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Hold On I Know I Wrote This Down Somewhere, Canada
Just a quiet country boy who believes in remaining calm at all times even though there are times when a little excitement is necessary. I also believe in living each day to it's fullest because when it's over you can never have it back and it makes one less you have coming. I was married to the most wonderful woman in the world, my late wife Ellen. She will always have a place in my heart. I like cooking, dining out, traveling, shopping, gambling, blogging, bling and I love my truck cause she's pretty and fast. Oh and let's not forget food.

July 25, 2010

Not Feeling Well

Yesterday I took a quick trip to Grand Forks for the day. After I ate lunch I wasn't feeling very well. I was tired and didn't have a lot of energy. This happens sometimes on the Chemo which I am taking in pill form now so I decided to head home. I went and had the truck washed (lots of bugs on it) and then I came straight home.. Shortly afer that I got chills. So bad actually that I was shaking really bad. I put more covers on the bed and before long I was burning up, This went on all night chills and heat and was still going today. I stayed in bed all day and maybe I'll be able to go to work tomorrow. I will call the Dr and find out about this. Maybe it's just a bug going around. Ok it's back to bed for me.

99 comments:

dori said...

Curtis, I had a feeling you weren't doing well......anyway, please check with your doctor BEFORE you do anything!! Please!

Lisa said...

Get Well. Drink lots of water.

JennyD said...

Oh, gosh, I'm sorry, Curtis. I was thinking about you today and yesterday and wondering how you were since the new pills. If you see this, give me a call when you hear back from the doc, ok? I'll worry, you know I will.
I have an afternoon appt with the tax accountant, but if I'm not home, leave me a message and I'll call you right back when I get in.
I'll be thinking of you until then.
xoxoxo

Unknown said...

Oh dog gone it Curtis, I feel bad you feel bad. Let us know tomorrow. Please take care my friend.

Bobbie said...

You make sure you call the doctor, and don't even think of going to work if you don't feel well. You take care of yourself, you hear!!

Dave said...

Greetings from Kentucky,
Jenny D suggested that I check out your site....and she was right....(did we expect less?)...it is very interesting and very well written.

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear you are feeling so ill, Curtis. I have only just met you so I have no idea of your health history but it sounds like a visit to the doctor is in order.

Sue Mac said...

See your Doc, and I hope your feeling better soon
Take care
Sue

Unknown said...

Hope you're feeling better soon, Curtis. In the meantime rest and don't push yourself to go back to work too soon.

Joe Robinsmith said...

Hope it's nothin' serious my friend. Here are some prayers that it is gone today for you.

Kathy said...

Curtis, sounds like fever, I pray you've seen the doctor. Please let us know how things are going.

Sally said...

Oh man, I hope and pray you're feeling better by now, Curtis. We just can't have you being sick, and that's an order! I've just gotten home from being with Brittney at the hospital all day; they kept her again. Please take care, and let us know how you're doing. ((hugs))

Anonymous said...

I've never had chemo, Curtis, so I can't imagine what the side effects must feel like. Lisa offered some practical advice--drink lots of water--and advice to consult with your physician is also very wise. Maybe the dosage needs to be adjusted...

Please rest and hopefully your body and the meds will learn to play nice together.


I'm thinking of you, sending my best hopes, and look forward to that update which says you're feeling better.

May it be.

Unknown said...

I agree with Lisa,drink lot's of fluids and hopefully you should soon feel much better. Sounds like a bug of some sort.

Carol T said...

There was a nasty flu bug going around here, people were feverish and throwing up, hope you didn't get that one. Hope you're over it already.

Anonymous said...

Hello to all of Curtis' blogging friends. This message is from his friends Heather,Ross and Marina. We have been worrying about Curtis and have been unable to reach him. We went to his house earlier today and hate to inform you that Curtis has passed away. We do not know any details. We trust that Curtis is with Ellen now.
Rest In Peace Our Dear Friend.

Anonymous said...

OMG, poor Curtis. What a gentle soul. Godspeed, you dear man.

JennyD said...

OH nooooo, oh nooooooo, oh nooooo. I am in shock as I am seeing this for the first time. I had just sent Heather and Ross an email to see if they knew what was going on with Curtis. Omg, I am in shock and can't stop crying.

Unknown said...

I am so sorry to hear this. My heartfelt condolences to his family. What a shock, he will be greatly missed by all his blogging buddies.

Bobbie said...

What shocking news! Words cannot express the sadness in my heart. Curtis was such a wonderful man, and he will be missed by all who knew him. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.

Unknown said...

Oh my dear friend Curtis I heard the news and I cannot stop crying. May the Lord take you in his arms. Thank you who ever left a message to let his blog family know.

Sally said...

My heart is crying. We love you, Curtis. Rest in peace, dear friend. We will always remember you as a gentle giant among men.

Joe Robinsmith said...

I am shocked beyond belief. I was waiting for an update as he had just gone to Grand Forks a couple days ago.

At least he and Ellen are together again. I'll miss your gentle soul and stories. Rest in peace my friend, I am so happy to have met you.
Prayers.

CAROLDEE said...

Please know we are shocked and hope that the family will accept our prayers and thoughts right now.
We will miss one of our blogging family terribly. May he rest in peace with the angels and his beloved.

JennyD said...

Today is no better than last night when I found out this devastating news. Nothing will be the same without Curtis around. A true man of men and made of nothing but pure goodness. My heart and soulfelt condolences to all of his friends and neighbors in Manitoba,and to Ellen's family which became Curtis's family for these last years. And to all of us, too, as no one was loved more than Curtis and we are mourning.
I will treasure every little gift he sent to me over the years and the dozens of photos and thousands of emails we wrote back and forth. I will never forget the Christmases and New Years Eves spent on Webcams with our holiday dinners and cheer. What fun that was. Yes, we burnt up the telephone wires, too. Curtis touched every life with a rainbow of love. How fortunate Heaven is to have him now. Now Curtis and Ellen will have a lifetime of dancing and smiles. No one deserves it more.
xoxoxo always

Phyllis said...

