July 4th Holidays

Tomorrow marks the first of July. With that in mind, we embark upon our true National Holiday. We as Americans celebrate some other national holidays, but this is our True one. The one where our freedom is remembered and celebrated annually. Most of us don't take the time to appreciate what this day really means.
Oh, sure it is a day (or few days) off from the rat race, met with family and friends grilling and eating ice cream and watermelon. The day is culminated with fireworks and mosquitoes and everyone goes home hot, tired and feeling good for another year.
We may even listen to a tad of patriotic music as we watch the fireworks with the added appropriate ohhs and ahhhs.
We have freedom....freedom to choose to worship our God. Our country tends to forget that is what we came over here for. To get away from the dictatorship of telling us what we can and cannot do. Now we cannot have a nativity or the mention of God on our courthouse lawns. The atheist have made sure of that. Their claim is that by adding God to our country their rights are not met. Hello!!!! Anybody listening???? We moved here to have the choice to worship our God in our own way. That would be by having prayer in our schools, God on our courthouse lawns at Christmas , "under God" in our pledge and the gospel allowed to be spoken over the airwaves . Now in saying that, If you do not Believe, you have the right to omit "Under God" and you have the right not to admire the Nativity, but you have the obligation not to celebrate the Christmas Season, also. Cannot have your cake and eat it, too. (So to speak.)
Now to get off my soapbox and recant some wonderful July 4th memories....As a child, our 4th was spent at Walnut Ridge and Portia every year having a fish fry or a feast. No hamburgers and chips for this family. Many years it was catfish and all the trimmings. As I got older, it was roast, fried chicken, fresh garden veggies and desserts galore. We had to make this trip every year so that my dad could make his annual trek to the Portia picnic. He would sometimes take me along but this was a trip for him. Every person he had every met in Lawrence County would be there and he would have to talk to them. I would politely stand by his side, observing all the rides that I knew I would not be allowed to ride. All the other kids got to ride and have fun....I got to stand by my dad and listen to conversations about the weather and how it would affect crops.
I don't think I ever shot off a firecracker until I had a drivers license.
After my kiddos came along, it was a treat to go to the Elks lodge and watch the fireworks at night. Yes, we had burgers, dogs chips and watermelon. Things I missed as a kid. In 1983 we sat on the Jernigan's lawn and had a perfect view of the fireworks. The only difference is that it probably was still 95 degrees that night and I was 3 days from delivering Blake. I was miserable and Jeremiah kept crying that the noise hurt his ears. I thought..."Am I crazy? I don't like it, Jeremiah doesn't like it, Doug is mad at Jeremiah because he is upset and Douglas is upset because he thought we were going to leave early. What in the world am I doing?" Looking back it was a wonderful memory. I was not at the time. How time changes things we remember!!
Later in life, Doug and I went to Atlanta to visit friends one summer. While we were there, the four of us went to Stone Mountain for the laser show. This was before lasers were everywhere. The finale was Lee Greenwood singing his famous song "I am proud to be an American". The evening was awesome and I thought that one day I would take my kids back on the Fourth of July to see that. Yeah, right!! Me and ten million other people. That never did happen but I did think that would be the perfect 'Ward and June Cleaver' adventure.
Life changes, we grow older, kids grow up and there is a new generation now cooking burgers and dogs for their families, having wagon parades in the neighborhoods, and waving their flags of freedom to the music of outdoor concerts playing all our patriotic music.
War happens, peace happens, soldiers fight for our freedom today just like they did 225 years ago. Some come home, some don't, the price is high for you and me to live in the land of the free. Do NOT take the privilege lightly. Never fail to appreciate the people that fight for our freedom. On foreign soil and on our home soil. In the military and our law enforcement on city , county , state and federal levels. They protect us every day. We can never say that we are 100 percent safe but we can say that we have the best protection of any country on this earth.
I am proud to be an American,
today and always,
Vera

Mama is Worried

"RACINE - Is President Barack Obama visiting Racine?

