Monday, December 17, 2007
Landry and me
Landry - the 11 yr old granddaughter - came over and spent the night Friday and then most of the day on Saturday. "The weather outside was frightful!" Grey and cold and windy and rainy as the winter storm moving across the country hit our area. We made cookies and watched Hallmark movies curled up on the sofa all day. What a great day of rest and relaxation in this time of rush and busyness!
The lights are on, but you aren't there...
I went by there Friday night. The lights were on. Lights were on everywhere. On the fence, on the porches, trees inside, trees outside... She wouldn't have liked it. It wasn't "her". It suits the new lady. The look was inviting and warm, but she wasn't there. A moment in the busy rush where I unexpectedly missed her. Time out of the hubbub to just... remember. I love you, Mom.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Just DO it! and I am not sorry
Been saying I needed to write. Been saying I wanted to write. I am here. Now. Just do it! (I need to be much more spontaneous at times.)
I had a birthday last week. There are perks to getting older. You know what you like, and you know what you don't like. And you know that you don't have to do what you don't want to do!
Case in point. I went to a football game with my husband Saturday night. Courtesy of my son who was out-of-town. I hate football. (Sorry, Matthew - Good thing he doesn't know about this blog.) I have never been able to keep up with the ball with all of those men on top of it. I have thought I should learn to like it to "share" something with my husband, son, daughter, and the general public. Even my daughter can talk the lingo and seems to not just KNOW the game, but LIKE the game.
It was warm outside. No, for 6 pm... it was HOT. The crowd was packed in around us. The stand seats are so close together, and you have people stepping on your toes, and the man behind me had his knees in my back the whole time. Well, not the whole time. When the zillion kids around us kept going in and out, and in and out, he was having to jump up and down and up and down.
I made it to halftime. "Our" team was comfortably ahead. I wanted something to drink (my 2nd), but the drinks, including water, are so blamed expensive there. And so, I did the only thing I could.
I left and walked to the shopping center not far from the stadium. I first went to Starbucks and used a gift card to get me a Raspberry Mocha Frappacino. I had a magazine in my purse (always prepared!) and sat and leafed through it, until I had cooled down, and the drink was gone.
Then I walked down to Borders. I had a gift card from there also, but didn't find anything. I actually wasn't even looking really hard. I was more interested in people watching. This bookstore in downtown Nashville and has a different ambiance than the ones close to where I live.
I noted 3 sets of people. One was a man. A black man in painter's clothing. He was in the music area, with headphones on over the bandanna on his head. Eyes closed, he was smiling and swaying to the music. Whether he had had a good day or a bad day, whether life was going good or bad for him, he was there, in Borders, at 8:30 pm CST, enjoying a short respite from life, and happy.
Then there was the couple who were looking at the DVDs of plays. I heard one comment that he had seen "Host" at the local Belcourt theater. His middle-aged, same sex partner, said perhaps they could go see it together sometime.
And then there was the middle-aged couple who preceded me into the store. A woman in a wheelchair, with a cute shaggy dog on a leash, accompanied by a gentleman... blind, I discovered. The man listened to her verbal instructions as to where the doors were, and that I was standing behind them. I talked to him as I passed through behind the wheelchair, so that he would know when to move on through the door. I came upon this couple several times in different areas of the store. First, they went to the Bestseller section, and she told him about the books, reading some of the flaps on the books they were not familiar with. Her voice was interrupted from time to time, as he bent and kissed her right on! Later, I saw them upstairs in the audiobook section.
The point is, this bookstore was a haven for several of us. An enjoyable time away from the rest of the world. All kinds of people, all ages and stages, finding fulfillment in something they like. A short distance away was a football stadium filled with people, all ages and stages, finding fulfillment in something they like.
And so, I have been to my 1 college (Vandy) football game for the season. I'm thinking that I might go to 1 Titans game, and then 1 Vandy men's basketball game, and 1 Vandy women's basketball game, and I am done for the season!
I had a birthday last week. There are perks to getting older. You know what you like, and you know what you don't like. And you know that you don't have to do what you don't want to do!
Case in point. I went to a football game with my husband Saturday night. Courtesy of my son who was out-of-town. I hate football. (Sorry, Matthew - Good thing he doesn't know about this blog.) I have never been able to keep up with the ball with all of those men on top of it. I have thought I should learn to like it to "share" something with my husband, son, daughter, and the general public. Even my daughter can talk the lingo and seems to not just KNOW the game, but LIKE the game.
It was warm outside. No, for 6 pm... it was HOT. The crowd was packed in around us. The stand seats are so close together, and you have people stepping on your toes, and the man behind me had his knees in my back the whole time. Well, not the whole time. When the zillion kids around us kept going in and out, and in and out, he was having to jump up and down and up and down.
I made it to halftime. "Our" team was comfortably ahead. I wanted something to drink (my 2nd), but the drinks, including water, are so blamed expensive there. And so, I did the only thing I could.
I left and walked to the shopping center not far from the stadium. I first went to Starbucks and used a gift card to get me a Raspberry Mocha Frappacino. I had a magazine in my purse (always prepared!) and sat and leafed through it, until I had cooled down, and the drink was gone.
