A Mudcatter's Thank You

Subject: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Night Owl
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 12:39 AM

There are no tunes; lost lyrics to songs; tablature or musical wisdom in this posting.

I just need to talk with you guys for a bit....some folks would call it "nattering"....
I call it blithering...;o)

BUT whatever we call it, under these words is a deep, sincere, thank-you ...to Max...

to this magic place called Mudcats.....

AND to its incredible members.

Sorry for not putting a "BS" title to this..couldn't do it...BUT I trust that those of you who believe Mudcats should be a music only site and stumbled into this thread by mistake, will find numerous music threads to enjoy today.

This'll take a while, Max knows some of this already, but I do want the rest of our members to know what Mudcats and 'Catters have been doing for me here.

Sooooo....some history......and I don't have a chance of keeping this brief!!!

Some of you may remember, that in late July of 1999, my home and three generations of contents, was destroyed by fire....caused by lightening during a severe thunderstorm.

I wasn't home at the time....I was away on vacation.

In that house was also my collection of old books, music books, old record albums,handmade wooden toys from Tennessee, well used percussion instruments for children, @300 cassette tapes I made over thirty years-of festivals, late night jams, music parties, band rehearsals, performances, friends etc.

There was also a variety of musical instruments . ..including 13 stringed instruments and my old beautiful (to my eyes and ears) upright piano. the list goes on......

No Martin guitars or other "expensive" instruments....but as you know, after spending time with an instrument,....it becomes a trusted friend....and through the years you learn how to compensate for the individual "idiosyncracies" of each one....they become a part of who we are, or at least they did with me.

Some of those instruments were also responsible, over the years, for introducing small children, Head Start classrooms,lost teenagers, and adult friends into a world of music.......as being something they were capable of playing themselves....and having FUN doing it.

A few have become accomplished musicians now...just because.....in the right place, at the right time, when they were searching teenagers, feeling like misfits and getting in trouble, they held a silly, goofy-looking, old "home-made" lap dulcimer and made a note or two play well enough to open the door and let their own talent come out.


All of us here at Mudcats are lovers of ....and share a passion for......music.
Some of you understand how devastating the loss of my music stuff was...and have suffered similar losses yourselves,........so I won't travel further down that road to articulate it.

taking a break here for a bit...LOTS more coming..

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 12:54 AM

Yes, dear heart, and at least you have a potato peeler now..........luv ya!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Night Owl
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 02:03 AM

No one died in the fire.......one fireman was injured by a live electrical wire......but has fully recovered now. He did have to suffer through bunches of jokes about how good he looked with short hair.

In that house also was lots of photographs and "memorabilia".

My older brother was killed in 1987 in a fiery traffic accident....on the Pa/Ohio border, while on his way home from a contradance caller's workshop in Berea, Kentucky.

I took my old lap dulcimer with me to the graveyard. It strikes me now as I am writing, how odd .....out of all those instruments that I was comfortable with..that at the last minute, I grabbed the lap dulcimer to bring with me for comfort.

It was a private burial, we held a public memorial service for him later.

After the casket was lowered and everyone else had left except his girlfriend, I took the lap dulcimer out of the car, and Alice and I sat on the stone wall surrounding the cemetary, under a huge white pine.....and I played for him......and her, and me. Just two simple songs.....over and over..... she asked me to play them some more....over and over.
The sound was perfect, peaceful... hypnotic...and soothed us enough after a while to stop our shaking. The songs were "River"-Bill Staines and "Rivers of Texas" I had learned from an old Sandy and Caroline Paton album I had. ( the album wasn't all THAT old.....just in case Sandy happens to read this...)

When my brother died, I left my job as a Paralegal, because my career involved giving legal advice, and crisis intervention....and my own house wasn't "in order".

Although it's been 15 yrs. now since his death..I continue to miss him daily......but my stomach no longer churns and the pain doesn't stab me any longer.

When we were kids, we went to summer camps every year......and learned BUNCHES of those fun, obscure songs. As teen-agers, he collected Everly Bros. records, I collected Elvis and Buddy Holly. We both bought other 45's weekly with money we earned doing odd jobs in the neighborhood. Because of our collection, he became a popular dj at our local "record hops".

