Many years ago as a young mother living in a largely retirement aged community, I remember when a new couple moved into the Ward. He said that they were retired from their jobs--not from life, so please put them to work right away. And so it was done.
In my current ward, it is a standing joke about how many are in "the waiting room" for death, and after three [or was it four?] funerals within just a couple weeks, my then bishop declared a moratorium on dying until pageant was over that year. It must've worked, for while we've had any number of others enter "the waiting room" the first death was quite recently.
As a young "retired" [due to disability] I cannot understand what others have meant by retired, but have come up with my own definition after observation and participation. To be "retired" meant that you are tire again and again because of all there is to do.
In my own case, I volunteer for only a couple of things at the high school--working on the Madrigal, the spring play and working with the genealogy unit in sociology every semester.
At church: Sunday school teacher [currently Gospel Docrine/adult class] choir--including the Stage manager / scene designer / design executer for our May Patriotic Program. Book Club is held monthly in my home.
I tutor two home schooled kids in English daily.
I work at the Family History Center 2nd & 4th Tues and sometimes 5th Tues, and sometimes go in with an individual appointment[like last Mon afternoon--2 1/2 hrs] I work on my own genealogy and serve as a ward family history consultant. I try to do at least one page of indexing, daily.
I garden /can etc. I also flower garden. I often volunteer at the Bishop's Storehouse. Occasionally, I have the pleasure to babysit for a family with baby/ and or young children.
I continue to work on Pageant to get things in readiness for next year.
I'm a Visiting Teacher. Our book club has been asked to prresent a skit for the upcoming Stake Enrichment
I'm a community volunteer [tho am pulling back with the upcoming move]
Yep. I'm tired, and retired on a daily basis...but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Because of my mdedical history, I qualify as one in the waiting room, but I figure on being around for quite some time to com...just tired and daily retired!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Steel Drum Music
Look--I found something to write about! All on my own!
I was blessed to receive quite a lot of musical training, it made up to a large extent for my total lack of talent. Then all my kids went through band, and I was always a very active Band Parent, so I thought my knowledge base was fairly high. I've spent my life going to a variety of types of concerts. While not terribly knowledgable about strings, I've been privilaged to have many close friends who were quite the virtuosos on their instruments, so over the years I learned quite a bit. One of my favorite sections in any large museum is the area with musical instruments from all over the world. I thought I'd been exposed to it all, but oh how not so!
Last Sat. I went to the local high school's Steel Drum Concert. I've wanted to go for the past three years, but it just never worked out. This time they had one of the top guys in the world in, along with a touring college band.
I had NO idea!!! It was so musical that originally I strained looking for an electric piano. I did not believe that much music could come from such "ordinary" objects used as instruments! By the end I realized that each one had not a plain flat top as I'd expected but they were concave and many had different concave pockets. Those with the largest drums had a grouping of up to six drums circling the drummer, who would whirl around from one to another. It was amazing. It was fun and invigorating! I'm so glad I finally went. All because the director is Richards PA [performing arts] instuctor and I promised him I would attend. Richard couldn't--he had work and church activity. I invited his drummer friend [who had the church activity, but I didn't know about it 'til then] and his mother, my good friend. So she and I went. Fun!
I'm looking forward to the end of year concert--band, steel drum company, two HS choirs, middle school choir and parent's band! That was a new one on me! It is probably a good thing that I didn't know about it before. I believe I could play some percussion still...but it is better not to find out, I'm sure!
I was blessed to receive quite a lot of musical training, it made up to a large extent for my total lack of talent. Then all my kids went through band, and I was always a very active Band Parent, so I thought my knowledge base was fairly high. I've spent my life going to a variety of types of concerts. While not terribly knowledgable about strings, I've been privilaged to have many close friends who were quite the virtuosos on their instruments, so over the years I learned quite a bit. One of my favorite sections in any large museum is the area with musical instruments from all over the world. I thought I'd been exposed to it all, but oh how not so!
Last Sat. I went to the local high school's Steel Drum Concert. I've wanted to go for the past three years, but it just never worked out. This time they had one of the top guys in the world in, along with a touring college band.
