March Madness???? (InMore Ways Than 1)

Hello, sports fans….sorry I haven’t written in a while.  I have certainly missed it.  but that little thing called ‘life’ has been intruding into my fantasy world of writing, and I haven’t had the chance for a while.  So, here I am.

I have been watching a lot of round ball the past few days, and seeing all the teams playing so well makes me anxious for the NCAA.  But, a few things have happened in the past few days that seem to reallybring itall into perspective.

Have you ever watched a fan get overly angry when their team is playing badly? (Or live with one who does?)  It is kind of comical in a way.  And, yes, I have done it myself. (And, no, yelling at the refs on tv from your living room does NOT make them hear you…no matter HOW loudly you scream.)

But, today, I woke up to the news that Japan had been hit by a devastating earthquake, and then a tsunami.  And that made basketball tournaments somehow just, inconsequential.  the devistation and loss of life those poor people are dealing with makes me ashamed that I got upset over a stupid game.  How petty and selfish.

My daughter has a friend from college who lives in Japan, in Tokoyo.  We have tried to get in touch with her in the ways that we have to contact her.  So far, we have had no word.  I am praying that she is safe.  And I am sure that there are many people in this country who are in the same boat as we are.  Scared and hoping for any good news.

I cannot imagine how it must be to look up and see a literal wall of water coming at you, at a heighth of 25-30 feet.   And to know that there is no place to run to for safety, at least no place that you can get to in 15 minutes.  That is all the warning that many of those folk got….15 minutes.  Isn’t much, is it?

I pray that those who are hurting are comforted by God through this ordeal, and that many more can be found alive, although I know that there will be many more found dead than alive.  I can’t begin to know what they are feeling, or going through.  And to be honest with you, I don’t want to feel something like that first hand.  It is horrible enough to watch it on tv.

I said all of that to get to this point…..we are all getting so caught up in getting to the next level, or getting the newest smart phone, or Ipad, or whatever, that we have forgotten that all of that stuff is just that…..stuff.  It is people who are important, and the way we treat each other and help each other, that counts.  Jesus said that when we help our brother who is in need, we are, in fact, helping Him.  Whether it be across town, or across the world, I know that there are people all around us who need help at some time.    And we should help out whenever we can.

I know that I can do a better job of helping my fellow-man.  If not with money, or material things, I can at least offer a smile, a hand of friendship, and prayer.  Sometimes that is enough.  So, I am challenging anyone who reads this to do the same.  Try to do little things to make a difference.  I know it will make a difference in YOU.

Valentine’s Day and Charlie Brown

For as long as I can remember, which is a pretty good while, Valentine’s Day has always meant candy, flowers, parties, and of course, that card from that ‘special’ person.  As early as grade school, kids learn that life can be cruel.  (Case in point…poor old Charlie Brown, still trying to get the little red-haired girl to notice him..)

Valentines Day is known as the day of love.  Well, since when can you only show you love someone one day a year?  Who made THAT a rule?  If I were to only show those closest to me that I love them on Valentine’s day, what do I do for the rest of the year? 

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a person who shows my feelings in many ways, and that I tend to share them with those who matter.  Well, that would include everyone.  Everyone matters.  No, I am not going to go up to some stranger and hug  them.  But, I can smile at them. Or nod my head, or just acknowledge that they are there.   Sometimes that can make a difference, bigger than you will ever know.

My job requires me to interact with the public every day.  I always try to treat them the way I would want to be treated in that situation.   That is really all that we can ask for, isn’t it?

With my own family, I try to tell them or show them that I love them some way every day.  Not just one day a year.  And when they do something for me,that lets   that they care, too.  Not  just on February 14.

Maybe if we were to all act like that, more than one day a year, if might even rub off on the little red-haired girl….ah, hope springs eternal, even for Charlie Brown!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Mid Winter Thoughts and Other Things

Well here we are, in the middle of winter.  And, surprisingly, this year, we have actually HAD a winter, as far as snow and cold goes.  No big snows, (big meaning over 6 inches  at one time.)  but we have definitely had more snow this year than in the past few, for sure.  We usually get nuiesence snows here and rarely more than 4 inches at one time.  But, this year, its been different.  We have had  the 4 inches a couple of times, and plenty of cold weather to go with them.  Our last one stayed on for well over a week! (And THAT, around here at least, is a REAL rarity!)

