To Be Loved

Valentines Day has come and gone. Perhaps it's my age. I am not sure. I haven't always been able to absorb his caring ways. Meaning my husband. If I were to say that one of us owned those bad days or even weeks that happen in  marriages, I own the majority of them. Because I have an illness, it is hard to imagine him being straddled with the things we deal with--I face guilt each time he has to walk out of the house alone...each time I can't be the things I promised to be when we said "I do." Watching him go without his wife-the only word I know is guilt. He will say, "Are you sure you don't want to come with me?" Sure I want to but too often I can't.because of pain., I reached a point where I wanted him to find another wife. This was a mistake. I was fortunate to marry a man that really does want me. He really does. I finally saw how much it hurt him that I didn't feel he could. One day. I told myself that the man I married deserves all that I can give-All the laughter, the love, the listening. going when I can, and letting him hug and love me. I want him to be happy that we chose each other. This last month and a half paid off. The tide turned--and what I see in him is a warm, dedicated, fun loving, fantastic man. Scoot over world-Here I come romance.

Love is a Happy Face

Blessed by

the


Grace of a kiss

on the cheeks

'makes for the


happiest face. Hello Granddaugher

Inner Joy: Platte River- River Soother of My Soul

Inner Joy: Platte River- River Soother of My Soul: Last night, main street had that small town, summertime feeling…A group was eating in the park, while down a block, an older g...

Inner Joy: Crossing the Platte River at Brady Ne.

Inner Joy: Crossing the Platte River at Brady Ne.:  From Candle Glow Dreams Nebraska -The family http://templeranch.wordpress.com is moving to the Platte Valley- Author Barb Franzen M...

Crossing the Platte River at Brady Ne.

 From Candle Glow Dreams Nebraska -The familyhttp://templeranch.wordpress.com is moving to the Platte Valley- Author Barb Franzen

Mom promised everyone a soda with her egg money. After getting their bottles of grape

and using the filling station bathrooms, they were on the road again, Al and Celeste in the lead... This would also be Al’s first time seeing the Temple place.

In a jiffy, they crossed the Platte River, full of spring rains and a winter of heavy snowfall. Awed by the sight, the water flowed at a rapid pace, over and around sand bars, and hither and thither, cold and clear.  Two elderly men fished from a bank; others fished from the bridge. Looking left, the view was visible for a good distance. Sand, cottonwood, and what not…Such scenery!

 A mile further, they came to cornfields, some interspersed with cattle, while tractors rattled row to row. Each section—a square mile, had a house or two and sometimes more. Above, the sun was busy laughing downward,   bypassing hundreds of tiny white puffs that looked like marshmallows floating about in springtime skies. Such joy! It seemed impossible to feel anything but a lively anticipation. Al, certain to like this land and the people, felt relief upon meeting other farmers on the road. This relief dealt with how they greeted him.  He called it the two finger V wave. ( Palm of hand on steering wheel with two fingers up and apart, making a V, and then, waving slowly back and forth, not too fast and not too long. A real casual wave.)

Country Girl to City School In Lincoln Ne.

This is a chapter from Candle Light Dreams..Celeste's abusive aunt has just sent her to first day of school in Lincoln. She sent her off alone with a map. This is one part-She is looking back on her day following school.

 Book out this year. When? Undetermined. Ladette Randolph Sandhills Ballad editing. templeranch@wordpress.org

http://templeranch@wordpress.org

Chapter 35:  Despairing

Her feet slid along the icy slick street. The new school was enormous and overwhelming, like a huge penitentiary with wire fences. Why hadn’t she thought about Lincoln and all the people compared to the country? She was made for a one-room school. All day long she’d watched hundreds of kids running up and down the halls like armies of ants, she a stranger among them. No one said hello which left her stranded and wondering what to do with her hands. She’d hung them to her sides, held them behind her back, used them to pull on her dress, ran them though her hair, still she was unable to get them to feel at home or comfortable. Out of options, she’d scratched herself then pulled on her nails, also biting them. The feet were good for drawing designs in the snow.

When the lunch hour came, Celeste took her tray wondering where she should sit. She felt self-conscious and alone in the big cafeteria. At UNION SHE would be sitting with Ginny and the other girls, each trying to get Miss England’s attention, asking her if she wanted something from their lunch pail. All Miss England ate was an apple and some cheese.

Candle Light Dreams Nebraska-Hate Will Club

    A scene from Cadle Light Nebraska -The Hate Will Club with two third graders doing the planning-

  Nothing stopped Will’s desire to torment Ginny. Celeste as well as Ginny dreaded Will’s bravado and cocky attitude. Early in the fourth grade, Ginny took action. She and Celeste were walking to school one morning when Ginny stopped and turning towards Celeste, said, “Celeste, I want a yes or no. Are you going to join my ‘I Hate Will’ Club?  It’s just you and me. We’ll use the old shed out behind the barn for a club house.” Her eyes shiny, her face eager, she continued. “It has an old ice pick and that hog hanging device. It’s the thing they used to bleed pigs out before boiling them. The shed’s about empty except for those and some axes and barrels.” 

    Horrified at the thought of hanging Will, Celeste remained silent. What would Mom and Dad say when they found Will dead and dripping blood?

    Impatient for an answer, Ginny tapped the toe of Celeste's shoe.  Panicked, Celeste’s mind was empty.

    “Celeste, we’re about to go to school, and I want to know whether to make plans or not. I want a yes or no. Right now.”

    Celeste, her voice an octave higher asked, “What are the plans?” Which would be worse? Having Ginny mad or killing Will?

    “It’s going to be fun,” Ginny laughed. “We’ll move the stuff aside and bring in pans and gravel for mud pies. Once the pies dry, we’ll bomb him. Can’t you just see him? I’m going to make that crazy, mean gizzard cry.”

    “Ginny,” Celeste giggled, relieved. “I’ll join. I thought you were going to murder him on that pig hanging thing. I mean hang him, drain him, axe him, and pick him. I just didn’t think ...”

    “Hey. You really are creative, Celeste. Let me give that some thought.”

Candle Light Dreams Nebraska