THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING...#30

This picture is titled DAWN. I love the tones and colors in it. Notice how the light is just breaking through the sky. Just beautiful. A wonderful job at capturing the awesome art of God.
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I did not take this picture, and do not know the photographer. If you do, I would be so delighted to give them the credit they so deserve.

MY 2 CENTS WORTH

I think the choice of Sarah Palin is excellent. She has been a mayor, and a governor with an 80% approval rating, while raising 5 children. I feel she is more experienced and more qualified to manage this country than B*r*ck O***a, who was a community organizer, and spent half of his 143 days in the senate campaigning for President. She is much more accomplished that BO will ever be. She is the Chief Executive of a State. Can you name any accomplishment BO has made?

It infuriates me how the 'networks' are spinning this. SP boldly speaks out against abortion. She lives what she speaks..choosing to have and raise her Downs child even though she knew it before the birth through genetic testing. Sanctity of life...that is what it means. John Roberts at CNN actually says that McCain choosing Palin is going to "cause her Downs child not to have a mother." What an unfair and sexist comment.

BO spoke in his DNC address about ending genocide...isn't it just as sad a killing of humanity when 38 million lives have been destroyed before they even had a chance to breathe? And that is 38 million since 1972. Palin is speaking out about this tragedy and actually lives the PRO CHANCE idea...a chance to live, a chance to breathe, a chance to love and a chance to be loved...she shows she truly believes what she speaks.

She is fighting to make the right changes in corrupt government. If actions truly do speak louder than words, she is way, way ahead of BO and JB. She has plans, and knows how to carry out those plans.

I was so disgusted to hear Jimmy Carter's words against McCain...saying that he is "milking the fact that he was a POW." He speaks about his life...and every thing that we go through in life makes up who we are at a given time. BO speaks as often about his early life and things his mother and grandmother inspired in him.

And have you heard what the 'mentally deranged' Mich**l M**re said today? The fact that Gustav is going to hit at the time of the RNC is "proof that there is a God and He is surely on the Democrats side." Disgusting, and very, very sad. And sickening.

I have just finished rewatching the Saddleback Church Program with JM and BO. If you haven't watched it, get it and watch it. You will know who is better qualified just on the basis of answers. No doubt about it.

Now to Gustav...Let's all 'pray without ceasing' about this hurricane. It looks as if it can be worse than Katrina. But, it seems as if all the people in charge are well prepared. And hopefuly the citizens are as well. Mandatory evacuation is already taking place in Miss. and LA. God bless us all.

This is way more than I usually say about politics...but, I must say one more thing.

John Edwards was to speak at the DNC, but after news of his affair was made public, he was replaced...by Bill Clinton. Do you think they know the meaning of the word 'morality'? Or care?

AN AWARD AND A PRAYER

I received a sweet award last week from my friend, Nancy @ Too Wonderful For Me.I came upon her blog one day when she was just getting started and we realized that we live only about 85 miles apart, but different states. She is a sweet lady with lots of wisdom. I truly enjoy sharing with her everyday. Thanks again for this award, Nancy...I am blessed to call you 'friend'.
And so, I pass this on to:
Andi @ Fingerprints On the Glass...my sweet teacher friend who birthed 3 amazing boys
Sherrie @ Journey To Our Princess...and she left today to pick up her princess in China
Kat @ Just A Beach Kat...I checked and you don't have this one listed, so maybe I can finally give you one!
Holley @ Windy Corner...a new friend with the sweetest and most uplifting comments
My dear friend, Sherrie, is on a plane right now soaring over to China. She left this morning at 6 AM...the flight will only take 23 hours! Then on Sept. 1, she will get to meet her new daughter, Sophie Lyanna. They will remain in China until the 10th, to take care of paperwork and such, and then Sweet Sophie will be coming home to her new family. Sherrie's husband and oldest son are with her. She teaches at our school, so you can just imagine how much loving and petting and adoration this child will receive.
I ask that you will remember this family in your prayers as they journey far to bring the newest family member to America and her new home. Can you imagine how she will feel, leaving the orphanage, which is all she has ever known and coming to a new land, with new people, and strange food, who don't even talk like she does? I would imagine she will be in total confusion. She has just turned 3. Please pray that this transition will be easy for mother and daughter. God has been in this from the beginning, and we are trusting that He will continue to guide them all along the way! Godspeed, Sherrie!

LAYERS..Part 2

(Yes, it is sloppy, but I was in the midst of a hurricane/tropical depression and it was 90 degrees and there was NO air, and I was on my knees on a concrete floor...and it was lightning outside)
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Why did I do this? Especially when no one else will ever see it? Why has this been an important thing to me since the beginning of the Creek House?