I know that snow makes it tough on families, especially when we get a big snow.  there are children to be dealt with who are not in school, and there are work schedules that sometimes have to be juggled due to poor driving conditions.  And of course, the infamous milk and bread runs we all seem to make.

I have often wondered if things like that put the kabash on us getting a big snow.  (No, I am not superstitious, just having a little fun.)  It seems like every time we have a chance for a BIG snow here in Kentucky, we wind up getting the back edge, or a very cold rain instead.  But that is not how it used to be.  We have had winters when we have had big snow after big snow.

I now that those that believe in global warming will blame the weather changes on that very thing, although there is no evidence to support it.  That’s okay.  I guess they need to believe in something.  I, on the other hand, believe that the weather, like clothing trends, tends to have its cycles. (Hey why not?  Bell sleeved shirts and platform shoes came back, didn’t they?)  We have been in a cycle that is in progress of changing now.  Who knows, we might just get that big snow this winter, or maybe next..  One thing is for sure….at some point, it WILL come.  Have faith.  And when it does, make sure to take pictures to show your own children and grandchildren someday, when we are in the next cycle of warmer than normal winters, and little -to- none snow.   Just to prove that we DID get the BIG one.

Have faith, snow lovers….our day will come!

Another One Bites the Dust…

Well here we are, on the verge of saying goodbye to another year, and hello to a brand spanking new one….and at this time of year, we always take a look back at the year just passed, and hold those memories dear one more time before turning to look at the year ahead. I would like to share with you some of the more memorable moments of 2010 for me and y family….

In January, my mother in law was to have open heart surgery to replace a leaky valve.  At 1 AM of the morning she ws to have surgery, she suffered a severe stroke, and we nearly lost her.  In fact, we thought we had lost her.  She was paralyzed on her right side, and could not speak.  We got the prayer chain working, and, by that evening, she had regained some use of her right side.  But the trouble wasn’t over….she developed a blood clot in one of her lungs, and so wentback to ICU.  Once again, it ws touch and go, but, God was looking after her and within about a week, she was released to come home and recouperate.

In March, her Dr okayed her heart surgery, and we went back to Lexington for that.  She came through with flying colors, and did very well.  After another week in the hospital, she came home.  Now, at the end of the year, unless you know what shehas been through you would never know of what she has faced and conquered this year.  I failed to mention that she is nearing 80, and is in excellent health for a woman of her age.  Both of her doctors were amazed at her progress andgave her a clean bill of health.

Springtime brought flooding rain to our area, and our sewer backed up in the house.  In the same week, my husband had a kidney stone attack that landed him in the hospital for four days.  And a return trip in three more weeks to have them surgically busted up and removed.  While all of this was going on, the rain came, and ruined a bathroom floor, a bedroom floor, and a hallway of new laminate flooring we had installed ourselves.   What a mess!  But, we made it through that, and with some help from our city and FEMA, we were abr to gt new flooring done in the bathroom, the bedroom, and, the entire laminate floor in the house had to be replaced, as it could not be matched…

In July, our oldest daughter got engaged to a very good young man.  We love him, and are glad to be welcoming him into the family.  The dilema here was picking a weding date, as they both work for a college–she, as anadmissions counsellor, and he, as an assistant football coach.  So, the window of opportunity was small.  They finally settled on a date in June,making is kind of funny to me that our anniversary, and our other daughter’s anniversaryare also in June. (Guess that way, we won’t forget them, huh?)

I forgot to mention that in January, my husbands company was having difficulties due to the poor economy, and in order to not lay off anyone, he, and his bosses all took a pay cut.  So, we have struggled to make ends meet all year long.  It has been a real challenge.

The rest of the year has been fairly uneventful, compared to the first half.  And I am thankful for that.  I also remember that we have welcomed two new babies into our extended family…our daughter’s sister in law has a beautiful baby boy, and my older daughters former college roomie gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, just a couple of days ago.  We are all well and healthy, and God has blessed us in ways too numerous to mention, ecept to thank Him for what He has done for us this past year.

