For the Beauty of the Earth

 

 

For the beauty of the earth,

for the beauty of the skies,

for the love which from our birth

over and around us lies,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

this our grateful hymn of praise.

 

 

For the beauty of each hour

of the day and of the night,

hill and vale, and tree and flower,

sun and moon, and stars of light, Lord of all…

 

 

 

 

Lord of all, to thee we raise

this our grateful hymn of praise.

 

For the joy of human love,

brother, sister, parent, child,

friends on earth, and friends above,

Pleasures pure and undefiled, Lord of all…

Lord of all, to thee we raise

this our grateful hymn of praise.

Rainy Days and Wednesday, I Get Around

This trip had the element of rain or the threat of rain throughout the week.  On Friday and Saturday's drives, we hit a lot of hard, can hardly see in front of you type rain.  On Friday we stopped in at LSU in Baton Rouge.  Roy is an alumni and hadn't visited the campus since 1983 or so.  Siri was giving us wrong directions once we were on campus, but all the ways around the campus came back to Roy.  We stopped at Tiger Stadium, better known as Death Valley and walked a little through the campus.  It was a busy football weekend with Auburn being the weekend's opponents.  We found the bookstore and as we perused all things Tiger related, the heavens opened with a brief but heavy downpour.  By the time we had purchased a few things, the rain had stopped and we were able to walk back to the car and then head out to Brook Haven, MS.  It rained practically the whole time on that portion of the trip and we were so happy to be able to stop.  We were so worn out by the stress of LSU traffic and parking and heavy rain that we opted to eat dinner in our room.  Roy walked to the nearby Krystal's hamburger place.  I had a salad and chili and it wasn't too bad.  It rained all night and it was still raining on Saturday morning.  We were encouraged that the rain had lightened up and hoped for an uneventful drive to Chattanooga with a stop at Dreamland in Birmingham.  No, the rain was moving ahead of us and by the time we were at Jackson, the drive was intense and focused.  Trucks should have bigger lights on the back and silver trucks blend in with the gray rain.  By the time we stopped at Chicky for a bathroom break and ice tea in Meridian, the rain had lightened up a tad but we were not out of the rain until we drew close to Birmingham.  Our stop at Dreamland was just that, dreamy.  No, it was all ribs and sauce, with a few new t-shirts added to the collection.  Oh and banana pudding.  The waiter that had served Dena and me in May was our waiter again.  Dena and I didn't know his name but we called him sunshine.  After the rush because it was all things UAB football and Crimson Tide, Sunshine came to our booth and asked if I had been there several months ago with a friend...yes.  His name is Robert and we had a delightful conversation.  Before leaving we not only loaded up on cute t-shirts but we loaded up on BBQ sauce.  The drive to Chattanooga was uneventful but we arrived a little later than we had hoped for.  I was kind of feeling guilty because I wasn't going to call our niece who goes to UT-Chattanooga.  Turned out that she was with her mom and they were visiting our niece who goes to Rhoades College in Memphis.  It was reenactment weekend in Chattanooga.  We had a southern bell and a union solider boy eating breakfast by us on Sunday morning.  As we began on the back roads of Tennessee and North Carolina, the sun broke through the clouds.  Roy and I were able to participate in a beautiful church atmosphere right there in Sequisha.  We stopped in Waynesville and then headed for some Mexican food in Asheville before going to check in at the Biltmore.  It seems ironic that after the traffic and chaos at LSU and the torrential blinding storms that we would be rear-ended as we checked in at the entrance of the peaceful estate.  If you are staying at the Inn you stop for the card that you place in your windshield for the duration of your stay.  As I was following the directions of the gate keeper, I heard a horrible, horrible noise.  I looked at the panicked expression on his face and said, did I run over one of the cones?  No, a car had just turned into our back bumper.  Roy was in his element, getting info and taking pictures of the cars.  The couple that hit us were very nice but when the man  driving who only has vision in one eye said he didn't see us....I had to stifle a giggle.  At first his wife kind of had an attitude but when she realized they were fully at fault and all the gatehouse people were stating the obvious of what happened, she relented and became very pleasant to talk with.  The Biltmore Estate police had to come and investigate the accident.  He did us a huge favor and wrote up the report and took statements from us.  So glad that no one was hurt, just surprised.  I hoped that this wasn't a foretelling of the week ahead and it wasn't.  Roy and I checked in at the Inn and we had a lovely view overlooking the terrace and the Biltmore House in the distance. 

Wednesday was our next rain filled day.  We eased into the day with breakfast and then reading in the library.  Since it wasn't too heavy of a rain, we felt good about venturing to downtown Asheville.  There is an indie bookstore there that I love, not as much as Square Books in Oxford, but I totally enjoy browsing through.  Roy was smart because he got a cup of coffee and sat in the coffee bar while I spent a lot of time going through the rows of books.  I love buying regional authors on trips and I had a huge selection both in fiction and non fiction.  Let's just say that by the end of our time there, we walked out with two shopping bags full of books.  All of them were mine with the exception of one book Roy found.   We went to Mast General Store in Asheville since it is located downtown and then headed back to the Inn.  It was beginning to dry out but it didn't matter because we had a reservation for high tea at 4:00.  Believe me, it is only the rain and Roy's love for me that got him to be a somewhat willing participant.  He kept saying these are great appetizers and I didn't have the heart to tell him then that this was it.  I think he was very happy with the location of our table...in the corner.  We sat near the pianist who on cue, just as I was going to ask him if he could play the Rachmaninoff music used in the movie Somewhere in Time, he began playing it.  Loved that all his sheet music was on his iPad. 

The forecast for Thursday had been for partly cloudy skies but throughout the day on Wednesday the rain chances began increasing.  Fortunately those showers never developed and we were able to get back out in the countryside on Thursday.  More about that later. 

A Pleasant Tuesday on Vacay

Part of the fun of our trip was Roy's choices with the Biltmore's Outdoor Center.  He did the Segway on the west side of the estate, river rafted the French Broad River and we both went on the shuttle tour of the west side.  Since he hadn't planned on the river rafting trip we had to find some water shoes or some cheap tennis shoes for him.  This sounds like it would be a rather easy thing, but Roy wears a size 14 in sporting shoes and he has a narrow foot.  I wasn't exactly excited about the hunt.  I Googled to see if there was an Academy store nearby...no.  There was a Dick's Sporting Goods and several sure to be expensive outdoor recreation stores. 

On Tuesday we left the estate and went to Linville Falls.  When Dena and I were there in May, I barely could get across the bridge and just a little way up the trail.  Last week I hiked with Roy to the Falls but realized that I shouldn't probably try to go to the overlook with him.  I was content to sit on a rock and do some people watching.  I was a little ashamed that 70 and 80 year olds were passing us at breakneck speed on the trail and they jumped and maneuvered the descent to the overlook like it was a short line at Luby's.  It was a God thing that Roy picked up the wrong back pack when we left the Inn.  Instead of having his camera and lenses, he had his Kindle and lap top.  So iPhone pics had to suffice thus ending our visit to Linville Falls rather quickly....well quicker than if he had his camera.  As we came back across the bridge over the stream, there was an elderly lady in a wheel chair with drawing pad and pencils in hand sitting there on the bridge.  She looked to have a careful eye for detail as she studied the trees with their branches bending down toward the water.  Was she taking in all the water covered rocks with brilliant sunlight making them reflect such a beautiful array of colors?  I could hardly wait to walk by and sneak a peek at her artwork.  As we walked by trying not to disturb her concentration, I had the biggest let down, sort of like the Texan football game last weekend.  She was drawing stick figures and straight lines.  Dang, she's as good of an artist as I am.  Stick figures are my specialty. 

