Happy Birthday, Peg

Meet my best friend, Peg. Today's her birthday. When I woke up this morning, I realized that I had not sent a card (nothing new.) Peg and I became very good friends when my husband and I began going to her church. Her husband was the pastor, and Peg and I hit it off and became fast friends.

Who knew that eleven years later that it would be Peg who would come to my front door to tell me that Don had been taken in a tragic accident. You see, a deputy from our church was at the scene right after it happened. He called the church to tell them what had happened, and they discussed among them who would come and tell me. Peg chose to be the one. I have no more words.

Two and a half years ago, she and her husband left the ministry here to take a new position with the Baptist General Conference, headquartered in Arlington Heights. Peg has become involved in women's ministry and recently traveled to Japan to do some conferences with missionaries and pastor's wives.

When she was at the airport (I think that's what she told me) she came upon these Sumo wrestlers. She said that in Japan they're idolized like football players are here in the States. Everyone had their cell phones out taking pictures. She asked her interpreter to please ask them if she could have her photo taken with them. As she said, "The photo speaks for itself."

Happy birthday, Peg. I won't tell anyone how old you are.

She always reminds me that she'll never catch up to me. And, yes, it's true.

For All Cat Lovers

My friend, Peg, sent me this via e-mail. With all the cat lovers, some with multiple cats, this is a must-see.

Happy Birthday, David

April 15, 1979. Easter Sunday and tax day. What a combination! I had made Sarah's Easter dress, but she didn't make it to church that day because Mom and Dad were at the hospital awaiting David's birth.

My friend who worked in taxes said, "This year he's the Easter bunny, but from now on he'll be known as "Form 1040." Someone said that he didn't need the word "boy" on this outfit to let everyone know he was a boy.

A thoughtful and caring son, David has always brought joy to his dad's and my life.

Now a husband and a father, he continues to be the loving, gentle, kind soul he was as a child.
Happy birthday, David. You are my sonshine!

Quotes of the Day

These quotes showed up on my homepage this morning...some thoughts to ponder.

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can stop him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.
- Martin Luther King Jr.

Hanging is too good for a man who makes puns; he should be drawn and quoted.
- Fred Allen

Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.
- Abraham Lincoln

Great Strides

On April 26, Sarah and I will be joining Team Gevity for the Great Strides walk on Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota. An annual event, these walks take place all over the United States, led by friends and family who are walking for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

When I was in Virginia, I went to a CF Education Day with my son at UVA. It is not a kind of meeting that one would want to go to, but the more one can educate himself, the more one can understand and equip himself to care for the cystic fibrosis patient.

One of the highlights of the conference was an address by a physician from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He spoke of new drugs that in the pipeline that could be approved as early as 2010. If approved, these drugs will make GREAT STRIDES toward the improvement of the health of the CF patient. A recent article in Business Week speaks of the excitement about this drug and the role that the CFF has played in getting the research done for this drug. I encourage you to read it. It is so encouraging to all those with CF, but especially for parents with young children who will benefit most from these new developments.

I read a post this morning by a young woman who has CF. I cried as I read her post. I think that she has expressed so well the feelings of many young people who have this life-shortening disease. Please read her post and leave a comment.

Many of you dear friends read my first post about Great Strides and so quickly made a donation, and I thank you all. I'm linking to my page again in case anyone new reads this post and would want to make a contribution.

Further thoughts on chocolate

After posting the photo of the effect of chocolate on one's hair (Go down a couple of posts to see Ella's hair.) I received this thought in an e-mail from a friend:

Can't eat Beef, Mad cow....
Can't eat chicken, Bird flu
Can't eat eggs, Salmonella
Can't eat pork, fears of trichinosis...
Can't eat fish, heavy metals in the waters has poisoned their meat
Can't eat fruits and veggies, insecticides and herbicides

Hmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M M M M M M M M M M M I believe that leaves Chocolate!!!!!!!!

So I guess we'll have to put up with horrible hair!

Surprised?

I actually do take photos of subjects other than Ella. While I was in Virginia, I took the opportunity to wander some of the country roads around my son's community. Farmland is still in abundance although some development is taking place. Hopefully, laws are in place to preserve this part of the country.

The Appalachian Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Skyline Drive are all close to this area. There are many Mennonite churches here, almost like Baptist churches in the South. I love being here because there is still Southern hospitality to be found.

It's interesting how we become accustomed to our surroundings and don't really pay attention to the beauty around us. I found that the longer I was there, I didn't find the views breath-taking, Living here in Florida (which I've done almost all my life) has almost the same effect. I've always taken the beauty for granted. It wasn't until a trip north in January once and then coming home and driving across the Sunshine Sk*way that I realized just how beautiful it is here and why people want to be here during the winter.

Beauty is all around us. We just have to stop and take a look.

Warning!

I know Easter has passed, but I did want you to see what happens when you indulge in too much chocolate. Inside the plastic Easter eggs were chocolate-covered pretzels.

Yum-yum, they were good!

Here's what happens to your hair when you eat too much chocolate!

