In memoriam

With thanks to Connie

As 2008 draws to a close, we remember those from our community that went before us.
In no particular order:

Sylvia, Chuck, Kim, Penny, Pam, Lahoma, Rene, Susan, Jim, Walt

Rest in peace.
You will not be forgotten, not even after our departure from AOL.

Sylvia's Poetry

As stated in previous entry, Sylvia Boiling (sylviam4000 on AOL) passed away on 2 May 2008. Her journal was deleted with all other AOL journals on 31 October 2008. Only a few snippets remain on the Net. In memory of Sylvia, I have copied the three entries I managed to retrieve.

Sylvia, rest in peace.

31 March 2006
Fresh Shoots From The Earth & New Beginnings

Oh Dear!.........what can the matter be?
I deleted me "Jottings"........oh what a Saturday!
Sitting here blindly.........without any spectacles;
(They were hidin' in one of the bathroom receptacles);
Bored out of me brain..........what brain you may ask?
Decided in me wisdom to get on wiv a task:
If I deleted an odd entry, with lots of rubbishy pics,
I'd gain FTP space - for "Jottings from the Sticks".
Squintin' at edit buttons - nose to the screen,
Suddenly I realised and let out a scream!!

The entry deleted, along wiv journal as well;

This was the ultimate AOL hell!
Had ter blame someone - I can't be that daft?
If I hadn't a cried - I think I'd 'ave laughed.
Just as everyfing was looking far less than rosy,
'Twas then I thought of - "Ye Olde English Posy".

Although this is a new journal, I'm still the same old me, and would like Ye Olde English Posy, to remain on much the same lines as my dear departed "Jottings". Welcome back folks.

Where's Spring? I took the above pic [deleted, ADB] Tuesday morning, on a little jaunt around the country lanes. It was a biting wind and trying to snow as I got back into the car. The lack of fresh green shoots and early Spring flowers, has turned March into a dreary drudge. Roll on April, Easter, and hopefully that rare phenomenon, a few warm sunny days. When that happens, housework will become a swear word here, and I'll take off with the camera to capture Nature's awakening.

My Posy for Mother's Day

There's a lovely custom inmy village, dating back many years: All the mums and grandmums in the parish receive a small posy, which are arranged by members of the church congregation.

Changes are afoot, which I'm very anxious about. Caring for hubby has finally taken too much of a toll on my own health. On Wednesday I made the difficult decision to ask for help, and to hand over some of the responsibilty, of hubby's care, to others. I will always remain his carer, wouldn't have it any other way; but the situation here must change - for both our sakes. I don't know what those changes will involve, until a meeting has been set up with the appropriate people. It's very hard letting go, but I truly have no choice.



The Spring comes in with all her hues and smells,
In freshness breathing over hills and dells;
O'er woods where May her gorgeous drapery flings,
And meads washed fragrant by their laughing springs.
Fresh are new opened flowers, untouched and free
From the bold rifling of the amorous bee.
The happy time of singing birds has come,
And Love's lone pilgrimage now finds a home.
Among the mossy oaks now coos the dove,
And the horse crow finds softer notes for love.
The foxes play around their dens, and bark
In joy's excess, mid woodland shadows dark.
The flowers join lips below; the leaves above;
And every sound that meets the ear is Love.
John Clare (1793-1864)

Thank you for calling in, the welcome mat will be left at the door. Take care folks, keep well and be happy.

11 April 2006
It was early morning, around 7am, when glancing out of the window, I witnessed a delightful sight: A family of Greenfinches, fluttering in the still bare boughs of my apple tree. It's raw, snow has fallen in the past few days, hail storms wreaked havoc and Jack Frost has been keeping a nightly vigil. Despite the weather, this happy, colourful, little band of Greenfinches were enjoying a family outing. The first fledglings of the year.

Often I had gone this way before:
But now it seemed I never could be
And never had been anywhere else;
'Twas home, one nationality
We had, I and the birds that sang,
One memory....

