This is the last entry for the year and also the last entry for this blog. So I thought I would end it with an early 20th century poem.
The Year
What can be said in New Year rhymes,
that's not been said a thousand times?
The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.
We rise up laughing with the light,
we lie down weeping with the night.
We hug the world until it stings,
We curse it then and cry for wings.
We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
We wreathe our brides, we sheet our dead.
We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
And that's the burden of the year.
Ella Wheeler Willcox
I look forward to spending the next year with you and look forward to your comments and suggestions.
Until 2012
Be kind to one another
My new blog, which will start tomorrow is called Celebrating the Simple Life.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
The Day After
Well, it is the day after Christmas. I hope you all had a blessed day no matter what you did. My son and his wife had me over for dinner and my daughter-in-law knocked herself out cooking, making pajamas for everyone in the family and it was truly a great day. Her nephew and family were there and their two children won my heart over. What special kids they are. Lots of gifts, food and good company made my day.
I think I am going to quit writing in this blog. After all, I am not fifty five any longer. I am just going to go back to my original blog Celebrating Life at Pinebrook. I am going to try to find something to celebrate each day, even if it only consists of getting out of bed. Don't laugh, when you are as old as I am, that is a great blessing.
Oh, I forgot, Christmas Eve was so special. My son took me to the Candle-light service at my church. When the lights were out and the many candles cast a heavenly glow, Christmas hymns were sung and the people just felt a little closer. It made the birth of Christ a time to be really thankful for.
Getting ready to welcome a New Year. Hope the world settles down to a lot more loving and a lot less hating. I am thankful we have a God who watches over us and loves us. I love all of you and hope you have Happy Holly Berries.
I think I am going to quit writing in this blog. After all, I am not fifty five any longer. I am just going to go back to my original blog Celebrating Life at Pinebrook. I am going to try to find something to celebrate each day, even if it only consists of getting out of bed. Don't laugh, when you are as old as I am, that is a great blessing.
Oh, I forgot, Christmas Eve was so special. My son took me to the Candle-light service at my church. When the lights were out and the many candles cast a heavenly glow, Christmas hymns were sung and the people just felt a little closer. It made the birth of Christ a time to be really thankful for.
Getting ready to welcome a New Year. Hope the world settles down to a lot more loving and a lot less hating. I am thankful we have a God who watches over us and loves us. I love all of you and hope you have Happy Holly Berries.
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Christmas I Remember Most
We can all remember many Christmas times in our lives. I have had many, but the one that I think of every time I hear Silent Night being sung, is a story about my grandfather. Let me tell you about him and the reason I remember this particular Christmas.
He sat straight as a ramrod in his Captain's chair. His toothless mouth clinched a half smoked cigar, and his pixie face reflected an air of boredom as he listened to the young pastor seated across from him.
The Pastor, as tall as grandpa, sat on one of the caned kitchen chair. His dark wavy hair, pink cheeks and his deep set dimples made him look like a tall choir boy. He held a cigar in his hand, unsure rather to choke smoking it or to chance grandpa's sarcasm by merely holding it.
"Well Pete," said the Pastor, I would really like you to attend Christmas Eve service this year. I know you'd enjoy it. "
Although grandpa refrained from his usual colorful cursing, he let the pastor know in no uncertain terms that he had no intention of attending any service in any church.
It would take a miracle to get grandpa into church, we knew. Grandma had tried for years. First she tried with coy attempts, then with arguing, then with sweetness , and finally she had given up the idea.
For as long as I can remember I had tried to get grandpa to take the plunge. I begged him to come and hear the good choir, or to see the Christmas Pageant, our to see our new church, but my success had been no better than grandma's.
Christmas Eve was near again and I really did wish he could hear the choir sing Silent Night . It was important, because I sang in the choir and I was proud of the gift of singing God had given me. I shyly entered the room where the two men were talking and grandpa's eyes lit up, as they always did when I was around. He puffed a couple of times on his cigar, cleared his throat and sat forward just a little.
"I'll tell you what young feller, I'll come to your church if you will do something for me."
Pastor grinned and grasped grandpa's hand. "Of course Mr. Petersen, what would that be?"
Grandpa sat back with his big toothless grin and said, " Let my granddaughter sing Silent Night in Danish at your service."
Grandpa had come to this country when he was only seven years old and he could speak only Danish. As years went by English became the only language spoken in the Petersen household. When I, his first grandchild came along, he felt he must keep some small remnant of his native tongue alive. So, he taught me a few words and also taught me to sing Silent Night. Now he wanted to hear this song sung once more as he remembered it.
I wanted to sink through the floor. "Oh, no grandpa. My voice isn't good enough to sing alone and besides, everyone would think I was crazy if I sang something they couldn't understand."
The pastor's face was one of amused perplexity. God had finally showed him a way to get this stubborn sinner into church and he certainly couldn't refuse. "All right Pete, we'll let her do it and we'll expect to see you at seven Christmas Eve."
"Oh, dear God, why did you do it this way? " I thought. Of course, I wasn't sure grandpa would come. Nevertheless, I was still making a fool of myself. I dreaded Christmas Eve. Would they think I was showing off? Would my voice quiver so much I couldn't get a sound out? How would the director feel about this change of program?
The night came cold and clear, and even though huge snowflakes were falling d, I assured my dad I didn't want a ride to church. Actually, I was stalling for more time. I marveled at the brightness of the moon sifting through the lacy flakes and I felt very small and alone on this very silent night.
In this stillness I felt as if God were telling me to sing to His glory and forget myself. My short legs sped up and my heart was as happy as a child with a new discovery. I was going to forget what others thought and just do my best.
As the time drew near, I wasn't sure grandpa was going to keep his promise. I arrived early and sat down in a pew to have a word with God before the night began. The organ was softly playing, the scent of pine filled the warm, candle lit room and I felt completely at peace.
Finally the organ played the introduction and the choir hummed the harmony. My voice was soft and shaky at first, but as I sang a feeling of freedom came over me, and I forgot myself. It was then that I began to search the congregation for grandpa. Two rows back I saw him straight and tall, holding grandma's hand.
In that moment all my embarrassment was forgotten and I silently thanked God for this miracle, because grandpa actually glowed and tears ran down his wrinkled old cheek. As the last notes of the song were sung, the candles flickered, and God's presence embraced everyone.*
*From my book Get Out of Heaven's Waiting Room.
This will always be a very special memory for me. It still, after almost seventy years still brings a tear to my eye. I hope you all have had a very special memory of this blessed occasion and tell it to your children.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
He sat straight as a ramrod in his Captain's chair. His toothless mouth clinched a half smoked cigar, and his pixie face reflected an air of boredom as he listened to the young pastor seated across from him.
The Pastor, as tall as grandpa, sat on one of the caned kitchen chair. His dark wavy hair, pink cheeks and his deep set dimples made him look like a tall choir boy. He held a cigar in his hand, unsure rather to choke smoking it or to chance grandpa's sarcasm by merely holding it.
"Well Pete," said the Pastor, I would really like you to attend Christmas Eve service this year. I know you'd enjoy it. "
Although grandpa refrained from his usual colorful cursing, he let the pastor know in no uncertain terms that he had no intention of attending any service in any church.
It would take a miracle to get grandpa into church, we knew. Grandma had tried for years. First she tried with coy attempts, then with arguing, then with sweetness , and finally she had given up the idea.
For as long as I can remember I had tried to get grandpa to take the plunge. I begged him to come and hear the good choir, or to see the Christmas Pageant, our to see our new church, but my success had been no better than grandma's.
Christmas Eve was near again and I really did wish he could hear the choir sing Silent Night . It was important, because I sang in the choir and I was proud of the gift of singing God had given me. I shyly entered the room where the two men were talking and grandpa's eyes lit up, as they always did when I was around. He puffed a couple of times on his cigar, cleared his throat and sat forward just a little.
"I'll tell you what young feller, I'll come to your church if you will do something for me."
Pastor grinned and grasped grandpa's hand. "Of course Mr. Petersen, what would that be?"
Grandpa sat back with his big toothless grin and said, " Let my granddaughter sing Silent Night in Danish at your service."
Grandpa had come to this country when he was only seven years old and he could speak only Danish. As years went by English became the only language spoken in the Petersen household. When I, his first grandchild came along, he felt he must keep some small remnant of his native tongue alive. So, he taught me a few words and also taught me to sing Silent Night. Now he wanted to hear this song sung once more as he remembered it.
I wanted to sink through the floor. "Oh, no grandpa. My voice isn't good enough to sing alone and besides, everyone would think I was crazy if I sang something they couldn't understand."
The pastor's face was one of amused perplexity. God had finally showed him a way to get this stubborn sinner into church and he certainly couldn't refuse. "All right Pete, we'll let her do it and we'll expect to see you at seven Christmas Eve."
"Oh, dear God, why did you do it this way? " I thought. Of course, I wasn't sure grandpa would come. Nevertheless, I was still making a fool of myself. I dreaded Christmas Eve. Would they think I was showing off? Would my voice quiver so much I couldn't get a sound out? How would the director feel about this change of program?
The night came cold and clear, and even though huge snowflakes were falling d, I assured my dad I didn't want a ride to church. Actually, I was stalling for more time. I marveled at the brightness of the moon sifting through the lacy flakes and I felt very small and alone on this very silent night.
In this stillness I felt as if God were telling me to sing to His glory and forget myself. My short legs sped up and my heart was as happy as a child with a new discovery. I was going to forget what others thought and just do my best.
As the time drew near, I wasn't sure grandpa was going to keep his promise. I arrived early and sat down in a pew to have a word with God before the night began. The organ was softly playing, the scent of pine filled the warm, candle lit room and I felt completely at peace.
Finally the organ played the introduction and the choir hummed the harmony. My voice was soft and shaky at first, but as I sang a feeling of freedom came over me, and I forgot myself. It was then that I began to search the congregation for grandpa. Two rows back I saw him straight and tall, holding grandma's hand.
In that moment all my embarrassment was forgotten and I silently thanked God for this miracle, because grandpa actually glowed and tears ran down his wrinkled old cheek. As the last notes of the song were sung, the candles flickered, and God's presence embraced everyone.*
*From my book Get Out of Heaven's Waiting Room.
This will always be a very special memory for me. It still, after almost seventy years still brings a tear to my eye. I hope you all have had a very special memory of this blessed occasion and tell it to your children.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Buy this Gift
God said to the Israelites "Choose life, that you and your Descendants may live." Basically, the book I wrote three years ago is all about choosing life. I found that too many people sat around saying there was nothing to do. I originally wrote it for seniors, however, I seem to get a number of responses from younger folks who say I inspired them, or I gave them ideas they would never have thought of. The book is called Get Out of Heaven's Waiting Room. The books are $15 plus shipping. From now until the end of the year I am selling them and I will pay the shipping charges. If you know someone who needs a positive outlook on life, or needs some hints on things they might do, the would make a great Christmas Gift. The book is a series of short essays and at the end of each on is a list of Things to Do. I am enclosing a page from the book to give you an idea of what it is like.
Random acts of Prayer
"The deepest wishes of the heart find expression in secret prayer." Geo. E. Rees
We've all been shocked by random acts of violence and wondered if there was any way we could help those violent people so disturbed that they must resort to this method of gaining attention. Random acts of kindness have been offered as an alternative solution and have restored our faith in human behavior.
