"All You Have to Do Is Call...and I'll be there...."

 This is the whole truth and nothing but the truth....I have lived almost 80 years. I have had many jobs. I've been in charge of many things...my children, my kitchen, a classroom or two, many volunteer organizations and a couple of ladies groups. Never, until just recently, have I ever had an Assistant. 

I'm sure many of you have had a similar life. No one made the menu plans, lesson plans or planned the family agendas, but you. You drove the carpools, bought and signed the Christmas cards and made the reservations.  Up until now, that's what life was about. CEOs and Media Stars had assistants, average folks did not. Now, even I, have an entourage!!!!

Just yesterday, my house assistant, Alexa, heard me say Lenexa (a nearby suburb), and she chimed in on the conversation, with a whole bunch of useless information, not related to anything that was actually happening. She thought I had summoned her. I told her, somewhat rudely, to go away. She did. BTW, she is available, all over the house. I honestly believe that she hears every word I say! 

In the car, my Assistant's name is Eve. I think her last name is GROC. She gives me driving directions, locates businesses and gives up-to-the minute traffic information. She is, unfortunately, unable to decipher local pronunciation or understand colloquialisms. She's a bit sassy and will argue when her information is challenged. She also says "my bad", when she messes up. 

Recently, I discovered that I have an Assistant, who works through my PC. If asked, this Assistant could write this Blog. I haven't spoken to him/her about that, yet. I have, however, used the Assistant in Microsoft Word, to correct my spelling and grammar, whilst composing the monthly Church Council Meeting Minutes. That Assistant has been quite helpful.

So, for now, you're getting me, my musings and my over-use of commas. I have odd word patterns. I know my shortcomings, but I am not against using AI, to improve my life. God knows that I am imperfect. I appreciate the help.

.............................................................................................................................................................

 Dearest Lord. We are aware the World, that You created, is not stationary. Change is all around us. It's easy to stay sheltered in what we know and what is familiar. It's scary to confront the unknown and unfamiliar. We know that You are our Constant and our Guide. Give us strength to face an ever changing World. 

 

 

 

Who knew?

Recently, I wrote about viewing a very fine documentary series on Abraham Lincoln. My goal for the remainder of this 250 Anniversary Year, is to "discover new facts about American historical persons" and put a "Nansense" spin on them.. Here's what I've learned...so far. 

* James Garfield (20th President) Historical Drama-mentary Movie, "Death by Lightening", features a really scary assassin. The actor, portraying the shooter, puts the D in deranged!! Disappointed in the frequent use of the F word. I don't think 19th Century farm wives spoke like 21st Century teenagers.

* Jefferson (3rd President) Interesting discoveries about his relationship (six children conceived) with a very young, enslaved person, Sally Hemings.That was not the most important product of his presidency. His most important accomplishment was the Louisiana Purchase. He died on the same day at John Adams (#2), on the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

*Theodore Roosevelt (26th President). Proof that a hyper and perhaps emotionally unstable person can become a great and charismatic leader. National Parks are his legacy. Before his occupancy, the White House was called the Presidential Mansion.( I think he gave it a fresh coat of white paint.) Had one son who died in WWI and another in WWII. 

* Franklin D. Roosevelt (#32) served in each government job, previously held by his Uncle Teddy....Governor of NY, Asst. Secretary of the Navy, President.  Wish I had asked my grandparents and parents about the Great Depression, of the 1930s. Never gave up trying to cure his paralysis from Polio. FDR understood German, and listened to the speeches of Hitler, without translation.

* Washington (#1) Had previously served as a Officer in the British Colonial Army and was forty-four when he took command of the Continental Army. He only had two and a half years of retirement, at Mt. Vernon, before his death, at 67years of age. Unlike all other slave-owning Presidents, who followed him, he emancipated his human property, upon his death.

........................................................................................................................................................................

All-Powerful God: Allow us discernment as we navigate the world around us. Sometimes we need reminders to think before we speak and act. Amen. 

 

 

 

 

"Happy Birthday to You"

So, there are a few perks of having 100 or so, of your closest friends, all turn 80 years old this year . 

