A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

May 23, 2013

To Susan Goetter, With Sympathy

Hello my friends,

Sometime ago I wrote and shared with you that my sweet and talented blogging friend, Susan Goetter's beloved husband, Butch, was failing.  I learned from Susan's son, Michael, that after a long and difficult illness, Butch passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2013.  Many of you also know Susan, so I wanted to let you know.  As Michael said in his email to me, "she needs her friends now more than ever." 
 
Please join me in keeping Susan and her family in your thoughts and prayers.  If you would like to email Susan, you can click on the above link to Susan's blog and then click on "Contact Me."  If you do not have Susan's address and you would like to make and send her a card, please contact me via my email (darnell dot knauss at gmail dot com) and I will be happy to email you her address. 
 
Here is the card I made for her.

 
~~~ ~~~
 
The Nest^, Day Three

I couldn't seem to get a picture of the babies when they weren't sleeping.

 

 I did, however, get a picture of Daddy Bird for you. 
He is the one on the right with reddish markings; she has none such.  Perhaps it is a modern interplumage relationship?  jk  I know those male birds get all the beauty.  I'm sorry I don't know prezactly what kind of birds they are.  They are very common little chirpy back yard birds, similar to wrens or sparrows.  If anyone knows, or if I find out, I'll let you know.  (I don't know why I said "back yard birds" just then.  I mean it's not like we have a no-fly zone for them in the front yard for goober's sake.)
 
~~~

Please enjoy your day!  No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS*! 

Thank you so much for stopping by the Playhouse. Special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment or join as a follower!
 


*Life Is Too Short!
 
Paper:  Biggie, Jr. watercolor; Bazzill blue
Stamps:  Stamps Happen, Inc. #80042
  "Gather Friends Like Flowers; SU! sentiment
Ink:  SU! early espresso; Marvy markers, water brush

^I made a label "Nest" in the "labels" list on the right, in case you happen upon this blog somewhere along the line and want to see all the pictures in the series.

30 comments:

Kylie said...

Hi Darnell. What terrible news and thank you for bringing to our attention. When I lost my grandad I was overwhelmed with the support of my blogging friends. I would love to send a card to Susan. You card is just perfect and so beautiful. Susan will very much appreciate it xx

Redanne said...

Hi Darnell, I do remember when you first told us about Butch's illness. I am so sorry to hear that he has died. Your card for Susan is so beautiful and I am sure it will bring her some comfort to know that her blog friends are thinking of her at this very sad time.

The sleeping chicks are so sweet, I cannot help with the type of bird but the male one is very pretty!

Hugs, Annie xx

Sarn said...

How sad for Susan and her family. I don't know her well, but I have looked at blog on many occasions.

Great nest piccies.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Colleen said...

I am sorry for your friends loss. I will keep her and the family in my prayers. I think the birds are house finch...we had a little nest also...the dad was very colorful with the same red markings and the female was rather 'blah'...isn't that just the way! Thanks for sharing!

Sue said...

I am so sorry to hear that Butch has passed away. My thoughts and prayers are will Susan and her family and friends as such a sad time.
Your card is beautiful.
Take care
Sue xx

Rita said...

So sorry to hear about Susan's husband. I'm sure you will be a great support to her and your card is beautiful Darnell. Hugs from Scotland. Rita xx

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

So sorry for her lost. I am going to pray for her and her family.
You did a gorgeous simphaty card for her
hugs Tamara

Kim M said...

Hey Darnell, sorry to hear about your friends loss. Very sad.

I agree with Colleen about the birds. I looked in my husbands bird book and from what I can tell its a House Finch. Were the eggs pale blue with black specks? The males are always flashier than the females when it comes to birds. They have to attract the females attention while the females need to be more camouflaged for protection. It's pretty common for the house finch to nest in a place like where yours are. Or so the bird book says. :-). Wonderful card by the way. :-)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful card Darnell-I am sure Susan will be very touched xx I was so very sorry to read such sad news today.
Nessa xx

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Darnell, your sympathy card is beautiful, sorry to read about your friends' husband passing. So difficult & sad. And you've included both death & new life in your blog, the life cycle. The photos are so sweet. Take care, Shirleyx

cm said...

