The Christmas Rounds

This was a banner year for our family. Somehow without realizing it completely all of my kids grew up and Christmas felt like it was going to be parceled out from home-to-home. Each couple wanted to spend Christmas morning in their own home rather than together at Christy’s home. They wanted to make their own family traditions and celebrate as their own family unit- Something we had taught them was important (but…but…but that was when they were little - without thinking what that would mean for ME when they all grew up!!)

We started out with the older two grandkids at Christy’s. We had our traditional breakfast specialties and did the Santa thing with delights and squeals that still sneak out of a 12 year old's mouth when he isn’t paying attention. Then it was off to the new adventure. We made our next stop at Jon’s and Sarah's. It was so delightful to open the door and be welcomed by the warm fresh smell of something very yummy coming from the kitchen. I suddenly was hungry again! We enjoyed special delights that Sarah created - a cheese and spinach and egg thing to die for! This I could do each year!!! We shared gifts and some hot chocolate by the fire. Huck, our newest granddog ,was learning the pleasures of Christmas at home and showed Grandma his toys. (Hey this isn't so bad after all - being the Christmas morning travelers.) Now I was excited to go to Joe’s and Mindy's. We missed seeing her parents by 20 minutes but the package in the swing was all the greeting I needed! Oh boy, the hints of future Christmases with the Joe B. family were all bundled in a bright-eyed 13 pound lumberjack. We girls wore our jamies and took some photos.

Driving home for Christmas nap I relished the morning seeing ourchildren plant, fertilize and water their blossoming homes. Then it also occurred to me that in about 4 hours they would ALL be at my house - the root from which their homes were crafted and grafted with another. We enjoyed sharing with each other at my house....something we had done on Christmas mornings before.

So here's to our new family tradition of Christmas - an all day event of sharing gifts and love. I got on my knees and thanked the Lord for our family - for the idea of putting humankind in families, for the idea of creating the hunger for love and the satisfaction of being full of it. I thought that is why Jesus was sent, God hungered for love so much that He allowed humankind to have a choice to love Him or not. For those that do, He visits them each in their own "home" (heart) and shares with them His own ultimate Christmas gift - so that all of us can eternally spent our celebrations with the family of God - if we only choose to. I choose to. Do you?

Here is our Christmas – I hope in photo order.

My Christmas Letter

Most of this letter is somewhere in my blog in detail…but consider this recap an effort to make your reading “pleasure” more efficient. If you want to read further – go through the older posts! (smile!)

2009 has been a year of personal events, both joyous and sad. My father, fought the good fight but closed his eyes to be in the arms of Jesus on January 25, 2009. Our family gathered to mourn and remember. Dad would have loved the day as we all reminisced about his most discommodious (in the most lovable way) moments.

Mom has been a tower of strength and as she has made it through the year. Our entire family has grown closer. My three brothers have all made it here to visit and keep tabs on her by phone. They have been a tremendous support and I could not ask for better brothers and sisters-in-law. Mom and I have grown very close this year. I love spending time with her as we shop, go to church and just hang out. We have a Sunday morning ritual which includes church and then Bob Evans. Yum! Yum!

In March, Mom, my daughter Christy, her daughter Emma, and I took a road trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas, my high school home town. Never thought I would be able to drive so far but we had a blast. One of the greatest highlights was seeing my childhood friend Kathy as we stopped and ate and visited and enjoyed each other. Mom and her good friend Anne in Arkansas spent the week talking and catching up. I enjoyed taking Emma and Christy to my favorite spots – the Hot Springs promenade where the best water in the world gurgles right out of the ground; hot and ready to drink. Christy and I treated ourselves to a hot springs bath and massage. What fun.

Bill and I headed for Tennessee with two sets of friends to a Strategic Trends conference with Chuck Missler from www.khouse.org. It was held at Grace Chapel in Franklin Tennessee where a member of Chuck’s board is the preacher. Chuck has had a profound impact on our Christian walk and our faith has been enriched and fortified through our study of his teaching materials. We have enjoyed Grace Chapel’s Pastor Steve Berger and his teaching since then via streaming video on Sundays.

In August, Mom and I took a quick flight to Nebraska for her grandson’s wedding. My brother Jon did a fabulous job during the ceremony – and we enjoyed seeing Tessa, Leon and baby Natalie. Tessa and Jordan are Jon’s and Sue’s two children.

August brought another surprise. We were so excited to get the news that Bill and I were going to be grandparents again. Joe and Mindy shared their joy with us in early March. However, little Nolan showed up two months early and daily visits for all were very tiring as we kept the premie ward vigil. The ward nurses called him the premie with no problems and the doctor called him Mr. Happy. That he was! He went home earlier than expected with a heart monitor and two trembling parents. Joe bought his Chick-fil-A franchise and has had a successful first year. He needed it after Nolan’s entrance into the world!

No wonder he made it through like a trooper. Last night I babysat so Mommy could do some Christmas shopping and I see that little Nolan by nature, is a boy with a mission. That mission is “I can be a big boy!” He is very proud to stand up and thinks everything is funny. He smiles a crooked little smile and a cute little chuckle sends his hand waving in the air while he pushes his chubby little legs to a tall stand. He is definitely Grandma’s boy. Our wonderful Christmas present is he is free from the heart monitor this week.