Lungs for Tricia

Nate has posted on his blog that lungs were found for Tricia. She is in surgery now. Pray for all those working on her and for her family as they wait. You can follow the progress here.

For your viewing pleasure

Back in Florida

I'm arrived home safely Tuesday night. I left on Monday, rather than Tuesday because I had misread my calendar and needed to be home for an 8:00 appointment Thursday morning. On the way, I stopped by Mount Olive College in North Carolina. That's where Sarah graduated from. I spent the night with a good friend, visited a little bit on Tuesday morning, and left around 10. I did not intend to drive all the way home, but once I got started, I just kept on coming.

I had planned to stop at the last exit in Georgia, but when I got there it was only 4 and with the added daylight hours, I knew I wouldn't be driving too long in the dark. A comfortable car, straight roads, and flat land make a lot of difference.

I have much to remember from my month in Virginia, and I'll share a bit of that when I get a chance. There were two occasions that were meaningful. The first weekend I was there I went to a play that the high school students put on about the Holocaust. Another Saturday I went to a CF Education Day at UVA.

Right now, I'm still unpacking, realizing I don't need a sweater, and breezing by blogs, reading, but not always commenting. I'll get there.

Resurrection Morning

1-2 Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance. She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, breathlessly panting, "They took the Master from the tomb. We don't know where they've put him."

3-10Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself. Then the other disciple, the one who had gotten there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed. No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. The disciples then went back home.

11-13But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus' body had been laid. They said to her, "Woman, why do you weep?"

13-14"They took my Master," she said, "and I don't know where they put him." After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn't recognize him.

15Jesus spoke to her, "Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?"
She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, "Mister, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him."

16Jesus said, "Mary."

Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" meaning "Teacher!"

17Jesus said, "Don't cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, 'I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.'"

18Mary Magdalene went, telling the news to the disciples: "I saw the Master!" And she told them everything he said to her.

John 20, The Message

At the Cross

Rogier van der Weyden:
The Crucifixion
oil on panel, c. 1445
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—
And bathed in its own blood—
While the firm mark of wrath divine,
His Soul in anguish stood.

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
’Tis all that I can do.

At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light.
And the burden of my heart rolled away.
It was there by faith I received my sight
And now I am happy all the day!

Cyberhymnal

Spring

For behold, the winter is past,The rain is over and gone.‘

The flowers have already appeared in the land;

The time has arrived for pruning the vines,

And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.‘

The fig tree has ripened its figs,

And the vines in blossom have given forth their
fragrance.

from Song of
Solomon

The above photos are from a road trip to Nashville a couple of years ago in April.

Play Like

Did you ever play like...? When I was a little girl, my mother and daddy had a black 1936 Chevrolet. I don't know if they owned this car before World War II, but I remember it well after the war was over, and we had moved from Lacoochee to Bradenton. I remember road trips back to Lacoochee and up to Starke to visit my grandma and grandpa.

When I got a little older, I remember going out to the car on a Sunday afternoon, getting in the car, and playing like I was driving. There wasn't much to play with...the steering wheel, gear shift, brake and gas pedal, throttle, and the light dimmer, which as you folks who are as old as I am know was on the floorboard. I must have left the gas pedal alone because I don't believe the engine was ever flooded.

The other day it was nice out, and I asked Ella if she would like to go for a ride. I opened the rear door to put her in her car seat, and that was not what she wanted. She wanted to play in the car. I got in the front passenger side, and she spent probably 45 minutes going from the back seat to the front and back again and then to the rear cargo area. She discovered the mirrors that were on the visors. Every knob that could be turned was turned.

The next day when I got in the car to go to the store, the blinker was on, the display that shows the mileage came on, and I don't know what all. My car had passed the "Ella Test."

The above photo is from summer.

If Winter Come...

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

William Wordsworth

This past weekend I went with my son, his wife, and Ella to Richmond. Sabrina was having lunch with some former co-workers, so we went along for the ride. What a delight upon nearing Richmond to see trees beginning to bud out. As we arrived at the home where she was having lunch, these lovely daffodils greeted us.

The weather was a real mix though. Within an hour's time, we saw clouds, felt some rain, saw the sun and felt the wind. As we drove home later in the afternoon, I kept looking at the thermometer in the car. When we left Richmond, it was 50. As we approached home, I looked and the temperature had dropped to 32. I pointed that out to David, and he said, "It can't be that cold." But when we got out of the car, it did indeed feel that chilly.

Today was pleasant, however. When I went outside with Ella this afternoon, I looked carefully at the maple tree in the yard, and I do believe I see the beginning of leaves.

By the way, can anyone tell me how to get ride of the centering when one uses Picasa to post? I do not know how to get my margin to the left. Thanks for any help.

Wanna play ball?

If only all children were as loved as this little girl. I've been my days reading to her, playing ball with her, doing puzzles with her, and coloring. Usually in the morning as her daddy is leaving for work, we sit and read books. Some of her favorite ones are those that have textures to feel, the soft bunny, the "ruff" paw of the dog. I brought along a pop-up book of nursery rhymes which we've been enjoying. Among her favorite characters are C*rious George and W*nnie the Pooh.

