LIZZY

Sometimes we see death approaching from afar. It slowly advances at a regulated pace on a person who has lived a long and full life. It may surprise us, but it is not totally unexpected.
Sometimes death calls on someone who has been ill for a while, and we might even consider it a blessing.
Yesterday death swept in and took my sister-in-law, Lizabeth Patch Armbruster. We are stunned at the audacity and shaken by the finality.
Liz was a 51 year old wife of Joe Armbruster, and mother of Eleanor, Laura, Jacob, Mary, Peter and Sam. She also had two grandsons. She actively participated in all things pertaining to her children. Her love for them and pride in them was apparent as you read the blog she kept recording the events in their lives and in her own.
Recently she wrote a couple of posts on her blog regarding memories of home and of growing up. She had a flair for writing, and a gift for displaying good common sense in the thoughts that she expressed. Her pen has now been silenced, and it is our loss.

Always the apple of her mother's eye, Liz was the youngest of the Patch children.

As a child Liz was not easily won over and she could spot a phony a mile away.

This is the most recent photo I have of Liz taken in July 2009 while I was visiting Jennie in Atlanta. Liz drove three hours from South Carolina to come and see me. Liz went out of her way to be with family and was often the instigator of get togethers.

Liz's mother died of cancer at the age of 53. Liz was 19 at the time and felt her loss throughout the rest of her life. As Liz became an adult I watched her fight through this loss and take her life by the horns. She took on the responsibilities of a family, of church, scouts and even education, as she decided to home-school her children for a time. Not easy, to be sure, but she took action and did what was necessary. Her children will have wonderful memories of a mother who loved them and devoted her life to them.

I am proud to have known her.

FOR BECKY

A young couple got married and went on a cruise for their honeymoon. When they got back from the honeymoon, the bride immediately called her mother, who lived a couple of hours away.

"Well, darling," said her mom, "how was the honeymoon?"

Oh, mother," she replied, "the honeymoon was wonderful! So romantic, we had a terrific time! But, mother, as soon as we returned, Sam began using really horrible language… Stuff I'd never heard before… Really terrible 4-letter words… You've got to come get me and take me home… PLEASE MOTHER!"

And the new bride began to sob over the telephone.

"But honey," the mother countered, "WHAT 4-letter words?"

"I can't tell you, mother," said the daughter, "they're too awful! COME GET ME, P L E A S E !!!"

"Darling daughter, you must tell me what has you so upset… Tell mother the 4-letter words!"

Still sobbing, the bride said, "Mother….words like: DUST…WASH……IRON….COOK"

REST IN PEACE MR. PATCH

Harry Patch, Britain's oldest remaining survivor of World War I, passed away yesterday, Saturday, July 25, 2009. He was 111 years old. Do we know if he was a relative? Well, if he was, he was far removed. But he shares our name, and so it does catch our attention.

Wikipedia shares lots of information about Harry, almost all of it referring to his WWI experience. Apparently he refused to speak about the war for almost 100 years. Seriously, he joined the service in 1917 at the age of 19. He finally broke his silence in the past few years, when it became clear that he was one of the last remaining soldiers of WWI in the world! (Of course my sarcastic husband says that is because there is no one left to dispute him!)

He survived 90 days in the trenches at a battle in Battle of Passchendaele while thousands of soldiers died all around him. One of his final acts was to return to this battlefield and lay a wreath of poppies in memory of all those who died, including the German enemy combatants.

"Any one of them could have been me. Millions of men came to fight in this war and I find it incredible that I am the only one left."
—Commenting on graves at a Flanders war cemetery, July 2007

With all his ribbons and medals, Harry despised war. He took no glory in it. He reflected on a moment when he came face to face with a German soldier in combat and thought of the Ten Commandments as he faced him down. Harry shot him in the shoulder, he shot him in the knee, and in the ankle. To his great relief, he brought him down without killing him.

Recalling the death of another soldier Harry said:

"And when that fellah died, he just said one word: ‘Mother.’ It wasn’t a cry of despair. It was a cry or surprise and joy. I think - although I wasn’t allowed to see her - I am sure his mother was in the next world to welcome him. And he knew it. I was just allowed to see that much and no more. And from that day until today - and now I’m nearly 106 years old - I shall always remember that cry and I shall always remember that death is not the end.

You’ve got a memory. You’ve got a brain about the size of a tea cup. I’ve got a memory that goes back for 80 or 90 years and I think that memory goes on with you when you die. And that’s my opinion. Death is not the end."

