Porches, Peaches and Sweet Tea

Porches, peaches and sweet tea

August 20, 2013 

"Wanderlust":  The strong desire to travel.

That, in a nutshell, describes me.  I often spend hours perusing maps, geography books, dreaming about seeing new places, visiting friends and family.  It drives my husband nuts....he hates travel...just likes "getting to where we're going".  Every fall, however, I find myself actively planning the "next big trip".  Well, this summer, I think I've just completed one of the most FUN ones I've ever had.  With 2 weeks vacation to play with, I got to see all of my immediate family, sit on a bunch of porches, eat some southern peaches and drink (splenda) sweet tea....all in the company of one VERY precocious 10 year old!

Our annual family vacation this year found us all in the glorious Great Smoky Mountains.  Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge is in a heavenly setting of green mountains and plenty to do.  However, because of that, everyone else in the U.S. must have decided to descend on the area at the same time.  The traffic rivals Branson, Mo. in nightmarish volumes!  Thankfully, we were staying a few miles out, in a resort with it's own HUGE water park and arcade....so the vast majority of our time was spent on the resort.  Just being with our kids, and their kids was enough for Steve and me to be completely happy.  It was fabulous to be able to have our 2 grandkids get to know each other, although with the 7 year difference in ages, they didn't always mesh in the "sandbox".  I love the different personalities, and especially loved that Jacob, age 2 1/2, finally included "G-ma" in his lexicon!  (Up until now it was always just "PaPa"...)  Cuddle time, fixing food that he desired, PaPa taking him on walks.... it was pure bliss to be able to spend time with the grandson that lives so far away!

The first porch we sat on was at the resort.  (isn't that what one is to DO on vacation? SIT and contemplate?)  The porch outside our condo, unfortunately faced the parking lot - so we were able to sit and people-watch.  However, the kids had one that overlooked a gorgeous golf course.  THAT was enjoyable!  We also enjoyed fun times with the requisite miniature golf,  aquarium, and slayed the North in the battle at Dixie Stampede. (even if the North DID win the war....it's the South - of COURSE the South will win!).  The little ones were fascinated by the big show, lights, animals and amazing trick riding.  (and the food was excellent!).  Worth the $$.

On Wednesday, though, the time came for everyone else to return to work....but Ian and I had decided to take a "road trip".  It appears that in Loudoun County schools, the history topics for 4th grade were focused on Virginia History - Jamestown, Thomas Jefferson, and, of course the Civil War.  So, when I suggested to Ian that we drive on from Tennessee to Texas to see the extended family, he said, "can we stop at some Civil War battlefields?"  What a great idea!  I have always LOVED history, and never having any of my kids who would focus more than 20 minutes on any topic....this provided a perfect opportunity for me to exercise my passion for sharing history's lessons!  I ordered online instructional tools, posters, quizzes, maps.... checked out books from the library, and planned our route together.  Our journey from Virginia, to Texas and back through the deep south afforded us an opportunity to actually get the "big picture" of the Civil War from many angles.  But more on that later..

***

Lest you think that it was ALL history, though, the boy loves science as well.  Driving within 15 miles of Oak Ridge, Tennessee was just too close to not plan a visit to, in my opinion, one of the BEST science museums for kids in the country.  The Science and Energy museum of Oak Ridge is a medium-sized museum, very inexpensive ($7.00 total for the both of us), and is geared for not only energy, but also explaining in great detail how the atom bomb/nuclear physics came into being before and during WWII.  We got there at 1030 am, and, silly me, I thought we'd be out in a couple of hours.  FOUR HOURS later, I'm pulling Ian out, thinking that they'd close it if we didn't exit soon!  He literally had to read every plaque, touch every display, asked hundreds of questions about atom bombs, war, (even getting into Hitler/German scientists/Jewish extermination reasons, etc, etc).  THEN, we discovered an actual science lab for kids....with a teacher at the ready.  He was in heaven.  We did experiments on air/ water/ gases....formation and transmission of sound waves, microscopic critters seen under a microscope (and how to USE a microscope)....it was truly fun.  He could have stayed there longer...but grandma's feet were pretty sore by then!

We spent the night with some good friends in Middle Tennessee, then set off for our next day's goal: Shiloh National Battlefield.  

I mentioned going to the library in preparation for this excursion, and checked out 4 books on CD for the trip.  Two were purely fun books, and we finished up Jules Vern's "Around the World in 80 days" on the trip to Tennessee for the family vacation.  The next book, though, introduced the Civil War to Ian in a perfectly 10-year-old way.  "Across 5 Aprils" is a historical fiction, written from a 10-year old's perspective, of the war, how a family was torn apart, with some serving in the Confederacy and some in the Union army.  Set in Illinois, it had a decidedly pro-North bent....but did a great job of discussing ALL of the major battles and giving a perfect overview of the scope of the war.  We chuckled at the mention of the battle of Balls Bluff (located 3 miles from where we live)...and loved the fact that we were actually going to see Shiloh, Vicksburg, Mobile, etc.  The books made the miles go by fast, and Ian never fell asleep listening, in fact got frustrated if I turned it off to make a stop or a phone call.  Total focus on his part.

Shiloh is off the beaten path, so we got to see rural, agricultural Tennessee/Mississippi.  The visitors center had a great video presentation that set the tone for the battle.  We enjoyed a picnic lunch, then explored the far reaches of the battlefield, ending up at Shiloh Church - the still standing old log church that was the central site.  

Another of Ian's gifts is an eye for architecture.  He carefully explored the log cabin, noticing the way the doors were hinged with wooden pegs, wood dowels instead of nails, and a rock foundation propping up the corners of the fragile, old church.  Ian's collection of photos on his I-touch rapidly grew.

