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."
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day
Monday, February 11, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
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.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, February 04, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, February 01, 2008
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.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
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.
Monday, January 28, 2008
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.
One of the last songs that they sang was this one. No commentary from me is needed.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Ella in the snow!
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.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, January 11, 2008
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.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
The Tongue Always Helps
Here She Comes!
There she goes.
Monday, January 07, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
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
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
Sunday, December 30, 2007
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.
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.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, December 17, 2007
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.
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.
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