We drove a short ways on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Blowing Rock.  My prayer is always Lord, please help me find a parking place where I don't have to parallel park Sequisha.  The Lord answered my prayer.  Roy and I ate lunch at the same place Dena and I had found only Roy thought it was more like ladies lunch.  I could see why he thought that because it must have been southern ladies who lunch day at the outdoor bistro.  Make that older, refined, southern senior citizens women.  There were tables of southern gentlewomen in counts of 6 or 7 and there was a smattering of twosomes.  The accents were flying high that afternoon.  These women were dressed in their best designer named clothes.  Perfect coifs and manicures.  Etiquette and good manners coming out the yahzoo.   From the top of their heads to the tips of their comfort shoes....yes comfort shoes...with socks...complementing their Chanel, Ralph Lauren (the equestrian look was well represented) and Michael Kors clothing.  SAS shoes, Keen, Merrill and Clark seemed to be the shoes of choice.  I didn't feel one bit left out or under dressed in my black cargo capris, LSU t-shirt and tennis shoes. 

We looked around in a few shops.  The best one is the one that Dena and I loved.  I helped the local economy.  At a produce stand, I saw scuppernong grapes.  There is a reference to The Bad Seed right there. 

After Blowing Rock, we drove up to Boone.  We are returning to Boone on our next trip.  There were so many cute shops in the downtown area.  We had come to Boone for two reasons; Roy wanted to see Appalachian State (they beat Michigan a few years ago) and to go to Mast General store to look for water shoes.  The only parking we could find had a thirty minute limit, so we would have to be quick.  We went upstairs to look at shoes, Roy went off to the right but I made a bee line straight ahead to find a pair of size 14 water shoes marked down 75%.  He tried them on, they would do and we were out the door with time to spare.  It was a divine shopping appointment!  We were praising God for the shoes and for the fact we wouldn't have to give a lot of precious vacation time searching for shoes. 

There was a lot of road closures and construction in Blowing Rock, so we looked for another route to head back to Asheville.  Word to the wise, if you see the route and the sign says Scenic North Carolina, turn around.  Take your chances with backed up traffic.  Oh scenic highway, started out so nice, just a few curves in the road but quickly it became blind switchback curves and lots of 20mph driving, on a narrow road with big trucks coming at you.  At times I would glimpse at the beauty but if we were going to arrive alive at the Inn, I pretty much kept my eyes on the road.  I was a little nervous because I did not want to be on that road at dusk.  We finally came to the main highway we needed and slightly curving roads were a welcomed sight. 

This last part of the day was disturbing and rather strange.  On our way we had seen a Dairy Queen  and on our return, we decided to stop and get some ice cream.  The Dairy Queen was attached to a Stuckey's.  First things first, we went to the bathroom.  As we went toward the DQ it felt like a huge step back in time.  It has been eons since being in a Stuckey's and I saw the pecan logs and all the other souvenirs that are usually found in a Stuckey's.  But along with the Stuckey staples were so many politically incorrect items, Aunt Jemima salt and pepper shakers, plates.  You could buy various sizes of Confederate flags.  I think I saw some white sheets for sale as well....no not really but it wouldn't have surprised me.  The people working there were downright scary and would rather cut you than serve you.  We took our ice cream and headed out the door quickly only to be greeted by two rough looking rednecks.  They were beside their Dixie truck with a hot mama sitting in the front seat.  Soon a couple of other trucks pulled up and we didn't waste any time getting out of there.  I don't know if Stuckey's was around in the 30's, 40's and 50's but it certainly did feel like we had stepped into a time warp.  A not good time warp. 

So, that was our Tuesday.  Lots of fun, lots of shopping with a little bit of scared and unbelief thrown in. 

Returning Again and Again

I'm asked all the time why we return again and again to the Inn on the Biltmore Estate.  For years we teased my parents because they went to Branson twice a year and went to the same shows they had seen before and maybe just maybe if they were feeling a bit adventurous they would add an additional show.  If they liked it, the show was added to their rotation.  We go to Biltmore but rarely do the same thing twice except for maybe enjoying the stay and marveling at the pastoral beauty of manicured fields and being surprised each morning by the fog or mist and even perhaps a clear view.  We searched for black bear sightings because this fall the bear have been out and more visible.  We did see deer, wild turkeys, the fattest squirrels ever, geese that don't leave the estate because they've found a good thing and chipmunks.   The sheep herd had a few new little lambs and the cows, well, they were just cows. 

This particular stay has quickly become one of my favorites.  The end of September isn't a busy time, so there isn't a sense of rushing.  This trip had an additional element of me actually feeling good.  It has been quite some time that I was able to participate and thoroughly enjoy walks both on the estate and on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Since the temperatures overnight had dropped into the  50's, most mornings one of the big fireplaces in the library would be lit and the comfy couch and chairs beckoned.   On Tuesday, after breakfast, Roy and I sat in front of the fire and read.  I had brought several books but I was trying to finish up Heartbreak Café, so it was my choice of the morning.  The story takes place in Mississippi, but the main character needs to have some time away and as she sets out of town, she decides Asheville will be her destination.  So, on Tuesday I began to read the part I just wrote about.  Timing is everything and it meant so much to read about her thoughts concerning the Blue Ridge Mountains and the breath taking scenery.  The author voiced what I have been unable to put into words when asked why we return year after year when there is so many other places to see. 

"People talk about the majesty of the Rockies, but there's no beauty on earth like the Blue Ridge.  The Rockies are young mountains, high and hard and angular and bare.  These are soft with age, dusted with snow like powdered sugar and wreathed into mist.  Trustworthy mountains, un changed and unchangeable.  Blue and purple and dark green and gray, folded together in layers.  I could feel their steadiness, a comfort like old flannel, as if they were embracing me, drawing me in and welcoming me home. 

I knew better, at least in my mind....The thought gave me no pleasure.  So for now, for just a little while, I'd let the mountains enclose me, let myself pretend I belonged.  Pretend I was coming home."

The atmosphere encourages slowing down, noticing life and taking a deep breath.  It seems that almost everyone employed by the estate is content and happy doing their job.  Their responses to often asked questions that they are probably asked ten times a day, are gracious, respectful and a hint of freshness, like they had never answered that question before.  The bonus is learning how the estate is primed to be self-sustaining or getting to go to the west side or hearing in the behind the scenes tours those tid bits that inform and entertain.  Many of the guides were not natives of North Carolina, but had visited many times on vacation and when they retired, they headed to Asheville to enjoy the beauty and to be employed by the estate. 

At home more often than not arising early is not a joyful experience but there, we woke up and headed right into the day.  There was so much we wanted to see and do.  Wednesday was the only rainy day and it afforded the opportunity to go downtown to Malapropos, an independent bookstore and to Mast General Store.  I would be embarrassed to tell you how many new books came home with me and how many new t-shirts have been added to my collection. 

So, we returned home refreshed and rested.  We are contemplating a return Christmas visit but after this week, we might have been ruined to go in any of the busy seasons.