Then I walked down to Borders. I had a gift card from there also, but didn't find anything. I actually wasn't even looking really hard. I was more interested in people watching. This bookstore in downtown Nashville and has a different ambiance than the ones close to where I live.
I noted 3 sets of people. One was a man. A black man in painter's clothing. He was in the music area, with headphones on over the bandanna on his head. Eyes closed, he was smiling and swaying to the music. Whether he had had a good day or a bad day, whether life was going good or bad for him, he was there, in Borders, at 8:30 pm CST, enjoying a short respite from life, and happy.
Then there was the couple who were looking at the DVDs of plays. I heard one comment that he had seen "Host" at the local Belcourt theater. His middle-aged, same sex partner, said perhaps they could go see it together sometime.
And then there was the middle-aged couple who preceded me into the store. A woman in a wheelchair, with a cute shaggy dog on a leash, accompanied by a gentleman... blind, I discovered. The man listened to her verbal instructions as to where the doors were, and that I was standing behind them. I talked to him as I passed through behind the wheelchair, so that he would know when to move on through the door. I came upon this couple several times in different areas of the store. First, they went to the Bestseller section, and she told him about the books, reading some of the flaps on the books they were not familiar with. Her voice was interrupted from time to time, as he bent and kissed her right on! Later, I saw them upstairs in the audiobook section.
The point is, this bookstore was a haven for several of us. An enjoyable time away from the rest of the world. All kinds of people, all ages and stages, finding fulfillment in something they like. A short distance away was a football stadium filled with people, all ages and stages, finding fulfillment in something they like.
And so, I have been to my 1 college (Vandy) football game for the season. I'm thinking that I might go to 1 Titans game, and then 1 Vandy men's basketball game, and 1 Vandy women's basketball game, and I am done for the season!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
I Am On Vacation!
Awwww the views are great. The scenery inspiring. Where am I, you may ask? The beach? The mountains? Ah no... I am at home. But for 3 long (?) days, I am on vacation.
You see... it has not been a very good year financially. The outlook for taking any trips anytime soon is bleak. And so I declared this long weekend as one of many mini-vacations to come this year.
I left work behind at 6 pm on Friday. Can't even remember what I did 2 nights ago. Then Saturday, Luke, the 5 yr old grandson, came over and we played games, and watched a, no part of a, movie - Lady and the Tramp, checked out the scooter and helmet his mom had just bought him (Cool, Luke! And don't forget you can coast for 21,000 - that's 21 seconds!) and then went to see the movie SURF'S UP, rated PG. Why is it that they take a perfectly good G-rated movie and put in a few crude words and behavior to match, so that it comes out as PG-rated? Fortunately, Luke missed the crudity. (Is that a word?! You get my point.)
I met Bob at the mall where I bought long overdue makeup at Dillard's (a relief to all of those around me I am sure), and then went to Lenscrafters to get my glasses adjusted. Nice people, and it is nice walking in there and them knowing who I am. Thank you, thank you.
Next on the vacation trail, Bob and I went to Saltgrass - the new restaurant that opened in the old Joe's Crab Shack site - for their "early bird" or "late lunch" specials. Good stuff and being new to us and all, it did feel like we were out-of-town somewhere. Home to crash for awhile. I read. Finished the book "90 Minutes in Heaven". Wow! ya gotta read it. Aside from the Bible, the most awesome book about facing death and eternity. I am now looking forward to perfect vision and most beautiful, awesome music when I die and go to heaven. Don Piper (the author) said the noise was like the swooshing of angels' wings. I LOVE that phrase. "Swooshing" and "angels' wings". Music speaks to me here a song at a time. I can't wait until I get to heaven and hear like 100 praise songs going at once, and I can hear them all clearly, and if I open my mouth to sing, knowing that I will have perfect pitch! Wow! Good stuff.
Okay, then (are you tired of this travel journal yet?!) we got in the convertible and went out for a drive. 9:20 pm... perfect summer evening, except we are in the No Moon cycle. Now, since the price of gas is what it is, we can't just go out driving around. There has to be a purpose. So, we took my book back to the Book Drop at the Brentwood Library, and then took the movies I had picked out for Luke to the church drop-off box. THEN we went to Dunkin' Donuts and closed them out as their last customers of the day by getting hot cups of coffee. (Kinda cool with the top down on the car.) That pretty much finishes off Saturday.
We got up at 6 am this morning. Some of you may think that is rather early, especially since we are on vacation. However, Bob was awakened with leg cramps, and I was already slightly conscious with the cat scratching wanting out of his "bedroom" area. So 6 am it is. Going to the back of the house with all the windows overlooking the back yard, I see a black cat sitting outside the gazebo, while "Samantha" the cat from next door, is curled up at the base of my chaise lounge on the inside of the gazebo. So the 3 of us inside sit and watch that for 2 1/2 hours. (Springfield, Bob and I) I know... You probably think that is really pathetic... Up early on a Sunday morning sitting watching cats outside, while they watch us back. But it was really rather soothing... Watched the morning news and had a cup of coffee through it all. Neither Bob or I had responsibilities at the church so we played "hooky". It was nice not having anywhere we HAD to be at a certain time. Ahhh just what vacation is good for.
