Queen Anne's Lace and Lilacs

Russell Stover's Mint Dream

When I was in high school (Norfolk High, Norfolk, NE), during my senior year, one of my best friends was Pam.  It was 1976-77.  Pam worked at the Hallmark store at Sunrise Mall.  I often stopped by to see her and to purchase a Mint Dream. 

I loved Mint Dreams.  If a person wanted to make me happy, just throw me a Mint Dream.  Of course, apparently, not too many people were concerned about making me happy, so I just had to buy them for myself.  They were worth it!!!

A couple of weeks ago, we bought some ice cream, some minty kind with Moose Tracks, or whatever.  I asked Tim if I could have a bite, since I don't exactly need a whole bowlful.  It tasted like a cold Mint Dream.  I haven't had, or even seen, a Mint Dream in decades.  I decided to look and see if they are still around.  They are!  And you can buy them individually or by the case! 

I'm not going to do it.  I just can't.  But, if I happen to see one in some store, I'm going to buy it.  I encourage you to do the same.

On My Mind

 

This post has nothing to do with dear Molly.  I just like looking at her (she makes me smile).  Thought you might, too.  Go ahead and click on the picture to see her better.  This  particular photo was taken in between storms one day.  She pushed one of the deck chairs, that we'd moved across the deck hoping to avoid this situation, up to the table so that she could sit on the table.  Molly doesn't seem to have taken the hint.  The chairs have since been removed. (Note to Pioneer Woman:  Molly's feet smell like Fritos, too!)

I've had several things on my mind today.  Firstly, Bethany turns 17 next week.  This is so depressing for me.  On top of the fact that she's nearly all grown up, there is no time for a party until March.  There are basketball games and practices every day of every week, except for most Sundays.  However, she has a number of Mormon friends who cannot attend parties on Sundays.  So.  My whole thinking about this birthday is depressing.

Secondly, I went to work on my Farmville farm this morning.  I originally started a farm at Farm Town, because some of my friends had farms there.  One day, Brett asked me to start a farm at Farmville, so that we could be neighbors.  I tried to convince him to use Farm Town, but all of his friends were at Farmville.  So, I started a second farm so that he could have another neighbor.  (You may not know this, but you get to do more things at these farms the more neighbors you have)  For months, I've been tending to two farms and making Tim do the same.  Several weeks ago, Brett decided to take a break from his farm.  I caught up to him, pointwise, and quickly left him in the dust.  Today, when I went to my farm, I discovered he had removed his farm from Farmville.  In so doing, he has removed one of my neighbors, of which I have very few.  Thank you, Brett.

These kids.  Man, when they want a favor from you, they want it RIGHT NOW.  But when you want something from them, nope, they can't bother.

Thirdly, I had listened to Obama's (pathetic) speech at West Point last night with even more concern than I normally would have.  One of the kids' Houston cousins leaves for Iraq next week.  Until now, I haven't known anyone over there.  At least, I haven't been aware of anyone I've known being there.  I've been thinking about him, Aaron, quite a bit these last few days.  Of course, his parents and brother have also been on my mind, especially his mom.  

Lastly, Brett called late last night to say that one of the guys he works with, Lawrence Schumacher, died last night in a motorcycle accident.  Lawrence was only 24, not much older than Brett.  I don't know anything about Lawrence or his family situation.  My heart aches for them.

Please keep Aaron in your prayers, as well as Lawrence's family and friends. 

An Afternoon with Link (via Computer)

I chatted with Link today.  It's been such a long time since we've spoken.  Well, we didn't speak, we chatted on Facebook (finally, an actual use for Facebook!).  I've mentioned Link before.  It was such a freakish thing, the way we reconnected.  Maybe not freakish, but at least kind of surprising.

This is Link and me with our bus driver, Dache (sorry about the photo quality).  It was just about our last day together - maybe the next-to-last day.  We were at another tour member's Grandfather's church somewhere in southern California (right?).  I could find my itinerary and know.  Found it.  We were at Calvary Baptist Church in Gardena, CA on August 25, 1982, our last concert.

I enjoyed the chat, Link.  Now, don't be a stranger!  :)

Son of a Preacher Man

I had planned to post this a few weeks ago, before everything went and got crazy with health issues, injuries, hurricanes, and school. 

