http://denamarie.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Dena Straughn en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 12:52:18 GMT 2010-01-03T12:52:18Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977973662 While on vacation in Gatlinburg, TN, I took my first trip to Dollywood.  I haven't visited a theme park in years, mostly because I have bilateral hip necrosis and walking (on crutches) is a nightmare.  . . . Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:45:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977973662 Dena Straughn 2010-01-03T06:45:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977973577 My daughter and I wondered if my grandson Ryan (who had just turned a year old) was too young to enjoy the Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg.  Still, we included him in our visit there. Deciding . . . Sun, 03 Jan 2010 05:42:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977973577 Dena Straughn 2010-01-03T05:42:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977966912 I won't try not to bore you with the 2000 shots I took over the holidays, but I would like to share some of them from my house to yours.  I do hope each and every one of you had a lovely holiday . . . Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:35:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977966912 Dena Straughn 2009-12-30T20:35:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977953999 I am spending Christmas break with my granddaughter for the first time so I am trying to do something special with them each day.  Day one we roasted snowballs (marshmallows) and then sang Christmas . . . Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:10:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977953999 Dena Straughn 2009-12-23T21:10:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977685252 There is no generation gap In our home. There is laughter, tradition, A foundation of hope, And love . . . always love. The babes and the elders beam brightest in the presence of one another, . . . Mon, 18 May 2009 04:03:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977685252 Dena Straughn 2009-05-18T04:03:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977667853  Just a few thoughts as I say goodbye . . . I loved your Deep South accent, the way you said, "Lord!" or "Honey!"   You were Alabama. Do you remember making washtubs of fresh squeezed lemonade . . . Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:36:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977667853 Dena Straughn 2009-04-28T03:36:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977666849   Cocooned, protected, nurtured, blessed; Hidden under wings, gloriously warmed until winter has passed and I am Warmed with the sun on my face, Comforted by the warm, gentle wind, . . . Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:28:16 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977666849 Dena Straughn 2009-04-27T02:28:16Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977655429 It has been a while since I have posted, but boy have we been busy!  I will try to catch up with a bunch of unrelated events, all blessings in the end. My mother-in-law is in recovery from open . . . Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:00:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977655429 Dena Straughn 2009-04-14T05:00:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977655386 What is the number one thing that puts you in a good mood? GRANDCHILDREN What is your biggest pet peeve? INCONSISTENT BEHAVIOR What foods put you in a good mood? FRUIT Who in your life . . . Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:07:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977655386 Dena Straughn 2009-04-14T04:07:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977625169 THE TWINS ARE FINALLY HERE!!  ISAAC COLEMAN (COLE) IS 4 POUNDS 5 OUNCES AND 18 INCHES.  CHRISTIAN BLAKE IS 7 POUNDS 2 OUNCES AND 21 INCHES.  BLAKE SPENT A COUPLE OF HOURS IN NICU, BUT . . . Sun, 15 Mar 2009 04:17:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977625169 Dena Straughn 2009-03-15T04:17:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977612735   Does every mother's heart leap when her son, full grown, walks into the room? Does she stop and stare and think, "That's my big, beautiful boy?" And does every mother's . . . Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:30:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977612735 Dena Straughn 2009-03-03T05:30:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977606113 The first thing I did this morning was:   smile at my grandson My strength is:   Faithfulness My weakness is:   Wanting to control my grown children's lives I feel . . . Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:14:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977606113 Dena Straughn 2009-02-25T05:14:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977596322   Let me take you on a journey away from your pain To defy what should not own you.   Close your eyes, now listen. A baby giggles . . . squeals in delight. Bask in the sound . . . Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:18:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977596322 Dena Straughn 2009-02-16T14:18:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977587079 Tracing paths with fingertips Over familiar turns of you,  Tiny steps across your heart,  Now palm to cheek, askew, Ah, With lashes low, I breath you in. Reward, a smile, . . . Sat, 07 Feb 2009 07:41:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977587079 Dena Straughn 2009-02-07T07:41:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977566467 I am boxing up several hundred paperback novels to take to goodwill . . . ones I shouldn't have probably read in the first place (lol-but it is a weakness of mine).  