My Reading Blog

As I struggled what to write today, I went back to what got me thru the March Challenge - The Question Jar. Today's question: What things did you NOT have as a child that we have today? When I grew up, there were no cell phones, no cordless phones, only phones attached to the wall that you cranked to get the operator so that you could place a call.  But first you had to make sure no one else was on the line, because it was a "party line" consisting of probably five or more other families.  Calling someone was only done out of necessity, not because you just wanted to chat. No computers or laptops or I-pads, Kindles or electronic devices - we had dictionaries and encyclopedias and reference books to find out information. No internet or satellite tv -only three (yes, 3) channels to choose from and after midnight the screen went blank and then a test pattern.  No remote controls, you had to get up to change the channel. No fast food restaurants (except ma...

Last weekend we met our son and daughter-in-law in Branson for some fun, shopping and good eats.  While we have lived in the Ozarks for over 18 years, we had never visited the campus of College of the Ozarks which is located just outside of Branson.  We had heard about the college and the wonderful restaurant, but had never taken the time to visit. We had mentioned it the last time we were there, and our daughter-in-law remembered.  She made reservations for Friday evening.  What a wonderful experience it was - the menu was extensive and made for a hard choice of what to eat. So for those who haven't heard of the College of the Ozarks, let me explain.  It is a college of about 1500 students, totally tuition free (yes, let me repeat that - tuition free).  The students are required to WORK rather than pay for their education.  They work 15 hours per week at a campus job - which could be raising and feeding the animals, crops, work in the bakery or re...

Today, my parents are celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary in Heaven.  I wrote about their wedding during the March Challenge Mom & Dad's Wedding . Mom and Dad were made for each other and God blessed them during the 45 years they shared before Mom passed away.  They were dedicated to each other.  I don't remember them ever fighting or getting angry at each other, but I'm sure there must have been some disagreements.  They worked things out.  They made decisions together before doing anything or buying anything.  They were the most caring and loving couple, not only to each other, but they shared that love with all who surrounded them.  And they taught by example of what it meant to love. And so today, as I remember celebrating their 25th and 45th anniversaries and each one in between, I know that their love continues to this day and that they are still celebrating and sharing that love. Thanks Mom & Dad for the great example of a l...

This year we decided to attend our church's Easter Sunrise Service.  But, let's back up to Maundy Thursday - a celebration of the Last Supper.  The altar is stripped of all the paraments and candles - it is bare for the Good Friday service.  Everything is draped in black.  There is a wooden cross with seven candles lit and a crown of thorns.  The Good Friday service is called a Tenebrae service remembering the last words that Christ spoke on the cross.  After each of the words are read and a short homily, a candle is extinguished.  Until the 7th candle - it remains lit, but is removed from the Sanctuary.  The hymn "Were You There" is sung, the Sanctuary is dark.  But the lit candle is brought back in to remind us that Christ will come again. Then comes Easter - a day of rebirth, a day of renewal, a day of hope, a day of peace, a day to celebrate. When we entered the Sanctuary, it was dark, but as the Cross is carried in, the organ comes a...

First off, thanks to TWT for challenging us to write every day for a full month.  Thanks for all your time, hard work and sharing. Second, thanks to my daughter, Michelle, for inviting (encouraging) me to start this challenge 8 years ago. Third, thanks to all who have commented on my slices.  Your comments truly make a difference in my life. As I said, this is my eighth year of writing - and I said I wasn't a writer when I first began.  Guess I've proven myself wrong.  I can write, not elegantly, but from my heart.  I hope that when my kids and grandkids read these slices when I'm long gone, that they will know more about me and realize how important it is to have a voice. This March, I've celebrated my Dad's birthday, our anniversary, Michelle's birthday I've written about the weather and Spring I've written about concerns and frustrations and mostly, I've written answers to questions from our Question Jar, to give some of our history...

Last summer we enclosed our front porch and made it an "all season" room.  We had eight 5'x3' casement windows installed.  They are pretty good windows, open easily, let in the air when needed, protect from the wind, cold and heat.  But when I tried to clean them, there were a multitude of marks left from the making of these windows.  There were round circles from the suction cups used to move the glass, there were a cascade of runs where whatever liquid they used on the glass was left, there were rectangular marks from who knows what.  Now the only time these marks would show up was when I used the foam cleaning spray to clean them or when there was moisture on the windows.  I checked their website and they said to use mineral spirits sparingly.  I did, still all the markings were there.  I used it NOT so sparingly - still there. We showed our contractor and he said in typical fashion, "no problem, we'll get the window rep out and get it fixed...

I have three slices to write about every March - my Dad's birthday, our anniversary and our Baby's Birthday!  Join me in wishing  Michelle a Happy Birthday. Dear Michelle, Happy Birthday to our baby.  When you were conceived, we were delighted that we were going to have a second child.  In that era, we didn't have ultrasounds to tell us the gender, so we were pleasantly surprised when the Doctor said, "It's a girl!".  We brought a bundle of joy into our family.  Scott was delighted (most of the time).  He doted on you, but didn't like those messy diapers and I'm sure as you both got older, he didn't appreciate having his little sister hang around. Reaching back into the far memories of my mind, you were a good baby and fit into our lives very easily.  Oh, I'm sure we had moments where we wanted to send you back, but overall the early years were good.  You were very much a Momma's girl and didn't like to leave my side, even on Sun...