Sum, sum, summertime!

Summer addition to our family

Whew! what a summer so far & it isn't over!  Lately I've been going to Aquilla where Yoder's & Asa Kinnamon have their wonderful fresh veggies, fruits, flowers & other wares that can be purchased by those of us who don't grow their own. Ah, the wonders that come from this good earth that has been so lovingly provided for us; forgive us when we desecrate it in the many ways we do, but that is "sermon material" for another time. (BTW, I am not a tree hugger yet, but I could easily become one & add that title to my others that I've heard, some flattering, some not).

I have been sticking closer to home, something that is a little tough for me. Mom is not doing as well with her vision & hearing gradually deteriorating, plus the price of gas & the fact that I, too, am growing older, lack of energy, etc.; however, I'm having an absolute blast!

We have to pay to have our yard mowed, pruned, preened, etc. & have an excellent man who does that work for us, but when I give him the check, I sorta have to hide the amount it costs because if Imogene knew, she would not believe it. Having been out of touch with the outside world for some time now, she is just appalled at the price of things. When I told her the price of  All Bran cereal,  ($3-4 per box) she said, "looks like I'm going to have to go back to eating oats". She often asks about the price of gas & worries that we may be sitting on the curb due to the cost of monthly utilities & informed me the other day that if we still used the tub instead of a shower, we could use that water on the flowers &  keep that bill down somewhat. Another mark against me, since I was the one who wanted the handicapped bathroom installed, plus, I'm too lazy to catch the water in 5 gal. buckets & take it out to thirsty flowers.  She also stated that we didn't have to flush the toilet every time which just appalls my clan - as we used to say, not  every time on #1, just #2  (that's the numbers she taught me many years ago) when we didn't say the words "pee" or bm's. One thing that makes me nostalgic is the fact that she no longer sits outside, at least very rarely due to the fact she can no longer see the entire neighborhood & ponder what is going on in their lives. I try to assure her that plenty goes on in our family to keep her mind & heart prayerful, so I do still hear her praying for them in the bathroom (including Casey Anthony - not implying we're quite that dysfunctional); if you need or care to know anything re. this fiasco, just ask her - she watched the entire trial. It did cause some lively rhetoric from her on how kids are being raised nowadays; guess what, I think I agree with mom in many instances. I told her we would be even more thankful for all those whose parents really do offer their kids the love, care, values & training they need in today's world.

My bunch has been so busy that we haven't even had birthday cake as yet for son Loyd's 40th. I'm holding out for one with both his & his son, Joe's name on it. He will be 11 on the 25th. This generation is one busy bunch; hope they don't look back some day & regret their busyness because I could tell them how quickly these children grow up & really do recall time with family & friends rather than constant outside activities. I'll say this, it's saved me from several Sunday lunchtimes & longer nap times for Barb & Em ; however, it causes me to have to attempt to keep up with them by phone, I prefer face to face communication any time.

Of course as goes in this life, there have been some sad times. A friend of Ken's (who has been gone 13 years this month) lost their only son at the age of 43, a dear friend is battling cancer again, I have experienced weather conditions that amaze me, yet life also never ceases to be filled with awe & ceaseless wonder/s. A classmate from the BHS class of 1961 came by & we went for a 2 hour lunch filled with laughter & memories, enjoyed an awesome picnic with church family at the Metcalf farm, went on a trip with daughters & granddaughter to Columbia to visit with brother & family & Chris & Pam where we loved on Jina & I went out to St. Joe church this past week & observed over 90 kids & 60 adults conducting VBS, a summertime staple for kids to my way of thinking. How impressive - I think God is smiling!  Two of my grandkids, daughter & daughter-in-law are participating (can you see my buttons popping)?  I ran into a good friend at W-M the other day & who said, I've missed Barbservations, when are you going to be blogging again - how nice of her!  She's another treasured asset from this community I love, a teacher who has persevered & still smiles!

I'm saving the best for the last paragraph; did you note the cute photo of my brother Joe & his Barb's  first granddaughter, Jina Claire?  They were unable to have children, so they adopted Morgan & Emma (I tease him about buttering up his mom - he now has Emma Jina, & his mom's name is Imogene). They didn't get Morgan until she was 9 months old, so God is permitting to enjoy this newborn since mom & Jina are with them due to Tom's deployment to Iraq. Jina looks exactly like her mom did as an infant. I understand that if all goes well, I am going to be a great grandma once again courtesy of Chris & Pam, something they are so anticipating as well as the rest of the family (maybe this time, Madilyn, there will be another girl). So do you see why I am thoroughly enjoying my 68th summertime? I pray the same for you - I feel so blessed as I sit here each day, knowing He loves me & shows me the way!   Continued blessings to all, Barb

Flowers are opening wide their eyes!

Some of last year's beauties

April is almost over, the yard has already been mowed twice, & I don't have any flowers out as yet due to this unpredictable semo spring weather.  I have been anxious to visit the nursery at Aquilla, but just haven't as yet due to cool, windy, weather & mom says don't rush things because "blackberry winter" hasn't arrived as yet, whatever that is. Sarah told me at church this morning that dogwood winter has just passed. Guess I'm just impatient. (The name of a beautiful flower); I think it's spelled impatiens.

This has been such a long winter in this household. Mom has had quite a struggle, her vision seems to be getting worse almost by the day, her hearing is going downhill, she has finally very reluctantly agreed to see a dermatologist for some skin cancers on her face that really need attention; the things I "work on" to improve my own health seem to just get worse due to my lack of motivation for the most part. I have been out of high school now for 50 years (OMG) the word G standing for gosh in this instance & some of us are attempting to get a reunion together later this fall. Have you ever tried to get people together including family members even just for a Sunday meal? The t/c's back & forth, emails, what will & won't work for whatever reason, calendar considerations, etc. How our world has changed so quickly in my lifetime. I can recall being so nervous when learning to type on an electric typewriter - now attempting to conquer cyber space without causing my computer to crash.  One of mom's great concerns is that her struggle to write her weekly letters to Joe because of her failing sight. She certainly doesn't want me to see what she has to say, because then she couldn't tattle on sis to him. I can email him & tattle on her - doesn't seem quite fair; however, as we know, in close family circles, it usually makes the rounds eventually.

Mom always planted flowers, bushes, trees without any particular plan. Whenever anyone would share plants, flowers with her or Joe would send them to her for some occasion, (she rarely bought them)she would usually set them out somewhere in the yard. She would just get her shovel & hoe & plant, so of course when the kids started mowing, it drove them silly. She would put bricks around them to let them know they were flowers, because, at times, the boys would pretend they didn't know that & mow right over them. I never quite understood why, but she always made little mounds & mounded them up. Maybe once again, to keep them from being mowed down. Mom always mowed with a push mower, says she loved doing it & wishes she still felt like doing it. We have quite a large lot & it does offer good exercise; (especially with 2 large ditches to mow) the kids love talking about it still. Ken finally bought a riding lawn mower when Chris was doing the mowing. Finally of course, they all grew up, left home, & now we have to hire it done. I couldn't crank one of those push mowers up if my life depended on it & when Dennis came to mow the other day, he had a trailer with all the equipment he uses to mow. When Peggy mows on her "rider" next door, it has a grass catcher; mom thinks that's so funny.

This year, I hope to have some much needed trimming of old bushes done. They have been here since the Gumby's moved to town & mom never sees the need for replacing things that seem perfectly good in her estimation even if they are reaching to the skies & in every direction. We had a bush by the carport that 3 different bushes had grown into it, & a beloved rose bush that for some unknown reason she put a tire around the bottom of it when it was first planted probably in the early 60's.  Dennis Keith took the bush out the other day, & even though she couldn't see it too well, she had to grudgingly admit it probably was needed. She even commented that maybe it might help with the mosquito problem; I was more concerned with snakes & lizards. Even I can't part with the rose bush, though I would like to think of a way to remove that tire. 

I thank God for the beauty of spring, the colorful flowers, the birds that sing. I thank Him for the resurrection of His beloved Son, so that we may enjoy all the blessings of being able to live, love & serve Him. I'm thankful that mom has enjoyed all the springtimes that she has, for the love & joy that she has brought to this family.  If it wasn't for her, none of my family would be here, including myself.  Happy Easter to all my family & friends!  What a special time in the lives of all of those who love the Lord!  