My heart is sad to hear of this. Curtis had a wonderful gift of writing and putting his feelings out for all to read. He was a gentle soul with so much love to share. He is now in Heaven with Ellen. He will be greatly missed.

Anonymous said...

As I read the sweet words left for our dear friend, I wish I had more to offer than these few poor ones.

I didn't know Curtis long, yet I feel I've lost a lifelong friend.

Cindy said...

I'm going to miss you Curtis. You and Ellen are probably out riding around in that big Hemi Farm Truck of yours. Love and hugs to all that read this.

Joan said...

Oh my, I just heard. I'm going to miss you, I just can't believe this.

Unknown said...

Rest easy, buddy, You will be missed.

jacque said...

Oh, I am so heartsick and very sad for the loss of our dear friend, Curtis!
I have always enjoyed the kindness that flowed when Curtis started one of his blogs. I especially enjoyed the photos and stories of his childhood with his grandparents on the farm. You could just tell what a dearly loved little boy he was!
I have been friends with Curtis since I started blogging in early 2007. His blog comment about wiener water soup started me giggling so much that I had to write him. His memories brought out my childhood memories. Ellen became a friend soon after and I was warmed by the sweet love they had for each other.
Later, I admired his spirit as he forged on alone with his many friends, finding joy in daily things.
He always made me smile with his humor.
I am sad for our loss and happy that he is now with the Lord and his lovely Ellen.
Rest in peace, dear friends.
Jacque

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Oh NO! Lost another good friend in two weeks time.... I hope Curtis is now reunited with Ellen. We will remember him as a good friend.

Faye said...

I just barely found out about Curtis' passing. I can hardly write for the tears. We have lost a dear friend. Though I haven't been blogging for months I was planning to return. It won't be the same without Curtis blogs & comments. Sometimes serious others comical but always entertaining. God be with you Curtis we all loved you. You will be missed greatly.

Sue Mac said...

Rest In Peace Curtis
You will be miss

Anonymous said...

I cannot believe this - every day since Sunday I would check for an update on Curtis' blog - so today decided to check the comments.

The world has lost a soul of pure love - may he rest in peace in Ellen's arms - I hope an address wil be provided to send florals or cards. And also more information - sudden deaths are so very hard.

Anonymous said...

So terribly saddened and shocked by this news. Such a gentle soul. All I can think of is that he is with his Sweetie Pie, Ellen.

Does anyone know what will happen to their beloved cats? I know Ellen and Curtis would want them to be cared for. I would be happy to make a donation for their care if someone can get some information out.

Again, so sorry. The world seems quite diminished right now.

Iris,
Atlanta

Joe Robinsmith said...

http://www.vevo.com/watch/toby-keith/cryin-for-me-waymans-song/USCKS0901480

Penny said...

I just heard the news from Herman, while on vacation in Paris. So very sorry to hear this. Curtis will be missed. He was such a lovely human being. I hope Ellen and Curtis are now together forever.

Joan said...

If anyone wants to see the obituary for Curtis it is here:

http://www.passagesmb.com/obituary_details.cfm?ObitID=167325

Joan said...

I will be going to his memorial. If any of the family wants to get a hold of me just let me know. I will do anything to help. jsmartin@mts.net

Anonymous said...

I loved reading Curtis' obituary - however, was disappointed when they said he called Ellen his "Sweet Pea" - all of us bloggers know she was his "Sweetie Pie" !!

I bet Curtis is up in heaven yelling - it was "Sweetie Pie" !!

PennyinNH said...

Oh my - I just found out! I've been checking his blog but figured he just wasn't feeling well enough to post! Knowing that he is with his Sweetie Pie, Ellen, makes the news easier to take. She was the love of his life, as he, hers. The world is a sadder place, but heaven oh so much brighter! Goodbye, my friend!

Kathy said...

We are heartbroken, all of us. So very grateful we had the chance to meet you and dear Ellen in person.

Love you, miss you dear Curtis.

JennyD said...

This note is for Iris in Atlanta.
Iris, you were asking about the cats; I was worried, too, and heard this evening from friends of Curtis that 2 of them have been adopted by Curtis' cleaning gal, Barbara. At this moment I don't know about the 3rd but I'm hoping with all my heart that someone in Ellen's family took it in. I will post again when I hear.

This is just so devastating losing this wonderful friend. I posted a guestbook tribute on his obituary and also a little life/memory story of how he touched my life. It was posted yesterday afternoon. I see Joan posted the link to his obituary. I wish I didn't live 3000 miles away so that I could go to his memorial. I will never in my life forget him.

Anonymous said...

Jenny -- Thanks so much for letting me know about the cats. This just breaks my heart. Can you tell us what happened? It's still a horrible mystery to me. And I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend as well as your mother. I know that feeling. Sometimes the grief seems overwhelming. Curtis was an original, and I'm still in shock. God bless and comfort all who loved him.
Iris
Atlanta

Anonymous said...

Hello all...Curtis' friend Marina here. Just wanted to touch base and confirm that the cats are in good hands. Monkey and Milo have their own bedroom at Barb’s house and Duffy is with a relative of Ellen’s nephew; all are adjusting well to their new surroundings. Cardiac arrest is what took Curtis from us. We believe it was very quick and that he did not suffer. Curtis was like my big brother and I miss him like crazy, but take great comfort in him and Ellen being together again. My wedding is next weekend and it just won’t be the same without him! I’m going to try and make his peach schnapps infused watermelon, but I know it won’t be as good as what it would have been had he been serving and sharing it with us.

