8-30-06

Moriah has really had her eyes open this week. She's been more alert than at any time since the accident. Her left eye looks much better. Hopefully (please, please, please,) this is a sign of some incremental improvement that will continue. Any improvement will be slow, so we're hoping this is a step in the right direction. Please pray that she beats the odds. So for now, some cautious enthusiasm. All we have is hope!!

Brother Ryan will be visiting for the Labor day weekend( GO HAWKS!!)

John Prine was fantastic. A couple of tears were shed. "Oh the beauty of true love"

Hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend.

You can run a red light
Give up on your whole life
You break the mold
When you're running through the tolls
Speeding through your whole life

When things look low
You've gotta keep strong
Feet to the grass
You've gotta walk it off
The bows been tied
Too tight to laugh
Feet to the ground
You've gotta walk it off

You can run a red light
You can run a red light

You sing a song
While sitting at a red light

Great song of Jonny Lang's album "Long Time Coming"

8-25-06

Moriah seemed to have a couple of better days today and yesterday. She was alert and held her head up on her own which she hasn't done for awhile. She had her eyes open when I visited her this afternoon. We sat out front and enjoyed the warm weather. Don't give up!!! Keep up the prayers!!

Today while I was on my almost daily walk along Oakdale Ave I listened to a disc that's been getting a lot of of my attention lately. It's called "A New Shade of Blue" by Kelley Hunt. I saw her for the first time over at the Mississippi Blue's Fest over the Fourth of July. Let's just say I was impressed(smitten) with her and her music. If you like a little Gospel, a little Aretha, and a little Mahalia mixed in with your rock and blues then you would enjoy this album.. She does a remake of Jesse Winchester's "That's What Makes You Strong" A truly outstanding song.

If you love somebody, than that means you need somebody
And if you need somebody, well that's what makes you weak
But if you know you're weak
And you know you need someone,
Oh it's a funny thing, but that's what makes you strong
That's what make you strong, That's what gives you power
That's what let's the meek come sit beside the king
That's what let's us smile in our final hour
That what moves our souls and that's what makes us sing
Just to trust somebody is to be dissapointed
It's never what you wanted, it happens all the time
If you're the trusting kind, this don't even cross your mind
Oh it's a funny thing but that's what makes you strong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I'll be heading out tomorrow to check out John Prine in Des Moines. Really looking forward to seeing one of America's great singer/songwriters and to see some old friends.

Danielle's new address is
601 Cliveden St
Apt A201
Philadlephia, PA. 19119

God Bless
Keep the Faith!!
Dale

Philadelphia, PA

8-20-06

I visited Mojo today after returning from Philadelphia. Danielle's move went well, except for some traffic delays in Chicago and a couple smaller ones in Pennsylvania. She starts school next Monday. Moriah was a little bit alert but seemd somewhat tired. We have a couple of medical checkups coming so we'll see how that goes. Thank you to all of those who visited her while I was away.
I read an entire book today on the flights and time at the airports. Don't think I've ever read that much in one day. Pretty good book called "And You Know You Should Be Glad" by Bob Greene. Once again was I was amazed by the similarities of certain aspects of my life. It's nice to know we're not on this ride alone.

The friends who mean everything to us--the friends without whom our lives would be empty--are our most enduring models of grace and good fortune. We know that our time on earth would have had paltry meaning had not, one fine day, our lives connected for the first time with the lives of the people who would turn out to be our most treasured friends. Bob Greene

I continue to be blessed by the depths your friendships. Family and Friends, May God Bless all of you.
Dale

8-15-06

Jawon and I visited Moriah on Saturday and she was up in her chair and alert. She remains stable. No major changes in her condition this week. She has had her eyes open a fair amount, but her alertness remains inconsistent. It sure has been nice to have her so close so that many friends can visit her.
Danielle and I will be leaving Thursday for the long drive to Philadelphia where she will return to college at Philadelphia University. I am so proud of her! She has been a great help and comfort the past several months. Please pray for a safe journey.
The correct phone number for Windmill Manor is 319-545-7390. I mis printed it in the earlier blog.

God Bless
Dale

8-9-06

Spent the afternoon today with Moriah. Hung up pictures and organized some of her stuff and did the dreaded paperwork. She had her eyes open sitting up in her chair. She looked to the side once when one of the nurses came into talk to us. Still putting drops in her eye and it looks a bit better but she doesn't open it as much as the right one. Hope you can all get out to see her. I warned them that they might get run over with visitors!!! They didn't seem to mind. Wanted to give everyone the address etc on where she's at.

Windmill Manor
2332 Liberty Drive
Coralville, Ia. 52241
319-545-77390
fax 319-545-7393

God Bless
Dale

8-8-06

Moriah arrived around noon on Monday at Windmill Manor in Coralville. For those of you who are familiar with the area, it's located behind C and S Furniture Gallery on the west end of Coralville.
She is in room 113 in the Hawkeye wing. How appropriate.
She looked comfortable and so far so good with the facility.

God bless
Dale

8-2-06

Quick update.
Monday's the day. Moriah will be arriving in Iowa City sometime on Monday August 7th. I'll let ya all in the details as soon as I have them.
God Bless
Dale

8-1-06

The move is on. We will be moving Moriah to Windmill Manor in Coralville. If we get some things done it could be this week yet, otherwise it will be Monday. It will sure be nice to have her closer and I really won't miss I-80 at all. I will miss Ankeny and the great staff and friends that I have made. I will also miss seeing some of my friends frequently who live in that area. You know who you are!! I will let you all know as soon as I find out the exact date. Moriah has been abut the same over the last week. Has her eyes open a lot but at other times seems to be resting comfortably. I know I've said this a million times but your thoughts and prayers are still needed and greatly appreciated.

I've got a long way to get, before I get back home.

If anyone's interested, Lazy Boy and The Recliners will be playing at The Mill tomorrow night. They were the band that played at Moriah's benefit there. John Bayless is a friend and former neighbor of mine and in the band and has been a great help and source of info. His daughter Katherine is one of Mojo's best friends, so if you don't have anything better to do(can't imagine you would) stop by tomorrow night at The Mill.

The train keeps comin
And I keep prayin
That it won't get here
Before I have the answers
To get off of this track
Cuz I'm not sure the direction it's going
I only know that the plan is to ride it
Until I know where it's goin

God Bless
KEEP THE FAITH!!!
Dale