Heart to Heart

This month my friends, we're going to have a heart-to-heart chat.  I've worn my heart on my sleeve more than once these past three years and stepped out of my comfort zone more times than I care to remember.  Now it's time for me to lay it all on the line, stop pussy footing around and speak my truth as I see it.  This is not an easy blog for me to write as I'm sure I'll tick off more than a few but as Rhett said to Scarlet; "frankly my dear I don't give a damn."

As we enter the spring of 2023, war is imminent, taxes are out of control, and the price of gasoline is once again going up.  Russia recently pulled out of the Nuclear Arms Treaty, and the idea of a nuclear attack is being bantered around in "thinking" circles.  Our power grids are weak, there's rolling black outs in some states and then the idiots in DC want to do away with gas heat and appliances!  How, if we are not repairing our basic electrical grids, can we rely on electric energy?  Of course, the Keystone Pipeline was stopped so natural energy is in question.  I swear, they're trying to starve us, freeze us, make us deathly ill, or destroy us in whatever way possible while making themselves look like heroes.  Please don't get me started on train derailments, food processing plants being burned to the ground, our electric transformer stations being shot up along with schools and shopping malls!  I'm honestly at a loss for words.

Our way of life as decent hardworking Americans is under attack and those of us with a faith-based system of living, are being slowly eliminated.  The truth of man and women is now being questioned, and basic biology is being undermined.  Children as young as kindergarten are being exposed to gender studies and told to question who and what they are!  What is happening to our society as a whole?  The United States of America is crumbling under this "woke" way of thinking.  Corruption at the highest levels is being revealed and nothing is being done to correct it! So many of our major cities are shitholes, criminals roam the streets without a thought, and no one seems to be punished anymore for their misdeeds and criminal offenses.  Fentanyl is coming in through our porous southern border and killing Americans daily. It's time we wake up, build the wall, and make it secure.  Enough is enough!

So, where are you going with this blog one may ask?  I have given this question much thought and the following are my eight remedies to fix the situation we now find ourselves in.

• Stop watching and listening to local and national news.  It's corrupt, it's biased (on both sides) and begin to read and study reasonable, well thought out, unbiased sources.  They're out there, look and find out for yourselves but not through the mainstream media.  The mainstream news is lying to us, and so many have been deceived.
• Social media is bull crap, plain and simple.  It's woke nonsense has permeated our society with lies and distortions.  Facebook, Tic Tock, Instagram, and other social media sites should be taken with a grain of salt and not relied upon for anything other than pictures of food, pets and family updates.  I do follow some awake people on Facebook and Twitter, but I check elsewhere for the truth.
• Criminals need to be taken off our streets and put away.  Rapists, murderers, child, and sex traffickers do not have a place in free society.  The punishment needs to fit the crime and be carried out with no allowance for good behavior. We should not be willing to sacrifice our children and future grandchildren to some pervert who happened to behave themselves while in prison.  I'm simply not forgiving anyone who would harm a child.  Lock them up and throw away the key or better in some cases...
• Arrest and prosecute those who have lied, cheated, and stolen from the American public.  This is on both sides of the aisle as neither side is free from corruption.  As Will Rogers said: "America has the best politician's money can buy." 
• Our government needs to listen to the people.  Many of us are wide awake to what is going on and are speaking out.  The elected officials work for us, not the other way around.  Make them do their job or vote out their sorry asses.
• Paper ballots need to be used in all fifty states, IMMEDIATELY!  It's becoming very apparent that the voting system in this country is a freaking nightmare.  Voter rolls need to be purged of dead people, who still have a voice even though they've gone to the great beyond.  After seeing the movie 2000 Mules, I'm convinced our election system is in a freefall.  When socialist/communists take over a country, they first gain control of the media and then the ballot boxes.  Fact, look it up if you don't believe me and do not use Wikipedia!
• Dr Fauci and his demonic group of lunatics need to be punished.  The Covid BS is over.  Take the therapeutics, Ivermectin, Hydroxychloroquine and enjoy life.  I can send you a link to buy these clinically proven harmless drugs, just ask.  They work, they're inexpensive and accessible.  No more booster shots, no more big pharma telling us what to do.  No more crazy loons like Fauci getting rich off the corpses of our relatives.  Sorry not sorry, I'm done with that demonic little monster.  He belongs in Gitmo for crimes against humanity.
• Finally, let our children be children again.  No more of trying to shove this woke BS down the throats of our babies.  No more gender reassigning ten-year-old's, no more basic pornography being taught in the public schools.  If I were to start over again, raising children, homeschool or faith-based schools would be the only way of instructing my child.  Kids are not learning the simple ABC's in public schools.  We are graduating uneducated, illiterate children from our public schools, with no idea how to read or write a simple sentence.  This is fact folks, and I'm not spinning right wing propaganda!  