Leaving Shiloh, we chose to drive along a back 2-lane highway to Memphis.  The farmland was in full green growth, and the rolling countryside was actually relaxing.  A stop at a small country store, however, brought up another topic of discussion.  It seemed, as we were about to get out of the car, that we noticed that we were the only white people around.  Ian noticed, and we mentioned briefly that, in days past, especially before and during the Civil Rights era, that whites and blacks did not share stores the same way we do today.  He asked if it was safe....and that broke my heart...He went on to say that he had heard that more violence occurs with blacks than whites (and yes, I had heard that statistic on the news lately regarding D.C. arrests)....but this was the time to fiercely dispel that notion. (I think it was Rogers/Hammerstein that penned, "you must be carefully taught" to be prejudiced).   We talked about equality, trust, and, in the end being alert NO MATTER where we were, black/white/asian, whatever.  The folks in the store were all very friendly....and actually the cashiers ended up being Middle Eastern.  It was time to teach the boy about becoming truly color blind.  We started that day.

This was the day that would be the longest we spent in the car, and it proved a challenge for Ian.  He had never been on a trip longer than about 9 hours...but wanted to "make it to Texas" for the night, and kept urging me on.  We crossed over into Arkansas about 5pm....had dinner in Little Rock (his first time at Cracker Barrel – mmmm they DO make good tea!)- and even though I suggested stopping for the night, it was, "no, Grandma, I want to SLEEP in Texas!"  So on we went....and made it to Texarkana late in the evening.  14+ hours.

A word about choosing a hotel along the interstates....I've done it for years...and usually try to stay in big name brands....so chose a Ramada this time....unfortunately it turned out to be a slight mistake.  The place was "sort of" clean (we checked the mattresses closely for critters - none to be seen, and yet another life lesson for Ian), but the peeling paint in the bathroom was disconcerting.  I locked and blocked the door with something that would make noise if someone tried to break in (I always do that, having heard so many stories in the news how people can slip into hotel rooms at night and steal wallets, purses, etc).  I also sleep with the bathroom light on, just in case.  

We got to sleep fairly quickly, (something about driving for over 14 hours did me in!)  but at 4:10 am I struggled awake to the sound of the phone ringing - the hotel phone, not my cell.  I answered it, groggily, for I had been in a deep sleep.  A voice on the other end said that it was the front desk calling, they were "sorry to awaken me", but they were inputting their information into the corporate computer before the end of their shift, and were having trouble with the information that I had given them.  Without letting me say anything, they hurried to say that I would receive a deep discount on my room for having to have been awakened and all they needed was for me to verify the spelling on my name.  Thankfully, being a nurse, my brain functions on little to no sleep, and I remember thinking, "they never asked for me by name when I answered - something that any good front desk would do when calling", and then the pushy way they were pressing me with an "overload" of information, made my red flags wave wildly.  I replied, "You've GOT to be kidding me".  He said, again, that no, he was just trying to avoid having to "run a credit check" on me....to which I repeated, "well, go ahead, - but you'll have to answer to me in the morning when I get up and run this by his boss". I slammed the phone down.  And never went back to sleep.  It was going to be a LONG day ahead of me.

When I went to the desk a couple of hours later, and asked for the manager, she "wasn't in".  So I discussed this with the clerk - who seemed mildly surprised, but then acknowledged that the same thing had happened earlier in the week to someone else who had actually given out their name, address, phone and social security number!!!!  ID theft, it was!  When I asked just HOW they could have put thru a call to my room without my name at 4:10 am...they quickly said, "well, someone might have just used this hotel phone here in the lobby", to which I inquired, "then just WHERE was your desk clerk last night?"

They shut up pretty quickly, I got the name of their manager, and declining to leave my room card keys with them (they contain vital information re. credit, etc)...I left.  Multiple calls throughout the day to the manager went unanswered.  I've written a letter to Ramada upper management - and, surprise - no response yet. (almost 2 weeks later).

I think this episode set the tone for one slight phobia Ian developed for the rest of the trip.  He never slept alone in a room after that, even in homes...and I'd often find him cuddled up next to me. that's ok, though, because it gave me a bit of comfort, too....keeps the boogey-men away! 

***

Our last leg to Ft. Worth went smoothly.  We got to see the clear changes in the countryside, from the hills of Tennessee, to the Mississippi valley flats, green rolling hills of East Texas, and then entered the dry, dry drought-ridden sections, beginning just east of Dallas, where the heat soared, and the grass turned brown.  There is a place just west of Dallas on I-20 where you crest a rise, and suddenly can see forever - the beginnings of the "West".... flat, plains, cacti growing alongside the road, big clouds and BIG sky.  I never cease to be amazed and excited by this spectacular view....this is where I grew up....where my heart lies.