So sorry to hear of your friend's husband's passing. Your willingness to reach out to her is testament to your caring, compassionate spirit; your card to know you're thinking of her is beautiful, thoughtful and heart-warming!
As for your baby birds: their parents selected a 'good neighbourhood' to raise their family, under your watchful eye! Little balls of fluff - sweet! Hope you have a great Thursday! Hugs, c

Happy Dance said...

You've made a beautiful card for your friend; I'm sure she will take comfort from that and knowing that you are there for her. My prayers are with you, and with Susan and her family.
Your baby birds remind me that new life comes everyday. Love seeing their progress and tfs this. Bev

Suze Bain said...

This is such sad news Darnell, I hadn't realised Susan's husband was so poorly. Away to email you for her address.

Tracey McNeely said...

So sorry for Susan's loss. Your card for her is beautiful Darnell, you are a good friend. Baby birdies are getting bigger, no clue what they are but love your name for them.

Kara Lynne said...

Sorry to hear the news. Thanks for putting the contact out there. Your card is lovely.

Di said...

Oh Darnell, how sad. I only peek at Susan's blog now and then so don't feel close enough to contact her directly but will be thinking of her at this very sad time.

Now, as for the birdies - I wouldn't have a clue. But I do know that male birds are more flashy 'cos that's just the way chaps are!

Hugs, Di xx

jimlynn said...

Darnell, your card is so lovely and I know Susan will appreciate it so much. So sad! I'll be thinking of her and praying.
Lynn

Lisa Elton said...

My deepest sympathies and most definitely prayers for your friend Susan. Your card for her is lovely Darnell. The baby birds are too cute, thanks for all of the updates!

Bobby said...

I am so sorry about your friend's husband. I'm am sure she will find comfort in your card and your caring. The birds are purple finches. I have them at my feeder every year. I know, they are not really purple but that's what they're called.

Anonymous said...

Susan and her family are in my thoughts and prayers ... your card is a beautiful way to show how much you care.

Thanks for more bird pictures, Darnell ... these little guys are changing ... fast!

Anita :)

Canonbury creations said...

Hi Darnell, thanks for telling us about Susan's loss, I am away at the moment but will send get a card when I get back. I have emailed her and I have her address I think! Love your little birdies, we were lunching on a lighthouse today and some little Canarian birds were landing on the edge of our table for crumbs:) We are enjoying fabulous weather in Gran Canaria
Val x

Kim Heggins said...

Darnell, I am so sorry for Susan's lose and will keep her and her family in my prayers. Beautiful and heart felt card you made for her.
Love your little birdies, just so sweet and so fun to see the entire family too.

Geri said...

Thank you for your thoughtfulness and caring in letting us know about Susan's husband. I'm sure that the support and condolences from our blogging world will help her through this sad time. Your card is beautiful - the soft water coloring is so soothing.

Jules said...

Hi Darnell

That is such sad news for your friend and her family. I am sure your lovely card will bring them comfort at this very difficult time.

Love Jules xx

Viv said...

Oh my ! I had no idea about Susan's husband , thanks so much for letting us all know.How very sad for her and her famly, I will contact her :( hugs Viv xx

Viv said...

Ooops... mean't to say what a lovely sympathy card too Darnell :) Viv xx

Bonnie said...

Thanks for sharing the news about Butch, Darnell. I'll get a card off to Susan right away. She's had a difficult year! Your card is beautiful.

Marybeth said...

Such sad news! Thank you for letting us know. Your card is beautiful ! I think I have that stamp from long ago. Since I am going backwards I will not comment on the birds.

scrappymo! said...

So sorry to hear of the passing of your friends husband. Your card is lovely and will be much appreciated.

MaryH said...

Enjoyed the birdies even though I awready know the sad ending. These look a bit like our finches we get here in SC. (not the yellow finches, but another kind that is very common to our area). Thanks for the update on Susan's DH. I was just at her blog, and wondered how things were going. I shall email you for her address, and try to get a card. I've enjoyed her cards so much, and she was kind enough to take time to send me some info on where to purchase an EF I'd seen her use. TFS....