Therefore, wake up America and see the truth.  This is a great country; we need to accept ALL people for who and what they are.  Basic good manners, common sense, and logic all but seem to have disappeared.  We're left with a crazy society hanging on by a thread. What I have detailed above is just a brief overview of the basic issues.  We are losing our country to a mob of woke, corrupt, and evil people who are trying to bring down the greatest country in the history of the world. It's time we wake up, it's not too late but getting close to it.  As I say, repeatedly, may God bless America.

"Never lose hope, my heart, miracles dwell in the invisible." 

~Rumi

Gifts of Gratitude

The attitude of gratitude is a gift and one of which we should constantly practice.  Recognizing this gift daily is one we all need for peace of mind, love, grace, and frankly, it gives our lives more meaning.  Being that the month of February is the month of love, I'd like this blog to be my love letter to you, my dear reader, as I'm incredibly grateful for the support this blog has had over the last three years. 

Gratitude is a practice embraced by all the world's major religions.  It has been proven that those who express gratitude are both happier and healthier.  Gratitude will bring great comfort and peace daily to those who practice the art of saying thank you.  Professor Jeff Wilson, an ordained teacher in Shin Buddhism and who is also a professor of Asian Studies at the University of Waterloo professes: "We practice simply to give thanks for what we have received.  It's a small shift in one's perspective, but when pursued, it can be transformative."  This is correct in my humble opinion and those who keep gratitude journals will confirm this to be true.  To give thanks daily for even the most mundane of things keeps us honest and true to the lives we lead.

I do not necessarily keep a gratitude journal.  I journal my thoughts, ideas, challenges, and deepest desires daily.  At the end of every entry, I always express what I am grateful for and give thanks to God for allowing it to be.  Therefore, listed below are six items that I am grateful for.  I could list more but frankly; it would be pages upon pages of reading, and I try to keep my readers from getting bored.

First, I'm grateful to know God.  God, you see, is the ultimate universal power.  God started and will end everything.  God is our one source; God is omnipresent and all encompassing.  God is all there is.  "Do not be conformed to this world, be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2).  I am grateful, thank you.

Second, I'm grateful for the family I grew up with.  I had lovely parents and if I were to choose once again, I would pick them.  My childhood was what it was, and I moved forward many years ago.  I am grateful for all the rocky patches, unhappy experiences, and stressful situations.  These life lessons made me stronger, wiser, and able to successfully navigate my way today.  I am grateful, thank you.

Third, I'm grateful I had the opportunity to marriage a try.  Although it was not perfect, although we had our trials and tribulations, although we had our sad times, I would not have my greatest blessing, nor would I have the lifestyle I currently enjoy.  Yes, that part of my life is over, and I've moved forward, but I look back and only see now, the happy times, memories and the life that was shared.  I am grateful, thank you.

Fourth, I'm eternally grateful to have reestablished a relationship I thought was lost.  I will not go into detail about this other than to say what was lost has been found.  What I perceived was gone, is still intact.  What was easy, uncomplicated, and comfortable, still is. Jesus said:  "Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7).   I am grateful, thank you.

Fifth, the life I currently live is perfect.  I have made lifelong friends in these past two- and one-half years and I treasure them along with those who stayed with me along life's journey.  I am grateful, thank you.

Sixth and finally, I'm grateful to God for all that I have, all that I can give and all that comes to me with love.  I am grateful, thank you.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!  For his mercy endures forever.

1Chronicles 16:34

 February 2019 - Pearl Harbour

 

Facing Our Fears

As we move into the year 2023, I've been pondering the subject of fear, the fears I have for the future, and the fears I've had over the last ten years.  As I reflect, so many of the fears I had at the beginning of 2013 and beyond, have resolved themselves and I've moved forward.  Therefore, the subject for my January blog is fear and how do we resolve those fears without driving ourselves completely crazy.  As normal, this is my story, I can only share it and hope someone reading this blog will take heart and take the steps necessary to face their own fears.