I'm Back

We're back!  We had a wonderful trip to North Carolina.  It was a great get away with wonderful surroundings and temperatures.  There were day trips to the surrounding area and a visit to downtown Asheville on a rainy day.  Something that we hadn't planned to do was drive back straight through home.  Seventeen hours on the road with minimal stops.  Since I do all the driving, when we got home I went inside, took my medicine and fell into bed.  Sunday morning  I began getting things ready for a visit from a long time friend.  One of my friends from CBS and her son dropped by to pick up some dog and cat food going to a good cause.  And then Charles and Paula brought Mary Madeline to our home.  It was great seeing them.  I just got home from taking Mary Madeline to the airport.  She and I had a fabulous visit.  Dena came over last night and my two friends finally got to meet.  Peggy was occupied with other things, so Mary Madeline will have to make a return trip. 

I have missed writing on my blog and hopefully I soon will have some time to sit down and tell some of the stories from the past week or so.  I'm having difficulty even now because Buddy hasn't left my side since her return home from camp.  The first hour she was home she meowed and yowled like she was hurt but I think she was letting us know how unhappy she has been at camp.  She stayed in step with me most of the afternoon and never left my side last night.  Right now she is on my lap but she has been trying to wrap herself around my neck like when she was a kitten. 

A Little Post on a Thursday

Rancho De Five just had some significant rain, well at least at our house.  The doves were lined up on the fence with their wings up so the rain could refresh them.  I should have taken a picture because it was a beautiful sight. 

We had an incredible time at Bible study this morning.  We answered homework questions on Genesis 2 and 3.  The depth of wisdom and insights were plentiful.  It was good to have Jenea` with our group today.  So glad she signed up to attend in this in-between time.  What fun to be together again with Jenea` and Becky.  We worked together in the ED Suite at church and those were some rockin' good times. 

There is hope that I will finally learn how to tie a scarf.  I have so many pretty ones but I can do a knot or let it just hang there.  The fine folks at Coldwater Creek has a booklet with ten different styles.  I am looking forward to being fashionable and attractive this fall in my scarving.   Just an observation, I don't think there is ever a time that their clothes are not on sale.  No paying full price.  I wasn't even going to go there but stopped in a Get Personal Katy to pick up a flat iron cover.  Got a great deal on a retired pattern of Vera Bradley.  So I walked through CWC and saw a couple of things that needed to come home with me. 

Last night Dena brought over pizza and dessert.  It was delicious but the fun is being able to live close enough to do these kinds of things again.  We watched Toddlers and Tiaras and Duck Dynasty.  Roy joined us for DD, as he wasn't that interested in T&T.  I wonder why? 

Roy and I are getting away for a few days of R and R.  So Buddy has been a little suspicious that she just might be going to camp, although she probably calls it prison.  I tried to act all natural like I wasn't stalking her or anything.  She had gone under the bed on her blanket to the far uttermost part of underneath the bed.  So after watching a little TV to make her think...nothing new happening here, I went into the bathroom and turned on the shower.  She loves to get in the shower and that drew her out of her hiding place.  I kind of felt guilty picking her up and taking her to camp.  She was not happy to go to camp.  It always makes me kind of sad, well, really sad but not sad enough not to go on our get-a-way.  Oh, we have people here for our few days away, so don't get any ideas. 

I better take care of a few odds and ends.  I'm packed for the most part, but things like a reserve pair of glasses and charger cords always need all that last minute attention. 

All in All

Last night Roy got out his camera, which I don't think he has used since Thanksgiving because he hadn't downloaded the pictures from the Biltmore.  I think he has been occupied with other things like his Trek and work.  So, he downloaded his pictures and I've been looking at them today.  I had forgotten how he would get up before sunrise, pull out the tripod and take pictures of the sunrise.  Oh my, those pictures of the sky and mountains are beautiful.  I really enjoyed them because I hadn't been up at the crack of dawn to see the sunrise in person.  Even though we were there past leaf turning time, many of the trees still had fall colors.  When we would make a comment about the color all the native North Carolinians laughed at us, but when you get like three days of fall at home, the colors are spectacular. 

The fall season or rather the fall season that everyone imagines around here is my favorite time of year.  Love those mornings and evenings when the first hint of a cool breeze breaths hope that the sweltering temperatures will be gone soon.  Soon it will be time to get the fire pit going to roast hot dogs and make s'mores .  New this year is the chair I bought specifically for sitting next to the fireplace to read. 

I am so excited that my friend Mary Madeline will be in town the last weekend of September and that she will spend a night with us.  It has been a couple of years since we have seen each other but we keep up with one another.  She is my fruffiest friend and I love that about her.  We are opposites but when the Lord knits hearts together, He knows what He is doing.  I appreciate the gift of her friendship. 

Dena is bringing pizza over for dinner.  Roy is thrilled because he doesn't have to pick anything up and I'm thrilled not to cook but getting to see a friend.  Texted with Peggy, emailed with Becky K and talked to Emily...all in all it has been a good day, friend-wise.  Dena also let me know that it is a banner night TV wise.  New Toddler and Tiara, Duck Dynasty, and Honey Boo Boo.  I don't watch HBB very much anymore.  It just a flip over during a commercial kind of thing. 

In October I go back for an adjustment on this recorder thing in me.  The incision is healing quite nicely.  I haven't set off any security alarms but I am probably a suspicious person because I've been sweating up a blue streak again.  I had to go back to taking the Ultram ER two times a day which means many times during the day I look as if I have been running or working out.  Maybe this is when I should put on my faux workout clothes.  I was in Academy yesterday and there was a lot of commotion because they were filming a commercial.  They had all these people with radios barking out commands and requests.  Several were on the trail of a group of shoplifters.  I kept waiting for them to bark out, sweating woman leaving the store, paid for her purchases or better yet, what this commercial needs is a persperous woman.  No call back for me.  Oh well....



 

The Sounds of Daily Life

It's the sound of Tuesday, the trash men picking up the recyclable trash which means soon I will be hearing the sound of regular trash pick up.  The sounds of Wednesdays and Thursdays is the sounds of lawn maintenance on the green space and also on our own lawn.  Funny how we get used to the sounds of our days.  Today also had the sound of prayer and homework discussion and learning in our leadership time.  The sound of our servant team being that, servants.  Not afraid to get their hands involved in the physical side of ministry.  On Saturday morning for the welcome breakfast, the kitchen was a buzz with activity.  Peggy making pancakes, Dena making coffee and Roy frying bacon.  Someone asked me why I wasn't in the midst of the hub bub.  I told them this is one thing I learned being on a church staff....I cast the vision, a breakfast brunch and then I gave leadership to it by having others use their giftings in preparation.  I was there to answer any questions they might have and look good.  That's how you cast and give leadership.  Stuff like this seems to be more like a Ponzi scheme in the church world.  Cast and give, lead from rest...it's good if you are one of the first to discover this and not so good if you are on the bottom of the heap authority wise.  Sometimes no one cares that you worked really hard and your home life has a million responsibilities and a day of rest might be nice.  Oops, there is the sound of getting off track and distracted.  Did I just see a squirrel? 

Yes, the sounds of daily life.  I am enthralled with these passages from Galatians as paraphrased in The Message:

Galatians 5:16-18

The Message (MSG)

^16-18 My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?

^19-21 It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.

This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.
^22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
^23-24 Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.





Love reading this very familiar passage in The Message.  There is so much that jumps out to me in these scriptures but ugly parodies of community has my attention and legalism is helpless in bringing this about, has my attention as well.  This is out of the devo book Solo, that uses The Message and it goes through the New Testament giving things to pray through and to think about.  We've all seen ugly parodies of community...all the fakeness of community that isn't really getting along, but all parties know how community looks, so it is played out; it is a parody. 