Back in the day, in Haysville - to be exact - my friend liked to tease my little brother.  She'd sing a portion of "Son of a Preacher Man" to him - because he is the son of a preacher man - and he'd always get embarrassed.  Ah, those were the days!  One day, to my total horror and despair, we learned we would be moving to Nebraska (of all godforsaken places).  Before we left, my friend planted a big one on my brother.  Luckily, I had the camera.  I wonder if I'm the only one knowing of the existence of this photo?  I have no idea who the kid on the side is, because that's not my other brother.  I'm hoping everyone is appreciating that I've left out their names.  And, yes, I know Nebraska has not been forsaken by the Lord.

#8 Saved, Saved!

I mentioned in an earlier post that my friend, Joyce, and I used to go up to the church and play the piano - even the organ, after one became available (we were less successful on the organ, if memory serves).  One of our favorite songs to play, and to request during hymn request time, was "Saved, Saved!"

I think I also mentioned earlier that hymns about friends and friendship were the ones that spoke the most to me when I was a teenager (which was when Joyce and I were friends).  I often found myself in some kind of friendship drama, whether real or imagined - you know...teenagers...and I took strength from these hymns.

Now, I know that this song isn't about "teenage issues."  The message of this song is clear and true.  If you don't know what it means to be saved and to have Jesus as your friend, either leave a comment or click on the "email me" link over there in the upper right-hand column.  Whether answering questions or getting you information, I'm happy to help.  Salvation, and the joy that comes from the Lord,  is for anyone who will accept it. 

Jack P. Scholfield (1882 - 1972) wrote the words and music to "Saved, Saved!" in 1911.  I'm a bit stunned to learn that he was alive in 1972.  Joyce and I may have been mutila-, er, playing, his song while he was still alive.  I guess I think of the hymn writers as having lived long before me. 

I haven't really found anyone's recording of this that I especially love.  There isn't much of a selection out there, frankly, although, I did find the piano part from the 25 Hymns of Jesus, My Savior album, by Worship Service Resources.  So, that's what I've used here.  It's kind of cool.  I like to pretend that this is how it sounded with Joyce playing the right hand, and me, the left (I swear, that's how we did it, Marge - I wouldn't make this up).  It's up to you, this time, to provide the vocals.  Sing pretty!

Saved, Saved 

I’ve found a Friend, Who is all to me,
His love is ever true;
I love to tell how He lifted me
And what His grace can do for you.

Saved by His power divine,
Saved to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
For I’m saved, saved, saved!

He saves me from every sin and harm,
Secures my soul each day;
I’m leaning strong on His mighty arm;
I know He’ll guide me all the way.

Saved by His power divine,
Saved to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
For I’m saved, saved, saved!

When poor and needy and all alone,
In love He said to me,
“Come unto Me and I’ll lead you home,
To live with Me eternally.”

Saved by His power divine,
Saved to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
For I’m saved, saved, saved!

This performance of "Saved, Saved!" on the 25 Hymns of Jesus, My Savior album, is available for purchase and download at both iTunes and Zune.

River Cats

As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, we had a million things to cram in those last few days of summer.  We did a pretty good job, missing only Sunsplash and the drum corps quarterfinals at the theater.  I'm starting with the first event.

On August 2, the gang all headed over to the Sacramento River Cats (the Oakland A's Triple-A farm club) game.  The River Cats played the Nashville Sounds (wow, dig the name).  Bethany took a friend.  Tim had the picture-taking responsibility.  Evan and Brett may have been a little interested in the game, but I think the kids were mostly there for the food.  I don't know.  Maybe it just seems that way, because most of the pictures of them involve eating.

The game went into extra innings (or "overtime," as Tim kept instant messaging me - we've been working on his sports lingo skills for years, and I'm waiting for some of it to "take").  Most of the people had left, already, when the post-game fireworks show began.

Oh, yes!  River Cats in 13, 4-3. 

Queen Anne's Lace and Old Cemeteries

I received a very pleasant surprise in my email this evening.  My friends from Haysville, Joyce and Jan, had been visiting cemeteries in Kansas and Missouri, recently, for genealogical purposes (and I can't tell you how I envy their being able to do that).  They happened upon some Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) and took some pictures.  Their mom, Marge, emailed copies to me.  Every time I look at this flower, I am struck by its intricate beauty.  Thank you so much for the lovely photos! 

Thinking about Joyce's and Jan's going to the different cemeteries reminds me of my cemetery visits.  I think my interest in cemeteries began in the late 80s.  We were driving through Huntsville, TX and found the cemetery with Sam Houston's grave.  That particular cemetery, Oakwood, has several historic graves.  We walked around reading the tombstones, many being quite ornate.  Then, during our summers with my parents in Cherokee, IA, we would pass a number of old cemeteries as we'd travel from one place to another.  I think I drove my dad nuts making him stop whenever I'd spot one.   Especially when it was raining.