(from Home by Edward Thomas 1878-1917)

Back to the subject of hail storms, we drove into an horrendous one on Sunday. Only minutes before, we had been parked on the verge of a delightful and scenic country lane. Sunshine poured into the car, as we sat and ate our lunch of sandwiches and bananas, washed down with a cup of strong coffee; followed by a welcome cigarette and a read of the local rag. It had been so relaxing, but it was time to hit the road home. Looking into the interior mirror, as I pulled away, the sky behind us had turned to the colour of ink. Just a couple miles on, the inky skies caught up with us and the heavens opened. As huge hailstones smashed into the car, we heard what sounded like a gunshot......a large hailstone had cracked the car windscreen! I'm still waiting for Autoglass to come and fix it, they were coming today, but it's been raining cats and dogs and the car is on the driveway. It needs to be dry, when the new windscreen is put in, otherwise the glue doesn't set and the new screen would likely blow out!

The bluebells with the grasses mingle;
But soon their azure will be scrolled,
Upon the primrose cloth-of-gold.
Yes, those are early lady-smocks,
The children crumple in their frocks,
And carry many a zig-zag mile,
O'er meadow, footpath, gate and stile;
To stick in pots and jugs to dress
Their cottage sills and lattices.....
(from A Defence of English Spring by Robert Bridges (1844-1930)

Updates from the geriatric ward:

Hubby is much improved, his confusion less (probably 'cause I aint bin nagging 'im so much!) Me? I be ready for the knackers yard: Still have that dratted bursa on me elbow and since this mornin' I be 'aving a job standing and walking - I got pain in me groin and leg. Sore lumps under me arm are nothing to the pain in me neck though; given to me by folks who were going to wave wands and actually get me some 'elp and support wiv hubby. Looks like I be back to square one, as they 'ave done nothing, 'cept chops about it and push the whole issue back onto my shoulders. The National Health Service be a disgrace to the Nation. The local Mental Health Team seem to be giving 'emselves a permanent holiday - trouble at the mill, so I bin informed. No support at all for hubby now, so it seems.

Our daughter's turned up trumps though. She's coming over on a reg'lar basis to change bed linen and keep the upstairs cleaned. I'm so thankful to her, but feel guilty, 'aving to admit I can't cope with the physical work. If I was a dog they 'ud put me down and give everyone a break; as I aint, yer'll 'ave ter put up wiv me moans and groans occasionally. Promise not to lose me humour though - am takin that ter 'eaven wiv me, when the time comes. 'Ere's me epitaph, for those of you who haven't read it afore: "Here lies a poet, no blood in 'er veins; Please? - cover the grave, whenever it rains!"

Time to go and check the "minced beef special", that's simmering on the hob; put the kettle on for a cuppa and stop hubby's snoring! Take care folks, thanks for dropping in; there's always a welcome on the mat and time for a natter at my place.

20 May 2006
Natural Magic
Think of the beauty that nature empowers:
Carpets of bluebells under green leafy bowers,
Clumps of wild primrose from thickets they peep,
The wonder of snowdrops when nature's asleep.

Down by the river, as a swan glides along,
Hear the sweet music of a nightingales song;
Catch sight of a fallow deer, as it is stood,
On tracks made by badgers, deep in the wood.

Banks of sweet violets where rabbits abound;
A coppice of hazel where nuts can be found.
Meadows of cowslips and daisies in Spring;
Autumn the mushrooms in a fairy-like ring.

Hedges of elderflower, hawthorn and rose;
Later the blackberries, crab apples and sloes.
Spruce, pine and fir in their evergreen cloak;
Trees of horse chestnut, beech, lime and oak.

Homes for the slow worm beneath a big log;
Dewponds of lillies with pads for the frog.
Heartsease and heather are the butterflies seat,
There's a world full of magic - just under your feet.

(C) Copyright Sylvia Boiling 2006

Sylvia Boiling

I heard that sad news only tonight that Sylvia Boiling had passed away.

