Mums In My Backyard Garden

Recently I was reminded there is potential in almost everything. A couple of years ago some exhibitors from OPMCA's trade show left several pots of mums (they had used for booth decorations) to be discarded. Candace McGinnis, Pam McSpadden and I (being the thrifty people we are) just couldn't see those mums tossed in the dumpster. We divided them among ourselves.

The ones I brought home brightened our patio for several weeks. Then when they had lost their luster, we planted them in our backyard garden. The next year we were so pleasantly surprised ... not only did the mums survive they flourished. So much so, that I think I would call them 'bushes' and not just plants. (Photo explains better than my words).

The illustration helped me to realize there is value in so many things and people that others no longer need and are ready to toss aside. Think about people who need love the most, but their disposition may make it difficult to always like their actions. I have asked our Heavenly Father to help me be more like the Master wherein whatever was said or done to Him, he didn't say a word. I have to admit that I don't always succeed at that endeavor when I have been misunderstood ... but I am still asking God to help me.

I want to be like my mums ... flourish and bloom wherever I am planted! Reminds me of what Bill Gothard said in a seminar years ago ... "Please be patient, God isn't finished with me yet!"

This evening (Thursday, November 12th) Cathy, Christine and Lauren are coming to Lakeshore to celebrate Lauren's 24th birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to LAUREN:

L oves family and friends.

A nticipates God's plan for her life.

U nderstands life never comes down as expected.

E njoys seeking the best in life!

N ever gives up .. realizes the miracle is just around the next corner.

Lauren is our second granddaughter who made her way into our lives only sixteen months after her older sister Christine arrived. I personally will never forget the night (or rather early morning) she discovered this world. Cathy lived in Ponca City at the time. Her husband was teaching a night class. Since Lauren's due date was near and Christine was just a toddler, I drove from Oklahoma City after work to stay with Cathy during the evening (had planned to return to OKC early the next morning in time for work)

Cathy's favorite meal that she likes her mother to prepare is fried chicken, mashed potatoes (for us Southerners) and gravy. To finish it a banana pudding is always her favorite dessert. I arrived, prepared her favorite meal and we had a nice evening just visiting ... everyone went to bed by 11:00 p.m. About midnight Cathy called to me, "Mom, I think this may be the time!" And it was!

Even on November 13, 1985, Lauren was considerate ... she chose to be born while I was already there. Since Cathy went to the hospital at 1:00 a.m., it was good that Grandmother PawPaw Connie was already 'in the building' so to speak to take care of Big Sister Christine.

Now, where have the years gone ... Lauren has made our lives richer and happier. We remember the days of piano lessons (and recitals), dance lessons (and recitals), coronet/trumpet lessons (and band concerts), high school choir rehearsals (and special events) and all the wonderful events associated with seeing your granddaughter become a young woman.

Lauren, like her sister Christine, graduated from Bethany High School (my Alma Mater). She graduated from Southern Nazarene University (the Alma Mater of her sister Christine, her mother Cathy, and her grandfather Larry). The summer after college graduation, Lauren went to Sierra Leone to work in an orphanage for a month. (She still cares and prays for the children). Then this summer she had the pleasure of going to Sweden for two weeks ... that with two trips to Hawaii, one wonderful Thanksgiving when she got to see the Macy's Parade in New York, one semester at our Nazarene Point Loma University in San Diego, CA, and a week's tour with "The Invisible Child" awareness campaign earlier this year, has broadened her knowledge and perspective of this wonderful world in which we live.

Now, the good news is "this is the first day of the rest of Lauren's life!" While she has her day job in the IT Department at SNU, she is exploring options of what God has planned for her life. And we believe with her, that the best is yet to come! Jeremiah 29:11 is the promise! Happy Birthday to the "baby girl"! We love you!

I Am Not A Dog Whisperer

Those of you who know me well know that I have never had a great affinity toward animals. In fact I am sure that when I was just a toddler I was frightened in some way by an unfriendly canine creature and it greatly affected me. As an adult, especially in later years, I decided to conquer that adversity and have made a conscious effort to get to know and stroke my family and friends' pets.

