The Calendar Turns

I am glad that I have gotten to the point in my life when I can be blissfully happy staying home on New Year's Eve!

 Early in my life, I always felt left out, because I was not out partying it up with the crowds.  Now I am totally fine with that!

With the wind chill factor in Central New York, it would not surprise me if it were not below zero tonight!  Brrrrr!

I am as snug as a bug in a home I love!

Tonight I will probably 'watch the ball drop' on television.  I may well be awake for that.  But honestly, there have been times when I could not stay awake for that "big event".

I do like to have things orderly for the New Year.  Tomorrow, I will take down the Christmas decorations and put them away.  The new calendar is now on the refrigerator.  There are a lot of things already filled in.  It's good to have things on the calendar, just not too much of it.

I don't do New Year's Resolutions,  but I always do look forward to the surprises, the accomplishments,  the growth, the opportunities that a New Year always brings.  And I often do have a couple of goals.

Goals and plans and hopes for 2014 include:

+A trip south to see uncles and lots of cousins!   (some of whom I have not seen in 50 years)
+Write a sequel to my book In Its Time
+Go on a cruise to Alaska

All three of those are well under way!

Also, I desire to see my children and grandchildren and friends often!

As this year draws to a close,  I am very grateful for a wonderful family, a great marriage, good health,  and a faith to sustain me!

Family Photo

This is the one thing I wanted for Christmas:  a family photo.  Whenever I received one in a Christmas card or letter,  I was always so jealous!  Now I have my own.  This one even includes Gerry and me, thanks to Viki's camera with delayed capacity.

Of course, I also got a new stove on Christmas Eve, though that was by necessity, and not by choice.  Unbelievably,  those who deliver do not install!  My husband is definitely my hero.  And he can do anything!

The best part of Christmas is the gathering of family members.
In this picture are four of our children, and their respective spouses, along with three granddaughters.  Lots of laughter and noise;  lots of food and fun;  lots of interaction and games.

It gets increasingly more challenging to get everyone together for holidays, because there are always in-law invitations and obligations.  V & M always go to his family's Christmas Eve gathering first, and then come here, arriving very very late.  We are grateful they are willing to do that.  I suspect that when children come along, all that may change.

I'm so glad I have this picture to remember this occasion.  I don't know why it took me so long to think of doing it.  Thanks everyone, for participating!

Tis the Season

Rehearsing before the Service

Another fabulous musical event at UPC.   No one does it as well, nor collects so much awesome talent!

An 18 member orchestra with everything from the tambourine to the trumpet to the tuba to the flute!

13 Altos
11 Sopranos
8 Basses
4 Tenors
3 Narrators
3 Soloists

4 lovely banners; 35 poinsettias
One bright star
and one incredible director indeed!

So much effort,  so much commitment, so much dedication   And one amazing production from the IHS Choir.

Gerry was one of the narrators, and of course, did a great job.  He loved being able to do that.   As a non-singing person, that was a way he could participate.

The pastor's father has been quite ill and in the hospital.  I'm glad for him that he was able to be there today.   It was just too uplifting to miss.   While I was ready to step in as needed,  I am glad that I was not needed. To miss this Christmas Cantata would have been a huge disappointment.  In light of all he has been through lately, he needed to receive this "Heart of Christmas" gift.

Stove Woes

We figure that our stove must be 18 years old, as that is how old the house is.  I suppose that one might not expect many more years than that out of an appliance.   This one has been troublesome for a while, at least the oven has been.  We had an oven issue that came from a short in the back of the stove, which Gerry fixed.  We had another oven issue when one of the elements had to be replaced.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend in particular, with 13 people to feed, the oven kept cutting in and out.   But after that weekend, it worked just fine.

Gerry had already determined that the part we needed to replace, the motherboard, is no longer manufactured, and no longer available to order.  That being the case, we decided that we would just use the oven until it died completely.   I was cooking for guests in early December, and once again, the oven was finicky.

On Saturday evening,  out of the front section, where all the electronic parts are, the motherboard, came fizzling noises, which is the best way I can describe the sound.  That was followed by black smoke, and the smell of electrical burning.   We shut the stove off completely in the fuse box.   With Christmas less than ten days away, we needed an immediate replacement.  Meanwhile, we could still cook on the stove top.  That brought on two other of the same kind of fizzles and mini-black-smoke-explosions.

My daughter Brenda has the same kind of stove, and she and I have both observed that if you are boiling something on the top, and it overflows,  getting water into the electronic parts can cause the strange stove behavior.

Sunday, we went to Lowe's. Gerry noted that we need the slide-in kind of stove so that there are no cracks on both sides between the stove and the counter.  They had none in stock, so it had to be ordered.  The one we need could be delivered by December 29th, which was completely unacceptable to me.  I need to produce a Christmas meal!

We then went to Sears and there also,  the kind we need was only available by ordering it.  The date of delivery is scheduled for December 24th!   I am just hoping and praying for the best!  Good weather, early in the day delivery.  So stressful,  but we determined that that was the best we could do by Christmas!

As I have been cooking on the top, I have discovered that the oven is once again working just fine.  Of course, it is completely unreliable, potentially dangerous,  and has to be replaced, but as it soon goes to the stove burial place for its final rest, in its eulogy,  I would say that it should be honored for its perseverance and recovery!

Thank you stove for the service you have rendered.  Rest in peace!

And may your replacement arrive on time!

Thanksgiving Times Three

I sat drinking my coffee this morning reflecting on our Thanksgiving celebrations and their significance.