• First of all, there are the parties (I tried to count up the ones we've attended so far, but it was so many, I got slightly confused). It started last December, and since January, it's been one or two celebrations per month. Praise the Lord, none, of ones we've attended, have been "SURPRISE" events....so far. I mean, if you're 80, you certainly don't need any "heart stopping choruses" of the Birthday Song, and at 80, we all want to do a little prep to look our best at a party. All of the  parties, so far, have been planned with advance notice. Besides, at our age, we could never squat down behind a couch and then be expected to jump up yelling, "Surprise", on command!
• The Food. Birthday Cake is essential, but I've also tasted some particularly fine appetizers and quite a few glasses of white wine. Actually, I'll eat whatever is offered, at these soirees. Problem is, of course, I may be forced to buy an entirely new wardrobe, in 2027, due to my increased caloric intake.
• Memories. My Birthday buddies and I have been friends for a long time. Some of us traveled the halls of the same elementary, junior high and senior high school. Others were college friends. Living this long, has made us survivors. It's fun remembering how we have interacted over the years. And, it's even nice to recall those fellow Boomers, who didn't make it into their 8th Decade. We miss their presence in our lives.
• Schedules. None of these Birthday Parties caused us to alter our bedtime. Most 80 year olds don't stay up past 10 p.m. Most of the Birthday Parties have been afternoon or early evening events. Well, of course, none of us want to drive after dark! 

And now, I've got to go and get ready for another party. I'll wear something nice. My outfit may be a repeat, from the last Birthday Party. I can't remember. But then, neither will anyone else.

.....................................................................................................................................................................

 Kind and Loving Lord. We hope that our lives have been an honor to You. Guide us through these next years and bring us safely to Your arms. We cherish our many blessings.

 

 

"Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes"

Sometimes a girl just needs a bit of a change. A change in scenery, a change in attitude or just a change in background of her BLOG. So, I did it. Voila!!!

For the new background, I have chosen a forest-like/woodsy theme, in honor of the woods/pond/river in our backyard area. The city is fast encroaching on the property, but for now, it appears like we are in a smallish National Park.  There is always something wild and interesting to view, from a window, the two back decks, or boating on the pond.  Frequent visitors are deer, turkey, a variety of birds, and two blue herons that have chosen the tallest trees to call home.

And, we are blessed to have a steady stream of human visitors, to help us share this rural oasis. Rick is in charge of entertaining the outdoorsy folk and serves as the chief grilling expert. I handle the indoors group and all of the side dishes. We share in the clean-up. As I check the calendar, I think our total of day and/or overnight guests, so far this season, is right at 21. 

Our big new attraction here, at the homestead, is the newly completed (is any creative project truly complete?) walk-in Terrarium, that Rick has constructed (think room sized aquarium) in part of the basement. He has added a waterfall, sprayers, pond, plants and critters. Trust me. It's absolutely stunning.We've even had some of the young visitors put down their phones, to watch the chameleons do their "changing color act ".

We plan on being home, mostly, for the rest of the summer. Drop by or give us a call, and we'll pencil you in. We'll put some burgers or tenderloins, on the grill.  Bring your swimsuits, the zip line over the pond is all hooked up.

See ya soon.

...................................................................................................................................................................... 

 Holy Lord. Your Creations are without number. The beauty of Your world is boundless. We cannot even begin to count our blessings. We praise Your Holy Name.

 

 

 

"Pick a litttle. Talk a little. Cheep, Cheep......."

Picture this.....two folks sitting on the back deck, on a perfect summer evening and an owl starts hooting, in the near-by valley. One person listens to the sound, remembers and carefully recites, word for word, a poem that was displayed, on the wall of a science classroom, around 60 some years ago. 

Amazing, you say. Well, of course I thought so, since I was the one who had memorized the poem. Actually, I thought my companion would be favorably impressed by my elocutionary skill.  Certainly, Mr. Ernie Nelson, our Junior High Science Teacher, would have been. He was the one who had hung the posters. Let's face it, Science was of very little interest to me, which is probably why I memorized the the poems on the walls of the classroom.

The reason for writing this particular blog, was my companion's reaction, to my compelling recitation of the Owl Poem. He said something like, "You didn't much follow that advice, did you?"

I was, only briefly, taken aback. He was right. I talk a lot. I really talk a lot. Years ago, About the same time, I was sitting in Science Class memorizing that poem, another teacher told me, "You talk so much, you don't even know when you're talking." He was right. Today, I can phone my friend Judy, and we can talk for an hour or so, barely taking time to breathe. We have a lot of opinions. We have a lot to say, to each other.

That's the reason, of course, that I write this Blog. And, have written it, weekly, since 2008. My musings are what I believe and what I'm thinking about. Oh, I'm awfully glad that you are reading them. 

Life is a Hoot.

..........................................................................................................................................................