We did make brunch at Martha's at the Plantation. I splurged on my most favorite dessert in the whole wide world ever. A warm piece of fudge pie, covered with peppermint ice cream, chocolate sprinkles and REAL whipped cream. Sin doesn't get any better than that.
Home again, home again. We were worn out from the early start to our day (!*!), so we took 2- 1/2 -hour Sunday afternoon naps. I awoke and started working on laundry, and going through clothes in my bedroom, putting some away for the season, putting some in the "cleaners" pile, and the others in the "Goodwill" pile.
Enough work. Back to fun. Bob and I went walking! with the motivation of stopping by to see some friends and their baby girl, born last year on MY birthday!, who live across from our neighborhood. Perfect timing. We ran into them out in their front yard. Lexi Kate is just precious and looks SO much like her mama. This little family is such a sweet little family. Makes you feel good about the good things in life and making good choices!
I managed to get Bob to keep walking for a spell when LK had to go in for her evening bottle and bath. We saw a hot air balloon passing over! Back to the house and back in the convertible for our nightly trip, this time to the newest Sonic down the street. I had a coupon for BUY A BURGER, GET ONE FREE that was burning a hole in my billfold.
Back home and was going to do some housework, yes even on vacation, but was distracted by a new (or not previously seen by me) episode of LAW AND ORDER. It was a GOOD one! I did do laundry during the commercials. And now, I am finishing this night of vacation off by writing! It's nice knowing I still have 1 more day of vacation left. Bob has to work half a day, and I plan to read or study or write at a coffee shop. Ooh, la la... It's just been a really good mental break for me by taking this mini-vacation.
Gotta go now... My Yoga CD is calling!
You see... it has not been a very good year financially. The outlook for taking any trips anytime soon is bleak. And so I declared this long weekend as one of many mini-vacations to come this year.
I left work behind at 6 pm on Friday. Can't even remember what I did 2 nights ago. Then Saturday, Luke, the 5 yr old grandson, came over and we played games, and watched a, no part of a, movie - Lady and the Tramp, checked out the scooter and helmet his mom had just bought him (Cool, Luke! And don't forget you can coast for 21,000 - that's 21 seconds!) and then went to see the movie SURF'S UP, rated PG. Why is it that they take a perfectly good G-rated movie and put in a few crude words and behavior to match, so that it comes out as PG-rated? Fortunately, Luke missed the crudity. (Is that a word?! You get my point.)
I met Bob at the mall where I bought long overdue makeup at Dillard's (a relief to all of those around me I am sure), and then went to Lenscrafters to get my glasses adjusted. Nice people, and it is nice walking in there and them knowing who I am. Thank you, thank you.
Next on the vacation trail, Bob and I went to Saltgrass - the new restaurant that opened in the old Joe's Crab Shack site - for their "early bird" or "late lunch" specials. Good stuff and being new to us and all, it did feel like we were out-of-town somewhere. Home to crash for awhile. I read. Finished the book "90 Minutes in Heaven". Wow! ya gotta read it. Aside from the Bible, the most awesome book about facing death and eternity. I am now looking forward to perfect vision and most beautiful, awesome music when I die and go to heaven. Don Piper (the author) said the noise was like the swooshing of angels' wings. I LOVE that phrase. "Swooshing" and "angels' wings". Music speaks to me here a song at a time. I can't wait until I get to heaven and hear like 100 praise songs going at once, and I can hear them all clearly, and if I open my mouth to sing, knowing that I will have perfect pitch! Wow! Good stuff.
Okay, then (are you tired of this travel journal yet?!) we got in the convertible and went out for a drive. 9:20 pm... perfect summer evening, except we are in the No Moon cycle. Now, since the price of gas is what it is, we can't just go out driving around. There has to be a purpose. So, we took my book back to the Book Drop at the Brentwood Library, and then took the movies I had picked out for Luke to the church drop-off box. THEN we went to Dunkin' Donuts and closed them out as their last customers of the day by getting hot cups of coffee. (Kinda cool with the top down on the car.) That pretty much finishes off Saturday.
We got up at 6 am this morning. Some of you may think that is rather early, especially since we are on vacation. However, Bob was awakened with leg cramps, and I was already slightly conscious with the cat scratching wanting out of his "bedroom" area. So 6 am it is. Going to the back of the house with all the windows overlooking the back yard, I see a black cat sitting outside the gazebo, while "Samantha" the cat from next door, is curled up at the base of my chaise lounge on the inside of the gazebo. So the 3 of us inside sit and watch that for 2 1/2 hours. (Springfield, Bob and I) I know... You probably think that is really pathetic... Up early on a Sunday morning sitting watching cats outside, while they watch us back. But it was really rather soothing... Watched the morning news and had a cup of coffee through it all. Neither Bob or I had responsibilities at the church so we played "hooky". It was nice not having anywhere we HAD to be at a certain time. Ahhh just what vacation is good for.
