Tomorrow will be better

My day started out okay. I knew I was going to be fasting and was resigned to it. Figured I'd just keep myself busy and bedtime would roll around.  I went to the library at 10. Looked over the Leader, and picked up a few books. Always like having new books to look at.  When I went online to read up on some books I thought I might be interested in, and to see if the library carried them, I came across one I really wanted so I ordered it at thriftbooks.com. It was less than $5.  I noticed when I went to the library website that four of the books I checked out a few days ago weren't listed on my "out books."  I must have checked myself out improperly.  Today I was scanning my bunch and two of them wouldn't take so I had to use the librarian.  I bet they lose a heck of a lot of books from people just walking out with them. Anyhow, I wanted to read Frankenstein by Dean Koontz but it wasn't on the shelf so I settled for 'Relentless.'  I also picked up John Updike's Rabbit is Rich. I've been interested in his writing lately and even though I'm pretty sure I checked this book out before, I couldn't remember if I finished it.

I also checked out 'A visit from the goon squad' by Jennifer Egan, 'Life after Life' by Jill McCorkle, 'Home' by Marilynne Robinson, and 'The dead beat' by Marilyn Johnson. The last one is nonfiction about obituaries.  I decided on the drive home that I'd take a quick detour over to the Airport Nursery and pick me up a small houseplant. I have this cute elephant planter that Jenni gave me but haven't bothered to put a plant in it. I now have two houseplants. Used to be I had a dozen or more. I think I got away from having them after I had to move a few times.  And now I know why I don't spend too much money on plants. This tiny little thing cost me $5. And I don't even know what it's called.

I had soaked a box of rocks in soapy bleach water and then I decided to get busy on those. I painted one side white and once they're dry, I'll paint the other side and then decide what I want to do with  each one. I started out with 20 of them.

While sitting in my car at the nursery, I noticed all these gold finches feeding at some planter boxes they had hanging on the fence. So pretty. I wish I could get them to come to my yard. I've got thistleseed hanging out there but I only saw one bird one time. I guess they're feeding elsewhere.

After I got home, much to my disgust, my IBS kicked in.  I just never know when to expect a visit. So maddening. Just as well I was planning to stay home today. I'm lucky I even got the library run in. It's such an annoying problem and darned if I can find any pattern in what causes it.  Diet doesn't seem to be an answer. I guess it's just my innards.

I played solitaire on my other laptop to pass the time. I've got three games that I enjoy. Later I might play some scrabble too.  My youtubeTV station is gone as of yesterday so I'm keeping myself entertained on the free stations.  Haven't decided yet if I want to invest in HuluTV (where you get more things to look at including golf). We'll see if I can get by without watching.  I do have regular Hulu already.

I've got a new Sunbonnet Sue wall hanging I want to try so I spent a little time in the sewing room tracing the designs from the book so I can transfer to the applique paper.  Have to be really "well" to buckle down in the sewing room so I'll do more tomorrow. At least the IBS usually only lasts a day.

Jenni had me over for dinner last night so that was a nice break from cooking. Wayne grilled braut burgers outside and Jen fixed me a really cool looking tossed salad.  She's busy working on her latest craft now --painting Xmas ornaments and lawn art. 
I got to thinking about people I haven't heard from and decided to google them to see what I could find.  My mom's biological first cousin died in 2016 (which I didn't know) and his wife, June, died last year. I'll attach their obits here along with the pictures.  Mary and I went to Montesano in 2000 to meet them after I discovered my mother's biological family from my genealogy research. Well written obituaries I think. My mother never met Harry and he was her only biological first cousin. Her mother and his mother both had one child only.

Harry James Denny passed peacefully, Oct. 15, 2016, seven days shy of his 91st birthday. He was born Oct. 22, 1925, in McCleary, Wash. His family moved to the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area when he was two. Harry grew up attending Hoquiam schools, graduating early from Hoquiam High so he could enlist in the United States Navy in 1943.

After enlistment, Harry was an Aviation Radioman/Gunner and saw service in the Western Atlantic and Caribbean area of operations. In 1944, he was transferred to the Pacific Theater and attached to a squadron that saw service from the Southern Philippines to Northern Japan. Harry was part of an 11-man crew on a PBY during the invasion of Okinawa, Japan. His plane, made for water landings, would rescue downed American crews. After one particular mission, word was received that an atomic bomb had been dropped. Everyone’s reaction was, “Oh, what is that?” His crew had seen the mushroom cloud and not knowing what they had witnessed, had assumed a large weapons depot had been hit by an airstrike. Harry was awarded numerous medals for his service during World War II, including the Philippine Liberation Medal.