I really do not have a fully formed reason. The main thing is that I am so thankful to God for this home. I want to remember, years later, as I walk through the rooms...that the Word of God is underfoot...that I chose to add an additional layer to the building of this house, and that layer is His Word. I want to know now (while I still have most of my brain function intact) that even if I forget in years to come, it will always be there. I want to remember that it was important at this time in my life that this be done. I want to remember that even as I am full of excitement and anticipation at the thought of living there, this house is not the most important thing in my life. It falls below my God, my family, my friends. I want everything that is in my home to be pleasing to God.

And so, I choose for that innermost layer...the first part of our house to be walked on, the very foundation, to be the Word of God.

Here then are the scriptures (just for you, Jean)
FRONT FOYER: "We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done...so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children."
Psalms 78:4-6
REAR FOYER: "In your heart you plan your life, but only the Lord decides where your steps will take you." Proverbs 16:9
DINING ROOM: "Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live."
Isaiah55:2-3
DEN: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
Ephesians 4:29
KITCHEN: How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth."
Psalm 119: 103
PANTRY: "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." Psalms 34:8
LIBRARY: "By wisdom your days will be many and years will be added to your life."
Proverbs 9:11
BEDROOM/STUDY: "Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in Me, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:9
GUEST BEDROOM: "I will lie down in peace and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
LAUNDRY ROOM: "The Lord will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." Deuteronomy 15:10
DON'S CLOSET: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Proverbs 4:23
TONJA'S CLOSET: "...clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience...and over all these, put on love." Colossians 3:12-14
MASTER BEDROOM: "He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught." Isaiah 50:4
"All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace."
Isaiah 54:13
STUDIO: "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
ALEX'S DEN: "After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm,
strengthen, and establish you." 1 Peter 5:10
GARAGE: "May the Lord keep watch between you and me while we are away from each other." Genesis 31: 49
ADDITIONAL VERSES: (in various places)
"Blessed be the Lord who daily loads us with blessings." Psalm 68:19
"God has given us these times to enjoy." Psalm 94:1
"But as for me, it is good to be near God." Psalm 73:28
"Because of God's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." Psalm 127:1
"By wisdom a house is built- and by understanding it is established."
Proverbs 24:3

LAYERS...Part 1

When they first laid the foundation of the Creek House, I told our builder that I wanted to write scriptures on the foundation before we put down the floors, and he promised that he would give me plenty of time to do this. Well, he called Friday to say that I should work on it over the weekend. They are starting the floors today. Of course, it just so happened that Tropical Storm Fay decided that this would be the week-end to camp out over this area of the South. Saturday, it rained all day and the winds were really blowing...35-40 mph, so I decided I didn't need to get out and go in all that. Then Sunday came around and it was blue sky and sunshine...for about 15 minutes! I got ready, and just as I began to leave, the bottom fell out...rain, winds, thunder, and lightning. Was I just being silly? Should I just give up the idea? What to do? Alex and Don both scoffed at me for this 'crazy idea of mine',anyway. My DIL, Suzanne,and friend, Tina, were going to help me, but couldn't go till later. Besides, it was my project, not theirs, anyway. At least they understood it. And so, with the sky getting blacker and blacker...I struck out for the Creek House. What vision do men have, I ask you? Concrete and bricks...that's what they think a house is. So, I make it across town and I see that they have my driveway blocked off. I have to park at the street. Yuck! Mud and lightning...a great combination. Whew! I made it inside, and it was so quiet...and still...and HOT! No air was stirring, and I couldn't open the windows. I decided to just get busy and tackle it room by room. And, so I do. They had put a finish on some of the floors, and they were easy to write on. BUT, the ones that weren't done yet...hard to do. I had to scrub and scrub to get a place I could write on. Luckily, I had taken some old sheets to sit on. I kept at it and finally finished. Concrete dust all over me and my clothes, sweat pouring down my back...and front, muscles screaming from getting up and down off the hard floor, and hands covered in black Sharpie marker marks...I was a mess! I decided to hurry home before another downpour started. My car, it seemed, had developed quite an attraction for the place. As I started to drive off, I hear the most awful racket underneath. I got out to check and see a long limb stuck under the car, behind the front wheel, on the passenger side. I pull...and I pull...and I pull. Then an enormous flash lights up the very dark sky, and I am certain death is imminent. Do you remember my post on lightning on 7/24?...nothing has changed since then. Then a clap...no, a boom of thunder sounds. Then another flash! The door on that side of the car is locked! This dumb car locks up everything except the driver's side. I am in a quandary. This massive tree trunk is stuck under my car, God has chosen this very moment to put on a light show, and the door closest to me is locked. Should I dive under the car or make a dash for it to the other door? Another flash...it's the car or me...I make a dash for the door...the car can fend for itself. Did I mention it has been raining since forever here, and there are limbs and leaves and mud everywhere?....slippery leaves and mud...very...slippery. And if a girl goes running like a bat out of a hot place, she's just likely to do that. Slip...on the very slippery leaves and mud. So, I figure I'm a goner. The headlines will ready: VERY DIRTY LADY STRUCK BY LIGHTNING WHILE PLAYING TUG OF WAR WITH A TREE TRUNK THINKING SHE IS FAST ENOUGH TO OUTRUN THE LORD. I am now covered with mud down one leg and I am getting wet. And some idiot who obviously did not read my post about the lightning is out edging his lawn, and looking at me. Did he offer to help? Did he come to my rescue? I don't know, because I tried to get up before he saw me. Here I am dying in the street and worrying about whether he saw me or not. Right before I jump into the car, I remember the mud. Something has to go on the car seat before my body does, and the only thing available are the dirty sheets that I used inside. So, dirty sheet on the seat, dirty girl on the sheet, and ...we're off! I figure the limb will certainly fall off as I drive. It is pouring now...and lightning and thundering...and I am not stopping again until I get home. I mean the one that I live in presently. In case you are wondering, the limb did not fall off. It hung on for dear life as I drove through the storm to safety. It sounded as if there was a whole tree stuck under there. I even had people point and try to tell me there was a limb under my car while I was at the red lights. I ignored them.