We did make brunch at Martha's at the Plantation. I splurged on my most favorite dessert in the whole wide world ever. A warm piece of fudge pie, covered with peppermint ice cream, chocolate sprinkles and REAL whipped cream. Sin doesn't get any better than that.
Home again, home again. We were worn out from the early start to our day (!*!), so we took 2- 1/2 -hour Sunday afternoon naps. I awoke and started working on laundry, and going through clothes in my bedroom, putting some away for the season, putting some in the "cleaners" pile, and the others in the "Goodwill" pile.
Enough work. Back to fun. Bob and I went walking! with the motivation of stopping by to see some friends and their baby girl, born last year on MY birthday!, who live across from our neighborhood. Perfect timing. We ran into them out in their front yard. Lexi Kate is just precious and looks SO much like her mama. This little family is such a sweet little family. Makes you feel good about the good things in life and making good choices!
I managed to get Bob to keep walking for a spell when LK had to go in for her evening bottle and bath. We saw a hot air balloon passing over! Back to the house and back in the convertible for our nightly trip, this time to the newest Sonic down the street. I had a coupon for BUY A BURGER, GET ONE FREE that was burning a hole in my billfold.
Back home and was going to do some housework, yes even on vacation, but was distracted by a new (or not previously seen by me) episode of LAW AND ORDER. It was a GOOD one! I did do laundry during the commercials. And now, I am finishing this night of vacation off by writing! It's nice knowing I still have 1 more day of vacation left. Bob has to work half a day, and I plan to read or study or write at a coffee shop. Ooh, la la... It's just been a really good mental break for me by taking this mini-vacation.
Gotta go now... My Yoga CD is calling!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Gas
Gas went over $3/gallon today.
May 17, 2007. Terri and Dan's 32nd anniversary. Wonder what the price of gas was 32 years ago? At least we didn't have tornadic storms today.
When I went to work this morning, the BP on the corner had regular gas for $2.96, which was up from yesterday. When I came home this evening, the price of gas there was $3.05. Up 9 cents in one day. I should hope that it doesn't do that every day.
Will I tell my great grandkids about "when gas was..."?
It scares me. It scares me bad. You need gas in your car to go anywhere. To do anything and everything. I went to buy milk, and the price had gone up 30 cents/gallon since last week. My heart beats faster.
We can't continue this trend. We as in Americans. We as in what used to be the middle class which is now rapidly becoming lower class. My parents and grandparents used to always say (when Republicans are in office), "the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer."
I REALLY think that I should write more positive, uplifting blogs.
But consider this a journal entry... 5/17/07... price of gas hits $3/gallon.
May 17, 2007. Terri and Dan's 32nd anniversary. Wonder what the price of gas was 32 years ago? At least we didn't have tornadic storms today.
When I went to work this morning, the BP on the corner had regular gas for $2.96, which was up from yesterday. When I came home this evening, the price of gas there was $3.05. Up 9 cents in one day. I should hope that it doesn't do that every day.
Will I tell my great grandkids about "when gas was..."?
It scares me. It scares me bad. You need gas in your car to go anywhere. To do anything and everything. I went to buy milk, and the price had gone up 30 cents/gallon since last week. My heart beats faster.
We can't continue this trend. We as in Americans. We as in what used to be the middle class which is now rapidly becoming lower class. My parents and grandparents used to always say (when Republicans are in office), "the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer."
I REALLY think that I should write more positive, uplifting blogs.
But consider this a journal entry... 5/17/07... price of gas hits $3/gallon.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Life Changes Our Lives In An Instant
A week ago, Bob had a mini-stroke... Life may never be the same...
Two days ago, an 18 yr old girl was killed in a car wreck on I-65 North around the Armory Place exit. Her boyfriend was driving. She was sitting in the back behind him, without her seatbelt on. It was raining. The vehicle hydroplaned, throwing the vehicle around and crashing it against the concrete wall. She was the only one in the car who was killed. This girl was saved when she was 10. She was a member of my church. Her dad is my age. She is the same age of my twin nephews. And a little older than one of my granddaughters. Her older brother came by the church that day. Three hours later, his life changed. Kristin was a senior at Brentwood High. She was talking Junior/Senior Prom. She was talking college. This beautiful girl's life came to a sudden end. She had no idea. Her parents had no idea. None of us knew that on Sunday we would be having her funeral at the church. This was my number one fear when my kids were growing up. I feared them being in a wreck and killed at an early age. It didn't happen to me. It happened to David and Sherie. How do they go on? At this moment, I can't think of anything sadder in the whole world. You have a child, you get them to the point of high school graduation and college, and starting life outside... in the world...and the dreams... the dreams come to a sudden stop. With reminders all around, how do you keep going?
This has to be a God thing. This has to be the time when you need faith like you've never needed it before. Sherie couldn't think as she tried to plan her daughter's funeral. What came to her first, was music... Music she remembered from choir. The men's quartet singing GENTLE SHEPHERD and Dennis singing I CAN ONLY IMAGINE. Music... Music is a great way to praise God. Music is a great way to worship. Music can comfort the soul. Music can bring peace. When Rod sings on Sunday, he will sing as a first time dad to a beautiful baby girl 2 mo. old. He will want to hold her a little closer. He will want to protect her. If only we could do that for our children for always...