The Top of the Pyramid

2 of Imogene's main men! (mine too) Joey /Chris

Last night at Trinity, we had such a wondrous night of fellowship & fun after I had just returned home from a great trip of fun with a friend of many years that I had really been looking forward to; in other words, I was wanting to get out of Dodge for a few days, see & experience something new & different & this dear friend had given me the perfect opportunity by offering me the chance to accompany her on a trip to Mississippi with her to visit her daughter. They are about 2 weeks ahead of us, so things were more green, the azaleas were in full bloom, as well as some other beautiful flowers.  As we drove through Memphis, I noted one of the landmarks located there, the Pyramid.

Seeing this building set me to thinking about things back at home & wondering how they were going. I had made arrangements for her care while I was out of town, fixed food, etc., & knew she would get lots of attention. One of the main men in her life, her first born great grandson, Joey, came by as well as her granddaughters, neighbors, etc., She could nose around the house & in the utility rooms which she doesn't do as frequently when I'm here.(does anyone need clothes hangers - I don't think she has EVER thrown one away) She could watch those horrible wrestling matches on Sat. night after her favorite preachers which is something she, Joey, & Chris used to do a lot of the time when they were younger. She would really get into it, making the moves, not realizing it (I don't think). Joey & Chris even had some of the wrestling figurines they had collected & knew most of their names.  I can recall years ago when we would drive to Cape to see them "live" at the arena. When we first purchased a tv set around 1955, dad would have me or Joe go outside to turn the antenna so the tv screen wouldn't be so "snowy". She now vows she always knew wrestling was an act; I don't know about that, just that she & her greats enjoyed these evenings together   with all the moaning, groaning, blood & guts - and, oh, those costumes!

She would also instruct the boys to always defend themselves against bullies. It was never a problem for Joey, who was always a big, stout boy; Chris was a smaller, quieter boy, a perfect combo! I worked at school & she & Tammy worked at the nursing center, so we managed to be with all the kids most of the time.  The neighborhood kids often gathered in this yard; it had a large yard with a ditch, bb goal, They shared the "toys" our kids had here, & acquired lots of lessons in life on the ditch bank that runs behind this house. There's nothing like kids having to use their imaginations, & if she perceived that someone was "picking on" Chris,(gotta remember, she left the windows up to listen) she would take Joey aside & instruct him to take care of the matter. After all, this is our yard was her theory, & they can be sent home if they don't follow our rules! That was Imogene's way of conflict resolution. It's so ironic to me that Joey is now the dad of 2 boys, Tanner & Chase, that remind me in many ways of he & Chris when they were younger. Joey thinks he is paying for his raising I think at times, yet he is one proud daddy!

The top of our pyramid has begun to falter due to the ravages of time, yet her strength never ceases to amaze me. Dad died at the age of 57, & mom will be 91 in Sept. if she lives or if the Lord doesn't return (as she says) & she is the head of 5 generations of this family; Imogene, Barb, Tammy, Joey, Tanner.  It is difficult for me to watch her as her steps falter in so many areas, yet I thank God that she is still capable of taking care of her basic needs & able to be in her beloved home. She can no longer leave this house & tells me she looks forward to her next home with great anticipation. I tell her to please not rush, because we all need her so very much. We all need the prayers of those we love - I sure do! She was pretty amused that our program last night at our salad supper was going to be about aprons, which she always wore, then got really interested as I got to looking for the one I really wanted to wear. I was moved to tears when she brought me a handkerchief she has had for many years to take also, she thought it might have been one of her mothers. Just think how many tears, noses, no telling what this hanky has wiped.

I thank the Lord for pyramids - they have a solid foundation. That's what this old world needs! They say that they still stand in Egypt; that's pretty amazing, something built that long ago with the bare hands of slave laborers. With the faith of Imogene & those before her, I understand somewhat more about the Solid Rock upon which I stand. Nothing, nothing, or no one in this life can ever take it away. My blessed responsibility & privilege is to pass it on!

Taking a Trip!!

Probably the daughter most like her mom  (Rhonda) 

I have a wonderful friend whose name is Martha Bennett who has had the courtesy & kindness over the many years of our acquaintance to invite me on several trips with her, some near & some far away. We both love to travel, explore & see what's going on around us. I first met Martha approximately 45 years ago when she, Gene, & Patti moved to a beautiful home on highway 25 in Bloomfield when he was transferred to this part of the country as an employee of the telephone company when most everyone still had landline telephones. Patti & my brother, Joe, were in the same class in BHS & that's how we initially became acquainted. She & I took some college classes together, she finished her degree & later taught several years in Bloomfield. I, however, dropped out because I kept becoming pregnant! I did become associated with our school system as a secretary to the elementary principal for 22 years & later as a classroom aide (those experiences are yet another blog).

I immediately "took" to Martha; she had such a wit about her that I loved, a spontaneous sense of humor, loved to read, travel, was interested in school activities, church, music, many of the same things I was & she loved coffee & was a great cook! I'll never forget the first time she invited me to ride with her to Thayer to visit her large, extended family. I just loved her mother, Clara, & those of her siblings I met. One sister, Kay, & I are also good friends. The drive to Thayer is such an awesome one during the spring & fall - it is absolutely breathtaking! It will make you thankful to God for the beauty He gave us in the form of nature, tress, wildflowers, creatures, etc. Also, during their early years of coaching when the famous Hewgley & Spoonhour coaches were at Bloomfield, they scheduled a bb game somewhere quite a ways off, or so it seemed at the time; seems like it was Cabool. Joe was a "second stringer" & the Bennett's invited me to ride with them to the game (Patti was a cheerleader)& we spent the night in Ava (maybe). We had such a great time with the families who went. I think we gave Gene a migraine from laughing & singing in the car on that trip!

The years passed, Joe & Patti grew up & one year Martha came to the office & said, Barb, let's go to New York City this summer. Oh, sure, I thought. Guess I'll stand down at the 4-way stop with a coffee can for the next year to raise the funds for this one but most are not overly prone to donate to an overweight 40 year old. Maybe I could put a pic of a starving child on the can, but God might frown on that one. But, Martha Flo had a plan. Our dear government sponsored a migrant program in our school at the time (I'm not kidding) & we would see if we could get summer jobs in this program. She, of course, would teach & I would do clerical work. It was a part of the summer school program. We applied & low & behold we were hired, not that I was surprised at her because she's a great teacher, but these government programs truly amaze me. It went on for 6 weeks, then we were off on our eastern bus tour with our summer school windfall! We saw historical sights, the Statue of Liberty, the Rockettes, a Broadway play, (a 15 year old boy on the tour recommended a wonderful play for us to see), & I was petrified, a country girl in the city. I wore a cape in mid-July over my purse because I was so afraid someone would snatch my purse. We saw Civil War battlefields, Washington D.C., all those things that we Americans need to see before we meet our Maker. It was experiences I will never forget including all those who traveled with us, memories I treasure. I keep a bag of souvenirs to this day from that trip.

Martha has taken my youngest 2 to varied historical local settings, caves, cemeteries in an attempt to teach them an appreciation for their forefathers. She's a generous soul, very giving of her time, talent, to others & again tomorrow she & I are setting off on a short trek to the beautiful south. Her children moved there several years ago, but after the death of Gene, she moved back home & now lives in Mammoth Spring, AR, the town next to Thayer, where she began. She has traveled many miles over the years, including to Scotland, Ireland, Israel with Patti, many other places. She is truly a global traveler. She has also written 2 books including "Where Golden Apples Grow". She celebrated her 80th birthday this past September, but still looks great, still plays the piano at the Thayer Methodist Church, still loves to travel & have coffee with friends just as we used to each day after school at Mac's Pizza in Bloomfield.  BTW, she is the one who will be doing the driving, I'm along for the good time!  Plus, her daughter told her she couldn't drive through Memphis alone!