I had NO idea!!! It was so musical that originally I strained looking for an electric piano. I did not believe that much music could come from such "ordinary" objects used as instruments! By the end I realized that each one had not a plain flat top as I'd expected but they were concave and many had different concave pockets. Those with the largest drums had a grouping of up to six drums circling the drummer, who would whirl around from one to another. It was amazing. It was fun and invigorating! I'm so glad I finally went. All because the director is Richards PA [performing arts] instuctor and I promised him I would attend. Richard couldn't--he had work and church activity. I invited his drummer friend [who had the church activity, but I didn't know about it 'til then] and his mother, my good friend. So she and I went. Fun!
I'm looking forward to the end of year concert--band, steel drum company, two HS choirs, middle school choir and parent's band! That was a new one on me! It is probably a good thing that I didn't know about it before. I believe I could play some percussion still...but it is better not to find out, I'm sure!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Z, Zed, The End!
Finally, the end of the alphabet. And it isn't even a whole month since last I wrote--it must be THE END!
Everybody knows that Z is for Zebras well as the Zoo in which we see them. I began thinking about the zoos [and similar types of places]I have known, and there have been not a small number. I first remember the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago from when I was a little girl in the '50's. We lived in the Chicago area--the city, it's suburbs or a bit further into northern Indiana until 1960. Even when we were no longer in Chicago, we had family there until the late '60's, and returned often to visit. This helped to keep early memories sharp. The Brookfield zoo was famous for its Petting Zoo. I remember most riding--yes, riding upon the back [shell] of giant turtles. Galapagos perhaps?
In California, the first animal place I recall is the snake farm across the street from Knott's Berry Farm. It was our excursion on our first Christmas away from family and friends. Besides we were building up on the hill, and Dad wanted us instructed properly about rattlesnakes. We were. And we never had a serious snake problem because of that trip.
Later we went to Jungleland [no longer in existence] where we drove through in our own car to see the wild jungle animals in their "sorta natural" environment. I don't think the place lasted too long, so it must not have worked very well. I don't think they did it right--not like the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Growing up in Southern CA, we were spoiled by the San Diego Zoo, and later the Wild Animal Park. In my experience [not vast in the field, I know] it has got to be the best Zoo going. I remember when animals were in smallish enclosures and cages. Today, the enclosures are huge, and rarely is there a cage involved!
When living in OKC, OK, we were excited to take the kids to the zoo. It was awful! Accustomed to San Diego, we adults felt sick to our stomachs at the cages and small enclosures they still employed [I believe it has changed since then.] The girls were not impressed either, except Erica, who was only two, and didn't know any better. Needless to say, we cut the day as short as we could!
As a kid, I remember Marineland in the LA area--a sort of water zoo. It was really interesting. Trips to Disneyland always educational back then, included the Jungle Cruise--with its so realistic animals that my grandmother visiting with us actually believed they were real--and my Dad could NOT convince her otherwise--ever. The Submarine ride took us under water to see the sea life--another type of "zoo."
As an adult, living in Arkansas, one of my great fears was alligators in the wild--especially when my son had the strange job of "throwing ducks" for a hunting dog trainer. As they worked around and in water I always worried about alligators. Daily he would assure me of no sightings and try to assuage my fears. Last summer, under the "ten year rule" [things that would have only worried Mom can now come out--its over and done with a decade ago...so too late to worry] the truth came out--he saw alligators every day! In any case, I took the "little" kids to an Alligator Farm and Deer Park. I actually held a 3 year old alligator on my lap and we all petted it! The owner said it was this 'gator's last year as a pet, by opening next season, he would be too big and no longer tame. We also enjoyed going into the deer enclosure and feeding them out of our hands and pockets--except for one child who was terrified of the deer! Alligators--OK, but deer, somehow frightening?!