I won't be there. But I will be thinking of them. I will be praying. I will pray for Kristin's parents and her brothers, and her friends who will be there in shock. They won't understand.
I don't understand.
Two days ago, an 18 yr old girl was killed in a car wreck on I-65 North around the Armory Place exit. Her boyfriend was driving. She was sitting in the back behind him, without her seatbelt on. It was raining. The vehicle hydroplaned, throwing the vehicle around and crashing it against the concrete wall. She was the only one in the car who was killed. This girl was saved when she was 10. She was a member of my church. Her dad is my age. She is the same age of my twin nephews. And a little older than one of my granddaughters. Her older brother came by the church that day. Three hours later, his life changed. Kristin was a senior at Brentwood High. She was talking Junior/Senior Prom. She was talking college. This beautiful girl's life came to a sudden end. She had no idea. Her parents had no idea. None of us knew that on Sunday we would be having her funeral at the church. This was my number one fear when my kids were growing up. I feared them being in a wreck and killed at an early age. It didn't happen to me. It happened to David and Sherie. How do they go on? At this moment, I can't think of anything sadder in the whole world. You have a child, you get them to the point of high school graduation and college, and starting life outside... in the world...and the dreams... the dreams come to a sudden stop. With reminders all around, how do you keep going?
This has to be a God thing. This has to be the time when you need faith like you've never needed it before. Sherie couldn't think as she tried to plan her daughter's funeral. What came to her first, was music... Music she remembered from choir. The men's quartet singing GENTLE SHEPHERD and Dennis singing I CAN ONLY IMAGINE. Music... Music is a great way to praise God. Music is a great way to worship. Music can comfort the soul. Music can bring peace. When Rod sings on Sunday, he will sing as a first time dad to a beautiful baby girl 2 mo. old. He will want to hold her a little closer. He will want to protect her. If only we could do that for our children for always...
I won't be there. But I will be thinking of them. I will be praying. I will pray for Kristin's parents and her brothers, and her friends who will be there in shock. They won't understand.
I don't understand.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
I'm My Grandmother
I have been sick for over a month now. In the past week, I have finally begun to feel better.
I think the fact that we had 3 days of sun and hints of spring attribute to my feeling better.
I still have this occasional sneezing and coughing I do though. I was in the middle of a department store the other day when I had a sneezing attack. Minutes later, I wasn't sneezing, but I could feel my nose running. I pulled a kleenex out of my purse. As I started to wipe my nose, I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror. There was a bubble of water there on my left nostril. No... it was not snot... and it was not a bugger. It was just water - sinus drainage maybe. But it brought back memories. Memories of Mam-ma with her nose "dripping" she called it, and pulling a kleenex from her bosom to wipe her nose. I always thought that kind of odd, and something that must happen to women when they got "old". THAT would never happen to me. But... here I am. I haven't gotten to the keeping kleenex down my blouse part yet though. Sorry, Mam-ma.
I think the fact that we had 3 days of sun and hints of spring attribute to my feeling better.
I still have this occasional sneezing and coughing I do though. I was in the middle of a department store the other day when I had a sneezing attack. Minutes later, I wasn't sneezing, but I could feel my nose running. I pulled a kleenex out of my purse. As I started to wipe my nose, I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror. There was a bubble of water there on my left nostril. No... it was not snot... and it was not a bugger. It was just water - sinus drainage maybe. But it brought back memories. Memories of Mam-ma with her nose "dripping" she called it, and pulling a kleenex from her bosom to wipe her nose. I always thought that kind of odd, and something that must happen to women when they got "old". THAT would never happen to me. But... here I am. I haven't gotten to the keeping kleenex down my blouse part yet though. Sorry, Mam-ma.
Miss Me, But Let Me Go
I seem to write on the saddest of occasions and the happiest of things...
Two weeks ago, Bob and I had 3 people in our lives who died in 3 days' time. The first was a friend's dad who tried to outrun a train - he didn't make it. The third one was Bob's aunt who lived in NC and was 2 years younger than Bob! She was Bob's dad's youngest sister. The following was read at both of their funerals. I had never heard it before, but when you hear of something like this on 2 occasions in 3 days' time, you tend to pay attention.
"When I come to the end of the road, and the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room. Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little - but not too long, and not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we shared. Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take and each must go alone.
It is all a part of the Master's plan, a step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart, go to the friends you know.
Bear your sorrow in good deeds. Miss me, but let me go."
I would give the credits due, but none were given on either occasion.
I liked this poetry. For those of you who should, take note.
Two weeks ago, Bob and I had 3 people in our lives who died in 3 days' time. The first was a friend's dad who tried to outrun a train - he didn't make it. The third one was Bob's aunt who lived in NC and was 2 years younger than Bob! She was Bob's dad's youngest sister. The following was read at both of their funerals. I had never heard it before, but when you hear of something like this on 2 occasions in 3 days' time, you tend to pay attention.
"When I come to the end of the road, and the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room. Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little - but not too long, and not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we shared. Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take and each must go alone.
It is all a part of the Master's plan, a step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart, go to the friends you know.
