LIFE AT ANY AGE IS GOOD

This past Christmas I received a most wonderful present from my daughter, Kim.  She gave me a hard-back covered book of all of my postings from the first one in 2008 until the last one in 2011.  I have picked it up from time to time and read something that I wrote on a particular day but last night I propped up in bed with this book and started at the first and read and read and read until I got so sleepy I was dropping the book.  I was amazed at some of the things in my life that I had forgotten. What a joy it was to read about some of my adventures.  It made me quite happy and also made me realize that by not writing regularly at this time in my life I will be unable to recall some things that are happening that I will forget and not be able to enjoy over and over.  Granted, there were a few things in that book that were not quite as happy or significant but all in all it really contains pages of history for me to reflect upon.

This past week-end has been monumental for me.  On Friday we had the alumni golf tournament that I have already written about so I won't go into any more detail about that except to say that the unofficial total of profit for the scholarship program will be about $8,100.00 and I say hurrah to that!!!  On Friday night I went to the Goodpasture Football game.  I haven't missed but one of the football games all year and that one was played in Louisville, KY.  Carter has given me so much excitement and entertainment.  He has scored so many touchdowns, made so many spectacular plays, been such an outstanding player that I have looked forward to Friday night all season.  This past Friday night I was told, by Nita, in the car going to the game that Carter would be playing quarterback in place of the regular quarterback.  Therefore, I was pretty nervous the entire game watching him calling signals, passing the ball, handing the ball off to the runners and even running himself.  He did a great job.  It appears that he will be playing this position for the rest of the season. At half-time of the football game, all of the baseball players were called to the field for an honor ceremony.  The baseball team won the 2012 State Tournament and they were presented with the most beautiful rings.  Carter stood in the middle of this group in a football uniform which made him very visible.  After the presentation and picture he went to the dressing room to prepare for the second half of the game. A friend sent Tracey a text that said "what else is Carter going to do?  March in the band?  He's done everything else".  We got a big laugh out of that because it is true.  I'm sure he could march, play, drive the bus, or do whatever they asked him to do.  He is so talented.

After such a busy Friday I didn't exert much energy on Saturday.  Tommy Pardue is visiting me.  He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma and he came to play in the golf tournament and on Saturday he went to visit a very ill friend of his.  I wanted to make a good dinner for him but he had something to eat at his friend's home.  Tommy is an ideal house guest.  He sleeps in the guest room, showers in the guest bathroom and watches a little  TV.  He loves football on TV and would love to watch hockey but they are idle right now and not on TV.  When  he leaves to go back home it is though nobody was every here.

Sunday was a great day for me.  I went to bed on Saturday at the age of 78 and woke up Sunday morning 79 years old.  Just like that I moved up another notch.  I had received quite a few birthday cards on Saturday and on Sunday I had many phone calls, many e-mails and my girls and their husbands and Sara, Tommy and I went to Carrabas (Italian restaurant) for dinner.  I, of course, had veal picanti for my entree and it was just to die for.  Not many restaurants serve that dish so I have it any time I see it listed.  My children showered me with lovely gifts.  Getting old is really not such a bad thing.  At times it limits me until I become frustrated and long for the days when I could do much more than I do now but when I see the condition that some of my friends are in I just thank God that I am as healthy and able as I am.

Today as I was walking Houston I was astounded at the way the leaves are turning so quickly.  We have had a few nights of cool weather and some rain and all of a sudden I am seeing beautiful color along the green way where we walk.  The track is full from morning until dark with people jogging, walking, running and riding bicycles.  Now the ones that wore little shorts and tops are wearing jogging suits and some are even wearing caps and hats.  It is quite interesting to me to watch all of the changes that occur each day.  Life is like that.  One day it is this and the next day it is that.  I never resist change.  I embrace it.  I know that each change that comes into my life brings a new element - some good and some not so good.  The one thing you can count on, however, is change.  Nothing ever stays the same for very long.  That is probably a very good thing.  When something bad comes along we have the promise that it won't last forever.  As my friend Sara says "you can stand anything for a little while - even stand on your head if you have too".  As I think about, and even say the words, being 79 years old, I realize that I am in the winter of my life.  Hasn't God been kind to let me live 79 years?  I started writing a book of my life some time ago and I really haven't gotten too far into the story but as I think and write I realize that my journey here on earth has been and still is just a wonderful gift from  God.  He has chosen me to be the wife of Billy Cline, the mother of Nita, Corinne, Kim and Tracey.  He has given me sons-in-law - Ray, Mark, Brad and Danny.  He has given me wonderful, loving grandchildren and now I brag and say that I have 19 great-grandchildren.  I have many friends that I love and stay in touch with.  I have a church family that surrounds me with prayer when I, or someone in my family, need extra prayer.  My life is good because God is good - all the time. 

