GOD HAD NO GENDER

My mother in 1959

My mother Nov., 1915 to July, 2007

"Mothering God, hear our prayer.  Keep us in thy loving care.  Be our guide in all we do and bless all those who love us too.  Amen"

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY:)

A DISH OF KITTY

Princess Leia decides to try cat food for the first time.  Sitting in the middle of the dish seems quite appropriate for a princess.

Who is this creature joining me at the breakfast table and why did my mother and my aunt leave?

Hey, that big red one isn't very nice.  I'm outta here.

The little princess decides to watch from a safe place.

This is a fun kitten adventure, but sadly not all the adventures are as sweet.  David had the kittens well hidden in the chicken house and after I accidentally set the box on one of the kittens, she decided to move them again.  My next tragic mistake was to back over one of the kittens. David and Olive have kept the babies well hidden since then until this debut of Princess Leia showing up for a meal.  I am not sure at this time how many of the kittens are left.  Looks like I am turning out to be their worst predator:(

GET MOVING

Order from Amazon today!

It was my intention to complete my book and share it with you when it was done.  Getting into the pages made me realize that this is not something to be put together quickly.  It is a work project of love and reflection.  It awakens a passion for sharing our stories.  It creates caution for how we want to tell things to our grandchildren.

First for today, let me say you should order this for your mother for Mother's Day.  Darn it that I have waited this close to the day to make my recommendation.  Perhaps you could order the book and give Mom and IOU.  It is also plenty of time to order for Father's Day.  Dads can create heirloom journals too.

Who is ideal to buy the book for:  1.)  Traditional families with one grandchild.  2.)  Traditional families with one child and multiple grandchildren.  I list those first because everything falls in place much better when you are concentrating on one grandchild and then when you are telling multiple grandchildren about one set of parents.

Traditional families with multiple children and grandchildren might want to buy several books to complete for each family.  They are reasonably priced to do just that.

Non-traditional families can enjoy filling out the pages of this book too.  It simply requires a little more adaptation.  For instance I have been married twice.  My grandchildren did not know their biological grandfather all that well.  They did know and love their step-grandfather so I must make room for stories about both.  It is more of a challenge, but I can do it.  Pages of the book can be removed if they do not fit  your needs.  I do wish STORIES FROM MY GRANDPARENT came with a few blank pages for
us to add as needed.

Regardless this is a delightful and amazing path of discovery and Susan Adcox has done a wonderful job establishing guidelines for us to share our stories.  I intend to give a book to my sister and brother to prepare for their families. 


Click HERE to see how mine starts.

HER NAME IS ELLA

I have seen Ella looking at me though I am not yet acquainted with many of the young children in our church.    Perhaps her interest has to do with my different wig each week.  She is a tiny thing and it is my guess that she is about four years old. Her grandparents bring her to church and Ella is neatly dressed and coiffed to perfection.  She is a precious little angel.

This past Sunday Ella and I ended up on the same pew.  The child was watching me closely as I sketched a picture of our visiting guest preacher.  Whispering something to her grandmother, Ella was allowed to move toward me and watch me draw.  She was too shy to speak to me but she tapped on the picture which I assumed meant she wanted me to continue drawing.

We stood for the closing hymn and Ella went back to her grandmother, took something from her and came back to me.  She tapped the picture she brought and then she tapped me.  She was giving me her own drawing.  We made it a trade and I gave her mine.  

Here is Ella in her back yard climbing the ladder to play on her new slide with the sun shinning on her through the shade of her favorite tree. 

It is nice to have a new friend.

Ella at play in her own back yard:)

A MISSIONARY

Question Of The Week 5-5-14

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I truly thought I would grow up to be a missionary so I guess you could say my desire was for a missionary position:) 

ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT

Pull up a chair in front of your television and select your favorite channels.  Are you eagerly awaiting a special new show or are you already into some good TV watching?

