Just thoughts

at left:(Picture of me at 18 months. )

This past weekend was my dad's birthday. He would have been 84. When you remember these things, your minds always seems to bring up memories.

I remember Dad as a happy- go- lucky sort of character. He never knew a stranger. He would greet the store clerks and call them honey. Part of that was the southern (WV) way and I think he was basically a flirt too. To the chagrin of mom. It always got under her skin!

Dad was always a kid at heart. Some would say maybe a little immature. Maybe so, but I think he just enjoyed life and wanted to find some fun in it. Winter months he would pile up snow and take a kitchen knife and carve a dog standing on all fours out of the pile. It will stand till the weather warmed up! Funny..the kids in the neighborhood back then, didn't even consider knocking it down! Wonder why? Maybe they were disciplined then? Maybe they knew they'd get in trouble? but that's another subject...

I remember one winter when we had really deep snow, which we seemed to have alot of when growing up, he built us an igloo. Made blocks of hard snow, using water to help it freeze solid, and stack them, line the inside with cardboard boxes, and tall enough that we could crawl inside and sit! Of course there was always a fort wall for the infamous snowball battles!

Then there was the 6 man tobaggan! He built it. He would take that sled up the hill followed by us, and about half the neighborhood kids. He would sit on the front to steer, and let the kids take turn riding behind him..and down the hill they would go!

Summer meant croquet in the yard, or badmitten. Saturdays when he didn't work and sometimes Sunday afternoon, he would load up the boys from the neighborhood, my brothers and I in the back of the pickup..You could do that then... and off to the ball park we would go!

I remember playing outfield ..without a mitt... and catching a ball that was hit by some guy that was out to get me I think! whack!! I dropped it as fast as I caught it! My hand stung for days! Dad always warned me to wear a mitt..but it just didn't feel comfortable~!

One memory that will last... the kids in the nieghborhood coming to the door and asking.. can your dad come out and play ball?

Dad seemed to have boundless energy too. turning somersaults in the yard was his favorite activity! it was even funnier when everything fell out of his pockets! He would even be found jumping on the trampoline, turning flips!

I remember one summer when my Brother, Glenn, was in his teens, a neighbor lady hired him to cut up a tree in her yard that was felled. He had an axe and was working away on it. The women's grandsons were playing in the yard and running around near Glenn. He was watching them as he swung the axe, and one swing he missed the tree and placed the axe in his knee. Dad had just come by with some lunch or to check on him and how he was doing...not sure what now. He was back to the car when he heard Glenn holler! Dad saw him and ran down the hill, picked my brother up and carried him up the hill to the car and off to the hospital. Glenn was around 6 ft tall by then, so that was no easy task for Dad. But you know ..the adrenaline kicks in, and the love for you child, and you have strength you don't know!

Dad's nickname at work was "Mother": because he loved to cook and take meals in for the guys.

he would cook all day at home and then cart the stuff to work. The guys would feast on break, donate some cash to pay for it, and Dad would be the hit at work! When he died many of those guys were at the viewing and shared their memories of "Mother".

Dad had his shortcomings too, but those things always seem to be less noticed as time goes by.

I hope when I'm gone the memories I leave behind will be happy ones. You know that sometimes we all have bad days and days when things don't go so well or we don't feel up to par. But I hope I have made some good memories for my girls and my granddaughters that will bring a smile to their faces when I am gone years from now.

Quiet Holiday's

Labor Day weekend. The last big weekend of summer. People make plans for that last camping trip, or picnic with family and friends. School has started back and things are winding down for the summer's end. It's a nice time to take off work a few days and just "BE"!

I remember years gone by when growing up and the family would get with relatives and have a picnic at a park somewhere, or at someone's home. The kids would run around, holllering, playing, swinging, climbing, playing softball and stuff. Adults would play with us, holler at US, play horseshoes and eat! What fun it was. We didn't waste time on computors, texting to people who weren't there, because we wanted to spend it with our family! In fact we thought it was rude to not give attention to those around you! How different it is today! Just try to talk to someone who has a cell phone in their hand! they get a beep and they grab that drug and type right in the middle of your sentence! But that's another blog sometime!

