Dry Bones

Sunday Quote

2012-01-22T06:00:00.001-06:00

A two-year-old is kind of like having a blender, but you don't have a top for it. -Jerry Seinfeld

I say this after having Xander in the house for two days.

IRS

2012-01-16T15:49:00.000-06:00

My cousin Irma, who lives in Montana, posted a picture of four wolves circling a bull elk in the high snow country. It was an eerie scene. And the next picture was of the elk swimming out in the river to escape (I presume) and a wolf attacking. Blood was streaming from the back of the elk, the elk braying(or whatever elks do when they scream) and the wolf snacking on it's back.

I saw these pictures as I was taking a break from gathering information for my tax forms. It was then that I noticed how closely the wolves resembled IRA agents. All I can say is that if the IRS ever goes away I will shoot the first person that wants to reintroduce them.

Taxes are finally done, eyes are glazed over, and the wolves are circling.

Sunday Quote

2012-01-15T06:00:00.002-06:00

Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.
Henry Ward Beecher

Sunday Quote

2012-01-08T06:55:00.000-06:00

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” -C.S. Lewis

Happy Birthday Brian.

2012-01-06T19:10:00.000-06:00

It is my youngest brother's 42nd birthday today. There is twenty years between my oldest brother and Brian. He likes to remind his siblings about the age differential.

He is a hat collector. He has about one million. Actually 4,025 as of today.

He goes to garage sales, resale shops, and such and rarely pays full price for them. He has red ones, green ones, in fact every color of hat. He has sports team hats, business logo hats, special event hats, and more. He has some hats on display and some hats boxed up, He has been given hats for birthdays, Christmases, and other occasions. He has even designed hats for other people. He is called the Hat Man. The Missoulian and the Sanders County Ledger have both done stories on him and his hats. And guess what?

HE NEVER WEARS HIS BLOODY HATS!!! OR EVEN THE ONES THAT AREN'T BLOODY.

Love you Brian and Happy Birthday.

New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-04T22:43:00.000-06:00

The thing I like most about today is that it is Day 4 into the New Year and I haven't broken even one of my resolutions.

I expected to break the first one by 4pm on Day 1, so I am feeling quite smug.

Of course I only made three, but the second one had five sub-resolutions and the third one had one sub-resolution and still, none have been broken.

No, I am not telling you what my resolutions are. That would be a little like telling you my birthday wish when blowing out the candles. I can't be a party to such nonsense.

Good luck to all those who made resolutions. I am going for day five.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T18:02:00.001-06:00

Advanced age does curious things to a person. Like sometimes you forget that to get a Christmas letter out by Christmas you need to write it. Hmm. Quick math tells me if I add my procrastination with my age and subtract the current delivery schedule of the postal service this should reach you sometime in 2012.

Although the year was filled with a boatload of blessings one of the best was our middle son, Ethon’s marriage. He found the perfect match in Cheryl, a bright young lady with a good head on her shoulders and a great sense of humor (unless it comes to all the fixins).

And in the category of good blessings with a serious twist of self pity, youngest son Levi got a good job in Kansas City and moved with Janice, Shaylin and Xander. John and I could count on a weekly fix of grandkid shenanigans until the move and now it has become a six week fix. Still six weeks is better than nothing.

Lucky for us we still have grandkids in the area. Our oldest boy Muncher and his wife seem pretty settled in to St. Charles, which is only 45 minutes away. Muncher has a great job that he enjoys and Randa-Kay works part-time for the YMCA. They are very busy. Braska and KiKi are a delight and never cease to amaze us.

We have been blessed this year with good friends, family and the church. We have a warm, cozy home, a car, and lights on the tree. We have coats, food in the cupboards, and blankets on our bed. We have jobs, electricity, and so much more. This year in St. Louis we have seen people go through hard circumstances, lose jobs and homes, and want nothing more than a heavy blanket and a space heater. This Christmas I hope to look beyond the tree, the tinsel, and the glitz. I want to open my eyes to moments of chance that give me opportunity to walk what I talk.

Hug those you love, laugh when you shouldn’t, and have a wonderful Christmas and the best 2012.

John and Carole

Sunday Quote

2011-12-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

It is curious how often you humans manage to obtain that which you do not want. --Spock in 'Errand of Mercy'

Yesterday I went to the Star Trek Exhibition at the Science Center in St. Louis. It brought 45 years of authentic Star Trek artifacts to life. The display featured one-of- a-kind costumes, props and filming models from every Star Trek television series and feature film. It was awesome!!!

Sunday Quote

2011-11-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

A man begins cutting his wisdom teeth the first time he bites off more than he can chew.
Herb Caen

Summary of Life

2011-11-24T06:00:00.001-06:00

Although perhaps you have seen some these, I find them quite humorous. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats..
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food..
6) Don 't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair..
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don 't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandma's lap.

GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:

1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jello to a tree.
2) Wrinkles don't hurt.
3) Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts
4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground...
5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.

GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD

1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional...
2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.
3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions...
6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician
7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.

Happy Birthday Nebraska

2011-11-21T12:31:00.000-06:00

One of Braska's school pictures this year. She is doing her best not to be aggravated at the process. "Fine, I'll just sit here for you."

"Here are the reasons I don't like my picture taken. Number 9..."

Reading with sister and having a good time before bed.

Sometimes a person is too blessed. From before she was born, this girl has blessed the socks right off me.

She managed to scare me to death when she had open heart surgery at 3 months and one week. Not walking until after she was three and a half got my nervous genes in a tither. Being tube fed until three months ago concerned me.

Being able to recognize the alphabet, both upper case and lower case, counting to twenty, knowing all the shapes and colors, reading over 90 words, signing just as many, singing the entire Chicago Bears' Fight Song as well as several others, charming the socks off everyone she meets...all good stuff.

But putting her arms around my neck, snuggling in for a cuddle, whispering, "I love you Grandma C" -- Priceless.

Happy 5th birthday precious girl!

Sunday Quote

2011-11-21T06:24:00.000-06:00

An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day. Irv Kupcinet

Sometimes I get my days mixed up. Busy weekend and actually forgot to post. May you all have a great Thanksgiving with a lot of fun, food, and family. --Carole

Pastor Appreciation

2011-11-15T21:39:00.000-06:00

Our church gave John and I a night away in a quaint little German town named Hermann. Hermann is tucked away in some of Missouri's prettiest rolling hills. Most of the churches and homes have original architecture with spires and steeples and turrets and such. Hermann Hills Bed and Breakfast sits on a hill midst a vineyard. It overlooks the Missouri River as well as the whole village of 2500 people. This is a view of the front of the B&B and the fish pond that is in the middle of the turnabout.

The view from out the front door of the B&B.

