Did my usual grocery shopping this morning at good ole Wally-world, although grocery is the wrong adjective. Bought more stuff for the house than for the stomach. That seems to be the case these days.
Anyway, while there, met one of the co-managers. I knew him because we've talked before. Once I wanted to exchange my Keurig Vue to one that took k-cups. He was most accommodating. Then, too, when I receive outstanding service-which I have on several occasions, I make a point of it to pass along the information, in hopes the employee will receive some kind of recognition for their hard work. Have spent more than my fair share of days employed in stores and it's no picnic. I once grumbled to my manager that if a customer complimented me, how nice. But, if they were disgruntled, they'd call corporate. Thanks a lot. My manager was kind enough to send a complimentary letter on to corporate. It was very comforting-but I quit a few weeks after she was demoted.
Long story short, when I crossed paths with the co-manager this morning, I asked him if he'd consider doing a book signing for a local author (me). He really seemed to like the idea, but of course, has to go through the home office. He could make no promises, but he sincerely congratulated me. Very encouraging.
Like I said, all they can do is say "no." Stay tuned.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
Two Sides of the Coin
I was talking to my friend in Pennsylvania earlier today. We were reminiscing about our childhood. It reminded me that a few days ago, Dr. Keith Ablow, who has a segment on FOX News about "Normal or Nuts" stated emphatically that anyone who frequently uses nicknames is nuts.
If I could speak to Dr. Ablow, I would remind him there are two sides to every coin and each side is as valuable as the other.
What brought the whole thing to mind is my dad. When he came home from work in the evening, kids of all sizes used to stand on the street corner, waiting to play his game. He had the habit of giving them names that weren't theirs. He'd usually begin with "Hi, Pete, Hi, George," and go from there. Pete and George weren't particularly popular names in their generation. They loved it. As I said, they'd stand on the street corner, waiting for him to come home and greet them with an unusual name as he drove past them.
They began to respond in the same way, calling him crazy names and waving happily as he drove by. It was their game. Dad often said he couldn't remember their names and that's why he did it. He wasn't trying to put them down or make himself feel superior. He simply couldn't remember all their names. Who can blame him? I once counted 69 kids under the age of 21 on that 3 block long street!
It is true the person Dr. Ablow was discussing even used nicknames for people in authority. That is a bit extreme, I'll admit. But, in my family, nicknames or terms of endearment are to express affection and even
respect for someone's position of authority. Dr. Ablow, may I remind you there are 2 sides to every coin?
If I could speak to Dr. Ablow, I would remind him there are two sides to every coin and each side is as valuable as the other.
What brought the whole thing to mind is my dad. When he came home from work in the evening, kids of all sizes used to stand on the street corner, waiting to play his game. He had the habit of giving them names that weren't theirs. He'd usually begin with "Hi, Pete, Hi, George," and go from there. Pete and George weren't particularly popular names in their generation. They loved it. As I said, they'd stand on the street corner, waiting for him to come home and greet them with an unusual name as he drove past them.
They began to respond in the same way, calling him crazy names and waving happily as he drove by. It was their game. Dad often said he couldn't remember their names and that's why he did it. He wasn't trying to put them down or make himself feel superior. He simply couldn't remember all their names. Who can blame him? I once counted 69 kids under the age of 21 on that 3 block long street!
It is true the person Dr. Ablow was discussing even used nicknames for people in authority. That is a bit extreme, I'll admit. But, in my family, nicknames or terms of endearment are to express affection and even
respect for someone's position of authority. Dr. Ablow, may I remind you there are 2 sides to every coin?
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Too much?
Don't know if it's kosher to post more than once in a day, but I happened to remember that today would have been my parents' 81st anniversary. Mother was 24, and Dad, 22, when they eloped. They were married more than 55 years when Dad died on December 7, 1988.
Marrying in 1933 must have taken a lot of courage. It was in the middle of the Great Depression and neither came from riches. Mother often told me that Dad was making $5 a week by the time my oldest brother was born in November, 1934. Dad drove a school bus for a living and Mother was a homemaker.
She was proud of their ability to not only live as a family of 3 on that tiny amount (by today's standards), but they were also putting money into a savings account. How did they do it?