I needed a bath, a nap, and a BIG bag of Dove dark chocolate bites.

I got a bath, a nap, and a piece of Melba toast, and a chunk of cheese. Score 1 for the runner!

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING...# 29

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL

OK...it's been nice knowing you bloggy friends...if I disappear from view...blame my sister!:o
Today is Joy's birthday, and I couldn't find the pic of us together that I wanted to post...what with me getting so organized and all...you understand. So, I found this one and it was just screaming to be posted for all the world to see. Isn't she cute? People always told her and still do, actually, that she looks like me. I think she realizes how lucky she is!:)
Seriously, I love her with all my heart. She is there...anytime, anywhere. She is a cheerleader, supporter, confidant, partner in crime, and best friend...and a wonderful shopping buddy! She will even tell me to "get out of the bakery" if that's what I need to do. (She did...and I did). She is there to take the extra load off of me, so I can be with Alex more. She many times does my part and her part...and never complains. She is more than an aunt to my boys. They love her, and respect her, and go to her for advice and as a sounding board. It is important that kids have someone other than their parents to turn to when needed. My guys have always had their Aunt Joy. And I fully trust whatever she would tell them...even if I never knew what it was. If they don't want to worry me...they will call her to worry instead. And, she loves them back just as much. There is no need now, since my boys are grown, but she would have been the only one I would have trusted to raise my children like I would have wanted. As we have gotten older our bond stays just as close. She can read me like a book. She knows what is going on by the tone of my voice. She is the person in this universe who is the closest to me. She is my sister. And, my friends...that is a beautiful thing!

THOUGHTS ON ORGANIZING

Organizing is a good thing.
Organizing is a necessary thing.
Organizing is a frustrating thing.
Organizing is a humbling thing.
Organizing is a freeing thing.
Organizing is a tiring thing.
Organizing is a hard thing.
Organizing is a sentimental thing.
Organizing is a funny thing.
Organizing is a time consuming thing.

Organizing is best done as you go along.
It is hard to organize...oh, say...32 years worth of stuff.

I've been organizing today.

HAPPY NEWS

Good news to report.

Pop is doing very well. He's been up and walking in the halls. He's still sore, but not much pain! God is good.

Mom had a very bad 'bug' or 'something'. It bothers me to see her so sick. But, with the nursing skills of her 2 daughters...she is on the road to recovery. Her blood pressure was quite unstable, but that has resolved, too. Thank-you, God.

I missed work again, today. But, Bonnie shows me such grace and mercy when it comes to my family. That is such a blessing, and I do not take it for granted.

I have not succumbed to the desire to "eat my way through the stress"...this is most certainly not of my own strength!

And, I received sweet messages of support from so many of you. Thank you so much...YOU are sweet gifts from the Father.