Marina

JennyD said...

Marina, I cannot thank you enough for all this great information about Monkey, Milo, and Duffy (I have photos of all of them and aren't they beautiful). I wish they all could have stayed together, but this is most certainly better than the shelter, whew. I'm very relieved.
Cardiac arrest is what I figured. That fever he was running for 2 days was so bad and with his treatments, it seemed that would be what took him from us.
I have been hearing about you for years and yes, Curtis was the brother to us both -- big brother to you and little brother to me. He was the best in the entire world and I know you agree. I feel like you do in knowing he's with Ellen now but it sure doesn't stop the "missing" does it. I'd heard from him about your wedding coming up and Marina, it's going to be beautiful. Curtis will be there in spirit and cheering you on. Also, I had that recipe for his peach schnapps watermelon and have been trying to figure out where I put it. It is DELISH. If I ever get my mind back (doubtful) and find it, I'll post it for you.

Again, Marina, thank you SO, SO much for posting.

If you or anyone else ever needs to write to me, my email is:
jennyd412@verizon.net
I don't care who on this blog sees it as it's fine with me.

Many blessings on your wedding day, sweetie. Have a ball :D

Anonymous said...

Thanks Marina and Jenny for the information. Relieved to know it was probably fast for Curtis (couldn't stand the thought of him suffering), and I'm glad their beloved kitties are being cared for. Again, God bless and comfort all of you who loved Curtis and Ellen. It is a great comfort to think they are together again, but the world still seems bleaker without them in it.
Iris

Joe Robinsmith said...

Thank you for the update. Every time I think about him I get tears in my eyes. I have to stop and think of his great stories and our shared love of great food.
Hugs and prayers

Kathy said...

Marina, if you see this, would you consider emailing me, bkbell at gmail dot com?

I appreciate the update so very much, we had the privilege of meeting Curtis and Ellen in 2005 when we went to Churchill to see the polar bears, my son's Make-A-Wish trip, an experience we will never forget.

We're devastated by the loss of first Ellen and now our dear friend Curtis.

Unknown said...

Thank you Marina for everything you did for Curtis. We know how much you meant to him and how grateful he was for your friendship.
I hope you will have a wonderful wedding day next weekend and as I can imagine your thoughts will also be with Curtis on that day.

DK said...

Hello All,

I just came from Curtis's funeral. It was lovely. Except for the mistake the pastor made. He had said to get to know Curtis better he went and read his blog. He talked about the blog post Curtis wrote about switching blog sites. Said how sad it was that Curtis never did get to make that new blog. What?! I am on it right now. Oh well. It was still a nice funeral as nice as funerals can go. It is hard to say good bye. They talked at the funeral about how it was a broken heart that ended Curtis's life. That was so sad. True I am sure. May the Lord bring comfort to all who morn. Curtis the world will not be the same without you. I pray Ellen was there to welcome you home.

JennyD said...

Hi, DK, I'm so glad you went to the services. At the same time the service was being held, I sat very quietly in a chair and held my own for him. I'm still so sad.
I have to tell you, I posted both on the Passages guestbook and also added a memory on the Life Story page as well. I don't know why I was the only one to post. But in my Life Story post, I specifically said that if anyone wanted to know what Curtis was like, to go to his blog (and I posted the url) and read the blog titled The Rain Got Me Thinking Back. Hmmm, I'd also said it was the next to the last post. Now the "last" post is obviously the notification of his death, but I wonder if the minister thought "next to last" meant next to last on the page as you scroll down? Still, you'd think he'd figure it out. I'm sorry he didn't talk about that wonderful masterpiece of a blog by Curtis.
This world will never be the same without him, but I firmly believe that he is with Ellen and they are so happy once again. Maybe one of these days, I'll feel like smilin' myself.
Thanks again, DK, that was so good of you.

DK said...

Hello JennyD,

Just to clarify the pastor did talk about his blog as did everyone else who shared. But the pastor just did not know Curtis had started a blogger blog. I guess he did not click on the link of his last blog on msn that lead you to the new blog. I still can't believe that Curtis has passed. I keep expecting to see an email from him. I know having lost my dad to cancer that it's hard in the beginning but it does get easier. You never forget and I still cry even though it has been almost 6 years. But crying is not a bad thing. It can be very healing.
Blessings to you JennyD and all those who were close to Curtis.

JennyD said...

DK, I know what you mean by expecting an email -- so do I. I expect my phone to ring, too, and still even have his last message to me on my voice mail. Just can't bring myself to delete it.
I know what you mean about losing someone to cancer, too. Three days ago was my mother's first anniversary of her death from that. I still cry, too...every day, and now Curtis is added to that. This is not an easy time by any means. I wish I'd been able to travel across the country for Curtis' service but I know he and Ellen both know that all of us hold them dear to our hearts. Curtis was the closest thing to a brother I ever had.
Blessings sent back to you, too, DK. Hope to see you around blogspot.

Kathy said...

I would have dearly loved to be there for Curtis' memorial. I can hardly describe how this has broken our hearts, telling my son Steven about Curtis was so difficult.

It is almost 3 years since Ellen passed, we so enjoyed our contact with Curtis, I do believe he's suffered from a broken heart for the last 3 years.

We spoke at length in January about Ellen. My son Steven took a speech class in his first year of high school, a milestone we've never taken for granted since he was diagnosed with brain cancer.

The first speech they were to bring 3 things in a box that meant something special to them. He brought his karate belt, a golf ball, and the polar bear that Ellen bought for him in Grand Forks.

When he got up to speak about the polar bear, he hugged it to himself and said only that the person who gave it to him was very special and she had passed away.

