Isn't life wonderful? Family means so much! In spite of my chldhood mess . . . sis and I had it rough - our birth mom suffered from depression and did not realize what was wrong. She did not know how to cope, consequently, sis and I grew up in many out-of-home placements. Today I serve on the Board of Cope Family Services - wow, how I wish there had been a COPE back in those days to help my mom - I think she would have reached out for the help, things like this were not available in the 1960's when we were in need. I am glad COPE is here now!
 Above is a photo of two of our grandkids, Tyler who is one of the twins and Jessica. They are playing in the playhouse in our back yard. Having a loving home today means the world to us. Offering the grandkids a safe place to visit - what a gift!
 On the right is a better shot of Tyler, he is doing what comes natural - pushing a dump truck. His G'pa Jimmy (my husband), his dad Joel, his uncle Paul and his uncle Russ all do that - all day every day - they push around big trucks and backhoes - then come home like muddy little boys - just like this picture. This picture reminds me of my husband, "What dirt? Am I dirty??" Smile - you just gotta love these men!
To the left is Spencer Gentry, the eldest of our grandkids, he just graduated 8th grade. He is artistic, musical and a natural leader who has taken many acting and improv classes on the weekends. His deep kindness and thoughtful nature are amazing qualities that will lead him to be a giant in the career world.
This is the whole beautiful Russ Gentry group from Vacaville, CA - on location at Disneyland - a favorite California destination - they are from the left - Russ, Wendy, Hunter, Hyrum, Jessica and Spencer.
I am sure you heard Spencer and his mom Wendy shouting when they opened their sample ballot and saw the name "Doris Gentry". They called me instantly - then Spencer told his friends and teacher that I was running for office - that is how we win - one vote at a time. If every family member gets one vote a day - Doris Gentry will win this race!
 On the left is Russell Gentry and his lovely wife Wendy, and below that and to the right is our sweet grandma Bowen - she is 99 years young this August 2008. G'ma Bowen is such a kind and amazing woman - we are blessed she is in such good health. Another picture of her is on the right. She laughs and tells, "doctors are so proud of her, she has all her teeth, walks on her own, does not take any pills and eats good". The key to living a long and healthy life like G'ma Bowen is to have lots of family and enjoy them often. She certainly does that!
Back to the story of my childhood, Sis and I lived with my Grandma in Golconda, Illinois, my Aunt Guila on the dairy farm in Calverton, VA, my Aunt Garland in Aberdeen, Maryland, my dad in Inglewood, CA, my half sister Vonnie in La Plata Md, strangers in Panama City, Florida, neighbors in Jacksonville, Fl, we lived all over the nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This taught us to know, love and understand this great land we live in called America. We saw the National Parks and National Monuments up close and personal. While we might not have appreciated them fully at our young age, we do remember going and taking the tours. From the caverns of Virginia to the painted dessert of Arizona to the cliffs of Malibu - sis and I saw the world, ate the foods and mingled with the people.
 This is a picture of my husband Jim and one of our adult former foster kids - Michael - we did and do love him - he is a gentle giant. He has a wonderful, kind and loving family and he is very committed to them. We helped Michael out for a very short time and he was always so appreciative of that. We usually took the foster kids, all of them to Disneyland every year - I am not sure who enjoyed it the most - the kids or my husband. I usually tried to hide by the pool at the hotel and read a book. Hubby would go to the park with the boys and ride every ride several times.
 On the right is what I call my Children's Garden. It is in our front yard and is a series of metal sculptures made by Jenny Davis of Napa - a VERY talented lady and friend of mine. These children in the sculpture represent everything I believe to be right for kids today - I know you and I agree, kids need to live in a world free of hunger and void of suffering. We all want that and I am so glad we can agree here and now on this subject. I love my kids sculpture!
 On the left is Jim's mom and dad, Jim and Barbara Gentry. They live in Vacaville and get to share our lives on a regular basis. There Dad Gentry is being fed some of his 60th Anniversary cake - that is a lot of years to give, serve, love and care for one another - what a legacy that offers to the rest of the family - there are plenty of good families out there - one does not have to look far to find great family among our lineage and among our neighbors. Believe in family - that is who is there for you in the good times and the bad.
