"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.

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 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.

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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.

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 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.

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 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.