Out with the old, in with the new! Happy New Year to all I hope 2011 ends well for all of you and 2012 begins the same, and continues to be even more so.
2011 has been a trying year for our country and the world in general. Many weather tragedies occurred in the US as well as other countries, with the tornado in Joplin, Missouri at the top of the unwanted list for us, with the many deaths and destruction. Much suffering and unrest has occurred around the world. Yes, I am a loyal, patriotic American. Like it or not, and I don’t, in this present-day world we live in, we are affected by what happens in the rest of the world, and what we do affects many other countries.
We share the planet with many others. If you believe in creation, as many say you do, then God is responsible for everyone in this world, everywhere. If God is responsible for all creation, then why are some so mean and others not? Oh yes, ‘free will.’ We freely get ourselves into all kinds of trouble.
I am disturbed by the militant Christian who rants, raves, shouts and uses ugly word protesting what he/she feels is discrimination against Christians. In a simple example, I’ll go back a few years, when many put bumper stickers on their car that said, “If you love Jesus, honk!” Well that day, I decided to honk. The driver responded with very rude words and gestures. A Christian demonstration? Are we convincing anyone we’re a Christian with our words and actions? It's that "Walks like a duck, talks like a duck" thing. Oh, I know no one is perfect, but maybe we could be a little less imperfect?
Many have had personal tragedies in their families this past year, as mine has. The loss of jobs and homes has, and is being borne by many. Which way to turn? Wet to do? How to keep your family fed, housed and closed, not to mention healthy?
One of the seven deadly sins is greed. I believe that one of the reasons for our current financial situation is corporate/investor greed. Not satisfied with a good, healthy profit, but pushing for a bigger and bigger profit. There is nothing wrong with making money, making money is a good thing, depending on what you have to do to get it, and who you have to walk on. The Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil, not money itself, but the love of it, when you are willing to do anything to get it.
Wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever your life was in 2011, my hope for you is a better 2012. Please, have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Have you heard of “Do One Nice Thing?” One woman’s [Debbie Tenzer’s] attempt to make the world a better place by doing an act of kindness for someone, somewhere; simple or more complex. Is there a good deed you can do? Even a small deed will make a difference to someone. I’ll leave you with an old adage, “If you would change the world, first change yourself.”
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
What Happened to November
I know it took 30 days for the month to go by, and there were four weeks and two days in the month, and 24 hours in each day. But it seemed to go by so fast that it was like picking up a book, opening the cover and arriving at the back side of the book while bypassing all that was in between.
Needless to say, I don’t now participate in many of the same things I once did, due to age, health and the circumstances of my life. So, what did happen in those 30 days?
I admit to spending a good portion of my time with my Kindle. What a boon that is! My eyes were getting to the point where I had great difficulty in reading new books; either purchased or borrowed from the library, due to font size and the faintness of the ink used in printing. My Kindle has the advantage that I can enlarge the size where it can be comfortably read.
I spent part of each Wednesday afternoon with a group of women who have an interest in handcrafts, plus a few others who don’t ‘craft,’ but stop in to chat and look over what we have done. Most of us crochet, though there are a couple of knitters and one woman makes quilts. Such pretty and useful items emerge from this group. I only crochet, and as I have said before, it is fun to see what you can make out of a straight piece of string.
There were two or three trips to the grocers during the month, and one stop at the local yarn store. Shopping has never been one of my favorite activities, so I avoid it as much as possible. There was little else I needed, and I made a relatively small online purchase for those items. Of course, there are the odd bits and pieces of daily life, plus phone calls from family, conversations with neighbors, and so on.
I had to renew my car license this month, so had it inspected and winterized, and it’s good to go. Also had a medical checkup, which went well, except I have to follow through on one thing, which I have not yet done. Tomorrow, I promise myself I’ll call about that appointment.
Of course one must allot some hours to eating and sleeping and attending to various household tasks. I usually make daily checks to see who said what on fb, read and answer emails [at least some of them], check out genealogy correspondence, and do a little research. However, there has been a day or so in the past few months when I haven't even turned on my computer. Strange!!!
Last, but certainly not least was the Thanksgiving holiday. I had a great dinner as usual, with Russ and Jan and their family. I enjoyed being with them, also as usual, while missing the one who couldn’t be there.
Well, there you have it. Whatever I missed, you don’t need to know, and I don’t need to say; but in enumerating the events of the month, now I know what happened to it.
Tomorrow begins December. Our family has an important birthday on the next day. Towards the end of the month is the most important holiday of all, so...
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Needless to say, I don’t now participate in many of the same things I once did, due to age, health and the circumstances of my life. So, what did happen in those 30 days?
I admit to spending a good portion of my time with my Kindle. What a boon that is! My eyes were getting to the point where I had great difficulty in reading new books; either purchased or borrowed from the library, due to font size and the faintness of the ink used in printing. My Kindle has the advantage that I can enlarge the size where it can be comfortably read.
I spent part of each Wednesday afternoon with a group of women who have an interest in handcrafts, plus a few others who don’t ‘craft,’ but stop in to chat and look over what we have done. Most of us crochet, though there are a couple of knitters and one woman makes quilts. Such pretty and useful items emerge from this group. I only crochet, and as I have said before, it is fun to see what you can make out of a straight piece of string.
There were two or three trips to the grocers during the month, and one stop at the local yarn store. Shopping has never been one of my favorite activities, so I avoid it as much as possible. There was little else I needed, and I made a relatively small online purchase for those items. Of course, there are the odd bits and pieces of daily life, plus phone calls from family, conversations with neighbors, and so on.
I had to renew my car license this month, so had it inspected and winterized, and it’s good to go. Also had a medical checkup, which went well, except I have to follow through on one thing, which I have not yet done. Tomorrow, I promise myself I’ll call about that appointment.
Of course one must allot some hours to eating and sleeping and attending to various household tasks. I usually make daily checks to see who said what on fb, read and answer emails [at least some of them], check out genealogy correspondence, and do a little research. However, there has been a day or so in the past few months when I haven't even turned on my computer. Strange!!!
