tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314235172024-03-12T18:48:25.916-05:00One Square MileJanellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.comBlogger398125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-32184127941965417352024-01-15T20:25:00.003-06:002024-01-15T20:25:47.940-06:00In case you missed it: Snowpocolypse 24<p> Taken Saturday 1/13</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihuLRJJ6rkRPdv6fHBE6ReNimfdWsnzx_txw1Jmpi82jjep_mKbYonlia8pMK3ToRNlNASC3kHk7jFDm75iYLia2xycDv8dNFjESBrFrxqX3Lo_p_ZMsHhBB2s2Tax_y4jBC5pdXQ4GmmUKJTEUUCcjjFkT7RaI_sNO1CoeAyDeA_hf4Vrs2tqkQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="269" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihuLRJJ6rkRPdv6fHBE6ReNimfdWsnzx_txw1Jmpi82jjep_mKbYonlia8pMK3ToRNlNASC3kHk7jFDm75iYLia2xycDv8dNFjESBrFrxqX3Lo_p_ZMsHhBB2s2Tax_y4jBC5pdXQ4GmmUKJTEUUCcjjFkT7RaI_sNO1CoeAyDeA_hf4Vrs2tqkQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi14vd76O427bwpQWWkEwaJBa7-j7m_Dz__Vs-D8xQqHqo0PH37vyKhLfzcZ7Yqp51SAo3SnAMKBs_TGuqAn586FaR7_vyVlev4osqk6Je7XGDR9azT1yniPizoAem2sZRnzDxaRoCc6c6OS1S7T3SxGE1AeK3mCJjTR_YsvfZfI31nfeVGv9l4JA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="269" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi14vd76O427bwpQWWkEwaJBa7-j7m_Dz__Vs-D8xQqHqo0PH37vyKhLfzcZ7Yqp51SAo3SnAMKBs_TGuqAn586FaR7_vyVlev4osqk6Je7XGDR9azT1yniPizoAem2sZRnzDxaRoCc6c6OS1S7T3SxGE1AeK3mCJjTR_YsvfZfI31nfeVGv9l4JA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUvb7VDselq22dyyWEsnhmmThRb39tXjLtntWgo1UBO5w6eLZ8srqRqDnWQkS4fJFHUcEpib1EldJ_vbDw9uqLFroZSSL4iiEM9_5LoPWamyhsccNsT-_5JP2TKJMX88DdA11cQzBiGDj0CY9diRk8un-R0NAbVBF6CKIti9v_qMsBcKZ7jmxxXQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="269" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUvb7VDselq22dyyWEsnhmmThRb39tXjLtntWgo1UBO5w6eLZ8srqRqDnWQkS4fJFHUcEpib1EldJ_vbDw9uqLFroZSSL4iiEM9_5LoPWamyhsccNsT-_5JP2TKJMX88DdA11cQzBiGDj0CY9diRk8un-R0NAbVBF6CKIti9v_qMsBcKZ7jmxxXQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Today 1/15/24</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUpa6MVV1BzT-z_2BMNv2RkunxLkz3RaxgyqwWwBMLz8jxlFwZ3c2jlstGztbzOtQDOrejLEti0VEAs3PUG8K4mI6C_6mLdjE7PsL6R7zZxEF8l13Dg466cGL3ZMJmCbecpdS0JxGf6EKEOKkgXan0ylvJvR8lJxS8tYRwylJWW9nY6AS94ckHjA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="269" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUpa6MVV1BzT-z_2BMNv2RkunxLkz3RaxgyqwWwBMLz8jxlFwZ3c2jlstGztbzOtQDOrejLEti0VEAs3PUG8K4mI6C_6mLdjE7PsL6R7zZxEF8l13Dg466cGL3ZMJmCbecpdS0JxGf6EKEOKkgXan0ylvJvR8lJxS8tYRwylJWW9nY6AS94ckHjA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgugPENnXJDhVsEyVP6YopIL_wKRm1tEyXKUTt5KF0sQeptO0fqhoBugnXdEgvaIWLqmeIkb4zd7sjaElTnRGAWxdttkBNEyTitKGCUlvoBQVWS33bk2SH4bfDpBfe5o-F24D25i1OxyB4UUT4DXQX79XEmaxCUUuyQvdvrk33mByeoPNu24W7sFw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="269" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgugPENnXJDhVsEyVP6YopIL_wKRm1tEyXKUTt5KF0sQeptO0fqhoBugnXdEgvaIWLqmeIkb4zd7sjaElTnRGAWxdttkBNEyTitKGCUlvoBQVWS33bk2SH4bfDpBfe5o-F24D25i1OxyB4UUT4DXQX79XEmaxCUUuyQvdvrk33mByeoPNu24W7sFw" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-48781920868805288542019-08-28T13:42:00.000-05:002019-08-28T13:42:57.183-05:00DougStanley Garrison wrote:<br />
<br />
"Somewhere, somewhere in Time's own Space;<br />
There must be some sweet pastured place;<br />
Where creeks sing on and breezes blow,<br />
Some Paradise where horses go.<br />
For by the love that guides my pen<br />
I know great horses live again."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pji7mwnaiZ4/XWbJGyHMwwI/AAAAAAAABDM/z6S5NLGfFKc4EHtyKZoBVtoh-iB_JCUGwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Doug.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pji7mwnaiZ4/XWbJGyHMwwI/AAAAAAAABDM/z6S5NLGfFKc4EHtyKZoBVtoh-iB_JCUGwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Doug.jpg" width="263" /></a><br />
<br />
My rewrite:<br />
Somewhere, somewhere in Time's own Space<br />
There must be some sweet Heavenly place;<br />
Withe trees to mark and squirrels to chase.<br />
Withe stinky stuff in which to roll;<br />
Some Paradise where all dogs go.<br />
For by the love that guides my pen<br />
I know that great dogs live again.<br />
8/8/2019<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x1QMwx72Aqg/XWbK5TGcm4I/AAAAAAAABDY/on2Ex81FaEEC0Pe9lLLI3DAnlmUT9dPQwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/_IMG3509.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x1QMwx72Aqg/XWbK5TGcm4I/AAAAAAAABDY/on2Ex81FaEEC0Pe9lLLI3DAnlmUT9dPQwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/_IMG3509.JPG" width="320" /></a>Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-64094502186123465722019-02-04T12:24:00.000-06:002019-02-04T12:24:04.549-06:002019 Journey<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
January 21-28</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just As I Am Without One Plea</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Possibly second only to Amazing Grace,
thanks to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; one of the most
recognized Christian Hymns of all times.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Written in 1834 by a sweet poet named
Charlotte Elliot (1789-1861). Music was added in 1836 by William
Bradbury (1816-1868). Inspired by John 6:37 “Him that cometh to me
I will in no wise cast out.” According to Miss Elliot's sister,
Charlotte “became deeply conscious of the evil in her own heart,
and...she suffered much mental distress under the painful uncertainty
whether it were possible she could be saved.” Until she had an
encounter with a Dr. Malan of Geneva in May 1822. He observed how she
was held back from the Saviour by her own self saving efforts he
said, “Charlotte, cut the cable, it will take too long to unloose
it; cut it, it is a small loss.” He than bade her to give “one,
look silent but continuous at the cross of Jesus.” Verse one came
from her heart immediately and permanently. She spent the next 40
years continuing to write and publish Christian spiritual poetry.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Modern day listeners will no doubt
remember this hymn as being sung by various choirs at the countless
altar calls given by the Rev. Billy Graham at his many crusades.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 1</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just as I am, without one plea But that
Thy blood was shed for me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And that Thous bidst me come to Thee, O
Lamb of God, I come! I come!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my
sould of one dark blot,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each
spot,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 3
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just as I am, though tossed about With
many a conflict, many a doubt,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fightings and fears within, without,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 4</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight riches, healing of the mind,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yes, all I need, in Thee I find,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt
welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Because Thy promise I believe</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://youtu.be/yuNFAB4mTn8">https://youtu.be/yuNFAB4mTn8</a>
</div>
<br />Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-41133598290622935052019-01-23T20:32:00.001-06:002019-01-23T20:32:41.269-06:002019 Journey<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
January 14-20</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He Giveth More Grace</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Written by Annie Johnson Flint
(1866-1932) whose life story is similar to Fanny Crosby, another
great hymn writer. Annie was 3 years old when her mother died in
childbirth, though the baby girl survived. The girls' father,
suffering from an incurable disease, gave the two girls up for
adoption to the Flint family. Annie came to faith in Jesus at the age
of 8 and began writing poetry around that same time. She took a job
as a teacher at age 18, but severe arthritis caused her to resign.
She was faced with a lifetime as an invalid; in a wheelchair. She
turned her energies to writing poetry and her most famous one became
a hymn when Hubert Mitchell penned the music. The words to this hymn
are drawn from the following scriptures:
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 Corinthians 12:9 “For He has said
to me, 'My Grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is perfected
in weakness.' Therefore gladly would I boast about my weakness that
the power of Christ can rest on me.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
James 4:6 “but He gives more grace.