We stayed with my sister, Marca and her husband Ed.  Besides being wonderful hosts, they are passionate Greyhound rescue league members, often fostering a couple of Greys for days or weeks at a time.  Currently they have 2 greyhounds of their own, and two cats.  Funny story - one of the cats has decided that I must be related to Marca (my sister)....he always jumps in my lap and literally fights me for my little finger - which he proceeds to suck on like a pacifier.   Marca says he doesn't do that with anyone else but her.  I'm not really fond of cats...but his one tugs at my heart.  In spite of his making his "bed" in my dirty clothes bag ;)

One of the purposes of being in the DFW metroplex, was to visit my mom, who's been in a nursing home for a year.  We usually stay in her house, which my sister Marca and I now own. It is in Cleburne, a town about 30 miles south of Ft. Worth. However, this trip, the house was unavailable.  Back in the spring, there was an F3 tornado that tore through the town, only doing minor damage to our house, but destroying so many in the neighborhood.   We were made aware of a family that lived a couple of streets over from mom whose house was severely damaged, so they are staying in our house while theirs is being rebuilt.  We had struggled with having the house sit fully furnished and empty, while so many were suddenly homeless in the wake of the tornado...so finding a way to help them out was, and is, so satisfying.  They are taking great care of the house, even fixing up the fence that was blown down and the A/C unit that was knocked off its base by the winds.  Seeing all the destruction in the neighborhood was sad, though.  Some were completely gone - just the foundation left.  Amazingly, no one was killed in Cleburne.

Ian hadn't seen his great-grandmother for 2.5 years.  She is wheelchair bound these days, but delights in having kids around her.  Ian was the perfect grandchild - making conversation, not playing his video game, telling her about his life.  She was overjoyed.  Her roommate, who is also her sister, was ill and in the hospital, so we actually ended up having the whole room to ourselves for these visits.  I missed long visits with my Aunt (although we did stop by the hospital a couple of times to check on her)...but it was good that we were able to close the door and have a semblance of a family room to visit in.  My sisters came over, along with nieces and nephews....which made Ian so happy.  He loves seeing his cousins, Elizabeth, Raine and Samantha!  They picked up their friendships just like it was yesterday instead of a couple of years since they'd seen each other.

Saturday morning, Marca and Ed drove us to the Civil War Museum of Texas...where Ian learned how the "West" figured in to the war.  Texas was so interesting, in that it had barely been a state when it was called upon to secede.  I actually had forgotten (if I ever truly knew) that Sam Houston - the "father of Texas", who was governor in 1860, opposed secession.  I can imagine his frustration at having brought the Republic of Texas into Statehood, only to see it leave the Union so soon.  He resigned when secession was voted on.  Texas Rangers (not the baseball team, guys!) were known for their fierce and effective fighting...and Texas troops were deployed far and wide throughout the South.  The museum was FULL of artifacts and memorabila from the war.  We all noticed, interestingly, that the uniforms were actually really SMALL.  I guess poor nutrition would be the explanation for smaller stature of that time.   Ed is a huge civil war buff...and he and Ian took off talking a blue streak about the displays, etc.  I found myself drawn to a special exhibit that was there - a collection of period dresses - there must have been 25 or 30 dresses and accessories from the late 1800s.  The theatre costumer in me was enthralled!  My poor sister, Marca, who detests museums, was a good sport and waited patiently.

After another visit to the nursing home, we returned to Marca's where she totally spoiled Ian and me with a wonderful dinner (fresh pork, summer veggies....mmmm!) only to be followed by what can only be described as "decadence" for dessert.  "Healthy" fruit (berries, bananas, etc)....but dipped in dark, dark chocolate, with a side of pound cake, Blue Bell Ice Cream (!) and whipped cream.  I confess.  I sinned.  It was good.

Marca and Ed had suffered a home break-in a couple of months ago...and after retelling the story, Ian for sure wouldn't sleep in any other room but where I was.  Poor thing....I guess he IS 10, after all.  Little fears can seem pretty big to a kid.  (even with alarm systems operational). 

We enjoyed visiting Marca and Ed's church, the United Methodist church on Sunday morning.  I always like seeing/hearing how others worship....this contemporary service was uplifting....and the sermon was excellent!  Even Ian was pulled into the inspired telling of the story of 
Acts 12....how Peter's rescue from Prison by the angel, having to navigate through 3 layers of "guards" to get to his "freedom", paralleled Jesus' 3 days in the tomb -.  Then how Peter went to the house where the church had been praying for his release, only to be told it was "impossible" that he was at the door.  Oh my....what a lesson in "believing that God WILL answer prayers".  Ian leaned over during this story and said that he could have read this scripture 10 times and never seen that....it really impressed him.

We made a quick trip to Costco, gathered food for an army, and trekked again to the nursing home for a lunch with mom and the Cleburne clan.    Sweet memories.

I haven't mentioned sitting on the porches.  Some people in Texas (quite a few, actually) have deep porches, some even with fancy fans, fireplaces and/or kitchens.   We spent each morning and evening sitting on Marca's porch, watching the dogs, watching the sunset.  While hot by many standards (90s)...the humidity was SO low, and with a persistent Texas breeze, we actually enjoyed the porch.  It is so relaxing to sit, breathe in the dry, clean air, and just visit.  No hurry to be anywhere.

Monday morning brought us to the "Chisholm Trail Museum" in Cleburne.  We met the cousins and toured the outdoor replica of one of the stations found in the 1880s on the Chisholm trail.  This was nice to be able to wrap in how Texas recovered so quickly from the Civil War, with an economy that boomed in cattle, and then later in oil.  Hordes of people moved to the state during that time...quickly populating it.  The museum had a one-roomed school house that proved to be so much fun for the kids. It was complete with "McGuffy's Readers", pot belly stove, maps of that era, etc.

A final visit with Mom, and we headed north to see cousin Jacob again!  Tim and Jill had just moved out of their house, and were staying with some of her family while awaiting settlement on a new house.  So Ian and I crashed at the home of dear friends, the Holtons (from Virginia - but smartly retired in Texas!).  We enjoyed dinner with Jill's family...then arrived at the Holtons.  Now, they have my dream house....large, spacious, new, complete with a VERY inviting pool in their backyard.  I think we figured Ian was in the house 5 minutes before he was jumping in the pool.  What followed was another evening out on a porch, swimming in the pool and catching up with dear friends.  

