Yep, I'm havin' me a birt-day today. I am 50, which doesn't feel much older than 35, but that's probably the age blunting my brainpower!
"They" tell me I am entering the "crone" stage of female life. What do "they" know? But I may as well take advantage of it, and, crone-like, share some wisdom with you. We first heard this song when we went down to Texas for Chris and Laura's wedding in May. It has become somewhat of a summer theme song for our family. We figure its Lutheran theology in one tidy little package. And I'm sharing it's wisdom with you. Now I am going out to the deck to drink my coffee and be 50 for a little bit!
(Sorry about the link. Embedding is "disabled by request.")
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Me and My Big Mouth
It started in about 3rd grade, when my youngest sister was just walking. My mom went for parent-teacher conferences, and my younger sister and I were left to take care of the littlest one. I decided we would walk around and meet all the staff. She looked so cute, toddling along, that I was sure this would be a big hit.
I walked her into the library and said, "Look Janet, there's Mrs. Levy!" I was so proud of myself. Mrs. Levy said, "I'm NOT Mrs. Levy!" and stalked out. Oops. (I guess Mrs. Levy was not someone she wanted to be!)
I remember another time when I was working for an outdoor music theater. One of the concerts was a benefit for an organization helping people with lupus. The chairwoman of the event, a Chicago socialite, spent lots of time with me that afternoon, as I was the receptionist and "door watcher," and she was a personal friend of the general manager. She kept wandering in to chat with him, and, because he was often busy, she would chat with me while she waited. Very nice, very friendly lady.
Later that evening, as the concert began, cooler weather also moved in. About an hour into the concert, the door opened and in came in Ms. Friendly. As I was busy with some concert-night task, I didn't notice that she was almost carried in. When I turned and said, "Oh, my, did you get injured," she laughed and said, "No, I'm just one of those people who happens to have lupus and the cold really gets to me." Not that I heard that last bit; I had, for some inexplicable reason, laughed back at her. If looks could have killed, the one the production assistant carrying the left side of her body gave me would have put me under and you wouldn't be reading this now. But it didn't, and, instead, I get to live with occasional episodes where I remember my faux pas. Like right now, for instance.
I suffer, myself, from the occasionally-almost-fatal and socially-debilitating Foot In Mouth disease. I'm in good company; I'm told St. Peter himself feasted regularly on his feet. And, see here, and here, more famous bloggers than I are infected with it, also!
I did it more recently, too. At Matthew's wedding, a friend came up to me and said she'd noticed that we'd moved the gifts from our living room, where they had been set early in the party, to a table under the dancing tent. She said, "Ours is in the living room still. I don't want you to forget about it." Did I ease her concern gracefully? No, I blurted something like, "Well, your gift was really big and we didn't want it to cover the whole table. But don't worry, when they open gifts, they'll get it." Chomp, chomp; I was wearing sandals, so it was easy.
I did it yesterday, too, saying something unspeakable to my son, and, by extension, his fiancee. I won't tell you what I said; it really was unspeakable. Again, I have a mouth full of foot. I'll be surprised if I have room tonight for the fajitas I'm cooking! I feel just awful. I sent an apology, and am waiting to find out if they can forgive me. Waiting...
But at least I'm in good company!
I walked her into the library and said, "Look Janet, there's Mrs. Levy!" I was so proud of myself. Mrs. Levy said, "I'm NOT Mrs. Levy!" and stalked out. Oops. (I guess Mrs. Levy was not someone she wanted to be!)
I remember another time when I was working for an outdoor music theater. One of the concerts was a benefit for an organization helping people with lupus. The chairwoman of the event, a Chicago socialite, spent lots of time with me that afternoon, as I was the receptionist and "door watcher," and she was a personal friend of the general manager. She kept wandering in to chat with him, and, because he was often busy, she would chat with me while she waited. Very nice, very friendly lady.
Later that evening, as the concert began, cooler weather also moved in. About an hour into the concert, the door opened and in came in Ms. Friendly. As I was busy with some concert-night task, I didn't notice that she was almost carried in. When I turned and said, "Oh, my, did you get injured," she laughed and said, "No, I'm just one of those people who happens to have lupus and the cold really gets to me." Not that I heard that last bit; I had, for some inexplicable reason, laughed back at her. If looks could have killed, the one the production assistant carrying the left side of her body gave me would have put me under and you wouldn't be reading this now. But it didn't, and, instead, I get to live with occasional episodes where I remember my faux pas. Like right now, for instance.
I suffer, myself, from the occasionally-almost-fatal and socially-debilitating Foot In Mouth disease. I'm in good company; I'm told St. Peter himself feasted regularly on his feet. And, see here, and here, more famous bloggers than I are infected with it, also!