Out our backdoor we had a private patio with table and chairs where we could watch the sunrise and sunset. Our bathroom had a steam shower and a Jacuzzi. It was relaxing and perfect. Just the break we needed.

The view outside our sitting room, this is looking down on the village with the Missouri River in the background. Good German cooking in the restaurants. John had a plate with a lot of "wursts" on it. But it really wasn't wurst it was good.

Antique shops everywhere. Wineries dotting the hillsides.

At ten o'clock at night we heard a knock on the door to our room. We opened the door to see a tray with fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and a dish of ice cream with chocolate raspberry drizzle on it. Decadent and delicious. Before we left, we bought a bottle of the drizzle. Wow, it is good.

Sunday Quote

2011-11-13T06:00:00.002-06:00

Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.
Robert Louis Stevenson

Yet To Come

2011-11-11T11:01:00.003-06:00

Back on the subject of writing...and reading.

In the last couple of weeks, I've been reading some self-published books. Continuing to try to make a decision on self-publishing or not.

Two were terrible and one was very good. Two had misspellings and many grammatical errors, one did not.

Two were not cohesive and had no order or sense of timing, one was and did.

Two I had to force myself to read, one I couldn't put down.

My questions are as follows: Why didn't a mainstream publishing company pick up the really good book? It was short, it was a poignant, yet humorous Christmas story, it was illustrated by the author (good illustrations indeed) and it made me feel something.

How can a person know whether self-pubbed books are good or not and after reading a bad one or two, why would you slog through several to find a good one?

In today's publishing world how many really good books are missed?

Yet To Come is a gem. I am glad I didn't miss it.
Art has lost almost everything. All he has left is a faint hope for the coming Christmas.

Sunday Quote

2011-11-06T06:00:00.007-06:00

The closing of a door can bring blessed privacy and comfort - the opening, terror. Conversely, the closing of a door can be a sad and final thing - the opening a wonderfully joyous moment. Andy Rooney

Andy died on on Nov 4th at the age of 92. Did he find the closing of his life's door a sad and final thing or a wonderfully joyous moment?

Birthday

2011-11-03T16:16:00.000-05:00

My birthday(Halloween) has come and gone and I was out of town. Still, with thoughtful parents I was able to see how cute the grandkids looked. I know it is sort of like viewing vacation slides but seriously these kids are cute.

The first pic is of Braska (bumblebee) and Kinlee (ladybug). Of course I don't have one of them facing the camera because I am not gifted enough to show their dance video. But they are quite adorable. They came to my work today to show me their costumes since I missed their Halloween debut. They looked absolutely perfect. And were very happy to spin in my work chair.

This picture is of Shaylin (Cheetah) and she looked very catlike in her movements and actions. Saying trick or treat in cheetah presented no problem for her. Her brother Xander had no wish to be a pumpkin or anything else for Halloween so he just put on a rain slicker and went with. I didn't get any pics of him.

A good time was had by all.

Sunday Quotes

2011-10-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors. Norman Cousins

Vacation

2011-10-26T17:31:00.000-05:00

Someone called me today and scolded me about not blogging.   I hate being scolded. On the other hand, it is true that I haven't blogged. In truth I have been enjoying the last several weeks, tech free. Enjoying grandkids, watching T.V., walking, reading, re-learning chess, not writing.   Like a vacation without leaving home. I also managed to total my vehicle during this time.   No one hurt, but the deer.

First of all, if you haven't played chess for 35 years, don't take it up again.   I can hardly think one move ahead, let alone three or four.   My brain has atrophied.

Second, my grandparenting techniques are still spot on.   Just the other day my granddaughter who is newly potty trained asked me to come in and wipe her.   When I got to the bathroom she looked at me and smiled, "Grandma, you are the best wiper!"

Third, reading is easier than writing.

Lastly, here is a picture of what is left of my car.

Sunday Quote

2011-09-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

Life is always walking up to us and saying, "Come on in, the living's fine," and what do we do? Back off and take its picture. ~Russell Baker

Sunday Quote

2011-09-04T06:00:00.001-05:00

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing... not healing, not curing... that is a friend who cares.

Henri Nouwen

Zipper Diet

2011-08-31T19:42:00.001-05:00

In December of last year I got ill. The upshot--I realized I had to start eating better. So between January and May I went from 170 pounds to 140. I am only 5'2" so I was still a Chubby McChubberson, but better. Then I got stuck....no more weight loss and I was feeling better so no more incentive to eat correctly. I started old patterns and added more and more greasy, salty foods.

My son's wedding was scheduled for August 20th.  I need to find a silver dress. Not a lot of options in the summer months, but I found a very pretty dress (size 10) and could just barely get it zipped up. In fact, even with it zipped, it was way too small. However that dress wasn't available in my size so I thought..."Maybe I can lose ten more pounds and purchased it."

And then I took a trip to Montana. Wow, that was a waistline debacle.   Part of the fun of being in Montana is doing some old fashioned country cooking with mom.   We make all the meals we enjoyed when I was growing up. Calories plus!!! Gravy plus!!!

I get back to St. Louis with three weeks left before the wedding. Now the size 10 dress just went into a fit of laughter when I got to the closet. She just looked at me from the hanger and shook her little silver beads no-o-o! I went shopping immediately (by myself) and after a week desperately picked out another silver dress (the only one left in the entire city of St. Louis). Luckily it was a size 12, but when I tried it on, I couldn't get it zipped. I chalked this up to being by myself. My arms just couldn't reach the trouble spot...if John were here, he surely would be able to zip it up and I would be fine. The clerk told me they had just marked the dress down to half price, but that if it didn't fit I couldn't return it.   I closed my eyes, held my breath and purchased it.

Of course it didn't fit. What was I thinking? Now ten days before the wedding and my 147pounds were steadily growing.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I called my sister who is a health nut and begged for help. She immediately said, "Here's what I want you to do. Drink two full glasses of water before every meal. Eat two scrambled egg whites for breakfast, have an apple for a snack. For lunch fill your plate with leafy greens and eat a quarter pound of turkey burger, scrambled with just a hint of salt. For a snack eat a serving of fruit. For dinner fill three fourths of your plate with leafy green vegetables and have 4oz piece of chicken. For a snack eat a banana.   Forget that you ever heard the word potatoes, rice, bread, or pasta."   "Oh and start walking 25 minutes in the morning and 25 minutes at night."

In five days my dressed zipped up, the wedding went off without a hitch and I need a Big Mac. Seriously, Doris. Thanks, but don't you ever crave a chocolate bar?

Here's Doris and me at the wedding reception

and yes, my dress is zipped up.