In some ways, we've come so far, and in some ways, we could learn valuable lessons from those who endured those hard times, not only with courage, but with dignity and nobility. It makes me proud to call them my parents.
Marrying in 1933 must have taken a lot of courage. It was in the middle of the Great Depression and neither came from riches. Mother often told me that Dad was making $5 a week by the time my oldest brother was born in November, 1934. Dad drove a school bus for a living and Mother was a homemaker.
She was proud of their ability to not only live as a family of 3 on that tiny amount (by today's standards), but they were also putting money into a savings account. How did they do it?
In some ways, we've come so far, and in some ways, we could learn valuable lessons from those who endured those hard times, not only with courage, but with dignity and nobility. It makes me proud to call them my parents.
Learning, but a long way to go.
Baby steps. I have to remember to take baby steps. When you reach 70 and are still learning, I guess it's a good thing. It's humbling to know everyone else know's how ignorant I am in the gadgets this world depends on.
I'd so much rather talk to a person. But, I'm repeating myself, so I'll say thank you to my patient husband, to my granddaughter, and to my friend who's blessed me with her expertise to help me get started. One of these days, hopefully, I be comfortable with this contrary gadget. I can dream, can't I?
Oh, the rose in the experiment was a tip to the fact that, at 12:10 AM, "The Color of Roses" was returned to the publisher after yet another edit. I received an immediate e-mail stating that any more changes would cost me, so I sincerely hope all goes smoothly and there's no need for corrections. Memories of college days, however, do not give me much hope. No matter how many times I edited a paper, it always came back with misspelled words circled. Drove me crazy then. Drives me crazy now, but as everyone like to say, it is what it is.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Pardon the Interruption
Here we go again. Computer problems for more than a week. They're not all solved, yet, but we're getting there. It seems that internet explorer had somehow managed to duplicate itself-maybe as much as 10 times. I was running multiple operating systems all at once. My computer complained bitterly by making loud clicking noises and buzzing. I wondered if it was going to explode. I would type a letter, wait about 10 seconds for it to appear on the screen, type another letter and it would do the same thing again. Have any idea how long it would take to write a chapter with all that going on? Boo! Hiss!
My dear husband, bless his heart, has been so patient, so methodical, so heroic in attempting to solve the problem. He didn't sleep at all Sunday night, came home from church and sat down at the computer till late Monday morning. Called our expert and he responded yesterday afternoon. Took him 1 1/2 hours to find the problem. Then, Bob had to spend more time reloading everything. That's what I mean by saying we're not done, yet.
To make matters worse, contact with my publisher has been interfered with. I'm hoping "The Color of Roses" will be in print by Christmas, but the way things are going, it may not.
However, this morning, my reading in "Jesus Calling" brought tremendous comfort. For July 22, author Sarah Young says, "Find freedom through seeking to please Me above all else. You can have only one Master. When you let others' expectations drive you, you scatter your energy to the winds. Your own desire to look good can also drain your energy. I am your Master, and I do not drive you to be what you are not. Your pretense displeases Me, especially when it in My 'service.' Concentrate on staying close to Me at all times. It is impossible to be inauthentic while you are focusing on My Presence."
Good, bad, or otherwise, it's in the Lord's hands and I'm along for the ride, bumpy though it may seem at times. It reminds me of David and the apostles. Their life was full of bumps and bruises and yet, they soldiered on. Their purpose in life was established by God and their seeking His Presence enabled them to accomplish what God had for them. No one could call them inauthentic. Here am I, Lord. Let me seek you as the deer pants for the water. (Psalm 42:1)
Such freedom to let the Lord be in control. Will I ever learn?
My dear husband, bless his heart, has been so patient, so methodical, so heroic in attempting to solve the problem. He didn't sleep at all Sunday night, came home from church and sat down at the computer till late Monday morning. Called our expert and he responded yesterday afternoon. Took him 1 1/2 hours to find the problem. Then, Bob had to spend more time reloading everything. That's what I mean by saying we're not done, yet.
To make matters worse, contact with my publisher has been interfered with. I'm hoping "The Color of Roses" will be in print by Christmas, but the way things are going, it may not.
