I started smoking when I was in elementary school. They were long, white cylinders of wintergreen candy with red painted on one end. My girlfriends and I would play house and sit and feel sophisticated as we sucked on these sugary things.
Smoking was exciting. All the movies stars smoked, just watch any old film to see them light up. Women, who seldom smoked, all of a sudden became the leaders in promoting smoking. They had long cigarette holders, and made it look very glamorous. The movie Now Voyager, made it romantic. When Paul Hendrid put two cigarettes in his mouth, lit them and then gave one to Betty Davis, it was the height of romance. We all wanted to have a boyfriend who would light our cigarettes.
I was about fourteen when I started to smoke. I hated the taste, but forced myself to keep it up until it didn't bother me. I continued smoking until I was in my fifty's.
Lots of advertisement added to the picture. I remember John Wayne endorsing cigarettes. Later in life, when he was dying of cancer he encouraged people to quit smoking. There were slogans for each brand. "Winston tastes good like a cigarette should." "I'd walk a mile for a camel."
Tareyton smokers would rather fight than switch." (usually a picture of a beautiful woman with a black eye and a cigarette in her hand.) Then there was the Old Gold dancing cigarette pack, a life size package with beautiful legs dancing around the stage. The one that really gets me is the picture of a doctor holding a pack of Lucky's with the words, "Your Dr. wants you to smoke." How much more encouragement does one need?
In the early sixty's they discovered that smoking was one of the causes of lung cancer, Emphysema and heart problems. A lot of sponsors dropped their ads on TV. The movies quit showing so many people smoking. Now it was usually the criminal shows that had the bad guy with a cigarette.ma
When my husband had his fourth coronary, the Dr. told him if he wanted to live he had to stop smoking. I knew if I kept smoking, my husband would not give it up so, even though I didn't want to quit, I did it for him.
Now I hear so many people say, "I plan to give it up. I'll try this year." STOP it now. Do you realize whet you are doing to yourself? My niece has Emphysema and can barely breath. It cannot be cured. There are ways to help her breathe, but it is not pleasant even at it's best.
Three people in my family, who smoked, have died. Two from cancer and one from emphysema.
My husband worked in open heart surgery and he said if everyone who smoked could see the inside of a smoker they would quit. The lungs looks like it is covered in tar. Gross.
I beg you to quit. If you are thinking of starting, be smart. Don't. When I started they weren't aware of the danger. Now they know, why would you do it? Remember, your body is the Temple of God. Don't destroy the temple.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day 2011
I am so thankful for all the military and their sacrifices. My husband was in the Navy for 20 years. He was on the Lexington and the Enterprise when they were sunk. Fortunately, he survived both. He still died young at 56.
My son and I went about ten miles out to the cemetery and decorated my husband and my mother's graves. There were flags, crosses and fields of beautiful flowers. It led me to thinking about this day when I was a child.
It was called Decoration Day when I was little. All the headstones stood up instead of being flat on the ground. Every year my mother picked snowballs to decorate the graves with. I was checking out what kind of flower it was considered and was amazed to find out it is one form of the Hydrangea. The flowers were shaped like a perfect white ball, hence the name. I doubt that my mom knew it was a hydrangea.
After we decorated the graves of people I didn't know, (they were all dead before I was born) we had a picnic right there in the cemetery. Mama always had fried chicken, potato salad, with her homemade dressing, and pork and beans. A big pitcher of lemonade and her famous Chocolate Potato Cake. Yum! As I look back I can't imagine why we didn't go to a park or someplace else, but it was always in front of the graves.
I hope everyone remembers all those who have died in the wars, and respect and honor the men and women who are protecting our country. It seems to me that for too long, the military were considered second class citizens. I think more people are thankful for them now and appreciate all they sacrifice for us.
God Bless America
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
My son and I went about ten miles out to the cemetery and decorated my husband and my mother's graves. There were flags, crosses and fields of beautiful flowers. It led me to thinking about this day when I was a child.
It was called Decoration Day when I was little. All the headstones stood up instead of being flat on the ground. Every year my mother picked snowballs to decorate the graves with. I was checking out what kind of flower it was considered and was amazed to find out it is one form of the Hydrangea. The flowers were shaped like a perfect white ball, hence the name. I doubt that my mom knew it was a hydrangea.
After we decorated the graves of people I didn't know, (they were all dead before I was born) we had a picnic right there in the cemetery. Mama always had fried chicken, potato salad, with her homemade dressing, and pork and beans. A big pitcher of lemonade and her famous Chocolate Potato Cake. Yum! As I look back I can't imagine why we didn't go to a park or someplace else, but it was always in front of the graves.
I hope everyone remembers all those who have died in the wars, and respect and honor the men and women who are protecting our country. It seems to me that for too long, the military were considered second class citizens. I think more people are thankful for them now and appreciate all they sacrifice for us.
God Bless America
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Sunday, May 29, 2011
The Pot of Gold
I discovered the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and I wasn't even looking for it. I was going through a bunch of old VCR's that I taped ten or eleven years ago to see if I could find a few to get rid of. Instead I found one I will keep forever. Bill Moyer had taped a show untitled Fooling With Words. It was about the largest poetry festival in the United States, located in Waterloo, New Jersey. Over 12,000 people were in attendance listing to music, reading poetry and just visiting with the many famous poets. What a special time, wish I had been there,.
I enjoyed most of the poets reading their poetry, but when they announced that the next reader was a ninety year old man, I thought, what could an old guy lik that write anything I would like (after all I am only 85.) Surprise----- this frail looking cutie had a fantastic personality, read better than all the other poets put together, and his poetry was soooooooo good. At least, I though so.l He puts irony, pathos and humor into his poetry and really makes you feel and think. I would like to share one of the poems he read and see if you like it.
Haley's Comet
Miss Murphy in first grade
wrote its name in chalk
across the board and told us
it was roaring down the stormtracks
of the Milky Way at frightful speed
and if it wandered off its course
and smashed into the earth
there'd be no school tomorrow.
A red-bearded preacher from the hills
with a wild look in his eyes
stood in the public square
at the playground's edge
proclaiming he was sent by God
to save every one of us,
even the little children.
