Cartwheeling through Life: September 2025

14 Sept 25

tagline:

"Change your fate"

"Doctor my eyes...tell me what is wrong..." Facebook "Playing for Change"

Jackson Browne and others

Emulsify the human spirit into a stream of coherent harmony devoid of negativity is a miraculous gift of the soul. We are enabled to levitate our being above the conscious angst of our differences and to become one, dwelling for a time in a state of un-contaminated peace." ~ Ronnie Sirisky comment on this Facebook post source

"Feeling Stronger Every Day" by Chicago 09.18.25 Toni Pierce's Birthday :)

Gaskill, Elizabeth: "But the cloud never comes in that quarter of the horizon from which we watch for it." SacredBee 16 Sept 25

"He wags his tail softly, trying to figure it out. Then he whimpers softly, like he's list at sea." p.29 The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fusco

"I press my face against his, try and let my heart explain what my voice can't, hold him tight against my bones." p. 29 The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fusco

"Just when you need things to be swe et for a while, well, sometimes they are." p. 137 The Secret of Honeycake

Mr. Keats :)

"Last Song" by Edward Bear Listen here

"May this song offer clarity. Comfort. And the courage to keep going. Help us heal the world: https://playingforchange.com/join Facebook post source

Natalie Cole "I Live for You Love" listen here

Ocean of healing:

19 Sept 25 Watch Hill, RI

"...Puzzled about things." p. 28 The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fusco

"Returning to Myself" by Brandi Carlile great song - listen here

"...There's always room in your heart for a cat who needs you." p. 118 The Secret of Honeycake

"Universal power music to emulsify the human spirit into a stream of coherent harmony....

deVoid of negativity is a miraculous gift of the soul. We are enabled to levitate our being above the conscious angst of our differences and to become one, dwelling for a time in a state of uncontaminated peace." ~ Ronnie Sirisky

"My Words of Encouragement Journal is all Worried about how things are going." p.47 "...Wrapping myself around her like a strawberry vine." p. 31 The Secret of Honeycake

"eXceptional!" p.129 The Secret of Honeycake

"You can trust me... I'm a good bet." p. 119 The Secret of Honeycake

Pamela Zagarenski's art on Facebook 14 Sept 25

Reflecting on each charm on my charm bracelet turned into "the story of a life." Harry Chapin's song "Story of a Life" came to mind as I began writing this blog post at 5am on 27 August 2025 "Sometimes words can serve me well / Sometimes words can go to hell / For all that they do..."

My story began July 13, 1961

I already had 2 big sisters, and a big brother. Karen was born March 9, 1956 so she is 5 years and 4 months older; Ken was born June 15, 1957 so he is 4 years and 1 month older; Susan was born Oct 18, 1959 so she is 1yr and 9 months older.

This picture was taken around Christmas 1959, not long after the Law Family moved into the house that Jack Built on Pawcatuck Ave.

Summer 1960 Mom with Karen, Ken, and Susan Mary ❤️

For my 2nd birthday, I got a baby brother 💙

This is likely that christmas (1963) with my two sisters, Karen and Susan

Our baby brother Robert James was born May 10, 1966.

Celebrating our Birthdays: My 5th and John's 3rd 1966

And I believe I started Kindergarten that Fall, 1966

So this is probably Christmas of that same year:

May? 1967 Kindergarten Graduation with TQ

Grandpa Joe Robert Thomason holding Robert James, Mom, Dad, Grandma "TT" Lois Thomason. Susan Mary, Karen Ann, Kenneth Alan, John Joseph, Jacquelyn Beth, and Kenneth Alan ❤️

Silly time with Dad, John, and Susan

First day of school circa 1967

and First Communion circa 1969

July 13, 1973

Christmas 1973: Our family of 8 drove to Florida in the family station wagon. Yep. We did that. Here is 12 and 1/2 year old me in the hotel room, reading a newspaper with pen in hand: Seven of us at "the happiest place on earth". Dad took this photo, and now he is in THE happiest place, having left this existence 10 August 2016.