In January of 2013, John was not feeling well.  He was losing weight rapidly and I kept asking him if he was on a diet, knowing full well he wasn't, as I was cooking all the meals.  He could hardly eat and finally in February we found out he had pancreatic cancer, and the outcome would not be positive.  We stuck together as a family; he conquered each day with courage and dignity but sadly he passed away 10 months later.  When I think back now, he was as fearful as I was, but at the time he said he was not.  The fear of the unknown is one of the worst fears of all.  It wasn't an easy time for us, hurt feelings on both sides, profound sadness, and the fact I had no clue what I was going to do when the end came. I was next to my dad when he passed on but never had to even fathom the thought of finding a husband no longer breathing.  I feared that day for 10 months and when the time came, what I saw was peace.  I felt peace in the room as well, as he had been staring and talking to what I then and now perceive as spirit guides and angels in the corner of the ceiling.  When I found him, I knew he had moved on to a better place as those angels had taken him home.  Cancer had not beaten him; it only took him back to his oneness with God.  I believe he feared death, but there was no fear in his face when he transitioned onto his next journey.

The last ten years, after that terribly sad day, has been a roller coaster of fears, intense anxiety in some respects, and now simply peace of mind.  What I found by conquering my fears of the unknown is that, by placing one's trust in God hands, is the only way to conquer fear.  Franklin D Roosevelt said: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."  Oh, how true.  The Universe can handle anything we think is too big, of little significance or what we perceive as a burden. God will never let us down.  Put your fears in God's hands and let it be.

I knew when it was the right time to leave Washington State.  I left the life I had built for twenty years behind me, to build a new life here in Idaho.  My timing was impeccable but trust me, I feared the pure unknown before me.  I really knew no one here other than my realtor and a couple of acquaintances I knew fifty plus years ago.  Kristina was an off again, on again roommate, and I knew she'd be moving out eventually.  But once again, I put my fears in God's hands and have been blessed beyond measure over these last two and a half years.  My greatest blessing is in Florida now, we've conquered our first Christmas apart, not without a lot of tears mind you, and we're both on to our new challenges.  My fear of being alone has been conquered as I'm now blessed with love and support from many good-hearted kind new friends.  My fear of driving too far in the snow has been put behind me, as I now can successfully drive in inclement weather without even a whimper.  I recently drove the dudes out to Boise for their grooming and it was snowing buckets!   Snow driving is going to become second nature soon.

Fear of forming deep and lasting relationships has always been a fear I've faced, probably since high school.  I've been let down more times than I can count, and I'm sure I've most likely let a few down myself.  The many good-hearted people I've met on my life journey, however, have warmed my heart and soul.  I was afraid of being alone this Christmas and low and behold, I was blessed by two friends who shared dinner, participated in provocative conversation, and all the blessings Christmas day continues to bring.  Whenever I put my fears in God's hands, I always have a happy outcome.  I'm grateful beyond measure.

These days, I fear for the future.  It all seems so tenuous, so fragile, so out of the normal realm of our natural state of mind.  The world is undergoing continued upheaval, a great reset, enveloped by a cloud of uncertainty and anxiousness.  I am an awakened soul, as are so many who know of the same mindset.  Our trust in a positive outcome is now once again, in God's hands.  I know the outcome will be fine, as it should be, but we have a bumpy road in front of us.  All we can do is trust and let it be.  Therefore, Happy New Year my dear friends and may God continue to bless America and the world beyond.

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me

Seeking words of wisdom, let it be, let it be.

~ Lennon and McCartney ~

Da Boyz Looking toward 2023

Enjoy The Moments

I'll confess up front, this month I've had a case of writer's block.  The topic and content for the month has eluded me, as has the want to sit down and write. I enjoy writing, it's become my newfound hobby but, I struggle with the relevance of these blogs, the topics I wish to explore and frankly I worry they've become stale and boring.  How many topics can one produce every month and stay true to one's heart and soul?  How many thoughts and desires do I have that I want to express on paper for the "world" to read?  I honestly don't know, but tonight as I was pondering once again, the idea for this month was to simply enjoy the writing process for what it is, and the energy that is assisting me to express my thoughts on paper.  Therefore, this will be a blog for enjoyment purposes only so bear with me if I ramble and please enjoy the moments!

2022, for yours truly, has been an interesting year as I've raised up two wild babies into wild men and, reconnected with a friendship I thought was lost forever.  Frankly, I began to weed out those who are of toxic energy, while adding to my sphere of influence those who are upbeat, kind and portray mirrored beliefs and attitudes.  Those who are of positive energy, love and kindness are those who have become trusted and lifelong friends.  I've also found out that spirit has an interesting sense of humor and I keep laughing at the wonders that continue to unfold. 

