Yes, it's true. In fact, right now I'm finishing off a small piece of cherry pie, one of pumpkin pie, some sweet potato casserole and cheese cake. Not sure, but I don't think I've really eaten dessert since July when we were on vacation.
But it's Thanksgiving. And my feet hurt. Pretty sure I logged 15-16 hours of cooking in the last two days and loved every minute of it! With 'dinner' time set at 1 PM today, I was still in my pajamas just 20 minutes prior to that. Hair was a mess and I had on no makeup. Pretty much everyone pitched in as it was crunch time!
One o'clock and it was show time! As our guests arrived, Pippa the Pomeranian couldn't have been more excited. Jumping up and down and reminding me of the donkey in the Shrek movie saying "Pick me! Pick me!" I grabbed her and held her while the blessing was said and people got their food. She finally had to go play in the backyard so we could eat in peace.
23 pound turkey. About 100 hot rolls. Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings. Aunt Nadine's baked beans. Mom Pum's sweet potato casserole. Memories. Memories of Thanksgivings when I was a kid and we would gather at my dad's parents' house. The table would be full of all the traditional foods and favorites. The blessing would be said and Papaw would fill his plate first. He would sit down at the head of the table----the only person usually to actually sit at the table because there was no room for eating due to the abundant amount of food----and enjoy his meal complete with his cherry Kool-Aid as the rest of us circled the table, and him, filling our plates. After dinner came the most exciting part to me. Time to draw names for Christmas!
After my paternal grandparents were gone, we would gather at mom's. My grandma, Mom Pum, would always bring my two favorite dishes----chocolate chess pie and sweet potato casserole. My brother and brother-in-law and I would fight over that chocolate chess pie! All of us claimed it was made for just us. So Mom Pum or mom started making two so the three of us would be sure to have enough.
A few years ago I decided to start our own traditions with Thanksgiving. I absolutely love cooking our Thanksgiving meal. And I've learned to be flexible as we never seem to know if we will have just us or many more or if we will eat at home or at a fire station like last year. This year we ate at home. And it was nice. But I need to tell you what happened about 6 weeks ago.
We had just received some not so great news and were processing it when I received yet another blow. As I walked across the lobby of the bank where I work, a new customer looked up at me. I walked over to greet him. He told me that one of my favorite customers was going to die that day. She had been sick for just a few months but it was her time. He then handed me an envelope that read "Dinner on me, Polly". I began to sob as I saw the $100 bill inside. He hugged me and said he was fulfilling her deathbed wishes. But how could someone care that much about me that they would think of me as they were dying?
I pondered over the next couple of weeks about how to spend the $100 on dinner and decided it would buy either our family Thanksgiving or Christmas meal. Last week I attended Polly's memorial service. My new friend, her neighbor who had brought me that special gift, spoke of how Polly had requested that he and his wife look after her special needs son after she was gone. She wasn't even sick when she asked them. And that was last Thanksgiving. I knew at that moment that Polly was buying our family Thanksgiving Dinner this year.
As I cooked our meal the last couple of days I thought of Thanksgivings past. Of family and friends, old and new. I thought of Polly's last Thanksgiving and how no one had any idea she would be in Heaven this soon. And I thought about how precious time is. How we need to take in all that God has blessed us with and not just skim over the top. Really live. And occasionally, eat dessert.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
That Was Sooooo Funny! I Think......Wait......I'm Not Sure. It Was Funny Right?
Okay I have a confession. Or maybe it's a diagnosis. I'm not really sure. Anyway, sometimes I think I'm missing my funny gene. Or maybe my funny bone is broken. Or my sense of humor has allergies. I just don't know. But I can tell you that what I think is funny, often other people don't. And my family would be glad to tell you that what they consider funny is often met by a blank look by me and despair by them because I often just don't get it.
Many is the time I have been on the wrong side of a joke. Take, for example, when I was about 19 or 20. I worked in a bank and drove 15 miles over a mountain to and from work every day of the week. One evening I came home to what I expected to be a routine night. Now I suppose, since I mentioned driving 15 miles and over a mountain, you do realize I grew up way out in the country. At night it is very dark out there. It's great for star gazing or hiding. But that's about it.