MONDAY MORNING THOUGHTS

Today is Monday, October 8, 2012 - Columbus Day.  I don't know why they change all of the dates that we have been celebrating for many years.  I'm sure that Christopher Columbus would not give it a thought but on the other hand I have always thought a person's birthday is an important day.  For instance, my sister-in-law, Rosemary Cline Taylor, will celebrate her birthday on the 10th.  I try my hardest to get her card to her on the very day of her birthday.  To me that is very important to honor the very day and not two days later, a week before or any of those things.  Because of changing Columbus Day and the U. S. Post Office taking a holiday, I'm sure my card will be late.  I know that my card to Bill Lee, due tomorrow, will probably not be delivered on time.  However, I do hope that those people will know that I will honor them with my thoughts on the 9th and 10th of this month.

This has been a very emotional week-end for me.  On Friday my son-in-law, Mark Smith, went to St. Thomas Hospital with all of the symptoms of the recent meningitis epidemic.  He had a stiff neck, blurred vision and a very bad headache.  He had received a letter from St. Thomas telling him that the steroid injection that he had received for his back problem made him a possible candidate for this terrible outbreak of the disease.  His blood, being too thin from taking coumadin, had to be thickened with plasma and Vitamin K until it received the desired level for the lumbar puncture.  Finally, after MRI, Cat Scan and other tests he had the procedure and, Praise God, it came back negative.  He is at home resting now and he and Corinne have breathed a sigh of relief and thanked the Good Lord many times that he escaped this dreaded disease. 

It has turned Fall very quickly here in Hendersonville.  I look out my window as I write this and the walkers and joggers and bicycle riders are dressed very differently from the way they were dressed last week.  I see lots of hoodies and jogging suits.  The only thing that is the same is that most of them have a cell phone in their hand.  I don't understand this obsession with cell phones.  Even my children seem to always have one in their hand.  It is my understanding that you can read Face book and you can text and you can do all sorts of things with a cell phone - even take pictures.  My poor little phone will call people (if I can remember their number) and allow people to call me and I do have a voice message part where I can hear messages when I don't answer, which is most of the time, because I either don't hear it ring or I don't have it anywhere near me.  I have observed people at church with their phones partly hidden while they were checking whatever they wanted to see rather than listening to the preacher or worshipping in song.  To me, that is inexcusable.  To me a cell phone should be necessary to have in my car in case of emergency.  Sometimes when I am out and need to contact one of the girls for some reason I will call them but I understand that so many people now have disconnected their "land lines" and are using cell phones exclusively.  Things and people are changing just like the people on the track that are wearing outfits to match the weather.  The trees are beginning to color to match the season.  I am changing because I am about to turn another year older and age brings many changes to my body.  The upcoming election will bring many changes to our country I think and hope.  Life is one change after another.  That is the way that God planned it for us.  He told us that He has a plan for all of us and I believe that the plan that He has for me is wonderful - it always has been - because God is good - all the time.

SO MUCH TO CATCH UP

There is no way I can possibly write about all that has happened to me since my last post.  It would take too long to write and certainly take too long to read.  However, I will "hit the high spots".

