Allrie's Mountaintop

I'm Tired

2009-04-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

I'm tired. Sleepy, yes, but more tired from argument and yelling. I'm tired of my family yelling at each other through me. It must be a generational thing--it has been going on for generations.
I am not a buffer zone--except that I am.

Please stop yelling at me when you want to yell at someone else. Sariah and Erica, this is NOT just pointed at you. Yes, that has been this morning, but other days it is someone else, and I feel like this has been my whole life. Oh, maybe because it has been going on that long. Enough. Stop. I love my family--every single one. Have your problems with each other if you so choose. I cannot stop it. But I'm not going to be in the middle any more. Yell at each other, ignore each other. Just know that I refuse [as always] to stop loving someone else, or to be mad at someone else just because you are. Sometimes it is easier to talk to some of the 5th & 6th cousins I've found doing genealogy--I guess because I am not as invested in all aspects of their lives.

So thats it. I'm done. If you're mad at someone else, fine, but it is your problem. I am not going to try to smooth it over. I love you anyway, and I love the other person too, but I will no longer be a go between. I just wish I could get ALL my family to read this! Unfortunately, that won't happen. I'm so tired!

America: The Strongest Tribe in Iraq

2008-11-13T14:09:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading a book. Not just any book... here's the history.

Extremely Conservative Allrie enjoys her kids--pretty much no matter what. Liberal Erica enjoys The Colbert Report. Although Steven Colbert's show is more about entertainment than news, and he is generally pretty balanced, there is no doubt that it is a liberal show. But it is funny--and I absolutely love how he uses props--magnificently done in my humble, yet somewhat educated in the topic of props, opinion.

One night in August he had Bing West on talkingabout his newbook: The Strongest Tribe. It intrigued me so giving ita few weeks to reach the library shelves, I checked...not yet, but I put my name on the waitlist, so I was one of the first in our county library system to get it!

As I began I saw that the book broke down the War inIraq into years, and sections of years. At first, while interesting, I found that I could read only about 1/2 chapter at a time...then as I got into it, I could not put the book down! I think every voting American should read this book!

Since that will not happen, I want to share a little. the final chapter looks forward to 2009 and beyond, not just forIraq, but for the US as well. [The author took 14 trips toIraq for this book, and is a Vietnam Vet. This is his 3rd book on Iraq.] Appendix C is entitled Bing West's Counterinsurgency Lessons. It summarizes much of what he explains in the last chapter in great detail. [This may sound a little negative, but I promise that in context it is anything but! Bing West reports, analyzes and explains how the US made mistake--as in every war--but how leaders on the ground figured out bit by bit how to win not just the initial war--toppling Saddam, but the "peace" as well in unifying a fractured country]

"
1. Partner Always. Don't fight someone else's battles for him. The goal of US units and advisorteams is to nurture armed units--army and police. If a US unit is not combined with a local unit, it cannot succeed.

2. Fire Incompetents. Americans go in because the host nation failed. Insist on a mechanism to relieve those who fail. Sovereignty should not shield failure.

3. Act as Police. The key is identifying insurgents, not redressing their political grievances. Installing "good government" is not a US militart mission. The US militarty has neglected basic police metrics and methods. It is fooklish to fight an insurgency without conducting a census and employing biometric tools.

4. Be Agressive. UA unit or advisory team must set the example and spend most of its time outside the wire. Force protection is not a mission. The goal is a clearance rate [kill or capture] of over 50% for violent crimes--shootings, bomings, kidnappings, etc. The insurgent must know he will die or be captured.

5. Don't Catch and Release. Insist on a system of incarceration based on common sense rather than democratic ideals. It is crazy to catch insurgents and let them go a few months later.

6. Bribe. The US militarty has no competence to restructure an economy. Every platoon and advisory team should have a monthly allowance of several thousand dollars to dispence for goodwill and information.

7. Treat Everyone with Respect. First, do no harm. The task--that will take years--is to separate the people from the insurgants, not to act like a thug and recruit for the insurgants. If you wouldn't push someone around at home, don't do it anywhere else. NoBetter Friend comes before No Worse Enemy. If foot patrols by local police departments require more than four men, the area has not been cleared. If you don't have a confident, competent police chief, the area is not being held.

8. Barriers Work. "Gated Communities"--walls, concrete barriers, etc.--greatly impede commerce, but they impede the entrance and exit of assasins.

9. Fight the Top. In Iraq and Afghanistan, as in Vietnam, the high-level officials were the most resistant to change. Thwe top levels of the US government have failed to establish tough practices to force change, particularly n ripping out corruption at ministerial levels. If sovereignty guarantees massive corruption, sedition, and recalcitrance that undercut the war effort, then Amewrican soldiers should not be committed.

10. A divisive Society Will Not Remain the Strongest Tribe. As a society, America'[s martial values of patience, sacrifice, and unity have declined. Iraq was as much a symptom as a problem. We foiught in Iraq as a nation divided, with many of our elected leaders willing to lose. No nation can sustain its values by claiming to support the soldier while opposing his mission. If we are divided in the next war, we will not succeed."

Again, get the book. Read it. It will help any and everyone to understand things we must as we vote, as we write to our political leaders, and as we send our children forward in courage to be a part of the force for freedom in retaining ouselves as The Strongest Tribe.

2008-11-11T09:07:00.000-08:00

I've just read a non-LDS sourced food storage article! It includes a clip from a news interview. We should all see this...even though it basically just underlines what the prophets have told us for ages about storing food! See it here: http://www.foodshortageusa.com/ I was surprised to learn that some rationing is already taking place. I am relieved to have as much food storage as I do, but would be happier with more! I keep working on it.

Ike

2008-11-09T21:33:00.000-08:00

I ride a bike everywhere for both exercise and transportation. I like it, now that the temps are cooling down. I hop on my bike and out the drive I ride. Two doors down, Rebecca's house not only has the blue tarp stretched tightly across her roof still, but now what appears to be a work order written large on it. Hers will be a big job, I hope they're able to have it done soon.

Less that a block away the smell assails me. Mold. Decay. And I thought all that stuff was gone, but wait, no, there's another pile of wallboard and carpet ripped out. Hmm, now I really need to get that done, too--even though by comparison mine is only a small amount. Still, it needs doing.

Oh, a new pile of tree branches. It wasn't there yesterday--it must have come out of their back yard. I sneak a quick peek up into the trees and see that they, like us, still have plenty of dead branches broken and caught up there. When it was really windy the other day, I, like most of my neighbors, had a new batch of branches to haul out to the curb.

I stop and snap pictures. It is now two months since Ike came through, and the clean up goes on, and on, and on. . .

Comcast trucks are much in evidence [finally]. I hear they've lost about half their customer base in our community [including us] due to their incredibly slow responsse. In our case, once the line that was down in our back yard went up, service was restored. Too bad for them that they waited so long that we looked into, called, made an appointment, had the guy come out one eve, but since it was already getting dark at that point, he came back the next morning first thing--and we now have satellite [and he even pulled a heavy branch off the roof for me!] The next day Comcast finally came. . . they still had to take care of the downed wire. It was only reported a week and a half earlier!

The daily runs of the huge trucks picking up the big loads of branches and downed tree limbs are over. The guys who did our street were down from upper Wisconsin, and the heat here was terrible to them--and we thought was nice after Ike came through. Dry and unseasonably cool. What a blessing with the power out for most of us for at least a week or more! Still it was awfully hot for these men to whom I was able to give cold water [ten days after Ike and our power was restored.]

The sound of Ike in my mind is not the wind of the storm, but the buzz of the saws beginning the next morning and continuing still. In the first week when so many places of work were closed, men were everywhere: cutting, sawing, and getting rid of the carnage. Now its usually only in the evenings and weekends, and it's here a buzz, there a buzz, [everywhere a buzz, buzz--eventually!] Most of the major work has been done.

Some blocks do not smell of mold any longer, but of new wood as the old blown down fences are hauled away, and the new fences go up. I've a friend from church who lives on a farm and they lost all their fencing, and at last report, still have "miles of new fence to put in."

I feel for the early primary grades in Santa Fe [the next town over]. They lost the roof of their first & second grade building. As a result, the first grade classes are in the Jr. High for the rest of the year [and we'd only been in school a couple of weeks before Ike!] They've settled in nicely, I hear, but they are truely short on library books etc. The community has really pulled together to help them out.

As I write, we have another load of Contracters bags filled to the brim with branches and leaves. I still have to cut down the tropical plants in the backyard which were bent beyond their capacity to recover. As I ride around town, I see that most people have put that off as well--only a few have started work on this type of plant. I guess I'm not the only one who was hoping that they would recover eventually on their own--but it just does not seem to be.

I'll post pictures next week. This has been an interesting experience, and as my rides get braver and longer and reach new territory I see fresh evidences of the churned up landscape.

A Great Invention

2008-08-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

Sippy cups--what a great invention! I wish they'd been around when my kids were small. I don't have a clue when they appeared, just somewhere between my children and my grandchildren. I liked them when I first saw the kids with them.

Then, sitting with my friend and her kids, I began to get jealous. Every Sunday, right after the Sacrament, out come four sippys, four snacks and peace continues until appetites are fed. As an adult who is supposed to carry a bottle of water at all times and drink frequently [according to my "How to be a Good Diabetic Class"] I had trouble. Because of my left side of my mouth having no feeling, dribbling is a frequent hazard with a water bottle.

So, I did it! I bought my own sippy cup. No cartoon characters. No movie characters. No fancy designs. Just a nice plain blue sippy. No more dribbles--I take it to church, to choir, to bed, and it works! And no more spills because of being knocked over! No more overflows trying to open a water bottle and using too much pressure with my left hand holding [squeezing] the bottle as I attemp to open a new one. It is a win-win situation!

Sorry, kids, you should be used to my embarrassing you by now! The sippy cup stays--what a great invention :) Got to go refill my sippy and go to bed now. Good night.

Thank you, Mrs Bissell

2008-08-18T19:20:00.001-07:00

It seems like a year or two since last I blogged. It has been awhile, but not that long, it is just that so much has happened. I was not online for quite awhile, and I am not going to journal here, but some of this summer's activities will work into blogs--of that I am sure!

Today's blog:

A couple decades ago I ran into my old high school PE teacher in the grocery store. She had just retired and I had just finished my teaching credential as a divorced Mom of three. She was a single Mom all those years of teaching, so one might think it would be a comfortable conversation. One would be very, very, wrong! I HATED PE. I was a clutz even then, and thought it the greatest waste of time. My junior year I changed my schedule at least three times, and while required to choose from a variety of sports each 9 weeks, I managed to take basketball three times. It was the only sport in which I was even mildly competant. At the grocery store, Mrs B said that the girls she had of late weren't as creative as my group was! The nicest thing she ever said to me--even if referring to tricking her!
She always said that we had to experience a variety of sports as it would stay with us throughout our lives. We would find activities we enjoyed, and be able to participate in them always. Too bad bocce wasn't on her list, But I picked reading as my sport repeatedly--she wasn't amused.
Now, however, I say, thank you Mrs Bissell. No, not for the sports. For teaching us how to take fast and cold showers when covered in sweat. Now, this is a "sport" in which I am participating several times daily. Welcome to Gulfcoast Texas!

Tears

2008-05-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

Look at my tissue box. It has a map on it. As I open the box, I pull off most of North America. I've lived there, and there and there. I have lived in every section of the United States plus British Columbia, Canada. I have lived in some places as a child in my natal family, some with my first husband, some with my second, some with just children, and some as a single person. Generally speaking, even when moving away from a place I liked, there was some anticipation for the new adventures to come. This time, there are just tears.

Everyone said how awful it would be to move to New England. "They are so closed in their society--no one new is accepted. Period." That's what I was told, by not one person, but by many--some who'd even lived in New England. I was leaving the familiar town of my youth, my family, and everything familiar. Tears would have been reasonable, but there were none. Cold hands, warm heart is what I say. I loved New England, my children loved New England, my husband loved New England, heck, two of my kids were even born in New England!

Moving to the South [in August--from northern New England!] was an especially difficult move. I was scared of The South. When I saw my first KKK'ers up close [fortunately I was in my car I floored it!] I couldn't understand the people I lived among. Literally--the southern accent is very slow speech--especially so after the down east of northern Maine! Many times there were tears--of frustration, loneliness and despair, until I finally made a friend [of course, we couldn't talk over the phone, only in person, because I could not understand anyone over the phone for a full year!] and slowly I began to learn...it's the heat, everything moves more slowly, even the speech. But it doesn't mean people are stupid--just different. After four years I was finally pretty well adjusted, had my activities, loved my school, principal and other teachers...and we joked that 'Mom's feet left drag marks behind the U-Haul as we left!' But it was off to a new adventure--and that was just the journey.

Finally to the Mexican border...and the English was so fast I could barely understand it, let alone the Spanish! As time went by, I sped up, my ears sped up and soon I could keep up. My students never caught on that I could understand their Spanish, however...I had a bilingual aide, so it worked better that way. Lots of trouble was averted because they would talk openly in front of me--in Spanish, thinking I was too stupid for words! Ha! That's all I have to say. Within a few months, I again had my activities and friends and for me all went pretty well in that regard. I was sad to move away so soon, but looked forward to the southeast.

The East Coast has so much history to explore. Williamsburg, VA has been one of my all time favorite places to visit since the family trip in the mid 1960's. I still love it. Life there didn't fall into place so easily, however, and I never really had my own activities or friends. After eight years I'd personally seen as much as I wanted to see in that area of the country, and the kids and I were usually going far afield on our trips! So when we learned we were moving to North Dakota [where I have cousins] I was actualy quite excited. I've liked ND since my first trip there in '69. So I packed, then left to visit one of my kids elsewhere. The phone rang, my husband said, "We are not moving to ND after all," pregnant pause during which I screamed in my head--you mean I did all that packing for NOTHING?--he continued, "We're moving to Ohio instead."

As all who know me personally, or through blogging, are well aware...I love my village. I love my ward. I love my friends. Although I have no local family, I feel as if I do, for everyone has become family...friends, neighbors, villagers, I am involved! I have my activities etc. Life has been very good. I've really enjoyed my home...working on my house, making a home...

I am very grateful that my husband is once again gainfully employed. I just wish it could have been here! I know it is rather selfish of me, but I do NOT WANT to move. It is coming. I am leaving. For awhile I pretended it was just that I didn't look forward to the climate of the Gulf Coast. But the cold, hard, reality is that I do not want to leave my home and friends and active involvements here. But I am going to do it, and the time is coming quickly now...less than a month. So I cry. The emotions have to spill over somewhere! With me, they're spilling out. Tears, welling, overflowing, streaming, damped down and wiped off, only to start anew at the slightest reminder. Tears come during the very fine Sacrament talk given by one of the Elders on friendships. Tears come again after church when I attempt to tell him my opinion that he gave a good talk. And again when I'm asked when I'm leaving--and the choir director tries to schedule a performance before that time because I had mentioned that I've sorta sung that song in several wards--but always moved before it was performed. Tears--it's going to happen here again. Tears as I planted my flowers and a small garden, why? Because I just had to do it! This is my home and it was time to get the plants in the ground. Tears for all the projects I didn't get to complete. Tears for all the projects I didn't get to start. Tears to give up the SS calling I never wanted! Tears to leave the Family History Center--even though I am quite certain there is one where I am going! So many other tears that I cannot list them all, but they keep pouring.

I know that I can make a home basically anywhere. It might not be the same, but it will be fine in the long run. Right now, however, let me just emote. Excuse me, I need a new box of tissue.

Feeling Patriotic?

2008-05-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

I don't really know how to post a link, so I'm putting it into a blog for now. GreatDanePro has made a bunch of patriotic mini-movies. I highly recommend them all. This will get you to one of my favorites, and you can go to others from there. This is for you, Lura...and all the others like you: http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/Soldiers%20Wife/index.htm
Other sections are devoted to patriotic songs [See Battle Hymn!] branches of the service [I've watched only the AF so far...] and individuals. If you are feeling patriotic...or feel the lack thereof...this site will help. I promise.

Getting A Life

2008-05-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

A good friend of mine recently told me that all she does is get up, go to work, go home, walk her dogs[unless she's too tired--then she just turns them out into the backyard to run awhile] go to bed and start all over. I said she could have some of my life. Yesterday and today are a typical slice. Yesterday we [the kids I tutor, their Mom and my son] went to downtown Columbus to see the Santa Maria. It was really interesting--quite different from the Jamestown ships actually 100+ years made a huge difference! Next we swung by the old deaf school to see the topiary gardens because I'd heard of it and wanted to see it. I was quite surprised, if you walk up to the rise not only do you see a relief of the painting [I forget its actual name...I only remember the play!] but it is all topiary, "Sunday in the Park with George"! The Paris park scene painted by George Surat: Isle de something. So I assigned the kids a paper on the Santa Maria. After dumping the kids, we mothers went for lunch and to the library for some time sans teens. whew! Just need that break sometimes!

Today, we started tutoring earlier than usual, this so that we could get a good two hours under our belts before another friend collected me. We went out to take pictures for the power point we're putting together for one of the songs for our ward's Patriotic Program [for Armed Services Day] 17 May. It goes along with the song the choir sings "To the Unsung Heroes". Lunch and many pictures later we whipped over to the missionaries apt, where one received a haircut from my friend outside while others and I loaded their unpacked moving boxes from last week into the van for drop off at my house. Finally reached home about 15 minutes late, grabbed my make-up shirt, boxes were unloaded, and Richard and I took off for his school production of Treasure Island. I'm ready for bed, but am giving Seth 'til midnight to e-mail his paper to me!

Oh, and before all that--both days--I've been working on a script for our book club skit at the Stake Enrichment Day. Unlike my friend...I have too much life! But I wouldn't have missed this time for anything, it has been some of the happiest time in my life. Tomorrow I am going to put new batteries in the camera. I will take tulip pictures--both in the yard, and ones Keith sent "before Mother's Day" .

If I didn't do the things I do already, I can see a half dozen other activities in which I could easily get involved in my community. How does anyone get to the point where they do not have a life? There is so much out there and available to do! Anyone need a few suggestions? I got tons! :)

Retired

2008-04-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

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!

Steel Drum Music

2008-04-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

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!

Z, Zed, The End!

2008-04-15T22:30:00.000-07:00

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!

Y is for Years

2008-04-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

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.

X--I Know ItsTaken a Long Time!

2008-04-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

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!

W is for Wimpy Woman in a Wheelchair

2008-02-17T22:40:00.000-08:00

W is for me--a wimpy woman in a wheelchair.

I was paralized at age 19. After brain surgeries, recovery came slowly, but finally, I reached the Wheelchair stage. I was also moved to a rehab hospital at that point. I cheerfully put in my hours of PT [physical therapy] calling it Physical Torture because it was! But I could get around by myself in my wheelchair. [Very good for chariot races in the hallway.] Then the quad cane--a funny looking cane that goes down to a base with four--"quad"--feet. Then just 10 days after getting the chair, I graduated to the straight cane. [Great for swordplay in the hallways.] I held te record in speed going from wheelchair to straight cane. I really hated the wheelchair. As I was a left hemi [paralized on the left side of my body] I had to roll with my right hand and steer with my right foot. Yuk! I swore I'd NEVER use a wheelchair again!

However...most hospitals share the policy of taking their discharging patients to the door in a wheelchair--like after having a baby, etc. Well each time [and they were all different hospitals] I was able to talk the nurses into letting me walk--but the chair had to follow alongside. At least I was not IN it.

The years ticked by--and I was able to avoid using a wheelchair on other hospital stays as well. Then I was struck down with sciatica. This is a glorified "pinched nerve". Extremely painful. Because of the plethora of health conditions I have, it took extra long to diagnose the problem, so it got bigger and bigger until I was living on cortisone shots received at the huge hospital where I had to walk a long ways, and really could not walk. I caved, I folded, I used the chair. Then as I recovered--no more wheelchairs for me.