We spent the next day with Jill and Jacob while Tim was working.  I am so thankful that I have a daughter-in-law that will sit and talk with me, and share their life with me.  I ache to be able to see them more often.  Ian and I got to take a drive with Jacob, stopping at Sonic for a treat along the way.  :)

We spent a morning exploring historic McKinney, Tx.  Ian was particularly taken by the wonderful breakfast at a restaurant called “Spoons” (which didn’t include spoons in the actual table setting) and with the architecture of an old bank-turned-antique store.

Dinner at the fabulous "Christina's" Mexican restaurant topped off a perfect stay in the Metroplex.  It was then back to the Holtons for one more evening on the porch/in the pool, then we were heading back East early the next morning.

More to come......

Once in a lifetime something unexpected and "special" comes along. I have been a lifelong Beatles' fan...ever since the 1960s explosion across the world when they bounded onto the rock scene. I bought all the teen mags with their photos, kept Paul's under my pillow to sleep with at night....smuggled my transistor radio to bed to listen to their songs before going to sleep....wearing "Beatle Buttons" on my clothes to school and church,....I even remember driving the family crazy one Sunday night to get home in time from church so I could watch them on the Ed Sullivan show.....and made it just in time! (one of those moments I'll always remember exactly where I was and how it felt!!)...As I grew older, and they began to edge more into the acid era, and their rock got harder-edged, I drifted away from following them.....was appropriately sad when they broke up, mourned John Lenon's death as tragic....however, I can still remember their birthdays (!)....and every word to their classic songs....

As I get farther on the other side of 50 now, I seem to be thinking about things I haven't yet done. Last Thursday, I read an article in the paper about Paul's tour this summer...and told Val that I really should have gotten tickets, because, I now realize that I'll probably never get to see him in concert (since I obviously missed seeing the Beatles live - my parents would have NEVER allowed that!).

The very next day at work, my boss came out of her office, holding 3 tickets in her hand, asking if anyone wanted to go to the concert the next night!!! I started to say yes, but then realized I was scheduled to work....but she said to get coverage and go! SO, that's exactly what happened...I got coverage.....called Steve and we made arrangements to drive to FedEx field in Maryland for the big night!

After waiting 2 hours in the upper deck (which, btw, is NOT a bad place in this particular stadium! Not too steep....and the view of the stage was great!)...Sir Paul finally took the stage with 4 extremely talented musicians and began what I can only describe as a miraculous feat - playing in extreme heat and humidity for 2 solid hours without a break for a drink.....leaping from one song directly to another, from guitar to ukelele to piano....fast to slow pace....only to return to not ONE but TWO encores! AND he still "skipped" off the stage like he had just started! Awesome vocals, even better music....old and new.....I loved it all. "Hey Jude"....transported me back to age 16....."I Saw Her Standing there", to when I was 14....."Yesterday".. back to my first love and breakup and tears..... "Live and Let Die" (complete with fireworks and explosions) to my 20s.....some really really amazing guitar riffs and jamming.....a drummer that rivaled ANY I've ever ever heard....and, of course, Sir Paul himself.....a little lined in the face.....but fit in body....and vocals to die for.

Can you tell I'm a happy camper right now???? What a blessing to get to do something on the "bucket list"....that brings such joy....such memories.....

And what a blessing that this person for 50 YEARS has touched lives in literally EVERY part of the world. Peace to Paul....and Peace to all...

James River view from Beverley Plantation
This is what I do to my kids to keep them in line.
Teacup ride at Busch Gardens! SO much fun! Matt, Hope, Ian, Karin
Val @ Jamestowne - frame of original long house
Went to Sunday Prayer service @ this, the Original Anglican church in America...est.1607 !! A great reminder of our freedoms and what it cost the English to come and establish a country.

The article below gave me pause....and a reason to look more closely at the 2010 elections....I don't necessarily endorse or agree with all of it..and think it is probably a bit biased...albiet in the favor of freedom.....worth thinking about.