I did it more recently, too. At Matthew's wedding, a friend came up to me and said she'd noticed that we'd moved the gifts from our living room, where they had been set early in the party, to a table under the dancing tent. She said, "Ours is in the living room still. I don't want you to forget about it." Did I ease her concern gracefully? No, I blurted something like, "Well, your gift was really big and we didn't want it to cover the whole table. But don't worry, when they open gifts, they'll get it." Chomp, chomp; I was wearing sandals, so it was easy.
I did it yesterday, too, saying something unspeakable to my son, and, by extension, his fiancee. I won't tell you what I said; it really was unspeakable. Again, I have a mouth full of foot. I'll be surprised if I have room tonight for the fajitas I'm cooking! I feel just awful. I sent an apology, and am waiting to find out if they can forgive me. Waiting...
But at least I'm in good company!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Cheap Shot
I am close to a major Weight Watchers' announcement. I thought I could make it today, but I was told last night that it looks like I've fallen victim to HHAS, (high hormone activity syndrome) which causes, among other things, HMSA (high mouth-stuffing activity.) Probably next week...
One of the other things it causes is HERS (high emotional response syndrome.) So it was this morning, as I drove to meet Jay, and I heard on the radio about this. Rotten news department of WIND decided to play tape of moms, wives, family, friends, etc, cheering the return home of these heroes. I started to feel the tears well up.
Then I met Jay at Starbuck's. As we were heading to court after our coffee, he was in his Class As (the former, green version; same color as the lady on the right.) That's enough to bring a tear to any mommy's eyes. But then the barista gave him free coffee, admired his uniform, and thanked him for his service.
I barely held it back. Didn't want to embarrass him. But it was a cheap shot from Tuesday Morning!
One of the other things it causes is HERS (high emotional response syndrome.) So it was this morning, as I drove to meet Jay, and I heard on the radio about this. Rotten news department of WIND decided to play tape of moms, wives, family, friends, etc, cheering the return home of these heroes. I started to feel the tears well up.
Then I met Jay at Starbuck's. As we were heading to court after our coffee, he was in his Class As (the former, green version; same color as the lady on the right.) That's enough to bring a tear to any mommy's eyes. But then the barista gave him free coffee, admired his uniform, and thanked him for his service.
I barely held it back. Didn't want to embarrass him. But it was a cheap shot from Tuesday Morning!
Monday, July 27, 2009
My Weekend
I think I've recovered from my weekend. I spent it with about 20 little Girl Scouts, Daisies up through Cadettes, (actually, Cadette; Mary is the only one) at our troop's very first campout. "Campout" is a term used loosely here, as we actually camped in at a lodge at a local Girl Scout camp. As this was our first campout, we (myself, a coleader, and Heidi, the fearless leader of our troop) thought that camping in a lodge might be a good idea. It proved to be an excellent idea! With girls as young as 6, and as old as 14, everyone was happy. The littler ones would not have camped well in a single tent, or even a tent with a buddy. It helped that 5 adults were in the lodge with them.
We got to the camp late Saturday afternoon, and we made supper; Girl Scout stew, biscuits, and fruit salad. Afterward, we took a short hike.
We finished our hike at our campfire ring, where we made S'mores. What Girl Scout campout would be complete without S'Mores? Next time, though, I'm showing them how to make banana boats!
The incredibly adorable female JP4lings are members of our troop. While eating S'Mores, Jannah lost a tooth! See the hole there, on the right side of her mouth, left side of the picture?
Next morning, we learned that YES! The Tooth Fairy does come to Girl Scout camp! We could only celebrate that happy discovery with a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausages and eggs. Eggs from Grandma's chickens, no less!
And then another hike. This time we returned to The Bridge.
We had seen this ginormous construction the night before, and some of the girls even crossed it. But Jannah and Joy, those wacky JP4lings, were afraid to cross. Something about a story they'd heard Grandma telling Heidi about the time she crossed such a bridge over the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, and being terrified by a friend of hers who decided to swing the bridge. 500 feet above the river. With Grandma right in the middle! Grandma shoulda watched who was listening when she told such a story! Because no way were those little girls crossing that bridge after they'd heard it.
But, emboldened by Tooth Fairy visits and fortified by pancakes, they were willing, the next morning, to give it a try. You can see Jannah there, to the right, with both a red bandanna and blue visor; can't have too much sun protection! (In case the backs don't look familiar, she's the one in the blue t-shirt.)
Joy was behind me when I took this picture. Yep, they made it across. Yep, they liked the swinging of the bridge. Nope, Grandma still didn't, 31 years later! (Did I just write that?!) But we all lived to tell the tale, and enjoyed the living of it!
The girls came home with me, for supper and time with Daddy. They went back to Mommy in the evening, and will return Wednesday night.
Mary is hoping for more Cadettes. Seems she likes being the oldest...but not that the little ones like climbing on her!