Last, but certainly not least was the Thanksgiving holiday. I had a great dinner as usual, with Russ and Jan and their family. I enjoyed being with them, also as usual, while missing the one who couldn’t be there.
Well, there you have it. Whatever I missed, you don’t need to know, and I don’t need to say; but in enumerating the events of the month, now I know what happened to it.
Tomorrow begins December. Our family has an important birthday on the next day. Towards the end of the month is the most important holiday of all, so...
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
My Own Little Room Full of Books
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo
Main Characters: a ten year old girl (Opal) and a dog named Winn-Dixie.
This isn’t a book review, so I won’t try to describe the book, except to say that it leaves you with a pleasant feeling. I just want to tell you about one small incident in the book.
Ten year old Opal meets an ‘old lady’ in the small town’s library; the woman who owns it. During their getting acquainted chat, the librarian tells Opal that when she was twelve years old, her father told her that for this special birthday, she could have anything she wanted. Anything! She explained that he was a very rich man, and she had no problem coming up with what she wanted. She wanted a library of her own, just a small one, of course; a room/house full of nothing but books, which she would share with others. To her great delight, her father built a small house and filled it with books, where she read them and shared them with the townspeople throughout her lifetime.
Having fallen in love with books myself, even before I learned how to read; I can only imagine the joy she got from that very special birthday gift. My father certainly wasn’t rich, but even if he had been, I’m sure it never would have occurred to me to ask for such a fantastic gift. Yes, the best birthday gift ever. In its way, my recent Kindle gift is my own little room full of books.
Main Characters: a ten year old girl (Opal) and a dog named Winn-Dixie.
This isn’t a book review, so I won’t try to describe the book, except to say that it leaves you with a pleasant feeling. I just want to tell you about one small incident in the book.
Ten year old Opal meets an ‘old lady’ in the small town’s library; the woman who owns it. During their getting acquainted chat, the librarian tells Opal that when she was twelve years old, her father told her that for this special birthday, she could have anything she wanted. Anything! She explained that he was a very rich man, and she had no problem coming up with what she wanted. She wanted a library of her own, just a small one, of course; a room/house full of nothing but books, which she would share with others. To her great delight, her father built a small house and filled it with books, where she read them and shared them with the townspeople throughout her lifetime.
Having fallen in love with books myself, even before I learned how to read; I can only imagine the joy she got from that very special birthday gift. My father certainly wasn’t rich, but even if he had been, I’m sure it never would have occurred to me to ask for such a fantastic gift. Yes, the best birthday gift ever. In its way, my recent Kindle gift is my own little room full of books.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Family Loss
This has been a week of loss for our family: two family members in just two days. One, a grand-nephew only 49 years old, who fought a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer, succumbed to that terrible disease. He and his family knew that he was going to leave them. Being of Christian faith, they are secure in the knowledge that he is now in a much better place. That does not change the fact that there will be a great gaping hole in the lives of the family left behind: his parents, wife, children and other family members will be confronted with this empty space, which can only be dealt with one day at a time. I recall a song that says, “One day at a time, Lord, one day at a time.” And I believe living “One day at a time,” is part of the Alcoholics Anonymous creed. Attempting to look at a possibly long road ahead without the person we’ve lost can be overwhelming. Just too much to contemplate.
The day following David’s death, my youngest sister, aged 63, died suddenly and unexpectedly in a car-train accident, where she apparently drove in front of an on-coming train at an unprotected crossing. I’m sure she neither heard nor saw the train, but of course I don’t know why. Was she distracted? Was there a medical reason? A medication side effect that made her less aware of her surroundings?
Susan was not only my youngest sister, but the youngest in our family of 12 children, eight boys and four girls. Now there are only four left, two boys and two girls. The two younger girls were born after I married and were near the age of my own two daughters. They grew up together, more like cousins than aunts and nieces.
The news about Susan was so unexpected, I was in shock. The blood pressure soared and I couldn’t speak without stuttering for a while, until it began to descend to a more acceptable rate .
She, too, has a family: a husband, children, grandchildren, and I’m sure they are having trouble comprehending (if indeed it can be done) so great and sudden loss. She too, is of Christian faith, so no worries for her after-life; but oh, those left behind, who will now have to find a way to live without her. God help them and sustain them. God help us all.
What can I say to you Susan? I don’t know,words fail me. Perhaps, only as I said before: Susan, Susan, Susan!
The day following David’s death, my youngest sister, aged 63, died suddenly and unexpectedly in a car-train accident, where she apparently drove in front of an on-coming train at an unprotected crossing. I’m sure she neither heard nor saw the train, but of course I don’t know why. Was she distracted? Was there a medical reason? A medication side effect that made her less aware of her surroundings?
Susan was not only my youngest sister, but the youngest in our family of 12 children, eight boys and four girls. Now there are only four left, two boys and two girls. The two younger girls were born after I married and were near the age of my own two daughters. They grew up together, more like cousins than aunts and nieces.
The news about Susan was so unexpected, I was in shock. The blood pressure soared and I couldn’t speak without stuttering for a while, until it began to descend to a more acceptable rate .
She, too, has a family: a husband, children, grandchildren, and I’m sure they are having trouble comprehending (if indeed it can be done) so great and sudden loss. She too, is of Christian faith, so no worries for her after-life; but oh, those left behind, who will now have to find a way to live without her. God help them and sustain them. God help us all.
What can I say to you Susan? I don’t know,words fail me. Perhaps, only as I said before: Susan, Susan, Susan!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Making a Mess
Two years ago yesterday on July 31st, I began this blog. The day before, on Sunday, I spilled a full cup of coffee when I attempted to set down the cup on a side table while watching that couple dance their way down the aisle to be married. Not paying enough attention to what I was doing, I set the cup too close to the edge, it bobbled, I lost control of the cup, and the “whole cup of coffee” spilled onto the floor.
Two years later, plus one day, I did the same thing again this morning, though for a different reason. This time I lost the cup as well as the coffee, so every drop went on the floor. Not a great start to the day.