Who doesn't love George, the curious little monkey who finds himself in all kinds of situations and, amazingly works his way out of them. I remember that he was always a choice of the first graders that I taught when there was a book to be read. She has discovered Pooh and his friends through the video "The Many Adventures of W*nnie the Pooh." It's fun to watch her respond to the music and dance along as we watch together.

The days are getting nice so that we've been going outside. The days are sunny, but a little cool, not warm like Florida, but not snowy like my blogging friends in Canada continue to experience.

Spring is just about to pop out here. Hooray!

Where's Ella?

Here she is!

Things You Don't Hear Anymore

OK, so some of you aren't as old as I am. I was reminded that many of you were just born around 1955 and so you don't remember some of those things. This post would probably bring the same response.

I have the house to myself. Ella's off to a birthday party for a little girl who's turning one today. She's having a "Build a library" party. That sounds like a good idea, doesn't it.

I will get some pictures of Ella up. My hard drive is getting full, and I didn't get the last few loaded. I guess it is time for a new computer, or to spend some time cleaning out some files.

Enjoy these. I particularly identify with the one that speaks about 9 cents for a movie ticket. When I was growing up, I could get into the movie for 9 cents with a nickel for a candy bar. Mother always gave me 15 cents, so I had a whole penny change.

Be sure to refill the ice trays, we're going to have company after while.

Watch for the postman, I want to get this letter to Aunt Mary in the mail today.

Quit slamming the screen door when you are on your way out!

Be sure and pull the windows down when you leave, it looks like a shower is coming up.

Don't forget to wind the clock before you go to bed.

Wash your feet before you go to bed, they are nasty from playing outside all day barefooted.

Why can't you remember to roll up your pant legs? Getting them caught in the bicycle chain so many times is tearing them up.

You have torn the knees out of that pair of pants so many times there is nothing left to put a patch on.

Don't you go outside with your good school clothes on!

Go comb your hair; it looks like the rats have nested in it all night.

Be sure and pour the cream off the top of the milk when you open the new bottle.

Take that empty bottle to the store with you so you won't have to pay a deposit on another one.

Put a dish towel over the cake so the flies won't get on it.

Quit jumping on the floor! I have a cake in the oven and you are going to make it fall if you don't quit!

Let me know when the Fuller Brush man comes by, I need to get a few things from him.

You boys stay close by, the car may not start and I will need you to help push it off.

There's a dollar in my purse, get 5 gallons of gas when you go to town.

Open the back door and see if we can get a breeze through here, it is getting hot.

You can walk to the store; it won't hurt you to get some exercise.

Don't sit too close to the TV. It is hard on your eyes.

If you pull that stunt again, I am going to wear you out!

Don't lose that button; I'll sew it back on after awhile.

Wash under your neck before you come to the table, you have beads of dirt and sweat all under there.

Get out from under the sewing machine; pumping it messes up the thread!

Be sure and fill the lamps this morning so we don't have to do that tonight in the dark.

Here, take this old magazine to the toilet with you when you go, we are almost out of paper out there.

Go out to the well and draw a bucket of water so I can wash dishes.

Don't turn the radio on now, I want the battery to be up when the Grand Ole Opry comes on.

No! I don't have nine cents for you to go to the show. Do you think money grows on trees?

Eat those vegetables, they'll make you big and strong like your daddy.

That dog is NOT coming in this house! I don't care how cold it is out there, dogs just don't come in the house.

Sit still! I'm trying to get your hair cut straight and you keep moving and it is all botched up.

Hush your mouth! I don't want to hear words like that! I'll wash your mouth out with soap!

It is time for your system to be cleaned out. I am going to give you a dose of castor oil tonight.

If you get a spanking in school and I find out about it, you'll get another one when you get home.

Quit crossing your eyes! They will get stuck that way!

Soak your foot in this pan of coal oil so that bad cut won't get infected.

When you take your driving test, don't forget to signal each turn. Left arm straight out the window for a left turn; left arm bent up at the elbow for a right turn; and straight down to the side of the door when you are going to stop.

It is: "Yes Ma'am!" and "No Ma'am!" to me, young man, and don't you forget it!

Do you remember hearing these?

Well, I know that some of you are as old as I am, and some are younger. A friend sent these to me the other day, and I had to smile as I read them.

These comments were made in the year 1955!
That's only 53 years ago!

"I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20."

"Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won't be long before $2,000 will only buy a used one."

"If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous."

"Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?"

"If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store."

"When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon? Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage."

"Kids today are impossible. Those duck tail hair cuts make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls."

"I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying "damn" in "Gone With the Wind," it seems every new movie has either "hell" or "damn" in it."

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

"Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the President."

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

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

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

"Marriage doesn't mean a thing any more. Those Hollywood stars seem to be getting divorced at the drop of a hat."

