I love writing! I like creating the words, putting them together, forming sentences, paragraphs, each with the outcome of a story. What I don't like is getting old. You ask what does that have to do with writing. Well let me tell you it's not easy getting older.....
All through school I prided myself on my spelling. I never had a problem with getting the words right. It was math I had trouble in. As I've gotten older the spelling is almost a chore. I doubt myself when I put the words down on paper, then immediately look the word up to see if it's spelled right. A lot of the time it isn't. That takes time away from writing, how fast your story flows, the thought process.
I know there are a lot of other seniors out there that have the problem of forgetting the word you are wanting to say. You take a little more time in finishing a sentence because you see the word before you that you want to say, but it doesn't come out of your mouth. It is so frustrating. People look at you like "Okay spit it out. Get on with it." I am one of those seniors. I feel embarassed about it, then make a joke about getting old.
It's not fun. You remember your youth, your vitality, easy to run, jump, even get out of a chair. You don't feel any older inside but your body won't cooperate with what you want to do. It takes longer to do the simple things you always did. There aren't enough hours in the day to finish the things I want to do, that I once did in one afternoon.
Then there is the alternative. It's better to be alive and slow than not being here at all. So with that said guess I'd better get up and get with it and get a few things done!
Until then.........
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
CAN I GET SOME WRITING DONE? PLEASE!
My how time flys. I thought I just expressed my views on ancestry but when I looked at the date that was two weeks ago. Where did the time go to? Either I'm getting old, slowing down, or I don't know what is going on!
My daughter tells me I try to do too much and I suppose she is right. Let's see, take care of the house, (when I say take care of the house I mean laundry, vacuuming, dusting, dogs, and everything else in between)the lawn, babysit for her when needed, Red Hat meetings, Bible study, genealogy meetings, make sure I spend quality time with my husband, and the list goes on. I forgot scrapbooking and making cards for our card ministry. Did I cover everything?
Did I say writing? How can I squeeze that in? Oh yes, I can't forget, research! Without the research I can't write the facts. Research for writing devotionals.....making sure I have the correct verse to go with what I'm talking about, research on Indians for the book on Katie, and the list goes on. I should be one smart gal!
So with this new week starting I vow to get some writing done! Please Lord I pray I am able to get a few chapters done along with my devotionals for the week. Amen.
My daughter tells me I try to do too much and I suppose she is right. Let's see, take care of the house, (when I say take care of the house I mean laundry, vacuuming, dusting, dogs, and everything else in between)the lawn, babysit for her when needed, Red Hat meetings, Bible study, genealogy meetings, make sure I spend quality time with my husband, and the list goes on. I forgot scrapbooking and making cards for our card ministry. Did I cover everything?
Did I say writing? How can I squeeze that in? Oh yes, I can't forget, research! Without the research I can't write the facts. Research for writing devotionals.....making sure I have the correct verse to go with what I'm talking about, research on Indians for the book on Katie, and the list goes on. I should be one smart gal!
So with this new week starting I vow to get some writing done! Please Lord I pray I am able to get a few chapters done along with my devotionals for the week. Amen.
Friday, October 1, 2010
LOOKING BEYOND THE OBVIOUS
I am stumped! Ancestors with a common last name, and of course a common first name, is making me crazy. I sat at the computer yesterday trying to search, or look, outside the box. You know what I mean. You get stuck on one thing and you can't get out of the rut. You can't see the forest for the trees.
Today is going to be different, at least I hope so. I'm going to try going through the back door. If you too are having that same problem try looking for relatives instead of the person you really are looking for. Way back when people stayed with family or close to family. They traveled together, coming to America together. Then of course some went off on their own, but if you look closely you may find one of the relatives may have joined them later.
Ok with that all said and done that's what I tried yesterday. No such luck. I had at one time found Nathaniel's father in law and now I can't find him. And I can't find my piece of scratch paper where I put the county he was living in. I know the state. I have so many pieces of paper laying around my computer with bits and pieces of information and none of them had what I wanted. So today it's start fresh, at least I hope so. And clean up all the pieces of paper!
Good luck to all who will try this approach. I'll keep you posted.
Until then.........
Today is going to be different, at least I hope so. I'm going to try going through the back door. If you too are having that same problem try looking for relatives instead of the person you really are looking for. Way back when people stayed with family or close to family. They traveled together, coming to America together. Then of course some went off on their own, but if you look closely you may find one of the relatives may have joined them later.