    The wise old owl he lived in an oak. 

    The more he saw, the less he spoke.

    The less he spoke, the more he heard.

    Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?

      

 

Honest Abe

 

I've spent the last few days viewing, on Netflix, a very fine documentary on the the life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln. The presentation was enhanced with commentary from experts on Lincoln, military strategy and emancipation. As I watched this fine and in-depth critic of the years of Lincoln's life, little did I realize that I would be once again "slapped-up-the-side-of-my-face" by stupidity. Ignorance is bliss, I've heard all my life. But, how can experts screw up two simple words???? (Well, actually the words I am writing about have 3 syllables, so I guess they are not exactly simple words.)

We have a very highly rated institution of military training and history, close by, at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. It's formally called the US Army Command and General Staff College. They train folks to wage real war, etc. One thing, I assume they do not do, is teach religion. That's why many of the well-educated military personal, who graduate from institution, say " Calvary" instead of "cavalry" when referring to mounted troops?  Granted, the only place you actually see troops, mounted on horses these days, occurs when you see "The Trooping of the Colors", telecast from England. But, how can these supposed experts not know that those mounted soldiers are CAV alry, not CALvary???? Jesus, reportedly, died on a cross on Mt. Calvary.

So, back to that documentary and actually dozens of politically based interviews that I have watched, over my many years.  Chiefs of Staff confuse the words. Three-Star Generals confuse the words. People actually determining military strategy, for our country and dozens of our allies, apparently are not taught the difference, between those two words. And, it's for sure that our heathen politicians don't know the difference either. Folks, that scares me. 

Just about now, you are saying to yourself....she needs to find something else to worry about. You're right. Next, I am going to tackle the difference between Nuclear and Nucular!!!!!!!!! 

.........................................................................................................................................................................

All Knowing God. Excuse our ignorance.  

 

 

" Do you want to know a secret? Do you promise not to tell?"

 Like thousands of other folks, I am the recipient of quite a number of "new" recipes on my Facebook and email feed. I write "new" because like the phrase "everything old is new again", there are no "new" recipes out there. My theory is that they are considered "new" only because all the people who used to make them, X number of years ago, are now dead.

I've already blogged about Wacky Cake, a WWI recipe, which I've baked for years. Another oldie is Bess Truman's Ozark pudding. Oldies, but Goodies folks. Yummy.

Well, here's another one....circa 1970. Do you remember Jello Poke Cake? Do you even remember Jello? My mother and grandmother made Jello deserts, Jello salads, Jello side dishes and the occasional very odd Jello main dish. My own four children ate something I made called Jigglers. They were made with couple of packages of Jello and very little water. That recipe was famous for making Jello (usually soft and very wet) into a "finger-food".

However, it must have been the early eighties, when Jello fell out of popularity. Those same four kids, all but forbade me to allow anything resembling Jello, access to the kitchen table. 

Well, recently the Poke Cake Recipe popped up on my computer. I made it, served it to company several times, and consistently received compliments. Trust me it's easy to make and very tasty. Dare I tell anyone that it contains the heretical Jello? Maybe not. I'm going to smile and thank the Lord, that I am still alive to make it.

.................................................................................................................................................................... 

P.S. Interested in any of the above mentioned recipes? My email is: BriarKin@aol.com. I'll email you a copy. Remember. Don't mention Jello. 

Where are you going?

How did your ancestors get to America? Do you know if you are a descendant of someone who arrived here, before the Revolutionary War? Did your great-great-great grandpa fight in the Civil War? Maybe your people were 20th or even 21st Century immigrants. Or, were they already here, before our country became official, in 1776!

Every family has a different story. Many of us have relatives that came into this country through the immigration process, at Ellis Island, New York. Taking the time, to make a visit there, is well worth the effort. Perhaps someone in your family is listed on the Wall of Honor, located on the grounds of the large complex. I was impressed by the size of the facility and the acoustics, within the refurbished halls. I imagined that the sound of the different languages being spoken and the number of people being processed, must have been overwhelming, to the immigrants passing through.

Genealogy may not be your thing. Maybe you don't care who your fore fathers and mothers were, or what they did. But, the popularity of TV shows like "Who do you think you are?" and "Finding Your Roots", seems to be holding steady, season after season. We've all heard the expression "History repeats it's self." I believe that our ancestors would not want us to repeat their mistakes. Therefore, I think that it's important to learn the facts of their lives. Our ancestor's stories just might influence our life choices. After all, as the great philosopher Berra once opined, "If you don't know where you're going, you might take the wrong road."

