While Cheryl and I were chatting on yesterday’s thread, Ricky comes on and snags first for today. 😉
What is a “ragged old West Virginia?”
I’ve never had cornbread and milk for breakfast, but I have had cornbread and buttermilk for supper. Not the choice for dinner, but it’s something. And that was something.
Good morning. Just got caught up on yesterday’s thread.
Scott is hunting this weekend. He called last night and said he got an eight pointer–not huge–but sufficient for plenty of sausage for the freezer and we’ll have backstrap again, my favorite part of venison!
Becca had a sweet friend spend the night last night. They voluntarily went to sleep around ten. I’m taking them to a Christmas festival later this morning–it should be a lot of fun. First, I have to drive Lindsey to her trainer’s home forty minutes away….unfortunately, a wrench light came on in her car–which only has 10,000 miles on it. Thankfully it is still under warranty….
In my Honda Accord a wrench light means it’s time for an oil change usually. Another area shows the percentage left on the oil, so you have some time before it would damage the car. That light came on while we still had miles to drive home from TX.
Chas, my dad used to eat cornbread and buttermilk. He also liked chocolate cake with buttermilk. He convinced at least one sibling to try the chocolate cake and buttermilk, and anyone who tried it admitted it was good. Me, I tried buttermilk once and thought it was so nasty that it’s kinda amazing I still like buttermilk biscuits . . . (I haven’t the slightest memory of what it tasted like, just that I found it unpalatable.)
I hope the dealership is not far, Ann. It seems the dealership should pay to tow it for you given how new the car is. Y’all don’t need an accident right at Christmas. If I had to drive it, I would get up very early and take it while the streets have little traffic.
Art likes a tall glass full of crumbled cornbread and milk. He also likes crumbled graham crackers in milk. One Christmas I found a set of tall heavy weight glasses to give him for his grammies and milk.
Son has to give exams today. I do not ever remember having college exams on Saturday. I guess it allows students to get back home more quickly for their holiday break.
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I never developed at taste for anything drenched in buttermilk or even for buttermilk. I think the reason so many don’t like it in it’s pure form is that it is thick and “gloppy”. I do love to cook with it though. Anything made with buttermilk just tastes better.
My friend Angie is giving a Christmas concert tonight. I am involved in the preparations. My other friend Aunt Lesee is heading it up and I am to meet her in about 30 minutes to decorate. I have gathered random items from around my house. I learned a long time ago to “challenge” her by giving her anything I could find and letting her go.
I will try to remember to take photos to share.
Son is off to take the ACT again. Some new snow. I told him to drive carefully, I don’t usually as I expect him to.
The Navy recruiter came visiting at the school the other day. Told him with his scores he could be a nuclear engineer. Husband warned him on that as he did not enjoy his time on subs.
Several in my family growing up liked graham crackers and milk. I tried it once and didn’t like it. I don’t like soggy stuff in milk. My husband pours a bowl of cereal and milk and then walks away for a few minutes or washes the dishes. Me, I want to eat the bowl right away, lest it be soggy at the end.
Oh, that’s right. It’s Army-Navy day. Go NAVY! Beat Army. I won’t be watching, as my son and I are heading to a basketball double header in Quincy, IL (25 miles away). The women’s game is at 1 followed by the men’s game. NCAA Division II round ball.
So, is Chas’ “Satirdau” like my “vorrect Firday” typo from the old WMB days? It made Google and Wikipedia! But since WMB no longer exists, it doesn’t show up on Google, and Wikipedia took out the page.
Advent – Day 10: Charles Wesley (1707-1788), the great Methodist hymn writer, was inspired to write the Advent hymn, ‘Come thou long expected Jesus’, by the promise in Haggai 2:7: “And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.” Wesley’s hymn is performed here in a dramatic setting by the Geneva International Christian Choir & Orchestra. The spoken texts are from Genesis 3:1-6, Romans 5:12, Romans 3:23, and Genesis 3:15.
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
The picture of our gingerbread church ornament looks really good with the snow falling in front of it. The ornament has a hole in the back of it, so one of the Christmas tree lights can be inserted into it and light it up. This picture was taken a couple of years ago. I haven’t seen the family Christmas tree yet this year.
I’ve got Adorables sprawled all over my living room after a vigorous evening decorating the Christmas tree and other parts of the house followed by “Homeward Bound,” Disney’s 92 remake of The Incredible Journey.
The kids were totally caught up in the movie–two watching from the safety of Stargazer’s lap until it got too intense and they hid their face in Grandpa’s chest! All’s well that ends well and they were so glad the dogs and cat got home safely by the end! I had a few tears in my eyes, too! 🙂
Slept eight hours, woke to pouring rain and I’m feeling a whole lot better today than I have all week. When we take our concerns and poor attitude to the Lord and ask for help, He does so. I’m thankful this morning.
