An Autumnal Hodgepodge

It is hard to believe we are in the Fall season and quickly approaching October!! This is my favorite time of year and one that seems to fly by faster than any other season. I want to hold on to these last few months of the year as they hold so much promise of making memories and remembrances from years past.

1. It's Fall y'all! Officially that is and in the northern hemisphere only, so if you're visiting from down under happy spring! Does it feel like fall where you live? 

Today the weather matches the season. Cool, crisp and breezy. Does it look like fall aka are the leaves beginning to change? So far I’ve only seen leaves falling, no color as yet. What is your favorite fall color? The orange, red and yellow combo. Sorry, I never can pick one. Scent? Pumpkin spice everywhere. Flavor? Is chili a wrong answer?

2. What's something you're not? Maybe trendy?

3. Share a favorite quote related to fall and tell us why it's a favorite. 

“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” — Nathaniel Hawthorne

Because there’s nothing quite like the feel of the sunshine that doesn’t scorch and burn or bring sweat, the leaves are rustling all around, it just feels so invigorating to be outside! It’s a great time for brisk walks, and admiring the gorgeous colors that seem to grow more brilliant each day before finally giving up and landing on the ground. And that brings us to the other favorite quote, which is also a good reminder.

 “Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” -Unknown

4. Besides Thanksgiving, what's your favorite fall meal? Beef stew and cornbread.

5. Share a favorite photo you took last fall? 

I'll try to do better this year.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I didn’t include this precious couple in yesterday’s photos. They are dear to me as I have gotten to know them a little better than the other couples. This precious pair comes to our exercise class almost every week. Mostly, he brings her for exercise, but he stays sometimes also. They were with Wycliffe Bible Translators, (he was a pilot, as was Nick Saint). These two are so sweet and I love the twinkle still there in both their eyes and they're always smiling. He takes good care of her. Truly another great example of love and commitment lived out to God, each other and their family. 

Weekend Recap

 Just a brief telling of this past weekend of fellowship, fun, and celebrations.

A few of our Sunday School class got together to see the production at the Spotlight Theater in Tulsa of The Drunkard. As I mentioned in a previous post, this has been a Saturday night tradition since 1953. We had a great time booing and hissing and oohing and ahhing (is that a word?) at the cast as they performed this melodrama for us. We got to buy tomatoes to throw at the villain! I was very disappointed that the tomatoes were not real!! No big splats! Haha!!

You can see the tomatoes around this villainous villain.

Sweethearts

The cast

A few from our class

On Sunday, immediately after church, we had a celebration for all our married couples of 50 years or more! What a very special time to see these sweet couples be honored for their lifetime commitments to each other. I was privileged to have a part in this preparation for them and greeting them for photographs of the happy couples. There was delicious food, beautiful music, a renewal of their vows, and door prizes. Here are just a few of the precious couples.

So you can see how pretty the tables were.

The help

Only a few of nearly 40 smiling couples celebrating.

Of all the joyous, smiling people there, one couple stood out to me and brought tears to my eyes. This elderly couple was so precious. Her Alzheimer's condition was very obvious, but even more obvious to me was the love and devotion by this gentleman living out his love for his sweetheart.

He held her up throughout the entire renewal of vows. He guided her around the room. From what I am told, this husband is always like this and he cares for her at home, too. Wow! God bless him!

The beautiful cake under the glass dome was one of several--one for each table. The cakes were beautiful and door prizes to the couple at each table who had been married the longest. The cakes were baked by a lady at church and each was decorated a little differently, but all in the gold trim. She did an excellent job.

A Heartfelt Saturday9

Saturday 9: I Left My Heart in San Francisco (1962)

1) This song is a valentine to the city of San Francisco. Songwriters George Cory and Douglas Cross moved to New York to find fame and fortune and found themselves homesick for the city by the bay. Have you ever been homesick? Or, in the parlance of the song, where have you left your heart?

Part of my heart I left in Texas with the kids. I miss them and wish I could be in two places at once!