Not far from where we live is the place where gold was discovered by James Marshall - Coloma, CA.  In the immediate area of the gold discovery are a number of historic cemeteries.  We've discovered several more whilst out and about, driving through the foothills (I love that word, whilst).  I believe we have a map book of the area cemeteries.  We visited one in Latrobe, CA, Bryant Cemetery, a couple of weeks ago.  We used to stop by there frequently, but it had been a number of years since our last visit.  The earliest grave is dated in the 1840s, if I'm remembering correctly. 

Another cemetery near here is the Jayhawk Cemetery in Rescue, CA.  Obviously, this  one caught our attention.  We've been there a bunch of times.  We took my parents to see it a couple of years ago.  I even spent a Mother's Day there one year.  We thought it would be a peaceful, leisurely thing, to walk through the cemetery, reading tombstones.  Tim, Brett, Bethany, and I drove out to the cemetery.  Brett thought we were stupid and stayed in the car to listen to the radio.  Yep, dead battery.  This cemetery is out in the middle of nowhere!  We hadn't planned on spending the whole day out there.  I handled it with my usual grace and sweet spirit.

I mentioned to Tim that I would like to find that map book and go around to the cemeteries in this area, taking photos, and making notes of dates and family names.   I have a feeling I don't  have a clue where I  stored that book.  Maybe it will be with those gift cards we received a few Christmases ago.  I should never put anything in that spot where things won't get lost.  I always forget where that place is.   

As it turns out, while looking for the links for this post, I found all kinds of information on the area's cemeteries.  I guess I don't need the book. 

Tough

(Click photos for larger view) Bethany is a tough girl, due, in large part, to Erica, Evan, and Brett (not me - I tried to go the ballet route - only lasted a few months).  Evan and Brett took it easy on Bethany, because she was a girl, for about the first three hours of her life.  After that, she was just another one of the guys.  Erica didn't come into Bethany's life until Bethany was nearly 6.  Erica was in her 20s.  Erica didn't get on the ground and wrestle with Bethany, or threaten Bethany's life if she looked at her or breathed on her, but it was mostly Erica's attitude.  Erica is one of the sweetest, friendliest people I've known.  But, she grew up in Detroit.  I believe she and Eminem attended the same school.  To survive in that town, you have to be tough - you have to be willing to fight.  Erica learned how to defend herself at a young age.  And for a couple of years, those formative years, she taught Bethany the same.  (We lived in San Pedro at the time.  A skinny white girl had to be tough, simple as that.)

Bethany began playing basketball in second grade.  It was just the local basketball league.  The league played for a couple of months during the winter.  In fourth grade and fifth grades, a girl named Ali played on one of the opposing teams.  I didn't like Ali.  She was such an aggressive, energetic player.  After fifth grade, a couple of the coaches of these teams formed an AAU team with some girls from several of these local teams.  They asked Bethany, she accepted.  I learned that Ali would be on the team.  "Yea!!!!!" I exclaimed, clapping loudly.  Bethany said, "But, you don't like Ali."  I said, "When she's the opposition, I don't like her.  When she's on our team, I love her!!  Yea!!!!!"  Of course, we've gotten to know Ali much better over the years, and she's a sweet, fun young lady.  Just not so sweet and friendly on the basketball court.  Seriously.  And I think Bethany has learned a thing or two from Ali, too.

I don't have a problem with this.  When you are playing a sport, you should be focused and tough, mentally and physically.  Bethany is these things.  She has suffered a variety of injuries, of course:  Sprained ankles, sprained wrists and fingers, a blow to the chest that is taking a while to heal.  But, she's never had a concussion. 

The other night, we learned from Ali that she had a concussion, resulting from a fall in a basketball game.  After I had calmed down a bit from this news, I thought, "Uh oh.  Whenever Ali has a serious injury, Bethany does the same thing."  I dismissed it as being highly unlikely.  Well, I shouldn't be so quick to dismiss myself.  Tuesday night, while playing basketball, Bethany and another girl went for the ball and fell to the floor.  Bethany's head hit the floor, like it has many times over the years.  Only this time, she lost her vision.  Then, her vision came back, but everything was blurry and only in black and white.  Tim and Evan threw her in the car and hurried to the emergency room.  Eventually, the color came back, but even today, her vision is blurred.