Now I am hearing another sound of life...Buddy is meowing, so she must want a treat.  And really I need to be putting some stuff together for a future get a way.  Kathy in Brandon, MS, will you comment on this post with your email?  I won't publish it but need it to get in touch with you about our plans. 

Rancho De Five and Time in a Bottle

This past Saturday was such fun!  Peggy helped me with a 'welcome to the ranch' breakfast brunch for our friends who've made the oh so wise choice of moving out to the prairie.  With fall in the air, somewhere up north I'm sure, weekends become premium because there is a ton of things to do.  I was so happy that this many could celebrate and welcome on a Saturday morning.  Peggy made lemon blueberry pancakes, Roy fried up the Midway Market bacon and cut up the fruit salad, I made Biltmore grits and Kay's Tea Parlour made the rest of our menu, quiche and strudel.  We had so much fun laughing and eating and laughing some more.  You might be looking at this picture and wondering when Lisa and Claire moved out to Rancho, but we invited them to enjoy their friendship but also to Cincotized them thus insuring a move out this way. 

This is Keely, Peggy's granddaughter who made a fun little fort and watched her movies after she ate.   

Thank you Kathleen and others who cleaned up the kitchen for me.  I think Roy was surprised and then most appreciative because he had committed to helping with the clean up. 

On Friday, I got my hair highlighted and cut and had a little down time between that and my pedi appointment.  Chris was at our home cleaning, so I called Dena and went over and hung out with her for about thirty minutes.  She fed me a delicious peanut butter sandwich.  At the salon several of us were trying to decide what colors we wanted.  On the left was a woman looking for maroon polish.  I asked her if she was an Aggie and she said yes.  On the right hand side the woman who was looking for school color polish said, I am an Alabama alumni.  Wow, stuck in the middle but that is when I told them I rooted for LSU because I married an alumni.  We were representing the SEC well in the salon.  They even set us by each other for our pedis. 

Which brings me to this point.... we do not root for Alabama in our home.  When you are married to a Louisiana boy and LSU graduate , who has a long memory and not a whole lot of love for Alabama, you learn to pull for the opponent Alabama is playing.  I do get confused though if Alabama and Notre Dame play because the hubs doesn't like them either.  When I played tennis, my partner in doubles graduated from Alabama and she and her family are huge financial donors with a long line of alumni coming before them and her sons were for sure going there when the time came.  She brought me back a really cute Alabama t-shirt and I wore it one Saturday.  Roy was all, why are you wearing that shirt?  Who gave you that shirt?  You know how I feel about Alabama...and he asked me to put it in the Good Will bag and so I did.  So you know this before reading the next paragraph, we are not in the Alabama camp and I have many good, good friends who are Aggies.

Like many of y'all, we watched the Alabama/Texas A&M game.  It was an exciting game, no doubt.  By the score it is obvious that defense wasn't a friend to either team.  The game and Johnny lived up to the hype.  After the game even Nick Saban gave proper respect for Johnny Football and the A&M team.  On Facebook, so many Aggie status updates said "our team just ran out of time," implying if there had been more time, they would have pulled off the win.  Twitter updates again and again repeated the lament of the lack of time.  Blog post...if we had more time....Someone from church took a point from the pastor's sermon or either he said this...we weren't at church and haven't watched the webcast yet; "yesterday, dear friends you did not lose, you simply were not provided ample time to show your talent on the field."  WHAT???!!!!  I am sure going in Kevin Sumlin knew both teams had sixty minutes to play.  His mismanagement of the clock in the last few minutes might have factored into this not having ample time to play.  But what a crock....not enough time?  What if last year Alabama had said the same thing about their loss to Johnny?  Really, you cannot discount the fact that the number one team in the nation played on your field and I am sure if they had more time or ample time, they could have scored more points as well.  The loss came down to the two interceptions.  It was a brilliantly played game by both teams, so don't cheapen the whole thing with this rationalization about time.  That statement, not having ample time is up there with these kinds of statements that plague our conversations with things that sound good but are so false; "God couldn't be everywhere, so that's why He created Mothers."  Here's another one; "God was lonely so that's why He called her home to Him." "Heaven needed another angel or another member of the choir."

I'm pretty sure if this week your kid doesn't get an assignment in on time or has a less than stellar grade on a test, you or the teacher would not accept the excuse, but mom, I didn't have ample time to show you my talent on the paper or test. 

I promise you when Alabama and Texas A&M play LSU and if and when they beat the Tigers, I will not use the 'if I could save time in a bottle' excuse.'   

It's Almost Friday

This morning I was up with the sunrise and even though I didn't really have the time to linger watching the sun's rays begin their journey through the house, I made the time.  So what if my make up was half way done this morning for Bible study.  The study is the first room that receives the rays and they make their way through my reading room, and then into the kitchen and family room.  The illusion of the rays and the direct way they hit the windows can make you think that every light is on.  I love seeing mornings come like this even though I am not much of a morning person.  I'm so thankful to see this beautiful sight a lot of mornings....then there are the other mornings where sunrise, diffused rays through the windows have happened and I am a late comer to the display but on those mornings I am thankful for the extra sleep. 

We had our first week of homework discussion this morning at Bible study.  We had a lively discussion that was fun and rather deep at times.  Almost everyone of us said we learned something new about the creation story.  I love how God reveals Himself anew in those passages that we feel like we have a grasp of. 

I just read an interesting article and with the news of the demise of the mini van, I am feeling more confident about the future in the Target parking lot. 

But it proved a passing fad. Minivan sales that once regularly commanded 8% of the market up until 2000 have been sliding for over a decade to their present low of 3.7% thus far in 2013. Forever associated with soccer moms, minivans have always been regarded as purchases of necessity, not aspiration. Since no vehicle shaped like a breadbox and designed to haul people could ever be stylish, their appeal was based on functionality -- and when cupholders and seven-passenger seating began appearing in crossover SUVs with greater sex appeal, their fate was sealed.

The above is from a CNN/Fortune article.  I know that the mini van isn't going to vanish as quickly as Twinkies did last year, but it gives me hope.  Now I will have to find another arch nemesis.  Nah, I'm certain that "it" will find me. 

Roy caught the second to the last bus of the Park and Ride this evening.  His Thursdays usually run late.  I made Taco Salad last night for dinner, so he will be happy because there are leftovers and it will take no time to get it fixed.  Peggy and I traded Consuela days, so I am putting things away in preparation of her early morning arrival.  So thankful to have a hair cut appointment and pedi on the books.  I'll probably stop at BWC for breakfast to get away from home earlier.  Roy said he would pick up the stuff from Kay's for Saturday's breakfast tomorrow afternoon.  Then we will get the last minute stuff tomorrow evening.  So glad to have married a plan man.

Tomorrow the steri strips come off my incision.  I think it is healing up nicely although it creeps me out to feel that recorder under my skin.  Yuck!  My official card came yesterday that identifies why I might set off security in stores and in airports.  No third world country travel for me anytime soon. 

Guess I will go to the rather large stack of to be read books and find something to occupy me tomorrow while getting highlights and a pedi. 

September 11

Every year since 2007 when I started Monablog, on September 11th I post this.  Then in 2008 on September 11, I posted this.

If you ever doubt that you have purpose.  If you ever question what am I to do.  Know this, if you are still here on this earth, God has something for you to do. 

We lost too many on September 11, 2001 and yet there are those stories of being late to work or having something come up where people did not get into New York City at their regular time. 

