How Great Thou Art

Last Sunday after church, I went on my regular jaunt to Alabama to see Lou Lou. My new daughter-in-love had never met her and had the opportunity to go so Uncommon Blonde, daughter-in-love and I were off through the woods. LouLou was so happy to see us and called to everyone that went by, wanting to introduce us. I got so tickled as she would say, “These are my granddaughters. They are lovely and charming and educated.”

At 102, she gets frustrated that she can’t remember our names, but I tell her that’s all right, because we know she loves us. She can remember the words to an endless number of hymns though, as well as her favorite poems. Her favorite hymn is “How Great Thou Art.”

I am sharing this memory borrowed from my cousin Katelyn’s June blog post. The impact LuLu’s life has had (and continues to have) on our very large extended family is profound.

Katelyn writes: “Growing up, the entire family spent our summers at Lou Lou's "Beach House" which was really on the bay. She has always had a love for the water. In fact I believe she taught my mom and her sisters how to swim. Lou Lou was her happiest when everyone was together.

After Lou Lou sold the Beach House (about 15 years ago), the beach trips were moved to our beach house during the month of October. Lou Lou, Uncle Brother, my grandmother Barbara and her twin sister Bettye would spend the entire month together at the beach. Day in and day out, Lou Lou would walk outside during sunset and sing How Great Thou Art. Loud. Arms raised to heaven. I can see her now. She is the definition of a woman of God... having her still here with us only adds strength to my belief that God is good.”

My soul sings today! Shalom.

Love, Laughter and Peppermint Mocha

One of my favorite ways to spend a day is shopping with my daughters. Now I have 3 daughters! We have so much fun. They are always glad to dispense fashion advice and prevent me from buying things that shouldn't be in my closet. One of our shopping stops today was Destin Commons. The Christmas decorations there are awesome.

I had read on someone's blog that the Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Twist is awesome. Oh, yes indeed it is.

We do my mom's shopping for her, so we go and buy her gifts as well as those we give each other and and then pretend like we don't know what we're getting. The funny reality is that in the busy month that passes before we open the packages under the tree, we really do forget half of what we chose. Granted, it cuts down on the surprise factor, but it also eliminates disappointment as well as the hassle of returns and exchanges.

The bargains abounded and I am so happy to be home in the recliner. 'Tis the season! Merriness to you.

7 Quick Takes – Vol. 2

I like Friday Quick Takes over at Conversion Diaries. It works for me today!

1. Thanksgiving was special and wonderful. We always watch a Christmas movie on Thanksgiving night. This year it was “Elf”. Yeah, I’ve seen it at least 8 times and I laugh harder every time. I don’t know how it gets funnier every time. (Have I mentioned before that I’m easily entertained?)

2. Today we deck the halls. FuN! So much more fun with everyone home to help.

3. I have almost made it through the NaBloPoMo! I have posted every day in November – Woo Hoo!

4. I still haven’t decided whether Christmas Cards are going to make the budget cut. I really want to send them – we have a terrific photo from our son’s wedding this year. I think it’s too special to pass up. After all, I haven’t travelled in my private jet once this year to save on fuel. (Sorry, I’m still thinking of the automakers’ summit in Washington.)

5. My girls got up at 4:30 to go to Target this morning for big savings. It’s 7:30 (AM!)- they are back from shopping and they scored! Builderman was also out the door before dawn to hunt. I have been drinking coffee in peace. : )

6. We shop together tomorrow for our deals. My proven plan is if you go early (like 8 AM - not 5 AM), you beat all the people who have shopping hangovers from Friday and still hit all the sales. I’m counting on getting most of my shopping finished, though I haven't even started. You see why I'm called Pollyanna?

7. Please leave a comment with 5 adjectives to tell me about you. (You can cheat and use just one noun.) I would love to get to know you. Here’s mine:
Energetic
Warm
Musical
Expressive
Happy

Your turn!

Abe Started It!

On October 3, 1863, an Act of Congress designated an annual National Day of Thanksgiving as proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln:

"I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States… to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens…it is announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord…It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people."

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise, Be thankful to Him,and bless His Holy name. Psalm 100:4

Works For Me – Music to Go

I have wanted to participate in Work for Me Wednesday for a good while. This is the day!

Have you always wanted to be able to play a musical instrument and just don’t know how? I’ve got the instrument for you.

