I just bought myself a brand new red convertible four-wheel Drive vehicle called a Nitro* to cruise around with now that the weather is promising to be more spring-like.  It even has white-walled tires and black upholstery and is 100% environmentally friendly since it is powered by ME!  

          For the past several months I have had increased difficulty walking even short distances and would get short of breath after just going to the mailbox at the end of the driveway.  My daughter the doctor and my other doctors suggested walking more to strengthen my muscles, but that caused major discomfort UNLESS I was holding on to something, like a shopping cart, for support.  

          Claire’s graduation from Fordham is coming up on May 19^th, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.  I’m told there will be a lot of walking to the various activities and festivities; so I looked into getting some kind of device to assist me.  What I saw at first were the usual walkers that didn’t look all that sturdy and had absolutely no style whatsoever.  Then I came across this beauty.  Just what I needed, and it looks great.  I’m going to get a Fit Bit to keep track of my mileage, or is it footage? and will keep you posted on my progress. 

          On the writing side:  Thanks to Claire, my website, Lives Cut Short, has been upgraded and now offers the possibility of recommending someone to be remembered.  Just click where is says: Share Your Thoughts to provide the requested information. 

          Tears of the Heart: Anticipating, Experiencing and Surviving the Death of a Spouse is coming along. The booklet of poetry will be ready for publication by the end of the month (April is National Poetry Month), and the Book itself by the end of the year. As you can imagine, writing about this brings a mix of very deep emotions, so some days are difficult.  I pray that sharing my experience will be of help to others. 

          Old Fashion Love: Commemorating Couples Who Have Celebrated Their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary.  The questionnaire and interview forms have been designed and several appointments have been scheduled.  I’m aiming for one per week–so by next year I have fifty stories to include in the book.  If you would like to share your love story or know of someone who would, please let me know. 

          My brother Bob sent me the link to an author’s web page, and I am passing it along http://www.peterwyaremko.com   I read his Blogs and bought one of his books. Peter’s writing is easy to read, insightful and entertaining, and he has a great sense of humor.  I highly recommend that you click into his site and check it out for yourself.  

          Next week’s Blog:  Remembering Mary Jean will be posted April 25^th.  Meanwhile, 

                                                                       Lots of LovEstelle 

           My new wheels–wheeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

*Nitro is slang for nitroglycerin which is highly explosive and when detonated, releases a lot of energy.