The question has been asked, and I have decided to answer it. We prepared for this weekend by cleaning and heating the guest room. I’d say it really began when John’s cell phone alerted us to a caller. We were sitting in the “cell phone” parking at the Portland airport. Our guests were waiting outside the baggage pickup area of Alaska Airlines. The fellas had conversed several times, but we girls had not seen each other since June 2007 when we were in Alaska for THE wedding.
But, you know, some things never change. After catching up on each other’s kids, grandkids, acquaintances, parents, and news, we settled into sharing life as usual. When I showed her photo- and scrap-books, she stopped on a special page. It was a photo of four very young (and slender) brides. YUP…Joanne, Autumn, Kathy and me..all four of us decked out for hiking. The greatest danger of the entire trek was the rifle our husbands insisted we carry; as I recall we all took a turn carrying it (trepidatiously). The wildest animal contact was the mouse chewing on my hair during the night.
While the menfolk went to get a rental car, we reminisced about threads in the tapestry of our lives. Mike and Kathy took us out to lunch, and it was time to say “Fair thee well.” We plan to see them in a couple of weeks at their daughters wedding. We will probably greet formally in the reception line; there is little hope of time for a REAL visit. They were our guests for fewer than 24 hours, but it was refreshing to have them.
They were gone only a couple of hours when our doorbell rang. Again, it was a “child” from our Alaska days. Not only did he grow up with our kiddos, Rob entered college in Portland just after we moved to this area, and we ended up adopting him along with a few young ladies, one of whom he ended up marrying in our back yard. He had dropped off his older son nearby for a gathering which would take about 3 hours. So, since he was in the neighborhood he dropped by to fill us in on their busy lives. Again, the topics of family, kids, jobs, mother, friends, and loved ones filled the time entirely too quickly.
It has been a good weekend, saying “Hello” to folks we see so seldom. Tomorrow afternoon, we will say “Goodbye” to a dear brother in the Lord. Over the years, we visited Bill in his home. He and the dog would greet us cordially, and he would sit in his recliner with his Bible within reach, always. Long before we met him, he was a public school teacher. We have been told, and we do believe it, that he was a great instructor. No doubt his beloved Aleda Mae will also be mentioned...so many reminders of good folks' love of the Lord and consideration for others.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Memories are made of this
There are things that occur in this life that, at the instant of their occurrence, I just instinctively know this will stay in my memory forever. Sometimes, it is a milestone – such as saying “I do” in front of a group of friends and relatives. And sometimes it is not worthy of taking up space in one’s brain – such as watching ants on my 5th birthday scurrying with new-found crumbs and my surmising they are taking them to their hill to gift wrap them for me. I am chasing rabbits…back to my tale.
Today, my memory bank is full of the word OUGHT. It has been permanently embellished on my mind for over 50 years as the word that caused me great embarrassment. When my sophomore English teacher chose two people in the class to choose teams for a spelling bee, I just knew that this was my opportunity to shine. After all, had I not learned to spell e.v.a.p.o.r.a.t.e. in kindergarten? Why, in Texas, I had proven my spelling many a time. Apparently, my team captain thought I had some capabilities since I was her first pick.
Team captains were called on first and spelled their simple words with little effort. Then came my time to impress. The teacher called out my word to spell…”Ought,” she said. “A.u.g.h.t.” I replied. “No, Betty. Perhaps I did not pronounce it well. Let’s try again.” Ought.” “O.t.t.” I guessed. “No, you have been eliminated from the race…Next!” I was mortified to have done so poorly on such a basically simple word.
The reason this memory has been itching my brain so recently is because one of my granddaughters spelled the word “Sleight” by dropping the “e” (s.l.i.g.h.t) during a recent spelling bee. I rather suspect that it will become her “forever” word.
p.s. I think she should have received credit for her spelling; modern usage shows it both ways.
Today, my memory bank is full of the word OUGHT. It has been permanently embellished on my mind for over 50 years as the word that caused me great embarrassment. When my sophomore English teacher chose two people in the class to choose teams for a spelling bee, I just knew that this was my opportunity to shine. After all, had I not learned to spell e.v.a.p.o.r.a.t.e. in kindergarten? Why, in Texas, I had proven my spelling many a time. Apparently, my team captain thought I had some capabilities since I was her first pick.