The White House has announced that Obama will be in southeastern Wisconsin Wednesday.

They have not yet announced the location of his visit, but NBC Chicago announced Friday that he is coming to Racine.

Racine officials also said they have heard rumors about the visit, but could not confirm it.

NBC's site said, 'President Barack Obama plans to travel to Racine, Wisconsin next week to discuss the economy....The White House just released a note for planning purposes.'

Matt Lehrich, the White House's Midwest communication director, could not confirm their report. He said the location of the president's visit would be formally announced in the next couple days.

Obama came to Racine in February 2008 as a part of his presidential campaign and spoke at Memorial Hall, 72 7th St."

Douglas, our oldest son, called me yesterday and had me to look up this article in the Racine Journal Times. He had been hinting to keep checking the paper for the last few days. I have to admit, he didn't say a word about it, BUT, he had told me that he had a lot of extra pressure at work last week. I would never have dreamed that this was what his extra pressure was.

Douglas has dealt with President Obama when he was presidential candidate Obama in when Douglas worked at a facility in Davenport, Iowa. Secret Service it tight for candidates but even tighter for a sitting president.

If any of you know my son, well, you know he walks to the beat of the different drummer, as they say. If he thinks it...he says it. If he says he is gonna do it....well, he does. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think Douglas is ANTI Obama. He has learned in his profession not to judge politics. He has to deal with all kinds. What he tends to do is get upset very easily with....how shall I put this mildly...."stupid people". Whether it is his own staff or the contact people for events. He is learning to keep his mouth shut, but , bless his heart, it just opens sometimes.

HENCE, this mama's worry for the next few days. I can just see him getting mad about something and spouting off right in the middle of the presidents discussion period and the secret service having Douglas on the floor and in handcuffs in a heartbeat. Don't tell me that I exaggerate. This could actually happen. If you happen to see me Wednesday, please don't tell me that CNN or Fox has reported that the Operations Director at the Racine Civic Center has been arrested during the president's visit.

This mama will be so glad when Thursday gets here.

I love you Douglas,

Mama

CHOICES

I had thought about a topic for my next muse and just as I sat down I read m daughter-in-laws last post to her blog. She just confirmed that I needed to write about choices.

I am a 50 something wife, mother, work 5 1/2 day a week, church on Sunday gal. All 7 days of my week are filled.....every week. That puts me in a routine. There is safety in routines. News flash, though....that routine can turn into boredom. I am such a boring person, even I don't like me sometimes... Why should anybody else.

Last month, I did something out of the ordinary. I went to the class reunion from the school I should have graduated from. (Long story for another day). I have not kept up with these people very much because I felt that I didn't fit in since I left. I wrote a post on that so I shan't dwell on that aspect.

Since then, I have picked up a friendship with a few of these folks that I would never had thought of doing. It is like I was 15 again and we never skipped a day.

Had I stayed in the rut and chose not to go to the reunion dinner, I would have missed such a wonderful opportunity. I would have missed the chance of a lifetime to rekindle old friendships.

When I go shopping, Doug will tag along and go from bench to bench and I always feel hurried. Last night I told he to sit at Barnes and Noble (I knew he was tired) and I would just shop the mall. I wasn't hurried and had FUN just browsing for a change. I forgot what that was like. I usually am always on a quest when I go shopping and it was so much fun just to look!

I always spend tons of time on the computer but unless it is my kiddos I have never grabbed the chance to chat with friends on facebook. I have learned that I would much rather chat with friends than surf the facebook notes. I am reconnecting with people that I have forgotten to maintain friendships with and I really do care about their lives. I just have never shown it. I am such a bad friend. I hope all these people don't think I have been a snob, I just was in a rut and chose not to get involved. Sorry friends!

