Why Do I Blog???

For those of you who grew up in the 60's-70's you may remember the "Planet of the Apes." I loved these movies! I even watched reruns and enjoyed them as well.

So, how about blogs? My cousins in New York and Massachusetts invited me to visit theirs and the rest is history! I check their blogs often to see what is going on in their lives and experience the interesting thoughts they are sharing and share my own. I guess I feel like Dr. Zaius getting involved in this blogging phenomenon. I am interested in knowing what is next??? Maybe Nick and Jessica will be experiencing the same cultural changes and evolution? It is a thought.

My Terrific Granddaughter...and D-I-L

I hosted my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter last night as my granddaughter has been ill for several days and mom and dad really needed some rest. What a terrific kid! She was patient with grandma as I tried to care for her even though her beautiful, nurturing, and well-equipped mother lay in the guest room.
Felisha, is a dynamic woman and an amazing mother. She reminds me so much of my mother as she is an advocate for her child in ways that make me quite proud. She asks questions, she is informed, and is a great teacher for this great, young mind called Cassie.
After your childred have been adults for a time, you forget the energy, patience, and responsiblity of caring for young ones. My adult-children are doing a great job. I am very proud of their loving care of "Paw-paw's princess" and "Grammy's girl," we love her so much!
It is such a joy to have grandchildren.

The Unjust Voices of Religion

I delight in interactions, conversations, and experiences with people of diverse natures. I truly thrive on conversations with people who see the world a little different than I do. I am more aware of how human and how wonderful I really am by experiencing others that are different from me or have different human experiences. In the past I have struggled with how to justify why I believe what I believe. I have finally (at fourty-two) feel the liberty not to justify what I believe. I am aware that God loves all people! Not just people who all fit in one little box. I cannot explain it; I think no one can, I just feel justified in saying it. (or typing it) I believe that God loves us all equally, both intellegent and some not so intellegent, gay/straight/and trensgendered, black/white/and all colors of the rainbow, and the Jew as well as Hindu. I am not so idealistic to believe that all people are as open and accepting as I am, but...
This past week a radical group came to our howetown to stir up a bunch of racial and religious garbage. It truly breaks my heart because these people harass and scream what is unjust, hurtful, unkind and very judgmental things to people they do not know. They went to many of our churches and said some very harmful things to these congregational members. Words just cannot describe what these individuals say to create hurt and wounds to those who are the target of their hate. They actually claim to be spiritual people, led by God. I do not know what God they are actually claiming to be led by, but it is not the loving God found in the peace and joy of Jesus Christ. These people even had the guts to picket Wal-Mart and shout that John Walton has spent the last two weeks in hell. I cannot get my brain arround the fact that we have people, who claim to be Christian that spread hate not love???? I hope and pray that God can find a way into their hearts and heal their brokeness. That is the only way I can explain this truly unloving group of people. Please excuse my ranting.

Happy 25th Anniversary

July 12th Howard and I will be married twenty-five years. I love him now more than ever. What a joy to spend your life with another.

Wise & Amazing Women!

These are my two grandmothers! Amazing Women!
Mothers are wonderful, so are Grandmothers and I have had two of the best! My MaMaw Pollock has died, but I still have quilts and memories that really surround me with her comfort. My other Grandmother, Helen Arlowene Hooper is in a nursing home. It was a real difficult thing to see her in this condition as she was always the most intelligent and cognitive woman I knew. I will not go on with this post, but will pick it back up later...

How amazing is life?

After spending six days with my family in Buffalo I am feeling healed and whole. I was overwhelmed at how much love and care was offered to me by people who had not seen me in almost thirty years.
There were so many things that made this trip special:
>My Aunt Sang teaching me lovingly how to cook food from Vietnam and being so kind
>My Uncle Don sharing family, New York, and US historical facts and who he is (a terrific person)
>Val and Tara offering such acceptance, friendship and enjoyable conversation
>Being with the whole family at Letchworth
>The quiet peace at Uncle Don & Aunt Sang's house
>Seeing Gram
>Harrison, Sarah & Doug and the wonderful brunch
I am so glad I took the chance to get to know my family.

Summer with the Hoopers

SUMMER 2005 HOOPER FAMILY