2) Cory and Cross were buddies with Ralph Sharon, a piano player who often worked with Tony Bennett. Ralph brought the song to Tony and the results were very happy for all involved. Have you more recently done, or been on the receiving end of, a favor?

Sometimes it feels like I stay on the receiving end of favors. Being still fairly new around here, I’m asking for advice and my brother and sister-in-law are always doing things for me. And, my sister brought me lunch the other day.

3) The lyrics compare San Francisco to Paris, Rome and Manhattan. Have you visited those cities? 

Funny, I’ve never visited San Francisco, but I’ve visited Paris, Rome and Manhattan. So I can’t make a comparison.

Traveling on the Orient Express--Venice to Rome

4) This week's artist, Tony Bennett, sang professionally for the last time in August. He retired after performing at Radio City Music Hall with Lady Gaga. Their musical collaboration dates back to when they both performed at President Obama's inauguration. Though 60 years apart in age, they became fast friends based on their shared love of jazz. Do you find that most of your friends are older than you, younger than you, or within 5 years of you? My friends vary in age from much younger to older.

5) While Lady Gaga grew up listening to Tony Bennett, as a young man Tony recalled listening to Bing Crosby, Judy Garland and Joe Venuti. Which singers did you enjoy during your teen years? 

Elvis, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, the Young Rascals, The Beach Boys.

6) While he's famous for singing about San Francisco, Tony is a proud son of New York. Born in Queens, he chose to end his career at Radio City Music Hall and was excited to perform "New York State of Mind" with Billy Joel at Shea Stadium in 2008. Do you have a favorite Billy Joel song? 

I’m not really a follower of his music, but do like Uptown Girl.

7) Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra may have been competitors but they shared mutual admiration. Sinatra called Bennett "the best singer in the business," and Bennett did a Sinatra homage album called Perfectly Frank. Think of people you have worked with over the years. Tell us about someone who has impressed you, and why.

At my last job, I worked with a woman whom I alternately admired and who also could irritate me. She was what I consider a true servant in her job without being a doormat. Everyone knew her personality and respected her greatly even though she might appear to be hard to get along with sometimes. She knew how to set boundaries and she worked for the big picture. This wonderful lady showed great grace to me many, many times and I was truly sorry when she passed away.

8) The 1970s were a difficult period for Tony. During the days of disco and Studio 54, he said singing new songs made him feel like his mother, a talented seamstress, when she was forced to make a cheap dress. OK, so Tony doesn't like disco! Is there a genre of music you just don't care for? 

That would be rap and hard rock.

9) Random question: Imagine you're the passenger in a long car ride. Are you more likely to be calm or fidgety? 

It depends on who’s driving and maybe who else is in the car. If I feel a little nervous about their driving, I will be fidgety. It’s all about my confidence in their driving. If that’s good, I can read, sleep, or talk as we travel.

Friday Recap and a Meaningful Anniversary

It’s been a pretty full and interesting week. On Monday I attended a business meeting for the women’s association for the Tulsa boys home.   One of my friends, Kathy, is president of the association and has invited me to join. This is a wonderful organization that helps provide necessities for the boys who live at the home and has fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for them. Every penny raised and given goes directly to the Home for operating. I've made the decision to join and I’m excited to get to be part of this worthy cause. Next month, we will be having a garage sale to raise money, and then in November, there will be another fundraiser. As soon as the lockdown is lifted for visiting the home, I will be going for a tour and there will actually be a barbecue and bingo time with the boys sometime in November. We will get to meet all of them then and hear stories about their lives there. I’ve read a lot of information about them and there are many success stories from adult men who lived at the home in their youth. 

Monday night I played pickle ball again and my brother said I did really well. I’m going to try to continue each week, but still playing it cautious as I don’t want to risk any more falls. On Tuesday, I went to exercise, then over to Susan’s to practice our songs for singing at the assisted living facility on Wednesday. Tuesday night was the first night of Bible study fellowship end it looks like I have a good group again. 