To begin with, I started this year with tears in my eyes, missing my Bonnie Girl and trying to figure out what to do next.  I wanted another dog, but how soon?  The two terrorists arrived by February 5th and the enjoyment of the moments, good and bad, has been amazing.  Bonnie and I enjoyed our moments, but I'd forgotten the pure enjoyment that little boys will bring into your life.  The dudes are grown up now, both have turned a year old, and they're settling down to be normal terrier dogs.  We still have a way to go, and I will keep my sense of humor.  I'm trying not to sweat the small stuff, like the holes in my lawn, the torn to shreds plug off my heating pad or that pair of new socks with the chew holes.  Toby my Westie is a dapper little dude, sweet, kind and a rascal.  His beautiful white fur is usually silver as dirt sticks to him like glue and he hates being bathed.  It doesn't help that the grass is his favorite rolling place, unless it's bird poop or something worse.  Stuart on the other hand is built like a linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks.  He's about forty pounds now, and if he wore pants, he'd have a gut and a plumber's butt.  He's also a lap dog, as sweet as sugar and funnier than hell.  I love these dudes; we enjoy our moments with each other (them for the treats and me for the pleasure of their company).

Enough of my canine companions as I have more to express regarding those enjoyable moments.  This past year, I've learned to enjoy the moments presented to me.  Eighty percent of the moments in our lives are those we should embrace with gusto and enjoyment.  Living in the moment is the easiest way to enjoy life.  I've stated this fact before, but once one puts the past behind them and lets the future take care of itself, the present enjoyment of each moment can be attained.  It's okay to reminisce upon the good times in life.  The memories these special moments hold can assist us through trying times.   Since it's the holiday season, I tend to remember past Christmas's with long gone family and friends.  I've always said I'd give anything for one last Christmas with my parents and grandparents.  I can't do that, it's not possible, therefore now I hold tight to the new memories and enjoyable moments I'm spending with those close.  The one and only doesn't live close by anymore, so we will enjoy Christmas in January in sunny Florida.  Meanwhile, I will spend Christmas here in the cold with my boys, and my blessed friends.  Yes, I wish she were here, along with her dad and grandparents but it's okay, it's all the way the universe planned our lives.  

With all this said, Christmas is in three weeks from this writing.  I'm not a holiday type gal frankly, it's overhyped and overrated.  What I am is an enjoy the moment girl and I plan to do just that!  Therefore, to end this blog, this last tome of 2022, let's begin to focus on enjoying our lives again.  Now that Covid is put behind us, let's begin to truly focus on making memories, travel, and enjoying the moments the divine puts in our path.  Life is for living, to enjoy, to embrace with gusto and to make precious memories.  Merry Christmas dear friends and Happy New Year. 

Love, like life, flows through the heart.  Feel the thrill of the flow and say nothing.

~ Rumi

The Boys Age One 

Dare To Dream

I'll admit, this month I've had writer's block. As November is our "D" month, to be perfectly honest, I wasn't sure where to begin.  We all have dreams, plans, goals and ideas therefore, I decided on the title, Dare to Dream.  From our dreams, what is it we want to manifest? What is it we really want or need?  Manifesting is a way to create those dreams into real life.  Before I begin however there is a caveat to this blog that I need to mention up front; I am not a manifesting expert.  I am relating what I have learned over the years through my spiritual studies and the journey I've walked in this thing we call life.  With this said, I have a beloved friend who is the master manifester!  If anyone after reading this blog is interested, contact me and I'll put you in touch with one of his manifestation courses. You'll truly be amazed at what you will create after going through his study.

Beginning Again has always been my story and experience, no one else’s since I can only speak for myself in this blog, we can only dissect my dreams.  Dreaming of new adventures, new friendships and ideas are all included in my current manifestations. I've been so blessed in my life, it's hard to believe I'm still on the "dream journey," and wanting to continue to add to my joy.  Thank goodness for my dreams, as there is so much to live for and believe in. Love, happiness and peace surround us all, but we must believe in our dreams to make them real. Part of manifesting our dreams is to identify what it is we really want.  It's not easy to be honest, as sometimes something that looks or feels wonderful can actuality be toxic and in the long run, not for us.  It’s important to understand and identify what we want, what it is we truly believe before we begin to manifest it into our experience.

