Saying good-bye to a good woman

Myself, Sloop (Terry) and the beautiful Barbara

I haven't blogged in a while because life gets in the way -which it should never do when it comes to celebrating good things in life. Today, I am compelled to write about a beautiful lady who left us way too soon. Barbara was the wife and long-time love of a wonderful artist, Terry McCoy, aka Sloop Jones. We didn't have a lot of time with Barbara, but she was just someone you instantly loved and she served as the "woman behind the man" for Sloop's business. (I have written about Sloop in the past and encourage you to check out his amazing clothes www.sloopjones.com)
Barbara passed in July and today is her memorial service at one of the places that Paul and I love - the east end of St. John USVI. We are so sad we can't be there, but are there in spirit and wearing our Sloop today. I raise a glass of champagne to a woman that brightened the lives of many in so many different ways. Thank you, dear Barbara.

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/life/food/2014/05/22/Forget-the-cookie-table-This-Pittsburgh-couple-is-having-a-bacon-table/stories/201405150444

Such a fun couple and what a fun idea. Even a vegetarian like me thinks it is awesome.

Our daughter, Eliza, has been dating a wonderful, young man for well over a year now and we love Pat. Yesterday, on Mother's Day, my husband and I walked with Eliza and Pat and his family in the Race for the Cure. We honored Pat's mom, Mary, a survivor and every other survivor. We also honored those who have lost their lives to cancer.

The weather cooperated and it was an amazing event. To see over 20,000 people walking in one long line, all for a common cause was wonderful. There were children of all ages, folks of all sizes and even dogs including two white standard poodles died pink. What great fun, but for a serious cause.

It was the first time that we met Pat's family and it was instant love. No suprise since Pat is such a fantastic young man.

What a spectacular Mother's Day - being with people we love, celebrating wonderful survivors and fighting for a cure for cancer.

Sometimes you just want to Do Something....do something good, do something that makes a difference, do....well, something. But you may not have a lot of time or money to do it.

That doesn't mean you can't still Do Something!

I recently saw the Facebook page for an organization called just that - Do Something. It offers suggestions for simple acts that can brighten others' day. While it is geared for youth (of which I am clearly not), the ideas and suggestions can be used by anyone.

When I saw their suggestion to make Valentine's Day cards for seniors then have them delivered through Meals on Wheels volunteers, I contacted a friend who makes lunches for Meals on Wheels and she agreed to put them in the bags. Then my 24-year-old daughter, Eliza, and I made some Valentines! It was great fun and for a great cause.

My niece, a grade school teacher, decided to get her students involved and they made more for another Meals on Wheels site.

It doesn't always have to be a lot - a little can even turn into a lot! Do Something!

Just a quick post with a great quote... “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
Buddha

What happiness will you share today?

Could you do this?

My husband and I have been involved with the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy Challenge for years now. Veteran hikers ourselves - we have done the whole challenge four times - we signed up for the Homestead Challenge this year. The Homestead is only 18 miles - as opposed to the 35.1 mile full challenge.

For the first time, I called it quits after about 12 miles. The heat this year was too much for me and I found myself getting chilled and goosebumps, despite the 90 degree day. Paul, I am happy to say, finished.

And so did some other great folks -
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-north/group-of-teachers-coaches-take-hiking-challenge-694137/

Getting outdoors and on the trail for the Challenge always puts us in contact with other wonderful - if maybe a bit crazy - folks. What is your Challenge?

Painting Happiness!

When we decided to go say "Good-bye" to one of our favorite spots in the world - Maho Bay on St. John, USVI, we also decided to visit Sloop Jones.

Sloop is from Pittsburgh, like us, and had relocated to the island 20 some odd years ago. A photographer by education, Sloop started painting amazing clothing.

Truth-be-told, when we first saw a Sloop sign four years ago, I was a bit nervous. We were on the far east side of the island (rather sparse) and the sign said, "Wearable art." Having no interest in a tatoo, I thought perhaps we should stay away. Paul laughed and encouraged me to enter behind the gate. What we found was a world of beautiful clothing!

This visit, we decided to take advantage of Sloop's new workshops where he teaches folks to paint their own shirts. Great fun. This time, Paul was nervous - a chemist, he claims he doesn't have a creative bone in his body. Ha! He painted an amazing shirt and we had so much fun.

If you ever get to St. John, take advantage of one of Sloop's workshops. In the meantime, visit his website http://www.sloopjones.com.

Sloop chose a photo of us to be in his ad. What an honor!