Our family gathered last Sunday, which is when everyone could be here.  We had a lovely meal, as well as a birthday party for Emma.  It was a great time. Needless to say, my family is the most important thing in my life.

That meant that on the actual Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Gerry and I were alone together.  I did cook a Thanksgiving meal, though a fairly modest one.  We enjoyed a quiet, stress free, mellow, comfortable day filled with cooking, eating, watching television,  reading and just being together.

Last night we entertained friends whose company we very much enjoyed.  I made another Thanksgiving dinner, this one more elaborate and fancy than the one on Thanksgiving Day.  These friends had never been at our house before, so that is always fun, showing off our lovely home,  and my love of cooking.

As I thought about the three thanksgiving meals, it occurred to me that those represent the three most important things in my life.  My children and grandchildren and their spouses, through whom I am greatly blessed.   My husband and marriage, for which I am deeply grateful.

And friends, both new and old.  We have not lived in one place during our marriage, but have lived in four places---Dryden, Moravia, Fayetteville, and Cortland--due to my years in the ministry.  The disadvantage of moving and changing your place of residence is that you are always somewhat transient.  The advantage is that you are constantly making new friends.  There are people who are dear to us from all the places we have lived and worked.

Family, marriage, friends.  To that list of things for which I am grateful, I would add faith and health.  Both of those give joy and meaning to all the rest.

What A Morning!

Sunday morning was a special thrill for the lyricist (me) and composer (Paulette) who wrote the Thanksgiving anthem, which was sung by the adult choir, the children's choir, and the chorus by the entire congregation.

As noted by Judy Cain's Facebook post [see below],  there was quite an age range, and there were also additional instrumentalists.

Probably six months ago, organist and composer Paulette Fry asked me to select some text from scripture and write a poem, which could become a song.   We had done one other anthem earlier in the year. The scripture I chose was from Psalm 65, a song of thanksgiving.  First came the words, then came the music, which was absolutely phenomenal.  Then came the choir director Sue Bonne and the choir, including the Sunday School kids, working their magic putting flesh and blood to bones.  What a morning, indeed!

To add to the special-ness,  I learned later from Paulette, that she had given flowers in honor of the man who donated the incredible organ to the church.  Usually,  after the service,  flowers are given to individuals who may be ill, or in the hospital, or celebrating a special event.  They chose to give the flowers to me!  So the goodness and glory of the morning are still being enjoyed!

'You know that song, "My Lord, What A Morning!"? That's what it felt like yesterday at UPC Cortland. One of the anthems was written by two UPC-ers, and the choir that shared it with us had an age range of over 80 years, from the 2.5-year-old in the front row to the senior citizens in the back row. AND the anthems were accompanied by piano, digital tympani, percussion, flute, French horn, and glockenspiel. I'm telling you, it was awesome, literally awesome, and I walked out of there well and truly blessed!'         by Judy Cain

We Didn't Know

When I fell in love, I fell hard indeed

with my wonderful husband so dear,

Clueless was I of the perks to come

From marrying an engineer.

He said that he could say the same

The years would prove the teacher…

Revealing that he had surprisingly wed,

A United Methodist preacher.

A master at building decks and such,

Electrician and plumber too,

All those skills were unknown to me

It would unfold, all he could do.

He didn’t know that I would be

A very good tennis partner,

An excellent cook,  an organizer,

A poet and an author.

We didn’t know what the years would show

When I fell for him and he fell for me

But we both believe, 

when it comes to life,

We won the lottery!

Flukes and Coincidences

I tend to experience a lot of flukes and coincidences in my life.

Like today, for instance.  At the last minute, I decided to stop at Wegmans' before I met my lunch appointment. Right at the entrance to the store, I bumped right into a very close friend, unexpectedly.  Lovely surprise.

Another interesting coincidence happened at our house in the past couple of days.  Gerry has recently gotten interested in historical markers.  He wants to photograph the markers in Cortland County and perhaps make a brochure for the local Museum, among other things.  It is a fun little project for him.  So, he ordered a book on signs and the stories behind the markers.

Let me back up a moment and say that a lovely lady, Marilyn Wheeler, was a close friend of mine who passed away a couple of years ago.  I used to see her often. She was like a surrogate mother to me.

Last night,  Gerry told me to look inside the cover of the book he had bought at Amazon.com, which had just arrived in the mail.   It is a used book.  And the book used to belong to Platt Wheeler.  Who knows when it might have left Platt's possession,  or what circuitous route it might have taken when it left his possession, before it found its way to our house?
 
The fact that it did find its way here is nothing short of miraculous to me.  We live in a different city now.  Gerry's interest in historical markers is the result of our travels in July, so that interest is new.  Obviously it is something that Platt used to be interested in too.

I could not help but wonder whether or not Marilyn somehow mischievously orchestrated that, wanting to say hello.  Hello Marilyn, Hello Platt.

Senior Poetry

Anyone who has read my blog over a long period of time knows that I am a poet.  That is one thing I can remember writing from earliest childhood.   For any occasion, birthday, celebration,  graduation,  in honor of a person---you name it, I could pen a poem about it!

I still do, occasionally.  Last weekend, I was invited to share thoughts about a very special man's life, in the form of a poem, which I did at his Memorial Service.  The family appreciated the words, saying that it was 'right on' in terms of who he was.

I am not always a consistent blogger.  I sometimes go a couple of weeks without any posts.  It occurred to me this morning, that I could use my blog as a poetry place,  a site where I might "publish" some poems.

When I had that thought, I was thinking about poetry about getting older--senior citizen poetry.  I wondered if I could write any poetry on that topic?

A very difficult part of aging

 is being witness to

all the cruel things one's body will do.