Ok with that all said and done that's what I tried yesterday. No such luck. I had at one time found Nathaniel's father in law and now I can't find him. And I can't find my piece of scratch paper where I put the county he was living in. I know the state. I have so many pieces of paper laying around my computer with bits and pieces of information and none of them had what I wanted. So today it's start fresh, at least I hope so. And clean up all the pieces of paper!
Good luck to all who will try this approach. I'll keep you posted.
Until then.........
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
WRITE ME A STORY
I'm sitting here in my office trying to figure out what to write about. Lord I need a little help here. I've looked through the concordance of the Bible and can't find the right word. You know what I'm saying the word that comes to mind.....something that is dear to your heart. Something that reaches out to everyone today.
The sky is a beautiful blue and cloudless from my office window. My mind wanders as I watch the birds fly by the window. Maybe he's looking for his mate. They play tag between the houses and land in the tree. Then one will take flight and sit on the eves of the house next door.
Have you ever wondered if they get tired from their wings flapping? How high can a bird fly? Just any bird, not the grandest bird of all, the eagle. He soars higher than all the birds, so majestic as he glides through the sky then swoops down as soon as he spys his prey. In a flash, lightening fast, he picks up his catch and carries it off to his nest.
I have two birds that have made their nests in my hanging ivy on my patio. They've done this for two years in a row. They build their nest and lay their eggs. I've watched as they feed their babies after they hatch. Then one day they're gone, leaving an empty nest behind, and a dead plant. You see I'm very careful how I water the plant when they put their nest in the middle of it. I wouldn't want to drownd the babies. So again I've taken my ivy down and I will wait until next year to replace. Maybe I'll replace with a different plant, then see if they come back to build their next and hatch their eggs!
Until then.......
The sky is a beautiful blue and cloudless from my office window. My mind wanders as I watch the birds fly by the window. Maybe he's looking for his mate. They play tag between the houses and land in the tree. Then one will take flight and sit on the eves of the house next door.
Have you ever wondered if they get tired from their wings flapping? How high can a bird fly? Just any bird, not the grandest bird of all, the eagle. He soars higher than all the birds, so majestic as he glides through the sky then swoops down as soon as he spys his prey. In a flash, lightening fast, he picks up his catch and carries it off to his nest.
I have two birds that have made their nests in my hanging ivy on my patio. They've done this for two years in a row. They build their nest and lay their eggs. I've watched as they feed their babies after they hatch. Then one day they're gone, leaving an empty nest behind, and a dead plant. You see I'm very careful how I water the plant when they put their nest in the middle of it. I wouldn't want to drownd the babies. So again I've taken my ivy down and I will wait until next year to replace. Maybe I'll replace with a different plant, then see if they come back to build their next and hatch their eggs!
Until then.......
Thursday, September 23, 2010
GOOD FRIENDS AND LOST RELATIVES
Today started out with breakfast with the ladies of my Red Hat group. We decided to try the new Panera that opened at the Forum and we were not disappointed. Food was excellent and so was the company.
It seems like it's been quite awhile since we've had a number of ladies present. With our busy schedules that seems to be at least one or two that isn't able to come to breakfast. And it looks like we have a couple that will be hitting the road shortly taking trips across country. It's not me this time!
We talked about the upcoming genealogy meeting at the Schertz Library in Oct. I am anxious to check out the speaker they have scheduled. I keep trying to figure out the DNA stuff but it is so confusing. I do hope our speaker will be able to tell or explain to this simple mind how to figure out the markers and maybe some more ins and outs of it.
I keep hearing that some people have found long lost relatives because they've had their DNA tested then low and behold a relative did the same, and they found each other! Oh if it were only me.
I know it's in God's timing and He will give me the grand revelation when He thinks I am ready for it. But I am so impatient, and I thought my daughter was the only one that was impatient! I've had my eyes glued to the computer and hunted for so long to find a missing relative that I'm beginning to wonder if I'm the only one from whatever gene pool I'm from. See how confused I get!
If anyone is interested in their DNA the Schertz Library will have a speaker on Oct 5th at 6:30 in the library meeting room. Maybe you'll be able to understand it. Then will you explain it to me?
Until then...........
It seems like it's been quite awhile since we've had a number of ladies present. With our busy schedules that seems to be at least one or two that isn't able to come to breakfast. And it looks like we have a couple that will be hitting the road shortly taking trips across country. It's not me this time!
We talked about the upcoming genealogy meeting at the Schertz Library in Oct. I am anxious to check out the speaker they have scheduled. I keep trying to figure out the DNA stuff but it is so confusing. I do hope our speaker will be able to tell or explain to this simple mind how to figure out the markers and maybe some more ins and outs of it.