Therefore He says, 'God resists the proud but gives grace to the
humble.'”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Isaiah 40:29 “He gives strength to
the weary and increases the power of the weak.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From her position of weakness Annie
Johnson Flint knew what she was writing about.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He Giveth More Grace</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 1</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He giveth more grace when the burdens
grow greater.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He sendeth more strength when the
labors increase.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
To added affliction, He addeth His
mercy</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
To multiplied trials His multiplied
peace.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When we have exhausted our store of
endurance;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When our strength is failing 'ere the
day is half done;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When we reach the end of our hoarded
resources</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our Father's full giving is only begun.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chorus</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
His love has no limit, His grace has no
measure</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
His pow'r has no boundaries known unto
men.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For out of His infinite riches in
Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 2 is especially meaningful to me
as my grandmother Anderson quotes it in a letter she wrote to her
nieces during her later years. She writes about the deaths of her
husband “my life's partner” and her son, but follows those sad
words with the words of hope she sees in verse 2 of He Giveth More
Grace.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I found this video of a family choir
and its adorable director singing the hymn.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://youtu.be/zG7i6SgUwF8">https://youtu.be/zG7i6SgUwF8</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-70564335947043797482019-01-14T17:33:00.000-06:002019-01-14T17:33:30.304-06:002019 Journey<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
January 7-13</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Written by Reginald Heber (1783-1826)
in 1826. The lyrics were written to be used on Trinity Sunday; a
Sunday set aside to celebrate the Triune Nature of God. I don't
remember any teachings about Trinity Sunday in any of the churches I
attended. That doesn't mean there were no teachings, maybe I wasn't
paying attention. Observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost by
“Christian churches the world over” according to one of my
sources.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don't know if the lyrics were spoken
or sung traditionally, but in 1861 (35 years after Heber penned the
words), John Bacchus Dykes (1323-1876) set the words to music, based
on a tune then known as NICAEA.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The words are drawn directly from
Revelation 4:1-11. Here it is, followed by my own observations:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 1</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Early in the morning our song shall
rise to Thee;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 2</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore
Thee,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Casting down their golden crowns around
the glassy sea;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cherubim and seraphim, falling down
before Thee,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Which wert and art and evermore shall
be.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Holy, Holy, Holy! Though the darkness
hide Thee,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Though the eye of sinful man They Glory
may not see;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Only Thou art Holy; there is none
beside Thee;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Perfect in Pow'r in Love and Purity.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 4</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in
earth and sky and sea;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Holy, Holy, Holy!merciful and mighty;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
God in three persons, Blessed Trinity.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 1: opening praise, Revelation
4:8</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 2: This is what's going on in
Heaven right now and for all eternity. Revelation 4:9</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 3: Perfect description of our
perfect God: Perfect in Power= Holy Spirit; Love=God; "It's not what
He does, it's who He IS" (Joyce Meyer) Purity=Jesus</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 4: Brings to mind Psalm 96:11-12 'Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad: Let the sea roar,
and all its fullness: Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.'</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One more thought – it seems more than
fitting that this is the first hymn in most of the hymnals I've used.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here is a link to an arrangement
presented by the First Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. I
appreciate the orchestra, but love the a Capella section. I noticed
that they did alter some of the original lyrics. Enjoy!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://youtu.be/0SHDNs7Dt5M">https://youtu.be/0SHDNs7Dt5M</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-54924692999304609272019-01-09T20:43:00.002-06:002019-01-09T20:43:36.234-06:002019 Journey<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2019 Journey
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am embarking on a journey this year.
A musical journey.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Although I appreciate much of the
contemporary praise and worship songs, I find myself missing the
Hymns I grew up with in the old Methodist Church and, later
Presbyterian. So I am attempting to re visit and relearn, not only
the words and music, but have found it fascinating to look into the
background of the Hymn's origin; lyricists and composers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The first week, (January 1-6) I
explored and relearned “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lyrics written in 1925 by Thomas
Chisholm 1866-1960 and musical accompaniment by William M. Runyan
1870-1957</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Based on Lamentations 3:22-24 'Through
the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail
not. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. “The
Lord is my portion ,” says my soul. Therefore I will hope in Him!”'</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chisholm later wrote, “My income has
not been large at any time due to impaired health in (my) early years
which has followed me until now. Although I mus not fail to record
here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant keeping God and that He
has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care for which
I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 1: Great is Thy faithfulness, o
God my Father.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is no shadow of turning with
Thee.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thou changes not, Thy compassions they
fail not.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As Thou has been, Thou forever ill be.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 2: Summer and winter and
springtime and harvest;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sun, moon and stars in their courses
above</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Join with all nature in manifold
witness</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and
love.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Verse 3: Pardon for sin and a peace
that endureth,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to
guide.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Strength for today and bright hope for
tomorrow;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Blessings all mine with ten thousand
beside.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chorus:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Great is Thy faithfulness;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Great is Thy faithfulness;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Morning by morning new mercies I see.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All I have needed Thy hand hath
provided.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Great is They faithfulness, Lord unto
me!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We didn't have an orchestra and our
choir was significantly smaller, but this is a pretty respectable
arrangement. Enjoy!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
https://youtu.be/EMACCtitfRw</div>
<br /><br />
Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-5000790868615953262019-01-09T12:05:00.001-06:002019-01-09T12:05:49.800-06:00TestingHave been away for awhile, mainly because I forgot how to log in and my password. Took me awhile to figure it out. I have an idea for 2019. Tune in later - gotta go to my hair appointment.Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-8908836256972561712017-03-31T16:25:00.003-05:002017-03-31T16:25:57.682-05:00Messy<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had a small hiking adventure of my
own on Tuesday.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Be prepared to laugh at me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I took Doug the big dog out for our
usual morning stroll through a harvested corn field. After we left
the house, strolled through the windbreak, crossed the 75 or so yards
of empty cow pasture and a small creek, we walked along the west
fence line of the corn field until we got to the north fence line,
where we turned around and headed home. This gives us about a 1 mile
walk.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I headed back toward the house. When I
reached the wind break, I turned around and saw Doug running full
speed ahead north along the creek, obviously chasing a trail. I
yelled for him, but he chose to ignore me. Considering my husband
would never forgive me if I let him run off with a pack of coyotes (I
never did see what he was tracking, but it might have been a coyote)
I had to go get him on the leash.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I headed through the cow pasture,
picking my way through the puddles of water and the piles of manure.
The farther north I got, the boggier the ground became. At one point,
I sank into a puddle up to my ankles. So much for my good Keenes
being waterproof! Up ahead, I saw Doug finally stopped and was
looking back at me, though he refused to come to me. He was still
looking to the north when I finally caught up to him and got him
leashed.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Unfortunately, he had decided to stop
in the wettest, muddiest area of the pasture. I looked around and
thought I could see a way we could pick our way through the puddles
back to solid ground. So we set out in a southwesterly direction. It
wasn't long before the puddles got deeper and the mud got thicker.
Just as I was thinking I might lose my shoes in the muck, my feet
stuck fast and I went down face first. Now, I am up to my elbows in
water, unable to pull my feet free of the muck.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I was having some very unChristian
thoughts at this point.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I couldn't get my feet underneath me in
order to stand up and when I tried to pushed myself up with my hands,
they just sank deeper into the mud. It took all the strength I could
muster to get myself into a standing position. I looked around and
saw a pickup on the road, slowing down. It stopped and turned around
in our driveway, so I'm wondering if he was taping my muddy struggle
with his phone so he could post me and my muddy dog on FB. So far, I
haven't seen anything.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We finally reached solid ground. Every
stitch of clothing I was wearing was either wet or covered with mud
and manure. Doug was only muddy on his legs & belly, but I
spitefully made him stay on the porch while I got out of my clothes
and showered.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So... when it started to rain on
Wednesday and Thursday people were saying, “We sure needed the
moisture.” I'm thinking... well you don't want to know what I was
thinking!</div>
Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-67873723090953317382015-09-20T10:49:00.004-05:002015-09-20T10:49:57.561-05:00Lyons, Nebraska 1960It's September Sunday morning<br />
And the sky is blue and fair.<br />
The sun shines bright and warming,<br />
Pealing church bells fill the air.<br />
<br />
A beef roasts in the oven<br />
We're all in our Sunday best.<br />
The Preacher teaches about loving<br />
Then we take our day of Rest.<br />
<br />
There'll be no shopping done today<br />
(We got that done last night).<br />
All's quiet up and down the way<br />
Main Street's shops are locked up tight.<br />
<br />
That's how it looked when I was small<br />
I'm thankful to have known:<br />
Worship and rest for one and all<br />
<br />
Sweet September Sundays long ago.Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-90201487312968728732014-02-26T05:07:00.002-06:002014-02-26T05:14:10.957-06:00“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses...” Heb 4:15Some 16 years ago, our old mother cat, whom we called Patches,
disappeared for a few weeks and then one day she came strolling up to
the house with a tiny little tortoise shell kitten – an only child.
Patches was so named because the right half of her face and her right front leg were patched with golden tabby while the rest of her was calico.
The kitten had no such coloring so we called her 'Patchless.'<br />
<br />
Although I'm sure she felt it beneath her dignity, when Patches
weaned her, Patchless adopted us as as her family and became a house
cat.<br />
<br />
We entertained each other for many years and kept each other
company until a few months ago when we noticed a swelling on her
face. We thought it was an infected tooth, but it turned out to be an
inoperable tumor in her sinus. Dr. Hartwell, our vet, sent her home
with us and we waited. We waited and watched the tumor grow and distort her face.