Looking forward to a new year is always an exciting time, and I always set goals for myself.  I do not do resolutions, because they are meaningless to me…just words.  But, if I set a goal,  I tend to work out a plan to achieve it, and stick to it until I have done so.  And the upcoming new year, now just a couple of hours away, is no different.  I have set some goals for myself as a person, and thigs I wish to accomplish as far as my life is concerned.   These are private, and I will not bore you with then or with the details.  but I have found that goal setting works for me.

Now, as we are about to welcome 2011, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one who has bothered to read or comment on my blogs.  Whether you agreed with me or not, I am glad that you took the time to read the, and to comment on them.  I also want to wish each and every one a very Happy and prosperous New Year.  As is my custom, I will leave you with one thought for the coming year……

Each day is like a blank page…..take time to write something GOOD on each and every one of them! 

Happy New Year!

The Holidays Are Nearly Here…..Again

Was channel surfing last night, looking for something to watch, and came across a channel with a little icon in the corner reminding me that it was only 19 days until Thanksgiving….19 until Thanksgiving…….already……it was just Memorial Day last week wasn’t it?  Sure seems like it was….

I have always heard that the older you get, the faster time goes….I don’t know if that is true or not, because I am not, nor will I ever be old…..but, I DO know that time sure does seem to fly!  Doesn’t seem any faster as you are going through the days, but, that little icon on the screen sure did jar me awake!  Sure doesn’t seem like Thanksgiving should be THAT close to getting here…..and that means the Christmas season is right on our heels….(no, I am NOT finished shopping yet, but, I HAVE started.)

I don’t mind the holiday season, but it seems to start earlier and earlier every year…ever notice that?  I saw Christmas ornaments advertised in July in a magazine, and the day after election day, I heard the first Christmas music on a commercial on tv.  (And to think, Halloween was just last Sunday….not even a whole week ago.)  We seem to skip right over Thanksgiving for the most part.  I know, I know….its different.  But, it seems to me that if we all spent a little more time contemplating on it, it might make our holiday season a little less hectic, and a LOT more meaningful. 

I mean, look at what you have, and what your kids have….do they REALLY need a new PS3, when the PS2 they got last year works just fine?  Is it really necessary to go out and buy the latest phone because it is the “IN” thing?  (Does your old one work good still?  Well, then you already know how to work it, why have to learn a new one right now?)

I am just saying, if we were all more thankful for the things we already have, we might not be so eager to spend that hard earned cash on the ‘newest’ gadget, and could spend it, instead, on something more useful.  Like, maybe giving a donation to a food pantry, or a group that distributes food to families who are having a tougher time that you are.  Every time I think about how bad things are for us right now,( and things are pretty tight), I can still look around and see people who are having a

lot rougher time than we are. 

With the economy as slow as it is, I am really thankful to have a steady job.  Hopefully, things will get better soon, and that will help a lot of people, including my own family.  I have done a lot of thinking about Christmas and gifts, and such.  I think I am going to try to give things that my family needs this year more than just things they “want.”  And I may even make a few gifts.  I enjoy doing that, anyway. 

Oh well, I guess that is enough speculating for now….but please, think about that as we draw closer to the holiday season.  Who knows, it might even make your own holiday season more enjoyable.

A Simpler Time…Ah, For The Good Old Days

I got an email today that was about simpler times.  Made me  remember a lot of things about growing up that I had forgotten.  So, I took the opportunity to do just that…remember.

I can remember when I was a kid, many a summer night was spent sitting on the front porch, in the swing, listening to the night sounds, and catching lightning bugs and putting them in a jar with holes in the lid for air.  We had weinee roasts in the backyard, and burned many a marshmellow on a stick over the open fire.

I remember the way the air smelled when a storm was brewing, and the way Mom would herd us all into a room in the house or in teh basement, if it was warranted, when a bad one came up.  But I also remember the clean, fresh smell after it had passed.  The grass seemed greener, and the leaves brighter.

We lived out of town about a mile, and on a dirt road.  Like most of our neighbors, we had a pretty good sized garden, and we ate out of it all summer, and most of the winter.  Mom would pick blackberries from a big patch we had, and make jelly, and can the juice and berries for later use. 