I keep hearing that some people have found long lost relatives because they've had their DNA tested then low and behold a relative did the same, and they found each other! Oh if it were only me.
I know it's in God's timing and He will give me the grand revelation when He thinks I am ready for it. But I am so impatient, and I thought my daughter was the only one that was impatient! I've had my eyes glued to the computer and hunted for so long to find a missing relative that I'm beginning to wonder if I'm the only one from whatever gene pool I'm from. See how confused I get!
If anyone is interested in their DNA the Schertz Library will have a speaker on Oct 5th at 6:30 in the library meeting room. Maybe you'll be able to understand it. Then will you explain it to me?
Until then...........
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
ONE OF THOSE DAYS
Did you ever have one of those days? One of those weeks? Maybe a month of bad days, days you thought were never going to end. Here lately I think I've been having one of those days.
Yesterday I thought started out alright but when I got to my appointment and proceeded to back my car in between two of my friends cars I hit one of the cars. Never mind that I hit the car but it was her NEW car! I really felt bad, and of course, that put a damper on the rest of the day. Although it was a good day because our Gideon Auxillary women placed fourteen Bibles in doctor's offices and gave out 66 medical testiments to workers. That was a praise the Lord.
I took my husband's bracelet to the jewelers to have the clasp fixed. I told him what was wrong with it and as he looked at it he couldn't figure out what I was talking about. I, too, was perplexed as he was having no trouble with the clasp. I thought maybe I picked up the wrong bracelet to be fixed. So I asked him to fix the clasp on my bracelet as I couldn't get it opened. He said give him about an hour and come back, which I did. He placed my bracelet on my wrist and I was able to open and close it with no problem. He said he adjusted my husbands clasp. No charge he said. "Enjoy."
When my husband got home last night I handed him the bracelet and said the jeweler adjusted the clasp. He got quiet, then said. "I took the bracelet to the jewelers while you were gone and had it fixed. I should have told you."
Well it was a bad day, but now that I look back the car accident could have been worse. I only scratched some paint and put a small dent in the rear end. No glass was broke. No one was hurt. God was watching over us.
My husband could have told me he had the bracelet fixed but then I got my bracelet clasp adjusted, something I probably would have put off even longer. That was good.
God knows what He is doing when I just forge ahead and blunder about. I need to put my day in His hands more than my hands. Lord I pray this is a better day.
Until then........
Yesterday I thought started out alright but when I got to my appointment and proceeded to back my car in between two of my friends cars I hit one of the cars. Never mind that I hit the car but it was her NEW car! I really felt bad, and of course, that put a damper on the rest of the day. Although it was a good day because our Gideon Auxillary women placed fourteen Bibles in doctor's offices and gave out 66 medical testiments to workers. That was a praise the Lord.
I took my husband's bracelet to the jewelers to have the clasp fixed. I told him what was wrong with it and as he looked at it he couldn't figure out what I was talking about. I, too, was perplexed as he was having no trouble with the clasp. I thought maybe I picked up the wrong bracelet to be fixed. So I asked him to fix the clasp on my bracelet as I couldn't get it opened. He said give him about an hour and come back, which I did. He placed my bracelet on my wrist and I was able to open and close it with no problem. He said he adjusted my husbands clasp. No charge he said. "Enjoy."
When my husband got home last night I handed him the bracelet and said the jeweler adjusted the clasp. He got quiet, then said. "I took the bracelet to the jewelers while you were gone and had it fixed. I should have told you."
Well it was a bad day, but now that I look back the car accident could have been worse. I only scratched some paint and put a small dent in the rear end. No glass was broke. No one was hurt. God was watching over us.
My husband could have told me he had the bracelet fixed but then I got my bracelet clasp adjusted, something I probably would have put off even longer. That was good.
God knows what He is doing when I just forge ahead and blunder about. I need to put my day in His hands more than my hands. Lord I pray this is a better day.
Until then........
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
TRIP TO TENNESSEE
Last weekend I went to Tennessee to be at my granddaughter's wedding. I felt honored to be sharing her special day with her. The flight went well and by two o'clock I was out on the freeway driving in quite a heavy thunderstorm. There's nothing more unsettling than driving in a storm, in a city you're not familiar with, and in a car you are not used to!
I found the exit I was supposed to take, or at least I thought it was my exit. There was the hotel and right beside it was a Cracker Barrel. I could handle this........good food! I went up to the desk and asked if I was in the right hotel. She looked up my reservation and said no, but there was another Sleep In ten miles down the road. I frowned and said, "I thought I was going to be able to eat at Cracker Barrel!"