These are the few things I have learned about Harry Patch and I feel honored to share his name. He has gone on to join his three wives and two sons who passed away before him. Sounds like a Patch to me!

Also see:

Excellent Obituary http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/army-obituaries/5911814/Private-Harry-Patch.html

ADOBE ABODE

Hi Family, Just got back from Arizona and helping Matt and Anna Marie move to their new house. So, I am sharing a few pics of their new abode. We all love it! Nice big trees in the front of the house and lovely courtyard effect in the front entry. Of course the lovely, big trees are why the plumbing was clogged and the sewer line had to be drilled, but at least that is done now and they can flush again!
Their furniture fits beautifully in the new living room! The previous owners left this lovely big tree in the LR and it really adds. We think it was too heavy to move! Also, notice the plantation shutters. They are beautiful and go through the whole house. Love that they don't have to deal with window treatments!
Here is a corner of the yard with the pool. A darling mural enhances the back wall. I love that potted palm on the right. And cute lampposts! The cool decking is done in blocks, also an attractive feature. There are orange trees on the side of the house along with additional storage sheds.
Kyle, who is almost 18, and his friends moved all the furniture! They were great! Kyle also completed his Eagle Scout project while I was there, along with lots of help from his friends and ward leaders, and especially his MOM! Way to go Kyle! I am so proud of him for that accomplishment!
Darling Danielle sitting in her newly painted bedroom. She is a happy girl! And she is a very good worker! She and her friend Maybry helped pack and clean and carry boxes! They were great! And they never complained!
I was so happy to be able to help out. I love their new house, and you will too! I also loved seeing my relatives while there, going to lunch for Mexican food and visiting!

ATLANTA

Recently I heard a rumor that people were tired of looking at Becky's wide open mouth when this blog was opened. Hard to believe. But here is a new post anyway. I am home from Atlanta after spending a week there with Jennie. Oddly, I have no photos of Jennie and myself. But Laura and Liz came on Monday to spend some time with us. So.....
Here is a pic of Laura and Jen--cozy cousins! Laura got up early and drove to Atlanta from Macon where she is staying with her dad. I hadn't seen Laura in years, but it didn't seem that way because I have seen so many pictures of her. She is bubbly, sweet and vivacious! She and Jen really enjoy each other.

It has been a few years since Liz and I have seen one another also. We spent the afternoon together and then went for pizza before Liz took the long trek home. It was so sweet of her to drive so far (3 hours) just to come and see me! Liz has a very nice blog that I enjoy reading. She has a nice writing style and talks good sense. Check it out!

Here is Jennie's kitty with whom I shared my bed and room and apparently my fabric purchases. Jennie and I had fun together. We visited a couple of quilt shops! She knows how to show her mom a good time! The week went quickly. I am thinking I may go back there in September. There is a big quilt show there that I wouldn't mind going to. Luckily Jennie enjoys looking at quilts and even making them. So we always can find a project to enjoy together!

BECKY

Yesterday Becky wanted a burger. "A big meaty one", she exclaims! Here she is trying to get her mouth around it!
Now she is laughing because she cannot! She is embarrassed about cutting her bangs crooked, so I thought I would point that out.

We have really loved having Becky here for the past six weeks. No, she never got a job, but it will be fine. Life smiles on Becky and she just bounces along, full of joy and happily entertaining herself. This is what I learned about Becky this summer: She is a happy person. She does not whine or complain. She does not get bored, as she finds things to do. She is very creative and can spend hours on projects that she pulls from the air, or the internet. Is that redundant? Also, she loves taking pictures of herself. Well, that is nothing new! She is clever and entertaining and sharing and loving.

Becky leaves on Wednesday! We will miss her so much!

CHICKEN PARMESAN

As I made dinner today I thought of my son Renn who has asked for recipes. So I decided to share this one. We had it for dinner today with tossed salad and garlic toast. It should be served with spaghetti, but I forgot to make it. Whoops. Give this a try. It is easy and good!

CHICKEN PARMESAN
2 to 4 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup bread crumbs mixed with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 egg
1 jar spaghetti sauce
2 slices mozzarella cheese

Dip chicken in egg, then in breadcrumb mixture.
Brown in olive oil over medium-high heat.
Place breasts in baking dish and pour spaghetti sauce over all.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
Place cheese slices on chicken and bake until cheese melts.
Serve over spaghetti with tossed salad and garlic toast.

Joan Johnson gave me this recipe! Love, MOM