Christy has found a new love this year – photography. She has been taking piano lessons this year and has hooked up with a talented and lovely heart friend! She is now teaching some piano as well as taking a photography class at my college. Her talents seem unending. My goodness where does she get it? She continues to knit – everywhere, all the time. Chris has been her stable steady guy – and has been quite the gardener. They have harvested a variety of goodies – including sweet potatoes which we all enjoyed for Thanksgiving.

Andrew, who has joined everything at his school, is in Jazz and Symphonic band. He auditioned and won a spot in the All-county band with his euphonium. He loves his music and is taking piano too. He is President of the Technology club and entered some projects in the state technology competition. He won honorable mention. He went to USF’s gifted children’s technology program this summer and he and Dad slept under the space shuttle at Cape Canaveral.

Emma is taking flute and recorder lessons and sings in a little choir. She also is taking piano. She played a duet at church recently which is a lot for a shy little artist. She took a few art lessons this summer and is continuing to enjoy all sorts of medium. She is a top reader and speller. She won her class’s spelling bee. She went to her first concert this year with a friend. The two mom’s took the girls to see Mylie Cyrus.

Jon and Sarah have spent the year totally remodeling their new home which is enviously large. Sarah is in her fourth year as a computer consultant and continues to travel. She is the best of the best at this job and the company is glad to have her. Jon’s band made the big announcement that they are doing their final farewell tour in spring 2010. Jon is doing some soul-searching, looking for opportunities and a new direction for himself. So – they got a dog. Not just any dog – but a Great Dane. His name is Huckleberry – Huck for short. His name is the only short thing about him. This loveable, loose-skinned critter has brought a lot of joy into the Jon Bucklew household.

Bill and I went to Coeur D’Alene, Idaho for the Koinonia House Strategic Trends Conference for the second year. Taking the master-level courses has given us both a most fulfilling hobby. Bill is talking about his advanced degree…. But not me – I just want to take the classes and enjoy without the degree pressure.

Bill’ continues to work for the school board and I am enjoying my job as Registrar at the college. It has been a fulfilling work year and I am enjoying strong work relationships and success in projects that I have enjoyed.

Two amazing Christmas facts to leave with you today:
1. By tracking Zachariah’s priestly duty time and John the Baptist’s birth, it is relatively easy to determine that Jesus was born around the end of September. (This means he was probably conceived around Christmas so don’t let that deflate your celebration!)
2. The Magi who visited Jesus as a toddler to give homage to the King of the Jews, probably followed teaching that was passed down from Daniel – the famed prophet of the Old Testament and lion’s den. In fact, the gifts brought to him were likely treasures reserved for him by the Magi from Daniel’s treasures. Daniel was made chief of the magi.

Christmas Cards

Send or not to send. That is my question.

Used to be one of my favorite things to do. I sent everyone a Christmas card and loved sitting
down writing little life's details in each with personal connection notes. That was in the mid 70's. Cards had become so sophisticated. You need a Christian card for Aunt Ruth, a non-Santa card for cousin Sharon as she doesn't believe in it, a Christmas sympathy card for great Aunt Nell because she commerates the loss of Uncle Herlich every Christmas, a Kwanzaa card for your co-worker, and a Hanukah card for the mailman so he doesn't forget to close your mailbox again!


Then somewhere along the way, the Christmas letter caught on. I enjoyed reading about everyone's lives. Mine seemed so - so - unaccomplished - no awards for community service, no kids earning scholarships to Yale, no pets winning the county dog show, no sewing, knitting, crafting, tolling, painting projects to display, and no sports awards, or mini-marathons run.

So through the year, I kept a list. Oh, here is a good one for the Christmas letter. There were quite a few times it was more like - shewww! Sure not putting THAT in the Christmas letter. You could even buy special Christmas letter stationary from Staples to make a beautiful card-like Christmas letter. Then again you can even PRINT a card you designed yourself by buying card stock and lots of expensive colored ink.

Then as time progressed there was a short-lived stent of Christmas emails but relatives complained that it was not personal so we quickly moved to those annoying little computerized musical cards that play Fur Elise over- and- over - and over- and over. Some became quite sophisticated with snow, and Santa going down the chimney or wise men walking in with camels. Some were quite clever - the Hallmark card of the Internet like those from http://www.bluemountain.com/.

Next we have Christmas tweets and wall notes on Facebook. Christmas blogs - I like it - a Christmas blog! That way - only the people who WANT to read your stupid year's round-up can do so.

KEEP A WATCH - CHRISTMAS BLOG COMING!!! Merry Christmas.

Rethinking

I am rethinking my life. I may not blogging for a while. I want to do something meaningful to others and I don't think blogging is it. Will decided during the holidays. I think the only ones who read this meaningless dribble are my dear daughter and sassy sister-in-law. That's because they are love me and not because there is meaning in what I write.....

Coeur D'Alene Idaho

Last year we went to Coeur D'Alene to check out the Koinonia House and Study Center. Could Chuck Missler be for real? His perspective on the Bible from an Information Technology bent, with historical and intellectual study yet taking the Bible seriously and believing in its complete inerrency. Bill and I have been taking classes for a year. We are so sold on this great ministry. We are both commited now to be involved.

The best part is meeting students from all over the world taking the same classes you take. You know these people without prejudices that in-person relationships must overcome. We stayed with my online friend and her lovely mother. It was the best part of my trip - to meet her - to share in person with her and to be blessed with a place to stay and wonderful food and hospitality that I thought only grew in the Deep South. In addition was another couple we had connected with through classes who grew to be even more enjoyable - real heart friends. The conference was good but the fellowship was divine.