I love music. As I’ve stated before, I breathe music.

My dad was a musician and when we started kindergarten, it was time for us to begin to learn an instrument. I chose the piano and took formal lessons for 13 years. The problem with the piano is it’s not mobile. I taught children’s church for years and always enjoyed the music portion, but found that when I sat down behind the piano, I lost their attention. So I began the search for an instrument that was mobile and could be learned easily.

I am on now on my second OmniChord and it is so much fun. (I wore the first one out.) Children and adults alike are fascinated by it. I describe it as an electronic autoharp. I currently use it when I go see my sweet grandmother.

My best friend did not ever learn any instrument but really loved my omnichord . I used it to lead praise and worship in a small group Bible Study we did at her house. She bought one and learned to play it!

This instrument is not expensive and I think you might possibly love it as much as I do. Let me know if you have any questions about it. Be blessed!

Who Needs Pockets?

I figured you're busy making lists and thinking hard about those lists. Here's your daily dose of laughter so you can lighten up. 100% silliness:

I'm Booked!

Most of us are feeling pretty booked about now, which brings to mind the Grinch declaring "6 o'clock, dinner with myself - I can't cancel that!" "I'm booked!" takes on a new meaning this holiday season because of Linda.

Mocha with Linda is hosting a "Booked for the Holidays" give-away that is awesome. Thanks, Linda for the book I've already won! You can click here to get it on the week 2 give-away. Sign-up ends Weds. at noon. But this is just week 2 so there's more fun ahead.

Her site also got me thinking about what a great gift a book is... for almost anyone. It becomes a personal and relatively inexpensive gift when carefully selected with the recipient in mind.

Get booked in the peaceful way this year.

Inoculated?

I am not a fan of immunizations. The many reasons merit a post about the facts and fallacies of what has become a multi-billion dollar industry. The way immunizations are supposed to work is that the body is given a small dose of a weakened organism that causes a certain disease, enabling your body to build a defense system against the real infection.

Applying this principle to the spiritual realm, I observe that this is what happens when a person has just enough religion to build immunity to the joy and reality of a deep, vital and life-changing relationship with the living God.

The Bible calls this type of inoculation a religious spirit; a weakened, ineffective and deceptive version of the real thing. When it comes to a relationship to Christ, I want to get boosted into the realm of the unseen reality, where the law is love and the fruit is love, peace and joy.

May you meet God in the beauty of this day and know the fullness of His power and love toward you. It’s personal.

7 Quick Takes

Jennifer is a fascinating blogger that I’ve been following for some time at Conversion Diary. She has been doing “7 Quick Takes” on Fridays for several weeks and though I’m not getting this posted until Saturday, I decided I’d rather go late to a party than not go at all.

1- Builderman will not attend anything if he is late arriving. Period. I am totally comfortable with late (except for weddings and funerals – I have my standards).

2- I love designer clothing at bargain basement prices, therefore I love consignment stores. I stopped into one of my favorite consignment boutiques yesterday as a birthday treat and found 3 awesome buys. Major fun.

3- We had a hard freeze this week and all of my outside plants (patio and porches) are now dead. For years, I hauled them in and out all winter long and lost them on the last surprise freeze of the year (usually right after Easter). So now I don’t go through the hassle – I give in to nature and just start over in the spring. Rest in peace pretty plants, you've been loved.

4- The Squall Line I introduced on Tuesday got an underwhelming response. I don’t know whether the reasons are 1) because people don’t want to be whiney 2) it takes time for something to catch on 3) it’s bad timing 4) it’s a crummy idea.
Time will tell. Next Squall line is Dec. 2nd.

5- I’m so excited that my children are all coming home for Thanksgiving. One is already here. Yay!

6- A fascinating opportunity was presented to me this week. I just posted about “The Architecture of Yes” because this could be one of those very important Yes or No answers. I am praying for wisdom and insight.

7- The most important things in life aren’t things.

Thanks for letting me come late to your party, Jennifer. You can click on over there to meet some neat people.

Easy on the Helium

Happy
Birthday to Me!

I heard John and Sherry at K-Love wishing me Steven Curtis Chapman a Happy Birthday today and the comment was “he’s one year closer to heaven.” What a lovely thought.