Patriot Day.  God saved me both times on September 11th.  I am so grateful and thankful to Him. 

Tuesday Because I Can't Think of a Title

Buddy and I are waiting for Roy to get home.  Buddy is watching the birds and I am in Roy's study.  We had a very nice and quiet anniversary yesterday.  Roy knew he would be later getting home from the office and a friend from work asked him for a ride home from the Park and Ride.  Since we have a breakfast thing coming up, we decided that this would be the best evening to try out the bacon from Midway Market and try a cheese grits recipe.   The bacon was divine, need to find a better grits recipe.  Breakfast for dinner is one of my favorite all time meals, so what a treat.  Then Roy put together a laundry/ironing board kind of thing and don't laugh....a craft drawer thing on wheels.  Yes, when I am crafting, I like to move all about the house.  No, but I do use it for artful journaling so the craft drawer thingy is going out into the casita bedroom.  So this bacon...we rarely have bacon and even rarer, frying it up.  Oh my, the house this morning still had the fragrance of bacon lingering and I was a bit worried that I might smell like bacon at Bible study. 

After leadership council, which I think Genesis is going to be a fabulous study, I had to make the dreaded Hobby Lobby trip.  I think it is all over me that I am really uncomfortable being there.  So anything and everything that could possibly go wrong does and I'm not even talking about all the mini vans in the parking lot.  I did find what I was looking for and I picked the wrong check out line.  Price check on lane 8 for Dora the Explorer ribbon.  Then the lady didn't have her receipt for some high density glue that she bought accidently instead of low density glue.  Who knew?  I believe I only know about Elmer's and paste.  While waiting ever so patiently, reinforcing what I learned this morning about being created in the image of God and being Christ like, I casually looked at the worship CDs and on time...I began to sweat profusely from some medicine I'm taking.  I have it timed now that this will happen about every three hours.  Probably on the hidden camera to catch shoplifters, this doesn't look good.  Really?  Who would shoplift praise and worship CDs?  I was glad when they said unto me, let's get out of the house of the Hobby Lobby. 

Several weeks ago when straightening up our closet, I found a devo that I have used in the past and love it.  SOLO, a devo using The Message.  Instead of going through one a day, I go through them at a week or longer time.  The one I have been reading since last week on Galatians 5 is blowing me away. 

Well, Roy just walked in the door, so guess we better go heat up our lovely dinner from the fine folks at Sprouts. 

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

The company where we met has changed its name several times.  The church where we were married has changed its color scheme, the pastors that married us have passed away, the hotel where we spent our first night as husband and wife has been torn down, thankfully that money pit of a car has been long gone, Aquarena Springs hotel where we honeymooned no longer exists as it did back in the day, Roy's parents, my mom, and all our grandparents at our wedding, they too have passed away.  There has been a lot of changes in the past 36 years of our marriage, but the most profound change is; I don't love or feel the way I did about Roy on that day we took our vows.  I love him even more!  Remember saying, we won't be like everyone else, we will never have difficulties with one another.  How could we ever be mad at each other?   Well, sadly we were unrealistic in those ideals, but we did set ground rules early on, we never would joke, tease or in anger say we wanted a divorce because we believe that divorce is not an option.  Don't get me wrong, we had words, heated words but never in any of those...um...discussions, did we utter or bring up divorce.  We also would not go to bed mad and there my friends I am so glad we married young.  Because only the young can stay up all night hashing out reconciliation and forgiveness and then go to work.  There is the old cliché that anything worth having is worth fighting for and once we saw that, instead of fighting one another, we turned a corner.  Roy turned the corner before me because I was good at arguing and didn't want to give up that skill but I eventually turned the corner too because of Roy, his love and his example. 

My roommate introduced us at a noon Bible study held once a week in a conference room at Pennzoil.  Roy was an auditor and I worked in the treasury department.  So, he was on the 19th floor where treasury was located a lot on official business...but then he came around a lot to stop and visit with me.  After he returned from six weeks in Brussels, he took me out to lunch at Charlie's 517.  After that lunch, neither one of us was too impressed with the other; I thought he was arrogant and he thought I was shallow.  But then, he asked me out to a concert but I already had a date to it.  He asked me out again and I had other plans, but I changed them and went out with him.  And as it is said, the rest is history.  Work Roy and Regular Roy are two differently entire things and I know that now. 

We both brought baggage into our marriage and after years of lugging it around and after unpacking and packing it right back up, we've found what love is all about and finding love means ditching the baggage and traveling light.  In recent years many young single women would say to me, I want to marry a man just like Roy and I would respond, he didn't come this way.  We have learned so much from one another.  His kindness, generosity, spiritual guidance and leading, his heart...Oh, I love that man!  He once asked me never to refer to him as 'my man' because he thought it objectified him, rather than personalized him.  He is not macho in his appearance but he is tough when and where he needs to be.  "Man Up" describes him through all these years and he man upped before it was a cool term to throw around. 

 Through these last five years he has carried the load of so many things I was physically unable to do and never once complained.   

So today as I am everyday so thankful for Roy.  I appreciate, love and respect him.  He thinks I'm funny.  He thinks I am deep.  He thinks I'm beautiful.  He keeps me from going to my fearless zone.  I think he's handsome, pretty dang cool, smart, spiritual and mine. 

Love you Roy!  Here's to 36 more years!!!

Friday...A Catch Up From the Week

This is our latest addition from the Amish Craftsman.  One Sunday after church Roy and I stopped in the store just for a looksee.  We were thinking of adding another bookcase in the study.  It's always fun to look at the interesting decorating pieces they carry, prints, clocks and candles.  As we looked around we came across this piece in the picture and we really liked it.  We've been looking for something for the hall entryway.  We picked our stain and wood and the store sent the order to the little ole Amish man that makes this type of furniture.  Talk about Made in America.  I was really surprised when they called to let us know our piece was in and Scott would be out this way on Thursday.  We weren't expecting this until October, so of course I said come on.  It was probably their easiest delivery of the day since they came in the front door and put it against the wall.  When I was at the Biltmore in May, I bought this Wendy Whitson print and brought it home and had it framed.  I've been holding onto where it would hang.  Yesterday, it found its home.  I think it looks really good over the sideboard.  I have already moved the candle lamp on the right back to its original place and have been playing with what should go on the top.  This piece really reminds me of my grandmother, my mom's mother.  She had a piece like this only it was much darker wood and one of the doors leaned precariously against the hinge or where the hinge should have been.  I've written before how this style of furniture reminds me so much of my grandmother although she never had arts and craftsman style furniture.  Her furniture was a collection of handed down chairs and couches with the assorted pieces she and my grandfather had bought.  But somehow I imagine that just maybe this would have been her style.

 Yesterday was our first day of Community Bible Study and I got to meet my group.  So excited to get to know these ladies and to learn and study Genesis.  It is rather embarrassing that a side effect of some of the medicine I'm taking is sweating.  Sorry, a tad persperous.  No full on sweat and just like clockwork, sweat appeared right in the middle of core group.  Then I had to fan and explain which made some think menopause but no side effect of some pain meds.  Ugh!  It is worse than hot flashes. 

One of the quotes from Tuesday leadership council was this; " operational excellence makes the ministry."  It is all the behind the scenes work that makes the flow of ministry happen.  After working six years at a church, I certainly appreciate this and know that it is true.  Our coordinator for the Katy class is truly gifted and does her tasks well and with great humility. 