Let me digress just a little; I'm sorry that we didn't take our family on more vacations/trips (short or long) when they were younger. Ken worked very hard; way too hard as far as I'm concerned, & we just didn't take the time to do some of the things I wish we had; not that I live in regret because I certainly know how blessed we are/were! We did go to the zoo, went to Nashville one year, did some other smaller things, but I wish we had spent more time with them showing them how to help others, taking day trips to places of interest, etc. I love my blog te. idea of packing lunch & touring Mingo. It doesn't take lots of money, just a little thought & planning. God has given us so much to see & experience & share. I had lunch today at the senior center in Puxico & had a conversation with 98 year old Wiley McGhee, who graduated from BHS 80 years ago - what a treat! He didn't begin to pursue his dream of becoming a minister until retirement age; he said he keeps trying to retire & let someone younger "take the pew" but they keep calling him back; we discussed the fact that the ministry is not an easy vocation. Talking with Rev. McGhee was a vacation moment/s for me!

I had my dream vacation in the summer of 2010. My youngest daughter, Jennifer (JJ) & her husband, Tom, own a condo in Destin, FL. One Sunday at our Sunday round table, she sort of dropped a bomb shell when she said, how would all of you like to come down the first week of June?  My heart jumped out of my chest - TU, Lord, I've always wanted a family vacation, & even though I'm not interested in laying in the sand & sun, I would just love, love, love going & watching, enjoying, being with all of them. I've had skin cancer, so I just don't take chances, besides, I have yet to see the bathing suit I would don. I keep thinking some ingenious stylist will come up with one, but I've yet to see it. The pic of Rhonda (daughter #2) at the top of the blog is sort of what I might have been several years ago; with a hat, etc. The tops of  her feet were beet red & she was slathered in oil, had on sun glasses & sat under an umbrella on the beach when not in the water. Two carloads of us drove down & joined the Hamptons who were already there, unloaded our gear, spent a wonderful week together & came home still speaking. It truly was a dream vacation for this mom & grandma;  many unforgettable experiences in this beautiful area of  FL as well as Mobile, AL where we stopped on the way down on Memorial Day & toured the USS Alabama. Wowzers (as Jake says)!

After this earthly journey, I will be on an eternal vacation with many others, one that will never end  for lack of money, time, or any of those other hindrances. As the song goes, "When I take my vacation in Heaven, what a wonderful trip that will be"!  I love vacations, short, long; looking forward to being with my friends in Mississippi for a few days & catching up with Martha & her brood again. I think I have everything "battened down" here with mom; lots of folks seeing to her, (what in this world are you doing that for, she asked)? I've fixed potato soup, beans, mac & cheese, greens hoping & praying & instructing her to stay off the stove. Thanks so much to the ones who donated their services at our auction so that we could give to others in Haiti because with that donation came the sweet gal who will be checking in on mom each day while I am gone along with my girls & Peggy & Jane.  I have the greatest family & friends, the very kind I would like to be! Forever grateful to all of you for all you do; pray for us while we are traveling - these are now 2 great grandmas traveling down the road together; how in the world did this happen so quickly?  We've both been widows now for several years; I'm so glad that in God's infinite plan, He provided family & friends for us to make this earthly journey with!  Don't have too much fun while I'm gone - see you soon; Blessings!

Basketball Has it All!

Bro Joe, Joey, Tanner, Joe Rice, Chris

#1 & only son, Loyd

 My blogging mentor/friend, Annette, reminded me earlier this evening that "March Madness" was taking place as we were communicating by cyberspace. I rarely watch basketball on tv unless it's a local team or unless my son, Loyd, is the referee or unless my brother or someone else is here to whom mom will reluctantly turn the remote over to. I call her "flicker finger" because just as sure as I show the slightest interest in anything that is showing on the tube (which is rare), she switches it!  Some real drama has taken place when she couldn't locate the remote & I have been awakened from naps, showers have been interrupted, & chairs turned upside down looking for the misplaced/lost device. Either Loyd or Joey (forgot which) bought us a new one but she didn't care for it, so she just got out the gray duct tape, repaired the old one & it's the one we still use.

I first recall loving basketball during my high school years when we had a pretty good team. I didn't get to attend all the games since we lived several miles out in the country, but dad would go on occasion, & I would catch a ride with friends when I could. I can still recall having a heart wrenching crush on coach "Gunner" Bill Gatlin. At that time, I thought he was such a "hunk" as the gals of today would say. I thought his wife, Shirley, was the luckiest woman on the planet. It was so ironic that they later divorced & he married a woman from my grandmother's hometown in Swifton, Arkansas, that my grandmother knew well.  Fred Pulley, who was a classmate of mine scored more points than anyone to date one season. So, we had some excitement during those years between 1957-1961. 

I can't recall the exact date the "new gym" was built, but I think it was completed around 1960. What a facility, especially for a town our size. We moved  from very small, cramped quarters to a facility that was hailed statewide. The famed Christmas tourney is still held every year. Even though the parking is horrendous with folks having to park almost out in the street, on the ball diamond, blocking people's drives, people come from almost the Arkansas border to participate in & to see this event. There has been SRO on many occasions, not only for the Christmas event, but county tournaments & other games. Basketball has it all in our part of the country. We've also witnessed some very exciting volleyball matches in this gym - my daughter, JJ & several of her classmates & friends had the fortunate experience to play under the tutelage of coach Barb Dalton who won a state championship one year. Their team sure gave us some excitement & thrills that JJ considers such a wonderful part of her high school memories. This lady was not only a great coach & teacher but such a great mentor for these young ladies. 

Our only son, Loyd, had the good fortune of being part of a winning basketball team. It was a sport he played the year round with his buds. He made lifelong friends, 2 of which have since died, such a difficult loss for him & our entire community. His coach, Ken Jackson, was also a very good role model. I am so thankful to God for this. He really enjoyed the sport & it helped make his school years very enjoyable & he is still very much into the area of sports today. He manages a sporting goods store & much to his mother's chagrin, refs college basketball games. It's difficult for me to attend a game that he is calling, because, Lord forbid, when someone disagrees with a call he makes, I just want to go up in the stands & have a "come to Jesus meeting" with them of which Loyd would highly disapprove. I think it can be a very effective teaching tool if we allow it to be; if we remember never to take the fun out of it, never purchase our victories at the expense of their losses or achieve satisfaction at the price of their agony. The pleasure must be in the playing, in being together; winning & losing can destroy the best that life has to offer. 

Lots of exciting basketball continued for me when Joey & Chris played in the 90's & I look forward to the years ahead with Joey's Tanner & Chase who are already practicing here at the house at the same bb goal that Loyd installed for his nephews. Mom & I have had lots of fun sitting under the carport watching our kids, grandkids, neighborhood kids, brother Joe, various & sundry others including lots of girls while away lots of time playing basketball. 

I have spent many happy hours & chalked up wonderful, joyous memories in the Bloomfield gymnasium watching basketball, volleyball, plays, musicals, graduations, (we even had our prom there back in the day); I have laughed, cried, gossiped, yelled, screamed, (it's one of the best places on the earth just to sit & observe people), it just ruins you from going to other high school gyms to watch events in my humble opinion. It's also one of those places that I've absolutely wanted to "jerk a knot in someone's tail" when in the middle of some performance, speech, etc.someone would get up & traipse across & up the steps, open the rr doors loudly & totally disrupt the moment! 

Our little community is small, but we have a beautiful veteran's cemetery, gorgeous city park, beautiful churches, a wonderful county court house that still sits in the middle of town, AND we still can boast that we have had the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament for over 50 years now. I have lived here all my 67 plus years and don't know most of the names of the streets in town, but I know many of the fine people who live here in this little piece of Heaven to me where you see lots of bb goals when you drive down the street/s.

I must close on a somewhat somber note; for the first time in many years, I do not have a Wildcat. JJ gave me a Bearcat t-shirt yesterday, & I admit I had to swallow hard. When Jake & Joe moved to Dexter, that took the 5th generation of our family who had been Wildcats; Aunt Movidene, me, Joe, my 4 kids, Joey & Chris, Jake & Joe. When they look up in the stands, they may just see a purple & red t-shirt. I would always yell for them, of course, encourage them to do & play their very best, but this blood will always run purple!  