The Architecture of Yes

Yes. A three letter word that can change your world. I’ve been reading Big Mama’s blog as she went on a recent trip to the Dominican Republic. Melanie was able to meet the child that she sponsors through Compassion. She relates that the child asked one question of her, “Can I go home with you?” A simple question with a “yes” or “no” answer but HUGE implications. It made me ponder how just saying “yes” to that trip was a life-changing decision.

In our busy, fast paced culture people are often reminded that they need to say “No” more often. But it’s the “yeses” that mold our days, shape our years and determine our destiny.

The “yes” said in a covenant commitment to love, honor and cherish one person for all the days of your life.

The “yes” to an opportunity to move to a different city or take a new job that alters your life in unimagined ways.

The “yes” to help someone in need that leaves a permanent imprint on your heart.

The small yes and the big YES all become the architecture of our lives. It makes me think hard about what I will say “yes” to this week.

Dead Head

My blog friend, ADHD Me, got me thinking with her "15 Things I'm Not Afraid to Admit" game. I'm not giving you 15, but I'll do one.

I have an unreasonable fear of the dentist. This is very unfortunate because I have to go alot. I was one of those kids that had 3 cavities everytime I went to get my teeth cleaned. My sister? None. We both used the same toothpaste and brushed the same amount and ate the same diet but who got all the cavities? Me. Even when I was in high school, I would cry when they'd tell me I had to come back for fillings.

Now I discover that fillings don't last forever. And when they die, they want to be crowned. Crowns are named that because you have to be the Queen of England to pay for them.

Today I went in for not one, but TWO crowns. So I have a dead head from so much novocaine. And from realizing that today's office visit is my birthday present and Christmas present for this year and next year as well.

"Chin up", I say to myself, "at least you have your teeth and have food to eat with your teeth." Can I hear an "Amen, sista?"

Welcome to the Squall Line!

I wish that question was a joke. I believe the correct answer SHOULD be 6 months (max). However, my county road department is now at 20 months and counting on this yet-to-be completed project. (I live at the END of this road and believe me, I'm counting.) We’re talking about a crew that works is on site forty hours every week. I have seen these guys sleeping on the job… alot. Or reading the paper as they lounge in their trucks. The only people I saw break a sweat this summer were the prisoners the county brought out in crews.

Is there an Incompetency Award I can nominate this Road Crew for? How about the Squall Line’s Slug of the Year award - to recognize the spectacular efforts of individuals and organizations promoting the regression of human achievement? Of course this year, there is stiff competition among government agencies as well as corporations that have been inefficient to the point of bankruptcy, causing the government (with all of the extra money we borrowed from the Chinese) to come to the rescue. I digress.

The long and winding road. The one that has made my car an old woman before her time. My once beautiful and efficient vehicle that now squeaks and rattles because it has dirt in every crack and crevice. I’m not just talking about the brakes - my poor car squeals like a wounded animal just rolling down the road. People regularly lose car parts driving on this road riverbed or washboard (conditions determined by variable local rainfall). Granted, we knew the condition of the road when we built a home out here in the boondocks. However, to be offered hope and deliverance where there is none is cruel punishment. To watch this crew has been real torture.

I must say that one of the men on this project who happens to love our dogs asked me to squall about this to the county officials. He commented he is embarrassed and ashamed of this folly. I haven’t squalled that loudly – yet. Of course when I think of who’s paying the bill, I feel motivated to beller. (That’s what my neighbor calls the noise her cows make. Does she mean bellow?)

When the alleged paving project began 14 months before Cupcake graduated from high school, we joked that the project would be complete just in time for her to move off of our lovely road. Oh no, not to be. She’ll be coming home for the holidays to her dear old dirt road.

If you have a nominee for the SLUG award, or a rant of any flavor, here’s your chance. The Squall Line will be posted on the 1st and third Tuesday. Link up to the exact post on your blog and go ahead - have a good squall.

Monday Magic

This is the last installment of Fall Into Flavor with Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee. This recipe is magical because Builderman loves it and it's easy peasy. You don’t touch a mixing bowl, chopping knife or even a spoon! His favorite dinner is homemade Chicken Pot Pie and that’s not so easy, trust me.

I got this recipe from a little paperback recipe book I ordered years ago called Best Recipes from the Backs of Boxes, Bottles, Cans & Jars. Probably not impressive to Rachel Rey but it works for me and everyone loves it. If you need to make your Monday Magical, here’s your answer. Be sure to come back tomorrow to participate in the first ever installment of Squall Line!