Anyway, that night I went to bed. Each family member, I assumed, was tucked in for the night. Then a light started flashing in my window. I shared a room with my sister and asked her if she saw the light. She didn't. I jumped out of my bed and turned on the room light. My mother came down the hall with an absolutely evil look in her eyes. No one seemed to know anything about the light flashing in my window. Everyone indicated that I had lost my mind! I began to try to figure out how to escape to my car and drive away from this twilight zone nightmare I was in. Then they broke. They admitted to working all day to set up a light that was controlled by my brother around the other side of the house. My parents and siblings were all in on it. Not funny. At least not to me back then. And even now I just don't get the humor in it even one little bit.
Often times things I consider fun, others consider a bit odd. For example, this summer's vacation was spent primarily at a beach with rather calm, clear water. It was easy to find sea shells on the bottom in the sand and I discovered that I could actually skim the flat ones across the top of the ocean. Easily spotting where the shells sank, I would wade through the water, pick up the shells again, and see how many times I could skip those shells back the other direction.
While I found this activity quite entertaining, at one point it was asked if I didn't 'drink'. Considering this a compliment that it was noted that I was having a good time without alcohol being involved, I congratulated myself on that achievement. Then it hit me. My idea of having fun may have appeared more to others like I had been partaking too much from a bottle, glass or some other form of intoxicant! Oh well. I'm pretty sure I was having fun anyway.
This past weekend was a classic example of the crazy circumstances I can get involved in that, I'm sure, others might think funny but I consider serious. After I had spent a good part of Saturday holding our Pippa the Pomeranian so that she wouldn't 'help' the repairmen who were at our house most of the day, one of our sons noticed a tiny white dog running up the busy street right beside our house. Well, when Pippa sneaks the opportunity to run out of the front door, run is just what she does. It has taken several neighbors, friends and family to catch her at times. So when our son told me he saw that helpless little dog running down the street, of course I encouraged him to go to the rescue!
Using Pippa on a leash as 'bait', he went down the street to try to lure in the little lost guy. Instead he was met with growling! He brought Pippa back home and I then ran down the street calling the puppy. Cars where stopping. Brakes were tested to the fullest as I ran down the street after this unknown little helpless guy. One passer by turned around in his truck, stopped and put on his hazard lights in the street as he attempted to help me catch what he assumed to be my dog.
Over the next 15 minutes or so, my son and I ran across streets, down allies, through yards and wherever we could to try to rescue this poor little scared puppy, all the time afraid he was going to get hit by a car right in front of us. I finally gave up and called animal control as I ran across the street another time. Then it happened. No, the dog didn't get hit but a car and neither did I. But with the help of a man who stepped quickly out of a car, we had the puppy cornered. My son reached down and grabbed the little fellow. All of about 6 pounds of dog turned quickly, bared his teeth and angrily bit my son on the index finger!
I sent my son home to clean his wound as I continued chasing that little monster. Calling animal control as I ran back across the street again, I was advised not to corner the beast. Too late. He stood against the fence of a house of someone I didn't know and I wasn't letting him out of my sight. In fact, I enlisted the help of several people who were outside in that neighborhood to help me guard the little white terror. He sat there tired and falling asleep as we stood in a semi-circle a good 20 foot distance just to be on the safe side. I explained to my new friends what had been happening up to that point and how this ferocious beast had bitten my son. They, like the person who answered the phone when I called animal control, asked "How old is your son?"
Then another man and his little boy walked up trying to see what the attraction was. He commented that he thought we must have an anaconda cornered or something. I explained what had happened and how we couldn't let the dog get away because he had bitten my son. He asked "How old is your son?"
Animal control showed up. The dog was safely in the cage on the truck. A report had to be filed. And, just like everyone else, the officer asked "How old is your son?" Well, he's almost 21. Okay. So I guess that was kinda funny.
Many is the time I have been on the wrong side of a joke. Take, for example, when I was about 19 or 20. I worked in a bank and drove 15 miles over a mountain to and from work every day of the week. One evening I came home to what I expected to be a routine night. Now I suppose, since I mentioned driving 15 miles and over a mountain, you do realize I grew up way out in the country. At night it is very dark out there. It's great for star gazing or hiding. But that's about it.
Anyway, that night I went to bed. Each family member, I assumed, was tucked in for the night. Then a light started flashing in my window. I shared a room with my sister and asked her if she saw the light. She didn't. I jumped out of my bed and turned on the room light. My mother came down the hall with an absolutely evil look in her eyes. No one seemed to know anything about the light flashing in my window. Everyone indicated that I had lost my mind! I began to try to figure out how to escape to my car and drive away from this twilight zone nightmare I was in. Then they broke. They admitted to working all day to set up a light that was controlled by my brother around the other side of the house. My parents and siblings were all in on it. Not funny. At least not to me back then. And even now I just don't get the humor in it even one little bit.
