My blog isn't attracting much traffic. Ummmm...

I was on my way to see my mom with my grand-puppy, Samson. My brother Kerry called and told me Mom had passed. I won't get into my feelings of loss and out of sorts going down the road. I was just not expecting her to go today, September 7, 2019. However, two days ago, I told her on the whiteboard, "I know you said you are tired. I love you-always. You can go be with GOD, Stacy, and Jesus whenever you are ready. We will see you when it is our time. Your children, me, Keith, Kerry, and Craig wi ll be okay and we all love you very much, always." I had told my brother, Kerry, I didn't want to see Mom take her last breath like I watched our dad do. Mom must have known. Our mom passed to the spirit realm at about 1:30 p.m. today, September 7, 2019. Mom would have been 79 in a few more (one week) days. I told GOD that she doesn't have to wait for her birthday. I do not want my mom to suffer. I want her to be happy, comfortable, and without fear. I know th

I came across an interesting post by Crystal Otto called  Leggings and Memoirs. She mentions this book How to Become a Heroic Writer By Jerry Waxler. I find it interesting and it sounds like it will help me write my memoirs without fear of hurting anyone. Crystal said to have confidence and write what you please. When you write what you please, it works better than trying to please others. This is true in life itself. I commented on her post: Connie Koehler said... Thank you, Crystal. This post has reassured me. I like that you said, "...so just please yourself!" I, we, are more, so much more, than our leggings. I will continue to wear whatever I please, and I will continue to write whatever I please. We all have a story to tell. Once, a counselor told me to write down my feelings no matter how awkward, silly, or stupid I think it sounds. At the end of the week we went over my journal of feelings. I never knew all that stuff she pointed out about me. That ex

Hurricane Dorian has decided to move up the east coast. He has naturally pruned with his winds. He has naturally given water. Humans will do better during hurricanes if they build their structures for living and working into compatible dwellings. Do not build homes and businesses on the beach. Use tires, sandbags, strong cob materials to build strong structures higher than flood waters. Build round rooftops using sandbags and strong materials. If we humans live in areas that we know will have naturally occurring harsh weather conditions, then we need to build accordingly with Mother Nature. Just expressing my opinion.

Dorian is knocking on our front doors. He has paid an unwanted visit to the Bahamas and is over staying his unwelcoming visit. It seems Dorian can’t make up his mind on who he wants to visit next and when or how fast he will get there. An unwanted visitor like Dorian is making a lot of people nervous.

I had a dream about Mom this morning, on August 23, 2019. I had just seen my mom yesterday before I went to work. My youngest brother, Craig, said that the Hospice nurses had just been with Mom a lot of the morning. Mom was looking really good. I bent over her bed, on the right side, and gave her a hug and a kiss. I could feel her right hand tapping me in reciprocating my hug. I wrote on the whiteboard and told her about Todd getting cancer treatment in Mexico because the United States doesn't offer the same kind of cancer care and treatment. I showed her some pictures on my phone of Todd and Kloey on San Diego beach, the day before they went into Mexico. Behind them were seals lying on the shore, something you don't see over here on the east coast of the United States in Vero Beach, Florida. Of course, we don't see many whales either and there just so happened to be a Rare Whale and her calf in Sebastian Inlet a few winters ago. I captured the mother on my digital camera.

I feel lost these days. My youngest son is fighting melanoma cancer in a hospital in Tijuana, Mexico. My mother is tired and giving up after a major stroke in January 2018. Today is August 22, 2019 and I cannot seem to wrap my brain around the thought of what is happening. My mom was healthy and so was my son. How did she go down hill so quickly at the age of 78 after the stroke that took 40% of her brain, left her with Aphasia, yet she was walking down the street, trying to cook, trying to learn how to use the phone, and learn how to write, and learn how to talk all over again? And, how did my 37 year old son get melanoma? How and why do other people die and develop cancer at such an early age? Why? Why? Why? How? How? How do I survive my feelings of loss and helplessness? Isn't life supposed to be enjoyed? What do I do to get to the acceptance part of my grievances? To answer those question, I do a lot of different things. I take care of my son's little Yorkshire, Samson,

My youngest son, Todd, and his family are in Tijuana, Mexico at the CHIPSA hospital. The doctors there are taking AWESOME care of my son. Pray they are successful in helping heal Todd from melanoma and show him how to prevent it from ever coming back. Amen.