Time continued to roll on, and I had other problems which often leave me confused in crowds or unfamiliar places--like strange airports. Add long walking distances when changing planes. Add the fact that I once dropped my familys' tickets on the floor at the airport [I'm thinking it was O'Hare!!] and while they were quickly located, panic mode had set in.

So now when I fly--especially by myself, I ask for and gratefully use the wheelchair. So there you will see me--a Wimpy Woman being pushed along in a Wheelchair. I still don't like it, but am ever so grateful to be able to receive such a service.

V is for Victory!

2008-01-16T14:42:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, we have been Victorious in pulling of the Nativity and enjoying our family Christmas celebrations this year! We're finalizing the costume cleaning and bagging tonight. All is well in this little corner of my mountain. Daughter's have come to the "top" to seek advice on a variety of subjects, and generally I've been victorious in being able to help.

I disagree with Big Bird. There are lots of words that start with V. There's vegetables [yum--and they're healthy!] and victory [always good when its your side--right?] and vim and vigor [returning after the stresses of Pageant and holidays--trying to do everything just so] and vacant [the vacant historic house I pass regularly is looking very happy and no longer vacant--and no longer looks like a haunted house.]] and village [I love mine] and villains [not too many here in our small village!] and vices [thats what New Year's resolutions are for--to help us conquer our own vices, no matter the size.] Violins and Viola playing vivatiously. [All right, I admit to preferring band!]Viscious vixens are not in the area, and that's a good thing. So I'm Very very happy for the many blessing we do enjoy!

[And I could come up with lots more V words, too--just in family names! Valerie, Val, Vincent, Vince, Vin, Vincenzo, Vincente, Vic, Vittore, Victor, and Veronica; plus Vicky and Victoria; also Vinceanna, Velma, Vern, Verna, and many many more!]

U is for Understanding

2007-12-31T13:17:00.000-08:00

This time of year made the call for my U...for Understanding. It seems like so many of our troubles stem from not understanding--the other guy, the other society, the other point of view etc. We all [in our culture, at least] talk about peace, joy, goodwill and understanding towards all, but it is so much easier done than said! Understanding does not mean agreement, nor even approval. It means just...understanding that the other person might have a different viewpoint, which is as valid to him as mine is to me. The other culture might have a different background, so a different way of interpreting events etc than mine. We can understand that we have differences.

That said, understanding that others have different viewpoints does not make all views equally valid. I can understand that the colorblind man sees the stop sign as grey, but it remains red. Verities do not change because of differences in understanding. I know certain things are true, but if you understand it differently, I do not have to look down on you, nor do I have to accept your understanding as true as mine. I simply have no right to ridicule you or persecute you for your lack of understanding as I do. That is true tolerance. To know what is right, to understand the differences others may have, to accept the people with the incorrect opinions as valid and justified in their opinions without accepting something that is intrincically abhorant as equal in value. The person is equal in value to me or to anyone else, but understanding is rarely equal because we have such divergent backgrounds that while some of us show great understanding, others might not be to our level as yet.

All this rambling can be taken in a religious sense, but not neccessarily so. It could be about politics or even about dog breeding! I think we [people] just need to show more understanding towards others in general.

T is for...

2007-12-16T10:54:00.000-08:00

Time to spend as I like--reading, watching TV, visiting friends, sleeping, and a whole host of other things.

Toys to purchase--Christmas presents for family and friends. [Remember, we don't all define toys the same!]

Television to relax by, or to bake by or quilt by or a myriad of other things that occupy hands but leave the mind to wander.

Travel near and far. Not that I'm doing a lot just now, but a girl can dream, can't she?

Tools. I've told my family that I want a drill bit set for Christmas. I'm tired of having to take a trip to the hardware store every time I need a different drill bit!

Want to hear a joke? While set up was madly going on for the Nativity, one man sent his young son over for a hammer from my toolbox. "Be careful not to mess up Brother B's tools," he said.
Ha ha ha. Get it?! Brother B's the first to admit he breaks out in hives at the very idea of entering the hardware store, whereas, it is one of my favorite stopping places in town.

Town. I like mine. I hope we can work it out to stay awhile.

Talk. I like to talk with family and friends, and am grateful for the internet as well as
Telephones which make the communication lines easy to keep open.

Ta- Ta. And I'm going to get this alphabet finished off in a more timely manner now.

S is for Snow

2007-12-05T07:28:00.000-08:00

S has to be for Snow. It is 5 Dec and we are getting our first snow of the year. It started during the night, so we awoke to a lovely scene. It is continuing, though expected to stop this afternoon. Because it is the first of the year...it came with accidents, school delays and school cancellations. We have planned to put up our Christmas lights this afternoon, but we may not get it all done in one day--I don't know because part of the drill entails walking out on the roof, and I'm not so sure that I want Richard out there in the snow. We'll see. With the Snow, I feel like Christmas really is coming! Just last night I was putting up jars of tomatoes from our garden--the last ones, picked green, but turned red finally. I still have six or seven pumpkins to put up, so I'll be canning yet awhile. Still Snow makes me feel Christmas-y. OK, I know the Saviour was born in the Spring [hence lambs...] but it certainly puts me into the mood! Now I'm ready to write my Christmas letter, finish my Christmas cards, start baking, decorate the house...of course I have to clean it first after the months of neglect! Keep Snowing!

R is for Rest, Reading and Relaxation.

2007-12-02T22:44:00.000-08:00

Yep, R is for Rest, Reading and Relaxation. Post-Pageant I'm due a little R & R & R, I think. My feet hurt so much that I wore slippers to choir practice Sun afternoon. [I couldn't figure out which shoes would hurt the least--and it was time to go!] I don't plan to get out of bed on Mon 'til at least 2:00. If then. With the laundry all caught up by my thoughtful husband, and dinner being provided by a close friend, I am milking Mon for all it is worth!

Then...back to the Nativity--although we had a 3 hr "Strike" to change our building back into a church for Sunday, the coat closet is jammed with over 200 costumes needing sorting, laundering and storing for the year. It will be parceled out to many women at church, we just have to keep track of the costumes. I am currently devising a master index. I will also have a picture in each file showing the complete costume. Other files will be sets, and what materials were used and where those materials are stored. A shot of each "booth" in the marketplace will aid in set-up next year, as well as arranging for replacement of some of the rickety thrown together shelves from last year. A publicity file will show what all was done this year... and we carefully stored the missionary display which was made for this as well. Finally, I will update the cast files.

Then back to R & R & R. I am looking forward to getting our Christmas lights up--we're running late this year--not just my fault, Richard was working when we usually do it anyway...now for some good weather to do it in! It will be fun. [Relaxation] I will get busy on other Christmas activities [Relaxation] but I will be able to stay home mostly, and not have to be on my dead feet so much [Rest]. I will even be able to sleep in, and/or take naps as desired [more Rest!]. Once I am rested enough, I will even be able to read something longer than a post on a blog site--ooh, maybe a book! Wow! We haven't even had Book Club since Oct [and that was a sharing of old favorites] because most of us were too drained to read anything more than a couple pages long!

So, now you all know my priorities...burn myself out, then Relax, Rest and Read. Whoever it is in the family who has us for Christmas [don't be upset, Sariah, I know who we have...] Books...I'd like some new LDS fiction and even nonfiction. Books I'll never probably buy myself, but would enjoy very much. LDS because other stuff I can easily get from the library. My new Year's resolution will be to do more R & R & R. I need some right now!

2007-11-18T22:01:00.000-08:00

In case you do not know what I am referring to when I mention: the Pageant, the Nativity, etc. the following is one of the advertisements I sent out to family and friends. It is the most difficult thing I have ever directed...because it is so varied and each detail much be followed. Each "scene" is presented in a very different way, for example: lighting--in the Marketplace is basically the cultural hall lighting, but on the Road to Bethlehem, we employ directional lights that turn on by movement. The Inn is lit by candles and lantern from inside, garden solar lights in the courtyard, and a couple [electric, disguised as not electric] torches. Add a couple strands of decorative lights in the bushes, and we're done. For the shepherd encampment [in addition to the fire pit] where and when the angels appear, we use a conglomerration of lighting trees [in regular life, volleyball poles] and a behemoth sound/lighting platform. We are adding an additional light this year to shine straight up and out of the Herald angel's costume, and a star above his head. Moving back indoors for the Holy Family in their cave, we use the lights in the foyer sparingly, with one focused on the Holy Family, and just enough other light for people to see by. Last year we used just the regular lights in the overflow for the courtyard of the temple, but I'd like to have a spot on Simeon's door. Not yet figured out! In the Temple, we have some ambient lighting from the side sconces, add a spotlight where the major action is, and light from the Menorah. And that's just the lighting!!! Every other aspect of the pageant must be similarly dealt with! I'm so tired! Two weeks to go and still so much to do! Then perhaps I can think R is for something other than rehearsal: here's my "flier"...

Nativity Enactment
"A Prophesy Unfolds"

Presented by
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints
6500 Fox Hill Dr
Canal Winchester, Ohio

FREE ADMISSION
TICKET REQUIRED due to limited group size

Call for FREE TICKETS: 614-837-8207

THURS NOV 29: 7:00, 7:30, 8:00
FRI NOV 30: 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30
SAT DEC 1: 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30

Come enjoy the LIVE NATIVITY plus the Marketplace at Bethlehem, [watch out for the Romans...] at the Inn, and later at the Temple with their Son. View with the shepherds the amazing appearance of angels.
Afterward as you explore the Marketplace, you will be offered free refreshments and the opportunity to visit the creche rooms containing a large collection of Nativity sets from around the world.
Sign Translation for the deaf throughout, Spanish and many other languages available upon request. [European, Asian, and African] If other languages required, please let us know when you order your tickets.

Of course, my smart-alec daughter [who won't be here anyway] asked for translation for...Canadian!

Q is for Quiet

2007-11-09T20:26:00.000-08:00

Along about one of the last few days of Sept. my daughter arrived with her two little boys, aged 2 and 7 mo. to stay for a month. It was wonderful having them here--even if I spent over half the time sick. And I got sick as they recovered!

Finally everyone was well, and everyone adjusted. The last week and a half were terrific! I miss them so much!

They left 1 Nov, fairly early in the morning. Suddenly it was quiet...a quiet so loud that it screamed, "QUIET " in our house. Oh there is still noise--from outside, from TV and radio and even the refrigerator hum. But it is so QUIET! I still have not put the toy baskets away in the garage, but there are no musical toys playing.

I like the quiet at the church when I go over by myself and work on costumes [unpacking from last year, ironing, organizing]. I like the quiet as I sleep at night. I like the quiet as the colder temperatures drive us inside more and close our windows. But I miss my daughter's company. And I miss my grandsons playing, talking, and, yes, even crying. [I love cuddling and singing the baby to sleep!]

Yep, Q is for Quiet. Both bad and good.

P is for...Paper!

2007-10-29T23:13:00.000-07:00

I'm drowning in it! If it isn't junk mail, then it is mail I must attend to. Where oh where are the cute Halloween cards bought to mail to grandchildren? Purchased ahead of time, and oh so thoughtfully, yet they carelessly ended up with the paper! I have computer paper--blank and used on one side, now "scratch" paper. I have paper of different weights and colors for publicity. I have more paper of more colors and more weights for scrapbooking. Then there are the pictures and the stickers and... and... and... when it comes to scrapbooking paper! Then there are scripts. "sides" [partial scripts for those who are in only one or two scenes] costume charts and pattern papers.

Papers which come home from school occasionally find me.

Then there are magazines [made of--you guessed it Paper! Oh, and books! ]

A number of years ago in our school district in VA it was claimed that we were to become a paperless society. If that is so, why do I need the printer so very much?

Some days I would really like P to be for entirely something else...Pageant [produces copious amounts of paper] Plants [recipes for green tomatoes after the freeze were printed out on --Paper!] planes [one of our family traditions on Thanksgiving was the making of Paper airplanes...] Popsicles [they come in Paper--very sticky...] Pumpkins...had to dig out the James Whitcomb Riley poem: "The frost is on the punkin..."but the poem was on Paper! It is everywhere!

Help! In this brave new world of a paperless society, I'm drowning in... Paper!

O is for Orders

2007-10-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

There are a few different kinds of orders I must explain. As a child growing up Catholic, "Holy Orders" meant becoming a priest, as in "receiving Holy Orders" and was one of the seven Sacraments [the only one I never received, I might add [unless you don't count matrimony, as I was not married as a Catholic] and never could. But I had friends and family who did receive Holy Orders. And it made lots of sense to me because I was also an Air Force brat! In the military, Orders refers first to a duty assignment [as in "he received Orders for Canute AFB"]

Then, of course there are the everyday sort of "orders" given by parents or other persons in authority. Obedience to those orders are directly in line with respect for the giver by the receiver. I think that parents must give orders, and children must learn to obey, but all parent's requests should not be couched as orders, for then a child never learns how to decide correctly for himself. Soldiers must obey orders--usually without question, but American soldiers have always held the right to think for themselves, and to disobey a direct order if believed to be a bad order.

As a director, I must give orders at times, [tho I prefer to make requests] as final decisions must be made by someone who is then held accountable for those orders--just like in the military, or the family.

Sometimes it is nice to know that you are not the person responsible for the orders or for the consequences, for they do go hand in hand...[I love seeing school trips--and thinking, ha! I'm not in charge!]

I guess I've gone full circle in my thinking, for I think that commandments are "Holy Orders." Our Heavenly Father has given us relatively few...but if we follow them, we can reach safety and peace. I always think of the Johnstown Flood of Pennsylvania. I read of a boy whose Prussian Father always gave orders expecting instantaneous obedience. During the flood the two of them were on their roof awaiting rescue. When a boat came, there was room for only one, and the waters were so strong, they could not get very close to the house--nor stay in the area very long. At one point the boy, dimly understanding what was happening, received an order from his father. "Jump" was the order. Without hesitation, the boy followed his father's commamd. and was caught into the rescue boat. I don't recall that the father was saved. But he saved his son, who knew how to take an order. I think of this when I think of the many commandments given us by our Heavely Father. And I ask...Do I close my eyes and jump whenever He commands? I would like to say yes, but it would be a lie. I must learn to trust Him implicitly, close my eyes and jump at His orders. I pray we may all do so. It is hard to always be 100% sure of Holy Orders, but I keep trying.

Wednesday and Thankfulness

2007-10-10T23:45:00.000-07:00

1] I've been really sick all week. A lousy way for my daughter and grandsons' visit to begin. But, it could have been so much worse! Lura brought a light case of IT with her. The boys went throught IT quickly. Richard hasn't caught IT, nor has Grandpa. I'm beginning to get over IT. And I am so very very thankful!

2] I love my new chiropracter. His goal is not the normal, "Let's get you off the cane." But rather: "Use the cane, fall over less." Unfortunately, I was not using my cane when I went out to push a solar lamp down into the flower bed. No, I fell--on my lovely [well at least they were]
flowers. But my neighbor heard my cry for help, and came over and helped me up. My back hurts, but it could be from sleeping sitting up just as much as from falling down! But at least I was taken care of!

3] Good friends who share their joys [Sarah had her baby! I just finished talking to her...] and sorrows [The good news is that it probably wasn't a heart attack, but...] and share in mine [my daughter this, my son that, my grandchild this and that!!!]

All in all, life is pretty good where I'm sitting right now!

N is for . . . NUMBERS!

2007-10-03T21:46:00.000-07:00

I hate 'em! When I was younger, they would dance all over my page, so I ended up with the neatest arithmetic papers ever--I needed to have a huge margin above , below, and on both sides of each problem! Somehow, I suffered though all the higher math I needed for college. Then when I returned to school after a decade of absence, things had changed...more math [and I thought I had done with it!] Somehow or other, when I took my CBEST [CA teacher's exams] I actually pulled off an "above average"!

I even taught math...first grade level! That is about all I can handle.

But...I love the show Numbers. The mathematical talk and equations confuse me, but I find the whole idea a fascinating one. Guess some of my Dad's love of math rubbed off despite my best efforts to avoid numbers for life!

Time to go count some sheep!

Wed 3 Thankful Things

2007-09-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

1] Being able to participate in grandson's school funraiser--even if it is online! [Rachel's candybar was easier & cheaper at church tonight! She just walked around with her bag, looking cute!

2] Additions to the household going smoothly. Yes, we have another cat--two year old and abandonned, Puck. Not the Faery King of Shakespeare, no, she is named for a hockey puck. Oh well. She's only up to almost 5 pounds, and she's getting some meat on her ribs at last.

3] Costumes are coming along--though I feel like I'm dragging and pulling, but the additional marketplace are almost done! My goal was 1 Oct--we'll probably not be quite finished, but awfully close!

M is for...

2007-09-23T16:15:00.000-07:00

M is for Miracles. All kinds. There is a song from the musical Flower Drum Song that says it succinctly. My favorite line is about a girl not 2' tall not falling over as she walks.

M is for Musicals. Do you know that you can teach the most wonderful lessons through musicals? [see above] My favorite is the song "You've Got to be Carefully Taught" from South Pacific which explains the phenomena of racial prejudice. Children are NOT born with it, they must be carefully taught, "before they are six, or seven, or eight, to hate all the people their relatives hate..." One can teach lessons of hope, of faith, of charity all through musicals! They are also great for waking up the family on school days. My kids threatened me with death and worse at times, but getting them up with a rousing musical definitely brought a better mood into our home than other methods. [The Music Man starts out with whistles and 76 Trombones; 1776 starts out with a drumroll--my two personal faves]

M is for Monsters at the End of [the] Book, and other great reads for an with children! We sit with another family at church always. They have 4 kids aged 6 to 1; two of them are readers, the other 2 like books. They love to see what "Aunt [Allrie]" has brought each week. Won't it be fun next week when we add two grandsons to the mix?!

M is for Moms. Old or young, with many children or just one, actual physical mothers, or "other mothers" who stand in parentis locus both formally and informally. What influence on the next generation! How important to the secure development of each and every child. I've written about "other mothers" before, but I think they do not get enough credit. They may be family friends, they may be aunts, they may be teachers etc., but kids need not only their own Moms but the "Other Mothers" in whom they can confide and from whom they draw strength, and look up to and just generally know the security that they are loved and cared about by more than just their own Moms. "Other Mothers" usually have a different experiential background and can relate to the kids in a way different from their own Moms. And Moms, at least the good ones, love their kids unconditionally, providing a base of support for each and every human being--if all worked right.

M is for lots of really important things...I could go on, but my son wants the computer. M is also for "Mine" a favorite word of any two year old, but I am past that point in life, so I will share. My child deserves his turn.

Enough is Enough

2007-09-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

Enough is Enough is the name of a campaign to ask that performers everywhere behave in a respectful manner when speaking of our Savior. Apparantly some actress--whom I understand is pretty well known--but not to me: Kathy Griffith [?] accepted her Emmy with a statement taking the Lord's Name not only in vain, but doing so in the most calculated and offensive way possible. The Miracle Theatre in TN decided they'd had it, so took out a full page ad in USA Today saying so. All they asked was that respect for our God, or at least our beliefs be shown. Any other religious group would not be forced to receive this growing degredation and persecution in America. I agree, so I decided to tell my family and friends about it. For more info, and to sign the petition [they are trying for a million signatures so it will be listened to, just go to their website--scroll past the theatre info [or read it, as did I] and you will find the whole story. www.MiracleTheater.com. And I was going to say M is for miracles! I'm not sure wether or not I will now...but then again...

3 Things yet again!

2007-09-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

1] Daughters: one who makes me think about the things for which I am thankful on a regular basis. Thanks for starting this, Sariah!

2] Tomatoes. And Bro. Schultz. He supplies our whole ward with tomato plants for our gardens, then during the season, he brings a couple of big boxes full of tomatoes each week to church. I am busy laying in a years supply. I'll soon be set--I don't know about the rest of the household!