When we were raising our family, I had a motto about making a mess: When you make a mess, there’s just one thing to do about it, and that is clean it up. I’m talking about the accidental, unintentional things that will occur in a home and in a family. I see no reason to get excited about something that wasn’t done as a result of mischief. In that case it would be the mischief that needed attention. Goodness knows, I got scolded and punished plenty of times for the sometimes broken dish, as a result of my clumsiness in the kitchen. I was the family klutz it seems. Yes, I know the reason.
I did have a word or two for myself this morning, due to my not paying attention to what I was doing. Not having the luxury of maid service, I had to take my own advice and clean up the mess. When the carpet dries, I will see whether or not I have to go over it again, and I strongly suspect that I will have to do just that.
Since the ‘spill’ episode, the day has gone by much as usual, doing this and that small task. Among other things, I finished the edge of a crocheted scar and have begun a small baby cap, which is about 2/3 finished.
When I go out again, and pick up new batteries and a charger for my camera, perhaps I’ll post some pictures.
Hope you haven’t had any messes to clean up today; but, if so, I hope they’re all small.
P.S. Being right is good, except when it isn't. More spot cleaning [a realllly big spot] coming up.
Two years later, plus one day, I did the same thing again this morning, though for a different reason. This time I lost the cup as well as the coffee, so every drop went on the floor. Not a great start to the day.
When we were raising our family, I had a motto about making a mess: When you make a mess, there’s just one thing to do about it, and that is clean it up. I’m talking about the accidental, unintentional things that will occur in a home and in a family. I see no reason to get excited about something that wasn’t done as a result of mischief. In that case it would be the mischief that needed attention. Goodness knows, I got scolded and punished plenty of times for the sometimes broken dish, as a result of my clumsiness in the kitchen. I was the family klutz it seems. Yes, I know the reason.
I did have a word or two for myself this morning, due to my not paying attention to what I was doing. Not having the luxury of maid service, I had to take my own advice and clean up the mess. When the carpet dries, I will see whether or not I have to go over it again, and I strongly suspect that I will have to do just that.
Since the ‘spill’ episode, the day has gone by much as usual, doing this and that small task. Among other things, I finished the edge of a crocheted scar and have begun a small baby cap, which is about 2/3 finished.
When I go out again, and pick up new batteries and a charger for my camera, perhaps I’ll post some pictures.
Hope you haven’t had any messes to clean up today; but, if so, I hope they’re all small.
P.S. Being right is good, except when it isn't. More spot cleaning [a realllly big spot] coming up.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
June 2011
Another fast-traveling month has zipped by with more storms, but not so violent thank goodness. The aftermath of the really bad ones will be felt for a long time by many.
I’ve been quite busy with one thing and another, and I find myself as usual with not enough time or energy, to do all that I would like to do, so by the end of the day I feel a bit used up.
I have been enjoying visiting with the ladies in the craft class/club here, while we work on various projects. It is nice to see these beautiful things emerge. And good to see the pleased smiles of those learning to do something new. I don’t want to take on any projects that I would have no place to put them when they’re finished. I only crochet, choosing various items, which don’t take a long time to do, and will eventually benefit someone somewhere.
I hope you had a good month and will have a good Independence Day celebration with your family, while we remember all who have made this possible and those who still give their service to our country.
I’ve been quite busy with one thing and another, and I find myself as usual with not enough time or energy, to do all that I would like to do, so by the end of the day I feel a bit used up.
I have been enjoying visiting with the ladies in the craft class/club here, while we work on various projects. It is nice to see these beautiful things emerge. And good to see the pleased smiles of those learning to do something new. I don’t want to take on any projects that I would have no place to put them when they’re finished. I only crochet, choosing various items, which don’t take a long time to do, and will eventually benefit someone somewhere.
I hope you had a good month and will have a good Independence Day celebration with your family, while we remember all who have made this possible and those who still give their service to our country.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
May 2011
Another month has gone by. I bemoaned April because of the bad weather: too much rains and too many killer storms. The month of May night not have had as many tornados as April, but it had one of the deadliest. In addition to the many lives lost and people who were injured, I heard this morning that 8,000 homes were destroyed in Joplin. It sends your head reeling.
I applaud the volunteers and government officials who have done tremendous work in the area and all still have much to do. Sever years ago after my husband died, a friend asked me how I was doing. I said I don’t know, I just get up in the morning, do what I can, go to bed exhausted and try to get some sleep, then get up in the morning and and do it all over again. There are so many things that need doing in the tornado aftermath, the one foot in front of another regimen must be very trying indeed. God help you all and give you strength to do what you must.
I applaud the volunteers and government officials who have done tremendous work in the area and all still have much to do. Sever years ago after my husband died, a friend asked me how I was doing. I said I don’t know, I just get up in the morning, do what I can, go to bed exhausted and try to get some sleep, then get up in the morning and and do it all over again. There are so many things that need doing in the tornado aftermath, the one foot in front of another regimen must be very trying indeed. God help you all and give you strength to do what you must.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
April 2011
Here we are at the end of April 2011. In just a few more hours, four months of this year will have zoomed by. Tomorrow will be May 1st and rent day will have arrived again. I have always heard it said that times goes by faster as you get older, but it seems to me one week goes into another and one month to another, until we arrive at another year before we’ve hardly begun. What was it Eddie Albert said in the song? “The years dwindle down to a precious few.” Actually they don’t dwindle, they seem to be like Superman and rush by with the speed of light.
As it is, I don’t think anyone will regret seeing the end of this April; such a horrid weather month. So many homes destroyed and lives lost, though we were so very fortunate, in that there was no loss of life due to the tornados in our area. Other states, and especially Alabama were not so fortunate.
It seems we have been bombarded with “bad,” by many things: weather, wars, loss of homes, the jobs we need to support our families, kids [and some older folks too] messing up their lives with drugs, which leads to crimes and sometimes their deaths or that of others. So much trouble, not only in our country, but around the world. But among all the bad, there is also much good, as exemplified by the many helping hands reaching out to those who have lost so much.
As it is, I don’t think anyone will regret seeing the end of this April; such a horrid weather month. So many homes destroyed and lives lost, though we were so very fortunate, in that there was no loss of life due to the tornados in our area. Other states, and especially Alabama were not so fortunate.
