Palmer House Chicago

It was 1964. I was 13. A skinny little vanilla wafer with long brown hair and a large leather hat - pointy red shoes and feather earrings. I must have looked ridiculous. My father had an important meeting of the Ceramic industry’s premier annual conference at the Palmer House in Chicago. I wanted to look cool but when I walked into the lobby with my three brothers and motherand could not contain my aloofness. I was stunned and awed by its beauty. I remember the high ceiling, the intricate, abundant and extravagant gold décor surrounding every wall, entrance and archway. The chandeliers were larger than my bedroom at home and the paintings on the ceiling made me feel like I was in Italy or France. I remember twirling in the center of the lobby while my parents checked in. I loved the click of my shoes on the tessellated marble floors.

I read about the history of the Palmer House. Giving the Hotel as a gift to his new wife, Potter Palmer spared no expense in design and size. The Palmer House was the largest hotel in the world. It burned to the ground in the great Chicago fire 6 weeks after it opened, only to be rebuilt in greater magnificence.

I remember walking down State Street to the record shop and buying my first Beatles 45. It was actually the first record I every purchased. I had been given records, but never purchased one. I couldn’t help myself. I had checked in. My transfer credit summit would begin in two hours. I had a direct flight from Tampa to Chicago. I walked into the Palmer House, I looked at the ceiling and had a sudden urge to twirl. So I did!

Isn’t it beautiful!

Reflections - Challenged by Christy

Okay, so I am a little behind and I did not do anyphoto touch-up. But I tried my hand at reflections. The first photo is the windshielf of Bill's old truck. You can see the reflection of the trees and see through the glass to the house. I think it is too busy. I would have like to park it where there is nothing but water or grass - but it was a good idea. I do not know what that little strip is in the upper right corner.

This is my favorite one. This is my thinking rock. I looked for a large rock to buy that was smooth and tilted just right so that it is comfortable to sit on. I found it and it was a job bringing it home! I surrounded it with lilies which are not yet in bloom. But it shows the reflection of the tree and I love the shadow of the lily leaf licking the curvature of the rock. Not particularly artistic but at least I now have a photo of my thinking rock.

This is my birdbath. I love the palm frond that is reflecting on the edge. I wish I would have gotten the entire round bird bath - I thought I did. I love my bird bath. I watch cardinals, doves, and finches bath. I also watch squirrels drink. All this from my lovely office at home.

The end!

Not the best of moods....

Once I listed nostalgic remembrances; the ones that made me smile. Today, I am enjoying a day off but my mood is one that is hard to describe. I feel nostalgic but pensive like the past is a pleasant aroma with tentacles of reeking emanations that actually came from the future. Perhaps instead, they are the future’s dirty roots growing around the past’s pleasant herbs and spices planting themselves so that when the future arrives (as it has) the thistles and stinkweed cannot be uprooted without destroying whatever remains that is good. Okay this is beginning to sound quite gloomy – I will make a list and see if you get the feeling when I am done.

I remember:
1. When before my eyes on national television I watched Chinese students die in massacre at Tiananmen Square – That was 1989.
2. I remember my father being upset because people blamed President Dwight Eisenhower for Joseph McCarthy’s political noosing of anything and anyone whom he chose to associate with Communism; and then the media began to dismantle his distinguished military career and demand apologies for his decisions as a military leader. I don’t remember much else other than I thought Eisenhower was a German word for something to eat that my father didn’t like. I was 3 or 4.
3. I remember when Elvis was censored on the Ed Sullivan Show and the pre-teens and teens were outraged. The parents were neutral but vocal in church groups. The grandparents were appalled and supported the censor. The teens said grandparents were too old to know anything. Forced retirement rid American Corporate Life of old ideas during that decade.
4. In 1970-2 a Dallas Football player was arrested for exposing himself to a child. He was kicked off the team but they won the Super Bowl.
5. January 22, 1973 the Supreme Court gave America the right to kill its unborn as it decided the case of Roe vs. Wade. The grandparent were appalled – but they had no more clout amidst the American Monied.
6. When John F. Kennedy was shot, and Bobby Kennedy, and Martin Luther King. There was war every night on TV – soldiers were dying while we ate roast and mashed potatoes.
7. In the late 60’s daredevils like Evil Kneivel made the news breaking most of the bones in his body while doing something bizarre on a motorcycle. America wanted more.
8. When no one knew the ill-effects of drugs like cocaine or marijuana, or heroine – until someone you knew died.
9. When gas went from 35 cents to 40 cents in the 1970’s and we complained about inflation. It was called the Oil Crisis.
10. Three astronauts died in Apollo 1 but it wasn’t that big of news - America was more interested in the visit of the Beattles that year while Grissom and the others were buried with forgettable fanfare.
11. Flip Wilson cross-dressed – and America thought it was humor – the devil got the credit.


Okay so my mood – well – hmmm - my mood needs to change! I guess I need to stop this nonsense and get out my Psalms, take a ride in the sunshine, watch Julie and Julia again, or read the comic strips on the paper. I know – I will have chocolate….Mindy and Joe have me craving a certain chocolate bar!

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.....