No matter how much the mind has to say,

Gravity will always have its way.

Some flabby skin here

 and wrinkles there

hair all going to white.

Does one accept the process

and do it with grace, or fight

your inevitable plight?

Though surgery has certainly crossed my mind,

at the moment I am still more inclined

to celebrate those things you cannot see.

I am loving my life, internally at peace,

enjoying serenity.

Never mind the wrinkles and sagging,

and all that shows on my face;

I'm grateful for health and life and love,

and especially for the wisdom of age.

Long Lost Cousins

I am planning a trip to Mississippi in early March.   I have two uncles who live there.  I believe I should see them one more time.  Both of my parents have been deceased for quite a while.  I was always very close to my Uncle Clinton, my father's brother. Because he has dementia, I'm not entirely sure he will know me, but I believe that the trip will be worth the effort.

A long lost cousin made contact a couple of years ago, and is now a Facebook friend.  She said on Facebook that if I am ever in the area, we should get together.  I told her I was coming and asked if we could meet somewhere for lunch in between.  Half way in between is Jackson, Mississippi. She is from Baton Rouge Louisiana.  Joyce is a first cousin whom I have not seen for over fifty years.

My mother's parents had both died by the time I was five or six years old.  Consequently, we never had family get-togethers at their house.  Visits to my uncles'  homes were infrequent, and therefore, I lost contact with those families fairly early in my life,  especially after I moved north.

My cousin Joyce is bringing along to lunch a couple of her sisters, and her mother.  She also contacted a first cousin from another one of my mother's brothers.   It is shaping up to be a convention of cousins.  The truth is,  I do not really know these people at all.  Still, I am looking forward to it.  It ought to be an interesting occasion.  At the very least, we can share our life stories and catch up on the past fifty or fifty five years!

My other grandparents, my Dad's parents, lived to ripe old ages.   Throughout my childhood, I enjoyed  large family gatherings at their house.

My hope would be that long after I am dead and gone, my children will still get together on occasion and enjoy one another's company.

Cutting the Grass

Not me, but a tractor like ours! I like her yellow heels!

Gerry is temporarily on limited physical activity.  We decided that the grass needs to be cut one more time before winter, so I got elected.   Back in the day, I was always the one to cut the grass, but have not done so now in many years!  After Gerry retired, that became his job exclusively.

So I've never used our tractor to mow our lawn before today.  I always loved cutting the grass in the past.  It is an extremely satisfying job where one can actually see the immediate results of their labor.

But it wasn't as easy as it looks.  Our yard is very very hilly, lots of curves and changes in elevation.  There are no flat parts at all.  The tractor was often tilted to one side and I had to lean hard the other direction, because I felt like I was falling off.  I learned to go up and down the hills, rather than across the curve.   My legs are very short, so I have to be sitting forward, with no back support.  All the bouncing around, and leaning to the left and right actually gave me a back ache!  I hurt!

And I must admit, it was also very cold, bitterly cold.  The day started out sunny and warmer, but by afternoon, when we were finished with our other activities  (meetings, voting, etc.) it had cooled down considerably.

The good news is that now I know what is involved in cutting the grass. I did enjoy zipping around on the tractor.   But I can say unequivocally that it is a job I will happily let Gerry do!

That's Entertainment!

This afternoon I so much enjoy such a unique concert.  I will say it is a little bit hard to describe.  The first part was a duo of organists.  Their hands and feet were projected onto a screen in the front of the sanctuary.  One number was entirely with feet,  four feet on the foot pedals.  That really brought back memories.  Between thirteen and seventeen, I was sometimes the substitute pianist and/or organist in my church (my father's). I taught myself to make a stab at playing the organ.  A keyboard is a keyboard, but then there are the stops and the foot pedals.  I would practice all week in order to be able to include one or two of those.  The feet were the hardest.  It is hard to see them at the same time you are looking at the keyboard and the music.  I managed to bring in a foot pedal occasionally to go with a chord.  Once in a while a stop boomed at the wrong time, but I made the effort.

The finale of this concert was Ye Old Bottle Band.  That is the part that is hard to describe.  There were sixteen bottle band members in a variety of Halloween-themed get-ups,  from dark circled eyes to blinking head pieces, to outrageous outfits.  I think the bottle music was made by blowing into the bottles,  but there were so many other things going on a the same time, I'm not entirely sure.

Youth marauders pranced or danced around the sanctuary in Halloween garb, though thankfully nothing gorey.  Tom Bonne sang Monster Mash while Frankenstein (Tom Corey) danced from the choir loft.  There must have been a synthesizer accompaniment to all of that. The Bottle Band also did quite a bit of choreography, involving finger snapping, hand jive, and jazz hands.

There was more than once when I laughed out loud.  It was so original and creative and fun.   I am happy to be part of a group of folks who can laugh at themselves, and at the same time, share amazing gifts and abilities.

So outrageous, so much fun.  Now that's entertainment!

A Study in Contrasts

We gave a presentation Thursday night about our July trip across country.   We had carefully selected around 100 slides to depict our journey, out of the 1000+.  We divided the presentation in half and each did our part.  I think it went well, and people certainly appreciated it.

During the question and answer time, one person asked an excellent question  (which we had already asked ourselves).  I don't remember the exact words, but it was something like this::  What stands out to you the most, or What overall impression do you have?

We had the answer at the time.  Vastness.  If you haven't driven across the country,  one cannot really grasp how vast this nation is.  And variety.  There is so much variety in the terrain, the agriculture,  the lifestyles, the population density, the vegetation.