RIP Elizabeth Taylor

Yours Truly

I have no choice but to listen to cable news all day when I'm in the house since that's mom's main form of entertainment (after reading the Bible & I'm not making jokes here); if you watch CNN all day, you  need to read the Bible!  So, of course today one of the main things mentioned has been the death of Elizabeth Taylor, a beautiful Hollywood star. I've never been a huge movie fan; I occasionally watch a tear jerker, a comedy, or one that someone tells me I absolutely cannot miss, but that's about it; however, I have always been fascinated by their personal lives. I used to read movie magazines voraciously, saving my money to buy Photoplay, Modern Screen, & when I was a newlywed, I was always slipping People magazine into our grocery cart when it was a strained budget to begin with. I have weaned myself from this habit in my older years, sticking mainly to books & my new Nook & the computer(I think my daughters are now magazine readers).

Mom finally said, oh my Lord, let the woman rest in peace! She was married a dozen times, took away I don't know how many women's husbands's & I don't guess those men cared about their kids - (she was really getting wound about now)! She's been in the hospital for a month - at least she's not having to lay up in a nursing home somewhere; no doubt SHE got the best of care. Probably never had to cook or clean house or take care of her kids. No wonder she gave money to the AIDS people (this is still mom talking, not me) with the kind of life she lived. You know how people get AIDS. She could have given that money to hungry kids. I bet she never darkened a church house door - (I wasn't commenting, I haven't a clue on this matter; I did say to mom that she had time while she was ill for some time to talk to God). Well, that's what they do, she said, wait until the very end, when they get real sick then mention God's name.  I can recall being very upset with Liz when she took Eddie Fisher away from Debbie Reynolds (not allowing for the fact that the path goes 2 ways). For some reason, we seem to always want the women to bear the brunt of the blame, especially if the women are beauties, just like David & Bathsheba in the OT.

As I ponder, there's a lot of truth as always in what mom had to say about Liz. I don't always agree with her either. I've never lived, nor do I wish to, in the limelight. I do regret that many people look to so called stars as idols & mentors rather than everyday folks who live life with joy, kindness, awareness of God & others. My personal hope for Liz is that her latter years were spent in reflecting & coming up with answers & conclusions to life that brought her joy & peace. I know that Jesus forgave the woman at the well that had committed adultery & had been married 5 times - he has a tender heart for all of us; Elizabeth Taylor with her beautiful violet eyes is certainly no exception. I'm glad He's my Redeemer! 

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Recipe 4 Living

Imogene on her 90th

Spring is in the air, thank God, & Imogene's juices are flowing! She may be very sight & hearing impaired, but that doesn't stop her from getting on her head scarf, picking up her cane to take walks in the yard so she can spy on our neighbors, Peggy, & any others that might be visible. Peggy is so special to us; she shares our grandsons, Tanner & Chase Guiling, & has been such a good neighbor for many years. She is a nurturing person, often brings over soup, cookies, & shares her newspaper with us.

I'm always fearful that she is going to fall while out punching around for moles, voles, going to the mailbox, whatever, but as my brother says, you can't stalk her & she deserves to do whatever she feels she can & she's a pretty good judge of that situation. I'm constantly hearing pans, dishes, falling & I've learned to just let it be unless she calls out, Cumi! I usually rewash the dishes, but always leave some for her to do. I wait to redo them until she retires for the night around 7 p.m. She is a lady of much pride.

She won't ask anyone to repeat things (as a rule) except me. So, I get asked things repeatedly, some of them are so funny because she can no longer hear complete words. For instance, trying to explain paperless banking, not having to pay taxes or insurance due to a home improvement loan,(they are paid as a part of the loan payment) getting those medicare explanation sheets when she thinks the amounts listed are amounts she owes. Don't growl about Obama, mom, remember, President Johnson was the one who gave us medicare & what would the two of us do without it?  I was trying to explain to her this past Sat. morning that I was going to go out to pick up some trash on a roadway & her reply was, they ought to empty that jail & get these roadsides cleaned up! That would stop some of this rabble rousing & dope smoking. Also, of course, she feels they should be made go to church every Sunday they are inmates. Her theory is that would save us money; they would change their lives, get jobs, live their lives as God & their mothers intended.

One of the biggest four letter words in mom's life has always been work, so these past few years of not being able to do much has been difficult for her. She can't do those spring cleaning chores that she usually attacked with such vengeance. We took off her electric blanket the other day & flipped her mattress. That satisfied her for that day. I'm hoping & have strongly hinted to our children that for mother's day they paint our house. She used to do that herself, & she would "spot paint" it. I would drive up, take note of that & it was obvious to me that she didn't notice that when you don't paint the whole section, it shows!  She never, ever disposes of anything "of worth" that might could be used later. One time she painted the utility room as far as she could reach behind the washer/dryer a hideous shade of green. It remained that color until just a couple of years ago when we did the "house flip" job from which she has never quite recovered because they painted the kitchen paneling white!

One thing we don't miss a great deal is mom's cooking. She's never been a great cook - never took the time to follow a recipe or spend the time or money on ingredients. To this day, she mostly eats soups, beans, corn bread, apples. She always took her lunch to work while dad always went somewhere outside to eat (I am his girl)! Presentation was not a big issue with mom, cook it, eat it, wash the dishes. She eats healthier than I do, however, & is always chastising me on this matter. She saw the price of a corn dog the other day on a Sonic ad & almost had a meltdown because Chase had left about half of an uneaten one here at the house.

As I watch Imogene struggle in this time of her life that I am journeying toward, I ponder & muse about her recipe 4 living & thank God for lessons learned each & every day past, present, future. She has shared her undying faith with me, the foundation of my faith, a faith that I have tried to pass on to my beloved quartet. I love recipes; I enjoy reading, trying & living them. Thanks, Imogene, for a recipe 4 living!   Cumi

Reach up, Reach out, Reach In!

Ladies in Red

The above title is one that one of the ladies in red wrote for a praise song that we periodically sing explaining that our Lord is worthy to be praised. The pic of the trio to the right was taken at our Christmas party at yet another dear friend's house, a good photo of these minds in action, which, if you are acquainted with these ladies (not limited to these 3 - after all, I'm not in it) you know is usually taking place where 2 or 3 of us are gathered together.

We have been having small groups at Trinity for the past 6 weeks again, something I always enjoy, but I have especially enjoyed this particular one. We have met together for blogging class, which I have thoroughly & have actually learned a little in spite of my technical literacy problems (TU, Annette) we have supper together courtesy of Chef/s Gibbs, then another class if we choose, which, in my case was taught by Dale Williams. It was entitled "Miscellaneous", which for the most part was quite spontaneous & very enjoyable. We took an oath that everything said would remain inside the class so we could feel free to say anything we wanted, so it's been very interesting.

There is nothing on earth like the fellowship & love of a church family! Nobody looks, acts, reacts, cooks, etc. like my wondrous church friends. They are talented, creative, thoughtful, kind, giving, caring, sharing. Of course, this isn't 100% true, that's not humanly possible. They inquire about my family, pray for me, take me places, brag on me & mine, are more patient with me than my own family (as a rule), & if some of them get mad & leave, others come along & take their place!  I like my friends! I like people! I have childhood friends, neighborhood friends, coffee shop friends, classmate friends, family friends, e-mail & facebook friends, but none of them are like my church friends!  This is a unique, special group of folks! 

I certainly don't always agree with them, nor they me, but I still love them. We should approach friendship with diligence; it is a special gift from God. Each year Forbes magazine lists the hundred richest people in the world. I don't know why so many measure wealth in these terms, we have certainly seen the evidence of that displayed across our tv screens many times. The richest people in the world are those with LOYAL friends whose hearts are filled with JOY - Jesus 1st, Others 2nd, Yourself last. 

So, blogging classmates; teacher Annette, the Daltons, & Mary Lee, just wanted you to know how much I have enjoyed being in small group with you. I hope we will continue with small groups; I feel they are very effective, especially as they were conducted the past 6 weeks. THANKS to all the teachers, all participants & contributors. May our faith in the Lord & in each other continue to grow & strengthen.  Blessings & Prayers, Barb

I Want Some Dancing Shoes!