"Repent, ye sinners," he shouted,
waving his hand-lettered sign.
At supper I felt sad to think
that it was probably
the last meal I'd share
with my mother and my sisters;
but I felt excited too
and scarcely touched my plate.
So mother scolded me
and sent me early to my room.
The whole family's asleep
except for me. They never heard me steal
into the stairwell hall and climb
the ladder to the fresh night air.
Look for me, Father, on the roof
of the red brick building
at the foot of Green Street-----
that's where we live, you know , on the top floor,
I'm the boy in the white flannel gown
sprawled on this course gravel bed
searching the starry sky,
waiting for the world to end.
The poet is Stanley Kunitz. In 2000 he was named Poet Laureate of the United States. He was 95 at the time and was considered the most distinguished living American poet. He kept writing and reading his poetry until his death at 100 years old. (Wow, what a man.)
I will be searching the library for some of his books. Most of the reviews I have read say his later works were much better than his earlier books, so I think I will start with the latter. Hope you enjoy him if you are a poetry lover.
Until we meet again,
Be kind to one another.
I enjoyed most of the poets reading their poetry, but when they announced that the next reader was a ninety year old man, I thought, what could an old guy lik that write anything I would like (after all I am only 85.) Surprise----- this frail looking cutie had a fantastic personality, read better than all the other poets put together, and his poetry was soooooooo good. At least, I though so.l He puts irony, pathos and humor into his poetry and really makes you feel and think. I would like to share one of the poems he read and see if you like it.
Haley's Comet
Miss Murphy in first grade
wrote its name in chalk
across the board and told us
it was roaring down the stormtracks
of the Milky Way at frightful speed
and if it wandered off its course
and smashed into the earth
there'd be no school tomorrow.
A red-bearded preacher from the hills
with a wild look in his eyes
stood in the public square
at the playground's edge
proclaiming he was sent by God
to save every one of us,
even the little children.
"Repent, ye sinners," he shouted,
waving his hand-lettered sign.
At supper I felt sad to think
that it was probably
the last meal I'd share
with my mother and my sisters;
but I felt excited too
and scarcely touched my plate.
So mother scolded me
and sent me early to my room.
The whole family's asleep
except for me. They never heard me steal
into the stairwell hall and climb
the ladder to the fresh night air.
Look for me, Father, on the roof
of the red brick building
at the foot of Green Street-----
that's where we live, you know , on the top floor,
I'm the boy in the white flannel gown
sprawled on this course gravel bed
searching the starry sky,
waiting for the world to end.
The poet is Stanley Kunitz. In 2000 he was named Poet Laureate of the United States. He was 95 at the time and was considered the most distinguished living American poet. He kept writing and reading his poetry until his death at 100 years old. (Wow, what a man.)
I will be searching the library for some of his books. Most of the reviews I have read say his later works were much better than his earlier books, so I think I will start with the latter. Hope you enjoy him if you are a poetry lover.
Until we meet again,
Be kind to one another.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Oprah''s Love Letter
OPRAH'S LOVE LETTER
A pretty white chair was the only object on the empty stage as Opera Winfrey, beautiful in a simple peach colored dress, walked on the stage and greeted her fans. With a statement, something like this she said, "Today there are no guests, no gifts or surprises. Today I want to send a love letter to all the fams who have supported me over the years. They have taught me many lessons, and I hope I have taught them many lessons also."
Oprah is a great speaker and I felt that she gave a great summation of all the things she felt people needed to know to live a great life. Following is a list of some of the things I took away from her speech.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
# Every body has a calling.
# A calling lights you up
# Each of you has a platform, letting your life speak for you.
# You have the power to change someone's life.
# Use your life to save the world.
# There is a common connection in human experience.
# Nobody but you is responsible for your life.
# All life is energy, the energy you create for yourself and the energy you
create for others.
WHAT WE ALL WANT
Oprah stressed that a common thread running through all of us is unworthiness. She said, "You are worthy because you are here."
and Validation is what we all want. We want to know, Do you see me?, Do you hear me?, Do you understand what I say?
WHAT MADE THE SHOW A SUCCESS?
"Nothing but the hand of God made this show a success. The presence of God is always here. Listen, God is Love, God is Life.
What are the whispers in your life? Are you listening to them?
She pointed out that we all have whispers of God if we just listen Finally Oprah said, "I won't say good bye, I will just say, 'Til we meet again."
Good bye Oprah, I will miss all of your sage advice. I may not always agree with you, but in the long run, you have more sense in your little finger that most of us have. I wish you all the best.
Until we meet again,
Be kind to one another,.
A pretty white chair was the only object on the empty stage as Opera Winfrey, beautiful in a simple peach colored dress, walked on the stage and greeted her fans. With a statement, something like this she said, "Today there are no guests, no gifts or surprises. Today I want to send a love letter to all the fams who have supported me over the years. They have taught me many lessons, and I hope I have taught them many lessons also."
Oprah is a great speaker and I felt that she gave a great summation of all the things she felt people needed to know to live a great life. Following is a list of some of the things I took away from her speech.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
# Every body has a calling.
# A calling lights you up
# Each of you has a platform, letting your life speak for you.
# You have the power to change someone's life.
# Use your life to save the world.
# There is a common connection in human experience.
# Nobody but you is responsible for your life.
# All life is energy, the energy you create for yourself and the energy you
create for others.
WHAT WE ALL WANT
Oprah stressed that a common thread running through all of us is unworthiness. She said, "You are worthy because you are here."
and Validation is what we all want. We want to know, Do you see me?, Do you hear me?, Do you understand what I say?
WHAT MADE THE SHOW A SUCCESS?
"Nothing but the hand of God made this show a success. The presence of God is always here. Listen, God is Love, God is Life.
What are the whispers in your life? Are you listening to them?
She pointed out that we all have whispers of God if we just listen Finally Oprah said, "I won't say good bye, I will just say, 'Til we meet again."
Good bye Oprah, I will miss all of your sage advice. I may not always agree with you, but in the long run, you have more sense in your little finger that most of us have. I wish you all the best.
