Monday, December 29, 2014

VACATION WEEK

I just wrote THE END for my third book, which is due January 15. Between now and then it goes to my readers and then back to me for all the 'fixes' before I send it on to my editor.  

Factor in we are having our family Christmas on Wednesday and Thursday—add thatI found out this past Saturday that I'm to play for a wedding on January 4 (which means I have tomorrow and Friday to practice on the organ and I gave away all my organ music years ago)—I'm sorry, I know my limits. And attempting to blog anything meaningful this week is clearly beyond those limits. 

I'll see you all again next Monday morning!!  

Wishing you all a Happy New Year heaped and running over with blessings.

julane

Friday, December 26, 2014

Fond Memories Friday





Family room at Windsong Ranch


There will always be a very, very special place in our hearts for our Cassoday friends. Our home, our neighbors, our church. We miss them all.


Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Tuesday's Tale From the Tailboard


Firefighters Are Not Unique

As a writer, I am well aware of the power of words. I'm relatively sure I could paint a picture in your mind without ever picking up a paintbrush. But I'm also very aware that words have different meanings to different people. The picture one person perceives could be a complete contrast to the next person's, although the same words are applied. 

For example: Firefighters work holidays if it's their shift. But so do policemen, nurses, doctors, soldiers and the list goes on. So if I lament about the years Bob spent at the firehouse on Christmas day, I would only be whining in light of all the others whose plight is/was the same. Firefighters are not unique. 

Now, to vary this post a bit, it's your turn to paint your own mural. I'll supply the words—you choose the vocabulary, add the verbs, your own color and choice of strokes: 
tinsel, family, alone, orphan, bells, carols, church, trees, presents, Jesus, Messiah, snow, candy, ribbons, sunshine, candles,  manger, Bethlehem, job, soldiers, mothers, sisters, wives, children, brothers, born to die, stars, magi, shepherds, angels, eve, homeless, cold, fireplaces, infertility, miscarriages, death, life, cross, good tidings, bad news, lonely, ill, cured, miracles, greetings, neighbors, strangers, Mary, Joseph, birth, love, peace, joy, laughters, tears—

Frame your picture, no matter what it is, with the reminder that Jesus was born to die, so that we might have the promise of eternal life. 

And if you'd been the only person on earth, it wouldn't have changed His mission. 


FROM THE HIEBERT'S HEARTS TO YOURS—
WE WISH YOU A CHRISTMAS FULL OF HIS PRESENCE AND A NEW YEAR HEAPED AND RUNNING OVER WITH BLESSINGS.



EACH OF YOU, DEAR FRIENDS, ARE UNIQUE!





PIC FROM 2014

Monday, December 22, 2014

Mundane Matters

Time spent with grands  will never be mundane.
On the contrary—it matters more and more.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Tuesday's Tale From the Tailboard

All Joking Aside

With three firefighters in the family, it goes without question that around our celebration tables there are many, many stories. Most of them are funny incidents that happen at the firehouse, some are hilarious tales of crazy things that happen on a call—those times where live or property was not in danger, but rather what happened between the firefighters themselves. And with three different firehouses, there are stories galore.

But then, there are those times when the laughter dies down. The voices become much softer, and the eyes a bit more moist. Those times when they can't finish the story. The times they would like to forget—the loss of lives and property around this time of year. The times when they worked so very hard, but couldn't save either. The times they know will affect families forever, and still affects them.

The next time you hear the wail of a siren and see the flash of a fire truck as it weaves its way around traffic, its air-horn blasting, say a prayer. A prayer, if you will, for those who are waiting for help to arrive. A prayer for the 'help' that is coming, their hearts pumping, their minds going over procedures, and maybe this isn't their first run of the day. Perhaps they are so tired it's hard for them to think. Maybe, just maybe the last run ended badly and they can hardly think of what might be ahead. And it could well be that they recognize the address toward which they are barreling and don't want to think.

Invariably, around our celebration tables, there comes that time when we—as a family who waited more than once for 'help' to arrive—put 
All jokes aside. 







Monday, December 15, 2014

Mundane Monday



Morning Ritual

Reading the paper, hand on ever-present coffee cup, and back of his fuzzy white head.  Mundane?  In a way. But oh, how I would miss it. Our chairs are side by side, but he swivels his to take better advantage of the light from the lake-side windows. 

There is comfort in this mundane ritual. 

Friday, December 12, 2014

Friday's Fun

Do you have a dream-home? That one imaginary place you allow yourself to visit on a regular basis. Of course, the weather is always perfect, the furnishings are beautiful, and time or money is never a factor.  

This is my wanna-go today, please.





Want to share your fantasy home?  


Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Tuesday's Tale FromThe Tailboard

Sibling Sympathy

Remember Nero? You know—the emperor who reportedly fiddled while Rome burned?

I know, I know—no proof, but a double-meaning idiom nonetheless.

But let me tell you a TRUE story, no idiom, no double meaning, and certainly not the sign of an ineffectual leader. Just a little tale of…well, you'll have to decide.

