Category Archives: Uncategorized

Photos of Amy Goodman Event, Monday, April 11, 2005:

Amy is host of Democracy Now!

I love to crochet. It is a skill I first learned from my grandmother when I was very young, but I was too impatient to stick with it. I picked it up again in the fall of 2002. Since then, I have developed my skills to the point where I have been able to start selling my items. I even created a page:

Blue Sky Originals

I also embarked upon my “Hats for Ethiopia” project, which can also be viewed from my site.

I am glad I started this hobby again. It is very rewarding. Except for the Ethiopia hats, I use mostly all natural fibers ~
wool, cotton, hemp, and blends of those. I get most of my yarn from thrift stores but occasionally I buy yarn for special projects from locally owned yarn shops or online shops.

I have also been free form sewing for a few years and some of those designs can also be seen on my site.

This bag is made from 100% hempton (50-50 hemp/cotton) with a 100% cotton lining and glass beads:

A halter made from 100% cotton:

A baby bunting made from 100% cotton:

A poncho and matching scarf made from 100% Virgin Wool:

A hat made from acrylic fiber ~ I was experimenting and I use synthetic fibers that I pick up at thrift stores to experiment with.

We first met him on the corner of 125 South State Street – the home of our weekly peace vigil since October 2001. Norb faithfully sat at that corner each morning in his lawn chair with his sign that identified him as a veteran for peace. He stayed into the summer after the Iraq Invasion (2003) but then left for Vegas. What wonderful stories Norb told us and philosophies he shared. Truly an inspiration.

We last saw Norb a few weeks ago – end of March – at Poo-Ha-Bah – home of Western Shoshone Spiritual Leader Corbin Harney in Tecopa Springs, CA. He had taken a fall at the test site the day prior to coming to Poo-Ha-Bah, but otherwise seemed fine. He told us of the beautful flowers he had seen in Death Valley before he arrived there that day.

We will miss Norb. Tom and I are fortunate to have had him touch our lives. Thanks for everything, Norb.




Obituary:

Published April 08, 2005.

DROUHARD, LAWRENCE

Lawrence “Norb” Drouhard, a long-time international peace activist, died April 6, 2005, in Las Vegas. He was 80. Norb, a U.S. Army World War II veteran had been active in the anti-nuclear and peace movement since the 1980s, most recently attending this year’s Good Friday protest at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site. He had participated in peace marches in five continents including a march across the former Soviet Union in the 1980s. He is survived by his sons, James, David, Brian and Andrew; daughter, Elisa Drouhard Sargent; and nine grandchildren, all of Washington state. He was a member of Veterans for Peace and graduate of the University of Kansas. A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Friday, April 8, at the Las Vegas Catholic Worker, 500 W. Van Buren Ave. Contact 702-647-0728.

These photos from:
Vegas IndyMedia

Being a mother is like no other job in the world. One’s perspective and levels of stress and rewards definitely change with the advent of motherhood. It is indescribable.

Today my 20-year-old son, Greg, is having all his wisdom teeth extracted. Tom will be taking him to and from the dentist. I have left detailed instructions with him on how to contact me in case of an emergency and how to contact me if everything is o.k. (since I will be at work). I have also left instructions with Tom to leave his phone number with the dentist in case he has to leave while Greg is having his teeth pulled.

Tom makes harmless fun of me. “What if I go out into the parking lot for a smoke? Should I tell them to call me if there is an emergency?” he laughs.

Erma Bombeck related it best. She told a story of a visit with her mother. Erma shared with her mother her worries about her 19-year-old son who had moved out of the house but she still worried about him. “Mom, I thought when he moved out I wouldn’t worry as much. When does the worrying stop?” Erma’s mother gently patted Erma on the hand and said, “Just call me when you arrive home safely dear.”

Once a mother, ALWAYS a mother.

We have a greenhouse that Tom built a little over a decade ago out of salvaged materials. It is deteriorating and in need of a lot of repair. We have many plant species. One of Tom’s hobbies is orchids. We have a lot of those. Tom knows all the latin names for the species. We also have a variety of cacti, spider plants, succulents, and lots more. We use the greenhouse to start our garden plants as well. Right now we have tomato and herbs that are sprouting. We are still waiting for the peppers to peek through.

We also have spinach, onions, and peas coming up in the garden outside. It will be good to have yummy fresh greens!

Tom and I spend all our spare time in the spring and fall hiking for edible mushrooms. We are hoping for a good year this year because of all the moisture. We find oysters, morels, agaricus, and boletus edulus.

Today I walked 4 miles and didn’t tire out. I guess I’m still in pretty good shape after not so much exercise this winter!

When I was 30 I learned that I have osteoarthritis. By the time I was diagnosed, I had already been suffering with symptoms since the age of 14. I have it in my knees, cervical and lumber spine. I also have a form of bursitis on my hips called trochentaric bursitis that I have had for years. After I was first diagnosed, I could not receive treatment because I found out I was pregnant with my third child, my daughter. About a year after she was born I began a series of years of medicinal treatment, physical therapy, participating in research studies, and underwent two knee operations. The disease progressed to the point where I was having to use two canes to be able to get around. I had to use electric powered chairs for some things. My doctor, a research rheumatologist, fully expected me to have knee replacements by the time I reached 50, something unheard of. He had never seen the detoriation like mine in the knees of someone so young. I was the perfect research specimen!