It seems we have been bombarded with “bad,” by many things: weather, wars, loss of homes, the jobs we need to support our families, kids [and some older folks too] messing up their lives with drugs, which leads to crimes and sometimes their deaths or that of others. So much trouble, not only in our country, but around the world. But among all the bad, there is also much good, as exemplified by the many helping hands reaching out to those who have lost so much.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Welcome to Winter/Spring
Surprise: Woke up this morning to find several inches of snow on the ground and on top of my car, and still snowing quite heavily. Weather people did say a front was coming through and snow could be mixed in. Looks to me like it wasn’t mixed in, but on top of… Supposed to be up around 40 this afternoon, and then maybe more rain, so the snow wouldn’t last long. Really!
About mid-morning, I looked out and the snow had almost stopped, so I thought it was winding down. A few minutes later, it had wound up again, with lots of big, heavy snow flakes. Old Mother Goose was really shaking out her feather beds. After a couple of hours, the snow lightened some, but it has continued to fall all day, and is still going strong.
We’ve had a lot of storms this winter, and most of the time we were on the light end of the accumulation where I live. This morning, they said the forecast had changed and this area was to get more than other places. I guess it was our turn.
One granddaughter, who was raised in Missouri, went to Florida to live, when her family moved there while she was in college. She always missed the change in seasons, and longed to see snow again. Her own children had never been exposed to snow and winter weather. Late last summer they moved back to Missouri, and I’d say they are now well acquainted with snow and ‘snow days.’ Maybe a little more than they would have liked.
I, too, like the change of seasons, but it has been a very long time since I thought snow was a great thing to have. Driving to and from work in snow and ice; the slush, the mess, the concern for people on the roads has long since lowered its appeal for me. I was fortunate never to have had a weather related accident, but one day on my way home from work, I slid on ice six ways from Sunday. [How long since you’ve heard that expression, if ever?] And never touched a thing. Talk about guardian angels!
My children, like many others, thought it wasn’t Christmas without snow. As far as I’m concerned, some of the best Christmas weather we had was when our kids played badminton in the yard with their Dad on Christmas Day. And later, another good Christmas weather day occurred, when the grandchildren were able to eat Christmas dinner at a small table out on the porch. That kind of weather is very much to my liking.
It is still snowing here, but it is now somewhat lighter. At any rate, all you drivers have a safe trip home this evening, and as someone on a television show used to say [I think it was Hill Street Blues], “Be careful out there!”
About mid-morning, I looked out and the snow had almost stopped, so I thought it was winding down. A few minutes later, it had wound up again, with lots of big, heavy snow flakes. Old Mother Goose was really shaking out her feather beds. After a couple of hours, the snow lightened some, but it has continued to fall all day, and is still going strong.
We’ve had a lot of storms this winter, and most of the time we were on the light end of the accumulation where I live. This morning, they said the forecast had changed and this area was to get more than other places. I guess it was our turn.
One granddaughter, who was raised in Missouri, went to Florida to live, when her family moved there while she was in college. She always missed the change in seasons, and longed to see snow again. Her own children had never been exposed to snow and winter weather. Late last summer they moved back to Missouri, and I’d say they are now well acquainted with snow and ‘snow days.’ Maybe a little more than they would have liked.
I, too, like the change of seasons, but it has been a very long time since I thought snow was a great thing to have. Driving to and from work in snow and ice; the slush, the mess, the concern for people on the roads has long since lowered its appeal for me. I was fortunate never to have had a weather related accident, but one day on my way home from work, I slid on ice six ways from Sunday. [How long since you’ve heard that expression, if ever?] And never touched a thing. Talk about guardian angels!
My children, like many others, thought it wasn’t Christmas without snow. As far as I’m concerned, some of the best Christmas weather we had was when our kids played badminton in the yard with their Dad on Christmas Day. And later, another good Christmas weather day occurred, when the grandchildren were able to eat Christmas dinner at a small table out on the porch. That kind of weather is very much to my liking.
It is still snowing here, but it is now somewhat lighter. At any rate, all you drivers have a safe trip home this evening, and as someone on a television show used to say [I think it was Hill Street Blues], “Be careful out there!”
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Grandpa Bowen: A Childhood Memory
William Cornelius Maguire Bowen, "Grandpa" Bowen, as most elderly people did at that time, lived with one of their children. He alternately lived with my family, or his daughter, Aunt Edith Cooper. He is one of my best childhood memories.
When I was born, he was 71 years old. His hair had been black, but by that time his hair was gray, and, he had a long, white beard. His eyes were a beautiful blue. I can still see those twinkling blue eyes in my mind. My brother, Tom, had those same twinkling blue eyes, with mischief added to the twinkle, as a boy.
Of Grandpa's four brothers, three were tall. Two were lean and lanky; the other also tall, but had a bit more muscular build. One other brother died when he was about 30 years old, and I never knew him, or had a description of him. Grandpa William M . C. Bowen was slim, but he was not tall like his brothers. I suspect he minded, as siblings will, that he, the eldest son, had to look up (in height) to his younger brothers.
He was injured by a falling tree while cutting timber when he was in his 50s and his leg was broken. Apparently it was not set properly, and he walked on crutches for the remainder of his life. This curtailed much of the physical work he had previously done, but he made himself useful around the place doing what he could do.
My grandmother, Sarah Jane Deskin Bowen, died two days before I was born. Grandpa and Dad were away at her funeral, and when they arrived home, they found a new baby girl. I suppose this new child helped fill a small hole in the empty space left in my grandfather's life, by my grandmother's passing. He was a very special part of my life as a child. He died much too soon for me, when I was only seven years old, and I missed him sorely. He was my special childhood friend.
My mother told me that when I was a baby, she would pile pillows in a rocking chiar, lay me on the pillows and Grandpa would watch me while she did her housework. If I woke and got fussy, Grandpa would put his foot on the rocker and gently rock the chair until I quieted, or Mother could come to do what was needed, if I was insistent.