Any time an alarm comes in, the hearts start pumping. It may not be anything  huge, but the fact they must respond as though it were gives an adrenalin rush. And if the address given is a familiar one, i.e. family, friend, neighborhood, etc., it adds to the already building tension.

Such was the day of this tale.

First, there is protocol you must understand. You wonder why you have two screaming engines show up for what turns out to be a grease fire? Simply because it is impossible to determine from the person reporting the fire what is really taking place. One caller my panic when they see anything that resembles a flame, while the next person—either because of their personality or shock— will remain calm while their so-called Rome is burning. Thus, two engines always respond to the report of a structure fire. Think about it. If it were your property burning, wouldn't you rather have two trucks respond, even if only one was needed to extinguish the flames, rather than have to wait for the second one to arrive? Regardless of how it is done, there are always engine-followers, and scanner experts who know best. But—I'm off on a soap box. Back to my tale.

Bob was on duty, and the address of the reported kitchen fire was his sister's house.

Because there are always two sides to a story, I must relate his sister's version.  You see, she had just gotten a new tape recorder (yes, this is an OLD tale). Remember how fun it was to listen to your own voice. On this particular evening, she'd put a skillet of grease on the stove and while it was heating decided to record herself…singing…an old familiar hymn…all three verses.

Yep, you guessed it!!

In all fairness, the fire was out by the time little brother arrived, all decked out in his firefighter gear. But there was lots of smoke.

And the story goes that little brother took big sister aside. And HER side of this story goes something like ,"now, when you get calmed down, you need to call your insurance company."

Again, HER words— "I WAS CALM."

OH, I'm sure you're wondering what song she was singing.  Would you believe…

To God be the Glory!!!

That's this week's tale, and I'm sticking to it.














Monday, December 8, 2014

Mundane Monday

Lookin' Up

Sometimes, when everything else seems dreary and gray, one needs only to raise their eyes. 


May your Mundane Monday be full of God surprises. 

Friday, December 5, 2014

Fun Friday

You have five dollars ($5) to buy Christmas gifts for five (5) people.

The gift must last for at least six months.

What would you purchase?

And for whom?

Have fun!!


Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Tuesday's Tale From the Tailboard

FATHER AND SONS


  Rob, Bob, Kip

This picture is a proof, and was taken over twenty years ago.  Rob's gear is red because he was still on the Winfield Fire Department at the time.  

Monday, December 1, 2014

Mundane Monday



We so take for granted that we will be here for one more sunrise…one more sunset.  

Perhaps because we do not see life as a gift, but have considered it…
                        mundane. 

                

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Tuesday's Tale from the Tailboard


Empty Chairs

We celebrated Thanksgiving this past Sunday at Kip and Becky's. It gets harder every year to find a time when the family can all be together. With two firefighter schedules plus others in the family who work, it becomes a juggling act to come up with a date. And we've already chosen January 3 and 4 for our Christmas.

But we were together, and for that I am most grateful. Yes, we miss those that are gone. But that has nothing to do with the fire department. All across this nation there will be empty chairs around the Thanksgiving table no matter when or where it is celebrated.

Some chairs are empty because duty prevents the presence of one who would normally fill the spot. Soldiers, Firefighters, Policemen, doctors, nurses, farmers, ranchers, waitresses, cooks, housekeeping personnel, and the list goes on.

Some are empty and will never again be filled because they've given their lives to protect others.

Some are empty because of old age, or illnesses, or accidents, etc..

And some are empty because they were never filled, those who were lost before they were born.

Thanksgiving is not just one day of celebration. It is a choice we make, regardless of the circumstances. It is a lifestyle—Thanks-living!

But may we never forget that while we rejoice with those who rejoice, we are also to mourn with those who mourn.

Some people have a custom of setting a plate on the table for the unseen guest.

This year, why not place an empty chair in the room.

Thank God if the chair you place is only a symbol.

Pray for those for whom it represents so much more.


FROM OUR HEARTS TO YOURS
MAY YOUR HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING








Monday, November 24, 2014

Mundane Monday

Life at the Bottom!!




Nothing quite so mundane as spending one's life at the bottom of a sink.!! But I don't have a dishwasher ( gasp!), so this is who greets me after each meal I actually cook. I say 'who', and give her a gender, because to me she's much more than a kitchen gadget. She's taught me so much. Really, she has:

1.  She's there every day to fulfill the job for which she was created.
2.  She doesn't whine about being on the bottom.
3.  No matter what sharp thing is thrown against her, she remains steadfast.
4.  Steadfast, even though someone else's garbage is placed on her shoulders
5.  Steadfast, no matter how hot the water.
6.  Never tries to overthrow that which is placed on her, in order to rise to the top.
7.  She allows the abuse because she knows when it is over, she will be cleansed.
8.  Yet, even after the cleansing, she's willing to go back to her position at the bottom
9.   Because she knows that's where she's needed most.
10. All this, without one word of complaint that she is ONLY …

I can't fail to mention she was a gift.  See the connection?

