
“Art is a line around your thoughts.” Gustav Klimt
I love diners almost as much as I love churches. They smell of lard and pancake syrup. And there’s the constant sound of sizzling, the lick of bacon grease hitting the heat, the cook shouting from the back “order up.” And let’s not forget the fact that they serve breakfast all day. I could eat breakfast foods any time. I’m not sure why other foods exist. Sausage, bacon, pancakes, Belgium waffles, syrup, butter, eggs over easy, eggs sunny side up, eggs scrambled. All of them hot with salt and pepper. Fried potatoes with ketchup. Buttered toast with peanut butter or jam or sometimes both.
I haven’t eaten in a while.
Anyway, this drawing was sketched at a diner in Cardston, Alberta. I ate there with my little sister once, and the waitress stayed with us talking as if she were really interested in our lives. We left her a good tip. She was just a local girl with a quick smile and a friendly nature. She probably grew up on a farm, one of a million small town girls who make the world a nicer place to live in but have no idea that they do.
I’ve eaten at a lot of breakfast places. Years ago, my husband and I made it our mission to find the best breakfast diners. When we started the search, the breakfasts were $2.99 or $3.99. You can’t find deals like that anymore. My older son was just a baby when we started the search and we sat him in a high chair and handed him pieces of potato and bacon as he drooled. We could never decide which restaurant was the best. We preferred the privately owned diners with torn upholstery and chipped table linoleum. Maybe some photo displays of staff and their families. Maybe cow shaped creamers. It didn’t matter where we went, they were all good.
I haven’t eaten at many of those places since I lost him. And on those few occasions, I would sit alone at a table and watch as his ghost came to visit. He’d smile a ghostly smile and laugh his big laugh which I couldn’t quite hear. I always loved the sound of his laugh. So I pretended he was really with me. I wanted to people watch with him or make up conversations for the other customers like we used to, but of course, I couldn’t. Now, I just sit quietly in my chair and look at the place where his face used to be and I can almost hear his soft voice. And I can almost smell his aftershave and run my finger along his jawline. He’s quiet in death, the way he never was in life. And I pretend to take his last piece of toast or bacon when he’s not looking just to see the look of shock on his face.
Even after he got sick he still went with me to a few diners although he lost all interest in food. He went with me because he loved me. But he could only sit with strangers for so long and the greasy food made him sick so he just picked at it. His vision was almost gone so we couldn’t watch the other customers. And for some reason, when I made jokes, he just didn’t seem to understand my humor anymore. But he pretended he did because he loved me.
I tried to keep going with the breakfast search but it was too sad for me. Every time, I went I would see my young, healthy husband arrive and watch him deteriorate to the blind old man with bad kidneys and a bad heart. I would spend the rest of the day fighting back tears and swimming through a quagmire of regrets. So I had to stop. I still eat breakfast foods though, who wouldn’t? But I can’t go to the diner’s anymore. I look at them longingly whenever I pass. And I wonder if there’s bacon in heaven.
This is a time lapse video of the drawing
For more about Dale:
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Hi, it’s always good to see your artwork and to read your posts here. I know what you mean about dinners and eating breakfast foods at lunch or dinner time. Breakfast is always good anytime. I appreciate you sharing about your husband…my condolences. I can’t begin to understand what you have been through but I am glad for your art and your ability to share. I do know something about having made memories with a special person or persons. You know the memories you will never forget. The smells, sounds and textures bring you right back as if they were here a minute ago. Oh I want to believe there is bacon in heaven or at least the smell I hope is there. Thanks again for this post.
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Thanks E.I. That means a lot coming from you.
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You are so kind…listen, I know you don’t know me from Eve…but if you believe in people that seem to be in your life not by accident…here i am…I don’t think it was an accident for me to run across your blog and vice versa. I think you may be a private person. I know I am but there are times when it seems I need to reach out….so here I am….DM anytime…my email is exposedloving@gmail.com. if you don’t want to connect as a possible friends or a fellow artist….no worries. All will still be well…Peace to you and yours.