Mother said she thought "Pa" Bowen was cranky. And one of my brother's, a little older than I, expressed the same opinion. I don't remember him being particularly crabby with me, except that once he told me to go get him a 'couple of sticks of wood." Being a literal minded child, that is exactly what I did. If that was what Grandpa wanted, that was what he got. I brought in two sticks of wood.
He fussed at me because I didn't bring more wood. And being this literal minded child, I didn't understand why he was displeased, when I did exactly what he told me to do. In my defense, I might add that I was a 'small' child, and unless the sticks were also pretty small, I probably couldn't have carried much more than that anyway.
I do remember that I pestered Grandpa, probably too frequently, to "Please let me look in Grandma's trunk." For some reason, I was fascinated by what was in this trunk and I delighted in going through it. However, I can only remember one item specifically, that it contained. That was the little clay pipes that it was said Grandma smoked, as did older women of some cultures. Grandpa promised me the pipes would be mine when he was gone; but he was not living with us when he died, and noone would have paid any attention to a child my age anyway. Later, I asked my cousins if they remembered anything about the trunk, and what had happened to the pipes, but neither had any memory of them. I suspect that all, or most of what was in the trunk was discarded as having no value.
As often as I asked Grandpa to see what was in the trunk, he had plent of opportunities to be cranky with me if he wanted to, but if he was, I have never recalled it. Cranky or not, I wouldn't have traded him for anything. When he left us, there was an empty space in my life too, and there was noone else to fill it for a very long time.
When I was born, he was 71 years old. His hair had been black, but by that time his hair was gray, and, he had a long, white beard. His eyes were a beautiful blue. I can still see those twinkling blue eyes in my mind. My brother, Tom, had those same twinkling blue eyes, with mischief added to the twinkle, as a boy.
Of Grandpa's four brothers, three were tall. Two were lean and lanky; the other also tall, but had a bit more muscular build. One other brother died when he was about 30 years old, and I never knew him, or had a description of him. Grandpa William M . C. Bowen was slim, but he was not tall like his brothers. I suspect he minded, as siblings will, that he, the eldest son, had to look up (in height) to his younger brothers.
He was injured by a falling tree while cutting timber when he was in his 50s and his leg was broken. Apparently it was not set properly, and he walked on crutches for the remainder of his life. This curtailed much of the physical work he had previously done, but he made himself useful around the place doing what he could do.
My grandmother, Sarah Jane Deskin Bowen, died two days before I was born. Grandpa and Dad were away at her funeral, and when they arrived home, they found a new baby girl. I suppose this new child helped fill a small hole in the empty space left in my grandfather's life, by my grandmother's passing. He was a very special part of my life as a child. He died much too soon for me, when I was only seven years old, and I missed him sorely. He was my special childhood friend.
My mother told me that when I was a baby, she would pile pillows in a rocking chiar, lay me on the pillows and Grandpa would watch me while she did her housework. If I woke and got fussy, Grandpa would put his foot on the rocker and gently rock the chair until I quieted, or Mother could come to do what was needed, if I was insistent.
Mother said she thought "Pa" Bowen was cranky. And one of my brother's, a little older than I, expressed the same opinion. I don't remember him being particularly crabby with me, except that once he told me to go get him a 'couple of sticks of wood." Being a literal minded child, that is exactly what I did. If that was what Grandpa wanted, that was what he got. I brought in two sticks of wood.
He fussed at me because I didn't bring more wood. And being this literal minded child, I didn't understand why he was displeased, when I did exactly what he told me to do. In my defense, I might add that I was a 'small' child, and unless the sticks were also pretty small, I probably couldn't have carried much more than that anyway.
I do remember that I pestered Grandpa, probably too frequently, to "Please let me look in Grandma's trunk." For some reason, I was fascinated by what was in this trunk and I delighted in going through it. However, I can only remember one item specifically, that it contained. That was the little clay pipes that it was said Grandma smoked, as did older women of some cultures. Grandpa promised me the pipes would be mine when he was gone; but he was not living with us when he died, and noone would have paid any attention to a child my age anyway. Later, I asked my cousins if they remembered anything about the trunk, and what had happened to the pipes, but neither had any memory of them. I suspect that all, or most of what was in the trunk was discarded as having no value.
As often as I asked Grandpa to see what was in the trunk, he had plent of opportunities to be cranky with me if he wanted to, but if he was, I have never recalled it. Cranky or not, I wouldn't have traded him for anything. When he left us, there was an empty space in my life too, and there was noone else to fill it for a very long time.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Readers' Choices
Recently another birthday came around. Admittedly, the numbers are getting pretty high. I celebrated with family members who live in my vicinity and received lots of good wishes from others farther away. I’m grateful to, and for, all of you. I also received cards from some of my neighbors here at W.P. And someone sang happy birthday to me over the phone. When the friend called, I was at my family birthday party. The next day, when I checked the answering machine, instead of leaving a message, she had sung Happy Birthday. Nice, Martha!
Anyone who knows me very well knows that I have been an avid reader for most of my life. I fell in love with the printed word as soon as I learned how to read. Or perhaps before I could read, because my desire to do so was what led me at age four, to take my little brother and run away to school, so I could found out what was in those books. Growing up, I can remember hearing my mother say so many times, “She is probably somewhere with her nose in a book.”
As I got older, libraries and book stores became two of my most favorite places. Since I couldn’t seem to walk out of a book store with only one book and ended up with an armful, I forced myself to stay away from book stores and spent more time at the local library instead - much more economical for me.
Much has changed since that day I ran away to school so many years ago, including my vision, unfortunately. For some time I have frequented the ‘larger print’ section of the library for the most part. The fine print of newer books makes them very difficult for me to read. As do other books with smaller or very narrow fonts.
Recently, I saw a news item where book publishers were going to make these types of fonts even more prevalent, because they would use so much less ink and cut their printing costs. I wonder if they have given a thought to eye strain for the reader!
Another big change for readers is the ability to download and read books on a small computer-like ebook, called a Kindle. That was my special birthday gift this year, along with a gift card to load up [download] some books. Needless to say I was/am very pleased.