On Wednesday, I had lunch with three other ladies from my church. Our ladies’ ministry at church each quarter has what is called 4 for Fellowship in which we are put together with three others to get a chance to know and make new friends. These ladies were wonderful and we had such a great time together. We plan to meet again soon. 

After lunch, I headed over to Susan‘s house to load up equipment and go to the assisted living facility and sing. It is such a joy to go there because the people love us coming so much. We sing old songs and watching their faces light up and seeing them sing along with us is really fun. There were 45 people attending  to cheer us on and, afterwards, come up to tell us how much they love us and make requests for songs in the future. One of the ladies told me that she was so tired when she came up, but our singing gave her energy back again. That really touched my heart. Wednesday evening Awanas met. Time just flies there while listening and helping these first graders learn their Bible verses and then spending 30 minutes playing active games with them. I think the games are designed to get all their energy out so they’ll be a little quieter while listening to the main Bible story.

On Thursday morning I began physical therapy for my knee and I think that’s going to go well. Then I went to Ace Hardware to buy some timers, get my car washed, and came home to just rest up and do things around the house like filing, dishes, fixing dinner, etc. 

Why am I sharing all this? As I drove around, I was thinking about the fact that life is so different now when I come home. There’s no one here to ask where I’ve been, or how things are going or just to sit down and talk. When Jay was here, it didn’t matter how trivial the things were that I did, I would share them with him. I don’t know about others, but somehow, it just seems like we want to share what we’ve been doing or what you’ve accomplished. I find myself sometimes telling my sister-in-law all these things and then stopping to say, "I’m sorry, I’m not sure why I’m boring you with all this." Haha!

Anyway, today I am planning to go buy two trees for my yard and then on Saturday evening our Sunday school class is going to attend a melodrama that’s been presented here every Saturday since 1953. It’s called The Drunkard and I attended probably in 1968, so it should be fun to see again with a group. It’s the kind of play with audience participation in that we boo the villain and cheer when the hero comes on.

Finally! Today marks a meaningful anniversary in my life when I broke free from my addiction to cigarettes and, more important, the knowledge of true freedom in God's grace. I am so thankful for that day in my life back in 1994. I shared it in the past right here.

Old Fashioned Hodgepodge

1. How would you define 'old'?

At this stage of life, I’m going to say it’s a state of mind. When I was young I thought being a teenager was old. When I was a teenager, I thought 30 was old. When I was 30, I thought 50 was far off, and 70 was very old. I’m past all that now, and I don’t feel old in spirit, but my body sometimes feels that way.

At what age is someone old? 

Maybe in the mind of our society, anybody over 75 might be considered old. Right now I think anybody in their 90s is old, however, I know some people in their 90s who are still quite spry. I’m just not sure about this question. It's how they view life and what they feel in their mind. I know some younger people who act quite old.

2. A place you've been that's old? Israel. Tell us something about your visit there.

We visited Israel twice. It was a most meaningful trip that I wish all followers of Jesus could make. We visited other ancient places, but seeing those places where Jesus lived and walked all the days He was here on this earth was an amazing experience for me and my husband. Sailing on the sea of Galilee, imagining Jesus there on the boat, or walking on the shore talking with Peter and the other disciples were moments I will never forget.  Being baptized in the same river where Jesus was baptized. Walking around Jerusalem and seeing the temple remains, and the garden where it was believed Jesus was buried and the tomb he came out of were all awesome experiences.

On Mt. Arbel

(thought to possibly be the place where the crowd wanted to push Jesus over a cliff, 

but He slipped out of their hands.)

3. Something you miss about the 'good old days'?

I miss the innocence of youth in the 50s. That was for me. I think most of the times, no matter the time period, there is the innocence of youth and not realizing of the things going on around us in the world because we’re sheltered from them. Our memories are filtered, I think.

When were they anyway? For the most part, in our own past. However, when my husband and I were first married, I thought every day was the good old days. I was sad to see each day end as I was so happy.

4. In what way are you a 'chip off the old block'? Probably the way I think about money. I think I’m pretty careful with it. Or if you'd rather, in what way is your child a 'chip off the old block'?