Sunday Quote

2011-08-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~e.e. cummings

Almost back

2011-08-25T06:37:00.000-05:00

I am almost back into the land of the living and am just starting to pick up the computer again. Couldn't resist showing this picture of my two grandkids, 2 years old, who were flower girl and ring bearer, at my son's wedding. They did a great job. Xander pulled Kiki along like he had a job to do and was getting it done. Kiki joyfully exclaimed to the crowd, "We're doing it, we're doing it." She was very happy, they were actually walking up the aisle. She likes to do what is expected. Hopefully I will have more pics to show after the couple get back from their honeymoon.

Sunday Quote

2011-08-07T07:50:00.000-05:00

It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad. C. S. Lewis

Sunday Quote

2011-07-31T07:35:00.000-05:00

Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books. John Lubbock
.

Childhood Home

2011-07-22T07:19:00.000-05:00

The home I grew up in, the place my mom still lives, and my destination in a couple of days. There is some seriously fresh air in Montana. And the smell of pine trees, and wild roses is seriously good stuff.

Sunday Quote

2011-07-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them.

Phyllis Diller

Summer

2011-07-14T12:18:00.000-05:00

The summer has gotten away with me. Goodness, I haven't written a word in ages and I'm afraid the trend will continue for a bit. I'm heading out to Montana and then back home to enjoy all the wedding prep and wedding of middle son.

I feel bad that I haven't missed writing, but perhaps that is a big clue for me. I still enjoy the posts of those I follow so you keep writing, even if I don't.

Sunday Quote

2011-07-03T06:00:00.001-05:00

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. ~Abraham Lincoln

Sunday Quote

2011-06-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

"By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong." -- Charles Wadsworth

Sunday Quote

2011-06-12T06:53:00.000-05:00

Gentleness, self-sacrifice and generosity are the exclusive possession of no one race or religion. Mohandas Gandhi

Sunday Quote

2011-06-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong" Murphy's law.

It is a good quote for the trouble I am experiencing with blogger right now.   It will let me get into the dashboard to write a blog. It will not let me respond to any comments or edit my posts, once they are done. It is most curious.   It will not let me sign into my blog from any other computer no matter how many times I sign in. And it keeps me signed in to all the blogs I generally visit except for angryparsnip. It will not let me comment on her blog anonymously or with my blogger ID. It is weird, I tell you.

Let me update you on a few events since May 14th. We moved son number three and family to Kansas City. The house seemed incredibly empty. No little ones running into my bedroom to wake me up, no one singing the alphabet song endless times, no sticky floors.   Karen came to visit a few days later, as best friends do, to help me get over the emptyness and to laugh, shop, and play. She lives 750 miles away and stayed for nearly a week. Two days later a cousin dropped by from Montana. I did not know her well, but she remembered scobs of stuff about my grandma and aunts and uncles that I was delighted to learn.   She is very artistic, has her own line of cards and cookbooks, that she does for charity. So we had a most interesting time. John and her hubby golfed, and went to a ball game.   They stayed for three nights.   Two days later we got the grandkids from KC(mostly so I could breathe again) and they will be going home on Monday.   We've been to the park several times, the zoo today, and swimming tomorrow after church.   We are making the most of our time.    With all the company I failed to notice how well my garden is doing.   I checked on it today and we actually have peas and green beans.   I gave one of the fresh peas to Shay(showed her how open it and eat the peas) and she loved it.   She said, "Can we find some more peas and eat their eggs?"

In the midst of all the company I think other interesting stuff happened.   Here is a bit of a list.   Braska had eye surgery and is doing well, the church gave a lovely wedding shower to Ethon and Cheryl, an agent asked for a full on my manuscript, we had a huge hail storm at the church and our car got some dents (but we missed the tornadoes)and since Jan. my weight is down from 170 to 140.

For all of you who comment, I am working on trying to respond. It will not let me respond even anonymously, which is weird. But thanks for the comments in advance.   And sorry for the mistakes that I cannot edit out.

Yikes

2011-05-31T20:58:00.000-05:00

Thanks Charles. Maybe I will try firefox. I cannot go in and edit a post and continue to not be able to comment. But I appreciate your help.

I can't comment

2011-05-31T19:31:00.000-05:00

I do not know what in the world is going on with this blog. It is not allowing me to comment on comments. Very strange. I must be doing something wrong but I don't know what it is. This post is just an exercise in seeing if I can. Here's hoping.

Sunday Quote

2011-05-29T07:36:00.000-05:00

“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.” --Thucydides

Sunday Quote

2011-05-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

All men make mistakes, but married men find out about them sooner. Red Skelton

Braska's eye surgery

2011-05-18T11:26:00.000-05:00

Nebraska is having eye surgery today. Here is a preop photo. She looks happy enough. The second picture is after surgery. She is a bit tired with low oxygen levels.

She will do well I am sure, but good gracious, she has had too many surgeries. For more pics go to her blog. I copied a couple of Randa's pics because my mom cannot get Braska's site. She got some meds for pain and is sleeping again.

Sunday Quote

2011-05-15T08:31:00.000-05:00

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.
Anatole France

Good-bye Shaylin

2011-05-09T20:50:00.000-05:00

Last week Shaylin and I were sitting out on the front porch and she said, "Grandma Carole, I'm always going to live here. It is my favorite place."

It felt good, but sad, because I knew it wouldn't be long before she would be moving.

Tomorrow she goes to stay with her dad for ten days and Levi and Janice will be making the big move to Kansas City while she is gone. When they go pick her up she will be taken to the new home in the new town. Today her, Xander, and I walked to the park. We played on the swings, slid down the slide, found a big turtle, a baby snake, a bunny rabbit, and some fish. We waded in the creek.

Then, I told her she wouldn't be coming back to my house after her visit with her dad. I explained that we would still love each other and see each other at different times but not as much as usual and she said, "O.K."

And we walked home holding hands.

Two weeks

2011-05-03T15:34:00.000-05:00

I haven't spent much time on the computer lately. In fact I am actually using my work computer for this. My home computer is being used by others for a while.   Seriously though, it is my break time.

And in the two weeks since I have posted a Sunday Quote a few items of note:

Tornadoes screamed through Alabama killing at least 350 people. 200 are still missing.

Prince William and Kate got married. (They did not invite me)

Easter, my favorite Christian holiday, has come and gone. Watching grandkids color and hide eggs is great fun.

A friend, Gloria Leach, died at the tender age of 65. Her funeral was nice, but all things considered, I wish she was still alive.

My mother celebrated her 82nd birthday. (Hint: do not wish your mom a happy 83rd birthday when it is her 82nd. It goes over like a lead balloon.)

Osama bin Laden was killed.

Flooding is alive and well in several parts of St. Louis.   We got water in our basement but sump pumps are handy little tools to have when such events occur. We are now high and dry.