Then we grew up, got married and had our own families. Things were changing already! We lived miles away because of College and jobs. Getting together with family became harder and fewer times in between the holidays. But you made do! You had friends over for cookouts, or just took your kids to the park. We would take our girls to a park in Northern Indiana where they had nice walking trails and walk all over, stopping by the animal pen where buffalo and elk were. How exciting when they were close to the fence and not far off in the middle of the field where you could barely see them!

Another time, in NW Ohio, we would go into Toledo where there were metro-parks and we had one we enjoyed the most. We would walk trails there, stop by the deck over the pond and laugh at the fish who would surface when we spit, thinking it was food! Yep.. our girls learned to spit!
Then we would move on the trails and walk over the sand dunes. Those were fun days.

Now the girls are grown, married and kids of their own. They are making memories with them. They are good moms and love their girls as much as we loved them! Now we have 4 granddaughters and they are the joy of our lives! I love watching them play and giggle and run screaming from Grandpa when he chases after them howling like a monster!

So, now it is labor day weekend. Summer is winding down. Nights are getting cooler, and the days MUCH more bearable! I hate the heat and humidity the east brings during summer! I really love this time of year! Our family is scattered too. One is an hour away, the other almost 4 hours away. So getting together is not as often. We can count on either Christmas Or Thanksgiving to be with the one furthest away, but other holidays we can't.

Seems like family does their own things now. Mom and Dad, wanting to be with them and the kids are somehow left out of the plans now. I don't know... We like to play games and do things too. We are not OLD yet. We can still walk and talk. We get busy too, but we try to keep the special days free for family but somehow it doesn't work that way.

Maybe I sound like I'm complaining, and I guess I am. We tried to include family in activities growing up and it is a strange feeling when now when you could really use the company and the sharing of good times, that you're left out in the cold!

Adult children! Where ever you are! Don't forget your parents in your plans. Set aside TIME for them! Someday we won't be here, or maybe physically but not mentally ! It isn't being selfish on our part as parents. It's just we love you and want to share with you. Sometimes just being together without "outsiders" around is a good thing. Friends are nice, but sometimes family should take first place. Your friends are not necessarily OUR friends and vise versa. You usually do not want to hang with ours.... and it goes both ways. Your conversations with them, have no meaning for us, for we do not travel in that circle.

WEll, it's off my chest now. I'm feeling rather low right now. Waiting for plans the last minute is not fun, either. It sends the signal that IF you don't find something more fun to do, then we'll call YOU!

SO , it's labor day weekend. Guess I'll get on the computor and see what's going on somewhere near and make our own plans. After all, what else is there to do??

They don't see or hear!

I watched The Rally in Washington DC today sponsored by Glenn Beck, "Restoring America".
Last count I heard was over 350,000. That's not a small group. These people drove their cars, fly in, and came on church buses. They were not organized by some Political interest group such as SEIU or Acorn but were common hard-working citizens taking a stand for returning to Faith.

But as I expected the Main Stream Media (MSM) reported another story. Beck's racist meeting, tea----ers gather, Beck planned this to hurt MLK day gathering..etc. What nonsense the left continues to vomit out. I for one, am a TeaParty enthusiaist. I am not hateful but rather love people of all ethnic groups and interests. I want to keep an open mind and listen to what they have to say, but when these so called reporters tell lies and pick out the few 26 with a strange t-shirt on and post that, I really do not take heart in what they say.

I checked out Huffington post, and as expected it was full of hate and ridicule and name calling even to the vulgar term they love using for the grandma types. How do they expect us to listen to them when they resort to such terminology! Educated people should be able to express themselves better. I dare them to walk up to Grandma with the white hair and dressed in her jeans and polo shirt with NO writing on it and call her a "Teab---er to her face!

If these "reporters" and I use the term with no real truth in it, would stop, put away the camera and pull up a chair and listen to what was being said maybe they would learn something.
Maybe they would learn that the constitution protects them. That they have worked hard for what they have, not taking government checks or handouts, and doing without when necessary.
That they are decent people. That they love their fellowman and help them when they need it.
That they are the ones who work in soup kitchens in their local church, pass out clothing to the needy, and give to help the less fortunate during Christmas. That they, for the most part, do not subscribe to the thinking that more government is NOT the answer to our problems, but that free enterprise and the small Mom and Pop businesses have helped build our nation.

