Time marches on....

Today is the birthday of a dear friend who was very much a part of my 20's.   She's turning 60 today!   Happy birthday Karen!

I met Karen when I was living in an apartment in Cockeysville, Maryland and was working for 98 ROCK.  She was a part-time hostess at Sh'nanigan's, the "Cheers" style bar that sat in a shopping center in the middle of hundreds of apartments. It was a real hangout for the young people who lived around it.  

Karen also worked downtown at a place called Menu Man.  It was a printing company that specialized in menu layout and creation.   At that time she drove a cool silver Mustang - and she took that thing through the gears like she'd been born to do it.  I was impressed.

I don't remember how we first met, who said hello first, who suggested we get together.  But, quickly we became friends and she became my "go to" girl when I wanted to go do something around Baltimore - and vice versa. Often it involved my work - which at that time was as promotions manager for the rock radio station.  I had to go to quite a few night events and it was always good to have Karen to be with me.   Yes, we saw MANY concerts together!   And, we also got to know each other's families and friends...we went to family gatherings, parties, whatever came along together.  

Neither of us had a serious boyfriend when we first met so it was wonderful to have a dear girlfriend to be with as we traveled through our 20's.   

The long and short of it is, nothing can stay the same.  It was a "moment in time."   Our lives went different directions.  I moved away and got married - I was proud to have Karen be one of my bridesmaids.  We stayed in contact pretty well for the next ten years.  She came and visited me when I moved around the country early on in hubby's career... California, Georgia, and back to Maryland.   

But then we drifted apart.  I understand.  Like I said, it happens.   We are now down to sending  Christmas cards and seeing each other Facebook occasionally.  And wishing each other a happy birthday!   But, I want Karen to know - she holds a very special place in my heart!  We had some wonderful times together!  We had some bumps...and I know I was not always the most sensitive to her life.  I feel bad about that. I feel sad that I didn't stay in contact better right on through to today.  

I'm thinking of you today, on your 60th birthday!!   Wow!  Karen!!!  Time marches on... 

I certainly hope you have a lovely day today. I hope your health is good and that you are happy each day.   Love ya girl!   Happy birthday!!

Was it a gift and a sign from heaven?

I'm passing this along because to some who read it this is an amazing story of the intertwining of life now and life in heaven. For some, it's just a weird coincidence.  How do you feel about it?

About two weeks ago I was pulling weeds by my driveway in an area I often need to go and "clean up."  As hard as I try the weeds seem to pop back up and therefore every so often I take time to cut some of the bushes back and pull new weeds out of the mulch.

On this day as I was weeding I saw something shiny, and I picked it up.  It was a tiny little gold ring.  I took off my garden glove and put it on my pinkie and then kept on working.  I didn't think much about finding it at the time.

A day or two later I asked my next door neighbor if the ring I found belonged to her. It did not.  I showed her the ring and she found a number engraved inside so she googled it and found out the ring was 18 carat gold.  Wow!  What a nice find!

But, I didn't feel right keeping it if it belonged to someone else.  I asked my daughters if they had lost a little ring - and I think I showed it to them when we got together two weekends ago at a tailgating party.   Neither daughter said it was their ring, or knew who it might belong to.

I had one last thought.  For a short while my sister-in-law had lived with us so I considered that  perhaps she had lost the ring.  I also felt maybe when she was moving items from her car it fell out.  So, I saw her this past Friday night - and told her about how I found a ring in the mulch and I  showed it to her.

She immediately recognized it... as being a small ring that her mother (my mother-in-law) had owned. She had several like it.  My mother-in-law passed away 4 years ago!!  My sister and I looked at each other - and in that instant knew that my mother-in-law put that ring there for me to find.  I have heard about pennies on the ground... and other ways the deceased have sent a message...like a phone ringing - and nobody there (not even a telemarketer!)  My mother-in-law gave me this ring!

I wear the ring now - and I feel good knowing that it came from my beloved mother-in-law.  How it got to me, and how long it was in the mulch I will never know for sure.  But, I do think finding it was a way for her to connect to me.  

What do you think?   Do you believe?

The good and the bad.

Hi everybody!  It's Tuesday, and that means it's Hodgepodge question & answer time.  Are you with me??

1.  The USA will mark Columbus Day this year on Monday, October 14th. What's something you need or want to explore (literally or metaphorically speaking)? 

I skipped this question at first to think about it, and have now come back - still without a definitive answer.  I suppose I will continue to explore the waterways in this area. I love boating and nature around these parts.  I will continue to explore through books and my love of reading. I will continue to explore my faith.  I will continue to explore music...a true joy in my life.