The speech teacher told me that nobody else in the class shared anything so personal and emotional, that they were all in tears just from that short account.

Curtis and Ellen sent us the DVD for the first season of Fawlty Towers, it's something that never fails to make me laugh except right now, sometimes it's hard to see through the tears.

He was the sweetest, most gentle soul. The most difficult thing about my son's cancer battle is the truly exceptional people we've met along the way that we've lost, Curtis and Ellen number among them.

If there was any way I could have arranged it, I would have been there today.

RIP dear Curtis, we won't forget you.

DK said...

JennyD could you email me please. bdkoop2002@yahoo.ca Thanks

Anonymous said...

I so miss Curtis and his blog. I looked forward to coming here and reading, he always brought a smile to my face. It's amazing how profound sadness can be felt from someone you really don't know. I met my husband much like Curtis and Ellen met, and lost my husband quickly, as Curtis did Ellen. I guess that's also part of what drew me here. Actually, his life and writings remind me of Garrison Keillor, I just love them. I keep coming, and checking, and missing. God Bless Curtis. Rest in peace.

Joan said...

DK .. yes the Pastor had me confused as well. It was a very nice service and I'm glad to hear in comments that his cats are being cared for. He was a special guy and I will miss him.

G in Berlin said...

I am so sad and so sorry. I have been travelling and looking for updates and just now clicked on the comments and I am so, so sad. Curtis was just such a nice person and I enjoyed reading everything he had to say and seeing how his life was moving. He was lovely and sweet and stopped by my blog just to say hi.
I am glad that it was fast and I hope painless. My deepest sympathies to all who loved him.

G in Berlin said...

I wrote about Curtis in August, but didn't have the heart to finish until today. He touched me deeply and I am still very sad when I think I can no longer read his words.

JennyD said...

G, in Berlin, I know just what you mean :(
Curtis, I think of you every day and I miss you and our long, longgggg phone calls. When your birthday came along this past October, I thought of you the minute I woke up and sent a "happy birthday" to you in my thoughts. I am sometimes amazed that life has to keep going on without our favorite people being here to share in it all. I just shake my head. But Curtis, you made a huge difference in my life and you already know that, so I don't need to remind you of a thing. Just know that good thoughts and love always are coming your way. XOXOXO

JennyD said...

Hi, my little brother. I know you're watching and sometimes I could swear I hear you talking.
It's 2 days before Thanksgiving and I'm really, really going to miss our dinner together. Shoot, I don't even bother with the webcam anymore -- what for, you know? I sure don't want to show this ugly old mug to anyone, lol. It was ok when we talked and when we could see all the good food we'd made. Mmmm-Mmm! those dinners were superb! Ok, so was the company :)
I went out and bought a little 10 lb turkey today and decided I'd cook it up with a bunch of other stuff. Staying home and staying in by choice. Knowing how much great turkey soup I'll be able to make and freeze is well worth the hassle even if it's just for me. But...when I sit down to eat, and I say Grace, I'll be giving thanks for having you in my life for the years we had. So, Happy Thanksgiving, my brother, with love from your BIG sister, Jenny xoxoxo

JennyD said...

It's 2 days before Christmas now, and Curtis, this is the first one without you around. God, this is so tough. Every holiday rolls around and you creep into my head and thoughts and I miss you still. I always will. Only came by to let you know that in 2 days, on Christmas Day, I'll come back and wish you lots of good things. Till then, dance around that room with Ellen and throw back your head in laughter and happiness. See you soon, my brother. xoxoxo

Kathy said...

Loving on you and Ellen this Christmas eve, you two left big holes to fill.

JennyD said...

Merry Christmas, Curtis & Ellen. I am thinking very hard about you both and sending so much love and warm wishes to you. I ordered a few things this year from Figis and immediately thought of you and all that food I sent to you for the holidays when you got out of the hospital, lol. You were swamped at the door.
I am staying home as expected this year as I'm still not quite ready for anything else yet. But mark my words, tomorrow I will raise my glass and toast you and Ellen, so listen out for it. I love you both and I miss you terribly. I wish you all things Christmas, my little brother.
Love always from your big sister, Jenny XOXOXO

JennyD said...

The New Year is almost here now; just under an hour, my time. I didn't want the time to go by without wishing you a Happy New Year. Maybe silly, maybe not. I'm just used to spending that time with you. It's ok, I'm ok. My fur-balls, Sam & Lucy are already gearing up for a kiss-a-rama at midnight. They're such romantics ;)
Happy New Year, Curtis, with love from your Big Sis. XOXOXO

Kathy said...

Curtis,

You are much missed, doesn't seem right starting a new year without you, dear one.

Love you and Ellen, from the bottom of our hearts to the tips of the stars.

Karen said...

Just learned of your passing away... I often thought about your over the past few months and have missed you, more than I realize now. Rest in peace dear friend, sending love and hugs your way and give Elaine a hug from me too.

Kathy said...

Curtis my friend, I'm thinking and loving on you and dear Ellen this evening. Giving thanks that our paths crossed on this side of the veil. Love to you...

JennyD said...

Curtis, my little and bestest brother, it's now June 2012, and you are as missed today as the day you left us. I think of you so, so often and I tell my best friend, Mary, stories about you. She says she feels like she knew you, too. As you know, I'm the very last of the line in my family, there is no family left at all, but Mary has agreed to take over if anything should happen to me. She'll take care of Sam & Lucy and move right in so there will be no break. Odd when it's just 2 cats left and that's what I worry about leaving alone. Thank goodness for Mary. She loves both of them and that really puts my mind at rest. Sure wish I could sit down and talk to you face to face, and to Ellen, too. I picture the 2 of you having wonderful dinners and dancing the night away and always wrapped in smiles and love. That's the way it should be.
As always, love from your big sis, me. xoxoxo

JennyD said...