Team captains were called on first and spelled their simple words with little effort. Then came my time to impress. The teacher called out my word to spell…”Ought,” she said. “A.u.g.h.t.” I replied. “No, Betty. Perhaps I did not pronounce it well. Let’s try again.” Ought.” “O.t.t.” I guessed. “No, you have been eliminated from the race…Next!” I was mortified to have done so poorly on such a basically simple word.
The reason this memory has been itching my brain so recently is because one of my granddaughters spelled the word “Sleight” by dropping the “e” (s.l.i.g.h.t) during a recent spelling bee. I rather suspect that it will become her “forever” word.
p.s. I think she should have received credit for her spelling; modern usage shows it both ways.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A TALE OF THREE LADIES, (the rest of the story)
Two senior ladies checked luggage and cleared security at the Portland airport without any trouble. Though the young man announcing the flight was not happy we did not have “something blue” as proof of our need to pre-board, he let us by.
Jane wanted an aisle seat so I took the middle. The young lady who sat by the window took her seat, pulled out her iPod, plugged them into her ears, and leaned back to take a nap. The flight was above the clouds…and only about 50 minutes.
Anita was only moments away and picked us up in her little red car. Boxes and paper products were stacked to the ceiling in anticipation of Saturday night’s Chinese New Year celebration. After dropping our luggage at her house, we had lunch at the “Cracker Barrel.” I ordered catfish with sides of hush puppy and coleslaw. After lunch, I waited in one of the porch rockers while the others “shopped.” Did you realize that penny candy is now 15¢? Our next task was to trade the red car for one with four doors. After a brief introduction to Boise, we spent the rest of the evening relaxing, trying out a “simple” won ton recipe (with little success), peeking in our welcoming gift bags, eating dinner, and introducing our hostess to Canasta.
Saturday, We began the day with a devotion and prayers followed by breakfast and out the door. Anita needed to pick up an acquaintance to transport her to a housecleaning task. This drive took us by HP multiplex, also “fast-toured” a former church building now a bistro and a look at Boise’s memorial to Anne Frank. Then it was time to get Anita’s mother at the airport.
Now, we were complete.
After dropping Hilly’s luggage by the house, we were expecting to meet a couple who is very special to Anita; the woman was a nurse and a great support to Anita during her cancer battle. They were looking for a red car so we were a little late bumping noses. We were the first customers to be seated in the very ornate surroundings of the Thai restaurant. We were privileged to have an expert ordering our meal of duck and dishes of curry and stir fry and fried rice and steamed veggies. An abundance of food for our group of six left us with plenty to take home.
Speaking of which, the three weary travelers took naps while our hostess prepared scads of won tons for the Chinese New Year gathering that evening. Refreshed and wearing our appropriate red, we went early to help set up for the event. This is “the Year of the Ox.” Door prizes included a children’s book The Ox-Cart Man, stuffed oxen dolls and other thematic gifts. At the announced 5 p.m., there were three people (besides us), but by 6 the count was closer to 50; and by evening’s end, we figure about 80 people were present. The Asian community was well represented, and the dishes they prepared were from every imaginable eastern country. Red envelopes of gold-coin chocolates were handed out to the children and a movie was provided for them also. We left about 8:30. When Anita returned from taking us to the house, some kind souls had already cleaned up.
Sunday morning began with a devotional – more thanks giving for the purpose of our being together, Then it was time to pack for our trip home. We worshipped with the Grace Church of Christ. Then went back to the house to help polish off the leftovers from the day before. Another brief, scenic drive of the area preceded dropping us at the airport for our return home. Again, we were allowed to pre-board (though, truth be told, we still do not know what a "blue thing" is nor how to obtain one). We even saved a seat for a lady who had helped us up the banisterless ramp on our arrival only two days earlier.
So-o-o, how is everyone doing? Anita called to report her one-year checkup on February 5th came back N.E.D. (no evidence of disease)! And, just yesterday, Hilly sent this report: “Result of my bloodmarker test today CA19-9 is 13.5 that is normal. My last one in 2008 CA19-9 was 187.4.” And Jane’s oncologist says, “He sees no evidence of any cancer cells anywhere.”