Magic Cookie Bars

½ cup butter or margarine (1 stick)
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 6-ounce semi-sweet chocolate morsels (1 cup)
1 3-ounce can flaked coconut (1 cup)
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 13 x 9 inch baking pan, melt butter. Crush graham crackers into crumbs and sprinkle crumbs over butter. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs. Top evenly with chocolate morsels, coconut and nuts; press down gently. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool thoroughly before cutting.

For the Children

Extreme Home Makeovers is a refreshingly positive show. I was thrilled to get a post card this week about tonight’s episode on ABC at 8 ET/7 CT. Tonight’s show features the Frisch family from Toledo, Ohio, who have 11 children, five of whom were adopted from Haiti. The family decided they wanted to use this opportunity to give back to Haiti, and Hope for Haiti Children’s Center is the recipient of a special gift on tonight’s show.

Builderman and I have had the joy of watching Danita's children for more than 15 years and we have seen this ministry grow from an outreach to a small group of children to a school for hundreds, a church, an orphanage for more than 100 children and now they are working on medical facilities. How exciting that during this critical time of need, the spotlight of TV is bringing much-needed funds to these children. Tune in or Tivo this episode!

Clumsy is as Clumsy Does

Maybe if my mother had named me Grace, I wouldn’t be so clumsy. My inability to keep my feet under me has resulted in way too many injury stories for this post. Builderman no longer asks me to climb ladders, for one thing. No siree. The time I sprained an ankle coming down the mountain in Alaska is well-remembered by our whole family but at least I got points for earning us prime seats in the handicapped car on the train trip the next day.

I won’t embarrass myself by even trying to recount some of the episodes that are running through my head right now. Let’s just say I should probably hire a stunt woman to take my place on hikes and such.

This brings me to why I need to win this Wii Fit give-away at LaPetiteChic's blog. I have observed that old people generally have a balance problem. Then what happens to those of us who couldn’t even keep our balance at age 20? A solution has been invented! The Wii Fit comes with a balance board! The genes of my 102 year old grandmother necessitate a plan to develop a sense of balance. I also gleefully anticipate the side effects of regular use of the Wii Fit, like weight loss, muscle strength, etc.

Since I am so faithful to let you know about awesome give-aways, I am letting you in on the good news that you can register to win a Wii console, Wii Fit & balance board just in time for Christmas. Click Here.

If you win my Wii Fit, you can console me with a train ride in Alaska. Canada would be okay too, because hey- my flexibilty is increasing too.

Meet Chutzpah & Moxie

I could introduce Chutzpah & Moxie as my girlfriends, but 2 close friends with such unusual names sounds suspicious.

In the last city I lived in, I shared my name (first and last!) with a local news anchor, so obviously there was some confusion between us. I regularly got her mail and phone calls so occasionally we met to exchange messages. After our first meeting, she said “What you have that I don’t have is “chutzpah.” I was unfamiliar with the word but discovered that it is a yiddish word for “nerve or gall”. It was one of those remarks that I wasn't sure was a compliment.

I've since become acquainted with Moxie, who is probably closely related to Chutzpah, but with a prettier name. Webster’s dictionary defines moxie as “energy, pep, courage and determination.” Moxie was a trademark of a soft drink made in 1930. A current magazine called MoXie is described as “for gutsy women who are living boldly, pursuing adventures, taking risks, and putting together lives that work.” I can own that definition. ; )

Now that you are dressed with fun vocabulary words for Friday, I’ll send you over to an awesome give-away at Betty Beguiles' Blog on Marriage, Moxie and Modesty. You can register to win a $25 gift card to Sephora HERE.

Happy Friday, Fearless Friends!

The Shoebox

Laughter is good medicine. I love this story:

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover. In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box.

When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He asked her about the contents. 'When we were to be married,' she said, ' my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.' The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness. 'Honey,' he said, 'that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?' 'Oh,' she said, 'that's the money I made from selling the dolls.'

Once Upon a Time...

... I had a little girl.

She was the most beautiful little blond pixie you could ever imagine who has grown into a delightful & cherished woman. She was born on Nov. 12th, one of the happiest days of our lives. Happy Birthday, Beautiful One. We love you more than you will ever know. You are my Sunshine.