Now to make breakfast and prepare for a crazy day! I wonder if I have any frozen orange juice . . .
I have my first final semester exam this afternoon, in Anatomy & Physiology. I’m so thankful for unlimited phone plans, which enabled me to study my material by explaining it to my mother. That’s how I studied A&P the last time I was in school, and it worked pretty well then…
Our church Christmas party is tonight (early, it starts at 5 p.m.). I still have to get my 3 stories tidied up and sent to the editor sometime this morning.
I am tired but happy because the toilet flushes and the sink doesn’t leak. At least for now …
And I was sent the ‘wrong’ vanity top (thus the mismatched faucet causing me to have to buy another one quickly yesterday at Lowe’s). I also didn’t get my backsplash, supplier said that apparently was just left out of the shipment. Grump. 😦
Company says they can send the backsplash separately or with an entirely new vanity top (the one I actually ordered — but it’s too late for that now that it’s all installed).
Chas, It is only the sweatshirt that is raggedy, not all of West Virginia which I find quite beautiful though I refuse to acknowledge that it actually exists.
Chas, he has already survived many coup attempts. His network of informers is widely feared – even a post on social media that is critical of him can bring trouble. This might give some background on the situation: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13376517
My Christmas ritual: I have posted this several times before. But it’s becoming a Christmas ritual with me. You can scroll past it if it’s too much.
1. It used to be that when we went to a gathering of some sort, on our return, I would tell Elvera, “You were the prettiest one there.” (I still tell her she’s the best looking one in Adult IV.)
Once we went to an affair that involved her colleagues at Jefferson High School, in Alexandria, Va. where they worked. After the affair, I told her that she was the second best looking one there. She said, “Who was first?” I said, “Judy”. WELL! it wasn’t fair. Judy was 20 years younger than the others. And youth is beautiful.
Well, it’s much later now, Elvera is older and Judy is a grown woman and a school teacher. Her mother, Elvera’s friend, has Alzheimer’s (has since died). Judy sent us a card and a nice note. The first paragraph of the note kinda grabbed me. Since some of you are teachers, I thought, with her permission, that I would share it with you.
“Dear Friends,
Here I sit. It’s early morning and all is quiet. The day has not unfolded and I relish the peace. Soon I will be surrounded by the world of 7th graders…the high-octane mixture of hormones, insecurities and the need to impress peers. Although the students are required to unplug earphones and park all electronics in their lockers, you can tell that the beat goes on in their heads and hearts throughout the day. More than ever, as I teach, it is necessary to repeatedly seize their attention away from the thoughts and visual images that seem to be playing in their minds, blocking them from new input. Bless their hearts. So many among our population have such challenged home lives. Many are without anchor to something good, true and hope-filled. Our prayers for our youth are so needed.”
There’s more of course; I thought that would interest some of you. She also wrote a poem.
Bethlehem – dark, cold and finally quiet,
where most slept bubbled in their own existence
unaware that in their town, that very night,
Love had departed His heavenly throne to move in with humanity.
In a stable was heard
a baby’s gutsy wail
the Word’s first sound.
The town slept on
But not the shepherds out in the fields.
Blanketed under starlit night
gentle stillness exploded into heart-stopping fear,
brilliance swallowed the stars and
the quiet was shattered by a thunderous announcement.
Angels proclaimed that the world’s Savior had just been born in their town!
No sleep for these shepherds.
As they ran to search for this baby in a manger
the Light led, unrestrained by the heavy dark of night,
and just as the angels had said
they found Him!
A boy-King wrapped in rags, lay in a feeding trough.
unimaginable Glory …
wondrous mystery…
In that stable they knelt … they worshipped
the One
the Only
Son of God.
But the town
slept on.
JL Stokes 2008
Merry Christmas
Took Becca and her friend to a Christmas festival earlier today. We all enjoyed it, though it was quite cool for Houston. Got some chicken tamales and some pork tamales (they had samples and were very good) for dinner tomorrow night, as I’ll be at a sleep study and not able to prepare dinner. Girls made corn husk dolls, strung popcorn and got some cute headbands.
I’m waiting on a woman who’s coming to give me an estimate on cleaning my house once Connie returns to El Salvador. The daughter texted me and said they would be about an hour late–not the best sign–but as someone who has many family members who are ALWAYS late–I don’t really hold it against them.
I made the girls lunch when we got home and now they are at the park (it’s only a couple of blocks away and lots of kids play there on the weekends).