After thinking about that a little bit more, I would add another word.  Contrasts.  Going across country was a study in contrasts.
From black lava fields, to lush waterfalls.
From wide open spaces, to dense green forests
From cram packed cities with dense populations, to the plains with miles between homesteads and houses.
From the mountains to the valley to the ocean white with foam
From miles and miles and miles of arid desert and nothing but scrub brush, to the wetlands of North Dakota with a lake or water pocket every few feet
From interstate highways to rocky roads

It makes me understand and think of the words:  From purple mountains majesty across the fruited plains.

There is one other thing that strikes me, as I think about it.  People are generally the same.  And by nature, they tend to be interested, kind, hard working, friendly.

You would not be able to tell that from listening to the evening news. But the truth is, as Americans, we all have much more in common than not.

Vegan Update

About a month ago I posted about "changing my ways" and moving along a path toward vegan-ism.   In conversation with daughter Vee this evening, she asked what I have been cooking up lately.  So I decided to just tell he what I have eaten today, just to give her an update.

Now rather than filling up my empty stomach with a pot of coffee when I get up, first I have a fruit smoothie. She said, "You mean, with dairy."   I told her that I use coconut water or almond milk.  And I add to that a banana or blueberries or pear, or whatever is on hand.

For lunch, I used a pre-made whole wheat flatbread and added to that some grated cheese, tomatoes, and feta cheese and baked it.  (The tomatoes came out of Vee's garden.  She had roasted them;  I pureed those for sauce).

For dinner I made a dish using a three colored quinoia.   To that I added an assortment of healthy items.  I used green onions, and broccoli, and edamame (soy beans).  It was then tossed with a dressing made from almond butter and a few other ingredients like lemon, honey, garlic, etc..  I also had a green salad.

One of my favorite dishes these days is a quinoia salad that has cashews and feta cheese and dried cranberries.  Yummy!

I always have a craving for something salty and crunchy.   That I satisfy with soy crisps or rice cakes.

I have definitely reached my goal of being 90% vegan.  I never intended to be completely rigid.  I do occasionally deviate and eat poultry (when out at a restaurant) or other foods on other necessary occasions.  I also eat fish at least once a week.

But I do find that I very much enjoy my new eating style.  It is an interesting challenge, and a creative one.  It forces me to look at food differently.   Like right now, I think I will go and dehydrate some apples that need to be used.  I will use my mandolin slicer, slice them very thinly and bake then until they are chips.

It is something of an irony,  that when I have to think about food 10 times more than I used to,  (to make sure I have the right food on hand, to study recipes, in preparation)  I am actually eating ten times more healthily than I did before.

Part of that is about eating with intention, rather than unconsciously grabbing whatever handy, unhealthy,  processed thing that happens to be around.

No unhealthy snacks in this house.   (Well, except for Gerry's apple fritters!!)

The Last Chapter

Now I can "close the book" on the book writing experience, which has been far more fruitful than I ever imagined.  Last night I had my last Event, where I made a presentation and signed a lot of books which people had bought.   There was a great turnout for that event (of former parishioners), 95% of whom had read the book and were totally interested and engaged.

The results of publishing In Its Time have far exceeded my expectations.  In fact, I had no expectations at all, so to get invited to numerous events to talk about my experience was indeed a surprise, and I  might add, a delight.

I wanted readers.  That's all I wanted.  And I definitely have gotten that!  People keep asking me how many books I have sold, and because of the way the publisher's reporting system works, I honestly do not know. The first report came out just a few weeks after publishing, and at that time, absolutely no one knew the publication had happened.   Eventually, mention of it took place in a couple of church newsletters and on Facebook, etc.  The next report comes 60 days after the end of the year, so I will not know the actual number until well into next year.  But I already do know that self-published books (and mine has not been marketed at all) generally sell in the hundreds--a couple of hundred copies.

For me, the better question would be---how many readers have read my book?   It has been in demand in the local library, and I know other people have shared their copies with friends.  So for every copy sold, there have probably have been another five or so readers.   That is the more important result to me.

Since I have no more events on the books, and practically everyone who might be interested has already bought and/or read my book,  I am pretty sure that I can close this chapter of my life, and say that I am so glad that I did this!  I never expected to get to share my writing and publishing experience with so many people---both people I know, as well as those I do not know.

The thing is,  I have jokingly talked about doing a sequel, because quite honestly, the book does need a sequel.  The last chapter sort of leaves the reader hanging.   I have also said that I miss my characters, which is also true.  They have become quite real to me.

When I wrote In Its Time, I was still in my post-retirement productive mode. I needed to be doing something!

Will I ever actually write a sequel?  I don't know.  It takes so much time and commitment and hard hard work.

 And now I have mastered the art of leisure!

Loss of Faith

I have not lost my faith in God, nor Jesus Christ, not even the church.   I have lost my faith in my government.  Over the course of the past few weeks, or months, or maybe even longer,  I see that Congress no longer works in any meaningful way.   Or, at least the way it works does not work for me.

Clearly, now the language shows the truth of the war.   It operates as if it were nothing more than two sides at war with one another.  "Total surrender".  "Fought the good fight".  "Win the battle".  It is a game of winners and losers.

The real losers are the American people.  Our government now has no credibility, at least to me. I also believe that any credibility with other nations has been seriously compromised.  Decisions are not made on the basis of what is best for the people, or the nation, but rather the party.  Decisions are made based on elections, and power.  And compromises are good only for a matter of weeks.

I never wanted to be cynical.  It is not in my nature.  I prefer to be hopeful and optimistic and cheerful. I have none of those feelings any more when it comes to the governing of this wonderful nation at this time in our history.