The Ukrainian people have an old custom of painting eggs for a specific person. As they paint, they pray for that person. I took a class in creating these eggs one year during the Lenten season and I found it very soul[-soothing to pray for each special person as I worked on their egg. This led me to the idea that if I could pray for people purposely , why couldn't I pray for people randomly?
What a concept! as Mikey says in the cereal ad , "Try it, you'll like it." My first random act was when I saw a Greyhound Bus zooming along the freeway. I asked God to get the bus to it's destination safely. I also asked that each person on the bus find a purpose and joy in his life. What a freeing moment. Those people will never know I prayed for them, but God was surely acting in their lives as well as mine.
Since that time, I find I most often pray for people when I'm driving. Perhaps I do this for my own lack of patience. There is nothing that irritates me more than to have a car dart in and out of traffic, cutting people off and causing near accidents with every move.
Instead of some of my negative thoughts , I try to consider why this person is driving that way. Does he have an emergency? Is he late for a very important meeting? Does he have such sorrow in his life that he doesn't care what happens to him or to others? Or is he just thoughtless? I ask God to be with him. To protect him and those he so carelessly endangers.
The choices of people to pray for is endless: children playing in their yards or riding school buses, customers standing in the line at the market, women in beauty parlors. Add to the list those you see each day.
I find that most often I ask for peace and joy for people. As you read this I also pray that you may find comfort in this idea. It is really exciting so I hope you try it. Go ahe3ad. Try a few random acts of prayer today.
***********************************************************
Ideas
, l. As you stand in the line at the grocery store, say a silent prayer for the person standing in front of you. If the person looks like he is in pain, be sure to include that. If it's a harried mother , give her peace and patience.
2. When you stop for a red light , pray for the person you can see in a car near you.
3. Pray for the first person you see at a mall who looks angry or sad.
4. Find special ways to say a random prayer for someone each day.
If you think you know someone who needs a few positive thoughts, you can
order my book by sending a check for $15.00 to:\
Joyce Ackley
805 N.E. 130th Ct.
Vancouver, WA 98684
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Random acts of Prayer
"The deepest wishes of the heart find expression in secret prayer." Geo. E. Rees
We've all been shocked by random acts of violence and wondered if there was any way we could help those violent people so disturbed that they must resort to this method of gaining attention. Random acts of kindness have been offered as an alternative solution and have restored our faith in human behavior.
The Ukrainian people have an old custom of painting eggs for a specific person. As they paint, they pray for that person. I took a class in creating these eggs one year during the Lenten season and I found it very soul[-soothing to pray for each special person as I worked on their egg. This led me to the idea that if I could pray for people purposely , why couldn't I pray for people randomly?
What a concept! as Mikey says in the cereal ad , "Try it, you'll like it." My first random act was when I saw a Greyhound Bus zooming along the freeway. I asked God to get the bus to it's destination safely. I also asked that each person on the bus find a purpose and joy in his life. What a freeing moment. Those people will never know I prayed for them, but God was surely acting in their lives as well as mine.
Since that time, I find I most often pray for people when I'm driving. Perhaps I do this for my own lack of patience. There is nothing that irritates me more than to have a car dart in and out of traffic, cutting people off and causing near accidents with every move.
Instead of some of my negative thoughts , I try to consider why this person is driving that way. Does he have an emergency? Is he late for a very important meeting? Does he have such sorrow in his life that he doesn't care what happens to him or to others? Or is he just thoughtless? I ask God to be with him. To protect him and those he so carelessly endangers.
The choices of people to pray for is endless: children playing in their yards or riding school buses, customers standing in the line at the market, women in beauty parlors. Add to the list those you see each day.
I find that most often I ask for peace and joy for people. As you read this I also pray that you may find comfort in this idea. It is really exciting so I hope you try it. Go ahe3ad. Try a few random acts of prayer today.
***********************************************************
Ideas
, l. As you stand in the line at the grocery store, say a silent prayer for the person standing in front of you. If the person looks like he is in pain, be sure to include that. If it's a harried mother , give her peace and patience.
2. When you stop for a red light , pray for the person you can see in a car near you.
3. Pray for the first person you see at a mall who looks angry or sad.
4. Find special ways to say a random prayer for someone each day.
If you think you know someone who needs a few positive thoughts, you can
order my book by sending a check for $15.00 to:\
Joyce Ackley
805 N.E. 130th Ct.
Vancouver, WA 98684
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Monday, November 21, 2011
THANKSGIVING A,B,C'S
A few years ago at a thanksgiving service, the Pastor told us that he knew we were all thankful for things. He said, "why don't you list the alphabet and find a word for each letter you are thankful for?" I had fun with this and wrote a "Little" rhyme for each letter. It is long, but from the heart. Perhaps you might just try one word for each letter. We could take E and just say we are thankful for everything, but it is interesting when you stop to think of individual things.
My Thanksgiving Alphabet
Joyce Ackley
Dear God, I want to thank you for:
Almighty God, The Air I breathe,
The Apple on the tree,
The Angel that protects me,
The Ability to see.
Blue skies, Balloons and Boys,
Beauties day by day,
Butterflies and Baby Birds,
Blessings when I pray.
Christ the King, Christmas trees,
Children, Church and Chimes,
Candle light and Colors,
Celebration times.
Dogs and Doves, Devotions,
Delight in all I see,
Daises, Dappled sunsets,
each Day awaiting me.
Evergreens, Eyes and Ears,
Everyone I meet,
Eternity, Essentials,
the Earth beneath my feet.
Fathers, Fans and Fishes,
Families for all,
Food and Fields, Fingers too,
the beauty of the Fall.
God and Gloves and Grandmas,
Grandpas, Gum and Gold,
Giggles, Girls and Green, Green Grass
Grapes and Grace untold.
Hearts and Homes and Husbands,
Holly, Holy days,
Honey, Horses, Heaven and Hands,
Hymns of love and praise.
Imagination, Ice cream,
Individuals I have known,
Intellect and Infants,
Invitations to one's home.
Joy and Justice,
Juice and Jam,
Jesus, Jaws and Jade,
Jack-O-Lanterns, Jazz and Jokes,
Just everything you've made.
Kids and Kites and Kettles,
Kittens, Kisses, Kin,
Keys and Knitting,
Knees and Kindness,
Kitchens, spotless as a pin.
Lavender, Leaves and law,
the Lord, our God above,
Lanterns, Lace and Language,
Laughter, Life and Love.
Mothers, Music, Manger,
the Mailman on his way,
Maps and Marriage----Memories,
The luminous Milky Way.
Nature and Narcissus,
Needles pulling thread,
Nails and Nickles,
Noise and Notes,
Nurses when I'm sick abed.
Opportunities and Overcoats,
Oranges and Outdoors,
Opals, Olives, Oxygen,
the sound of Ocean roars.
Paper, Peanuts, Puns and Pals,
Praise and Prayers and Powers,
Pastors and People,
Pearls and Purple flowers.
Quality, Queens and Quarters,
the soft Quilt on my bed,
Quiet times and Quatrains,
the Questions in my head.
Rest and Recreation,
Redeemer, Reason, Rhyme,
Red and Russet autumn leaves,
Romance in it's time.
Savior and Salvation,
Sight and Sound so sweet,
Singing, Sewing, Skipping,
School and Shapes so neat.
Time, Talent, Treasures,
Trees and Tulips too,
Tender thoughts,
Tomatoes,
these are but a few.
Universe and Uncle Sam,
the Unity we know,
Understanding,
Umbrellas,
Ultra suede to sew.
Victory over Satan,
Violin and Voice,
Vacations,
Vicks and Violets,
Variety----take your choice.
Weather, Wisdom, Wonder,
Water, Wood and Wren,
Writing letters, Wrapping gifts,
Worship once again.
Xylophone, and X-rays,
the great Xerox machine,
"X" is hard for rhyming,
do you know what I mean?
Yellow butter, Yuletide greetings,
Years and Yards and Yarn,
Youth and yummy goodies,
Yahweh, born in a barn.
Zeal, Zithers, Zoos,
we're Zooming to an end,
but God's Zillion other blessings,
will be Zapped to you my friends.
Happy Thanksgiving 2011
Until next time
Be Kind to One Another
My Thanksgiving Alphabet
Joyce Ackley
Dear God, I want to thank you for:
Almighty God, The Air I breathe,
The Apple on the tree,
The Angel that protects me,
The Ability to see.
Blue skies, Balloons and Boys,
Beauties day by day,
Butterflies and Baby Birds,
Blessings when I pray.
Christ the King, Christmas trees,
Children, Church and Chimes,
Candle light and Colors,
Celebration times.
Dogs and Doves, Devotions,
Delight in all I see,
Daises, Dappled sunsets,
each Day awaiting me.
Evergreens, Eyes and Ears,
Everyone I meet,
Eternity, Essentials,
the Earth beneath my feet.
Fathers, Fans and Fishes,
Families for all,
Food and Fields, Fingers too,
the beauty of the Fall.
God and Gloves and Grandmas,
Grandpas, Gum and Gold,
Giggles, Girls and Green, Green Grass
Grapes and Grace untold.
Hearts and Homes and Husbands,
Holly, Holy days,
Honey, Horses, Heaven and Hands,
Hymns of love and praise.
Imagination, Ice cream,
Individuals I have known,
Intellect and Infants,
Invitations to one's home.
Joy and Justice,
Juice and Jam,
Jesus, Jaws and Jade,
Jack-O-Lanterns, Jazz and Jokes,
Just everything you've made.
Kids and Kites and Kettles,
Kittens, Kisses, Kin,
Keys and Knitting,
Knees and Kindness,
Kitchens, spotless as a pin.
Lavender, Leaves and law,
the Lord, our God above,
Lanterns, Lace and Language,
Laughter, Life and Love.
Mothers, Music, Manger,
the Mailman on his way,
Maps and Marriage----Memories,
The luminous Milky Way.
Nature and Narcissus,
Needles pulling thread,
Nails and Nickles,
Noise and Notes,
Nurses when I'm sick abed.
Opportunities and Overcoats,
Oranges and Outdoors,
Opals, Olives, Oxygen,
the sound of Ocean roars.
Paper, Peanuts, Puns and Pals,
Praise and Prayers and Powers,
Pastors and People,
Pearls and Purple flowers.
Quality, Queens and Quarters,
the soft Quilt on my bed,
Quiet times and Quatrains,
the Questions in my head.
Rest and Recreation,
Redeemer, Reason, Rhyme,
Red and Russet autumn leaves,
Romance in it's time.
Savior and Salvation,
Sight and Sound so sweet,
Singing, Sewing, Skipping,
School and Shapes so neat.
Time, Talent, Treasures,
Trees and Tulips too,
Tender thoughts,
Tomatoes,
these are but a few.
Universe and Uncle Sam,
the Unity we know,
Understanding,
Umbrellas,
Ultra suede to sew.
Victory over Satan,
Violin and Voice,
Vacations,
Vicks and Violets,
Variety----take your choice.
Weather, Wisdom, Wonder,
Water, Wood and Wren,
Writing letters, Wrapping gifts,
Worship once again.
Xylophone, and X-rays,
the great Xerox machine,
"X" is hard for rhyming,
do you know what I mean?
Yellow butter, Yuletide greetings,
Years and Yards and Yarn,
Youth and yummy goodies,
Yahweh, born in a barn.
Zeal, Zithers, Zoos,
we're Zooming to an end,
but God's Zillion other blessings,
will be Zapped to you my friends.