kk
************

What would you say if I gave you 11 reasons why the elections in 2010 will be the most important in the history of the United States?
1. What if I had told you in October 2008, before the lastpresidential election, that before Barack Obama's first 100 days inoffice, the federal government would be in control of both themortgage and the banking industries? That 19 of Americas largestbanks would be forced to undergo stress tests by the federalgovernment which would determine that they were insufficientlycapitalized so they must be supervised by the government?Would you have said, Cmon, that will never happen in America?"
2. What if I had told you that within Barack Obamas first 100 daysin office the federal government would be the largest shareholder intwo US automakers, GM, and Chrysler? That thegovernment would kick out the CEOs of these companies and appointhand-picked executives with zero experience in the auto industry andthat executive compensation would be determined not by a Board ofDirectors but by the government?Would you have said, Cmon, that will never happen in America?
3. What if I had told you that Barack Obama would appoint 21 Czars,without congressional approval, accountable only to him not to thevoters who would have control over a wide range of US policydecisions? That there would be a Stimulus Accountability Czar, anUrban Czar, a Compensation Czar, an Iran Czar, an Auto Industry Czar,a Cyber Security Czar, an Energy Czar, a Bank Bailout Czar, and morethan a dozen other government bureaucrats with unchecked regulatorypowers over US domestic and foreign policy?Would you have said, Cmon, that will never happen in America?
4. What if I had told you that the federal deficit would be $915billion in the first six months of the Obama presidency - with aprojected annual deficit of $1.75 trillion - triple the $454.8billion in 2008, for which the previous administration was highlycriticized by Obama and his fellow Democrats? That congress wouldpass Obamas $3.53 trillion federal budget for fiscal 2010? That theprojected deficit over the next ten years would be greater than $10trillion?Would you have said, Cmon, that will never happen in America?
5. What if I had told you that the Obama Justice Department wouldorder FBI agents to read Miranda rights to high-value detaineescaptured on the battlefield and held at US military detentionfacilities in Afghanistan ? That Obama would order the closing of theGuantanamo detention facility with no plan for the disposition of the200-plus individuals held there? That several of the suspectedterrorists at Guantanamo would be sent to live in freedom in Bermudaat the expense of the US government? That our US veteranswould be labeled terrorists and put on a watch list.Would you have said, Cmon, that will never happen in America?
6. What if I had told you that the federal government would seekpowers to seize key companies whose failures could jeopardize thefinancial system? That a new regulatory agency would be proposed byObama to control loans, credit cards, mortgage-backed securities, andother financial products offered to the public?Would you have said, Cmon, that will never happen in America?
7. What if I had told you that Obama would travel to the Middle East ,bow before the Saudi king, and repeatedly apologize for Americas pastactions? That he would travel to Latin America where he would warmlygreet Venezuelas strongman Hugo Chavez and sit passively in theaudience while Nicaraguan Marxist thug Daniel Ortega charged Americawith terrorist aggression in Central America ?Would you have said, Cmon,that will never happen in America?
8. Okay, now what if I were to tell you that Obama wants to dismantleconservative talk radio through the imposition of a new FairnessDoctrine? That he wants to curtail the First Amendment rights ofthose who may disagree with his policies via internet blogs, cablenews networks, or advocacy ads? That most major network televisionand most newspapers will only sing his phrases like state run mediain communist countries?Would you say, Cmon, that will never happen in America?
9. What if I were to tell you that the Obama Justice Department isdoing everything it can to limit your Second Amendment rights to keepand bear arms? That the federal government wants to reinstate theso-called assault weapons ban which would prohibit the sale of anytype of firearm that requires the shooter to pull the trigger everytime a round is fired? That Obamas Attorney General wants toeliminate the sale of virtually all handguns and ammunition, whichmost citizens choose for self-defense?Would you say, Cmon, that will never happen in America?
10. What if I were to tell you that the Obama plan is to eliminatestates rights guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment and give the federalgovernment sweeping new powers over policies currently under theprovince of local and state governments and voted on by the people?That Obama plans to control the schools, energy production, theenvironment, health care, and the wealth of every US citizen?Would you say, Cmon, that will never happen in America?11. What if I were to tell you that the president, the courts, andthe federal government have ignored the US Constitution and haveseized powers which the founders of our country fought to restrict?That our last presidential election may have been our last truly freeelection for some time to come?

That our next presidential electionmay look similar to the one recently held in Iran?I know, I know what you will say, That will never happen inAmerica .

If we don't do everything in our power to stop this madness in 2010,may God have mercy on our worthless souls.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson

New puppy.

Abby joined our family yesterday - a Mother's Day gift from Valerie. She is 8 weeks old...a Bijon Frieze mix....will probably only get to be about 8 pounds or so. So far she is completely enamored with Val's dog, Delilah (a 75 pound hunk of muscle!)....they play constantly, rolling, nipping and running....it is hilarious! Now if we can just get her to sleep thru the night. yawn....

Am I the only person who wonders about the bizarre double standard that Pres.Obama is living out????

When the big auto makers came to Washington in their private jets, everyone on capital hill voiced their outrage at the extravagance and poor taste in flaunting their waste.

HOWEVER....
#1. DID YOU KNOW that Washington's Dulles Airport had to shut down an ENTIRE RUNWAY for the Inauguration just to park the 600 PRIVATE JETS which flew in for the day?

or.....

#2. Today's article on CNN that quoted Obama as bragging about his "spiffy" airplane - otherwise known as "Air Force One"?????

I thought I would give this man a chance to prove to me his was different...

but I think I've seen the real man already...

He could have told people to stay home for the Inauguration instead of costing DC metro literally billions of $$ for his protection....instead of wasting $$$$ on fuel and gas emissions for those 600+ jets...

And he could have dinner in the White House instead of flitting off to Chicago for a date with his wife.

ARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!

While everyone is focusing on the historic events surrounding the inauguration...I am just relieved it is finally over! After weeks of intense planning and training, the whole event went off without a "medical" hitch....traffic didn't materialize to prevent patient transports....people got to work on time....we didn't see the surge in patients in our ERs that we expected (over 1200 were treated on the Mall itself at 1st aid stations!!)....and I am exhausted!

Now we just count the days until any "epidemiological" threat is over....i.e. how long it takes for the flu or for a biological agent to take hold and spread....the flu IS here....naturally occurring...and hopefully no one figured out how to spread any bad stuff thru the crowds of this past week.

It was a great drill.....(my dream come true).
:)

My newest GrandDog! Delilah!

4 months old - mixed lab/boxer/?....gangly but cute as a button. She is way friendly with everyone! (So, not much protection for Val, I'm sure!)

It's amazing how God puts something so cuddly in our lives to touch that part of our hearts that is a "special" place....

So Steve, Val and I went to New York this past weekend to "stretch our minds" a bit - uh, rather we"got away" from anything remotely serious and stressful....and saw these 2 shows! "Blonde" was silly and fun...and Spamalot was too funny....2nd row seats allowed us to bask in the spit and sweat of none other than Clay Aiken and his cohorts in comedy! Everyone should spend a weekend away doing absolutely nothing productive! :)

(oh, and btw - there is NO recession imminent -don't believe a word of what the government is telling you.... at least not that we saw in NYC - there were TONs of people, all spending money, with full restaurants, sold out shows and traffic as usual!)