Upon his return to the States, Harry remained in the Naval Reserve. While in the Reserves, he was designated a Naval Flight Officer and was active in squadrons flying out of Naval Air Station Seattle and then (NAS) Whidbey Island. During this time, he was attached to anti-submarine warfare squadrons. Harry’s last assignment prior to retiring from the reserve was as Commanding Officer of one of the Reserve (ASW) Patrol Squadrons. Harry served a total of 32 years active and reserve duty combined in the U.S. Navy. He was proud of his Navy service and his service to his country.

In 1951, Harry married the true love of his life, June Reece. Harry and June met as children when he was five and she was three. For 18 years they did not see each other. They just recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Harry’s civilian career began with the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier out of Montesano, Wash. He worked for the USPS for more than 30 years, serving the last 10 years as Montesano’s Postmaster. During those 10 years, he was often assigned as a training postmaster for newly appointed postmasters and also as a rural inspector for various offices. He was also the temporary Postmaster for the Aberdeen Post Office while a new Postmaster was selected.

One of Harry’s favorite pre and post-retirement activities was fishing on the rivers around Montesano with friends or on a charter out of Westport.

After his retirement from the USPS and the military, Harry and June enjoyed exploring the U.S. in their RV, including a trip up the Alcan Highway to Alaska and over to the Northern tip of Maine. They eventually became “snowbirds” settling in Yuma and Coolidge, Ariz., during the winter months. He began woodcarving and honing his skill. It was a passion of his and he created beautiful pieces of art, winning several competitions with his entries.

Harry’s other passion was playing the harmonica. His collection is now close to 32 harmonicas in every flat and sharp and through the years has entertained many with his love of music.

Harry was an Elder in the Montesano Presbyterian Church and served as their treasurer for several years. He was also an associate member of the Community Presbyterian Church in Coolidge, Ariz. and attended the Boisfort Community Church in Curtis, Wash.

He was a member of various service and military organizations dating back to WWII, including Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2455 of Montesano and an active member of the Montesano community, serving 28 years as a volunteer fireman. He was also on the city’s Chamber of Commerce and the Montesano School Board.

Harry is survived by his loving wife, June; their three daughters: Kevin Ann and husband, Monty Kurek and their two sons, Bryce and Kyle and Kyle’s wife, Jessica and two great-grandchildren, Madison June and Cody James; daughter, Rebecca Lynn and husband, Barry Martin and their son, Nolan and Nolan’s fiancé, Nora; daughter, Mollie Kathleen and husband, Bruce Laaksonen and their two sons, Ryker and Derek and Derek’s wife, Farrell.

Long time Montesano resident, June Marie Denny, passed away peacefully in December 2018. She was 91 years old.

Born in Everett, Washington. June was the only daughter in the family, growing up with four brothers. She could climb a tree and shoot a gun with the best of them. While a senior at Everett High School, June worked for Boeing’s Everett facility alongside the famous “Rosie The Riveter” helping build the planes used in WWII. Her job was that of a “bucker”. The riveter used a gun to shoot rivets through the metal and fasten it together. The bucker used a bucking bar on the other side of the metal to smooth out the rivets. June was warned by her mother to “never hang out with those “older” women who rivet, they wear red lipstick!”

After graduating high school, June entered a Nursing Program in Everett to train as a Registered Nurse. As a nursing student, she contracted tuberculous from a patient and was forced to put her professional education on hold for two years as she recovered. After receiving her Registered Nursing degree she attended to patients who were in iron lungs suffering from polio and also worked at Childrens’ Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle.

In 1951, June married the true and everlasting love of her life, Harry Denny from Hoquiam, Washington. June and Harry had met as children, she was three and Harry was five. The newlyweds settled in Montesano where they raised their family and became quintessential members of the community.

June worked as an RN for Dr. James Moore and Dr. Dizon in Montesano and also with Grays Harbor County as part of the Visiting Nurse Program along with other volunteer organizations. She was an active member of the Montesano Presbyterian Church and with the patience of a saint, was a leader for a group of teenage Junior Girl Scouts.

In the 1980s, June and Harry retired and began their travels throughout the United States, eventually becoming annual snowbirds to the Arizona desert, where, with the eye of an artist, she began her new passion, painting. June also taught microwave cooking classes at their retirement community as this was “new technology” at the time.

She had some hard-core competitive moments playing board games and cards and cherished family reunions, enthusiastically showed her 8mm family movies to anyone who would watch and was determined to keep family traditions alive. She enjoyed singing Christmas carols…. A bit off-key, but God love her.

She loved her Lord; she was still “sweet” on her husband Harry, of 68 years who passed in 2016, she had a mother’s unfailing love for her three daughters and a special place in her heart for each of her son-in-laws. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and cherished all of her family members.

A moral compass in a world of lost direction, a woman of faith, family and friends. While we will miss her, she is always with us; yesterday, today and tomorrow. We love you forever!

 
Well, off to my recliner.