Kathryn Virginia Thompson Covington was affectionately known as Maggie and Aunt Iggy. Virginia was born to Floyd and Edna Mae Milam Thompson in Corsicana Texas on August 21, 1933. She graduated from Corsicana High School and later attended Navarro Junior College. It was in Texas that she met her beloved husband on a blind date and told him that she was going to marry him. During her last few months, she often told family and caregivers, “I love my husband. He takes such good care of me.”

Before Noel left for the Korean War, they made their home in Tennessee where Noel Jr. was born. During the conflict, Virginia and “Little Noel” moved back to Texas and then moved when he was discharged to Mississippi while Noel went to college. The oil industry recruited Noel, and the family moved to Louisiana where Cindy and Kathryn were born and where the family lived until Noel’s retirement.

Virginia loved living in Louisiana. She especially loved the Mardi Gras festivities and was actively involved in several krewes, the Krewe of Oberon and the Order of the Troubadours. Actually, Mardi Gras was a year-long activity for her. During the months leading up to the Mardi Gras season, her home transformed into a costume shop with sequins, rhinestone banding, glue, and beautiful costumes in progress hanging from doorways. She enjoyed the celebrations surrounding the balls. These days were some that she spoke of often, and the memories always brought a sparkle back into her eyes.

Virginia loved Asbury United Methodist Church and was involved with the Disciple Bible studies and Cursillo. Last summer she found a box of her rainbows and roosters. She recalled who had given her each little memento. Then, she began to sing, “This is the day that the Lord has made/Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

After retirement, Virginia and Noel moved back to Mississippi and built their dream home, a home where she enjoyed her 50th anniversary and the baptism of her youngest grandson, William Noel.

When she was able, Virginia loved to read and collect books. She enjoyed books about religion and spirituality, Russian history and literature, Southern literature, and biographies. Her favorite flowers were blue irises and white roses. She savored a glass a chardonnay. She loved to eat a good steak and pecan pie.

She adored feline and canine companions: Brubbie and Miss Kitty; German Shepherd Maggie, lab mix Baby Sister, and outside cat Little Lady.

Survivors:
Husband: Noel J. Covington, Sr. 57 years
Son: Noel J. Covington, Jr and wife Terri of Lafayette, LA
Daughters: Cynthia West and husband John Eric of Atlanta GA, Kathryn LaCombe and husband David of New Windsor, NY

Granchildren: Sean Noel Covington, Gretchen Lynn Covington Prindle, John Christopher West, William Noel LaCombe

Great grandchildren: Evan Covington, Ethan Covington, Chloe Prindle, Samuel Prindle, Joel Prindle

Sister: Elizabeth Sullivan of Houston TX and brother Lynn Henry Thompson of Texas. Nieces, nephew, and her special nephew Michael David Sullivan

The family would like to thank all of those who assisted with her care: Mary Nell Coleman, Linda McGee, nurses at Montfort Jones Hospital in Kosciusko, MS and the In His Hands Hospice of Madden, MS.

No more bad coffee!!

Now I don't want to get off on a rant here... but doesn't it scare you just a little bit that bad coffee is so prevalent?

I mean, c'mon, wouldn't the world be a safer and happier place if we all had a good cup of coffee to begin and end the day? Is this too much to ask for?

I'm so spoiled at home - Kathryn always has a pot of our favorite blend ready. My taste buds really have grown accustomed to a certain standard. And for the record, I'm not a coffee snob...but I do draw the line at instant coffee...and especially the stuff served up in huge tins recycled from oil cans.

Now I know you are wondering where I am going with this diatribe...so just stick with me for a few more lines.

Some of you are reading this blog, drinking your Maxwell House (Sock Strained Blend) wondering what I have against the simulated coffee crystals - well, plenty.
Have you ever seen what this stuff does to a guy who religiously drinks his Grande Latte (from an unnamed establishment that chooses to display a twin-tailed siren on its logo)? Yikes...let me show you an artist's rendition of my reaction to a cup of Sanka.

You know what's worse than drinking a cup of bad coffee? It's the feeling that you've been duped by the darned room service people who trick you into thinking that you're going to get a treat.

Exhibit 1: The offending agent

Look at this presentation. It's pretty huh? Just the thing a weary international traveler wants to see. Or is it? My room service guy carefully hid the Sanka Instant Coffee packets in a little covered container - it wasn't until he ran out the door to Shanghai that I noticed the offense. And now, neither he nor his comrades in the kitchen will return my call. By the way, this hotel is a 4-star hotel in downtown Hong Kong - no youth hostel if you know what I mean.

I'm not even sure how to wrap up this evening...I'm over caffeinated...my tongue is revolting...and my stomach just sent a message that it's refusing all future deposits until its demands are met.

I think this is a good time to sign off. I wish you a good night and hope that you get the coffee you deserve.

DML

Firetrucks!!

William and Mommy ventured out this morning (using the new GPS... thanks Daddy!) for the 32nd Annual Firetruck Show and Muster sponsored by the Catskill Fire-Cats, Catskill SPAAMFAA Chapter at the Andy Leider Museum. This museum houses over 100 antique firetrucks!

William loves firetrucks!! So, our little fire chief could have stayed at the show all day, but it was too hot... heat index is 100 degrees!

It's hard to say which truck was William's favorite, but we kept going back to this one. He loved the ladder on the back and the mud flaps... yep, mud flaps.

"Old truck" William announced.

He's in heaven!!

Mommy's favorite truck!

He's just in awe, isn't he??

Mommy just loved the older trucks!

"That one... really old... and dirty," said William.

Firetrucks as far as the eye can see!!

Several of William's books have these types of trucks in them... a driver in the rear of the ladder truck... in addition to the driver at the front. Several were on display! Mommy was excited to see these in person.