Chase Brandon Guiling - 1 of

the 8 reasons I want to dance,

Great g'son #2

Back in the day as they say, approximately 35-40 years ago, we had a very active Jaycee/Jaycee Wives group in Bloomfield of which Ken & I were members along with many of our friends. We did/sponsored many community activities, probably the stellar one being the 4th of July fireworks display. These "bangers" were expensive, dangerous, & back then, our guys were the ones who stood on that hill across from our beautiful city park at the end of the day & set them off for the hundreds who flocked from all over the area for the display. 

 

We were younger & more carefree for the most part, raising our families, making a living, doing those things that life requires, but we did enjoy getting together & having a good time when the Jaycees would sponsor a fun activity. They would have dances at the country club, usually as a fund raiser, & I will never forget the first time we thought about going to one. I hadn't danced since high school, and not much then, since Ken couldn't go to the prom or other activities because he was from another town & already out of school. He asked me about attending, & being one not wanting to miss out on anything, I really wanted to be there; yet, I always felt guilty & embarrassed about dancing, didn't feel I was very good at it, (I'm still not great) & mom always thought going to dances was equated with sinfulness & I always relied on her to babysit. I couldn't lie even if I wanted to, because I knew Rhonda would gladly report that mom & dad went dancing at the country club!  The only thing mom has ever approved of at the cc is the swimming pool & that is if you purchased your sodas outside.

Ken & I decided to be brave, tell mom that the dance proceeds were going to the children's home (as I recall, I think that's the gospel)& that I sure did need the exercise & named a few people who were going that I thought might meet her approval (or at least their parents, including a couple of preachers), bought our jeans, cowboy hats, boots, & off we went. Well, Ken took to dancing like a duck to water. He thoroughly enjoyed it. I just love music, music, music as well as dancing, even though I'm a bit awkward. We really enjoyed those times together with these good folks & have some great memories. They made many contributions to our community. Now our children have taken over that task & are doing a great job. Not that we're not still out there, but, speaking for myself, not as often.

Yesterday morning at Trinity, we had a bluegrass group who provided our music comprised of Tony & Maggie Thorn, Dale & Cis Williams, & Eric Pendergrass. We have an up & coming young lady, Ashton White, who I think is about 6 years old & is under Maggie's tutelage, who sang "I'll Fly Away" along with Maggie & the congregation. They were over the top with 2 or 3 guitars, a bass & a banjo - you want to talk about some pickers for Jesus!  I just wanted to dance, dance, dance. I know now what people say when they talk about dancing in the spirit. Alas, I'm sure if I had done that, 911 would have had to have been called out, & I'm hoping they, too, were in church somewhere. I hope they were enjoying it as much as I was. Am I too childlike, overly emotional, etc.? I just wonder why we just all sit quietly in a pew when our spirits are speaking something else to us?  I know we have to have order in services & respect for those around us - no one wants chaos. I'm speaking of JOY,  the sheer JOY of thanking & praising God. 

He has given me many reasons to dance during my lifetime. Since I'm not quality dancing material & haven't had a dancing partner for several years, I'll save my "talent" for other times & places yet to come. As I've stated before, I'm fully convinced we'll dance before Him; what a beautiful sight to see - all those who were unable for whatever rhyme or reason to dance before Him & not have to worry whether or not someone will ask you to dance. All our dance cards will be maxed out when we fly away!   

Baby Brother

Joe & family, Me, Pam, Chris, Tammy, Kara

Mom's son made it home this weekend! The one of whom I told you earlier that she sits down every Sun. afternoon to write a letter even though I have emailed him all the family news, called him & now since this visit, I even can talk to him through skype (that's something they brought me for Christmas) along with a priceless new book. Joe is coming, Joe is coming was the theme all week after he had emailed me earlier in the week that barring some unforeseen weather condition or any other type of breakdown, they would be arriving Sat. morning along with their daughter, Morgan & her hubby, Tom.  My grandson, Chris, & his wife, Pam, who also live in Columbia cam home to celebrate Pam's birthday. Let the fun begin!

Joe came along almost 10 years after I arrived, so let us say, I had it made for the first ten. An only child with all the amenities that affords. But, I desperately wanted a sibling. Most of my cousins had them as well as my neighbors, many of whom had several children & I have always loved a crowd! I wasn't born until dad & mom had been wed for 5 years, so I suspect brother was a surprise, maybe not, but when I have questioned mom about that, she still blushes. Four children, 6 grandchildren & 2 great grandchildren later, she has never uttered the 3 letter word S-E-X in my presence. I don't think I even realized he was going to be here until she was quite far along in pregnancy & my paternal grandmother took me aside & tried to soothe the perceived shock; however, I was "tickled to death" as they say. He arrived in October of 1954 & dad & granddad Montgomery slipped me in to the hospital in Poplar Bluff to see him by telling the nurse's that I was 14. In those days, people just didn't roam hospital halls. There were rules. I suspect, however, that most could tell the diff  between a 9 & a 14 year old; nurse's are sharp - that's what Joe now is, an RN. 

Imogene had her son! I know now more of how Mary felt when she looked at the face of her newborn (am I exaggerating, family)? Actually, his name is Realey Joe; the name Realey Joe comes from dad's side somewhere & Joe is our maternal grandfather's name.  For the first couple of years, Joe wasn't very healthy & we attributed it to being "colicky". but then, a beloved sis-in-law of mom's, Aunt Thelma, insisted that he be taken to the "cussing" doc, Dr. Herbert, in Cape, & he straightened the matter up. Joe was anemic. Joe had beautiful blonde curls, (what happened, bro), was a smallish child, both of us were "stutterers" as kids, he never gave school his best, he was/is a natural born comedian, he is a Montgomery to the bone, (those of you who know Loyd - he's a lot like him). We would always have to say the poems up front at the Christmas programs which were at least 4 stanzas long, can be a difficult thing for those who stutter,(thankfully we grew out of it as adults for the most part). 

Bro tells lots of funny stories regarding me babysitting him during summer vacations; some of which have a grain of truth in them. I admit I was prone to send him off to the neighbors to play early in the a.m. & tell him not to return until shortly before dad & mom were due to arrive. The neighbors had several children, so what was one more in my way of thinking? Besides, in the day, they played outside. That way, I could read my Modern Screens & Photoplays that I had to keep hidden from mom. One time, a dog bit Joe on the leg while he was playing with these kids;  OMG!  I thought I would probably be shipped to Arkansas to live with my grandmother - I think dad intervened. I was always a daddy's girl!  Also, he shared my space in the front room during the summer on the pallet in front of the screen door where it was much cooler plus that's where we kept the window fan. I also told dad one time that Joe was the one who had switched the knob on his radio; we weren't supposed to touch it! Dad had it on the station where the Cardinals played when he turned it on, he wanted to hear Harry Carey's voice & NOT have to search for the station. When they were working, I would listen to music, then turn it back - oops, one time I forgot!  Poor Joe! 

Since I married at a young age, he got to be with our parents several years as an only child; maybe that's why he's so spoiled, Barb (his wife is also a Barb)! Just teasing; my kids always were/are crazy about Uncle Joe; he opened his home & heart to them when he moved away, became a dad by adopting 2 princesses, Morgan & Emma, went back to school & became an RN specializing in dialysis. He has spoken at conferences about this disease all over the nation (remember, I said he USED to stutter - isn't God good); I suspect he was motivated to do this after watching our dad suffer with this disease for many years & we lost dad to kidney failure in 1977 at the age of 57. 