Here is a quote I just received from the Patriot on the Internet - this embodies the beliefs I hold near and dear to my heart, “It is the duty of parents to maintain their children decently, and according to their circumstances; to protect them according to the dictates of prudence; and to educate them according to the suggestions of a judicious and zealous regard for their usefulness, their respectability and happiness.” —James Wilson (1791)
Below left is Jim's son Paul holding one of the twins - just had to put this in here - Uncle Paul with the baby - this shot is the ultimate of what we all want for our grandkids - to come into this world and be held and loved by family - nothing beats this. To the right is twin Alex Gentry. 
 Typical, I keep going back and forth - stories about family today - then my own childhood - let's go to my childhood, sis and I lived outside Phoenix for a while. My step-dad was a former chef in the Navy so got a job cooking in Phoenix. We could not afford to live in town so stayed in a motel in the desert. We often ate snake for dinner – we ate rattlesnake every way you can cook it – stewed, grilled, baked. Step-dad came home, shot a snake many nights, skinned it, sold the skin at work and cooked the meat for our dinner. Sis and I collected rattle snake tails in glass jars. To this day, I will tell you snake tastes like chicken but I do not want any!
When mom got enough money together, we went to LA and the Burbank area. Then mom shipped sis and I by plane to Illinois. That time we were 9 and 10, I remember it clearly. We were afraid to be alone on that plane. When we landed, grandma Roxie from Illinois greeted us - that was such a happy day - family means everything.
 Back to current times, on the right is Joel - proud new poppa (Dec 2005) with those twin boys, Tyler and Alex - this is contentment if ever I have seen it! And below left is Hyrum in his Boy Scout Uniform.
 Let's see, I was saying, sis and I have lived in many states and know a lot about the land and its history. We have seen abundance and absence. We have gone to dinner with steak on the table and with nothing but toast in warm milk with sugar – called milk toast – a staple during the depression.
So you say – ‘Big deal – grow up and get over it!’ Well – we have. We are over that era and we are in the prime of our life.
Sis and I have learned that everything matters. Family matters. Life matters. Your speech matters. How you treat kids matters. How you raise your pet matters. How you treat the earth matters.
 Let's take a look at my daughter Jennifer. She lives in South Carolina, and has a new hobby - rescued Painted Horses. And guess what? She just had a brand new baby colt born this spring - the tot was about six weeks old for these pictures. CUTE!
This colt sees Jenn as a friend. A place for refuge and a place for snacks. Trust is huge. To have trust - we must spend time. It takes time to build endearing relationships with mankind and animals. We have to spend time with family, friends and pets - time equals trust. Are you taking enough time from your work to build good relationships? I sure hope so!
You can see how this colt is treated - it is in love with its owner, my daughter Jennifer. The kindness and love we have for one another can over-flow to all creation. We can treat the earth and all its inhabitants with love and goodness and things will be better. This is therapy - when a person has a hobby, like horses or dogs - a hobby that takes time and energy - they will find their own life to be better.
Taking the time to care for another life is such a good mental place. I know you agree with me - and rescuing is the ultimate. We get our dogs from the pound. Our rabbits and our birds. We rescue. My daughter rescues. Our kids all rescue. It is from the over-flow of the heart that you can take in what is not yours and care for it. Wow - I love that about our family.
Sis and I are givers today – givers in huge and amazing ways. Givers of time. Of money. Of our homes. Of our world. We are not jaded and angry – we are givers and doers and helpers. We, sis and I both, walk the walk and talk the talk. Sis is a recovered addict and she has spent many years taking in recovering adults. Helping them to build and create new lives. That is how my sister Pat dealt with the drama and trauma of our childhood. I turned to the foster kids - but each of us chose a path of good. Of care. Of helping one another. Builders of society - not destroyers.
If you look to the left - that handsome dude is our grandson Hunter. He lives in Vacaville with his 2 brothers, one sister (Jessica, you can see her pretty face on the right and down a tiny bit) and his mom and dad. Several years ago – hubby Jim and I noticed it was getting harder and harder to see the grown kids and grandkids – everyone is so busy. We decided to do a monthly dinner. We would host the dinner on the first Sunday of every month.
 Well – folks – let me tell you – that is a wonderful thing! Our kids and grandkids come and we enjoy our time. We eat, catch up and celebrate birthdays. It is a grand time together and what a joy and privilege to watch the grandkids growing up.