I remember the fleeting thought of wondering if I would have a problem with the font size. Knowing my love of reading and my vision difficulties, the first thing my daughter-in-law pointed out to me was that the text size could be changed to suit the reader. The case has its own built in little light, so you don’t have to worry about having sufficient light, as well as a reading size that is comfortable.
I’m looking forward to many hours of enjoyment with this new reading tool. I’ve got the Kindle and gift card register, am learning how to use it, and have downloaded one book so far. I still have one library book to finish reading, so I can take the books I now have out on loan, back to the library. Then I can concentrate on this new reading experience. That’s the special gift I mentioned, Trish.
Anyone who knows me very well knows that I have been an avid reader for most of my life. I fell in love with the printed word as soon as I learned how to read. Or perhaps before I could read, because my desire to do so was what led me at age four, to take my little brother and run away to school, so I could found out what was in those books. Growing up, I can remember hearing my mother say so many times, “She is probably somewhere with her nose in a book.”
As I got older, libraries and book stores became two of my most favorite places. Since I couldn’t seem to walk out of a book store with only one book and ended up with an armful, I forced myself to stay away from book stores and spent more time at the local library instead - much more economical for me.
Much has changed since that day I ran away to school so many years ago, including my vision, unfortunately. For some time I have frequented the ‘larger print’ section of the library for the most part. The fine print of newer books makes them very difficult for me to read. As do other books with smaller or very narrow fonts.
Recently, I saw a news item where book publishers were going to make these types of fonts even more prevalent, because they would use so much less ink and cut their printing costs. I wonder if they have given a thought to eye strain for the reader!
Another big change for readers is the ability to download and read books on a small computer-like ebook, called a Kindle. That was my special birthday gift this year, along with a gift card to load up [download] some books. Needless to say I was/am very pleased.
I remember the fleeting thought of wondering if I would have a problem with the font size. Knowing my love of reading and my vision difficulties, the first thing my daughter-in-law pointed out to me was that the text size could be changed to suit the reader. The case has its own built in little light, so you don’t have to worry about having sufficient light, as well as a reading size that is comfortable.
I’m looking forward to many hours of enjoyment with this new reading tool. I’ve got the Kindle and gift card register, am learning how to use it, and have downloaded one book so far. I still have one library book to finish reading, so I can take the books I now have out on loan, back to the library. Then I can concentrate on this new reading experience. That’s the special gift I mentioned, Trish.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Staying Inside on a Cold Day Outside
Several inches of snow on the ground and the temperature in the teens—a perfect day not to go outside if you don’t have to. And hot soup seems to be the perfect accompaniment for such a day. I decided this would be a good day for potato soup. Then I looked in the cupboard and found I had one potato and one onion. One onion was okay, but one potato wouldn’t go very far, would it?
I don’t buy a lot of those items at one time because they tend to go bad before I can use them all. I usually buy only a few at a time. However, when the grocer has a bag of potatoes for $1.00 or $1.99, I buy them anyway, because even if I can’t use them all before they go bad, I more than get my money’s worth, over buying them individually.
I thought I still had several potatoes from my most recent purchase, but it seems not. At first I thought, oh well, I’ll just have to do something else. My next thought was: one person, not a large eater, really wouldn’t need much, so why not see what I could do with one potato and one onion.
When I make soup, I like to make enough for at least two or three servings, so after it started cooking, I began to think of what I could do to make a bit more. I decided to throw in some broccoli, seasoned it to my taste, and when it was done cooking, I added some cheese. It all turned out to be good choices and my taste buds are well pleased. If only other choices would work so well at times!
Later this afternoon, i think I’ll make some cornbread to go along with another bowl of soup for supper, maybe have some broiled tilapia, and that will take care of that. I hope your cold day is a good one for you.
I don’t buy a lot of those items at one time because they tend to go bad before I can use them all. I usually buy only a few at a time. However, when the grocer has a bag of potatoes for $1.00 or $1.99, I buy them anyway, because even if I can’t use them all before they go bad, I more than get my money’s worth, over buying them individually.
I thought I still had several potatoes from my most recent purchase, but it seems not. At first I thought, oh well, I’ll just have to do something else. My next thought was: one person, not a large eater, really wouldn’t need much, so why not see what I could do with one potato and one onion.
When I make soup, I like to make enough for at least two or three servings, so after it started cooking, I began to think of what I could do to make a bit more. I decided to throw in some broccoli, seasoned it to my taste, and when it was done cooking, I added some cheese. It all turned out to be good choices and my taste buds are well pleased. If only other choices would work so well at times!
Later this afternoon, i think I’ll make some cornbread to go along with another bowl of soup for supper, maybe have some broiled tilapia, and that will take care of that. I hope your cold day is a good one for you.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Children - Nutrients and Health
Have you ever heard of “Vitamin Angels?” It is an organization that provides vitamins to young children because they believe it can make a vast difference in their health and life improvement.
I found out about the organization when ordering vitamins online, where the company I order from has an item you can check to add $1.00 to vitamins for Vitamin Angels. I think it says that just 25 cents will provide enough vitamins for one year. Unbelievable! As I said, in my facebook post, a dollar doesn’t hurt much [if at all] even if you don’t have a lot of them.
I don’t know if it is against the rules to list the name of the vitamin company within the blog, but you can ask me about it. There are other ways you can donate, as well as directly to the organization if you like. It seems like a worthy cause to me. You can check out Vitamin Angels on their web site at the URL at the end of this blog. Their mission statement is listed immediately below.
“Our mission is to mobilize and deploy private sector resources to advance availability, access and use of micronutrients, especially vitamin A, by newborns, infants and children in need. Vitamin Angels reduces child mortality worldwide by connecting essential nutrients, especially vitamin A, with infants and children under five. Essential nutrients enable young immune systems to fight infectious diseases, helping children attain good health and the opportunity to lead meaningful and productive lives.”
http://www.vitaminangels.org/
I found out about the organization when ordering vitamins online, where the company I order from has an item you can check to add $1.00 to vitamins for Vitamin Angels. I think it says that just 25 cents will provide enough vitamins for one year. Unbelievable! As I said, in my facebook post, a dollar doesn’t hurt much [if at all] even if you don’t have a lot of them.