I am back for now. I will leave again in a bit for the concert. Another lady and her husband came to help as well. The three of us worked well together. Tonight it will be very pretty. I took some photos today but will take more tonight.
Church isn’t cancelled for us, but it’s “borderline” whether it should be. We’re not going (my husband doesn’t feel that well, and I don’t want to deal with on-street parking in inch-an-hour snow). And I signed us up to take cookies, and we womenfolk made three different varieties of treats! It’s one of those weeks where it would be better if the snow was three hours earlier or three hours later. Three hours earlier, and it was probably two inches at most. Three hours later, and it would mean seven inches or so by the time church gets out, and then people drive in heavy snow for an hour or so to get home. But we’re right in the middle, where church goes on but probably only about half the congregation will be there.
And they’ll have to dig into the store-bought-cookie stash if they want anything to eat after the service. (But they’re likely to want to go right home, so it’s probably grab-a-cookie-and-run either way!)
Husband made it over a couple of passes, still has the Continental Divide but the worst should be behind him.
As to church, still debating that. It will be a child program and then a potluck. Not too interested in either so not really worth fighting the snow and leaving ill child at home.
Advent – Day 11: After a life threatening illness as a young man, William C. Dix (1837-1898), wrote “What Child is This?” and several other hymns, including “As with Gladness, Men of Old”. Strangely, many hymnals leave out the last four lines of the second and third verses of “What Child is This?”, substituting a chorus from the last lines of the first verse. This lovely arrangement includes the missing lines:
What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and donkeys are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spears shall pierce him through,
the cross he bore for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the Babe, the Son of Mary.
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The babe, the Son of Mary.
P.S. I was supposed to sing this with the church choir this evening, but snow has made us postpone the carol sing.
This is our Living Nativity weekend. I learned that an animal activist stopped by late last night and threatened to call the police because two donkeys and two llamas were in a trailer overnight. The donkeys wore blankets and, well, llamas were made for the climate in the Andes.
We did not have as many people at church this morning as would be expected at Christmas. I don’t know if it is because it has been pretty cold out, near freezing, or if it is because we are considering merging with the other church.
Your ornaments are all so cute, Roscuro! They make me miss putting up our tree and my nice ornaments. Maybe next year I will get back to doing that. I may offer to put up Karens’s tree for them. Art is suppose to take her husband to a doctor appointment this week for a little procedure.
We had a quick snowstorm this morning…an inch and a half two hours before we left for church….most of the roads were wet when we got out there…side streets were still covered with a tad bit of ice…all the roads, except for ours…are clear! Blue skies…30 degrees!
No snow in the forecast for LA. We’re still bundling up. We’ve had a heavy fog and mist here in the harbor for the past couple days and nights.
Great church Christmas party last night. But I filed my story (it was scheduled to run today) right before leaving for the party (managed to get the final telephone interview done right before that). And the festivities ran a tad late, so I was beat this morning, especially after the day/night before with the marathon plumbing disaster.
I made it to church, although I was a little late. 😦 And I realized I need to get my Angel Tree gift by Wednesday, I thought we had until next Sunday to buy those.
It’s been a very unusual holiday season so far for me with all the house turmoil, but the spare bathroom is still working, thankfully. And I started picking up around the living room yesterday — while the pending bathroom work has created a necessary mess to some degree, I’m trying to create a way where I can at least stack the boxes of supplies in a less obtrusive way. Who knows how much longer I’ll have to live with them like this.
Stay safe and warm in all that midwest and eastern snow, everyone.
And socks. She may have some of those battery heated socks, but if not, perhaps she wore layers. Wool, of course. In case it rains. Or she steps in a mud puddle.
Maybe the cat went with her…..or worse….maybe when they unblocked the blockage it released a large venomous rat that came up through the system and wreaked havoc on the new bathroom!
One of Nightingale’s patients, when she’s on the rehab wing, is a 45 year old mentally retarded man who was injured during a seizure. He is sweet on her. She plays along with his little games, & gives him attention, because she knows he’s lonely. He made her a necklace out of beads. 🙂
She is enjoying her job quite a lot, & has gotten compliments from the other staff on doing her job well. I’m happy for her, & proud of her.
So, instead of singing this evening, I ended up visiting with two of my cousins and their families – between the two, they have a total of nine children.
The Christmas ornament in the photo was given to our family in the era of those cute country wooden ornaments. It was always a bit of a joke that the fireplace was made of wood.
My attic window shows a pretty picture tonight. The trees are outlined in white and the houses are capped with the same shade and the street lights render it all in a warm glow.