About Thursday of this past week, that being grocery day, mom begins, Sis, Joe's coming home, what are we going to have? You know he loves blackberry cobbler & ribs. We've had this conversation hundreds of times, so I just smile. What are you going to have for them when they get here Saturday at noon?  What about Sunday? These questions to a woman who has done this many times before. I had brought home what I thought was a brilliant idea, some homemade tamales with all the fixins' for Sat. noon & Sat. night was covered because we were celebrating Pam's birthday at Dexter BBQ. They were in a brown paper bag in the fridge. Imogene finds it & can't figure out what in the world that "stuff" is that is covered in "wet corn husks"; try explaining that to someone who is almost deaf who thinks her only son should be fed a meal similar to one like inmates receive as their last requested one on this side of eternity, except she wants you to keep the budget on Always Save prices! Joe isn't picky, always does justice to whatever is served, is very complimentary to the cook. He & Barb assisted me prepare lunch yesterday for the gang. Guess what? We served ribs, steak, slaw, potato salad, baked beans, rolls, blackberry cobbler. There was a little bit left on the stove & after everyone had left, mom said, was there plenty?  I teasingly smiled at her & said, mom, everyone got to eat except Joe!

When we were all together on Saturday night, Joey was teasing his younger cousin telling her that since he (Joey) has produced a son, she was out of the loop so to speak. He was going to inherit all. She does love her Joey. He's way up there on the totem pole. If the name Joe is in it, it's a given for Imogene; Joe, Joey, Joe Christopher, Tanner Joe. Joe jokingly says that when we are together & someone announces, Joe, it's time to go, half the crowd leaves!  The rest of us fit in somewhere underneath there, & that's just fine, we don't mind. There's plenty of love to go around. 

Little brother, have I told you lately how grateful I am for you, your love, life, contributions, encouragement, advice, counsel, help & handout/s to my family, etc. your priceless choice of a wife, those beautiful daughters, your anticipated granddaughter, all your help to the patients who you have served over these many years, your understanding during this difficult time of caretaking of our precious, beloved mother, our journey through "thick & thin", sometimes rugged, many times sweet, filled with laughter & tears. When I was frantically calling you for advice regarding Ken as he was dying, I felt such peace, because I knew you, too, loved him unconditionally, & you said, let him go. We love him too much to see him hooked to tubes, machines, suffering needlessly, give him back to the One who gave him to us. We still recall him with such sweet, wonderful memories when Joe comes home. 

One day, someone may have to call Joe home for either sis or mom. When that happens, make it a sweet trip of fond memories, recalling all the great times that we have all shared at the Avert farm, (just think if we had kept that until now & let Nestle Corp. buy it - oh, well), Aquilla place, now at North Prairie. It's an exciting event when we know the Gumby's are headed this way! Preparation, planning, excitement, we get to be together, catch up! Guess what, little brother? That's what it's going to be like in eternity - all the ribs & cobbler we want!  Even if you're bald & in good shape, I love you bunches!  Thanks, mom, for giving me a little brother, & to dad for his part in the contribution.  (And to the Mizes & all the others for their part in his raising)    Sis  ♥♥♥

It's All About Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day!  Do you recall the valentine that caused your heart to "flutter" rapidly, did you receive candy, flowers, other gifts, etc. on this day that can cause great joy as well as heartache? 


I can recall helping the kids with their boxes for school & we ARE NOT a creative group - that gene totally skipped our DNA, so the night before, we would start searching the house for a suitable box, try to think up a simple theme, get out the glue, construction paper, etc. & begin the "process".  By the time they (we) had completed a box for them, cut the top out (which has caused blood to flow because we saved that for last) & by that time we were high from "overgluing" trying to get it to hold together. I worked at school, so we would load up kids, boxes, & here we would go. The fussing would begin at about Erma Ralaford's house. Mom, he/she touched my box, now it's coming apart! I assured them if they would just hold on until we arrived, I would try to use what "influence" I had or what favors I could call in to get the art teacher/s to mend them in order to make them presentable. 


I always tried to park in back on these days because let me tell you, some of these kids (mothers) could come up with some dandies! I've seen works of art, construction pieces, themes; one year a kid in Loyd's class even decorated a small child's wagon! I don't know if any of the kids in the class spoke to him for the remainder of his school years, but it was something complete with an American flag. 


"Back in the day" as we fondly say, we would march up to Buck's Store shortly after Christmas, ask the ladies in the women's dept. to save us a large hat box. Each class had only one valentine box & of course, they wanted theirs to be the prettiest, the one that all other students, teachers, parents would  marvel over. We would begin to design, plan, fight over, collect our materials, get ready to create the valentine box. As I recall, one of my teacher's used it as a reward - whoever got their work, completed, behaved, etc. was allowed to work on "the box". Then, when it was our turn to work on it, we would whisper, giggle, point at the work of others & say sarcastically, boy, where did they get THAT idea? However, the Newcomer twins, who were rather quiet & quite artistic, could always cover up lots of mistakes (with suggestions from the lovely Carmaleen) & it seems to me in fond recollection that my class always had a lovely creation.


Also, during that time as my blogger teacher mentioned, we were allowed to send valentines to just those we chose. If we didn't want to send one to someone, we didn't, so I can recall checking to see if my "pile" was as large as the ones whom I considered to be popular. When my 4 were all still home, I practically had to eat less during valentine week (no comments please) to be able to get enough valentines & all the necessities for the occasion. Tammy came carrying in a large gift bag of "stuff" here yesterday; I thought mom was going to pass out when she saw the kids digging into the candy, books, videos, etc. that they probably left half of back in the room where they were playing.  After everyone left, she said, did I miss someone's birthday?  The times, they are a changin'! 


I certainly recall some of my faves & still have a few of them that varied sweethearts of mine have given me. Of course, ones from Ken. I have one that he forgot that it was Feb. 14, drove up in the driveway, one of the kids forewarned him, he rushed back to town & brought me a card with a sweet message signed by the "Cowman" which was his silly CB name (remember those in pickups)? It's a great day for FTD & florists deserve it, but don't send me flowers that will wilt & fade in a few days. I still love those handmade cards made by my kids, grandkids, kids in church, those are my treasures. Someone who will give you their heart in so many ways, someone who will love you with all your faults, flaws, failures, you are my sweethearts!  I THANK the One who loved me & all the rest with all His heart & provided that never ending love to all & for all -  love is indescrably sweet when shared with someone with a genuine heart of love!  ♥♥♥♥ to all, Barb

Church Ladies Strut Their Stuff!

4 church lady friends, Annette,Cis,Jan

I just returned from our latest event at church that was titled a decadent dessert evening to celebrate valentine's day; of course, prior to dessert, we enjoyed varied chilis & soups. Sarah shopped, decorated, had the place looking so "spiffy". There were 3 beautifully decorated tables laden with mouth watering desserts, the "slap your grandma" kind, those that were presented in lovely dishes that you could only stand 1 or 2 bites of or you would go into cardiac arrest or we would have to had a sleepover from everyone falling asleep from sugar overload. Everyone tonight was walking around the table gazing, oohing, aahing, carrying on over these "beauties" similar to seeing a newborn baby & thinking about that moment when they could pick up their plates & choose their selections. Absolutely Heavenly - (no pun intended)!  I know I put just a little more effort into dishes that I am going to take to church socials, then keep my eyes & ears open to see if anyone might notice my humble offering/s, because we have so many great cooks including some of the men.

Church ladies can cook! I attended a bereavement meal last week at St. Joe where 3 large tables were laden with food for this large family. The lady who chaired the event was telling me how proud she was because everyone just brought whatever they chose to, yet they had such a wonderful variety. I recalled the various times when Trinity has served these meals and I have thought to myself, this is such a wonderful meal that surely anyone in this family who doesn't go to church will join here next week!  Meats, casseroles, salads, vegetables, pies, cakes, iced tea, coffee; I tell you "Southern Living" has nothing on us! Plus, afterward, we get the pleasure of sitting around & getting to eat & visit with each other!! What fellowship & joy divine.

Dining & fellowshipping with my special friends at Trinity brings me contentment & joy. I am the type who likes to "table hop". I love to know what's going on in everyone's life, especially what brings them joy in life & in the Lord. Many have been friends for many years, some for only a short time, yet, those who gather around the table/s at Trinity are especially delightful; (there's always an exception, of course - there's going to always be someone who doesn't like you I'm sorry to say) even in the house of God. While this isn't a pleasant thing, God knows my heart as well as theirs & so the matter will be left in His tender, loving care. How could someone not be special to your life when you know they pray for you as I know my TUMC friends do?