She had a very popular journal on J-Land for around three years, maybe more. Her blog was Ye Old English Posy. She posted beautiful photographs and tales about the area she lived in accompanied by poems.

Sylvia had a very sick husband and was constantly worried about him and was under a great deal of stress over him although sick herself.

She never got the chance to come over to Blogger as she passed away on the 2nd May. I did wonder why she had stopped writing on her journal and now, sadly, we know why. I feel guilty that when Guido was asking for dormant blogs to be brought over to blogger, I never thought of hers. I am very sad about it because now it has been lost forever.

I do not possess a photograph of her to post on the sidebar. If anyone does, perhaps they would be kind enough to send it to me.

This was passed on to me - it was contained in an e-mail from Joan who had got this information from Cathy

We were all saddened by the sad news that Sylvia Boiling had passed away last week.Sylvia was a bright, articulate, kind and enthusiastic carer whose devotion to husband Ron was an inspiration to us all.She contributed significantly from the earliest days to North Bucks Carers; the newsletters often published her funny, witty and sometimes poignant poems that were so enjoyed by our members.Despite her own sometimes fragile health, she was a tower of strength to her family and other carers, always ready with infectious good humour to lift the mood.Our thoughts go out to her son and daughter at this sad time.

Rest in peace, Sylvia. God bless.

For Our Friends - Please Have Your Sound On

Remembering

I have now added the memorial quilts. I hope to put the photos on in the future but it will all take time. At least our friends are now at Blogger with us. My only regret is that we can no longer return to their journals to read. The links are obviously lost as, after the end of the month, they will no longer exist. But they will always be in our hearts. We may not be able to access their writings anymore but their memories will remain. God bless them all.

If you have some memory that you would like to post here, please email me and I will add you as a co-author. I wish I could make this blog open to everyone but we do not have that option.

Remembering Chuck

I met Chuck very early after joining J-Land.  Krissy, Val, Chuck and I had a in a buddy chat.  He was a friend immediately.  I've been reading his journal ever since.  Some of my favorites were the times he was making "chair art" in the wet parking lot of the Old Folks Home as he called it.  Chuck knew his time was short, but still told/wrote stories.  On of the most recent was a story about two little dogs:  Snap and Ginger.  We had just had a couple of puppies here and I wrote him to ask if I could borrow one of the names.  His response was an unqualified yes.  Unfortunately,  he didn't make it long enough to see a picture of our little Gingersnap.  He would have love it.  If you have not been reading  his journal, go on over and read the archives and his most recent entries.  He doesn't have to be here for you to fall in love with him.  Click here to go read:  Dribble by Chuck Ferris   Here he is on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjgIcFPsiq8
Chuck, we will miss you terribly.  Although your light has gone out here, your words will shine forever in our hearts. 
Penny

Chuck Ferris

On the lst July we lost another valued member of our J-Land community.  Chuck Ferris passed away.  I did not know Chuck well but I know that others did and I do hope that someone does a memorial posting for him on here.

What I do know is that he wrote in J-Land for four years, his journal was extremely popular and very entertaining.

He will be deeply missed. 

Giving Credit

Many thanks to Jeannette and Sunny for the concept and followthru of J-Land Angels and Silent Keyboards (J-Land Angels 2). Jeanette has worked long and hard on both journals.

TY ladies, God bless.
Also, thought you might want to know the lovely Memorial Quilt Squares for the J-Landers that have passed (on sidebar), were made by Shelly (Roxy) at Stitched With Love. Note her logo "Roxy" on each. You might want to snag some and put them on your own side bar, if you haven't already. {{}}
Many thanks Shelly, much love and appreciation for your thoughtful work.
And thanks to Donna for her graphics on the first journal.
Sugar

Blessings

Below is an entry that I made on Jeannette's Journal as a comment she made to an entry for this new journal.