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

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

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

"There is no sense going to Lincoln or Omaha anymore for a weekend. It costs nearly $15 a night to stay in a hotel."

"No one can afford to be sick anymore. At $35 a day in the hospital, it's too rich for my blood."

"If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it."

Hello from Virginia

Hello, it's cold up here. I had a very uneventful trip to my son's house earlier this week. I left Monday morning and drove as far as Florence, South Carolina. I drove the rest of the way on Tuesday, arriving in the early afternoon. Each time I got out of the car, the wind was blowing, and it was very cold.

Today it is freezing. There was supposed to be freezing rain and snow during the night, but that didn't quite materialize, but it should be worse during the day. My son had a two-hour delay in his school start, so I'm taking advantage of this time to update my blog.

Thanks for all your comments about Ella. I'm so glad that I get to see her as much as I do. I've been able to experience all the changes that a little one goes through. Her vocabulary is increasing every day. You should hear her try to say "caterpillar." She's quite comfortable with me after the initial separation in the morning from her daddy.

On Tuesday she had an appointment with the specialist, and she appears to be doing very well. She's about 3-4 pounds heavier than she was in December when I was here, so that's good.

As I left Florida Monday morning, I saw signs of spring. Redbud was blooming along the side of the highway. That was the last sign of spring that I saw...although I didn't expect to see those.

One nice thing here is that the sun shines on the good days. I've always heard about the gloomy winter days in the north. I guess those folks were talking about places much further north than here.

Have a good weekend.

Happy Valentine's Day

A year ago, I was in Nashville with this darling little girl while her mom attended a conference. What fun it was!

In August I got to be at her very first birthday party. What fun it was!

In October I got to go and spend a month with her. What fun it was! And now I'm getting ready to go again! What fun it will be.

Monday morning

I often wonder what in the world I have to blog about, and then I make a comment on someone else's blog and think to myself, "That would make a good post."

Thursday night I attended a support group for patients and caregivers of people with myasthenia gravis. I was diagnosed with MG back in 1990 and was quite sick for a while. After a few years with the right medication, it has been under good control. (Most of the time) MG is an auto-immune neuro-muscular illness. It isn't terminal, neither is it a disease in which the muscles waste away.

When one has MG, fatigue causes certain muscle groups not to respond correctly. One of the noticeable symptoms of MG is droopy eyelids. Other symptoms are difficulty chewing and swallowing, double vision, slurred speech, breathing difficulties, and weakness in the limbs. Any or all of these symptoms can appear.

After all these years, I've learned to live with it. Right now, my main problems are in swallowing and occasionally by evening I have difficulty speaking well. Often it is noticeable only to me, but it is there nonetheless. It really isn't worth mentioning.

However, the other evening, there was a young couple there at the support group. The husband was diagnosed in January after experiencing several symptoms. His dear wife is expecting a baby this week. I am not sure if it is their first child or not. My heart just went out to them. He is so concerned about not being able to help around the house, and then, of course, there is his job. He was very soft spoken, and I didn't get exactly what he does, but it appears that it is some type of work where he can take breaks to rest a bit.

We have a wonderful doctor who attends each meeting, and he reminded this young man of the ADA and the fact that businesses have to accomodate disabilities. I'm hoping for the best for this couple. I wanted to embrace them and assure them that everything was going to be all right. And I'm sure it will be for them, but I know they must be scared to death, not knowing exactly what they're dealing with.

On a lighter note, there was one of those feel good articles in our newspaper that is just too good not to mention. A St. Bernard/Pyrennees mix was found on the streets by animal service and taken to the humane society. They cleaned him up, checked him out, and waited the necessary time for an owner to come claim him.

When no one did, they knew they would have to find a home for him. They received a call from a lady at an assisted-living facility who wanted to know if they had a big dog. It seems they were looking for one to their place, a dog who would be tall enough so that the folks in wheelchairs could put him easily. It seems to be a match made in heaven. What a nice valentine for this dog and the folks at the facility. Read about Liam here.

Flash!

Flash! This just in. I received this photo today from Ella's mom. Does she look like a baby any more? I think not. I had planned to leave this past Sunday to go visit them again, but I had to change my plans. I'll be going up on the 18th to stay for a while. Needless to say, I can hardly wait.

Thank You

Thank you to all who have responded to Great Strides (See post below).

If you would prefer to mail a check, instead of giving online, here is the address:

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Tampa
4902 Eisenhower Blvd., Suite 115
Tampa FL 33634

Put Great Strides in the memo line along with my name, Beverly Whitcomb.

This past weekend was our Sweet Adelines show. What a great time and what fun! I don't have any pictures yet, but when I get some I'll post them. One of these days I'll get some video and post that as well. We had great reviews from all who came.

And what about the Super Bowl! I love football and spent Sunday evening with some friends of kindred spirit. Most of them were cheering for the Giants, and so I joined in cheering the underdog. We had a great time in the last two minutes of the game watching Goliath being felled by David.