Dear family, My mom is going to go into the spiritual realm soon. Mom is tired and wants to go. Hospice will come in and make sure she is comfortable and her passing peaceful. I will let you know after the transition of Mom's spirit transcends from her body into the realm of spirits. I ask that all of you say this prayer with me for my mom: Dear God have mercy and forgive my mom for anything and everything. Dear God show my mom you love her and keep her spirit safe. Dear God, take away any fears my mom may have. Dear God, make sure my mom is content and happy in her body, mind, and in her spirit now and always. Dear God, comfort my mother now and always. I ask this to be granted in God's Holy Name and in Jesus Holy Name. Amen. So be it! Dear God, I thank you for granting our prayer, and I thank everyone for saying this prayer with me. Dear family, you can add to this prayer. Love, Connie

My 37 year old SWEET son, TODD, NEEDS TO LIVE! He needs to get to C.H.I.P.S.A. I am BEGGING FOR DONATIONS! https://www.gofundme.com/f/todds-stage-4-cancer-journey

I just want to thank ALL of you for your prayers, kindness, love , and support . I feel, so much, better ! I had a wonderful crying session. Aah! It felt great to let the tears flow freely as they are meant to do when the feeling hits . Now I am smiling. I did some writing and made a couple people laugh today just because, at times, I am, and today I was being silly. Sometimes I can't help that either—don't want to because that feels good too. Being angry is something I don't hold onto like I have in my past. Anger helps when used constructively for setting boundaries and when other things are needed. Constructively does not mean you have to be mean, rude, condescending, or disrespectful. The other day I was angry. That's okay because I turned my anger into productive anger. I am happy that I learned to do that. Talking about it to someone who listens and cares how you feel is significantly helpful and healthy. The question for what happened is not just why i

I do not have anyone reading my posts. Maybe I’m not saying anything interesting. Oh well. I will post just for me, then. I am happy. I get sad and right now, I am extremely sad. I encourage. I get mad. I feel helpless, and right now, I feel EXTREMELY HELPLESS. I pray. I create. I help others. I give praise. Sometimes I isolate myself. Sometimes I spend time with loved ones and those who do not try to hurt me with their actions or their words.There is a lot about me that people who think they know, will never know. However, there is only ONE that will ever truly know...I ASK FOR UNDERSTANDING, COURAGE,  STRENGTH,  COMPASSION,  COMFORT, AND A WHOLE LOT OF LOVE RIGHT NOW because I REALLY need it! AMEN. ❤😔 Sometimes It’s hard. I have to accept what’s happening with my mom and My sweet, 37 year old son, Todd. I pray Todd gets the money to get to C.H.I.P.S.A. I believe he will, but I am still feeling the feelings a loving mother f eels for their child that has cancer or anyt

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y and z. Now what can I create out of these? Where to start, where to start? It began many, many, years ago. It began with The Word...

Dear Siblings, I never knew I would have witnessed our father's last breath. That was my first experience of watching anyone pass. Dad and Mom saw us take our first breath, heard us say our first word, watched us take our first step. They changed our diapers, and our clothes. They gave us baths and watched us grow. They kissed our boo-boos and mended our wounds. I never knew I would be doing the same for our mother. I am happy that Mom is comfortable with me helping her while she is in a most vulnerable way. I am happy she trusts me. I know how awkward it was at first, for both of us. I gave my children baths and my grandchildren, but I never knew I would be helping our mom in this way and she may have never knew it either. Although it is sad to see Mom like this, I am happy that I am able to help her in this way. I have accepted that this is Mom now, that things have changed. I do not grab my phone to call her anymore. That habit is gone, although the thought crosses my mi