Ran by tonight to say hi. Just had you on my mind as is so often the case. I went by Sally's page because I knew the anniversary of Ben's death was now and wanted her to know I was thinking of her, too. What a great gal she is, but you know that.
Sure do miss you, Curtis. It's not the same without my favorite (and only)little brother around. But you'll like this: I made your great sweet potato pie again. Whew, heaven in every bite -- along with a gazillion calories, but omg, that pie is spectacular!
I'd give anything if you could call just one more time, just a short call. Well.....I'll talk to you in my mind as usual, but it would have been so nice, wouldn't it.
Love to my little brother always~~
XOXOXO

JennyD said...

Happy Birthday, little brother. Wish you were here to tell you in person, but my wish for you is a giant cake, Ellen looking gorgeous as ever, a band playing your favorite music, and a dance floor lit up with stars. I'll be the one waving from the side with a burger in my hand ;)
Big hugs from me, your big sis and best friend :D Happy Birthday~~~

JennyD said...

Hi, little brother. Today is Super Bowl but I'm not that big of a football fan. Love the pre-game and half time, but well....let me explain it this way. Many, and I do mean many, years ago, I was a cheerleader for my school but knew absolutely nothing about football. I figured out that if I kept an eye on the other cheerleaders and on the crowd, I'd know when to jump and cheer. Sad, huh, but true. Anyway, I was browsing through some old blues tunes and listening to parts here and there, and wow, so many of them you and I both loved. Made me think of you even though you cross my mind very often anyway. I can still remember the night you got me completely hung up on Jesse Cook and now I have every album he ever made -- not blues but the best guitar work ever. I'm just rambling now, that's all. Missing you even after so much time has passed. Most times, it's still like yesterday. I often wonder if whoever checked your phone that last day thought I must have been completely crazy. The first messages being, "Hey, where are you? We were supposed to have dinner online tonight. You said you'd call at..."; then the messages got more worried. "What's going on?? You're never late; what's the matter???" And the the last of many calls I made, "Curtis, I am frantic now. What's happening?? You ALWAYS call and this is not like you. I'm calling your friends......". And then the news. Still like yesterday....heck, at the moment, it's more like right now. I miss you so much. It feels like that vein of brother/sister has been tied until it's ready to burst at the seams. I'm sure I should be dealing with all of this better by now, but I'm not. Can't even blog anymore. I come over here to your page to just sit and listen to your playlist. Curtis, my dearest heart and brother, I SO miss you!

JennyD said...

Hi, little brother. It's now July and the month of the anniversary of your passing--less than 2 weeks away now. Amazing how many times your name comes up and the stories you told are told all over again. They never get old. Boy, are you ever missed.
I had a big old fall almost a month ago and still hobblin' around. Hit the floor so hard that I broke my foot, sprained my ankle, my other knee, my hip, and back. The scorecard held up gave me a 10. Thought I'd never get up and you know that old commercial, "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up", really hit home, no pun intended. So today I'm still in a back brace and an ankle/foot brace. Lovely. Oh yeah, and you know that breathing problem? COPD. So now on meds and inhalers and huffin' and puffin' with the slightest bit of anything. Hate it. I asked the doc if it was going to kill me and he said, "Well, yes unless you get hit by a carr first". He thought that was funny. I really didn't laugh. Pfft.
I haven't blogged in 3 yrs now but tonight read a few of the old group and some had not good news. Technogran passed away in May of this year from cancer, and Beth is getting ready to undergo surgery and begin cancer treatment, too. Time is marching on and there are a lot of drummers. No one ever told us it would be like this, but it is. I think the only saving grace is knowing that we'll all meet again and we'll all be in perfect health and happiness -- just like you and Ellen (give her a hug for me and keep one for yourself).
And so with this news for you tonight, it's time for me to head to bed. I can hear Sam and Lucy fussing on top of the covers; just like little kids only very furry.
I love you, my brother.
Xoxoxo from your big sister, me.

JennyD said...

Well, my sweet little brother, it's the anniversary of your departure from this world. Three years! I can hardly believe it; sure doesn't seem that long ago at all. To this day, I still choke up terribly when I think of you, all out of missing the best brother in the whole world. It really left a big hole in my heart, I tell ya. But when I get out of my own feelings and then picture you and Ellen dancing the dance of an eternal life together, that makes me happy -- happy for you both. You were a perfect couple in this life and now a perfect couple in that one. And so this note to you is sort of a happy birthday even though it's not your earthly birthday, it is the birthday of your transition to pure light and love and going Home. I love and miss you. Happy True-Home Birthday, Curtis.....XOXOXO

JennyD said...

Gosh, look how long it's been since I last wrote to you, little brother. I still think of you SO often and have little conversations with you in my head. Did you know that techogran passed away? Look her up up there. She was a wonderful person.

Funny, I hadn't posted a word for 3 yrs on my blog and yesterday decided to rev'er up again. Took forever -- couldn't remember how to do anything. Finally did it and then started clicking on our old buddies to see what they'd been up to. Omg, they're gone. All but 2 left! They gave up blogging and they're all over on facebook now and wouldn't you know it, I don't do facebook. Shoot, even if I started a page there, I'd never find all the old crowd. SO sad! It was really an eye opener for sure. Well, I still have your page to come to and reread a thousand times; and I can still go back in my mind to the great online webcammed dinners and all the messenger voice and phone calls. We really had a ball, I tell you. To this day, Curtis, you are still the top of the heap, the most genuine and best man I ever knew in my entire life. There will never be another you. Yes, as you can tell, I miss you to pieces.

Talk to you again later, my brother; always love sent; please give Ellen a big hug for me, too.

XOXOXO

JennyD said...