I must confess I seldom feel committed to anything. When I move, I don't try that hard to keep in contact - with a few rare exceptions. Not that I don't care about others - I do. I just find staying connected requires a discipline I don't have. I think I am ready now to commit - not only to a ministry but to friends.
Here is CindyO and me. She signs her emails CindyO - I love it. I love her dogs. I love her servant heart. I love her beautiful smile. I love her commitment to the Lord. Here she is! With 87-year old Betty who cooked and hosted us.


Idaho is amazingly beautiful. There were deer in the front yards, reaching to eat the buds from the trees. Not just one or two - a half dozen or so. While taking a boat tour of the glazier-created lake, we saw two American Eagles take flight across the mountain crest. It made me cry to watch them - I had a sudden sense that with their flight toward the clouds and out of sight, my liberty and freedoms in this United States are disappearing. I grieved for all of us - for my grandchildren who will not know what it means to shrug your shoulders and laugh and say "Only in America!", for my grandparents that had so many hopes for the future in this country - my great grandparents leaving Germany to find liberty within the welcoming borders of the United States. I must cling to my King - I must know the Kingdom of God - because it shall be the home of my loyalties.

This turns me back to Chuck Missler and K-house ministries. Yes, the time is right for me to commit!

Never thought I would say It......

But I am ready for some real fall. I want to be cold. I don't like the record heat in October. July - I can take it - but October? I bought some fall clothes - too hot to wear them. Too hot to try them on.

You know what else ? I never thought I would say it but - but I like this dumb show called "Say Yes To The Dress" - me - watching wedding dress buyers trying to find the perfect dress to make their weddings more special than everyone else's wedding. Trying to make themselves more beautiful than the bride of their own dreams. YUCK!!! GIRL STUFF - What is happening to me?

I never thought I would say it but - I don't really want to exercise - I don't. I find every excuse I have laughed at when others say them in the past. Perhaps I am saving all my energies for work??? who knows - I used to live to exercise - it showed - now I look just like my exercise attitude. But I do love 'The Biggest Loser" .

You know I wonder what you never thought you would say - and find yourself saying it. Not much of a post but I never thought I would be a blogger either.

The Lights Went Out

So…the lights went out and we were in the dark. With a puff and a pop and a flash of light, a typical 9:00 p.m. instantly became an eerie darkened world. Was it an EMP attack? A dirty bomb? A drunk driver crashing into the main switch – yes this seemed more likely.

Funny how such incidents bring the neighbors to the streets – especially the men. We, who relish in our independent and rebellious ways – the monarchy of the Bucklew clan - are no exception it is sad to say. Once we found our flashlights and lit a candle or two so we could find our way, Bill and I handled the situation completely differently but we both ended up in the streets with the rest of the neighbors.

Bill
Out to the streets he goes - with his special flashlights – one in each hand and one in his pocket. The men bring their beer – Bill felt somehow less – he didn’t have one. They talk about all the possibilities that caused it and recall the many other incidents that pulled them out of their caves to the streets. They size each other up to determine who can help who and who is a weenie. They talked about their tools and what they could do if the electricity doesn’t come back on. The plan was forming.

Kathy
I decided I might as well hit the bed – since I cannot be productive. But on the way I am telling Bill – who is already outside unbeknownst to me, my thoughts about pioneer days and Bible days when there were no lights. “I suppose they slept earlier and rose earlier to make the most use of the sunlight” I said. “I wonder if you get used to not seeing much at night – I mean, I don’t suppose you could read all that well or sew, - I wonder how the evenings were passed – perhaps looking at stars.” “Bill? Bill? BI--L--L!!” So I put my britches back on and the hat with the light on it and went looking for my caveman.

The ladies were venturing out of their houses and they quickly joined the conversation. What were you doing when the lights went out? We told everyone all the things we were not going to get finished. A movie – A shower - The dishes – “Thank goodness the kids were sleeping,” said one neighbor. Well – the Electric Department showed up outside the neighborhood. So the party was over. We said our good-byes knowing that next time – be it a few months or a year we would meet again – same time – same station.

Time Trolls

Last weekend – or was it two weekends ago……………………..? With baby Nolan in the NICU whom I adore seeing daily and activities with kids, grandkids, dogs, and work, I am now convinced that time is not a constant. Like a sly little troll with a devious bent, it speeds up at the most inconvenient times– mocking you with sinister sniggers and snorts. I feel like a gerbil running in a wheel that some prankster whirled around – just for laughs. It feels like a Groundhog Day………never mind…… back to the story…….
Last weekend – or was it two weekends ago, my daughter and granddaughter and I went for tea with the most delightful work friend and her sweet little girl. We enjoyed getting to know each other under the twinkling candlelight as the sun set across Lake Wire playing patty-cake with the candles in the window. We all dressed up – Emma wore gloves. I love her delightful and fanciful ways. Her new little friend brought and shared her teapot set she had gotten for her birthday. Zohra’s Restaurant in Lakeland served us the best dinner and dessert. They were fabulous to us and I look forward to going there again.
I am doing an experiment with my clothes. Very interesting – it is expanding my persona. I have decided I will not re-wear anything until I have worn everything I have in my closet (save seasonally inappropriate clothing). I have gone three weeks now. I am wearing the clothes I bought and don’t like, the clothes I don’t wear because they are wearing out, the clothes I love and usually wear once a week, the clothes I bought that do not match anything. I then evaluate how I feel in the clothes. By the end of the day, if I think I would wear it again – it gets relegated to the re-wear side of the closet – of course in the proper order of wear. If I don’t like how I felt in it – out it goes to the give-away pile. One problem with this experiment for which I must caution you on should you care to try it; DON’T wear all your favorite clothes first – because it is a long time before you get back ‘round to them!