However, this morning, my reading in "Jesus Calling" brought tremendous comfort. For July 22, author Sarah Young says, "Find freedom through seeking to please Me above all else. You can have only one Master. When you let others' expectations drive you, you scatter your energy to the winds. Your own desire to look good can also drain your energy. I am your Master, and I do not drive you to be what you are not. Your pretense displeases Me, especially when it in My 'service.' Concentrate on staying close to Me at all times. It is impossible to be inauthentic while you are focusing on My Presence."
Good, bad, or otherwise, it's in the Lord's hands and I'm along for the ride, bumpy though it may seem at times. It reminds me of David and the apostles. Their life was full of bumps and bruises and yet, they soldiered on. Their purpose in life was established by God and their seeking His Presence enabled them to accomplish what God had for them. No one could call them inauthentic. Here am I, Lord. Let me seek you as the deer pants for the water. (Psalm 42:1)
Such freedom to let the Lord be in control. Will I ever learn?
Friday, July 18, 2014
Honorary RN
If they give out honorary Registered Nurse degrees, then my daughter-in-law should be the first one in line. When her mother contracted a leukemia that eventually took her life, Debby was there. Now, our granddaughter is in excruciating pain and in line for surgery. Mom was there. When our grandson arrived to help move our granddaughter, he contracted strep and -you guessed it-Mom was there.
It's been a tough couple of months, so 3 cheers for Honorary Nurse Debby!
But then, I'm reminded of the time when Bob received an extremely high evaluation for promotion. After I read it, I mentioned how terrific it was and Bob's response was tepid. "Why would you act like this," I asked. "What more could the man say?"
"He could've recommend me for general," laughed the Sergeant First Class.
OK, so 3 cheers for Honorary Dr. Debby:)
It's been a tough couple of months, so 3 cheers for Honorary Nurse Debby!
But then, I'm reminded of the time when Bob received an extremely high evaluation for promotion. After I read it, I mentioned how terrific it was and Bob's response was tepid. "Why would you act like this," I asked. "What more could the man say?"
"He could've recommend me for general," laughed the Sergeant First Class.
OK, so 3 cheers for Honorary Dr. Debby:)
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Wow!!!!
Wow!!! The publishers have returned my manuscript review and I was blown away. It's another step in the process I didn't expect to go through, but the results were so good I don't mind. All I can say is, Thank you, Lord!
In the General Overview, the editors called it an "engaging work of fiction."
In manuscript's strengths, they said "Readers will not only stay absorbed in the text as the book is very well written, but will also have a sense of closure as they finish the book. The editors go on to call me a talented storyteller (Thank you!). To them, "characters seem realistic and contain relatable emotional expressions."
In their view, "The storyline contains many essential values, opening the readers eyes to Christian virtues in which readers can use to cross-examine his or her life." They got it, they totally got it.
Of course there are always areas of improvement and the only suggestion made was that I add a prologue.
28 years in the making. Thank you, Lord, for your patience with me and thank you friends, for your encouragement and thank you editors at Xulon for being so kind.
Stay tuned.
In the General Overview, the editors called it an "engaging work of fiction."
In manuscript's strengths, they said "Readers will not only stay absorbed in the text as the book is very well written, but will also have a sense of closure as they finish the book. The editors go on to call me a talented storyteller (Thank you!). To them, "characters seem realistic and contain relatable emotional expressions."
In their view, "The storyline contains many essential values, opening the readers eyes to Christian virtues in which readers can use to cross-examine his or her life." They got it, they totally got it.
Of course there are always areas of improvement and the only suggestion made was that I add a prologue.
28 years in the making. Thank you, Lord, for your patience with me and thank you friends, for your encouragement and thank you editors at Xulon for being so kind.
Stay tuned.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Watching grass grow
When we moved in last winter, our yard was scarred with several ugly bare spots, consisting of hard, dry, poor soil left bare by the fellow who fixed the septic system last summer. We made it a priority to begin watering, weeding, and feeding in an attempt to get something green to grow.
We're very grateful for all the rain we've had so far this year, making the watering chore a lot easier. However, for the first couple of purchases, we made the mistake of buying fertilizer only, which produced a bumper crop of sand burrs in the backyard instead of grass.