Happy Thanksgiving 2011
Until next time
Be Kind to One Another
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Halloween
Now the second largest commercial holiday in the U.S., Americans spent over $6 Billion last year on Halloween.
This is a holiday that started with the Celtics, continued on through Popes and country's, each bringing different superstitions, beliefs and celebrations. I highly recommend that you go on line and check out Halloween History if this interests you. I think it is fascinating. It explains why masks, costumes, bobbing for apples etc.
In my Halloween history I think the first time I went trick or treating was in 1936 and it was quite different than it is today. If we wore a costume, our mother made it. Our masks were made out of some kind of heavy material that was probably starched onto a form.(If anyone knows what they were made of I would like to know.)
Trick or treat had two meanings in those days. When someone came to our door, Mama, with her darling homemade cupcakes decorated to the hilt, would say "We need a trick before you get a treat." The child would then sing a song, say a poem or do something ion order to get a treat. It also hand another connotation. Tricks in those days meant soaping windows. Everyone in our neighborhood had the cleanest windows in town the next day all we had to was all the soap off our windows. Even though we had given treats, the kids would wait until the lights went out and then go soap the window. Our country kids tipped over outhouses,.Whew.........what a stinky job.
Parents didn't go with us.....it was safe to go out alone. Today, parents stand out on the sidewalk or street and watch their kids the whole time. Also, today really young kids , who look adorable, and older kids knock on doors. In my childhood, older kids wouldn't dream of trick or treating, it was only a little kids thing.
I can't believe I am telling this, but the Halloween I will remember the rest of my life is when my son was seven years old. My husband was in the Navy and we lived in a Quonset hut. There were rows and rows of huts with their corrugated metal roofs. My friend Ursie and I sent my 7 year old out with her 4 year old daughter with their little masks and paper bags. In just a short time, both kids came home crying. A man had come to his door and was very rude and told them to get out and he scared them to death. Here is where the story gets...........you decide what.
Ursie and I were furious that an adult would be so mean to two darling little kids. Ursie and I were both short and she was skinny as any twelve year old kid. We decided we would go trick or treating for them and if any one was rude to us we would throw a rock or two up on their corrugated roof. We would show them. Ursie only had to put on a mask and she looked like a kid. I was a little more mature so I cut holes in a sheet and covered my whole body. We had a blast. We sang and we tap danced and really had fun and were collecting a lot of great candy. But then...................................
About 4 blocks from home we knocked on a door and a man came out, cursed at us and told us to get out and not come back. Well......after he was back in his house we threw a rock or two on his roof,. What we didn't expect was that he came running out of his house and started chasing us. Usrsie was smart enough to dart off into the dark. Did I? Oh no, I ran right down the row of bright lights and all of a sudden I felt a big hand grab my shoulder and say, "OK Sonny, take me home to your dad." In a wee voice I said I didn't know where my house was. He said," fine, we will keep walking until you find it." He was hurting my shoulder and I was scared to death. If I had been a child I don't know what it would do to me.(of course, kids know better than to throw rocks on peoples roofs.)
Because he wouldn't let go of me I finally went home, opened the door and looked at my husband. "Daddy, a man wants to see you." He could tell I really meant it and so he went outside. The guy said your kid threw rocks on my roof and my baby was asleep." My husband asked him if he told the kids that,. "No," he said, but they still shouldn't have done it. My husband said, "Weren't you ever a kid? You know they were just playing around. I don't know what else he said, but the big bully left.
I didn't dare tell him I was an adult as I figured as grumpy as he was he just might call the police and I would get in trouble.
There, I have confessed my greatest sin......glad it ended well, but I will never forget it, or never forget what a great husband I had.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
This is a holiday that started with the Celtics, continued on through Popes and country's, each bringing different superstitions, beliefs and celebrations. I highly recommend that you go on line and check out Halloween History if this interests you. I think it is fascinating. It explains why masks, costumes, bobbing for apples etc.
In my Halloween history I think the first time I went trick or treating was in 1936 and it was quite different than it is today. If we wore a costume, our mother made it. Our masks were made out of some kind of heavy material that was probably starched onto a form.(If anyone knows what they were made of I would like to know.)
Trick or treat had two meanings in those days. When someone came to our door, Mama, with her darling homemade cupcakes decorated to the hilt, would say "We need a trick before you get a treat." The child would then sing a song, say a poem or do something ion order to get a treat. It also hand another connotation. Tricks in those days meant soaping windows. Everyone in our neighborhood had the cleanest windows in town the next day all we had to was all the soap off our windows. Even though we had given treats, the kids would wait until the lights went out and then go soap the window. Our country kids tipped over outhouses,.Whew.........what a stinky job.
Parents didn't go with us.....it was safe to go out alone. Today, parents stand out on the sidewalk or street and watch their kids the whole time. Also, today really young kids , who look adorable, and older kids knock on doors. In my childhood, older kids wouldn't dream of trick or treating, it was only a little kids thing.
I can't believe I am telling this, but the Halloween I will remember the rest of my life is when my son was seven years old. My husband was in the Navy and we lived in a Quonset hut. There were rows and rows of huts with their corrugated metal roofs. My friend Ursie and I sent my 7 year old out with her 4 year old daughter with their little masks and paper bags. In just a short time, both kids came home crying. A man had come to his door and was very rude and told them to get out and he scared them to death. Here is where the story gets...........you decide what.
Ursie and I were furious that an adult would be so mean to two darling little kids. Ursie and I were both short and she was skinny as any twelve year old kid. We decided we would go trick or treating for them and if any one was rude to us we would throw a rock or two up on their corrugated roof. We would show them. Ursie only had to put on a mask and she looked like a kid. I was a little more mature so I cut holes in a sheet and covered my whole body. We had a blast. We sang and we tap danced and really had fun and were collecting a lot of great candy. But then...................................
About 4 blocks from home we knocked on a door and a man came out, cursed at us and told us to get out and not come back. Well......after he was back in his house we threw a rock or two on his roof,. What we didn't expect was that he came running out of his house and started chasing us. Usrsie was smart enough to dart off into the dark. Did I? Oh no, I ran right down the row of bright lights and all of a sudden I felt a big hand grab my shoulder and say, "OK Sonny, take me home to your dad." In a wee voice I said I didn't know where my house was. He said," fine, we will keep walking until you find it." He was hurting my shoulder and I was scared to death. If I had been a child I don't know what it would do to me.(of course, kids know better than to throw rocks on peoples roofs.)
Because he wouldn't let go of me I finally went home, opened the door and looked at my husband. "Daddy, a man wants to see you." He could tell I really meant it and so he went outside. The guy said your kid threw rocks on my roof and my baby was asleep." My husband asked him if he told the kids that,. "No," he said, but they still shouldn't have done it. My husband said, "Weren't you ever a kid? You know they were just playing around. I don't know what else he said, but the big bully left.
I didn't dare tell him I was an adult as I figured as grumpy as he was he just might call the police and I would get in trouble.
There, I have confessed my greatest sin......glad it ended well, but I will never forget it, or never forget what a great husband I had.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The Day We All Dread
As I began getting older I often thought of people who had their children take away their car keys, or when applying for a new driver's license being told they could not pass and would not be able to drive.
Yesterday I told my son I was going to stop driving. He was amazed and said he was so glad I decided to do this on my own ans he dreaded the day when he might have to tell me he wanted my car keys.
I am rather surprised that I actually did it. I hate giving up my freedom. I didn't realize how often I hopped in my car and went to the grocery store, the many different Doctors I see, the book stores, the hair dresser, church, book club, dates for lunch etc. All this will now depend on someone taking me. I do not like to depend on other people, even my son. I hate to take up their time.
Perhaps you wonder why I would give up such freedom. I am still a good driver and I have pretty good reflexes. But I have two health problems that scare me.
I am diabetic and I have numb feet. When I am driving I can't tell if I am hitting the gas or the break. This is scarry. Two, I have macular problems in both eyes and when I drive I am not sure where the sides of the lane are. This too is very scarry. This Is why I won't endanger myself or anyone else on the road. Hard to accept, but easy to do.
I guess the reason I am telling you this is that I hope you are aware of your ablilty to drive and that you won't insist on driving when you know you should quit.
I have immediately planned things that will keep me home and still do most of the things I have always done. Yesterday I had my son take me on a few stops. First, I bought a Nook. I really didn't want one as I prefer to use books. However, my house is overrun with books and I really don't need anymore. In addition, I can now order my books on the nook, they cost a lot less and I won't have to leave the house.
Then we went grocery shopping. I bought more than I usually do so I could have a small stock[pile. He will still take me to the store, but if he couldn't I caould still have the store deliver them for a small fee.
As for church, I am sure there are any number of people that would be glad to take me. I just hate to ask.
And for the first time, I asked someone to pick me up. My friend Darcie and I were planning on going to lunch tomorrow and I told her she would need to pick me up. You have no idea how difficult thet was for me. I don't mind doing things for people, but I hate to ask people to do things for me. Guess when you get old you just have to accept the fact and continue loving the life God has given you.
Just think, if I get rid of my car, I will have a whole guarge to store stuff in. See, there is a silver lining to every cloud.
Yesterday I told my son I was going to stop driving. He was amazed and said he was so glad I decided to do this on my own ans he dreaded the day when he might have to tell me he wanted my car keys.
I am rather surprised that I actually did it. I hate giving up my freedom. I didn't realize how often I hopped in my car and went to the grocery store, the many different Doctors I see, the book stores, the hair dresser, church, book club, dates for lunch etc. All this will now depend on someone taking me. I do not like to depend on other people, even my son. I hate to take up their time.
Perhaps you wonder why I would give up such freedom. I am still a good driver and I have pretty good reflexes. But I have two health problems that scare me.
I am diabetic and I have numb feet. When I am driving I can't tell if I am hitting the gas or the break. This is scarry. Two, I have macular problems in both eyes and when I drive I am not sure where the sides of the lane are. This too is very scarry. This Is why I won't endanger myself or anyone else on the road. Hard to accept, but easy to do.
I guess the reason I am telling you this is that I hope you are aware of your ablilty to drive and that you won't insist on driving when you know you should quit.
I have immediately planned things that will keep me home and still do most of the things I have always done. Yesterday I had my son take me on a few stops. First, I bought a Nook. I really didn't want one as I prefer to use books. However, my house is overrun with books and I really don't need anymore. In addition, I can now order my books on the nook, they cost a lot less and I won't have to leave the house.
Then we went grocery shopping. I bought more than I usually do so I could have a small stock[pile. He will still take me to the store, but if he couldn't I caould still have the store deliver them for a small fee.
As for church, I am sure there are any number of people that would be glad to take me. I just hate to ask.
And for the first time, I asked someone to pick me up. My friend Darcie and I were planning on going to lunch tomorrow and I told her she would need to pick me up. You have no idea how difficult thet was for me. I don't mind doing things for people, but I hate to ask people to do things for me. Guess when you get old you just have to accept the fact and continue loving the life God has given you.
Just think, if I get rid of my car, I will have a whole guarge to store stuff in. See, there is a silver lining to every cloud.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Bullying
I am upset when I read so much about the way people, especially young people, are bullying each other. It becomes very vicious, demeaning and cruel. When I was a kid, I guess there must have been some of this going on, but I don't remember it. The worst thing I can remember is that a girl in my class, probably 4th or 5th grade lived on a pig farm. When she came to school, she smelled so bad none of the kids would get close to her. I don't think anyone ever said anything about it to her, but just being avoided must have hurt her feelings.