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If there’s not bacon in heaven I’m not going. If I have the option, anyway. Unless there are dogs there. I could give up bacon if there are dogs in heaven.
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I feel the same way.
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Great piece, you captured the character of a prairie diner! I love them too, we stop at them when we can. I use to work at one when we lived out on the farm and it was as fun working there then as it is eating there now. Your ability to express the changes in your life without your husband aren’t just emotionally moving – you no doubt reach a chord with those who face that same sorrow that comes with loss but you also help remind those of us who haven’t lost someone yet to pay attention to the time we have and I thank you for that insight. I’m so sorry fro your loss – my best friend lost her husband and there was so much to learn and adjust to for her – experiences changed. Unfortunately I lost her last year to cancer but I’m sure she would have appreciated reading your posts and feeling like somebody really understood. You are brave, honest and one heck of an amazing artist!
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You’re such a wonderful friend. We’ll have to meet up at a diner some day. Maybe the 99th street cafe or Haps.
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I’d really like that Dale. I consider you a wonderful friend too. Let wait for the weather to turn and arrange that for sure!
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Yup. That would be great. We can talk about our art and craft endeavors. I’m doing a memory book for both my boys.
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That sounds like a great project – I trip down memory road for you and the boys. Great idea.
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All this talk of breakfast and diners is making me hungry! Very nicely illustrated, Dale.
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Thanks Phil
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Loved your story and understand your reluctance to go to a diner. They are the same now too. One of our favorites nearby has a senior discount for a breakfast served until 10:30. It’s anywhere from $1.99-2.99 for the tight budget. Yes, of course there’s breakfast in heaven! ^__^
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Thanks Maryannie
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My pleasure. ^__^
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Such an appropriate Klimt quote for this post! So well written the reader can feel like they’re right there in the narrative. And oh yes I so remember the cow creamers 😀
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Thanks Alli. I love the cow creamers.
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I love your drawings and admire your courage to share your story. I’m sorry for your losses. I hope you find solace in your art, breakfast foods, friends, and more. Hugs and blessings, Brad
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Thanks Brad. Thanks for the condolences. I do find solace in art and breakfast foods. In face, I’m thinking of having bacon and eggs right now.
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Yay! The breakfast of champions! 🙂
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Sorry for your loss, I can relate to having lossed to many people dear to me.
Having said that, now let me write to you about funny idiotic nonsese but with a bit of sense to lighten the mood.
First off, it seems you are from Canada and you eat breakfast in dinners….you weird people. Second off…. I forgot but I can make a good vegie salad.
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Thanks Charly. There’s nothing like a good veggie salad.
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I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband. I can’t even begin to imagine…💔
Love your artwork. It has a wonderful whimsical quality.
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Thanks so much.
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❤
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Nice
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Thanks so much.
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Do you watch TV?
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Yup
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I so love 💕 your artistic talent…
And do Also love to eat out.. and breakfast 🥞 is one of my favorite
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Thanks Nita
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Ahhh! ❤ I love it so much how you write. It's not enough to have a story, it's how you tell it. It might do you good, to go to one of these, for the hack of it. Order, eat, write and smile. 🙂
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Thanks Manja
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Beautiful. Great story telling.
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Thanks cigarman
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I am hungry, now. Ha haha. Love your art!
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Thanks Nika. Go get some breakfast
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Guess what I made? Sweet Potato Brownies!
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Nice. Did you post the recipe?
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No, but I can give you recipe. I will go get it. Be right back…
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Ingredients
1 cup mashed sweet potato
1/2 cup smooth nut butter of choice (I used cashew butter and almond butter)
2 T pure maple syrup
1/4 cup cocoa powder (I used half dark cocoa powder, half standard cocoa powder)
Handful of chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven the 350 degrees, grease a small cake pan or loaf pan and set aside.