I have a lot of novels by . . . Sun, 18 Jan 2009 02:57:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977566467 Dena Straughn 2009-01-18T02:57:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977565688 My daughter-in-law and son, as many of you know, are expecting twins on April 2nd.  Lindsay is having some serious complications with her pregnacy.  Although Blake and Cole are fraternal, her . . . Sat, 17 Jan 2009 05:52:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977565688 Dena Straughn 2009-01-17T05:52:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977561761 Why, if I believe in something more Would it anger you? Why if I teach my young to believe And hold fast, and not be deceived Do you rage so violently? I love you. I do not force what . . . Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:23:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977561761 Dena Straughn 2009-01-13T07:23:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977561712   Crystal beauty, a clarity and strength, formed in only three journeys about our daily light, And you, together, forged a bond, a covering, a protection from the gravest blight; I see the . . . Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:12:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977561712 Dena Straughn 2009-01-13T07:12:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977560733 Sometimes we minister to the hearts of others.  Sometimes we have not the strength.  That was me today, but today, I was ministered to.  Before, I was feeling lonely in a crowded . . . Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:10:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977560733 Dena Straughn 2009-01-12T10:10:47Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977550818     As the ebb and flow of tides will be, Each morn and eve you change; New discoveries add to a collection of memories Some, with time, slip away; Some, I . . . Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:20:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977550818 Dena Straughn 2009-01-02T04:20:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977540738 My son winterized his boat, but then the weather warmed a little and it got the better of him.  He took it back out this week.  My husband and I went along for a last ride with him, his fiancée, . . . Sat, 20 Dec 2008 06:45:57 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977540738 Dena Straughn 2008-12-20T06:45:57Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977540730 I am officially a yellow belly.  Was a day, once, when I thought nothing of hopping on the back of my husband's motorcyle (and yes, I said motorcycle, not Harley, so I guess I am not a real biker-babe).  . . . Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:58:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977540730 Dena Straughn 2008-12-20T05:58:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977539817 I can hardly believe three months have passed.  Already he has grown so much, and each day is somthing new.  Ryan Michael, my sweet baby grandson has brought me such joy!  I don't want . . . Sat, 20 Dec 2008 04:44:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977539817 Dena Straughn 2008-12-20T04:44:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977535713 I have a big, bad watchdog in my backyard, but he is as gentle as a lamb with family.  This is Sox, with my son and daughter-in-law (preggers with twins).   Sox is a one eyed . . . Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:37:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977535713 Dena Straughn 2008-12-15T08:37:11Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977534826   I grasp violently for the memory of who I once was as my dream world grows daily into a beast that pulls me further and further away from reality.    The voices are no longer familiar. . . . Sun, 14 Dec 2008 04:19:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977534826 Dena Straughn 2008-12-14T04:19:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977528420 Today Kenny and I went to the mall to do a little Chritmas shopping and I have to tell you, it was busy (looking).  It took forever to find a parking space . . . all of the spots were filled, . . . Sun, 07 Dec 2008 09:08:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977528420 Dena Straughn 2008-12-07T09:08:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977525446 For a recipe group list contest, if you are wondering . . . It is a ridiculous list.  In our family, we can't seem to let go of any traditions and we keep adding more, so here goes . . . . . . Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:25:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977525446 Dena Straughn 2008-12-04T05:25:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977525431 Well, Circuit City is not my friend.  I feel like a whining 1st grader.  Mom, they aren't playing right.  Okay, so after my son curled his foot in the cord of my laptop and pulled . . . Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:44:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977525431 Dena Straughn 2008-12-04T04:44:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977506116 My son (I love my son, I love my son) tangled his foot in my laptop cord and (I love my son, I love my son) while the cd drawer was open, instead of what most responsible 22 year olds (I love my . . . Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:01:56 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977506116 Dena Straughn 2008-11-13T23:01:56Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977505326 Pumpkin Carving continued . . . I didn't get a chance to take any pics for my photo journal today, but I did download some pics from my daughter-in-law's digital cam (I forgot to charge . . . Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:36:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977505326 Dena Straughn 2008-11-13T04:36:36Z