I started JLANDANGELS after we lost Kim. I hunted all over JLAND for a journal where we can post about members who have gone to get their ANGEL wings. There was none. So I started one. I had the idea, but not the know-how to made the journal.

I always read Jeannette's journal it was one I read daily. I liked the way her journal was. I asked her if she would do the journal. She asked a few other JLAND friends to make some tags and she made it what it is today.

Jeannette had trouble keeping it up since she had to use my screenname.She asked me if I would mind her starting a new journal under her screen name and I told her YES it would be easier for her. After many emails back and forth we have the journal you are now reading.

I HAD THE IDEA AND JEANNETTE HAD THE KNOW HOW.

So with that said Jeannette I give you the BLESSINGS to you on this journal and know you will make it a great one.

 

Hugs and much love to you.

 

Sunny

Here is the comment left on her journal:

I just want everyone who reads your comments to know that you do have my blessings with JLANDANGELS. I just had the idea for the journal. It was all Jeannette who did all the work on it. It has been hard on her to keep it updated because she has to do it under my screen name. It is very hard for her to be updating it.

I hope you Keep the name JLANDANGELS and put either continue or 2 after the name.

Jeannette I suggest you start a new journal under your screen name and have a link for the origanal journal be the first one under other journal. That way the one who want to go back and read their post can do so. It would be so much easier for them to do it this way.

My dear friend I thank you for the work you have done on the journal. I know this new one will be as good as the 1st one.

Starting Over - Message From Jeannette

I started out on this journal with the intention of just copying and pasting from the original J-Land Angels.  However, that has not proved practical.  Not only did every posting come out as written in my name but it was totally impossible for me to copy and paste comments.  It just did not look right and it did not feel right.

After much consultation and support with and from Sunny, it was decided therefore to make J-Land Angels 2 a totally new journal.

Sunny had the original concept of creating a J-Land Memorial and that is how the original - J-Land Angels came into being.  All of us should be so grateful to her for that.  I know she has my thanks. Credit should also be given to Sugar for making the beautiful sidebar graphics on this new version and to Shelley for the memorial quilt squares which appear on the old version and on this new one. Donna made the graphics for the original journal so I thank her once again here.

It proved so difficult to update the original journal.  It is important to keep a journal of this nature up-to-date although it is to be devoutly wished that new names are not added very often.

Please note this site has been created only for those we have lost who have kept a journal.  It is their own private space.

Irene / Always Irene

The Call for Support journal alerted me, thanks to Indigo, that Irene passed away in the early hours of the morning, after a long battle with cancer. She is now sitting at the breakfast table. I am very upset at her passing, a gentle soul, who will be deeply missed by all those in her vicinity. Whether it be family and friends or the J-land community. It came as a shock this afternoon. Keep the coffee warm, we'll be there in time.

Breakfast Table
Is it a million miles to heaven
too far to hear my lonely song?
Or is it just my imagination I hear you humming along?
I only hold you in my dreams now.
I wake up with cold and empty arms.
Lord help me get through this long night without you ,
And soon as the morning comes,
Soon as the morning comes.

Save me a seat at the breakfast table.
Save me a dance around the Milky Way.
And save me a thousand years to whisper in your ears.
All I've wanted to say.
Save me a smile and an angel's feather.
Save me a walk down the streets of gold.
And baby,we'll change our minds just like old times...
And maybe we'll just fly away.
Or maybe we'll stay.

My lucky doll, you're in heaven before me.
You were my taste of heaven here.
Remember we loved to talk about it, we couldn't wait to get there.
So you go on and find your way around now.
But remember I'm here missing you. Do me a favor and say hey to Jesus!
And tell him I'm missing him too.
Tell him I'm missing him too.

Then save me a seat at the breakfast table.
Save me a dance around the Milky Way.
And save me a thousand years to whisper in your ears.
All I've wanted to say.
Save me a smile and an angel's feather.
Save me a walk down the streets of gold.
And baby, we'll change our mindsjust like old times.
And maybe we'll just fly away.
Or maybe we'll stay.