I stayed up way too late last night because I couldn't put the book down I was reading, Moonrise by Cassandra King.  This book held my attention from the first page.  It was the book of choice for all things waiting rooms.  The tension was building and the truth would finally be known and the big reveal, while interesting, was a little disappointing.  It's kind of like how I felt the first time I watched the movie Suspicion.  Big buildup and huge disappointment at the ending.  Later found out that most people in the 40's would not have believed that Cary Grant could be that mean and evil....so they changed the ending.  I reread the ending again this morning thinking maybe I had missed something.  No.  I would not hesitate to recommend this book, because it is really good.  My disappointment probably stems from knowing the book has Rebecca type themes and personalities, so I thought the ending would be dramatic like the end of Rebecca.  Moonrise has great characters and the relational aspects between them are very well written. 

Hope Falls Eternal in September

Today was my last in the series of injections in my knees.  This one hurt a little more than the other two but that's because I've got gel inside my knees from the previous shots and there isn't as much room in there.  I have felt good since the first shot but the doctor told me today that in about two to three weeks I will really begin to feel a difference, if it is working.  Sure hope that these injections do the trick so I won't have to have knee replacement surgery anytime soon.  The waiting room can be purely entertaining.  There was an older couple sitting behind me and the discussion they were having as the woman filled out the forms was classic.  When you're asked about ailments or surgery, she was diligently going through each choice.  Her husband told her, just check everything cause you have had everything or you have just about had everything removed.  They got into a little tiff and then in typical old person fashion, they became very concerned because people who had come in after them were being called behind the golden door before them.  They were an hour and a half early for the appointment.  It is hearing things like this that has been a constant reminder to me about attitude in the midst of illness and the need to depend on God because we can't do this in our own strength.  In those particular rough patches early on this journey, it had to be the Lord's doing because basically many times I was done.  There have been many I've observed on a tough, tough road in their personal lives but how they conducted their lives and how the words they spoke were not of despair or looking for sympathy, even in the great losses, with their hearts broken, they gave great testimony of the Lord.  So thank you Marge Caldwell, Carole Lewis, Beth Moore and Janet Taylor for modeling how we are to live when the course of life is not the course we would have chosen. 

This morning was leadership council meeting.  I had to stay afterwards for some training that I had to miss last week.  I grabbed a quick bite to eat and then called most of my group before heading to the doctor.

It is 111 degrees outside but hope falls eternal in September.  We are close to seeing fall that one day in November, but we know we have many more days of 90 and above temperatures to make it through.  Last year I waited until it was cool, like in the 80's to put out fall décor.  This year, hot temps be darned!  I'm putting out some fall foliage around the house.  On the way home I stopped at Home Goods and got a few more fallish type items as well as some Thanksgiving things for later on.  If you don't get stuff now it gets picked over.  Did you feel the world go a little off kilter this afternoon?  You can blame me because I went into Michael's for a couple of things.  Michael's and Hobby Lobby are not even on a regular rotation of stores for me. 

Yesterday, as I began my fall tour in our home, I went about it in pure sanguine and ADD methods.  I started on fall, but soon diverted my attention to cleaning out the cabinet underneath my bathroom sink, which led me to finding a set of sheets in the linen closet I had bought and getting them into the washer, then taking all the old sheets and putting them away to cover plants if it freezes, then getting all the odd pillowcases that have collected themselves on a shelf and getting rid of them. which led me back to fall but first I felt I needed to go through a couple of boxes that are stored with the fall décor in the guest bedroom closet.  Most everything got done, except for putting everything back in the closet and finishing the fall decorating. 

Last night Bill and Peggy brought over pizza to Dena's and we were invited to come eat with them.  Such fun!  Dena is moving through those boxes lickity split and has most of the needed stuff organized and ready to roll.  Roy and I were going to introduce her to Burgers and More on Saturday but when Roy pulled up to order, there was a sign on the door that they are closed until October. 

The Amish Craftsman called today and the sideboard we ordered and was made by a little ol' Amish man in Indiana is here and ready to be delivered.  That is so exciting because it wasn't supposed to be here until October.  I've been reading several blogs that the authors are trying to buy American and make differences in people's lives and welfare.  We have contributed greatly to the Amish Americans.  I love that look because it reminds me of my mother's mom...who didn't have arts/craftsman style furniture but decorated in that warm, homey style of arts/craftsman.  The furniture is the closest thing I will have to living in a bungalow. 

I'm so thankful that the lovely people from Sprouts have prepared tonight's dinner.  It's rough being spiritual early in the morning, injected in the early afternoon and fall décor shopping in the almost unbearable heat of the late afternoon.   So thankful for A/C and a cold Diet Coke. 

Welcome Around Here

The last minutes of the morning on the Sunday before Labor Day.  Phil, the flag guy of Rancho De Five, got our flag set up yesterday and it will fly till September 12.  With me being kind of sore and not up to speed and with the lateness of the TCU/LSU game, we slept in and took another sabbatical Sunday.  This past week felt so jam packed that having a few days of easy and rest are welcomed.   This is the week that Dena became an official resident of Rancho De Five.  On Monday I helped Dena bring a Sequisha load of her things out to her house.  Wednesday, moving day, Peggy and I helped Dena at her apartment and then brought another load of fragile things out to her home.  Meanwhile in between all of this moving I am trying to confirm my Thursday morning procedure with the hospital and with the doctor office.  Finally, I got ahold of Earnest, the scheduling nurse, and found out there were six life and death surgeries on Thursday morning and my procedure would have to be moved to Friday.  That scrambled life a little bit.  So Thursday and Friday schedules were flipped.  I was happy not to miss Thursday morning leadership council meeting for Bible study.  Then Roy and I headed to Lupe's for lunch and then to Luke's Locker to get new tennis shoes for Roy.  We went to Target and Lowe's and then stopped at Dena's to see if her new furniture had been delivered.  Such fun, Dena's sister and brother in law were there and Peggy dropped in.  So we had fun rearranging furniture and helping think of different ways we could help Dena spend her money. 

So I finally sat down and read the info that came with my loop recorder.  I have to carry an ID card all the time in case the device sets of things in stores.  Really?  I cannot tell you how anxious I have been going in and out of stores. 

Last night, Dena came over and we had Midway BBQ and started watching the LSU game.  Since she roots for the Aggies, she probably felt like she should stop watching a future opponent of her team.  No, I think she has stuff to do and she is probably tired after a fun and eventful week.  Roy picked up the BBQ and even brought home cobbler, but LSU is on TV, his attention and conversation is turned to gold and purple.  Probably Dena was tired of the LSU talk. 

So now it is evening.  This afternoon we picked up Dena and made an afternoon stop at BWC.  They serve breakfast till 4:00 on the weekends.  I got the Napoleon French Toast and it was delicious.  Dena got breakfast and Roy got a hamburger.  He isn't a fan of breakfast food.  Anyway, we headed over to Lowe's.  She needed a ladder, trash can and a few other sundry things.  These things were not going to fit in her car.  Happy to help. 

Roy is excited that there is a Castle marathon on all day tomorrow.  I mean really, he has them all recorded.  I'm going to put out fallish décor hoping that inspires fall to come sooner this year.   I love that we can take it easy this weekend.  Rest is welcomed around here. 