The government willingly blew up a levee in Missouri to protect a town in Illinois.   It is devastating acres and acres and acres of Missouri farm land. It could take up to ten years for the farm land to come back. The good part is the Missouri people were evacuated, and the Illinois people should be safe.

I took a picnic lunch to the St. Charles grandchildren.   They liked it, but I think sitting outside on a blanket was a bigger hit than the food.

Break is over. Back to work.

Sunday Quote

2011-04-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain. - Robert Frost

Greedy McGreedersons

2011-04-14T07:38:00.000-05:00

Traipsing through some of the pictures on my computer, I noticed my three boys are a bit greedy. Here is the proof.

My oldest boy doesn't like meat. He never has. Recently he discovered the joy of bacon and is rather sad that he didn't discover it earlier.

Middle son is always eating whatever is around. He doesn't mind leftovers and can be counted on to not have to have anything special. However when his dad makes chocolate chips cookies, beware.

And then there is the youngest son. He doesn't really care so much about food even though he is the biggest of the bunch. But when he plays poker, watch out. He still takes everyone's chips!

This and That

2011-04-11T15:52:00.000-05:00

Hot flashes are for the birds. I have gone off the making-her-sane medicine so I can get a better grip on pancreatitis, but I am not sure everyone in the house is happy about it. During the nights--covers off, covers on, covers off, covers on, don't touch me, why don't you every cuddle anymore, don't touch me, why don't you ever cuddle anymore... During the days--set the air conditioning to 50, turn off the air, turn the air back to 50, turn off the air... The good part is I haven't had another pancreatitis attack. The bad part is...well re-read the above paragraph.

I think it might be a bit of menopause that accounts for my complete irritation at Noah Webster today. I assume he was the culprit who spelled pharaoh so dumb and decided that gnat should have a g for no good purpose whatsoever. For that matter why put a b on the end of dumb. I type sermons as part of my job and if I never see another pharaoh it will be too soon. A simpe fair-oh would do the trick.

Don't ever try to learn new tricks. I grew up in a household that didn't believe in dancing. Never learned to dance, never danced. Saturday night the youth of our church held a square dance as a fund raiser to go on a mission trip, so I reluctantly agreed to go. I am not that good at the Allemande Left, Dosado, Left-Hand Star/Right-Hand Star, but I can clap. I could clap without square dancing. What was I thinking? Oh and by the way...it was fun. I might have to try more new things.

Sunday Quote

2011-04-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara desert, in five years there’d be a shortage of sand. Milton Friedman.

New stuff around my house.

2011-04-08T14:25:00.000-05:00

Little girls eating gummies and string cheese.

Little boys running in and out the sliding glass door.

Potty training and sidewalk chalk

Tulips that are gorgeous, if I do say so myself.

And now we are six.

2011-04-07T12:55:00.000-05:00

Levi and household are moved in and getting settled, while also preparing to move to Kansas City for his next job.   Furniture is abundant, but they are squeezed into two bedrooms and the basement. Creative Janice has arranged a delightful playroom downstairs in the unfinished basement, with a Blues Clues thinking chair, a carpet, a T.V. and toy box.   The kids love it.

I am getting used to the grandkids getting up early and wanting Grandma to play.   I have found a couple of very interesting songs on Youtube that they love.   If you have young children try these songs. Moon, Moon, Moon, and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Quality entertainment. Shay(5) has quickly figured out how to utilize the mouse and listen to even more kid songs.

I am not finding as much computer time but it will even out in the end.

My tulips are up and gorgeous.   John already mowed twice.   This weekend should be sunny and in the eighties. Hope to get the peas and radishes planted. What more could I ask for in a weekend?

March Snow

2011-03-28T13:31:00.000-05:00

These two pictures were taken in front of and behind out house Sunday morning. Beautiful and mostly melted by the time we got home from church. The good thing about March snows in Missouri is they they are beautiful for a moment and disappear quickly. Click on picture to see larger view.

Speaking of church I teach 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School. The boys were particularly interested in money. Caleb suggested that his parents went to the bank every day to get twenties and wanted to know if I had any twenties. I pulled out my wallet and showed him that I had three fives and three ones. Whereupon Jacob said in deepest sympathy, "So you don't have any cents."

Of course I heard sense instead of cents. I had to agree with him.

Sunday Quote

2011-03-27T06:00:00.003-05:00

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself. Ralph Waldo Emerson

And on the upside. This might be my last update on Beth. She got to go home this week. Here are the words of her husband George. Home is where the heart is and all of ours are growing stronger being together. The week has been busy figuring out a schedule and each day is so different that we haven’t really jelled on anything yet. Beth is learning to adapt to me doing therapy at home, but some of the best therapy has been just being around family and the kids. There is a lot more interaction which is good for us all. We seem to be adjusting well and there haven’t been any major issues. Obviously there are many more things to do around home which leaves me very little time to keep up on the posts, but I will continue the updates, they just may not be as frequent and regular. Thank you again for all your support.

Other Updates:
Youngest son and family are moving in tomorrow for a month or so until he gets situated in Kansas City. The house is almost rearranged and ready for them. Groceries aren't purchased though.

John's brother (from Africa) will be here for three days starting Tuesday. Should be a good catching up visit.

Grandchild quote of the week: Kiki (just two) told me today, "Braska isn't a little girl, she's a skalawag." She looked out the kitchen window and said, "Where is Mr. Squirrel?"

It snowed three inches today. My tulips which are almost a foot tall and budding are completely covered with snow and we are supposed to get a hard freeze tonight. GRR.

Sunday Quote

2011-03-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. --Mark Twain. Supplied by an alert Dry Bones reader.

Collywobbles

2011-03-16T12:32:00.001-05:00

If I were doing a pronounciation guide it would look like this: call-ee-wah-bulls. The dictionary would do it much better but my name isn't Webster.

Definition:
1. intestinal cramps or other intestinal disturbances.
2. a feeling of fear, apprehension, or nervousness.

Sometimes a person just gets the collywobbles.   Oh sure some people can say they've got butterflies in their tummy, but that is a lot more peaceful than collywobbles.   A bird in England breathing coal dust (which is perhaps where the word came from) brings a certain unpleasant picture to mind whereas butterflies...I'm all good.

I have grown accustomed to my children and now my grandchildren living close by.   They drop in often or I get to do babysitting chores, but we have frequent visits. This last week has been a flurry of activity in the hunting for job department of both my oldest and youngest son.

The oldest is going to be doing IT work for a smallish company that is still in the general St. Louis neighborhood.   He is the father of Braska and Kiki, two of my grandchildren. The job looks like a much pleasanter work environment than where he currently is, and though it will take some family finagling to get it done the two week notice has been given and the horizon looks good.