In a small microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, melt your nut butter with your pure maple syrup. In a large mixing bowl, add the mashed sweet potato, nut butter, maple syrup and cocoa powder and mix very well. If using chocolate chips, stir them through.
Pour the mixture into the greased pan and bake for around 20 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before slicing into pieces.
Notes
These brownies are best kept in the refrigerator and best eaten when cooled completely. They are freezer friendly too.
By Arman @ thebigmansworld
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I’m drooling.
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Ha haha
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I wrote two posts about God by following what you suggested and I wanted to share them with you, but I need to figure out how to find the link. I will show you after I find the two links…
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great
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https://shockingwaves.wordpress.com/2019/03/10/unseen-miracles-creative-writing/
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https://shockingwaves.wordpress.com/2019/03/09/rescue-me-father-inspiration/
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Sending hugs Your way. 💖
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Thanks Forrest
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Thank YOU for sharing Your heart so beautifully. I sat for a long time after reading it not knowing what to say. So sad and sweet. 💖💖💖
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Thanks Forrest
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Your writing is very expressive…beautiful!!
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Thanks so much.
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You’re welcome!!💕
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You said it about breakfast. It’s fabulous all day – why have it only in the morning?
I’m sorry to hear about your husband. Your writing is beautiful, though, and I was quite moved by this piece.
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Thanks a lot. I appreciate the thought. Go get some breakfast.
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Very touching. My wife and I have the same ritual. Going to little diners, coffee houses – little out of the way places. I know that it would be agonizing to lose either of us. Thank you for visiting my blog earlier.
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Thanks so much Eric.
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So happy to came across your blog, one of the best stories I read lately ( I read a lot )
Wonderful emotional writing.
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Thanks so much Lucia. I love your name BTW
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Thank you. 😘
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I’m sorry you have to eat alone now.
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Eating alone is OK. But I just can’t eat at diners unless it’s a new diner with someone to distract me.
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Oh man. I’m not easily impressed with writing. This is good. And of course, I’m sorry for what you’ve described.
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Thanks K E
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This really touched my heart. Beautifully and honestly written…thank you for sharing your story with us. I am sorry for the loss you have experienced. Sending you a warm thought to keep you company.
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Thanks for the warmth.n The world needs more of us connected like that
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This is incredibly poignant. My heart is profoundly touched, reading it. I’m so very sorry for your loss. May God bring you His deep comfort and healing. ❤
Jennifer
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I’m so glad it touched you. That’s why I write, to find that connection
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You have a beautiful writing gift in addition to your beautiful drawing gift!
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I loved your story, and I’m sad for your losses
🤗🤗🤗
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If theres no bacon in heaven than everything is going to Hell!
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😢
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Don’t be sad.
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Enjoyed your writing style- wanted to continue reading more. And will do so. Gonna follow you. 🌞~ Bernice
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Thanks Bernice
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I’m afraid breakfast is a bit out of the question, existing chiefly in my Alaskan thoughts, while living my mortal existence out in Denmark! I like both your stories and your drawings, but I can’t imagine how you figured out how to read about Lola, my imaginary Amazon of Alaska? Writing is a catharsis, and that helps us deal with whatever else life throws at us! I look forward to reading more from you in the future…..
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I love Lola
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Just one man’s imaginative madness….
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This is beautiful.
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Thank you
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I love your drawings
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Thanks so much Ken
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I was thinking I would love you to illustrate my poetry. I have had a small collection published but not any of the poems you have read on WordPress. I have just submitted a collection of 75 poems to a number of publishers . If I get lucky I may suggest some of the poems be illustrated. Just a thought, Dale.
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I started reading this and was nearly drooling, as I could eat breakfast anytime too–and diners offer something that big restaurants lack. And then I got sad–I’m so sorry you lost your husband, he sounds like a true prince. And you know what, I truly believe there’s bacon in Heaven! And gravy (with biscuits) will be served as a beverage for folks like me 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting my blog, so I’d know to come over here and have a read. May you be much-blessed ❤ Ennle
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If you’re eating biscuits with gravy does that mean you’re from the south? They used to serve that when we lived in North Carolina.