2. The Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz", Ursala from "The Little Mermaid", or Maleficent from "Sleeping Beauty"... who do you most love to hate?

It has to be the Wicked Witch of the West - for a couple of reasons.  First, she was my childhood "baddie" and it was a big deal to stay up late and watch "The Wizard of Oz" as a kid.  But most important because she was REAL, not animated!  Oh, she was so mean,  so green...and very scary looking.  She didn't even like puppy dogs!  She frightened Dorothy to the core!   And, everyone cheered when she melted!

3.  Is open-mindedness a virtue? 

Absolutely!!!!    Being open-minded, loving, and responsible all at the same time is the way to  live!

4.  How often do you weigh yourself? 

Practically never.  I got weighed at the doctor's office a couple of months ago.  I don't need to weigh myself because I can tell if I have gained any weight just by how my clothes fit, or should I say how snug they get.  I am lucky to be a person who can stay within 5 pounds of my normal weight all the time.  I know if I have indulged one day to  back off the next.  I am also the type that does not like feeling "over-full" so I have learned when to push the plate away.

5.  Costa Rica was recently named the happiest country in the world on the "Happy Planet Index."  What's the happiest country in the world to you, and what makes it so?  

Interesting.  I'd like to know the criteria used for measuring the happiness of the people.   I suppose environment, jobs and security,  family life, and lack of stress.   Interesting that Costa Rica was chosen - because it isn't a powerhouse, and it isn't a rich country compared to others.  But, yet the people are happy!  So, I think that says that sometimes we confuse being strong as a country with being happy.  The US could learn something!  A country I consider happy?   I have visited the Scandinavian countries and think they have good things there that create happiness.  Good work ethic, good family life, no need to jump into wars. Beautiful countryside.    So, Norway and Sweden seem happy!

6.  Besides the Bible, what is one book you think should be mandatory reading for high school students?  Why? 

I think "The Book Thief"  by Markus Zusak should be mandatory reading.  I loved the story of the 2 children growing up/trying to survive during WW II with Hitler's troops bombing. The family interactions and the historical setting & events are wonderful - but best is the joy the two found in reading books to escape the horror of real life.   I suggest it be read by adults too!

7.  Have you started your holiday shopping yet? 

No.  And, it seems each year I wait longer...  because each year time seems to move along just too quickly.  I want to stay "in the moment" more.   Now, that being said, I also don't like feeling stressed and in a time crunch.  I hate shopping in busy, crazy shopping malls in December.  So, I will probably keep my eyes open now for some Christmas gift finds... and maybe I'll try and do a bit more on-line shopping this year.

8.  My random thought. 

I think many of us may mention our government shutdown in this week's random thought.  It's hard NOT to say something about it. It's hard not to express the disdain and sadness about our politicians who earn money while stopping progress instead of making compromises for the good of the people they are supposed to represent.   The TV news circus instigates division and feeds off it.  I sometimes think about how bad this country SEEMS to be right now, but then I wonder about those times in our US history when the forefathers were also fighting in the "hallowed halls" and  waiting til seconds before deadlines.  The games have always been around.  Yes, our media has changed and gotten worse. They are more intrusive and more opinionated.  My recommendation is READ a newspaper, watch TV News only for a hour a day. Don't get caught up in all the BS and all the speculation that is spewed.

Welcome to October!

Good day to all my fellow bloggers and Facebook friends.  Here are this week's questions with my answers.

1.  What's one thing you learned in September?  

Oh dear, here we go with the "one thing" question! ha!  It's hard to narrow down and answer with just one thing.  So, bear with me while I mention a few things.  I know I don't always learn something new every day, but I hope I keep learning along the way - it keeps life interesting!   I started off the month learning that people from Maine are very nice!! (Shout out to my daughter's boyfriends' family), and I learned that September here in the lowcountry can still feel like summer - thank goodness. I guess I knew that, but it's fun to experience summer here once all the "tour-ons" (tourist + morons) leave the beach.   I joined a women's prayer group and I started learning more about what prayer is, how to pray, and what God likes to hear from us.  I learned some new words I never knew existed playing "Words with Friends"... and I learned through a friend that divorce can be gut-wrenching. Guess I already knew that too, but it's hard to "experience" it up close and personal.

2.   Acorn squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, yellow, zucchini squash, or blech! hold the squash...   What's your favorite?  What's your favorite way to prepare squash?