Until we meet again,
Be kind to one another,.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Depression
I have always been a very positive person. I always see the glass half full and can't remember the last time I was depressed. Well, today is not one of those days. I don't know why, but I have been down in the dumps, weepy and just plain feeling sorry for myself.
Why, I don't know. Perhaps it was the article in the paper this morning about respecting and honoring our military. It brought back memories of my husband. He was in the Navy for twenty years, was on two ships that sunk during world war two, and survived it all. He died, however, at age 56 of an aneurysm. That was thirty two years ago and I have learned to live with being alone. Maybe I just need someone to talk to. If you don't want to listen you can delete me.
I also think part of my problem is the pain I am in. All the discs in my back are deteriorated, I have rheumatism, I have fallen 5 times on my knees and my back and legs are in great pain. Then I think of the boy who lives on the corner. He is paralyzed from his neck down, He can't use his arms or legs. And I'm complaining? I thank the Lord I can use my arms and legs, pain or no pain. I am the lucky one.
And then there are my eyes. I have Macular degeneration and I am having trouble seeing the fine lines when I am painting.Then I look at my friend Susan who has an eye disease that only allows her to see as through a key hole. Yet she does adorable paintings, has won awards for her painting and also sells her work. I can still look around and see the whole world, only not as well as when I was young. I am the lucky one.
Because of my pain there are many places I can't go, because it is too uncomfortable for me, but I can still drive and go some places. I can still paint and write and socialize with friends. I think it all comes down to the old cliche, "I cried when I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."
Well, now that I got all my pity me problems off my chest I feel much better, and I also realize what a blessed person I am to be able to do all the things that I still can do at age eighty-five.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Why, I don't know. Perhaps it was the article in the paper this morning about respecting and honoring our military. It brought back memories of my husband. He was in the Navy for twenty years, was on two ships that sunk during world war two, and survived it all. He died, however, at age 56 of an aneurysm. That was thirty two years ago and I have learned to live with being alone. Maybe I just need someone to talk to. If you don't want to listen you can delete me.
I also think part of my problem is the pain I am in. All the discs in my back are deteriorated, I have rheumatism, I have fallen 5 times on my knees and my back and legs are in great pain. Then I think of the boy who lives on the corner. He is paralyzed from his neck down, He can't use his arms or legs. And I'm complaining? I thank the Lord I can use my arms and legs, pain or no pain. I am the lucky one.
And then there are my eyes. I have Macular degeneration and I am having trouble seeing the fine lines when I am painting.Then I look at my friend Susan who has an eye disease that only allows her to see as through a key hole. Yet she does adorable paintings, has won awards for her painting and also sells her work. I can still look around and see the whole world, only not as well as when I was young. I am the lucky one.
Because of my pain there are many places I can't go, because it is too uncomfortable for me, but I can still drive and go some places. I can still paint and write and socialize with friends. I think it all comes down to the old cliche, "I cried when I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."
Well, now that I got all my pity me problems off my chest I feel much better, and I also realize what a blessed person I am to be able to do all the things that I still can do at age eighty-five.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Phrases
Do you ever think about strange phrases your parents used when you were a child? All my life when I said I might do something, my mother always said, "There are a lot of mites in a pound of cheese" I always thought she was just a little strange and when I asked her what it meant she said, "I don't know, grandma always said it." I asked grandma and she didn't know what it meant either, probably just something she had heard also.
All my life I have commented about this and finally one day I looked it up on the Internet. Guess what, my mother wasn't as odd as I thought she was. The phrase referred to the fact that, "the mites excrete an enzyme that ripens the cheese." So somebody down the line knew what they were talking about.
I found this information on The Phrase Finder which is a fantastic source to find anything you want to know about American , Shakespeare, Nautical, Biblical and Latin phrases. It also has a Discussion forum. This info. is free. They also have a Phrase Thesaurus which has a fee. You can sign up for their mailing list where they send a phrase a week.If this subject interests you I would highly recommend it.
A friend of mine made the comment on her blog that she was doing something "by the seat of her pants." She said some time she would have to check it out. I couldn't stand not knowing myself, so back to the Phrase Finder. I found that the term emerged in 1930's and was widely used in reports of Douglas Corrigins flight from USA to Ireland. The old flying expression of "flies by the seat of his trousers," was explained by Larry Conner who said it means going aloft without instruments, radios or other such luxuries."
Hope you enjoy phrases, until next time,
Be kind to one another
All my life I have commented about this and finally one day I looked it up on the Internet. Guess what, my mother wasn't as odd as I thought she was. The phrase referred to the fact that, "the mites excrete an enzyme that ripens the cheese." So somebody down the line knew what they were talking about.
I found this information on The Phrase Finder which is a fantastic source to find anything you want to know about American , Shakespeare, Nautical, Biblical and Latin phrases. It also has a Discussion forum. This info. is free. They also have a Phrase Thesaurus which has a fee. You can sign up for their mailing list where they send a phrase a week.If this subject interests you I would highly recommend it.
A friend of mine made the comment on her blog that she was doing something "by the seat of her pants." She said some time she would have to check it out. I couldn't stand not knowing myself, so back to the Phrase Finder. I found that the term emerged in 1930's and was widely used in reports of Douglas Corrigins flight from USA to Ireland. The old flying expression of "flies by the seat of his trousers," was explained by Larry Conner who said it means going aloft without instruments, radios or other such luxuries."
Hope you enjoy phrases, until next time,
Be kind to one another
Friday, May 13, 2011
Animal Love
Sitting here staring out my window I noticed a little squirrel jumping from one branch to another on a tree next door How interesting animals are in general, and how precious they are when they are our own special pets.
It amazes me how emotional we can become too. My friend, Susan has a seeing-eye dog, Mirage, who became ill the other day. Suzy took a picture and put it on face book. The photo brought tears to my eyes because the poor dog looked so sad and depressed.
And then there are some of the dogs in my life. At present I have Annie, who as an orphan. She is a Pekingese and I swore I never wanted one of those ugly dogs with a squashed nose and bulging eyes. I talked to the people at the Humane Society and told them it was difficult for me to handle a large dog and I wondered if they ever got small dogs. They said they very seldom did, but if they did they would call me. I also said I did not want a puppy (I knew the problems there). So, when they called and said they had a Pekingese puppy I said, "Oh no." Then I asked if I could come and see it. Guess you know what comes next. When this sweet little ball of fur came into my arms there was no way I was going to leave it.
