I do have photocopies of a lot of grampa's poems if anyone wants copies of them. I am not really sure how I came to inherit them.
Ray and Cathy - be strong and have faith.

My Prayer by M.G. Marler (penned in his own hand. Also known to us as Prop me up on the Leanin' side)

Lord, prop me up on the leanin' side,
Make me more humble grow.
I need thy help in my daily life
Wherever I may go.

My weaknesses Thou knowest, Lord,
My faults are plain to see.
Tis not for miracles I pray.
But rather, faith in Thee.

I lay no claim to ignorance
Of Thee, or of Thy plan,
Thy Glory has been shown me, Lord,
By Thy great love for man.

And so, Dear Lord, I ask of Thee
An understanding mind,
An open heart, receptive mood,
That I Thy way might find.

And so again I ask, Dear Lord,
Thy mercy with me bide;
If is isnt to much trouble, Lord,
Prop me up on the leanin' side.

OK.....here's what's going on. JT (Cathy's son) was driving from El Paso to Richmond VA to pick up his daughter from her moms. According to witnesses, he fell asleep at the wheel just outside of Abilene TX, went off the road and lost control. The officer said he went quickly and died in the crash.
Right now, we're trying to figure out how to get Cathy to Abilene. Ticket's right at $700 and payday's friday, so she'll probably fly out then. We still need to get ahold of the funeral home where his body is and make arrangements to get him cremated so she can pick up his ashes when she gets there.
Cathy's really torn up, and I'm trying to stay strong, so (for now) we're doing OK.
The calls and prayers are greatly appreciated.

Cathy and Ray are in need of our prayers, positive thoughts, and support. Cathy's son, J.T. was killed in an auto accident this morning while on his way to pick up his little girl. Don't know all the particulars yet but a phone call or visit to them might be welcomed.

Cathy and Ray, we are so sorry. I know words do little to ease the pain. Losing a child - and he is your child - is one of the most devestating things that can happen to a family. We love you.

Does anyone have grandpa's Prop Me Up on the Leaning Side poem somewhere? I could use it right now.

Andrea's mom had surgery last week. She has spondilitis (I'm sure that isn't how its spelled - her vertebrae tend to fuse together) and her neurosurgeon operated to relieve some pressure on a nerve. It was pinched and she lost the use of her arms because of the pinching. She's 89 and isn't recovering well, plus the surgery doesn't seem to have relieved much of anything. We've spent the week trying to find a nursing home that doesn't freak us out. She can't go back to the private home assisted-living arrangement she was in and its just been a nightmare. The caregiver is NOT wanting to give her up even though Helen obviously needs skilled nursing at this point and she is only a CNA - plus we never did like her and her house gave us all the willies. It never seemed clean and it stank of urine. She seemed far more interested in remodeling her private living space than even putting in things like a proper ramp etc (she had a piece of plywood laid over the steps). If Helen hadn't been so insistent about moving there from the nicer facility she'd been in, the family would never have put her there. On top of it, Helen's husband, Charley, was admitted 2 days ago for a collapsed artery and renal failure. They're still unable to operate on his heart because they can't stabilize his kidneys. He's diabetic and has had several heart surgeries already. It doesn't look good for him.

Anyway, that poem would do me a world of good about now - if someone has it.

Zubin is home!!! Zubin is my best friend's son. His dad took him to Iran 14 years ago and she has only gotten to see him a few times the past 4 years. Zubin is back here to go to high school. We don't know why his dad had a change of heart and sent him back but are relieved and thrilled that he did. I went down to SF as part of the welcoming party. He looks so good and we are all still in such disbelief over it all. Yippee!!!!!

We bought a house! We move next month. If ya'll want my new address & stuff, you'll have to email me so I can make sure I have your correct contact info - I don't like putting personal info like that where just any ol' cyber whacko can find it, but I do want to let my family know where I'm living when I'm living there.

They're gonna put me in the movies.....Gonna make a big star outa me. I've been cast as a "townie" extra in a Gary Marshal movie "Georgia Rule" being filmed in Santa Paula this week. Sounds fun and will even get paid. Get ready for the poparazzi rush. lol

34 years ago today, the old Navy Chief came sailing in loaded with heavy cargo and tied up along side a young "Chickie Babe". A hippy of sorts.
a "life ring" for sure. Many gave the moorings little chance to hold while
> others gave it no chance at all due to the raging storms and heavy seas
that were sure to come. The old guy hoped for 2 years while his best
man/little brother predicted a year before the lines would understandably
part from the strain. I guess we grossly underestimated her tenacity.
I'm certainly fortunate that her anchor was well set and chain was strong so
toshe couldn't be blown adrift. Sure do love her and the safe harbour she
has provided for me and mine (ours).

Can you pass the third grade?

I did :)

We are homeless! We sold our house Friday night. Guess we'd better get to finding us a new one.

Thought you all might get a kick out of a bluegrass remake of Goodbye Blue Sky from Pink Floyd's "The Wall".
http://members.cox.net/fmarler/goodbyebluesky.mp3
the name of the group is Luther Wright and the Wrongs they have a cd out entitled
Luther Wright and the Wrongs Rebuild the Wall

Check out the photo of "Uncle
Sam" in the 4th parade.

Happy 4th of July!!!

Interactive guitar chords source...I'm not a musician but it was interesting!