Often times things I consider fun, others consider a bit odd. For example, this summer's vacation was spent primarily at a beach with rather calm, clear water. It was easy to find sea shells on the bottom in the sand and I discovered that I could actually skim the flat ones across the top of the ocean. Easily spotting where the shells sank, I would wade through the water, pick up the shells again, and see how many times I could skip those shells back the other direction.
While I found this activity quite entertaining, at one point it was asked if I didn't 'drink'. Considering this a compliment that it was noted that I was having a good time without alcohol being involved, I congratulated myself on that achievement. Then it hit me. My idea of having fun may have appeared more to others like I had been partaking too much from a bottle, glass or some other form of intoxicant! Oh well. I'm pretty sure I was having fun anyway.
This past weekend was a classic example of the crazy circumstances I can get involved in that, I'm sure, others might think funny but I consider serious. After I had spent a good part of Saturday holding our Pippa the Pomeranian so that she wouldn't 'help' the repairmen who were at our house most of the day, one of our sons noticed a tiny white dog running up the busy street right beside our house. Well, when Pippa sneaks the opportunity to run out of the front door, run is just what she does. It has taken several neighbors, friends and family to catch her at times. So when our son told me he saw that helpless little dog running down the street, of course I encouraged him to go to the rescue!
Using Pippa on a leash as 'bait', he went down the street to try to lure in the little lost guy. Instead he was met with growling! He brought Pippa back home and I then ran down the street calling the puppy. Cars where stopping. Brakes were tested to the fullest as I ran down the street after this unknown little helpless guy. One passer by turned around in his truck, stopped and put on his hazard lights in the street as he attempted to help me catch what he assumed to be my dog.
Over the next 15 minutes or so, my son and I ran across streets, down allies, through yards and wherever we could to try to rescue this poor little scared puppy, all the time afraid he was going to get hit by a car right in front of us. I finally gave up and called animal control as I ran across the street another time. Then it happened. No, the dog didn't get hit but a car and neither did I. But with the help of a man who stepped quickly out of a car, we had the puppy cornered. My son reached down and grabbed the little fellow. All of about 6 pounds of dog turned quickly, bared his teeth and angrily bit my son on the index finger!
I sent my son home to clean his wound as I continued chasing that little monster. Calling animal control as I ran back across the street again, I was advised not to corner the beast. Too late. He stood against the fence of a house of someone I didn't know and I wasn't letting him out of my sight. In fact, I enlisted the help of several people who were outside in that neighborhood to help me guard the little white terror. He sat there tired and falling asleep as we stood in a semi-circle a good 20 foot distance just to be on the safe side. I explained to my new friends what had been happening up to that point and how this ferocious beast had bitten my son. They, like the person who answered the phone when I called animal control, asked "How old is your son?"
Then another man and his little boy walked up trying to see what the attraction was. He commented that he thought we must have an anaconda cornered or something. I explained what had happened and how we couldn't let the dog get away because he had bitten my son. He asked "How old is your son?"
Animal control showed up. The dog was safely in the cage on the truck. A report had to be filed. And, just like everyone else, the officer asked "How old is your son?" Well, he's almost 21. Okay. So I guess that was kinda funny.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Perspective
Perspective: A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view. Viewpoint. Standpoint. Position.
The World Series just ended and I enjoyed watching parts of it. However, the last game, perhaps the most important game, I forgot about. In fact, I fell asleep in front of the TV watching a Christmas movie. I absolutely love Christmas movies but lots of people would sooner clean the gutters as have to endure such. That's their viewpoint. Standpoint. Position. Perspective.
But back to the World Series. While watching the playoffs this year, something hit me. No, not a foul ball. And yes, it's a game. Yes, these guys are having a good time. But it's also their job. Their way to provide for their families. And how well they do determines just how well they can provide for their families. Ever wonder if, when that batter is standing at the plate, he's thinking about the new home he will be able to afford for his wife and kids? Yes, I know. He gets paid a ton of money. But he also gives up most of his year for the game. Plus he can't go out in public and be anonymous like you and I. Anyway, that was my perspective on the game of baseball this year.
