Good Mourning Widows!

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me!

"I am going fast now, I am resigned. God's will be done."

--Cavalry Commander James Ewell Brown Stuart's last words

Welcome famous widow Flora Cooke Stuart to our joyous club. You know, the club nobody wants to join.

Flora Cooke was wife of famous cavalry great commander and West Pointer James Ewell Brown Stuart who died in 1864 after being mortally wounded in battle.

"Flora remained true to the wishes expressed by her husband on his deathbed that his children 'be educated south of the Mason and Disxon Line, and always...' retain the right of domicile in the Confederate states."

Flora worked as a teacher after her husband died. She died 59 years to the day after James.

Flora never remarried.

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write something.

What is it that you are resigned to? How fast are you going? Whose will will be done in your life today?

Go ahead. Whip out that joy-nal.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What cheers you up when you are sick?

A: A Get Wellephant card!

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

:)L

Mourning Joy

"She is credited with naming her husband's most famous character."

When Walt Disney showed his wife, Lillian, a drawing of a cartoon mouse and told her he was going to name it "Mortimer Mouse," she said the name sounded "too sissified" and suggested "Mickey" instead.

Good Mourning Widows! Joy to you and me.

The skies are cloudy here 20 miles north of where the World Trade Center used to be.

Temperatures are a balmy 58 degrees.

I sit in shortsleeved tee shirt and cutoff jeans pounding a keyboard, sipping black coffee, beginning my new writing day. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas plays softly.

It's already a joy-filled day!

Today we honor and welcome famous widow Lillian Bounds Disney to our joyous club, the club nobody wants to be a member of.

Lillian is famous widow to famous Walter Disney.

Lillian was one of Walter's first employees. She lived out the remainder of her years and died 31 years and one day after Walt's death at age 98.

After Walter's death, Lillian became active in many charities supporting children and the arts. She is credited with the landmark donation of $50 million to the Music Center of Los Angeles County to build a world-class concert hall "for the city that had done so much for her and her husband."

How's that for mourning joy?

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write something.

What would you have named that little mouse?

C'mon. You can do it.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What should you do to a white elephant?

A: Hold it's nose until it turns blue.

Have a joy-filled day Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

:)L

Mourning Joy

"Stupidity is the basic building block of the universe."

--Frank Zappa

Good Mourning Widows. Joy to you and me!

Today we welcome famous widow Gail Sloatman wife of famous rock legend Frank Zappa to this joyous club -- The club nobody wants to be a member of.

Gail married Frank in l967 and is the mother of their four children: Diva, Moon Unit, Dweezil, and Ahmet.

Today Gail runs FZ Mail Order Operations.

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen. Write something. How about opening that joy-nal and making an entry?

Go ahead.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What should you do to a yellow elephant?

A: Try to teach it to be brave.

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

:)L

Mourning Joy

"Our hearts go out to them."

--NY Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

Today we have a new member in our joyous club, the club that nobody wants to joy-n.

Welcome famous almost widow Nicole Paultre fiancee' of famous almost-husband Sean Bell.

As you may have read in the morning papers or seen in the news, Paultre's fiancee', Sean Bell, was gunned down by NYPD early Sunday morning after attending a bachelor's party held in his honor outside a Queens strip club.

Yesterday was to have been Paultre's wedding day. She attends her almost husband's funeral instead.

NYPD is still sorting the mess all out.


After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Where is your heart this sunny day in New York?

Why not write about it...in that joy-nal!

Go ahead.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy

Q: What time is it when ten elephants are chasing you?

A: Ten after one!


"Whatever leaves my life makes room for something better."
Ivanda Van Zant

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember we're not alone.

:)Linda

Special Note: Sincere condolences to Nicole Paultre. Our hearts go out to you.

Mourning Joy

"Buddah died and left behind a big emptiness."

--Natalie Goldberg, "Thunder and Lightning"

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

Well Thanksgiving is come and gone, and the Christmas holidays are upon us.

Mistletoe, Yuletide Cheer, blah, blah, blah.