THANK YOU, FATHER! And Thank you, Anita, for a fine visit.
Jane wanted an aisle seat so I took the middle. The young lady who sat by the window took her seat, pulled out her iPod, plugged them into her ears, and leaned back to take a nap. The flight was above the clouds…and only about 50 minutes.
Anita was only moments away and picked us up in her little red car. Boxes and paper products were stacked to the ceiling in anticipation of Saturday night’s Chinese New Year celebration. After dropping our luggage at her house, we had lunch at the “Cracker Barrel.” I ordered catfish with sides of hush puppy and coleslaw. After lunch, I waited in one of the porch rockers while the others “shopped.” Did you realize that penny candy is now 15¢? Our next task was to trade the red car for one with four doors. After a brief introduction to Boise, we spent the rest of the evening relaxing, trying out a “simple” won ton recipe (with little success), peeking in our welcoming gift bags, eating dinner, and introducing our hostess to Canasta.
Saturday, We began the day with a devotion and prayers followed by breakfast and out the door. Anita needed to pick up an acquaintance to transport her to a housecleaning task. This drive took us by HP multiplex, also “fast-toured” a former church building now a bistro and a look at Boise’s memorial to Anne Frank. Then it was time to get Anita’s mother at the airport.
Now, we were complete.
After dropping Hilly’s luggage by the house, we were expecting to meet a couple who is very special to Anita; the woman was a nurse and a great support to Anita during her cancer battle. They were looking for a red car so we were a little late bumping noses. We were the first customers to be seated in the very ornate surroundings of the Thai restaurant. We were privileged to have an expert ordering our meal of duck and dishes of curry and stir fry and fried rice and steamed veggies. An abundance of food for our group of six left us with plenty to take home.
Speaking of which, the three weary travelers took naps while our hostess prepared scads of won tons for the Chinese New Year gathering that evening. Refreshed and wearing our appropriate red, we went early to help set up for the event. This is “the Year of the Ox.” Door prizes included a children’s book The Ox-Cart Man, stuffed oxen dolls and other thematic gifts. At the announced 5 p.m., there were three people (besides us), but by 6 the count was closer to 50; and by evening’s end, we figure about 80 people were present. The Asian community was well represented, and the dishes they prepared were from every imaginable eastern country. Red envelopes of gold-coin chocolates were handed out to the children and a movie was provided for them also. We left about 8:30. When Anita returned from taking us to the house, some kind souls had already cleaned up.
Sunday morning began with a devotional – more thanks giving for the purpose of our being together, Then it was time to pack for our trip home. We worshipped with the Grace Church of Christ. Then went back to the house to help polish off the leftovers from the day before. Another brief, scenic drive of the area preceded dropping us at the airport for our return home. Again, we were allowed to pre-board (though, truth be told, we still do not know what a "blue thing" is nor how to obtain one). We even saved a seat for a lady who had helped us up the banisterless ramp on our arrival only two days earlier.
So-o-o, how is everyone doing? Anita called to report her one-year checkup on February 5th came back N.E.D. (no evidence of disease)! And, just yesterday, Hilly sent this report: “Result of my bloodmarker test today CA19-9 is 13.5 that is normal. My last one in 2008 CA19-9 was 187.4.” And Jane’s oncologist says, “He sees no evidence of any cancer cells anywhere.”
THANK YOU, FATHER! And Thank you, Anita, for a fine visit.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A TALE OF THREE LADIES
Well, the first two voices are in on what I should blog about. Believe it or not, they both say the same thing. LJ suggests I tackle “What’s up Doc,” “Answered prayers,” and “Journeys I have taken”; and PJ wants me to tell about my weekend in Boise.
Any folks who read my blog regularly surely know some about my prayer life in 2008. On January 10th, a phone call came which sent me to my knees for a period of nine months. Those pleas were in addition to many others.