Good luck in those archives, folks. Who know what fabulous stories you might find?

.................................................................................................................................................................... 

 

 German passenger ship, The George Washington (ID# 3018), commissioned in 1908, sailing from Bremen, to New York Harbor. In 1914, Jacob and Eva Keller, German speaking Hungarians, were steerage passengers on the George Washington. They arrived at Ellis Island, according to the Ship's Manifest List, at Ellis Island, in January 1914. Michael F. Keller, their eldest son, was my father.

 

 

 

"Say Uncle!!!!"

 Here's a very loose follow-up, to my last post about my dad. Everyone has a dad. And, some of us are fortunate to have uncles. Trying to remember, it took me a minute to count my uncles. I had five, and only one that I really knew well. Also, there was also a group of great uncles, who can be remembered mostly for their persistent and consistently annoying habit of tickling little girls. 

Uncles. We're all familiar with some very famous uncles. Some, like Uncle Ben and Uncle Remus, are politically incorrect, so we don't talk about them, anymore. John Candy was very funny as Uncle Buck, and who didn't like Uncle Fester and Disney's Uncle Scrooge?

Perhaps, the most famous uncle of all, is Uncle Sam. Images of Uncle Sam have been around since the War of 1812. However, the caricatures of this fictional character became most popular and well circulated, when James Montgomery Flagg, drew his famous WWI Poster "I Want YOU, for the U.S. Army".  That one and others that Flagg drew, around 1917, were published everywhere. Uncle Sam, pointing at the viewer, certainly ranks up there, among the three or four most reproduced portraits in history. What could be more patriotic, than a self-portrait by a guy, actually named Flagg? 

So, how did the portrait become the most well known portrait of Uncle Sam. Well, that comes from the nickname derived from a meat packing stamp. Rations sent to soldiers, during this second conflict with England, our War of 1812, carried the stamp U.S.! Sam Wilson, New York meat packer and supplier, was locally known as Uncle Sam Wilson. Soldiers began calling the rations "Uncle Sams". Somehow, a hundred years later, Flagg's portrait became Uncle Sam, recruitment icon for the United States Army.

Okay, there you go. More inane information from your Blogger Friend. But, as you celebrate the 250th Birthday of the U.S.A. , you can now contribute to any patriotic conversation, with your newly acquired, historically accurate, (likely, perhaps) knowledge. No need to give me credit and be sure to freely add any stories about your own uncles.

...........................................................................................................................................................................  

 Dear Lord. We are thankful and blessed. 

 

 

 

Dad

Just today, I read on the Internet (where else would I find real news like this) that the Schlitz Brewing Company is going to produce it's last barrels of Schlitz "The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous". Some of my earliest memories, are of my Dad, beer in one hand and cigarette in another, sitting on the front porch or standing in his tiny workshop, listening to Dizzy Dean describing the Cardinals game, on the radio. I can still hear my Dad fuss about Dizzy's horrible slaughter of the English Language. (These disparaging comments came from a man, who did not speak English, until he was 6 years old.) Dad was a lot of things, but he was not a grammarian!

My Dad, Mike,  did enjoy an occasional beer, or three. His favorite, as I remember, was Pabst Blue Ribbon. But, I kind of remember Schlitz and maybe Hamms, also. As a young man, he had worked at the Potosi Brewery (established in Potosi, Wisconsin (1852). It's slogan, according to my Dad, was "the beer that made Milwaukee, jealous!"

During my childhood, Dad worked the 4-12 shift, at a nearby chemical fertilizer plant. That meant, he left the house about 3:20 p.m. and returned around 12:30 a.m. He was generally up and making our breakfast, before my sister and I went to school. It was my dad who pulled and yanked my hair into a ponytail, every morning, until I was old enough to do it myself.

He was also our lunch chef. I walked, or probably ran home from school, every day for lunch. His gourmet specialties were scrambled eggs and noodles, canned chicken noodle soup and whatever he could make with bologna or hot dogs. Nothing to exciting, but I ate it. He was always there. After school, I'd come home to either an empty house or most of the time my sister was there. Mom came home around five and we wouldn't see Dad again, until breakfast the next morning.

So, I'm hoping that this current generation "remote/working-from-home" dads, is also engaged in some normally "mom" chores. Your kids are going to remember how really "present" you were, when you were home with them.  My dad, was doing "home" work, in the late 1940's and early fifties.