Glad to see we're making it through.

Today we remember Him and honor you and me in our club of joy.

The club no one asks to joy-n.

Take time to remember.

To never forget.

Why not make a joy-nal entry, something to look back on next year.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What weighs 5,000 lbs and wears glass slippers?

A: Cinderelephant.


Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone!

:)Linda

Mourning Joy

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me!

We have a new member in our club -- The club nobody wants to join -- And she just arrived today!

Welcome famous widow Robin Stone wife of famous former editor of New York Times Gerald Boyd.

Said Robin Stone, former editor and author, "He was my hero!"

She was often reminded by her husband, "Life is not a sprint, but a marathon."

Together they "lent their name to a $2,500 National Association of Black journalists scholarship for journalism majors."

Today, after we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write something.

Pick a topic.

Who was your hero? Who is your hero now?

What about life?

Is it a sprint? Is it a marathon?

Write something.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Little Jack Horner sat in a corner,
eating his Christmas pie.
He stuck in his thumb,
and pulled out a plum,
and said,

What is this doing in my apple pie?

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone!

:)Linda

Mourning Joy

"Many a man owes his success to his first wife and his second wife to his success." -- Jim Backus

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me!

Today we honor famous widow Henny Backus, wife of famous actor Jim Backus of Gilligan's Island fame.

With Jim by her side, Henny Backus coauthored books about Hollywood.

Known as Henrietta Kaye before marrying Backus, after his death she penned "Care for the Caretaker."

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write.

Write on the topic of care.

How about the caregiver?

What images loop your brain at the mention of those words?

Write.

Go ahead.

Do it.

I dare you.

The holidays are here Widows! Joy it up!

Remember, we're not alone.

:)Linda

Mourning Joy

"I mean, he's hurt, and he was taken to the hospital, aware and talking. I can handle that. But will he be alright?"

Good Mourning Widows!

Happy Thanksgiving! Joy to you and me!

Today we honor famous widow Virginia Rosenbaum, wife of murdered famous NY Times journalist David T. Rosenbaum.

Virginia was a member of our joyous club a short time. She died 6 months after David of cancer.

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write about Thanksgiving.

Write about being alright.

Be specific.

Be creative.

Write your pleasure.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Riddle:

Here on earth it is true, yesterday is always before today; but there is a place where yesterday always follows today. Where?

Answer:

In a dictionary.

"Don't let anyone steal your spirit." -- Sinbad

Have a joyful greatful thankful turkey day Widows! And remember, we're not alone.

"Let's Roll!"

--Todd Beamer

Good mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me!

Today we welcome famous widow Lisa Beamer to our joyous club.

Lisa was made famous by her famous husband Todd Beamer on 9/11.

Todd was one of the principals in "the passenger uprising on United Flight 93, the highjacked jet that crashed in a Pennsylvania field."

Lisa wrote the inspirational memoir, "Let's Roll!"

People's named her one of "25 Most Intriguing People of 2001."

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Let your thoughts rock and rock and roll across the page.

Do it.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

"When women are depressed they either eat or go shopping. Men invade another country."

--Elaine Boosler

Q: How do you prevent a summer cold?

A: Catch it in the winter.

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone!

Mourning Joy

Good Mourning Widows!

Today we take time to honor those men and women who honor us -- Widows.

On Tuesday evening, November 14, 2006, 100 men, women, and children came together for Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester's Annual Candlelight Rembrance ceremony held at the Knights of Columbus, White Plains, New York.

Arriving guests were serenaded to music played by a string duo and seated in a circle around a round table centered with one large white candle clustered in autumn leaves.

The room was aglow with mourning joy as men, women, and children who lost a spouse, a

mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a grandmother, a grandfather, a niece, a nephew, an aunt, an uncle, a cousin, a neighbor, a classmate, a best friend, came together to honor their loved ones in a safe place.