"Should Palin and McCain prevail come November, feminism can curtsy and treat herself to a hard-earned vacation. The greatest achievement of feminism won't be that a woman reached the vice presidency, but that a woman no longer needed feminists to get there." - Washington Post.

'nuf said.

Athena Kerby
Valerie with Athena, Binky and Sampson

Why did God make pets?

For those of you who have never had the joy of a close relationship to a pet, you might as well not read on....for this takes having "been there" in order to understand.

I have always had a dog - at least since I was about 5 years old....Flip, Samantha, Snookey, Andy (Andrew Johnson), Ben, Spider, Piccolo, Murphy Brown, Binky, & Sandy, and my "grand dogs" Sampson and Athena. Every single one has a special place in my memories and in my heart.

Some lived only a short time (Piccolo was only 4)....some can't seem to "quit" (Murphy is just about 19 now!).... Some were unmanageable (Spider (a terrier mutt) went back to the pound because she kept snipping at the kids .... Ben (a lab)was just TOO big around our babies....he kept knocking over everything!) - so he got to go live a wonderful life with Uncle Phillip.

I remember cuddling with Andy when I was going thru a painful divorce. Those beautiful Cocker eyes would look so deep inside of me and just make my heart melt.

Piccolo - was so special - a little furball of energy....who suddenly one day just up and had heart failure....she was gone so fast!

9 days ago we had to put down Binky - the scruffy little rescue dog that Valerie and I went to a farm in far Western Loudoun to pick out of a muddy pen....she had lost her mother at birth, and had been exposed to distemper....our vet said she'd probably have seizures at some time in her life. It was Valerie's 10th birthday...and she carried that dog around with her like a stuffed animal - they were totally inseparable! Even going to college together in Texas! We liked to call Binky our "Down syndrome" dog....she was not very bright....but she was the most JOYFUL dog I've ever known! Nothing deterred her from giving 100% love and affection....she was obedient, quiet, and devoted.....she ended up living to the ripe age of 15 - and only after kidney failure took her strength and muscle away, did we turn her loose to run over that "rainbow" bridge. It was so amazing to me to see how relaxed and peaceful her face was when she went....with her "mommy" Valerie, Uncle Matt, Ian, Tisa and PaPa and Grandma at her side....

So imagine our incredible horror at just now - 9 days later - finding out that our grandog "Athena", who so recently came into Valerie and Binky's life is suffering from lymphoma!

Athena is another "rescued" dog....When Val was looking for a dog last year to act as her "protector" when she moved into her own condo....we thought we had the answer in this HUGE German Shepherd....Athena is one of the most beautiful examples of a canine I've ever seen.....sleek, muscular, graceful, and totally devoted to Valerie.

But guard dog???? Not so much....you see, it seems that Athena was abused (we surmise) by her previous owners - and was terrified of men, in particular. It took all the patience and love of the Kerby men to bring her into the family....which she finally did....but she still cowers behind Valerie when others walk by!

Athena loves to come visit PaPa and Grandma....especially if her cousin Sampson is here - romping in our back yard together like two puppies has been wonderful for both of them.

So, we are now faced once again with the agonizing decision of how to make Athena's last weeks the best. For what we now know is that Athena did not come into our lives to serve us....but rather, I choose to believe that God put her in our family so we could give her a year of love and affection and safety....something she did not have before. And so, we embark on this last part of her journey and will try everything in our power to make it wonderful and fun for her.

It hurts....it's not "fair"! ....but I thank God that we can give back a little of that unconditional love that His pets often give to us.....

Politics....

The next few months are so chocked full of political "overload"....and yet I keep finding myself searching for just the right thing to help me make a decision how to vote!

I've always taken my responsibility to vote very seriously....have not always been pleased with the outcomes, but HAVE learned to see God's hand at times in the way things have turned out.

For instance, there truly was no rational or logical way that George W. won the last election...I marveled at how it seemed that God had a hand in that.....even though the past 4 years have been filled with disappointment and despair over Iraq and the economy, I'm still free and living quite comfortably.

(My dear husband likes to point out that even when the Republicans are in the White House - the Democrats are "running the country" from congress, so how can they blame Bush?...he doesn't mince words).

Anyhoo....am searching for answers right now....As a conservative, the "logical" answer is to vote Republican.....but I'm really, really not convinced McCain is right for the job...although I admire his background, his experience and his loyalty to his country. Something just isn't right....

Obama...well, there's a really big problem with his pro-choice stand and his 20 year relationship with a certifiably outrageous minister (Rev. Wright). His charisma bothers me - it's hard to see beyond that and trust that he's just not a big "show".

However, on a very, very interesting note, a friend of ours is actually on the Theological Advisory team for Mr. Obama. He is a Christian theologian. At first I was not sure how I felt about that.....but another good friend of mine pointed out that amazing opportunity we, as Christians have right now, with an advisor such as this so close to Mr. Obama (who many say WILL win the presidency)....all I can do right now is pray that the Lord use this advisor to work in the life of our politicians, and perhaps our future president.

If we don't believe in the power God to guide and protect our nation - then we are all of "little faith".

So, I'm praying for guidance....and opportunity....for peace.

..."In such a time as this"......

Paul used "modern technology" to spread the Gospel !

This concept was introduced in my Bible class yesterday - and I was so intrigued by the comparison that I just had to comment!

