Author Archives: tbavendam

My mom alway’s signed cards – Dick, Leona and the 5 T’s. Terry, Tamara, Timothy, Troyt and Traci, With Terry’s death we are now 4, Above is Troyt, me, Tim and Traci. My second cousin’s wedding last evening provided the circumstance that I was back in Iowa to say good-bye to Terry and a wonderfulContinue reading “And the 5 T’s become 4 T’s”

This was written on August 11, 2023 .I just found this post in my DRAFTS and not in the PUBLISHED posts although I have a strong deja vu that I posted it. At the risk of a duplicate, I am posting. Terry was the first of 3 deaths of important people in my life overContinue reading “To Terry – driving his semi on the highway to heaven”

We left Nashville Sunday and made it to Hannibal Missouri. I had been there once before when the band played at a Festival. Without the Festival, it is a pretty depressed town. We arrived with the need for a pipe cleaner. There was a Dollar General across the street from the motel and we arrivedContinue reading “A trip down memory lane in Eastern Iowa”

Yesterday I learned about car maintenance – changing oil, the oil filter, the air filter and the cabin filter. Craig has always done his own car maintenance and wanted to do mine before our road trip as it was time. He said he didn’t trust shops and after the experience yesterday, I understand why. IContinue reading “Lifelong learning”

I started volunteering at Nashville Tools for Schools in December 2021. For the first 6 months I worked on the bigger school projects and then I was asked to start working with Harry in the “Fine Furniture Department”. Harry was 91y/o at the time and a legend in volunteer carpentry. He helped start the SupervisorContinue reading “Satisfaction”

Craig and I spent several days together at The Garden. We entertained for the first time, had our second date to an outdoor Singer/Songwriter Festival in Hendersonville, picked out colors for redecorating he was already planning to do, gone shopping in Lowe’s and Harbor Freight and have thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity of spending time together.Continue reading “When will a shoe drop?”

I am sitting out on the porch which is shaded and there is a nice breeze. I amazed at the sense of comfort I feel in this rural setting. A month ago was the “match” on Match.com. To go from just really wanting to meet a man and have a cup of coffee to nowContinue reading “What a difference a month can make”

This is the view from the porch as I drink a cup of coffee and reflect. Banana bread is baking. The Barbie Movie comes at an interesting time for me. I am finding myself content with cooking/baking for someone – gender stereotypical after decades of living the opposite. I cooked for my family growing upContinue reading “Reflecting on Barbie – The Movie”

Hopefully most of you understand the reference to The Courtship of Eddie’s Father. I don’t remember much of the details of the show except that it was very sweet. While we have gone to a couple of afternoon movies (Sound of Freedom and Barbie), we had not gone out in the evening until last night.Continue reading “The Courtship of Carli’s Mother”

Carli is learning to grudgingly share her space with Buckley – a 14 month, 50 # poodle/terrier mix. Buckley is sweet as can be with a lot of puppy energy. Carli has been her usual aloof self with intermittent outbursts of anger.. My covered deck is a nice place for Buckley to hang out asContinue reading “Carli and Buckley and Brady, Oh My!!”