I used to love walking in West Hartford center in the evening. The small shops would have displays very softly lit. But the residential sections near the downtown were my favorites. There were many older homes and the curtains were often open and the front rooms would be dim but still lit enough to see the painted walls, bookcases, pianos, decor or architecture. It always looked so homey and peaceful. And even in the snow, the walk was enjoyable.
I can see a set of train tracks from my window and feel the vibration of the train when it passes. About a week ago in the evening, I heard music, as if played from a passing car with the volume on full, but since the streets below is a dead end, the sound was unusual. I looked out, and saw the outlines of passing railway cars, lit by Christmas lights with outlines of reindeer and holly, etc. Apparently, one of the freight train companies has a Holiday Train and it was passing through. As I tell my mother, this place is full of interesting things to observe.
Debra, I’ve lived in a couple of different cities, and I feel much safer walking out after dark when there is snow on the ground. All those empty lots and dark alleys are suddenly as clear as day.
There is something about snow in the evening. I have felt a camaraderie among people in places when and where it snows a lot, that I have not experienced elsewhere. It’s as though people are bound together because you realize how much you rely on each other just to survive. It’s hard to express. But I miss that.
Debra- Be careful suggesting a race to 200. There is a thread from two years ago that did that, and it’s still going. Last I saw it was over 3000. Look for it in the Top Posts box. It’s the 12-20-2014 thread.
Walking in the still of the evening, snow lightly falling…how can one not reflect upon the goodness of our Lord? Evening walks are my favorite in the winter…(I really do not like bats flying above my head in the warmer months!) Tonight the moon is shining brightly and the snow from this morning has all but melted. I do hope we get a nice snow for Christmas…I take the grandkids through the forest and we sing Carols before we head back to read the Christmas story and open presents…. ❤
All those who have been chattering, how about coming over to the secret room and doing some posting. We are at 3700 something and it would be fun to get up to 4000 by our anniversary on the 20th. 4,000 in two years would just work well.
Wandering Views 
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While Cheryl and I were chatting on yesterday’s thread, Ricky comes on and snags first for today. 😉
What is a “ragged old West Virginia?”
I’ve never had cornbread and milk for breakfast, but I have had cornbread and buttermilk for supper. Not the choice for dinner, but it’s something. And that was something.
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Good morning. Just got caught up on yesterday’s thread.
Scott is hunting this weekend. He called last night and said he got an eight pointer–not huge–but sufficient for plenty of sausage for the freezer and we’ll have backstrap again, my favorite part of venison!
Becca had a sweet friend spend the night last night. They voluntarily went to sleep around ten. I’m taking them to a Christmas festival later this morning–it should be a lot of fun. First, I have to drive Lindsey to her trainer’s home forty minutes away….unfortunately, a wrench light came on in her car–which only has 10,000 miles on it. Thankfully it is still under warranty….
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What is a “wrench light”?
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Chas: I’m not actually sure–but according to the Internet, the light means one should not drive the car because the engine can shut down at any time….
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If it’s a new car, it has an owner’s Manuel. Likely in the glove compartment. It will tell you what to do.
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If the light is yellow, take it to a garage.
If it is red, don’t even start it.
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It’s red–And we did read owner’s manual last night–it says it should be taken to dealer immediately….
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In my Honda Accord a wrench light means it’s time for an oil change usually. Another area shows the percentage left on the oil, so you have some time before it would damage the car. That light came on while we still had miles to drive home from TX.
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Scott is planning to drive it to dealership Monday morning…
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Janice: her oil life shows 40%….
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My wrench light was yellow. I have never seen it red. Yikes!!
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Happy Satirdau to Chas; happy Saturday to everyone else.
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Beautiful header, Roscuro!
I still have not heard if I am approved for insurance coverage. As I said before, all I want for Christmas is unaffordable health insurance.
I already have the best Christmas present ever which is Miss Bosley ❤
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Chas, my dad used to eat cornbread and buttermilk. He also liked chocolate cake with buttermilk. He convinced at least one sibling to try the chocolate cake and buttermilk, and anyone who tried it admitted it was good. Me, I tried buttermilk once and thought it was so nasty that it’s kinda amazing I still like buttermilk biscuits . . . (I haven’t the slightest memory of what it tasted like, just that I found it unpalatable.)
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I hope the dealership is not far, Ann. It seems the dealership should pay to tow it for you given how new the car is. Y’all don’t need an accident right at Christmas. If I had to drive it, I would get up very early and take it while the streets have little traffic.
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Art likes a tall glass full of crumbled cornbread and milk. He also likes crumbled graham crackers in milk. One Christmas I found a set of tall heavy weight glasses to give him for his grammies and milk.
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He also does saltines and milk. I think it is all similar to cereal and milk, but I never decided to try it.