Four candles representing Memory, Love, Peace, and Hope were lit and as Anne Testa, LCSW, Spiritual Care Coordinator said the words,

"We will take our light from the passing of the flame among the people. We will now mark time naming the months of the year and acknowledging our departed by name, standing at our seat."

I waited my turn.

At the announcement for the month of May, I rose and said,

"Edward Louis Sclier."

The evening ended with remarks by Executive Director, George Batten, a Litany of Remembrance led by the Hospice Team, followed by a guitarist and violinist rendition of "Oh DannyBoy."

Everyone received a packet of seeds with the message:

"Plant this heart in your garden and wildflowers will blossom year after year in memory of your loved one."

As H&PC of Westchester thanked "Families Who Entrusted Their Loved Ones to Our Care," I know I speak for every family member that night when I say:

Thank you to

The Hospice Team

Steffani Brandenburg, Guitarist and Vocalist

Jonathan Dorme, Violinist

Mary Parquette, Family Member

Carriage House, Florist

Knights of Columbus Hall

And special thanks to

Hospice Team for Refreshments Provided

Yes.

To the wonderful people out there who honor Widows and their families --We thank you! -- You do beautiful work. And we are sincerely greatful.

You know who you are.

Have a joyful day, Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What do mechanics charge to fix tires?

A: A flat rate.

:)Linda

Mourning Joy

Good Mourning Widows!


Joy to you and me.






If you take Route 100 from White Plains to Valhalla, you'll come to a cemetery.

It's a winding road that curves to the left. Hang a right and follow the road to the top of the hill.


It's the one on the left, is the color of coal and it's covered in lipstick kisses.


It's marked with a Star of David to the left, a cross to the right.


This is where I come to honor my beloved husband, Edward Louis Sclier, the man I was lucky enough to be married to and proud to be called His "Mrs."


Come close. Don't be shy. Read the quote under His name:


"Sir Galahad."


It is two years, six months, 19 days since Ed's death. That's a long time without hugging and holding the man I love. A lot has happened. I like the line Frank Sinatra croons, "...Mistakes, I've made a few. But then again, too few to mention."


I've often wondered about Ed -- where did He go, what is He doing, does He remember me, and if He does, does He think about me, the way I think about Him?


The answer is always the same: It doesn't matter.


Because I have memory.


Pocketsful!


A walk along Orient Beach in St. Martin -- He wore a towel, I wore a sarong;

we cuddled in Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong -- He smelled of Caress soap, mint mouthwash, and rum aftershave; my head rested in the crook of his neck as we watched the sun set;


sand in our toes at Rye Beach -- The place we met, the place we fell in love.

Since Ed's death, I'm same, but different.


Without Ed at my side I've learned a lot.


I've learned to be my best friend.


I forgive myself when I make a mistake.


And if I do, I pick myself up, brush myself off, and start all over again.

I'm not as trusting as I used to be. Trust is earned.


A cold wind blows twenty miles north of where the World Trade Center used to be. I've learned to remind myself to wear my yellow jacket, a present from Ed, and sweater Izzy, the one Ed picked out with me, before we head out the door and aim the Corolla to Valhalla.


Outside my window autumn leaves skitter while memories from another time flood my brain -- He raked and I watched.


This is my Mourning Joy!


Ahhhhh, the memory of all that...No, no, they can't take that away from me.


Thank you Edward Louis Sclier wherever you are!

Have a joyful day Widows! And remember, we're never alone!

Mourning Joy

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow Cathy Schembechler to our joyous club widow of famous football coach, University of Michigan, Bo Schembechler.

In 1993, Cathy married Bo. As you know, Bo, age 77, collapsed and died yesterday.

Something Bo said to a reporter in a past interview:

..."That's probably the last thing in my world right now."

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

What is the last thing you remember doing in your world right now?

Why not write about it? Go for ten minutes.

Go ahead.

I dare you!

More Mourning Joy:

Q: Why did the tree see the dentist?

A: To get a root canal.

Have a joyful day Widows! And remember, we're not alone.

Linda

Special Note to Mrs. Bo Schembechler: Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. May your coming days be filled with mourning joy.