One Saturday, I got busy pulling them. I like to pull weeds. It's very relaxing. My mind wanders while my hands methodically pull. Who knows what great feats of daring do my mind was accomplishing, keeping me from noticing two black snakes that wanted to be in the same space I was occupying? I didn't see them, I felt them slithering across my foot. Typical female response, I started screaming and stamping my feet. I managed to kick them in front of the shed and started to pull again. Lo, and behold, one of them came back to try and become acquainted again!
I have to say I like black snakes. I do. In Florida, we have the poisonous coral snake. Years ago, I read the pharmaceutical company stopped making the antidote. Wasn't profitable. Now what? If you're bitten, do you just die, too bad, so sad? Supposedly, black snake kill coral snakes, so as long as they're in the yard, I feel safer. I just prefer they keep their distance.
But, I don't like weeds. They remind me of sin. Either you root them out or they come back with a vengeance. Sand burrs aren't too hard to get up, if the ground is soft from rain. Crab grass is another story, and for the moment, I think I'll let it grow. At least, it's green and isn't something that sticks to the dog's paws.
Some sin is harder to root out than others, too. I hope I remember that when I see the crab grass spreading and work a little harder at rooting out those things in my heart that grieve my Lord. Scripture memory and prayer are not only nourishment for the soul, but will also make me aware of the weeds that need rooting out. There's work to be done.
We're very grateful for all the rain we've had so far this year, making the watering chore a lot easier. However, for the first couple of purchases, we made the mistake of buying fertilizer only, which produced a bumper crop of sand burrs in the backyard instead of grass.
One Saturday, I got busy pulling them. I like to pull weeds. It's very relaxing. My mind wanders while my hands methodically pull. Who knows what great feats of daring do my mind was accomplishing, keeping me from noticing two black snakes that wanted to be in the same space I was occupying? I didn't see them, I felt them slithering across my foot. Typical female response, I started screaming and stamping my feet. I managed to kick them in front of the shed and started to pull again. Lo, and behold, one of them came back to try and become acquainted again!
I have to say I like black snakes. I do. In Florida, we have the poisonous coral snake. Years ago, I read the pharmaceutical company stopped making the antidote. Wasn't profitable. Now what? If you're bitten, do you just die, too bad, so sad? Supposedly, black snake kill coral snakes, so as long as they're in the yard, I feel safer. I just prefer they keep their distance.
But, I don't like weeds. They remind me of sin. Either you root them out or they come back with a vengeance. Sand burrs aren't too hard to get up, if the ground is soft from rain. Crab grass is another story, and for the moment, I think I'll let it grow. At least, it's green and isn't something that sticks to the dog's paws.
Some sin is harder to root out than others, too. I hope I remember that when I see the crab grass spreading and work a little harder at rooting out those things in my heart that grieve my Lord. Scripture memory and prayer are not only nourishment for the soul, but will also make me aware of the weeds that need rooting out. There's work to be done.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Spiritual Midwife
There can be no greater joy as a Christian than to share your faith with someone who wants to become a member of God's family as well. To watch the miracle of spiritual birth take place before your eyes is a miracle in itself that I cannot begin to articulate. The best I can do is say, "Thank You, Lord." Not only did I witness a miracle, the miracle occurred-something only God can do.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Congratulations
Heartiest congrats to the Benham brothers. No, I've never met them, but I admire them for standing up to the bullies who got them taken off the new HGTV show that was scheduled to start soon. Until that happened, I was an avid fan of HGTV.
However, since the channel hasn't gotten the news that bullies are NEVER satisfied, they caved. And they lost me as a viewer. SunTrust bank came close to losing us as customers for the same reason, but the outcry kept them from doing the same thing.
The amazing thing that causes me to say congratulations to the Benham's is their beautiful attitude. They were all smiles when they were interviewed on Fox News yesterday and had nothing but good things to say about HGTV because the channel has forked over money to help those who were on board for the show.
That's true Christianity. They give all glory to God and I am grateful for them. To the bullies, God always gets the last laugh.
However, since the channel hasn't gotten the news that bullies are NEVER satisfied, they caved. And they lost me as a viewer. SunTrust bank came close to losing us as customers for the same reason, but the outcry kept them from doing the same thing.