Kelly Ripa remarked the other day that at her son's school, the teacher gave each student a nice, clean sheet of white paper. (these were small kids). She told them they could do anything they wanted to do to the paper. Some crushed it up, others tore their's, or walked on it, etc. After a minute or so she asked them to smooth out the paper an make it all neat again. Of course, they couldn't make it perfect again and the teacher said: "This paper is like people. It you builly them, say something mean to them, etc. they will never be the same. You have hurt that person and he will always be hurt and can't be put back the way he was before you were cruel to him.
I thought that was a great idea. Kids need to learn at an early age that it is wrong to bully people or say unkind things to them. I think this would be a great idea for teachers and also parents to use as one little step in educating children to be kind.
Until next time
Be kind to oneanother
Kelly Ripa remarked the other day that at her son's school, the teacher gave each student a nice, clean sheet of white paper. (these were small kids). She told them they could do anything they wanted to do to the paper. Some crushed it up, others tore their's, or walked on it, etc. After a minute or so she asked them to smooth out the paper an make it all neat again. Of course, they couldn't make it perfect again and the teacher said: "This paper is like people. It you builly them, say something mean to them, etc. they will never be the same. You have hurt that person and he will always be hurt and can't be put back the way he was before you were cruel to him.
I thought that was a great idea. Kids need to learn at an early age that it is wrong to bully people or say unkind things to them. I think this would be a great idea for teachers and also parents to use as one little step in educating children to be kind.
Until next time
Be kind to oneanother
Monday, October 3, 2011
Another Year Older
Someone once asked Lucille Ball how to stay young and she replied, "Live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age." I guess I will lie about my age. I was going to start a new blog, Life at 86, but then I thought, No, I will lie about my age and stay 85.....after all, that makes me sooooooooooooo young.
Enough of my silliness. This is sort of like New Year's Eve. What is coming in the new year? What will I do? Who will I meet? Will I live another year? I know this last question sounds odd, but when you get to be my age, it is very real. I was just reading in the paper this morning that at the beginning of the twentieth century, the expected life time was 47. Now, in 2011 it has gone up to 79. So....I have made it over that hurdle. I would love to live to about 110. There is just so much to see and do I want to be around a little longer.
The actor Taye Digas has just written a children's book called Chocolate Me. It is all about self-esteem, self-awareness and how to love your differences. He said to embrace your differences.
When you think about it, this applies to us whatever age, whatever color, whatever faith. We need to learn to EMBRACE ourselves the way we are. So today, I embrace that I am old. Being old doesn't mean one can't read, think, and enjoy life. I have heard, over the years, many people who dread getting old. (it's a lot better alternative than not getting old).
Some people complain that they have so many medications. I take a handful in the morning and four at night. I am thankful. My ancestors would have probably lived a lot longer if they had had medications to help them.
Most people, including me, complain about their aches and pains. I guess that is one of the things we just have to learn to live with. I don't like it, but there are so many things to enjoy. I try to be happy and look for those things each day. In fact, one thing I say almost every morning is "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Ps. 118:24
If it is raining, I rejoice that I can stay inside with a cup of coffee and a good book. If it is sunny, I can look out my window and see the beautiful rust and gold leaves covering the tree across the street. I can hug Annie, my sweet little dog, and get a big wet kiss on my nose. How much love can you handle? I can get absorbed in doing a painting, or writing.(I just started a novel. At the moment the title is Family Secrets. I'm sure I will change it fifty times before I am through.) I may not live long enough to finish it, but if I don't, just think of all the fun I have had writing it.
Embrace your life. Do what you can. Find joy in something you enjoy. Life is too short not to enjoy all you can. I am not the neat housekeeper I once was, but I am enjoying my life a lot more. Be happy, be well, and.......................................
until next time,
Be kind to one another
Enough of my silliness. This is sort of like New Year's Eve. What is coming in the new year? What will I do? Who will I meet? Will I live another year? I know this last question sounds odd, but when you get to be my age, it is very real. I was just reading in the paper this morning that at the beginning of the twentieth century, the expected life time was 47. Now, in 2011 it has gone up to 79. So....I have made it over that hurdle. I would love to live to about 110. There is just so much to see and do I want to be around a little longer.
The actor Taye Digas has just written a children's book called Chocolate Me. It is all about self-esteem, self-awareness and how to love your differences. He said to embrace your differences.
When you think about it, this applies to us whatever age, whatever color, whatever faith. We need to learn to EMBRACE ourselves the way we are. So today, I embrace that I am old. Being old doesn't mean one can't read, think, and enjoy life. I have heard, over the years, many people who dread getting old. (it's a lot better alternative than not getting old).
Some people complain that they have so many medications. I take a handful in the morning and four at night. I am thankful. My ancestors would have probably lived a lot longer if they had had medications to help them.
Most people, including me, complain about their aches and pains. I guess that is one of the things we just have to learn to live with. I don't like it, but there are so many things to enjoy. I try to be happy and look for those things each day. In fact, one thing I say almost every morning is "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Ps. 118:24
If it is raining, I rejoice that I can stay inside with a cup of coffee and a good book. If it is sunny, I can look out my window and see the beautiful rust and gold leaves covering the tree across the street. I can hug Annie, my sweet little dog, and get a big wet kiss on my nose. How much love can you handle? I can get absorbed in doing a painting, or writing.(I just started a novel. At the moment the title is Family Secrets. I'm sure I will change it fifty times before I am through.) I may not live long enough to finish it, but if I don't, just think of all the fun I have had writing it.
Embrace your life. Do what you can. Find joy in something you enjoy. Life is too short not to enjoy all you can. I am not the neat housekeeper I once was, but I am enjoying my life a lot more. Be happy, be well, and.......................................
until next time,
Be kind to one another
Thursday, September 8, 2011
School Days and Teachers
Kids are going back to school and I always feel a little nostalgic when this time of year rolls around. When I was a little girl, I loved getting a new pair of shoes and the clothes my mother made for me to start school. But most of all, I loved the new pencil box I got each year. They were only made of cardboard, had a drawer in them and contained pencils, an eraser, a pencil sharpener and a pen, one you dipped in the ink well.
I always loved school either as a student or a teacher. Speaking of teachers, I think each one should either have typed and put on their desk or else made into a large poster and tacked on the wall, part of a poem by one of my favorite poets, Walt Whitman. It is A Child Went Forth . I will post it here before I comment on it.
There was a child went forth every day;
And every object he look'd upon, that object he became:
And that object became part of him for the day, or a certain part of
the day, or for many years, or stretching cycles of years.
The early lilies became part of this child,
and grass, and white and red morning-glories, and white and
red clover, and the song of the phoebe-bird,
and the Third -month lambs, and the sow's pink-faint litter,
and the mare's foal, and the cow's calf,
and the noisy brood of the barn-yard, or by the mire of the pond-side,
and the fish suspending themselves so curiously below there --and the
curious liquid l
And the water-plants with their graceful flat heads--all became
part of him.
The field-sprouts of Fourth-month and Fifth-month became part of him;
Winter-grain sprouts , and those of the light-yellow corn, and the
esculent roots of the garden,
and the apple-trees covered with blossoms, and the fruit afterward,
and wood-berries, and the commonest weeds by the road;
and the old drunkard staggering home from the out-house of the tavern,
whence he had lately risin,
and the school-mistress that pass'd on her way to school,and the friendly boys that pass'd--and the quarrelsome boys,
and the tidy and fresh-cheeked girls--and the barefoot negro boy and girl,
and all the changes of city and country wherever he went.
I will end it here as I think by now you see what I am getting at. I hope all teachers realize that every thing they say and do, everything they teach, evevy new object or idea they present to their students becomes a part of that child. Wow, what a great responsibility.
This makes me wonder. When a teacher has your child nine months of the year, five days a week, do you ever think what a great influence the teacher has on your child? And do you ever wonder why movie stars and athletes get paid millions of dollars for one performance and yet teachers, who have such a great influence on your child gets paid so little?
Just food for thought. Happy school days.
Till next timer,
Be kind to one another.
I always loved school either as a student or a teacher. Speaking of teachers, I think each one should either have typed and put on their desk or else made into a large poster and tacked on the wall, part of a poem by one of my favorite poets, Walt Whitman. It is A Child Went Forth . I will post it here before I comment on it.
There was a child went forth every day;
And every object he look'd upon, that object he became:
And that object became part of him for the day, or a certain part of
the day, or for many years, or stretching cycles of years.
The early lilies became part of this child,
and grass, and white and red morning-glories, and white and
red clover, and the song of the phoebe-bird,
and the Third -month lambs, and the sow's pink-faint litter,
and the mare's foal, and the cow's calf,
and the noisy brood of the barn-yard, or by the mire of the pond-side,
and the fish suspending themselves so curiously below there --and the
curious liquid l
And the water-plants with their graceful flat heads--all became
part of him.
The field-sprouts of Fourth-month and Fifth-month became part of him;
Winter-grain sprouts , and those of the light-yellow corn, and the
esculent roots of the garden,
and the apple-trees covered with blossoms, and the fruit afterward,
and wood-berries, and the commonest weeds by the road;
and the old drunkard staggering home from the out-house of the tavern,
whence he had lately risin,
and the school-mistress that pass'd on her way to school,and the friendly boys that pass'd--and the quarrelsome boys,
and the tidy and fresh-cheeked girls--and the barefoot negro boy and girl,
and all the changes of city and country wherever he went.
I will end it here as I think by now you see what I am getting at. I hope all teachers realize that every thing they say and do, everything they teach, evevy new object or idea they present to their students becomes a part of that child. Wow, what a great responsibility.
This makes me wonder. When a teacher has your child nine months of the year, five days a week, do you ever think what a great influence the teacher has on your child? And do you ever wonder why movie stars and athletes get paid millions of dollars for one performance and yet teachers, who have such a great influence on your child gets paid so little?
Just food for thought. Happy school days.
Till next timer,
Be kind to one another.
Friday, August 12, 2011
If You grew up in Ridgefield
When I opened my e mail yesterday my inbox registered 147 messages. What the????????? Bob Horal asked if people grew up in Ridgefield that they replied with what they remembered. I have poor eyesight, but I started reading the replies. Some very interesting. However, after about 50 of these I just ended up deleting them. Too hard to read. I hope Bob can put them all together in one article and share with us.
I did not grow up in Ridgefield, but, I taught a lot of kids who did. "These are just a few of my memories.
My husband and I came to Ridgefield in 1964, me English, and my hubby in Chemistry and Biology. At the time there were on openings for an English teacher, but I was promised the next opening. In the meantime, there was no Kindergarten in the district and they wanted me to start one at Union Ridge and Lorna Montigue at South Ridge. I had a blast and almost wished I had majored in elementary education.
Some of my kindergarten memories are, making mud pies and decorating them with colored chips used in fish boles. We learned mud pie poems and had a mud pie display in our hall display window.
When we read The Three Billy Goats Gruff, we went over to the park behind Union Ridge and did an action play of the story. There was a little wooden bridge and the kids could get under it, which made the story more real to them.
Then I went to the old Ridgefield High School on Main Street. My last three years there ended when the school was torn down. (cried over that).
I remember a young blond first year math teacher (forgot her name). The boys loved to tease her and when she was out of the room, they took all their desks and put them out the window. She came to my room and cried. Shame on you guys.