Annie has been a blessing in my life. When you live alone, it is nice to have someone to talk to, someone who loves and adores you. Someone who makes you laugh every day.
For a child there is nothing better than to have a pet, not only for the above reasons, but to teach them how to care for it.and to be responsible for something.
I have happy memories of many of my "angel pets" who will live in my memory for ever. Barney, Molly and D.J I could write a book about all their shenanigans , all the sorrow I went through when they died, and all the love they gave.
Hope you all have a pet or two in your lives to bring you the joy I have found.
By the way, Annie chewed the rungs on every chair in my dining room, peed on the carpet, chewed up anything I might drop and in general was just a normal puppy. Thank heavens that period is over.
Until we meet again,
Be kind to one another
It amazes me how emotional we can become too. My friend, Susan has a seeing-eye dog, Mirage, who became ill the other day. Suzy took a picture and put it on face book. The photo brought tears to my eyes because the poor dog looked so sad and depressed.
And then there are some of the dogs in my life. At present I have Annie, who as an orphan. She is a Pekingese and I swore I never wanted one of those ugly dogs with a squashed nose and bulging eyes. I talked to the people at the Humane Society and told them it was difficult for me to handle a large dog and I wondered if they ever got small dogs. They said they very seldom did, but if they did they would call me. I also said I did not want a puppy (I knew the problems there). So, when they called and said they had a Pekingese puppy I said, "Oh no." Then I asked if I could come and see it. Guess you know what comes next. When this sweet little ball of fur came into my arms there was no way I was going to leave it.
Annie has been a blessing in my life. When you live alone, it is nice to have someone to talk to, someone who loves and adores you. Someone who makes you laugh every day.
For a child there is nothing better than to have a pet, not only for the above reasons, but to teach them how to care for it.and to be responsible for something.
I have happy memories of many of my "angel pets" who will live in my memory for ever. Barney, Molly and D.J I could write a book about all their shenanigans , all the sorrow I went through when they died, and all the love they gave.
Hope you all have a pet or two in your lives to bring you the joy I have found.
By the way, Annie chewed the rungs on every chair in my dining room, peed on the carpet, chewed up anything I might drop and in general was just a normal puppy. Thank heavens that period is over.
Until we meet again,
Be kind to one another
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Sound of Music
In the past two days there have been nine music videos posted on my facebook. I got up this morning and took Annie out and the birds were singing like they had just learned a new tune. It made mr think how much music means in our lives and how we need it from the day we are born until the day that we die.
The first music we hear are lullabys to put us to sleep, to sooth us when we cry, or just to let us know how happy our mother's are that they have a little one to sing to.
I don't think there is a kindergartener on earth that didn't have to learn ABCDEFG HIJK LMNOP etc.It is here here many kids are taught how to count, how to have good manners and how to play games with one another.
By the time we reach high school we not only kinow all the words to our school song, but we know all the crazy songs that are the hit of the day. When I hear someone complain about the popular music today I think back to my high school years. I am not sure how bright such words as "Boop boop dittem dattem wattem choo etc. would sound to todays kids either.
Love songs become our favorites as we have crushes on boys who don't even know we existed, or when we actually meet Mr. right. Then, of course, we have "Our" song. I can still hear my husband singing songs to me, and he didn't have the greatest voice in the world, but it sounded like heaven to me.
We then repeat all the above when we have children, only it is their life repeating ours in many ways. We are at the stage where we love to hear the "old" songs, the ones from our early years, and the kids say, "Mom, where on earth did you ever hear that song?" I remember how shocked I was when they took a song I loved when I was young, (Ramona) and jazzed it up in another generation until I barely recognized it.
And then, there is the music at funerals. Even in death, music plays a role. Quite often Amazing Grace is sung. I want Taps sung at my funeral. I know that sounds strange, but I found three verses to that tune that are absolutely perfect. Also, when my husband and I lived on Military Bases, we heard taps played every evening.
I think I will go sing a song or two,
Until we meet again,
Be kind to one another.
The first music we hear are lullabys to put us to sleep, to sooth us when we cry, or just to let us know how happy our mother's are that they have a little one to sing to.
I don't think there is a kindergartener on earth that didn't have to learn ABCDEFG HIJK LMNOP etc.It is here here many kids are taught how to count, how to have good manners and how to play games with one another.
By the time we reach high school we not only kinow all the words to our school song, but we know all the crazy songs that are the hit of the day. When I hear someone complain about the popular music today I think back to my high school years. I am not sure how bright such words as "Boop boop dittem dattem wattem choo etc. would sound to todays kids either.
Love songs become our favorites as we have crushes on boys who don't even know we existed, or when we actually meet Mr. right. Then, of course, we have "Our" song. I can still hear my husband singing songs to me, and he didn't have the greatest voice in the world, but it sounded like heaven to me.
We then repeat all the above when we have children, only it is their life repeating ours in many ways. We are at the stage where we love to hear the "old" songs, the ones from our early years, and the kids say, "Mom, where on earth did you ever hear that song?" I remember how shocked I was when they took a song I loved when I was young, (Ramona) and jazzed it up in another generation until I barely recognized it.
And then, there is the music at funerals. Even in death, music plays a role. Quite often Amazing Grace is sung. I want Taps sung at my funeral. I know that sounds strange, but I found three verses to that tune that are absolutely perfect. Also, when my husband and I lived on Military Bases, we heard taps played every evening.
I think I will go sing a song or two,
Until we meet again,
Be kind to one another.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Remembering
It has been rather a strange day today. 32 years ago today my husband Dick died. We had just celebrated our 31 wedding anniversary one month before. As I look back I can't believe I have been alone longer than we were married.
He was such a special man, but very few of my current friends knew him. So It was very special to me that so many of the kids I had in high school forty years ago put comments on my face book about their memories of him. I think it is important to remember all the great things he did for people and I am glad there are still people alive who remember him.