My youngest son is going to work in Kansas City in another month. A better job with more benefits and money.   A job with more potential.    But...it is four hours away and he is the father of my other two grandchildren, Shay and Xander.    I feel like I am sucking in coal dust. What if grandkids don't remember me. What if they need me and I can't be there.   What if, what if....

I know they will survive without me, maybe even thrive without me, but the collywobbles have come to visit. I don't like it.

Update on Beth

2011-03-13T17:38:00.000-05:00

Here is an update on my niece Beth's condition. This is written by her husband. I thank all of you for keeping her in thoughts. She has a long road ahead.

Beth got the new AFO (Ankle-Foot-Orthotic) fitted and tried it out walking. It went well, but of course needs some adjustment and careful attention to make sure no sore spots show up from rubbing. Beth’s mood seemed really good today and very eager to keep working hard. Her head incision is healing much faster now that it has been cleaned out and the antibiotic is helping too. Wednesday Beth got hooked up to the support harness and walked on the treadmill. This allowed her to focus on her walking and trying to touch heel to toe. She walked at 1 mph for about 300 feet. Then she walked with the two person support as well as up and down the stairs. They also worked on foot touches onto a short box which shifts her weight from one leg to the other and lifts the foot up onto the box. This requires quite a bit of work to accomplish and keep good balance. OT worked on more right arm motion and support as well as puzzles to challenge her mind. She is getting quicker at figuring out the problem and match the puzzle to the picture. Good to see the changes. Her speech therapy also keeps pushing her with different sounds and combining those sounds. Beth can get stuck on a sound, but is able to make the other sounds after some practice. On the comparison sheets, Beth today did better on connecting the opposites, but had more difficulty on the similar definition of words. I believe Beth understands her goal and God is with her on the journey.

Sunday Quotes

2011-03-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

In spite of illness, in spite even of the archenemy sorrow, one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways. --Edith Wharton

Sunday Quote

2011-03-06T11:59:00.001-06:00

There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly. Terence

Walk in the Park

2011-03-05T18:35:00.001-06:00

The other day it snowed. A nice soft snow that left the ground looking like the maid laid out a lacy white doily for company. Good day for a short stroll through the park. I pulled my hoodie on, added a jacket, my gloves and started out. One of the state parks is within walking distance and has a nice trail winding around the perimeter. When I got to the park I noticed there were only a couple of vehicles in the parking lot. Not a lot of brave souls out there wanting cold exercise.

After a short distance I could hear footfalls behind me. It gave me the creeps. When it is busy you always expect people to be walking around but when it is quiet, it seems a little scary to all of a sudden hear noise behind you.   I picked up my pace a bit. The walking path is layered with small rock so when he picked up his pace I could hear the scraping, scuttling sound. I decided to get off the path and go the less traveled route by the creek.   He followed.

I took a cut across from the creek to the parking lot and this time I was really moving. I looked back. The guy was about my age, carrying a big walking stick and gaining on me.   I pulled my cell phone out of pocket, looked at him sternly like, "I'm calling 9-1-1." Then I dialed my son and started chatting. The man ducked behind a small building and disappeared.

Patting myself on the back, for quick thinking, I hurriedly raced back to the path toward home.   I chanced a glance backwards. The building he ducked behind? The men's restroom. No wonder he was in such a hurry and took the short cut off the main path.   Sometimes it's no good to have an imagination.

Saucy Words

2011-03-01T19:00:00.000-06:00

I am freak.   I don't mean to be, I just am.   I don't like noise. I don't mind if you have a good excuse to make noise, but to just make noise for noise's sake--no good.

I don't like it. For instance, talking for no good reason is noise. Don't do it.

If you are going to breathe please do it quietly.

If you are reading, turn the pages gently. There is no reason for rustling.

And for Pete's sake swallow without making a gulping sound.   It's annoysome.

The other day we had company. We had a nice meal, played some games, and there was a lot of talking.   Talking, talking, talking, talking.

By the time I went to bed I was gritting my teeth.   I gave John the look that said, don't even breathe. Just go to sleep or else. It takes him about 2 seconds to go to sleep and I laid awake trying to unclench my jaws.

Finally I drifted off to sleep at about 1am and shot straight out of bed at 4, after having the following nightmare.   John and I were driving to church and he started talking. I looked at him and yelled, "Just shut the "saucy word" up!"

I don't say saucy words.  I'm a preacher's wife for Pete's sake. And here in this dream, I said the sauciest of all saucy words. I felt horrible. I wanted to wake John up and tell him I was sorry, but I managed a moment of self constraint. He does need his beauty sleep.

I didn't go back to sleep though because the guilt marched gaily around my brain like the New Year's Day Parade.   I think perhaps my saucy word usage is an indication that my freakdom needs to end.

Sad--not everyone can be a freak. Still when I am old I don't want to be wandering around nursing home halls using saucy words like there is no tomorrow.

Sunday Quote

2011-02-27T06:00:00.001-06:00

There's a difference between a philosophy and a bumper sticker. Charles M. Schulz

Sunday Quote

2011-02-20T06:00:00.001-06:00

Now I know what a statesman is; he's a dead politician. We need more statesmen. - Bob Edwards

Update on Beth

2011-02-14T09:49:00.000-06:00

Beth is in surgery today. It is a six hour ordeal to remove the tumor from her heart. She has undergone three surgeries since the stroke. Two successfully removed blood clots from her legs and the third was unsuccessful to remove a clot from her brain. Part of her skull has been removed to let her brain swell and she has been able to sit up and stand a bit with help. She enjoys it when the kids come in to visit. She has been doing speech therapy already. We pray the surgery today will be a success. Her family is strong and they have gotten stronger. Still a long recovery is expected.

Sunday Quote

2011-02-13T15:24:00.000-06:00

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege. --Unknown

Sending the Wrong Message

2011-02-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

This poster was circulated in 1919. I imagine the person who produced this ad lost his job. Well, unless he worked for Anheuser-Busch. Some things strike me as completely hilarious. This is one.

Sunday Quote

2011-02-06T06:00:00.001-06:00

The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. -Winston Churchill

Ramblings

2011-02-02T09:32:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the lack of postings, but then sometimes my thoughts won't congeal. They still won't so this is just a mish-mash of things.

5000 flights today cancelled. Many here in St. Louis.   Work has virtually shut down in this storm. John and I are going in a little later. Right now I am making a pot of beef stew to bubble away in the crock pot for an easy supper tonight. We didn't lose power as predicted. We didn't get 18 inches of snow as predicted. We did get 1/2 inch of freezing rain, 3 inches of sleet and 3 inched of snow.   We are lucky. John's folks are snowed in. They live in Iowa. John's sister is snowed in. She lives in Chicago.