The amazing thing that causes me to say congratulations to the Benham's is their beautiful attitude. They were all smiles when they were interviewed on Fox News yesterday and had nothing but good things to say about HGTV because the channel has forked over money to help those who were on board for the show.
That's true Christianity. They give all glory to God and I am grateful for them. To the bullies, God always gets the last laugh.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
A World Apart
"It takes so much time," my friend complained about the social media. She wasn't talking about learning her way around the Internet. She's quite good at it, as a matter of fact. She was talking about the time consumed just interacting with friends she's made online.
For all our technical savvy, I wonder if we've lost the ability to really care. How can you be compassionate in 140-160 characters? Relationships take nurturing. Over long periods of time. Recently, Eric on "The Five" (FNC) said of a very popular TV show, "It's all about relationships and that's why the show is so popular." He's so right. How can I have a relationship with hundreds of people on line? People I'll probably never meet face to face.
Businesses are even worse. "Visit our website at www.who cares? Or www.get lost. I called a business this morning, looking for answers to questions I had before making a purchase. The one who answered the phone admitted she had no idea what as I was talking about and was quite sanctimonious is letting me know I didn't know what I was talking about when I was reading from the ad she knew nothing about. The web site couldn't answer my questions and she couldn't be bothered. She lost the sale. If my questions revealed inadequacy in their ad and her attitude revealed lousy customer relations, why should I buy their product?
Then, too, there's the companies who hire people in foreign countries to answer questions. HA! They don't speak English well enough for me to understand and they don't understand American culture. They lose the sale and unfortunately, I usually lose my temper.
I began to wonder about all this social media and technology stuff as I listened to a friend pour out her tale of woe this morning. I did the same thing yesterday and a couple of days before that. I am privileged that friends trust me enough to open up. That's how we did it way back when. We had a lot less depression and a lot less anger way back then, too. So, is getting caught up in the excitement of meeting new friends and hopefully, catching up with old ones worth the time that might cost a face-to-face talk that someone needs? Hugs just don't do Skype or Fact time well. I feel like I'm in a different world. Can I learn to balance the best of both worlds? I hope so.
For all our technical savvy, I wonder if we've lost the ability to really care. How can you be compassionate in 140-160 characters? Relationships take nurturing. Over long periods of time. Recently, Eric on "The Five" (FNC) said of a very popular TV show, "It's all about relationships and that's why the show is so popular." He's so right. How can I have a relationship with hundreds of people on line? People I'll probably never meet face to face.
Businesses are even worse. "Visit our website at www.who cares? Or www.get lost. I called a business this morning, looking for answers to questions I had before making a purchase. The one who answered the phone admitted she had no idea what as I was talking about and was quite sanctimonious is letting me know I didn't know what I was talking about when I was reading from the ad she knew nothing about. The web site couldn't answer my questions and she couldn't be bothered. She lost the sale. If my questions revealed inadequacy in their ad and her attitude revealed lousy customer relations, why should I buy their product?
Then, too, there's the companies who hire people in foreign countries to answer questions. HA! They don't speak English well enough for me to understand and they don't understand American culture. They lose the sale and unfortunately, I usually lose my temper.
I began to wonder about all this social media and technology stuff as I listened to a friend pour out her tale of woe this morning. I did the same thing yesterday and a couple of days before that. I am privileged that friends trust me enough to open up. That's how we did it way back when. We had a lot less depression and a lot less anger way back then, too. So, is getting caught up in the excitement of meeting new friends and hopefully, catching up with old ones worth the time that might cost a face-to-face talk that someone needs? Hugs just don't do Skype or Fact time well. I feel like I'm in a different world. Can I learn to balance the best of both worlds? I hope so.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Reasonable?
II Peter 3:11 says "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives." (NIV) Verse 14 says, "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him." (NIV)
As I read those words, I was reminded again of why I wrote "Color of the Roses." The church has been called a hospital for sinners instead of a museum for saints. I agree, but if the churched aren't living any differently than the unchurched, how will people get the help they're seeking? Where will they find peace with God? It's been said that Christians can be more a part of the problem than a part of the solution. It troubles me.
