Today is Wednesday and I am just about ready to pack my suitcase for the wonderfully anticipated trip to Pensacola, Florida with Tracey and Danny. This is our "Spring Break" and we are will be off to a beautiful condo, watching Carter and the Goodpasture Baseball Team play four games against teams we have never heard of, eat lots of fresh seafood, sit on the beach and watch the waves roll in and out against a white sandy beach, sit on the patio (or deck or whatever may be there) and read my book and talk to Bobbie Wiseman about our grandchildren, and just relax and enjoy every single thing that comes my way. We made this trip last year and it could not have been more perfect. I have no reason to think that this one will be any different. We will have some new parents in our group because some of our team graduated, but I'm sure that the new ones will be just as lovely as the ones last year. Carter will ride in the car down with us and stay the first night in our condo and then he will move and stay in a condo with the team and the coaches but we will get to see him before the games, after the games and then he will come home with us. I will keep a journal, as I did last year, and when I return I will have lots to write about. The reason I am so excited about going on this trip is that just a few short weeks ago I was sure that I would not be able to go. I was having to use the oxygen almost continually and I stayed tired and had to rest a big portion of the day. I did not feel like going anywhere or doing anything. I never knew that diet could be such a huge factor in my breathing condition but it surely was. I was told to not eat salt and only fresh or frozen veggies and a lot of other instructions were given to me. Almost instantly I began to feel well and I have continued to do so. I didn't realize how good it is to feel well after feeling so bad (crazy sentence but true). So, now that I am feeling like I used to, even with the oxygen, I am anticipating the trip and feel that I will be able to keep us with the rest of the crowd. Gonn'a give it a try anyway!!!!
I have been having a great time this past week exploring the lives of the Cline Family. Wayne Benton, who is an expert at genealogy, has traced the family back to John Peter Cline, b:1772-d:1799 and his wife, Johanna Fryberger b:1771-d:1841. The list of people is lengthy and interesting. Wayne also was able to uncover some pictures but, of course, I have no idea who those people are. He also traced my Rainey side back to Washington Rainey and his wife, Jane Richie. We can't go back as far with the Raineys as we can with the Clines. It was told to me, by my cousin when she was working on the Rainey family, that somewhere along the line it is believed that the spelling of the name was changed. Since they originated in Scotland it is presumed that the name might have been McRaney. We will never know and it really doesn't matter but it is kinda' fun to see the names and find out when they inhabited this earth. We will continue the search and find out more information as time goes on. Wayne and I are going to Athens, Alabama this Spring or Summer and find out more about my ancestors.
This morning, while walking Houston, I observed a dove sitting on the tip-top of the roof of one of the buildings here. He (or she) was cooing to the top of his/her lungs. Whoever that bird was calling should have known how urgent it was to pay attention. This month has been such a month of unusual weather that the birds are confused, the trees should be budding and the flowers should be popping up in bright colors. However, today the temperature is 48 degrees and the tree just outside my window is bare. I have seen a few buttercups blooming and I was proud of their courage to come up in this cold weather. Easter is right around the corner and I do so hope that we will have a warm, sunny, beautiful day to celebrate the death, burial and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. When you see all of nature coming alive in the Spring and you realize that after months of everything being buried under a cold ground it all comes alive and we are blessed with astounding beauty. That is God's plan for us also. We know this to be true because God is good -all the time.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
SATURDAY THOUGHTS/WISHING FOR SNOW
Today is Saturday, March 2nd and I am sitting at my desk, cozy and warm and watching the most beautiful snow flakes flutter and fall outside my window. How blessed I am to be here in my warm, pretty, comfortable apartment with Houston by my side. I have been wishing for a good snow and I don't think this will amount to the kind I want where I can go outside and walk in the snow and maybe make a dish of "snow ice cream". Maybe if not this time then next time.