I hope you all create wonderful memories while you can so that you will have no regrets when you lose someone. I have memories of picnics, just the two of us riding up the river after work and enjoying nature. Or the times we went out to dinner and sat over a final glass of wine and talked into the night. (My friends always said, "gosh, you have been married so long, what do you find to talk about?" I don't know, it always seemed like we were young and dating and just couldn't quit talking. There were days when he had flowers sent to my shop for no special reason, just because he loved me. There were little spats we had when he would go into his "man den" until we cooled down. I don't think we ever had a really big argument in all those years. And I think we told each other how much we loved each other fifty times a day.
It is these little things that are so important now and I hope you never go to bed angry. Always say I Love you. Life is short so enjoy it.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
He was such a special man, but very few of my current friends knew him. So It was very special to me that so many of the kids I had in high school forty years ago put comments on my face book about their memories of him. I think it is important to remember all the great things he did for people and I am glad there are still people alive who remember him.
I hope you all create wonderful memories while you can so that you will have no regrets when you lose someone. I have memories of picnics, just the two of us riding up the river after work and enjoying nature. Or the times we went out to dinner and sat over a final glass of wine and talked into the night. (My friends always said, "gosh, you have been married so long, what do you find to talk about?" I don't know, it always seemed like we were young and dating and just couldn't quit talking. There were days when he had flowers sent to my shop for no special reason, just because he loved me. There were little spats we had when he would go into his "man den" until we cooled down. I don't think we ever had a really big argument in all those years. And I think we told each other how much we loved each other fifty times a day.
It is these little things that are so important now and I hope you never go to bed angry. Always say I Love you. Life is short so enjoy it.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Words
A week or two ago I posted a video about words and I have had it on my mind ever since. For those of you who didn't see it, it showed a blind man sitting in a square with a sign, "I'm blind, please help." Many people passed and a few dropped a coin, but most avoided him. Finally a lady came by, walked on and then returned. She took his sign and wrote something else on it. He felt her shoes while she wrote. All of a sudden almost everyone that passed dropped a coin. Finally the lady came back. He felt her shoes in recognition and asked, what did you put on the sign?" Her reply was that she said about the same thing he did, just used different words. Then the sign became visible. On it were written the words, "It's a beautiful day and I can't see it."
It made me think of the impact our words have on everyone we come in contact with. I remember the old saw, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me." This is so not true. Psychologists in today's society have found that children who have constantly been told they were dumb or stupid usually end up believing that about themselves. Or the child who is taunted on the playground as fat, or ugly or a wimp is really hurt by such words. The sad thing is that sometime just one cruel word may effect some one's whole life. Even if it is said in jest, it may hurt. Perhaps we should choose our words more carefully.
And then there is the big "F" word. I have noticed that more and more people seem to be using it, particularly younger folks. I think it is so sad that something God made beautiful and sacred should be brought down to the level of filth and nastiness. What a shame that one has such a limited vocabulary that they have to reach down in the gutter to find a word.
Enough said. If you are interested in words there are dozens of articles on the Internet. One very interesting one is an article by Richard F. Taflinger on how words are used in Advertising to take advantage of us. Stephanie Resenbloom writes some interesting facts on the power of words in the real estate market.
We need to be aware that people can use words to make us believe just what they want us to, so pay attention when you are encouraged to buy a product, vote for a certain person, or even, heaven forbid, to marry them (perhaps all for the wrong reason.) After that statement, I think it is time for me to close.
Until next time,
Be Kind to One Another
It made me think of the impact our words have on everyone we come in contact with. I remember the old saw, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me." This is so not true. Psychologists in today's society have found that children who have constantly been told they were dumb or stupid usually end up believing that about themselves. Or the child who is taunted on the playground as fat, or ugly or a wimp is really hurt by such words. The sad thing is that sometime just one cruel word may effect some one's whole life. Even if it is said in jest, it may hurt. Perhaps we should choose our words more carefully.
And then there is the big "F" word. I have noticed that more and more people seem to be using it, particularly younger folks. I think it is so sad that something God made beautiful and sacred should be brought down to the level of filth and nastiness. What a shame that one has such a limited vocabulary that they have to reach down in the gutter to find a word.
Enough said. If you are interested in words there are dozens of articles on the Internet. One very interesting one is an article by Richard F. Taflinger on how words are used in Advertising to take advantage of us. Stephanie Resenbloom writes some interesting facts on the power of words in the real estate market.
We need to be aware that people can use words to make us believe just what they want us to, so pay attention when you are encouraged to buy a product, vote for a certain person, or even, heaven forbid, to marry them (perhaps all for the wrong reason.) After that statement, I think it is time for me to close.
Until next time,
Be Kind to One Another
Friday, April 29, 2011
Potpourri
Well, the big day is over. The Royal Wedding went off without a hitch I have heard. Did I stay up and watch it? I am getting too old and I need my sleep. I did see the dress on TV today. I am impressed. I like it very much. Much better than Diana's dress, which I thought was so big you couldn't see her. Enough about the wedding--I wish them well.
When I got up this morning I saw:
Promises
Breaking dawn,
dove gray between
black branches of
early spring.
Filigreed lace, soon
to be new leaves
gracing the early morn.
I hope everyone is praying for all the people who have been in the tornato areas of our country. Those who lost everything they have, hopefully not their famlies, are really having it rough. I know when we had our fire and lost everything we didn't even have a toothbrush to brush our teeth or a pair of PJ's to sleep in. No clothes, no food, no bed to sleep in. Pray that someone is helping them and if you are able in any to assist either physically or financially, please do. Again, peace and love to all of the victims.
When I got up this morning I saw:
Promises
Breaking dawn,
dove gray between
black branches of
early spring.
Filigreed lace, soon
to be new leaves
gracing the early morn.
I hope everyone is praying for all the people who have been in the tornato areas of our country. Those who lost everything they have, hopefully not their famlies, are really having it rough. I know when we had our fire and lost everything we didn't even have a toothbrush to brush our teeth or a pair of PJ's to sleep in. No clothes, no food, no bed to sleep in. Pray that someone is helping them and if you are able in any to assist either physically or financially, please do. Again, peace and love to all of the victims.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Special Day
My friend Kaye in Australia informed me of somthing I didn't know.