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Son has to give exams today. I do not ever remember having college exams on Saturday. I guess it allows students to get back home more quickly for their holiday break.
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Beautiful Header
I never developed at taste for anything drenched in buttermilk or even for buttermilk. I think the reason so many don’t like it in it’s pure form is that it is thick and “gloppy”. I do love to cook with it though. Anything made with buttermilk just tastes better.
My friend Angie is giving a Christmas concert tonight. I am involved in the preparations. My other friend Aunt Lesee is heading it up and I am to meet her in about 30 minutes to decorate. I have gathered random items from around my house. I learned a long time ago to “challenge” her by giving her anything I could find and letting her go.
I will try to remember to take photos to share.
Have a good day…and,,,,
Go Navy! Beat Army
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Son is off to take the ACT again. Some new snow. I told him to drive carefully, I don’t usually as I expect him to.
The Navy recruiter came visiting at the school the other day. Told him with his scores he could be a nuclear engineer. Husband warned him on that as he did not enjoy his time on subs.
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Several in my family growing up liked graham crackers and milk. I tried it once and didn’t like it. I don’t like soggy stuff in milk. My husband pours a bowl of cereal and milk and then walks away for a few minutes or washes the dishes. Me, I want to eat the bowl right away, lest it be soggy at the end.
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Oh, that’s right. It’s Army-Navy day. Go NAVY! Beat Army. I won’t be watching, as my son and I are heading to a basketball double header in Quincy, IL (25 miles away). The women’s game is at 1 followed by the men’s game. NCAA Division II round ball.
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So, is Chas’ “Satirdau” like my “vorrect Firday” typo from the old WMB days? It made Google and Wikipedia! But since WMB no longer exists, it doesn’t show up on Google, and Wikipedia took out the page.
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Chas- I would think cornbread and milk would be about like corn flakes with milk. I’ll have to try it next time we have left over cornbread.
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Advent – Day 10: Charles Wesley (1707-1788), the great Methodist hymn writer, was inspired to write the Advent hymn, ‘Come thou long expected Jesus’, by the promise in Haggai 2:7: “And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.” Wesley’s hymn is performed here in a dramatic setting by the Geneva International Christian Choir & Orchestra. The spoken texts are from Genesis 3:1-6, Romans 5:12, Romans 3:23, and Genesis 3:15.
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
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The picture of our gingerbread church ornament looks really good with the snow falling in front of it. The ornament has a hole in the back of it, so one of the Christmas tree lights can be inserted into it and light it up. This picture was taken a couple of years ago. I haven’t seen the family Christmas tree yet this year.
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I’ve got Adorables sprawled all over my living room after a vigorous evening decorating the Christmas tree and other parts of the house followed by “Homeward Bound,” Disney’s 92 remake of The Incredible Journey.
The kids were totally caught up in the movie–two watching from the safety of Stargazer’s lap until it got too intense and they hid their face in Grandpa’s chest! All’s well that ends well and they were so glad the dogs and cat got home safely by the end! I had a few tears in my eyes, too! 🙂
Slept eight hours, woke to pouring rain and I’m feeling a whole lot better today than I have all week. When we take our concerns and poor attitude to the Lord and ask for help, He does so. I’m thankful this morning.
Now to make breakfast and prepare for a crazy day! I wonder if I have any frozen orange juice . . .
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I have my first final semester exam this afternoon, in Anatomy & Physiology. I’m so thankful for unlimited phone plans, which enabled me to study my material by explaining it to my mother. That’s how I studied A&P the last time I was in school, and it worked pretty well then…
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Peter, if you didn’t see it, that is the way Chas spelled it in the last post on yesterday’s thread (one he wrote this morning).
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Chas posted some good news about a certain small West African country last week. This is the sequel (I was afraid this would happen): http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/12/09/longtime-gambian-ruler-now-refuses-to-step-aside.html
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Cheryl- Yeah, I saw it. I always go to the previous day’s thread before the current one, just to see what the night owls were up to.
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Beautiful photo 🙂
Our church Christmas party is tonight (early, it starts at 5 p.m.). I still have to get my 3 stories tidied up and sent to the editor sometime this morning.
I am tired but happy because the toilet flushes and the sink doesn’t leak. At least for now …
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And I was sent the ‘wrong’ vanity top (thus the mismatched faucet causing me to have to buy another one quickly yesterday at Lowe’s). I also didn’t get my backsplash, supplier said that apparently was just left out of the shipment. Grump. 😦
Company says they can send the backsplash separately or with an entirely new vanity top (the one I actually ordered — but it’s too late for that now that it’s all installed).
But I do want my backsplash.