Mourning Joy

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

Welcome famous widow Judith Kliban, artist.

Judith Kliban was married to famous actor Bill Bixby of "The Incredible Hulk" fame. Six weeks into their marriage, Bill collapsed from a recurrence of prostate cancer.

Referring to her marriage to Bixby, Kliban recalls, "I was still coming out of grieving," and providing support for Bill represented, "a real healing for me."

Kliban was also widow to famous cartoonist B. Kliban of B. Kliban Cats fame who had died the year before she married Bill Bixby.

This two-time widow maintains homes in Hawaii and San Francisco with several cats.

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

What is healing for you? Why not write about it?

Go ahead. I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: Why did the clock get sick?

A: It was run down.

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

:)Linda

Mourning Joy

Good Mourning Widows!

JOY to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow Robyn Smith Astaire to our joyous club. You know, the club nobody wants to be a member of.

Phyllis was wife of famous dancer, actor, funny man, Fred Astaire. She was the first female jockey to win a major horse race in the United States in 1973.

Robyn retired from horse racing in 1980 and married Fred, 55 years her senior. He died in 1987 at age 88.

"After Astaire had passed away, his widow allowed footage of him to be used in a commercial for 'Dirt Devil' vacuum cleaners in which he dances with a vacuum. His daughter stated she was saddened that after his wonderful career he was sold to the devil."

--Trivia

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen. Write something.

Go for ten minutes.

Go ahead. I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What did the mayonnaise say to the mustard?

A: Close the door, I am dressing!

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

Mourning Joy

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

Welcome famous widow Joanne Byrd Rogers to our joyous club -- The club that takes no volunteers.

"Mrs. Rogers" was married to famous "Mr. Rogers" who needs no introduction for 50 years. She continues her husband's philosophy to tell kids what to expect from new experiences and works to spread his message. She has prepared a DVD.

Appearing on CBS/The Early Show shortly after "Mr. Roger's" death, she told parents, "I'd like them to take away the fact that they are the most important people in their children's life. They can be the one to help them best. They know their child best."

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

What is your message? What do you want children to know--Or not know?

Write.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What do you have if an ax falls on your car?

A: An ax-i-dent! (accident)

Have a joyful day Widows! And remember, we're not alone.

Mourning Joy

Good Mourning Widows! We're not alone.

The Holiday Season is here. Grief is taxing. It's important for us to take care of ourselves.

Here's a favorite article that applies to us.

Enjoy!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Colds-and-Flues:-Tis-The-Season&id=345664

"People say to me all the time, 'Do you like Hawaii"' and I say, 'No, I love Hawaii!'"
--Jack Lord

Good Mourning Widows! Joy to you and me.

Today we honor Marie Lord. She was famous widow to famous actor Jack Lord of Hawaii-Five-O fame and became his widow in 1998. She lived until October 2005.

Marie Lord went on to perform charitable works in her late husband's name donating large sums of money to the theatre restoration project in downtown Hawaii. In her honor, the downtown marquee lights were dimmed after she died.

This famous widow studied fashion design and art in Paris and gave up her career in the fashion design industry when she met Jack Lord.


After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Think about what you gave up? What are you without today? What was your career?

Write it down. Be specific. Go for ten minutes. Do it.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What kind of clothes do lawyers wear?

A: Lawsuits.


Have a joyous day Widows. And remember. We're not alone!

Mourning Joy

"That's all folks."

--Epitaph on Mel Blanc's headstone"

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

This day let's honor famous widow Estelle Rosenbaum Blanc as member of our joyous club.

Estelle was wife of Mel Blanc, "The Man of a Thousand Voices" who died in 1989. She died in 2003.

"Estelle assisted husband Mel with all aspects of his career during their 50 year marriage. In every respect, she was 'the woman behind the man.'"

After the death of Mel, Estelle Blanc lived out the remainder of her life quietly in Santa Monica, California.

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Open your journal. And write.