Winter. It's coming whether we are ready for it or not. I've pretty much always taken the viewpoint that we can't do anything about the weather so we might as well enjoy it. I usually enjoy the snow in the winter and the sunshine in the summer. However, I must admit this year that I am not looking forward to winter nearly as much as I usually do. Don't know why. But that's my perspective.
Some like football. Some think it's way to violent. Perspective. Some like opera. Some would rather have a tooth pulled as to endure it. Perspective.
Some people enjoy sunsets. Then there are those who can't get enough of the starry skies. Personally, I love sunsets and an occasional sunrise although, from my perspective, sunrises come way to early in the morning. And while I can kinda tell what time of the day it is by where the sun is, I am forever looking up at night and, even though I think it's beautiful, wondering just how the moon ended up in a different place from night to night. From my perspective, it takes a lot more remembering to think about the stars and moon and where they should be than it does to just look up and enjoy them.
Seriously though. Let's think about this. Eternity. There are those who have the perspective, viewpoint, standpoint, position that it doesn't really matter. That living for God is a waste of time. That they know better than God and don't have to follow His Word or accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord. They use His Name as a 'by word' or slang and live according to their own 'rules'.
Then there are those who have realized truth. They know they can't survive with Him. They understand that they are not perfect but have the promise of eternal life because they believe in Him. They know He died for them. They know He is the only way to eternal life. They've asked for His forgiveness and received it.
Yes, those are two different perspectives. Widely different perspectives. But one day, at name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father! (Philippians 2:10-11.)
What is your perspective about Him right now? Your viewpoint? Your standpoint? Your position? Because, on that day, everyone, absolutely everyone, will have the same perspective, viewpoint, standpoint and position. Jesus Christ is Lord. Why not take that perspective today?
His perspective? He loves you. He died for you. He's waiting for you. He sees you through eyes of love. That's His perspective.
The World Series just ended and I enjoyed watching parts of it. However, the last game, perhaps the most important game, I forgot about. In fact, I fell asleep in front of the TV watching a Christmas movie. I absolutely love Christmas movies but lots of people would sooner clean the gutters as have to endure such. That's their viewpoint. Standpoint. Position. Perspective.
But back to the World Series. While watching the playoffs this year, something hit me. No, not a foul ball. And yes, it's a game. Yes, these guys are having a good time. But it's also their job. Their way to provide for their families. And how well they do determines just how well they can provide for their families. Ever wonder if, when that batter is standing at the plate, he's thinking about the new home he will be able to afford for his wife and kids? Yes, I know. He gets paid a ton of money. But he also gives up most of his year for the game. Plus he can't go out in public and be anonymous like you and I. Anyway, that was my perspective on the game of baseball this year.
Winter. It's coming whether we are ready for it or not. I've pretty much always taken the viewpoint that we can't do anything about the weather so we might as well enjoy it. I usually enjoy the snow in the winter and the sunshine in the summer. However, I must admit this year that I am not looking forward to winter nearly as much as I usually do. Don't know why. But that's my perspective.
Some like football. Some think it's way to violent. Perspective. Some like opera. Some would rather have a tooth pulled as to endure it. Perspective.
Some people enjoy sunsets. Then there are those who can't get enough of the starry skies. Personally, I love sunsets and an occasional sunrise although, from my perspective, sunrises come way to early in the morning. And while I can kinda tell what time of the day it is by where the sun is, I am forever looking up at night and, even though I think it's beautiful, wondering just how the moon ended up in a different place from night to night. From my perspective, it takes a lot more remembering to think about the stars and moon and where they should be than it does to just look up and enjoy them.
Seriously though. Let's think about this. Eternity. There are those who have the perspective, viewpoint, standpoint, position that it doesn't really matter. That living for God is a waste of time. That they know better than God and don't have to follow His Word or accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord. They use His Name as a 'by word' or slang and live according to their own 'rules'.
Then there are those who have realized truth. They know they can't survive with Him. They understand that they are not perfect but have the promise of eternal life because they believe in Him. They know He died for them. They know He is the only way to eternal life. They've asked for His forgiveness and received it.
Yes, those are two different perspectives. Widely different perspectives. But one day, at name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father! (Philippians 2:10-11.)
What is your perspective about Him right now? Your viewpoint? Your standpoint? Your position? Because, on that day, everyone, absolutely everyone, will have the same perspective, viewpoint, standpoint and position. Jesus Christ is Lord. Why not take that perspective today?
His perspective? He loves you. He died for you. He's waiting for you. He sees you through eyes of love. That's His perspective.
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