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Phos @ 10:46
People there have a way of dealing with people who won’t step aside.
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Chas, It is only the sweatshirt that is raggedy, not all of West Virginia which I find quite beautiful though I refuse to acknowledge that it actually exists.
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Chas, he has already survived many coup attempts. His network of informers is widely feared – even a post on social media that is critical of him can bring trouble. This might give some background on the situation: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13376517
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Interesting study on the malleability of memory: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/half-of-people-remember-events-that-never-happened/
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Cheryl, Yeah. I remember all the girls wanted to go out with me.
And all the guys envied my football prowess and popularity with the girls.
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My Christmas ritual: I have posted this several times before. But it’s becoming a Christmas ritual with me. You can scroll past it if it’s too much.
1. It used to be that when we went to a gathering of some sort, on our return, I would tell Elvera, “You were the prettiest one there.” (I still tell her she’s the best looking one in Adult IV.)
Once we went to an affair that involved her colleagues at Jefferson High School, in Alexandria, Va. where they worked. After the affair, I told her that she was the second best looking one there. She said, “Who was first?” I said, “Judy”. WELL! it wasn’t fair. Judy was 20 years younger than the others. And youth is beautiful.
Well, it’s much later now, Elvera is older and Judy is a grown woman and a school teacher. Her mother, Elvera’s friend, has Alzheimer’s (has since died). Judy sent us a card and a nice note. The first paragraph of the note kinda grabbed me. Since some of you are teachers, I thought, with her permission, that I would share it with you.
“Dear Friends,
Here I sit. It’s early morning and all is quiet. The day has not unfolded and I relish the peace. Soon I will be surrounded by the world of 7th graders…the high-octane mixture of hormones, insecurities and the need to impress peers. Although the students are required to unplug earphones and park all electronics in their lockers, you can tell that the beat goes on in their heads and hearts throughout the day. More than ever, as I teach, it is necessary to repeatedly seize their attention away from the thoughts and visual images that seem to be playing in their minds, blocking them from new input. Bless their hearts. So many among our population have such challenged home lives. Many are without anchor to something good, true and hope-filled. Our prayers for our youth are so needed.”
There’s more of course; I thought that would interest some of you. She also wrote a poem.
Bethlehem – dark, cold and finally quiet,
where most slept bubbled in their own existence
unaware that in their town, that very night,
Love had departed His heavenly throne to move in with humanity.
In a stable was heard
a baby’s gutsy wail
the Word’s first sound.
The town slept on
But not the shepherds out in the fields.
Blanketed under starlit night
gentle stillness exploded into heart-stopping fear,
brilliance swallowed the stars and
the quiet was shattered by a thunderous announcement.
Angels proclaimed that the world’s Savior had just been born in their town!
No sleep for these shepherds.
As they ran to search for this baby in a manger
the Light led, unrestrained by the heavy dark of night,
and just as the angels had said
they found Him!
A boy-King wrapped in rags, lay in a feeding trough.
unimaginable Glory …
wondrous mystery…
In that stable they knelt … they worshipped
the One
the Only
Son of God.
But the town
slept on.
JL Stokes 2008
Merry Christmas
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Took Becca and her friend to a Christmas festival earlier today. We all enjoyed it, though it was quite cool for Houston. Got some chicken tamales and some pork tamales (they had samples and were very good) for dinner tomorrow night, as I’ll be at a sleep study and not able to prepare dinner. Girls made corn husk dolls, strung popcorn and got some cute headbands.
I’m waiting on a woman who’s coming to give me an estimate on cleaning my house once Connie returns to El Salvador. The daughter texted me and said they would be about an hour late–not the best sign–but as someone who has many family members who are ALWAYS late–I don’t really hold it against them.
I made the girls lunch when we got home and now they are at the park (it’s only a couple of blocks away and lots of kids play there on the weekends).
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I am back for now. I will leave again in a bit for the concert. Another lady and her husband came to help as well. The three of us worked well together. Tonight it will be very pretty. I took some photos today but will take more tonight.
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This is our year Peter and Kim. The streak ends at 14.
Go Army!, and they are. 🙂
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Where’s my new pic?
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There it is…….! 😆
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Well, that’s done.
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Such a relief to be done, Roscuro.
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Just reread my report card comments and I think they are fine. I always want to give lots of specific information.
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Just dropping in to get 49 before I head off to church.
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Finally…..
ARMY WINS!!!!!!!!!
Balance has been restored to the universe. 🙂
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I can remember when beating Army was a BIG deal. As was beating Notre Dame.
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Good morning, fellow wanderers! I hope everyone has a blessed Sunday!