Eventually, the hair around the swelling fell out and she began to
get nosebleeds. In late January, we decided she was miserable enough
and I made the appointment for her final visit to Dr. Hartwell.<br />
<br />
January 29, I sat in the waiting room area with Patchless in her
carrier on my lap. I couldn't pet her, so I held my finger through
the screen door and she rubbed her face on it – both sides of her
face, but more so on the side that wasn't swollen from the tumor. She
meowed softly. Brandy, the vet's assistant came in smiling – she
really has a beautiful, cheery smile and said, “We're ready.”<br />
<br />
Dr. Hartwell welcomed me into the examining room with a gentle
smile. “Who do we have here today?” He asked, opening the carrier
and coaxing my old calico out. Dr. Hartwell is a tall man, over six
feet, with large gentle hands.<br />
<br />
“This is Patchless,” I mumbled.<br />
<br />
Brandy took her by the scruff and held her still on the examining
table. I stood by Brandy and placed my hands on Patchless' back, just
wanted her to know I was there. She cried another little soft meow
and crouched down. “It's okay, Mama kitty,” Dr. Hartell said as
he applied a tourniquet to her right front leg and shaved off a patch
of fur in order to locate a vein.
<br />
<br />
<br />
“She's purring,” Brandy said, rubbing her behind an ear.<br />
<br />
<br />
Finished with his prep work, Dr. Hartwell inserted an IV needle
into her leg and then filled a syringe with a clear liquid. He bent
over the table and injected the liquid into my little cat.
<br />
<br />
<br />
I said, “Bye, bye sweetie pie.” She visibly relaxed. Brandy
let go and quietly left the room. In only a matter of seconds,
Patchless collapsed and Dr. Hartwell and I helped her lay down on her
side.
<br />
<br />
Then she was gone. I kept petting her anyway. Dr Hartwell ran his
hand down her side. Then he looked up to me and reached across the
examining table and wrapped his arms around me, “I know how hard
this is for you.” he said and I cried on his shoulder for a short
time. It was at that moment, that I came to an understanding of why
Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as The Comforter.
<br />
<br />
In the ensuing weeks, Dr. Hartwell's phrase seemed to follow me.
When confronted with a situation that gave rise to the temptation to
respond to cruelty and anger with more cruelty and anger rather than
kindness and forgiveness, (Rom 12:21) I felt the Spirit in me whisper, “I know
how hard this is for you.”<br />
<br />
Forcing myself to go the extra mile when I'd rather quit and rest:
“I know how hard this is for you.”<br />
<br />
Remaining “joyful in hope” when I'd rather sink into despair;
“patient in affliction” when I'd rather cry out in pain;
“faithful in prayer” (Rom 12:12) when I feel like no one is listening... “I
know how hard this is for you.”<br />
<br />
When confronting a weakness that I know in my head God has said
His Grace is sufficient, (2 Cor. 12:9) I felt in my heart, “I know how hard this
is for you.”
<br />
<br />
I don't know if Dr. Hartwell is a Believer, but I am pretty sure
the words he spoke to me will stay with me for the rest of my life.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gii7k1rsdFg/Uw3KSQrAStI/AAAAAAAAA4s/lJ-p_WLcB_0/s1600/007_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gii7k1rsdFg/Uw3KSQrAStI/AAAAAAAAA4s/lJ-p_WLcB_0/s1600/007_18.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-48403576563469108402013-12-25T02:05:00.003-06:002013-12-25T02:05:20.331-06:00<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
How the Sheep Spent the First
Christmas</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
By Janell Carson</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
An EXPLOSION of light lit the sky
one dark night</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Giving sheep and their shepherds a
terrible fright!</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
The shepherds were trembling, the
sheep wanted to run</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Didn’t know what it was, but it
didn’t look fun.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Then an angel appeared in the sky,
calmed their fears,</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Saying, “The Son of God has been
born near here.”</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“We must go and see!” the
shepherds cried with delight</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
And off they went dashing into the
dark night.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
The sheep looked around, getting
very concerned,</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Being left all alone was ba-a-ad
they had learned.
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Then another dear angel came
walking among them</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
And they quieted down with the
songs that he sung them.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
When at last they were quiet and
calm once again,</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
The angel said, “Please let me
explain:</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
The child that was born in the
stable in town</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Is your Creator as babe in a manger come
down.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“He’s starting out small and
will need time to grow</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
And learn of this world and its joy
and its woe.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
So that’s where YOU come in,”
he said to the sheep.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“So listen up good – this is no
time to sleep!</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“The ewes out among you can show
what it’s like</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
To be fallen, cast down and in fear
for your life.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
He’ll learn how to help you get
back on your feet</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
He’ll learn what you mean by the
sound of your bleat.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“You ovines alone are the ones to
convey</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
How dangerous it is to be gone astray</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Away from your herd, lost and
alone,</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
He’ll learn how to find you and
bring you back home.
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“He’ll see what it’s like to
have His heart ache</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
When one lost lamb, the family tie
breaks.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
He’ll learn to rejoice and sing
right out loud</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
When the one gone astray is back
with the crowd.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“And a small flock of sheep is
the one who can show</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
How the voice of their Master tells
them which way to go.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
He’ll learn what to say and to
call you by name</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
And show you the way to the
shelter again.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“You must also show what it takes
to be brave</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
When you stand for the shearer and
wait for your shave.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
He will need to know this for a
task He must do</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
The Father has sent Him, it really
is true.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“The most serious lesson that He
has to learn</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Will be from you lambs, and this
one concerns</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
The Passover Feast and your painful
role in it</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
The atonement for sin, this Lamb
will win it.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“So you sheep have been chosen to
teach Him these things</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Until His time comes and a dirge we
must sing.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
He knows you can do it or He
wouldn’t ask.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
In fact, he created you for just
this task.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“Now don’t let His sacrifice
make your hearts sad</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Because what it will conquer will
make all hearts glad.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
God, with all people will be
reconciled</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
And that will make all that He
suffers worthwhile.”</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
And when he had said all that he’d
come to say</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
The angel took flight and went on
his way.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
The sheep watched him go and then
contemplated</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
All the angel had told them and
then they just waited.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
When their shepherds returned, in
only a while</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
They were singing God’s praises
and smiling big smiles.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Then up went the hand of one of the
boys</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Asking for quiet, he’d heard a
small noise.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“What is it?” they asked him as
he looked around.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
But the source of the noise was not
to be found.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“Must have been nothing,” he
said with a sigh,</div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
“But just for a moment, thought I
heard someone cry.”</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="widows: 4;">
Merry Christmas</div>
Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-90741423556972433672013-11-03T06:09:00.003-06:002013-11-03T06:09:56.307-06:00Living in CSTNo. Not Central Standard Time, but Confused State, Terminally.<br />
<br />
<br />
So, we morning people finally get our hour of daylight back today,
November 3<sup>rd</sup>. Here's how it happened at my house.<br />
<br />
<br />
We have several clocks in our house: two in the kitchen, one in my
sewing room, an alarm clock in the bedroom, one on the microwave, one
on the coffeemaker, and a wall clock in the living room. Also, the
ones in the computer and the cell phones.<br />
<br />
<br />
I like to change the clocks early in the evening, rather than at
bedtime, so I can start orienting myself to the change. I reset the
living room clock around 5:30 while watching the comeback of the
Century Cornhuskers last second win over Northwestern. That
particular clock was about 5-7 minutes slow, but it didn't occur to
me to correct that while I had it down and messing with the time.<br />
<br />
<br />
One of the clocks in the kitchen is needing a new battery and the
only time I think about that is when I'm glancing at it and I'll
think, “I need to get a new battery for that clock.” And then, I
promptly neglect to write it on a list. So I just turned that one
around for the time being.<br />
<br />
<br />
The clock on the microwave has been way off for a long time,