We used to make our own fun.  I remember Dad bringing home a big appliance box which we cust windows and doors out of, and made a play house.  It lasted for a coule of weeks, and then, it was gone.  We rode oru bikes up and down a dirt road in front of the hosue, and along the wall that ran just in front of our house.  We had a fort in a small wooded area halfway between our house and the neighbor’s house.  We had a regular maze in there, and spent many hot summer days playing under the shade of pines and oak trees.

One of the things I remember best is lying in bed at night, listening to the tree frogs, and teh crickets as they sang their night songs, against the sound of the big exhaust fan Dad had made to set in the upstairs window and pull cool air into the hosue on steamy summer nights.  I really hated it when we unplugged it for the night, as the noise always helped lull me to sleep. 

We used to take chalk and draw a hopscotch pattern on the breezeway.  My sisters and I would play that, and tag with some of our neighborhood kids.  We never worried about leaving our bikes on the porch at night, or having to worry about someone coming in the door.  We did not need alarm systems, and dead bolt locks on the doors.  We knew all of our neighbors, and they knew who we were.  It ws not uncommon for us to knock on one of their doors when out playing, to ask for a drink of water.

We listened to the radio sometimes, and had a record player and a stack of 45s.   We often pretended to be characters from our favorite shows…Bonanza immediately comes to mind.  And we were all a ga ga over the Fab Four  (the Beatles, to those of you who are under 45).  We didn’t have tv for a long time, anad when we did get it, we only got two channels…antenna powered.  We played games, and Mom would hollar at us when it was time to come in at night. 

I love the modern conveniences that we have today, but, I have to admit…..sometimes they can be a pain in the rear, too.  Kids and even young adults today have really been cheated.  They have grown up with this stuff, and were cheated out on a bunch of wonderful memories.  Memories of a simpler life; a simpler time.  I feel sorry for them, because they missed out on a lot of important things.  I have tried to teach my own daughters, who are now grown, about simple joys, and simple things.  We were poor when I was growing up, but, we didn’t know it, because everybody was poor.  So, no one thought anything about it.  My own girls experienced that to an extent, as we are a simple, working family.  But I think it helped them to appreciate the things they DID have, and maybe understand our generation a little better.

I really hope they get a chance to share simple joys with their own kids someday….I know their ‘simple’ things will be different to mine, but, hopefully, they will retain some of what my husband and I have strived to give them…..the true enjoyment of just sitting and listening to   the tree frogs, and the crickets, and the not-too-distant train whistle……

I’m a Softie, I Guess…..

Haven’t written for a while….been very busy with work, and a few other things.  One of those things is what I am writing about today.

A little over a month ago, we had a small white cat come to our house, and she was so skinny, you could see her ribs.  She was starving.  We petted her a couple of times, and then, one night, we poured some drippings from a crock pot into the storm ditch out back.  My heart broke when I saw her out there licking the drippings off the rocks.  So, we went and bought her some food, and started feeding her.

Now, let me interject here that I grew up with both cats and dogs, and loved them both.  But since reaching adulthood, our only pets have been dogs.  But, this little cat kind of grows on you.  So we nicknamed her Elmo, (as we thought she was a he at that time.)  She started eating regularly, and began to gain a little weight, but not much.

A couple of weeks after that, ‘he’ came into the garage and laid down under a ladder we have by the itchen door.  He didn’t move all evening, but allowed us to pet him, and such.  About 10 o clock, my husband and I were out in the garage, and he decided to go take a shower.  I told him I would get Elmo out of the garage.  So, I went out to pich him up and discovered that “he” had had three kittens, out there under that ladder.  One was still born, and ws a little bitty black and orange kitten.  the other two were snow white, like their mother.  So, began the adventure of “Ellie” and her kitties….

We watched them daily, and saw them growing.  Even the runt was showing some signs of growing and starting to come on.  Last week, we came home to find that she had moved them, over under a bread rack we have in the garage.  She kept them there for a couple of days, and then, moved them back under the ladder.  We didn’t bother them, but to change old towels that we had put out there to meks her and them more comfortable.  After that, we plugged up every place in the garage where seh could have moved them to that were not safe, or extremely dirty.