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Church isn’t cancelled for us, but it’s “borderline” whether it should be. We’re not going (my husband doesn’t feel that well, and I don’t want to deal with on-street parking in inch-an-hour snow). And I signed us up to take cookies, and we womenfolk made three different varieties of treats! It’s one of those weeks where it would be better if the snow was three hours earlier or three hours later. Three hours earlier, and it was probably two inches at most. Three hours later, and it would mean seven inches or so by the time church gets out, and then people drive in heavy snow for an hour or so to get home. But we’re right in the middle, where church goes on but probably only about half the congregation will be there.
And they’ll have to dig into the store-bought-cookie stash if they want anything to eat after the service. (But they’re likely to want to go right home, so it’s probably grab-a-cookie-and-run either way!)
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It is thirty four here but the high today is supposed to be twenty nine.
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Husband made it over a couple of passes, still has the Continental Divide but the worst should be behind him.
As to church, still debating that. It will be a child program and then a potluck. Not too interested in either so not really worth fighting the snow and leaving ill child at home.
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Well, okay.
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fifty seven then.
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Advent – Day 11: After a life threatening illness as a young man, William C. Dix (1837-1898), wrote “What Child is This?” and several other hymns, including “As with Gladness, Men of Old”. Strangely, many hymnals leave out the last four lines of the second and third verses of “What Child is This?”, substituting a chorus from the last lines of the first verse. This lovely arrangement includes the missing lines:
What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and donkeys are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spears shall pierce him through,
the cross he bore for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the Babe, the Son of Mary.
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The babe, the Son of Mary.
P.S. I was supposed to sing this with the church choir this evening, but snow has made us postpone the carol sing.
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I heard all of that song last night and again this morning.
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This is our Living Nativity weekend. I learned that an animal activist stopped by late last night and threatened to call the police because two donkeys and two llamas were in a trailer overnight. The donkeys wore blankets and, well, llamas were made for the climate in the Andes.
We did not have as many people at church this morning as would be expected at Christmas. I don’t know if it is because it has been pretty cold out, near freezing, or if it is because we are considering merging with the other church.
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Your ornaments are all so cute, Roscuro! They make me miss putting up our tree and my nice ornaments. Maybe next year I will get back to doing that. I may offer to put up Karens’s tree for them. Art is suppose to take her husband to a doctor appointment this week for a little procedure.
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Thanks, again, Roscuro, for the Advent music.
(I am curious why this phone would change the word Thanks to Banks???)
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We had a quick snowstorm this morning…an inch and a half two hours before we left for church….most of the roads were wet when we got out there…side streets were still covered with a tad bit of ice…all the roads, except for ours…are clear! Blue skies…30 degrees!
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It’s snowing here now. Everything’s covered but the roads, but it is starting to stick there too.
Cheryl’s off tomorrow, so we’re good. 🙂
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Monday morning and I woke up late. But we just have today and tomorrow and then we are off for a 4 week break.
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We’re expecting snow tonight. As I am typing this, “Let It Snow” is playing. 🙂
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No snow in the forecast for LA. We’re still bundling up. We’ve had a heavy fog and mist here in the harbor for the past couple days and nights.
Great church Christmas party last night. But I filed my story (it was scheduled to run today) right before leaving for the party (managed to get the final telephone interview done right before that). And the festivities ran a tad late, so I was beat this morning, especially after the day/night before with the marathon plumbing disaster.
I made it to church, although I was a little late. 😦 And I realized I need to get my Angel Tree gift by Wednesday, I thought we had until next Sunday to buy those.
It’s been a very unusual holiday season so far for me with all the house turmoil, but the spare bathroom is still working, thankfully. And I started picking up around the living room yesterday — while the pending bathroom work has created a necessary mess to some degree, I’m trying to create a way where I can at least stack the boxes of supplies in a less obtrusive way. Who knows how much longer I’ll have to live with them like this.
Stay safe and warm in all that midwest and eastern snow, everyone.
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Going to the dog park, DJ?
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Maybe she has already gone. I hope she told somebody. It is awfully cold there.
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I just hope she dressed for it. Layering, that is important.
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Do you think she remembered her hat?
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And a scarf. She will need a scarf. Not just a fashionable one but a useful one. To wrap around her nose and cheeks. Don’t want frostbite.
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And boots. I hear those people have very fashionable boots. Do you think she has them for the dogs, as well? And cute little jackets and hats?
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I don’t know about you, but I am getting a little concerned. She has been so frazzled lately, I hope she did not forget her mittens.
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If she has her phone with her, it probably has an app for starting campfires so she should be okay.
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Unless they don’t allow those in her state.