because it bounces back to 00:00 anytime the thing is unplugged,
which happens when I need to use that outlet for some other electric
device, like the vacuum cleaner or electric mixer. The clock on the
coffeemaker is correct, but I completely forgot to reset that one to
the new time.<br />
<br />
<br />
With help from the hubs, I got the bedroom clock reset and the
alarm set for the time I actually wanted to get up today. I also like
to use my cell phone for an alarm. Now the cell phone clock resets
itself, but when I turned on the alarm function, I left the alarm set
for the time I wanted to get up yesterday (4:30) instead of today
(5:30). So, the cell phone alarm goes off at 4:30 and I look at it
and think, “How come my cell phone didn't reset itself?” Well, it
did, but since it can't read my mind, its alarm went off at the time
it was set to go off. Then, I look at the bedroom alarm and it reads
4:30. Forgetting that we had reset it, I thought maybe it might be
5:30 and I'd better get up.<br />
<br />
<br />
So I stumble into the kitchen to make coffee, and sure enough, the
clock on the coffeemaker reads 5:30, the microwave says 3:25, the
living room clock says 4:24. I know I didn't change the sewing room
clock, so I didn't even go look at that one. The computer and cell
phone both say 4:30 and, since they reset themselves, I have to
believe them.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
How did I ever get this done before I had a computer and cell
phone?Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-52074851491256580932013-05-10T08:59:00.002-05:002013-05-10T08:59:58.847-05:00Customer ServiceI saw this quote on FB:<br />
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“Whoever said, ‘There’s no such thing as a dumb question’ never worked in Customer Service.” Well, I work in Customer Service, and here are a couple of things that happened recently:<br />
<br />Part of my job includes weighing packages and putting postage on them for mailing. A young lady approached me with a package to mail and said, “This is a birthday gift for my mother, but I don’t want her to know it’s from me until after she opens it. I want her to be surprised. Would you write her address on it for me? If she sees my handwriting she’ll know who it’s from right away.”<br />
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Always happy to oblige, while she answered a call on her cell phone, I wrote the address on the package, weighed it, applied the postage and placed it in our outgoing bin. “That will be $5.60,” I told her.<br />
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She lowered her phone, looked up at me and said, “Did you put my return address on it?”<br />
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“Ah… no,” I said.<br />
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“Well, you have to put my return address on it! What if it gets lost!?”<br />
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I wonder how surprised her mom was to receive a package from her daughter addressed to her in my handwriting?<br />
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We often get lost cell phones turned in to us and we usually let them sit on our counter and within a half hour or so, it rings and then we are able to explain to the caller that the phone they just called is in the lost and found at our store. They are usually able to contact the phone’s owner and get word to them about where their lost phone is waiting for them. <br />
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One day, a phone was turned in and after a couple of hours, it still hadn’t rung, so I picked it up, found the phone’s list of numbers and called the one labeled ‘Dad’. Dad answered and I said, “Hi, this is Janell at Customer Service and this phone was turned in to our lost and found. I found your number on the list as ‘Dad’. Did one of your kids lose a cell phone today?”<br />
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“Oh!” he said. “I’ll bet it was my son. I’ll give him a call and let him know where it is.” <br />
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“Okay, thanks. Good bye.” About 30 seconds later, the phone began to buzz and tweet and spin on my countertop. I answered, “Hello?” <br />
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“Hello?” I recognized the voice of the ‘Dad’ I had just spoken to. “Is John there?”<br />
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“Um…. no this phone is in the lost and found at my grocery store. I think I may have just spoken to you?”<br />
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“Oh! So you did. You have John’s phone?”<br />
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“Yes.”<br />
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“Okay, I’ll try to call him and let him know.”<br />
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“Okay, thanks.”<br />
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Another 30 seconds later, the phone began to buzz and tweet and spin. Caller ID said ‘Dad’.<br />
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I elected not to answer it. <br />
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This next one didn’t happen to me, but it’s too good not to include. <br />
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This happened shortly after the USPS first started issuing Forever Stamps. One of my co-workers, Bea, (not her real name) waited on a young lady, who requested to buy a Forever Stamp. The stamp was handed over and the young lady paid for it, placed it on a letter and dropped it in the out box. She turned to leave, but then turned back and said to Bea, “Now, how will the mailman know to get that stamp back to me?”<br />
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“What do you mean?” Bea asked.<br />
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“Well, it’s a Forever Stamp, right?”<br />
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“Yes.”<br />
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“How will I get it back when I need to use it again?”<br />
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“Ma’am, Forever Stamp just means that if you still have some of these,” holding up the familiar Liberty Bell stamp, “in your possession next time the price goes up, you won’t have to pay the increased cost. Uh… each stamp is only good for a one time use.”<br />
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My favorite one didn’t happen to me, either, but it’s too funny. It came from a computer telephone helpline worker. A caller wanted to know, “Where is the any key?”<br />
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Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-17428361649578188252012-12-07T13:38:00.000-06:002012-12-07T13:41:13.528-06:00Doodling<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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When some people doodle, they draw pictures. When I doodle, I doodle in words.</div>
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For instance, On an excruciatingly slow Sunday morning, I doodled the following on the pages of my grocery store ads.</div>
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On the page advertising pasta sauce – </div>
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Prego, Barrilla, Basilico, Ragu,</div>
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With meatballs, Alfredo or Parmesan cheese;</div>
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Or chicken or pesto, whatever you do</div>
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Don’t leave me out! Pass the pasta, please!</div>
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Don’t serve the spaghetti</div>
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Until it is ready.</div>
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Don’t let your poodles</div>
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Get into your noodles.</div>
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Mac & lasgne are best served with cheese</div>
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And lotsa meat is sure to please.</div>
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But nothing rhymes with orzo….</div>
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Tuna and noodles</div>
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Followed by streudel</div>
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I surely could eat</div>
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The whole kit and caboodle. </div>
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On the sherbet page – </div>
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Sherbet is yummy and fruity and cold</div>
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In a cone or a bowl with sprinkles on top</div>
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It cheers us up, both young and old.</div>
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It’s sweet and makes our taste buds “POP”!</div>
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On the snack page – </div>
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Does Curious George like Gatorade,</div>
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Turkey Hill tea or lemonade/</div>
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I’ll bet he’d like carrots in AE Dip</div>
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And Kemps ice cream singles and Itti Bitz,</div>
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Cookies and popcorn and gummy worms</div>
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Too much sweet stuff makes tummies squirm.</div>
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Peanut butter and Kettle chips</div>
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A slice of bread and a choice of dips;</div>
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A pat of butter and lots of jelly</div>
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Would be a treat for a hungry belly. </div>
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On the “Dollar Days” pages:</div>
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Dollar Days and taco shells,</div>
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Lunchables and cabbage,</div>
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Sour cream and chicken fries</div>
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Would crush tomatoes in the baggage.</div>
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Yabba Dabba Doo!</div>
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And pineapple, too!</div>
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Apricots, tomato soup</div>
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All for only 2!<br />
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By the picture of the Baby Wipes:</div>
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Psalm 127:3 “Children are a heritage from the Lord. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full.”</div>
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By the picture of the grilled cheese sandwich:</div>
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Matthew 4:4 “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. </div>
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On the vegetable page:</div>
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Daniel 1:12-15 “’Please test us for 10 days. Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare us with the other young men who eat the royal food, and treat us in accordance with what you see.’ So he agreed to this and tested them for 10 days. At the end of the 10 days they looked healthier and better nourished than the other young men who were eating the royal food.”</div>
