Space

Space:  Noun

1.  The region beyond the earth's atmosphere containing

     the other planets of the solar system, stars, galaxies, etc.,  universe

On Monday, May 16, my husband and I had the opportunity to

watch the 25th and final launch of the space shuttle Endeavour.  The
Endeavour was constructed as a replacement for Challenger, which

was lost in the launch accident in 1986.

We viewed this historical moment from Titusville, along-side

the Indian River.  Even though we have witnessed numerous launches,

we are always in awe of what we are experiencing...the excitement is

always new and fresh, as if experiencing it for the very first time.

Endeavour lifted-off, as scheduled, at 8:56 am.  As always, it was

breath-taking...






My husband waiting for launch time...

  



The large building in the center is the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building).

   



Me - People watching...

  




A Seagull in the clouds...

 


Fish jumping...



Me waiting for launch time...



Countdown, 10...9...8...



L i f t  o f  f !!!!















Behind the clouds...





 

 Part of the launch experience is the crowd...so many people have come

from out of state, even out of the country, for the once in a life-time

chance to view a space launch...



Cars and spectators can be seen for miles along US HWY 1...

A typical street corner...



The crowd includes many photographers & motor homes...



And sometimes...photographers ON motor homes.



 There are also vendors selling posters, T-shirts, post cards and assorted

"space memorabilia"...

T shirts for sale...



Toilets & T-shirt advertising....



Endeavour poster....Last Chance...$5.00

FREE Parking becomes FEE Parking...



Traffic...Lots of traffic, with an additional 500,000 visitors in the area.



Go Endeavour!!

It was a perfect launch and a perfect day. 

GODSPEED ENDEAVOUR!!





































The Ten Commandments in Rhyme

Ten Commandments:  Plural, Noun.
Exodus 20

1.   Thou no gods shalt have but me.

2.   Before no idol bow thy knee.

3.   Take not the name of God in vain.

4.   Dare not the Sabbath Day profane.

5.   Give to thy parents honor due.

6.   Take heed that thou no murder do.

7.   Abstain from words and deed unclean.

8.   Steal not, for thou by God art seen.

9.   Tell no willful lie and love it.

10.  What is thy neighbors, do not covet.

I recently found this in my Dad's home office.  It was a project he printed
when he was taking a calligraphy class.  I thought it was worth sharing. 
HAPPY SUNDAY!

Epherma ???

Epherma:  Noun

1.  Items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones,
      
     that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or

     popularity.


Epherma...This is not a word I used until the last several years, but it
was something I collected.  For as long as I can remember, I have
collected and saved the "stuff" of life...movie ticket stubs, post-cards,
programs from church or school events, cards sent to me and anything
else that I happened upon that would commenerate a particular event
or life experience.  I didn't realize until recently that I just may have
"inherited" this love/need of collecting stuff from my mother...
As my parents have gotten older, I have been assisting them with
getting some things better organized.  They want me to know where
all of their "important" papers and documents are located and filed.
During this process, I have found some things, that to me, are
priceless....

A sheet of stationery that my Mom saved from the Motel where she and my Dad
spent their first night as husband and wife.

This sheet of stationery is one of the "stuff of life" items that I recently found

at my  parents home.  A sheet of paper that is 58 years old...I love that my Mom

has kept it all these years.

A post-card from a pizza restaurant in Miami.  My parents visited this
restaurant soon after they moved to Miami in 1952.
It was the first time my Mom ate pizza.



The first time my Mom ate pizza...the beginning of a favorite food...

I called her a few days ago around "dinner time"...she was eating pizza.

I love hearing the life stories of my parents, other family members and

those I meet on this journey of life...and collecting the "stuff" of life

makes the stories even better.

Prelude

Prelude:  Noun

1.  A preliminary to an action, event, condition, or
work of broader scope and higher importance.

2.  Any action, event, comment, etc. that precedes something else.

This is the prelude to MY life story...My parents:

My parents were married in 1952 in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. 

They had a small wedding ceremony in a Nazarene Church. 

The attendants at their wedding were my Mom's oldest brother,

 his wife, and their young daughter. 

They spent their first night as husband and wife in Lexington, Kentucky. 

The following day,they began a trip to Florida in a brand new 1952 Ford.  

They would be living in Opa Locka where my Dad was stationed

 with the United States Marine Corps.  They were ready to begin their life together. 

They rented a small apartment and lived there for approximately 6 to 7 months.

My Dad was discharged from the Marine Corps in January 1953

and they moved to Dayton, Ohio. 

I was born 2 1/2 years later  In Dayton. 

My first home was a bungalow style home that my father

built with the help of my Mom's youngest brother. 

Even though my parents sold that home before I entered Kindergarten,  

I still have fond memories of that house, the flower garden

and playing in the yard.  In fact, I would love to buy that house today,

the house that was my first home,

and move it to the mountainsof North Carolina. 

Maybe someday...



Me, in front of my first home.

This is the beginning of my story...and, I lovingly dedicate this blog to my parents.