I have had a very good week. Prayers each day for better health has been answered in that I am breathing better and not having to use the oxygen quite as much and my stamina has improved so very much. In fact, I have gone to more functions this week, not gotten tired, walked a lot and enjoyed everything. On Wednesday Bill Lee came to my house for lunch. I had decided that we could spend more relaxed time talking and visiting if we stayed here rather than going to a restaurant. I enjoyed cooking and getting ready for him to come so very much. I don't cook much any more - at least for other people - and it was a treat to have a guest for lunch. I am going to do this more often now that I am feeling better. I enjoyed hearing all about the Lee Family. My days working at Lee Company are very dear to my heart. Some of the people there are still very good friends and we stay in touch. Bill was just a boy when I started working there and I loved him through his college years, his engagement (on and off and then on for good), his marriage, his children being born, his wife's death and his remarriage and now I love to hear about those adult children and their wonderful lives filled with so much for which to be thankful. On Thursday I went to the East Alumni Luncheon, which we call the Lunch Bunch, that meets once a month for lunch and to keep up with our friends from East High. I elected to not go to the CPA game on Thursday night because I could stay here and watch it on my computer. CPA beat East and won the Region Tournament. Now they will play, what we used to call Sub-State and now is called Sectionals which is the path to the state tournament. Last year CPA won the State and I am hoping that it will happen again this year. There is a very good possibility that will happen. Drew is a very good coach and his team is very talented. He knows how to get the boys to use their talents and he also is a very good motivator. Ava Maddux sent me an invitation to an event at her school, CPA, which is called "Third Grade Living History Museum". I went with Nita and Ray and we went to the middle school gym. Inside this venue was every third grade child standing in front of a table, dressed as the historical person they are representing. Each child had a poster of information, and other interesting things concerning their subject. I stopped at Ava's station first where she was portraying Harriett Tubman. She was dressed in a long white dress with a bib of white tucked fabric and she had a black scarf on her head. She gave a little 2 minute talk telling us about her character. It was an outstanding performance. Then, it was over to Anni's station where she was Maybelle Carter. Anni had her guitar and she was dressed as her great-great grandmother would have looked. She had the auto harp that Mrs. Carter was famous for playing, and Anni told her audience all about the life of her character. I left my own children to explore the talents of some of the other children and was just overwhelmed with their presentations, the work that they had gone to in order to have this event and really hated that I didn't get to hear every single one of those children. Since this is a week devoted to Dr. Seuss and "The Cat In The Hat" and other works of his,Tracey invited me to accompany her to a play at Goodpasture Christian School based on a Dr. Seuss theme. It was just a wonderful time. The children had worked so hard and the songs, the dancing, the scenery, and the drama was outstanding. I continue to be amazed over the things that the children can do these days. I guess that sounds like an old woman talking (which I am) but my life is made so full by being able to observe and enjoy the talents that these children have, that the teachers in their schools recognize and showcase in the productions that they present for enjoyment. I am so glad that I was able to attend the CPA History Program and the Goodpasture Dr. Seuss program.
Right here I have to praise my daughter, Tracey, for what she did last night. We left the play at Goodpasture in a rain/snow, uncomfortable condition and started driving toward Hendersonville. Before we had gone very far and was stopped at a red light, the car next to us was hit from behind by another vehicle. The car that was hit was being driven by a young girl who is a student at Goodpasture and a friend of Tracey's son, Carter. She was crying and upset over the accident. Her car was not damaged but she was still so very upset. Tracey, in her soft, sweet manner got out and went to the girl and talked to her, encouraged her and stayed with her while she phoned her mother and daddy. A policeman happened to be in the line of traffic that we were all holding up and he came and moved their cars and Tracey followed and stayed with the child until the policeman dismissed all of them. Tracey stood in the rain until she was soaked and cold but she would not leave this girl who was shaking with nervousness and fear. Her reason for staying, other than it was a good thing to do, was "if that was Courtney I would like to think someone would help and comfort her". I think that Tracey's action last night spoke more than any sermon on being a christian ever would. She was a true "good Samaritan" and I am proud of her.
Well, the snow flakes have stopped and I suppose that means I should stop writing this Blog, get up and get busy doing my Saturday's chores. Maybe the snow will start up again and, if they do, I will enjoy the sight and be delighted to know that God is in control and all will be okay because God is good - all the time.