However, I must say that even in spite of all my self-control, I still have qualms when a large dog jumps on me to give a "friendly kiss". And would you believe animals, especially dogs, probably sense my hesitancy ... and they will always give me friendly gestures!!

I am great-grandmother to two wonderful cats that have been Christine and Lauren's pets for almost twenty years. Sarah was chosen by the girls when they were Pre-K ages. Then Blackie is a "rags to riches" story. He showed up on their front step one morning . He had evidently been an exploring male cat and wore the battle wounds. Cathy carefully cleaned his wounds and faithfully nursed him back to health (all on the outside of the house). She resisted Christine and Lauren's pleas to bring him inside.

Sarah was approaching her first year birthday ... The girls convinced their Mom that Blackie should come inside for Sarah's birthday party (think they had warm milk or something similar). Once inside, Blackie convinced everyone he would be a good house cat and let Sarah rule! The rest is history, so to speak, and Blackie and Sarah have a great brother-sister relationship.

Many times through the years Christine and Lauren have tried to convince their Mom that the cats needed a dog to share their lives. The answer was "no" ... two cats are enough. That all changed a couple of years ago. Christine's friend Bethany found this beautiful Boxer ... Sadie, as she was named, had a story similar to Blackie's. She was wounded when Bethany rescued her, took her to a merciful vet for wound management, necessary shots, etc. Bethany already had a dog and her family was not sympathetic to her pleas to keep Sadie.

Along comes Christine ... one look at Sadie and she was determined to help solve her friend's dilemma. Christine took Sadie home "just until we find a good home for her". Well, guess what, the "good home" is still with Christine. Remember Sadie is part boxer, part pit bull, and who knows what else! So she is a good-sized dog. Now there are two cats and a dog as house pets. Just one problem exists -- Sadie and Blackie do not get along at all. So Sadie has to always be kept in Christine's wing of the house ... period, that's just the way it is.

Early this summer (June 2009) Christine and friends went to Lake Eufaula for the weekend. On the return trip, they stopped at a convenience store on I-40. It seems someone had abandoned this "cute little Heinz 57 dog" ... and now you already know Christine doesn't share her grandmother's indifference to animals. She put this cute little dog (a puppy now named Libby by Christine) in the car and brought her home with her (until we find a good home for her). Libby really is a lovable dog with an abundance of energy. The good thing is she is small and won't get much larger even when she is an adult dog. However, there are now two dogs that must be kept separate from the cats.

Now, here is the main reason for my story. Cathy called this morning from St. Louis and asked if I could run by her house and let the dogs out for their "morning exercise". Naturally I said, "I'll be glad to do that!" When I unlocked and opened the front door, Sadie and Libby enthusiastically greeted me. My task was to take the dogs from the front door, down the side of the house to the back yard. Now, don't even ask why we didn't go out the side door by the carport. Remember the dogs and cats have to be kept in separate wings of the house ... and to go the easy way would disturb the cats.

Libby let me hold her collar and even though she is usually the more active one, she obeyed and let me lead her to the back gate. Sadie (the big boxer dog) wasn't that cooperative. First, she slipped out of her collar. So I decided to leave her inside while I escorted Libby to the yard. When I came back Sadie did let me put on her collar.

Now comes the fun part. I am trying to get Sadie to walk with me out the front door and toward the side of the house. Being the good watch dog she is, she noticed my car parked at the front curb and broke loose from me to go check out the car. One has to be aware that Sadie has not always obeyed and has explored the neighborhood before. Here I was ... yelling, "Sadie, Sadie, stop, stop!" Do you think Sadie listened????

I did catch her ... and in all the excitement, she knocked me to the ground ... and proceeded to make sure I was okay by jumping on me. Now, if someone had been present with a video camera, I am sure the film could have been selected for "America's Funniest Home Videos". It was quite a sight! I finally had the wisdom to say, "Stay!" instead of just calling "Sadie!". Sadie did stay! Fortunately for me, she did let me guide her to the back gate!

The only injury was to my pride! I wasn't hurt in the fall and I fell on the grass so my clothes didn't even show any damage. That's the good news! What did I learn from this experience? I am not a dog whisperer! Let me just say that I will endeavor to find an easier way to take Sadie and Libby for their "morning exercise" next time!