3] Friends. I have friends here. Real friends. Not just see you on Sunday, but call you up and say have you had lunch yet? Want to run to _________ with me? And whom I can call in the same way. You don't really appreciate having friends like that 'til you go a number of years without them! And it is not just one or two--I have lots of friends here--it's so great!

L is for...Light

2007-09-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

I really don't appreciate the new OH law which does not yet accept Seminary as school, so until the 20th I have to go with Richard as he cannot drive 'til 6:00am, and Seminary begins at 5:45 am. I have, however always liked the early Light of pre-dawn and the Light of a beautiful sunrise. It makes me feel renewed in a way sleeping in does not.

I love the way a silver lining looks, an edge of Light, caused by clouds and sun lining up just right--and it really does look like the proverbial "silver lining". It tends to make one believe...

I love the look of rays of Light refracted through a cloud--like we see in the movies. Once we saw it from the air in a small plane all around us when I was a kid--a sight I cannot begin to describe accurately. Suffice it to say that it filled me with awe.

The spray of refracted Light that is a rainbow is fun for everyone. You can see them in rain + sun; you can see them in sprinklers. Sometimes we see double rainbows, sometimes just partial rainbows. But the rainbow I remember best was in AZ, as we traveled. It had the most clear, vivid colors--especially purple, that I've ever seen in a rainbow--and Olie [exchange student from Berlin] said he'd never seen a rainbow before!! His first was a real goodie! We have to remember the pollution that Communism had hanging as a pall over East Germany [which surrounded Free West Berlin] while he was growing up. I wonder if he sees rainbows there yet?

Prisms also refract Light, making little rainbows, and it is fun to play with the Light. We have a glass bird feeder hanging on our front porch. It was placed there to draw birds to the front windows for the cats' entertainment...and they do like the birds, but Todd, especially likes the play of the Light as the glass refracts it into the living room. The more birds, the more the Light dances on the ceiling. Now he has discovered that he can make Light dance on the ceiling when he pushes his water dish. The water is acting once again to refract the Light.

In theatre, it is quite simple: The purpose of Light is to make the show visable. But it is usually much, much more. The colors and shadows can affect, even control emotions, without the audience even being aware of the manipulation of their feelings.

We study about the Light of Christ within each of us...that quickening which gives us Life...and we can understand because Light [or the lack thereof] does affect us. Think about it the next time you are at a play, movie or concert. What are they doing with the Light? Speaking generally, Light, like music, plays to the emotions. It affects our attitudes, expectations, and moods.

I will enjoy sleeping in once Richard turns 17 this week, but I will usually then miss out on dawn's early Light. It energizes my whole day when I see it, so, I guess I'll just have to get up--watch the sunrise--and then go back to bed!

K is for ...Kites

2007-09-11T06:02:00.000-07:00

As we loaded costumes into the back of my friend's van last Sat to return to our building, she apologized for the lack of room due to the fact that their family went to fly kites the day before...and I recalled a time when, with the single adults, my oldest three kids and I not only flew kites, but made them first! Fortunatly my friend Kent, [kitemaker extrodonaire!]helped a lot--my dexterity leaves something to be desired. The kites did get off the ground, tho they didn't do as well as store bought kites. Good memories.

As a kid, I had a neighbor, Randy, who would fly his kite from the cliff edge of their house. He let it out so far that it seemed to fly miles over the valley before he would reel it in. I loved to watch as I was the Charlie Brown of kite flying in our neighborhood!

Then my mind turned to darker things. Where I taught in Richmond, the science committee sponsored Kite Day each spring. I had a combined 2nd/3rd grade class that first year. My class was the overflow, asnd when I was hired, each second and third grade teacher was asked to choose who they would send on to the new class. [Very unfair to the incoming teacher because you know they did not send their best behaved students...] but one of my little second graders was of particular concern. Because of what he said and drew, I felt that he had been sexually abused [I had previously worked in an area where I received special training in catching these things.] I did not believe it was at home, nor was I sure that it was ongoing. But I was positive that it had occurred. I duly reported to the school counselor, and to my disgust it was dropped. Until kite day.

Because k-2 went out at one time, then 3-5, I sent my 2nd graders out with another class, remaining behind with my third graders. We were working away when a child from that other class came saying I was needed right away!! So out went my third graders and I. The boy I had suspected of having had sexual abuse was now pulling the pants off some of the sweetest and most naive girls in the grade level! Moms had also been called. As we discussed the situation, I learned that my concerns had not been passed on. The counselor just brushed it off because generally our school population knew more about sex than their ages warranted anyway. If the Mom had known, she could have gotten the child in for counseling, and removed him from the day care [an uncle] who was the suspected perpetrator. Those little girls would never have had to suffer such trauma.

So, now when I think about kites, I think of that infamous Kite Day where lives were changed for good and ill. Kite day was totally changed at our school by the next year. So K is not my favorite letter, but it does remind me that we should all be vey careful with our precious children [and grandchildren] and help to keep them safe from predators. My neighbors found me to be a crazy woman, but I would practice with my kids on what to do it someone snatched them--kick and howl like crazy: "This is not my mother! this is not my father!" It can save a child from a kidnapper. [We also have a code word to ride with even someone who is know to them.]

So K is for Kites. . . and Safe Kids. . . and bad Kidnappers/molesters.

Three More Things

2007-09-10T17:51:00.000-07:00

1] Talents--mine and others. It was interesting performing in the Relief Society Dinner Theatre this past weekend. I also supplied the costumes from our Nativity Marketplace, with several of us wearing our own costumes. It is nice to be considered a "good" actor--even tho I know that I had to write the first two words of both my paragraphs on my hand!!! I simply could not remember which came when--too similar! The whole program went really well. I heard comments like "Wow! I didn't know Jill could sing like that!" [I did--I sit next to her in choir.] and so on...

2] Birthdays! Even tho I missed getting Parker's box mailed on time, at least he's too young to care, and it will be there early for Aiden! Richard will soon turn 17 and I won't have to go to Seminary any more [OH law does not allow for a 16 yr old to drive before 6:00am and Seminary starts at 5:45.] Plus...my next birthday means Sr. Citizen discounts at many places. Yay!

3] Sleep and quiet days. I've been extra busy of late, with my regular committments, plus the RS play, plus gearing up for pageant, plus helping a friend with a particularly hard move, plus helping a neighbor with some issues, etc. So today, after seminary, I came home and returned to bed for several hours. I did work on pageant stuff most of the afternoon, but it was paperwork--calm and quiet. My migraine is all but gone and my eyes are functioning again. I love sleep!

J is for... Jars

2007-09-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

The rows of tomatoes in canning jars. Little tiny jars for little tiny babies. Fancy Jars in fancy shapes for perfumes or oils. Jars of plain glass. Jars of blue glass. Jars that are really brown bottles. Jars on a window sill filled with water, but each jar containing a different mixture of food coloring makes a rainbow come in the window. Jars...of creams both as lotions and for eating. Jars with salsas and jars with basalmic oils. Glass jars, clay jars, marble jars. Jars...1" tall in a row on a 3" shelf. Jars 1' tall on a fire place, filled with cat tails and rushes. Jars of paperclips. Jars of coins. Jars...an amazing word for a wide range of similar yet, amazingly different items.

Three Things

2007-09-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

1. Experience done with. I'm grateful to have gone though having had a child with Thrush so that when I am asked about its symptoms I can recognize it--but not have to deal with it any more myself. Time for someone else to benefit from my experience.

2. Parades: I love a parade and though our community is small, and the parade was not the fanciest ever, it was a fun time for one and all!

3. Keys--since I have to go to Seminary at 5:45 with Richard until he turns 17, I'm glad I have keys that enable me to work on Pageant stuff by going upstairs as needed, getting into the library as needed, or just taking a nap. I will ride my bike home, but have to wait until it is a] light out, and b] rush hour is over. Then I can cross Hwy 33!

I is for...ice

2007-09-03T12:41:00.000-07:00

This one took me awhile to figure out, but I is for Ice. Ice on the water. Ice for skating, ice for cream, ice for drinks...just ice.

I appreciate ice in the summertime, or on a warm/hot day like today. Sitting in the sun for 2 hours watching our town's Labor Day Parade made me grateful for the ice in the drinks tub--I didn't care so much about cold drinks as sucking on ice putting ice down backs [and fronts] and just generally cooling off with ice!

As a hockey Mom, I am intimately familiar with ice rinks. I love them in the summer when I really want to cool off! In the winter they're OK, because they are pretty much the same temperature as in the summer--and so familiar.

I remember ice skating on Lake Indiana as a young child. My Aunt & Uncle lived on the lake. I learned to skate there--withh every dog on the lake following my Cousin D around--and she was my skating teacher! I think now that that is the perfect way for a hockey player to learn--not that I ever played hockey! But I thought I did. Remember...this was on an open lake--no boards. My job was to chase after and retrieve wild pucks. Of course the game had gone on with another puck, but I saved quite a few in my day.

I also went ice skating on the Elkhart [IN] River. A particular section was cordoned off and cleared for safe skating. You know how you carry skates--laces tied together and skates draped over the shoulder. Once I returned home with just one ice skate! Now that takes true talent.

Then we moved to California and my ice skating days were over. In vain each year I would watch for a pool to freeze over. Even a large puddle...but, no, it was not to be. So ice became most useful for crunching, for shaving and adding syrups: the 7-11 Slurpee, and home made ones. Shaved ice also made great ice cones in the summer.

So Ice went from a winter joy to a summer treat.

I still like to crunch on ice and hang out at ice arenas, though my puck chasing days are long over. I'm thirsty--guess it is time for that perennial favorite: ice water.

Children Say the Darndest Things

2007-08-28T22:10:00.000-07:00

I had a most illuminating conversation with my oldest grandson this evening. We talked about how school was going. I asked what he was learning at school.

"Nothing, Grandma. I'm at home right now."

Well, duh! How could I be so foolish? The conversation continued, some of which I could not follow, but the gist of it was about how sad he was that his friend had had to go home. They pretended really good. Aiden was a grouchy troll. etc.

I said I liked to pretend, too.

"What do you pretend, Grandma?"[With his tone of voice rather disbelieving.]

"I am in a play at church about a Bible story [The Ten Virgins] and I pretend that I'm a really really OLD woman."

"But you are old, Grandma. [The intimation was that I was not pretending.] Ouch.

H is for Hallelujah!

2007-08-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

I'm hard at work on the Nativity Enactment, so am obviously thinking along those lines...but H is for Hallelujah. I can't think of a more expressive word for that certain feeling of joy and awe and reverence and praise for God all mixed into one.

As a kid, I got to sing in several choirs, including Children's Choir at school which was the Church Choir for St. Anthony's Parish. Back in those days we had High Mass for special occasions. My favorite was, is, and probably always will be Easter. In the Catholic Church [in which I grew up] the year we live is also a "Church Year" in which the events of Christ's life are celebrated and taught. Easter comes after a period of 40 days called Lent in which we usually "gave something up" [like no desserts] in order [among other things] to teach self-control, for Our Lord had to have great control to give up His Life.

The final week leading up to Easter is marked by special events beginning with Palm Sunday. On Good Friday, the Stations of the Cross are followed, [that is we go to each plaque or picture in turn which explains part of the last hours leading up to Christ's death.] The church is then shrouded in purple--every statue, every painting, whatever there is. And there is no music in the Church. The organ is locked and covered. No rehersals are even allowed [not in the church--maybe in siter's classroom, though.]

Then on Easter morning, the first Mass of the day was a High Mass. [The old Latin High Mass involved a lot of singing by priest, altar boys and congregants.] At first there is no music, but then we get to the part where the Risen Christ is taught. The purple shrouds are pulled down, the organ plays, the choir sings great Hallelujahs and the bells peal and peal.

In our little Ward of the LDS Church where I now live, we have something rather unusual for LDS buildings: a bell tower! It came from an older and previous building. So on Easter [and Christmas] we in the Choir sing and the organ [and sometimes piano] play and the bells ring out loud and laud...Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

G is for Grandma's Garden

2007-08-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

{I'm up to G...but I don't think anybody read my C, and I thought it a more interesting one.}

G is for Grandma's Garden. I actually have one! It has been many years since that was the case, and this one is tiny. Just 4' square. Brother Schultz brought small tomato seedings to church for everyone [an anual event.] So I took 4. Unfortunately, they stayed in the car for 24 hours...but after a good watering, they perked right up! So it was off to Home Depot. I purchased two pieces of masonite for the bottom as my "garden" as it was going in the backyard, and I didn't want to have to deal wih breaking sod, or weeds and grass coming through. Next I got boards 1" x 2' x 4'. Put together, they made a nice box frame. Then we [Richard & I] poured in the dirt and planting soil. I got this zig-zag wire fence-like piece and put it in across the box. Then I planted my tomatoes zig-zag on either side of the "fence" that was advertised to use for tomatoes. Don't. A strong wind knocks them over. I now have the traditional cones, but putting them in after so much growth is really hard!

Chloe was supposed to come for her final visit on a Sun. A week earlier than originally planned, she [and parents!] came. She and I went out to Grandma's Garden, carefully counting all the Green tomatoes. Not a single one was red yet. Two hours later, my tomato-loving grandaughter wanted to check and see if they were red yet. Nope. But the following week [when they were to have originally come!] they were. So I had to take a picture for Chloe.

I also have green bell peppers, zucchinni, and basil, all harvested here. I've yellow summer squash, but none ready to pick yet, and at least one pumpkin growing nicely for Halloween.

The garden has over run its borders--with the squases sending their vines out everywhere!

As I harvest, I cut everything up and put it into snack-sized ziplocks. Then as I cook, I have everything handy. Of course, I go out and get fresh basil--and will 'til the end of the year when I will pick and dry the rest.

An overabundance at any one time? Canning! I've one jar of tomatoes to put up, and when my husband return from the store with a couple pears and some apple juice, I can do my pear butter and apple-cinnaman jelly at the same time!

Oops--I just deleted my third picture. Oh well, I got two on. Illustrated blogs are hard! Kinda like coaxing plants to produce food in Grandma's Garden!

Three Good Things

2007-08-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

It is the end of a long and busy week, so I decided to say my 3 good things, even tho it is not Wed!

1.Good family: Aiden starting kindergarden, Dad finishing his program, Erica getting a new job, Lura finnishing her Master's Program, Richard doing a yeoman's job of helping his friend, Seth's family move etc.

2. New friends: Kim down the street who is a real inspiration as far as neigborliness! And less new friends: spending time helping Sylvia move [see above!]

3. A long wished for and now owned yard swing!!! Picture coming soon!

F Is For Frustration

2007-08-18T14:12:00.000-07:00

I am trying. Really, really trying. Very hard. But I am not suceeding. At what? At joining the computer generation. I have been working on my F posting for well over an hour. I had pictures. I messed up. I fixed it, but had to correct the order again. And again. Ad Nauseum! So, for now I Failed in Frustration! Perhaps I was just trying to do too much at once. I'll try again tomorrow--after all Fruits of My Labors can easily turn into Grandma's Garden since G so conveniently follows F. So I'll give myself the
F
and try again tomorrow. Sigh.

E Is For...Elephant

2007-08-15T05:12:00.000-07:00

E is always for elephant, so how could I deviate?

A couple, three months ago I went downstairs first thing in the morning, and saw a pink elephant. No, I hadn't been secretly drinking, nor was I imagining things. All right it was a small stuffed pink elephant, but there it was--right in the middle of the floor! How did it get there? Where did it come from? It's not like I have little kids who leave toys scattered about the house, and I assure you that my 16 year old son does not play with pink stuffed animals of any kind, or even any-color stuffed animals! I picked it up and chucked it away into Erica's closet [the "catch-all" place for the storing of all the girls' left behind stuff. And didn't give it another thought.

Until there it was again! Only this time it was only one of several small stuffed animals in a trail reminicent of Hansel's bread crumbs. The route? Erica's closet to the living room. The culprit? Erica's cat, Fleury. As indoor cats, ours are frustrated in their attempts at hunting. Todd goes nuts chasing light and reflections. Fluery wants to deliver up something tangible. It used to be wet washcloths retrieved from shower and tub. But now he had discovered the container of stuffed animals stored in the closet...and decided they must be fair game. Literally. So we find stuffed animal "presents" all over the house now. Sometimes he even gathers them all up one by one at delivers them to Erica's room at night, though I think with her leaving, that will end. [It was nice while it lasted--picking up after himself.] So yes, I see pink elephants.

I have an ongoing project of framing and preparing to hang pictures. One section includes some of my kids childhood artwork and projects from the past. In the meantime, they are sitting on the floor along the hallway wall awaiting hanging [for how can I hang them until everything is gathered?] While Chloe was here, she loved to go "look at pictures " [especially hers and her cousins!] One is a Jungle sand painting. It has a zebra, a giraffe and--you guessed it, an elephant. Coming from her 2 year old mouth it was just so cute sounding. I enjoyed looking at it several times each visit just to hear her say, "elephant." Carefully and correctly.

I hate roller coasters. I hate most carnival rides. I hate most amusement park rides. I suffer badly from motion sickness. so it is not fear as much as nausea--and I had my fill of that during my 100 and 1 pregnancies! [Not to mention my hours logged fly all over the country as a kid.] So I avoid them. [OK truth--I am scared of roller coasters--but not the others] The Ferris Wheel, the Carousel, I'm done. But each and every time the opportunity has presented itself--I will wait in line for as long as it takes. I love riding an elephant! I find it an exhilerating thing to be up so high with such a powerful, yet docile animal underneath me. I'm sure that born in another place and time I would have been an elephant boy. No doubt! I think that elephant rides are the cherry on the top of an otherwise wonderful/ wonder-filled day. Like the Rennaissance Faire in VA. Like a special zoo trip. [or Wild Animal Park.] And always in the company of family--my favorite people. So, yes, E has to be for...Elephant!

D Is For ...Daughters

2007-08-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Erica is desperatly trying to teach me. It is hard. Not only am I slow, but somehow, my phone is unco-operative. She is trying to teach me how to e-mail pictures from my phone to myself, and then to post the pictures. It is harder than it sounds because my phone is unco-operative to the max. I can send a pic to her--or just about anyone else, but not to myself. We can't figure out how it is blocked, but it is. So I will try first to put a picture of daughters on my blog: So, here is Daughter #1:

Sariah with son, Aiden in his Russian shirt.

Daughter #2:

Lura at her wedding, and Jesse, too.

And, Daughter #3:

Erica visiting her aunt in San Diego got to hold a lion on her lap!

Not new pictures, but I'm getting the hang of this!

Daughter #1 introduced me to blogging.

Daughter #2 has the patience to walk me through various computer problems I have.

Daughter #3 shows me what to do and then leaves me alone to practice.

Now, if I can only get the phone to e-mail problem solved, I can put up my own pics!

PS--I don't think I've got the linking part down...Daughter #3 was just too fast on that one! But I'll keep trying!

Sorry Tanya--I don't have a decent picture available, and would have to start over...see, we really needed to take pics when you were here!. I'll try again later! I need to show Daughter #5 as well, who is "grand"!

C is for...Cars I Have Known

2007-08-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

How do you really know you are getting old? I discovered the true answer. I sat at the Pickerington Fourth of July Parade with friends from Church. I am [age-wise] inbetween the Mom and the Grandma, and friends with both. The 12 year old daughter, Jessie, who sat next to me was in my Sunday School class. The parade was very nice, we cheered our friends and family and called for candy for the little ones, helping them to scramble for it safely. Then came the "antique" cars section. The lead car was a Chevy Impala Super Sport Convertable. I leaned over and told Jessie, "That was my first car."