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The Vidalia onion is the best thing to come out of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Missouri</st1:state></st1:place> since TS Eliot, Sara Teasdale, Bob Barker and Rush Limbaugh!</div>
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Corn is a-maize-ing!</div>
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By the picture of the applesauce:</div>
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Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”</div>
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The wonderful thing about tomatoes is</div>
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Tomatoes is wonderful things!</div>
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They make sauces divine</div>
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Ev-er-y time</div>
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For tomatoes lets rise up and sing!</div>
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By the bottled water:</div>
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Genesis 1:2 “And the earth was formless and void… and the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the deep.”</div>
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On the meat page:</div>
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I love steak.</div>
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Broiled, fried or baked.</div>
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But one on the grill</div>
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Gives me a thrill.</div>
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Did I mention that I love steak?</div>
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On the dairy page, by the eggs: </div>
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In Zoology, an egg is an “organic vessel in which and embryo first begins to develop.” </div>
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On the Wine & Spirits page:</div>
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Whiskey, vodka, wine and beer;</div>
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We’ve all had way too much, I fear!</div>
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We don’t hafta go home, but we can’t stay here</div>
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So get outta the car and let the sober one steer.</div>
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And finally:</div>
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A helpful smile in every aisle,</div>
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We’ll wait here while</div>
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You shop in style.</div>
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You can bring your child,</div>
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But if he is wild</div>
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We’ll put you on file</div>
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And the checkers and I’ll</div>
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Surely be riled</div>
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And our bouncer named Kyle</div>
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Will toss you in a pile!</div>
Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-24506961940168465722012-10-28T15:37:00.001-05:002012-10-28T15:37:58.776-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here is "Lonesome Lucy." </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MUK8dm-4Ufg/UI2VQ31aKsI/AAAAAAAAA2o/zIFxzSyIVSU/s1600/Lucy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MUK8dm-4Ufg/UI2VQ31aKsI/AAAAAAAAA2o/zIFxzSyIVSU/s320/Lucy.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Her pasture mate, Bubba (at right below) has gone to a fine new home and Lucy needs a fearless teenager to take her in. Lucy is 7 years old, unregistered QH mare, (Poco Doc breeding), dark buckskin. Has had 60 days professional training, but is a bit green due to lack of time. She loves attention, and is very people friendly. Lucy is the one on the left in photo below. Stands well for the farrier. She will be a good mount for someone who can give her lots of trail time. Email me for more contact info. </div>
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(Email address is on horsetrailriders FB page.)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3L7Co0kobyw/UI2VnvNCL-I/AAAAAAAAA2w/i3-69W4lWy8/s1600/Seb+smaller.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3L7Co0kobyw/UI2VnvNCL-I/AAAAAAAAA2w/i3-69W4lWy8/s320/Seb+smaller.JPG" width="315" /></a></div>
Truly, I don't want ot "get rid" of her - I just have to let her go. Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-19066391090690417112012-04-07T16:53:00.000-05:002012-04-07T17:03:07.344-05:00So.. a garage sale I participated in ended on a hilarious note.<br /><br />At the closing hour, Bonnie and her sister, Kathy loaded up the back of my pickup with unsold items to be donated to goodwill. “We’ll help you unload,” they both promised. By the time the loading was done, there was no room for a passenger in the front of the pickup. With a promise from Bonnie and Kathy to meet me there, I climbed in and headed to the goodwill store. Fortunately for me, the goodwill workers were available to help me unload. Meanwhile, back at Bonnie’s, Kathy was sitting in her car wondering, “Where the heck is Bonnie?” and Bonnie was sitting in HER car wondering, “Where is the heck is Kathy?” By the time they found each other, I was done unloading and came back to Bonnie’s in time to hear the story and got a huge laugh out of it!Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-44897990749214717882012-02-01T08:50:00.006-06:002012-02-01T10:34:11.906-06:00"To everything, there is a season...<br /><br />It looks like my season as a "cowgirl" has come to an end, due to financial concerns. <br /><br />The following two horses are now for sale:<br /><br />Bubba: 17 year old Bay Arabian Gelding. Registered with AHA. Trail horse. Has been on River City Roundup Northeast 7 times. Other rides we've been on several times: Weekend at Bernie's, Petersburg, The Grand Duke Alexis Rendevous. Been many times to Cunningham Lake, Two Rivers Park, Nottleman's at Macy. Does well in parades (unless firecrackers are involved.) Very gentle, good with kids and greenhorns. He is pictured below at left taking my elderly brother for a ride.<br /><br />Lucy: 8 year old purebred UNREGISTERED Quarterhorse mare. Dark Buckskin. Has had 60 days professional training. Was imprinted at birth. Needs some trail time. I have her sire's bloodline papers for your examination. Lucy is pictured below at right, taking me for a ride.<br /><br />Both are very good natured, people friendly, stand well for the farrier. Easy to catch, easy to load. Bubba, being Arabian, does not grow a very thick winter coat, so would be better if he can get in out of winter weather. <br /><br />Prices very negotiable for the right home. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMU8zIkVSOc/TylVFx0SELI/AAAAAAAAA0c/0HPD-R_k4jI/s1600/Me%2B%2526%2BMick.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMU8zIkVSOc/TylVFx0SELI/AAAAAAAAA0c/0HPD-R_k4jI/s400/Me%2B%2526%2BMick.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704183960801775794" /></a><br /><br />I love these horses.<br /><br />Below: me on Lucy at left, a small cousin on Bubba at right:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKiwXTvkRPs/Tyll6t_BKgI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/LHApKEihUN4/s1600/Seb%2Bsmaller.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 395px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKiwXTvkRPs/Tyll6t_BKgI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/LHApKEihUN4/s400/Seb%2Bsmaller.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704202462492174850" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here we (me and Bubba) are at Petersburg in '08:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZX7uKhy6ws0/TylipSFvz4I/AAAAAAAAA1A/wQiLNah8rhw/s1600/Petersburg.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZX7uKhy6ws0/TylipSFvz4I/AAAAAAAAA1A/wQiLNah8rhw/s400/Petersburg.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704198864411545474" /></a><br /><br />Here they are, just hangin' loose. Lucy at left, Bubba right:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k1dxFZ3TuQ8/TylnicCFe1I/AAAAAAAAA1k/DAs4_16UcX4/s1600/Horses%2Bhangin.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k1dxFZ3TuQ8/TylnicCFe1I/AAAAAAAAA1k/DAs4_16UcX4/s400/Horses%2Bhangin.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704204244379597650" /></a><br /><br />Closeups.<br />Bubba:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5lmmqMYq6Qc/TylozWAr2wI/AAAAAAAAA1w/_m6yJvCOBtY/s1600/Bubba.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5lmmqMYq6Qc/TylozWAr2wI/AAAAAAAAA1w/_m6yJvCOBtY/s400/Bubba.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704205634332515074" /></a><br /><br />Lucy:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-q0gYFflK0/TylpG4iSAsI/AAAAAAAAA18/yYbjPcPzjEA/s1600/Lucy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-q0gYFflK0/TylpG4iSAsI/AAAAAAAAA18/yYbjPcPzjEA/s400/Lucy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704205970017747650" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Email me if you are interested.Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-49429992860149580592012-01-25T10:08:00.001-06:002012-01-25T10:21:30.240-06:00Doug, the Dog:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPO8O8br2bc/TyArWmFsGXI/AAAAAAAAAzg/h0sQ0VabUG4/s1600/Doug.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 329px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPO8O8br2bc/TyArWmFsGXI/AAAAAAAAAzg/h0sQ0VabUG4/s400/Doug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701604795432573298" /></a><br /><br />A/K/A: The Mighty Haybale Climber.<br /><br />Actually, it's more of a leap for him than a climb. <br />He must like this point of view because he gets up there a lot.Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-23844160545684648962011-09-28T09:40:00.004-05:002011-09-28T10:15:05.217-05:00September 15-17, Emily and I drove to St. Louis, MO and went to the Joyce Meyer Love Life Women's Conference, along with 21,998 of our closest friends. We had worship times led by Israel Houghton and Cece Wynans; heard Joyce speak during most of the sessions and heard John and Stasi Eldredge. Can't begin to describe how refreshing it was. Hope to be able to go again sometime.<br />And since it was only a few blocks away from our hotel, we also went up in the Arch. <br />So here are some pics:<br /><br />The Edward Jones Dome, where we attended the conference. <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-pGcVKWHOU/ToM1iaVbtnI/AAAAAAAAAyY/ExSfQ1i3Z78/s1600/024_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-pGcVKWHOU/ToM1iaVbtnI/AAAAAAAAAyY/ExSfQ1i3Z78/s400/024_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657424422208517746" /></a><br /><br />A view of the Dome from the Arch:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhSNZar6nZc/ToM0sKiM12I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/_btg56ZsDD8/s1600/014_12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhSNZar6nZc/ToM0sKiM12I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/_btg56ZsDD8/s400/014_12.