Actually, I suppose the divide goes much further and much deeper even than that, into society and culture, and religion.

My husband's advice is not to worry about things I cannot control.   I don't watch or listen to very much of it,  but I have not been able to completely detach and let go emotionally of all the turmoil.  How I wish I could!  I wish I didn't care at all.  I care too much.  I'm not so cynical yet that I don't remember what it feels like to be proud and patriotic.

I have lost my faith in my government.  And I'm not sure that I see any way of getting it back. It is a sad day.

Radio Face

My husband is a big Garrison Keillor fan, and so it seems like we see one of his shows somewhere about every couple of years.   Last night he had a performance at the State Street Theater in Ithaca.

Several times in his monologue, he referred to his radio face.  What that means, of course, is that he has a face much more suitable for radio than for television.   A more incongruous personality I don't think I have ever encountered.  By that, I think I mean that there is a real disconnect between his stage presence and his voice.

On the radio, he is entertaining, masterful,  and fascinating.  In person, he is awkward, and gawky and truly odd in his demeanor, not a pleasure to look at, by any means!

Still, there is something touching about his spirit.

Some of the time, his shtick is more like a ten year old boy telling bad jokes and referring to body functions, as if he is conversing with a group of other ten year old boys.

At other times, his insights can be downright profound.   I was surprised on several occasions at the depth of his insight into the human condition.  These tidbits are always delivered in a  humorous and self-deprecating manner.

Garrison Keillor's monologue currently is a look back at his life and all his experiences from a vantage point of wisdom and age. He can see all the connections and decisions, and how his journey evolved and developed.

 I will admit that on occasion,  I felt like he is just a silly little boy, or a dirty old man,  or a self-indulgent elderly person who went on too long and didn't know when to stop.

But whatever my reactions and criticisms might be, I will give him five stars, an A++ for poignancy!  Also,  I would add that Garrison Keillor is one of the most unique souls I have ever encountered!

Going Back

As a child, I was a preacher's daughter.   At that time in the history of our denomination,  it was normal  for pastors to stay in their parishes around four years.  Earlier in the 20th century,  appointments actually were limited to two years.   I cannot imagine what the thinking was behind that.  Nowadays,  the length of a pastorate is ever growing, and currently could easily extend to fifteen years.

Part of the "baggage" of frequent moves as a child was the emotional tug of "going back".  At first, following a move, the child in me always longed to go back and visit the former friends.   The hard lesson learned from all of that was---once you have left that community,  that church,  that role [pastor, preacher's kid, pastor's wife, etc.]  then going back is never the same. They have moved on (as well they should).  Relationships are different.  A new pastor has been embraced.  New friendships among children and youth have developed.  Eventually I learned that "going back" was really not the emotional treat that I expected it to be.

The same thing does not apply for me in going back to a former congregation.  Yesterday, I was the guest preacher at my former church, from which I retired.  I really enjoy "going back" under those circumstances, because I know that I can do what I love  (preach)  but leave without having to carry the responsibilities that go with the role.  That is the joy of retirement.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the folks with whom we were formerly Christian Community and shared so much.  I also enjoyed the reaction of the newer folks to my preaching.  As an occasional preacher,  I can work for a long time on my sermons, and always do.  I was actually very surprised by the invitation because that congregation has between six and eight retired clergy right there on site from which to choose. Needless to say, I was also quite pleased.

 Going back to preach is just downright fun.  It is not the same as going back to a former congregation as a child.

There was much affection and appreciation for both me and for Gerry.

(However, several people did not recognize me because of my much lighter hair color!)

October Writing Gigs

A friend and blog follower of mine commented to me via email yesterday:  "Must be that you don't have anything to blog about these days."

As I reflected on my blogging slow down,  I can say that there are several reasons for that.  She is partly right---I really don't have too much to blog about these days---except personal family stuff, which I do not generally blog about, except perhaps in some very generic way.   Plus, I generally avoid political topics, for obvious reasons.

Another reason is:   Other Writing Gigs in October

On October 6th, had the opportunity to give a message, which took some preparation.

On October 13th,  I have been invited back to my former church to lead worship, and that has taken more preparation.

October 26---We are giving a presentation on our cross-country trip.  Work required on the script and on the Power Point presentation.

On October 27th, I will be leading worship at UPC of Cortland, and once again,  research and writing.

On October 30th, I am both hosting the Ladies Lit group, as well as presenting my paper.   This is a paper-presenting group, and not a book club.  One has to present a ten page paper  (right down my line), and of course, more research and writing.  Mine is on Contemporary Memoir Controversies.

So maybe this is a blogging-dry-spell,  or perhaps it is at least partially brought on by many other significant commitments this month.

(Other commitments include social events and family events.  It is a very full month.)

Maybe I'll get back to writing my blog more often.   I have had other dry spells, and found my way back.  So if you are a reader, don't give up on me, please!

Library Exhibit

I learned that the Tompkins County Library is featuring the exhibit "The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic".  

 It was reading about that exhibit that sparked an idea for a novel, which of course, I wrote and published this year.
 An exhibit by the same name was on display at the Everson Museum in Syracuse in 2007;  thus a lengthy newspaper article in the Syracuse Post Standard, which I read.   At that time, however, I did not actually see the exhibit.  I also read the book by those who had been involved in putting the exhibit together.   So, today I was excited to have the opportunity to see it up close and personal.  Many of the things I read on the panels, I had already read in the book entitled The Lives They Left Behind.