I managed to get pancreatitis over Christmas so I have changed my diet to an extent. Have cut down on fatty foods and don't drink nearly as much Dr Pepper. Sad yes. So far have lost six pounds and I feel ever so much better. But still sad.  I hate the fact that I must change my eating lifestyle. My favorite foods are grease, salt, and meat, salt, and fatty foods, salt.   At the most now I only eat 4 ounces of meat a day. Sorry vegetarians, but that is much less than I used to eat. Whole cows will be saved. Salt will not be saved.   I don't think I could survive if I had to let go of salt.

Doing much introspection on writing, steadfastness, habits, and addictions.   Finding out things about myself that I don't really care for and didn't really recognize.   Those things probably won't make it into the blog, but who knows. I might grow up sooner or later and not really care that the world won't crumble if it knows my every flaw.

Vivid dreams for the last month.   And Fritz if you are reading this, I dreamed that you sang a song in church. I asked what you were going to sing and you showed me a map with the word topography circled.   I woke up chuckling. First that you would go to church and second that you would sing a song about topography. Good times.

And finally received this bad news this morning about our niece: Tuesday 2/1 around 11am Beth suffered a severe stroke. She was with a friend who took her immediately to the ER. She is not moving any of her right side, her legs have little or no pulse and she is not talking. She does squeeze my(husband) hand and recognize me and smiles. She is listening to me when I ask her to do things. An MRI found a rare mixoma(sp?) tumor on her left ventrical of her heart which is the side that pumps out blood. They think she has multiple blood clots throughout her body. They gave her a blood thinner and must monitor her carefully. She is currently undergoing an angioplasty to see if there is a clot near her brain that they can remove. In the coming days she will likely have heart surgery to remove the tumor.

If you have a moment say a prayer or send out good thoughts for Beth.   She has four little poonchins (children).

Sunday Quote

2011-01-30T06:00:00.002-06:00

I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. - Noel Coward

Sunday Quote

2011-01-23T06:00:00.002-06:00

To poke a wood fire is more solid enjoyment than almost anything else in the world. ~Charles Dudley Warner

Two Years Old

2011-01-17T14:07:00.000-06:00

The following statements were voiced a mere fifty-five years ago when I was two. I find them interesting, Thought you might enjoy them too.

‘I’ll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it’s going to be impossible to buy a week’s groceries for $10.00.'

‘Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won’t be long before $1, 000.00 will only buy a used one.’

‘If cigarettes keep going up in price, I’m going to quit; 20 cents a pack is ridiculous.'

‘Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging 7 cents just to mail a letter.’

‘If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store.’

‘When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 25 cents a gallon. Guess we’d be better off leaving the car in the garage.’

‘I’m afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying DAMN in ‘GONE WITH THE WIND’, it seems every new movie has either HELL or DAMN in it.’

'I read the other day where some scientist thinks it’s possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas .’

‘Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $50,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn’t surprise me if someday they’ll be making more than the President.'

‘I never thought I’d see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now.'

‘It’s too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.'

‘It won’t be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.’

‘I’m afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.’

‘Thank goodness I won’t live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes.. I
sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to government.’

‘The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.’

‘There is no sense going on short trips anymore for a weekend. It costs nearly $2.00 a night to stay in a hotel.’

‘No one can afford to be sick anymore. At $15.00 a day in the hospital, it’s too rich for my blood.’

‘If they think I’ll pay 30 cents for a hair cut, forget it.’

Sunday Quote

2011-01-16T07:48:00.000-06:00

He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away. ~Raymond Hull

Sunday Quote

2011-01-09T07:00:00.000-06:00

"There's nothing wrong with having nothing to say -- unless you insist on saying it." Source Unknown

Holidays?

2011-01-02T16:59:00.000-06:00

Presents purchased and wrapped - Good

Groceries bought and Christmas dinner makings in the freezer. - Good

John gets the flu early Christmas eve morning - not as good.

I haven't felt well for a couple days but don't have the flu - good

Christmas eve night, not feeling well at all. Pain - not as good.

Christmas morning all kids and grandkids over and great chaos and I groan on the couch - not as good

Christmas dinner can't eat a bite or help cook it. - not as good.

Too much pain, trip to ER - no good.

Dr gives me morphine - Very good.

Diagnosis - Pancreatitis. - no good.

Diet - clear liquids and pain meds for a week - no good.

New Year's Eve - feeling better.

Did Christmas actually happen? I missed it all.

New Year's Day - No internet.

Jan 2nd - Feeling better and have internet access. Woo Hoo.

Happy Late Birthday Bro #1

2010-12-23T05:09:00.000-06:00

It was my oldest brother's birthday yesterday and I had a boatload of good intentions to call him and to post a nice word or two on my blog about him. I went to work early then we had our annual Christmas candlelight service at the church and then a friend from Kansas popped by for the night and well... Yesterday has come and gone and the road to hell is paved with good intentions. I'm putting in my order for an asbestos suit as we speak. Sorry Fritz.

Happy Birthday though and hope you had a wonderful time of it. Fritz's name is actually Neil but I can't hardly say it because I called him Fritz growing up. All my other sibs seemed to have made the transition seamlessly. Okay, let me tell you what irritates the snot out of me about Fritz. He has no gray hair. He was 61 yesterday and he doesn't have gray hair. Until this year when he had a spot of back trouble (the rest of us would be completely disabled) he worked search and rescue on the ski slopes. Craziness.

Anyway I love you Fritz. Happy late Birthday.

Sunday Quote

2010-12-19T06:00:00.002-06:00

"I asked her and she said YES!" Ethon Woods

Texted to me at 10:54pm on Friday night. Ethon and Cheryl are getting married. Woo Hoo.

Blogging guilt.

2010-12-14T22:28:00.000-06:00

My blogging guilt meter is registering off the charts.   I haven't been able to make the rounds of blogs and there is always such good stuff out there.

Plus I have missed a wedding, a funeral, a Christmas party, and caroling at the nursing home. Tomorrow night I will miss a goodbye party for our youth pastor unless my energy level increases. (I did manage to make treats for the affair) I should make it to the Christmas luncheon tomorrow with the assisted living residents who think John in the bees knees. (They invite him to everything.) And I must make it to a private Christmas dinner Friday night that is an annual tradition.

You'd think when I was laying in bed having fits of coughing, I could at least update my facebook status, tweet, or read blogs. Not me, I just catch up on all the Christmas movies that Hallmark has ever made, cough, blow my nose, and feel guilty.

Now that I am only coughing, I realize how far behind I am in my shopping, baking, wrapping gifts and spending time with the grandkids.