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657423490254165858" /></a> <br />And - oh yeah - also where the Rams play football.<br /><br />From the Arch: Home field of the St. Louis Cardinals:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0oOz6Q9pTm8/ToM0M59WLdI/AAAAAAAAAyI/njDEJM52-eU/s1600/016_10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0oOz6Q9pTm8/ToM0M59WLdI/AAAAAAAAAyI/njDEJM52-eU/s400/016_10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657422953228676562" /></a><br /><br />From the Arch; The Old Courthouse, where the Dred Scott Decision was handed down:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXQPUHsSoyw/ToM0MdZvS9I/AAAAAAAAAyA/9DbiPXyqljE/s1600/015_11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXQPUHsSoyw/ToM0MdZvS9I/AAAAAAAAAyA/9DbiPXyqljE/s400/015_11.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657422945563134930" /></a><br /><br />Here is the Arch and some downtown buildings. The green dome on the right is the Old Courthouse.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IClctyCRw_I/ToM0MRHG9gI/AAAAAAAAAx4/uq8zElGu8vY/s1600/040_9.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IClctyCRw_I/ToM0MRHG9gI/AAAAAAAAAx4/uq8zElGu8vY/s400/040_9.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657422942263768578" /></a><br /><br />One of the highlights of the trip for Em was spending Fri afternoon at Macy's with a 20% off coupon, compliments of Joyce.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Br4QrDBdtuw/ToM1iqov_KI/AAAAAAAAAyg/6OdjdyA_7xE/s1600/045_4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Br4QrDBdtuw/ToM1iqov_KI/AAAAAAAAAyg/6OdjdyA_7xE/s400/045_4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657424426584505506" /></a><br /><br />Some sort of a weird double exposure thing that happened in the camera. I kinda like it, tho. Gotta love those 35 mm's.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11HfFkfbtEc/ToM1i-7heLI/AAAAAAAAAyo/S51yI-5BnUo/s1600/028_21.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11HfFkfbtEc/ToM1i-7heLI/AAAAAAAAAyo/S51yI-5BnUo/s400/028_21.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657424432031955122" /></a>Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-10976198808753055532011-07-07T22:26:00.000-05:002011-07-07T22:28:45.996-05:00Part 3<br />Visitors to 725 Custer Avenue<br /><br />Just a little addendum to Part 2. <br />One thing I remember about living at 725 Custer Avenue is the people who “Just happened to be in town, so thought we’d stop by and say hello.” Mom & Dad always welcomed them with coffee and what ever else they could cobble together in a hurry.<br />Uncle Franty and Aunt Bernice: Uncle Franty was Francis Gatewood. I was as tall as him when I reached the age of 12 – one of my cousins once referred to him as a “tough old Banty Rooster.” In the 1920s, he was a boxer and hosted a “stable” at his home in rural Decatur, a place that trained young boxers and then sent them into Omaha to compete. He was a veteran of the Flying Tigers of WW II. Too short to be a pilot, he became a mechanic and kept those guys in the air. He once told me that he picked up a rock at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, put it in his pocket and it went around the world with him. Sure wish I knew where that rock was now. He literally (I assume) sailed the seven seas. He said being on a ship in the ocean was like being at the bottom of a bowl of water – you had to look up to see the horizon all the way around. He also worked for his dad as a thoroughbred race horse trainer.<br /> <br />Uncle Franty (and this makes me a card carrying Redneck) married his Aunt some time in the late 40s or early 50s. The story is that Bernice (we always pronounced her name so it rhymed with furnace) married my grandpa’s brother, Harry. This was her second marriage. They had two daughters and divorced, for reasons unknown to me. Bernice’s oldest daughter, Mary, wanted to learn how to ride horses, so she was sent out to the Gatewood farmstead to take riding lessons on certain weekends with her dad, my Great Uncle Harry. He would take her back to Omaha on Sunday afternoons. On one Sunday, Uncle Harry was not able to get her back to the city, so Uncle Franty was asked to fill in as Mary’s chauffer. Following this, Franty and Bernice began dating and later married. They never had any children of their own, But Uncle Franty raised Mary and her sister Wanda as his own. Uncle Harry, tragically, died of cancer when the girls were pretty young. <br /><br />Ray & Tamsey: For most of my first 13 or so years, I thought Ray and Tamsey were my Aunt and Uncle. It turns out that Ray was my dad’s cousin, and not my uncle, although Dad once told me it was okay to call them Uncle Ray and Aunt Tamsey. When I knew them, they lived in Iowa, in a small town south of Sioux City. I have no idea where they might have been going when they dropped in to see us, but they usually stayed long enough for coffee, sandwiches and cookies in the mid-afternoon. Being “just a kid”, I usually said hello and then headed out to play with my friends. I must have overheard something during one of their visits, because I remember that for a long time, during my night time prayers (after “Godblessmommyanddaddymyrnasuzie, etc …andeveryoneondowntothegoldfish…) I added “Please bless my cousin Nancy and her husband and their children in Morrocco and please help them get back to America safely.” As hard as a try, I can’t recall what was going on in the lives of Nancy and M’Barak during that time. But, my prayers were answered because they eventually got back to Nebraska and raised their family here. It’s interesting to me that I can’t remember what was worrying me, but I do remember the prayer. I wonder how many of my prayers were answered that I don’t even remember praying?<br /><br />A weekly visitor to 725 Custer Ave for a time via television was my dad’s cousin (Ray’s brother) Joe. He appeared regularly on ‘Bowling For Dollars’ on a Sioux City station. Bowling For Dollars was aired on Sunday morning, so Mom and I only caught the last 15 minutes of the broadcast when we got home from Sunday School and church at the Lyons Methodist Church. But Dad, (a lapsed Catholic) could always fill us in on how Joe was doing. One day we came home in time to see Joe being awarded a brand new Ford Mustang convertible for winning the bowling tournament. <br /><br />Back in 1995, Ray and Joe visited me at my home at RR 2, Herman. I was collaborating with my friend Beverly Lydick on our book A Time To Speak: Personal Memories of WWII. Joe was visiting from Florida and took the time to grant me an interview regarding his experiences as a pilot. He had been shot down and spent time as a POW at Stalag 7, Musberg. Joe talked into my tape recorder, pretty much nonstop for about an hour and a half while I scribbled notes. When we were done, I turned to Ray and said, “How many times have you heard this story?”<br /> “Never.” He replied, “This is the first time.”<br /> <br />(Special note: Musberg (and Cousin Joe) were liberated by the unit my Father-in-law, Jack Carson, was in. Lots more stories about his experiences some other time…) <br /><br />Another visitor my mom always welcomed with her usual “Come in! Come in! Come in!” chant was our Aunt Babe. Aunt Babe was the widow of Mom’s late brother, Milton, who died of cancer before I was born. Once, when Mom and I were browsing through some old photo albums, I commented on some 1920s pictures of Aunt Babe, “Wow, She really looks like a Flapper.”<br /> And Mom said, “Yes. That’s exactly what she was.” <br /> Babe remarried at some point, and she and her new husband, Bob, dropped in occasionally. She and Mom’s relationship was maintained mostly through Christmas letters, birthday cards and any other Hallmark occasion, always signed, “Babe and Bob.” <br /> Mom once confided in me that there was no love lost between Babe and my Grandma Anderson (Babe’s mother-in-law.) And that, even as Milton was on his death bed in the hospital, Babe refused to speak to Grandma. She would brush past Grandma, giving her the cold shoulder and share a cigarette with Uncle Milton. (Can you imagine? Smoking in a hospital room?!?!) <br /><br />Tom & Marybelle: Tom & Marybelle were high school sweethearts who got married and raised a family of seven sons. They classmates of Mom’s (Class of ’36) and Tom happened to be a cousin of my dad’s. Dad and Tom used to go riding on a motorcycle together to try and beat the Nebraska heat. Tom & Marybelle were responsible for getting my parents together back in 1940 or so and the two couples were lifetime friends. Mom, Marybelle, and two other friends, Norita and Evelyn, were famous in our family for the strange photos they posed for. I wish I could find them and post them for you, but if I stop now and go looking for them, it will derail my train of thought… There is a series of old black & whites of the four of them perched on something. Anyway, the one I remember best is Mom in her bathing suit – sitting on a snow drift – I think Evelyn took it. The last one I remember was taken in the early 1970s in Marybelle’s back yard when the four of them were in their late fifties – so they climbed on it and took up various perches on a swing set and laughed and giggled while the picture was taken. Tom & Marybelle didn’t stop “dropping by” after Dad passed away. They picked up Mom and took her for an evening out to dinner and maybe dancing at the old Peony Park ballroom in Omaha. I hope they knew how much it eased her loneliness during the years of her widowhood. <br /><br />Delaine: I always looked forward to summer visits from our cousins (Mom’s niece and her family of three) from Colorado. Delaine and her husband, Kem, had three kids: Sue, Gary and Ann. Sue and Shirl were close in age and Gary and I were the same age, and Ann was 3-4 years younger then me, but I adored her. She took gymnastics back in Denver and I was constantly asking her to do her tricks, like walkovers, handstands, flips, and backbends. She was so supple. I once tried to do a walkover and, of course, I couldn’t get my back properly arched so I landed flat on it and got the breath knocked out of me. <br />One evening, Kem & Delaine and Mom& Dad went out for the evening and left Shirley and Susan in charge of us “little” kids. I don’t remember what Gary and Ann and I were doing that got us into trouble. I would guess we were supposed to be lying down and going to sleep (the three of us slept together on the living room floor) and we were finding things to giggle and laugh about instead. After numerous attempts by both Shirl and Susan to get us to settle down, Susan finally said, “That’s it, I’m calling the police.” I watched in horror as she picked up the phone and dialed a number. Then I heard her say, “Yeah, this is Susan B______, I’m staying in town for a few days with my relatives and we’ve got some kids here who won’t behave.” She paused and listened for several minutes, tossing in a few “Uh-huh”s and “Yes, sir”s and then, “Yes, I will. I’ll tell them.” When she hung up the phone, I looked over at Ann and she was flopped down flat on her back with her arms crossed, rolling her eyes and she said, “Oh, ha ha ha, very funny. I know you didn’t really call the cops.” I don’t think I’ve ever been more relieved in my life! I think we did settle down a little after that.