This is one of those cases when the imagination trumps the reality.  What I had imagined in my head about the exhibit, upon which I had based many details in my story, was quite different from the reality.  Specifically,  what I saw in my mind's eye was three dimensional,  as if the suitcases were actually there on display.  But all I saw today were flat panels.  It somehow lacked the "largeness of life" that I had expected.
I don't know that I would say that I was disappointed in the exhibit, but I was certainly surprised that it did not match the vision I had of it.

The patients from Willard Psychiatric Hospital are identified only by first name and a number.   The one to the left is Mrs. Ethyl.  She was a minister's daughter from Ithaca, who ended up in an abusive marriage.  She had two babies, both of whom died.

It's not hard to imagine that she was overcome with grief and trauma.

The panel to the right is about a man named Dmytre from Austria who immigrated to America with his wife.  After his wife died, his world fell apart, and he ended up at Willard.  The title on the panel is "A Painting A Day".   Apparently, he painted every day, chronicling his life story in folk art.

One of the characters in my novel, In Its Time, was an artist and also painted.  Clearly, the idea for that character came from the book by Darby Penney and Peter Stastny, and the real life Dmytre.

I cannot help but wonder if I had seen the actual exhibit before I wrote my book if it would have been any different.

Sixty Years

Yesterday, we returned to a community in which we used to live  (where I was formerly the pastor).  We attended the 60th wedding anniversary of two very special people there in the church.   They had a table with their photo albums, and obviously they have had anniversary celebrations all along;  actually, I think we also attended their 50th, though we no longer lived there at the time.  But there we were in their photo album.  We do remember that it was held at some location other than the church, though neither of us can remember exactly where.  We do recall that there was dancing.  It was held at some kind of a Fire Hall, I think.

If you put their current pictures side by side with the wedding pictures of 60 years ago, it is amazing how little they have changed.   The color of their hair has.  She has more lovely white hair now;  his is more salt and pepper. But for sure, they look in mighty good shape for their ages, and indeed they are.

Another thing I found amazing is that she was 18 years old when they got married, which to me seems so very very young.  But back then, of course,  it was common.  I have one other good friend who got married at 18 and is still married  (though more like 50 years, not 60).

So, Congratulations to the Jacksons!

We also saw many other familiar faces.  We have not been back to the church in the past ten years or so, so if you do not use names, they get buried deep.   I was amazed how many names I did remember, upon seeing their faces.

Many wanted to know about our daughter Vee, who spent her youth growing up in that church and community.

As I looked around at the church,  I could recall many changes of which I had been a part.  Those were good years, filled with many memories.

Changing My Ways

Over the course of the past twenty or more years, I have suffered from various digestive issues.  Slowly over that period of time, I have changed what I eat and or drink.  The first thing to go, over 15 years ago was carbonated beverages---no more diet cokes!     I don't need to go into the details of my issues,  but they have been serious enough, affecting my life in negative ways,  that it has sent me on a journey to discover how to resolve those issues.

I know that most of the population will take a pill to fix the problems, but I'm not of that inclination, which means that I have address the root of the problem.

 I don't need to go into the details of the solution here, but I will say, that it has led me further and further toward being a vegan!  I'm not there yet, for sure, but I'm on that train moving forward.  (as soon as I am fully trained. :)

I recently read an article in a magazine about Bill Clinton being a vegan and I remember what "Bubba" used to be like, with Big Macs, etc.   Now it seems he has his "appetites" under control!

On the negative side of these changes in my life is the impact that all this has on social events.  Rarely do public dinners have food appropriate for vegans.   And also, finding appropriate food in restaurants is a challenge.  But I have decided that I am never going to be completely rigid in my approach, especially when it comes to socializing.  I guess the term for that is flexitarian!  I will be either 90-10 or 80-20% in my vegan life.  Occasional fish or poultry will be allowed when eating out.

On the positive side of this endeavor, it's like having a "big project" to work on.  I have to plan ahead.  I have to read recipe books, and on-line recipes.  I have to shop more often for fresh produce.  Actually, fruits and vegetables are so beautiful, bright and colorful.   Of course, there are plenty of grains and herbs and nuts to enjoy as well.  The possibilities are all new and endless, absolutely endless.

This is a new creative outlet that I am very much enjoying!   And for sure, I am feeling much better already!

Anniversary

Today we are celebrating our anniversary---31 years married, 32 years together.

This is our picture in 1982.  How very young we look.

The years have flown by so very fast.  They have been fun, full, challenging, and dynamic!  We have laughed, cried, been disappointed, been uplifted and victorious, and persevered, together.

I seem to especially love this stage of our lives, where things are more mellow,  less stressful,  easier.   There is nothing I feel driven to do or be or accomplish.  Life is good each day!  Each day is sufficient unto itself.

God has richly blessed us with a wonderful family,  good friends, and good health, and things to do.

Here is a picture of what we looked like in 2012.

We've done a lot of living in between those two pictures.  But you can still tell it is us!

How thankful I am to have such a loving marriage!

PreSchool and College

A new school year brings new schools to attend, and new school activities for us.  I have three grand-daughters.   The oldest, Zanni,  is in her first year at the local Community College.  The youngest, Sadie, is now attending Pre-School at the same elementary school as her older sister, who is in first grade.   So the educational spread of my grandchildren goes from pre-school to college.

Last week, I had the delightful experience of going and helping pick Sadie up from school.   They were very meticulous about releasing each child individually, to the appropriate parent.

This evening, we had the pleasure of attending Zandrea's first volleyball game at her Community College. Sadly, they were soundly defeated.   Zanni plays on the "second string".   When they got to play during the third game, they did much better than the "first string".  It was also fun to see other family members there who came in support.