Today, in Australia, is A.N.ZAC day. This is the same as the US Veterans
Day. They always play the "Last Post" (Taps) at the dawn service in Melbourne. Then there is a parade to honor their military.
In honor of this day, lets give thanks for their Soldiers, Sailors,Marines and Cost-Guards. We tip our hats to all the brave men and women.
God Bless Australia. (and all the countries of the world. Let their be peace, and let it begin with me.)
Cherio,
Be Kind to One Another
Today, in Australia, is A.N.ZAC day. This is the same as the US Veterans
Day. They always play the "Last Post" (Taps) at the dawn service in Melbourne. Then there is a parade to honor their military.
In honor of this day, lets give thanks for their Soldiers, Sailors,Marines and Cost-Guards. We tip our hats to all the brave men and women.
God Bless Australia. (and all the countries of the world. Let their be peace, and let it begin with me.)
Cherio,
Be Kind to One Another
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
I Thought it was Spring
I know it is spring, but it is still cold outside. However, my forsythia bush has turned into a small tree of blooming sunshine, my daphanie smells like the best Paris perfume and my Lily-of-the Valley are shooting up tall green sprouts that will soon have a million sweet little flowers bowing their heads in praise of Springtime. How can anyone be gloomy with such a bounty of beauty?
When I was a child my grandfather had a soft-green, lacy bush and when we would pass it he would always tell me to put the leaves between my fingers and then smell my fingers. It had the greatest smell, one I can't describe. He called the plant "The Old Man." I have no idea what its Latin name is.
When I left my hometown, I took a start from the bush and we planted it in our first house in Millington, Tenn. When my husband got transfered, we again took it with us, one place after another. At last we brought it to Vancouver where we planted it again. When my husband died and I moved I finally brought the plant to it's final resting place and planted it at the corner of my house. It grew into quite a large bush and every time I passed it I always stopped and rubbed the leaf, still the great scent I remembered from my childhood.
Because it was a plant strange to this part of the country, the gardner came along and pulled, what he thought was a big weed into the garbage. For the moment I had the urge to kill. To myself I called him a few un-Christian names. Of course, the deed was done so I just have to forget about it. But, when spring comes around and I check my garden, I miss The Old Man.
Be Kind to Everyone
When I was a child my grandfather had a soft-green, lacy bush and when we would pass it he would always tell me to put the leaves between my fingers and then smell my fingers. It had the greatest smell, one I can't describe. He called the plant "The Old Man." I have no idea what its Latin name is.
When I left my hometown, I took a start from the bush and we planted it in our first house in Millington, Tenn. When my husband got transfered, we again took it with us, one place after another. At last we brought it to Vancouver where we planted it again. When my husband died and I moved I finally brought the plant to it's final resting place and planted it at the corner of my house. It grew into quite a large bush and every time I passed it I always stopped and rubbed the leaf, still the great scent I remembered from my childhood.
Because it was a plant strange to this part of the country, the gardner came along and pulled, what he thought was a big weed into the garbage. For the moment I had the urge to kill. To myself I called him a few un-Christian names. Of course, the deed was done so I just have to forget about it. But, when spring comes around and I check my garden, I miss The Old Man.
Be Kind to Everyone
Friday, April 15, 2011
Poem in Your Pocket Day
Thought for the day.
"A million experiences available through words."
Word for the day.
Etude= Piano student's practice piece
April is poetry month and yesterday was Poem in your pocket day. I goofed and waited until today to talk about it.
The poem I would put in my pocket was one written by Mary Oliver. It is the beginning of my book House of Memories and other Poems. It goes as follows:
I do not want to be frisky,
and theatrical.
I do not want to go forward in the
parade of names.
I do not want to be diligent or necessary
or in anyway heavy.
From my mouth to God's ear.
I swear it, I want only to be a song.
To wander around in the fields like a little
reed bird.
To be a song.
A year or two ago it was a dark, rainy night in Pinebrook. I took Annie, my sweet little puppy out to do her business. The night was so beautiful I had to write this little poem.
Rainy Night Portrait
Streetlights spangle rays
of gold
over black, wet pavement
creating a perfect
Van Gogh.
If you like poetry I would love to hear from you. Tell me your favorite poets and poems. If you write your own, how about sharing. I would love to read it.
Speaking of rain, It is again raining in beautiful Vancouver, Washington.
What a surprise. Ha. The weather man says we may have sunshine tomorrow. I wont hold my breath until that happens. However, when the news reports all the tornados across the middle of the country and snow in some places, I'm not going to complain about a little rain.
By the way I would like to thank Daniel , Brandy and Joyce H. for their comments. It is very encouraging to hear from you and know you are reading my Pinebrook news.
I like what Ellen DeGeneres says at the end of her shows and I think I I will be a copty-cat an use her message as I feel it is so important in these days.
BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER
.
"A million experiences available through words."
Word for the day.
Etude= Piano student's practice piece
April is poetry month and yesterday was Poem in your pocket day. I goofed and waited until today to talk about it.
The poem I would put in my pocket was one written by Mary Oliver. It is the beginning of my book House of Memories and other Poems. It goes as follows:
I do not want to be frisky,
and theatrical.
I do not want to go forward in the
parade of names.
I do not want to be diligent or necessary
or in anyway heavy.
From my mouth to God's ear.
I swear it, I want only to be a song.
To wander around in the fields like a little
reed bird.
To be a song.
A year or two ago it was a dark, rainy night in Pinebrook. I took Annie, my sweet little puppy out to do her business. The night was so beautiful I had to write this little poem.
Rainy Night Portrait
Streetlights spangle rays
of gold
over black, wet pavement
creating a perfect
Van Gogh.
If you like poetry I would love to hear from you. Tell me your favorite poets and poems. If you write your own, how about sharing. I would love to read it.
Speaking of rain, It is again raining in beautiful Vancouver, Washington.
What a surprise. Ha. The weather man says we may have sunshine tomorrow. I wont hold my breath until that happens. However, when the news reports all the tornados across the middle of the country and snow in some places, I'm not going to complain about a little rain.
By the way I would like to thank Daniel , Brandy and Joyce H. for their comments. It is very encouraging to hear from you and know you are reading my Pinebrook news.