In my husbands class, a lot of kids were always saying they had to go to the rest room, so instead of giving them a hall pass, they had to carry a beaker full of yellow water down the hall to the rest room. It certainly made a difference. Ha.The gum thing on my desk. Need I say more?
John Rose never handed in book reports and I decided I was going to end that. We had a football game that night and I told him if I didn't receive a book report, he would not be able to play that evening. At the game, he came running up handed me his book report and went on to play the game. When I returned home I looked at the report. The little stinker had pulled a fast one on me. He had copied his entire report of the book flap.
And the kids could never figure out why I always cried at their graduations. They didn't realize that over nine months I had learned to love them as if their were my own kids (even the ones who skipped class etc.)_
I went to every baseball game the kids plated and one of the nicest gifts I ever received is sitting on display in my library. It is the winning baseball signed by Jim Davenport, 2nd base, Dennis Nieman, short stop, Nick Anderson, catcher, Tom Kane, right field, Dave Berry, first base, John Rose, center field, Pat Gonzales, ?, . What a special treasure.
So, even though I didn't grow up in Ridgefield, I bet I have as many great memories of that little town and any one else.
I did not grow up in Ridgefield, but, I taught a lot of kids who did. "These are just a few of my memories.
My husband and I came to Ridgefield in 1964, me English, and my hubby in Chemistry and Biology. At the time there were on openings for an English teacher, but I was promised the next opening. In the meantime, there was no Kindergarten in the district and they wanted me to start one at Union Ridge and Lorna Montigue at South Ridge. I had a blast and almost wished I had majored in elementary education.
Some of my kindergarten memories are, making mud pies and decorating them with colored chips used in fish boles. We learned mud pie poems and had a mud pie display in our hall display window.
When we read The Three Billy Goats Gruff, we went over to the park behind Union Ridge and did an action play of the story. There was a little wooden bridge and the kids could get under it, which made the story more real to them.
Then I went to the old Ridgefield High School on Main Street. My last three years there ended when the school was torn down. (cried over that).
I remember a young blond first year math teacher (forgot her name). The boys loved to tease her and when she was out of the room, they took all their desks and put them out the window. She came to my room and cried. Shame on you guys.
In my husbands class, a lot of kids were always saying they had to go to the rest room, so instead of giving them a hall pass, they had to carry a beaker full of yellow water down the hall to the rest room. It certainly made a difference. Ha.The gum thing on my desk. Need I say more?
John Rose never handed in book reports and I decided I was going to end that. We had a football game that night and I told him if I didn't receive a book report, he would not be able to play that evening. At the game, he came running up handed me his book report and went on to play the game. When I returned home I looked at the report. The little stinker had pulled a fast one on me. He had copied his entire report of the book flap.
And the kids could never figure out why I always cried at their graduations. They didn't realize that over nine months I had learned to love them as if their were my own kids (even the ones who skipped class etc.)_
I went to every baseball game the kids plated and one of the nicest gifts I ever received is sitting on display in my library. It is the winning baseball signed by Jim Davenport, 2nd base, Dennis Nieman, short stop, Nick Anderson, catcher, Tom Kane, right field, Dave Berry, first base, John Rose, center field, Pat Gonzales, ?, . What a special treasure.
So, even though I didn't grow up in Ridgefield, I bet I have as many great memories of that little town and any one else.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
What Do They Have In Common?
A few days ago someone said on Face Book, "It's Tuesday and there's nothing to do." I can't imagine never having nothing to do, but if you are one of them, here is a little article for you to solve. What do these things have in common?
Toasting marshmallows over a camp fire. Hot Fudge Sundays on a hot summer day. Cuddling a child or a loved one. Wearing a comfortable pair of old shoes. Singing your favorite songs. Dogs. Country Quilts made by hand. Taking classes in something you are really interested in. Tinkling wind chimes. Finding the first blossom in early Spring.
Well, by now you probably already know what they have in common, but here are a few more things if you are not sure. Kindergarten drawings framed and hung where all can see them. Bacon and eggs. Steel cut oatmeal topped with lots of brown sugar and a little half and half. A glass of good wine (or diet Pepsi if you prefer.) Fresh air. Watching a red and gold sunset with someone you care about and staying until it turns into deep purple. Fresh peaches, so juicy that the juice runs down your chin.
You probably all know what they have in common now. Here are just a few more reminders (there are millions.) New peas. Being silly just for the heck of it. Gardenias, fragrant and beautiful.Wearing grungy clothes. Bird songs at dawn. Fresh Baked bread with strawberry butter. Hunting for antiques.(really old things that you can make beautiful>) Lilac bushes in bloom. A kind word or note from a friend. A great book to snuggle up with (popcorn on the side.) The dove gray morning just as a flash of golden sun appears and you drink your first cup of coffee.
Enough. By now you must know that these are Blessings that can make us happy. You should make your own list of things that make you happy and post it where you can read it every day. Reminds me of the old Hymn, Count your many Blessings, see what God has done.
Until next time
Be kind to one another
Toasting marshmallows over a camp fire. Hot Fudge Sundays on a hot summer day. Cuddling a child or a loved one. Wearing a comfortable pair of old shoes. Singing your favorite songs. Dogs. Country Quilts made by hand. Taking classes in something you are really interested in. Tinkling wind chimes. Finding the first blossom in early Spring.
Well, by now you probably already know what they have in common, but here are a few more things if you are not sure. Kindergarten drawings framed and hung where all can see them. Bacon and eggs. Steel cut oatmeal topped with lots of brown sugar and a little half and half. A glass of good wine (or diet Pepsi if you prefer.) Fresh air. Watching a red and gold sunset with someone you care about and staying until it turns into deep purple. Fresh peaches, so juicy that the juice runs down your chin.
You probably all know what they have in common now. Here are just a few more reminders (there are millions.) New peas. Being silly just for the heck of it. Gardenias, fragrant and beautiful.Wearing grungy clothes. Bird songs at dawn. Fresh Baked bread with strawberry butter. Hunting for antiques.(really old things that you can make beautiful>) Lilac bushes in bloom. A kind word or note from a friend. A great book to snuggle up with (popcorn on the side.) The dove gray morning just as a flash of golden sun appears and you drink your first cup of coffee.
Enough. By now you must know that these are Blessings that can make us happy. You should make your own list of things that make you happy and post it where you can read it every day. Reminds me of the old Hymn, Count your many Blessings, see what God has done.
Until next time
Be kind to one another
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Not my Day
I think I should have staid in bed today. Nothing seems to go right.
Last night my hot water faucet in the kitchen started to run a steady stream of water. It was too late to call a plumber and I was not able to get under the sink and turn off the water so..........I am sure I will have a huge electric bill and a larger water bill. I called someone this a.m., waited a couple of hours and when he came he had to leave to get a washer. He could not stop the stream, in fact he said he had never seen this much water, he assumed I just had a leaky faucet. It was leaky all right. Any how, he did get it fixed, but the faucet is on backwards and he could not get it to go the right way. I don't care....at least it works.
Then I came in to check my e-mail. What to my wondering eyes did appear, but t two piles of vomit, Oh goodness, Oh dear. Seems Annie ate something she shouldn't have. Then I turned my head and three more lovely heaps on the floor. By the time I got through checking all the floors I found twelve little piles of poor Annie's insides. Bless her little heart, I have one sick puppy on my hands. She is so small I don't know where this all came from.
Well, other than those little problems, I have such a sore toe that it hurts to even feel my stocking on my foot.
Believe it or not, we all have our bad days and I really don't have too many so I can't complain. I just have to remember that "this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." I am and I will.
Until next time
Be kind to one another
\
Last night my hot water faucet in the kitchen started to run a steady stream of water. It was too late to call a plumber and I was not able to get under the sink and turn off the water so..........I am sure I will have a huge electric bill and a larger water bill. I called someone this a.m., waited a couple of hours and when he came he had to leave to get a washer. He could not stop the stream, in fact he said he had never seen this much water, he assumed I just had a leaky faucet. It was leaky all right. Any how, he did get it fixed, but the faucet is on backwards and he could not get it to go the right way. I don't care....at least it works.
Then I came in to check my e-mail. What to my wondering eyes did appear, but t two piles of vomit, Oh goodness, Oh dear. Seems Annie ate something she shouldn't have. Then I turned my head and three more lovely heaps on the floor. By the time I got through checking all the floors I found twelve little piles of poor Annie's insides. Bless her little heart, I have one sick puppy on my hands. She is so small I don't know where this all came from.
Well, other than those little problems, I have such a sore toe that it hurts to even feel my stocking on my foot.
Believe it or not, we all have our bad days and I really don't have too many so I can't complain. I just have to remember that "this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." I am and I will.
Until next time
Be kind to one another
\
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Interesting Day
PHASE 1
About a year ago I received an e-mail from a person named Joyce Ackley. She said she heard there was another Joyce Ackley that was a writer and she wondered if it was me. She said she lived in Florida and was also a writer. I answered and told her, yes, I am that writer. Since then we have corresponded on FB.
PHASE 2
I informed her that I was 85 and perhaps she wasn't interested in keeping up a conversation with me. She said she would love to. I at once said, "Well, I guess you are my daughter and I named you after me. She wrote back and called me Mommy. As I wrote quotations on FB each day, she would often check like, which showed up as Joyce Ackley likes this. I told her it was rather embarrassing, because people thought I was always liking my own posts. So, she added her middle initial. She now became Joyce H. Ackley. I at once wrote back and said, "Oh no, My name is H. Joyce Ackley, don't tell me your middle name is Helen." It isn't. That would have really been hilarious.
PHASE 3
I asked her for her phone number and today I received an e-mail with the number. I at once called her. What fun. I heard a lady with a sweet southern accent answer the phone and I asked if it was my little Florida daughter. From there we had about a half-hour conversation. We talked about everything from the weather, our aches and pains, our writing and men. I am so glad I finally got to meet her in person. Nice lady, nice friend, nice daughter.
Until next time
Be kind to one another
About a year ago I received an e-mail from a person named Joyce Ackley. She said she heard there was another Joyce Ackley that was a writer and she wondered if it was me. She said she lived in Florida and was also a writer. I answered and told her, yes, I am that writer. Since then we have corresponded on FB.
PHASE 2
I informed her that I was 85 and perhaps she wasn't interested in keeping up a conversation with me. She said she would love to. I at once said, "Well, I guess you are my daughter and I named you after me. She wrote back and called me Mommy. As I wrote quotations on FB each day, she would often check like, which showed up as Joyce Ackley likes this. I told her it was rather embarrassing, because people thought I was always liking my own posts. So, she added her middle initial. She now became Joyce H. Ackley. I at once wrote back and said, "Oh no, My name is H. Joyce Ackley, don't tell me your middle name is Helen." It isn't. That would have really been hilarious.
PHASE 3
I asked her for her phone number and today I received an e-mail with the number. I at once called her. What fun. I heard a lady with a sweet southern accent answer the phone and I asked if it was my little Florida daughter. From there we had about a half-hour conversation. We talked about everything from the weather, our aches and pains, our writing and men. I am so glad I finally got to meet her in person. Nice lady, nice friend, nice daughter.
Until next time
Be kind to one another
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Count your Blessings
I went to physical therapy today. Across from me in the waiting room was a woman probably in her late 30's with the most perfect legs and a pair of shoes that any woman would love to have. Beautiful heels. I haven't been able to wear heels for a few years now. All of a sudden, right in public, I had a silent pity party. Since I am a very positive person, this is very unusual for me.
