Rest In Peace Mom!

My mother's obituary which may appear in some papers but thought I would share it here!  She was an incredible person and I was blessed to have as my mother.  Love and miss you Mom!

Gloria B. Winship, aged 89, died peacefully of natural causes Friday, September 25^th at her home in Laguna Nigel, California. Born Gloria Ruth Berg to B. Martin and Ruth (Coleman) Berg in Superior, Wisconsin in 1926, she graduated from Superior State College with a degree in music and went on to become a noted Music Teacher, Choir Director and Soprano Soloist, performing on stage, radio, television and recordings during her remarkable career.

Beginning in the late 1940’s she started as a music teacher for the Delavan Public School system in Delavan, Wisconsin.  In 1950, she married Warren A. Colley (deceased) and relocated to Chicago, Ill. Known as Gloria Colley during the 1950’s and 1960’s she was the soprano soloist for Chicago’s Euterpean Oratorio Chorus, Lindberg Chorus, Crescendo Club and Morgan Park Baptist Church, among others.  She was also regularly featured on WTTW’s “Chicago Sunday Evening Club” television program, broadcast weekly from Orchestra Hall.  After the sudden death of her husband in 1967, she began a 20 year career as a music teacher for the Glenview Public Schools in Glenview, Ill.  During this period she also privately taught numerous piano and vocal students, and served as the Choir Director for the St Peter's United Church of Christ in Northbrook, Ill.  In 1970, she married her second husband, Edward P. Winship (deceased).  Retiring from teaching in the mid 80’s, she moved to Florida and spent many wonderful years in Orange Park as a member of the Orange Park United Methodist Church Choir. Talented in the arts beyond music, she was also an accomplished visual artist and her hobbies included painting, crafts and a passion for building and decorating miniature doll houses.  As her health began to decline during her later years, she relocated to California to be close to her daughter and son.

She was mother to Ford Colley (Mary), Craig Colley (Karyn), Ruth Loomis (Tim), and Pamela Gaynor (Brian) and is survived by five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to a memorial fund set up in her name supporting Norman B. Barr Camp, a non-profit summer camp located on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin that serves economically challenged children and young adults with special needs. Donations by check should be sent to:  Norman B Barr Camp - PO Box 70 - Williams Bay, WI 53191 or can be made online via credit card or PayPal at:  www.normanbbarrcamp.org/donate.html

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the summer of 2016 in the Bowman Chapel at Norman B. Barr Camp.  Date and time of the service will be announced.  In addition, a song about her life, entitled “Gloria”, has been written, produced and performed in her honor by her son Craig and can be streamed or downloaded at:  www.121netradio.com/Gloria.mp3

A Football Update

Week 4 of College Football and Week 3 of  NFL Football are complete and my teams that I am following are not doing well.  Let's start with my College teams.  As a reminder I am following Northern Arizona University, Northern Illinois University, University of Florida, University of South Carolina, University of Missouri, University of Michigan and University of Oregon.  Of all these teams I expect Oregon, Missouri and NIU to be kicking butt but all are not winning,  Instead the Florida Gators are undefeated and are ranked this week.  Something that has not happen in the past couple of years.  Way to go Gators!
For my NFL teams I am following the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and the Denver Broncos.  First of all I am always a Bears fan first over all these other teams and that is why it hurts to write this but can you believe the Bears have not won a game yet? Come on Bears you have a good coach now let's get serious and start winning.  As for my other teams the Broncos are undefeated!
Check out my standings below for my teams!  All I can say is that there is still a lot of season and I can only hope my teams begin or continue to win.  Let's go Lumberjacks, Huskies, Gators, Gamecocks, Tigers, Wolverines and Ducks!  Let's go Bears, Jaguars, Titans and Broncos!

Watching The Blood Moon

Last night, after dinner, Pam, Brian, Lorraine and I watched the lunar eclipse - the blood moon.  It is a rare eclipse of a supermoon.  It is the time of year that the Moon is closet to the earth.  This eclipse will be best seen in North America.  This eclipse is part of a lunar tetrad. There were rumors that this eclipse will end up ending the world but it is not true.  It is the last eclipse of the year.
It was interesting to see and we ended up watching it with other neighbors and friends.  The next blood moon eclipse won't happen for another 18 years on October 8th, 2033.  My pictures did not show up very well so I am using an image I got off the internet.

My Mom

On Friday night I lost my Mom.  Gloria Winship, my Mom, died peacefully with my two brothers Ford and Craig, my sister Pam and I with her along with my sister in law Karyn and brother in law Brian.  I think Mom knew we were all there and after a lot of love, the Lord's Prayer and the song "Gloria" playing on her CD player my Mom took her last breath.  She did it with her children being there and she seemed truly happy.  "Gloria" is a song written about my mother and her life by my brother Craig.  It is a beautiful song and it seemed to be the perfect song to be playing at this time.  When she did pass, we all just began to sob and thank goodness we had each other.  There was lots of love and support in my Mom's room and it made our family even stronger.  I know my Mom is up in Heaver, reuniting with her Mom and Dad, brother and sister and all who went before her.  She is singing in the Lord's choir now. 
Last night my brother Craig had to sing at his "gig" at the Marriot in Dana Point. My sister, sister in law and I were there to support him.  We have seen him perform there for a couple of years now.  He had to be very strong because the show must go on.  He did a great job  and he even managed to sing "Gloria" to the audience.  He did not say why until the song was over then he shared with the audience that we had just lost Mom.  Singing the song and being together was a good way to honor our mother and put some closure to her passing.  Thank you Craig.
Mom we love you and we miss you!  We rejoice that you are no longer in pain and at peace.  You have been a great Mom and taught us well.  We will try to make you proud of us and live up to your expectations and standards.  We love you Mom!
'

The Outdoor Shower Part Two

Continuing with the outdoor shower project it is really coming along.  It is completely enclosed and was built with pressure treated wood.  The ceiling is now done and the pan is in place.  All that is needed to complete the outdoor shower are the fixtures and a shower door.  Which means The Outside Shower part three will be happening soon.  Nice job so far Tim and George!

The Outdoor Shower

Tim and George have been working on George and Lisa's outdoor shower.  It has been framed out for quite awhile but they finally have time to work on. It is located just before you walk up to their back deck.  The shower is a good sized one; bigger than our shower in the RV.  It will have hot and cold running water.  The test on the hot water will be later today.  Sure hope it works out well!

I Am Stuck For A Blog Topic

This is the first time in a long time that I do not have a topic for the blog.  With my mother gravely ill and not being at the farm I do not have much to report.  My days are spending time with my Mom and spending the evenings with my brothers and sister and that's about it.  Although I am very thankful for the wonderful Nurses that Hospice have provided with my Mother.  Thank you!
As far as what is going on at the farm I don't really know but since I have not heard anything so this will be a short blog.  Sorry folks!  With everything that is going on with my Mom I want to thank you for your patience during this difficult time.