Monday evening we will have Jack Bauer back on FOX for another series of 24 titled Live Another Day.  This first episode will be 2 hours. There will only be 12 episodes and I am already depressed that is will end so quickly.  We will know there will be no more.  Or, will there?  We weren't supposed to have this batch of new episodes.  Never say never.

Now we have FARGO the 10 episode television series starring Billy Bob Thornton.  It is brought to us by The Coen brothers who also brought us the movie by the same name. You don't have to subscribe to HBO, Cinemax or Starz to enjoy it.  Tuesday night it is on FX and I anxiously await each new episode.  The show opens with a trailer stating it is "based on a true story" which is totally untrue!  lol  Oh those silly Coen brothers.  This too is a sad show because it is only ten episodes and like a good book, you don't want it to end.

AMC's MAD MEN is back on for what they are saying is a final season.  It has become a good watching experience for me and going without periodic doses of Don Draper could cause some heartache.  I lived in the workplace in the 60's in a steno pool and can testify that the treatment of women in the workplace in  MAD MEN isn't fiction.

TURN is another AMC production that has caught my attention.  It is a drama of espionage set during the Revolutionary War.  Not generally my cup of tea but it is taking over my interest bit by bit.  

Public Television has me hooked forever on DOWNTON ABBEY and CALL THE MIDWIFE.

Other regular network shows that have my undivided attention are:  THE BLACKLIST; BONES; THE GOOD WIFE;  NCIS; INTELLIGENCE (which ended abruptly and I can't find if it is being cancelled or not.)

Old favorites that I am growing weary of are: THE MENTALIST; PERSONS OF INTEREST; DALLAS; HANNIBAL. 

And last, but not least, LAW AND ORDER in any of it's forms keeps me hooked and I record all the reruns I can find as well as continue to watch LAW AND ORDER SVU though it is my least favorite of the bunch.

Goodness look at what a bloodthirsty and melodramatic person I appear to be.  Yikes!   What viewing tips do you have?

FRESH BAKED BREAD

Question Of The Week 4-28-14

Do certain odors 

awaken 

special memories 

for you?

FIRE ME PLEASE!

This cartoon has nothing to do with my post but it is just so funny I had to add it.

The first of the year I transferred my church membership to our small local church.  The congregation had been very nice to me after Ron's death.  It was a comfortable fit.

At almost the same time the Chairperson of the church Finance Committee had died.  It seemed there was not a soul to take his place.  All eyes turned to me, a brand new member having no information on the financial condition of the church past or present  Because I had been a banker you can guess the rest of the story. They believed I was the person for the job. 

One of my previous employers had said, "I don't ever have to give Annie a raise.  If I shower her with enough praise she will take on any new task."  He must have told this to my new church.  

Regardless I have been in the midst of reporting on the first quarter and meeting with the committee and preparing to meet with the council.  I am having to dig out what information I can from church members who cannot remember what happened when.  Not only did we lose the past chairman, we also have a brand new minister who is as green as I am. Thankfully the church has an easy-going, smiling Treasurer who should walk around with angel wings and a halo.

What am I saying here?  I am saying it is a mixed bag of the good, the bad and the ugly.  The good part is that it keeps me busy and away from my sadness so much.  The bad is it takes me away from the time I would rather be blogging or mowing or working on my grandchildren book. The ugly that it puts me in the political gossip stream of a small church:(  

When I fall silent as I have recently you will know why.

MORE OR LESS

Question Of The Week 4-21-14

What do you think 

is the biggest downside 

of the 21st century?

Technology or ethics and morality or too many Baby Boomers or....?

ONCE UPON A TIME

     We all know that David had four kittens.  These kittens were born in a nest box in the hen house.  This was David's custom to give birth in the place where she had been born.  David's boyfriend had been seen sneaking in and out of the barn and the huge black cat was named Darth Vader. Therefore the darkest kitten was named Luke, and the other three were named Leia, Han and Chewy.  