I like what Ellen DeGeneres says at the end of her shows and I think I I will be a copty-cat an use her message as I feel it is so important in these days.
BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER
.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Happiness
Today on TV I listened to Author Gretchen Rubin discuss her book The Happiness Project. She said a lot of bookclubs were waiting for the paperback copy to come out as they wanted to use it in their club. I am going to suggest my book club, Book Talk, read it too.
Rubin took a year and studied all kinds of people to find out their philosophies on finding happiness, as well as discovering her own method.
I agree we all want to be happy, but I think I am more of a positive thinker. I think sometimes you can look at something in a positive way and find good in it even if you aren't happy.
A good example of this is the occastion of my 30th birthday. We were having a home built in Hayward, Ca. During the wait we lived in temporary Military housing in Alameda, Ca. Since it was my birthday, we were going to drive out to see how our house was progressing and then we were going out to dinner. While we were gone, the house we were living in burned down. We were going to wait until we got in our new house before we bought insurance, so we were left with nothing, not even our dog, and no insurance. We had just been transferred to Alameda so we knew no one. Now this is a situation that I think it would be difficult to feel happy about.
With our son in the back seat of our car, we were going to find a place to eat dinner and try to calm our minds. As we drove,. all of a sudden my husband and I started singin the song "Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money, maybe we're ragged and funny, but we'll travel along, singi'n a song, side, by side." My son said, "how could you sing when we just lost everything?" Our answer was that we were not in the fire and we had each other. That was what was important.
Many people don't like folks who always find something good in everything. In fact, when I was a child my mother always called me Pollyanna. At the time I had never read any Pollyanna books, but I knew it must be bad, because of the tone my mom used when she called me that.
When I did read the books I found that Pollyanna's philosophy was to always find something to be glad about, whatever the situation. I don't know why I am that way, but I figure we only have one life and we can spend it crying or we can spend it laughing. I would rather laugh.
So, getting back to Rubin's Happiness Project, of course I believe in finding ways to be happy and to make others happy, but it always helps if you think positive.
Word for the Day.
Maven=expert
Thought for the Day.
"The days are long, but the years are short.
Rubin took a year and studied all kinds of people to find out their philosophies on finding happiness, as well as discovering her own method.
I agree we all want to be happy, but I think I am more of a positive thinker. I think sometimes you can look at something in a positive way and find good in it even if you aren't happy.
A good example of this is the occastion of my 30th birthday. We were having a home built in Hayward, Ca. During the wait we lived in temporary Military housing in Alameda, Ca. Since it was my birthday, we were going to drive out to see how our house was progressing and then we were going out to dinner. While we were gone, the house we were living in burned down. We were going to wait until we got in our new house before we bought insurance, so we were left with nothing, not even our dog, and no insurance. We had just been transferred to Alameda so we knew no one. Now this is a situation that I think it would be difficult to feel happy about.
With our son in the back seat of our car, we were going to find a place to eat dinner and try to calm our minds. As we drove,. all of a sudden my husband and I started singin the song "Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money, maybe we're ragged and funny, but we'll travel along, singi'n a song, side, by side." My son said, "how could you sing when we just lost everything?" Our answer was that we were not in the fire and we had each other. That was what was important.
Many people don't like folks who always find something good in everything. In fact, when I was a child my mother always called me Pollyanna. At the time I had never read any Pollyanna books, but I knew it must be bad, because of the tone my mom used when she called me that.
When I did read the books I found that Pollyanna's philosophy was to always find something to be glad about, whatever the situation. I don't know why I am that way, but I figure we only have one life and we can spend it crying or we can spend it laughing. I would rather laugh.
So, getting back to Rubin's Happiness Project, of course I believe in finding ways to be happy and to make others happy, but it always helps if you think positive.
Word for the Day.
Maven=expert
Thought for the Day.
"The days are long, but the years are short.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
My Day
Thought for the Day:
"To love someone means to see him as God intended him." Dostoevski
Word for the Day:
bumf= It is British slang for the kind of printed paper junk that we take out to the recycling bins. It is slang for bum fodder which is slang for toilet paper.
Wow! The sun was washing the sky with its warm, golden rays today. What a change from all the rain.
Went to my watercolor class. Always a lot of fun to see all the great things people paint and it certainly makes you want to start a million pictures. One lady had a fascinating work. Very abstract with pictures of a woman, different playing cards, an ambulance, a group of people and a lot of designs. The class thought it might have something to do with gambeling because of the cards. She explained that she had been in an auto accident and these things represented things associated with that. She had been going to her bridge club hence the cards, she was the woman and naturally, the ambulance was there to take her to the hospital. What a way to remember a day.
I guess if I made one I would put some of the banana, pineapple upside down muffins that I baked this morning, some clothes I folded from yesterday's laundry, a group of paintings that were critiqued in class, my little Annnie and I playing fetch with the ball, and my computer as I type this bit of trivia.
By th way, those muffins were great. My idea. I used my banana bread recipe. Then, I put some crushed pineapple and a little brown sugar in the bottom of my muffin tines and then put the bread batter on top. Yum.
I have had a great day. Now to get dinner and watch the Biggest Looser. After that is the New Parents. I think it is one of the best new shows this season.
Blessings to all of you.
"To love someone means to see him as God intended him." Dostoevski
Word for the Day:
bumf= It is British slang for the kind of printed paper junk that we take out to the recycling bins. It is slang for bum fodder which is slang for toilet paper.
Wow! The sun was washing the sky with its warm, golden rays today. What a change from all the rain.
Went to my watercolor class. Always a lot of fun to see all the great things people paint and it certainly makes you want to start a million pictures. One lady had a fascinating work. Very abstract with pictures of a woman, different playing cards, an ambulance, a group of people and a lot of designs. The class thought it might have something to do with gambeling because of the cards. She explained that she had been in an auto accident and these things represented things associated with that. She had been going to her bridge club hence the cards, she was the woman and naturally, the ambulance was there to take her to the hospital. What a way to remember a day.