Bear your sorrow in good deeds. Miss me, but let me go."
I would give the credits due, but none were given on either occasion.
I liked this poetry. For those of you who should, take note.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Word of the Week
Tolerance -
a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one's own.
a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one's own.
Anna Nicole Smith
I am wondering...why? am I wasting time and energy on here writing about Anna Nicole Smith? I guess because her sudden death and seeing the hours of media coverage of her life are so sad. What a waste.
In one clip she talks about how as a girl she passed a bar that had a neon sign blinking in front of it. It was the figure of a woman, topless, alternating sensual poses. ANS told herself at that time that that was what she wanted to be when she grew up!*! WHY would anyone want to be that when they grew up? Where were her goals? REAL goals? Worthy goals? Where was her sense of right and wrong? I don't think you can excuse this on low self-esteem or no respect for herself. This will come across judgmental I am sure. I think it's just really what she wanted. While they say that she was smarter than she appeared to be, I am saying that that is not saying much. I don't think she was bright at all. And I think she made her choices solely on wanting attention for herself. She married an old man. She became rich. She had a baby and had no idea who the father was. And the men keep popping up even after her death volleying for the role.
I guess I think that in the United States of America, we all have the privileges of getting some education - that would include from books, from church, from life experiences - and that we learn from it all. And at some point you learn to stand on your own 2 feet and take on responsibility for your life and your choices.
There is a precious baby girl somewhere out there - Bahamas last I heard - who would make some barren couple hysterically happy to have her in their lives. As it is, this poor child has little chance for growing up in an environment different than that of her mother's.
I am saddened when I realize what a sick world we live in. Sometimes these outside events burst in on my private little world, and I realize just how bad it is out there. My heart is heavy when I think about what God must think about His world and His creation. And when I think that all of us in America know about God and that the good old USA is not a mission field, I realize that I am so wrong. You don't have to go to Thailand or South Africa or Moldova... you have people who need the Lord right here.
In one clip she talks about how as a girl she passed a bar that had a neon sign blinking in front of it. It was the figure of a woman, topless, alternating sensual poses. ANS told herself at that time that that was what she wanted to be when she grew up!*! WHY would anyone want to be that when they grew up? Where were her goals? REAL goals? Worthy goals? Where was her sense of right and wrong? I don't think you can excuse this on low self-esteem or no respect for herself. This will come across judgmental I am sure. I think it's just really what she wanted. While they say that she was smarter than she appeared to be, I am saying that that is not saying much. I don't think she was bright at all. And I think she made her choices solely on wanting attention for herself. She married an old man. She became rich. She had a baby and had no idea who the father was. And the men keep popping up even after her death volleying for the role.
I guess I think that in the United States of America, we all have the privileges of getting some education - that would include from books, from church, from life experiences - and that we learn from it all. And at some point you learn to stand on your own 2 feet and take on responsibility for your life and your choices.
There is a precious baby girl somewhere out there - Bahamas last I heard - who would make some barren couple hysterically happy to have her in their lives. As it is, this poor child has little chance for growing up in an environment different than that of her mother's.
I am saddened when I realize what a sick world we live in. Sometimes these outside events burst in on my private little world, and I realize just how bad it is out there. My heart is heavy when I think about what God must think about His world and His creation. And when I think that all of us in America know about God and that the good old USA is not a mission field, I realize that I am so wrong. You don't have to go to Thailand or South Africa or Moldova... you have people who need the Lord right here.
A Keeper Quote
Artist: Friedrich, Caspar David
Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog
c. 1818
Oil on canvas Kunsthalle, Hamburg
This quote is from him:
"The painter should paint not only what he has in front of him, but also what he sees inside himself. If he sees nothing within, then he should stop painting what is in front of him."
Likewise,
"The pianist should play not only what she has in front of her, but also what she sees inside herself. If she sees nothing within, then she should stop playing what is in front of her."
Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog
c. 1818
Oil on canvas Kunsthalle, Hamburg
This quote is from him:
"The painter should paint not only what he has in front of him, but also what he sees inside himself. If he sees nothing within, then he should stop painting what is in front of him."
Likewise,
"The pianist should play not only what she has in front of her, but also what she sees inside herself. If she sees nothing within, then she should stop playing what is in front of her."
I'm Back...
I haven't written on here for a month. (Like duh... you couldn't figure that out for yourself!) I have been sick for 19 days. I am tired of not feeling good. Right now I feel good enough to go to work, etc, but NO energy left over for anything else. And, I am SO tired of this cold weather. I hate cold weather. The older I get, the worse it gets. I want at least 70 degree days and 50 at night for the coldest temps. I watched the Pro Bowl this evening. Nay... correction. I watched the scenery of Honolulu this evening... Seeing the bright sun, exotic surroundings, and big blue sky with puffy clouds... I felt better. Ah...to be there.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Loving
Bob and I acquired a cat about 3 1/2 months ago. Neither of us had ever had a cat. I grew up with having dogs around. Bob never had any pets. We still shake our heads and wonder how we got to this place.