When I was looking up some information on the CFF website, I found this article about one of the Super Bowl champions, Shaun O'Hara. It does the heart good to read about men like this. Another former athlete and sports analyst, Boomer Esiason, is a great supporter of the cause of cystic fibrosis, as well. Boomer has a son, Gunnar, who has CF. His foundation has been established to heighten education and awareness of cystic fibrosis and to provide a better quality of life for those affected by cystic fibrosis.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship and your listening ear and your giving hearts.

GREAT STRIDES

Every year the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has walks all over the country to raise funds for research for a cure for CF. Those of you who have been reading my blog know that my little granddaughter has cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder which leads to digestive and respiratory problems. It is a progressive condition.

The median age of a CF person is now 37. Years ago, many patients did not reach their teens. Through research, improved medicines have been developed, and patients are living longer. I have learned through reading a lot that life is not easy for a person with CF.

This year I'm walking with a team to help raise funds to aid in research. Will you consider making a donation? I have a webpage to which you can go and donate. I will thank you from the bottom of my heart. I want Ella to live a long, healthy life.

Please go here.

Whatever the Weather

Tomorrow is our annual Sweet Adelines show. Our theme this year is "Whatever the Weather." If you could come, you'd find us dressed in raincoats as we sing about all kinds of weather. A clever skit will tie the songs together. Some of the songs that we're singing are: "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head," "Sunny Side Up," "Wind Beneath My Wings," "It's a Good Day."

We always have a guest quartet join us for our shows. This year's group is The HotShots. They always bring good music and a good laugh.

During the second half, a small group from one of the local high schools is going to sing one song. I hear they will knock our socks off with their music.

The photo above is from our 50th birthday party of our chorus. We had a grand party in May. We had a good time singing and eating. Several other choruses and former members joined us to celebrate. (I'm in the top row, next to the last on the right.)

I wish you could be here. We have a performance at 2 and then another one at 7. Hopefully our weather will be good for all who come out to see us. There's no better place to be than here on the first Saturday of February.

A good reminder

If you haven't been to Nathan's blog lately, go there today and read his list that he wrote in the middle of the night. It's dated Monday, January 28. It's good reading for the soul.

A wonderful song

Last Thursday night before I went to Orlando, I went down to Fort Myers to hear the Gaithers concert. It had been years since I had seen them live. My husband and I used to go regularly years ago.

One of the last songs that they sang was this one. No commentary from me is needed.

Computer woes

I was going to upload photos from the fair last night, but when I plugged my cord into the port, nothing happened. I have a laptop that I bought in 2002, and one of the USB ports quit working a while ago. My friend, the computer repairman, told me that probably the solder had broken on the motherboard. Oh dear. Then he told me that I could go get a hub to plug several in. I have already done that because a while ago the disc drive quite working, so I have an external disk drive.

Along with that I had bought an external hard drive to hold all the photos that I've uploaded, and then there's the scanner, the printer, the mouse, and ....

When I unplugged the second port and plugged the camera cord in, nothing. Boo-hoo! I wasn't planning to get another computer at this point, but I may have to do just that. At least if I do, I'll be up-to-date for a little while.

So I'll be back sometime. I'm to a weekend in Orlando for a regional workshop with Sweet Adelines. Have a good weekend.

Ella in the snow!

I just received these photos from my daughter-in-law. They must be hot off the press since I had read that they were having their first real snow today.

When I was there in December, there were a few flakes that fell, but they didn't stay. This looks like a nice covering.

As far as Florida goes, it's nasty here today. It's the opening day of our county fair. My mother always said that you could tell when it was time for the fair to start...it would either be raining or be freezing cold. Today it chose to rain.

What's Up?

Not much. When I read the goings on in others' lives, mine seems quite ordinary, but I think that is o.k. Along with many others I check out the blog about Nate, Tricia, and Gwyneth several times during the day to see what is developing at Duke. My heart is moved each time I go there and read the updates and the comments of many all around the world who have read about this family and are praying for them.

Another blog that I faithfully check out is A Mountain Too High. This dear lady writes about her daily living with her husband who has Alzheimer's. It too is a very moving blog to read. She is able to write so poignantly about their life now. She has those who comment who have lived a similar experience and they are able to encourage her in her daily walk. I read and comment and yet I've never experienced that.

Our Sweet Adeline's chorus is getting ready to do our annual show February 2. We're practicing twice a week and I'm singing in a couple of small groups, so we are having extra rehearsals as well, so I'm singing my way through the week. I love it!

On Tuesday nights we rehearse until around 10 and then we go out for a bite. In our town it's hard to find places that are open late. We used to go to Appleb*es, but the evening that we went there was karaoke, and it was always so loud that we couldn't hear each other talk.

One evening after a movie a group of us went to a local sports bar called "Eat Drink and Be Che*ry." We enjoyed our food and so we asked them their hours, mentioning to them that we were looking for a place to get something to eat and drink after rehearsal. They said that they'd be glad to have us there, and so we began going there each Tuesday evening.