 (Look to the left, there is that pretty Jessica playing with Dotty, our pound rescue since 6 weeks old - Dotty is half Australian Shepherd and half Border Collie. She has the spots like a dalmation - but they are smeared like the Aussie - not round like a dalmation.)
 Everyone is too busy these days - including us, so - - – we decided to set up the first Sunday of the month as family day and it worked. Now, Jim’s mom and dad come too and they bring 99 year old grandma Bowen over. She lives with Jim’s mom and dad. What a joy every month to celebrate at home with 5 generations.
Jim usually grills the meat – this is a beef and potatoes family – they BBQ Tri-Tip and chicken or sometimes pork tenderloin or Ribs. We fix up a salad bar that rivals any you might have seen. We put about a dozen small bowls out with all the fun salad things, bacon bits, jalapenos, shredded cheese, olives, chopped tomatoes and more.
The grandkids LOVE salad – in fact – we are all so funny – often after the salad – we are full and should wait an hour before we eat more!
After the meal – we tidy up and then break out the chocolate cake with chocolate icing and real vanilla bean ice cream. Every month someone has had a birthday.
I keep a birthday box in the pantry. The birthday person(s) get to decorate their cake. This is an honor – they get the box which has bottles of sprinkles, fun assorted candles, tubes of colored icings. The cake gets fixed just so – and then we light the candles, sing and eat it up!
 The day with our family is full and long and fun. We are blessed that everyone comes and that everyone plans most of their life around being here on the first Sunday.
 This bunny is too cute - he is yawning - you are probably doing that too - this has been a long story and you are likely ready to bail - hang in there just a bit longer - this family section is quickly coming to a close.
On the left is the lovely Shannon Nonn, my step daughter who lives in Southern California - she has been up twice in the last year to visit me and tour area wineries. Here she and I are coming down in the gondola from Sterling Winery up near Calistoga. She is an amazing mom with two grown kids and a busy life. Just had to share her with you - I am so proud of the woman she has become!
And now I must brag about my Virginia family - they are so cool - they were a part of my life when sis and I were growing up - my cousins were on the dairy farm in Virginia when we would be sent there to live with our Aunt Guila. We thought they were lucky to live on that big beautiful farm with all the cows. I just found out a few months ago, when I visited and took these pictures, they worked hard every day and thought we were lucky to live in the city. Smile - funny the things we find out later in life!
Today - cousins Susan and Douglas each have a home on the original family farm and cousin Brian lives close. This is Brian in the red hat.
 Memories are made with every day of our life – are they good memories? Kids remember every day – we have to work to fill days with wonderful things so the memory bank has plenty of happy times to reflect upon.
It is hard to see the family - but the photo on the right is my Virginia cousins, Brian on the left, Betty, Susan and David Ottaway.
 It is our eternal job to raise kids – there is never a time when we are off duty or done. Right when you think things are perfect and life is sweet – you hear a horror story of cancer or a car crash. Maybe divorce. The foundation we walk on is fluid. Every day offers change. Stop right now and make a choice to build fun, good memories.
 On the left is Jim's neice and wonderful family - they live in Antioch - the Nielsen's. They are a fun family - and since I found their photo in my files - thought I would share - thanks Kristy too for helping me proof my content!
Let me tell one more quick story - we loved our First Sunday Monthly Dinners with the kids, grandkids & family so much – that we added a day!
Brand new in 2007, we began Wednesday night weekly dinners for son Joel & the twins (turned 3 last Dec 18th). This gives mom Marianne a break. It is awesome to see the twins, spoil and send them home. SMILE!
When times are tough, and tough times fall on all of us, isn’t it grand to have great family and memories?
Now look to the left - here is the last family shot I will leave you with - this is my daughter Jennifer in South Carolina mud. She had me on that thing on my last visit there - and took me through the mud - well, just let me say this about that - I hate mud. No part of it sets well with me. In fact - I have no room for it on me. In my home. On my dog. It belongs in one place only - under the lawn and it needs to stay there. So that is what I think on that subject. Obviously - my whole family disagrees.
- We hope you enjoyed this stroll down memory lane.
- We hope you feel like you know Doris a bit better.
- As always - you can call, write or email any time!
- Doris always has and will be social, friendly and responsive to others!
- Here is the email -
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- Doris can't wait to hear from you!
- Thanks for reading this and learning more about Doris Gentry!
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