June 8, 2025 / Sentimental

 I am feeling sentimental today, and picked out a few favorite pictures for Blog....

Photo: Em and Mitzu the pug dog

When Em was little, she would come and hang out at the cottage with me. On this particular day,  Em wanted to watch TV. Both she and Mitzu Pug enjoyed whatever show I turned on for them. I adore this picture. Finding old photos can take you on a special journey back in time.

***

Photo: Lisa & Bruce

Larry and I have been friends with Lisa and Bruce for over 40 years. (Lisa, can you believe that?) Both of them have always be part of our adult lives. The faith and support they they share (with everyone they know) is a true gift and inspires me to be a better person.

Yesterday Lisa and Bruce made a generous donation to Team Believe. I don't know quite how to thank them...but I will try here.

Lisa & Bruce. You both have meant so much to us over the years.  Thank you for your friendship,  the amazing donation, and supporting Team Believe.

We love you beyond the moon.

Me

March 1, 2025

 Sunset

Photo: The view from our picnic bench by Robin 

Yesterday, I made a picnic.

 Larry and I took it to the park to watch the sunset.

It was amazing to be in the fresh air and just be together.

Larry I love you so much.

This journey would be nothing without you.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

D-Day/Normandy Remembered

D-Day was the name given to the June 6, 1944, invasion of the beaches at Normandy in northern France by troops from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries during World War II. France at the time was occupied by the armies of Nazi Germany, and the amphibious assault—codenamed Operation Overlord—landed some 156,000 Allied soldiers on the beaches of Normandy by the end of the day.

Despite their success, some 4,000 Allied troops were killed by German soldiers defending the beaches. At the time, the D-Day invasion was the largest naval, air and land operation in history, and within a few days about 326,000 troops, more than 50,000 vehicles and some 100,000 tons of equipment had landed. By August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, and in spring of 1945 the Allies had defeated the Germans. Historians often refer to D-Day as the beginning of the end of World War II.

I had the privilege of spending time in Normandy and Omaha Beach with Larry and our daughter, Jamison. Jami was on leave from the Air Force and flew to France where she met us in Paris. 

The three of us drove to Normandy where our time there was extraordinary.

Photo: Jamison and Robin. Normandy, FR

It was a somber trip, filled with many emotions and learning moments.

Photo: The cemetery was calm and extremely quiet

Photo: Jamison at Normandy American Cemetary

Out of all the trips that we have ever taken, this one trip will stand out for many reasons. Jami met French soldiers in the museum, we walked in craters created from dropped bombs, we walked along Omaha Beach feeling God's presence and spending time together with our "Air Force" daughter. It was a special time, remembering the brave soldiers who gave our lives for us... I will never forget....

Photo: Jamison & Larry

And then, there are these two. It was a magic trip.

Remembering D Day is a privilege.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

 

Austin Bound and the Happy Fox

Larry is off to Austin Texas today. 

He is going to a president's meeting with one of his Austin based clients.

He likes so many of the attendees that will be there, and that will make the business trip enjoyable for him.

The house will be quiet for sure.

It is times like this I miss little girls running around the house and back then, when Larry was out of town, the girls and I would always go out to eat. (a major splurge back then) 

Oh, and having a dog would be nice.  

Talking about a dog, well, not a dog but a fox...

(a small stretch)

I found this photo of a taxidermy fox while looking at some of my old photos yesterday.  He was at a brocant in Paris a few years back and took its picture because he was smiling. It looked like he was smiling right at me and it made me smile too.             

Photo: The Happy Fox Paris, France

 I have a few things planned while Larry is away.

But... find myself daydreaming about 

cuddling on the big bed and reading.

I really cannot do that, can I?

This quote popped up on my search...and I adore it.

(so I saved it for this post)

Be someone's friend, it always makes a difference.

Have a wonderful day.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

A Family Moment

I was going through old pictures on my laptop yesterday. There are hundreds of folders filled with family, travel, pet and food pictures. Hundreds. I love them all and soon I must update, before my computer dies.

This family portrait was saved from the recycle bin....

Photo: The first time that we met Jared- 2012
Family from left: Jared, Jamison, Lauren, Josh, Matilda, Robin & Larry

The photo was taken the first time we met Jared, Jamison's now husband and our son in law. We had lunch at India Palace restaurant in Dallas.  It was Saturday, February 11. 2012. (YES! Larry looked the date up in his journal for me)

I have no idea how this picture came to be. By the hostess? The manager? Look how little Matilda was!   Was it before lunch or after?

Eleven years have sped by...How wonderful is that?

Posting this photo is one of the reasons I blog. When I am gone, there will be memories and photos posted of special moments.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

A Moment To Remember

Happy Valentine's Day!

Photo: Robin moments after Larry proposed. February 14,
1977 Richmond, Virginia

 On February 14, 1977, Larry Tolbert asked me to marry him. I do not remember answering, but I do remember hugging him very tightly. I was so happy.

My parents had a beautiful house, near a lake in Richmond, VA. I was living with them working at a local flower shop called ROSEBUD FLORIST and had plans on enrolling at a local college in the fall to continue with my ART degree.

They WERE my plans until Larry came to visit me that Valentines weekend from Memphis, Tennessee.