The Pro-life ministry, unbeknownst to many, is a place of refuge for the hurting seeking help. It's not only for saving babies. I believe if the mother understands how much you love her and want to help her, she'll make the right choice.
Going back to the Scriptures quoted, I realize they're about the end times. The principle is the same. We are always to live as though this is the last day of our lives. Dr. David Jeremiah says that one of the crowns Christians will receive in heaven and cast at Jesus' feet is the crown of victory-which is given for self-discipline. Where's the self-discipline of Christians, when our churches are filled with couples living together outside marriage, affairs, child-molestation, multiple divorces and remarriage?
Job, in Chapter 31, talks about the ways he disciplined himself never to look lustfully at a woman. In verse 12 he states that adultery is "a fire that burns to Destruction."
Granted, that's not the only sin that weakens the church, but after spending several years in the Pro-life ministry, my heart is broken at our lack of recognition that all sin is against God. In Psalm 51:4, David said, "Against You and You only have I sinned.." In Genesis 39:9, Joseph told Potiphar's wife that he couldn't "do such a wicked thing and sin against God."
If I sound preachy, please understand I preach because I love. "Color of the Roses," due out in a few months, is not preachy. It's a story of a man who lost his way and a woman who didn't. One of my editor friends said she liked the characters because they are so pure.
I liked that. Whenever I read a book or watch a movie, I'm always disappointed if the main characters are not living a lifestyle that encourages me to be the Christian I claim to be. Purity may be an unpopular subject in today's world. However, isn't it about time we Christians live what we claim to believe? Am I being reasonable?
As I read those words, I was reminded again of why I wrote "Color of the Roses." The church has been called a hospital for sinners instead of a museum for saints. I agree, but if the churched aren't living any differently than the unchurched, how will people get the help they're seeking? Where will they find peace with God? It's been said that Christians can be more a part of the problem than a part of the solution. It troubles me.
The Pro-life ministry, unbeknownst to many, is a place of refuge for the hurting seeking help. It's not only for saving babies. I believe if the mother understands how much you love her and want to help her, she'll make the right choice.
Going back to the Scriptures quoted, I realize they're about the end times. The principle is the same. We are always to live as though this is the last day of our lives. Dr. David Jeremiah says that one of the crowns Christians will receive in heaven and cast at Jesus' feet is the crown of victory-which is given for self-discipline. Where's the self-discipline of Christians, when our churches are filled with couples living together outside marriage, affairs, child-molestation, multiple divorces and remarriage?
Job, in Chapter 31, talks about the ways he disciplined himself never to look lustfully at a woman. In verse 12 he states that adultery is "a fire that burns to Destruction."
Granted, that's not the only sin that weakens the church, but after spending several years in the Pro-life ministry, my heart is broken at our lack of recognition that all sin is against God. In Psalm 51:4, David said, "Against You and You only have I sinned.." In Genesis 39:9, Joseph told Potiphar's wife that he couldn't "do such a wicked thing and sin against God."
If I sound preachy, please understand I preach because I love. "Color of the Roses," due out in a few months, is not preachy. It's a story of a man who lost his way and a woman who didn't. One of my editor friends said she liked the characters because they are so pure.
I liked that. Whenever I read a book or watch a movie, I'm always disappointed if the main characters are not living a lifestyle that encourages me to be the Christian I claim to be. Purity may be an unpopular subject in today's world. However, isn't it about time we Christians live what we claim to believe? Am I being reasonable?
Friday, July 4, 2014
And I thought I was doing so well...
OK. Here we go again. Tried to send a message on Facebook-don't know how to get in! And I'm supposed to be smart! Thank the Lord I have a wonderful granddaughter, a very good friend, and a terrific husband who are all smarter than I am. This would be a lost cause without them.
And thank you to all those wonderful people who've looked at my blog, agreed to be my friend on Facebook, joined me in Linked In. I'm beginning to see the advantage of social media. Don't understand it, but already it's given me wonderful people to contact, get to know and feel better about this crazy, upside down world.
May you all have a safe, happy, blessed 4th. If I knew how to add a picture, I'd do it, but you get it.