And the End of August

Most of you who would even venture to this blog already know that Monday August 31 brought the dramatic entrance of Nolan James into this world mearly 9 weeks early at 3 lbs and 9 ozs and 17 inches long. We have been to the hospital every day and last night had our first opportunity to touch him. It was overwhelming - and my gratitutde to God for the miracles it took to perserve his life poured out of me like an offering of praise.

I am so proud of Mommy and Daddy - Joe and Mindy. They have been strong, and sacrificing and are doing everything they know how to do to give Nolan the best. Mindy is doing well, I am so proud of her. She is walking and regaining her strength - fighting the pain of the C-section.

I will write more another time but here is my darling, God's gift to the world.

August Weekends

Busy weekends. I have had an interesting August. That’s a good thing because most of my life is not all that interesting. Each weekend was filled with unique joys. Here is a little summary of August.

Kings. What a beautiful crop of kids. We hung out with the most huggable, energetic, funny and entertaining kids for a weekend. Young Pastor and wife whom we have grown to love, moved to Wisconsin and we had them at our house so they could pack theirs without having 4 kids around under 6. under foot. Bill and I dedicated our weekend to just giving them a good time. I loved it, planned kiddie foods, swimming, movies, a nature hike.
We walked around the neighborhood looking for trucks. By the fourth one, we heard, “Wow! We saw a thousand trucks!” In the pool, the favorite words were “Do it again! Do it again!” (Motorboat, motorboat go so slow. Motorboat motor boat go so fast. Motorboat motorboat Step on the gas! And…around they flew through the water with squeals and splashes.)


Brother Kenny, For the first time ever, my brother Kenny spent a birthday with us. I couldn’t wait for him to come because I bought a special gift while I was in Hot Springs, Arkansas this spring, our hometown. Kenny had worked at Dryden Pottery as a high school kid. He worked with many of the glasses, and cups and bowls created by Mr. Dryden using our fathers glaze formulas. Many years later and many styles and designs beyond, the pottery pieces are now well-known collectables. I purchased a set of glasses and cups from the 1968-70 era, sold as antiques in the Dryden shop. Kenny probably glazed them, or fired them or
packaged them when they were new. What fun to give him a piece of his own history.

Wedding -Nephew Jordan – My mom and I took a flight to Nebraska for my nephew’s wedding. Which I already shared.

Max – My grand-dog. And grand he is – all 120 pounds of him. Our son and wife took a little vacation and we took the dog. He is Grandma’s boy. Scared to death of Ebbie the 20 pound mini Schnauzer. He has the softest ears of anything I have ever touched, softer than a horse’s shnoz.

Anna-May The foal I dream about. My sweet young Nadara – longtime friend, took me to see her foal today. Anna-May is almost 4 months old. She is so smart and mischievous. Her mama got her first ride since Anna-May was born. What fun. I want the dang horse now. Really – really want her!

And now - what will September bring??
.

She Danced

She danced! Cane and all. It was worth the trip. In the midst of the busiest week a registrar can have (last day of fall registration), I took a day and flew with my 84-year-old mother to the wedding of my most affable nephew, Jordan and his beautiful bride, Melissa.

My mother was looking so forward to this one. Her last grandchild to get married. Melissa had been to Florida and mother loved her - as we all did. Not only that, we had the privilege of seeing Leon, the husband of Jordan's sister, Tessa. Leon is a war hero in our book and Tessa is a brave and good mom of precious Natalie.

Family is fun - and the celebration was great. I didn't know anyone but my few family, but I enjoyed their joy. I also enjoyed my dress. I bought a dress - probably my most favorite dress in years. Very plain and simple but I loved my dress. No one said it looked pretty or anything - but I didn't need it -because I love it! I bought for one reason only -

I wore my soft and striking cashmere wrap that my most talented daughter made me and the dress made the wrap look perfectly perfect!

But the best of the best, is Mom enjoyed herself. As we left, she walked right out in the middle of all the dancing 20-year-olds and did a little jig with her grandson. He was delighted and it made it all worth while!! Can I just say AHHHH!