So, what is it you really want?  For most of us it's frankly all the above and then some.  I'm still young, I'm still enjoying life and I'm still trying to make it all happen.  Traveling is my big dream, I still want to go to Peru, but one more trip to Scotland seems more reasonable.  I also want to see the United States, as I have never traveled as much around this great country, as I would have liked.  Seeing Niagara Falls, the great Smokey Mountains or NASA in Houston are my current dreams.  I'd like to visit where my grandmother was born, up in the Ozark region of Arkansas, and see the area in Carthage TN where my Lancaster's migrated from.  A trip to Yellowstone, Jackson Hole or Sun Valley, which are all close to home, are all dreams ready to happen.  Now that I've stated my dream trips in the USA, I now affirm they will happen.  The intention is there, I will follow those dreams.

What are some other dreams on my plate?  I have read and studied the current situation in this country and the world and couldn't be more dismayed at what I saw.  I have faith that people are waking up and will rise out of their comfort zone to make a change for the better.  This is a dream of mine as I don't want our children and future grandchildren to grow up in lack or oppression.  I am one who's been a student of history and history is repeating it's self again my friends.  Anyone with a scintilla of common sense should see this and wake up to the fact that there is something terribly wrong happening in this world.  The dream our founders had, way back 250 plus years ago, was liberty and freedom.  Our freedoms are disappearing as fast as lightning.  Twenty years ago, freedom of speech was never as much challenged as it is today.  Although we have all have differing opinions, chastising or bullying did not happen.  We had a mutual respect for each other's beliefs but now it's all gone to crap (I'm not innocent either just to be fair and I've torn apart a few who lean into socialism).   I've been bullied over my views and frankly at this point, I don't give a fat rat's ass what anyone has to say to me anymore.  My dream is to let go and and dream big.   My dream is the fix what's broken and make America great again.   My dream and the dream of many patriots just like me, will manifest itself into reality.  I have complete faith in the divine as how could God turn his back on the greatest experience ever dreamed up?

Dreaming big is the goal we should all embrace.  Manifesting what we dream is an art and one which I'm still learning.  My current manifestation for us all is to get back what we've lost as a nation, a civilization and frankly as a people of the creator.  Give thanks to God for our blessings, the ability to put them into action and dream.  Meanwhile, dream big, live large and give thanks to God from whom all our blessings flow.  

Happy Thanksgiving.

I think beautiful things are about to happen.  I trust that.  I feel it.  I believe it.  ~  Rhonda Bryne 

The Courage to Change

Welcome to October folks!  Fall is in the air, and we have three more months until we begin a new year.  2023 seems daunting but possibly welcome to some of us.  This month we will discuss the letter C, the month we explore change and the courage it takes to make changes.  I'm an expert on this particular subject, as I've made a few changes over the last two- and one-half years.  It's not been easy, but it's worked for me, and I've learned so much about myself and others in ways I'd would never have known.

Change is constant, change is good.  The reasons behind change may not always be positive but once we make those changes, the better our lives will be.  Two and a half years ago, I decided to make a few changes in my life.  As my readers know, I packed up my life and with a heavy heart left my home and friends of twenty years and moved to Boise.  I still wonder where I found that courage, but deep in my heart I knew that this was going to be a positive change.  It's been a bit of a rocky road these past two years. What seemed solid turned to dust, the constants changed but all and all, this change was worth it, and my life has moved forward.  

Change takes courage.  Ernst Holms wrote: "If we do not like our outer circumstances, conditions, or our personality, the place to change is right within our own mind."  Those words of wisdom, written almost a hundred years ago, still apply to our lives today.  We can change all our outer "stuff", but the real, profound, meaningful change will need to come from our hearts.  

I changed my heart and I'm still making those changes today.  The other day I woke up and realized that I was still living with a hardened heart.  I'm trying to change that hard heart into acceptance and love.  It's not been easy, and no one said it would be.  The road to Oz may have been golden but Dorthey was still in Oz when she reached the Wizard's palace.  I'm still in my Oz, but the sun is shining and there are many rainbows on the horizon.  

I'm not alone with these sorts of feelings and living experiences.  Therefore, I offer a few ideas to my friends as to how I have been able to find the other side of the rainbow and lighten my heart.