In the meantime, I might even do some research on how to handle "grand-dogs!"

What Keeps A Coach Optimistic?

September seems to signal that Fall is in the air (Fall officially begins September 22nd this year). Also, September usually points to the beginning of high school and college football games.
Most all Americans take some interest in football games; some more than others. There are those like me who keep up with it enough to make intelligent conversation about wins and losses. But my question in this Blog is " Have you ever thought of how coaches cope with losses?" Now teams and fans also have to manage the disappointment of losses. However, this week I tip my hat to the coaches. As I mentioned above you may be a "fair weather" football fan or not a fan at all. Regardless I think all of us would agree that coaches have to be made of tough stuff! Several years ago Robert Schuller wrote a book entitled "Tough Times Never Last But Tough People Do!" Losing seasons may last but coaches must stay optimistic.

They have to remain positive and give an optimistic appearance even if it is the fourth quarter and they are behind. They have to encourage the team when the starting quarterback and major defensive players are injured and it appears they will be out for the remainder of the season.

What qualities do coaches possess that give them this ability? I haven't done research but in my opinion coaches choose to not let the facts totally discourage them. They, just like all of us, have disappointments and events that don't go as they plan or want. They fall down just like we do, however, they have the resilience to get up and go again. They are encouragers ... to themselves and to their teams. They are people builders. They have learned to "stick to the task" and to "dance in the rain instead of waiting for the storm to pass!"

So whether your team wins or loses the next game and/or the next season, remember it takes a special person to take the risk to be a coach!

Volunteering at MDA Cookouts

My brother, Ron, is active in raising money for MDA each year. One of his main events (as mentioned in an earlier blog posting) is a Hamburger/Hot Dog, etc. Cookout each year.

Our sister Nedra always makes baked beans to offer as a side with his hamburgers and hot dogs. Once again this year she made lots and lots of baked beans. She did this in addition to baking the 150 loaves of pumpkin and banana bread for his bake sale.

Also, for the past several years I have made potato salad to offer as a side. And every year they always run out of baked beans and potato salad. So this year I used 30 lbs. of potatoes. Now, let me tell you that is a lot of potatoes to cook, peel and dice along with the other ingredients. I spent most of Thursday, August 27th, making the potato salad ... and slicing onions and tomatoes for the hamburgers. Larry and Nedra felt for me and helped peel the cooked potatoes.

Mother Nature cooperated with Oklahoma City and Friday, August 28, was a little cooler - there was a nice breeze. Our son-in-law Harold was in town and helped set up the tent awning. Ron is grateful for a supportive family. Larry took tables and helped complete the set up. I made my appearance about 10:00 a.m. The cookout was scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. However, if you know Oklahomans, there are always a few earlybird customers. Fortunately the volunteer cooking the meat was ready by 10:30 a.m. when the first customers arrived.

We had originally scheduled me to be the "money lady". Now that means watching the line to make sure no one "slips through" without paying. It really is a good price - $5 for a hamburger and a choice of two sides (choices were macaroni salad, cole slaw, baked beans, potato salad). However, when we got really busy around the lunch hour, I not only took the money but helped serve as well.

When I was young I tried my hand one day at trying to be a waitress. Needless to say, I wasn't very good at it. I soon found there were other part time jobs that fit better with my set of skills. So I did as a volunteer what I couldn't do for money ... that is I helped serve the food at the cookout! :)

I was especially pleased when Candace and Vance responded to my advertising of the cookout and came for lunch. Also Cathy and Harold stopped by on their way out of town. It's times like this that one especially appreciates friends and relatives.

The cookout location was in front of the 7-11 Store at 415 N. Rockwell. As customers arrived at the location, I enjoyed using my old "yell" skills from high school cheerleading to remind people there was good food available! Guess I wasn't too obnoxious ... at least no one told me to "go away"!

We were scheduled to close the cookout at 5:00 p.m. Some people requested we stay until 6:00 p.m. so they could pick up food on their way home from work. All in all it was fun and Ron informed us the proceeds exceeded last year's total. That was a good thing!