I can still remember being in the shop on Main Street Disney World with Mom, just before the parade, I think. We chose 2 charms: Mickey and Disney World

A gift from Mom.& Dad for my Golden Birthday July 13, 1974

8th grade PJHS 1975 combined French classes trip

Tennis racquet 1976

Kristen was born January 10, 1977

Kristen and me Summer 1978

Andrew John Lidestri was born November 6, 1978

Bob, Mom, and Andrew John Lidestri born Nov 6, 1978

Senior class trip 1979

and Graduation Day

Graduation Day was 15 June 1979 Thimble and Sewing Machine charms represent my affinity for sewing that began with a plastic sewing machine that actually worked! I made clothes for my Velvet Doll in the early 70s enjoyed ay least that part of "HomeEc"onomics with Mrs. Phyllis Critcherson

Summer of 1979 I was working at Harbor View with Ken when there was a fire on Father's Day. After that I cleaned a couple of houses in the Borough a few times, then Gram got me a job at Imagine in Old Mistick Village. Karen and Richard Douglas gave me these PJs and hat for Christmas.

Katie was born in January 20, 1980

Christmas 1980

Jonathan was born March 24, 1981

Graduated Thames Valley State Technical College June 1981

Started working at A&T the following Monday

JoAnne Barber and I shared an apartment on Summer St in Westerly when I was "settled" in my job, but not ready to "settle down" with Michael Morrone... I started seeing Bob LaChappelle. That all blew up in my face and with a 💔 I moved back to 27 Pawcatuck Ave and began working on a project in Houston, Texas. The airplane charm represents that first ever flight, and then many more

The spirit or dove charm next to it is from my Confirmation

I was a programmer and worked closely with engineers for a 3-D Seismic Surveying project for Petty-Ray Geophysical > Geosource [6909 SW Freeway Houston, Texas] I Googled and found a Facebook page for that company and saw "Hello doodlebuggers"! I'd completely forgotten about that word!! And "smudge" ~ George Selectman

Oh the cowboy boot! Texas for work numerous trips from Spring 1982-Summer 1983 on the stories "gotta million of 'em" ~ Doug Gilbert

aka Texas roadkill.

This photo was taken my bedroom Nov 1982. Dad converted it to a dining room for Mom when most of us had moved out of their 900sqft house I must not have been in the basement with John and Bob for very long. While working in Texas in 1983, my favorite TV show (M*A*S*H) ended it's 11 year run and I called my brother Bob after we'd both watched it. Jessica Lynn Law was born in February 1983.

This photo was taken the first time I met her:

Fall 1983

9.4.83 Mom gave me when I moved to 34 Moss Street Pawcatuck CT. I did love living by myself, even though the kitchen and bathroom were tiny, they were adorable, and I had everything I needed.

This photo was taken at Karen and John's house. 5 George Street, Westerly RI on Thanksgiving 1984.

Baking Christmas Cookies with Mom and Grammy "TT" 1984

Caroline Jean Law (on the right) was born 22 Sept 1985

Carl visited me at Moss Street on New Year's Eve 1986, and just stayed. It was strange, really, and then my landlords reminded me the apartment rental agreement was for 1 person. Awkward So... Carl and in I moved to 4 Trumbull St Stonington CT 1986-1988

Disneyland California 1987 with Carl who actually smiled when I took a picture of him with Minnie Mouse

We also went to SanJuan Capistrano

And many drum shops and many "Dateless Figs" gigs. So...

This sterling silver, pearl inset drum is actually the best representation of my 3 year relationship with Dr. Carl

Mom was not a fan of him or the situation 🙄 🤣

My best days there were when I walked around the Boro, sat on the jetty nearby, and tended to the little lawn. I unearthed an adorable garden that had peonies, a peach tree, four o'clocks and more. I started playing soccer at Owen's field with the "old ladies" 18-40 and met Cheryl Rand. Fortunately, I met Lynette at A&T, and although she only worked there for a few months, we found common ground in our relationships and volleyball and she quickly became part of our family.

This was kind of the first LawLaPalooza celebrating June and July Birthdays all together ❤️

Jonathan David at Napatree

Jess and Me

East Beach, Watch Hill 1986 maybe?