Last Wednesday, three weeks after they had been born, we came home to find that the runt had died, sometime during the day.  My husband got gloves, and gently picked up the tiny little baby and took him out to dispose of him.  That left her with one.  The little fat one we have nicknamed “Snowball” as that is just what he looks like; a little fuzzy snowball.

Snowball started wondering inside their little “home” and Saturday, he finally came out and took a few faltering steps on  the garage floor.  We took pictures, and gently put him back.  Momma was right there, watching over her little baby, and only leaving for a few minutes at a time, to eat and go out and stretch her legs.  He kept finding ways to get out, and we had to do a little maneuvering to keep him in the area.

this morning, when we went to work, he was out there mewing, and Momma was feeding him.  My daughter and her husband left for a short trip, and he was mewing, and Momma was bathing him.  But when I got home, there was no mewing, but, instead, a little cold body laying on its side on the towel, while Momma tried to lick him, as if to try and get him to open his little eyes.  I knew he was gone when I saw him, but didn’t want to believe it.  I let our pups out, and went over and gently touched hislittle body.  He was not still, but he was cold.

My husband got a ride home with another co-worker, and they pulled up in the driveway.  I walked out and he looked at my face and asked mw what was wrong.  I told him that snowball was dead, and burst into tears.  While we did not plan to keep either cat, it had been so interesting to watch them grow, and start getting their fur, and with Snowball, hsi little feet under him.  the plan has been all along to take them to the Humane Society, and allow them to be adopted out, hopefully, as a family.  Sadly, that was not to be.  Momma has laid over there by the bed for most of the evening, and has searched the garage.  I know she is wondering where her baby is.

We still plan to take Ellie to the Humane Society.  She has been abandoned, and has been the neighborhood cat.  Now, she is part of our family, if only temporarily.  She is a very loving cat, and I know whe will make someone a good pet.  I don’t want to keep her, because my brother is very allergic to cats, and only found this out a few years after moving out from home. (that explains a LOT about his contiunally full head, and stuffy nose….)

I bawled like a baby this afternoon, over a three and a half week old kitten that I didn’t plan to keep.  But still, it was a little life that I was privileged to share in for a short time…But I am not ashamed of it.  Because that is part of who I am.     So, if that makes me a softie, so be it.  I wouldn’t want to be any other way.

It is Here Again….Another September 11th

Tomorrow is the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks against the United States.  I am still as angry today as I was the morning it happened,  and the wound is still very raw.  No, I didn’t have anyone lost in the twin towers that I knew personally, but I DID know that there were many many Americans, fellow citizens, who lost their lives that day, and I feel that loss.  Sadly, I also think that there are many people who want to forget that it happened, and even more that want to pretend that it didn’t.  They remind me of the ostrich, with their heads buried in the sand.

One cannot be an American and not feel some sort of emotion regarding this event.  For me, it is a very personal thing.  MY country was savagely attacked, unprovoked, by people who hate me and everyone else in this country simply because we ARE Americans.  They don’t like us.  In fact, their Koran, or holy book, or whatever they want to call it is full of references to how muslims should treat their enemies….they are to kill and destroy us. Christians cannot be friends, they are automatically infidels, because we believe differently than they do.  Infidels are to be killed, or beat into submission…..simply because we do not agree.  How sad.

Right now, there is a very heated debate going on about whether it is proper to build a mosque very near to Ground Zero in NYC.  I vote NO, in very LOUD LETTERS.  This is an insult to the people of the United States, and should have never been even thought of.  It’s an even bigger insult to those who lost loved ones in that attack.  I don’t understand why it is even being considered. That area is sacred ground, and putting a mosque there would simply rub salt in an already raw wound.  The very idea of doing such a thing simply shows me that those people do NOT want to co-exist.  They want to rule.  And they would consider it a victory.  To them, it would be.  Yet, we must not protest it, as we might “OFFEND” them.  Well, I am over that.  I am sick and tired of being told that it is okay if I am offended, but that I must NOT offend someone who wants nothing more thanto see this nation destroyed.  I LOVE this country, and I can tell you that we will not go down without a fight.  If that offends you, then, its YOUR problem.