I don’t know if it is against the rules to list the name of the vitamin company within the blog, but you can ask me about it. There are other ways you can donate, as well as directly to the organization if you like. It seems like a worthy cause to me. You can check out Vitamin Angels on their web site at the URL at the end of this blog. Their mission statement is listed immediately below.
“Our mission is to mobilize and deploy private sector resources to advance availability, access and use of micronutrients, especially vitamin A, by newborns, infants and children in need. Vitamin Angels reduces child mortality worldwide by connecting essential nutrients, especially vitamin A, with infants and children under five. Essential nutrients enable young immune systems to fight infectious diseases, helping children attain good health and the opportunity to lead meaningful and productive lives.”
http://www.vitaminangels.org/
Friday, January 7, 2011
Christmas Cards
Christmas Cards: Economics of mailing them and what to do with old cards.
Is sending Christmas cards to friends and relatives through the mail becoming obsolete? Or has it already done so? Did you send as many cards this year as usual? Did you receive as many as you usually do? The answer for me to the last two questions is “No,” in both instances. I did receive a few cards, and sent a few cards. I still have a couple to send because they need ‘catch-up’ notes to go with them, and I haven’t quite got them all done yet. To friends in the complex where I live, I sent cards, but they were hand delivered to the villa or apartment.
In my case, many of the people I formerly sent and received cards to and from are no longer around. To others, it is simpler and less costly to email a greeting. I sent and received some of those too. And I received and sent Christmas and New Year greeting on Facebook. However, I did enjoy the attractive scenes on the cards I received,and the sentiments inside; not to mention reading the notes included, when the person took a moment to fill us in on the happenings in their life. But, when you mailed a number of cards, the postage was a bit costly, especially when the postal rate just kept going up-up-up. To be fair, everything else has done the same.
Not mailing cards saves the former sender money. Not sending cards costs the postal service revenue. So, it’s more of the good news – bad news situation. We have been hearing recently that the postal service revenue is declining. One of the suggestions has been to cut Saturday delivery. At least one postal worker, and there were likely others who felt the same way, didn’t like that idea because she received overtime for the working Saturday and depended on the extra income.
I can understand that, but I don’t think they should pay overtime for working an Saturday. It could be they thought the overtime for Saturday was less expensive than the expenses of hiring the requisite extra employees. Perhaps another way could be found if Saturday delivery was a necessity. But is it?
In my opinion, dropping Saturday mail delivery is a good idea under the present circumstances, and individuals losing Saturday overtime for that one day is preferable to someone losing thier job altogether.
Retailers work on weekends, but most offices don’t. How often do you get ‘important’ mail on Saturday. If you do get something from a business on Saturday, the office is likely closed, and you can’t act on it until Monday anyway. Since most offices are closed on Saturday, they generally speaking, don’t need delivery, though you can still mail a letter if you want to. If we have mail to send to an individual, we can just adapt to sending it so they will receive it by Friday. After all, that is what we do now for Sunday, when we don’t expect to receive mail
I should think that the cut back on mailing Christmas cards would affect the greeting card industry as well as the postal service. If this trend continues, the following probably will fall by the wayside too. However, if you currently have used Christmas or all-occasion cards on hand, and don’t know what to do with old cards, you might consider sending them to the organization listed below.
St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City, NV 89005
The children redesign the used cards and sell them as fund raisers.
All Occasion cards can be mailed to the organization the year round.
Is sending Christmas cards to friends and relatives through the mail becoming obsolete? Or has it already done so? Did you send as many cards this year as usual? Did you receive as many as you usually do? The answer for me to the last two questions is “No,” in both instances. I did receive a few cards, and sent a few cards. I still have a couple to send because they need ‘catch-up’ notes to go with them, and I haven’t quite got them all done yet. To friends in the complex where I live, I sent cards, but they were hand delivered to the villa or apartment.
In my case, many of the people I formerly sent and received cards to and from are no longer around. To others, it is simpler and less costly to email a greeting. I sent and received some of those too. And I received and sent Christmas and New Year greeting on Facebook. However, I did enjoy the attractive scenes on the cards I received,and the sentiments inside; not to mention reading the notes included, when the person took a moment to fill us in on the happenings in their life. But, when you mailed a number of cards, the postage was a bit costly, especially when the postal rate just kept going up-up-up. To be fair, everything else has done the same.
Not mailing cards saves the former sender money. Not sending cards costs the postal service revenue. So, it’s more of the good news – bad news situation. We have been hearing recently that the postal service revenue is declining. One of the suggestions has been to cut Saturday delivery. At least one postal worker, and there were likely others who felt the same way, didn’t like that idea because she received overtime for the working Saturday and depended on the extra income.
I can understand that, but I don’t think they should pay overtime for working an Saturday. It could be they thought the overtime for Saturday was less expensive than the expenses of hiring the requisite extra employees. Perhaps another way could be found if Saturday delivery was a necessity. But is it?
In my opinion, dropping Saturday mail delivery is a good idea under the present circumstances, and individuals losing Saturday overtime for that one day is preferable to someone losing thier job altogether.
Retailers work on weekends, but most offices don’t. How often do you get ‘important’ mail on Saturday. If you do get something from a business on Saturday, the office is likely closed, and you can’t act on it until Monday anyway. Since most offices are closed on Saturday, they generally speaking, don’t need delivery, though you can still mail a letter if you want to. If we have mail to send to an individual, we can just adapt to sending it so they will receive it by Friday. After all, that is what we do now for Sunday, when we don’t expect to receive mail
I should think that the cut back on mailing Christmas cards would affect the greeting card industry as well as the postal service. If this trend continues, the following probably will fall by the wayside too. However, if you currently have used Christmas or all-occasion cards on hand, and don’t know what to do with old cards, you might consider sending them to the organization listed below.
St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City, NV 89005
The children redesign the used cards and sell them as fund raisers.
All Occasion cards can be mailed to the organization the year round.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
A Miracle for Josie
Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman
This blog is about a book I recently read. We probably all have heard of the unexplained recoveries that sometimes occur in the lives of people with severe illnesses. Sometimes the hoped for miracle does not occur and we must find our way to acceptance and 'keeping on.'