Until he died, we could count on each other always.....a phone call away...to remember the tune or that obscure lyric from a camp song one of us was trying to remember.

Thank-you...Max, Dick, Susan, elves, Mudcats, members, and guests for asking the questions and giving the answers!

As adults, we both learned to play guitar....and through the years he collected every Gordon Bok album in existence....some of which had personalized signatures from Gordon to him. He also collected a variety of Contra-dance music and Hammer-Dulcimer music...and was planning to learn to play the HD.....he had just purchased the hammers and "learn to play" cassette tapes..and was planning to buy his Dulcimer when he got back from Berea.

After his death, I brought his tapes, albums and music stuff home with me...AND the Hammers he had bought for the HD. I also brought home silly stuff he had saved.. like our Captain Midnight decoder rings, and a letter he had saved that I had sent him...written in our "secret" code at camp.

In my home I had a small "memory wall" in the corner of my living room.....which had trinkets hung on it....which to me, represented my grandmother and grandfather's lives. I added my brother's hammers for the HD and a couple other things of his to it.

And on the small table in the corner, I put a sailing trophy he had won and had (proudly) given to me.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Night Owl
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 02:18 AM

sorry, Sorcha.....missed your post while I was typing.
ya, who woulda thunk it...that on the road from birth to death....potato peeler(S) are vital.

I just re-read what I wrote.....I guess this is a "trust-test"......but REALLY, HONEST, there is a heart smile, giggle coming. I gotta blither a bit more, so please bear with me and the yuck stuff.....

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Night Owl
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 06:26 AM

I've been debating for a while here whether or not to continue with this "history". I decided to hit "submit" after thinking about how much validation I feel sometimes, when other members talk about their personal lives and losses. I also don't think "Thank-You" makes sense unless you guys know for what....and how far down some of you reached to pull me up.
So I'm gonna continue from where I left off...

After a while I was done taking care of my brother's unfinished projects, gently tucking him into bed and saying good night to him.
And I had done as much as I could to ease my mother's grief.....and help her find her own "will to live". (She just celebrated her 92nd birthday this Friday.)

I spent a few years working in a Nursing Home..a job I got because I learned that most people ran when I uttered the word "death"..and are REALLY uncomfortable talking about it. Even my closest friends would change the subject trying to be "helpful" and supportive. In the Nursing Home.....death is a subject in a normal conversation.
I was assigned to work with the terminally ill patients....because, they told me, I was "intuitive and have a gentle manner". I learned a lot there, about non-verbal communication, physical and mental disabilities, the importance of music and how much we don't know about brain function. Most importantly, the patients there, and the work I was doing, helped me heal.

I think there comes a time in life, when we sit and reflect, and breathe for a sec...and realize we're NOT getting any younger....and underneath inside, we've had a nagging desire to do something or other....but lacked the time/courage/opportunity to go for it. (I think it's called a "mid-life crisis"...bg.)
Sitting outside on a break at the Nursing Home one night, I realized that I had healed as much as I was going to, had learned as much about life/death as the job could teach me, and to continue in the job was unhealthy.

When I got home that night, I talked with my partner about starting our own business. For years I had run a small horse and carriage thing part time for fun..and mostly just gave free driving lessons, history lessons about the village and about life before the automobile... and "this is a horse, this is the steering wheel, this is the gas pedal, brakes" etc. lessons to kids in town.

My partner had absolute, unquestioning love and respect for not only the me I am, warts and all, but also my knowledge and skills with the horses and teaching.

We decided to go for it.

During the following months, we attended the workshops held by the Small-Business Administration, wrote up a detailed business plan....procured a contract with a five-star hotel/restaurant in town....banged on doors for funding......and finally found a bank willing to take a chance....with no collateral.......to give us the loan.
We were told that the loan was approved.....not only because of the excellent job we did in writing the business plan, but mostly because our commitment, knowledge and belief in what we were doing was contagious. Our goal was to use the income from weddings and special events to support some community stuff we planned to do.

We embarked on what he called a "reconnaissance mission" and found two horses with the unique personalities we needed, commercial harnesses, and two used carriages.

It was a trip I will be forever thankful for taking.