I like all squash, but my favorite?  Well, last night I had some cooked on a grill and it was delicious!  My favorite is probably yellow zucchini.  I sometimes saute it in a frying pan with a little olive oil, sliced onions, and at the end throw in some sliced or diced fresh tomatoes.   Yum!

3. The older I get the ______.   The older I get the more I try to resort back to experiencing life as a kid!   True! Hubby and I were just talking about this the other day.   Once my parenting days ended (my daughters are lovely grown young ladies now) I discovered a could be "free-er"  to do things, time wise and with experiences.  Ok, don't get any weird ideas!  I am not some crazy, free-thinking, sexually open, etc. woman now!   I just am at a point in my life where I don't want to rush aging so I want to "think" young and do fun things while I can!  Life is short - and I want to experience it!

4.  What's your favorite television theme song ever? 

Question:  Why is it that theme songs from the 50s and 60s stick in my mind more?  I love "the Andy Griffith Show" theme song, and the song from "Gilligan's Island."  I also love the theme song from  "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."   From more recent shows?   The theme from "Friends."

5.  What do you wish you'd spent more time doing five years ago? 

No regrets...I'd change nothing.  I don't want to live that way.

6.  What item do you most need (or want) to add to your wardrobe this fall? 

First, I "need" nothing.  Second, I do not like when the weather cools and I have to put away my shorts and flip-flops. (I'm not there yet.)  I have never liked fall/winter clothing.  They are more "binding"...and is it just me, or sweaters are nice the first time or two you wear them, but after many wears they are no longer crisp, clean looking?  They get limp, ratty, snagged, etc.  Thankfully I live in an area where I do not need to wear boots, heavy winter coats, etc.   So, I suppose if I want to add something to my fall wardrobe it's a new pair of stretchy, comfortable jeans... and a new crisp sweater or two.

7.  On October 2, 1950 the Peanuts cartoon was introduced to the world.  What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid? 

I don't think I was big on cartoons. I preferred "Romper Room" and real shows.  Anybody remember "Sky King"?   Since I have to pick a cartoon, I will say the Road Runner ones!  That poor coyote was always trying the catch the road runner with lots of TNT from ACME!  Beep beep!

8.  My random thought.  

I have a few rolling around in my head this morning.  Our Congress has once again showed how pompous they are and allowed the federal gov't to shut down. And,  I continue to be saddened and  amazed by the unnecessary shootings and deaths that happen every day due to the power of the gun lobby.  Again, pompous.     Thankfully, I have learned to "let go & let God" - and pray.   It's the best way to find peace and to stay positive during this crazy ride we experience as  life on earth!

Have a good week friends!

 

Remembering the past...

Hello Facebook and blogging friends!  Here are this week's Hodgepodge questions and my answers. As always, I love to hear your responses too.  Let me know what you think!

1.  What's one thing that's still the same about you as when you were young? 

I'm laughing at this because it is a lot easier to answer what is NOT the same:  my hair!  Looking back over the years I have had various lengths, colors, textures (straight/perms), and styles!  Some of them were pretty scary!   But, one thing that has stayed the same?   Actually it's nothing physical.  Aging does change the body!  So, I will say my beliefs.  I have not waivered from knowing right from wrong, and in living my life to be kind and to serve others.  God is central in my life and therefore I live my life in response to His grace and love for me.

2.   What's more important - history or science? 

I have to say history is more important.  We learn from what has come before us.  We honor those who have forged the way.  Science has certainly given us unbelievable medical advances and an easier way of living, but the people who came before us who did not "enjoy" the science that we do now still lived full lives.   Think about it.  Would you rather read a history book or a science book?  HA!!  No doubt in my mind...  it's history!

3.  Lima, kidney, string, garbanzo, black or pinto - your favorite bean? 

The good ole green bean!  I love them as a side dish, or in a casserole... and we can't have  Thanksgiving without the green bean mushroom soup dish!  You didn't ask, but my least favorite is the lima bean.  Blech.

4.  What's something people come to your town to do? 

Easy answer! I live in a vacation resort town.  So, people come here to enjoy the beach, and to play golf, and to spend time with family, and to boat, and go up to Myrtle Beach to the amusement parks and boardwalk.   I am fortunate to live full-time in a place some people come to for a week of vacation.

5.  When was the last time you were in a meeting?   Sum it up for us in five words or less. 

I attended a Habitat for Humanity meeting one week ago, last Tuesday morning.  I am on the "Church relations" committee and each year we help build a local Habitat house with other churches in the area.  The five words:  productive, informational, new family home.