Memory List

Something I heard – sss-whir-r-r-………s-s-s-swhir-r-r-r….a fan blowing as I lay down to nap –not because I am tired but because I am sick…It sent me to a crevice in my mind where memories are stored. Memories of things that sum up the times of my life. So I have decided to make a list of things I remember as a child. Go ahead – make your own list. Those crevices are covered over most of the time and you might not be able to pull it out again later.
1. I remember bazooka gum had a joke in the wrapper. I used to collect them.
2. I remember riding in the 1950 something station wagon with the back window down. We hopped back and forth across the back seat. There were no seatbelts
3. I remember the hot evenings in the heart of the Mississippi delta. The bed felt damp when you crawled in. The attic fan pulled the stale air out of the attic and the damp night air across my bed. I remember waking up in the morning with salty sticky sweat across the back of my hairline.
4. I remember getting a colored TV because the Texas Longhorns were playing in a bowl game.
5. I remember Simmons drug store and the wooden floors that creaked and clicked under my mother’s heels. The druggist sat high – behind a tall counter that made him look like a judge in a white coat.
6. I ran through the mosquito spray as the truck slowly sprayed the neighborhoods to rid the city of its most popular resident. It was like a cloud of poison that spread through yards. We chased the truck for blocks giggling with delight as we ran into each other in the fog.
7. I remember the floods – our neighbor used a row boat in the street when the floods came.
8. I remember walking the two miles to the pasture where my horse was kept. The tar in the road made impressions of my feet.
9. I remember when John F. Kennedy was shot. I was in Science class.
10. I remember when there were race riots. My mother came and got us from the movie theater. Danger was there – in our own town. None of it made sense to me.
11. I remember getting a packet of sunflowers at the movie theater when we saw the The Day of the Triffods.
12. I remember watching Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show. I remember the first time the Beatles were on the show too.
13. I got a poodle skirt and a crunch slip in the fourth grade. Unlike most girlie things, I liked wearing them.
14. I got the mumps. What in the world are the mumps and who named them?
15. I used to love chocola. It was a chocolate soda that puts Yahoo to shame. I loved Fizzies too.
16. I couldn’t wait for National Geographic to come each month. The stories of worlds beyond seemed a fantasy to me.
17. I used to think Troy Donahue was “keen”.
18. I remember wearing pedal pushers and learning the bop and practicing the hula-hoop.
19. I loved baseball – especially the New York Yankees. I collected trading cards even though I didn’t like the gum so much.
20. I loved my Davy Crockett hat. I used to listen to the Davy Crockett record and sing along while pretending to be going through the woods hunting bears in the living room. “Davy – Davy Crockett – King of the Wild Frontier!”
21. I had paper dolls, and paint by number kits, and a Lie Detector game, and a Chatty Cathy doll.

Well - now I could just keep going because there are TV shows like Superman and Dick Clark, and there were foods like Salmon patties every Friday at school, and 6 cent cokes, and there were sounds, like baseball games on the radio, and hi-fi's, but what do you remember about the times of your childhood?

Sharing Poetry

I don't always like to read poetry unless I read about it first - but I do write poetry once in a while. I re-read it a year so later and decide if it makes sense. If it does - I call it good and if it doesn't I wait a few more years and try again. If the second time it reads dumb or poorly written or meaningless - I toss it. Once in a while I have a keeper that each time I read it - the application or nuances increase in value to me - so I declare it good.

Here is one of my favorites - because I use the imagery of one of my favorite things. It has many applications - personal awareness, temptations of infidelity, the loss of your young daughter to adulthood and how it feels to you, or just what you see is what you get - protecting your beautiful pet from the change that happens once the horse has had the opportunity to foal. When that happens, the mare may not returns to that sense of freedom and innocent passion for the wind and the ride and for that fear you want to protect her. Hope you like it too.

THE FOAL

My foal promenades the corral,
And like a sail in a hurricane her mane whips the wind.
The passion in her eyes belies her lighthearted prance.
Her beauty, her innocence I must defend.

From the stable I beckon her "Come!"
Sweet oats to assuage her; she halts. She quivers her flank.
What beckons her beyond my gates of harbor and home?
"She's going to leap." My heart sank!

When did I lose her? No time for assessments,
She knows not what lies in the mirage of ecstasy she senses.
Have I not endowed her with abundant provision?
My boundaries her security, seem now only fences.

"Steady Girl!" My warning scatters under hoofs;
With a virgin lunge she chases the whinnies of the wind beyond.
Unbridled, untamed, naïve - and I unprepared
For the pain of forever reaving our bond.

A lasso, a sugar, a ruse I will plan.
Before tempest’s lusty stallion seduces her virtue
And salacity awakened she gallops like a gale.
Finally I grasped her tho' she restively withdrew.

I reassure her with whispers through the gates.
She neighs a shudder and cantors away, tenuous, her fidelity.
I must keep constant watch for now her eyes will be
Always on the wind that whinnies temptingly!

Thomas Edison's Guests

Thomas Edison gained about 1100 patents on products he invented! We learned a bellyful of such facts about Tom and his good friend Henry Ford on Friday. What a great vacation day. We got the idea a few years ago from Channel 8 News to do a Florida road trip on a tank-full (of gas)with the grandkids.

We have had some adventures – to see the Lippizaners, to the ride the steam engine, to see Solomon’s junk castle and more. We took off to Ft Myers on Friday.

We learned how deep inflation has affected our lives when we realized that Thomas Edison bought his 13 acres of coastal paradise for $20,000. – with a house on it! Of course that was almost 100 years ago – and wages were $1.00 -$5.00 per day so guess you need to put it into perspective.
The sky was cloudy most of the day and it only got hot near the end. Then the thundering rain shower rushed us to the car for a cool and sleepy drive home. I was most impressed with my 8 and 12 year on grandkids who did indeed soak it in. Andrew was impressed with the Model T and 1937 roadster, the movie projectors, and the number of times Edison failed before making the light bulb work.

Emma was impressed with the first talking doll that you crank up in the back. We learned that if she was dropped – the talker broke because she was so fragile. She was astonished to hear that upon her market failure, they buried all the dolls in a big hole near the factory where they likely rest to this day. She wants to know where that factory is.

Bill and I were amazed at the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy – even in the early 1900’s – and knowing the anti-Semitic sentiment both Edison and especially Ford maintain, supporting Hitler’s rise to power, and the cruel task mastery of their sweatshops made quips about their generosity or character slightly distasteful.