In VA we had the actual Richmond City Zoo, which is no longer located in the city of Richmond, but quite a ways out, and is privately owned! However it is a very nice zoo. I especially like the giraffes there because of the way the enclosure is built with a fairly low bridge along one end. It is not only possible, but encouraged to feed the animals out of your hand! It is fun to be on eye level with them as well. We also had Maymont Park which includes a new Nature Center with all sorts of fish, turtles etc. including river otters. Then outside you can walk the trail to see a cougar [in a large multi-story cage] bear, buffalo and farm animal once you reach the children's farm. There are exotic birds and various monkeys on the trail as well. No zebras, however.
For zebras, my favorite "zoo" is the Hemet [CA]"Zoo". A wealthy family owned quite a lot of acreage and have collected a number of exotic plains animals. There is plenty of parking, and people go up there all the time just to look over the fences at these animals. My favorites are the zebras and a donkey which is almost zebra-looking [I've forgotten what it actually is]. On the other side of the hill, they also run a herd of buffalo.
The zoo here is pretty nice, and I understand improved from when I was there; I was quite disappointed in the small size of the lion enclosure. It was, however, undergoing renovation at that time, and the reason it was so small is because of moving animals around to build more space, while still keeping everyone safe. I look forward to seeing it updated.
Another "zoo" my family has loved is in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It is really not a zoo at all, but an animal shelter for native animals. Hurt animals are brought in and while they are still healing--not ready for re-release to the wild, they are able to be seen. So one never really knows ahead of time what they will see there--except for a few permanent residents whose injuries are such that they would not make it should they be released to the wild--like the one-legged road runner.
My favorite "zoo" though, is the one under my own roof. When my family is all together [rare because of distance and finances, or the lack thereof] it is a zoo--and I love it and all of them!
Everybody knows that Z is for Zebras well as the Zoo in which we see them. I began thinking about the zoos [and similar types of places]I have known, and there have been not a small number. I first remember the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago from when I was a little girl in the '50's. We lived in the Chicago area--the city, it's suburbs or a bit further into northern Indiana until 1960. Even when we were no longer in Chicago, we had family there until the late '60's, and returned often to visit. This helped to keep early memories sharp. The Brookfield zoo was famous for its Petting Zoo. I remember most riding--yes, riding upon the back [shell] of giant turtles. Galapagos perhaps?
In California, the first animal place I recall is the snake farm across the street from Knott's Berry Farm. It was our excursion on our first Christmas away from family and friends. Besides we were building up on the hill, and Dad wanted us instructed properly about rattlesnakes. We were. And we never had a serious snake problem because of that trip.
Later we went to Jungleland [no longer in existence] where we drove through in our own car to see the wild jungle animals in their "sorta natural" environment. I don't think the place lasted too long, so it must not have worked very well. I don't think they did it right--not like the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Growing up in Southern CA, we were spoiled by the San Diego Zoo, and later the Wild Animal Park. In my experience [not vast in the field, I know] it has got to be the best Zoo going. I remember when animals were in smallish enclosures and cages. Today, the enclosures are huge, and rarely is there a cage involved!
When living in OKC, OK, we were excited to take the kids to the zoo. It was awful! Accustomed to San Diego, we adults felt sick to our stomachs at the cages and small enclosures they still employed [I believe it has changed since then.] The girls were not impressed either, except Erica, who was only two, and didn't know any better. Needless to say, we cut the day as short as we could!
As a kid, I remember Marineland in the LA area--a sort of water zoo. It was really interesting. Trips to Disneyland always educational back then, included the Jungle Cruise--with its so realistic animals that my grandmother visiting with us actually believed they were real--and my Dad could NOT convince her otherwise--ever. The Submarine ride took us under water to see the sea life--another type of "zoo."
As an adult, living in Arkansas, one of my great fears was alligators in the wild--especially when my son had the strange job of "throwing ducks" for a hunting dog trainer. As they worked around and in water I always worried about alligators. Daily he would assure me of no sightings and try to assuage my fears. Last summer, under the "ten year rule" [things that would have only worried Mom can now come out--its over and done with a decade ago...so too late to worry] the truth came out--he saw alligators every day! In any case, I took the "little" kids to an Alligator Farm and Deer Park. I actually held a 3 year old alligator on my lap and we all petted it! The owner said it was this 'gator's last year as a pet, by opening next season, he would be too big and no longer tame. We also enjoyed going into the deer enclosure and feeding them out of our hands and pockets--except for one child who was terrified of the deer! Alligators--OK, but deer, somehow frightening?!