Gail...as in G in Berlin....if you see this, please go back to my page where I left a note for you. What a dear you are. I couldn't click on your page so had to leave the note on my own for you. Go look :)

JennyD said...

Hi. Was sort of a bummer day today. Not that anything bad happened, it's just the recouping from surgeries from Oct'13 to last week's knee surgery. A bit sore. But there was this setting that oould be done so that bloggers wouldn't have to go back and forth to pages....well, nevermind, but that's what started it. Remember Beth? Dear Beth Marie? Well, we did a sort of test on this setting and it worked. Thing was, out of the blue I started talking about the lost blogs from Windows Live and that took me to all the still pent up feelings about the loss of you. I imagine after typing all of those to Beth...tg in pvt...that she might think I'm really out to lunch now. No, I take that back. She lost her husband and still grieves, so she'll understand it; I just hadn't had someone to really talk about it with other than Toodie years ago. And so here I am, just sitting on your page because it makes me feel closer to you. Yes, it's been quite a day.
Miss you, Curtis, really miss you.
Xoxoxo

JennyD said...

....and PS: Can you believe that I turned 67 yesterday? Omg.

JennyD said...

Hi my sweet brother. I can't believe it's 4 yrs today that you left us all. 4 years! It was only a blink ago and I still miss you so, so much.
I thought of you yesterday when my weed eater gave up the ghost and out loud I said, "What was that great weed eater Curtis had? Ahhh yeah, a Gardena!" And off I went on the hunt. So many things remind me of you; lawn things, songs, great guitar work, W.Va, long dinners, true friendships, exceptionally long phone conversations...and I could go on. Curtis, it's been said before but I'll say it again, this old Earth lost the best of the best when you moved on. There is no doubt we will meet again, but it never stops the missing of today. You will never leave my heart.
Love always from your big Sis, me.
Xoxoxo

JennyD said...

Hi, my brother. Was thinking hard about you today and even told someone about your last masterpiece of an entry about the Hemlocks. The "someone" is someone like you, wonderful in every respect and also a writer. I've sent a copy of Hemlocks to him to enjoy it the way I have for these last 4 yrs. Even today, reading it again, it took me to tears, deep tears. I miss you so much. Now I don't want you to sit here and read when you can be off and doing wonderful things with Ellen, so you two go, dance, love, make Heaven real Heaven. I'll see you both you know.
Much, MUCH love from me to you,
Jenny

JennyD said...

Curtis! Yesterday was your birthday and I couldn't get here. My pc was down for a whole week and only back 10 minutes ago. I would never, ever miss your birthday by forgetting...not ever. And so today, I am hoping that you and Ellen had THE most celebratory day and danced your way down the clouds with all your favorite music. I'll pour a glass of wine shortly and toast the both of you. Love and miss you.
Your old Sis,
Jenny

JennyD said...

Hi, Curtis, my brother....tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I've made your sweet potato pie for dessert. Best pie in the world and of course it's in your honor.
I came upstairs to take a breather before the next bit of work for tomorrow and I was thinking about you SO hard and decided to click on my "Curtis Folder". A few minutes ago, I was reading the e's back and forth from 2007 and you were getting ready to make pork bbq and potato salad and there we were, writing like mad bunches of e's back and forth all night. Sure were good times, weren't they. Whew, we talked for hours on end, whether by emails, phone, or webcams, it was every day and I have to tell you, to this day, no one has ever been closer to me and yes, we had to have been kin somewhere down the line. I miss you, Curtis. I miss you an awful lot.
Love,
Your big sister in heart, Jenny

JennyD said...

Hi, Curtis....you didn't think I'd forget your birthday, did you? Never in a million years. I can't believe it's been 5 yrs since you left us. I can still hear your voice plain as day and boy, do I ever miss you. Lately, especially. I met a man I thought was truly my soul mate. Never been so completely in love in my entire life. Well, guess you can already guess the ending. It wasn't to be. Half killed me and even today it's so painful to even think about. In fact today was the day that I finally had the strength to delete him from my yahoo messenger. I must have poised over that click for many minutes, cried like a baby, then took a deep breath and did it. I think you and Mom and Mom's Bob had a hand in opening my eyes. Half of me wanted to keep my eyes shut, you know? I loved and felt love SO much and that was the very first time in my whole life I'd actually 'felt' loved. What a wake up call 6 months ago. Well, it was 6 months ago that it was falling apart and I was the last to know. It's only been about a month where I've known for sure and so the grieving has been horrible -- non stop crying, wailing, making deals with God, you know the drill. But today I said, "Who needs this. There was no integrity or honesty except on my part". Painful to learn and even more painful to know for certain it's the end. All these months and all I wanted to do was to go to sleep and never, ever wake up again. Yes, it was that bad. I went to my doc and asked for something to help and he wrote a Rx. First day was ok, 2nd day it didn't stop me from that deep falling apart again. I was ready to swallow the entire bottle out of grief. Today is better. Only cried once. Tomorrow and forward will get better. I'm sure you had a hand in helping me live through this. Oh Curtis, my dearest brother, I still talk to you in my head and you're always in my heart. Next life you and I will be absolute blood kin and go tromping through the snowy woods together, gathering up all the wildlife, naming them, and carting them home. It will be a good life. Until then, you know I'll visit you here...promise.
Xoxoxo

JennyD said...

I was thinking about you tonight and I can hardly believe it's rolling on to 6 yrs since you left us. It seems barely more than a blink ago, but maybe that's because I still miss talking to you so much. All those late nights yakking away either on the phone or the computer, dinners shared in front of the monitor, and even that terrific New Year's Eve we did with tons of food on both ends, music galore, and celebrating all night long. What fun that was!