But instead, the left MSM would rather poke fun, use indecent terminology and preconcieve what is happening. The answer for this group of hate-mongers and false news tellers is to do exactly what Beck and the speakers today talked about... to get back to our ROOTS! Back to the Faith of our FAthers, our ancestors, who knew that God knew what was best for mankind, and that His ways are best! This rally was a call back to this..where neighbors helped neighbors, not robbed or molested them, where neighbors knew each other and watched out for them, not wait til they could take advantage of them.

Yep.. maybe I'd like to go back to Mayberry, but you know what... at least there weren't riots in the streets, decency was the way of life, and crooked politicians were caught and jailed or voted out! Yes.. I could do for some Mayberry life. It was simple, kind, and real! I dream of evenings on the front porch just listening to the crickets, and the innocent kids next door catching fireflies, and the safety we had being able to sit outside! Now we lock our doors and HIDE! I don't know about you, but it sounds much more life how life should be ... Mayberry.

The Boy who Cried "Wolf"

I think everyone is familiar with the old story of the boy who cried wolf! He likes to pretend things are happening.. the wolf is attacking the sheep! The Villagers all go out and are ready to save the sheep. Alas..when they get there.. no wolf and the sheep are fine.

The one day when a wolf really does come and attack the sheep the boy runs into town telling the villagers about it.

Of course, the story goes that NO one believes him now! He lied too many times, and when it was the truth he was not to be believed.

The past couple weeks I have had similar events that just reminded me of this story.

Getting older and having siblings who are getting older also, you dread the day when you hear news that they are very ill, or of their death. Not pleasant thoughts I know, but it is reality. I don't dwell on it, but I do realize someday it will happen.

Last week one sibling, who has had many health issues all her life was telling me that she has had a situation that isn't getting better. I get a message saying she went to the Doctor and the results were an awful, dreaded disease, which will only progress. I was devastated! She was to see a specialist which was a good thing. This situation was on my mind for several days, worrying and praying for her.

The day comes for the specialist visit! False alarm. NOT the disease thought or even a worse one..cancer. I was thrilled but I questioned why she was told that! Seems the radiologist who read the x-ray said it looked like it might be. Was the Doctor repeating what they said..or maybe said.. "there is a POSSIBILITY" it could be this and it was miss-heard? I wonder still... was it a cry wolf thing out of fear or what?

Then today another incident. An accident involving a motorcycle and a young man who is related to a family member by marriage. Story goes.. he wrecked and was run over by two cars. Being rushed to the hospital. My heart sinks.. I immediately pray for him and the family and the fear and terror they must be experiencing. I go to do 7 hours of volunteer work just knowing he is hurt but alive basically.

Seven hours later when I get home I find out..he was NOT run over ..his motorcycle was. He is bruised and sore and has to have some surgery next week, and a few months recovery. ALL is a relief! But once again.. panic set in.. thinking was clouded..and conclusions were drawn and news was misconstrued! Meanwhile, I ask for prayers of friends which never hurt of course.. and wonder how things are going.

I guess I'm saying all this to say this: News is certainly welcome when something happens.. but PLEASE don't draw wrong conclusions! Don't get people upset with things that are not known as fact! How? Try these scenarios!

1. " I'm having some problem health wise.".maybe say what it is if you wish. Then: " I saw the doctor but nothing is conclusive so I'm seeing a specialist." Then when it is over and you know for certain, you can relate what it Might have been then. That way people don't worry unduly.

2. "There's been an accident. We aren't there, so the details are not known, but it involved such and such. We'll let you know more when we know what happened. "

I realize some people want all the details, but telling what you don't know are not details..they are assumptions and only cause undue worry. I'm one that wants the facts. I have enough trouble assuming on my own! Believe me..that is a problem in itself.

I know that some people panic at everything and some will almost go into an uncontrollable state. Personalities are different and people react differently, but Please try to keep the unnecessary panic to a minimum!

"Just the facts ma'am!" as Joe Friday would say! And he was right most times!

Blue Days

It's been one of those Blue days! I mean the feeling useless, no reason to do anything, blah, stay in your pajama days! You know, the kind where you feel sorry for yourself days. Where you blame yourself for everything that has gone wrong in your life and those around you!