A Little Thing...Changing My Life

I just happened to have a brief moment of wake up at 4:00 am this morning and was so very thankful that it had been twenty four hours since I had to be awake at 4:00 am, with the alarm going off every few minutes because I didn't know how to turn the thing off.  As you can see, I rarely have to use an alarm.  It wasn't going to take that much time to get ready because, no breakfast, no Diet Coke, very little make up and wearing clothes that are easy to get out of and into.  Being fashionably attractive wasn't even an option.  At 5:00 am Roy and I headed toward the Texas Medical Center.  In the darkness of the morning a little baby bunny ran across the street and so did a big skunk as we traveled down the road to our next stop, the Shell station.  There is hardly a line at all at 6:00 am for valet parking at St. Luke's.  We didn't have to do the usual check in but went straight to the 6th floor of the Texas Heart Institute.  I was kind of surprised by this because in my mind the way the it was explained to me by the nurse made me believe the procedure would be done where I have gone for cardioversions and not the 6th floor where I had the ablation.  So it was the go back to a room with the nurse where you put on the lovely hospital gown and beautiful tan footies.  Next comes the vitals nurse who asks a million questions about your health, the spelling of your name (asks this multiple times) and your birthdate, again multiple times.   Then to end your time together, she takes blood.  Next comes the questions from the anesthesiologist nurse, who freaked me out when he told me that I was having general anesthesia, you know where the machine breathes for you.  I questioned him about this since I was told it would be like twilight sleep, you're out but not with a breathing tube.  So he had me sign both sets of papers authorizing them to use one of those methods.  By this time they have let Roy come back to the room and he has info that I won't be moved into surgery until after the staff has their Friday morning meeting, which means being there another 45 minutes.  Almost as soon as he said this, here comes a transportation nurse  to wheel me down to the second floor operating rooms.  Her name was Brenda and she was so kind and very funny.  The three of us had a good time getting to the second floor.  Once her responsibility was over, before she left, she came over to me and hugged me and prayed for me.  Wow!  God's presence to comfort and calm in the midst of nervousness and what's coming next.  The anesthesiologist doctors were so nice as they discussed the procedure with me and Roy and then it was time for the operating room nurse to come get me for the main event.  The next thing I know I am waking up in recovery and handed a cup of ice chips.  Through the haze of awakening I could see others recovering after surgery and procedures.  One older gentleman was having a difficult time and his bed was surrounded by nurses, attendants and doctors.  I prayed for him and who knows what was prayed in a drug addled condition but God knew.  I was the first in my group of four to leave recovery and to be taken to a room.  There they had me order breakfast, checked my vitals, asked me my date of birth another hundred times and finally after walking the I'm good to go home cat walk to the bathroom, they let me get dressed.  Jeff, the head surgical nurse came in to see me and so did the representative from the company that makes the device that was placed into my chest.  Soon the wheelchair attendant was there to take me downstairs where Mattress Mac was being released at the same time.  There was a reporter and cameraman waiting for him and I tried to get the wheelchair attendant to push me over behind Mattress Mac and photo bomb his interview. 

Even though I felt good I slept most of the afternoon and even went to bed early.  I am sore this morning all around my incision.  After I get cleaned up I will sit down and read the instructions to use this device that now is implanted in my chest.  Hopefully, I can use it to change TV channels if I don't want to watch the same program as Roy.  Or maybe I can use it as an emergency weather channel.  Nah, it's only for detecting erroneous heartbeats and the like to keep the threat of having a stroke minimalized and to rectify the beat and get me back in sync. 

Thank you dear friends and loved ones who prayed for this procedure.  Thank you for praying for me these last five years.  Thank you for the texts and phone calls.  Thank you for your patience when I didn't do things as quickly or needed extra help to maneuver.  Thankful for those who have come along beside us.  It dawned on me this morning that this is really the year of Proceed.  Health wise, everything I have had done this year, ablation, injections and internal loop recorder are merely just that...medical procedures.  This truly is the year of Proceed. 

Dear Lord......

Dear Lord, I am thankful this is not my first day of school.  I am thankful that it's not my first last day in high school.  Thankful for this not being my first day at college.  I am thankful that I don't have to remember the combination to my locker.  I am thankful that school gave me a love of notebooks, pens, pencils and folders.  Thankful that I have all those kind of thing on hand just in case it was my first day of school.  I'm thankful that I don't have to dread math class today.  So thankful for a hubby that loved first days of school, so much so, he had two additional first days after college getting a MBA and a Law Degree.  Thankful not having to worry what to wear for my first day of school, but mostly I am thankful that I slept in this morning on so many other's first day of school.  So, this morning I have enjoyed all the pictures from the morning of the first day of school while eating cinnamon toast and drinking a Diet Coke. 

It's not like I don't have homework though.  Our first day of CBS training begins tomorrow.  I have completed my work but need to go over everything again.  Seems like I always forget to answer a question or two.  I'm excited about seeing everyone.  We also have new leadership in many areas so it will be exciting to grow under their leadership.  We are studying Genesis this year.  A fitting place to start since there are many new beginnings. 

***Today was the second day of school and our first day back at Leadership Training.  Loved the theme of basic training with the servant team wearing camo t-shirts and bandannas...and dog tags.  We sang songs that went with that theme, but we did not sing Marching to Zion and I would have marched if Lineta had asked us to.   It was a great morning of seeing old friends and making new friends, prayer, instruction and a pretty fine lunch.  That's when I had to leave because my appointment for Orthovisc injections was at 1:10.  On the way to the appointment, the nurse called and asked if I could come at 2:30 since the Dr was still in surgery.  OK, turned around and went back to the church to finish out training, only to get a phone call just as I got to the door asking if I could come back to the office now.  So back I went, got the injections after a little wait and then came on home. 

Dr Smith asked me if I could feel any difference in my knees and I certainly can.  I helped Dena yesterday move some fragile items to her new home.  I wouldn't have been able to do that pre-shot.  On Sunday I had the step ladder out and went about the business of hanging a few pictures around the house.  Never would have happened pre-injection.  He cautioned me to take it easy the next 48 hours and I assured him I would.  Peggy will just have to carry all the heavy stuff tomorrow when we help Dena. 

So, this morning, Roy is up and getting ready to go into the office.  I am trying to wake up because no sleeping in today for me.  Back on school time.  Most mornings as I am awakening, I rub my right knee , my hand on the blankets...  Last night when I fell asleep, I was a little sore and worn from helping Dena, so I was rather startled when I rubbed my knee this morning and I couldn't feel a thing.  My hand could feel the bend of my knee but my knee couldn't feel my hand.  I screamed!  Which, is not a good thing because Roy usually does the opposite thing, like run to the front door instead of finding out what's wrong.  He came out of the bathroom, concerned and trying to find out why I screamed.  I told him, I can't feel my right knee.  Then my right knee began to move, as if I didn't have any control of it.  I was freaking out until I realized that Buddy somehow had made her way under the covers during the night and was curled around my knee.  Whew....You would have thought her fur on my knee would have given me a clue, especially since this is the summer when I don't practice the Nazarite vow of winter, not shaving my legs...as much. 

Also, everything is a go for the loop recorder procedure.  While driving all over creation, ok the Katy Freeway, I called the cardio office to get the confirmation.  Proceeding is taking place except for the surprise of the early morning Buddy incident.  That set me back a little, but I'm good and still thankful I don't have to go to a math class in the morning.   