I have not been to the Community College campus in probably 20 years or more.  I could not believe my eyes.  There is a huge athletic facility with both inside and outside sports areas.  None of that was there before!   There is a large number of dormitories, perhaps as many as 8 or 10.  I was expecting maybe one or two buildings.  I just could not get over it.   It is amazing how much growth has taken place there over the years!

There is another game next week.  Maybe that one will be better.

In any case,  we have many more years of school events to look forward to.

Scarecrow Update

Back in the winter, youngest daughter Vee asked me to make a scarecrow for her yard.   I undertook that challenge with great enthusiasm, though I could not even imagine how to do that.  (But usually, if I want to do something, I can find a way.)

I got some old clothes, stuffed them with plastic grocery bags, having no straw or hay on hand.  I also figured that those would be waterproof, so at least the insides would not always we wet.   The only thing I had to buy was a small piece of fabric for the face, which I think might have cost about 50 cents.

The scarecrow was hung on the back fence in their yard, using bungee cords.  It has probably been there for six months now and it seems to be holding up remarkably well.  I didn't think to ask if it really deters the birds from eating the berries, which was the reason she asked for it.  She (the scarecrow) is really not all that intimidating.

I especially like the fact that the scarecrow's feet are firmly planted on the ground, though they are just socks, no shoes.

A happy scarecrow!

I also like her straw hat and smiley face!

U.S. Open

Daughter and son-in-law V+M always go to the U.S. Open.  Matt's parents also get tickets for us, if we want to go.  This year we were able to do that, so we spent a Saturday filled with tennis!  It was the semi-finals, and there were two matches to be played.  I had no idea how long that would take.  We left home at around 10:45 a.m. to be in our seats in Ashe Stadium by noon, the start time!

One definitely needs to be prepared with a hat and sunglasses, with perhaps snacks and a water bottle.  V and M have done it enough times to know how to prepare.   I knew about the sunglasses and visor and sun screen.

  I  did not want to carry around a big bag all day, and have to keep up with that.   In past years, there has been a long long line for those who carry a bag or purse of any kind, to get through security.  Those without could walk right through.  I planned to not have a bag this year, but Vee assured me that there was no wait in the bag line.  And she was right.  I did take a small bag with a few snacks and my camera.

I am not usually one to watch tennis for hours.  I figured that if I got bored I would just go to the food court and sit in the shade and watch on the screen.  The first match was really exciting and thrilling.  I was cheering for the underdog  (Wawrinka).  Everyone else round me was cheering for Djokovic.   That match lasted for four and a half hours!  Though it was close the whole way, and Wawrinka gave him a run for his money, Djokovic won in the end.   It was much more difficult to get "into" the second match.  I was prepared to go the distance, and stay as long as V+M wanted to stay,  but everyone was ready to leave by 7:00 p.m..  That is seven hour of tennis in the hot hot sun!  Everyone did take a break at one point or another to go for food and drink.

Overall I very much enjoyed it.  I was worried that I would be challenged by all the climbing of stairs, but I managed to do whatever needed to be done.  It is a stadium of 22,000 people, and it was packed!   In fact, I was very much surprised to learn that the two week U.S. Open event is New York City's largest and most profitable.   (You'd never believe how much a sandwich cost!)

Boat Outing

On Saturday, we enjoyed a lovely outing on the lake.  Friends Wayne and Susan called, hoping to schedule our annual get-together, and it just so happened, that Saturday was the only open date we had, so it worked out.

The weather was a little iffy.  Susie tried to call while we were on the way.  She had both the home phone number, which she tried first (we were half way there).  Then she tried the cell phone number, which she also had, but not the correct area code.  She wanted to say the weather did not look too promising.  Meanwhile, we arrive at the boat.  At first we just traveled up the channel for a while, fearing thunder and lightning.  Then, thankfully, the sun came out and we went out onto lovely Owasco lake.  Wayne and Susie have a new boat this year.  It is much fancier, with soft leather seats.

This annual outing is just about the only time all year when Gerry and I actually get into the water (other than shower, bath, or rain.).  We did, however, swim during our July trip.

It was such a lovely time with old friends.  We were surprised to learn that their daughter just had a baby the day before.  Susie was leaving the next day to go and be with daughter and grand-daughter, so it was their last outing for the year as well.

While going out on the lake in a boat is always a treat,  mostly we enjoy Susie and Wayne's company.  They are both always upbeat and cheerful, warm and hospitable.

We will hope for another boating outing next year!

Prolific Vine

This is one prolific morning glory vine.   I am convinced that if I could have tied a string from the trellis to the very top of the house,  this vine would have made a climb that far and beyond.   In fact the tendrils that are reaching out on all sides have wrapped themselves around one another multiple times.   And still, they are looking for places to go!

I have been waiting for and hoping for some blossoms!  I 'googled' 'when do morning glories bloom' and got no specific answer.  It seems to depend upon many different things--the variety, the location of the plant, the location where you are, etc.   So I still do not know exactly when to expect the blossoms.   I do very much hope they materialize. At this point, it is a lesson in patience!

For whatever reason, this has not been a good year for the hydrangeas to put out flowers.  Lots of foliage, but very few blooms.   It has been a very rainy summer.  Maybe that has affected the hydrangea, and perhaps also the morning glories.  Maybe they like shade and are getting too much sun.

I love morning glories.  I have hope that they will come through.  And I hope that they are blue.  Ah, blue morning glories!  That would be nice.   But truthfully, at this point, I'd settle for any color.

It would seem like such a waste of energy and effort on the part of this plant, for it not to produce any flowers.   But maybe that is just my bias.  Maybe the vine doesn't care!  Who knows?