Mine was a '63 and was my Dad's car first. But he was driving a company car by the time I turned 16, at which point, it became my car--as did chauffering duties [had to have my sister at the Jr High at 6:00am the following morning--in the fog. Ugh!] But I really enjoyed that car. It held to the road, and I could zip up our hill easily. It was great for transporting large numbers in a day when few had seat belts, we just piled kids in and on higher! But I did have seatbelts installed, and required their use as much as possible. A convertable is also good for hauling stuff: like younger brother's drum set, and dorm mates bass viol to lessons in downtown San Diego. Little things would go wrong [by 1971 the speedometer went out, not to worry, the car made a different noise for every 10 miles an hour faster. I did not rush to fix the speedometer--my whole car was a speedometer.] I loved that car. I lost it in an argument involving a lady speeding, a stop sign and an old irrigation flume that the city had been supposed to remove a couple years earlier. The stop sigh cost $10.00, the city said "Thanks for removing the flume. The lady yelled at me, while she received a ticket for speeding. And my car was totaled. So sad.

The Parade continued with a nice vintage "cherry" [that's car talk for mint condition--thanks Tony, for my car education] Mustang. I leaned over to Jessie again, "and that was my second car, only mine was baby blue .

Ah yes, the Mustang era of our family: '65, '66, or '67, I forget which was which. My younger brother and I had our Mustangs at the same time, but mine had the more powerful engine. He became quite adept at changing out engines quickly and stealthily. Our house was up a very steep hill, so leaving the house I rarely realized the switch. Coming home was almost difficult with his engine. I'd walk into the house yelling [and trying not to laugh], "TO-NY!" Busted, and he knew it! Later Mom had a cherry, cherry-red Mustang, so among us, we had the 3 vintage years covered.

The third car in the parade--a Ford Model A. No, I never had that car, but my cousin did, and that was their car--not a show piece, but a vehicle they bought cheaply and drove 'til they could get something newer and better! Next came a couple of cars from the '40's--like one a boyfriend of mine had. That was it for me. I am officially old. The old cars in parades--my cars! Following were the requisite '55 Fords [yes, I remember, and rode in many of those] then a T-Bird with the porthole windows [from the '50's] A college boyfriend drove one of those.

Jessie was pretty impressed that I knew so many of the cars, but she was also impressed by how much older than her Mom I really am--she had never really realized it before! So that's it--I am officially old--betrayed by the cars I have known.

B is For Bumps and Bruises

2007-08-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

B is for bumps and bruises. Of which I have waaay too many. My sister used to say that you became an official "kid" once you had band-aides on your knees, and that conversely, you weren't a kid anymore when you didn't have bandaides. If this were the real way to tell, I'd never grow up!

I fall easily, which is why I use a cane outside or for long stretches of walking inside--like at church. I am careful, wearing only flat shoes now. I use a wrist brace on my right [good] hand because I need the extra strengthening from leaning on the cane. I often wear an ankle brace on my right [good] side for similar reasons.

Doesn't matter. Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed--like today. I thought I'd get a jump on the day and went quietly into Erica's room to grab the laundry basket, and bashed my hip on the doorknob leaving her room. Ow! S'OK, I went to my closet to collect hangers and whacked my elbow on my dresser. OUCH! Went downstairs [Oof! that was my ankle against the corner wall, which sent me off balance so Ow! that was me bouncing off the opposite wall.] Ah, the landing--time to regain my poise. I manuvered the last part of the starcase with grace. My mother would be proud. Dang! Someone left dishes in the living room. So I smoothly walked acrtoss the room, picked them up and turned and WHACK! fell over the boxes of new shelves for organizing the food storage. I knew I should have put them together yesterday. Now I have one broken bowl, a badly scraped up right leg and a painfully twisted back. So I cleaned everything up--ending with me. Neosporin is the best stuff!

Unfortunately, that was all in the first hour of a day that did not change. I have so many bumps and bruises at so many varying stages...I am white and black and red and yellow and purple and it just goes on! We do not have enough ice-packs for all the spots needed.

And it is catching! Poor Erica just whacked her nose as she took a lid out of the pan cupboard! I sure hope it is not a genetic trait--watch out kids! I'm finished for this day! Let's see if I can make it to my bed without any new bumps or bruises. [I wouldn't bet on it!]

A is For...

2007-08-03T17:23:00.000-07:00

I'm going to try to take on te challenge given by Goofyj and go throught the alphabet letter by letter to have different topics for writing. I don't know how well I'll stick to the original directions, but I'll give it a try, tho undoubtedly not daily! So:

A is for...All My Children. Those in theatrical circles may recognize the title of an Arthur Miller play, my favorite. At the end, we realize that everyone in the next generation is also "my" child. It is the way I feel about my kids and their friends...my friends' kids... all the kids at church...or at school where I am involved...

I credit this feeling to my parents, who were always involved in what we did as kids. My mom never went to an opening night or closing night of our plays [our school did 2 weekends regularly, sometimes with additional performances.] Why not? Because she was busy making sandwiches for cast parties held regularly at our house because 1] there was room and 2] we didn't have close enough neighbors to have to worry about noise and 3] because my parents were willing. Once I mentioned this to my Dad and he rather wistfully said, I did my part by earning the money to pay for all those sanwiches." He was feeling a bit left out as I praised my Mom. And he was right. He did pay for not only the volumes of food consumed by hungry teens at many castand/or pool parties for years on end, but he also copied scripts [that we could write on] with the fairly new technology of the xerox machine below cost, and had particularly difficult set pieces made for shows in his cabinet shop at work--thus paying not only for materials, but for the expert carpenter to make it.

I have tried, and I think with some success, to treat those in my path as All My Children as well. And even All My Grandchildren. But it is because I was taught by goodly parents who always made time for All Their Children. Thank you, Mom and Dad, you taught us well.

Brilliant!

2007-08-03T15:23:00.000-07:00

Mon. night I was up into the wee hours of the morning awaiting my traveling child's return as her phone was on the blink and she couldn't call out, tho. she could receive calls. So I, of course, stayed up to check on her periodically. No sweat--no need to rise at a specified time on Tues...

When I did get up on Tues. I called the vet to make an appt for later that day for a cat--and noticed FHC written on the calendar! OH, NO!! My shift at the Family History Center is 10-2 on alternating Tuesdays--excepting fifth Tues.

Since Sun was a fifth Sun, I had assumed that Tues was a fifth Tues, but according to the calendar page, it was only the fourth Tues!!!

Panicked, I called out to Richard that he was going to have to take me to the Stake Center NOW!! I quickly threw on my clothes, grabbed my genealogy bag, reading glasses, and a Glucerna bar to eat en route. Swallowed meds and left. Brilliant.

Upon arrival, I learned that no, it was not MY day, but another person who's day it was hadn't come in, so a building person stayed so that the library could be open [two workers are required.] Patrons were there. I figured it all out--Richard had just turned the calendar page, and so did I without really looking, [brilliant] so I was looking at the last Tues in Aug! Which will be my day. Without panic. But I was able to really help a couple people, so I guess I was supposed to be there that afternoon. Brilliant.

Wed was calmer, Thurs quite busy and today I've just been really tired. All week I've gotten in at least 6-8 miles of riding my bike to various destinations, in the growing summer heat. Now I have plenty to do at home, but I'm just too tired! Brilliant, huh?

But dinner is made--I managed that at least, so now I need to drag myself downstairs to eat it. I need one of my grandkids around to perk up some energy in me. My "aura" is really NOT brilliant just now.

Brilliant--such a lovely word! Thank you Brits for its current usage and Harry Potter et al for bringing it to the minds of countess Americans. : )

Grandmothering is sooo much fun!

2007-07-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday [Sun] my grandaughter--and her parents--came to visit. I love visiting with her parents, but she is the most fun! We went barefoot out into the yard. She examined every flower, naming colors and gleefully discovering the various trolls among them [Others might call them gnomes, but to me they are trolls--another topic for another time] One was sleeping and hidden behind a new mass of purple flowers, so we had to find him a new place. Chloe tried more than a dozen before she was satisfied.

We walked around to the backyard and to my tiny garden. Finally, I have tomatoes!!! We counted at least ten [they're really hiding] and several peppers, picked some basil leaves to crush and smell, and followed the tendrils of squash and pumkin that are growing wildly crazy out of the box and blooming with bright orange blossoms that hopefully mean the fruit is not far behind!

In one corner ther was a little blank spot. Just the right size for the sleeping dwarf. This is where he now reposes, keeping watch over the vegetable garden. Chloe was right. The garden neede a dwarf, too.

I have really loved havng these visits off and on. Even Todd [our shy cat] came out to see Chloe. Her exuberant, " Hi, Todd!." was a little too much and he hid again, but he did creep out a couple more times. He's ready to see her--just not have her see him! But she pets Fleury and they seem to have reached quite an understsnding. She talks to "Furry" awhile, then goes on to something else. She often returns, and he mostly just accepts her now, recognizing she is part of he family. At least we'll see them one more time before this lovely [for me anyway] interlude is over. I know they are looking forward to being home for good, but it has been so nice to see them fairly regularly this summer.

And Life Speeds On

2007-07-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

Last week on Monday, I actually went to bed earlyish, knowing I had to be up on time to go the Family History Center. As it turned out, I was almost an hour late. Erica woke me with horrible news--she'd just been informed of the death of her assistant hockey coach from Richmond. Now, as a Richmond City cop, this was not totally unespected EXCEPT he was not killed in the line of duty as we always feared, but was home on vacation in the NY finger lakes region and while boating at night, with all the lights on, he was run over by a larger boat being driven by a drunk boat driver! John was killed instantly, his girlfriend lived a short while, but also died as she made it to shore [rescued].

In a town of 2,000, there were over 1200 at the funeral. Including over 70 Richmond cops, Henrico, VA cops, local NY cops, sheriffs etc. firefighters from all the above, last year's la crosse team from Benedictine HS in Richmond [John was their coach] this summer's hockey teammates [including Erica's old coach and the friend who had notified her] as well as other misc hockey friends.] John was the youngest of seven in a "typical" Irish Catholic family. It was a wonderful funeral, and we all left feeling much better than when we came.

Except for the exhaustion. We drove to Niagra Falls [how could we go that close and not stop?] and had a lovely afternoon seeing the American side--we were obviously not prepared for that side trip. Made it into OH and stopped for the night. The previous night had taken much time searching for a place "at the inn" due to the huge amount of visitor's for the funeral.

Slept in until checkout time, and got home late aft/early evening. For those of you who do not normally drive in OH--if and when you do, follow traffic laws carefully--so many cops out with radar guns on our highways! And no--we did NOT get pulled over--just observed!

The next morning saw me at church with Richard at 5:30 am. I got to go to my first Youth Conference!!! I loved it! We went to Kirtland [yes, retracing part of the previous day's drive!] I had warned all the drivers about the abundance of law enforcement. Let's just say they were all grateful for the warning. I also warned that the exit for Kirtland was closed, and we would have to go up one further to detour. Valuable information, right? Guess what--ODOT, the highway dept--not my friend since taking away my traffic light, now made a liar out of me--they had it open again!

The van Richard rode in missed the exit--by a LOT--and the driver was the guy who grew up in that area!

I've been to Kirtland several times before, but this was different. For one, the whole area is changed--the highway has been moved so that it does not run right through the church/historic sites. Much safer! Also, there are more restored sites now. I loved the Ashery. It is possibly the only restored ashery in North America! Seeing the Whitney store was always something, but add the sawmill, ashery, seperate house, and so one and one begins to get a more real picture of what that family gave up in material wealth for te church. Then the next day we went to te Johnson Farm. Again, recognition of what was given through the Laws of Concecration and Sacrifice, and I am embarrassed by the piddly bits of what we tend to give today. Those early Saints gave EVERYTHING! We give so little. There were huge groups who lived in absolute poverty because they gave up all and gathered to Zion.

I also was unaware of the Curse placed on OH when the Saints finally left [driven out] or that the Curse was officially lifted some years ago by the prophet, and that new promises were given to "the Ohio" and that here in Canal we are a part of that!

I rode in a van of all boys [not Richard--he was with girls!] always an education, and was, of course, in the dorm with the girls [we stayed at Hiram College] another education [flip side!]
A great time was had by one and all. Richard even danced on dance with me Fri night--"I will acknowledge your existance for one dance." was his way of asking me. Oh well, at least I got one!

Sunday I started my new SS assignment--I now teach the adult class [they took away my 12 year olds--hear me whine!] It went OK. But now I have to work doubly hard at preparing! 'Cause just being 54 does not put me way ahead any longer. And back to work on the Nativity. Ah well. Still have the Arkansas trip to look forward to. [Going to collect friends for a visit.]

I am really grateful for my kids and their BRILLIANCE and for the wonderful experiences I have because of them. Each one. Next week is a hockey week.

Today I got to attend the Temple with a friend, then go visiting teaching. Life is really good when we can make the most of our experiences.

My next door neighbor had her baby--girl just 7 lbs, 20 1/2": Aubrey. Lots of dark hair. I enjoyed holding her today. And at Friday's dance I had a partner, William, for over an hour. While other girls came for him, I was able to fend them off--he was just my speed at 4 months! See: lovely experiences because of my kids. And life speeds on.

Worthy of the Time

2007-06-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

I've been on a big kick lately of trying not to waste time [that means no Snood...] and really making an effort to fill my time with worthwhile pusuits. It's pretty easy, 'cause there are so very many worthwhile things to do. I am NOT going to list examples, because it would only depress me with how much I don't do. So I'm going to accentuate the positive. It is all Sariah's fault--she started the Wed 3 things that you're happy about or whatever. Well, Wed passed, and she didn't post, so...

1] I'm really happy to live in a town and Ward where I have so many friends--not just aquaintances! I can pick up my phone at any time and have someone to talk to--or go to lunch with--or set up to do something else with. It has been so many years since that was the case, I missed it, but now that I have it again, I realize how much I missed it!

2]I'm really happy about my callings. Not only am I not "put out to pasture" here, but I LOVE teaching the 12/13 yr old Sunday School class. Good thing--'cause I've had this calling many times: in Newburg 31 yrs ago, in Bangor 16 yrs ago, in Deming 10 yrs ago. and now for the past year and a half in CW. I also love doing the Nativity Enactment. Yes, it was really tough and lots of work last year. Yes, it took me about 6 months to recover--if it can be said with full assurance that I did! The work has begun on Pageant 2007--and it is so much easier already--just getting a cast together!

3] I love the closeness with my family--even if some of that closeness is over the phone. I'm grateful that we can use the phone as much as we want--I wish I could have talked as much with my Mom as I now can with my kids--it would have made the distance so much easier to bear. I love seeing my grandkids grow and develop, again, even tho often it is over the phone or through pictures.

I could go on and on [I know, I have...] but life is pretty good and I have so many things for which to be thankful, it is hard to keep the list down to 3 .

My Grandma Day

2007-06-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

OK, Yesterday was technically Father's Day, but for me, it was a really good "Grandma Day." My husband, when asked what he wanted for Father's Day, answered [quite plaintively], "Just to see my kids." He saw the boys--Vin & family came for the afternoon, but not the girls. Not even Erica--she left for work while we were at church, and came home after he'd gone to bed. Sad... I know.

But, my day was pretty good. In Sacrament Meeting, I got to hold Adam Carman while his Mom struggled to settle the older three kids [they arrived a little late and breathless...we all know how that goes] Adam, one, was born with a mass of dark, curly hair--like my babies! [of course it's ony a memory now:( ] He played Baby Jesus in the Temple scene in the Nativity Pageant last year--and tho he was "blessed" again and again for a week, he never cried. None of his family was even in that scene, but all busy elsewhere--he was amazing!

So I got to hold and snuggle with him, then later Lizzie, the oldest at 5 moved over next to me to quietly play with her magnetic dolls [like paper dolls] and show them to me. She was very good.

At the beginning of Relief Society, I had to run to the water fountain to down my morning pills at the right time. In the hallway near by stood a couple women, who stopped me--each for a different reason, and co-incidently one was holding Adam. I then took Adam with me back to RS. He soon snuggled against me and went to sleep.

The Vin, & family came over for the afternoon. My granddaughter now knows that this is her Grandma's house and that she belongs here. She knows where her toys are, what she can get into in Uncle Richard's room, and how to pet the cat.

I especially enjoyed taking a walk around the block--just the two of us. She was interested in everything! I loved it! We smelled all the flowers, talked to all the ceramic creatures in yards--including a bear her size! [She really liked that one.] We discovered some moss, but no geese, ducks, or fish at the "lake", still the fountain in the middle made up for the others' lack. And she especially enjoyed all the chirruping birds, just like Grandma.

Yep, yesterday was a very good "Grandma Day."

Richard Addendum

2007-06-10T21:04:00.000-07:00

Actually, he is far from dumb! Announcing Richard's first ever semester with the coveted and worked for GOLD SEAL on his report card denoting a 4.0 GPA!!! I am so proud of him, it was touch and go there at the end with his English grade, despite earning a 99% on his research paper. But he set the goal, and he did it!

Unfortunately, here in OH, it is the custom not to be invited to join the National Honors society, but to apply. Because of having the opposite experience elsewhere with older siblings, he didn't realize in time to apply for this year, so he has to wait until next year.

Oh, and he is also playing on a new inline summer hockey league and learning to play baseball, which if he can get good enough [helps to have a retired pro as his teacher...] he's thinking about possibly going out for the HS baseball tweam, having discovered that it is lots more fun to be involved in stuff at school than not!

Richard

2007-06-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

Richard just left today for his "Mini-Mission". The Priests in our stake--maybe our whole Mission--I don't really know--are elsewhere with a set of missionaries for a week. They even received name tags saying "Elder ____" [it was explained that in this case the "Elder" was a title--temorarily assigned, not an office.] Richard was pretty excited about that! He even had to shave today [his first time] because he has not been clean shaven in quite awhile. [I had to laugh--well giggle.] There's the Italian blood showing--so gone is the mustashe, gone are the sideburns he's had since birth! His new haircut looked good--just like my Dad's--except missionaries have to have a part in their hair. I didn't know that! So he combed it that way this afternoon as he was preparing to leave, and commented how this was just how he wore his hair all his life [until about a year ago when he got it cut a little differently]. It was with a very wry tone. On the list were envelopes and stamps. He said he was not going to write a letter that would get home after he did, so he sorta forgot to take those items. I told him I expected a picture postcard at least--even if he brought it back with him. I hope he really works hard and gets a lot out of this opportunity.

Hmmm, I wonder if our Elders will have extra companions this week? We have two sets in our ward, so it seems highly possible to me. And we have one set scheduled for dinner this week as well! This could be interesting.

Busy Busy Busy

2007-05-13T16:43:00.000-07:00

It seems that life continues just busy, busy, busy, all the time. So, if you haven't had a chance to look at my pics on flickr, please do, I am most interested in comments--thank you, Lura [and Erica] I want things to be even better this year.

Happy Mother's Day to all of whom it applies, both mothers and "other mothers", both aunts and grandmas, both teachers and mentors. I like the tradition in our church of every woman aged 18 and up to receive 'honor' on Mother's Day, recognizing that Mothering is ever so much more than giving birth. In our Ward today we received geraniums...I made sure to get a nice healthy looking bright red one! My flowers actually look pretty good right now, and I struggle, so I know I have to start with a really strong plant! A few of my pansies are a bit ill, and I'm afraid I may have to end up replacing them, but in all the flats of flowers, there were those three that just did not look so good to begin with, and they still don't. A green thumb I haven't!

Health Update: [because I remember to tell some of my kids--multiple times, and others not at all.] Tomorrow [Mon] I will have a partial colonoscopy, Dr. sees something in the same place as last year, but this time it has been causing symptoms. Hopefully it will be done with by this time tomorrow.
Wed/Thurs--I willk be doing a "sleep study" [ now that's a test I should pass, eh?] I may not nap all day before hand [the hard part.] Then I get six hours of sleep at night, and many 20 min naps throughout the day. Unfortunately, I seem to prefer 4-5 hour naps! And after no napping the day before! Should be interesting.