Food is mentioned several times in the Bible, of course, & associated with joyous occasions. Church ladies, Mary &  Martha, almost had a falling out over the preparation of it until Jesus "straightened" them out. I can't help but think our Lord smiles when he sees his children gathered around tables, hears the chatter, laughter, joy & thinks to Himself, do you have any idea what is ahead for you when we all gather around the great banquet table together one day - no fear, envy, strife, sickness, death (& girls, no more cooking)! Thank you, Lord, for all these casserole queens, as my blogger teacher, Annette, call us; & thanks for any excuse (including valentine's day) to celebrate & give THANKS in the house of the One responsible for it all!

I'm Signing Up for Piano Lessons with Doyle Stogsdill!

I'm writing on this blog quite a bit this week; one way to talk to God, I suspect. About 7:15 tonight, I called Rhonda, my 2nd born, to inquire re. her beloved father-in-law, Pop, (that's what she, Rusty, & I call him, others call him Bro. Honey & other names, his birth name is Doyle) & when she answered the new, modern wonder known as the cell phone, I immediately knew something was amiss. What's the matter, Sis? She couldn't speak - he's left us, mom, she said, sobbing. She said they stood around his bed & watched him slip into the arms of Jesus. Rue is deathly ill with the "bug" that the family has been passing around; they have all been together in a small house & several of them have picked it up. I just spoke with Rusty a few minutes ago & he said they went on home tonight so everyone could get some rest, because we know Doyle is surely getting some well deserved peace & rest.

I got to know the Stogsdill's after Rue & Rusty were wed (I have forgotten when). I immediately fell in love with my irreverent son-in-law & knew he would fit right in with this bunch, especially since he was crazy about Rue's only son, Drew. Shortly following that, I received a t/c from his mom, Barbara (love that name) Jane, stating, the cafe's open, come on down! You who know me know that it took no arm twisting or begging - they just live down the street (6th sense again)! I stepped into their precious home for the first time. A smaller house, at least by today's standards, but BJ has it tastefully decorated with something in every nook & cranny that either she has made, or someone else has given her. It is truly a home filled with love. Pictures, books, creations she has sewn, the piano near the front door, cards from friends to Pop who has been ill for many years; I was overwhelmed with all that she did & she served such a meal. I had heard of her cooking skills & she had to cook almost 2 meals because Pop was what is known as a brittle diabetic. She sat the food on the table, took care of his many needs, put him in his wheel chair, brought him to the table & we ate. Although he couldn't communicate audibly due to a stroke, he had a way of communicating. He always teased me, pointing & shaking his finger at me.

Pop's first wife died with breast cancer & left him with 2 children. He was a General Baptist preacher. Rusty, a natural comedian, has told us stories that has had us in stitches about being a pk. Pop was also an accomplished pianist as is BJ. She was in a singing group out of the St. Louis area known as the McFarland Sisters. I can remember hearing them from my childhood at some revival services. So, Doyle & BJ met & wed, had Rodney & August (Rusty) that makes 4.  At that time, Pop would work in St. Louis during the week, they would load up the car on weekends, come to this area, preach & sing at various locations.

Many smaller churches (at least back in the day) didn't pay very much at all, some folks who lived in the areas where they ministered didn't have much money to give.  Many of them literally paid in donations other than money. (chickens, butter, garden supplies) Rusty said that BJ would pack up those horrendous  matching leisure suits for the kids (she made every stitch of clothing for all the kids, she still makes practically everything to this day including her jeans which amazes me - excellent seamstress w/o benefit of a fancy sewing machine). She worked at home raising the family & he made the living. They were called to the pastorate at the GB Church in Bell City. It actually had a parsonage! By that time, only Rod & Rusty were still at home.

Sometime during this time frame, Pop had a debilitating stroke. He lost his ability to speak, became wheel chair bound, & for the past 2 plus years, has been on dialysis 3 times per week, going to Poplar Bluff for treatment/s which lasted for 4 hrs. each time.  I have watched  BJ as she ministered to his needs in awe & amazement. It was love in action; you should have seen him smile at her & though he couldn't hear her, she would write him notes on a board she kept near. I wish people who think they are "passionately in love" & just can't live w/o illicit sex could observe a couple such as this for a while. Every time I went there for a meal, the 3 of us held hands & talked to God & Rhonda said this past Thanksgiving, Pop said the blessing - not that anyone but God could understand all that was said, but she said it was a very moving experience & one that his grandchildren would never forget.

I understand the grief of Pop's family, because I have walked that path, yet when I got the news tonight, I looked heavenward & said, Thank you, Lord. When I visited with Pop last evening, he looked at me as we held hands & I'm reasonably certain he knew who I was. All he could do was smile ever so slightly as we shared a prayer. I so look forward to being with him when we can talk together, understand each other, I can hear him play the piano, (I have only heard him on a recording & he was very, very good) he played by "ear", a talent I so envy, so I'm signed up for that class with him, so we can dine together at that sumptuous banquet table, both eat every morsel we want, he won't have to worry about sugar amounts, & I won't have to worry about weight gain. Best of all, he will be walking tall once more!

I thank you, God, for the privilege of having known Doyle Stogsdill; that he was one of your faithful, loyal shepherds during his sojourn. I thank You that he has been relieved of the pain of this world, that he is in a place full of joy, life, peace, beauty, glory, wonder, newness, best of all, God!  Sis, I know this is a sad week for you; life has these times. Tomorrow would have been your dad's 69th & now you face saying your earthly goodbyes to Rusty's dad. Try to remember that we, too, will wake up some day & be home with them.  Love you Doyle, Ken, & all the rest!  Practice on that golden Steinway, maybe there's hope for my piano playing with you teaching me!   See you, soldier!   Eternal love, Barb

Al Gore; you don't know nuthin' about being conservative! (No pun intended)

Em reading cards from TUMC friends

 After a very interesting Sunday of worship, visiting in the homes of a couple of friends who have been sick for a while, going to Wal-Mart prior to time for Super Bowl to begin (I am marking my calendar today to never, ever to do that again); went to a nice singing event at the First GB Church in Bloomfield, chased my son & family down & took up maybe 15 minutes of their priceless time in an eating place (not my home), I finally landed back home around dark thirty.


After yelling at mom, because of her severe hearing impairment & telling her about the sick & afflicted & their conditions & James Hendley's awesome testimony at church this morning (he grew up in church with her at Mt. Pisgah in Aquilla, so he's on the A list - he's a male, goes to church) answered varied other inquiries, checked the phone, all the things one does after being out a while, I went in to the kitchen & looked over to the right side of the table down on the floor where I saw something white lying there. At first, I thought it might be underwear that had fallen down off the back of the chair, since she often uses the backs of chairs to dry things such as this because it's close to the vent, but, I should have know better - we never do laundry on Sunday!  So, I leaned over further; it was 2 rolls of toilet paper. 


My throat was already scratchy from yelling, so I thought, let it be. I surmised that she had dropped them in the toilet stool while attempting to "reload" the container we have in front of the commode in which we keep toilet paper stashed. Actually, it's an old churn; did I kid you when I said we waste nothing around here?  I thought it was a pretty piece of pottery looking "stuff", so I sat it in the bathroom, put what I deemed to be a neat looking cleaning brush set for bathroom use in it. One day as I sat down on the commode facing it, I noted that Em had begun to use it to store toilet paper. 


This morning when I glanced to my right, (her chair is there because she refuses to move it - I once suggested rearranging the living room furniture, that's another blog), I noted she had the rolls of tp & scissors in her hand with the blazing lights on her side all on. She is also very vision impaired. One day when I was gone, she went into my bedroom, got a horrid  lamp that I had purchased from W-M with a plastic shade on it that I'm surprised hasn't melted or burned someone severely & moved it in beside her chair, so now when she wants to read she turns on a lamp that has 2 high wattage bulbs AND that floor lamp that snakes over the lamp. One would think the aliens have landed! I just put on my shades & smile. 