Edison did a great deal of research in rubber. Supported by many, including Harvey Firestone. No joke! Thus his very large banyon tree – second largest in America only to one in Hawaii.
The kids enjoyed the individual guided tour on little ear pieces. You dialed the number on the phone of the spot you were in and got a 45-90 second little talk about it. Emma enjoyed the kitchen and guest room. Andrew the library and

the lab.

Memorable Day

What makes a day memorable? Something phenomenal? Extraordinary? Unexpected? How about something ordinary? Like an ordinary July 4th. That’s the memorable day we had today It was hot and in the sticky rush to finish household and outdoor chores, the yard got mowed, the lanai swept, the groceries purchased and then the rain came.
We spent some time scratching our heads and looking for yet another solution for the doggies. Jack has learned to jump over the 4 ½ foot fencing we have set up in our bedroom to give the dogs a nice-sized pen. Last month he learned to push the fence to the side and get out. We had to add zip ties to tie the fence to the bedroom desk. Now he jumps right over the top of the pen… Ebbie, our mini schnauzer is always glad to follow Jack’s example…but she can’t jump - thankfully. So we now have a fenced- top.

We grilled out burgers and my youngest son and his wife came - they are carrying baby Nolan who is our grandson yet-to-be born. Christy and her hubby and two kids came so we had a quite the affair. We play Balderdash – and laughed and had hot home-made biscuits with strawberries and whipping cream.

We wore American flags and USA stickers, and sipped all-American cola through decorated red and blue straws . We wore glow-in-the-dark necklaces and watched the boys grow chest hair for an hour and a half – lighting June Bugs, Flaming Rockets, Star Dust, and the Big Rebel. A great 4th of July fireworks show.

We had watermelon smoothies, took photos, watched the history channel special on the Revolution and watched Emma dance to Hot Buttered Popcorn. A memorable day just because……

Fatherless on Father's Day

In Genesis 48-50 Jacob, the father of 12 men, blesses his children before he is gathered to his own fathers. He speaks over them the history of the world – his blessings, his curses, his cautions, his favoritism - and the words are so powerful that they shaped the future of mankind - a father’s words. In Deuteronomy 26 and 27 God makes provision for the fatherless a law to be obeyed; being fatherless was a handicap requiring an entire community to underwrite. Later in Deuteronomy 32, it is made clear to us that God is our Father – our creator. The two words go hand-in-hand.

In Psalm 103:13 and Matt 18:4 God ascribes to himself the compassion of a father and in Prov 3:12 the discipline of a father and in Luke 15 the forgiveness of a father. There is so much more. Bottom line, fathering is essential to understanding who God is.

Today on Father’s Day, my first without my Father, I remember lessons he taught me. He taught me to love God above all else, to care about the least of humans, to find humor in everything, to value family, to be responsible as a servant, to stay healthy, to be a sacrificing grandparent, to be present in the lives of my family for important occassions, that you are never too old to have fun, that doing something outrageous is okay, and that to die is gain Dad, pretend you just climbed Mt. Everest.

Let's get a good look at you Emma!

Proud of his daugther graduating- no matter how old she is.

Buddies forever with Great Grandpa.



Blessing Emma at her Baptism

Never too young to start exercising.

It's hard to say good-bye to Grandpa and Grandma

This is why it is hard to say good-bye!

Writing secret notes to Grandpa - and her daughter did the same.

Big Brother

When we were toddlers, people thought we were twins; my older brother and I. We were buddies. Or so our parents would tell us. We were the Saturday night live of 1952. I would throw a toy out of the playpen and Bob would run and fetch it, being silly, rolling on the floor or jumping wildly while I laughed and laughed at him. He threw the toy back in the playpen just to have me throw it out.
Big brothers play a special role. I guess that is why I always think the boy should be born first - to protect little sister - to blaze the trail and clear the path for her to promenade through childhood. We had some good childhood times - like running through the horse pasture trying not to get bit, burning down an oil field across the street from our home, painting the neighbor's garage red, making fig mud pies and trying to get baby brother to eat them, sneaking out the window and dropping a typewriter on the head - Bob was in the emergency room with that one. Rolling into the street in a big cardboard barrel- and all that before the age of 5!!!
God had His hand on us alright. Somebody had to have a hand on us. We were wild little comanches, cowboy hats, my Annie Oakley gun set, boots and vest. Mom had a lot of faith in our Lassie of a dog - a half-breed named Tippy. There were many other venturous escapades but we survived to adulthood.
I love getting family together when Bob comes. He has the ability to laugh at just about everything in life. Nothing escapes his sapient eye! And no one is immune to his infectious humor. My sons must have inherited some of the wit. We can laugh and laugh at just about nothing! ......and everything. We remember the things that made us laugh as kids, young parents with our own kids, young grandparents - and I suppose someday we will laugh at aging - or wheelchairs or senior diapers.
Life has been a bit tough for him, but oh, Lord! May I always find the humor in life - despite where I have been, what I am in, or what I am facing - just like my big brother. Here we are. Do we look like twins now??

My! How Flies Time

People say time flies - I think flies time! Have you ever looked at a fly closely? He's quite the cute-ugly little creature, ever busy stimulating his little nose with two of his thready looking little appendages. Their timing is impeccable. As soon as you set out a fresh plate of fruit to eat, they suddenly appear skipping across it, leaving little microcosmic trails of nasty residue that we eat anyway. You seldom see them sneak in with their stealth dives - only after they have had their bellies full and are too heavy to do their "disappearing" act. Then you swoosh them away and with speed at about 2 miles an hour faster than your hand, or your newspaper, or your swatter, they continually tease you.