In Paul's day - to make a journey of any distance was quite a feat. But in his zeal to spread the Gospel of Christ, Paul made not just one journey - but Several. So what was the "modern" technology he used to do this? Roads. The ever-expanding road system that the Romans built were indeed very "modern" for their time - paved, providing access to places never before seen.

Paul didn't hesistate to use them to communicate the Gospel of Christ!

Fast forward to today - the "modern" technology of OUR time is - the internet....it has completely revolutionized how we communicate in just a short 20 years.....This is the second time in this past month that I've heard it suggested that we use the internet to it's fullest to spread the word of Christ!

I can't help but wonder how this "fits" with the ever-present call to "return to the 1st century church" when we try to introduce a "modern" way of communicating the love of Christ. We are constantly berated for even suggesting using anything that isn't "the way they did it then"....but I suggest that even PAUL was moving along with the "modern" times in going beyond his back yard, beyond his "house church"....beyond "tradition" to spread the Gospel.

I suggest that we realize that God has given us gifts and talents to use - and in our modern world we SHOULD use every possible way to teach.

I recently had a conversation with someone from another state who was marveling at the fact that we, in our church, not only use power point - but videos and drama. She was saying that at her church they just recenlty introduced powerpoint for the sermons - but only Men could run the system - for a woman to have anything to do with it would be "wrong".

Hmmmm- I wonder who is "running" the internet.....

Am not going to worry a bit about it - .....I'm PROUD to be a Christian - and if someone somewhere is reading this Blog about THAT - then yayyyyyy!

We simply HAVE to move ahead.....the alternative is to move backwards!

Well, according to my daughter-in-law, Jill, it's about time for my "quarterly" blog! I'm not very regular with blogging - although I DO read others' often!

It's been a very very busy couple of months. I have adjusted my work hours and changed jobs....done a medical mission in the Dominican Republic and visited Tim and Jill in Texas....so much in such a short time!

The job change was a long time coming- something I needed to do for quite a while. I am now working part time for the Chief Nurse Executive at our hospital in a brand new role (just being created) of Disaster Preparedness Coordinator. It will involve a lot of policy review and writing, developing drills to train staff, working within the Metropolitan Washington area on committees to keep us hopefully all on the same page in preparedness, among other things (I love that, "and other duties as assigned"...) I will keep on working in the ER 1 day a week to keep my skills sharp - but have given up my 10+ year job in ER management. While a bit scary at first to make the break - I am actually LOVING getting back to the bedside on my days in staffing and connecting with patients in a deeper and more significant way. And the good news is: my blood pressure is already down by 15 - 20 points!!! I have been able to pace myself so much better - am riding my bike and swimming several times a week...and watching what I eat (as opposed to eating junk on the run when I was working the horrible hours before!)

The DR trip was amazing. FINALLY, Valerie and I got to be NURSES together on a trip! We'd dreamed about this day...and really enjoyed ministering to the sick. The photo above of our missionary, Brian, with one of the Hatian residents of the garbage dump in Puerto Plata is my favorite one - it truly shows what our mission is all about - feeding the sick with both food, as well as with the Word. While we were working on those who were physically sick - Brian was reaching out and comforting, offering the words of Christ to all who would listen. I simply cannot wait to go back.

Lastly - I am SO proud of my son and daughter-in-law, Tim & Jill - they have finally bought their new home....it is gorgeous! We had a lovely visit - as well as 2 wonderful days with my mom and sisters. Ian got to go along for the trip - and was good as gold - he is such an easy child to travel with! He loved seeing his Aunt and Uncle - as well as his cousins in Cleburne! We got to go to the Zoe conference in Arlington, Tx - and were simply filled to the brim with worship through song....Aaah....I am truly content.

Marriage:

Sometimes words just tumble out that make sense -

Recently someone was asking me how come my marriage has lasted so long?

The initial convoluted answer was, "Because of love....and Committment...because I don't always love him....I am committed,.... because I love him.

Sound crazy? Not really. In the beginning of a relationship, I believe God gives us an amazing level of love for one another. We decide to Commit to each other via marriage...and then when we don't "love" each other so much, we have that committment....based on LOVE, which gets us through.

One VERY important thing I've learned over 30 years.....is that the bad times don't last....yes they do arrive - some years more than others....but mostly, they simply don't last...because I remember how much I LOVED him....and thru the committment to stick it out...learn to love again, and again, and again. It's better, it's stronger....it's agape.

WHAT I DID FOR MY 55TH BIRTHDAY!!!!

So, what does one do when faced with the dreaded "AARP" age????? Why - ride a roller coaster, of course!

This is the "Kraken" at Sea World/Orlando, and yep, I rode it ON MY BIRTHDAY! It was BIG, it was FAST, it was SCARY, it was UPSIDE DOWN MORE THAN RIGHT SIDE UP!!!!!!!!...AND IT WAS FUN!!!

Don't EVER tell me I'm old - because I REFUSE to be!

I have a new "Granddog!" Athena has come to stay with my daughter for a trial run at living with her....She is the most gorgeous BIG German Shepherd ! She's been with us 2 days and has settled in quite well - quiet and gentle thus far.

Over the years I've tried to explain to my children how rare it is to truly have a "close" friend. Not very many come along in a lifetime, and when they do - you cherish it always.

In October of 1981 I found just that friend. Denise and I moved into our new neighborhood in Leesburg, young married girls with babies. I ran out of gas a couple of blocks from home one day and was walking back with the boys, when she pulled up beside me and offered us a ride. I recognized her from 2 doors down and accepted....and that was the start of an amazing 26 year journey. Not only did we raise our kids together....we laughed, we cried, we fought like sisters, we prayed, we supported each other thru unbelievable life obstacles...but thru it all, we maintained a love that could not be overthrown...