6.  What special event would you like a VIP pass to attend? 

I immediately thought about the CMA Festival I attend each June.  This coming year will be my 4th year in a row!  I love it!!!  It would be beyond awesome to have a special VIP pass and be "up close and personal" with all those great musicians and to experience the week long event from the "inside."  

7.  What's one piece of advice you'd give a writer? 

I think a better question is what advice would a writer give me?!! I'd love to know!  I wish I could express myself better and could be a "writer" - and I suppose it is one reason I decided to blog.  I like practicing my writing skills, such as they are.   But, my little piece of advice for a writer:  be positive.  Write about things that can change the world for the better.

8.  My random thought. 

I find myself busy most evenings right now with outside activities and am not turning the TV on as much.  It's a good thing - but I have not seen DWTS and I missed last night's "The Voice" premiere.   I will NOT miss "American Idol" tho when it comes back on - it's my favorite of the talent "reality" shows.  What's your favorite?     Wondering...did you watch the Emmy's?   I don't watch any of the drama shows that were nominated/won.   But, I was certainly glad to see The Colbert Report win!  I love Stephen Colbert - and his writers are the best!

Have a good week all.  You know what  day tomorrow is?  What day is it?  Hey - what day is it??   It's hump day!    ( :

Fall birthdays

This week's Hodgepodge has a lot to do with birthdays in autumn.  Our blog hostess Joyce is celebrating hers this week...and earlier this month both my Dad and my brother had birthdays.  Tomorrow is my cousin Kay's big day too.  So "happy birthday" to all!

1.  When did you last sing "Happy Birthday" to someone?  When were you last sung to?  Does that embarrass you or do you enjoy being the center of attention on your special day? 

I last sang it two weeks ago when one of the members of our Tuesday "Good News at Noon"  Bible Study had a birthday. We all sang to him.   When was I last sung to?  I'm pretty sure it was my last birthday, this past December 15th.  My sis-in-law usually sings it for every birthday on our answering machine!  I went out to dinner with my family - but I don't recall them singing it to me at the restaurant this year.  That's ok.  I mean it's alright to have it sung to me, even if I get a little embarrassed, because it's nice to be given a bit of special treatment on that day.

2.  Name a famous or 'infamous' person, living or deceased, who shares your birth day and month.  Is that someone you'd like to meet in person if it were possible? 

Well, I had to google my birthday to find out who else shares it with me.   Many names I didn't recognize but of them all, I particularly like that I share it with the comedian/actor Tim Conway - and with Gustoave Eiffel, the civil engineer who built the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.   I think I'd enjoy having a birthday drink with Tim Conway!  I loved him on the Carol Burnett Show, and in other comic skits and TV shows.

3. Someone hands you a box tied in a lovely bow... what are you hoping to find inside? 

I would definitely enjoy a couple of concert tickets!

4.  What can you guarantee about yourself? 

I guarantee to tell the truth. I just can't lie.  I will stay quiet before purposely saying an untruth to someone. I just can't live with myself if I lie...so you won't hear one come from my lips.

5.  Talking art and beautiful cities here...   "The Last Supper" in the Santa Maria della Grazie Abbey in Milan, or the "Mona Lisa" in the Lourve in Paris...  which would you like to see? 

I have been to the Lourve and have seen the "Mona Lisa" so I have to answer that I would like to see "The Last Supper."  I have heard it is painted on a wall with a door frame partly in it, and it is fading, so I would probably be surprised at it's condition.  But, I'd still love to see it.  I think it's got to be one of the most copied works of art anywhere.  

6.  Your favorite dessert? 

A warm chocolate brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and some chocolate syrup on top - please!

7.  This coming weekend marks the official start of Autumn...  what is something you do to get ready for fall?  What is one thing you're looking forward to on your fall calendar?   Spring or fall - which do you prefer? 

I can't think of anything I "do" to get ready for fall.  I try to stay in denial about it coming.  I love warm weather, and long sunny days.   But, I will say I am looking forward to going with my hubby and meeting my daughters in Columbia, SC for a Gamecocks football game in early October!  We plan to tailgate...then go to the game (they play Kentucky & it 'should' be an easy win), and then we will have dinner together afterwards to celebrate hubby's birthday.    I definitely prefer spring over fall because it's the start of warmer days, and beautiful flowers, and outdoor activities.