Last night there were about twelve of us who went. When we got there, we were about the only ones there. We started talking to the server who always waits on us. He knows us all by name, what we like to drink, and usually what we want to eat unless we throw him a curve.

In talking to him, he told us that he's getting his AA degree at the local community college and is hoping to go into some sort of sports business promotion. I asked him what he does besides serving there, and he said that he works at the local A. M. radio station and on Wednesdays they did a sports broadcast from the restaurant.

So today at 1 I tuned in and, sure enough, Jay mentioned the Sweet Adelines. He announced our show coming up and said that he planned to come. What a neat young man.

Before we left last night, the manager asked us to sing a couple of songs. We sang "Heartaches" and "Kokomo," and then he said, "Ladies, whenever I get married, I want you to sing at my wedding." How's that!

It doesn't take much to make a bunch of old ladies smile.

Thankful

Every time I look at this little girl, I thank God for the measure of health she has been given so far in her young life even with the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Ella has been our joy and delight, and we pray that she will have many more years of health and that despite the naysayers that a cure will be found for this genetic disorder.

Right now at Duke University Hospital, there is a young woman fighting for her life along with her newborn daughter. Tricia, who has CF, had been preparing for a double lung transplant when it was discovered she was pregnant. This week because of her weakened condition, her baby was born by C-section at 24 weeks. Gwyneth Rose is doing remarkably well despite her premature state. Tricia is still sedated and has not awakened yet.

People around the world are praying for this family. Visit Tricia's husband's blog, see this tiny infant, and join in prayers for this family.

The Tongue Always Helps

Here She Comes!

Don't you love the tongue! I remember always having my tongue stuck out like that when I was little and trying my best to accomplish something. Ella's mom said that her legs were too short to reach the pedals, but she was trying her best. It looks like fun!

There she goes.

You Have to Love This One

"Cannibal Team"

Five cannibals get appointed as engineers in a high-tech company. During the welcoming ceremony, the boss says, "You're all part of our team now. You can earn good money here, and you can go to the cafeteria for something to eat. So don't trouble any of the other employees."

The cannibals promised not to trouble the other employees.

Four weeks later, the boss returns and says, "You're all working very hard, and I'm very satisfied with all of you; however, one of our janitors has disappeared. Do any of you know what happened to him?"

The cannibals disavow all knowledge of the missing janitor. After the boss has left, the leader of the cannibals says to the others, "Which of you idiots ate the janitor?"

A hand raises hesitantly, to which the leader of the cannibals says, "You fool! For four weeks we've been eating Team Leaders and Project Managers so no one would notice anything, and you have to go and eat the janitor!"

from Pastor Tim's Cybersalt

Freeze Warnings

It's coming...cold weather, that is. Predictions are for the coldest weather that we've seen here in our area of Florida in the last four years. We should have a hard freeze here. Up further north, temperatures in the teens are being forecast. The strawberry farmers will be busy tonight as well as the other farmers in the area, working to save their crops.

On the way to the hospital the morning that my daughter was born in January 1977, it was 26 degrees. That was cold! School was closed for a couple of days that year because they could not heat the buildings adequately, and there were rolling blackouts to assure everyone of having heat and lights during most of the day and night. But that year it was cold for a long time.

I have house guests coming on Friday from Minnesota. By that time the temperatures should be back up in the 70's.

Here is a thought for the new year from Steve Goodier.

No Future in the Past

The man looked a little worried when the doctor came in to administer his annual physical, so the first thing the doctor did was to ask whether anything was troubling him. "Well, to tell the truth, Doc, yes," answered the patient. "You see, I seem to be getting forgetful. No, it's actually worse than that. I can never remember where I park my car, where I'm going,or what it is I'm going to do once I get there -- if I get there. So, I really need your help. What can I do? "The doctor mused for a moment, then answered kindly, "Pay me in advance."

Actually, forgetfulness isn't all bad...especially when we decide to forget all that pain from the past that threatens to ruin the present. Like one song says, "There ain't no future in the past."

The past is to be remembered -- how else will we learn from it and keep from repeating it? But why would I want to remember every time I felt hurt because of my spouse, my children, my friends, my boss or anybody else? Why would I want to fill my mind with a detailed catalogue of past pain? Better to remember the times they brought me joy or love or feelings of warmth. Unfortunately, even those wonderful and magical moments too easily fade away.

A friend of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross,asked her about a particular traumatic event in her life. Miss Barton seemed perplexed. "Can't you remember?" the friend prodded. Clara Barton replied, "I distinctly remember forgetting it."

Dwell on the past -- but not the negative past, not the pain of the past nor the sadness. Dwell on the good. Be consumed by past joys and obsessed with gratitude. Dwell upon the moments that uplifted you, the times you laughed and the memories of love shown to you by friends and family. Not everything should be remembered, and those who live well know what to forget and what to cherish. Like the song says, "There ain't no future in the past." But there IS joy there. And love.And kindness...if we choose to remember.-- Steve Goodier

At Year's End

Where did the year go? That's what everyone always says, isn't it. Someone said that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The nearer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. The year sort of goes like that too.