Not willing to rest on my pageant laurels, I am working with the teens by assignment on their act for our Memorial Day Patriotic Program--actually, it will be held on the Sat eve beforehand. We are portraying the first arrival of the Hocking Valley Railway to Canal Winchester, OH on Jan 26, 1869. Richard plays the mayor of the time making a speech. He, of course, persists in calling it the "Hockey" Valley, which we all decided to keep in for the laugh--especially as the actual name will be on the signage--and just about everybody here knows his obsession. We will sing two verses and our mish-mash of a "town band" will play a third as the train comes in. I'm trying to recruit a few of the older girls home from college to help play, adding much needed talent, instruments and stability. Erica, pleeeease will you play, too? It is in one of your old easy books: Fun With Trombone. Sariah, as soon as you can get those parts to us...currently we have more willingness than expertise! If I could have Erica and a certain pianist, then I am sure we can pull it off, otherwise, it'll be rather sketchy, I'm afraid. And we don't want the Primary with Take Me Out to the Ball Game showing us up [especially since we wanted that piece!]

The FamilySearch Indexing Project is going great guns. Once completed, genealogical research will be a breeze! It usually takes me only about 1/2 hour to index one batch now [50 names or one census page] I've chosen to work on the Indiana census of 1900. I have a secret hope that I'll stumble across some of our family one day, but I haven't gotten the right counties for that yet! [I am getting pretty darn good at reading the handwriting of the period, however!]

Excitement! My husband starts his new classwork tomorrow. He will be attending Capitol University Law School taking the paralegal course. He will finish in August as it is an intensive program. Hopefully, that will mean employment by Sept!!! He says I'm just excited because I want him out of the house--and after coming up on a year, there is some truth to that, I am also excited for him to get to go into a field in which he has always wanted--the law. I trully, trully hope it all goes well and that he loves it!

Now, family and friends, you are essentially all caught up in my life--what about yours?

Flickr Pics

2007-05-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

I did it! I did it! I have finally posted some pictures on Flickr. Five to be precise. But I will do more tomorrow, now that I get it [and now that I have the pics I want to put up, uploaded to my computer] But I did it essentially by myself--just had Lura on standby in case I tangled up. Also--one of these first pics has Richard's erstwhile girlfriend in it [albeit from her back]. So check it out!

VA Tech Funerals

2007-04-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

Please go to Rabid Bostonian's blog and read about te VA Tech funerals, and the planned disruptions. As if those poor families haven't suffered enough? Thank you, Erica.

Reading and Grieving: Dedicated to our Friends at VA Tech

2007-04-17T07:26:00.000-07:00

My current reading matter is somewhat eclectic. I am re-reading the Tennis Shoes books [Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites, The Sword of Gadianton etc. by Chris Heimendinger, a series written for LDS youth--I've not read last lst couple, so decided to start over as I read them as they came out initially, starting in the '80's.] I am reading Standing For Something by Gordon B Hinckley and this morning read a section on optimism and looking for the good--including the uplifting and famous paragraphs from a couple of Winston Churchill's speeches [we will continue to fight...] This is "feel good" reading, for that is what it does: it uplifts me and makes me feel good. However, at the same time, I'm reading and listening to news stories about The Massacre at Virginia Tech. I read an especially good commentary by someone I've never heard of before, that I recall. I don't know how to do links, so I simply cut and will now paste the URL:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55234 I encourage anyone to read this, it is not only about VTech but also about our society and grieving. Somehow, it all fits wilth the optimism of Pres. Hinckley in the face of horrific events. We must grieve before we can "have closure" or "begin to heal" and this writer expressed my thoughts so very well. I once learned firsthand about not grieving properly and wat it can do to you...in my case, I had a serious case of shingles for over six months, until I finally cried about the death in question. Sometimes grief is a very personal thing--over the death of someone close, over the death of a relationship, etc ... Other times, it can be a large scale event shared by strangers, Pearl Harbor, 9/11, the Sniper attacks in VA , DC and MD a few years ago, and now VTech. I grieve for those who were senslessly killed, I grieve for their amilies, and I grieve for their friends...still hoping and praying that none of our friends were among that group, but we don't yet know, a one person remains unacounted for as far as I know at this time. So let us grieve, and then go forward healing with optimism for the future.

Musings on Fear II

2007-04-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

I must add to my musings of yesterday. In light of today's tragic shootings at Virginia Tech, I fear for my children's friends as well. I was almost as relieved as my daughter to learn that one of her good friends was OK [I was especially fond of him anyway, of all her hockey teammates ever...and got on very well with his parents, too.] But the worry is still there as another teammate is not yet accounted for. Lists of the dead and injured have not yet been released, and I fear to see his name on the wrong list.

So many vagaries of life...I fear for the children of my friends as well as I work with the youth in my ward. I am comforted by the words of the prophets, knowing we are in the end times, and despite worry [equated with fear] try to "be of good cheer" as we strive to do that which we know is right. We can do no more.

Musings on Fear

2007-04-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

Fear is a very strange thing. It can have so many different reasons and perhaps even more manifestations. I remember eons ago [1971] when, as a college student in a philosophy class, we were asked to write down and then share our biggest fears--reasonable or un-. Mine was of fire--I think quite reasonable since I grew up in the southern CA foothills in chaparrel country. That is semi-arid, and the type of western countryside hit with forest fires on a yearly basis. A classmate [who was a Seminarian--Catholic college--he was studying to become a priest] very seriously said." Bishop Buddy" [LDS read 'Stake President" for Bishop] A formidable man--I was scared of him too--when I was 12.

I have been in life threatening situations, and while experiencing some fear at the time, it is usually after the crisis that the fear is most heartily felt. During a crisis there is no time to worry or feel afraid, just time to DO. I have had fear for my children, usually my older son, while in emergency rooms. It is just that there were more ER trips with him than with all the rest of my kids combined.

In 1980, as a young mother with 3 small children, one under 4 months, I went to the Dr. myself with what were at the time odd symptoms to me. He told me that I "had all the signs of an impending stroke." I sat in my car and cried for at least half an hour. He also arranged for an immediate CT scan in Portland. My husband was in TX with the Air Force so I had my father-in-law take me. I asked if I could go up to the military hospital at Fort Lewis WA for the test, but my Dr. said no--it would take too long. So we ended up with a huge bill for nothing. What I had were all the signs of a previous stroke--with the stress of my life at the time bringing them on. A neurologist would have known, but they were few and far between back then.

So this evening when I awoke from my "nap" unable to move, literally paralyzed, I tried not to fear. I'm sure it was just another type of seizure, or related to one of my other health problems. I see my Dr. this week anyway, so I am calling in the morning to get my bloodwork date moved up [I'm sure they'll fit me in with this!] I shall NOT fear. It is a useless emotional response when I can not take action.

But yes, I did fear for the minutes that seemed like hours before I could force my body to move. This happened once before and I was co-incidently already in the ER, so they kept me in the hospital overnight for observation. My observation was they no one had a clue--so they called it a seizure and sent me home. That was about 17 years ago, so this is not a great frequency, and nothing to worry about.

But it's got me thinking...what do I fear now? As I get older, I find I fear less for myself--even fire no longer hold the fear once it did for me. I don't fear severe illness--been there, done that--poverty, nope--homelessness, nope--death, nope--judgement, ah, there's the rub! As I read and study and learn and hopefully improve and grow, I find myself severely lacking in areas I had not previously thought were big problems. I used to find my temper and impatience my worst fault, but while I cannot claim to have it conquered, I do think I've made progress. So I try to strip the onionskins of my personality--where do I most need to improve...

So I've discovered my greatest fear--not recognizing faults in time to improve in a given area before the Judgement. But at least it is a fear upon which I can act. So if I can DO something about it, I won't fear--not really, for this life, then, is the crisis and so long as I act upon that which I can, everything will be just fine in the end.

disclaimer: I still fear for and worry about my kids and grandkids...but I can't do anything to help in their needs.

Family history

2007-04-09T22:00:00.001-07:00

Yes, again. But most of what I do is centered around it, so... I'd like to explain what it is.Scrapbooking is, of course FH. I have Richard's book up to date. I am making great strides in Erica's book.Then I'll move up the ladder: Lura, Vinnie, Sariah, Keith's and mine.Eventually I expect to organize the materials on my parents and do viable [tho obviously less detailed] books for them.I also have books going on family lines: SorBello, Sipe, Montesano, Lueckenbach, Pinion, Harrington, etc.I work on FamilySearch indexing. It is a fantastick project, and will make genealogical research so much easier.Our Ward is considering a cemetary project. The large cemetaries are kept up and lists are even availible online. However, within our Ward boundaries are dozens of little old family plots--it is not an uncommon site to see a "cemetary" of 5-10 gravestones and surrounded by a low wall or fence. Generally, they are not kept up. I think it quite sad that researchers cannot find this info. I will definitely participate should this project get off the ground.And, of course, as anyone who knows me is aware, I research my own ancestry. My Grandpa Sipe started it. Originally, we were doing a background check for family medical reasons, but out search turned up nothing [I know now that that for which we were seeking is a male-inherited characteristic, so we'd never find it working on my mother's side. But we found lots of interesting stuff anyway.]I have had the pleasure of getting to know or at least to meet distant cousins and mid-distant cousins, and forming family relationships that have enriched my life. How? Through bumping into others who were researching the same people.Why do I do it? Because once you start and the "genealogy bug" bites, one does not want to stop!Besides. I love my family. I've missed my big brother my whole life, as he was institutionalized on my second birthday. In those days, resources for people with brain-damaged children were far and few between. My brother, born with an open ventrical in the brain, was worse off than most. While he had a modicum of control over his muscles, he was both blind and deaf. I barely remember him, and indeed at this point, my memories are more like memories of memories as my mother helped me to remember him always. As a result, I've always felt close to Mark. A second brother was born many years later with he same problem, only worse as he had less control of his muscles. Being five years older than he, I remember Vance very well. Besides, he lived at home much longer--because the waiting list to get a child into the Children's Hospital in Northern Indiana was now much longer.My mother said in her last years how she wished they'd made a different choice and kept them home. But who was to know that the services would develop as they have? And indeed, too late for my brothers who died of old age when young children. I recall when Mark died, I was in the fifth grade, and broken hearted, had a long discussion with my teacher, Sister Nicholas. I asked her if Mark would still be my brother--even in heaven. She answered with an unwavering "Yes!" I knew she was right and was comforted. As the years went by and we lost family member after family member [Seemingly one per year] I never again wavered or worried, for I "Knew" that they would still be my brothers, my sister, my grandpa, etc.When I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints [LDS or also cslled "Mormon"] I found that this is a widely shared and even focused upon teaching, not only at funerals. We have the ordinances of the Temple. We do earthly ordinances by proxy for family members who have not, perhaps, had that opportunity in this life. This makes them not LDS, but gives them the opportunity to accept the sealing bonds among families...if they should so choose. My nonCatholic Grandpa [mentioned above] never joined the Catholic church, even tho. the rest of his family were good, faithful, practicing Catholics. Upon his death, my Grandma had her priest baptize him right away--just in case--and he was given a Catholic burial. I think that the Temple Ordinances I do and have done for my deceased family members are to be viewed in the same way--just in case--only they can choose to accept them or not. But I will have given them the opportunity.How can anyone object to this? Still, many who are not of my faith, do object. If I am wrong--then I guess I'm wasting my time, if I am right, then it is a good thing I do. But what does it matter to anyone who does not believe? It is not hurting them in any way, It is not changing them in any way, if they don't accept it. I have discussed this with most of my older relatives, and most have told me to go ahead and have their work done for them. For some, it may be a way of hedging their bets, but for most, it is showing their support of me. Just as I would attend church dinners at the parish with my Mom, so would she attend ours when visiting. Her brother put it best,"If you are going to be a Mormon, then you be the best Mormon you can be. And that means doing the temple work, too."So, when I learned recently of a cousin's death, after shedding my tears, I brighened up and realized that because, due to some odd circumstances, I had not received notification until over a year afterwards. This means I can do her work right away--and seal her to her parents. It is what she told me to do, long ago.
draft

2007-04-04T08:40:00.002-07:00

A generalized tag from Sariah:

Look at the list of books below:
*Bold the ones you’ve read
*Italicize the ones you want to read
*Leave blank the ones that you aren’t interested in.
*Cross out the ones you are so not interested in that you would never read.If you are reading this: tag; you’re it!

1. The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)1
2. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)I would cross out if I knew how)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye(J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)I've seen the movie...
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert) not interested
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks) loved the movie!
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)not interested
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb)
39. the red tent(Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven--the movie is better, actually!
45. Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)parts & saw the movie
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)portions
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand) not interested
63. War and Peace (Tolstoy)portions
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice) nnot interested
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)seen the movie
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100. Ulysses (James Joyce)

So, Sariah where did the list come from???

Thank You

2007-03-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

I just have to publically say thank you to Sariah, Lura and especially Julia for responding to my post about my inner turmoils and the pageant. I have written a note to last year's director to apologize for unintentional hurts, and that there were no intentional hurts. Interestingly, as soon as I got to church on Sun, I was informed by the Executive secretary that the bishop wanted to meet with me right after church. I gulped and told Nick I felt sick. He said, "You'll be fine." A few minutes later I went back to him ... "It's about the pageant, right?" "Right." "Now I feel really sick." "You'll be fine." A couple minutes and I was back, "Is it just me, or others?" He named two other names--including last years director. "I really feel sick." "You'll be fine."

Fortunately, it was time for church to start. I worried through Sac Mtg. I worried through SS. I worried through RS. I REALLY felt sick. As I waited in the foyer, carefully talking to someone else entirely, Nick came by and said, 'You'll be fine." I was beginning to believe him. Until I walked into the bishop's office with the others. Last years director started to launch right in as to take control of the meeting--Nick woudn't let her. Then the bishop wouldn't let her say a word. He said his piece. He mentioned a need for asking people with a little more tact--and she launched into two minutes of vitriol against me before anyone could take a breath. The other person sat in the corner looking like he was pretending not to be there! [and probably wished he weren't!] I sat stiff and straight. [And I didn't cry!} Bishop recovered quickly from his shock never having heard her attack me like that before [I had] and stopped her. Completely. He pointed out how great a thing the Psgeant was last year, but that he could and would quash it NOW if need be. She quieted down as he proceeded to outline the way things would work this year. I am director. She is essentially the artistic director. Any major changes must go through the executive producer. We don't even have to speak to each other. I left, feeling sick. I had told the bishop on many occasions thatI did not have to direct--I would bow out if needed. He says I am to direct, and after the meeting basically told me that he wanted me to do things my way. Whew. Later that afternoon, I rceived a phone call from her apologizing for jumping on me that way. I accepted her apology, but I feel just like last fall when she did basically the same thing to me for keeping things moving when she was out sick. So now I really know--how she feels, and that I am a friend only so far as she can use me. Oh well. The pageant is worth it on so many levels. This is my last public complaint. Now to go forward. With a smile :)

Genealogy Update

2007-03-19T21:53:00.000-07:00

As you all know, I am really into working in genealogy/family history. I've been a FH consultant on ward or stake level almost for 15 straight years--despite having moved all over the country.

Many times a person will say they want to participate in this great work, but just don't know what they could do with a houseful of young children.

The answer is here. The Church has a new FamilySearch Indexing Program going on. All those millions of records on the microfilms and microfiche stored in the granite vaults are in process of being digitalized. Volunteers are doing the indexing. You can choose the project you prefer, as many are ongoing. All it takes is access to a computer. You can go to LDS.org to volunteer, or go through your own stake. You do a short tutorial and that's it...you can do as much or as little as you desire. My personal goal is to do one batch per day. It takes approxamately 1/2 hour! Now, I know that in the height of our pageant season I will not be able to keep up. That's OK. When I'm gone to Lura's, I can work from her computer, or just not do it while I'm gone. I don't even have to do the whole batch at one sitting. For example, I was working on a batch tonight and it was time for 24, so downstairs to watch TV I went. I continued later, came upon a Lura, and had to call my Lura to tell her! [We don't run accross her name every day--I can list each time on one hand!] Then I started on blogs, and will finish that batch in the morning [Well, it was my second today!]

Eventually, all the stuff that we normally order from Salt Lake will be available FREE online. What an amazing project to be part of! I urge everyone who can, to volunteer. You download a batch: usually 50 names at a time. You have 7 days to complete the batch. If you can't get it all done, at the 7 day point you can submit what you have been able to do, and the batch will then be given to another person to complete. This is as low pressure volunteering as it gets. Please help in this historic work of eternal consequence :) Did I mention that one need not be LDS to participate? I know, for example, that one of the projects currently in progress is the Ohio tax records from the beginning--and the volunteers are coming from the Ohio Historical Society.

Check it out!

Real Age Quiz

2007-03-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

I received a "Real Age Quiz" to take from my husband, So I did it. I already knew this, but it is really lousy staring you back in the face. Here's the address: http://www.realage.com/reg/regassess.aspx?mod=LONGFORM&cbr=NEXS1_P I don't know how to make a link, so thisis the best I can do. After all, who could expect more at my age:72.7! But I'm only 54.6! And feeling better than I have in years! Improvement did not count in this quiz. But they do provide a whole plan to get you where you should be. I think I was better off not knowing. But that might be just me. I'm not going to worry about it. After all, I've survived more than most already--and I'm not planning on giving up the ghost ant time soon. So...guess I'll just have to live to be over a hundred in their terms. Hah!

Doing What Is Right?

2007-03-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

I received a letter yesterday from an ex-home teacher [jr companion] who is near to the end of his Mission in Puerto Rico. I am ashamed that I fell off regular letters some time ago. And he apoligized for not writing often! I'm the one who should be ashamed. And I do.

Anyway, he asked me if I'd found any theatrical pursuits to involve in since the move here [heh, heh, heh...didn't know what he was asking, did he?] It is one of our areas of common interest.

But tonight I find myself so depressed again. I feel like I really messed up. There has been some misunderstandings I think...

First I must digress. Many years ago now, one of my closest friends at that time and place dropped by as we were sitting down to dinner. She was returning a book I had loaned to her, but inside she had included a letter to me. The letter was not written in a lucid time for her, she was putting all the anger at her mother on me [wasn't I lucky] I understood then, and I understand now, that it wasn't really her writing to me...but I've always held in my heart some of what she said, and wondered if some of what she said was true. I hope not. I try not. But was it? And more importantly, is it?

Fast forward to last winter. The Pageant director was ill, and for a couple days could not be there as we madly tried to finish costumes and sets. Initially everyone kept asking me what to do next, or what to do about [fill in the blank]. My answer was "You know what to do. You have a brain. You tell me what you need--remember, I'm the one here who doesn't sew." And after a fairly short while, the work moved forward at a furious pace with people making their own decisions and not going to one person for every little thing. The director came in for a short while to check on our progress the second day. She yelled at me for trying to take over etc. etc. etc. I was extremely depressed as I went home, wondering both at her vitriol, and at how much was true, albeit unconciously, but true nontheless

This year I am supposed to direct. I told our new bishop at our meeting that Iwould talk to the old director. Our first concern was to not hurt her feelings. It din't work. I find myself wondering again at her accusations from last year.

This production was her concept. Her script. It could never have been done without her. But it could also never have been done without me. Last year I served as her slave--not my title, but the reality. I not only cannot, but my family nor my bishop, will not allow the same situation again.

So I am left wondering what is right? Did I push myself in? Did I try to take over from her? Obviously that is become the end result. I feel depressed, I don't know what to repent of, but am left feeling called to repentence. The situation is a bit different, but I feel the same as I felt last year and years ago from the letter. Is it only me? Or do other people have situations that come up from time to time? I really just want to do the right thing. Always. Why is it so hard when dealing with other people?

Computer Generation

2007-03-10T19:47:00.000-08:00

I'm not part of it even tho friends my age think it is wonderful what I can do on the computer [boy, have I got them fooled!] In the past month I've

1. had to get rid of my Flickr acct [and have yet to resign up] because it was unsavable. So said their support person.

2. had my PAF freeze in such a tangled mess that even with the support guys working on it by remote access, it took two weeks to fix.