And thank you to all those wonderful people who've looked at my blog, agreed to be my friend on Facebook, joined me in Linked In. I'm beginning to see the advantage of social media. Don't understand it, but already it's given me wonderful people to contact, get to know and feel better about this crazy, upside down world.
May you all have a safe, happy, blessed 4th. If I knew how to add a picture, I'd do it, but you get it.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
What Century Am I In?
God bless our grandchildren who can figure out these crazy machines. I'm still in the late 1800's, I think. There are reasons for that. For one thing, we didn't have a TV in our home until I was 19 and a sophomore in college. Mom always said they were too expensive. When they got down to 50 cents, she'd buy one.
She made that comment to my brother one day and he shot back with, "I know where you can get one for $6.25." His mother-in-law had a black white tube type. Every 6 months, the vertical tube would blow and she'd have to buy a new one. She got tired of that and left the black and white in the repair shop and upgraded to a new one. Mom and Dad bought that one, dragged it home to Pittsburgh from Allentown and for a year or two, that was the TV. Until then, while all my friends were watching the classics that had been made into movies on TV or at the movies, my nose was buried in a book.
Come to think of it, I wasn't allowed to attend movies until I was 19, either.
Burying my nose in a book was about my only entertainment. I was reading 300 page books by the time I was 10. No genius, mind you. Just looking for a little excitement. Like Debbie Macomber, stories were always running through my mind. Stories of Prince Charming and Damsels in Distress. My favorite author at the time was Grace Livingston Hill-another reason I feel like I'm at least a century behind. Most of her books were written in the very late 1800's or the early 1900's. Her heroines were so pure and so long suffering in their purity, I spent most of my teens daydreaming of my Prince Charming who would rescue my from a world I found vastly different..
Because I was the youngest of 3, and my brothers were on their own by the time I reached my teens, any socializing my parents included me. Socializing was done in someone's home. People older than me who'd been in their homes for a long time. In those days, the living rooms (called parlors) were quite small. There was no TV, or it was off while we visited. Instead, we sat around a large dining room table, ate, and talked. Looking back, almost every home we went to had a dining room that was the largest room in the house.
However, here I am in the 21st century, still believing love conquers all, bonding is done person-to-person, and food is a large part of that bonding process. Rip Van Winkle's got nothing on me.
Enter granddaughter. She called last night, in spite of being very sick. I mentioned if she was better, she could come down and help her goofy grandma figure out these crazy social network things that have made me crazy for the past week. (Until then, I refused to participate)
Part of my problem with my blog site (http://underthenettlestree.blogspot.com) is that I was putting the @ in. Wrong. Can't do that. Then, too, I had not one, but three sites, all with the same name. How I did that is beyond me. Tonight, she hopes to get me on Pinterest and give me a tutorial on it.
Guess it's time to get rid of my bustle and high top, button up shoes.
She made that comment to my brother one day and he shot back with, "I know where you can get one for $6.25." His mother-in-law had a black white tube type. Every 6 months, the vertical tube would blow and she'd have to buy a new one. She got tired of that and left the black and white in the repair shop and upgraded to a new one. Mom and Dad bought that one, dragged it home to Pittsburgh from Allentown and for a year or two, that was the TV. Until then, while all my friends were watching the classics that had been made into movies on TV or at the movies, my nose was buried in a book.
Come to think of it, I wasn't allowed to attend movies until I was 19, either.
Burying my nose in a book was about my only entertainment. I was reading 300 page books by the time I was 10. No genius, mind you. Just looking for a little excitement. Like Debbie Macomber, stories were always running through my mind. Stories of Prince Charming and Damsels in Distress. My favorite author at the time was Grace Livingston Hill-another reason I feel like I'm at least a century behind. Most of her books were written in the very late 1800's or the early 1900's. Her heroines were so pure and so long suffering in their purity, I spent most of my teens daydreaming of my Prince Charming who would rescue my from a world I found vastly different..
Because I was the youngest of 3, and my brothers were on their own by the time I reached my teens, any socializing my parents included me. Socializing was done in someone's home. People older than me who'd been in their homes for a long time. In those days, the living rooms (called parlors) were quite small. There was no TV, or it was off while we visited. Instead, we sat around a large dining room table, ate, and talked. Looking back, almost every home we went to had a dining room that was the largest room in the house.