The 12th of this month was my 69th birthday! Can you believe I'm that old! Hey, don't be kind, 'cause my old creaking bod knows the years. My knees are killin' me, my back, my legs, and omg my belly looks pregnant. Never thought this would happen --- not the pregnancy, egads, but all the body changes. Wonder if I'll make it to 70, who knows.

Everyone from our old blog group has basically given up the blogging and moved over to Facebook. I fought it for a long time but then a little over a year ago, I gave in but only because it was my 50th school reunion and everyone was planning from that site. Ick. I really don't like it, and you know why? The big reason is because everyone just keeps posting images or sayings that they've pick up over the time online, then the next person clicks "like" on it and then "shares' it if they want to. Hardly any real news; some just not like with our blogging days. The plus is, if I see them post, I know they're still alive. Boy, times change. If I could just do it all over again but know what I know today. Yeah...if wishes were horses, right?

I sure wish you could call. I have a ton of news for you but I'm not going to type it here. I "think" it hard and send it by the "airways" to you.

Sam & Lucy are still around, still each other's best buddy and fussing over whose toy mouse it is. My perpetual 3 yr olds, haha.

Going to sign off for now. Peggy is coming over tomorrow to get away from all the grandkids for a day and have a little peace/quiet/and WINE with me. I've made a big pan of jambalaya for tomorrow, add to that hot bread dripping with butter, along with all the junk food that anyone has with wine. Will be fun.

Talk to you again, my BEST brother. Sending love to you,
Your always sister, me

JennyD said...

....come on, tell me: You knew I'd never forget your birthday today, Curtis. Not in a million years. Here it is Oct 9, 2016, 6 years and 3 months since we last really talked. I can't tell you how often I think of you and miss you. I think you may possibly have been the best friend of my entire life.
There's been a ton going on here but since you can see it and know it for yourself, I'll leave it at that. Suffice it to say, I have talked right out loud to you many dozens of times. Sure do miss you and many are the times I wish I could roll back the clock for just one more hour, one more minute.
Happy Birthday, Curtis, my brother, my best friend of a lifetime. Never, ever will you be forgotten. Love to you always and always.

With the most sincere of giant hugs,
Your sister,
Jenny

JennyD said...

Hi, Bud.....it's 4:30 in the morning and I couldn't sleep, so thought I'd run by and say hi to you and your perfect spirit. I was telling my friend, Gail, about you yesterday and she said she wished she'd known you, too. Honestly, Curtis, anyone that EVER knew you was the luckiest of the lucky, and that's the truth. I went through your folder a little while ago and saw the pics of all the cats and Ellen and your new truck and food shots to beat the band. Then I ran across the ones of you in the sunken tub at the hotel and laughed right out loud. I still can't believe you took those pics! Hysterical.

I wonder if anyone else comes by your page to read or reread your posts. If they do, then hi to them, too. I never get tired of reading what you've written but my all time favorite is your next to last one, "The Rain Got Me Thinking Back". THAT was a true masterpiece in every sense.

Going to try and get a little sleep; doubt that I can, but might as well try. You know I'll be back and bend your ear again, but til then, I love you, my brother, and still miss the heck out of you.

Always your sister,
Jenny

Oh, and PS here: Gail wants me to make your sweet potato pie SOON.

JennyD said...

It's been 5 months since I've written to you now and part of me is sorry it's taken so long. Then other part of me realizes that it's really for me that I write to you. Curtis, I know your beautiful spirit is happy, healthy, and blissfully living in your true home with everything that makes it all so wonderful and dancing the nights away with your beloved Ellen. It's a very comforting thing to me to see you in my mind like that and to know that all of us will eventually meet again. I am telling you this because this might be the last time I leave notes for you here. My COPD is escalating awfully fast and things aren't looking the best right now. Breathing is just so difficult and it makes me so tired, so basically I've been keeping to myself for some months now and only take care of errands when I must. Just going to pick up Rxs is a day job. Crazy, isn't it? Well, as the old saying goes, and it's a saying I really hate, "It is what it is". Whoever thought that up needs help, but it seems to fit now. Anyway, I'm not going to moan and complain to you and so will sign off by telling you that, as you know, you were the brother I never had, you were a light in my life, and I appreciated you always. You have never been forgotten and never will be. Love to you forever, Curtis, XXX, from your sister, Jenny.

JennyD said...

Oct 9th is tomorrow, sweetie, and it's your birthday. MSN changed a million things and I can't get any comments to show on any blog or even make a post onto my own. I'm hoping this will show on yours and at least I'm trying.
Curtis, my brother I love so well, Happy Birthday, sweetie. I always keep you and Ellen in my thoughts and prayers and I hope for your birthday that the 2 of you do all the things you loved the most...and also remember that those you left behind (but only for the moment) are sending THE most heartfelt thoughts of love and joy to both of you.
As for myself, a mass was found in my uterus and so I have surgery scheduled for this coming Wednesday. Whatever is found,is found. I'm hoping for the best but honestly, it's the breathing that is almost intolerable. SO hard to catch a breath. I never thought in a million years that any of this would happen to any of us....but it has.... and so we do what we can and live as we can, and nothing else we can do. I do so love my friends and my pets and if I could have any wish, it would be to have a decent life to live out PAST my pets, just to make sure they are happy to the end; and after that, I don't care. Just want to take supremely good care of Sam and Lucy to the end, that's all I wish for. Pfft, have to get off this subject, sorry.
Curtis, my truly loved brother of my own soul, I love you and want your soul to remember it this day, your day of birth on this planet, Oct 9th, that it is the day remembered by the friends who love you. I celebrate your soul.
XXXXX
J

JennyD said...