3. had both printers decide everything should be printed like an envelope unless specifically fixed each and every time we print--actually, we think my husband did that one--I hope I've gotten that corrected now, but who knows? I'm afraid to test it!

4. the top CD drive on our computer doesn't like me anymore. It won't accept my CD. I finally [after a week or so] figured out to put my CD in the second one down. It works! Whew!

5. My print Shop unloaded itself somehow??? I reloaded it all by myself :)

6. Then it started having occasional problems, and it is becoming more frequent. I'm ready to take it off and start over [except I don't know how]

7. I can not get print shop to give me a short cut icon on the desk top. Keith tried, and failed, too. And he can always do that!

There were a couple more, but I forget. I know--whine, whine, whine.

At least I'm making a list so I can begin to sort thru it all...

And I will be with Lura soon, and she is patient and will help me with Flickr etc. anything that can be done from her house.

And Vinnie will be out here this summer after all, and he will help me with what's left after Erica, home on spring break helps me out. [fixes me up]

I may not be so great with computers, but my children, bless everyone of them, are.

[Sariah don't feel left out--you did all you could for me last time with Flickr--and I just drove you crazy! And Richard--you'll be around awhile, so you get to do mop up :)

Comment please

2007-02-25T18:18:00.000-08:00

As I seem to be unable to go back and allow for comments to my last posting...the place for any comments on that one is here. I did fix it si I shouldn't have that particular problem any more ;)

2007-02-25T10:26:00.000-08:00

Frustration--I had just finished my post when I accidently hit a wrong key and poof! It was gone. Sigh.

Today I took action on an idea which had perculated in my mind for some time, thanks to Sariah and ABQ. I talked to my Relief Society Pres. and she agreed. We are going to do a pair-up of young families with older families/couples who have no other family in the area. The need for an instant babysitter arrives, but where to turn? This will make it possible to have a surrogate Grandma who knows the kids and their routines etc. It seems like the need is not great in our ward because there are so many who are related, but for those who are not...I think the need is enormous! So we are going to do it! :)

*******************

After the fire last week in our housing development, we have a concern. We were blocked in or out for several hours. We need another way in/out! And it is in place, but blocked by poles in the ground. Apparantly, rescue vehicles know they can run right through these poles,
but what about the lady who has just gone into labor and needs to get to the hospital? Or the Mom who needs to pick up her child from school or wherever? That particular corner falls under the aegis of Columbus, so we need to petition them to open it up. It seems the problem is that it is not wide enough. So let's widen it! It is as wide as the street it leads out to which is now heavily trafficked because of the light shut down. If there had been another emergency of any kind in or whole housing development that afternoon, they would have just been out of luck! I am not the first person to be concerned about this, but I will organize neighbors and fight for what we need. I think we have a much better chance here that we ever had in saving our traffic light! So I'm off to the races again!

Help!!

2007-02-21T20:39:00.000-08:00

Help! I'm trapped! I can't seem to comment on my own blog!!! No wonder everyone's moving if this is the kind of trouble you have. I'll be outta here too : )

A Review of "The Madrigal"

2007-02-20T21:01:00.000-08:00

It has been a royal pain, but I finally have gotten onto the new Blog post. If I continue to have problems, I will follow so many of you others....

I wanted to post my review of The Madrigal at the local high school. This is year 17, so they've got it down to a science!

The school is built with a rotunda. The performance began with a Madrigal group singing there to seated audience. As I've sung in several madrigal groups, I was familiar with all the songs but one, so I think I can speak with some authority in saying that they did a great job! They were musically accurate [not always easy wit close harmonies acapella] and generally their diction was quite good [based on te other members of our group who did not know the music] Even the 16 yr old boy who went with us was impressed.

Next, a group performed an English country dance, then repeated it [under instruction from the Dance Master] wih audience members pulled up to partner. I was sad that none of our large party had been asked. But I did not sit us in the front row so that Dad would not be asked.

We were then led down the hall to the cafetorium. They had a proscenium stage which overflowed its corners. OK, thrust is correct, but oveflowed was the feel. The other corners also had stage sets. On corner next to the R thrust held a musicians stage.

The format was: Act I, course1 of dinner to music [also music between scenes] They had soloists, harpsichord, [well, that's what it sounded like] small groups a recorder ensemble, and a guitar ensemble, a couple of choirs, and various combibnations of the above. Well done!
Act 2, course 2, etc. [Dinner ended after Act 4.

The show: An edited version of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Again, I was very impressed. I was impress with first, the judicious editing. You got the majority of the play in a form the teens could understand, and so, therefore, could the audience. The number of characters were cut down to the essential, and audience members were used for others [such as for delivering messages etc.] Finally, in our performance, their principal was plucked out of the audience and given a long blond wig to be a brief character--to great laughter! They got a math teacher the night before.

The casting: Was excellent. While I think that those who played middle aged characters could have used their bodies a little more to show that--it is hard, for middle aged...what does that really mean? It was a concept they struggled with. As I was doing make-up, I'd ask a kid, "How old are you?" "16." "No, your character." "I don't know." That showed. Except for the old man, who did a superb job, And I noted especially with his cane--meaning he used it correctly!! Usually kids will try to use the cane along side of the affected leg. He used it correctly--opposite. He was also exceptionally good at stepping into and out of the show, adressing the audience several times in announcing the entertaining group between scenes. I wish only that his make-up had gone with the rest of him better [I didn't do his.] Also one girl told me she was middle-aged, and she did portray herself that way, but she was fighting a loosing battle because of her petit build she was picked up quite a lot, giving her a younger aspect than she miht otherwise have achieved. This is not neccessarily a negative comment, but it wold have worked better if the other women her age" would have remembered they were "middle aged" One 'man' did an exceptional job at using his body in that way. The boys, generally speaking were better at that than the girls.

Richard: Played Sir Hugh of no discernable age, who was a well respected friend to the main characters, and an indespesible background character. When he asked me what he could have done to better his performance, I said, "Have years of experience behind you." And I stand by that. He had a passably good Scots accent, which additional practice would have helped. He was fine, except a couple of times his own accent slipped through, though I doubt anyone who didn't know him well would have picked up on that. [The kids at school are all convinced he is Canadian, even though he says not...]

The technical: Each 'fake' corner's backdrop scenery was made by using scaffolding and hanging painted muslin from the floor of the top. On the top was a spotlight used to light other areas. The spot lighting crossing and occasionally alone, worked very well. The thrust corners held the two homes escept for the forest scene. The homes were turned around and being black, essentially disappeared. Gauzy curtains with leaves dropped down, and there was some sort of tree/bush thing C stage around which the actors wove on and off stage [led by Sir Hugh/Richad] in their guise as 'fairies' as the final humiliation of Sir Falstaff. Again, it is obvious that this was not the first year the director has done such a show. Excellently well done.

All in all: A good time was had by the players [Richard is sad it is over], the audience [we parents enjoyed it, so did the four teens who were friends from church who went], and the community [very proud of this anual event].

Richard is planning to audition for the spring show--different director. And if he doesn't get into the show, he still wants to work on it :) Now this I understand.

2007-02-13T21:00:00.000-08:00

Wow--two posts in one day...these thoughts hit me and I figured if I was going to write them down, then I might as well come straight to the computer as write in the notebook by my bed and post tomorrow.

My husband did a very rare thing, he rented an R-rated movie: Flags of Our Fathers. We neiher one of us had gotten around to reading the book yet, but were interested in it and correctly figured the rating was because it was a war movie. Still, at first it was a jarring word here or there, then as they got into the military life, it became more. I missed a chunk out of the beginning of the film while I was on the phone about the assignment-- topic of my previous post. I returned in time for the landing on the beach. I saw the beginning of the battle, and at one graphic point, I had to close my eyes. I left. I could not take it. Mr. Allrie said that if that first incident bothered me that much, it was good that I left. As we talked we had some thoughts and realizations. First, war. Throughout history, men have gone off to war, usually not talking much about it once home, trying to forget the horrors they saw and of which they were part. The tried to protect their women and children from having that complete a knowledge. Now we make movies to honor those same men, but show just what they tried both to forget and to protect their loved ones from having to suffer.

I'm sorry, Jesse. I'd also apologize to my Dad, my uncle, and my father-in-law, but they're not around just now.

The second thing that bothered me was the casual use of profanity. I consider myself a lady. True, I wear jeans, and did before it was popular for girls to wear bluejeans. I go barefoot or wear boots or moccasins. I was a real tomboy who climbed trees and rocks and ran with the dogs on the hills. My chores were outside mostly. I didn't learn how to clean or cook or any of that kind of stuff until I got married. But still, I was a lady, I knew it, my friends knew it, and my friends were ladies and gentlemen as well.

I had one of the shocks of my life one day as I rounded the corner of the airport hanger and came up behind my father talking in a group of men. He swore! I had never in my life heard that before. And that is how that generation mostly was. Oh there were those that used that kind of language in fron of women and children, but they were "common" and they must have had very poor vocabularies as my mother explained, or they would use other words. I know that my generation is more coarse and common that my parents'. I do not, however, think that there is any good reason for it. Whenever I hear a woman swear, I think she is no lady, and my respect level drops dramatically. When I hear people use swear words in lieu of better vocabulary, I pity them, and assume that their educational level is not very high. With the next generation, I just pity. Were they not taught? Do they just not care? Are they such sheep that they swear to be accepted? I know when I was in college [pre-LDS days] smoking was a way to assert adulthood--is that what swearing is today? It didn't work out too well for those who started smoking just as their parents were struggling to quit. I suspect the swearing will be the same. But still, I pity those who have no better vocabulary with which to express their feelings.

What will my grandchildren who are just now learning to talk have to face?

HELP!!

2007-02-13T17:41:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not referring to the ongoing family feud. Nor am I talking about our messy, messy weather. I need help. [Hush my daughters--no wise-cracks, I'm being quite serious here.] I have been asked to help with a program and my part is to work with a group of teens performing "She'll Be Comin' Around the Mountain" with class. I know, we're in big trouble here.

Anyway, I remember learning [I think from my mother] that "she" referred to the train. I found info on that in Wikipedia, but conflicting info elsewhere. So, Music People, can you help me out here? I want to find the origins and meaning of this American Folksong. My research isn't getting me very far. Of course I am limited to the computer and our old Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia as we are snowed and iced in just now.

Of course there is no rush [the program is for Memorial Day] but I'd like to pin down what we are doing long before any execution.

Waiting For the Shoe To Drop

2007-02-12T20:36:00.000-08:00

You know that feeling of just waiting...waiting for the other shoe to drop? Well, after last weeks 2 "cold days", 1 "snow day" and 2 2-hr delay days due to the cold [with the neighboring district taking out the whole week [their wacky over-crowded hs schedule does not allow for 2 hr delays.] And with a horrible or at least horribly messy storm due to come in tonight, everyone is holding their collective breath--cancel? 2 hr delay? but then what...it is supposed to get worse as the day goes on. In VA we had early dismissal days when it snowed a lot during the day, so who knows what to expect?

The phone rang about 10:30. The call was for Allied Weather. It was a young middle schooler asking for what the forecast was for Canal Winchester at 5:00am! I explained that forecasting was our business, and that a forecast cost money, but since we were in the same town, I said he'd just have to do what we will do. Get up in the morning and check the school closings, but there is a really good chance of a closing for tomorrow. He thanked me very nicely. It was so cute! My first "official" call! And I didn't even need to wake Dad! So now am I a forecaster, too? :)

I also have to mention that it has warmed up--at 25degrees it felt positively balmy out yesterday! Enough so that I got out on my bike. 1/2 a mile was enough. I was perfectly comfortable--except my face and head. Oh, I wore a ski mask, but that's only one layer. The rest of me had at least three--not even counting fat! The house is cooling down rapidly now [we turn the heat way down when we go upstairs, so it's been off awhile now.] Time to turn in--after I check once more for closings!

Ramblin' Updates

2007-02-09T20:28:00.000-08:00

For those following the weather/school debates in the midwest: M-W no school--2 cold days, 1 snow day, Th & F 2 hr delayed openings. No Seminary all week. Poor Richard didn't get the no Seminary message for Thurs, but did get the message to pick up a couple other kids from someone elses house rather than their own--which is on the way. So R left extra early [cause where they were wasn't on the way]. Fortunately, Ruthie was up to tell him--in case he hadn't gotten a call. The call came after he'd left! So he's now at the top of the call list! We expect the same sub-zero temps all next week, so we will probably have delayed openings again. And then there's the mid-week snow expected... Then the following week looks like a warm-up--hooray!
****
There is a little girl [2nd grade] in our town who is #1 on the organ transplant list. She needs 5. Yes that was FIVE. Her stomach and something else have already failed, and 3 more organs are in process. We are having a huge community fundraiser on the 17th for medical/travel etc. expenses for the family. A silent auction is part of it. Allied Weather [our company] is putting together a package for it. My heart just aches for the whole family. Please remember them in your prayers.
****
Do you know how many film companies there are? And they come and go like...butterflies! Keeping trtack is a full-time job at the moment!
****
I belong to our town's "Mainstreet" program, and got to go to a training meeting last Wed. It was really interesting as I learned first hand what it takes to have a vibrant downtown in cities large and small. As we talked on the "twice as long as it should have been" [due to snow] drive home, I was filled in more about what has happened in our village and what is going to happen. Even though we lost on the traffic light issue, I feel better about life again. First of all, I still cross at that corner--it is perfectly legal to walk across a highway, so I do, patiently and carefully. It is currently the safest route to town. We will get our overpass--I just hope I get to see it! Secondly--there are two sore spots in town--and both will soon be changed!

Of all the stuff the trainer's taught us needed to be done, I realized that our village is way ahead of the curve [no womder awards have been accorded]. I am excited to be part of this program, and to be able to share the information at the next Downtown meeting! [I feel very similar to the first time I was sent as my school's representative to a science workshop. It was hard to follow at times, but I have a new excitement which I am eager to share!] On our drive home I stated again that we need picture postcards of our town! My suggestion was applauded and accepted. Not to get the pictures taken--I had tried to get Jeremy [a photographer in town] to do it, but he closed up shop--he is now in Bentonville, AR, as head of the photography dept for Wal-Mart. So we need a volunteer. Not I! I inherited my mother's photography skills. Sad.
***
Well that's my ramblings from a busy week. Oh, and I've got Erica's Been There, Done That book up through Maine. I'm toolin' along [and Sariah setting aside pics etc. for you as well].

School closings

2007-02-04T19:28:00.000-08:00

Aaah, the variety of it all. In our family we've had snow days, heat days, hurricane days, ice days, sniper days, and now add cold days to our school closings. Of course Richard's "hop-brothers" must be having fire days...am interested what arrangements their school is making...but, still...

Aparantly, the temps will be so uncommonly low that all the schools around have cancelled so that no kids are outside waiting for, or walking to or from the buses or schools. Forgive my being old, but I don't get it.

Are we that delicate a society? I'll bet Erica's friend's Siberian Dad would find it rather curious. I recall being sent to school walking one morning in blizzard conditions because my Dad couldn't get either car out. I was in second grade in northern Indiana.

I'll bet I see kids outside tomorrow. If not playing [which I fully expect] then at least going places--so why couldn't they have gone to school?

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I've never had a child tell me it was too cold to play outside, only it was too hot. Cold? Put on another layer. And wear your ski mask.

Life's Twists and Turns

2007-01-26T12:59:00.000-08:00

When Keith lost his job several months ago, I was unhappy, but not upset. In past times of joblessness, I have been upset, distraught, and furious. This time I was just calm. Oh, I was angry over the situation--he should not have lost his job for what amounts to... he essentially did not chat up the people in the other offices, but stayed in his own office and did his job! Amazing, huh? Anyway, the path we were to take was not real clear at first. I was so immersed in the Nativity project, I just knew that I would be here.

When releases came, two of the main peo0ple were released. Two of us were not. Interestingly the same two of us had been called for an indefinite amount of time. So I still believe we are not going anywhere.

For some time, we had wanted to have our own business. As we are both bibliophiles, we thought a bookstore was the answer. We looked into it, we studied it, we had it all planned out. We found more than one store to purchase. Nothing felt quite right.

Previously, Keith had a weather forcasting company, but his last employer felt that it was a conflict of interests. To watch the weather and report it vs forecasting??? Really! In any case, we decided to get Allied Weather back on track. Keith used to forecast for companies like MGM, Warner, Disney, etc. for movie and TV shoots as well as agricultural forecasting (several in Mexico) and also Special Events like weddings and Garden Parties. So we're back up and doing business as Allied Weather Consultants again.

Oh, and forensic weather--that is, researching the weather conditions from when a crime was committed or an accident happenedd, and testifying in court. You know...one of those expert witnesses you see on the TV shows.

I figure we've got 'til the end of March to build up to the point where the unemployment amount is equaled, and that is far lower that what Keith used to make just doing Allied part time. I would never in a million gazillion years have thought about the weather as a business in which I would be involved, but, surprise!

Life does take amazing twists and turns does it not?

Ya Gotta Pay

2007-01-20T20:59:00.000-08:00

I am diabetic. I know I have to watch what I eat, exercise and check my blood sugar. Well today I did great on the last, technically did the first [as it went from plate to fork and up...] and as for exercise...well we had a very active ward activity tonight. It was lots of fun. I only took a taste of things...but there were so very many things! Next time, I vow to fill up my plate with a big green salad first--and then take only as much more as will fit on the plate. Perhaps that will help. But the real damage was done at the dessert table. If it were warm out I'd go ride my bike for five miles. But the weather [always so co-operative!] has turned far too cold for midnight bike riding! so here I sit. Repentant, but with a blood sugar level that is way too high.

Now let me explain...I do take care not to get more than 170 EVER! So my waay too high is not in the danger zone. I'm not that stupid. But still, you do the crime, you do the time. I'm dizzy from climbing the stairs up, turn around and down. turn around, repeat.

Epilepsy is so much easier for me to control--and when I have a problem, I rest. Can you see how the two run counter each other? So I'm exercising off the sugars [food]I ate but staying up so late that I will have seizures by tomorrow. At which point, I will be exhausted tomorrow afternoon, and just want to sleep--and the inactivity will cause me to have to watch my sugars more closely.

My Grandma was right. If you do something that is wrong, "ya gotta pay for it." I think she was quoting her grandmother...and she probably hers' etc.

********************************

At least it was a really great Ward activity! As mentioned, it was a potluck, and our part of the alphabet had dessert. Dad made his famous cherry-chocolate chocolate chip cake. [If only I'd not had a piece of it...] Anyway, since our ward boundaries were recently changed, we are trying really hard to get to know everyone and meld into one ward. We were such a tight-knit ward before, that the sudden change is quite noticable. Yet, a very welcoming ward, so we're trying to become unified quickly. After eating we played a form of Bingo, requiring everyone to get around as fast as they could and get signatures on the required blanks. There were only three of us who could claim having lived in more than 5 states, only two born in other countries onlly two who can yodel, and poor Anna, with her bright red hair gave up trying to fill hers and just signed...Then we all got together in the middle of the gym and held hands forming a human knot. I found that quite interesting, having never done that before. Then we actually followed someone's called out suggestion to "Do the Hokey Pokey!" So we did! By then it was time to clean up and set up for church tomorrow. A fun time was had by one and all. [Yes, Dad came. He ate, was introduced to a couple of new people, and left before the games began. He considered it a success as well.]

*********************************

Vin called tonight. They expect to be in Indianapolis for the summer! Only 3 hours away! Yay!
He said he was playing Peek-a-Boo with Chloe and when he asked her where the ball had gone she answered,"France." What a brilliant child!

***********************************

I have Richard's Been here, Done That Book up to date. Including a copy of his driver's license he got this week. Including the report card that just came home Fri. [Excellent, I might add.]
Look out, Erica, I'm on a roll!

