"Team ........."

I guess, to avoid all appearance of favoritism, I will use this color in the hours preceding the "Super Bowl".
At least we know, from TV this evening, which Super Bowl commercial has been voted the all-time favorite for 2009. The three finalists were: Coca-Cola's "Mean Joe Green & kid", Tide-To-Go's "Talking Stain", and Budweiser's story of Hank, the horse who didn't make the cut and trained all year with the Dalmatian as coach and came back the next year to become part of "Team Budweiser".
Yes, that was voted the favorite, and it is mine too. Just sorry it has to advertise alcohol.

Potluck

Sunday is "fellowship dinner" at church.
That's where everyone (who is planning to stay and eat) brings something edible to share.
When it's all put together, it creates a meal.
Always interesting, and as new people come, the dishes become less predictable.
Only once did we have beans in many forms...and nothing else.
And, of course, even that is very healthful.

Some of us are glad that the Super Bowl doesn't begin until after evening service.
So, we'll have our cake (and beans) and maybe wings and pizza later.

Angel Food Ministries

I just printed out the menu for February's http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ . This menu presents sirloin strip steaks, boneless pork chops, chicken breast and nuggets, bacon, hot dogs, etc etc etc. It sounds like a great bargain for $30. If you're interested, you can find it at the above website.
The deal is, you order and pay for the menu you wish (there is also a senior/convenience box of prepared food) on one day, then about a week later you go to the pick-up point to receive your food. So, you obviously have to find a local host site. These are also listed at the website.
In these days of personal economy, it seems like a frugal way to eat well.

science and God

As a child I saw one or two Moody Science films. They are now available as DVD's. So I got them. Truth is truth, no matter how it's displayed. Will be enlightening to see them again.

"A TEAM"

As George Peppard used to say..."I love it when a plan comes together." In this case, I finally delivered the bedding I'd been collecting for the past week. The Army wife I had been communicating with was appreciative. And I was glad to get it out of my vehicle so I could go grocery shopping. The snow was falling and I didn't want to spend much time in the city. Apparently, as you'll notice in the left margin of this blog, we are being warned of "lake effect snow". It's a phenomenon that occurs when snow-heavy clouds come across the Great Lakes to our west. Usually my area is immune, but there are winters when the "snow belt" shifts slightly north. I think this is one of those winters.

Astounding Discovery!

Did you know?
Did you ever notice?
When you drive or walk at night on a snow-covered street when the temps are "just right", you see the diamonds covering the path before you, sparkling and spickling in the light?
Well, did you ever ** STOP**?
Guess what.
The diamonds just sparrrrrrrrrr.....and spickkkkkkkkkkk..........
Apparently we must be moving to see the changes.

Hmmmm.....will that apply to politics too??

Buddling Caby

Laby Bucy came to visit me today.
Her mom was dalking the wogs out in the snusty crow.
Lucy is weight eeks old and the buggliest snaby I have ever met.
Her jink pammies were weecy and flarm.
She kept trying to dow chown on her finy tist, but she succeeded only in thewing her chum.
Domesay she'll figure it all out, I'm sure.
In the meantime, I'll enjoy God's winy tonder and hank thim for the dun fay.

DICHOTOMY?

Being forced to watch two shows at the same time does wonders for one's power of concentration.
We view "Men in Black II" until the commercial, then we switch to "Stone Cold".
A comedic space/earth/alien offering competes with really serious detective work.
My bog is amindle!

Do You Feel the Love?

Don't you think the returning soldiers would like to have an afghan waiting on their beds?
I found a few crocheted or knitted ones at the thrift shop where I was looking for single bed blankets.
Someone/s hand-made the afghans, which takes a lot of time.
I'm thinking they really loved the person/people for whom they were making the afghan.
So, when the #1 Loved Person gives the afghan away, I think the #2 Recipient can feel some of the original love.
Maybe I'm way ahead of Valentine's Day on this, but....."just seems to me".

Also, the shop DONATED the aghans. "For The Soldiers"---no questions or hesitation--
More Love.

(Besides, afghans are snuggly and warm, and in NNY that's definitely a plus.)

The Wait

"Three score and ten" are the years we "expect".
My elderly friend and mentor has them, and more.
Now he is nearing the end of this life.
He has been in nursing home care for several years.
Last week he was in the hospital with intestinal blockage.
Surgery was prescribed, but not available because of his heart.
He is back at the nursing facility.
A mutual friend visited today, dreading the prospect of seeing him, but needing to see him.
Arriving at lunchtime, she found him finishing his shredded chicken and asking many questions.
He seemed to remember her, but not all the time.
Her report was a relief; we know she was blessed with this time.
We are extremely blessed to have shared and worked with him in our past.
God is good, all the time.