     We also know that after several days Mama David moved her four kittens and there was a bit of concern until the babies were located under the Toro mower that was in need of repair and had not budged for a couple of years.  It would have been a good location for the kittens if Slim, the dog and ruler of the barnyard, did not love kittens so much.

     Nightly securing of NOL-NOC Estates found the four young kittens scattered on the lawn and Granny Annie would take a flashlight, gather them up and place them back  under the Toro for David.  G.A.would visit with Slim in a sharp tone, warning her loyal pet not to be disturbing the kittens and taking them away from their mother.

     One evening while gathering kittens, Granny came across a brand new kitten still with eyes closed. What!!!  This kitten had a much louder voice than the older kittens and Slim was very reluctant for it to be removed from her sight.   When this kitten was placed under the Toro there were several other newborns waiting for this sibling.

     Olive, another of the grown cats, seemed to have been having an affair with Darth Vader as well.  This was her first litter of kittens and since she had not a clue what to do, she deposited them with David.  Mama David was caring for all the kittens while Olive peeked in occasionally before she went back to cleaning herself and primping.

     This one small newborn kitten became a total obsession with Slim.  The dog and adoptive mama cat were in a constant tug of war trying to retain custody of the small infant.  Granny Annie would intervene at every opportunity but often Slim would grab her new buddy and get away.  Finally David did a very smart thing.  Knowing Slim was not allowed in the chicken house, she moved all the kittens back there.  They no longer fit in the nest boxes but she found a safe corner and G.A. carried in a cardboard box for creature comfort. It seems to be working very well.

     Today Granny Annie finally was able to get a count of the kittens.  Four for Mama David and six for Olive.  Ten new kittens total and only four have names.  Everyone better put their thinking caps on.

Slim says, "David, I don't think this is your kitten.  I am not going to let you take it yet." This was their first encounter.

Slim says, "You just rest here little kitten and I will go get Granny Annie.  She will figure this out."

Granny Annie discovers the tiny kitten on the grass and takes it to David where she discovers several more.  Slim is given every assurance that it is okay for Mama David to care for Olive's kittens too.

BREAD CRUMBS

The book is started and ink has been placed upon a page:)

It is indeed a daring adventure.  My first brave step has been taken and that is the step of marking the book with my handwriting.  Now there is no turning back.  I have selected the photographs of my parents.  These go on the second and third places for pictures.  The first space is for a picture of me and that will probably be the last picture I will place.

It asks for pictures of how I remember my parents.  Of course I remember my dad standing behind the pulpit.  I would not remember him at the age in this particular picture because it was taken in 1946, the year I was born.

I would not remember my mother at the age in her photo either because it was taken when she was in college.  But I remember looking at the picture often and marveling at how beautiful she was and wondering how that lovely girl could ever have turned into my hard working sun up to sundown mother.

There is room to write a lot about them and I will get started but I do wonder if there will be enough room because they were an amazing couple and how to narrow it down will be a challenge. You will not end up seeing my entire book for my grandchildren, but I will share a few bread crumbs as I go along.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, click HERE.

TURN ON YOUR HEART LIGHT

Question Of The Week 4-14-14

What is 

different

 in your heart 

and 

the heart 

of  your

 enemy?

SUNDAY SEVEN 4-7-14 TO 4-13-14

WORDS OF GRATITUDE FOR PREVIOUS WEEK:

Pleasure

Boost

Heritage

Blessings

Celebration

Reflections

Triumphant
today 4-13-14

Palm Sunday

Explanation of word windfall from last week: (Since it aroused the most curiosity)

Money came into my account in January without explanation. I knew better than to touch it until I received notification that it had not been deposited to me in error. No explanation came and I attempted to forget the money was in my account. The end of March another deposit arrived from the same place slightly larger than the first, again without explanation. This time I called and left a message about both deposits. Got a call last week that the money is mine to keep:)

NOW I GET IT

My son, NOL-NOC Estate's poorly paid foreman:)

  Last Sunday my son came in the house after working all weekend with the tractor, using brush hog and box blade and the running the backhoe.  He sat down smiling and said to me, "Now I get it".  He knew the reason Ron could go out in the morning and stay out all day on the tractors. You would never know he was raised a city boy.  Ron taught him well.