In searching for the equipment, we agreed that I would only look at carriages AFTER they passed his safety inspection tests....mechanical, electrical, structural integrity of the wood etc. and that he would look at horses only AFTER they passed my personality tests.

He wasn't a "perfect" person......and had some personal demons he struggled with....and like many of us...he had well-hidden self-esteem problems. He was one of those people that felt he was a "jack-of-all-trades, master of none"....a GOOD auto mechanic, electrician,framing carpenter and well-respected finish carpenter.....none of which he felt passionate about.

It was amazing to witness......the skills he had learned in his lifetime....coming together with clarity and purpose during our trip......while inspecting the vehicles....meeting,talking with people, his kindness showed through....and in the process....earned him the respect of anyone watching him do his thing....and his passion and commitment to what we were doing got stronger.

He had always been well respected by other people for his skills and intelligence ....but the difference this time was that he felt it himself.

It's a dangerous thing to combine a relationship with work in which only ONE can be the boss. BUT we did it.......with LOTS of humor. He bought a hat with a funny logo on it...and bought me one that said "Boss". We wore our hats when we did business stuff,and took them off when the work was done for the day.
We worked...both of us.....sometimes 18-20 hours a day...enjoying every minute..(well, almost every minute)...to prepare for opening the business. We worked hard and had lots of giggles doing it....we made a good team.

By Dec. of 1994, everything was done.....and we both took other jobs for the rest of the winter.
I began working with an 8yr. old "special needs" boy who had a lot of medical and behavioral problems.

My partner and I made plans to bring the horses and equipment to the village in March, 1995, allowing ourselves time to work out any "bugs" before the tourist season started.

In Feb., 1995 he died.....three weeks before we were to start.
He was the innocent victim of a drug-crazed man with a gun...in the wrong place at the wrong time. The gunman also kidnapped a father and his 2 yr. old son, but thankfully,after a wild ride at gunpoint..let them go...unharmed physically....before turning the gun on himself.

Eventually, I added more stuff to the "memory wall" in my home.......and put his picture on the small table beside my brother's trophy.

This wasn't just a house fire..most aren't. It put me back on those old pages I'm writing about because my "memory wall" stuff burnt.

Today, depending on weather, the bulldozer will be taking down what remains of the structure that was my home. The trees have already been cut down to make room for the heavy equipment.

I have one more "history" post to write here ....after which I hope to share some "Mudcat magic" giggles and "potato peeler" thank-yous.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From:
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 06:32 AM

Thank you for sharing, Night Owl.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Hollowfox
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 07:02 AM

Like the song says, "Good times and hard times, they're all worth the telling".

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: GUEST,Amergin
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 07:20 AM

Night Owl....like George said....thank you for sharing....

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: kendall
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 07:51 AM

This is a special place alright. It's impossible to feel alone here. What a bummer to lose a lifetime's collection of things that bring back memories.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Amos
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 08:08 AM

Beautiful job so far, N'Owl.

A

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 08:35 AM

You grace the place, Night Owl, as ever. Roll on. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 08:46 AM

Dammit PT, why must you jump in and say the very best thing I can think of and leave me with nothing but to say "Ditto?"

He is right of course Jackie......I don't know what all is in your mind here about thanking us, but the thanks should go back to you for all of those caring and heartfelt posts you have made over the years and for the joy you have given us........Continue as you will.

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Night Owl
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 08:56 AM

thanks for listening...it's been a tough night here (not meaning bad) and not the first time I've been thankful that Mudcats is "open" all night.
Hollowfox....thanks for making it a "music" thread!bg
ok....last "history" post and then I'm gonna make breakfast..fill my coffee mug...and try to convince my Lilac bushes that they want to move before the Bulldozer comes.
I'm not sure why the compulsion to write all this now really...but "Farther Along we'll understand why".

My partner died 7 yrs. ago.....doesn't seem possible that it could be that many years ago..but it is.