I read various types of books, such as romance, mystery, western, biographies and current topics of interest. With the vision problems I’m having, I read mostly large print books. Many of the new books that have just come out are available to me at the library, if I don’t want to spend the money for them. However, most of the ‘just out’ books are in finer fonts that have become more and more difficult for me to read. Likewise the older books that I would like to go back and reaquaint myself with another look. I read recently where book publishers were espousing more and more the use of the types of fonts that use less ink. So I don't get to read some of the books I might like to. Makes a difference in the profit line, don't you know!' Never mind that it is a strain on the eyes.
The book mentioned in the title is a family love story of an unwed 17 year old girl, forced to give up her baby [apparently at a time when attitudes were much different than they are at present] and the Amish family with whom she was placed. The Amish couple hadn’t been able to have children, but after adopting the baby girl, they later had two sons. The 17 year old went on to marry a good man and they were devoted to each other. However, she was never able to have another child.
Josie never got over the loss of her child and resented her parents for forcing her to give away her baby. She longed to establish a relationship with her lost child before her impending death, due to an inoperable brain tumor. A prayer chain for Josie was established all over the country, begun by her daughter, Linda’s, Amish family and their friends. Linda was approaching her 18th birthday, and Josie wanted very much to celebrate that one birthday with her, and watch her blow out the candles on her birthday cake for the first time. Time was running out and seizures were becoming more frequent. You will need to read the book for yourself if you want to know more..
In the notes at the end of the book, the author reveals that she was an adopted child also. And while the book is fictional, a miracle in her own life occurred after her son was diagnosed with a tumor, spent a lot of time in hospital and many prayers were said for him. The tumor disappeared and he made a full recovery. The author says, “Josie’s story is my son’s reality.”
This blog is about a book I recently read. We probably all have heard of the unexplained recoveries that sometimes occur in the lives of people with severe illnesses. Sometimes the hoped for miracle does not occur and we must find our way to acceptance and 'keeping on.'
I read various types of books, such as romance, mystery, western, biographies and current topics of interest. With the vision problems I’m having, I read mostly large print books. Many of the new books that have just come out are available to me at the library, if I don’t want to spend the money for them. However, most of the ‘just out’ books are in finer fonts that have become more and more difficult for me to read. Likewise the older books that I would like to go back and reaquaint myself with another look. I read recently where book publishers were espousing more and more the use of the types of fonts that use less ink. So I don't get to read some of the books I might like to. Makes a difference in the profit line, don't you know!' Never mind that it is a strain on the eyes.
The book mentioned in the title is a family love story of an unwed 17 year old girl, forced to give up her baby [apparently at a time when attitudes were much different than they are at present] and the Amish family with whom she was placed. The Amish couple hadn’t been able to have children, but after adopting the baby girl, they later had two sons. The 17 year old went on to marry a good man and they were devoted to each other. However, she was never able to have another child.
Josie never got over the loss of her child and resented her parents for forcing her to give away her baby. She longed to establish a relationship with her lost child before her impending death, due to an inoperable brain tumor. A prayer chain for Josie was established all over the country, begun by her daughter, Linda’s, Amish family and their friends. Linda was approaching her 18th birthday, and Josie wanted very much to celebrate that one birthday with her, and watch her blow out the candles on her birthday cake for the first time. Time was running out and seizures were becoming more frequent. You will need to read the book for yourself if you want to know more..
In the notes at the end of the book, the author reveals that she was an adopted child also. And while the book is fictional, a miracle in her own life occurred after her son was diagnosed with a tumor, spent a lot of time in hospital and many prayers were said for him. The tumor disappeared and he made a full recovery. The author says, “Josie’s story is my son’s reality.”
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year – 2011
2010 went out with a bang in this area with its tornadic activity on the last day of the year. Fortunately, it was loss of property and not loss of lives here, but the last day of 2010 was definitely a bad-weather day.
I had a nice Christmas with my son and his family. My daughter and her husband came over on Sunday for a late Christmas, which was also nice. We all got together with my son and his family on Monday for a Christmas-continued-celebration. We came back to my place late afternoon, and only two of us went back to watch the football game that evening. By late day my energy level is pretty well spent, so a quiet evening at home worked for me.
New Year’s Day: For the most part spent doing ordinary things. I make it a point to call and talk to each of my children on New Year’s Day, but didn’t catch up with one of them when I called today.
I grew up in a household where superstitions abounded. I don’t know how seriously the family took these superstitions, but one of them was that whatever you did on New Year’s Day would set the pattern for the entire year.
We had to do the necessary chores of cooking, doing dishes, straightening up the house. In between came playing games, listening to favorite radio programs [no television just yet], telling stories: whatever we could think of that we thought was fun. We tried to pack as much fun stuff into the day as we possibly could.
For the most part as an adult, I still try to balance the day between the necessary and “just what I wanna do.” Today, I think I’ve leaned a little towards chores over “wanna do.”
I wish you a blessed New Year!
I had a nice Christmas with my son and his family. My daughter and her husband came over on Sunday for a late Christmas, which was also nice. We all got together with my son and his family on Monday for a Christmas-continued-celebration. We came back to my place late afternoon, and only two of us went back to watch the football game that evening. By late day my energy level is pretty well spent, so a quiet evening at home worked for me.
New Year’s Day: For the most part spent doing ordinary things. I make it a point to call and talk to each of my children on New Year’s Day, but didn’t catch up with one of them when I called today.
I grew up in a household where superstitions abounded. I don’t know how seriously the family took these superstitions, but one of them was that whatever you did on New Year’s Day would set the pattern for the entire year.
We had to do the necessary chores of cooking, doing dishes, straightening up the house. In between came playing games, listening to favorite radio programs [no television just yet], telling stories: whatever we could think of that we thought was fun. We tried to pack as much fun stuff into the day as we possibly could.
For the most part as an adult, I still try to balance the day between the necessary and “just what I wanna do.” Today, I think I’ve leaned a little towards chores over “wanna do.”
I wish you a blessed New Year!
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