children and family, and a readiness that keeps me prepared for anything that could come my way. I was able to bless my Mother with 3 boys, Thomas Green, Jacob Faulkner, and Mickenna Lee. Each were special to their Nanny in their own way, each bringing pride in her voice every time she spoke of them. Today, I am able to bring to my Mother a new section for her garden; a wonderful husband Mike and the addition of two more grandchildren, Autumn Michelle and Michael Todd. Both of whom she would love and appreciate as if they were her own.


April 25, 1977, Jason…Mr. Adventure. I can never remember a time that Jason didn’t have a plan for one thing or another. He was watered with the love of sports and the sense of love. Jason blessed our Mother, with his son, Jaylen Xavier. Jaylen was our Mother’s last grandchild to hold, the last grandchild to steal a piece of her heart. She held him near and dear to her heart. Our Mother would be so very proud to see what a wonderful Father Jason has become.

September 29, 1978, Matthew Owen Patton… Who would ever believe that Matthew would today be the big ex-Air Force body-builder that he is. Matthew was the cutest baby with the biggest personality anyone could ever find. Matthew was watered with self-esteem, and the gift of humor. Matthew blessed our Mother with memories and pride like no other.

August 31, 1986, Joseph….Joseph came in a quiet way, the child that very sweetly walked beside you holding your hand. He would smile at you and your heart would melt. Joseph brought our Mother youth, one of the most impressive gifts of all.

Last but not least, at the center of her garden was our father, Aubrey. My Father brought our Mother strength, security, love beyond reason, and friendship. His love for her has to this day been strong and has never wavered. My Mother called him “The Wind Beneath Her Wings”. It has taken me many years to truly understand her meaning of this. Today, I am proud to say that the two of them are my parents.

My Garden Keepers

My Mother, Betty Lynn,
And my Father, Aubrey Kenneth.

Happy Birthday to My Mother, from the many petals of her garden.

Love, Ken, Anna, Leigh, Jason, Matthew, and Joseph
And her grandchildren, Thomas, Casey, Jacob, Mickenna, and Jaylen~

Written by Leigh, with love.