The weather's brutal grip won't be released any time soon. Another storm on the forecast. Nothing new or surprising. Only my tolerance is weakening.

Cannot help but think how this will affect Z.'s babies who are not accustomed to this . They have always lived in Phoenix. They have heavy sweaters and booties but I am concerned that my furry grandchildren will be traumatized by the Central New York temperatures.

Only have a few days to doggy proof the house. Miss Lucy, is still very fond of chewing anything in site. Especially leather shoes. Oh! We are in for some changes. The house has been quiet for several years.

It will definitely be an adjustment period for all. Keeping my fingers crossed.

2:23 AM. This has become routine. My body aches but my eyes refuse to close and sleep. My brain won't shut down. Images of you cannot be erased. I still feel the touch of your feet as cold as the snow that covers the ground. Not all the massaging in the world could bring some resemblance of warmth to them or relief of pain.

I will not let you see me spill any tears.

I will not curse the gods for what they have done to you. I will lie, and thank them for still having you upright.

"TRUE PEACE IS NOT MERELY THE ABSENCE OF TENSION: IT IS THE PRESENCE OF JUSTICE"

martin luther king, jr.

of all the things i thought i knew about him, i had never heard the above quote. it sent shivers up my spine.

In loving memory of Daisy.

Sweetest furry angel that touched our lives for too short a while but will stay in our hearts forever.

I really never thought I would live to see a day like today......

Finally, we can begin to live up to the beliefs of the constitution that ALL MEN are created EQUAL.

Mr. Obama has inherited a country that is in rags. The challenges ahead are tremendous.

Today for the first time in a long time I did not feel shame, when I listened to my President speak......

The weather has been brutal. Absolutely brutal. The highs have been hovering around 6F. That in itself would be enough but the wind...Oh the windchill factor took us to -15F. Even the ski clothes could not keep out the effects of this most furious show of mother nature.

After driving only a few blocks, my hands became so numb that I could not insert the key into my front door. It has been a long time since I felt this severe cold.

Today, I only left the house to pick up my granddaughter. The heating system blasting in the car and her little face covered by a thick blanket to go the five feet between the car and the house.

We are staying put. We are not venturing out till mother nature's performance is over.

Dona Lurdes was laid to rest today.

After church, we followed her to the cemetery where the graveside service was brief due to the weather conditions.

The wind whipped the green tent above the coffin. It whipped the mourners who bent against it trying to keep from being pushed off their feet. I hated leaving her there, behind for the "caretakers" to insert her into the mausoleum. It seemed so unfinished!

Funerals are so "clean" It's a bad choice of words, I realize.....but it's almost like a staged play!

Despite the criticism that I received for my father's services, I would not change a thing. It was personal and intimate.

The Portuguese community is dwindling. Very few of the old timers remain. We are left to a few dozen in this city. The new generation, our children, do not speak the language. I feel a sense of loss of more than the old timers.

I must think of a way to tie the children and future generations to a little bit of the past. To one day be able to know at least where we came from. Time to start writing down part of what is fast becoming history.