What does your mind's eye see? Write deep. Be specific. Don't say car, say, Cadillac. Go for it.


More Mourning Joy:

Q: When do elephants have 8 feet?

A: When there are 2 of them.


Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

And to Widows of war veterans, we honor you and wish you well

Mourning Joy

"No one knows quite how he died, but I'd rather remember the way he lived."

--Time

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

Today we honor famous widow Linda Lee Caldwell, wife of famous Bruce Lee.

Her book, "The Man Only I Knew" was used as the basis for the movie, "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story."

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write.

Start with I remember...

Go for ten minutes.

Do it.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: Where did Pilgrims land when they arrived in America?

A: On their feet.

Have a joyful day widows. And remember, we're not alone.

Mourning Joy

"One of the most important reasons for living is to do something -- live outside of yourself and put together an idea, an idea that you want to explore and then complete...Awaken your sensitivities!"

--Curly - "City Slickers"

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

Okay Widows. Step to the right. There's a line to get into our club -- the club nobody wants to join.

Today we welcome famous widow Elaine Rogers, Mrs. Jack Palance.

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write what's important to someone you know.

Write about an idea to explore.

Write it. Go ahead. I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: Why did the doctor switch jobs?

A: He lost his patients.

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember. We're not alone.

Special note to Mrs. Jack Palance: We wish you love, joy and strength in the coming days. Please know that you are in our prayers.

Mourning Joy

"You know, I had heroes in my life who people outside my life have never heard of."

--Ed Bradley

Good Mourning Widows.

Joy to you and me!

Welcome famous widow Patricia Blanchett, Mrs. Ed Bradley, to our club. The one that takes no volunteers.

Today, after we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write about your hero.

Write about Patricia Blanchett's hero.

Write about the hero people never heard of.

Go ahead I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What has one foot on each side and one in the middle?

A: A yardstick.

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

Note to Patricia Blanchett: Our prayers and thoughts are with you. We wish you strength, courage, and joy.

Mourning Joy

Good Mourning Widows.

Joy to you and me.

Meet Lynda Milito. She's the widow of Gambino capo disappeared in 1988 and presumed dead.

In the joyous club that takes no volunteers, it doesn't matter who you are, who you're husband was, or where you come from.

Welcome famous widow Lynda Milito!

After the death of her husband, Lynda turned to writing and wrote, "Mafia Wife: My Story of Love, Murder and Madness." She maintains that her husband divulged the secret of taking down Jimmy Hoffa to her before his disappearance. She also insists that HBO's successful show, "The Sopranos" is based on her life--"including the ducks in the back yard."

After we rememer Him, finger hug your pen.

Write something.

Write about the ducks.

Write about the back yard.

Don't got no ducks?

Don't got no back yard?

No problem.

Make it up.

You can do that you know.

'Cause your a writer! That's why.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What did the guitar say to the rock star?

A: Quit picking on me.

Have a joyful day widows. And remember, we're not alone.

Mourning Joy

"Where the blue of the night meets the gold of the day, someone waits for me."

--Bing Crosby

Good Mourning Widows.

Joy to you and me!

Today we welcome famous widow Katherine Crosby to our joyful club -- The club nobody wants to be a member of.

Katherine Crosby was the wife of Bing Crosby who died in 1977. Since the death of her husband, Katherine has penned several books on Bing Crosby and lends her talents to numerous plays and productions.

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write.

Write about the blue of the night, the gold of the day. Write about the someone who waits.

Go for twenty minutes.

Be specific. Write from the heart.

Do it.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What do you call a cat that likes to dig in the beach?

A: Sandy Claws.


Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

Mourning Joy

"Happy Trails to you. Until we meet again."

Good mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

Welcome to the club nobody wants to join.

Today we honor famous widow Dale Evans.

Remember Dale? She was wife of famous "King of the Cowboys" Roy Rogers.

Dale was a prolific author and songwriter and died in 2001 at 88. She married Roy in 1946 and together they went on to "complete 27 films, founded their own production company, and launched the popular television shows, 'The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show.'"