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And socks. She may have some of those battery heated socks, but if not, perhaps she wore layers. Wool, of course. In case it rains. Or she steps in a mud puddle.
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Do you think she took along a thermos of hot chocolate?
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Maybe the dogs could carry it.
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Hey cat! Where is your person???
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Maybe the cat went with her…..or worse….maybe when they unblocked the blockage it released a large venomous rat that came up through the system and wreaked havoc on the new bathroom!
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You’re trying to run it up to 100 aren’t you Mumsee?
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They have an app for starting campfires?
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One of Nightingale’s patients, when she’s on the rehab wing, is a 45 year old mentally retarded man who was injured during a seizure. He is sweet on her. She plays along with his little games, & gives him attention, because she knows he’s lonely. He made her a necklace out of beads. 🙂
She is enjoying her job quite a lot, & has gotten compliments from the other staff on doing her job well. I’m happy for her, & proud of her.
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Simply expressing concern for my friend.
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Is that so wrong?
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Am I my sister’s keeper?
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Are you suggesting I should not care about my sister?
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Where do you keep her?
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Perhaps, since we are all sisters, I can help you along Mumsee.
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Only I do not post more than three in a row.
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Now that is the very question I am trying to get to the bottom of. Perhaps she has begun her drive to Idaho and I need to get the guest room ready.
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So, instead of singing this evening, I ended up visiting with two of my cousins and their families – between the two, they have a total of nine children.
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My limit is three in a row, too.
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The Christmas ornament in the photo was given to our family in the era of those cute country wooden ornaments. It was always a bit of a joke that the fireplace was made of wood.
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I did wonder how on earth the post count got run up so high on a weekend. AJ–thread hog up there! AJ!!
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It looks like we will get to 100 soon.
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But we won’t get to 100 if The Real removes them.
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Could be very soon.
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There is something to be said for thread hogs after all.
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Nah, AJ will let me keep my 100, since I’m not the one who ran the thread count up with 20 in a row.
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Nuts! My computer put up that (Not Responding) sign.
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Well, maybe The Real could remove one of the thread hog’s posts 😉 😛
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I have returned.
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I just left for a few minutes and it’s already over 100?!?
hehehe and Mumsee didn’t even get it? :–)
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I’m still unbundling.
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Did I miss 100?
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My attic window shows a pretty picture tonight. The trees are outlined in white and the houses are capped with the same shade and the street lights render it all in a warm glow.
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You could always go for 200…..
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I used to love walking in West Hartford center in the evening. The small shops would have displays very softly lit. But the residential sections near the downtown were my favorites. There were many older homes and the curtains were often open and the front rooms would be dim but still lit enough to see the painted walls, bookcases, pianos, decor or architecture. It always looked so homey and peaceful. And even in the snow, the walk was enjoyable.
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I can see a set of train tracks from my window and feel the vibration of the train when it passes. About a week ago in the evening, I heard music, as if played from a passing car with the volume on full, but since the streets below is a dead end, the sound was unusual. I looked out, and saw the outlines of passing railway cars, lit by Christmas lights with outlines of reindeer and holly, etc. Apparently, one of the freight train companies has a Holiday Train and it was passing through. As I tell my mother, this place is full of interesting things to observe.
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Debra, I’ve lived in a couple of different cities, and I feel much safer walking out after dark when there is snow on the ground. All those empty lots and dark alleys are suddenly as clear as day.
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There is something about snow in the evening. I have felt a camaraderie among people in places when and where it snows a lot, that I have not experienced elsewhere. It’s as though people are bound together because you realize how much you rely on each other just to survive. It’s hard to express. But I miss that.
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Debra- Be careful suggesting a race to 200. There is a thread from two years ago that did that, and it’s still going. Last I saw it was over 3000. Look for it in the Top Posts box. It’s the 12-20-2014 thread.
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Walking in the still of the evening, snow lightly falling…how can one not reflect upon the goodness of our Lord? Evening walks are my favorite in the winter…(I really do not like bats flying above my head in the warmer months!) Tonight the moon is shining brightly and the snow from this morning has all but melted. I do hope we get a nice snow for Christmas…I take the grandkids through the forest and we sing Carols before we head back to read the Christmas story and open presents…. ❤
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Glad to see you made it home, DJ. Looks like people have been doing lots of chattering this evening to run the total up so high.
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Good night from the land of cold palm trees
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All those who have been chattering, how about coming over to the secret room and doing some posting. We are at 3700 something and it would be fun to get up to 4000 by our anniversary on the 20th. 4,000 in two years would just work well.
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What is “the secret room”?
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Sorry, Chas, it is a secret.
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Chas, if you see this, it is the thread from 12-20-14 that some of us have been continuing to comment on.
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