When I found out that the disease had taken hold in my lumbar spine, I said “enough is enough”. I immediately began my own exercise and diet program at the age of 35. By the time I was 36 I had lost 70 pounds, thrown away the canes, was in the best physical shape I had ever been in my life, and was wearing size clothing I never dreamed of wearing.

Although I still experience some mild difficulties, I have been able to maintain this changed lifestyle for myself and rarely have to visit a doctor. My rheumatologist was ecstatic to release me from his care. I hike, bike, walk, climb and backpack and don’t eat meat – something I never, ever thought I would be doing. Although I am going through the “change” which brings with it a whole new set of symptoms, I am determined to keep the same pace I have now to stay healthy.

I never thought I’d be bushwacking to hunt mushrooms. Thanks to my determination (inherited from my adventurous grandmother) and the support of my wonderful husband, it’s one of my favorite hobbies.

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This is Tom King, my husband, friend, and soulmate:

People say we are joined at the hip because we do everything together.

These are my children:
Greg, 20 ~ Emily, 15 ~ Brian, 18
Greg is an assistant manager at a fast food restaurant. He lives with us in Utah.
Emily is in 10th grade. She lives in Maryland with her dad.
Brian is a high school senior and will be graduating in June. He will be attending community college in the fall. He lives with us in Utah.

Me, 45 ~ my Dad, 75 ~ Greg, 20
I am the oldest child of my parents and Greg is the oldest child from his parents.
My Dad resides in Maryland where I grew up.

Both of our sons have some beautiful tattoos they have had applied by a local tattoo artist. Recently Brian decided to honor his great-grandmother, who died in February, with such a piece of art. Here it is:

Tom and I love to hike, camp and backpack. After each trip we post photos on a page called

Tom and Dee’s Excellent Adventures.
(Click words above to see the page.)

The latest trip was to Tecopa Springs, CA and Death Valley, CA. Apparently it was an unusual year for flowers in Death Valley due to all the rainfall. And it’s true. Hills upon hills of flowers adorned the Valley. There were people everywhere stopped along the road, frolicking through the fields of beauty, enjoying their splendor and capturing their brilliance with their cameras.

Death Valley is also where the lowest point is in the U.S. – 282 below sea level in Badwater Basin. It was perfect weather – about 75 degrees.

Feb 2

February 2, 2005 marked a chapter in my life that came to an end with the passing away of my

maternal grandmother. She was a significant influence in my life with her bravery,

resourcefulness, and devotion to life and who truly provided much of the inspiration I received

to become who I am. I will miss her very much.

Thelma G. Wheatley, 93

JUNE 10, 1911-FEB. 2, 2005

WILLIAMSPORT – Thelma Gaynell Hill Wheatley, 93, of 16505 Virginia Ave., Williamsport, Md.,

passed away Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, at Homewood Retirement Center in Williamsport.

Born Saturday, June 10, 1911, in Hagerstown, Md., she was the daughter of the late Earl Edison

Hill and Sarah Brown Hill. Ms. Wheatley’s husband, Frank E. Wheatley, died in 1967.

Mrs. Wheatley was co-administrator of Bellvue Home and Coffman Home in Hagerstown. She was

employed for seven and-a-half years with J.C. McCroy Co. as a salesclerk and floorwalker. She

graduated from and then was employed by Baltimore City Hospitals as a licensed practical nurse.

She was a matron at Washington County Jail with the Sheriffs Department, was co-owner and

operator of the Boulevard Market in Hagerstown, worked for the Maryland State Roads Commission

as toll collector at Williamsport and was manager of Pic-A-Wenner in Ocean City, Md. She also

was involved with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and a member of the Retired Senior

Volunteer Program Advisory Council and Maryland Commission on Aging.

She was an avid bowler. She participated in the Washington County Rediscover America 76

pageant. She was a member of the Honored Society The Liberty Belles and participated in the

Madcaps. She was a member of AARP and Women of the Moose Chapter 0342.

She was a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Hagerstown, where she taught Christian

Endeavor and Sunday school and was a member of the choir and former member of the Downsville

Homemakers.

She is survived by a daughter, Nadia S. Taylor and husband Donald T. of Middletown, Md.;

granddaughters, Deanna L. King and husband Tom of West Jordan, Utah; Donna R. Gaver and husband

Mark of Middletown; grandsons, Frank W. Taylor and wife Joan of Keedysville, Md., David T.

Taylor and wife Danielle of Frederick, Md.; great-grandchildren, Gregory, Brian and Emily Pope,

Daniel and Adam Taylor, Jaclyn, Samantha and Ashley Gaver, Kelly Merrbach and husband Greg;

sisters, Jane Snook and Betty Rudy, both of Florida; and brother, Earl E. Hill Jr. and wife Pat

of Hagerstown; and a number of nieces; cousins and their families.

Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, at 10 a.m. at Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331

Eastern Blvd. North, Hagerstown with the Rev. Mark Wakefield officiating.

Family will receive friends at the funeral home from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5.

Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, Hagerstown, Md.

Memorial contributions may be made to Homewood Nursing Home, Williamsport, MD 21795;

Alzheimer’s Association of Western Maryland, 5 Public Square, Hagerstown, MD 21740; or Hospice

of Washington County, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21740.