And now I want to tell you a story that came to mind last week when I posted about my sorrow over the racial turmoil that Cupcake witnessed.

When our uncommon blonde was in kindergarten she came home all excited one day that she had been invited to play at Jovita’s house. She bubbled on and on about her new friend. I explained that I would need to meet the friend’s mother and and find out where they lived and so on. And I inquired “That’s a pretty name - is Jovita black?” Uncommon Blonde stopped and thought hard. She replied, “I don’t know, I’ll look tomorrow.”

Such wisdom out of the mouths of babes.

Squall Line - Get Ready, It's Coming!

Have you ever felt like just squalling like a baby? Do you sometimes need to vent? My mama always said, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, just don’t say anything at all.” So don’t say it – blog it!

I am known as Positive Pollyanna. In fact, I’ve been criticized for being too happy. Oh yes, I have. People just don’t believe it’s real. So I think I'm the perfect host for a Squall Line. I've learned that a joy shared is multiplied by 2 and a trouble shared is cut in half. So get out your knife, ‘cause we’re going to slice and dice some stuff that’s bugging you.

Mark your calendars. Starting next Tuesday, Nov. 18th , on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month, I’ll be hosting the squall line. Rant Day. If you need a mental reminder of which Tuesday, just think that the first Tuesday of Nov. was election day. Ahem. So the 1st and 3rd Tuesday it is. I thought weekly was a bit much, but feel free to make your suggestions as I test the waters.

If you want a few examples of what I consider interesting squalls, here ya go:
If The Food Doesn’t Kill You the Parking Lot Will by Antique Mommy
Christmas Lighting Rules by Uncommon Blonde
Daylight Insanity Time by Jennifer at Conversion Diary

I know the posts will be short, long, funny, serious, up and down, but we're all in this big boat called "Life" together and I think sharing can make it better. A lifeboat for the squalls.

Guidelines
Squall Line is a sort of blog carnival. An explanation of how this works is found HERE
I’m not a big rule follower so it’s basic:

· When using Mr. Linky, please use a permalink that sends readers directly to the correct post.
· You can put the Squall Line button on your site with your post but you don’t have to. Please mention the Squall Line in your post with a link back to this site in case others want to read more or join in.
· I reserve the right to delete any links that are not appropriate but I can’t even imagine my bloggy friends being inappropriate. This comment is in the event someone tries to crash the party.
· I will have Mr. Linky available after midnight on the 1st and 3rd Mondays.

Fall Into Flavor

This is the first time I’ve participated in Fall into Flavor over at 2nd Cup of Coffee as I have been rather uninspired lately in the kitchen. (You can click over to her site for more great recipes!)

Since we are galloping toward the holidays, I decided to review my recipes and start stocking up on non-perishable ingredients that are standard fare. Linda asked for recipes with lots of butter and this one doesn’t have butter, but I figured the cheese would provide the requisite amount of fat. ; )

This squash casserole is a family favorite and is always part of my holiday menu. When I take it to my cousin’s at Christmas, I make 2 because there’s more than 20 people there and everyone loves it. I also take it to pot-lucks and the dish is always empty - a good sign! It’s not a difficult recipe and you can chop the squash and grate the cheese the day before.

Squash Casserole
2-3 lbs yellow crookneck squash
salt & pepper to taste
1 onion
1 sleeve Club Crackers (crushed)
8 oz block sharp cheddar cheese
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup milk

1. Chop squash & onion. Season to taste. Cook until tender. (I use a steamer basket)
Drain & set aside.
2. Put a sleeve of Club crackers in a gallon ziplock bag and crush with rolling pin.
3. Grate cheese.
4. In a small bowl, beat 2 eggs. Stir milk into eggs.
5. In a deep casserole dish, layer squash, crackers, cheese, squash, crackers, cheese.
6. Pour egg and milk mixture over top of casserole.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. (Cheese should be lightly browned on top).

Enjoy!

Dinner with a Perfect Friend

I recently read a short and fascinating book called Dinner with a Perfect Stranger. It’s an intriguing account of a dinner conversation between a cynical businessman and Jesus.

I felt I needed to title my post “Dinner with a Perfect Friend” since that’s my relationship with Him. I can laugh and cry with Him and call in the middle of the night if I want to. I call him Friend, Encourager, Teacher & Counselor to name a few.