I will be back to read your blog posts soon, update my facebook status, and have the grandkids over.   Today I listened to Christmas music for the first time of the season and it was nice.   John cooked and I paid bills (I had neglected them also.)   Don't give up on me! And Merry Christmas in case I don't get my annual letter out.

Sunday Quote

2010-12-12T06:00:00.001-06:00

Wear the old coat and buy the new book. --Austin Phelps

Happy Birthday Son #2

2010-12-05T07:00:00.004-06:00

Oh my goodness, Ethon is 35 today. Thirty-five? He is my middle son. Not even my first born. Yikes, his birthday makes me feel old.

Ethon is the only one of my boys who is not married, but he makes a great uncle. He plays with his nieces and nephews between first downs of the Bears football games. He is a sports fan, can carry on a conversation consisting totally of movie lines, if he thinks a thought it will come out and he doesn't tell a story without sound effects.

Happy Birthday Son. You are So-ooo-o my favorite middle son.

Sunday Quote

2010-12-05T06:00:00.001-06:00

The smaller the mind the greater the conceit. - Aesop

Happy Birthday Doris

2010-11-30T06:19:00.001-06:00

It is my only sister's birthday today. This is her with her husband Tim. I have five brothers but only one sister. She is four years younger than me and much healthier. She runs everyday. She goes to the gym and works out. She eats right...unless you put a pan of brownies in front of her. She takes good care of herself and good care of others. She became a grandma this year and has to fly to Alaska for her grandbaby fix. She is currently recovering from surgery and I love her bunches. Have a great day Dorrie.

Oh and the fingers behind her head belong to her daughter Priscilla. If you click on the pic and enlarge it you can see her nostrils.

Sunday Quote

2010-11-28T07:16:00.000-06:00

Listen. Do not have an opinion while you listen because frankly, your opinion doesn't hold much water outside of Your Universe. Just listen. Listen until their brain has been twisted like a dripping towel and what they have to say is all over the floor. --Hugh Elliott

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T22:10:00.002-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Love you much and am thankful for each of you.

Happy Birthday Nebraska

2010-11-21T07:00:00.003-06:00

There is something very special about your first grandbaby. You hear all the stories about how there is just nothing like it. That your grandchild will touch your life in a special way. Truer words were never spoken. From the moment I heard I was going to be a grandparent I got all weepy. So much joy and hope and excitement. And Nebraska (Braska) didn't disappoint. Enjoy these pics, I get to see the real deal every week. And as always, click on any picture to see a larger view.

Happy Birthday my little poonchin Braska-- you are my heart's song.

Grandma C with newborn Braska

Grandma C and Braska chilling by the pool.

Grandma C teaching Braska about Da Bears

The little beauty after getting glasses.

Sister KiKi comes into Braska's world.

Daddy showing Braska a bunny although
Grandma C cropped the bunny out.

Riding the school bus to preschool.

Grandma C and Braska
sharing a moment last week.

Braska's Birthday cake made by Cheryl, Braska's
mommy and with just a touch of help from Braska.

Sunday Quote

2010-11-21T06:00:00.002-06:00

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson

Sunday Quote

2010-11-14T14:58:00.000-06:00

If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms. Mike Ditka

Writing

2010-11-12T16:57:00.000-06:00

My writing life in recent weeks...

My life as grandma much busier, my working life - fine. My wife and mother life - fine. My friend life - fine.

Again, this is a picture of my writing life.

Not good.

Sunday Quote

2010-11-07T06:00:00.001-06:00

Contentment makes poor men rich. Discontentment makes rich men poor. Benjamin Franklin

Sent by a very alert reader who makes no comments whatsoever.

Sunday Quotes

2010-10-31T07:28:00.000-05:00

Age does not diminish the extreme disappointment of having a scoop of ice cream fall from the cone.
Jim Fiebig

As I am fifty-seven today, I can say I completely agree with Mr. Fiebig

Sunday Quote

2010-10-24T06:10:00.002-05:00

Writing is the best way to talk without being interrupted. ~ Jules Renard

Reverence

2010-10-19T13:31:00.000-05:00

Not much is better than being a genius in your granddaughter's eyes.

Shay and I took a walk in the park yesterday and the blackbirds were all trying to decide which way to fly. Severe disagreements arose amongst the flock so that the noise level was enormous.

Shay asked, "Why are the birds yelling at each other?"

"I don't know but I will tell them to hush up." I loudly clapped three times and the park went silent. You could have heard a pin drop.   Shay looked at me like I'd created the universe.

We walked a bit farther and of course the birds started up the chatter again once they realized the danger had passed. So with all the might a four year old could muster Shay clapped her hands three times. I hardly heard it over the cacophony and the birds for sure didn't hear it because they kept chirping.

"Can you do it again, Grandma Carole?"

I clapped loudly again. Again the hush. Again the reverence in her eyes as she looked at me.

Good times.

Sunday Quote

2010-10-17T06:43:00.002-05:00

Common sense is not so common. - Voltaire

Fresh Air

2010-10-13T08:49:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a long day at work.   8:00am to 10:15pm. Then a twenty minute drive home.   Exhausted though I was, I couldn't plop into bed without a little down time so I turned on the news.

Shouts of joy and big smiles greeted the second Chilean miner as he stepped out of the tight rescue pod into daylight. Suddenly my fatigue melted away.   I had tears running down my cheeks as I watched the miner reunite with his family. Then I had to watch the next rescue.   With difficulty I forced myself to turn off the T.V. and go to bed.

5:00am I was out on the couch resuming my watching, sniffling, nail-biting position.   I watched Number 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 get rescued before I had to leave for work.   Showering, brushing teeth, getting dressed, putting on make-up, all between pod stops.   I can't wait to go home and watch more news.

I am a sucker for a happy ending.

Sunday Quote

2010-10-10T08:46:00.002-05:00

"Life is my college. May I graduate well, and earn some honors." Louisa May Alcott

October Awareness

2010-10-05T16:44:00.000-05:00

October seems to be the month of choice for most of the causes I am involved in.

Down Syndrome Awareness - Saturday walked inside Busch Stadium with thousands of others who have family members with Down Syndrome. In my case it is my granddaughter Nebraska. I got a nice bright green T-shirt, tickets to a Cardinals/Rockies ball game but most of all an absolute beauty of a grandchild.

The next cause I walked for on Sunday was the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. My younger brother, Jim has diabetes. I got a t-shirt, walked three miles and ate three Krispy Kreme donuts. I believe that may have negated the benefits of the walk. Hold it though, our whole church dismissed and instead of sitting in the pews we walked. And our little group raised over $4200.00 for research.

The third cause to be aware of is Breast Cancer. I haven't done the walk yet but I have a nifty link that I click on everyday that helps pay for mammograms for those who can't afford it. My sister-in-law Audrey is a five year survivor.