Dale outlived Roy 50 years.

Interesting note: "Horses Trigger, Buttermilk, and faithful dog Bullet were all stuffed and mounted for posterity after their natural deaths and may still be viewed by fans" at the museum that bears their names in Victoriaville, California.

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen.

What memory does the number 50 stir in you?

What about the 1950's?

What about a faithful dog age 50?

Go ahead. Write.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What kind of can never needs a can opener?

A: A pelican.

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember we're not alone.

Mourning Joy - A chicken in every pot...

Good Mourning Widows. Happy Election day!

Today I urge each and every one of us to unite. And get out and vote. I don't care who you cast your ballot for, I just care that our voices be heard. We are widows. And we are important!

After we remember Him, vote.

Get out and do the Great American thing!

Go ahead. Do it. I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Now reward yourself Widows. Have fun. Make joy. Maybe put a chicken in a pan.

In the early days, politicians promised voters a chicken in every pot.

Well, here's my recipe for chicken in a pan:

Get a heavy pan. I like the heavy black iron kind.

Get a whole chicken.
Cut it in pieces.
Leave it on the bone.
Season it with salt and pepper.

Squiggle some Canola oil in that heavy pan.

Place that chicken in it, skin side down.
Do the legs and thighs first.
Sprinkle a little rosemary over it.

Cover it.
Let it cook in its own juices for a little bit.

Get some bacon strips.
Roll them up.
Stick a toothpick through the center of each one.
Place the bacon in the pan. In between the chicken parts, silly. That's where.
Put the lid back on the pan.

Get a yellow onion and cut it up.
In 1/4's
then stick it in the pan with the chicken parts and bacon.
Season with salt.

Cover it.

Get some small potatoes.
The little red ones are good.
Wash them, cut them--in half.

Place the potatoes cut up in a bowl and drizzle a little olive oil over them.
Mix them with your fingers until they are covered in oil.

Get a couple hot cherry peppers--they sell them in a jar--cut them up--don't include the seeds. That's where the heat is. Just the peppers.
Now place it all in the big black frying pan and cover it.
Low flame.

Cook 15-20 minutes.

Then serve.

And why not invite a friend to join you for dinner -- Remember we're not alone -- unless we choose it.

Mourning Joy

"Tony had such a beautiful spirit and so much youth and vigor."

--Heather Randall on "Larry King Live."

Good Mourning Widows.

Joy to you and me.

It's cold here 20 miles north of where the World Trade Center used to be. Button up your overcoats.

Today we welcome famous widow Heather Harlan Randall to our JOYous club.

Heather was wife of famous actor Tony Randall and is mother to their two children, Julia Laurette Randall and Jefferson Salvini Randall. She was 50 years younger than Tony.

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write something.

Write about a difference -- Difference between two numbers, difference of opinion, difference in what fills each one of us with JOY.

Do it for five minutes.

Go ahead.

Do it.

I dare you.


More Mourning Joy:

Q: Where do old bowling balls go?

A: In the gutter.


Have a joyful day Widows.

And remember, we're not alone.

Mourning Joy

"My husband died, in my arms on April 16, 2002..."

--Heather Menzies

Good Mourning Widows.

Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow Heather Menzies to our joyful club -- The one that takes no volunteers, the one nobody wants to join.

Heather was married to Robert Urich. You may remember her as Louisa in "The Sound of Music."

Heather makes her home in Los Angeles with her three children. "She works tirelessly with the Urich Fund for Sarcoma research at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center."

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write something.

Write about arms, April, anything that begins with the letter A.

Go for ten minutes.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What has 10 legs and drools?

A: Quintuplets.

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

Mourning Joy

"Try to spend your life in happiness. Just say I love you."

--Yaketerina Gordeyeva

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow and champion ice skater Yaketerina Gordeyeva to our joyful club.

Yaketerina was married to world famous skater Sergei Grinkov who died in November 1995 of a massive heart attack at age 28. They were world famous pairs skaters.