I moved my boxes from the moldy basement on Trumbull Ave to a new condo at 11 Michelle Lane Mystic with Lynette 1988.

Tracy Ann was born Feb 20, 1988

this picture of Tracy on Lynette's shoulder was taken at the party after Brendan's Christening in New Haven late Aug/early Sept 1988

Brendan was born 9 Aug 1988

Lynette and I had fun with our two cats. One was Houdini, who loved getting into my lobster pot coffee table, but then couldn't get out. Drove to Michigan and across the country together

and made this gingerbread house for Christmas 1988

January of 1989 I met Dave at work and was "smitten" (as someone at work called it). Lynette moved to Norwich where she worked for CSC. I moved to Rosealeah Dr Mystic for a minute. I don't know why I never knew until this week (September 29, 2025, exactly where Lynette moved to in Norwich 🤷‍♀️ I didn't know my new roommate, she was Ernie (from A&T) son's girlfriend and was rarely there but she loved hairspray and hated cleaning. Karen and Mom help me clean the gross mold in bathroom, but I was sad and lonely (and smitten) by the guitar playing, retired Navy Submariner, with a 23' O'Day he'd named "Pegasus"

Our first official date was a Navy Yacht Club sail from New London (Thames River) to Block Island, RI on Memorial Day weekend 1989. We met our "new best friends, Pat and Mike Davidson, and shortly thereafter, I moved into his house at 18 Brook Drive, Hope Valley, RI.

In September 1989 we went to the Newport Boat Show with Pat and Mike and bought a 1990 Hunter 36. We named it "Definitely!" because everyone (including the loan processor at the bank!) kept asking if we were sure about this"

We became engaged on Memorial Day 1990

Terry and Caryn Malaghan's wedding

July 1, 1990

Sept 1990

"through trial, tribulations, and travail" ~ wedding vows from when we eloped on August 16, 1991 before moving south for his job. I drove by myself with my "stuff" cried most of the way there. Dave and Regina followed. They were going to fly, but Hurricane Bob was heading up the coast (and I didn't know it. No cellphones). Hello!? Red flags 🤪

We exchanged wedding bands outside of Gloria Jean's Coffee Bean's at Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake one day after work without telling anyone.

Michelle Nicole Law was born Feb 15, 1992

Dave, Regina and I first lived in an apartment on Hiawatha Dr while our new house was being built. Mom and Karen came to visit there and saw our not yet finished house at 5973 Glenview Drive, Virginia Beach.

May 23, 1992 We sailed from Watch Hill to Old Saybrook and then Norfolk, VA over the next two weeks for our honeymoon. In the fall of 1992, Bob entered a wonderful treatment facility in Montréal : Pavilion Val David Canada. Kerry went two weeks after Bob, and after an intervention with Bob and Kerru, and Bennie...

Mom went in April 1993. I went to her family closing weekend and knew I wanted what the three of them, and many others, were discovering. And so... I spent my 32nd birthday in a 28 Day treatment facility, and am eternally grateful 🙏

These two pictures were take at the family weekend August 3rd? 1993

and then we all went back home and my life really began to change :)

Work completely flipped for a number of reasons, and I was relieved to be living a more authentic life.

Ryan was born 21 Sept 1993

Harrison was born 29 Sept 1993

A great picture of your two healthy, happy parents at the end of your father's 28day stay.

Tracy with Harrison John Law winter 1993-94

And this is me and your Grandpa in Val David Canada Summer 1993 and Fall 1995

The whole family went to Montréal after my Dad's closing

Hawai'i 1995 you father had a 2 week trip for work so I flew (by myself) Wednesday to Wednesday. That Sunday was Mother's Day and we went to the Unity Church of Hawai'i where a powerful prayer was felt, written, and answered...

Mother and child and Winnie the Pooh represent the birth of the prayer: On March 21, 1996, I became a Mom. Actually, I became a Mom on June 15, 1995 🥰

surprise baby shower at our next door neighbors on Glenview Drive, Chesapeake, VA. 1996

March 21, 1996

This is where we lived when you were born.