Then, I received this:

Thank-you, Kat, for this happy award. The award asks that you list 6 things that make you happy. So, here goes:

1.Chocolate...any kind...any where...any time.

2.A good book...and time to read it.

3.The beach...on a sunny day...with a cool breeze.

4.Picking out furnishings for the Creek House...especially when I don't have to negotiate too much with hubby.

5.Getting a good night's sleep.

6.Rainbows

(Of course I would list family, friends, and dog also)
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Tropical storm Fay is upon us as I type. They are saying it is going to be very bad for the next few days...so I may not be blogging. Will catch up with you when we dry out. Several of my blogging friends are from this same area, so we appreciate your prayers.

MY SEEDY LIFE

1.Pop is doing great! He is feeling sore, but not really in pain. Doctors are very pleased!

2. Mom got sick during the night, and Joy brought her home early this morning. She insisted on spending the night with Pop. She must have picked up some sort of bug...throwing up, severe headache, etc. She's not been able to get off the couch today. Not sure what tonight holds. We may be headed back to the ER with her.

3. Lori, Joy's daughter, is at home trying to rid herself of 6 kidney stones! 6!!! She is in much pain, as you can well imagine!

4. Alex had a rough night, so I am running on little sleep.

5. Don and I had to go to the architect's office this afternoon, because the builder is waiting for the lights. We had to OK some selections.

6. I have missed my first 2 days of school and the 3rd is looking 'iffy', too.

7. I missed my first weigh-in on the way to a new and fabulous me.

Life is like a blackberry cobbler.....I don't like it when it has seeds in it!

THANKSGIVING & PRAISE

I have just returned from the hospital where I have spent the day with my family. This morning, my Pop had surgery for 4 large hernias in his abdomen. (He will be so thrilled that I just announced that to the world). We all went into this operation with an amount of fear. You may remember that 2 years ago, he had emergency surgery for a ruptured intestine. The situation was very tenuous on its own...but, we found out afterwards that his heart did not cooperate while he was in surgery. This surgery resulted in him having a colostomy for 8 months. Surgery was necessary to repair the colostomy and put everything back into place. Again, his heart did not work as it should during this surgery and they had to watch him very closely and monitor him for a few months after. Now, we have these hernias which are not life threatening, but 'quality of life' threatening. They were so large and so uncomfortable, he really could not participate in the active life he has enjoyed for the last 82 years. After a visit to his surgeon, who left the decision up to him...and his GP...who said "go for it"...and his heart specialist who gave his blessing...the family as a whole decided that quality of life was much more important to Pop than quantity of life. We believed in our heart and were prepared for the fact that the surgery could go either way. But, which ever way it went...he would be OK! He would be a winner, either way.* This is because he believes, as we all do, that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.". As sad as we would have been...he would not have been a happy camper if the remainder of his years had to be spent in a rocking chair or a recliner. He has motorcycles waiting to be ridden, and trips ready to be taken. He has fish waiting to be caught, and stories to be told.

Our pastor came this morning and led us all in prayer as we stood around his bed. Mom, Joy, Don and Myself, Pop's buddy Bill, and Brother David held hands and put Pop into God's healing hands. The hospital chaplain and a personal friend came by and led us again to pray for Pop. When they finally came to take him to surgery, we were ready . There was peace in my heart as he left, and as he was in surgery. And when we talked to the doctor and then saw him coming down the hallway...we were able to praise the Lord for answering our prayers. God is so good...and He has heard and answered our prayers. He chose to touch Pop during surgery and keep his heart functioning well and with no problems.

Another praise, I was hesitant to leave Alex at home, because he has not been doing very well. But, I had to decide what was the most pressing at that time. Alex assured me that he would be fine, and so off I went. In about an hour, the lady who cleans for me and a dear friend as well, called to tell me she was at my house today. Thanks, God, for helping ease this Mom's mind! Isn't He the greatest?

Pop is doing well, but is in much pain. Much more than he thought. So, we will all be sticking close for a few days, we'll pamper and wait on him, and bring him home to finish recovering. Then he'll head out to take on the world once again!
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*FYI: We have the assurance of heaven and life everlasting because we trust and have faith in God.. We believe the Bible is true. We believe God will do everything He says He will do. We have asked Him to forgive our sins and to live in our hearts. He is our personal Savior and our future is settled.

If you do not understand this process or would like some additional information, please feel free to contact me via my e-mail. I would consider it a privilege to introduce you to my dearest friend.

LOVE THOSE BIRTHDAYS !

I'm just happy to be alive, and walking around, and still relatively sane!