I sometimes think they sit on the wall chuckling and say, "Watch this, Vern!" In fact their ability to evade the swat of death is indelibly memorialized in fable history by Disney's the Brave Little Taylor who got seven in one blow.

The first horror movies used flies. They enlarged the screenshots so they looked like alien monsters eating triphods. Well here is my ode to flies:


Who flies by but the fast little fly?
Fluttering fancifully, without catching my eye.
Foraging my table he favors my pear .
Swat! Phlat! - I fail flattening him each time I try.
With a fidget and flit he's off - vanishing in air!

It's Over!

It's over! Yeah! Better Body Beat up your Booty Boot Camp! Now I have no one to answer to for weight losss and exercise. I don't know if that is good or bad. Good...I think...because now I have to answer to myself...the hardest task master of all. I probably won't do situps and pushups but I will keep going because I have had some success. I still feel like a loser - and I don't mean weight loser because I could not keep up with the exercises. I finished at home rather than keep going because my past injuries interfered with keeping up. Well - now I have a another goal. I have some nice summer clothes that are two sizes smaller than I am now - so I am on a roll.

Speaking of rolls.... I love buttery tasty croissants and fresh from the oven potato rolls - especially from Publixs - and biscuits - though they aren't even really rolls and I love sweet rolls especuially cinnamon...and there I go again.

Well my clothing heaps are bound to have another pile. That's the put away until next weight gain pile. But the good news is I get to open the box of put away until I LOSE weight pile!

Work is crazy for me right now....so my blogging days are rare and few.

Life Lessons in Clothing Heaps

I looked in my closet a couple of days ago for something dashing, unique, highly professional, and edgie to wear. Of course it had to make me look 10 pounds thinner and 10 years younger. The deeper I went the more dismayed I became. I looked around my clothing heaps and came to some philosophical conclusions about myself. I did find something to wear – but by 9:00 AM I was wondering how I could escape and buy a new outfit before anyone else sees me….

Lesson #1 – Don’t wear your depression. It’s too depressing.
I have a large heap of too-big clothing, mostly dark and drab. It helps me hide when I feel guilty, unworthy, like a failure or I let someone down that I highly respect…such as the boss, or the daughter, or the hubby or the….well all of them. So I wear my frumpiness because it helps me maintain my attitude. You see, I am generally a cheerful person and holding on to depression or a grudge takes a LOT of effort for me. Clothes do help – but eventually my logical side wins and off they go to the back of the closet.

Lesson #2 – Discipline takes more than a little black dress waiting for me to fit into it.
My favorite heap is all the clothes I’m gonna wear! They are colorful and perfect fitting (on somebody about one size smaller than I). They all have their tags. My brain knows better than to be derailed from its eating interests for a cheap trick like a little black dress – but my emotional buying side keeps trying. I have been disciplining myself a little better these days….but it take a lot of work and definitely prayer. (You know – better body beat up my booty campy-d-camp)

Lesson #3 – Planning is important in all aspects of life
My second favorite heap is my unplanned buying pile. It is a bunch of good buys and nice fits that don’t match each other. Somehow none of them go together and they were all such a good buy I hate to spend money on something that matches because then the good buy part is lost! I pick one out now and then and try it with this or that. I can always tell when I fail. I walk into work and everyone gives me the once over but politely says nothing…except Jen – she is as honest as they come. God bless that one!

Lesson # 4- There is value in the same-old.
My last heap (worth mentioning) is the same-old stuff I wear every week. I have no fancy jewelry or matching shoes! Oh my goodness! Shoes…that is another disaster for me. My daughter has tons of shoes…she probably wouldn’t have picked many of them but they have all lied to me in the store – saying, “Pick me! I am easy to wear; I match everything and I am comfortable too!” I don’t keep liars in my closet! Back to the clothes heap….. once in a while in a shopping moment you make music with your selection. You wear it week after week and know that if nothing else will do you can always wear it. Some of these are all worn out – but you hide the stain, safety pin the rip and hope nobody notices the fading because you just like the same-old outfit. There is comfort in knowing an outfit well – how it behaves in public, in the cold, in the rain, when you are hot and sweaty, when the wind blows.

So, what do your clothes tell you? What have you learned?

Better Beat your Body Boot Campy

So I promised to complete my saga on the boot camp. I have lost a few pounds and a whole lot of face! I walked out because I could not do the exercises. It is true I have injuries and impingements to health - like a serious inflammation disease...but I still feel like I copped out.

So what do I do? I go pay the muscle monkey to beat me up one-on-one at the Fitness center. How stupid is that? Now there is no hiding in numbers and pretending to do all those bicep curls...I have to do each and every one of them because he is standing there counting.

I kept asking myself - why? why? would I do this stupid thing? Then it occurred to me. I ate so much face being a quitter that I swallowed my brains and have none left. I plan to finish up with the group the last week of this Boot Camp. And I think I am going to "show 'em!!"

So - tomorrow I go back for my own personal beating. I think I need prayer.

Here - have a flower. I like my flower.

Like Rain

The expert memory maker

Memories are like rain. We saw a lot of rain on our Arkansas trip.