I didn't sleep well again last night, so I thought, I'm just going to observe & not ask questions. I will eventually figure this out - maybe. Of course, the phone rang. JJ called, delighted over a snow day, & I was still eying mom. She was carefully trying to unroll that dried tp off the roll a few at a time, cut them off, stack them up. Those gnarled fingers & hands that have done many things during her 90 years. She stacked up her "bounty" on the coffee table & after a while put them in an empty shoe box & took them to her "safe sanctuary", her bedroom, where she has quite an assortment of "goodies" that she would just as soon no one would ever enter or bother. For instance, she keeps it very cool, so there are canned green beans stored underneath her bed; again, Al, no wasted space.


When I saw Al Gore on the "Today" show a while back after he (or someone) had written a book on conserving our resources, I laughed to myself, you guys don't know nuthin'!  You would be amazed at what could be conserved, how long something could be used & reused. Ask my blogging instructor for instance about her Bible. Of course, we would have gladly replaced that for her, but we know it's a book of love for her; no dust on her Bible, never has been, never will be. It is held together with duct tape, tears, & love. My brother recently purchased a high powered magnifying glass for her so she can continue to read the word that is so precious to her. So, when Em turns on the space age lights, I know it's time to meditate on the word - it happens every day of her life barring sickness.


I'm not picking on you or anyone else, Al, but a dear friend bought me a sign that hangs on my wall that I really cherish because it's a true reminder to me of mom & maybe you & all the rest of us need to read & heed:  "A Bible that's falling apart often belongs to someone who isn't".  May your cup run over, Al, with the love of the One who supplied us with all these awesome resources!  Blessings, Barb

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Kenny!

Hey, soon to be birthday guy, do they have those banners like we had here (we always hung it behind the kitchen table, it now has a letter or 2 missing, but we can't stand to replace it, so it appropriately says, HAPPY BITDAY) & are you with a group preparing a special meal for all those who have a birthday on the 9th? I know your mom & those twins of ours, dad & all his buds, (that will be a fun bunch - I figure they've been placed under St. Peter's watchful eye) varied family members, special friends (hey to Carlene & Bev) & those other acquaintances from eons in the past you have had time to meet will insist on your smoked meat - I don't blame them. I know grandmother Viva will possibly bring her boiled custard that  was so larpin' good & have not to this day been able to emulate because all she ever said was it's a dash of this, a pinch of that etc. 

I thank God for the 56 birthdays you celebrated on earth & for the gazillions you will celebrate where you now reside, & just think, handsome guy, one day the rest of your earthly family, friends, loved ones who choose to will be there around that banquet table!

I have already requested to be an alto in the Heavenly Choir, hopefully close to Vestal Goodman, maybe put in a good word for me on that one.  Your actual birth date is on a Wednesday & that's always been a difficult day for me, (this makes 13 years w/o you)so I was looking at the calendar & noted this year it's on a Wed.  Great! I will be at Trinity that evening with friends we both love/d & cherish/ed so very much since we have begun our small group sessions; we eat, meet, study, have an absolute blast - the very thing/s you loved! Another answer to prayer.

I envision what would have been your 69th birthday invitation in Heaven as follows;  we will be celebrating your birthday in a home that is special because home is where you are special and loved by all and where a child wants to return to. Your cake will have one giant candle that all the children will blow out together & the Heavenly hosts/choir rendition of Happy Birthday will be beyond comprehension & the clapping will be deafening!

Afterward, you will have the meal prepared around the banquet table as promised in the Word after which you will sit around & shyly smile & receive many accolades over the wonderful meat!  

I admit that life here is often lonely without you; but I thank God that he created a beautiful thing/s called memories & the ability to know that beyond the shadow of a doubt I will have the JOY of seeing Him, you & all who await - I know you'll be on my welcoming committee when I step inside the gates of our eternal home.  

This world was a much better, richer place because of you, Kenneth Dale Rice.  By the way, thanks for the priceless gifts you left behind for me, Tammy Rene, Rhonda Suzette, Jennifer Jayla, Loyd Kenneth & theirs. As one of your namesake grandsons (Christopher Dale) said, to us you hung up your green cap too early, but to know you are free from the pain, suffering, sorrow that you had on this side & having a party makes my heart glad. You & Carlene may even be doing the boot scootin'boogie with your cowboy boots & hat, a version of "Heavenly Idol" (maybe we need another word besides idol, but we all know who our Heavenly Idol is)!  

Your name is on a headstone in Walker Cemetery  with mine beside it with the vital stats.  What it says beneath it, however, is what I love & what Annette sung at your celebration services, "May all who come behind us find us faithful".  Enjoy your birthday, celebrate, rejoice!  Put my name on your dance card, I'll see you when our Maker says, time to go get Cumi!  Forever Yours!

My mother is still raising her girl (even if she is going on 68)!I

I don't think anyone in my sacred, cherished family would be too surprised if the dear Lord decides to sound the clarion call for me first. To begin with, the top of our pyramid has taken good care of herself as opposed to her #1 & only daughter. She eats better foods, she has always exercised (used to pick 400 plus lbs. of cotton per day) & that didn't come from her, several others told me that; she chopped cotton, walked down approximately 1/4 mile for water before we got a pump, every time she got mad at dad, we would walk to Aunt Movidene's, she would take us to town to drag him out of Sandy's Beer Joint on the corner where the sheriff's office is now located (6th sense again). He did eventually get saved, PTL! As for her eating habits, oh my Lord!  She eats exactly the same foods, the same times of day; (i.e. bran cereal, prunes, soup, soup, soup, rice krispies, broccoli,vanilla wafers) I know the grocery list by heart, yet each Thursday she hands it me faithfully with a signed check. She has no idea how the price of things has risen, & would have a stroke if she knew eggs, for instance, cost at least $1.50 per doz. She does know that gas is costly because she can see/hear that often on tv & in our utility bills. The daughter is a carboholic, detests exercise, has read, been on, more diets than Oprah, spent enough money to rebuild Haiti trying to remedy the problem when all I would need to do would be to follow her example. She has had a pretty tough winter, has begun to fall, yet, she always says, I don't need a "device" as yet! She walks to the mailbox every day & gets very annoyed at federal holidays when there is no mail. Also, she can kind of nose through mine (which is fine with me). My life is an open book - I live in Bloomfield & am a Methodist! As my friend Annette says, take notes, there's a book here & I do agree with her. To the lady who has never been inside a beauty salon, never shaved her legs, never wears pants (shivers all winter long), still has finger waves, still has the same dresses she has had since the 70's so she could save every possible penny in order to maintain & have her own home because Homer was called home & opened that home to be my home because I needed a home, (her monthly check is a little over $800) all I can say is, most of the world out there just doesn't know what true womanhood entails. I salute you, Maude Imogene Malone Montgomery! (even if you did name me Cumi)

Is it too late for lipo/Bucket List Wishes

I would love to walk in to church this Sunday as per usual with a smile as if it were just any other Sunday EXCEPT I would be in a size 12. I have thought of this often, of how to pull it off w/o exercise, telling my kids/friends, just having it done, coming home & going on with life as usual except, of course, answering the phone from handsome widowers with ample money who also enjoy Bill Gaither concerts, church functions, family get togethers, books, going places, eating out approximately 50% of the time,  in short, I want lipo; however, I want it painless, I can do smoothies until the Lord returns as long as they are strawberry flavored, but I don't like lettuce all that well unless it's wilted. Also, I want to sing in a quartet, go on a cruise, learn & study the word more intently, visit with friends, neighbors, do the best I can with what I have been vested with. BTW, no one has said of late , you know Barb, that extra weight you have managed to gain the last 50 years makes you look so much nicer than these ladies who can shop in the jr. & regular sizes section of  Macy"s or - I have always loved knit & wanted my entire wardrobe to be knit or elastic similar to yours. Hiding when I see a friend come in & catch me in the women's section of  WM w/o saying I always cut through here to get to the groceries. My 50th class reunion is this year, but, frankly, by now as opposed to the earlier ones, there will be no staravation diets, worrying about what to wear, etc. I'm just grateful to be able to atte d (if I am) see & be with friends whio I attended Bloommfield Schools with for 12 years. Enough for now; see you next time, favored friends!   Blessings abundantly in all your cups, Barb