There are all kinds of dads, in this world. Dads who work crazy hours, dads to work 9-5 and dads who work from home. Dads just doing whatever they can, trying to be good dads.

.......................................................................................................................................................................

Heavenly Father. Being a good parent isn't easy. We are thankful for those folks who try to do the best they can. Help us to be Your good stewards of the next generations. 

 

 

Ants in Your Pants...Redux

 

 Note: I first posted this on Memorial Day 2019. I hope you will enjoy it.

 

 Memorial Day Weekend. This holiday has been around since the years after the American Civil War. It was initially called Decoration Day, and it was the day that post Civil War Americans decorated the graves of their soldiers. Then, it became traditional, for families, to use the holiday (which used to be May 30th, whatever day of the week on which it fell), to decorate the graves of their family members, soldiers or not.
It's a nice coincidence that late May, is the time that many indigenous flowers and shrubs are in bloom. Native flowers have always made showy cemetery floral displays. Lilacs and Dogwoods, Peonies and Iris (we called them Flags and they were always deep purple) were the choices of my Grandmother Wintle. Those things flourished in her yard and every last blossom was destined for the cemetery.
Peonies (pronounced pee OHH nies) start to bud out in early May. Grandma Wintle cut those buds, with very long stems, and placed them in Mason Jars, full of water, in her refrigerator. There they stayed for a month, in the cooler, until we took them to the cemetery.
Now, Peony buds are chock full of teeny black ants. There were never ants in the Grandma's refrigerator. That would have been unacceptable to Grandma. The cool air must have made the ants hibernate or something. The iris and the lilac buds (minus the ants) went in the fridge, too.
Early on Decoration Day, we would haul those jars outside, to the back seat of the car. Sister and I would be in the back seat and jars would be placed between our feet and of course we had to hold some, too.
Off we'd go. Grandpa was driving and as the car bumped over the bricks (our town had brick streets), water would spill out and soak our ankle socks. The ants would warm up and start crawling up our legs and onto our arms. The ants went into our shirts and up into our underpants. It was awful.
It never did any good to complain and because our hands were full, we just had to bear the torture.
To this day, no Peony blossom has ever been allowed to enter my home. They stay outside where they and their ants belong!
Artificial Flowers are very beautiful, these days.
........................................................................................................................................................................
Great God. We thank you for our memories. We wonder at the beauty of your universe. We have many blessings.

Whatever Happened to.......

In September, I'll have a big...and I mean really BIG....... BIRTHDAY. It's big because when I was a youngster NOBODY was ever this old. They couldn't have been. The old teachers were probably in their early 60's. Our Grandparents, if alive, couldn't have been older than 70 or so! Anyway, I'm old and I'm rockin' it....so far!

But, whatever happened to things I remember?....... like:

•  Grape and Orange Nehi Soda. Is someone still making them? If so, where can I buy them?
•  Slips. I still have a couple of old half-slips, and I wear them all the time. But they are going to die before I do. I don't have any full-slips, and I could use a black one and a white one.
•  Clothes made from decent fabric, not slinky, cheap feeling stuff. 
•  Anything that's not expensive, or ever slightly under budget. I'd settle for a really good deal.
• Cheap fast food. I paid 15 bucks last week for a chicken sandwich, soggy fries and a drink.
• Affordable donuts or cookies.  5 Bucks for one cookie? And can you just eat one??????
• Any news that's true. Not AI generated. No dancing cats, please.
• Advertisements for solicited items only ...for real usable items (correct sizes, please). Who sends me this stuff, anyway?

Okay, I know I sound like a mean crotchety old lady, and maybe I am, but I miss some of this stuff. The good old days weren't totally good, but how about if we just stop eliminating stuff, because it's old. Old is sometimes just fine.

.........................................................................................................................................................................

Dear Lord. Patience is a Virtue. I fear, however, that my patience is running out. Help me as I work on acceptance and tolerance. Bless me with Peace.

 

"There's no place like home......"

 In about a week, we will be returning to our hometown for a reunion of our High School Graduating Class. This is a group of folks that have meeting regularly, for over 60 years. There will be few surprises because most of us have known each other for 75 or so years. Certainly, we're aging, but we always enjoy each others company. We enjoy catching up on our current lives and circumstances.