I GOT PUBLISHED !!!

On July 21, I received the following e-mail:

Hi Tonja,

I am writing to let you know that one of your photos has
been short-listed for inclusion in the fifth edition of our
Schmap Maui and Molokai Guide, to be published mid-August
2008.

What photo were they talking about? I love to take pictures and I would love to have the time to devote to learning more about photography. But, I certainly did not think any of my photos were worthy of publication. I was proud of how they turned out, but certainly no one else but my friends would. I mean, my son, Adam, is a professional photographer. And while I am positive he got his artistic talent from me...I have never thought of myself as a photographer of note. Anyway, I gave my permission for the photo to be considered. And... on August 13, this appeared in my e-mail...

Schmap Maui and Molokai Fifth Edition: Photo Inclusion

Hi Tonja,

I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo
has been selected for inclusion in the newly released fifth
edition of our Schmap Maui and Molokai Guide.

Well, isn't that a hoot? I'm a published photographer! Ha! Now before you get any grand ideas that they chose this great photo evoking a Hawaiian beach and swaying palm trees or a beautiful, balmy sunset... Let me explain...

My 2 BFF and I took a trip to Hawaii...Maui in particular...last June. I knew it was going to be a trip of a lifetime and I planned to document everything so I could scrapbook it later. Then on the cold, winter days, I could pull out the scrapbook and relive that warm Hawaiian sunshine and the great time I had with Tina and Shirl.
One of the places we planned to visit...and eat at...was Mama's Fish House. It is a legend on Maui, and rightfully so. We got there early, and spent time walking around the lovely gardens, watched a wedding in progress, and soaked up the ambiance. As we were going in to wait for our reservation, I snapped a quick picture of the sign. And that is the photo they published!

Photo: Tonja Owens
Mama's Fish House
799 Poho Place
Maui and Molokai, HI 96779

Oh, well, so my claim to fame and my taste of the big time is kind of a let down....but, hey, I'll take it....at least I can say, "I've been published!" And, this is the biggest chuckle...it didn't even make the cut for my scrapbook! :)

This is the link to see it actually in the book!
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Here are those swaying palm trees (actually in front of Mama's Fish House) and the balmy sunsets.

THAT"S A BEAUTIFUL THING...# 28

Beautiful, Busy, Buzzing, Bumble Bee...in Boston

MY FAVORITE THINGS

Today, the girls at work gave Bonnie,our school director and the closest to me in age, and myself a birthday luncheon. She arrived on the planet the 14th and myself on the 18th...several years ago. And because I can't leave well enough alone...I decided that Bonnie and I should provide some entertainment for the young ones. Julie Andrews had revised the song "My Favorite Things" to reflect her advanced years, and I thought it quite clever. However, she is in her 70's now and Bonnie and I are just cruising into our 50's...OK...so I'm gonna be smack dab in the middle of the 50's if you have to get technical about it. Her words just didn't capture our still young attitudes, so I rewrote it...again, for us. FYI: the above pic is not us...ours is below.


FAVORITE THINGS...revised for the 50-something crowd! Please...sing along...
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Maalox and eye drops and clothes that aren't fitting,
Holding the handrails and cushions for sitting,
Sweating profusely that hot flashes bring,
These are a few of our favorite things.

Gravity and cataracts and hearing aids and gasses,
Correctol and Prilosec and bifocal glasses,
Weddings and Grand kids and porches with swings,
These are a few of our favorite things.

When the 'pipes' leak,
When the bones creak,
When my knees go bad,
We simply remember our favorite things,
And then we don't feel so bad.

Toast and hot coffee and soft shoes for bunions,
No spicy dishes or food cooked with onions,
Elastic waist pants and the old songs we sing,
These are a few of our favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains, and no time for sinnin',
Old friends and new friends and lines made from grinnin',
Being so careful while spreading our wings,
These are just some of our favorite things.

When the joints ache,
When the hips break,
When the eyes go dim,
We try to remember the great fun we've had,
So that we don't feel so bad.
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"...and then we don't feel so bad..."
Look at all this wonderful food they prepared for us! It was delicious!
Yummy, yummy strawberry birthday cake.
These are the delightful ladies I work with.


How blessed I have been for the past 20 years to work in this place. It is a joy to daily work with godly Christian women. Women who love the Lord...who love children...and who believe that it is as important to teach love and respect for each other as it is to teach green from blue. These ladies lavish care and concern on the little ones in their care every day. And the children see the love of God reflected in their faces. Our director, Bonnie, sets the tone for the school with her calm and quiet persona. She is indeed a perfect fit for this position. She leads us as the perfect example. I thank God for the opportunity to work with these ladies, and learn from them, and be uplifted by them.