Here he is last year doing a little dead tree removal.

TAKING A DIVE

"Here I go again, headfirst into the ground!"

My daughter and her family have moved a lot in 21 years of marriage.  It took a couple of moves before they learned about St. Joseph.  A few weeks ago my son-in-law got a nice promotion that involved a move so the St. Joseph statue was the first thing they ordered.  

Poor St. Joe took a dive into the ground before their home was even listed with a realtor.  Last Saturday they had their first showing of their home and that evening they had an offer they accepted. 

Tuesday my daughter went to their new town and found their new home.  She made an offer and before they left town the next day, a counter offer came and they accepted and their new home closing was set. 

While they were touring the new school their daughter would attend an office worker identified the house they were buying and said, "Oh that is the blank, blank's house.  It has been on the market a little while with few lookers.  I just ordered them a St. Joseph statue and we buried it in their yard three days ago."

Their new home.  Plus they will be 30 minutes closer to me:)

I don't really believe in this St. Joseph statue stuff but......

IT IS HERE!

My book arrived in the mail and I felt like Steve Martin in the movie THE JERK running around yelling "The new phone books are here, the new phone books are here!"

I will not go into a lot of detail right now except to say this is very exciting.  Susan Adcox of About.com Grandparents has invited me to review her new book, STORIES FROM MY GRANDPARENT.  It is going to be fun to complete this journey for my grandchildren and provide an heirloom for them about their heritage.  Thankfully Susan has given the grandparent freedom to X out what doesn't fit them and work the telling to suit their own life.  This experience will also be shared by me on my Facebook pages so stay tuned my friends and I will try to keep you updated from time to time.  Thank you Susan for selecting me as one of your reviewers.  I am honored. 

A GENTLE BREEZE

Question Of The Week 4-7-14

Ice cream cones, a puppy dog kiss, a tender touch we seem to miss, a gentle breeze that calls our name, a walk in moments memories frame.

What is on your list of life's simple pleasures?

SUNDAY SEVEN 3-31-14 TO 4-6-14

My words of gratitude from previous week.

                                            Leadership
               Windfall
                                Yellow
         Preservation
                              Sacrifice
                                              Thankful
            Family

HAVE SOME WEED

Peek-a-boo

I see you:)

To some this is just a menacing dandelion weed but to me it is a color of Spring.

F.Y.I. Did not lose anymore hens yesterday and I found where David is keeping her kittens. 

Things are good right now on NOL-NOC Estates

HEE-HAW, HEE-HAW

"Gloom, despair, and agony on me
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all
Gloom, despair, and agony on me"

Remember these lyrics from the show Hee-Haw 

composed and sung by Roy Clark and Buck Owens?

These are the lyrics running through my head this 

week as I continue to count losses.  So far I am 

down 6 fat hens.  My neighbor is down over 20.  We

are nearing $300 in replacement cost not counting

the eggs production that we are out.

I can only explain the loss of one.  She got caught

crossing the road (oh why did the chicken?) and was

hit by a car.  All the others have simply disappeared

leaving nary a trace of wing, beak or feather.

To bring even greater agony upon me, my precious

new mama cat David* had disappeared along with her

four new kittens, Luke, Leia, Han and Chewy.  David

moved them out of the nest box as usual and still

was showing up for breakfast each morning but the

last two mornings she has not been here.  The

neighbors have not seen her and her kittens either so

I fear the worst.

Plus, look how this stupid post is appearing on my 

blog today and I can't fix it.   

And so I sing....."Gloom, despair and agony on me.....

*Happy Addendum: David showed up for breakfast and

came from the direction of my storeroom so maybe 

her kittens are safe too and hidden there.