I guess if I made one I would put some of the banana, pineapple upside down muffins that I baked this morning, some clothes I folded from yesterday's laundry, a group of paintings that were critiqued in class, my little Annnie and I playing fetch with the ball, and my computer as I type this bit of trivia.
By th way, those muffins were great. My idea. I used my banana bread recipe. Then, I put some crushed pineapple and a little brown sugar in the bottom of my muffin tines and then put the bread batter on top. Yum.
I have had a great day. Now to get dinner and watch the Biggest Looser. After that is the New Parents. I think it is one of the best new shows this season.
Blessings to all of you.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Haiku Journaling
It seems that every new year I decide to keep a journal. I start off with a bang and then it usually takes about two months before I slack off and then finally quit. I have only kept a journal for the entire year once in my life. Then I met a lady in one of my writinhg classes that kept a Haiku Journal. She wrote a simple Haiku and then went on to write perhaps a paraagraph just listing a few simple activities of the day that applied to her Haiku.I liked this and decided to give it a try. Wow, it works, it really, really works. (sorry Sally Fields)
It is now April the 8th and I haven't missed a day. I would post them on my blog, but they are really very boring. The thing I like about it for myself though is I can keep track of anything about that day I want to remember.If you are into Haiku, you might want to try it, it is really fun.
I will share one of my regular Haiku's that have nothing to do with my Journal.
Smell of fireplace smoke
like campfires long remembered.
Chill springtime morning.
This is often the way it is in Pinebrook in the springtime and I love it. Whoever decided to build this lovely place had a lot of smarts. They took a piece of land covered with tall pines and cleared out just enough space to build little frame houses. They also built three ponds and a couple of miles of walks that are lit at night so one can stroll under the stars, hear the sound of the fountains in the ponds and just thank God for such beauty.
Hope you are finding beauty sometplace in your life today. Blessings to all of you.
It is now April the 8th and I haven't missed a day. I would post them on my blog, but they are really very boring. The thing I like about it for myself though is I can keep track of anything about that day I want to remember.If you are into Haiku, you might want to try it, it is really fun.
I will share one of my regular Haiku's that have nothing to do with my Journal.
Smell of fireplace smoke
like campfires long remembered.
Chill springtime morning.
This is often the way it is in Pinebrook in the springtime and I love it. Whoever decided to build this lovely place had a lot of smarts. They took a piece of land covered with tall pines and cleared out just enough space to build little frame houses. They also built three ponds and a couple of miles of walks that are lit at night so one can stroll under the stars, hear the sound of the fountains in the ponds and just thank God for such beauty.
Hope you are finding beauty sometplace in your life today. Blessings to all of you.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Book Review
A few weeks ago I finished reading Meg Wolitzer's book the Position. A couple of ladies in my book club didn't read it because they thought it was a dirty book. Not! I really liked it and if you like to read a book that involves character study, you will like it.
The book begins with a couple having an artist paint them in various sexual positions. When the book is published, they put it on a top shelf in their library. Naturally, one of the children finds it and shares it with his siblings, aged four to fifteen. The Position is actually a character study of how the book effects each of their lives. It even has a great effect on the parent's lives. I really enjoyed it and hope if you read it you will too.
How are things doing in your llives? I am sitting here watching it rain in good old Vancouver, Washington. The weather man said we had rain 28 of the 31 days in March. I won't complain. When I see how the rest of the country is doing, I am happy right where I am.
Hope you have a great and creative day.
Until next time, Blessings to all of you.
The book begins with a couple having an artist paint them in various sexual positions. When the book is published, they put it on a top shelf in their library. Naturally, one of the children finds it and shares it with his siblings, aged four to fifteen. The Position is actually a character study of how the book effects each of their lives. It even has a great effect on the parent's lives. I really enjoyed it and hope if you read it you will too.
How are things doing in your llives? I am sitting here watching it rain in good old Vancouver, Washington. The weather man said we had rain 28 of the 31 days in March. I won't complain. When I see how the rest of the country is doing, I am happy right where I am.
Hope you have a great and creative day.
Until next time, Blessings to all of you.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Try again
Well, as you may notice----I am a lost soul at the moment. My friend Geri set my blog up for me and it looked simple. Ha...I have been trying for four days to figure out how to create another. Guess I finally figured that much out. If any of you have suggestions, helps or just sympathy, please let me know.
I sat down and tried to write a couple of essays to submit and then I thought, what the heck--I didn't want to start a blog to write a book, I just wanted to communicate with people that have some of my interests. That was one reason. The other reason is that I get so tired of people always saying that they don't want to get old or that old people don't seem to have much to live for. My answer is phooy.At 85 the only thing I don't like ios that I know I will never live long enough to do all I want to do.l
I would love to talk to you if your are interested in writing, watercolor painting, colored pencil art, sharing great recipes, any books you would reccomend and why, or just what you spend your day doing.
I think this electronic age is so great. Since I have joined Facebook I have met two new friends, one from Australia and one from Flordia. I have reunited with almost a hundred kids that I taught over 40 years ago, and I have seen loads of photos of my great-grandkids as well as photos of many friends.
I am really excited about blogging. Hope to hear from some of you soon.
Great Blessisngs to all of you,
Joyce
I sat down and tried to write a couple of essays to submit and then I thought, what the heck--I didn't want to start a blog to write a book, I just wanted to communicate with people that have some of my interests. That was one reason. The other reason is that I get so tired of people always saying that they don't want to get old or that old people don't seem to have much to live for. My answer is phooy.At 85 the only thing I don't like ios that I know I will never live long enough to do all I want to do.l
I would love to talk to you if your are interested in writing, watercolor painting, colored pencil art, sharing great recipes, any books you would reccomend and why, or just what you spend your day doing.
I think this electronic age is so great. Since I have joined Facebook I have met two new friends, one from Australia and one from Flordia. I have reunited with almost a hundred kids that I taught over 40 years ago, and I have seen loads of photos of my great-grandkids as well as photos of many friends.
I am really excited about blogging. Hope to hear from some of you soon.
Great Blessisngs to all of you,
Joyce
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Introduction
Coming to you from Pinebrook! I want to let all of you know how great it is to be 85! I also want to post poetry, book reviews and other things I find interesting. I'll also be writing about my daily round.
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