A GOOD DEED

Oh, what a sad, sad mess. This is what happens when you try to reach the top of a shelf to get to an old, left over band uniform cap. Especially if an oversized picture destined to be hung in the foyer of your new house is blocking the way...because someone put it in front of the closet instead of next to the wall. And, if the closet door has been removed from the hinges because your sons who used to live in the house crammed the closet full of stuff and nonsense...like a band uniform which most certainly should NOT have been in their possession, and a full set of bowling pins from a bowling alley. Among the other treasures unearthed in the closet were 2 duffle bags...with broken zippers, 18 CD's minus their cases, 2 Monopoly games still unopened, a guitar, a pair of leather pants, and a vacuum cleaner. Why, I ask you, would a plastic box full of delicate china angels be in the top of this closet? I just can't even come close to thinking of a good answer. But, there it was. And, when I reached for the cap...which I was donating, along with the uniform, to a Christian school for their drama and music department, out of the goodness of my heart...the bowling pins began to fall. Being quick to size up the situation, I realized the bowling pin was in the direct path of my toes. Reaching quickly to steady myself so as to get my toes out of the way, I surprisingly misjudged the distance and fell onto the unhinged door. This caused the bare toes of my left foot to remain in the path of the falling pin. (Real bowling pins are extremely heavy...and if they fall onto your unprotected bare toes...chances are that the words that escape from your mouth are not words you would be proud of saying...out loud... Nor will you really do what you said you would do to your grown children...I'm just saying...) It also resulted in the fragile, china angels...which should never have been in this closet in the first place...to fall out of the top of the closet and land in a broken heap next to my twisted body. BUT...I got the hat...and the oversized art which was in danger of falling against the desk, pushed by my falling body...didn't.


The 'fallen angels' are in the trash. The duffle bags with broken zippers are in the trash. The CDs are in the trash. The Monopoly games are in the garage sale pile. The guitar is in the garage sale pile. The vacuum cleaner is in the garage sale pile. The leather pants...I'm wearing to work tomorrow!!!!JUST KIDDING!!!..in the garage sale. The bowling pins...minus the 2 which fell...are still at the top of the closet and there they will stay. Forever and ever...unless the future owner of this house chooses to move them...since he could have been the one who put them there in the first place.

The cap...is in the car, to be delivered tomorrow. And, I am on the bed...with an iced, elevated foot. Bad afternoon.

IT'S MOTHER'S DAY

Well, actually it's just MY mother's day...her birthday, that is. Mom, I hope today, and everyday, is filled with all the things that make you smile. You are special to us all! I love you...and I'll get busy on that cake!

DON'T MESS WITH SUCCESS !

There are things in this great world of ours that are destined to receive the title of 'classic'. I'm sure you can think of several. There are those people who live among us, I'm sad to say, that think they can make 'classic' just a little bit better. How foolish. The great "Coke" fiasco comes to mind. Remember when they tried to change it, and "make it better"? Well, discerning taste buds world over refused to accept this and soon, they brought "Coke Classic" back to its rightful place on the store shelves. Personally, I don't like Coke products and think the ONLY soft drink fit to consume is Diet Dr. Pepper and its twin Dr. Pepper, but that is beside the point. However, you don't see the gurus of this company playing around with success, now do you?
And, now, here is the next product to think it can be made more consumable by us consumers. Reese's P-nut Butter cup. Can you even imagine they would try to improve upon the perfection that it is already? Well, it's true. Think, if you will, about the divine taste of yummy chocolate melting in your mouth, and then the burst of flavor that comes when you get to the p-nut butter. Then they mix and mingle in your mouth, and your taste buds actually do the 'happy dance'. It is a 'party in my mouth' if you will. Hey, that would be a good blog title, wouldn't it? But, I digress. The head honchos at Reese's...parent company Hershey, no less...have recently made the same grievous error. Maybe Hershey hired the brains who thought up New Coke when the Coca-Cola Company fired them...I don't know. But, recently, upon my weekly trip to purchase good nutritious food for my family, I spied Reese's Crispy Crunchy Bar and Reese's Select Clusters! What a sad thing it is to think that the Hershey company is heading down the same slippery slope that the Coke company did. I can just imagine that the Crispy Crunchy Bar is actually not so very...crispy or crunchy...and does not even have a hint of the original p-nut butter and chocolate mix. And, I would think that the Select Clusters may have a little of the p-nut butter taste, but not so much of the chocolate taste, because it gets overwhelmed by the actual p-nuts in the mix. I am actually pretty accurate in my 'imaginings' especially when it comes to chocolate, the most basic of food groups...just so you know.
Below is a picture of the offending candy so you will not be fooled when you are cruising through Winn-Dixie, or Piggly-Wiggly, or Target, or Wal-Mart. Look carefully before you reach for the familiar orange wrapper...it could be an attempt to "crash" that "party in your mouth...and that is NOT a good thing.
Why, no, I did not eat these. I found them lying on the counter just like this. I do not live alone, you know. I started a diet a week ago and these are not on the 'foods allowed'!
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P.S. I wrote a poem one time about eating Sugar Free Mini Reese's P-nut Butter Cups.
But it would take some mighty fine begging for me to share that with you.