At the hospital Tuesday night, they did a CAT scan and took x-rays.  Everything looked fine.  She came home, as they could see nothing wrong.  We had to check her every two hours for 24 hours.  Yesterday, she went to the eye doctor, and again, everything looked fine.  Except there's the blurriness.  Today, she went to her doctor.  They have scheduled an MRI for this afternoon.  Nothing unusual is happening, they just want to make sure nothing else is going on, and an MRI is more complete than those other tests.  Which begs the question, why didn't they do the MRI in the first place?!

It's quite frustrating, thinking you'll get the final diagnosis when you get to the next doctor, only to have them send you on to the next.  I'm hoping this MRI settles the matter and we're told something definitive and, most certainly, positive.

#2 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

"...O, to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be..."

I have wanted to begin a weekly series, if you will, on my favorite hymns.  (It was to have begun yesterday, but the fireworks video took so much longer than I had anticipated.  The result, obviously, of how things go when I try to think positively.  Kidding!  Not really, but....yeah.)  I have enjoyed singing praise/worship songs and choruses for many years.  In fact, I may have preferred them when I was a teenager.  But, there have always been a number of hymns I love to sing, too.  A few years ago, as churches began phasing out hymns AND hymnals - which frustrates me greatly - I longed for a way to keep these songs in my life.  I have been so happy since iPod came out and have built up a pretty decent hymn library.

Years ago - and not that many...just a few, really - Joyce and I would sometimes go up to the church and play the piano.  She took the right hand part, I took the left.  We'd go through the hymnal and play our favorites.  One that we liked the most was, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (words, Robert Robinson; music, Asahel Nettleton)."  During Sunday night church services, my dad often asked for hymn requests.  If one of us wasn't requesting, "Saved, Saved," it was "Come, Thou Fount."  Every time.  I know my dad cringed - he preferred variety.

There's an interesting line in the second verse:  "Here I raise mine Ebenezer..."  If memory serves (and sometimes it doesn't), Joyce's mom, Marge, said that she had to find out what that meant.  She did, and then she explained it to us.  I've looked around on the internet, and it turns out, she was right!!  There is a whole discussion out there concerning "Ebenezer," and, in fact, the entire hymn.  I'll start you out with three items that I found here, here, and here.

I found this David Crowder Band's performance on You Tube.  I've had their version on my iPod for some time.   It retains the original flavor, yet it is contemporary for the younger crowd.

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I’m come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

O, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O, take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Last night, I happened upon this version at iTunes sung by Lindsey Wallace: 

I love it, except she has changed up the second verse - as many have - and I prefer to stick with the original.  It frustrates me that it has been the choice of many to reword the second verse.  I mean, even back in the day, it probably took Marge a few minutes to research the issue.  I doubt she spent hours down at the library poring over a mountain of books.  Still, Lindsey does a beautiful job, and I enjoy her arrangement.

My original intent for this record of hymns was just that - a list of favorites, mostly.   I wasn't necessarily expecting that it would set me on a journey of learning about the writers and what was going on in their lives.  Or, to learn about the music, itself, and what is special and important with how the tunes were selected or written.  It's been especially good to read the words, the verse, to reflect on the message being conveyed.  I hope you have time to go up and read through the hymn, again, and let the beauty and power of these lyrics touch your heart.

The Way I See It

Yesterday, we were treated to a surprise visit with our old friend, Ryan.  Brett met Ryan the first day of middle school here, back in 2000.  Before long, Ryan was a frequent guest in our home.  And before too long after that, he was helping with chores.  Ryan came over quite often during their middle- and high-school years.  There were a couple of summers that he went home for a few hours on the weekend and was back here.  I considered adopting him.  He was always sweet, helpful, hardworking....in fact, that's what would jar me back to reality, that he was, indeed, not my son.   Sadly, since starting college, his visits  have trickled down to just two or three a year.

Yes, and, so, I decided he and Bethany should get married.   (I swear, mentioning that results in Ryan's promptly getting up and leaving the room.  Bethany shrieks and runs the other direction.  I've come to believe in arranged marriages, did I mention that?)  I have instructed Bethany that she will not marry until she is 25.  IF she's graduated from college.  That would make Ryan 31.  Perfect!  Ryan will be a college senior starting in the fall.  He will, most likely, graduate next spring.  He plans to work on the high seas for a time.  I think 10 years would be good.  Then, he'll be ready to settle down on land.

I don't see the problem with this.  Maybe, as they mature, they'll see things my way.