8. My random thought. 

Continuing my thought from the question above.  I might prefer fall more if I didn't start to worry about the holidays, and expectations, and everything that goes with that time of year.  I know I put it on myself but I feel pressure on making the holidays right.  Don't get me wrong - I too love the traditions and the family togetherness. And, I try to keep the real meaning of the holidays in my forefront --- Thanksgiving is for giving thanks and Christ is to celebrate Christ!   I wish there would be a way to get rid of the stressful parts, and of the busy schedules, and the other "stuff" that comes with it.  Anybody got any ideas???  I'd love to hear em!  ( :

If it's Tuesday, it must be the Hodgepodge.

Thanks again Joyce for some thought-provoking questions - and happy birthday to your daughter!

1.  What's the best thing about growing older? 

The best thing is finding my place in the world, and being content with it.  Don't get me wrong. Not that I am always content, but I know who I am more now than when I was younger and I know what I can/can not do.  With understanding my place (and my reason for being) comes contentment  - which can then bring happiness more often.

2. When did you first feel like a grown-up? 

As soon as I graduated from college, I had my first "real" job that paid enough for me to move out of my parents' home and into an apartment with a girlfriend.   I was able to pay my own bills.  I worked full-time and supported myself.   I made my own choices on everything at that point.  So, I became a grown-up at 22 years old.

3.  Chocolate cake with white icing or white cake with chocolate icing? 

Easy answer!  Definitely chocolate cake with white icing!

4.  What's the nicest thing a stranger has done for you? 

I am going to tell you about what a stranger recently did for my husband.  About 2 months ago hubby took his truck to the car wash.  He uses the truck for taking our dog & neighbor's dog to the beach often, so they can romp with other doggies.  Therefore the truck gets really, really sandy.  So, hubby took out all the stuff in his truck at the car wash to vacuum it out really well.  I'm going to say hubby was "distracted" and forgot to put everything back in to the clean truck.   About an hour later a stranger came to our neighborhood gate with hubby's laptop computer!!!  He had left it sitting by the vacuum... and this wonderful stranger found our address in it, then used his GPS and drove the laptop to us.   He was a vacationer here for the week - from Tennessee.  We tried to look him up to thank him but was unsuccessful.  ) :  Thank you Mr. Stranger!!

5.  What's something you learned from your grandparents? 

My mother's father, my grandpa Fogt, gave me a love of crossword puzzles.  He used to do them out of the newspaper, and he would sit at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and work on them.  When I visited I would sit with him and he would involve me in it.  I continue to work crosswords almost every single day.

6.  Wednesday marks a sad day on planet earth - 9/11...  what's something you do (or can do) to bring peace to your little corner of the world? 

hmmm.  I do not do enough.   But, I suppose I try to live my life as a peaceful person, and share God's love.  Many of you know I am a follower of the Moms group that wants better gun safety...and I truly believe we need to tighten the laws on gun availability, on gun use, and illegal gun punishment.   So, I suppose that's one thing.  But, I think we all should become better activists for peace.   The president is givng a speech tonight about Syria (on the eve of 9/11) and I am concerned about what he will say.   One thing I do: I PRAY for peace every single day.

7.  Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song containing the word peace. 

I think I have shared this before, but when my daughter was in second grade the end of the school year program showcased their new knowledge of geography: the children made flags from all the countries, sang songs about different lands, etc.  The final song was "Let there be Peace on Earth - and Let it Begin with Me".  There was not a dry-eyed parent in the auditorium!  Out of the mouth of babes!! It was the most beautiful thing to hear those sweet, young voices sing so innocently about peace in the world!    I have downloaded a version of it on my Ipod: Vince Gill singing it with children.  It gives me goosebumps every time I listen.

8.  My random thought. 

I lived in northern New Jersey on 9/11/01 and was leading a "Sparta Friends & Neighbors" meeting when cellphones started going off that morning shortly after the meeting began.  We quickly learned of the first plane going into the World Trade Center.  I think I tried to keep the meeting going for a couple of minutes but then realized it was impossible.  Our town was only an hour's drive into Manhattan and we all knew people who lived and worked in the city.  We ended the meeting...most ladies went off to their homes to turn on their TV's - and I was still cleaning up from it when the 2nd plane hit.   In the days that followed we learned that one of the planes actually flew right over Sparta on it's way towards the towers...and we learned of many, many connections to those lost in such a horrible way.  I remember the NJ newspaper running the obituaries of hundreds...  with pictures, and individual stories of who these lost people were.  It was very, very sad.    I sometimes wonder if we read the obituaries of all those lost in other parts of the world from war if we would rethink what our nations do to each other.  Each one a special individual -  a family member, loved, leading a full life. Each one counts as much as every other individual.  They are not just a statistic.