I remember hearing my mom especially talk about "those d!*! cats" people around us might have. And I remember my parents and grandparents didn't like cats leaning in on their ankles and meowing when we were around them. Now I love that!
I can remember when Bob first brought this cat home, Springfield had tar matted on some of his fur and in his ears, and he had big ears compared to the rest of his body. I felt bad for this little ball of fur that appeared to be scared to death, but I had no sudden love for this cat.
We have had moments where we would have gotten rid of Springfield in a heartbeat. He has zoomed around knocking things over like a wild cat. He has crashed lamps to the floor. He has rearranged Bob's village pieces in the bookcase. That is a No-No! He has knocked the planter over scattering dirt all over the new carpet.
But somewhere along the line, we have grown to love this cat. He is funny and sweet and loving and smart and also mean as can be sometimes. He has scratched me repeatedly until I bleed, I suspect I am allergic to him as I sneeze like crazy in the mornings and at night, I have had to learn to clean his poop out of his litter box, and yet, I love this cat. Bob and I look forward to coming home and seeing Springfield. Bob is less patient than I am with him, but they also have great bonding sessions, where Springfield lies on Bob's chest and lets Bob rub him down until they both fall asleep. Springfield and I usually share the early morning shift. He cries like a baby about 6 every morning and scratches on the bathroom door until I go get him out. He then jumps up on my lap and eats from my hands. While he's never slept in my arms, he will sleep at my feet when I take a nap.
Springfield has added a new dimension to the relationship between Bob and me. He is something we share. In loving him, we love each other more. Springfield has only been to the vet once so far. Bob and I took him together. I don't know how I would have done it alone. It was nice having Bob there as our "child" was examined.
It's kinda like being a mother to a baby or young child again. We enjoy watching Springfield sleep, and eat, and play on his own and play "peep-pie" with us. He responds when I call him "my kitty" in my kitty voice (which Bob HATES).
Animals aren't so different from people after all. Creatures of all kinds flourish when they are loved.
I remember hearing my mom especially talk about "those d!*! cats" people around us might have. And I remember my parents and grandparents didn't like cats leaning in on their ankles and meowing when we were around them. Now I love that!
I can remember when Bob first brought this cat home, Springfield had tar matted on some of his fur and in his ears, and he had big ears compared to the rest of his body. I felt bad for this little ball of fur that appeared to be scared to death, but I had no sudden love for this cat.
We have had moments where we would have gotten rid of Springfield in a heartbeat. He has zoomed around knocking things over like a wild cat. He has crashed lamps to the floor. He has rearranged Bob's village pieces in the bookcase. That is a No-No! He has knocked the planter over scattering dirt all over the new carpet.
But somewhere along the line, we have grown to love this cat. He is funny and sweet and loving and smart and also mean as can be sometimes. He has scratched me repeatedly until I bleed, I suspect I am allergic to him as I sneeze like crazy in the mornings and at night, I have had to learn to clean his poop out of his litter box, and yet, I love this cat. Bob and I look forward to coming home and seeing Springfield. Bob is less patient than I am with him, but they also have great bonding sessions, where Springfield lies on Bob's chest and lets Bob rub him down until they both fall asleep. Springfield and I usually share the early morning shift. He cries like a baby about 6 every morning and scratches on the bathroom door until I go get him out. He then jumps up on my lap and eats from my hands. While he's never slept in my arms, he will sleep at my feet when I take a nap.
Springfield has added a new dimension to the relationship between Bob and me. He is something we share. In loving him, we love each other more. Springfield has only been to the vet once so far. Bob and I took him together. I don't know how I would have done it alone. It was nice having Bob there as our "child" was examined.
It's kinda like being a mother to a baby or young child again. We enjoy watching Springfield sleep, and eat, and play on his own and play "peep-pie" with us. He responds when I call him "my kitty" in my kitty voice (which Bob HATES).
Animals aren't so different from people after all. Creatures of all kinds flourish when they are loved.
Sharing
Weekend is over... the first full work week in awhile about to begin.
Luke came to spend the night this weekend. As I met his mom in the parking lot of a local market to pick Luke up, he tumbled out of the van talking excitedly all the way. I started loading his bags in the car, and he said, "Gran! Gran!" In the dim lights of the parking lot, I looked down at his 5-yr-old stance, to see him holding out a small teddy bear. He said, "It's for Carson!" "Carson?" I mumbled to myself and looked up at his mom for explanation. As she began, it hit me what Luke was trying to say. "Carter?" I asked, and Luke nodded. Carter is my 6 month old great-nephew on my husband's side of the family.
I don't know if Luke was remembering seeing the pictures of Carter at Christmas, or if his mom, Michelle, had done some talking with him about sharing toys or something. But it was a Kodak memory moment for me looking down into Luke's smiling, excited face.
P.S. Later that night at my house, when Luke "played" the teddy bear audio for me, the cat was intrigued with this ball of voice. Luke giggled, but reminded Springfield that the bear was for Carter.