Wayne, Jacque, Sara and I went to Pigeon Forge on August 3rd.  We stayed at the Christmas Place Hotel and believe me it was really Christmas inside that lovely establishment.  Sara and I had a Christmas tree in our room and even the bathroom had Christmas dishes for the soaps and such.  We went to see Brad Smith perform with The Blackwoods at their show in their theater and was treated to a lovely breakfast there.  The show was wonderful - gospel songs, country songs, and patriotic songs.  Brad was the M.C. and also had some solo parts so it was quite a treat for us to enjoy him.  We also saw a show called "Smokey Mountain Opry" which was really wonderful.  The energy level of those young singers and dancers made me dizzy.  We ate good food, visited with Cassie, Brad and Jackson and did some shopping and came home happy after having a huge breakfast at The Apple Barn.

School started early this year - August 14th for Carter at Goodpasture which made the first football game on August 17th.  As luck would have it (not Goodpasture luck) our first game was with CPA and we got beat.  Drew and Emily, both alumni of Goodpasture, but employees of CPA, came and poor things were so divided in their loyalty.  Carter had a great game and started out the season showing his terrific athletic ability.  He has done extremely well in each and every game - scoring TD's and making crucial tackles and doing all of the things that make his family so proud.  He has excelled in football just like he did in baseball.  The football team will not be going to the State Tournament because they have not had such a good season this year but maybe next year the football and baseball teams will win the State.  Wouldn't that be a grand way for Carter to complete his high school athletic seasons? 

September was John Patrick's month to shine.  He turned one year old on September 11th.  Kim had his party on the following Saturday, the 15th, and what a party it was.  She had a Jungle Theme and everything was animals - the decorations, the food, the cake and even John Patrick's clothes had animals on them.  It was a grand party and he was so cute.  He did all of his little "tricks" for us and sat in his little chair as Patrick opened his gifts.  Of course, we are all just crazy about him.  He is a very good baby and never cries or shows anger - well not very often anyway.


My East High Alumni  Association is hosting a golf tournament to benefit the scholarship program on October 12th.  I have worked pretty hard with the committee on the arrangements.  There is a lot of work involved in putting on an event such as this.  I don't know why but it seems that out of a big organization only a few do the actual work.  I was lucky to get a couple of hole sponsors and a some very good prizes so I feel as though I have done my part.  I will have to go to the golf course on the day of the tournament and work with the registration and the lunch.  I have to say that I will be glad when it is over.  I am not doing as much work with the alumni group as I have done in the past.  In fact, I am slowing down with most of my activities.  I guess my age has finally caught up with me because I have not felt very well in quite some time and, frankly, do not feel like going out somewhere every day and doing some kind of charity thing.  I'm just so glad that I don't have to have a job to go to every day because there is no way that I could do that.  My health is not nearly as good as it was this time last year and that gives me great cause for concern.  Of course, I have to remind myself that I will be 79 years old in a week or so and that is the big reason for my feeling as I do.  Truthfully, I am blessed beyond belief to be able to do all that I do and feel as well as I feel.  It is shameful to complain when I see the way some of my friends are struggling.

I am still glad that I am living in Hendersonville.  I get to see Nita quite often.  She came the other day and got my Fall decorations out of the closet and helped me decorate for Halloween and with only a few minor adjustments will be ready for Thanksgiving.  My apartment looks very festive and I am proud of it.  When Nita has her group over for cook outs she always invites me and I get to see Drew, Tara and their five children and Emily and Jackson and their five children.  It is such a delight to be with them and to watch those precious children play together.  They all love each other so much and, as hard as it is to believe, there is very little dissension among them when they are together.  When Chris and Ashley and their three come it is really a bunch of great-grandchildren for me to see.  Leslie is having a party for  Cannon next month and I will get to see those children.  Leslie and Russell are now in Florence, Alabama and they have a beautiful new house and Chris and Ashley have bought a new house in Jackson, Mississippi and Emily and Jackson have moved closer to the school (Bellvue is their community) so it looks like we have had a bunch of relocation going on. 

I have had a day of anxiety and nerves today.  Mark Smith was tested for possible meningitis and the test came back negative.  Prayer from many people went to the Lord in his behalf and the Lord saw fit to answer quickly and positively in Mark's favor.  What a blessing.  It is no wonder that I say today and every day that God is good - all the time.