Just having fun!!!

Mr. Vanity discovered his reflection on this connector!! He even said, "my reflection!"

Look at the dirt on those hands! He must have touched every truck that was displayed!!

Our beautiful boy!

"Oh Canada"

The LaCombes traveled to Ottawa, Canada last week for business and pleasure. David had a meeting, so William and Mommy tagged along for a little holiday from the neighborhood.

After crossing the border, William celebrates our ally!

Luckily, we got to spend an entire day with Daddy! So, the first thing we did (after coffee of course) was head to the Museum of Civilization. We planned to see an IMAX movie, but the schedule changed and the one playing was not William-appropriate. So, we headed to the children's museum! What a treat! Upon entry, each child receives a passport. As you visit each area of the museum, you get a stamp, just like on a real passport! Too cute! Our first visit was Pakistan. The bus that William is climbing on is just gaudy and beautiful all at the same time. This is one of the exhibits that is really popular.

"Ok Mom, fold up and get in the mini with me... I'll take you for a drive!"

"I am cool, huh?"

David was amazed at William's excitement while inside the museum. William was like a little bee buzzing from flower to flower! He was on the go from exhibit to exhibit... any type of transportation really gets his attention!

Outside the museum is this amazing discovery area... games, craft tent, boats, planes, sand... kid heaven!

This is view looking back toward the museum.

At the boat dock, the children can make a boat from wood, bottle tops, corks, and straws. They get to hammer the decoration in place and decorate the sail with the assistance of a museum staff member. William loved this!

Sailing his handiwork!!

The plane was a big hit... I am not sure which boy liked it more!

Apparently these pilots are busy doing stunt simulations in their big yellow plane!!

After playing outside, we found our way to the museum cafe. We dined outdoors. Isn't this a gorgeous view of Parliament and the Ottawa River.

Lunchtime lovin'

After gazing at Parliament from across the river, we decided we needed to see it up close.

Party Pic at Parliament!

"C'mon guys... go see," said William as he ran up the walk. We went on a wonderful self-guided tour of the grounds of parliament. We got a book at the visitor center that explained each statue and building on the grounds. We had a great time walking around and learning something new about Ottawa and Canadian government.

We got back to our hotel mid-afternoon... and headed to the pool. William was so excited!

"Splash Daddy!" William exclaimed... and he did!!!

Mommy read somewhere for a youngster a new playground is like a trip to Tahiti for adults. So, we found a new playground at a local park.

The park is on the Ottawa River, has lakes, attacts geese and other wildlife, and has a really neat playground!

William had a great time and even met some new friends. Needless to say, Mommy was really unpopular when it was time to leave!

At the ballgame!

The Ottawa Rapidz is in its inaugural season as part of the Canadian-American league, a professional baseball league not affiliated with Major League baseball. We got tickets and spent our last afternoon in Canada at the ballpark.

This little boy LOVES a ballpark!!

A real baseball! One of the Rapidz staff members gave this real baseball to William before the start of the game. He held on tightly to it!

Giving the mascot a high five!!

Then, William got a frisbee! This was after eating hot dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy.

A real highlight: At the end of the game, the umpire exited the field through the gate right in front of us. He reached into his pocket and gave William a game ball - complete with grass stains and dirt! We can't wait to get a special displays for his first real baseballs!!

We went for a drive after a sushi birthday dinner for Mommy. We drove out to the stables of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. We were so excited to see the horses right by the side of the rode. So we stopped to see them!

Who knew we could get so close... guess the best way to anything's heart is through its stomach!

The National Gallery of Canada recently acquired Maman, a 9.27 metre (30-foot) spider sculpture, which is now on display at the Gallery’s Plaza. The gargantuan bronze spider, by Louise Bourgeois, weighs 8,165 kg (or 18,000 lbs) and carries a sac of 20 pure white marble eggs under her belly. Spiders, with their ability to fabricate complex and calculated webs, serve as a natural metaphor for creativity. This artist intended this sculpture to be an ode to the artist’s mother, who was a restorer of tapestries. The National Gallery is home to more than 35,000 works of art, with displays in spacious galleries, a luminous Great Hall, quiet courtyards and beautiful gardens.

We had a great getaway and want to return someday. However, we want to go earlier in May to see the three million tulips in bloom that adorn this beautiful city. Or, we want to go after June 20... the city really seems to come alive with lots of summer events!!

"Play Outside"

These two words are spoken often by young William. If he could, he would stay outside all day long! The spring weather has been so enticing... so we "play outside" as often as we can!!!

Memorial Day weekend... a picnic and kite flying at Bear Mountain State Park

"I can do this by myself!"

We went to our favorite little farm for a barbecue to celebrate Memorial Day. William loves to feed the horses!

Post-ice cream clean-up!

We wanted to show Daddy a park we discovered. So, on Memorial Day, we spent the morning playing and playing. William wiped out on the asphalt... hit his head, got brush burns on his cheek, bloodied his nose. After hug from Mommy and Daddy and a sip of juice, he was off to play again.

William wanted Daddy to play in the firetruck. Anyone surprised by this? Goodness knows where these two are driving?

He couldn't decided if this ride is a motorcycle or helicopter. Whatever makes him happy!!

"Horton?!? Horton?!? We are here! We are here!"

Then, we headed to NJ to a terrific park with a zoo, playground, pony rides, carousel, etc. with our friends Kara, Nicholas and Joseph!

Holding hands with Nick at the zoo.

Our little daredevil... can't play on the toddler playground... oh no... likes the 6-12 year old play equipment... sigh!

Somebody loves swinging!!

The sidewalk chalk is a bit hit on our freshly resurfaced driveway!