April 1, 1950

 Tomorrow is a big day. Beginning tomorrow, if you are interested, you will have a chance to take a stroll back in time to view data, from the long anticipated, 1950 U.S. Census. 151 Million Americans talked to a Census Worker that year, and finally, after 72 years, those of us who were alive, all those years ago, will have a chance to look back our own lives and the lives of our parents and grandparents.  

The previous 16 Census(es or i ?) have been really interesting, to those of us interested in history. Through that information, collected verbally by government workers, we have been able to name and locate our ancestors, some as far back as the early 1800's. But this latest one....Wow. Seriously, I can hardly wait. 

What am I looking for? Well, 1950 was a time, in America, when we as a nation were on the edge of big change. Dads were just home from World War II. Women were not a factor in the work force, and kids were (for the most part) not glued to TV sets. Folks lived in cities or on farms, because suburbs were just beginning to appear. By 1960, (the next census) the United States had entered the modern era!

Where were you living in 1950? Where was your dad employed? Were you going to school? Who were your neighbors? Did you live with your grandparents? You will be able to discover all of those things....if you take the time to look.

As an aside, the information from the 1950 Census, will be released gradually over the next few months. No one wants the Internet broken, on April Fools Day!

Great God: We are blessed to have so much information available, at our fingertips. W look with awe at Your majesty and creation. Thank You for our many blessings. May we use them wisely and to Your glory.

What Did You Say?

Words are colloquial. That is, what you call something and often how you pronounce it, is related to geography....y'all. 

Last week, I was having a chat with my, somewhat older neighbor, Morris. We were standing in my front yard discussing the weather, when he said something that I, at first thought, was a foreign language. I did a quick check of my hearing aids, and began to listen a little more carefully. He was talking about the soon to be blooming floral border, between our homes. OMGolly, the man had said "pe  OHHHH nees". I hadn't heard that pronunciation, since I left Southeast Kansas, almost 60 years ago. 

Now, I knew my neighbor had been farm reared, in rural Kansas, and that got me thinking. So, I did some Facebook Research.....very scientific, of course. Throwing out the question, to my Facebook friends, I asked how the word was pronounced. Here is what I found:

If you grew up, more than 50 years ago, in rural Missouri or Kansas, you probably heard the word pronounced, "pe OHHHH nee". Now, since many of us have migrated to large metropolitan areas, we most always hear and say, PEE oh nee. It's classier and the preferred botanical vocalization.

I heard from several relatives, who grew up in California. Their preferred pronunciation is with the emphasis on the the first or last syllable. Folks emanating from the North and East, use that same pronunciation.  My childhood friends, whose parents had been from places, other than Kansas and Missouri, or who had traveled extensively, use PEE-oh-nee, also. 

But, my grandma and her contemporaries said "pe OHHHH nies", and they grew some awesome ones. They came in single (resembled poppies) and big fat double ones (like giant carnations). They were mostly pink, but there were red and white bushes, too. Putting them on family graves, for Decoration Day, was a family tradition. And, no matter what you call or called them, they are still pretty special.

Good and All-powerful Lord. Thank you for the awesome experience of the changing seasons. We are blessed.

And Continues......

 First thing Tuesday morning, the "Big Trash" guys showed up with their huge Pinch-er Truck. They loaded all of my items and were getting back in the truck, when I ran outside to thank them. I handed one of the guys a package of Oreos and the other, a box of Triscuits. Told them that they were a blessing and wished them a good day. 

Thus, I have gotten rid of a load of trash, and believe it or not the neighbors did not rat me out as a scofflaw or hoarder! And, to top that off, on my latest trip to the Thrift Store, I arranged for my working tread-mill to be recycled and reused. The thrift store will even pick it up!

Then, with the help of a kind man, again on the phone, I was able to successfully install, a new Internet connection, complete with a new modem and router. ( I didn't even have to use my electric drill!)

My biggest coup, this week, was having a phone conversation with the U.S. Government. After two attempts and a total of 85 minutes on hold, I spoke with a real person. AND, she was delightful. I now know exactly how much Social Security Assistance I will receive monthly, when it will be deposited into my account and several other useful bits of knowledge. I'm on cloud nine!

Dear God. I couldn't do this without You. Your children are everywhere. You are my Rock.

What will the neighbors say?

 The saga continues. 

Today, my two youngest sons helped me take a bunch of junk, out of the house and drag it across our front lawn. We deposited the stuff, at the edge of my yard, by the street. The load included two giant TVs, one TV stand, a bunch of scrap metal, a brass headboard and a pull-along golf cart. These were items that the local thrift stores would not take, so I arranged for the city "Big Trash" truck to come and take them. The appointment was made a month ago, for a pick-up scheduled for first thing tomorrow. 

My sons were available and willing to help, today. Now the rules of  "Big Trash" say that you are not supposed to carry your items, to the curb, until the day of pick up, but my helpers are not available at six a.m. tomorrow. Needless to say, we've created an eyesore in my normally clean and uncluttered neighborhood.

I hope the trash police do not show up at my door, tonight. Trust me when I tell you that I'm not going to answer the door if they do. And, I hope my neighbors will give me a little slack.

Great and all powerful Lord. Please help those of us who are trying to do the right thing and forgive us when have to change the rules a bit.

Thanks Mike!

 As we get older, we hopefully get wiser. Little flash backs help us remember the good times and enable us to push forward on our journey.

I have jokingly referred, to the fact, that my father often referred to me as "domkop". I know he didn't mean it literally, but whenever I did something not too bright (up to the standard to which he thought any fool was capable), I was lovingly called "domkop". And, at the time, I was unfamiliar with the translation of the word.....but, I knew it wasn't sweetheart!

But, in spite of whatever he called me, I want it noted that this same man, also, taught me some of the best lessons a girl could learn. At the age of nine, I got my first electric drill, and he taught me how to use it. I have always known the difference between a wood screw and a metal screw, the difference between a Phillips Head Screwdriver and a regular one, and where and when to use most hand tools. I can drive a straight nail and I know the difference between a sharpshooter and a snow shovel. So on and so on. 

Now, Lord knows he always said that I threw like a girl (uh, duh), and I never did get better at that skill. But, this week I proudly repaired the storm door with my ancient handy "man" knowledge. 

Thank you, Dad.

Lord, we thank you, for the memories of people and times long past.

Reflection

 Snowed in again! Not much to measure, but enough ice to keep me inside, for most of the day, I think. When you are forced to do without something or someone you are accustomed to, focusing in on little blessings and joys, is an extremely good exercise. So, amid the snow and freezing temps, of this early Monday morning, I am choosing to be thankful for:

• Choices. I wasn't hungry last night, so I ate half a bag of expensive cookies and a flavored water, for dinner. The water had no calories or sugar, so it offset the calories and sugar in the cookies. Yummy choice, lady.
• Relatives. My son and his lady friend took me to dinner on Saturday night. The food was great, but the company was the real treat. Another son checked in on me. He and my daughter call regularly. They chose to give me some of their time and talents.
• Friends. A long time friend called yesterday. We had a long conversation, covering many topics. She chose to share with me.
• More relatives. Cousin Mary has called me several times lately. She is a sweetheart and I know she chose to make the effort to check on me. 
• Finances. I can pay my bills and live comfortably. I have food, shelter, clothing and most important today, HEAT. 
• Faith. My worries are few. With God's help, I am going to survive whatever life throws at me. I'm choosing to look ahead.

Dear Lord. I am thankful. Life is good when I trust in God.