Yep..one of those days. Didn't get dressed.. and slept from 2-6 this afternoon!

I came home last night from a great evening at my daughter's, relaxing and listening to her and my granddaughter playing in the lake water, watching hubby fish in the boat off shore and working on an oil painting of the place. Nice evening for sure. On the way home, some short words with hubby and it hit me.. BOOM! Like the very air sucked right out of me! I leaned my head against the car window, covered my eyes so I couldn't see the gorgeous sunset, and it started the pity party. Came home, put on PJ's and went to bed. Got up still feeling down.
YOu know the rest... previous paragraph!

I don't know.. why I let words hurt so easily sometimes. Why I respond like that, I don't know. Not often, but when I do, I waste a whole day! maybe sometimes we women need to do it! ??
It's not that I hate life, far from it. But I would love to live it more! Lots of lonely days and evening. Friends I have, but they don't live near, so I don't see them. Really have none here where I am now, so we seem to sit at home alot doing nothing.

Living in Indiana,there really is no place to just take off to! when I lived in New Mexico I would take off and drive thru the mts, find roadsI hadn't been on before and check out the scenery! I loved doing that! Taking the camera along to always find something to shoot!

In Indiana it's farmhouses, and cornfields! How many of those can you take? No sense taking the camera where I live! Pretty boring. Most things to do here cost money..and there is no extra, so that's out! In Co. and NM scenery was gorgeous and FREE and around every bend, mt and valley!

Now I have a choice.. I can feel sorry for myself gain tomorrow..or get up, shower, get dressed and at least clean the house. THAT is a job that is needed to be done! We'll see what tomorrow brings! Who knows??

Misunderstandings

Misunderstandings happen all the time. You say something and it can so easily be taken the wrong way. Sometimes the reason they are is that the other person really does not hear what you are saying, because they are forming an opinion in their head to come back at your statement.



Recently we made the decision to change churches, same denomination, just a different one in the area. it has been the BEST decision we have made in a long time. The former pastor was approached as to why but with only one statement made..he interrupted and went on and on about how disappointed he was, how we were letting him and the church down, etc etc. For almost 20 minutes he went on ..never letting our reasons be explained.



Now the reason (the one and only that he knows) is being told and people are not hearing the real one.



A small issue was the music. Being in our 50's and growing up in church we love the hymns. I also love the praise and worship choruses and new contemporary music also. But there is a trend now to throw out the old and only use the new. That is a big mistake. The hymns are full of doctrine and maturity and spiritual meat. The new are nice but most lack the meat of the gospel that the church needs today.



Many elderly people also in the church have paid the price or sacrifice to build the buildings and establish the churches, and they are left out of the worship service by throwing out old. There MUST be a happy medium folks!



That was one issue. But the main reason was the pastoral leadership. We have been through some hard times in the past two years, but when we talk to the pastor, he just shrugs it off and basically says.."Get over it!" Since when is that a proper answer when someone is hurting? Being in the ministry for over 30 years I know that compassion is something every pastor and Christian should have. It is a gift from God when you know him.



Being of a certain denomination also, dictates your churches belief structure. for two years we have attended and not once did we hear our basic beliefs preached. That is important for a congregation to know what and why you believe certain things. WE feel this is vital to our church. Spiritually we were dry. NOt that God can't be with you, but when things are hard, you need affirmation from the pulpit..not beaten down with Works that you should and are not doing.



It is the purpose of the pastor to spread the word of God on the table for us to partake of, to nourish our souls, to be challenged and to grow. Beating up the people will accomplish nothing.



I feel the purpose of the church is to bring others into the kingdom. It can be done through many avenues and activities. But when a pastor says , "I don't care if they ever come to church"

that bothers me. Just why are we doing what we are doing if not to build the kingdom. These are issues that I feel are important, and they are lacking so much in the old church.



We attended another church on one sunday, and the presence of the Lord was SO close that I could not hold back the tears. God was filling my spirit anew. Then He said to me as clear as he can.."THIS is where you belong!" In the past few weeks we are getting involved, growing refreshed and renewed. I am singing in the choir and loving it. And we even do hymns and new songs and it works wonderfully together!



All the misunderstandings could be cleared up IF people would LISTEN and not be quick to judge the reasons. Listening is important especially from pastors.