In VA we had the actual Richmond City Zoo, which is no longer located in the city of Richmond, but quite a ways out, and is privately owned! However it is a very nice zoo. I especially like the giraffes there because of the way the enclosure is built with a fairly low bridge along one end. It is not only possible, but encouraged to feed the animals out of your hand! It is fun to be on eye level with them as well. We also had Maymont Park which includes a new Nature Center with all sorts of fish, turtles etc. including river otters. Then outside you can walk the trail to see a cougar [in a large multi-story cage] bear, buffalo and farm animal once you reach the children's farm. There are exotic birds and various monkeys on the trail as well. No zebras, however.
For zebras, my favorite "zoo" is the Hemet [CA]"Zoo". A wealthy family owned quite a lot of acreage and have collected a number of exotic plains animals. There is plenty of parking, and people go up there all the time just to look over the fences at these animals. My favorites are the zebras and a donkey which is almost zebra-looking [I've forgotten what it actually is]. On the other side of the hill, they also run a herd of buffalo.
The zoo here is pretty nice, and I understand improved from when I was there; I was quite disappointed in the small size of the lion enclosure. It was, however, undergoing renovation at that time, and the reason it was so small is because of moving animals around to build more space, while still keeping everyone safe. I look forward to seeing it updated.
Another "zoo" my family has loved is in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It is really not a zoo at all, but an animal shelter for native animals. Hurt animals are brought in and while they are still healing--not ready for re-release to the wild, they are able to be seen. So one never really knows ahead of time what they will see there--except for a few permanent residents whose injuries are such that they would not make it should they be released to the wild--like the one-legged road runner.
My favorite "zoo" though, is the one under my own roof. When my family is all together [rare because of distance and finances, or the lack thereof] it is a zoo--and I love it and all of them!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Y is for Years
Y is for all the Years I take to accomplish any project. Even when I finish a project, it sometimes takes me years to deliver it [like Lura's "Mugtoons" quilt]. However I am discovering that the years are paying off. I've worked for many years [decades even] on just one area of our genealogy. This week with the newFamilySearch [we are in one of the experimental areas] the brick wall came a tumbalin' down! And I've "met" a new relative! So again I urge all who can take even a half hour per week to do a page of indexing--so much of the information we seek is out there--and now we're getting it to be availible to everyone who needs it.
I'm beginning to really notice the rapid passage of the years as I contemplate my last child leaving home for college [oh, all right, so once again we are leaving and moving the home...still, no more kids at home] and grandchildren rapidly moving into the stage of life that so recently my youngest has left: ruled by school days and schedules, starting sports...the years, they go so fast.
I am so grateful for scrapbooking [thanks, Sariah--even if my style is quite different from yours] as I have found it a good and satisfying way to record family history. Making Vol I of Vinnie's Been There, Done That Book was truly pleasurable, it helped me as it brought back so many really good memories along with a way to ignore the not so good.
I notice with health changes and concerns that I am not as young as I used to be...the years are passing. But it is all good. I am able to do things now that I could not do when I was younger due to other responsibilities and concerns. It is part of life that the years go on by, hopefully we take full advantage of the experiences offered us, but realistically, we don't always succeed. In the coming years I hope to do better concentrating on what is really important.
Fill out one of those 12 generation family pedigree charts...and boy do the years whiz by! I am amazed that I can fill in all the way to the end of the chart in so many lines...and it seems like just a moment ago rather than almost forty years since my Grandpa and I began working together on our family tree. He always wanted to know the first names of his grandparents [Adam and Margaret] and now I know the names of his 10th Great grandparents, and more! Families, stretching back through the years of history...and families stretching on into the mists of the years to come.
I'm beginning to really notice the rapid passage of the years as I contemplate my last child leaving home for college [oh, all right, so once again we are leaving and moving the home...still, no more kids at home] and grandchildren rapidly moving into the stage of life that so recently my youngest has left: ruled by school days and schedules, starting sports...the years, they go so fast.