If you think of Him as a polite stranger, a judgmental father or just a wise man, this book’s for you. Really. I want you to read it and tell me what you think of it. Just leave me a comment (be sure to leave your email address) and I’ll send it to you. I only have one copy so it’s for the first to speak up.

I’ll leave you with a smile by quoting a T-shirt I saw in a gift shop this week:

JESUS LOVES YOU …
          but I’m His favorite.

The Elixir of Relaxation

I’m one of those people that has trouble relaxing at home. There’s always a list of things to get done, and the fact that I work from home complicates being able to truly let it all go.

But Hilton Head Island on a 70 degree sunny day - relaxation is an inescapable gift. We had a grand last day of vacation. We went to the top of the lighthouse and strolled around the Harbour Town area. The person who developed this island in the 1950’s set a guideline that no building would be taller than the trees and all paint colors would be natural. The result is a very non-commercial feeling vacation spot that is truly a relaxing get-away.

We’re headed home today. I'm going home with a beautiful little tallow-berry wreath hand-made by an old woman in Charleston. Sweet.

Best-Mannered City in the South

Charleston, South Carolina. Charming and Beautiful. She reminded me of a cultured and elegant old woman (who's had a face lift or 3) with a rich history, lots of character and oh, so many stories to tell. I thoroughly enjoyed our day that began with a carriage tour conducted by a native Charlestonian with the melodious and soft accent that is so distinctive to the area. We shopped the open-air market and then paused for a lovely lunch at Magnolia's. Appetizers on our table included fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese on flatbread. The food was amazing, but whoever wrote the menu descriptions should get a creative writing award. The words alone made us want to order everything on the menu. I felt like I gained weight as we read the menu to each other. Of course calories actually consumed with so much joy and pleasure are negated by the health benefits of happiness, right? I’m sure all the sweet potato french fries I’ve eaten this week are the low calorie kind. We had already visited the divine Charleston Candy Kitchen so we skipped dessert.
We took our own walking tour through the historic district and then wrapped up the day in the lovely and impressive Charleston Place lobby with piano music. We missed tea time, but believe me, we didn’t need any more food. I love creating memories with people I love.

Fur Real - Don't Mess With My Peep

I interrupt the light-hearted travel commentary for a news bulletin. Cupcake has had a rough week. And if you think Mama Bear is a threat when angry, let me tell you - when Papa Bear is riled, watch out.

Cupcake called yesterday with a very disturbing report of events at her apartment complex on election night. Apparently, when the winner of the presidential race was announced, young people started pouring into the parking areas (this is a very large college complex with at least 1200 residents). There was screaming and yelling, profanity and breaking of glass. Shockingly, the “celebration” could have escalated into an ugly racial event. Cupcake was more than a little bit scared and she and her roommates actually pushed furniture against the front door as a barricade. The police came but things didn’t settle down for a few hours. This is in a college town and these are supposedly educated kids in a “good neighborhood”. I can assure you that she won’t be in this complex for long, lease or no lease.

My first reaction was anger that this even happened. I heard one newscaster discussing the term “racial transcendence” that had been used during the Obama campaign. I can tell you that in this part of the South, we haven’t transcended anything.

Interesting timing that we went to see The Secret Life of Bees yesterday afternoon. (I highly recommend it.) The movie was set in 1964 in S. Carolina and spotlights the significance of the Civil Rights Act. It depicted just a sampling of the gross injustices that black people suffered during that time, and of course, that is just the surface of a terrible and deep wound that has yet to heal. I can’t say that I can even imagine how it feels to have loved ones that were treated worse than dirt. And this is all quite recent, as history goes.

I am grieved over this incident with Cupcake. Of course, my first concern is the peace and safety of our daughter. But it reveals a sickness of the soul that has no simple solutions. Our country suffers from deeper ills than an ailing economy. There’s one thing I do know - we need to pray without ceasing for our country.

Legends & Lore in the Deep South

I have had the awesome opportunity to travel to many countries and am always fascinated to learn about the people, the food, the culture, etc. Savannah, Georgia does not disappoint when it comes to history, legends and lore. More than a camera, I needed a tape recorder yesterday on our tour of this beautiful little city.