October is my birthday month too!!! You got to love that.

Sunday Quote

2010-09-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

In the part of this universe that we know there is great injustice, and often the good suffer, and often the wicked prosper, and one hardly knows which of those is the more annoying.

- Bertrand Russell

Grandmother Bragging Alert

2010-09-21T22:45:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I just need to show you pictures of my favorite little poonchins. Now that football season is here, they come over every Sunday to cheer on the Bears and the Chiefs. Shay and Braska like to play in their boat. Xander likes to get away from the girls. Braska and Kinlee always wear their Bears' clothing. The girls enjoy getting away to Grandma's bedroom to watch Dora the Explorer instead grown-up TV. And Sunday I just discovered how much Braska and Shay like sidewalk chalk. Click on pictures to make them bigger. Sorry I couldn't figure out how to intersperse the narrative with the pics.

Sunday Quote

2010-09-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

You can live to be a hundred if you give up all the things that make you want to live to be a hundred.
--Woody Allen

Journaling

2010-09-17T12:51:00.000-05:00

I have not journaled for sometime. Earlier this week I found a beautiful red leather bound journal in my night stand. Completely blank. It was like Christmas in September.   Unfortunately, the more I write in it, the less I remember to post on the blog.

It is not unusual that I don't remember stuff. Like the journal for instance, I have no idea where the it came from and neither does John.   My memory comes and goes like a hurtling freight train. It either loaded with boxcars full of thoughts or it's just the engine groaning back to the station relieved of it's burdens and as empty as a black hole. Needless to say I often forget to do things I really want to do. One day I am all full of big plans to accomplish chores that need tending too and the next day I look like a deer in headlights.

Interestingly enough once I started journaling, these little chores kept cropping up to interrupt my brilliant thought processes.   I wrote them down to get them out of my head.   Next day the same thing happened.   Unfortunately a real curious process began. I started doing the chores because once written down I didn't forget them.  My journal pages have little stars where a chore has been finished.   If this ridiculous trend doesn't stop, John is going to think I turned over a new leaf.

As yes, in case you are wondering one of the chores I wrote down yesterday was: Do a blog post. Now it gets a little star. Woo hoo.

Sunday Quote

2010-09-12T06:00:00.002-05:00

"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." ~ E. B. White

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

2010-09-11T08:22:00.000-05:00

Nuf said!

Second Day

2010-09-08T22:21:00.001-05:00

My brother rented a pontoon boat for the second day so that he and John could fish and Kelly and I could relax, read, and enjoy the sun. But I decided to be adventurous and try to fish. It would be strictly catch and release without barbed hooks--so how much damage could I do? We got up early to be at the lake by 8 in the morning. So far so good. We got to the middle of the lake and began trolling. In seconds I got a bite and reeled in my first fish. John released it and cast my line out again. Yikes, another bite. I reeled in the line and a second fish gave me a snarly look when I let it free. Line out, bite, line in, release fish. Again and again. Gordon and John started to laugh. Oh, they caught a fish here or there but they weren't pulling them in as fast as I was. Gordon caught a nice sized catfish and it was definately the biggest fish of the day. But the newbie, Carole, caught a grand total of 27 while the other three guys combined didn't catch that many. It was a blast because I am never good at anything and this time I looked like I knew what I was doing. Which of course I didn't. Dumb luck. I liked it.

Obviously I was too prideful. Because after lunch Kelly and the guys decided we needed to climb Mt. Pilot. Climb? Like up? Sigh. So much for my luck. My idea of exercise is getting the mail out of the box. So up we went. The first trail was .8 miles and rated moderate. That's like saying a rattlesnake bite is mild. We were almost back to the starting point when another trailed veered off which was 2.2 miles and was rated strenuous. It actually had a sign that stated, "A misstep could cause serious injury or death." John and Kelly were salivating at the option. I declined as I was nearly dead from the moderate trail. I told them with all the exhaustion of catching so many fish, I would have to sit that climb out. I stumbled to the visitor area and held down a bench with a little help from my brother. The night ended with a good meal, good conversation, and tired limbs.

Two days of fun before we drove the 12.5 hour journery home. It was a good weekend.

Happy Birthday Kelly

2010-09-07T13:41:00.002-05:00

My sister-in-law's birthday is today. She is a huge fan of old TV shows that are clean and wholesome. My brother planned a get-away in North Carolina at Mt. Airy for her birthday and John and I were the surprise part of it. Mt. Airy is the town that Andy Griffith was raised in and the town they based Mayberry on, of The Andy Griffith Show fame. She was surprised to see us and we had a great time. Being there was like taking a walk back into the 1960's. Here is a picture of the cop car in front of our motel. It is the car Barney drove around in. There were not a lot of tourists so it didn't feel like it was anything but a quiet buttoned-down community with good neighbors and good manners. And of course Emmitt's pick-up was at the motel also. We ate at the Snappy Lunch diner where the most expensive thing on the menu was $4.00, but most of the sandwiches were $2.50 or less. We had the pork chop sandwich, which people were standing in a line over a block long to get. This is the diner's claim to fame and it has an interesting array of items on the sandwich that make it look horrible but taste good. The pork chop is the size of Rhode Island and the bun is loaded with cole slaw, pickles, chili, cheese, onions, tomatoes, mayo, and other stuff I couldn't see. It was tasty and delicious but very weird. You could get a haircut for $8.00 at the barbershop and the old guy that was giving the haircuts certainly put you in mind of Floyd from the TVshow. I saw several people waiting in the shop for a good clip. In the morning we enjoyed the Mayberry remembrances and in the afternoon we went to the granite quarry and visited the local vineyards and wineries. Click on any pictures to see a larger view. We ate at Goober's and again very good food, very low prices.

And on a side note that had nothing to do with our visit or Kelly's birthday, Mt Airy seems to have an inordinate amount of limpers. People everywhere were either limping, on crutches, or had canes and walkers. Young and old alike, limping like there was no tomorrow. It was Alfred Hitchcock weird. Limpers and more limpers. Thankfully I have not developed a limp so I don't think it was contagious.

Sunday Quote

2010-09-05T06:00:00.002-05:00

The longest journey is the journey inward. Dag Hammarskjold

Cool Day

2010-09-01T07:09:00.001-05:00

This pic is about two years old. I realize we don't often take pictures of us together. I guess after you are married for two million years, you know what each other look like. Happy Anniversary Hon.

Happy Birthday Levi. This is my youngest son and his family at last Christmas. As you can see I don't take pictures very often. Nevertheless I still love him and wish him a happy day.

And angryparsnip did a post about me. How cool is that? By the way parsnips are very delicious.