Luke came to spend the night this weekend. As I met his mom in the parking lot of a local market to pick Luke up, he tumbled out of the van talking excitedly all the way. I started loading his bags in the car, and he said, "Gran! Gran!" In the dim lights of the parking lot, I looked down at his 5-yr-old stance, to see him holding out a small teddy bear. He said, "It's for Carson!" "Carson?" I mumbled to myself and looked up at his mom for explanation. As she began, it hit me what Luke was trying to say. "Carter?" I asked, and Luke nodded. Carter is my 6 month old great-nephew on my husband's side of the family.
I don't know if Luke was remembering seeing the pictures of Carter at Christmas, or if his mom, Michelle, had done some talking with him about sharing toys or something. But it was a Kodak memory moment for me looking down into Luke's smiling, excited face.
P.S. Later that night at my house, when Luke "played" the teddy bear audio for me, the cat was intrigued with this ball of voice. Luke giggled, but reminded Springfield that the bear was for Carter.
Monday, January 01, 2007
It's 2007
Time - the early hours of 2007. I decided to start the year blogging. Bob is asleep. The cat is asleep. It is still and quiet.
It's been a quiet evening at home. Bob and I went to Goodwill and Eckerds and then storage to put up Christmas items after watching the Titans lose their game. We ate dinner at Cracker Barrel, drove around the McKays Mills area awhile, and got home relatively early, even though the real time - 6 pm - felt like 8 pm.
I wonder if the way I spent the evening is indicative of the way 2007 will go. Hopefully I just closed out 2006. As Bob got out of the car at the house, he apparently stepped in dog poop. That fact was discovered after he walked into the bedroom, hall, living room, and finally kitchen, where I pointed out the "piles" he was leaving. (And need I say that I reminded him of how I always tell him to take his shoes off when he comes in from outside?!?!) I then spent the evening in my pajamas cleaning the carpet, moving the big fan around so the carpet would dry faster, and vacuuming. The cat did not know WHAT to do or where to go. And Bob being the helper he is at these times, was on the sofa in the sunroom, watching the football game! He fell asleep, waking in time to say "Happy New Year" and then going to bed in the bedroom. I celebrated by pouring me a glass of white zin, and ... here I am.
As the countdown of the last minute of 2006 began on Channel 4 (couldn't handle trying to watch Dick Clark this year), I found myself excited, and yet I wanted to cry all at the same time!?! I wasn't sorry to see 2006 go...but I am not sure I am glad to see 2007 come. I find the beginning of a brand new year kind of exciting, but it also makes me a little nervous worrying what bad things might happen. (I still think I would like to know these things ahead of time. I could prepare myself. Couldn't I? I'd like to at least know if it is going to be a good year or a bad year.) It will hold the closing of some familial chapters of life and open some new ones. Two nephews graduating from high school and starting college, and one nephew getting married.
I feel old tonight. But it is okay. I remember past New Year's Eves when we went out to celebrate. And even if we were home, we were more energetic. Every year now, it gets a little quieter, and less important to see the new year in.
A friend of mine emailed me the following from a devotional reading for the day. I liked it and will close with it:
Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made and I will bear; even I will carry and will deliver you. (Psalm 46:4)
Thus far the LORD has helped us. (1 Samuel 7:12)
It's been a quiet evening at home. Bob and I went to Goodwill and Eckerds and then storage to put up Christmas items after watching the Titans lose their game. We ate dinner at Cracker Barrel, drove around the McKays Mills area awhile, and got home relatively early, even though the real time - 6 pm - felt like 8 pm.
I wonder if the way I spent the evening is indicative of the way 2007 will go. Hopefully I just closed out 2006. As Bob got out of the car at the house, he apparently stepped in dog poop. That fact was discovered after he walked into the bedroom, hall, living room, and finally kitchen, where I pointed out the "piles" he was leaving. (And need I say that I reminded him of how I always tell him to take his shoes off when he comes in from outside?!?!) I then spent the evening in my pajamas cleaning the carpet, moving the big fan around so the carpet would dry faster, and vacuuming. The cat did not know WHAT to do or where to go. And Bob being the helper he is at these times, was on the sofa in the sunroom, watching the football game! He fell asleep, waking in time to say "Happy New Year" and then going to bed in the bedroom. I celebrated by pouring me a glass of white zin, and ... here I am.
As the countdown of the last minute of 2006 began on Channel 4 (couldn't handle trying to watch Dick Clark this year), I found myself excited, and yet I wanted to cry all at the same time!?! I wasn't sorry to see 2006 go...but I am not sure I am glad to see 2007 come. I find the beginning of a brand new year kind of exciting, but it also makes me a little nervous worrying what bad things might happen. (I still think I would like to know these things ahead of time. I could prepare myself. Couldn't I? I'd like to at least know if it is going to be a good year or a bad year.) It will hold the closing of some familial chapters of life and open some new ones. Two nephews graduating from high school and starting college, and one nephew getting married.
I feel old tonight. But it is okay. I remember past New Year's Eves when we went out to celebrate. And even if we were home, we were more energetic. Every year now, it gets a little quieter, and less important to see the new year in.
A friend of mine emailed me the following from a devotional reading for the day. I liked it and will close with it:
Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made and I will bear; even I will carry and will deliver you. (Psalm 46:4)
Thus far the LORD has helped us. (1 Samuel 7:12)
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