I am so grateful for scrapbooking [thanks, Sariah--even if my style is quite different from yours] as I have found it a good and satisfying way to record family history. Making Vol I of Vinnie's Been There, Done That Book was truly pleasurable, it helped me as it brought back so many really good memories along with a way to ignore the not so good.
I notice with health changes and concerns that I am not as young as I used to be...the years are passing. But it is all good. I am able to do things now that I could not do when I was younger due to other responsibilities and concerns. It is part of life that the years go on by, hopefully we take full advantage of the experiences offered us, but realistically, we don't always succeed. In the coming years I hope to do better concentrating on what is really important.
Fill out one of those 12 generation family pedigree charts...and boy do the years whiz by! I am amazed that I can fill in all the way to the end of the chart in so many lines...and it seems like just a moment ago rather than almost forty years since my Grandpa and I began working together on our family tree. He always wanted to know the first names of his grandparents [Adam and Margaret] and now I know the names of his 10th Great grandparents, and more! Families, stretching back through the years of history...and families stretching on into the mists of the years to come.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
X--I Know ItsTaken a Long Time!
X is a useful letter. It has really gotten me thinking...I had some great ideas...
X is For Ex-es, and I had lots of thoughts about writing about how after sveral decades exes and new spouses and families can get along! But the whole idea freaks ouit Sariah, after years of wanting us to be friends, but now it is just too late for her to comprehend!
X is for Crossing Things Out as in fixing errors--but woth the advent of the computer, we no longer really cross things out much. [The newFamilySearch does use a crossing, or at least lining things out!]
X is for X-ray. Very important for diagnosing all sorts of medical problems. And there are a batch of different types of X-Rays now, as well!
X is for Xylophone. We all know that from kids' ABC's books--and from all the xylophone toys kids have.
X is for Christ. Learning as I did this year, that X-mas is not a modern invention, but the the X represented Christ on the cross, made that "abbreviation" much more palatable.
X Marks the Spot. It can be a fine game for FHE or whatever.
So X is for all sorts of things...what should I write about? What can I wax eloquent upon?
Obviously, not much--either the topic was too deep, or it was too shallow. I am having a really hard time. I don't write as well as some, like terrierchica, Sariah or Julia. But I do know that X is Not what ? I want to see in my genealogy--X's equaling blanks, and I am desperately working away. T new FS is great, but a lot of work. It will be great as it gets up and working well. I really want to do this. So X is getting to work as am I. The more I work at it, the more ignorant I feel. The more I need to work. And I encourage any and everyone to work on your Family History so yours will not be filled with X's but with real people!
X is For Ex-es, and I had lots of thoughts about writing about how after sveral decades exes and new spouses and families can get along! But the whole idea freaks ouit Sariah, after years of wanting us to be friends, but now it is just too late for her to comprehend!
X is for Crossing Things Out as in fixing errors--but woth the advent of the computer, we no longer really cross things out much. [The newFamilySearch does use a crossing, or at least lining things out!]
X is for X-ray. Very important for diagnosing all sorts of medical problems. And there are a batch of different types of X-Rays now, as well!
X is for Xylophone. We all know that from kids' ABC's books--and from all the xylophone toys kids have.
X is for Christ. Learning as I did this year, that X-mas is not a modern invention, but the the X represented Christ on the cross, made that "abbreviation" much more palatable.
X Marks the Spot. It can be a fine game for FHE or whatever.
So X is for all sorts of things...what should I write about? What can I wax eloquent upon?
Obviously, not much--either the topic was too deep, or it was too shallow. I am having a really hard time. I don't write as well as some, like terrierchica, Sariah or Julia. But I do know that X is Not what ? I want to see in my genealogy--X's equaling blanks, and I am desperately working away. T new FS is great, but a lot of work. It will be great as it gets up and working well. I really want to do this. So X is getting to work as am I. The more I work at it, the more ignorant I feel. The more I need to work. And I encourage any and everyone to work on your Family History so yours will not be filled with X's but with real people!
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