One of my secret wants in life has always been to get a tattoo. Funny, I have 3 sons and none of them want a tattoo. I have one daughter-in-law that wants a tat -too. (groan) Maybe we will go together sometime and get one. Anyone have a suggestion on what I might get or where I should put it? Let me know. What do you think about the hearts. I don't want to show off a tattoo , just have one.

Another dream I have had for years, doesn't make sense but I have been thinking about it again. I want to go away for a weekend. Just me and maybe two or three good magazines and a very good book. I want to get up when I want to, read what I want to, walk when I want to, sleep when I want to and just take time to pamper me. Take me a two litre of Diet Dr. Pepper, maybe some grapes and cheese, some coffee, creamer and splenda. Don't know that I will ever get the guts up to do that one, but it is still in the back of my mind. Doug has been to De Gray and said it was pretty. That might be a great fall weekend. Yes, I do believe I could sit on that porch for 48 hours all by myself. Sigh!!

The one thing that I CHOOSE is to make a conscious effort to be happy every day. No one else wants to hear my woes and the more I share them the lower I get. I choose to be happy, instead. This past year has been stressful and from time to time I want to escape that everyday life. Another reason the get a way sound awesome. It sounds better every day...

Still pondering,

Vera

Getting ready for Christmas 2010

Well, friends, I have spent the last few days trying to set up my Christmas 2010 blog. Not with much success, I am sad to report. In the past I have set up 3 blogs. I worked out all the details of blogs 1, 2, and 3 by myself in a snap. This one has me buffaloed. I want to do something a little different and I have butt my head against the wall for days. In case you don't know it about me...I hate being frustrated!!

I have learned how to erase and edit codes. Now that one scared the bejeezzzzzzus out of me. If I had anything written yet, I am not sure I would have tried it. When I ask my son, the techie nerd, for help, he tells me that isn't something he has ever done before. Well, hello, if you can build, strip, reformat, and write programs for one of these darned ole contraptions , surely you can sure a few minutes and get some answers for me.

I as excited about the Christmas blog for this year. I plan to make it a work in progress instead of just posting the trees like I did last year. When I get a few blogs added, I will share with everyone. I just got in the habit of sharing this one every time I posted so I still do.

The Christmas Tree Lady is already falling behind for the year. I don't have all my trees planned out nor where to put them. I have my Christmas cards bought and still plan to address them next week. That is a traditional "Fourth of July" event at my house. I usually have parties set and menus already planned out.

You can laugh all you want to, but come mid September, all hands and minds will be to start implementing the plan for the season. That is the PLAN that isn't complete yet.

With my love for the Christmas holiday season, I still remember that all the fun is paled by the real reason we celebrate. How wonderful it is to have a Saviour that died for all our sins. A God that forgives our mistakes and loves us unconditionally. Nothing compares to those thoughts at the holiday time, but I never want to miss an opportunity to open my home and welcome guest to share the season with us.

Now bear in mind, this is not a "House Beautiful" home. It is more like a "Country Cottage" home but I hope that all people that grace our doors will feel welcomed and comfortable while we partake of the joys of the season.

I am getting excited about making more plans even as I report on my lack of effort to date. Can't wait to get some plans laid out.

The one thing I do know it that our family tree( our main themed tree of the season) will be "teddy bears" and I we have already picked out the pattern for Doug's ornaments. Every year the number of ornaments he makes increases. This year, I am guessing he will make close to one hundred ornaments to give to our friends and family. Yes, that is a lot of hard work. It is also a labor of love. And a wonderful testimony to all the friends that we have.

I am blessed to have so many and such wonderful friends!

Getting ready to start planning the Season.

The Christmas Tree Lady,

Vera

to Dads old and New...

Today if Father's Day. Happy Father's day to all dad's who read this. It takes more that just having the baby to be a father.

It takes:

unconditional love

many early nights of changing diapers

many school nights of homework assignments

many teen years of waiting up late for them to come home

one hard day of letting them go

many years of watching their lives from afar

an eternity of always caring about their lives

and did I mention unconditional love?