I have had a very good week. Prayers each day for better health has been answered in that I am breathing better and not having to use the oxygen quite as much and my stamina has improved so very much. In fact, I have gone to more functions this week, not gotten tired, walked a lot and enjoyed everything. On Wednesday Bill Lee came to my house for lunch. I had decided that we could spend more relaxed time talking and visiting if we stayed here rather than going to a restaurant. I enjoyed cooking and getting ready for him to come so very much. I don't cook much any more - at least for other people - and it was a treat to have a guest for lunch. I am going to do this more often now that I am feeling better. I enjoyed hearing all about the Lee Family. My days working at Lee Company are very dear to my heart. Some of the people there are still very good friends and we stay in touch. Bill was just a boy when I started working there and I loved him through his college years, his engagement (on and off and then on for good), his marriage, his children being born, his wife's death and his remarriage and now I love to hear about those adult children and their wonderful lives filled with so much for which to be thankful. On Thursday I went to the East Alumni Luncheon, which we call the Lunch Bunch, that meets once a month for lunch and to keep up with our friends from East High. I elected to not go to the CPA game on Thursday night because I could stay here and watch it on my computer. CPA beat East and won the Region Tournament. Now they will play, what we used to call Sub-State and now is called Sectionals which is the path to the state tournament. Last year CPA won the State and I am hoping that it will happen again this year. There is a very good possibility that will happen. Drew is a very good coach and his team is very talented. He knows how to get the boys to use their talents and he also is a very good motivator. Ava Maddux sent me an invitation to an event at her school, CPA, which is called "Third Grade Living History Museum". I went with Nita and Ray and we went to the middle school gym. Inside this venue was every third grade child standing in front of a table, dressed as the historical person they are representing. Each child had a poster of information, and other interesting things concerning their subject. I stopped at Ava's station first where she was portraying Harriett Tubman. She was dressed in a long white dress with a bib of white tucked fabric and she had a black scarf on her head. She gave a little 2 minute talk telling us about her character. It was an outstanding performance. Then, it was over to Anni's station where she was Maybelle Carter. Anni had her guitar and she was dressed as her great-great grandmother would have looked. She had the auto harp that Mrs. Carter was famous for playing, and Anni told her audience all about the life of her character. I left my own children to explore the talents of some of the other children and was just overwhelmed with their presentations, the work that they had gone to in order to have this event and really hated that I didn't get to hear every single one of those children. Since this is a week devoted to Dr. Seuss and "The Cat In The Hat" and other works of his,Tracey invited me to accompany her to a play at Goodpasture Christian School based on a Dr. Seuss theme. It was just a wonderful time. The children had worked so hard and the songs, the dancing, the scenery, and the drama was outstanding. I continue to be amazed over the things that the children can do these days. I guess that sounds like an old woman talking (which I am) but my life is made so full by being able to observe and enjoy the talents that these children have, that the teachers in their schools recognize and showcase in the productions that they present for enjoyment. I am so glad that I was able to attend the CPA History Program and the Goodpasture Dr. Seuss program.
Right here I have to praise my daughter, Tracey, for what she did last night. We left the play at Goodpasture in a rain/snow, uncomfortable condition and started driving toward Hendersonville. Before we had gone very far and was stopped at a red light, the car next to us was hit from behind by another vehicle. The car that was hit was being driven by a young girl who is a student at Goodpasture and a friend of Tracey's son, Carter. She was crying and upset over the accident. Her car was not damaged but she was still so very upset. Tracey, in her soft, sweet manner got out and went to the girl and talked to her, encouraged her and stayed with her while she phoned her mother and daddy. A policeman happened to be in the line of traffic that we were all holding up and he came and moved their cars and Tracey followed and stayed with the child until the policeman dismissed all of them. Tracey stood in the rain until she was soaked and cold but she would not leave this girl who was shaking with nervousness and fear. Her reason for staying, other than it was a good thing to do, was "if that was Courtney I would like to think someone would help and comfort her". I think that Tracey's action last night spoke more than any sermon on being a christian ever would. She was a true "good Samaritan" and I am proud of her.
Well, the snow flakes have stopped and I suppose that means I should stop writing this Blog, get up and get busy doing my Saturday's chores. Maybe the snow will start up again and, if they do, I will enjoy the sight and be delighted to know that God is in control and all will be okay because God is good - all the time.
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