Family

Whirligig is the nickname given to this Trailing African Daisy (osteospermum fruticosum). I snapped this picture last Friday at the Botanic Garden. Click on the image for the full-sized picture.

The Whirligig is a member of the Aster family, closely related to other mums and daisies with a single-tier of petals. It propagates well from cuttings and does well in the Southwestern United States. According to the Desert Tropicals website (Phoenix, AZ) this flower suffers in hotter climates like Phoenix, but is hardy when it comes to tolerating frost.

We sure love going to the Gardens all year long, but especially in the spring and summer months.

True to their Papa, these six grandsons gladly took the burden of carrying their grandfather to his final rest. In the solemn and poignant moments between the parlor and the hearse and from the hearse to the vault, our boys did their duty with dignity and resolve.

On the left side of Papa’s casket, Timothy, Matthew and Austin – on the right side, Gerald, Steven and Tony. The boys all loved their grandfather and each one was proud to be a part of sending him off to eternity.

Click on the image to enlarge.

He was known to his family and friends as ‘Bill’ and ‘Dad’ to us. Dad lost his battle with cancer last evening. He had been in home-hospice for the last six months or so, being in his home with the family while receiving regular nursing and caretaker visits.

We visited several times a week during that time, keeping the family company and doing minor chores to help out. Dad seemed to enjoy having his family around in these last months and we were happy to have been there. Dad didn’t complain of pain much, and we’re thankful that he didn’t seem to suffer a lot.

We’ll miss him and always remember Dad – a really great guy and a good father.

I drove to Mom’s house today. It’s quite some time since I took the nearly 50 mile drive across some of the busiest roads in Los Angeles County.

We had a very nice visit. My sister was there too, and we had a nice visit over lunch at a restaurant in the area – my treat. We talked about various topics, mainly getting caught up with what’s been going on in our lives.

Mom’s 89th birthday was several weeks ago, and this was an opportunity to see her in person. Click on the thumbnail image to enlarge us.

This is my toddler nephew, Drake showing me his magnifier. Look at the way he smooshes his little button nose to get a good look at me and my camera as I take the picture. I just love this little guy – he’s so CUTE!

Click on the image to enlarge.