We got to the camp late Saturday afternoon, and we made supper; Girl Scout stew, biscuits, and fruit salad. Afterward, we took a short hike.
We finished our hike at our campfire ring, where we made S'mores. What Girl Scout campout would be complete without S'Mores? Next time, though, I'm showing them how to make banana boats!
The incredibly adorable female JP4lings are members of our troop. While eating S'Mores, Jannah lost a tooth! See the hole there, on the right side of her mouth, left side of the picture?
Next morning, we learned that YES! The Tooth Fairy does come to Girl Scout camp! We could only celebrate that happy discovery with a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausages and eggs. Eggs from Grandma's chickens, no less!
And then another hike. This time we returned to The Bridge.
We had seen this ginormous construction the night before, and some of the girls even crossed it. But Jannah and Joy, those wacky JP4lings, were afraid to cross. Something about a story they'd heard Grandma telling Heidi about the time she crossed such a bridge over the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, and being terrified by a friend of hers who decided to swing the bridge. 500 feet above the river. With Grandma right in the middle! Grandma shoulda watched who was listening when she told such a story! Because no way were those little girls crossing that bridge after they'd heard it.
But, emboldened by Tooth Fairy visits and fortified by pancakes, they were willing, the next morning, to give it a try. You can see Jannah there, to the right, with both a red bandanna and blue visor; can't have too much sun protection! (In case the backs don't look familiar, she's the one in the blue t-shirt.)
Joy was behind me when I took this picture. Yep, they made it across. Yep, they liked the swinging of the bridge. Nope, Grandma still didn't, 31 years later! (Did I just write that?!) But we all lived to tell the tale, and enjoyed the living of it!
The girls came home with me, for supper and time with Daddy. They went back to Mommy in the evening, and will return Wednesday night.
Mary is hoping for more Cadettes. Seems she likes being the oldest...but not that the little ones like climbing on her!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Pro-Life Corner
"Assisted suicide is ethically wrong because it denies the presence of human dignity, the concept that underpins human rights legislation. Being dependent on others does not remove dignity. We do not think of a baby as having less dignity than an adult, despite he/she being totally dependent on his/her parents. Similarly, a person with a terminal or chronic illness has no less dignity than anyone, but society needs to show this."
Gordon MacDonald, public policy officer for Care Not Killing Scotland
Gordon MacDonald, public policy officer for Care Not Killing Scotland
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Much like Round, Unvarnish'd Tale, I am having a blog break of sorts. I found this, today, though, and thought I'd share.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Saturday
Not at the farm, so no farm report...
I'm in my cousin's living room, watching the kids do interpretive dance to a collection of Celtic music. Yeah, it's that funny. Did some shopping today, satisfied my craving for French onion soup, and are just plain hanging out.
Last night, though, was Harry Potter Night. We took the kids (4 here; evenly distributed between the genders) met some friends of my cousin's daughter (which I realize makes her my cousin too, but, you know, it's easier this way) and truly enjoyed ourselves. The four girls dressed for the event.
This film, most of us decided, is the best of the series...so far. Fun humor, good acting and neat cinematography. And I don't care if you agree with me; you're a film snob if you don't! Yes, some things were left out. Yes, some parts of the story were altered. But the film drew me into the world of Hogwarts, kept me there, and, more importantly, made me want to stay. In short, a film worth 2 1/2 hours of my time.
What about you? Is film art, or entertainment? A little of both? Those who think the former would certainly have thought this film really fluffy. But Those who think the latter might have been disappointed, too; certainly not a happy ending! I'm a bit of both. When I want to see an art-y film, I do. But, last night, I wanted to be entertained. David Yates and his crew did that.
I'm in my cousin's living room, watching the kids do interpretive dance to a collection of Celtic music. Yeah, it's that funny. Did some shopping today, satisfied my craving for French onion soup, and are just plain hanging out.
Last night, though, was Harry Potter Night. We took the kids (4 here; evenly distributed between the genders) met some friends of my cousin's daughter (which I realize makes her my cousin too, but, you know, it's easier this way) and truly enjoyed ourselves. The four girls dressed for the event.
This film, most of us decided, is the best of the series...so far. Fun humor, good acting and neat cinematography. And I don't care if you agree with me; you're a film snob if you don't! Yes, some things were left out. Yes, some parts of the story were altered. But the film drew me into the world of Hogwarts, kept me there, and, more importantly, made me want to stay. In short, a film worth 2 1/2 hours of my time.
What about you? Is film art, or entertainment? A little of both? Those who think the former would certainly have thought this film really fluffy. But Those who think the latter might have been disappointed, too; certainly not a happy ending! I'm a bit of both. When I want to see an art-y film, I do. But, last night, I wanted to be entertained. David Yates and his crew did that.
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