"BYE, BYE SUMMER"

What do these pictures say to you?



Yes...summer's over. How sad. Even though the heat tells us otherwise, the schools say it's time to come inside and open the books. Schools in our city are open for business. But, in all honesty, I'm sure the teachers as well as the children would like just a few more days of play. Here's hoping you made sweet memories this summer.

A SUMMARY

I received this today from a friend, and thought it too good not to pass on...

Since some of you don't like to listen to long, drawn out speeches....
Here is the quick summary...

TIME IN CONGRESS.... McCain...26 years.....Obama...143 days

TIME IN MILITARY...... McCain...22 years.....Obama...0

End of summary.

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Thanks, Jolene!

COLOR CLUES...part 2

OK...I got all sorts of comments...but, believe it or not...this is the color of my PANTRY! And, I love it! Just a funky pop of color in a house full of calm, cool, sedate colors.

It's always a good idea to throw a little surprise into the mix, don't ya think?
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Not the best picture, I know. But, can you see the pantry way in the back? It will also have a 'vermilion' screen door! That's the name of the color...vermilion.

COLOR CLUES...part 1

How do you like this color? What words does it bring to your mind?

It says to me: BOLD.....SASSY.....FUN.....

Now, I want to hear YOUR words....

THE YARD

We moved into the house we are presently living in when Adam was 3 years old. He's 33 now, so that is 30 years... 30 years living in a house sandwiched between a front yard and a back yard. Our yard...our grass and our tree.... bushes planted next to the house, iris bulbs from Granny Merritt that bloom every year under my bedroom window.

Our home was 2 years old when we bought it from an elderly couple. He had recently cut down every tree in the front yard and all but 1 in the back. A big 'ole sweet gum tree. As our boys grew and made friends, the front yard became THE place to be...not just for my 3, but for all the boys in the neighborhood! It was big and empty and perfect for playing football...the game of choice for every little boy around. As soon as everyone got off the bus and checked in at home....it was on to the Owens' for the game of the day. Noisy? Oh yes! But always fun! So any time we talked about planting trees in the front yard, the boys would always beg us not to. In the long run, it was much more important to us that our boys were home where there was always an adult around, than to have a nicely landscaped front yard. I was teaching piano lessons at home in the afternoons, so the kids would play, and I would teach and all was well.***Until the neighbors next door got a border collie who thought she was supposed to herd the children instead of sheep, and barked her fool head off trying to keep them in a nice little group. Poor Barbie...she never did get 'em all rounded up!***

And the back...plenty of action here. Here was our 1 tree.
A beautiful tree, until the season of sweet gum balls. Man! do they ever hurt when you step on them! Oh, but the tree! Once we thought it was dead due to lightening, but we cut the top off and it came back...and grew and grew...and grew.
Our tree once housed a magnificent tree house, complete with ladder and tarp roof. It was big enough for 2 boys or 3 if Ian was around! Its strong limbs have held swings for boys to fly in and Moms and Dads to dream in. It has also suffered indignities. Nails pounded into its trunk...ropes choking its branches...and I once found the boys seeing who could make the highest mark on its proud trunk. I won't spell it out for you, but they each had a version of the 'tool'...and it involved a liquid. That should be all the clues you need.
Through the years, we've enclosed the garage, added 2 bedrooms and a bathroom, built a carport, added a sunroom, built another garage...then a studio and lastly an upper and lower deck. This, then became the place for cook-outs and birthday parties, a place to work on school campaigns and finally, graduation parties. And the faithful tree has cooperated by growing taller and broader and providing us with wonderful, cooling shade.
It holds beautiful tuned wind chimes and encourages the hostas to grow between its roots. It forms a shelter over the deck so this 'wanna be' gardener can experiment with container masterpieces.
It provides a lovely canopy to read under in the summer, its leaves carpet the ground with color in the fall, its branches show off their mighty architecture in the winter,
and in the spring it wreaks havoc on my allergies as it buds out once again.