Working on Sermons

I've been trying to figure out why I have not blogged for so long.  Maybe it is because I just burned out after blogging ever day in July.

But also, I have been working on other writing projects, and of course, also socializing.   Today I had lunch with daughter M.  It was good to hear about all her thoughts and feelings and events.  She has recently returned from a visit to her in-laws in Spain.  I got to hear all about that.   We stopped by to see daughter P at her place of work.   It was wonderful to hear that she does not need to have surgery on her knee, as feared.  I am having lunch with a dear friend tomorrow.

My friend Pam was here visiting for a while, and that was a treat.  Other than family,  it is a rare occasion to have a friend come for a two day visit.

I suddenly have a flurry of invitations to preach.  Usually those don't happen very often, but now I have four in a short time frame.  So, of course, I've been working on sermons.   Since I  have lots of time  (don't need to produce one a week)  I like to work on my sermons for quite a while.  And there are also other parts of a worship service to prepare, such as a Children's Message, and other bulletin parts--responsive readings, prayers, etc. Of course, this is something I enjoy very much.

One sermon down, three to go.   Three different locations.   2013 will go down as one that has brought into my life lots of speaking opportunities, and other surprising opportunities as well.   Who knew that retirement could be so rewarding?

Flood Memories

Last night's flood is really hard to comprehend.  I heard on the news last night that people had to be rescued from their cars in the Wal-Mart parking lot.  I thought they had to be mistaken.

But in fact, there was a significant flood at the bottom of my hill.  Fortunately, we live on a hill, and are and should be fairly protected from flood waters.

I have already lived through that, and hopefully will not have to ever do so again.   I was a flood victim in 1981 when a bunch of fluke factors caused an unexpected major flood in some parts of the town where I lived.  I happened to live in the lowest spot in town, and the lowest spot on my street.   My house did not have a basement, so when everyone else was pumping their basement, the waters all flowed into my yard.   The mud that came after the flood was much worse than the water itself.  That was really what destroyed everything.

But I survived, with the help of good friends and neighbors.  Gerry came to help, and he never left my side after that.  It was one of those times in life when something good comes out of disaster.

The damage at the bottom of the hill is major.  My heart goes out to all the people affected.  It will surely take Wal-Mart a long time to recover.

This is what it looked like last night.

There is also an Assisted Living facility in the same general area, which I understand had to be evacuated.    I've always thought that when I am old and infirm, that is where I might go.   Now that I see that it is in a flood zone, I will probably have to rethink that option!

A flood can be a really devastating experience.  In my case, once I got past the devastation,  there was blessing!

A Two-Talk Week

On Sunday evening I was one of the presenters, part of the faculty, at the Chautauqua event in Homer.  It is an annual event that offers ecumenical worship, and educational opportunities.

 I talked about my book In Its Time, and the process of imagining, writing, and publishing it.  Attendees have  to sign up for the "class".   The organizer commented to me that there was an unusually good turnout.

The class is supposed to last for an hour, which I could not imagine.   I talked for about 40 minutes and the audience asked questions for 20 minutes, and before long, the hour was up!  I was exhausted most of the day from rising early, playing tennis, going to church, playing games with V & M, who were visiting, doing dinner, etc.   But I was quickly and completely energized by the event, which I greatly enjoyed.

One person asked me who my favorite character was, and I could not immediately answer that question.  I'm still not sure about 'favorite',  but there certainly is one to whom I relate more than others.

Tonight,  I was invited to do a 'Book Talk' at the local library, where a book club group gathers each month to discuss a book they have read.   This month they had read my book.

One woman, who identified herself as Catholic, asked how I had happened to choose a Cardinal as one particular character in the story.   I honestly could not tell her why or how that had come to pass.  But at least she agreed that he was painted in a very positive light, and she liked him a lot.

I have one more "book presentation" scheduled in October.   After that, they will probably be over.

I am more than pleased with the opportunities that have come my way as a result of publishing this book.  All I really wanted out of the experience was readers!   And that I have had!   Beyond that,  I have been constantly surprised by invitations and good turnouts, as well as positive feedback.

At least in my own community, I am now established as a "local author."

With New Eyes

There is a phenomena that I have noticed over the course of my life.   Something which might drive you crazy at first  (like a big pile of dirt in the yard or a cardboard box in the middle of the office, etc.) will eventually become essentially invisible.   In other words, we grow accustomed to things, and no longer notice them.

That always seemed particularly true in churches, where "stuff" had a way of accumulating over time.  Those accustomed to the piles of stuff no longer saw them.   But I knew that new people coming into the church would definitely notice, if I did.

That same phenomena has been at play for me since I returned home from our trip.  A lot of things both inside and outside the house that I had simply grown accustomed to,  I am suddenly seeing with "new eyes".

That's surely a good thing, but it certainly is generating a lot of work for me, and for us.  While before we would have been out enjoying playing tennis,  now we have been driven to get the weeds out,  or clean the refrigerator, or replace the old toaster.  Or at least, I should say, that is what is happening to me.  Gerry is certainly helping.  Right now, he is in the mindset of edging the gardens and getting some mulch, which we did not do at the beginning of the season because it kills all my tender young plants.  Now the plants are old and dead, so I am not objecting to mulch so much at this time.   It even seems like a good idea after 40 loads of yard waste has been hauled off to the city dump, having no place in our yard to put it.

So my conclusion is that a result of going away and coming back home is that you look at everything around you as if you are seeing it for the first time.

And it just might need a little work!

The Weeded Flower Garden