Notifications

I'm fearful my offspring may choose not to open emails from me, if I keep writing to tell them of the demise of yet another friend/relative/acquaintance. This summer has been a difficult one in terms of these notifications. As my daughter asked, "What's in the water over there?"
I'll tell you, I'm drinking only bottled water, despite the price and the effect on the environment!

These Shoes

One day...amazed at all the activities~ and conflicting emotions*...
made~ and took~ bread to the home of my recently-deceased* workmate*;
practiced~ VBS songs with damaged* Christian sister*;
received~ notice of 70th* wedding anniversary party for relatives*;
sent~ gift cards to daughter* who actually bought something when we shopped;
heard~ from elderly friend* in California and considered~ possible visit;
made~ ice cream cone cupcakes to take to "honor* military families" picnic this weekend;
counseled* with Internet friend re/ past and present feelings and activities*;
laughed~ at an email;
responded* to brother's impassioned defense of public schools;
felt~ urge* to support TeaPartyBus;
wrote~ another blog.
And this is just one day in one small life.
No wonder people blow fuses or gaskets!

Remembering...

He was born, lived, and died in a small town.
A teacher's kid, he knew how to mind his P's and Q's.
Not that he always did, you understand.
An instigator and a comedian, he loved playing basketball and hanging with his buds.
Early on he learned to smoke...it was so cool.
He couldn't quit, no matter how many ways he tried.
He warned that when you turned 50 and received the first AARP letter, you shouldn't open it.
It all goes downhill from there.
He didn't have a pension, so he worked up until about two weeks ago.
He died this morning of cancer in the lungs and a brain tumor.
He will be seriously missed.

Well, Now

Somebody's playing tricks on me. I'm sure I wrote after the funeral. Anyway...our family parts gathered: a retired government worker with engineering degree, a crop farmer, a pregnancy center director, a pastor, a visitor of the elderly, a school cafeteria worker, a bee-keeper, a retired postal worker, a home-schooling mom....well, some of us met for lunch. Others felt it was important to do their private grieving. Each is an individual, and that's no lie.

Circle of Life

My 98-year-old aunt passed to glory yesterday. My dad would have been 99 this month. Just think of all that has happened in the world since they were born!
From kerosene lanterns to all kinds of electric; horse and buggy to unmanned spy planes; meat and potatoes to Spam and Pringles; hellfire and brimstone to tolerance and "all ways lead to God". Just as in the times of the Israelites, there is always a remnant who lives for and believes in the One True God. Lord, let me be one of them.

Whatever...Whenever

When I signed on for this blogging adventure, I was going to try to blog daily.
Of course, that didn't happen. I see it's been over a week since my last post. Part of it has to do with lack of wireless. And part of it has to do with lack of focus.
My life is quite random, so sometimes nothing stands out. Or, I bump up against so many possible subjects, I can't decide which to write about. Anyway, here are some subjects.
We spend the weekend in Vermont. That brings up "green", "family", "dogs", "heat", "roadside shops", "water" and many more. Guess I will major on the "shops" angle.
We stopped at a "Tie Dye" shop, since our daughter had mentioned she wanted to, but it wasn't open when she came through. The sign said "Sat-Sun, 10-3", but we took a chance and stopped Monday morning about 11. They are a wholesale company who send tie-dyed shirts and accessories throughout the United States. They welcomed us anyway. Every $5 is one you didn't have before! Beautiful colors; we'll see if they last through numerous washings.

school

Well, ours doesn't start till September, but there are people who are already back in public school. When did it become such a Big Deal, with supplies being needed and uniforms required and all that? I know of several families who are feeling the pinch. Guess it's good I can be of help, and it's not even Christmas!

Yayy..

I did it. I wrote (typed) two (2) letters today. They were both more than one page. I included references to my recent letters received. I included personal information. I put stamps on both. One actually got into the mailbox before the mail person picked up. The other will go Monday. My, I'm good!! LOL

Astounding!

Yesterday I got TWO multi-paged, typed, personal letters. These were not advertising. They were not requests for money. They were bona fide letters from relatives, just "reaching out and touching".
It's not even Christmas time!
I surely appreciated the time and the 42c spent on me.
Seems like I probably should return the favor.

Next Challenge

As Music Rotation Leader for VBS, I have to learn 5 children's songs. No biggie, you say? Well, factor in the age difference and the energy level, plus the music itself. It's loud and fast and it is supposed to be done with actions. Sighhh....it's a good thing I have 3 more weeks.
I'm also hoping to snag a helper. Hopefully, it will be someone who is attuned to this "action-oriented worship". That is not something I have been brought up with. Not that it's a bad thing, you understand. It's just not going to be second nature to me.
Well, one of the verses of the day is "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." I'd better act on it!