Friday, September 30, 2011


If you look closely, you can see the A on Andrew's scarecrow and the J on Jarrett's.
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Friday, September 30, 2011 - Yesterday, before we got the 40 mph winds, I brought these scarecrows into the cemetery and stuck them in the ground in front of the boys' gravestone.

I thought they were absolutely adorable. Plus, I like the way they have their arms around each other. Awwww, isn't that sweet? YES!

Happy Boofday, Mom. Love you!

Thursday, September 22, 2011


Here's the boys' basketball hoop. Now, I play "horse" with Rachel. She actually has pretty good aim.
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Thursday, September 22, 2011 - I wanted to put something related to the boys on "their" blog. Of course, I got a photo of the hoop near the big, empty flower bed.

When the boys were ALIVE, they were always doing something in the driveway -- playing basketball, riding bikes, roller blading, whatever.

I remember one time Jarrett and Chad dug a HUGE hole in the midst of the evergreens on the other side of the driveway and put something over the top so that if a "bad guy" happened to be sneaking around in there, he'd fall in their trap. haha

Yeah. I made them fill in the hole with dirt. What if a skunk fell in there and couldn't get out?? Or me?

Their basketballs always managed to fall or roll or land in the big flower bed. "Sorry, Mom."

No problem, I told them. That's why I plant so many flowers. Just in case your ball lands on top of one of them.

And grass wasn't supposed to be perfect. It was the outdoor carpet for boys to play on. We NEVER put any chemicals on the grass in the back yard -- that's where they played. And the dandelions loved it. see ya later, djb

Thursday, September 15, 2011


SCARY PHOTO: This is what greeted me today!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thursday, September 15, 2011 - I knew it was cool outside this morning, but I didn't think we went all the way down into the 30's until I heard someone on the radio say that it was that cold in the far western suburbs. Say what?

So, I picked up the thermometer and was astounded to see the above reading! That is just plain scary. Ice ya later, djb

Tuesday, September 13, 2011


The full moon, minus one day, at 5:35 a.m. this morning.
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Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - This morning, the clouds were gone but the trees kind of blocked my view. Plus, I have to use a long setting so I have to remain still and hold the camera against the fence so it won't move.

Kind of nice to see the moon setting in the west while the sun is rising in the east. yeah. Sweeeeet. later, djb

Monday, September 12, 2011


Here's the Sears Tower (I mean Willis Tower) poking into the clouds on September 9th - taken from the Illinois Medical District in Chicago.
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Monday, September 12, 2011 - For some reason, when I was in Chicago last Friday, I felt a need to take a picture of the Sears Tower. It is interesting that Lake Michigan has such a profound effect on the weather down there.

I do remember when I worked "downtown," it would be snowing and cold but by the time I got home, it would be sunny and nice.

Of course, the people who lived down there, thought we took a covered wagon to work every day. After all, we were hicks from the sticks. hahaha see ya later, djb

Sunday, September 11, 2011


Sears Tower - December 1984 (now, it's called the Willis Tower)
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Sunday, 9-11-11 - I remember exactly where I was (in the kitchen, standing at the counter) when I heard about the first plane hitting the first tower from a special report on the radio. WHAT? I immediately turned on CNN and it remained on for the rest of the day.

The other thing I distinctly remember was wondering about Chuck because he lived in New Jersey. Not far from New York City across the river, as I recall. He could see it from work.

A few days later, I received some photos that he had taken of the devastation. Not sure where they are now?? That was 10 years ago and we weren't quite as photo smart as we've eventually become over the years.

Plus, back in my CME days, I stayed at the Vista Hotel during my only visit (for work) in New York City. That was the hotel between the towers. How weird to have been somewhere that got attacked by crazed lunatics.

Also, Andrew and Jarrett were alive ten years ago. Andrew's golf meet with Geneva was cancelled. The kids were NOT happy. The terrorists aren't coming to get us -- we're out in the middle of corn fields. We want to play golf.

Jarrett had me take him to the skate park in St. Charles because he told me that I needed to get away from the TV coverage that I had been watching all day. And he needed to practice some of his smooth moves.

I feel so very sorry for everyone who lost someone because of this horrendous attack. They have my complete and total sympathy. God bless them all. peace would be nice, djb

Monday, September 5, 2011


This picture of Jarrett and Grandpa Burkholder sitting by the fire at Woodhaven reminds me of this time of year & Grandpa's birthday.
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Monday, September 5, 2011 - Happy Birthday to Grandpa! We'd have his birthday party most years out at Woodhaven so that everyone could come to it since it was more centrally located or maybe because it wasn't -- maybe because it was where Grandma and Grandpa lived in the summer....

Any time I smell wood or leaves burning outside, my entire being is transported to Woodhaven. There was ALWAYS a fire burning -- if not in their burn pit -- then in someone else's. It was thick or overpowering, it was the way it was out there.

FLASHBACK: It must have been March 3, 2005 -- yeah, that's right. Bob and I were sitting at the gravestone bundled up within an inch of our lives (before noon), when all of a sudden, we smelled the distinct aroma of wood burning.

At the same time, we both said, "It's Grandpa." Back in those days, we were still getting signs. Now, not so much.

It didn't last very long at all -- then quickly as it came, it was GONE. So, what else could one conclude. Yes. It was Grandpa. And thanks again, djb