Left to raise their only daughter, Daria, Yaketerina honored Sergei's memory and the life they shared by skating her first solo performance on February 29, 1996 to Mahler's Symphony No. 5 in which she portrayed herself, "A young woman looking for her lost love."

With the aid of Author E. M. Swift, Yaketerina wrote "My Sergei: A Love Story," published in 1996, and in 1998, a second book, "A Letter For Daria."

You may recall seeing Yaketerina promoting Rolex watches and most recently, appearing with daughter, Daria, in "Got Milk?" ads. Today, Katerina skates with her daughter, Daria.

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write something.

Write about happiness. Yours. Or, someone else's.

Write about love.

Just do it.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: What did one scale say to the other scale?

A: You have a way about you.

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone!

Mourning Joy

"...I had no idea that Bill had depression. I felt a strangeness in our relationship and his response to the world." --Rose Styron


Good Mourning Widows.
Joy to you and me!

Today we welcome famous widow Rose Styron to our famous club.

As you know, Rose's husband, William Styron, died this week. He was the author of "Sophie's Choice" and more. They married in 1953 and had 4 children. They lived in Roxbury, Connecticut.

Note to Rose: Please know you are in our prayers and we wish you well as you make your way through your grief.

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write something.

Write about the strangeness in your life. Or someone else's life.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy:

Q: Did you ever see the salad dressing?

A: No, but I saw the bacon strip!

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

Mourning Joy

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow Poppy Cannon to our Joyful club.

This great lady was the white wife of Walter Francis White, a black leader of the NAACP back in the day when it was unacceptable for interracial unions.

Poppy Cannon is most noted for being food editor of The Ladies Home Journal and became famous for being a "relentless" writer describing incorporating ingredients in recipes as "a splotch of wine," "a flurry of coconut," "a great swish of sour cream."

After the death of her husband, she authored his biography, "Gentle Knight (1956)."

After we remember Him, finger hug your pen.

Write something.

Write a recipe.

Splotch the ink. Make a great swish with your hand. Do it in a flurry!

Just go for it.

Do it.

I dare you.


More Mourning Joy:

Q: What has a neck, but no head?

A: A bottle.


Have a Joyous day Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

Mourning Joy

"I'm handling everything."
--Candy Marer

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome Candy Marer to our joyous club -- The club nobody wants to JOYn.

Candy was wife of Aaron Spelling. You may recall seeing her on QVC selling dolls she created and donating proceeds to her favorite charity, Centro de Ninos, a free day care center that benefits the poor.

Candy once received from husband, Aaron, a present of a 40 carat diamond ring.

Now that's what I call MOURNING JOY!


After we remember Him, finger-hug your pen.

And write something.

What memorable present became your Mourning Joy? What is your 40 carat memory?

Write it down.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

More Mourning Joy

Q: Why do statues and paintings of George Washington always show him standing?

A: Because he would never lie.

Have a joyful day Widows.

And remember, We're not alone!

A Mourning Joy Memory...

"Ma. Did they have baseball when you were a kid?"

--George L. Griffin III

Good Mourning Widows!

Joy to you and me.

Outside my window leaves the color of pumpkin glisten in sunshine while a yellow-eyed grackle big as a cat stalks the back woods of my townhouse. Elbows on desk, my chin rests neatly in the palms of my hands as I stare into space and contemplate my Mourning Joy.

Last night, after I remembered Him, I was feeling 'bout as gray as an elephant's ear. I kissed my small dog, Izzy, on his snout, ruffled the fur of his little cat, Tux, and said my prayers. Turning out the light, my eyes gazed on a picture of my son with his lovely new bride. It was then I recalled a little boy's words, the ones spoken on a brisk autumn day, back in 1986. He was 11 years old. I was 38. They made me laugh then. And they make me laugh now.

This morning I'm still laughing at my son's not-so-famous quote.

I love you, George. Thank you for making my day!

Guess, you just had to be there.

Have a joyful day Widows. And remember, we're not alone.