I don't have a kazillion personal friends...but the few I do have are solid...same ones that helped me stand up after my brother died. They took turns making sure I didn't quit...sitting with me...just being there.....when they knew I was alone.
I don't remember a word anyone said initially...but DO remember how important it was to have a close friend JUST BE THERE...breathing. AND when I needed, they helped me wipe my tears and allowed me to talk about life and death this time, and broken dreams, and being too tired to start over again.
They helped me get through the initial shock...and after a few weeks, on those days when I wanted to give up.... they reminded me of how much the 8 yr. old needed my help...and how important I was to them ...and him.

I didn't learn until a couple years later that they had also kept tabs on what I was eating and drinking, and how many hours I slept daily...(or not).

The horses went to a friend's farm in Vermont, and the business equipment went to a variety of places.

Still numb inside, and not sleeping well anyway, I began picking up every assignment I could get....and worked three jobs for a couple of years.

There's much to be said, I think, for throwing oneself into work or something...anything...because sometimes life's events can be so devastating, it's impossible to comprehend it all at once...if ever.

I learned a lot through grief counseling, and why I was taking so long to "get better"....and to be kinder to myself....and to be more patient with the good-day/ bad-day; two steps forward, three steps back; ups and downs involved in grieving.
And I had to learn HOW to ask for help when I needed it..because I had been a "giver" all of my life. I'm still struggling to learn how to receive more graciously.
I cut down my work hours and continued working with the 8 yr. old....who was by then,11yrs. old. We had a very balanced relationship......he taught me every bit as much as I taught him....and somehow the challenge of working with him kept me alive inside.

One day, out of the blue, I received a phone call asking me to come work in a home that had four brain-injured adult women. I already knew that the boy I worked with was gonna be fine..and that my job there was done. His medical needs are ongoing...but stabilized.

During the three years I worked with him, he had been successfully mainstreamed in school, and we had corrected the erroneous labels he had been tagged with by "the system" and its misdiagnoses. I was just "hiding" in a safe place by then with him. He still had some problems, but had learned to "use his words" and his mother and he had ALL the tools they needed to survive the politics of the system.
So, we carefully "weaned" ...gradually...with his nurse's help.......ostensibly him...but honestly me....the dependency.

I was working with the four women when I found Mudcats.

I'm giving myself permission to feel sad for a bit this morning, and then I'm closing the chapter I've just written about...and turning the page. The negative parts are going in the dumpster with the house.....and the positive parts I'm keeping. Thanks again for listening.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 09:05 AM

Thank-you, Night Owl. Your public sharing just reinforces all the things I'm supposed to know anyway...PM on the way...

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: CamiSu
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 09:18 AM

Wow. Can I be your next door neighbor? This all sounds so hard, but you and all those you've helped and have helped you are surely living what Bob Franke said in Thanksgiving Eve

What can you do with your days But work and hope Let your dreams bind your work to your play What can you do with each moment of your life But love 'till you've loved it away

Thank you

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: JenEllen
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 10:55 AM

Potato peelers and cherry pitters all the way, darlin'gal.
~yer sister-mule

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:09 AM

Loss is a very difficult experience that we never really get over. But we do move on with life and find joy, and experience good times. I know, because I buried my wife, Judy, 4 years ago who died of breast cancer at a young age of 54.

And so I fully understand this thread. I haven't been around Mudcat very long but have been around long enough to realize that it is a community of not only smart and talented folks, but caring folks. I pray this tread will have the healing qualities, Night Owl, that you need. Now, get out there and rescue that lylac. It needs you and in the years to come, as it blooms, you'll remember all the good things about the house...

And may God bless you.

Bobert

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: mzkitty
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:14 AM

"Night Owl",it seems to me that a bit of spiritual alchemy has gone on here. You have brought your home and it's contents back to life through your words and now each one of us shares a bit of your home in our hearts. I will think of your story often. Bless you for your loving spirit.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Alice
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:24 AM

Night Owl, thank you for writing. This forum has an even greater meaning to me now, after reading what you shared with us. - Alice

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Morticia
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:25 AM

I'm sitting here with the tears dripping off the end of my nose, knowing exactly what you mean,echoing your gratitude for this wonderful community and cheering you (and your courage) on....thank you .

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:27 AM

Folks, I have good reason to believe that you all need to keep following this because the best is yet to come. She is a truly amazing person and I am honored to share this forum with her.....