As I sat there wishing I could wear heels, a good looking young man passed in front of me in a wheelchair. Wow, I thought, at least I can walk. It may be difficult for me, but I can do it.
Then an older man and a young woman sat down. I noticed that he was using sign language and I thought, what have I got to complain about. I may wear hearing aids, but I can hear. I am so blessed. I can hear the birds singing in my yard every morning and I can hear my son's voice every day when we chat, always ending with "I love you."
Finally there was a girl about l8 with her leg in a small cast and using crutches. By this time my pity party had ended. I have so much to be thankful for. I have a lot of pain, but when I look at others and think of the people in the world who are suffering, I will be like Pollyanna and play the glad game. You can always find something to be glad about if you try.
So, count your blessings as the old song says, "name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God has done"
Until next time
Be kind to one another
As I sat there wishing I could wear heels, a good looking young man passed in front of me in a wheelchair. Wow, I thought, at least I can walk. It may be difficult for me, but I can do it.
Then an older man and a young woman sat down. I noticed that he was using sign language and I thought, what have I got to complain about. I may wear hearing aids, but I can hear. I am so blessed. I can hear the birds singing in my yard every morning and I can hear my son's voice every day when we chat, always ending with "I love you."
Finally there was a girl about l8 with her leg in a small cast and using crutches. By this time my pity party had ended. I have so much to be thankful for. I have a lot of pain, but when I look at others and think of the people in the world who are suffering, I will be like Pollyanna and play the glad game. You can always find something to be glad about if you try.
So, count your blessings as the old song says, "name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God has done"
Until next time
Be kind to one another
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Remembering
It seems that the past week has been one of loss. Many friends and relatives all died, three of them in one day.
My sister-in-law, Marge, was a darling girl when I first met her. At the time I was living in Memphis, Tenn. and my husband and I drove to Portland, Oregon to meet his family. Marge was a super housekeeper and I was always afraid I might spill something on her floor, or break her beautiful china. However, she was a sweet hostess and I was very impressed with her. I have to laugh now when I think of the day she was going to take me to downtown Portland to shop. We were ready to go and she said, where are your gloves? I didn't have any and she opened a drawer filled with white gloves, picked out a pair and informed me you didn't go to town without gloves on. Those were the days.
Then there is my daughter-in-law. Her mom died the same day. I only met her mom a few times. She had Alzheimer's, was 93 years old, and was ready to go.
Then their is one of my former students (40 years ago). Darci has become almost like a daughter that I never had. Her mom also died of Alzheimer's, was 90 and was ready to go, but left a big hole in Darci's heart. She will really miss her mom.
Strange thing that all three women were in their 90's, all had Alzheimer's and all picked the same day to go. Wonder if they will meet in Heaven?
Dieing is a strange thing. I am not afraid to die, I do hope it won't be in a painful situation or a traumatic way, but I am just not in any hurry to go. Some people think when you are old your life is boring. I feel it doesn't have to be. I have so many pictures I still want to paint. So many poems to write, and so many experiences to explore before I go.
What are your feelings about death? I think you should always remember to say I love you each time you leave someone as that person may not be around later. My son and I always say I love you every time we are together or talk on the phone.
If you read my blogs I would appreciate it if you would check as a follower. I know some of you read it, but you are not listed. I just want to be sure someone is reading all my rambling. Thanks so much.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
My sister-in-law, Marge, was a darling girl when I first met her. At the time I was living in Memphis, Tenn. and my husband and I drove to Portland, Oregon to meet his family. Marge was a super housekeeper and I was always afraid I might spill something on her floor, or break her beautiful china. However, she was a sweet hostess and I was very impressed with her. I have to laugh now when I think of the day she was going to take me to downtown Portland to shop. We were ready to go and she said, where are your gloves? I didn't have any and she opened a drawer filled with white gloves, picked out a pair and informed me you didn't go to town without gloves on. Those were the days.
Then there is my daughter-in-law. Her mom died the same day. I only met her mom a few times. She had Alzheimer's, was 93 years old, and was ready to go.
Then their is one of my former students (40 years ago). Darci has become almost like a daughter that I never had. Her mom also died of Alzheimer's, was 90 and was ready to go, but left a big hole in Darci's heart. She will really miss her mom.
Strange thing that all three women were in their 90's, all had Alzheimer's and all picked the same day to go. Wonder if they will meet in Heaven?
Dieing is a strange thing. I am not afraid to die, I do hope it won't be in a painful situation or a traumatic way, but I am just not in any hurry to go. Some people think when you are old your life is boring. I feel it doesn't have to be. I have so many pictures I still want to paint. So many poems to write, and so many experiences to explore before I go.
What are your feelings about death? I think you should always remember to say I love you each time you leave someone as that person may not be around later. My son and I always say I love you every time we are together or talk on the phone.
If you read my blogs I would appreciate it if you would check as a follower. I know some of you read it, but you are not listed. I just want to be sure someone is reading all my rambling. Thanks so much.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Worry Wart
"".....do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
I have never been much of a worrier during my life. I am a very positive person and always try to find the good in things. However, as much as I know worrying is a big waste of time, I have to admit that for the past few days I have been a foolish worrier.
For about three days as I typed on my computer, there only seemed to be three letters in the words. When I looked at them with a magnifying glass they were normal words. After three days I debated calling my ophthalmologist or just figuring it was old age. Finally I thought I would call just in case he thought it might be something. He insisted I cancel a meeting I had the next day and come right in to see him. I did, and after a few tests he sent me to a Retina specialist.
After more tests they said they were going to do an angeogram so they could look into my eye. "I thought angeograms were only for the heart, I said. The Dr. informed me they also had them for the eye. They shot some dye into my system, checked a million things and leaving me with a rosy glow, informed methat I was to come in Friday. They said they would shoot a drug into my eye that was used to treat colon cancer. I left. I started to worry. I went home. Went to bed that night and you guessed it, I worried.
My niece, who had had this procedure before informed me that it wasn't bad at all. "You are so numb you don't even feel it," she said. That's all well and good, but the thought of someone poking a needle in your eye doesn't create peace of mind.
Oh yes, I forgot, the Dr. also told me that the drug could cause a heart attack or a stroke. I guess you think that made my day. Believe me, I, who am a late sleeper woke up at 3 a.m. the next morning. You think it might be nerves? worry? Just plain scared to death? Your are right. I dreaded Friday, but Friday came anyhow.
They called and asked me to come in two hours earlier. Done. Went in, sat in the waiting room for a while and then they called my name. Grudgingly I followed this cute little nurse, her ponytail flipping around like she didn't have a care in the world. They put me in another waiting room. It was full. For at least a half an hour no one spoke. Finally to break the ice I mentioned how I dreaded what was to come. Three women piped up saying oh, they had them all the time. Nothing to it. Ha, easy for them to say. They did make me feel a little better, but I could still see that old needle going into my eyeball. Oh-------------Finally another model type girl towering over me called me into "The Room." She said, "Have you had the lemon drop yet?" Lemon drop, what the heck is that, I wondered. No. She put drops in my eye, It burned a little. Then she left me sitting again. By now over three hours had passed, I was hungry, needed to use the restroom, and felt myself getting more tense by the minute.
At last this little, wavy gray haired man with a white Dr.s coat came in and told me we were ready. He said he would deaden it. He shot by my eye. I didn't feel anything. After about a minute, little cutie with the ponytail came in, rubbed iodine all over My eye and told me not to touch my face. They didn't want any germs. As if I had germs on my hands. Ha. Then the Dr. said, we are ready. But I am not deadened. Hay, don't bring that needle near me, I am not deadened. He flipped something over my eye to hold it open , moved around me and said, "That's it." That's it? Aw, come one, you didn't freeze it. My eye isn't even deadened yet.
Well, to end this long tirade, let me just say, I thought one side of my face would be numb, No. I thought I would panic when I saw the needle coming,No. In fact I never saw the needle. This was a piece of cake and here I had worried myself to pieces for nothing. I did find out< however, this was just the beginning. I will have to have any number of these shots. But.....Ha, I am not going to worry about it anymore.
Just another day in my wonderful, crazy life. I am so happy.
Until next time
Be kind to one another
I have never been much of a worrier during my life. I am a very positive person and always try to find the good in things. However, as much as I know worrying is a big waste of time, I have to admit that for the past few days I have been a foolish worrier.
For about three days as I typed on my computer, there only seemed to be three letters in the words. When I looked at them with a magnifying glass they were normal words. After three days I debated calling my ophthalmologist or just figuring it was old age. Finally I thought I would call just in case he thought it might be something. He insisted I cancel a meeting I had the next day and come right in to see him. I did, and after a few tests he sent me to a Retina specialist.
After more tests they said they were going to do an angeogram so they could look into my eye. "I thought angeograms were only for the heart, I said. The Dr. informed me they also had them for the eye. They shot some dye into my system, checked a million things and leaving me with a rosy glow, informed methat I was to come in Friday. They said they would shoot a drug into my eye that was used to treat colon cancer. I left. I started to worry. I went home. Went to bed that night and you guessed it, I worried.
My niece, who had had this procedure before informed me that it wasn't bad at all. "You are so numb you don't even feel it," she said. That's all well and good, but the thought of someone poking a needle in your eye doesn't create peace of mind.
Oh yes, I forgot, the Dr. also told me that the drug could cause a heart attack or a stroke. I guess you think that made my day. Believe me, I, who am a late sleeper woke up at 3 a.m. the next morning. You think it might be nerves? worry? Just plain scared to death? Your are right. I dreaded Friday, but Friday came anyhow.
They called and asked me to come in two hours earlier. Done. Went in, sat in the waiting room for a while and then they called my name. Grudgingly I followed this cute little nurse, her ponytail flipping around like she didn't have a care in the world. They put me in another waiting room. It was full. For at least a half an hour no one spoke. Finally to break the ice I mentioned how I dreaded what was to come. Three women piped up saying oh, they had them all the time. Nothing to it. Ha, easy for them to say. They did make me feel a little better, but I could still see that old needle going into my eyeball. Oh-------------Finally another model type girl towering over me called me into "The Room." She said, "Have you had the lemon drop yet?" Lemon drop, what the heck is that, I wondered. No. She put drops in my eye, It burned a little. Then she left me sitting again. By now over three hours had passed, I was hungry, needed to use the restroom, and felt myself getting more tense by the minute.
At last this little, wavy gray haired man with a white Dr.s coat came in and told me we were ready. He said he would deaden it. He shot by my eye. I didn't feel anything. After about a minute, little cutie with the ponytail came in, rubbed iodine all over My eye and told me not to touch my face. They didn't want any germs. As if I had germs on my hands. Ha. Then the Dr. said, we are ready. But I am not deadened. Hay, don't bring that needle near me, I am not deadened. He flipped something over my eye to hold it open , moved around me and said, "That's it." That's it? Aw, come one, you didn't freeze it. My eye isn't even deadened yet.
Well, to end this long tirade, let me just say, I thought one side of my face would be numb, No. I thought I would panic when I saw the needle coming,No. In fact I never saw the needle. This was a piece of cake and here I had worried myself to pieces for nothing. I did find out< however, this was just the beginning. I will have to have any number of these shots. But.....Ha, I am not going to worry about it anymore.
Just another day in my wonderful, crazy life. I am so happy.