A REally, REally Fine Day

This morning I braved I 10 early to go to my appointment at the knee doctor office since the appointment had to be rescheduled from Tuesday.  Going in you know that there is something about orthopedic offices that run behind on appointment times.  The staff and nurses are so kind there, you don't really mind.  You know going in to bring a book or something that will keep you occupied.  Over in one corner of the waiting room they have a really nice coffee and tea bar and a TV.  This is going to make me sound old, but dang the sound on that thing is too much.  Even though I brought a book that is so interesting and I'm having a hard time putting it down, I had to have one ear tuned to hear my name to go behind the golden door.  So I got the call and went into the inner office.  These shots are not my first rodeo.  I have had several before everything else started up but she had me feeling kind of nervous with the questions she asked.  She left me in the little room and she went to get the shots.  Those questions had an effect on me, I got hot and began sweating a little.  Then I worried that I would faint after the shots so I began to pop breath mints like there is no tomorrow.  There were information pamphlets on the counter, so I grabbed one and fanned 90 to nothing to cool down.  The Dr came in and did the injections and it was really no big deal except the needle for this type of thing is like --------------------------------- this long.   I go back Tuesday for the second set of injections.  I can tell a difference because there isn't as much snap, crackle and pop when I walk or get up from a chair.  I have to give it 48 hours before I can Psalm 18 it, run through a troop or leap over a wall.  He gave me a prescription for an anti-inflammatory, so I am set for the weekend. 

So I kept a close eye on text messages today from Dena.  I met her last night at her home because she wanted to see what progress had been made since her last walk through.  They had done quite a bit and that home is looking all nice and shiny.   So at the Dr office, running errands and getting a pedicure she kept me up to date with each step of the process.  This afternoon when I hadn't heard anything since late morning I texted and asked if she was a home owner yet.  She was and had the hand cramps from signing so many papers to prove it.  We have walked this with her since February and when she said she officially had a mortgage, I sat in the Lotus Nail Salon parking lot and cried tears of joy.  I am not a crier by nature, but it felt so good to be able once again to call Dena my neighbor.  Look out Rancho De Five, things might not ever be the same, Peggy with a new knee, me with medically repaired knees, Kathleen, Emily and Dena...we are ready to roll.  Look out new Luby's being built on the corner of CRB and Westheimer Parkway...we'll be there for our senior specials. 

The book I am reading is Moon Rise by Cassandra King.  The author and her husband Pat Conroy were in the Blue Ridge Mountains on a little sabbatical and she had brought the book Rebecca to read.  She was inspired by parts of the story and so Moon Rise is the story of a young woman who is the second wife to a husband that had married the cream of the crop out of Atlanta society, beautiful and beloved by everyone and she dies a tragic death.  So here is second wife meeting his friends and making her way through the mansion in the mountains that was owned by Rosalyn's (first wife) family.  This kind of gave me an idea for the writing exercise I am working on.  Roy gave me a book several years ago with writing prompts and I pull it out from time to time.  The prompt I am working on is unrealistic expectations.  My first thought is a story of a man or woman, haven't decided yet, who lives an inadequate life only because they think they are inadequate and needs false props to shore up his or her dream to morph into a beloved person, even if it means taking on the personality of a dead friend.  The choice of lies being told or their narrative given a make over, never give them a moment's rest.  This character has unrealistic expectations on who they are and what can come out of life from their own experiences which would be fine except in their own mind.  Yea, I know...strange but it is  a work in progress.   We all deal with unrealistic expectations at sometime in life so it is a subject matter we are all too familiar with.    

August 23 has been a good day, full of proceeds on many different levels. 

Summer Days Are At An End

The slow days of summer are coming to an end.  It has been a summer of long days of reading and just sitting, being still.  This summer could also be thematic in the number of lunches and breakfasts I've had with friends.  Several of the projects that have been on the to do list have been done and more projects remain for other days.  Staying up way past my normal bedtime and sleeping in like a teenager has been fun and brief, but realize now I don't want this to become a habit.  I am a night owl by nature.  Next week begins core leader training for Bible study and the study of Genesis begins in earnest on September 5. 

This summer I have had to remind myself that my time schedule and the Lord's don't always agree.  On my timeline I would have worn the heart monitor sooner, seen an orthopedic sooner and have my knee situation with more form and direction.  But here it is at the end of the summer and the orthovisc injections begin on Friday and next week they'll put the internal loop recorder in my chest.  Maybe I should have incorporated the unhurried approach to my attitude and expectations concerning my health into my unhurried approach to summer days. 

Happily, this summer has been filled with good friends.  I met my high school/college friend Mimi for lunch after not seeing her for forty years.  It was if a day hadn't passed.  What a joy to have her back in my life.  Beth, known since the 6th grade, came in town from Washington twice and I loved every minute I got to spend with her.  Since she has returned home she has been sending Mimi and I pictures of the area where they live, her family and wildlife...woodsy kind, not wild living kind.  Karolyn, who I had not seen since high school but she and Mimi kept up with one another, was able to go out to dinner with Beth, Mimi and me.  We saw Bobby and Marty at a high school reunion and it is always good to see them.  My college roommate and I have reconnected on FB and plan to have lunch very soon.  Emily has moved to Rancho De Five and Dena isn't too far behind in coming out to the prairie.  As per usual, Peggy is on the lake most of the summer but I did get to see her when last year's core group came out twice for fun at Lake Bain.  I got to have lunch with Geni and almost got to have lunch with Kelly.  We will get that scheduled.  Did get to have lunch with Lisa P, Emily, Peggy, Kathleen and Bev and breakfast with Jennifer, not all together well except for Kathleen and Peggy.  It has been a fun lunching summer.  Many a night before falling asleep I look at the pictures on my phone from this summer and feel very blessed and satisfied.  God has given me some of the best friends in the world!  For this I am grateful and so thankful for these kind and genuine people. 

I also was reacquainted with some other friends today.  We have a small bookcase in the hallway between the laundry room, bathroom and guest room.  I moved it into the study and rearranged books by categories on most of the bookcases.  For right now a child's roll top desk that we bought in Huntsville at an antique store is still in the study but it will be going into the Rancho De Five area garage sale....whenever that is this fall.  We used it as a nightstand for a while but have since moved onto other furniture.  The friends I reacquainted myself with were the books in that small bookcase.  I found a couple of books I had been looking for, several books on prayer that I read about eight years ago and were life changing, of course you know the southern books were well represented and several of my all time favorite Eugene Peterson books.  My collection of LSU Voices of the South series is in the bookcase.  These are reprints that LSU did of classic novels from back in the day.  All the literary works on writers from Mississippi and many books on the literary south.  If I hadn't been on my medicine for my knee pain and the side effect for me is more focus, I might still be going through the books trying to read each and everyone of them.  Roy has pretty much gone the E book route but I still like to hold a book in my hands.  Truthfully it wasn't that long ago that I would tell you that I missed my books while I was on a trip or vacation. 

It wasn't planned and as you can tell by several posts I have been reflective on the last five years and struggling to find good health and hoping for energy and interest in everyday life.  I think it's because I feel I am hitting a milestone and a turning point.  I have learned to let a lot of junk go.  I cannot be worried about what others think or expect from me and these are people who really don't have any right or access to even really know me.  They are the few that still put people in boxes and when you don't want to stay in their conceived box they have for you, they get frustrated and upset.  I saw this quote by Lecrae on FB and loved it; Some people will only love you as long as you fit in their box. Don't be afraid to disappoint them. 

Well, there is a book calling my name, Moonrise by Cassandra King.  I was hooked on the first page.  Looks like several of the projects I planned to finish up tomorrow just might get pushed into the Labor Day weekend.