<br /><br />Every once in a while a strange car would pull up to the curb outside and an unknown man in a suit and tie would check himself in his rear view mirror, run a comb through his hair, get out, straighten his jacket and stroll up to the front door. This was one time Mom didn’t run to the door with her welcoming “Come in! Come in! Come in!” Sometimes she waited until his second knock. She‘d walk to the screen door, not open it and the stranger would flash a charming smile and say, “Good afternoon! I’m so-and-so with the Fuller Brush Company and would like to demonstrate some of our new products for you?” Mom’s answer was always the same, “No, I don’t need anything today.” And sometimes she’d close the inside door before walking away. I don’t remember any time anyone was allowed in to demo his product. <br /><br />I know there are countless visitors to 725 Custer Ave that I’ve left out – like Shirley’s friends and my friends. Those are memories for some other time. <br /><br />So… back to 1973 or so next time.Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-32783951273453776192011-07-01T21:29:00.001-05:002011-07-01T21:32:31.620-05:00Part three of The Houses That Built Me will appear in a few days. This post is for Katie - and anyone else who wants to drop a bad habit.<br /><br />Katie’s Manifesto<br /><br />I, Katie P., devoted wife of Ross and loving mother of Riley and Reece, do hereby declare, ordain and establish that I will become a non-smoker.<br /><br />I will begin by…. Procrastinating… I will achieve this goal in 40 days.<br /><br />Day 1: I will light my first cigarette of the day ten minutes later than I did yesterday. <br />Instead of smoking at 0:00 AM, I will drink one 8 oz. glass of water and wait ten minutes. <br /><br />Day 2: I will light my first cigarette ten minutes later than I did yesterday, drinking one 8 oz. glass of water instead of smoking. <br /><br />Day 3: Same as days 1 and 2. I will keep in mind that the water is helping to flush the nicotine out of my system, thereby reducing my craving for it. <br /><br />Day 4 through 20: same as days 1 and 2. Additionally, I will consume one less caffeinated drink per day, because caffeine aggravates craving for nicotine. I will replace it with cool, clear, cleansing water. <br /><br />I will diligently seek to eliminate the following idea from my mind: “Just this one won’t hurt. I can get back on track tomorrow.” <br /><br />I understand that irritability is a withdrawal symptom. Nicotine is a parasite and emotional irritation is its way of fighting to hold on to its place in my body. I will ignore these feelings and remain steadfast to my personal choice to become a non-smoker. I understand that, during these times of irritation, lighting a cigarette will not make a bad situation better. <br /><br />Day 21: I will skip my last cigarette of the evening. I will avoid alcohol during the next 20 days, understanding that it also has a tendency to aggravate cravings for cigarettes and weaken my resolve to become a non-smoker. <br /><br />During the next 19 days, I will keep in mind that dropping a bad habit is a lot like breaking up with a bad boyfriend: I am going to miss it for awhile. <br /><br />I will remind myself that I have successfully quit smoking before; I know I can do it. I will begin taking a daily walk of at least 20 minutes, 4 times a week. I will notice how much easier it is to take deeper breaths and how I no longer become out of breath when I run up the stairs to the time clock. <br /><br />Day 22: I will skip the cigarettes I usually smoke right after meals, waiting at least 20 minutes from the time I usually light up after eating.<br /><br />Day 23: I will skip the cigarettes I usually smoke right after a meal, waiting at least 30 minutes.<br /><br />Day 24: Same as 22-23, adding a 40 minute wait. More water will continue to cleanse my body of the influence of the parasite. <br /><br />Day 25 - 30: I will continue to add 10 minutes to the time I usually light up after meals. <br /><br />Day 30: I will not light up during my work breaks. I will look back over the past 30 days and build on my success in kicking cigarettes out of my life.<br /><br />I will notice that I sleep more peacefully and cough a lot less when I first lie down at might. My walks will become longer and will eventually give way to running. <br /><br />Days 30-39: I will continue to eliminate one cigarette per day until I am down to 1. I will memorize the following Bible verses so that when I feel irritated and/or am about to give up I will set my mind to CHEER UP (John 16:33) and CALM DOWN (John 14:27).<br /><br />Day 40: I am now a non-smoker!! <br /><br />I WILL NOT CELELBRATE BY LIGHTING UP A CIGARETTE!!!<br /><br />I further strengthen my resolve to remain a nonsmoker by never, ever thinking “Just one won’t hurt…”<br /><br />I am Katie. <br /><br />I am strong. <br /><br />I. Will. Do. it.Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-86491962536907458172011-06-18T11:57:00.000-05:002011-06-18T11:59:42.557-05:00PLaces I've lived: The Houses that Built Me<br />Part two<br />1962-1970<br /><br />I think we lived in that little house behind the feed store a year or so until we bought a house at 725 Custer Avenue. It was an aqua blue, two bedroom, house with a bar in the basement (which Mom used to store her canned goods), and a finished room suitable to be a bedroom and a laundry area. The spacious back yard had a nice, built in brick barbecue and a cement kiddie pool that was about two feet deep, five feet long and three feet wide. Mom had room for a vegetable garden here and planted some fruit trees. I remember going to school one morning from the little house by the feed store and my sister, Sue picking me up at the end of the school day to take me to the new house. This house was right across the street from a railroad track and when the trains rolled by, thundering and whistling, the windows rattled! Bob graduated from High School and was drafted into the army while we were living here and both he and Sue got married while we were living there. Grandpa and Grandma Gatewood lived with us occasionally in that house. I remember Shirley having slumber parties here and I had a Halloween party there one year, with a haunted house in the basement. Shirley and I both babysat the four neighbor kids pretty often and had other babysitting jobs around town. She had a paper route for awhile that I helped with once in a while. <br />I had the chicken pox while we were living here. <br /><br />Sue was pretty much on her own by then, but came to visit on weekends. I remember her boyfriend, Jerry, coming to pick her up one Sunday afternoon to take her back to where ever it was she lived then. He carried her suitcase for her and opened the car door and called our parents Mrs. Gatewood and Mr. Gatewood. I think they liked him a lot and were glad to see them get married. I also remember once riding in the car with Sue & Jerry, back when the headlight dimmer switch was on the floor, but I didn’t know that, yet. So I asked Jerry (who looked a lot like James Dean) “How does the car know to dim it’s lights when we meet another car?” He and Sue cracked up laughing and then he said, “It’s magic.” And then he proceeded to hit the dimmer switch about a dozen times so the lights were blinking and he and Sue kept laughing…. <br /><br />While we lived at 725 Custer Ave, our family grew with nieces and nephews. Actually, nieces and nephews started coming in 1958 and 1961, but they lived way a long ways away, so I didn’t get to know them very well until later on. We drove to Mississippi for a visit one Christmas and I think Denise and I managed to get into plenty of trouble together while we were there. One thing I recall about that visit was that their neighbors had a rooster and it seemed like it crowed all through the night. <br /><br />Chantelle (1963) was the first local one to make an appearance and I remember her being a cute little blonde thing, full of energy and whenever they came for a visit, “Aunt Janell, can we go out and play?” I remember once we were all going somewhere with Mick and he let her ‘drive’ – she’d sit in his lap in the driver’s seat and he’d let her steer, which she did with wild abandon. We were going down the street past the fairgrounds in Oakland swerving crazily from one side of the road to the other, until Mom yelled, “MICK!!” and he took over and assisted with the steering, making the ride considerably less exciting. Chantelle’s sister, Tina came in 1967 and their family was living in Lincoln at that time. I remember going to see her for the first time. She was s-o-o-o-o TINY I thought TINA was the perfect name for her. We didn’t stay very long, as I recall, because her mom was exhausted. When Chantelle & Tina’s parents divorced, I (sadly) lost touch with them until recently, although Mom and I went to Lincoln to Tina’s wedding and both girls visited Mom as often as they could. She adored those girls, as she did all of her grandchildren. She said Tina and her husband were doing very well because they were a couple of DINKS – Double Income No Kids for a long time. <br /><br />Cindy joined us in 1965 and her sister, Tammie in 1967. Both were born while their family was living in Oakland and their mom, Sue would come to Lyons to bowl once a week, so we got to watch the girls. I remember watching Dad tickling Cindy and saying, “Gitchy gitchy goo!” and she’d giggle like crazy. After Cindy started walking, she had to wear a brace on her feet for awhile to correct her from being pigeon toed. It was a flat bar attached to her shoes that held her feet pointed straight out. So she had to go back to crawling and she’d pull herself around on our living room floor, dragging that brace behind her from side to side. It must have worked, because I don’t think she’s pigeon toed now. I wonder if they still treat it that way? Cindy and Tammie both called me Aunt Nell, because Janell was too much of a mouthful. <br /><br />Deb, Bob’s firstborn, came in 1966. She was born while he was in the Army, stationed in Germany, so he didn’t get to see her until she was a toddler, and he finally got to come home with his discharge papers. Deb was a rough and tumble little girl and a biter. I remember once they were visiting us and Deb tackled me by the ankles, knocking me belly down to the floor and crawled up and was biting me on the back. Bob and his wife thought it was hilarious. I didn’t really see the humor in it, myself.<br /><br />The next one whose birth I remember clearly is Paulette (1968). I happened to answer the phone when her dad called to give us the news and as soon as I heard his voice, (recognizable by his thick southern accent) I shouted into the phone, “Did Myrna have her baby?” He answered, “She shore di-ud.” And then I think Mom demanded I had the phone over to her so she could get the details first hand. I don’t remember seeing Paulette until 1969, when Dad died and she and Myrna came up from MS for several days. I remember her being a beautiful, delicate little thing. <br /><br />We all lost a little baby girl named Carol Ann who lived only 6 days in January of 1969. Going to her funeral was one of the saddest things I’ve ever had to do and the only time I ever saw my dad cry. She was Deb’s little sister. <br /><br /><br />Meanwhile, Mick was starting a second family with Shannon being born in 1971. So my parents had eight granddaughters and only one grandson. We went to Shannon’s Christening in Lincoln and she had the longest, dark hair I’d ever seen on a baby. She was really a precious, beautiful thing. <br /><br />We finally got some more boys in the family when Deb’s brother, Brad was born in 1972. We got another boy when Sean was born in 1973. I think their family was living in another state when Sean was born. <br /><br />Cindy and Tammie welcomed a brother, Joe, in 1972 who was born on what would have been Dad’s 60th birthday. <br /><br />Dad died in 1969 while Shirley and I were both still at home. At some point after Shirl graduated in 1970, Mom sold the blue house and she and I moved into a trailor home.Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-43549900293317242832011-06-16T08:36:00.003-05:002011-06-16T08:39:45.440-05:00Places I’ve lived<br />Miranda Lambert's song <em>The House That Built Me</em> inspired me to record my memories of the places I've lived.<br /> <br />Here is Part One <br />1955-1963<br /><br />When I was born in 1955, my family lived on a farm on Highway 51 a few miles east of Decatur, Nebraska. The house is right next door to the A T & T tower. I’m not sure when the tower was built, but I don’t think it was there when our family lived there. My siblings went to school at a nearby country school house called Edgington. If my sisters check in on this post, maybe they can tell more about that place. Did Shirley go to Kindergarten at Edgington? My dad’s sister and her family lived on a farm nearby and my sisters tell stories of our cousins, Paul D. and Jim coming over to play, hiding buried treasure in the woods. My brother told me about horseback riding with them and how Dad never used a stirrup to mount his horse – he’d grab the saddle horn and swing himself up and over to get on. <br /><br />When I was two years old, we moved to a farm 2-3 miles north of Lyons, Nebraska. I don’t remember this, but Mom once told me that I cried and begged to “go home” the first night we stayed at our new home. I’m trying to imagine what a monstrous job it must have been to move this family in 1957 or so. There were six of us kids by then, ranging in age from two (me) to the eldest at 16. And now I’m wondering about all the farm machinery and livestock that must have been involved in addition to the household goods and possessions? OK, Sue? Myrna? Shirley? Got any details to add? <br /><br />I have a few memories of living at this place in the Jefferson neighborhood – it is now occupied by Dwight Long. We bought it from Mom’s parents. I remember once I was with Mom in the chicken house and a small airplane buzzed over us. The roar of it scared me silly and I remember running into the chicken house and grabbing hold of Mom. It may have been our cousin Joe Gatewood, who did some flying for an insurance company and happened to be in the neighborhood, so he buzzed us. He became a pilot in the military and before he shipped out to Germany in 1944 or so, he flew up and buzzed Decatur. I also remember that we had a mean rooster for a time and I wasn’t allowed to go outside of our fenced in yard by myself. I was very ill the winter that I turned 4 with whooping cough. We went to see Dr. Tibbles so often that year and I had a navy blue sweater that I called my “doctor sweater” because I wore it every time we went to see him.<br /><br />We didn’t have any horses when we lived on this place. I remember a dog named Lassie, who must have gotten exposed to rabies because we had to keep her tied up for a certain amount of time, after which she must have come down with the disease and had to be shot. I remember Bob bringing her into the yard so I could pet her a few times during her confinement. We also had a black and white sheepdog type of mutt we called Sport. I wonder where we got our dogs? Probably from a neighbor? Dad milked cows and farmed on this place. I think we also had some pigs. Mom had chickens, both laying hens and meat birds. Mom also took a job at Campbell Soup in Fremont while we were living here. I was sent to a babysitter in town, Mrs. Davis. I would ride in with my sibs and they dropped me off on their way to school. They must have picked me up to take me home, as well, though I remember Mom picking me up some times. One morning, I told my brother I was supposed to go to Grandma Anderson’s instead of the babysitter’s. I must have been a pretty good liar, because he believed me and left me there. Mom wasn’t too happy about that. Grandma was too old and frail to be a fill in babysitter for a (naughty) 4 year old. We were still living on the place north of Lyons when I started school a mile or so away at Jefferson. I learned to read using the Dick & Jane readers. The first word I learned was “Look.” And the page featured a picture of Sally putting on Dick’s galoshes, which were w-a-a-ay too big for her. Why do you suppose I remember that? <br /><br />In the middle of my second grade year, (1962) we moved to a little house in the town of Lyons, right behind a feed and seed store. I think Dad went to work at the local creamery then. By that time, I think there may have only been three or four of us kids still at home. My brother, Bob and my sister, Shirl and me. Brother Mick got married and started his family around this time, which included a puppy named Chiefery. Sue had graduated high school and was off to the Lincoln School of Commerce. Myrna was an air force wife living in Colorado and then Mississippi and Hawaii, but those are her stories. <br /><br />Being in town meant I could walk everywhere: to school every morning; to the swimming pool in the summers and to children’s choir practice at the Methodist church once a week. I don’t remember the address of this house, but we always got our mail at PO Box 338. Until they built the new post office when our new PO Box # was 165. When I was in 3rd or 4th grade, Mom taught my Sunday School class. I also joined a 4-H club when I turned 8 and learned how to cook, bake and sew from a lady named Nell Hightree. I don’t think I stayed in it very long, because I didn’t like getting things ready for the county fair every year and I really hated the fashion show, where we had to model something that we sewed. I always thought the things I sewed or baked or cooked weren’t as good as everyone else’s and I didn’t really want to put them on display. <br /><br />I had the measles while we were living in this house. It might have been in the summer time, as I remember being very hot for a very long time.Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-63917954005486692482011-04-06T10:27:00.005-05:002011-04-06T11:11:41.256-05:00Critters in B & W<br />I discovered a roll of film that hadn't been developed yet. These were taken in the fall & winter of '09.<br /><br />Taken through my bedroom window-<br />This fellow was wandering around in our back yard. Jack says it's a woodchuck:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uaa7Bqffo5w/TZyO11lUuhI/AAAAAAAAAxM/hubt1qp_TG4/s1600/Woodchuck.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uaa7Bqffo5w/TZyO11lUuhI/AAAAAAAAAxM/hubt1qp_TG4/s320/Woodchuck.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592501892855151122" /></a><br /><br />Taken through an unpstairs window-<br />Squirrelly snack time:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAHhyuqFqqQ/TZyNm6xvFBI/AAAAAAAAAxE/Rj172FFScNI/s1600/Squirrell.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAHhyuqFqqQ/TZyNm6xvFBI/AAAAAAAAAxE/Rj172FFScNI/s320/Squirrell.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592500537039721490" /></a><br /><br /><br />Through my kitchen window-<br />This hungry fellow was eating pine needles off the snow in our back yard last winter:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nE18AjZQUYI/TZyMk9X2TZI/AAAAAAAAAw8/U3-8JnjqkbI/s1600/Rabbit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nE18AjZQUYI/TZyMk9X2TZI/AAAAAAAAAw8/U3-8JnjqkbI/s320/Rabbit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592499403865083282" /></a><br /><br />Didn't have to shoot this one through a window. This is Little Girl:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYy_46xpzag/TZyLmWLRNkI/AAAAAAAAAw0/tXyZDXmwuEM/s1600/Little%2BGirl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYy_46xpzag/TZyLmWLRNkI/AAAAAAAAAw0/tXyZDXmwuEM/s320/Little%2BGirl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592498328191448642" /></a>Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31423517.post-74522158768413819972010-10-01T08:55:00.002-05:002010-10-01T09:11:30.594-05:00<a href="http://mochawithlinda.blogspot.com">Flashback Friday</a><br /><br /><em>Tell about TV when you were growing up. Did your family have a TV?</em> I was born on a Sunday and I’ve been told that my older brother went to Sunday School and bragged, “We got a new TV yesterday! And, oh yeah, we got a baby sister, too.” So there has always been a TV in my home. <br /><br /><em>Was it color or b&w?</em> B & W. And it required a lengthy warm-up time whenever you turned it on. And when you turned it off, the picture would shrink down into a tiny bright spot in the very center of the screen and glow for a few minutes before disappearing with a squeaky little “pop” sound. I acquired a color TV when I bought one for my husband for our first anniversary present in 1977. <br /><br /><em>How many TVs did your family have?</em> One. We have two now. One would suffice, but the son needs one to play his video games on. <br /><br /><em>Did you have one in your room?</em> No. I still don’t have on in the bedroom, tho I know lots of my friends do and use it to fall asleep by.<br /><br /><em>Did your family leave the TV on most of the day or turn it on for specific programs?</em> I think it was turned off until something specific came on that someone wanted to see. My Grandma referred to a couple of soap operas that she watched as “my stories.” One soap I got attached to when I was a teen was “Dark Shadows.” It featured a vampire named Barnabas Collins. And later, a song from that show, “Quentin’s Theme” made the top ten. <br /><br /><em>Was the TV on or off when you ate meals as a family?</em> It was off during meals. We ate in the kitchen and the TV was in the living room. Later in my life, when my children were toddlers, we used to gather at my in-laws for a couple of weeks during the summer and process chickens. Their TV was also in the living room, but they kept it loud enough to hear in the kitchen – which was VERY loud. I remember finding the sound of it overwhelming. <br /><br /><em>Were there rules about watching TV?</em> Not that I remember.<br /><br /><em>What were your favorite shows?</em> I think I was pretty devoted to the Saturday morning cartoon lineup: Mighty Mouse, Donald Duck, Bugs Bunny… I liked all the silly ones as opposed to the super hero stuff. The Flintstones came on weekday afternoons and I always tried to be home in time for that one. Live action shows I watched included My Friend, Flicka; Bonanza; Saturday Night at the Circus with Don Ameche; Lost in Space; when I was pre-teen. Other shows I recall, but wouldn’t necessarily label as favorites were: Happy Days; All in the Family; Mork and Mindy, Roseanne. A lot of the sitcoms I watched, I saw as nightly reruns during the 6:00-7:00 hour while I was in the kitchen fixing supper. I don’t think I ever went out of my way to watch them when they were on only weekly.<br />My all time favorites would be the first three Star Trek series.<br />My current faves are <a href="http://www.joycemeyer.org">Joyce Meyer’s Enjoying Everyday Life</a> and <a href="http://www.lwf.org">Adrian Rogers’ Love Worth Finding</a>. Dancing With the Stars is a close 3rd. <br /><br /><em>Are there any particular memories you have of TV in your younger years?</em> Lawrence Welk, every Saturday night. I still like to catch reruns of him on PBS. Lost in Space and The Fugitive come to mind. The final episode of the The Fugitive was aired on the night before the first day of school and no one fussed at me to get to bed. I don’t remember a thing about the final episode, but I do remember being allowed to stay up til 10 PM to watch it! And I was glued to the coverage of Neil Armstrong and crew landing on the moon.Janellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00616642644756944035noreply@blogger.com5