We all had our cliques in school. I seem to remember that I was part of the music/art crowd. I had a good time and didn't put much effort into my studies. Small towns in Kansas, were a great place to live in the 50's and 60's. There were lots of activities and fun things to do, to keep us entertained 

Many years have passed since graduation day. We are all turning the big 80, this year. But, I'm sticking to the proposition that "80 is the new 60". This group, diminishing in numbers, still has "a lot of livin' to do." And, while doing this living, there's a quote I'd like to share with you. It's from one of everyone's favorite Kansas-related movies. Glinda, the good witch tells Dorothy Gale, "You've always had the power, my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself."  

My thought is this. It takes a life time to realize you've always had the power. Your power comes from a lifetime of experiences and from the wisdom that you gain from others in your life. Good Events and tragic events. Good choices and not so good choices. Those years have made us who we are, today.

We may not be able to click our heels together for many more years, but we're going to keep doing it for as long as we can. 

......................................................................................................................................................................

Good Lord. Thank You for the lives we lead. We are blessed to have You, traveling along on this worldly road with us. You have been with us as we have traveled far, and You will be there for us when we come home.

 

 

 

"Judge not.........."

 Reminding myself every day, that being judgemental is wrong, has become my daily mantra. Problem is.....I'm really great at judging others. I know what I like and believe, and it's difficult for me to accept that not everyone has the same standards.

High on my list, of acceptable living, is indoor plumbing. Sewers have been around since Roman Times. There have been lots of improvements since then, so it seems logical to me that we should be taking advantage of them.  Running water, flush toilets, bathtubs and showers. Great inventions, and I'm not living without them. 

Someone once tried to explain to me that living "off the grid" was preferable to living a normal 21st Century life. I know that we "modernists" are often guilty of excess. No one really needs a triple car garage, or the vehicles that reside in each bay. But, it's nice to be able to drive or ride somewhere when one needs transportation. Seriously, when an emergency trip to the hospital is needed, I'm going to want a ride, via ambulance if necessary, to a near-by modern hospital (preferably with running water).

I get the off-grid appeal of alternative energy. Many folks I know have a back-up generator and/or wood burning stoves and fireplaces. But, if the temperatures get below freezing or climb to the 100s plus, I need some seriously modern HVAC. A cook stove, electric or gas, is a necessity to most everyone. 

Refrigeration is convenient, too. I like to eat.

The argument for off-grid living (let me venture to use the word "primitive", because average Americans have not lived without plumbing and electricity, for over a hundred years) is that "we don't have to depend upon anyone for anything. We are self-sufficient". Really? Do you grow cotton, spin, weave your own cloth, hand-sew your own clothes? How about food? Build your own homes and roads?

Community is important. And, where two or more are gathered, a toilet is almost necessary, let alone  modest. Human contact has been found to be essential to good mental health. Those "Off Grid, Alone and Survivor" shows, have actually been filmed by a sufficient group of cameramen, make-up artists, wardrobe experts, directors, etc....all using and needing modern conveniences. Bet they all dive into nice modern campers, the minute that filming is over.

.................................................................................................................................................................

Lord. We are all different. We have specific wants, needs and hopes. What all of us have in common is your Good Grace. Remind us to live kindly and fairly with one another, celebrate our differences and try not to be judgemental. We must walk with You. Acceptance is a virtue.

 

 

 

 

 

"Larkspur and Hollyhock......and Tomato Plants"

Here we go again. Mistress Nancy, quite contrary, is going to take a stab at gardening, one more time. I'm a sucker when the bedding plants start appearing at Lowes and Walmart. I can't drive near my old house and not stop at Larry's Northland Garden Center. Today, I made a trip to Suburban Lawn and Garden (they have everything that has ever been grown there) for tomato plants and flowers. The flowers are going in our deck planters and the tomatoes in my small veggie bed on the upper deck.

Last year, tomato worms ate all of my beautiful plant leaves, and I was left with no tomatoes and two over-productive zucchini plants. I am not fond of zucchini. Truly, I'm a really bad gardener. I plant, water, and weed. But, I can never get much to grow. 

My grandpa Tom, had a marvelous garden. It covered a whole vacant lot. He grew corn, cabbage, lettuce, beans, peas,watermelon and cantaloupe. His six brothers were gardeners, too. I seem to remember that they were quite competitive about their produce. Our families all ate well. But, that was in the day when growing and canning were the norm. (Do they still make pressure cookers????)

So, here I go again. Wish me luck. Will I be successful? I'll report back, in August.

........................................................................................................................................................................

Lord. We have an abundance of blessings. We thank You for every day. 