I guess I did okay as a volunteer "cashier/server" because some of the 7-11 employees had scheduled an Asian-American Cookout for the next Thursday. They asked if I would come back and help them that day. Being the new retiree that I am I agreed to help.

One of the unusual events of the Thursday cookout was meeting two customers from Germany. The two men were traveling Route 66 on motorcycles (I'm not sure if they were Harleys or not). They stopped at the cookout around 2:30 p.m. ... I asked what their destination was for the day. They planned to spend the night in Clinton and tour the Route 66 Museum there before resuming their trip. Interesting accents!!!

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has helped so many people through the years. We keep hoping that their continued research will some day bring an end to so much suffering. I am grateful I had the opportunity to do a little part in helping "Jerry's Kids"!

The Story of Nedra's Bread for MDA

Most of you are aware that the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) fund raising drive concludes on Labor Day. Our brother Ron is manager of a 7-11 convenience store. The 7-11 stores are active each year in MDA fundraising and Ron's store is no different.

Ron does various programs and activities to reach a goal of approximately $5,000 in donations from his store alone for MDA. He has an annual cookout, asks for MDA Bucks contributions, promotes a Silent Auction and has a Bake Sale.

The Bake Sale is where my sister Nedra really gets involved. For the past several years she has baked at least 100 loaves of pumpkin and banana bread for his bake sale. This year she started several months ago and surpassed that number -- she baked 150 loaves for the Bake Sale which will run this first week of September. Now, don't get alarmed the pumpkin and banana bread both freeze really well and Ron's freezer has certainly been full.

Included in this Blog is a copy of her original recipe (she still pulls it out of her recipe box when she bakes another batch of bread). Also printed below is the recipe (in the event the original is a little hard to decipher).

Pumpkin Bread
Mix together:
4 eggs, beaten 3 cups sugar
1 cup salad oil 2/3 cup water
1 can pumpkin (2 cups)

Sift together these dry ingredients:
3 1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons soda
1 1/2 teas. salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Add the dry ingredients to the first mixture.

Add 1 cup finely chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla

Bake in 4 loaf pans at 325 degrees for 1 hour. For the last 15 minutes bake at 300 degrees. Check glass plans at about 45 minutes.

This same recipe can be used for Banana Bread (use 2 cups mashed bananas instead of the pumpkin); for the Zucchini Bread (use 2 cups shredded zucchini).

Nedra, Larry and I all join together to help Ron in his fundraising efforts. However, since Nedra spent many, many hours baking loaves of bread, I wanted to highlight her efforts in this Blog.

Stay tuned for the next Blog .... I will write about my experience of helping with his MDA Cookout last Friday.

Celebrated Cathy's Birthday!

Friday, August 21, 2009 was a special day ... Cathy's birthday ... and her lovely daughters Christine and Lauren helped Larry, Connie and Nedra celebrate with her at Lakeshore (our home). It was a fun time. Lauren was our master chef responsible for grilling the steaks! Nedra showcased her baking skills with a strawberry cake. Connie filled in with the rest of the meal ... and a couple of hours before the celebration time decided we needed table decorations and something special. I (Connie) decorated a basket, sorted through some photos of events we had all enjoyed and designed a "Remember When?" game.

We had the cake and ice cream on the patio and enjoyed our "Remember When?" there as well. We made some good memories --- just wished that Harold could have been here with us. But duty at Harvester Church in St. Louis called for his presence. He will be flying down next Tuesday, August 25th to spend a few days in Oklahoma City. That is always special!

Each evening I text a scripture to Christine and Lauren. And they often send one back to me. The one I shared on 8/21/09 was from Psalms 8: "O LORD our Lord how excellent is Your Name in all the earth, who has set your glory above the heavens! " Lauren had sent one earlier: " Let us not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time we will reap the harvest if we do not give up", Galatians 6:9.

Helen Keller wrote two very profound statements: "No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit." She also stated, "Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it."

I want to finish this blog for today with something I heard many years ago: "Stick to the task until the task sticks to you. The beginners are many, but the finishers are few." So keep on keeping on!