Our tour guide sounded like Gomer Pyle’s cousin and looked like Rosie the Riveter’s sister. She entertained us with her accent and her stories, including a recounting of her worst job as an onion picker. She said building carburetors was better than picking onions, but those jobs make being a tour guide seem like a picnic in the park. And boy oh boy does Savannah have parks. The city is laid out in 24 squares and each sqaure has a park in the middle of it.

We passed a restaurant on the way to Savannah that gets the prize for the worst name ever for an eatery. Squat and Gobble. Doesn’t that make you want to invite all your friends to meet you there?

We had a fun day and I’ve enjoyed a heaping portion of laughter. My sister could be a stand-up comic in her spare time with her unique brand of humor.

We’re off to the ferry to go to Dafuskie Island today and I am thankful for the opportunity to ignore the state of our country. I watched enough news to want to escape into vacation land. That’s all I have to say about that.

If You Can't Afford a Limo...

...Just Call Your Local Tow Company

Yesterday's travel provided lots of laughs. I was totally startled to see these 2 men actually riding in their vehicle which was on a flatbed. Have no fear, I didn't snap this photo while driving at 70 mph, I made Uncommon Blonde do it. She will be writing her won commentary on our trip this week.

Don't Mess With my Peep & I'm Outta Here

I am always amazed at how much I can accomplish in a short period of time when I am preparing to leave for a trip. Of course, I’m usually exhausted when it’s finally time to leave. I do learn that amazing things happen when there is a time constraint and I stay focused.

Cupcake came home unexpectedly this weekend and of course I cooked her favorite foods and pampered her a bit. She started a part-time job with a law firm when she started college. This is the third child we have supported through college (with the help of scholarships), but we have required all of them to work a part-time job for their spending money. We pay all essentials and they pay the extras - like entertainment. It has worked well. Cupcake had been telling me that her job is really stressful but I was appalled to learn she worked 35 hours this past week. On top of a full-time school load! This started as a 20 hour/week job so something is going to change really quickly, and it’s not school. She will be discussing the necessary change with the law office this week. We have been talking on the phone lots but it was great to have hours of time to get “the rest of the story.”

The Mama Bear in me wants to call her employer and start with “WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?” Oh- but my child is a young adult and has to work it out herself. I was slow to learn the lesson of setting boundaries and saying “no”. I hope she “gets it” a lot faster than I did.

By the time you read this (I am relying on auto post for the first time), I should be headed to South Carolina for 5 days of fun and exploring Savannah, Hilton Head and Charleston with my Mom, my sister, her friend and my oldest daughter. My plan is to post photos and a travelogue through the week.

The Will to Forgive

I am reading a novel called Levi's Will. Spanning over 40 years, this book tells the story of Will, a teenage boy who runs away from his Amish home. It is fascinating and well-written.

I quote a Catholic priest in the book who was helping Will through a crisis of faith and of life.

"God is love. Love is proof of God and forgiveness is proof of love."


Think on that.

The Iron Woman of NaBloPoMo

I am accepting a new challenge as of today – it’s called NaBloPoMo. That stands for National Blog Posting Month and to be a member of this club, you have to post every day in the month of November. Sounds like a real challenge to me but I’m crazy enough to go for it.

I am behind in posting and in everything else today because of the IronMan Triathlon. Are you shocked to think I am in training? I would be shocked too!

The reality is, there are 2600 athletes in my area today and the race has disrupted my day. Today’s job of avoiding the major traffic jams created by 2600 cyclists was not nearly as rough as the day I met one of those cyclists up close and personal.

The race organizers pay local clubs and organizations to work the hydration & snack stations along the route. For several years, I enthusiastically volunteered. The second year I did it, a cyclist lost control of her bike near our station and crashed into my friend's car. It slowed her down, I'm sure, as she left a big dent where she hit the vehicle.

I thought that was a random event but the next year, I was running alongside the cyclists to hand off GatorAid. Another one of them lost control of her bicycle and crashed right into me. When I came to, I was lying facedown in the dirt. Yep - it completely knocked me out. In defense of the IronMan athletes, I must say that it was not this race. It was the spring triathlon that enters amateurs as well as experienced athletes. But needless to say, I no longer volunteer at these events.

I think these athletes are amazing. I am happy they come to this area for lots of reasons. But I have learned that it’s not for me. So I give them a wide berth and change my plans to make it all work.