• Accept the What Is. We all have a story, use that chapter that didn't work out as a growing experience.  I have and I'm moving forward.  What seems easy is usually not but with courage and determination, there is a light at the end of that dark tunnel.
• Change is good, be creative when you're making those life changes.  I wrote down five places where I could live, and Boise seemed to make the most sense to me.  I wanted mild winters, sunshine, and good and decent people to get to know.  God granted me all these things and I'm eternally grateful.
• Look deep in your heart and accept what was and begin the journey to start anew.  What is now for me is a great life, two little terrorists that live in my house and a multitude of good friends who love and respect me for who I am, just I as love and respect them.  There's been a few that have fallen by the wayside, but this is healthy as we sometimes need to weed through the negative to find the positive.
• Look for the Divine daily, find it in your heart and your heart will change.  God lives in all of us.  The Bible says we were made in the image and likeness of God.  That is true and God's energy is embedded in each one of us.  
• Finally, that blessing of courage and change can be one of our greatest experiences.  If we don't change, we become stagnant.  When I moved here it was with the clear intention of not becoming stagnant.  I have far surpassed stagnant and almost wish for a few stagnant days.  Our blessings are real, look within and they'll show themselves to you in the most obvious ways.  

Therefore, my friends, October is for change, courage and being creative when we find that courage to make our changes.  We're in the season of autumn, the leaves are changing, the weather has cooled off and guess what, changes have been made for us without our "help!"  God takes care of everything, and we need to give thanks for the indwelling of spirit and the love of the Divine. 

  

The Last Link To The Past

The last link to my childhood left me when I heard about the death of Queen Elizabeth II.  She was always there, always a stalwart presence in my life and if I was bored, there was always plenty of reading material about her and her family to devour and keep me busy for a few hours.  This being said, the passing of Her Majesty yesterday, removed the last puzzle piece of my childhood, a link on the celestial chain to my grandparents and my proud British heritage.  My DNA will stay intact but that link to yesteryear is gone now and never to return. 

Therefore, I'd like to offer my recollections about the queen and the links I have that will stay with me forever.

My maternal grandparents were British, both born during the reign of Queen Victoria.  My grandfather was born in Newcastle and my grandmother in London.  Both emigrated to the United States in the early part of the last century, both became American citizens, and both never forgot their British roots.  I never met my grandfather, but my mother and grandmother always said he was a proud Victorian age man, who's love for everything British was apparent in his daily life.  My grandmother was the same but became more American as she grew older.  Both, however, loved the King and country and later the Queen and country and always remembered where they came from, their life circumstances, and life left behind in England.

When I was just a little girl, I remember when we learned to sing My Country Tis of Thee.  I remember singing it to my grandmother who to the same tune, sang God Save The Queen.  That was my first "link" if you will, to my heritage.  The Queen herself became a presence in my life from that day forward and, when I heard of her passing, I will confess, I shed a few tears as my childhood link was gone.  Therefore, as I type this blog, I'd like to offer a few memories of the Queen from this American's perspective.  

First, the Queen was a true lady in every way.  She carried herself as a lady should, was discreet with her speech and loved her husband.  From what we the public could see; she was a lovely well-bred British lady of whom the people adored.  If I could only be a tenth of the lady she was!  

Second, she was not born to be the Queen.   By accident of birth and her uncle's abdication, she became the Queen.  Did she resent her path in life?  Who knows but she carried out her duties in the way a queen should do, and the British people appreciated it.  She was bound by duty and tradition, and she carried out her lot in life with grace and love for the country.

Third, throughout her life she faced many challenges.  Her family has had its share of scandals, but whose family doesn't have a few problems.  Charles and his marriage woes brought him down a notch or two in the eyes of the public, especially with his treatment of Diana.  He's had a few other issues that because of his "position" became known to the public.  The problem with all this, however, is do we know the truth?  No, we don't.  We only know what journalists have written, what The Crown portrayed, and who knows where they got their information.  We as the public judged without ever knowing the full stories and frankly, we never will.  The Queen held her head high, kept up with the duties of her position and I'm sure downed a few G&Ts when no one was looking.  

Forth and finally, the Queen brought stability to the UK, was a great proponent of British life and was the calming face for the British people.  She was a fabulous spokesperson for the UK tourist trade of which I've partaken four times and plan for a fifth next fall. 

Therefore, as we watch Britan go through their time of morning of a great lady, let's try to remember, Queen Elizabeth was a human being, a wife, mother to the new king, grandmother to the future King William, and the great grandmother to the future King George.  I will morn her passing in a way unique to an American of British heritage.  I promise to give the new King Charles III a chance to be a great king.  He has large shoes to fill but he's been training all his life for this time in history.  Let's wait and watch to see how he and Queen Camilla guide Britian through the next step.  This being said, let me be one of the first to say, God Save the King. 

Teatime In South Shields, Newcastle on Tyne, 2016