I have had the pleasure to encounter many great dads. The dad that come home late and checked homework even though he wasn't there in the evenings.

The dad that was a cub scout leader.

The dad that made soccer games even though they did not totally understand the game.

The dad that is totally inept but would stay up all night putting together a Christmas toy.

The dad that wore his lucky shirt to all his sons' ballgames.

The dad that works 60 hours a week and still coaches kiddy ballgames.

There are many ways to show love to a child without giving them the world on a platter and all the ways that I mentioned are prime examples of Love. I am sure in each situation, dad would have preferred to take a snooze on the sofa or watch a little baseball but chose to do the thing that would make a memory with a child.

After children are grown, we have to let them try their wings. Children will never understand just how hard this is until they hit that milestone themselves. Kids cannot understand why we worry. "I am mature, I can take care of myself!" Maybe you can but sometimes you may be in that situation were you need a little help. That is what parental concern is all about.

What is the just reward for being a great dad? Satisfaction in knowing that maybe you helped shape the son or daughter into the person they are today. If you ask my husband, he will tell you "grandchildren". Yes, we joke about that. You put up with these kids all these years, just to be able to have grandkids.

So if you are one of those people that get exasperated over a dad that worries over you, just remember that worry comes with a ton of love. The desire for you to have a good life. And what is the thanks we get for that? I think back to the days of my youth to a song by Cat Stephens (before he changed his name) about "The Cat's in the Cradle", dad is busy while son is growing up. dad grows older and slows down but son is too busy to enjoy life with dad.

Is that not what we call the circle of life? One thing I have learned in my half century plus of living. Most of us spend too much time planning the future that we forget to enjoy the present.

What ever you choose to do today for Fathers Day, the one thing I urge everyone to day is live for today. Don't dwell on the past or make plans to change a loved one for the future. Enjoy today!!

Happy Fathers Day 2010,

Vera

The dog days of ....SPRING?????

August is typically known as the dog days of summer. We have hit dog days. It is so hot even the dogs won't do anything. It is all in an effort to stay cool. The computer shows it is 96 outside. The thermostat shows it is 79 in here. It really isn't that hot because we have fans going everywhere. The thing about it is...it is still spring according to the calender. We have heat advisories out and everybody you meet say"think it is hot enough for you?".

Yes, it is hot enough. It is way too hot. It won't be long til some weather reporter will say "let's see if the egg will fry on the sidewalk". Who cares !! We are not going to eat the egg anyway.

What we will do is fuss about how hot it is. Read in the paper about someone dying from heat stroke while out running in 105 degree weather. Hear of an elderly person dying in a hot house because they are scared to open the windows and didn't have an air conditioner. People in ER's and 911 centers will be overly aware of how heavy the oppressive heat is affecting our community. We fuss about how hot the heat is and go on about our business.

I don't really understand why it gets so hot. I don't know why it gets so cold. I don't know why we have ice storms or tornadoes. But...we do. God chooses to place these extreme weather patterns in our lives. Maybe it is because we need to fuss.( Yeah, right.) Maybe it is because God wants to remind us who is in control.

People MUST use common sense when it comes to extreme weather. Take care of you selves and the pets . Stay as cool as possible and , well.....make the best of those lazy, hazy days of SPRING.

Until later,

chill dude,

Vera

OH, THE PLACES YOU WILL WANNA GO

Oh, the places I wanna go to. First, let me say that most of the time my desire is to go see grand babies. I don't get to see them much and miss so much of their lives. Aside from that, there are a few places I would love to see before I get so old I cannot enjoy them. Today is a rambling of those places.......

The place I most want to see is Alaska. I read about the Aurora in grade school and have had the desire to see it ever since. I know that even a trip to Alaska gives no guarantees that I would get to see it, but my chances would be better than staying at home. Especially if I studied the cycles and when they most often make their appearances. Not only the aurora, but I would love to see the snow covered mountains, all the pristine waters, the wilderness and the habitat of outback Alaska.