5. Old fashioned, Old Testament, old timer, same old same old, old glory, good old boy, old wives tale...choose an 'old' phrase that relates to something in your life or the wider world currently and explain.

I’ll go with Old Testament, since that’s where I am in the Bible right now. Several chapters into Isaiah, one of my favorite books. Tonight we begin the study of Matthew in Bible Study Fellowship.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

My random thoughts here usually have to do with recording some bit of how I’ve spent the past few days. My friends and I went to a car show in a small town near here last Saturday and it was fun.

No!! This black one isn't from my high school days!!

My dream car!

Loudspeakers were blasting out music from our high school days as we walked around looking at vintage cars from the 50’s and 60’s. I guess as we walked around and listened, we were remembering “our” good old days from high school with the cars and the music. These old friends and I used to cruise up and down one of the main streets here in Tulsa every Friday night in the car of the oldest of us. The Camaro pictured below we cruised in after I bought my first new car.

But I have to be honest and say, not all of those days were truly good always. Being a teenager is hard sometimes, especially if you are awkward, introverted, or in anyway thought of as an outsider. But still, good memories.

Pforever Thankful Friday

My intention yesterday was to do a Thankful Thursday post. But, sad to say, Thursday got away from me and this morning, I tried to think of any thankful word beginning with an F so I could do a __________ Friday!! All I could come up with was Pforever thankful Friday! The P is silent, as in pshaw, pfft, and I don't know of any others (well, there is that very familiar Pfizer word)!! I just made up the Pforever!!! But you knew that, didn't you?

I'm so thankful and grateful and this month of September reminds me of many things I have to be thankful for, although every day there is much to be grateful about and sing praise to the Lord. But this week, September 7 was the 35th anniversary of my meeting Dear Heart, and marked the beginning of many wonderful changes to my life! So thankful for the years we had together and I'll forever be grateful to a friend who insisted I go with her to learn to two-step and that my Dear Heart was there that night, too. Not a day goes by without my remembrances of my Jay, and I'm thankful for his family and me to still be connected so closely and the love we have for each other.

Forever in my heart!

This always made us laugh!

And tomorrow marks ONE YEAR since I moved and have been living here in Tulsa. There have been many events which have transpired over this past year, and I am delighted with all the new friends I have been making and the things I have had the opportunity to be involved with. Every week just seems to fly by with activities and the lonely times are fewer and further between. 

Being here closely connected with my siblings is also good and they have been my support system and fun buddies! All that I get to do I appreciate:

My family

My church

Life Group

My neighborhood and its residents

Exercise group

Volunteer Mondays

Being a member of the ladies organization supporting the Tulsa Boys Home

Being a leader in AWANAS

Bible Study Fellowship

T-Town Uke group (which just gets more and more fun)!!

pickleball,

And resuming old friendships from over 50 years ago!

So many blessings, I can't count them.

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

1 Thess. 5:18 NASB

Fiddling Around

Jana Jae is a name I was totally unfamiliar with until last week. But now that I've met her and read a little about her, I'm very impressed and hopeful we will have another chance to meet up with her again. You can read what is said about her here at the National Fiddler Hall of Fame and on her website.

One of our ukulele players is friends with a friend of Jana Jae and when she heard about our group, she invited us to perform at her Fiddler's Workshop in Grove, Oklahoma. We were so excited to get this opportunity to play and sing, but somewhat nervous as well. As it turned out, there was no need to be anxious, because Jana Jae gave us such a warm welcome and so many words of encouragement. After hearing us, she asked us to stay a little longer, have lunch and play more. Would we? Are you kidding? We were having so much fun. Toward the end, she actually wanted to play with us! So now, we are all Jana Jae fans and she said she had no idea before meeting us that we were so professional. Okay, this coming from a real professional, our heads are totally swollen up!! And we've been invited back for next year's fiddler workshop.

So, what does the ukulele have to do with violins/fiddles? Nothing, except the ukulele was being introduced at the workshop and there was also a group attending who were learning to play.