I like to remember the times when we would sit on our front porch, hour after hour, while our children played outside. Denise had such a sense of how life should be....and never shied away from voicing her opinion! If she didn't approve of a teacher's methods....look out - she told her...but then she'd get right in that classroom and work like a dog helping out....If a neighbor needed a meal - she was the first to cook one - and then arrange for everyone else to respond. Having a bad day?....Denise was there with a kind word - or would just take the kids for a while.
I saw her scramble to make house payments when her husband left...pulling together and organizing an in-home babysitting business to keep her at home with her own kids. She showed me how to shop for bargains (year after year after year - we travelled to Reading Pennsylvania to the outlets....some of the BEST days I've ever had!)...

When Lisa was born, and was so sick in the hospital with asthmatic bronchitis as a 5 month old - I sent Denise home to get some sleep, and, myself being 7 months pregnant with Valerie, climbed into the croup tent with Lisa and held her while she slept.....Our boys Tim & Mike - we put on a plane at age 12 to go off to Space Camp - nervous as can be - but glad that they had each other! When Lisa couldn't calm down as a colicky baby - Denise would run to my house - thrust her into Steve's arms - and flee....only to be frustrated that Lisa would immediately calm down with Steve's calming effect! There was the famous night, also, when she called, screaming in the phone, that something was IN her washing machine. Steve went running to her house - only to find a lovely, large green TOAD! (Maybe she should have kissed it - it might have been the Prince she was looking for!)

The funniest time EVER, though was surely the day we decided to take our city-raised kids to the country to see a farm. We had already introduced them to picking berries or apples, but Denise had found a farm that LET YOU MILK YOUR OWN COW! Well, well, that was just the thing that we HAD to do so our kids would grow up not missing out on good, solid values and hard work! So, off we went, 5 kids and 2 30-something women to Western Loudoun and some unsuspecting cow. We were shown to the barn, gathered the kids around us...and explaining where milk came from, placed a bucket under her udders, and each sat on either side of this poor cow and started pulling at her teats. Nothing happened. So we tried harder...still nothing. By now, the 5 kids (ages 18months, 2yrs, 3, 3 1/2 & 4) all started to wander off - scattering chickens and stepping in droppings....BUT, Denise and I could not leave Bessie, the cow. We had just started to get a trickle of milk....and suddenly realized that we couldn't just "stop" milking the poor cow! She (the cow) was in agony and getting restless...and our kids were running helter-skelter....And at that moment, Denise and I looked at each other - under the cow - and just about died laughing. It was truly a "Lucy and Ethel" moment.

As with any long-term relationship there were good times and bad. We had years where we were close, and then others where we drifted apart a bit - sometimes because we disagreed, but other times when life just got in the way. We always seemed to be able to be there for important days....birthdays, graduations, weddings. And Christmas. Even the year when Denise was SO mad at me that she hadn't spoken in 6 months...she showed up on my doorstep on Christmas Eve with her yearly batch of Cinnamon rolls. And once again, we were off and running - two peas in a pod just trying to get thru life.

In the past couple of years, Denise's physical and emotional challenges have really taken it's toll. I found that reaching out to her was not always accepted, but then a few days or weeks later, she'd call up - just like nothing had happened and we'd get together and talk like we always had. She had just challenged me to start working out with her to get healthier....and was looking forward to the arrival of her first grandchild this fall. So much excitement ahead....

Denise's faith in God has always been strong....with every single roadblock, she would look Heavenward and say, "He will get me thru"...or "It is God's will". And just like when Jesus told us in His sermon on the Mount, "Consider the Lilies of the field - they toil not, neither do they spin...but God in all his glory clothes them....how much more will He do for his children?" - Denise believed that God would ultimately take care of her. She was as fragile as a lily - offering a beauty of her own - All Denise ever truly believed in was Love. All she ever wanted was for people to love her. She gave to her children all of herself. They were her true pride and joy. I never, ever heard her say anything negative about them. She gave love to her friends. She gave, and gave, and gave....

It is truly my hope and belief and prayer that God is taking care of Denise today - with HIM in that beautiful field of lilies - where they toil not, neither do they spin....forever free from the pain of living here....but in his Glorious Heaven.

May you finally be at peace, Denise.

So, Ian has been "officially" inducted into the Kerby passion for Roller Coasters!!! We took him to Kings Dominion for his first ride....the "Scooby Doo". He had absolutely no idea of what to expect...but summed it up at the end by saying, "Why is it stopping??? I want to go AGAIN!!!"

He totally enjoyed the coaster (rode it 3 times), the Avalanche (a bob-sled coaster ride), the Log Flume (very WET), the flying airplanes, the waterpark, etc, etc.... One very happy little boy.
On the way home, he was eating and we noticed he was trying to feed himself as he was falling asleep - hitting himself in the face with his food! TOO FUNNY!

We also just took a vacation to Williamsburg where Ian learned how to be in the water without being afraid...how to play putt putt (pretty well, actually) be a beach bum...and watch the fife and drum band! Oh, yes, the rest of us had fun too....but life is truly all about Ian!

WooHoo! Steve and I just had the most FUN tonight! We scored free tickets to a Taylor Hicks concert !!! Even though it was HOT (in the 90s when we got there...it was outdoors)...the sun set just as it got started...and WOW is he a great entertainer! I loved his musicianship....his performance (he isn't "spastic" with his moves any longer)....and the vocals were amazing.
What a fun, random thing to do tonight!