Curtis, I have news: First, the mass was benign, tg. Second, I have a 3rd cat that adopted me not long after your birthday. I've named him Happy because he is so happy now. Will tell you more about him later.
THIRD: Guess who I talked to on the phone tonight! Toodie! As in Nancy M! I was thrilled to talk to her again, what a treat. She is doing well and the bell of the ball and she and John bought a place that's nice and secluded and up with the bears! No, she hasn't seen any yet, but you never know come Spring. Had to tell you because we talked about you, too; about how we miss you and always remember you as if you were right here. That will never change, you know.
Ok, my loved brother, that's it for the moment. I'll be back for sure....in fact, I even made a post on my old blog that hadn't seen a word in years. So there :D XXXXX

JennyD said...

Wow...months have gone by again. Amazingly how as we grow older, the time moves with incredible speed. Friday to Friday seems like only a day and yet another year has gone by in a blink.
I was thinking of you a few minutes ago and I hope your spirit can read this as I say I miss you, Curtis. As I look through all the posts here, I think I may be the only one that leaves messages to you anymore. It not a good thing or a bad thing, just the way live is, I think. But you and I were SO close that even when you're not in this realm of life, I still have you in my thoughts and I still find myself laughing at the silliest things that tickled your funny bone, too. We really did have a 'vein'.
Happy, the rescue is living up to his name: he's ecstatic to be here and plays ball like a dog in the backyard. I still haven't been able to mix him with Sam & Lucy yet as his ear mites are still there. One ear is completely healed and the right one is 'almost', but we know how contagious that is to other cats, so it stays the way it is for now. This is not going to be an easy introduction in any way, shape or form, but I can hope. For now, the house is like a kennel and cordoned off: kitchen and basement for Happy, 2nd floor and living room for Sam & Lucy. Don't even ask what mornings are like, omg.
Sam's healthy and 15 now; Lucy is healthy and 14, and Happy, the vagabond, is in good health and only 3 as of March. I fervently pray I can outlive him. The worry was already enough with Sam & Lucy, but now? Holy crap. And being that all my cats have lived 20-21 years, it's not looking so good.
I pass the mirror and wonder who is that old white haired woman in my house?
Well, I have lot of things to say, but this is a blog, not a phone conversation, so I'll quit now. Just know that I was thinking so hard about you my brother, miss you terribly to this day, and I'll be back to whisper in your ear again. XOXOXO

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JennyD said...

Well, old boy,
Tomorrow, Oct 9th, is your birthday, and even though I know you are no longer gracing this earth with your wonderfully warm and hysterically funny posts, or cooking up gobs of food and taking pictures of it all, or showing off your latest truck, I am taking this moment, just as I have for all of your birthdays, to wish you the finest, the lovingnessed (I made up that word just now), birthday; a dance around the clouds day made just for you. I sure do miss you, my brother. We had such a great time having dinner 'together' over the cam each night and laughed so hard most of the time that I was afraid one of us was going to spit dinner all over the camera. Ahhh, but you did one better, remember? I'm telling on you now. I remember ohsowell the night you cocked a leg up and let one fly and said, "don't say I never gave you anything". HAHAHA. Gawd, I thought I'd die right on the spot. The only upside was that there's no such thing as smell-o-vision. We had some super fun nights, that's for sure. I still make your famous sweet potato pie and it's the best recipe I ever tasted in my life. 14 million calories in every bite and worth it all.

I think of you so often, Curtis, and now it breaks my heart that I won't be able to write to you on your page as I've been doing all these years since you passed away. Hey....I'll just do it here from time to time. Good deal, right? Next time, I'll bring a lemondrop martini and type away to you; maybe I'll bring one for you, too --- we know where that will end up, right? My belly, that's where.

I'm getting off track here and rambling. This little missive to you is to jump up and yell, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I'll jump as high as I can and yell until I'm sure you can hear it. You're worth every good thought, every good wish, and every good hug. My brother for always.



XOXOXO



(PS/ tomorrow I'll be in surgery, and so that's why I'm writing to you a day early. Save a cloud dance for me.)

JennyD said...

A whole year has passed again. I looked at my calendar this morning and you jumped right out. Oct 9, what a day -- a blessed day for the world, and certainly for me and all the friends that love you. 10 yrs since you left us, 10 YEARS! By now you've taught everyone in Heaven how to make your famous Sweet Potato (million calories in every bite) Pie.
I still miss you, my brother. Especially since COVID has quarantined/isolated so many of us, myself included. What I wouldn't give to crank up the old cam and sit down to dinner with you like we used to do. I can remember when you introduced me to Jesse Cook and after that I bought every album he ever made. We sure could talk music, couldn't we? ...and food, haha.

Curtis, I wish you a Happy Happy Birthday today. I know you're having birthdays every single day & all your days are filled with the joy of being with Ellen. I'm so happy for you both, but that doesn't stop the missing. You know what I mean.

Thinking of you this day and always,
Your Sister,
Jenny ❤🤗❤ 🙏🏻

JennyD said...

PS/ NO idea why those 2 little hearts showed up black. They were red when I clicked them. Geez. Well, you know what they were supposed to be.

JennyD said...

Curtis, my brother, look at the date. It's Oct 9th, 2023, your birthday.
It's been 13 years since you took that heavenly fork in the road and I can hardly believe it's been so long. Seems just maybe a month ago we were having our dinners together on cam and talking about our pets and Ellen and cars and food recipes. The list goes on and on. But 13 years? I still miss our dinners and chats and laughing until we couldn't breathe. What a great friend, a great brother you were, and still are, in my heart. I'm certain in some other lifetime we were truly brother and sister. It couldn't be any other way.
Sigh. I wish I could sing Happy Birthday to you just like all the other years, but I'll do it in my thoughts and send those to you from my heart.
Happy Birthday, Curtis. Sending you a huge hug and be sure to share it with Ellen. Xoxoxo