*************************************
Time's up--another blood sugar check, and hopefully, bed!

Normalcy

2007-01-13T11:08:00.000-08:00

I'm not quite sure what "normalcy" is. I suspect it is different for each and everyone. But I am quite sure that normalcy means some semblence of a routine.

We haven't had that for quite awhile in our house--unless you count Mom going to churvch at early morning Seminary time [6:30] and from that point on working on the Nativity until around 10:pm day after day after grueling day. It was worth it--we had a great success, and it is over.

Usually once a show has gone through strike [tearing down the set etc. and putting away everything] it is over for me, and out of mind--like a toddler whose toy "disappears from sight" it is gone. Not this time. It is rather thre gorilla in the room no one[ OK, few] talk about. I can't quite purge it from my mind.

Maybe filling the time with routine life will help. I'm begining to get back somewhat of an exercise regime, of course, now it is raining, which cramps my bicycling style, but I'm walking or riding in the neighborhood at least between showers. This alone is making me feel more human. Getting the Christmas tree down helped as well--now for the outside lights! [see rain above!] Getting back on schedule for my every other weekly stint in the FHC [Family History Center] helps, and this week I'll be getting back to my Thurs am scripture class. Richard has been back in school for a week, and Erica [and her friend, Jenia, who was a delightful houseguest--she brought me chocolate!!]left this morning as well.

We're getting the forecasting business back up and running. [commercial--if you need a weather forecast for a special event--wedding, party etc.--call 1-877-4U4-CAST] the office is getting set up, flyers are being mailed [Lura, you remember that rolodex!] and I am learning to use my new cell phone that will be on my person at all times so that I can answer no matter where or when.

Just doing laundry and vacuuming is remarkably soothing. Scripture reading, journaling, scrapbooking, genealogy, and of course blogging is helping as well. I am so ready for this new routine with the feeling of returning to normalcy--even though there is a lot of new mixed in!

Epiphany

2006-12-19T19:36:00.000-08:00

I mean the feast day--not the generic word. For those who may not know, let me explain. Epiphany is celebrated on 6 Jan in many parts of the world. It is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics [to be treated just as Sunday]. For many cultures it is the day of the gift-giving of the Season. It celebrates the three Wise Men's arrival to the Christ Child. Epiphany, or showing.

Sicilian and many Southern Italian children [and their descendants] celebrate the day by receiving gifts and baked goods from La Befana [or the old witch]. Tomie De Paola did a beautiful rendition of the story which I highly recommend called Old Befana.

In our family we keep the tradition--mostly because when my big kids were little and it was their Dad's turn to have them for Christmas, I wanted to have the holiday with them anyway. Part of the tradition is also to give out gifts to those who serve you [like the mailman etc. during te year as well].

This year I am falling back into old habits of not getting packages or even cards mailed out in a timely manner. So, it is for Epiphany, not Christmas. So it is not late. So there. Oh, except for Sariah's birthday present. [but you'll really like it!]

Surely I'm not the only one who needs to celebrate Epiphany...am I?

Christmas--post Nativity

2006-12-18T20:54:00.000-08:00

The Nativity Enactment has been two years in the creating, and has completed its first run. We did 8 performances in 2 nights, plus 2 run throughs as a final dress reh with audience from our familes. We had tickets out for 50 people per perf, but averaged over 60 per perf. It is the talk of the town. As a missionary effort, it has already paid off. As a community event, it has already been requested a repeat next year [fully intended.] And our new stake president is much more supportive, so perhaps we'll get some stake monies to help out next year. This year, we squeezed every auxilary budget as much as possible and then some!

We are looking forward to having other activities again--once the final clean-up is done. We had a ward FHE tonight, unfortunately not enough attended to get it all done, but we're getting there. I'm glad I won't see the garbage men's faces when they go to unload our dumpsters this week--over full for tomorrow, and then we'll fill them right up again for the Thurs pick-up!

Stage sets are stored in Bishop Hay's barn, costumes upstairs in our chapel, props divided between the two, and life continues.

Now to get ready for our family Christmas...I haven't even begun---Domani! Richard has just the one final, so he can take me shopping. and Erica gets home Wed! I did my Christamas cards over Thanksgiving, but am unable to find them...does this mean I start over? yipes!

And I AM going to make farfalette dolci for Epiphany this year--but haven't even started Christmas baking yet. Better get busy, eh?

We Did It!

2006-12-14T20:09:00.000-08:00

We really did it! Tonight was final dress rehearsal for the Canal Wincester Ward's Presentation of A Nativity Enactment. It really came off quite well, and the audience response was quite good. Ticket are free and so popular that we "sold out" over a week ago. So we voted to add an additional performance on Sat starting earlier--so instead of three overlapping performances we'll have four. Then that sold out within two days. When the Mission President called for tickets, there were none! So a deal was struck. If we could keep the missionaries who are participating out late, we could add a fourth perf to Fri night. He agreed, and last I heard, that's sold out, too! So members in participating wards were encouraged to come tonight for one of two run-throughs. I followed along so as to see the whole show and evaluate technical stuff like lighting that had not been done {It rained the night of our scheduled tech reh. and I had come home and collapsed, and decided as we couldn't do what needed to be done, I'd just stay where I was. Good decision. } So I know what has to be done for tomorrow and my lighting guy is fixing it just how I want, my sound guy is reducing the almost 3 1/2 minute Hallelujah Chorus to one minute [we just don't have enough angels outside for the full thing, there's simply not enough to look at for that long.] We decided not to do a big backdrop for the Road to Bethlahem scene--just a few trees against the brick wall, Mary on a donkey with Joseph leading is quite enough. The courtyard of the Inn looks great except that the door opens the wrong way. [It was built for a different set-up, but we changed it due to weather constraints, and the director decided she liked that the audience cannot see into the Inn at all. Looks stupid, but, hey, it's just one of the little things, and Miranda Steed as the Innkeeper's daughter [part written for her] is great. I have a few things to tweak tomorrow, but am mostly ready. Mostly because we eliminated a few other details that were just too much this year. Less is more.

But our gym that looked like "Betzy's sweat shop" for months, now is a Judean Marketplace. The Roman guards try to flirt with the nice Jewish girls, but are constantly rebuffed. The guards hassell us in the old crones quarter...but can only go so far. When I sat in as apothecary, I had lots of fun coming up with remedies for ailments of all sorts. The little children thought my bird skull most scary! [Thank you owl pellet disecting in science teacher's workshop!] The dried herbs hanging overhead are a bit creepy as well, so the young mostly stayed away from my area--the wood and toy shop certainly dreww them, as did the silk and rug sellers. Our butcher [Bishop Keller] was having way too much fun with his meat cleaver and his [pre-cut] meats and cheeses--his meatcleaver was made last night of cardboard and tin foil. [I spent the morning melting down donated candles to make cheese wheels] All the soldier boys have beautiful swords--or at least hilts, made by Bishop Agler. But there were also several real swords --used by responsible adults. Tho. our new bishop, Jon Hay[our Viking] wanted a two headed battleaxe, but was talked out of being a blood-thirsty Viking as he is in the angel choir!

So, we've gone from a bishop who wears Willie Nelson braids [halloween] to one with Viking horns! And he says he's going to keep them on his desk when the show is over. Most of us are really glad it's about to be over, but it has and is a worthwhile thing to do. Our goal was to help educate the community that we really are Christian. We wanted to do a little missionary work. Already we are having people involved with the missionaries who have not been receptive before--new members getting involved, members getting reactivated, non-member family joining in, etc. So I think we have a success on our hand. And soon it will be over. Thank goodness. Bishop Hay has declared next Mom as a Ward FHE night to deep clean the chapel before the official deep cleaning on the 22nd the the church custodial people are coming in for. A few of us are excused--like me. We're supposed to take the evening off and rest. :)

Pictures will be forthcoming--including, as Lura put it "Dad in a play? This we've got to see!"

I'm still alive!

2006-11-30T19:48:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm still alive--well at least theoretically. It's hard to prove by my family. Even the kids who don't live here know that if they want to talk to me they have to call the hallway phone at the church! After an obnoxious fall yesterday, I didn't go in today 'til about 1:00 and meant to leave around 4:00, but everything planned took a real nose dive about that time instead. So I got home about 10:30 and have to be back there before Seminary lets out [and have to take care of a friend's animals before that!--she's unexpectedly in the hospital!] Anyway, I miss talking to everyone and hope to be back blogging soon. OK, after the performance on Dec 15th & 16th. Assuming, of course, I make it through the next couple of weks alive!

Band & Genealogy

2006-11-03T20:44:00.000-08:00

I just got home from State Marching Band Competition. No, I did npt get to see Richard's school, but I did get to see Groveport-Madison. One of my Sunday School students was in the pit, and I promised I would go to hear them play sometime during the season. This was my only real opportunity. I went with his family and had a ball!

Oh, the memories...

Some of the bands we saw were HUGE, others just large. G-M got a 1 overall, but Mary (my friend and mother to my student) was a little surprised. She'd expected only a 2 in comparison to how they'd played other times. She has a daughter who is a flute--and had a solo!--and also directs part of the time. The flute section started out as go-go dancers--rather cute--then changed behind the screen into their regular uniforms. They also had both a trumpet and a sax solo.

None of the drum breaks were as pronounced as I remember from Arkansas days...

One band really stood out. First, they were huge, second they were GOOD, third, they had a dance team as well as flags--one section of which also used rifles at one point. All their flags were the same--just different in color. Their main flags looked kinda like an American flag--fewer stripes and no staars, but it was obvious, and went with their show. Basically, it was an Americana show--piccolos and drums--very Revolutionary, a change in flags[so subtle a difference, I'm not sure why the change here] to the Civil War then to yellow flags and the girls dancing a jig...you get the idea.

Aaah the memories...lots of fun, but I no longer feel like I should be out there helping. I went through my band withdrawal and that's that.

Although I keep trying to claim I don't sew--I am getting really good at cutting out without a pattern, and writing instructions for what is to be sewn. Painting was the most comfortable thing I've done though.

Guess I'm just a Fine Arts person, no mater what!

Had a good time as a guest speaker in Richard's sociology class today. The topic? Genealogy/Family History. Richard asked that I not embarrass him, and had to admit that I really didn't, but that 'everyone is afraid of him now' because of the family Mafia stories. He'd told them before--but no one had believed him...

I get to go back on Mon. We're almost done with the 'show and tell' portion, then I'm going to give out pedigree sheets and family group sheets and the idea is to do 4 generations--they've already been gathering info. So we'll see how it goes. I guess the true test will be if I get invited back the next time the teacher teaches this unit!

And a Happy Halloween to All

2006-11-01T04:31:00.000-08:00

Our ward is like so many. We hold "Trunk or Treat" This is usually on the Fri or Sat before Halloween so all the kids [and adults] get a chance to dress up and go trick or treating, socialize etc. Various wards have their own variations. "Trunk" becaus it is held in the parking lot and the kids make the rounds of the decorated car trunks.

In the past we have gone from our first years of almost no decoration to becoming noted for our fantastick [adide: this is not a spelling error, but the way the musical is spelled. I do it on purpose.] themed vehicle usually icluding music. For example there was the year we turned the van into a pirate's ship [including flying a jolly Roger!] and played the soundtrack of Pirates of the Carribean. The kids dresed as pirates [Erica was a great Jack Sparrow-like Captain.] We took pride in our themed get-ups.

Last year, without Erica's help, and with a different vehicle [CRV "Soctates"{aside:guess what movie we had just seen...pronounce it with a long a} rather than the van] we did Star Wars--decor not quite as good except that Richard built such a great R2D2 out of the round-topped bathroom garbage can, that we had to get a new trash recepticle, for R2D2 remains with us.

Last year the new twist we saw here in CW was that after the candy was all passed out, everyone retired to the cultural hall [gym inside our church building] and the adults visited while the kids had a massave candy swap--you know the kind you'd have at home with your siblings trying to get as much as whatever your favorites were while trading away the kinds you didn't really like. On a ward level it was really funny to watch--and the kids seemed to have just as much fun doing that as they did doing the 'trunk or treating'

This year...Nativity. We have costume and set construction going on in two thirds of the cultural hall, so going inside was not viable. ...Weather. It has been cold and wet and really a mess. Every fall the Hays hold a chili cook-off and hayride at their farm. It was decided to combine the two events and Sat was the appointed day. It was way too cold, and there could be no hayride as the tractor and wagon would have bogged down in the mud in the first 10 feet! So Our bishop [one of the best--and quirkiest--by his own admission--in he world] decided to cancel Sat night.

After consulting with the ward weatherman--my husband of course, he announced at church Sun that we would have a ward Family Home Evening this week--at the Hays farm. Be prepared for the activities: trunk or treating, hay rides and marshmallow roasting. hot dogs would be served as everyone had already eated their chili.

I. of course, was working on Nativity stuff all day--in this case, painting flats. I got home in time o take a shower, dress and go. We had not prepared a theme. Richard and I hardly have said more than Good-night for the past week. So what to do? He was a very cool "Man in Black" for a youth activity while I was gone, so we were going to go with that, but never had he time to turn the back of Socrates into the inside of the locker village...what to do? I grabbed Erica's bridesmaids dress out of her closet tinking I could be a princess. But then I thought...hay ride? I don't think so. Meanwhil, Richard thought about his suit--hayride? He didn't think so.

So in the end after going through about 4 ideas and rejcting them, I borrowed Richard's Calgary Flames jersey and his red [OK they are BU scarlet--but who here would catch it? No one.] Wore them over my grey long john pants which Richard taped for me with red hockey tape,instant hockey socks! and wore my work boots in liu of skates. I used a hockey stick instead of my cane to walk around--handle end down, of course. I got tons of complements on my costume! And I was surprised how comfortable hockey pants really are! Richard threw on his Cubs shirt with "LEE" in the back [unfortunately we had nothing to serve as baseball pants at that point] wih his jeans and Cubs hat. We decorated the back of the car [Socrates] with hockey and baseball gear and Flames and Cubs memorabelia. Again compliments on our ten minute set up! All we were missing was music. Add candy and we were ready.

Incidently, our bishop, who lst year, was Willie Nelson, braids and all, was Elvis this year--with a wig and sunglasses! [And he was out there working on the set all day, too!]

A good time was had by one and all. the weather turned warm, the ground dried up, and even tho. he din't attend [also working on the set all day] my husband was the hero of the day! Great forecasting! Tues turned wet again, hence our ward's FHE.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween--and I expect to see lots of cute pics posted!

Help!

2006-10-28T21:40:00.000-07:00

I don't have much to say other than I wish my girls were here to help! I'm putting in long and constant days costuming. But there is light at the end of the cloth tunnel. Then I can work on my first love [and what I signed on to do!] props. But Mon afternoon my favorite forecaster tells me will be a good time to paint. So paint we will. Wish you were here, Lura, for this part!
I offer house room to anyone who wants to visit Ohio [and incidently sew, paint etc.!]

Rhe Word SEW Is Not In My Vocabulary

2006-10-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

It's not! It's not! The word "sew" is not in my vocabulary! Ask my kids--I've always told them that. Ask my sister. Where was I when she was doing costumes? Not sewing! Ask my costuming teachers. How did I make it through costuming rquirements? By running and fetching, By cutting or pinning. By acting as a dressmaker's dummy. But NOT by sewing!

I have a mending tip for all you young Moms. It really works, too. Ask my kids! The garment needing mending is put into the mening basket. Procrastinate a few months--and voila! The child has outgrown the garment. Therefore you never have to--sew!

So why does all my time seem to be taken of late with costuming? I'm still not sewing! We need more people who will run & fetch, pin & cut iron & sort. Even be a dressmaker's dummy.

Maybe I'm just a dummy? Albeit one with waaay too much costuming knowledge.

Accents

2006-10-17T19:41:00.000-07:00

This is all your fault, Fourth Fret! I really enjoyed talking to you on the phone, but was taken quite by surprise with your accent. I think I was polite enough not to comment about that "ignorant sounding, hokie Okie accent" as a close friend of mine was always teased. But you pulled off the gloves, so...

I like regional accents. Regional accents are unfortunately disappearing, but they lend a color to life which is also disappearing. I, myself, have a faint midwestern accent--until commented upon. Then my a's get flaater and flaaater. I also have Chicago traces from my mom, a few Wisconsin words from my Grandma, [ the dresser "draw"and not a few pronunciations giving away my Dad's Italian Brooklyn/NJ roots. [Certain high school friends used to tease me to say 'daughter'-"dwah-ter" and "chwahclat"] [My Uncle lived on "Da cawnah of toid and toidy toid streets" for real!]

I've enjoyed the regional accents everywhere we lived...until Arkansas. There it was a full year before I could understand anyone over the phone. My friends, Sue and Yevonne were always on my case for talking too fast [when I thought I was really dragging!] I usd to tell them to think faster. Sue and I figured out an interesting phenomena. She served her Mission in upstate NY and was treated as the dim bulb in the box always. She's not--dim, I mean. It was just her speech--accent and slower rate. There was a Sister in my Mission [Independence, Missouri] who [I am ashamed to admit] was treated much the same way. Sister Blaylock was from Biloxi, Mississippi. Same problem. She was most cetainly not dim, just slower of speech, and with a thick accent unfamiliar to most of the missionaries who were from the west. [And don't think those Utahan don't have their own. Ask which temple is furthest south in Utah--Saint Garge. Of course there's a temple in American Fark nowdays, too.]

In Arkansas I became tired of people razzing me about my accent. So my oh so gracious reply was, "Turn on your TV. Listen to the people talk. Do they sound like you or like me? I rest my case." The Midwestern/ California influenced accent has become the Standard American Broadcast accent, so I could get away with that. Perhaps that'ss why my bishop recommended that I read Dale Carnegie's book, How To Win Friends and Influence People. When I said I already had, he said to read it again.

Tease all you want. Let others tease you, but in our increasingly homogonous country, let's try to keep and enjoy our regional accents, all y'all, 'cause they're like waay wicked! And youse gotta admit it, ya follow?

A Rough Syllogism-- A Harddrive : Car Engine :: Software : Bodywork

2006-10-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

When a car crashes, there are loads of things that must be fixed. So, too, with a computer. I proudly have gotten back a few of my "favorites" [except the yucky format Keith put on here just says 'bookmarks' and I don't like it nearly so well.] I even went to the LDS website and downloaded the PAF all by myself. But then I had to have Keith get the info off the jump drive and onto the hard drive. I found blogger dashboard with ease! but I haven't yet started putting back the shortcuts to the blogs I'm reading. Essentially it is about everyone on Sariah's list, so I am asking here for a blanket permission once I figure it out [or call Lura for help again] . So if you do NOT want to be on my list let me know: thespian52@yahoo.com if you want to be private :) Oh, and I don't know how to make that a link, so you actually have to e-mail. Sorry.

So, while the engine is now in good repair, the body work goes slowly.

Love is Like Pizza?

2006-10-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

Notice to my corner of the world: I am home! I am back online! Well, sorta--I'm still awfully sleepy. Chasing around with grandchildren will do that to a person. Why did I not realize until Aiden and I were discussing our respective birthdays [2 days apart] that our ages are 50 years apart! Right now I feel everyone of them! Young children are for young parents.

But it was a great trip! I got to see all three of my older kids, their spouses and children, my sister, a niece, and be with my daughter and grandson for his blessing. I got to help both my daughters. And I got to know my grandsons at this stage of life. [ my granddaughter too, but didn't get to spend as much time with her.]

I begin to understand now what my father meant when he claimed that I named my kids in a way he couldn't remember their names: Sariah, Vinnie[after him!] Lura [after an aunt]. It isn't the names, but the getting to know the person behind the name. I got to be there at the hospital immediately after Aiden was born, then had him [with parents] visit in VA. Got to see him again when brother, Dallin was born, and now spent a great deal of one on one time with him. So I feel a special bond there. At this point, I can honestly say that I feel a special, yet quite different bond with each of the grandchildren, and eagerly look forward to the next one's arrival in the spring. Isn't it amazing how one's heart seems to grow larger and larger with the addition of each new family member. It is not a case of fractions where each piece of the pizza ends up smaller and smaller, but a case of multiplication, where there is a pizza ordered for each person no matter their size or age! Years ago, my uncle taught that lesson. He never worried about how many pieces each person would get, he simply counted up the number of people [including infants] and ordered that many pizzas. We not only never went away hungry, but we never really had leftovers, either.