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I have mixed roots–born in New York, parents from the south–and I definitely have 2 sides: one is “edgy” (NY), the other is warm and homey, “come sit down and I’ll fix you a plate of smothered okra” 🙂
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Sounds delish
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Comfort food 🙂
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Even as vegetarian, I ate bacon. I love your blog!
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I’ve had vegetarian friends tell me they’re vegetarian except for bacon. Thanks Brett.
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Thanks for sharing your love story. This was a beautiful piece to read first thing in the morning.
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Thanks Kalison. I appreciate it.
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Beautiful sentiments and writing. It’s not as poignant as the parts about your husband, but my favorite line is: “…one of a million small town girls who make the world a nicer place to live in but have no idea that they do.” It’s very human and very true. 🙂
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Thanks Joy. I live for the smiles of strangers. And I remember their warmth for a long time.
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What a beautiful piece, but I so very sorry for your loss, I can’t begin to know how you feel, but my thoughts are with you x
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I think everyone knows what it’s like to lose someone. And it’s my hope that they might find solace in the knowledge that they’re not alone.
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Vicariously living your loss like this has left me weak. Love brings us the potential for the greatest bliss and the greatest pain. We learn this the hard way. But I don’t guess love is after a uniformly balanced middle-of-the-road breakfast. It wants the extremes. I wish pain and loss didn’t follow it around, but maybe the contrast is there to make love’s meaning visible to our souls.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for this glimpse of true love.
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Without loss there would be no pain. I think there’s more similarities in the extremes of emotions. And I think that’s what we live for.
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Reblogged this on Arlin Report and commented:
Ok, I just woke up already hungry, now I feel the urge to dash to this local breakfast/lunch diner just down the road.
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Thanks Arlin
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You are very welcome!
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So sorry that you have lost your breakfast-search, life partner ❤
Thanks for the follow 🙂
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Thanks Rosaliene
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Thank you for sharing this. I love diners, the smell, the sounds. My family thinks I’m crazy because I love them all – the small ones, cheap ones. It’s as if the greasier the grill, the better the food. But those smells always evoke memories. Always.
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They sure do. Thanks so much for your comment
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That’s very moving and sad. 😢
I’m sure that in heaven there’s everything your husband needs to “enjoy life to the full”. 😊
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Thanks Stephen
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I love this post and have read it several times! Go bacon!
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AWW. Thanks. Where in the south are you from? I used to live near Jacksonville, NC. I went to nursing school just outside of Camp LeJeune
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I am in GA, but outside Atl.
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What a lovely place to live.
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Truly sorry for your loss. I’ve come to think in the past two years, (after… our own loss) that that was how “ghosts” came into… belief (?). The ones we lose retain so much presence we can hear their voice as we close our eyes. 🙂
Now, if there is any Heaven, what good would it be without bacon?
Take care.
Brian
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Thanks Brian
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🙂
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I ordered 3 pieces.
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Awesome. Maybe we can get a table there together. Thanks Glenda.
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Breakfast is my favorite meal to eat out. It’s one of the things I look forward to most about road trips. Small town cafes are the best. I love watching and listening to the locals interact.
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Me too. People are magical but they don’t know it. They pass around their special energy and I just soak them up.
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What a loving tribute. ❤
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Thanks Anna
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This was the first post of yours that I read when I stumbled across your blog and all I could say was ‘Wow’! Such a beautiful tribute and your drawing is fantastic! I’ve never seen a time lapsed drawing video before and I’m in awe! You’re wonderful! 😊💛
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AWWWW. Thanks Ellen
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I send this link to my sister who is about four months into widowhood. She was very appreciative; she also passed it on. Thank you.
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I’m so happy. Thank you for sharing. That’s why I wrote it. I want people to find solace in our connectedness. Thanks so much Oneta.
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You are very beautiful arstist
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Thanks you Giuseppe
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