Second on my list would be New England in the fall of the year. I could see the sap being drawn from the maple trees. The leave covered roads, the back roads with maybe pictures of some of the old bridges, and the mountains covered in a wide vista of color. The crisp smells of fall draw my name. The closest I have every come to this one is the Ozarks in the fall. Eureka with all the apple stands and hot cider on the side of the road. Very few pictures because I was so close to all the trees that I couldn't get good pictures.

The third stop on my dream of travels would be The Biltmore in Ashville, NC. Not only do I want to see the Biltmore, I want to see it at Christmastime. I would love to be there for the annual gingerbread contest. I could appreciate all the talent of these people first hand instead of on the television. The estate would also be decorated in it's finest. I don't think I could take enough pictures of this place. Although I don't even know if pictures are allowed inside. I really wouldn't mind living in a place that big. I could get lost for days. Do you think anyone would ever miss me? Nah, I doubt it.

The last place on my dream places is the Opryland hotel at Christmas. We drove by some of the outside last year but I want to see all the inside festivities. After the flood this spring I wonder how much grandeur will be replaced for the holidays. I hope it can be restored to the original beauty. We have been at the hotel in summer, but Christmas has such an air about it. I hope I have not missed my opportunity to see it at it's finest.

Those are my top four places I would love to travel to. There are honorable mentions, but they fail by comparison. Some of those places on the quick list would be...The Grand Tetons, Mt. Rushmore, Branson, D.C. and maybe NYC. I would put that one way down on my list.

A few places I or we have been that I would love to travel to again....Albuquerque to see all the places we missed. There is also Montreal. I got to see a lot of the grand city but I am sure there is plenty that missed my site. I would love to take a trip to Disney world with the grand boys when they get a little older to appreciate all the hoopla. And finally I would love to return to Seattle. The city just cried out to me. I loved it when there before but it didn't rain on us everyday like we were promised. I want to see the true Seattle.

Well, the places we go and what it means to us. Dr. Seuss had a good idea but to tell the truth, Dorothy has the greatest idea.

There is no place like home.

There is no place like home.

There is no place like home,

Sweet home.

Until later I shall prop my feet up and

look at the travel magazines and

DREAM,

Vera

Summertime, Summertime

I usually don't drive but a couple of miles a day in my car, just back and forth to work twice a day. I live less than a mile from work, so that means I don't have much radio time each day. Wednesdays, I drive to church to eat with friends and fellowship with others, so I do get a little more radio time. Tonight as I was coming home, I was listening to "the true oldies channel" and the song "He ain't heavy, he's my brother" came on. Now to be fair, there are a lot of songs from the 60's and 70's that must have been written under the influence and I always kind of thought this one was, too. As I was driving home with the windows down, (my old car doesn't have a/c) I decided to turn up the volume and jam with the song. As I listened to the words, it dawned on me just what The Hollies were singing about. Me cuppa to them. They had a deep and profound message in the song and all this time I thought they were wasted.

It was me that didn't get with the program. If someone we love has a burden, we carry that burden with them and it "isn't" a heavy load to carry.

Not long ago we discussed in Sunday School that one person carrying a burden is heavy, but if you share the burden with someone that cares for you and loves you, they too will tote the burden . As you share it, the burden lightens.

Aside from that bit of enlightenment, I have been listening to the oldies a lot lately. You can get downright sappy and sentimental over oldies. But...why is it that there are good ole summertime songs and no wintertime songs. When you think of a song, it always brings back summertime memories. Now that isn't a bad thing because we all had free summers and more time to play and stuff. Maybe more time to be outdoors with radios and fun times. I really don't know, I just remember fun times. The other thing I associate with some of the old music is skating to some of it. "I'm a girl watcher" was a great skate song. The beat was just perfect to skate to. Skating is another story for another day.