She assured me there was another Cracker Barrel beside the other hotel too. I was happy!
Between more downpours, thunder, and lightening I was able to check in at my hotel and head right for the Cracker Barrel to kill time. Before I set foot in the store my granddaughter called me and said. "Meet us at the hall if you'd like."
If I'd like? Of course I'd like to be part of everything. So off I went searching for the hall where they were to be married. When I pulled into the parking spot I couldn't help but to think of how much the hall looked like a big church. Upon entering there was a large entry way with tables and chairs inviting one to feel welcome. Off to the right I saw a hustle of activity so I gravitated there to find a big group getting ready for a wedding reception, but not my granddaughters. I walked back out and headed to the left and found young girls busy setting napkins on the tables, tying white bows made of tule on the backs of the chairs, and my grandson running here and there with a cousin.
After hugs and a tears I started helping with decorations. Then when the rehearsal was over, gifts were handed out, we all headed to Ryan's for dinner. It looked like my granddaughter had everything under control. I am so proud of her!
Wedding days can get so hyper and this one was no exception. The flower girl's shoes went missing. Everyone looked everywhere, tore everything apart, and still no shoes. Daddy and aunt were sent to the nearest Wal Mart or K Mart to find a pair of shoes! Not bad, wedding was only an hour late but flower girl had shoes, granddaughter looked beautiful, guests were seated, and now time for the ceremony.
What a beautiful ceremony. The grooms mother married them and the best man was his father. There were a few tears and long paused during the vows, and this was from the pastor, but all in all it went well.
I looked at the face of my oldest granddaughter and saw a beautiful confident woman where there once was a young lady. A woman ready to make a commitment from her heart, a commitment for the rest of life. Her sparkling blue eyes shone when she looked at her new husband. Soft, red, lips smiled, encasing the face of her love. The face of a woman in love.
A tiara adorned her strawberry blond hair that cascaded down her back, touching the top of the red embroidery, on her wedding gown. A full, white skirt fell to the floor with a small train trailing behind. A picture gracing the cover of a magazine.
A wonderful trip, beautiful wedding, gorgeous couple, and I was ready to head home.
Until then.................
I found the exit I was supposed to take, or at least I thought it was my exit. There was the hotel and right beside it was a Cracker Barrel. I could handle this........good food! I went up to the desk and asked if I was in the right hotel. She looked up my reservation and said no, but there was another Sleep In ten miles down the road. I frowned and said, "I thought I was going to be able to eat at Cracker Barrel!"
She assured me there was another Cracker Barrel beside the other hotel too. I was happy!
Between more downpours, thunder, and lightening I was able to check in at my hotel and head right for the Cracker Barrel to kill time. Before I set foot in the store my granddaughter called me and said. "Meet us at the hall if you'd like."
If I'd like? Of course I'd like to be part of everything. So off I went searching for the hall where they were to be married. When I pulled into the parking spot I couldn't help but to think of how much the hall looked like a big church. Upon entering there was a large entry way with tables and chairs inviting one to feel welcome. Off to the right I saw a hustle of activity so I gravitated there to find a big group getting ready for a wedding reception, but not my granddaughters. I walked back out and headed to the left and found young girls busy setting napkins on the tables, tying white bows made of tule on the backs of the chairs, and my grandson running here and there with a cousin.
After hugs and a tears I started helping with decorations. Then when the rehearsal was over, gifts were handed out, we all headed to Ryan's for dinner. It looked like my granddaughter had everything under control. I am so proud of her!
Wedding days can get so hyper and this one was no exception. The flower girl's shoes went missing. Everyone looked everywhere, tore everything apart, and still no shoes. Daddy and aunt were sent to the nearest Wal Mart or K Mart to find a pair of shoes! Not bad, wedding was only an hour late but flower girl had shoes, granddaughter looked beautiful, guests were seated, and now time for the ceremony.
What a beautiful ceremony. The grooms mother married them and the best man was his father. There were a few tears and long paused during the vows, and this was from the pastor, but all in all it went well.
I looked at the face of my oldest granddaughter and saw a beautiful confident woman where there once was a young lady. A woman ready to make a commitment from her heart, a commitment for the rest of life. Her sparkling blue eyes shone when she looked at her new husband. Soft, red, lips smiled, encasing the face of her love. The face of a woman in love.
A tiara adorned her strawberry blond hair that cascaded down her back, touching the top of the red embroidery, on her wedding gown. A full, white skirt fell to the floor with a small train trailing behind. A picture gracing the cover of a magazine.
A wonderful trip, beautiful wedding, gorgeous couple, and I was ready to head home.
Until then.................
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