 

 

"Magic carpets made of steel"

 What is it that really bothers you? For me it's just plain stupidity or maybe I should write it more politely as ignorance. Or perhaps, even more politely written, maybe I dislike indifference to historical accuracy. Although, you might think, of course, that I may be just too picky?

Take historical facts for instance. I can understand that dates are unimportant and confusing to some folks. But when someone asked me, "Are the First World War and the Viet Nam War the same thing?" Well, that made me shake my head in amazement. How does one answer that question? And, why bother?

Do folks just not care about history? When I moved to my current home in Stilwell, Kansas, one of the first things I did was look up the origin of the unusual spelling (3 Ls, instead of 4), of the town. Arthur Stilwell was born in the 1850s and became quite a wealthy Railroad Baron, building a railroad from Kansas City, through the town of Stilwell, through my hometown of Pittsburg, Kansas, and on down to the Gulf of Mexico (Port Arthur, Texas). He actually founded and named about 400 towns, along the route. Obviously, some after himself. 

Here's a little more history for you. In the 1840's, steam locomotives were called "Iron Horses". Locomotives were heavier and faster than the other mode of transportation.....horseback or wagons. Now,  all of that makes sense. (Lou Gerhig was also called :The Iron Horse" but that's a whole other story.)

Just a couple of miles down the street (near the old KCP and Gulf Railroad Line) is the Iron Horse Golf Course, the Fairways at Iron Horse Subdivision, Villas of Iron Horse and the Iron Horse Bar and Grill. Now, this is the disconnect. Not a Steam Engine anywhere to be found.....just statues of wild horses.  Big old horses on every prominent intersection. Horses on the logo. Horse statues everywhere.

Just shaking my head. One wonders if the cost of old locomotives or their replicas was too much for the developers of the area. Just plant those cheap horse statues and put shrubs around them. They look real nice and to heck with history.

 "He who knows not and knows not that he know not, is a fool. Shun him.

........................................................................................................................................................................

Dear Lord. You know and understand everything. You are patient and wise. Show us how to be more understanding of all things and persons, in Your Universe. Guide our feet while we run this race. 

"Where Did You Get That Hat? Where Did You Get That Tile"

I have to admit that I do appreciate attending a fun "costume event". Quirky, maybe and I realize it's not everyone's cup of tea. We all know when the invitation says "costumes suggested", most folks ignore it. Not me! I enjoy dressing up and adopting the life style and persona of someone other than myself, temporarily.

For years, I have had a whole closet containing just costumes. If, by chance you need a costume for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, I've got one. Once, you are dressed in the matching coat, vest and knees breeches, you could don one of my nice wigs, to complete your outfit. Hanging next to that costume is an spiffy, early 1900's baseball uniform. Then, you'll find a variety of leggings, slacks, cloaks and of course I have a "Darcy" shirt, ready to be sprayed with water!!!

Because, I consider myself a "Janite", I can go resplendently dressed for any Austen-like occasion, in both summer or winter seasons. My Regency Collection contains era appropriate jewelry and shoes, too. Included in my vast feminine collection is a 1900's high-neck blouse and skirt, along with a splendid 1950's "mother of the bride dress", with a matching hat and purse. That outfit has been used to portray both Queen Elizabeth and Bess Truman (at different events, of course)! I used to wear it with a wig, but considering my own hair color, now there's no need.

Finally, my costume closet contains various accessories, that are adaptable for many dress up occasions. There are a couple letter jackets (abandoned by offspring), from various decades. A black cape, Darth Vadar mask, Pirate attire, shawls and bonnets, wigs, caps, and tiaras, etc. 

Just waiting for an invitation. 

....................................................................................................................................................................... 

 Great and Gracious God. Life is an adventure. Often we are blessed with the opportunity to choose a path. Sometimes the path chooses us. Our Faith in You, keeps us moving forward. You walk with us.

 

 

 

Gosh Darn It Anyway

 I just watched a series on NETFLIX that was a historical depiction of life in the 1880s. Specifically, the assassination of James Garfield. The costuming was very "of the period", the sets were stunning and authentic looking. (Probably AI, but they were great.)  And, the actors were excellent. The actor portraying Charles Guiteau, the assassin, knew how to portray CRAZY.  He was believably, mentally ill. 

However, and this is my point today.... I was off-put by the language. No way, am I going to believe that folks, in that era, used the F word, at least once in every other sentence. It's 2026, for Pete's sake, and choose to not even spell it out. This very formidable and admirable series had the actors...politicians, and every day folks sounding like, what my mother would call, "drunken sailors."