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:28 AM

*left me speechless, dear one* just remember everything I've said before and that I love you...kat

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:46 AM

You're right about that, Pat/Spaw, but it's going to be a little later, today, before we get to read much more. I just spoke with her and, since she really is a "night owl," she's just off to sleep for a bit before posting the rest of her incredible story, which is not to be missed.:-)

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:51 AM

Why are we pretty fond of old Night Owl around the old Mudcat porcheroo? You might want to check this out....Music Therapyyours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Amergin
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 12:44 PM

Peter....I did not need that thread to know she is a wonderful person....but thanks.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 01:50 PM

Jackie...you and I have been ICQing for well over a year now and your concern for me has always been constant. I always "knew" there was a story behind your messages and I felt that If I was patient, I would learn so much from you., I'm so glad that I stumbled on this post. I would just like to add Jackie...I've dug up, moved, shaken and pruned many lilac bushes in my time and I have found them to be very resiliant. In fact, they've become stronger and more beautiful ... just like you!

Barb

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 02:07 PM

Oooh! A cliffhanger! I love/hate cliffhangers!

:-)

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 02:51 PM

A lot of what we do on the Mudcat is a waste of space, and that includes a lot of posts I make. Every now and again there's something that makes up for all that, and this is one of those times.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Banjer
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 07:09 PM

Thanks for sharing this story with all of us. I can only imagine what it takes to recall and tell this tale and I hope it is in some way theraputic for you to relate it. You are indeed correct, this is more than a forum on a website, it is a community. I personally have drawn much strength and support from this group also. I was a little over a year ago that my Dr's office called to set an appointmenty based on the results of some tests that had been run. I feared that my life would change drastically from that day forward, but having followed Pat's (Catspaw's) ordeal I knew that no matter what the Dr. had found I would find a course through it. So while you are listing your reasons, let me borrow a bit of your thunder, Night Owl, to also thank this group for their support! Thanks all.......

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 07:21 PM

Thanks for the whole story, Jackie. I knew only bits and pieces.
Mary

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: JenEllen
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 07:36 PM

Played more Hazel today in your honor, Jacks, but couldn't get this chorus outta my head. One of my favorite songs...
And the world goes 'round in circles
Like a crazy ferris wheel
And it's good to know that there's a place to go
'Til the hurt begins to heal
Where your troubles melt like starlight
On a chocolate ice cream cone
And you're old enough to make it on your own

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Amos
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 07:47 PM

Dang! I've been playing that cut for two days straight, over and over driving to work and back.

No, really!

A.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 10:41 PM

I sure can relate to your posts, dear one. I shared something here a few years ago that I had not shared before nor since. I have never regretted it, as it seemed like the place to do it. Now it is my turn to sit here with tears running down my face, and thanking God for Max and The Mudcat, and those that "live" here. And right now, mostly I am thankful to know that this place has you in it.

Mick

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:11 PM

Wow, jackie. just saw this and I'm a bit dumbfounded. This place has a power to not only inform and entertain, but to heal as well. Glad I know ya.

Luv

Rick

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:15 PM

Dear Night Owl: Caroline and I both want to thank you for letting us share a small part of your life. It's as Jerry Rasmussen's song says: "All I can leave you is a handful of songs." We are so glad that one you caught from us was a comfort to you at that painful moment. Would that we could give you more.

Sandy and Caroline

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: alison
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:31 PM

thanks for writing it Jackie.... I miss our chats on ICQ.... but it is wonderful to know you

love

alison

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Escamillo
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 12:59 AM

Jackie, you know that there are many of us who want to thank Mudcatters for all the generosity we find in this place, on top of the music.

Un abrazo - Andrés

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 01:43 AM

I often find myself angry or baffled by the random cruelty and thoughtless violence that seems to play such a role in the world. Perhaps there is no changing those things. Maybe the ultimate revelation of our value lies in how we deal with these things, how we hold to our basic sense of right and dignity in the face of them. In the process, we may lose every material thing that gives us comfort, until we are left at last with whatever peace and strength lie within us.