Until next time
Be kind to one another
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy 4th
Hope you are all having a wonderful fourth of July. I guess the thing I love best about the fourth is Thomas Jefferson's statement in the Declaration of Independence: " We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness
When I was a child I don't think I was aware of the importance of this day. I know we did not have the same kind of fireworks we have today. I was always afraid of the booming noises.(two or three big booms). I was even afraid of firecrackers. My folks would set some off. Then the part I loved. Sparklers. Mama would light one for me and I would twirl my arms around my head and think I was really doing something. Even more, I loved cap-guns. These my friends and I would play with for a week or two. We were cowboys and Indians, gangsters etc. I loved the smell the caps created when we shot them.
Our town always had a parade and little kids got to ride their scooters or push their doll buggies down the street, proud as a peacock. I remember how angry my mother was one year. Whoever was in charge of the children's part glued crepe-paper ruffles all over my buggy. I thought it looked great. Mama saw one of the few really expensive things I owned ruined. I don't remember if she ever restored it to it's perfect state again or not.
On "the" day, we went to Lorin Farr park for a picnic. I remember the great potato-salad, the hot-dogs, pickles & olives and a big bag of potato chips. In the cooler we had orange-crush, lemon-lime, strawberry and cream soda pop. the only thing I don't remember is the desert. I know we must have had one.
Today, life is different. We can watch huge parades, unbelievable fireworks, musical celebrations and more and never leave our living rooms. TV has brought the would to us. Because I am old, this is just fine, but I wonder if the younger generation is missing something if they only stay home and watch TV?
I know many of my friends are getting together with friends and family and going to parks, or to the beach------good for them. For those who don't, please get out there and make memories for your children. Also, help them understand why we celebrate this day. I do see a lot of people celebrating out military and for that I am thankful.
Have a wonderful fourth, create great memories and be thankful we live in a country where we have a right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Until next time
Be kind to one another
When I was a child I don't think I was aware of the importance of this day. I know we did not have the same kind of fireworks we have today. I was always afraid of the booming noises.(two or three big booms). I was even afraid of firecrackers. My folks would set some off. Then the part I loved. Sparklers. Mama would light one for me and I would twirl my arms around my head and think I was really doing something. Even more, I loved cap-guns. These my friends and I would play with for a week or two. We were cowboys and Indians, gangsters etc. I loved the smell the caps created when we shot them.
Our town always had a parade and little kids got to ride their scooters or push their doll buggies down the street, proud as a peacock. I remember how angry my mother was one year. Whoever was in charge of the children's part glued crepe-paper ruffles all over my buggy. I thought it looked great. Mama saw one of the few really expensive things I owned ruined. I don't remember if she ever restored it to it's perfect state again or not.
On "the" day, we went to Lorin Farr park for a picnic. I remember the great potato-salad, the hot-dogs, pickles & olives and a big bag of potato chips. In the cooler we had orange-crush, lemon-lime, strawberry and cream soda pop. the only thing I don't remember is the desert. I know we must have had one.
Today, life is different. We can watch huge parades, unbelievable fireworks, musical celebrations and more and never leave our living rooms. TV has brought the would to us. Because I am old, this is just fine, but I wonder if the younger generation is missing something if they only stay home and watch TV?
I know many of my friends are getting together with friends and family and going to parks, or to the beach------good for them. For those who don't, please get out there and make memories for your children. Also, help them understand why we celebrate this day. I do see a lot of people celebrating out military and for that I am thankful.
Have a wonderful fourth, create great memories and be thankful we live in a country where we have a right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Until next time
Be kind to one another
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
It's All About Music
"Most of us go to our graves with our music still inside of us." Anon
I'm not sure what my music is. Is it talent, or dreams, or the way we live life?
I think many people have a talent they haven't used. Or, if they use it it is only for their own benefit. I think all talent should be used rather you sing, paint, play an instrument write or keep a clean house. My church choir comes to my house every Christmas and sings carols. I love seeing their smiling faces and great spirit as they sing, bringing happiness to me and I am sure to themselves. They are using their talent for good.
Those whose talent is dreaming, and then following up on those dreams ensures me our world is in good hands. To see the young people planning their college years or those who have graduated zipping right into getting settled, obtaining a job and exploring all the wonders the world has to offer, those people are using their music. God bless them.
My friend Geri plays a recorder and is now flirting with a dulcimer. In addition to her Madrigal singing she is certainly bringing her music to the world. What a talented lady she is. She uses her music to enhance the lives of others and receives kudos for that.
Then there is the housekeeper. The one whose house is always ready to greet a friend. It is a welcoming place, neat and clean and always ready for any occasion. Her music is being used to capacity.
But what about all the others whose music is still hidden? I know there are people who could allow their music to be exposed before their life is over. If you are one of those folks, stop and think about the talents you can share. It will not only make your life more meaningful, it will make others happy too.
Many people know they have a talent, but are so busy they are saying, when I retire, when my kids are out of school, when, when, when. Remember, "Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over."
Until next time.
Be kind to one another
I'm not sure what my music is. Is it talent, or dreams, or the way we live life?
I think many people have a talent they haven't used. Or, if they use it it is only for their own benefit. I think all talent should be used rather you sing, paint, play an instrument write or keep a clean house. My church choir comes to my house every Christmas and sings carols. I love seeing their smiling faces and great spirit as they sing, bringing happiness to me and I am sure to themselves. They are using their talent for good.
Those whose talent is dreaming, and then following up on those dreams ensures me our world is in good hands. To see the young people planning their college years or those who have graduated zipping right into getting settled, obtaining a job and exploring all the wonders the world has to offer, those people are using their music. God bless them.
My friend Geri plays a recorder and is now flirting with a dulcimer. In addition to her Madrigal singing she is certainly bringing her music to the world. What a talented lady she is. She uses her music to enhance the lives of others and receives kudos for that.
Then there is the housekeeper. The one whose house is always ready to greet a friend. It is a welcoming place, neat and clean and always ready for any occasion. Her music is being used to capacity.
But what about all the others whose music is still hidden? I know there are people who could allow their music to be exposed before their life is over. If you are one of those folks, stop and think about the talents you can share. It will not only make your life more meaningful, it will make others happy too.
Many people know they have a talent, but are so busy they are saying, when I retire, when my kids are out of school, when, when, when. Remember, "Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over."
Until next time.
Be kind to one another
Friday, June 17, 2011
What is my Purpose in Life?
When you are 85 you wonder, what purpose does God have for me? A week or two ago our pastor sent a letter to the congregation asking this very question.
He mentioned Mordecai speaking to his niece, Esther, as she was struggling with a problem of what to do in a difficult situation. He said, "Who knows? Perhaps you were born for just such a time as this!"
Pastor then posed this question to us. "What were you born for? To what is God calling us in the particular setting and life-situation in which we find ourselves." Since God promises that each of our lives has a meaning and a setting, we know He/She has placed us here for a reason.
It really makes one stop to think. What earthly purpose does God have for me at this late stage in my life? I think perhaps the main thing I can do is encourage people. Often just one little word said here or there can change a persons life. Not even realizing it sometimes, we say just the right thing to the right person at the right time. It can be a very casual remark, but it can become huge in an other's life. I have seen it happen a few times and I am convinced we need to be more aware of the needs of others.
If I can make someone smile, make someone feel better about themselves, or cause someone to find their path when they are lost, I think at this moment in time, this is where God wants me. He planted me here for a reason.
What reason are you living where you are, being with the people around you, and born in this time period? Remember, God placed you here for a purpose. Stop and consider God's purpose for you.
Until next time.
Be kind to one another
He mentioned Mordecai speaking to his niece, Esther, as she was struggling with a problem of what to do in a difficult situation. He said, "Who knows? Perhaps you were born for just such a time as this!"
Pastor then posed this question to us. "What were you born for? To what is God calling us in the particular setting and life-situation in which we find ourselves." Since God promises that each of our lives has a meaning and a setting, we know He/She has placed us here for a reason.
It really makes one stop to think. What earthly purpose does God have for me at this late stage in my life? I think perhaps the main thing I can do is encourage people. Often just one little word said here or there can change a persons life. Not even realizing it sometimes, we say just the right thing to the right person at the right time. It can be a very casual remark, but it can become huge in an other's life. I have seen it happen a few times and I am convinced we need to be more aware of the needs of others.
If I can make someone smile, make someone feel better about themselves, or cause someone to find their path when they are lost, I think at this moment in time, this is where God wants me. He planted me here for a reason.
What reason are you living where you are, being with the people around you, and born in this time period? Remember, God placed you here for a purpose. Stop and consider God's purpose for you.
Until next time.
Be kind to one another
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
I Wrinkles
"Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul." Anon.
That is the thing many people do-----they can't seem to find interest in anything as they grow older. Why? It seems to me there are so many things of interest that as one author stated, "Enjoy life, this is not a dress rehearsal."
If you are physically able there is no end to the adventures you can have every day. Go to an art museum, a library, a movie, or visit a person who is home-bound. One thing I loved to do when I walked a lot was to go where children would be playing, like a park, a playground or just a neighborhood where there were lots of kids and i would toss a penny here and there. (I saved all those pennies I got in change until I had quite a few.) There is nothing more rewarding than to see a small child find a treasure. Their interest is piqued by such small things.
I love to hear the birds singing every morning. I really don't know much about them and I think it may be one of the next things I look into. Especially their songs. I'm sure there is something about the music of these little creatures that is available.
Computers have made life interesting also. You can find out about anything in the world you are interested in. You can go to You tube and get videos of art work or music by your favorite artists. Even if you have trouble getting around, there are a million things of interest on the good old Internet.
Also, there are many programs for seniors. I attend art and writing classes, but there are also exercise classes, health programs, etc.
And of course there are books. I am an avid reader and I travel the world in the books I read sitting in the comfort of my own home. Also there are TV programs to suit just about any taste.
I am also interested in people. Making friends and learning their history is a joy. There are so many different life styles, habits and problems that each person has and I feel that often we can help each other live a happier life. I thoroughly enjoy my friends and am thankful for each and every one.
Religion can also create a place of interest. A place to find God, to worship and to find friends. Being active in even a small way can also be a source of interest and joy as we grow older (and wiser) couldn't resist that.
I can tell it is time for me to turn in for the night.
Until next time
Be Kind to One Another
That is the thing many people do-----they can't seem to find interest in anything as they grow older. Why? It seems to me there are so many things of interest that as one author stated, "Enjoy life, this is not a dress rehearsal."
If you are physically able there is no end to the adventures you can have every day. Go to an art museum, a library, a movie, or visit a person who is home-bound. One thing I loved to do when I walked a lot was to go where children would be playing, like a park, a playground or just a neighborhood where there were lots of kids and i would toss a penny here and there. (I saved all those pennies I got in change until I had quite a few.) There is nothing more rewarding than to see a small child find a treasure. Their interest is piqued by such small things.
I love to hear the birds singing every morning. I really don't know much about them and I think it may be one of the next things I look into. Especially their songs. I'm sure there is something about the music of these little creatures that is available.
Computers have made life interesting also. You can find out about anything in the world you are interested in. You can go to You tube and get videos of art work or music by your favorite artists. Even if you have trouble getting around, there are a million things of interest on the good old Internet.
Also, there are many programs for seniors. I attend art and writing classes, but there are also exercise classes, health programs, etc.
And of course there are books. I am an avid reader and I travel the world in the books I read sitting in the comfort of my own home. Also there are TV programs to suit just about any taste.