We are hopeful that we will have more opportunities to play for other audiences, but we are content to continue to practice and play for the enjoyment of the residents of local assisted living and nursing homes. That truly brings joy to us.

Jana in the pink top.

The little girl in front is one of the ukulele students.

A huge thanks to my brother for making the trip with us to drive, and help with our equipment! Just riding to and from was a blast hearing and sharing hilarious stories with each other.

Apple Pie Hodgepodge

1. As we begin this brand new month tell us, on a scale of 1-10, where does your life fall in terms of being in 'apple pie order'? Please elaborate. (1=nowhere near it, 10=practically perfect in every way)

I have to say 8. I think it’ll never be perfect, because I miss my Dear Heart so much, I miss the kids and have to travel back-and-forth, I still need more landscaping, I’m waiting for my door, and I need window treatments for my windows, BUT

I have to say 8, because life is good, we have so many blessings. I enjoy good health, I’m close to my family, I have made many new friends, I love my church, there are so many opportunities and so many things to do, it seems like I’m running out of time to do them.

2. An apple a day keeps the doctor away...are you doing your part? Red or green? Sweet or tart? Ever played the game Apples to Apples? Do you like apple pie? If so, ala mode or just gimme the pie?

I like pink lady, Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious, which is neither red nor green. I prefer sweet apples. I have the game Apples to Apples, but I’ve only played it once. I like apple pie if my friend Alice makes it. And I do like it warm, served with vanilla bean ice cream.

3. Tell us about a time recently where you 'upset the apple cart' or the last time someone 'upset your apple cart'? Nothing recent comes to mind right now. Maybe I upset the apple cart when I made the move to another state and upset a few people, but that is almost one year ago, so I wouldn’t classify it as recent.

4. What are three words that come to mind when you think of September? Fall is coming.

5. What are you most looking forward to this month? Bible study fellowship begins, cooler temperatures hopefully, and getting more things done around here. I’m going to buy two trees and I’m excited about that.



6. Insert your own random thought here.

I posted plenty of pictures on Facebook, but I recently returned from a trip to Mackinac island with a group of seniors from my church. We had a wonderful time, but we all agreed it would have been nicer had we not stayed in a different hotel every night for nine days. But it was a great trip and lots of congenial people enjoying many interesting things. Our destination was Mackinac Island, but we stopped along the way to see some lovely sights, enjoyed delicious food, and met some wonderful people. I don't have good pictures of the Amish community, but that was one of my favorite places. Seeing and hearing about their culture, their work, their faith and their families was probably one of the nicest parts of our trip.

A Dutch Village

Carriage rides through the woods, gourmet meal and wine tasting at the Thunder Bay Resort. Another fun stop was a Reindeer Ranch--stick a graham cracker in your mouth and a reindeer will kiss you. Haha!! A barbeque meal there and hopefully, it wasn't barbequed reindeer.

The antlers are so heavy.

A beautiful arch at Mackinaw.

Lunch at the Grand Hotel

Castle Farms

A few from our group with the owner of Castle Farms.

She is a woman with vision.

We stopped for donuts at this donut place owned by the friendliest cops! 

Their coffee and donuts were a treat and mighty good.

So many beautiful flowers

The Kennedy presidential car at the Henry Ford Museum

Being part of the ukulele band as a singer is so much fun. On Tuesday afternoon, we went to play and sing at a luau at an assisted living facility. The last time we were there, we had a huge audience who cheered us on and ask us to come back every week. We now will have a standing gig on one Wednesday Happy Hour each month. (I know this is very small potatoes, but it is so much fun for us.) So we’re going to a hukilau! Haha! The people here are so wonderful and it just makes you happy to see them happy and singing along with us. They light up at hearing the old songs from their youth.

Poor Dave--the only guy in this girl band

We also have been invited this weekend to participate in a demonstration at a fiddling workshop. That’s the only way I know to describe it. It is introducing the ukulele to students of violinist Jana Jae.