From what you have said, Night Owl, I know that infinite peace and strength lie within you. You have both my sympathy and my great admiration.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Night Owl
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 03:17 AM

I'm exhausted here...and need to "regroup" and take care of myself for a bit before continuing...but before I go to bed, I just want to say thank-you all.....incredible community!!

and Andres, it's GREAT to see you back with us...

Weather was cold,rain/snow here today... the bulldozer didn't show up.

I got a few "baby" lilacs and am gonna try again this week-end to get the "mother".

There's another amazing thing we have here.."Personal Messages". I learned when I started the Music Therapy thread what an incredible asset PM's are for us in the design of this website. Members who were following that thread, but uncomfortable posting their personal stories to it, shared information with me through PMs.

The same thing is happening now and I want to thank you for them. For those of you struggling to find your own "peaceful" closures, wait'll you hear how important a potato peeler can be! bg

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: CarolC
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 03:41 AM

For those of you struggling to find your own "peaceful" closures

Thank you for addressing that, Night Owl. I'm struggling with a few of those, and I've been needing to wait until you finished your story before I posted anything to this thread. But I wanted you to know that reading those words felt good to me.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Cappuccino
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 03:45 AM

Remarkable. Very best wishes. - Ian B

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 08:32 AM

I'm one who sent a PM of personal stories. It's amazing how there can be similar stories in our lives, stories which help us gain a greater understanding of our lives and the people in it.

And now about the lilacs...I've tried moving them and it's EXTREMELY difficult because they have such STRONG roots. Be very careful. If you are chopping away at the root system with an ax, it can ricochet off and hit your leg. You might also get some professional (from a nursery) advice on how to do woody stem propagation. I have several lilac bushes in my yard, and it's not unusual for people driving by on the highway to stop and ask to pick some. I have lots of fond memories of taking lilacs to people...now my friend NIGHT OWL is one of those memories!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 10:34 AM

I have a set of poems which I add to now and then called The Women's Sowing Circle. Each poem in it is about some woman in my life who has been very special to me, in some way. These are poems which *come* to me, not something I can just sit down and think, "Okay, now write this one."

So, not finished, yet, but Night Owl is getting her own in the collection and I think I may share as she's already read it. I'll post the rest when it comes to me:

To Jackie

I have touched a woman's spirit
With her allowance;
A private woman
with layers of courage,
born of great loss
and quiet triumph

© 2001 K. LaFrance

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: MMario
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 10:50 AM

Lilacs do root easily from hardwood cuttings - at least some varieties. I remmeber starting several bushes from stems that had been cut for bouquets - after the blooms had faded - they had already started to root - so just babied them along a bit in the water and eventually set them out.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: CapriUni
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 11:17 AM

If you really want to remove a lilac from one spot, and put it in another, make a cutting, as suggested above, and
Get a goat!;-)
It may take a while, but eventually, the lilac bush will be eaten down to its root crown. I speak from experience -- had two pet goats while I was growing up. Just tether the goat near the lilac, so as to protect the plants you do want...

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 11:52 AM

I hope Jackie feels better soon, and is able to post "the rest of the story....." There is more.

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: CapriUni
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 12:16 PM

Yes... eagerly awaiting the happy ending...

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 12:47 PM

She's off to work for a couple days, so was resting up for that. Maybe by Saturday night, if she isn't too tired. One of those is an overnighter, so we'll have to remember that patience is a virtue for which we all strive, right?**BG** 'Course, she might surprise us with some more, tonight, who knows when the Muse of Night Owl strikes?*bg*

Oh, those potato peelers!! Ya'll are in for some fun!

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: GUEST,Hamshank
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 12:47 PM

N.O.

Ya went and made me leak all over my keyboard. Glad I don't have to sing in the next few minutes, 'cause I couldn't with this goose egg sized lump in my throat. Thanks for including guests. Some of us love the Mudcat and I, for one, am quite fond of most of the folks who hang out here, although I don't really know any of 'em.

HS

Subject: RE: A Mudcatter's Thank You
From: Jeri
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 06:40 PM

...a soul as strong and deep as the roots of that lilac bush, and as gentle on the surface as the little blossoms.

Jackie, I'm very glad to be able to read your story. There are never enough tales about love and strength and the magic in life. Thank you for what you've written so far, and for what may come.