This time of petition was for a very special friend whom God placed in my life almost 14 years ago. She is an engineer with HP in Boise, Idaho; intellectual, very bright, a fellow networker of acquaintances and believers. Often, the first impression people have of her is that she is shy, but don’t let that skinny, Asian exterior fool you. From January 10 to September 30, 2008, many pled for her biopsy for breast cancer to be negative, for the lump to be contained, for her stamina to withstand months of chemo and radiation, for her spiritual well-being and for Divine intervention for her loved ones. Obviously, many of His answers came different from my requests.
She did survive, and only time will tell what God’s will is for her life. On the very day of her last radiation, her mother started treatment in Denver, Colorado, for pancreatic cancer. One of the other prayer warriors during this time was a recent “pink ribbon” survivor herself. Though she did not know the mother, and had (years earlier) had only a nodding acquaintance with the daughter, she prayed for their well being and talked at length with the mother on the telephone, being an encourager in her concern for her daughter.
About three weeks ago, another call came from Boise. “One of the airlines has great prices right now, and my mother is coming for three days. I would like you to meet my Christian family here. And, too, we are having a Chinese New Year celebration. We could thank God together that Mother is cancer free; I am doing well; and the encourager seems to be doing okay.” She called the encourager friend who also agreed it sounded like a great plan.
In a few days, I will report on the travel itself. I just don’t want to lose the main reason for the trip in the midst of activities. This Journey was to thank our Loving Father for answered prayers for three ladies: Anita in Boise; Hilly in Denver; and Jane in Battle Ground, Washington.
Any folks who read my blog regularly surely know some about my prayer life in 2008. On January 10th, a phone call came which sent me to my knees for a period of nine months. Those pleas were in addition to many others.
This time of petition was for a very special friend whom God placed in my life almost 14 years ago. She is an engineer with HP in Boise, Idaho; intellectual, very bright, a fellow networker of acquaintances and believers. Often, the first impression people have of her is that she is shy, but don’t let that skinny, Asian exterior fool you. From January 10 to September 30, 2008, many pled for her biopsy for breast cancer to be negative, for the lump to be contained, for her stamina to withstand months of chemo and radiation, for her spiritual well-being and for Divine intervention for her loved ones. Obviously, many of His answers came different from my requests.
She did survive, and only time will tell what God’s will is for her life. On the very day of her last radiation, her mother started treatment in Denver, Colorado, for pancreatic cancer. One of the other prayer warriors during this time was a recent “pink ribbon” survivor herself. Though she did not know the mother, and had (years earlier) had only a nodding acquaintance with the daughter, she prayed for their well being and talked at length with the mother on the telephone, being an encourager in her concern for her daughter.
About three weeks ago, another call came from Boise. “One of the airlines has great prices right now, and my mother is coming for three days. I would like you to meet my Christian family here. And, too, we are having a Chinese New Year celebration. We could thank God together that Mother is cancer free; I am doing well; and the encourager seems to be doing okay.” She called the encourager friend who also agreed it sounded like a great plan.
In a few days, I will report on the travel itself. I just don’t want to lose the main reason for the trip in the midst of activities. This Journey was to thank our Loving Father for answered prayers for three ladies: Anita in Boise; Hilly in Denver; and Jane in Battle Ground, Washington.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A thousand words does not a picture make
Well, we knew it had to come some time. No one could keep up a busy schedule of being creative every day…especially, when their medium of choice was photos and their residence is Alaska. February seems like a good month to take off.
However, it leaves the rest of us folks with a pretty blank screen when we call up the day’s Internet. Oh! Wail away and woe is me! I must try to help fill the void. Which would be better for a blog subject?
How I spend my time.
Journeys I have taken.
People I have met.
People I have known.
Fiction.
Family tales.
Recipes I favor.
Answered prayers.
Favorite scriptures.
What’s up, Doc!
Whatever is up must come down.
However, it leaves the rest of us folks with a pretty blank screen when we call up the day’s Internet. Oh! Wail away and woe is me! I must try to help fill the void. Which would be better for a blog subject?
How I spend my time.
Journeys I have taken.
People I have met.
People I have known.
Fiction.
Family tales.
Recipes I favor.
Answered prayers.
Favorite scriptures.
What’s up, Doc!
Whatever is up must come down.
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