But, now there are no little boys to dig in the dirt under its strong arms, no little knees getting scraped trying to climb high enough to touch the sky. No friends to have a picnic with on the grass, or pitch a tent to bravely spend the night 'in the wild'.

Now the master of the yard is Scooter, the Wonder Dog. The backyard has become his domain. He is in charge of handling unwanted intruders. He does most of the planting, but it's bones instead of seed. He makes a sweep of the yard several times a day. He terrorizes those vicious squirrels that dare to live and play in his tree. He delights in chasing the little green lizards...occasionally managing to relieve then from part of their tail. He gives the frogs a wide berth, though. He once got into a heated discussion with one...Scooter was hunkered down, inching closer...just about to teach that frog a lesson . However, he made a serious miscalculation as to the distance a frog should be kept away from the eyes of a dog. Yep, the frog had a secret weapon...and shot something into Scooter's eyes that obviously was very unpleasant. His bravery towards frogs was gone instantly...along with a little dignity, I imagine. So, if we get invaded by an army of angry frogs...we're on our own !
He sniffs every corner of the yard...keeping abreast of who ever dares to come near his fence. He loves to lie on the deck and soak up the sun...watching the sky and feeling the breeze. The Bible says, "Let every thing that has breath praise the Lord." Sometimes the look on his face and his countenance make me think that this is just what he is doing.



He is old now...14 years. But, make no mistake...he is in total control of the yard...he is the KING.

And, so, if you were to drive by my house, you would think it looks like an ordinary, nothing special yard. Just like so many more in this middle class neighborhood. You would never know of the beautiful memories floating through the air...the distant sound of football being played in the front yard; the sweet memories recalled when the wind chimes sound their music. You wouldn't see that little boy wrestle the bloom off of that iris the second it bloomed and bring it to me in a grimy hand. You would never hear our tree whispering its stories. You would never hear it calling for its little boys to come once again and play. But, this Mom hears it...and remembers.

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING...# 27

I do not know if it was just a Southern thing, or not, but hanging the clothes on the line is a vivid memory of my childhood. Not necessarily a happy one at the time, but a memory nonetheless. And one I do recall fondly now.

I recall how hard it was to get both sides of the garment up on the line and pinned, before one side would fall down and twist upon itself into a mad wad. I remember seeing the clothes my mom hung out and they were all joined together with a common pin between them. Hers always looked so neat and straight. I could not get the garments to share a pin no matter how hard I tried. One was always too thick or unwieldy. Therefore, I would always run out of pins and leave the stragglers in the clothes basket doomed to hang on the line for dear life while struggling in the breeze attached with only 1 pin. Some, I am sad to say, did not make it. They would fall to the ground in a sad heap of wet clothes, dirt and grass clippings.
And, I can still see the look on Mama's face when she realized her bra was hanging across the line with 2 clothespins instead of dangling discreetly with only one. Didn't make that mistake again!

The sheets were always especially hard to hang. When hung up by my mom or my Aunt Katherine, who lived next door and with whom we shared a common line, they were a thing of beauty. When the wind would catch them, they would billow out like a sail in the wind on a sea of green. But, mine never billowed. They would flap a little. But they were so horribly twisted where the sheet met the line, that they never stood a chance.

The smell! Do you recall the smell of freshly washed clothes? A mixture of hot sunshine, Alabama air, and the scent of whatever flower was in bloom at the time. A scent only God himself could concoct! I would bury my face in those just removed clothes and inhale deeply...enough to last me till the next laundry day. And though it has been years since I have smelled that divine perfume...when I close my eyes, and think of the sheets...I think I can smell it still! It was a beautiful thing!
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FYI: April 19 is designated as National Hanging Out Day. It is designed to help educate the public on the amount of energy they can save by hanging out their laundry in the sunshine instead of using a clothing dryer. Our Moms knew that all along!

HEAR YE !!!! HEAR YE !!!!!!

I tried to do a good job of it, but, it all boils down to cooperation. I slowly and oh, so kindly explain the proper way to get things accomplished...but the rest of the world wants to do things their way. Hard as I try...they just will not get in line behind me! So, I'm resigning!
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The comcast man finally came and got things better. But, they have to come back to fix the line. It is in the attic and it is too hot up there later in the day. So...7:00 am Tuesday! So, if I disappear again...I'll be back!