In a football frame of mind yesterday, I went to the grocery store and ended up buying some chips and salsa. There just are not really healthy chips, are there...but they surely are good. I had planned to watch the Penn State-Texas A&M game with the faithful in Sarasota last night, but fog rolled in about 6, and I decided it would be better for people on the road if I stayed home. And so I did. It's not quite as much fun to watch it alone as it is with a crowd. But Penn State prevailed. It didn't look like they would at the start.

I find it a little sad when Christmas is over. All the pretty decorations come down, and it's back to business as usual. Last year I wrote a post in which I quoted from Lauren Winner's book, Girl Meets God.

She writes: "The calendar tells us that this all culminates on December 25, but really the whole season slouches toward Easter. Jesus became incarnate now, in the manger of Bethlehem, but if His incarnateness is meant to make Him more relatable to us, if we are meant to have better access to God because our God has a body like we have, if we relate to Him better because He knows what it is like to weep and throw up and be tempted and suffer, then the Incarnation that starts on Christmas isn't finished until Good Friday. And the miracles that start in the strange inexplicable Virgin Birth aren't finished until the Resurrection.....Even his birthplace takes us to the Last Supper: Jesus, the Bread of Life, is born in Bethlehem, bet lechem, "house of bread," and at the Last Supper, He will break bread for us, and then on the cross He will break His body. Nothing in Scripture, even the names of birthplace towns, is coincidence."

I didn't have an opportunity to sing in my church's Christmas concert this year because I had been away so much, but I had the privilege to listen. Some of the songs were traditional; some were new. This particular one expresses to me, like Lauren's quote above, what Christmas really is all about. The title is "I Believe" written by Natalie Gr*nt.

In a land far away, timestood still long ago.
There were shepherds in fields,
This is how the story goes, the story goes.

Woman with child and an inn with no room.
Born in a manger, foretelling a tomb,
This is how the story goes.

But it's more than a stable,
and it's more than a fairy tale,
and more than my mind can conceive--
I believe.

The wise men saw the baby boy
the angels called the Son of God.
Heaven's child, the great I AM,
born to take away my sin through nail-pierced hands
Emmanuel has come. I believe.

Two thousand years, still the story lives on.
God's gift to us, sent to earth wrapped in flesh,
His only Son--His only Son.

And the heartbeat of heaven confounded our wisdom,
But it's still the simple truth that set me free.
I believe the wise men saw the baby boy
the angels called the Son of God.
Heaven's child, the great I AM
Born to take away my sin through nail-pierced hands.
Emmanuel has come and I believe.

Precious child, how can it be
That God's great plan for history
would send you to a lonely tree,
That you would come for one like me?
I believe.

O Come, Emmanuel

I called my daughter this morning to tell her where I would be during the day. She commented that I hadn't posted since Monday. I guess she checks up on me that way. I've been reading everyone's posts and commenting, but I haven't posted all week.

I was reading over at Jamie Dawn's about the nostalgia that arises during the Christmas season. Sometimes it's happy memories, sometimes sad, or a mixture of both. One morning this week, as I woke up, my husband was on my mind. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him, but that morning he was especially on my mind. As I got into the shower, the tears began to flow mingling with the water from the shower, much as they had done in the weeks following his passing. Even though the love of family and friends is present, the one who is missing always brings a bit of sadness.

The music of Christmas is so wonderful to me. Last night my hand hit my remote in such a way that I came across a channel that I didn't even know was on my TV. Several months ago, I signed up for Ver*zon Fios, and on channel 894 is the Worsh*p channel. It was on our regular cable for a long time and then went off. I felt like I had found an old friend. What joy to listen to the music of Christmas and see the beautiful scenery that accompanies it.

A blessed Christmas to you all. I leave you with one of my favorite Christmas songs.

O Come, O Come Immanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.


O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

Winter is here

The temperature dropped 35 degrees overnight here in Florida. Some areas in the central part of the state had freeze warnings. Later in the week temperatures should be back up to 75. I remember when I first lived in Cincinnati after I graduated from college. That was the furthest north I had been, and when I saw the little bit of snow that arrived during that first winter, and as I watched older people out shoveling, I realized why Florida had such an appeal.

I had a young man come visit me on Friday. It was rather cloudy, but he kept saying, "This weather is incredible." He had flown from Wisconsin the day before where there had been a foot of snow on the ground. I took him for a drive over the Sunshine Skyway and then out to the beach. He was amazed. It's interesting how our everyday life becomes so commonplace. I find that when I go to Virginia and enjoy the mountains that I'm experiencing the same awe that he did.

Anyway, today, there is not a cloud in the sky; the air is cool. One might need a sweater or a light sweatshirt. To those of us who live in Florida year-round, we look forward to this all year long.

Are you a fan of the Food Network? I am. Right now the Barefoot Cont*ssa is on working her magic. A favorite of many is Paula De*n. She's a hoot, isn't she. She has a recipe for fudge that I intend to try one of these days. My problem is that I watch these shows, but I rarely cook any more.