So, I guess that for today I am saying that: Love is like pizza--everyone should get his own? or there is enough for everyone.

Wisdom and Announcements

2006-09-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

Wow! We had a hard drive crash. (Yes, again) Actually, we caught on before it crashed and were able to save everything we wanted on our jump drive. Thank goodness. If I'd had to start from scratch typing in all my genealogy yet again...

So, my advice from the top of the mountain (where all gurus and oracles and wisewomen sit) is:
BACK EVERYTHING IMPORTANT UP ON A JUMP DRIVE!!! That way it is independent of computer problems.

The second piece of advise is to KNOW WHERE THE JUMP DRIVE IS AT ALL TIMES! I'm having a little bit of difficulty with that one at the moment as it was left in other than its proper place when I was not home, and no one else [but the cats--and they're not telling] is home at the moment.

Third, do SOMETHING to be able to find your list of favorites after you are back on line--it is a royal pain trying to find things all over again. Obviously, I've not yet resolved this problem...it is a laborious process!

Announcing my big birthday present [OK, my birthday isn't till 1 Oct, but I will be gone, and this was best to do now, so my husband did: I now have two monitors connected!!! Thank you Most Patient of Husbands! [MPH--that's what I'll call him.] And thank you Lura for making this possibility known to me.

Announcing [since Sariah has now done so] A new grandson! Parker Benjamin! I may have been waaay off on the date--but I was right in one regard--although I am able to go out earlier than originally planned, I couldn't go until Sat--tomorrow. So I was right in that his arrival timing would be awkward! Sariah's had several days of needing help coverage by her new Relief Society Sisters. Than goodness for the Church network. Gotto go pack :D

2006-09-09T20:14:00.000-07:00

We have a Bethlehem Marketplace,, and I am exhausted. But it is shaping up, and everyone now seems to get the picture...so this week was worth it. Next week, time is scheduled to devote to costuming. Then I leave!!!

I am so looking forward to my visit to Arizona. Playing with, reading to, and cuddling grandsons. What could be better? Life is actually pretty good. Even tho. my husband is currently out of work [a major theme in our ward!] There are options opening up to him, and I know we'll be OK in the end. As I earlier told Sariah, everything will work out. I can't see the end from the beginning as can the Lord, but it will work out one way or another.

Last unemployment time, I was upset every minute, but this time I am totally calm. I know that the Lord wants me here through the Nativity Pageant which also guarantees Richard this semester in his HS. I hope to remain here 'til he graduates--at least [two years]. We'll see.

But in the meantime: because of his job loss, Keith has been walking three miles daily, which has tremendously helped his back, which is in the best shape in over a decade! He is also working with the dr. on fiddling with his meds, which is improving other situations. All blessings unobtainable while he was working in that job.

I am so totally focused on Nativity, genealogy, book club, Sunday school, and family that I don't have time to think about difficultes.

Erica is back in school and sounds like she is off to a great start this year (see her blog).

Richard is off to a good start this year--he's even toying with the idea of joining French club. I encourage his club joining. He's also in the Nativity Pageant, playing a little pick-up hockey, attending early morning seminary, taking fine arts, and looking towards auditioning for the upcoming show, so his life is filling out as well.

A sad farewell to Fuma. The last of our series of guinea pigs, she was 5 years old and in distress, so we had to put her down this week. The cats miss her, too. It's funny how an animal living entirely in a cage really does become part of the family. As I cut vegetable for lunch today. I cried--not from onions, but because I always gave the end pieces of my tomatoes to Fuma, as well as the inner parts of the bell peppers--her favorite treats. So... Farewell Fuma. Now frisking about in a better place.

News from the older kids continues to be basically good, so my corner of the world is looking pretty nice. I hope we can all say that as we enter this new year. Incidently, I believe the year goes from Sept to June. July and Aug are just sorta out there. Thus speaketh a retired teacher!

Surprise!

2006-09-01T21:30:00.000-07:00

A couple nights ago I sat in the chair vegging out in front of the TV. I couldn't even say what was on. It had been a long day, I was tired, and now I started having a seizure. It was in my upper left arm. I sat there watching it jerk for awhile. Why I always find seizures so fascinating, I don't know, but I do. They are so varied both in type and intensity, so I tend to watch and to anylize the severity of each one. Anyway, as it drew to a close, I felt my arm, and it was hard!!! I'm talking about my left, weak and flabbly arm!

To my great surprise, nay, utter astonishment, I discovered that I have a [drumroll, please]
muscle! That's right! A real honest to goodness bicept in my left arm! For the first time since the early '70's!

I had noticed of late, that my left arm looks almost 'normal' now. I attribute that to bicycling--just hanging on with my left hand has made a change...but a bicept! Wow!

Wednesday Amended

2006-09-01T21:08:00.000-07:00

Oops! Once again, I did not have place for comment on my post. Please comment! This is my chatting outlet--and I need it! I never mean to not have a comment place. I know I need to go back into the whole set-up thing to fix it properly, but I'm afraid of messing things up beyond repair! So I apologize, and I'll try to watch out that I put the comment thing on. [Wouldn't Dad get on my case? thing, thing, THING!] :p

Wednesday

2006-08-30T04:25:00.000-07:00

My weeks currently tend to lurch from Wed to Wed. This is the day we have our staff production meetings for our Ward's big Nativity Pageant: Prophecy Unfolds. I have discovered how truely difficult it is to do something of this proportion for the first time. In the future, they will be building upon what we do this year. But this year...I just hope and pray we've not bitten off more than we can chew. I'm getting a little worried because I am leaving to go to Sariah in just a few weeks, and we are not to where I wanted to be at this time. Of course, I had to put a chunk of the building schedule on hold because of someone elses's trip to Utah. And then I've had to devote hours and hours to costuming (which I had not planned to do at all!) because the sister who was to "be in charge" had an unscheduled surgery. Now that she's beginning to function, I'm hoping to be shut of costumes soon. (fingers crossed)

It is so very much easier to do things in the proper order. In this case: 1]design 2]procure materials 3] build. Unfortunately when working with an essentially non-budget the order has been 1] design 2] beg for donated materials 3] be promised materials 4] re-design to fit what you will have 5] try to collect on all the promised materials 6] build with what you have AND re-design again around the holes in your needs 7] beg for specific needs and hopefully 8] will be to finish up. Sigh.

Last week, as we evaluated our needs, our wonderful Bishop said, "Give me a number. How much money do I need to pray for?" After much discussion, we came up with no real hard figures, but were up in the $800 range, so he said," Let's make it an even $1000. I can pray for that."

The Lord does answer prayers in mysterious ways. Last Sat. we went to look at stair units that a local theatre company has. Our director helped build some of the original units several decades ago, and there are still people there that she worked with, so we were hoping to get a break in the rental price. Turned out that the pieces that suit us best need refurbishing. We have the exact materials for this in abundance. We are getting the units for 4 months for free--except that we will return them in proper condition! That's over $150 right there!

One man in the ward was recently at the dump and noticed six pillars. He salvaged them, and they will be our outer pillars--perfect sizing! Free! Now I only have to build the five inner ones!

Then, yesterday I received a phone call from one of our missionaries. Elder M said they had talked to this guy who has a hobby of making armor, and he'd been toying with the idea of trying Roman armor next anyway, and he is interested in making our armor for us. I e-mailed the guy right away, and attached the costume renderings of our 8 soldiers (4 Roman footsoldiers, a centurian, and a tribune, plus 2 Jewish Temple guards) I eagerly await his response.

Keep praying, Bishop! :D

2006-08-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

I haven't anything witty or inciteful to say just now. I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still alive, and trying to snatch time to read and comment even if I've not time to think about writing myself. But ask me the measurements of most of my ward and lots of others in the stake...slowly but surely I'm getting them. The columns are a-buildin' and the props a-gatherin' plus teaching Sunday School, hosting book club, working at the Bishop's storehouse, attending the Temple, and working in the Family History Center. Add rehearsals, production meetings and costuming sessions.

Finally throw in an overnight party for 10 boys ages 12-16!

I'm glad school has started today. I have to get some time at home at least with my chauffeur gone most of the day. whew! Of course I've a garageful of materials to build...

Fun

2006-07-30T15:17:00.001-07:00

We really did have Fun. It has taken awhile to get to it because I had to jump right back into the busy craziness of getting a show off the ground. whew...

The King Tut exhibit was just great--see it if you can! The Field Museum is just plain fun. We stuck to the African animals--very short on time...It is like going to the Zoo or Wild Animal Park but getting to see the animals up close and personal! Some people do not like "stuffed" animals, and these have all gone through the hands of excellent taxidermists, but all the animals were already in captivity when they died, with a few notable exceptions. Then we found a motel to sleep a few exhausted hours before the Cubs game. It was a lot of fun for the kids--and the Cubs won, too! [As I hate baseball, I opted to stay in the room and sleep. Needed and fun for me!]

There were a pair of "Man-Eating lions" from Africa. They explained the whole story. Apparantly these two lions got a taste for humans during a time of famine, and kept at it for a lengthy period of time. Finally, they were tracked down and killed. The taxidermists did a fabulous job--no bullet marks at all, but to do so required reducing the size of these two lions. If this is their "reduced" size--trust me, no one would want to meet up with the full-sized lion at any time or place!

The next day we went to Marshall Field's, not to shop but to explore and it was fun! I was so wicked! I rode the escalators as much as I wanted--no sales lady was going to report me to my Grandma! As I mentioned: no hat! no gloves! no socks! no skirt--pants instead! In Downtown Chicago!!! at Marshall Field's!!! I know the kids were not as delighted with the afternoon there as was I, but they did enjoy it, too. Also, Erica got a present for Dallin, even tho we planned to buy nothing. Once we have a new address, it'll go in the mail.

Finally, in a repeat of our Chicago visit of a few years ago, we opted to eat at The Rain Forest Cafe'. [Ever get there, Laurel?]I know there are three in the Greater Chicago area now, and others elsewhere, but for those not in the know:
It is a "rainforest" complete with erupting volcano [periodically] a waterfall, monkeys that swing, elephants who trumpet and apes that move and make noises, too. All that, and two-story tall aquariums strategically placed. So wherever you are seated, you have a most interesting view. After eating [and getting our "doggie bags"they really stuffed us!] we went into the shop. They have all kinds of rainforest themed anything you can think of! I was a good girl and did not spend a fortune this time, but I'm saving up for the next Chicago trip! Even riding the [free] trolley from parking to the RFC was fun. All in all, I highly recommend Chicago as a fun place to visit. And I must say that Erica proved to be a much better city driver than I. The last time we got hit, and honked at more times than I can count! Erica was only honked at a few times [Of course, she was driving a CRV as opposed to the big van I drove last time.]

Visiting the relatives in MI was fun as well. I always did get on well with that particular sis-in-law and stepbro. I think their kids are delightful, too. Come to find out one is fairly close to us in Indianapolis, so hope to get together again at some point.

Other than the business end of stuff, it was a pretty fun trip. And we made up a new fun travel game. The person in the back seat randomly pointed to a place in the road atlas, announced the name of the town/city, and the others had to guess [and I do mean guess] what state or province it was in. It was really hard! Do you know how many states have a Springfield, for example? And you had to get the right one. First we were going to go up to 5 for a winner. Finally, it was whoever could get one...I won. Therefore it was fun.

We live quite close to the original National Road--Highway 40 [similar to Route 66 now of Cars fame. Tho it took a bit longer than the freeway, we opted to take it from Indianapolis to Columbus. It was worth seeing western OH. I doubt we'll ever do it again in quite the same way. But it was a nice calm drive home that way. Except Richard had to get up at 6:00am to go help clean a river the next day. Erica had to work. And me? I had to get over the depression and jump right back into the Nativity Pageant preparations, but more of that another time.

I love traveling with my kids. I love the making of the memories. I wish everyone was close enough to go--next Sat is the Dublin [OH] Irish Festival. We're going! So, go out and make a memory :)

Fast

2006-07-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

We took a Fast trip to Chicago. In all reality, it is only 6 hrs away. With two drivers, that does go pretty fast. We left approxamately 1:00am so we could arrive about 7:00am to get our tickets and get in. We whizzed through Dayton [nephews I didn't stop to see] Indiannapolis [next time a stop to see a cousin and maybe a nephew] Lafayette [it really would have been nice for us if Ches had gotten the Purdue job] and on into Chicago.

We went directly [via a sort of indirect path] to the Field Museum. I've never approached Chicago from quite that angle before, so missed the Skyway [a road] and bumbled around a bit before finding my way to Lakeshore Drive, upon which lies the Museum Campus. Now, Lakeshore Drive is right along the Lake as name implies, so you just keep heading towards Lake Michigan, and eventually you will find it. We did.

Although it was just a few minutes after 8:00when we reached the lines' front, we still got into the 8:00 tickets--thus making our goal.

This exhibit is from King Tut's Tomb. It began with his family tree [I was hooked] and went through his family and life as explained by items from his tomb. It was really fabulous! I don't know how thrilled Richard was, but he, at least, seemed to enjoy it. Erica seemed, of course, fascinated.

A lunch and bathroom break were definitely in order after finishing King Tut. We sat where we could watch Sue. She is the most comple tyranus rex around, and huge!

After lunch we bumbled around the African and Asian animals areas until completely running out of steam. From there we went out towards O'Hare airport to find inexpensive, but decent lodgings in a safe area for the night. It worked. We slept through the afternoon. Richard and Erica got up to go to a Cubs game [yay Cubbies! We won!] I slept some more. Upon their return, we all had a good night's sleep, then drove into the city the next day to go to Marshall Field's Department Store. But that is a story for Fascinating. Really! So I'll on with Fast for today: Leaving Chicago, we drove quickly though a piece of In and on up into MI where we spent a nice with my step-brother's family in Marcellus. I was hoping to do a little genealogical research in a tiny hamlt called Climax. My sis-in-law called me back for particulars, and when we arrived, she printed out pages drom her genealogically bug-bit aunt, who solved all the question and there was no longer a need to drive up to Climax the next day, so we didn't. Thurs saw a quick visit to Grandma Jan in Mishawaka, IN then back on the road and home by 11:30 pm! And that was with taking the National Road--Hwy 40 rather than I-70 the freeway. It was fun and interesting, but most definitely NOT FAST! So the last little bit we hopped back onto the freeway and home. Sigh.

I think I'm getting too old for fast trips like this.

inFuriating

2006-07-20T21:52:00.000-07:00

We've just gotten home from a 3-day trip. It was Fast, Fun and inFuriating. I'll adress other aspects later, but the last just now.

Advice to those who expect to die someday: Put ALL your wishes in writing. Give a copy to every one of your children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and stepgrandchildren [as they reach adulthood]. Give a copy to your spouse as well as to previous spouses [if applicable] Living parents, grandparents, siblings, all should have their own copy. Most importantly: Do NOT expect anyone to follow your stated wishes unles you have put it in writing. Just because you said it to everyone together so that they are ALL witnesses--forget it!!! And anything said privately may as well have never been said at all.

Take care of all this while you are young. My parents had a metal box--and I always knew where-- and it contained wills, and instructions for us kids: that we would go to live with my mom's brother to be raised. I always found that knowledge comforting. I am sad that I didn't provide my children with the same amount of security always, tho. things were always diliniated.

I need to redo my paperwork now that the kids are getting older, and give a copy to everyone! I don't think that amounts matter as much as following the person's expressed wishes. So, EXPRESS THEM!

Accidents

2006-06-29T22:37:00.000-07:00

Here is my story from the past and the present for today:

Once upon a time, I had a 16 yr old daughter--a new driver who was involved in an accident. It was not at all her fault, and witnesses said that if she hadn't responded as she did [jumping the curb] it would have been a three car accident rather than two, and probably much worse for the two as well. I was always proud of her.

I made a huge mistake, though. My theory being "get back on the horse" the next day or so I sent her on a quick errand to the grocery store for one or two items. She drove past her turn and decided to cut through a bank drive through to get back on track. Unfortunately, the vehicle she was driving was a mini-van with a truck chassis [they're no longer made] and it had a wider than normal wheel base. [I drove off the edge of the road in it more than once.] She hit the bank drive-through. She called home and Dad went to the rescue. The bank manager was yelling at her when Dad arrived, and any anger he might have felt was totally directed at the "adult" bank manager who apparantly was acting as though my daughter drove into his bank on purpose! [Stupid people--it was an ACCIDENT! definition: not on purpose!]

Today I was riding with my new driver son. We were: 1] in Dad's car--Richard usually drives the CRV--a very different feel from the Crown Victoria! 2] on a sharp curve with traffic coming the other way [not really room for two vehicles at that spot] 3] the road narrows right at the curve and 4] the speedometer doesn't work in Dad's car--and Richard does not yet have a "feel" for how fast he is going, so he was approaching a little faster than he should have been.

And stupid me, I chose that time to look down and turn on the air conditioning! So I was not doing my job of telling him to slow down more going into that curve. Had there been no other cars coming, though, we'd have been fine. But he was overwhelmed, and unfortunately ran off the road. All I could see at that moment was the electric pole looming ahead, but he wrenched the car to a stop by hitting the wire fence instead. So the mirror broke off, the license plate came off the front, and there is a tear in the front bumper. several scratches on the passenger door, but we were able to drive away. Actually, I had the 20-something young man who stopped to help, manuver the car out of the fence and back on to the road, and then I illegally drove home as Richard was visably shaking.

I think now that most of the shaking was from fear--how mad would Dad get? He didn't. We've been here before.

When the daughter had the accident that totaled the car, no one was seriously hurt, but we got enough money from the accident to pay off what we owed on the car and to purchase our "new"[to us] van we really really needed at that time. I don't know what good will come from this accident, but I'm sure that something will. It always has before.

Sometimes it is good to be the youngest kid--your parents have been through it before--even if you haven't. Poor Richard.

Family History

2006-06-27T22:43:00.000-07:00

I love family history/genealogy. I am blessed to be descended from a prolific family with many available records. John Herenden brought his family to Boston in the early 1600's, then drowned in Boston Harbor. His second son escaped to Rhode Island with Roger Williams for religious reasons, and met a Quaker family en route. He married the daughter--it is quite a romantic tale. The name morphed many times, but eventually settled on Harrington. It is a very common name, but all are related through 1] John who came to Boston, 2] his brother who went to VA, or 3] a cousin/possibly brother who went to Ireland. Following just the New England Harringtons is a course in history. They were deeply involved in King Philip's War, Queen Anne's War, the French and Indian War, the Revolution, the War of 1812 or Second War for Independence, and the Civil War and on down through the modern wars. They are judges and doctors as well as farmer and shopkeepers. They are always represented on the frontiers--wherever they push west. It has become a real joy to add to my "Collection of Harringtons" which I hope to publish one day through the Genealogical Press.

It gives me a sense of connection to history. It gives me the sense of being part of history in the making. I will add our generations to the anals of this family, for I often go far afield adding the collateral lines down a new name a few generations, up a line married into [such as the Browns in early RI--think Brown University].

Newell K Whitney's mother was a Harrington. Truman O Angell who was the architect of the Salt Lake Temple was a third generation down Harrington, and a fourth, and probably more as the Angells and Harringtons intermarried for generations.

History =his story [and hers, too] = my story :D

Challenge: Write down a favorite family story[preferably one from previous generations. Maybe "scrapbook" it. If we all did this once a week, or once a month, think how our books would grow!

Invitation: hare a family story here. Length doesn't matter, nor does time period, but lets try to collect some interesting stories from our families' past--it is our collective past as a nation.