One can only imagine what another person feels unless that person honestly expresses their true feelings. Or, a person would have to literally walk in someone else’s shoes to know how that person feels. I mean that they would have to be that person. You’ve heard the expression, “ If  I were that person, I would...,” and then carry on with what they would have done, or would have said in that person’s place. I am guilty of saying this myself. However, after giving it some thought, I realized that this statement, in my opinion, is not accurate. I realized that if I was that person, I would do or say exactly what that person did or said. People have different strengths, beliefs, point of views. Therefore, when two people who see things differently are faced with the same situation or circumstance, they might feel differently towards it. Now, after saying this, I have witnessed that every parent that I have met who loves their children, feels a great loss, a deep sadness, or possibly a g

Today is a new day and I am off to a great start. My youngest son, Todd, is going to go to Tijuana, Mexico to a hospital that will help him fight and get rid of the melanoma cancer tumors in his nodes under his left armpit. We are all, both my children, my daughter in law, my granddaughter, my grandson and our friends, spreading the word to help us raise money for Todd to get to Mexico. We have raised some money, but not enough to get him there as of yet. It will cost $30,000.00 dollars to get his total treatments that last for three weeks. If only 1,500 people gave just $20 dollars a piece, this will pay for my son's much needed trip that will save his life. My hands, my heart is always in prayer for my son's healing and happiness. I will write about some of the things I have gone through, since I first heard of him having cancer to how I have felt along his journey. Right now, we all feel hopeful and this is important to feel this positive energy because it helps in the heali

I did a lot of writing today. I did a lot of illustrations, too. I did a lot of chores, as well. I'm glad I didn't fill in for someone at work today. I have already filled in for other workmates four days. I needed this break to catch up on me time. Doing what I want for little ole me. 😃😃😃 I submitted some of my poems and prose to my wonderful editor. I met her through WOW! Women On Writing! I am blessed to have found her, and I am happy that I reached out and took a chance on her. She will make a real writer out of me yet. I pray I can retain all she teaches. Amen.

Today is a day filled with writing and reading. I am loving this day!

This is one of my Favorite photos of my children when they were just babies. This is one of my Favorite photo collages of my children and myself when my boys took me fishing at Garcia Swamp on St. John's River for Mother's Day in 2005. We were still babies. Ha!!

https://www.gofundme.com/todds-stage-4-cancer-journey?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-156406638183-23d5504b372f43d5&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2B1137-update-supporters-v5b Help me help my son get to CHIPSA so he can heal! My son, Todd, my daughter in law, Ashley, and my granddaughter, Kloey, need your help! I need your help to help them raise the money they need to get to C.H.I.P.S.A. Tijuana, Mexico. My son is fighting melanoma cancer   and needs to go where treatment is available. C.H.I.P.S.A . is a hospital in Tijuana, Mexico. This hospital has helped many people recover from illness including cancer. I hope to help my son raise $30,000.00 dollars. Although I do not have this amount, this is not a lot of money, and nothing is ever too much for your children's health and happiness. However, because I do not have this, I AM asking for your help. If 1500 hundred people, THAT'S ONLY 1,500 people give JUST $20.00 dollar

It's another day...I will choose to be happy. 😊 I will listen to nature. I will meditate and pray.

"Blah!" "Bla ble blah, blah?" "Blah blah." "Awww! Bla blay-ble blah blah?" "Blahbla blahblebla blah blah, 'BLAH!'" "Aw, Bla Ble. Blah B Bla." "Bla B Bla, Boo." They gave each other a kiss and a hug, and then went their separate ways.

"The Visit" SOLD! Oil on canvas "Becoming Friends" SOLD! Oil on canvas "Portrait of Tubbins" SOLD! Commissioned piece. Acrylics on canvas "Bees on White Roses" SOLD! Commissioned piece. Acrylics on canvas "Bees on Bottle Brush" SOLD! Commissioned piece. Acrylics on canvas. "Bees in Florida Wildflowers" SOLD! Commissioned piece. Acrylics on canvas. My sketch of a honey bee. I love Honey bees and their delicious honey without the sting. My sketch of a wolf, copied-pasted-flipped and put into my photo of the full moon. My sketch of a shark, tiger, snake, rabbit ALL eating-A version of the food chain idea from my grandson's friend, Caden. I scanned my sketch and finished the piece in Adobe Photoshop using the many available tools (smudge, paint brush) and the layers option. Adobe Photoshop is one of my best mediums for creating some of my art projects, pieces, artwork etc...