Truthfully, I have never met a drunken sailor, so I don't know how one speaks. And, furthermore, I don't think my mother hung out with many drunken sailors, in her lifetime. I do, however, have experience with what a bar of soap tastes like. Back when kids got spanked and had consequences for breaking rules, a bar of soap stuck in your mouth was supposed to keep you from using bad words. Well, it worked for me.......most of the time.

And yes, I am judging and I do know that Judgement of Others, is not a gift of the Holy Spirit. I just want to say the the overuse of curse words, in speaking, acting or writing, in my humble opinion (and you all know that I am definitely not humble) is an example of inferior vocabulary. In my research of this subject, I read that screen writers today, write dialogue using profanity because that's the only way they can interpret emotion to today's viewers. That's the way today's viewers speak. 

Remember when our kids were toddlers and we were told to tell them, when they were angry and screaming, "Use your words and tell us what you want. Don't cry." Well apparently, today's audience only reacts to four letter dialogue.

And you know what I say to that theory.....Phooey. 

 .......................................................................................................................................................................

 Dear Lord. sometimes we think we know everything. Well, You know we don't. Help us to be kind and respectful of our fellow travelers. Love is the answer. Not angry words.

 

 

 

WIPS

As I look around our comfortable home, it's obvious I am certainly, personality-wise, "scattered". I am continually involved in numerous projects at the same time. Right now, I can see before me, three colorful yarn piles, waiting to be crocheted into one-of-a-kind fashions. But, not just yet. All three were started before Christmas. None of them are finished. Oh, I've been working on them, off and on, for the past four months or more. They are WIPs. Works In Progress.

Let's face it. Many, if not all of us are Works in Progress. Many years ago, several of my teachers told me, quite firmly, that I talked to much. Frankly, I have a lot to say. One of my most annoying (actually, I think it's endearing) habits is starting on one topic of discussion and then switching to another subject, without skipping a beat. I can follow my train of thought. It's just difficult for others! Again, the term "scattered" come to mind.

Just this morning I was talking about buildings in my home town. Starting with Kresse's on Broadway and ending with the Tower Ballroom. Then, my mind and mouth wandered to the World War I Memorial Tower, in downtown Kansas City. My last comment was about my eldest son's office, located in NYC's Empire State Building. A tower of sorts, right? Did you follow that train of thought? Likely, it left the station, before you got on board. I hear the phrase "What did you say?"quite often.

Like I admitted earlier, a Work In Progress.

.........................................................................................................................................................................

Lord, we are thankful for many things. You have blessed us with many worldly treasures. Help us to appreciate ourselves and others. Remind us to be kind. Kind words and kind thoughts are appreciated and mean a great deal, to those that we encounter daily.

 

 

Miss Poke

 Whilst traveling ALONE, on old 69 Highway, downtown and back, I often sing along to the car radio. Yes, I realize it really isn't radio anymore, it's some kind of playlist thing. In this modern world, you can select what you want to hear, with no advertisements. Mostly, I choose to listen to 60s and 70s rock or soft rock. Anyway, I sing along, belting out those oldies, often quite animatedly. 

Well, my Tesla screen prints the titles of the playlist I've chosen, and rather offhandedly, I noticed, that for the last 40 or so years, I had been misspeaking the title, and lyrics of the Steely Dan Hit, "Reelin' in the Years". Your stellar vocalist here, has been singing "Ease" instead of years. Well. That got me to thinking....what else have I been screwing up?

Plenty, it seems. Everyone has joined in with Dan Fogarty, in "There's a BATHROOM on the RIGHT." I understand that he even sings it that way, sometimes. "out tonight" does sound like "on the right." Aretha belted out "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" and improved every teenagers spelling. However, what I thought was PCP (some kind of pipe) is actually TCB, as in Taking Care of Business. And, that Eagles hit isn't about Granny.....it's "take a load off Fanny."

So, it appears that misspoken lyrics are quite common. Some are definitely changed on purpose, for a laugh, as in that popular Easter Hymn "Up From the Gravy and the Roast", or the popular church song, "Here I am Lord" that my sons changed ......"Finest bread I will provide" adding, "and the meat is chicken fried". So wrong...but amusing. Right?

Anyway, right lyrics or wrong, I'm going to keep on singing. 

.......................................................................................................................................................................... 

All Knowing Lord:  Humor makes life so very enjoyable. Sometimes we get too serious. You are always with us. You want us to live life to the fullest. We need to focus on Trust and Obey.