For those of you who do like shortcuts, I have a great fudge recipe for you. You can use your imagination with it, and it only takes a few minutes to make.

Directions for making fudge: Melt one bag of chips in microwave or on top of stove. Stir in one can of frosting. Add extras. Enjoy.

Rocky Road - 1 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips, 1 can chocolate fudge frosting, 1 1/2 cups of marshmallows, 3/4 cups chopped mixed nuts.

Toffee Butterscotch - 1 bag of butterscotch chips, 1 can caramel pecan frosting, 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, 1/2 cup almond brickle bits.

Peppermint Swirl - 1 1/2 cups white vanilla chips, 1 can vanilla frosting, 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract, 4 drops red food coloring, 2 tbsp. peppermint candies, crushed.

Favorite cookies and cream - 1 12 bag vanilla chips, 1 can Oreo frosting, 10 cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, cut into quarters, 3 cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed.

After you melt the chips and add the frosting, add the quartered cookies, spread in pan, and sprinkle with crushed cookies.

Let me know if you try any of these and how you found them.

Christmas Love - I Corinthians 13

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen,
baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals
and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime:
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another cook.


If I work at a soup kitchen
carol in the nursing home,
and give all that I have to charity;
but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels
and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties
and sing in the choir's cantata
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home
that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids
to get out of the way,
but is thankful they are there
to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those
who are able to give in return;
but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things
endures all things.
Love never fails.


Video games will break,
pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust;

But giving the gift of love will endure.

Thanks, Pastor Tim.

Christmas Came Early

Yes, Christmas came early for our little family this year. I flew to Virginia on the second. Sarah drove to Knoxville to be in a girlfriend's wedding, and then she drove up on Sunday. For a few short hours we were together, and so we had Christmas dinner and had tons of fun watching Ella open her presents.

My daughter-in-law had this little tree that she had had for years. She said if it got destroyed, it wouldn't matter. But Ella has learned very well. Her mommy told her to touch with just one finger, and she was very good about it.

We opened our gifts before we ate so that Ella wouldn't be too tired. She really got the hang of opening the gifts. Such fun! Her aunt Sarah brought her some shoes and pretty shirts, and, oh yes, she brought her one of her Eeyores from her vast collection. Pooh can't be by himself in the bedroom.

I found this puzzle online. When you match the animal to its shape, it makes the sound of the animal. Pretty cool, and it's not too loud, which makes everyone happy.

Monday morning Sabrina dropped me off at the airport in Charlottesville. According to schedule I would have a two hour wait in Charlotte. I sort of looked forward to that because there are so many neat shops, namely The Chocolate F*ctory. As it turned out, the plane coming to Charlottesville had been fogged in in Asheville earlier in the morning, so it was an hour late coming. When we did board, the pilot made up some time going to Charlotte.

I don't know if you've ever been there, but it is a long walk from the express flights (little planes) to the other gates. I took advantage of the carts and got to my next plane with plenty of time to spare. Before I left I called the airline to see if they had any first class seats available. They happened to have some on the trip from Charlotte to Tampa, and so I used some of my air miles to upgrade. The only trouble with that is that one gets so spoiled to the nice big seats.

I'm still trying to catch up. Every time I come home it is one doctor appointment after the other. Thank goodness they're only maintenance. And so I'm just now getting to posting again.

It's always good to go away and good to come home again. I think my next trip will be in February after our Sweet Adelines show.

B-r-r-r!

This Florida girl is cold in Virginia. And guess what! It's snowing. Flurries, but it's snow, and there is a little accumulation. I've taken a couple of pictures to remember it by. I know when you live in a place where you have lots of snow that it is not remarkable, but I would think that the first snowfall of the season must be something to see.

I've been by to read all your posts, and I'll take some time to comment today. Ella is at the sitter's so I have lots of time to read and comment. When I arrived on Sunday, she looked at me with a little recognition. Her parents show her my photo often, and she knows Grammy in the picture.

It's amazing the growth one sees in a month in a toddler. Her attention span is much longer when she listens to stories, and she has added many more words to her vocabulary. I'm getting to know Winnie the Pooh all over again. When I was here in October, I bought her the DVD, and David said after I left, that she had fallen in love with Pooh.

When Sarah was a baby, I recall that the first cartoon that she reacted to was Winnie the Pooh. It was on TV on Friday nights, and I remember her sitting in her daddy's lap, grinning from ear to ear at the shenanigans of those animals. It's fun to see that happening again.

I've taken a couple of pictures of Ella, but I haven't uploaded them yet, but they'll be there.

As Tigger says, "TTFN." Ta-ta for now.

Guess where I'm going

Tomorrow I'm on my way to Virginia. I'll bet you couldn't guess. I'll be there for just a week this time. Sarah's driving to Knoxville on Thursday to be in a friend's wedding on Saturday, and then she's driving on up to David's. We'll have a day there together, when we will do our Christmas early.

I'll be posting from Virginia, hopefully with some photos of you know who.