It was the most amazing visit. He brought a dozen roses in a huge floral box from the flower shop that I managed when I lived in Tennessee... but most of all... he brought himself. I was so happy to see him and knew that my life would only be complete if we were together.

My family loved Larry. They were happy that he had come to visit and had many plans for for the long, Valentines weekend. 

On Valentine's afternoon, we snuck away from family and took a walk. We ended up down by the lake just talking and if I remember correctly, kissing. a lot. Ok. Lets call it what it was. We were making out.

It is then when he asked me to marry him. The lake had ice on it, the air was cold and we felt like the only two people in the world. I honestly do not remember him taking pictures.....but he did.

The afternoon went very fast and we had been invited to my sister Judi's house for dinner. Judi was married to Dave and they had a wonderful Irish Setter named whiskey. ( I loved that dog so much)

Here is another picture I do not remember.

We had not told anyone about the proposal...but we were happy.

Photo: Robin & Larry. AND Whiskey

For Valentines Day, I gave Larry a shirt that matched mine....it was 1977. What can I say?

This amazing man came into my life and changed everything. I am still so in love with him.

Happy Valentines Day. Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Things That Bring You Joy

 The Cottage is a mess, But I really don't care. The days are hot and I am recovering from covid. This has been the most interesting summer so far. Larry is trying to keep me busy but there isn't much you can do when the days are 105 degrees. 

Photo: Titled: Unhappy Orchid In A Messy Kitchen

Yesterday, after work, Larry took me to see the operetta, "The Merry Widow.' I had never seen it before and enjoyed it very much. It was written by Franz Lehar. It is a comedy in three acts based in Paris and centered around a Hungarian Widow  and premiered in Vienna in 1905.

Photo: The Original poster for The Merry Widow

Today is supposed to be hot again. I wonder what Larry has planned for for this evening? 

Always stay connected to people and seek out things that bring you joy. Dream with abandon and pray confidently. (quote by Barbara Johnson. I LOVE it)

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

My Zen Man

Anyone who knows me,

knows that My Larry is the most important thing in my life.

{do not mess with my daughters either}

While at the beach this summer, someone had built 

and 

left Zen Rocks at the beach.

I loved that they were left there untouched.

I sat down by them and enjoyed the afternoon.

Then Larry came strolling up.

I took this photograph then.

My Zen Man

with

Zen Rocks.

Quiet the mind

and 

the soul will speak.

Happy Thursday dear ones.

Love you.

Me

Philadelphia Trip

After breakfast at the INN,

we got in  the car and headed for Pottsville, PA.

Pottsville is a town almost 2 hours from the INN,

and in the mountains.

On the way North...Larry drove through his first covered bridge.

He was in awe of this quaint, picturesque, moment.

{so was I}

 He sighed after we drove through.

Our day trip was to the YUENGLING beer plant!

I was so excited.

If you know me at all, Yuengling Beer and Champagne are 

#1 and #2 on my "drink list".

And....we were taking the plant tour!

I had on sandals. 

The ladies at the plant said I had to  be safe...

and 

they sold me the $5.00 beauties on the left.

I did not mind to much.

I was at the Yuengling beer plant!

The tour was 45 min and fun. 

 Many years ago, they kept the beer in barrels for 1 month in caves.

Like the French do with wine.

The caves were chiseled out of the mountain

 by hand in the early 1800's.

 The process is more modern now.

 Guess what these are?

 The buildings are classic.

I loved how they "felt"

and 

how old the bricks were.

 The plant is very modern now.

The beer is on an automated belt for packaging.

Only a few people work in the plant,

because it is well automated.

This neon sign is in the tasting room.

Oh YES! The tasting room!

 During this tour, I met the nicest Lady.

Her name is Patti and she and her husband were on their honeymoon.

We discovered that our families had  lived on the same street

in Pottsville, back in the day.

, 

My 3 great grandfather Hugh, lived in Pottsville.

I have been to the site of the family house high on a hill.

Tomorrow, I will tell you about him.

Today, I have an awful cold and feel like "sheet"...

but

  love re-living these moments of my weekend.

It was wonderful.

Love you,

Me

1st Day Of Love

Love is...

My Larry .

 This wonderful man has been in my life since 1975.

He is my everything.

For Valentine's Day,

I had the wild notion to put a quote on a baseball for him,
{He is a B-Ball fan}

and he LOVES it!

It made him cry, smile and laugh.

Soul meets soul on

lovers lips.

~percy bysshe shelley~

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Larry, Champagne & Dave Koz

2011 Fathers Day was quite different for My Larry.

Pending grand parenthood

has crimped his easy going style.

SO,

a few months ago, I bought

2 Tickets for the Dave Koz concert on June 19.

Larry is a fan and Dave was performing at the Meyerson in Dallas.

Perfection.

I packed a picnic, sandwiches, muffins, cookies

and

Champagne.

Then we attended the most wonderful

jazz concert.

As usual, Dave Koz never disappoints,

and his energy is contagious.

Find his energy

HERE

 Dave Koz.

Moments shared were wonderful.

We made it through the concert without

our daughter calling to say,

You are Grandparents!

And,

my date was a man who is a wonderful Father.

Larry, Champagne & Dave Koz.

What a perfect Fathers Day,

and I am only the mom.

Love you.

Me

Daydreams.....

...Of love songs and Champagne.....

(picnic photo taken in Paris 2010)

Happy Monday.

Love you.

Me