Change

• ...is a part of life every day, even when we don't see it or want it...
• ...is what our 44th President says he is bringing to the table...
• ...is what my friend is anticipating as she sets forth on new (volunteer) job...
• ...happens when two people get married, especially later in life...
• ...occurs when there is a misunderstanding or breach of confidence ...
• ...often hurts...
• ...sometimes frees...
• ...comes in when Jesus does.

"Freecycle" Part 2

Got promises of several sets of sheets. My contact now also requests blankets, as available. They may be harder to come by, but I don't know. I may check the local thrift shops...they are really good for this sort of thing. Both are run by church organizations, so they understand the concept of charity.

"Freecycle"

Have you checked out your local "freecycle"? I did yesterday, and now am trying to collect single bed sheets and towels and shower curtains (with hooks) for returning single soldiers who live in the post barracks. Someone asked for these things, since the guys (and gals) can't collect their government issue the first day they get back from Iraq. Apparently the plan is for volunteers to collect said things, and then give them to the returnees. When they finish with them, they return to volunteers and then they get issued to some other needy soldiers. Sounds like a plan, and I have a few used-but-usable sheets, so I'll comply. I've already made a date to turn them over, next Monday. Another entry asked for yarn to make afghans and helmet liners and such for military people. I have extra yarn, too. Maybe this is one way to start spring cleaning?

When it's a Memorial....

I went to her memorial service today. It was really a celebration of her life, with her two children opening the service singing "I'll Fly Away". So brave of them, and so well done. There were many familiar hymns and scripture passages, interspersed by comments from the pastor and friends.
What does one do about the tears? I wasn't sad. But they came anyway. For me, the music sets me off. We sang "In the Garden", which was my Dad's favorite hymn which took me back to his celebration of life which reminded me that Mom is now with him which reminded me that they are not where I can see them...or worry about them...any more. Thank you, Jesus!
So, why am I crying/weeping/feeling the tears slide down my face? My kleenexes are soggy; thank goodness someone anticpated such a situation and left several boxes around the sanctuary.
Shaking hands with the children, whom I had never met, was strange...and comforting. They appear to be good children of their mother.
And life goes on.

When is "Final" not Final?

Been sending death notices of friends and neighbors to my relatives who no longer live in the area. A guy who was a playmate of my uncle (my grandma's diary often mentions that they went sliding down hill together) and a former teacher at the local school both passed from this life in early January, 2009.
He was 81; she was 63. He had been a farmer all his life, raising 6 children with his wife of almost 63 years. He was a neighbor of my father and mother, which made him my neighbor in my growing-up years. As was true in most farming communities, I didn't really know him. I think some of his kids were friends of my brothers.
The teacher I knew because she was my son's sixth grade teacher. She was bubbly and full of life and optimism. She had MS, and gradually she had to adjust to different classroom activities and assistances. The last few years she was retired and living in her home with an aide and family. Her son and daughter, according to the obituary, have moved out of the area and gone on with their lives. Her husband died in 2000. Despite all the reasons to be pitiful and unhappy, she brought cheer to everyone who visited her. My gospel group went to sing for her last November, and we were blessed by her responses to our songs and her enthusiasm.
Her "last rites" will definitely not be "final". I plan to see her in the rapture!

Cardinal

In my first blog, I neglected to mention the Cardinal 5th wheel. It came between the Shasta and the Seneca. That was our first NEW vacation vehicle, and I picked it out. It had a rear kitchen, with lots more (comparitively speaking) counter space. Of course, realistically speaking, there were not many times when I needed more counter space. One doesn't bake much while on the road. At least, this one doesn't. But, I had the room to cool cookies and such, if I'd needed it. We used to wave to other Cardinals going by, since there weren't that many of them on the road. We still do, but I'm sure the people think we're crazy, since they can't see our past in our present. That's true with whatever we do. Maybe it's a good thing. And maybe if we could see others' past, we'd be more willing to accept them and the present they are living. Sorry...I have a tendency to wax philosophical on occasion. -10 here this morning. Why isn't there a "degree" sign on the keyboard??

Blog, the Third

The snow is crunchy. The sun is brightly shining on our white world.
I still have ice frozen on my car's windshield, but maybe the sun will take care of that. Or, maybe not.
The head of the DPW said that salt will not melt ice when it's below zero.
I guess the road crews are using sand only today.
My errands have been accomplished and now I am enjoying the warmth of home.
PEACE to all.

An Old-Fashioned Winter

The weather man predicted below-zero temperatures. The snow has piled up against the patio door. The wind gusts and swirls around the old farm house. The woodshed is full; the stove is heating; the smoke billows from the chimney. Hot cocoa and popcorn are the order of the day. It's beginning to feel like an old-fashioned winter.

Blog, the First

Did I mention that my husband of 43 years and I travel? We started with a Shasta 5th wheel, then went to a Seneca motor home, and now have an Allegro Bus. It's really a good way to see the world...and to visit relatives. We have our own "space" and our own BED!