Just like their Imam, or whatever they call them….did anyone  other than myself get the distinct idea from his interview that he was delivering some very thinly veiled threats against this country if it were not allowed to be built in that spot?  Yes, they have the right to worship as they see fit, but there are already over 100 other mosques in the area.   So, why is it so important that this one be built in this spot?  

We, as a nation, have been called upon many times to stand up and defeat tyranny, first from our ancestors in England, and then from the Nazi’s, and even the Japanese.  We fought those wars and won them.  And their was pride in thsi country, and what she stands for.  But now, we are to believe that we must cowtow to a bunch of fanatics because if we don’t. they will attack us again?

I would remind them of what Adm. Horihito said after the attack on Pearl Harbor….I fear all that we have done is awaken a sleeping giant……..and God is on OUR side, if we allow HIM to be.

I read somewhere today and idea of how to put an end to the controversy….a gentleman suggested that IF the mosque is to be an interfaith outreach, then, lets put a synagogue onone floor of it, and a Christian church on another floor of it, and then lets all go out into the parking lot and have a great big PIG roast….just one big happy family.

So, tomorrow, I will remember waht happened 9 years ago, and I will stop and have my own moments of silence at certain times, in remembrance of those whose lives were cut short, simply because they were Americans.  I will fly my flags proudly, and I will say a prayer for all the families who will once again be feeling that pain of loss, as fresh as if it were just yesterday.  For me, it will be a day of sadness, not only for the losses, but for the nation that seems to have forgotten what we stand for.  And THAT is the saddest thing of all…..

NEVER FORGET……………..

It’s September….so It MUST Be Time For Football!

Ah….September.  The long Labor Day weekend, and the ‘unofficial’ end to summer….(although there are about three weeks to go yet…).  Kids are back in school,  and there are some who have already finished their Christmas shopping…..or most of it!  And……it’s college football season!

Things may change, and even go haywire, but thisis one certainty that you can count on!  with the endof thesummer season comes the beginning of college (and pro) football season!  And I love it!  This year even more, as my future on in law is the offensive coordinator for a small NAIA school, and they are a new program, building from the ground up.  The first game is Saturday, and of course, we will be there!  

For all you fans out there, go out and take a deep breath, and smile your biggest smile.  Because it’s Labor Day weekend…..and the College football season starts tomorrow night!  enjoy!

True Colors Are Showing…and They’re NOT Red, White and Blue

I just read an article on line that made my bolld boil.  This weekend, we celebrate Memroial Day.  (You know, the ‘unofficil’ start of summer, and that extra day off making  it a three day weekend.)  But, the IMPORTANCE of Memorial Day seems to have been forgotten…at least to our President.

It seems that the President wants to go on’vacation’ this weekend, rather than contiuning the age old tradition of laying a wreath at the tomb of the Unknowns.  This is a ceremony that has been going on for many, many years, and even though the President has had to send someone in his stead at times,  he is always represented to remember the sacrifices made by those who came before us….until this year.

It seem that this year, the PResident would rather take a vacation than honor those who fought and died so that he could be where he is today.  This is a slap in the face of each and EVERY man and woman who have served this country sinces it’s inception, and demands an apology from a Presidant and a Congress who deem it as ‘political props’ to honor these brave souls.

Apparently,  the clamoring from the same left wing members that each and every coffin arriving back in the US during President Bush’s years be shown on television as a reminder of the the ‘young men we are losing’ in the war on terror.  Apparently then, it was NOT seen as political props, but as “America Needs to know what President Bush is doing.”   You make the decision on that one, if you can.

This weekend, and especially Monday, has been set aside to honor our veterans, and the ultimate price they paid to secure freedom for the ensuing generations.  There will be parades, and there will be picnics, and cookouts.   And a day that we should ALL be grateful for  what these freedom loving individuals did on our behalf.  That includes the President.

Since this country’s birth, there have been men and women who believed that the freedoms we hold so dearly are worth fighting for.  And they are.  Why do you think so many people want to immigrate to this country? (I am speaking of LEGALLY immigrating here.)  To allow their sacrifice to go unrecognized, even for one day, is unacceptable.

I urge everyone who reads this to make a point to thank a Veteran for his/her service to this country, and to make plans to honor those who have gone on for their great service to this nation.  And I STRONGLY urge the President to rethink his decision to neither attend nor to at least send a representative