Now there are some songs that just reek summer. How about "School's out for summer" . Well, yeah! "In the summer of 65", how about cruisin' songs. Doesn't the thought of summer songs make you want to go outside, dig a little bit of heat, a soft breeze on your face and good summer songs.

Oh, the thought of it all takes me back to the days of my youth. Being outside riding bikes with friends and yard hopping. We were always welcome at every bodies yard. We would ride for a couple of hours, get kool-ade at this house, ride a little more, chill for a while somewhere else. The days went by so fast.

One summer in particular, I remember some of the local boys decided they wanted to start a band. I think I heard them sing..."doot, doot, doot, looking out my backdoor" a million times that summer. But the truth remains, every time I hear it, it still have great thoughts of that summer.

Take a minute, reflect on some of your own good ole summertime songs. Close the eyes and turn back the clock of time. Find your youth for a few minutes. It might just lighten your step a tad.

If you ever want to listen to some good oldies, just go to

http://www.thetrueoldieschannel.com/ and connect with some good oldies. Scott Shannon also adds a lot of oldie trivia that in very enjoyable.

Happy listening,

Vera

remembering our loved ones.

As I just left facebook, I read a post asking if it ever gets easier. She was referring to the death of a loved one. Made me think, we have just gone through Memorial Day and all remembering the deaths of our soldiers. It also makes us reminisce about our dead loved ones.

Under the best of circumstances, it is so hard to say goodbye to loved ones. Under the most extreme circumstances, sometimes just downright unbearable.

The best thing to get through the death process is faith in God and depending on the unconditional love of others.

On the flip side of the coin, if it is our friend or loved one hurting, we need to be the one giving the unconditional love. Maybe we have encountered hard feeling somewhere along the way...time for forgiveness. Life is fleeting, by the way.

Life is too short to harbor ill feelings. Some of the things we just can't "forgive and forget....just "Give it to God and get over it". Press on to something more important.

The best thing we can do for our deceased loved ones is to have fond memories but not live for them as if they are coming back. They aren't but we will all rejoice again in our heavenly home. (Just make sure that you are on track for your heavenly destination.

This has been a gloom and doom writing today but it was so heavy on my heart, just had to share. I hurt when my friends hurt and sometimes words just do not do the trick to ease their pain and give them comfort.

Don't worry about getting to close to someone for fear of them dying, leaving or drifting away from you. Any time you spend building a relationship it time well spent. Enjoy your loved ones, your friends , and yes, even embrace those who have hurt you. They may just be the one to help you the most in your time of need.

Saying a prayer today for those of my friends hurting from losses,

Vera

Happy June to you all

Happy June to every one. There are weddings in the air, birthdays and anniversaries all around, hurricane season starts today, the lightnin' bugs are dancing in the evening in full force and it is time for the temperatures to soar into the hot-ties.

By the way, according to Robin Roberts of GMA today and the first day of every month it is good luck to say "rabbit, rabbit". Don't know why but anyway.

Our life changed drastically last month. After 30 plus years Doug changed jobs. Today is also the first pay check for the new job. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but it really is. When times change, bills still go on and that security still needs to be there.

June is also the month that I kind of get serious about my Christmas decorating. I will start mapping out my trees for the year in a few days, start compiling our Christmas card list and start putting our parties on the calendar. I can't wait to get started. Just have a couple of project to get out of the way first. Doug cut out another sample of our teddy bear Christmas ornament yesterday. I think I really am going to like the teddy bear theme this year.

We now have a dog that has to have a people person go outside with her while she does her business. Last night as I sat outside while Delilah ran around sniffing every blade of grass, I noticed just how active all the lightning bugs were. That has always been one of my favorite times in the evening. Just a cool breeze with a small sway in the trees and lightning bugs doing a dance low to the grass . How peaceful in a city that has horns and sirens blaring and trains running and all the other noises of the city. Just tune it all out and watch the dance of nature.

Until later,

I go get a cup of coffee and enjoy the early morning quiet,

Ahhh, Vera