Seattle Space Needle is from our July 1996 for greay grandfather's 100th birthday

This picture was taken by our friend Deb August 21, 1996 You were 5 months old.

Your father moved to an apartment in NC in September 1996 for his new job at Tangram.

On October 31, 1996, somehow you and I closed on the sale of Glenview Dr and drove with Angie to...

201 Sarabande Dr, Cary NC

And here is one of you at the back door and me at about the same age

Here is the blog post I created to celebrate the 18+ years Angie was in my life: "Gorgeous weekend to appreciate and remember"

And here is and entirely separate, private blog space dedicated to you, Logan Bailey

"Joy With New Eyes"

Amanda Kathryn was born May 19, 1996

Matthew Mitchell was born April 17, 1997

And Nicholas was born Sept 26, 2000

You were in preschool in 2000 when the famous blizzard hit after Grammy arrived just as Dave and I were heading off on a cruise 🛳 to celebrate his 50th

On Sept 1, 2005 I got a text to check my email which began... "As of today, my new address is..." exactly 20 years ago today, Sep 1, 2025. He moved out while we were in CT for my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary surprise party.

In Nov 2006 our divorce was finalized and December 16, 2006, I graduated from Meredith College

January 2007 we went to NYC to see Wicked on Broadway

December 10, 2007, my first official many great nieces was born. Ava Rose Lidestri

Sept 30, 2008 Madeline Kate Lessig was born!!

March 2009

Uncle Ken stayed us on his way to Key West and visited me at Meredith College and we were treated to a tour of the grounds and this photo by Aaron Schettler

What can I possibly say about Misty

Except, it started out as a wish... and we miss her very much xoxo

On Sept 1, 2025 I put together a phrase I cut from a magazine and this picture from maybe 2011 based on the "clues" : dress, background, mood, and likely who took the picture: You! :)

I just noticed, I printed the word "ANGEL" when the word I intended to write was "angle" Almost everything except that word is written in cursive. 2 Sep 25 about 6 am and then, another connection point popped up at the end of something I was watch on TV... The sing I was trying to remember was "The Story" by Brandi Carlile from 2010 love it! Listen here

I tried so hard to keep the house. Used every penny of my A&T 401K and then some... in 2013 we moved to an apartment: 11022 Halesworth Drive Cary 2013-2014 so you could finish Cary High School. Afterwards, we moved to 3016 Farrior Raleigh NC Summer of 2014 and your cousin Amanda was one of our first visitors.

Three of our favorite things about living there were our fun young neighbors, the swing they helped us get hung on the huge tree in the front yard, and hiring goats to clean up the back yard for a garden.

Plus, it was just over a mile to the back gate of Meredith College where I worked and volunteered in the gardens for more than decade. This charm represents not only finishing my BA, but also representing the 23+ Program

Grandma Thomason died November 2008

January 2010

On November 1, 2018 we left NC and drove with Misty and Kendall to 46 Pawcatuck Ave, but that did not work out the way any of us imagined. Kendall passed that winter and is buried there :(

Kendall and Angie on our screened in porch, a rare shot, now both have passed on ...

We moved to a one bed room apartment on Anthony Road 9.19.2019 and I can't believe we stayed there until 5.13.22. With a huge amount of help from Lynette, with the purchase and paying for movers, we bought the condo right next door to her: 292 Pequot Avenue 4B better, much better!

Blog post here

I can well remember Logan saying, "We live here" the one time we swam in the pool together and... "I just want to sit under a tree and draw and not have to walk a mile to do that." Which became my motivation to find our Forever Home. Misty was beginning to fail and the 4th floor was not optimal for the many, many walks per day, and the condo just didn't feel like we were "home" yet....

Nov 26, 2025

And Finally... Our Forever Home

photo by Ken Law, at our door (now purple!) Dec 2, 2024 at 6 Dorien Drive Norwich NOW & Forever

Cartwheeling through Life

September 14 - September 22, 2025

September 2025 "Being Home" by Gunilla Norris

Story of a Life: A life in progres