Mostly while driving. I saw too much of the butt end of a windshield wiper blade.

But memories are like rain.
It starts with droplets one by one, clearly landing - distinguishable , separate; faster and faster they pellet until you cannot see today at all.

Then swoosh – the intermittent wiper action clears the path and today

comes into focus once again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sometimes you wonder why it takes so long when someone is so important to you.

Where do you sit after a long afternoon of water skiing...on the stone wall of course!

What do you see when you are sitting on the stone wall?

The Lake I lived on or should say in all summer 1966-1970

Where my brother worked, my father shared his ceramic brilliance by creating glazes,

and where I remember special one-of-a-kind collectable pottery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Memories are like rain.

They clear the air of all the dust and pollen so the world around you is brighter, greener, fresher. They come like a flood then trickle to an end as today

bursts forth rallying the senses to come into the moment and enjoy it’s newness. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I cleaned cabins at Knollwood Lodge when I was 16 and 17. Here is one cabin, the one we had - untouched by remodeling-a timecapsule of memories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Memories are like rain. They soak the dryness, steam the pavement,

and plump the landscape of all that happens today.

They make provision for tomorrow like the buds of today that are tomorrow’s flowers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The greatest joy of my teen years was centered around my horse, thoroughbred racers, and the early mornings at the track.

Lookout Point - where you make-out with your boyfriend or make-up your

dreams of the future, overlooking Hot Springs from West Mountain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Memories are like rain.

Sometimes they come like a surprise shower in the middle of a sunny day.

Sometimes there are signs that gradually awaken you to a coming cloudburst

like birds taking shelter in their nests,

or a change in the wind or the sudden shadowing of the sun.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A fresh drink of water from heaven. First place I hit in town after a semester away at college.

So that’s what the trip was about for me. Memories for my mother to share with her friend, memories for me to share with my daughter and memories for my daughter to make with her daughter. We made as many memories as I recalled. Check out Christy’s blog for a day-by-day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Mom and Anne Kastner - friends for 40 years.

Making memories as Emma walks with G-ma to Anne's cabin.

Making memories with Grandma on West Mountain overlooking the whole city.

On the Road

There are so many songs that describe the feeling of the open road…..that sense of pulling away from all that is routine …the freedom of the road…the stuff that movies are made of…. Like Thelma and Louise, and – and – well all the other movies about road trips.
Some crazy lady who doesn’t like to drive came up with this idea to take a 4-generation road trip – going 2000 miles roundtrip. Okay – the crazy lady was me. Okay I like to drive sometimes, but I am just not very good at it- if my accident record were a rap sheet I’d be serving consecutive life sentences.

So, with girl books on CD in tow, at least one suitcase per girl, and everyone’s car comfort bag, we took off. By the fifth hour, just passing Gainesville, a 150 mile trip from our Lakeland home, and after ditching the first CD book on chapter 3 we needed a pick-me- up. Steak dinner.

Things got worse. Arriving at the wrong hotel at 1:30 in the morning I was not about to take any lip from the Hampton Inn clerk. The front door was locked and not a soul around. I rang the night bell three times, politely waiting 10 seconds between each buzz. Finally I called the guy on the phone. He had the nerve to tell me he was standing at the front desk and didn’t see me by the door. I promptly and assertively told him, “You are NOT at the front desk and therefore you CAN’T see me at your front door.” With ever grit of customer service he could impersonate, “I’m walking outside right now, can you see me?” Exasperated, “Listen, buddy, you are NOT walking outside and I DO NOT see you.”

“Ma’am, what was the exit number you took?”
“77 – just like mapquest told me to take.”
“We are exit 57.”
“57?”
“57.”
“I just came from 57.”
Yes Ma’am.”

The next morning, with threat of thunderstorms and tornados on 5 hours of sleep, we cheerfully headed across Alabama to visit my longest standing friend in life – Kathy. Her home and smile were respite enough and with bellies full of home-cooked brunchie we drove through the years and cobwebs of my mind – right into my high school hometown – Hot Springs, Arkansas.

As we rolled around the corner to Knollwood Lodge, the faint rhythms of “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” greeted my memory and all my senses floated back to July 1969 and a bikini summer sun and the slap of Lake Hamilton across the slats of the old wooden dock floating amid the waves as the speed boats passed by. We walked into the cabin and cozied under warm quilts and I fancied dreams of yesterday. (Yes it reminds me of the song!)

We rose to a chilly Sunday morning and seized the day! Off to the races. Took my daughter and granddaughter to Oaklawn race track – where I hot-walked the horses every racing season. Rising in the dew-drenched twilight of the morning to enjoy the smells of hay and damp dirt and the touch of velvet nestling nostrils was one of my greatest joys. A thoroughbred is like a royal - an aristocrat. They are powerful muscular creatures of virtue and rare beauty. – one that turns heads and mists the eyes. Being in their inner circle – knowing each by name, by personality, by forte is a privilege peculiar and extraordinary. One I loved above all else in my youth.

We walked the promenade behind bathhouse row, the historic claim to Hot Springs for nearly 2 centuries. (Of much grander stature than the claim of Bill Clinton’s hometown!) We drank from the hot springs bubbling and steaming up from deep within the mountain rock. Fresh – clean and perfect in beauty. Always reminded me of how God spoke the waters to be - a remnant of Eden. Memories and delights yet await me tomorrow.

….oops. forgot to beat up my body for boot camp!!! Must exercise ----but not today.