However, here I am in the 21st century, still believing love conquers all, bonding is done person-to-person, and food is a large part of that bonding process. Rip Van Winkle's got nothing on me.
Enter granddaughter. She called last night, in spite of being very sick. I mentioned if she was better, she could come down and help her goofy grandma figure out these crazy social network things that have made me crazy for the past week. (Until then, I refused to participate)
Part of my problem with my blog site (http://underthenettlestree.blogspot.com) is that I was putting the @ in. Wrong. Can't do that. Then, too, I had not one, but three sites, all with the same name. How I did that is beyond me. Tonight, she hopes to get me on Pinterest and give me a tutorial on it.
Guess it's time to get rid of my bustle and high top, button up shoes.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Chicago
When I tell someone my husband and I've moved 33 times in 50 years of marriage, there are usually remarks of astonishment, followed by, "Well then, you must be used to it."
No, you never get used to it. When the boys were small, we'd go from a warm climate to cold, meaning a new wardrobe. It would usually happen between the months of September and December, meaning a change of schools. The Christmas gifts I put on layaway would have to be packed in the car along with clothes, boys, and dog. I'm quite sure truckers all across the country could hear me shouting, "Keep away from that blanket!" or "No, that's not a bicycle!" in an effort to surprise the boys on Christmas morning.
Culturally, things could be different across the street, especially in Chicago where neighborhoods are still pretty much divided ethnically. Cicero is or was about all Italian. Forest Park had a large German population. Oak Park was about the only truly mixed community. Rich, poor, racial diversity was all in the mix.
Of course, bumping up against those cultural differences always caused a problem. For example, about every bank we've used everywhere but Chicago has no problem with wire transfers of money. When we sold our house in Tennessee, the proceeds were wired to our bank account in Cicero and they were most unhappy about it. It seems they have places in Chicago that do wire transfers, loan money against a future pay check, and do money orders. The banks don't. Oops. Each time I make a cultural mistake, I vow I'll never make that one again. I don't because it never comes up again. It's always something new. I've learned a lot through my mistakes.
Driving in Chicago can be a big challenge. Many of the streets will allow traffic in the right lane, until a stop light. Across the intersection, the right lane becomes parking. Chicagoans love to pull up to the light in the right lane, then race you across the intersection to cut you off. A taxi driver and I tried to make a 2 lane bridge into 3, with a bus coming the other direction. I yielded on that one. Another time, a woman cut me off and I honked at her. She flipped me a bird. Oh well, losing twice in four years isn't bad.
No, you never get used to it. When the boys were small, we'd go from a warm climate to cold, meaning a new wardrobe. It would usually happen between the months of September and December, meaning a change of schools. The Christmas gifts I put on layaway would have to be packed in the car along with clothes, boys, and dog. I'm quite sure truckers all across the country could hear me shouting, "Keep away from that blanket!" or "No, that's not a bicycle!" in an effort to surprise the boys on Christmas morning.
Culturally, things could be different across the street, especially in Chicago where neighborhoods are still pretty much divided ethnically. Cicero is or was about all Italian. Forest Park had a large German population. Oak Park was about the only truly mixed community. Rich, poor, racial diversity was all in the mix.
Of course, bumping up against those cultural differences always caused a problem. For example, about every bank we've used everywhere but Chicago has no problem with wire transfers of money. When we sold our house in Tennessee, the proceeds were wired to our bank account in Cicero and they were most unhappy about it. It seems they have places in Chicago that do wire transfers, loan money against a future pay check, and do money orders. The banks don't. Oops. Each time I make a cultural mistake, I vow I'll never make that one again. I don't because it never comes up again. It's always something new. I've learned a lot through my mistakes.
Driving in Chicago can be a big challenge. Many of the streets will allow traffic in the right lane, until a stop light. Across the intersection, the right lane becomes parking. Chicagoans love to pull up to the light in the right lane, then race you across the intersection to cut you off. A taxi driver and I tried to make a 2 lane bridge into 3, with a bus coming the other direction. I yielded on that one. Another time, a woman cut me off and I honked at her. She flipped me a bird. Oh well, losing twice in four years isn't bad.
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