I am also interested in people. Making friends and learning their history is a joy. There are so many different life styles, habits and problems that each person has and I feel that often we can help each other live a happier life. I thoroughly enjoy my friends and am thankful for each and every one.
Religion can also create a place of interest. A place to find God, to worship and to find friends. Being active in even a small way can also be a source of interest and joy as we grow older (and wiser) couldn't resist that.
I can tell it is time for me to turn in for the night.
Until next time
Be Kind to One Another
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Annie
My little dog Annie is on my bad dog list.
This a.m. I woke up and the sun was shining, the birds were singing and all was right with my world. Had breakfast, read the paper took a bath and got ready for church. Fifteen minutes before it was time to leave I took Annie out to do her duty. Out of the blue she slipped out of her leash and took off like a bat out of you know where.
Since I am unable to chase after her I just stood and hollered which meant nothing in the world to her. My nice neighbor came out and he hunted for her. The time was now five minutes late for church. Then, PTL he caught her. I slipped on her leash and she made one wild leap and off came her leash again.
My neighbor had to leave and I was now 15 minutes late for church. If I could get her I would even go late as I really wanted to be there. We were going to recognize all the graduates today and those kids are so great.
Now one-half hour late. Annie is in the front yard and as I go out to get her she takes off again. She can be completely out of sight in the blink of an eye.
Forty-five minutes late, no way will I make it now. Finally I just sit and wait and just as it is time for church to be over, Annie is at the door and wants to come in. Grrr, she doesn't know how lucky she is that I love her as at this moment I could kill her. Of course she immediately wanted to be loved. It is her own fault, but she got no loving from me. It may take me an hour or two before I will be hugging her and telling her how much I love her.
Thank goodness God knows why I wasn't at church today, I don't even have to explain.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
This a.m. I woke up and the sun was shining, the birds were singing and all was right with my world. Had breakfast, read the paper took a bath and got ready for church. Fifteen minutes before it was time to leave I took Annie out to do her duty. Out of the blue she slipped out of her leash and took off like a bat out of you know where.
Since I am unable to chase after her I just stood and hollered which meant nothing in the world to her. My nice neighbor came out and he hunted for her. The time was now five minutes late for church. Then, PTL he caught her. I slipped on her leash and she made one wild leap and off came her leash again.
My neighbor had to leave and I was now 15 minutes late for church. If I could get her I would even go late as I really wanted to be there. We were going to recognize all the graduates today and those kids are so great.
Now one-half hour late. Annie is in the front yard and as I go out to get her she takes off again. She can be completely out of sight in the blink of an eye.
Forty-five minutes late, no way will I make it now. Finally I just sit and wait and just as it is time for church to be over, Annie is at the door and wants to come in. Grrr, she doesn't know how lucky she is that I love her as at this moment I could kill her. Of course she immediately wanted to be loved. It is her own fault, but she got no loving from me. It may take me an hour or two before I will be hugging her and telling her how much I love her.
Thank goodness God knows why I wasn't at church today, I don't even have to explain.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Friday, June 10, 2011
Pain Continued
I really didn't plan on talking any more about being feeble and having pain, but Erna commented that her back hurt and her legs are giving her trouble. I didn't mean that no one gets pain when they get old. All of us get some and some of us get a lot, however isn't it that way all through life?
When I had my periods I went from really bad cramps to unbelievable bleeding. That didn't mean that every girl was going to dread having a period because she would have those problems. I am sure there were some that shared my monthly joys, but there were probably a lot more that had perfectly normal periods. I think it is that way at any stage of life. Some people just have more problems than others.
I also wanted to stress that many people cause their own problems, like me who doesn't lose weight and doesn't exercise. I am sure there are a lot of those folks around too.
I believe that you control your attitude or it controls you. I try to keep a positive one even though it is sometimes difficult. There is just to much good in life to ignore it. And I am thankful that God has given me the time to keep finding all the wonders he has created.
Until next time
Be kind to one another
When I had my periods I went from really bad cramps to unbelievable bleeding. That didn't mean that every girl was going to dread having a period because she would have those problems. I am sure there were some that shared my monthly joys, but there were probably a lot more that had perfectly normal periods. I think it is that way at any stage of life. Some people just have more problems than others.
I also wanted to stress that many people cause their own problems, like me who doesn't lose weight and doesn't exercise. I am sure there are a lot of those folks around too.
I believe that you control your attitude or it controls you. I try to keep a positive one even though it is sometimes difficult. There is just to much good in life to ignore it. And I am thankful that God has given me the time to keep finding all the wonders he has created.
Until next time
Be kind to one another
Thursday, June 9, 2011
What's so Bad About Getting Old?
I have heard more reasons why people don't want to get old. The only one I think is bad is that you have less time to live and I really think beneath all the reasons people give, this is still basically the main reason they fear age.
One of the most common reasons I hear is that they don't want to become feeble. Well, let's face it, naturally like everything else, things do wear out, however, many of people's ailments are their own fault. I am a perfect example.
I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis and many other little ills. The problem isn't age, most of it is how I take care of myself. I am about 60 lbs. overweight. I can't walk very well because of this, I don't eat the right things, (I always intend to) and I sit too much (and I know better.) Just writing this convinces I need to change my habits or I won't be around to enjoy all the wonders of life.
Other reasons I have heard for not wanting to age is because of the wrinkles and the shifting of bodily parts. I think too much pressure is placed on people from the day they are born. You can now see little kids that decide what will be watched on TV, what clothes they wear and as they get older, how to look forever young. I always felt wrinkles just showed how long someone had lived. And good wrinkles often reflect the many smiles someone has given.
Why do people want to spend loads of money and tons of time getting made over to look young. Why not let God decide how you should look. If you are taking care of yourself as far as what you eat and how much you exercise, go ahead and be yourself. Your looks aren't what people love about you any way, it is the inner beauty that counts in the long run.
Will talk more about being old soon, but for now I need to cook dinner, play with Annie and read some more on my book for book club, which meets Sunday afternoon.
Until later
One of the most common reasons I hear is that they don't want to become feeble. Well, let's face it, naturally like everything else, things do wear out, however, many of people's ailments are their own fault. I am a perfect example.
I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis and many other little ills. The problem isn't age, most of it is how I take care of myself. I am about 60 lbs. overweight. I can't walk very well because of this, I don't eat the right things, (I always intend to) and I sit too much (and I know better.) Just writing this convinces I need to change my habits or I won't be around to enjoy all the wonders of life.
Other reasons I have heard for not wanting to age is because of the wrinkles and the shifting of bodily parts. I think too much pressure is placed on people from the day they are born. You can now see little kids that decide what will be watched on TV, what clothes they wear and as they get older, how to look forever young. I always felt wrinkles just showed how long someone had lived. And good wrinkles often reflect the many smiles someone has given.
Why do people want to spend loads of money and tons of time getting made over to look young. Why not let God decide how you should look. If you are taking care of yourself as far as what you eat and how much you exercise, go ahead and be yourself. Your looks aren't what people love about you any way, it is the inner beauty that counts in the long run.
Will talk more about being old soon, but for now I need to cook dinner, play with Annie and read some more on my book for book club, which meets Sunday afternoon.
Until later
- Be kind to one another
Monday, June 6, 2011
Book Writing
Almost all my life I have wanted to write a novel. Over the years I have started any number of them. They all ended up in the trash. I finally decided I just couldn't write. Then one day a friend of my was telling me about her mother, who lived in a trailer court. She said she wanted to move because all the people that lived there were just sitting around in heaven's waiting room waiting to die. They found nothing to do, nothing to make them happy.
Wow----Now I had something to write about. Not a novel, but a group of essays about things they could do. After each essay I put a list of things for them to try. I was 83 years old at the time and I knew if I sent it to a publisher I would get one rejection after another---I think in most cases that is par for the course. So, I saved up my money and published it myself. I would be dead before I could find a publisher who was interested in my topic. So, my first book is titled, Get Out of Heaven's Waiting Room.
Since I like to write simple poetry, I felt brave after the first book, so I published my second. I called it The House of Memories and Other Poems.
My great-grandfather built a house in Ogden, Utah probably in the late 1800's.Five generations of us have lived in that house and it holds some of my best memories. It has been years since I have gone back there so I asked my cousin If she would take a picture of the house for me. I really cried when she let me know that the house had been torn down. I designed the cover of my book by doing a colored pencil drawing of the house. I wasn't too happy with the publishing job, however it would be too spendy to change it and I don't plan to write any more books. (not until some other idea comes to mind.)
Although you can purchase my books through Xulon press, I would rather have you purchase them from me if you want them. They are $15.00 and I would only charge you $2.00 shipping charges.
My address is: Joyce Ackley
895 N.E. 130th Ct.
Vancouver, WA 98684
I hope some of you will respond with stories of your own. Love to hear from you.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Wow----Now I had something to write about. Not a novel, but a group of essays about things they could do. After each essay I put a list of things for them to try. I was 83 years old at the time and I knew if I sent it to a publisher I would get one rejection after another---I think in most cases that is par for the course. So, I saved up my money and published it myself. I would be dead before I could find a publisher who was interested in my topic. So, my first book is titled, Get Out of Heaven's Waiting Room.
Since I like to write simple poetry, I felt brave after the first book, so I published my second. I called it The House of Memories and Other Poems.
My great-grandfather built a house in Ogden, Utah probably in the late 1800's.Five generations of us have lived in that house and it holds some of my best memories. It has been years since I have gone back there so I asked my cousin If she would take a picture of the house for me. I really cried when she let me know that the house had been torn down. I designed the cover of my book by doing a colored pencil drawing of the house. I wasn't too happy with the publishing job, however it would be too spendy to change it and I don't plan to write any more books. (not until some other idea comes to mind.)
Although you can purchase my books through Xulon press, I would rather have you purchase them from me if you want them. They are $15.00 and I would only charge you $2.00 shipping charges.
My address is: Joyce Ackley
895 N.E. 130th Ct.
Vancouver, WA 98684
I hope some of you will respond with stories of your own. Love to hear from you.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Welcome
When I was a young girl I remember the book Life Begins at 40 was published. I thought, how could anyone write that. When you were 40 you were old and there wasn't much you could do. Today, at 85 I guess I just want to talk about what life at my age is really like--it may not seem great to a young person, but I hope it will encourage you to realize there is still a lot of joy in life, no matter how old you get. You may have aches and pains, but that doesn't mean life is over. Unless you have a serious health problem, life can be pretty great.
I love to read. I belong to a book club that meets once a month. I read things I would never have chosen and usually find that the books are great and I have learned a lot.
I am an amature watercolor painter. I also do a lot with colored pencil, which is my favorite. I have won a couple of ribbons in art shows, but I am not really competent enough to compete with professional artists. Basically I do it for my own amusement.
I love to write poetry. I have published two books and I will talk about them a little in my next blog.
I've done a load of laundry today, made a few phone calls,and taken care of my little dog Annie.
Until next time
Be Kind to One Another
I love to read. I belong to a book club that meets once a month. I read things I would never have chosen and usually find that the books are great and I have learned a lot.
I am an amature watercolor painter. I also do a lot with colored pencil, which is my favorite. I have won a couple of ribbons in art shows, but I am not really competent enough to compete with professional artists. Basically I do it for my own amusement.
I love to write poetry. I have published two books and I will talk about them a little in my next blog.
I've done a load of laundry today, made a few phone calls,and taken care of my little dog Annie.
Until next time
Be Kind to One Another
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