I should be so willing.

It matters.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Friday's Fun (FOOD!!)

Chocolate Caramel Cake

This is a quick, easy recipe and tastes very gourmet. And the best thing--you can 'tweak' it however you want.  White cake instead of chocolate. Hot Fudge toppings instead of caramel.  More (lots more) Heath bits.  You can garnish the whipped topping with nuts, or mini-chocolate chips, or whatever your little heart desires.  









Recipe:
1 chocolate cake mix
1 jar caramel ice cream topping
1 cup (or more if desired) Heath chocolate covered toffee bits
1 tub whipped topping
Bake cake as directed. When cool, punch full of holes using a drinking straw.
Pour the entire jar of caramel topping over the cake–making sure each hole is filled!
Top with whipped topping, and then the toffee bits.

Now, this will only be a Fun Friday if YOU share a favorite quick and easy recipe!!  And I will thank you from the bottom of my cake plate!!  

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Tales From the Tailboard

It's Not All Work!

Because they live together 24 hours at a time, firefighters become very much family. And in each family there is a certain amount of tomfoolery that occurs. Imagine a household of four or five boys, and then multiply the mischief by lots of ten because these are no longer boys, but grown men.

Like family, most of the rowdiness occurred when the Chiefs weren't there. So Bob questioned the fact his Chief hung around one evening, and even sat down at the table with them for their evening meal, which happened to be pancakes.

Bob's first bite of pancake was uneventful. But when he tried to cut a second bite his question was answered. The chef for the evening had put a milk strainer in Bob's pancake. Of course, his attempt to cut the second bite was thwarted...but it took a bit of 'sawing' for him to realize what they'd done.

I don't know how many of you know what a milk strainer is. It's not unlike a coffee filter, though more fiber dense. That's how Bob felt--a bit dense.  But it was good for a laugh--and still is.

For the past several years, the Newton Fire Department has hosted a special luncheon for the retired firefighters and ambulance personnel. It's a great time of reflection, of remembering members who have gone before them, exclaiming over how things have changed.

Most of all, it's a grand time of recounting stories like this over and over again, and laughing as though they were hearing them for the first time.

It's the brotherhood.

And it's what got them through the times they don't want to to remember.

Retiree  luncheon, 2014.  Bob is standing, 7th from the left



Retirees and their sons who are still active Newton firefighter/paramedics
Bob and Rob on the left

Monday, November 17, 2014

Mundane Monday

Apple pie on Monday?

Hubby:  I'll peel the apples if you want to bake a pie.

Me:  I really don't want to bake pie first thing Monday morning. I need to write. I need to dust.  I need to do laundry.  I need—

I need to bake an apple pie on Monday morning because

It Matters!!




Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Tales From the Tailboard

Do I dare tell them?

We tried very hard not to influence the career choices of our boys. We did have one requirement after high school: either a year of Bible school, or some type of ministry. After that we would support them in any direction they wanted to take.

Kip (son #1) served a year with Life Action Ministries and Rob (son #2) spent a summer in Papua New Guinea with New Tribes Mission. For both of them it was a time of growth spiritually, physically and emotionally.

Then Kip applied to the Sedgwick County Fire Department, and later Rob applied to the Winfield Fire Department and both were hired. These were not simultaneous hirings, and both were independent decisions. In retrospect, neither boy had ever known their daddy to be anything but a firefighter. And though he was careful never to push them one direction or another, Bob was very pleased that they saw his career choice as being something they wanted for their future.

But then those boys of ours got engaged, and it WAS nearly simultaneously. In fact, the younger beat the elder. And while they had no doubts--I did.

Never a doubt about their choices for life-mates. We loved both girls and knew God had chosen them well before the boys even knew they existed. But my question was how much to say to them about what to expect as a result of them marrying a firefighter.

Were they ready for the nights alone? Would their families understand holidays that would be celebrated either without them or on a completely different day? How would they handle every child in the family vomiting at the same time, while daddy was on duty? What about school function, church functions, etc., that would go on whether or not dad could be present? And would they be satisfied to live on the very, very steady, but never lucrative income?

I was the mother-in-law-to-be. Would I be disloyal to our sons by painting a negative picture, or would they consider me interfering?

In the end, I weighed it out, wrote it out, prayed it out. For you see, in reality all those arguments were a very tiny portrait of what it really meant to be a firefighters wife.

The big picture reveals shades of brotherhood that extends well beyond the men. What color is compassion? How could I ever portray the confidence that comes with knowing they will respond to a family's need en masse? What hue do you give--giving? Or how can I sketch what happens when your child is gasping for air one minute, and at peace the next because the firefighter/ambulance men arrive? Is there a color given for dignity? What medium defines your husband's love of his job? And to be brutally honest—some of the stories shared among the three firefighters in this family are a bit 'off-color'.

Son #1 is now a Division Chief with the Sedgwick County Fire Department.  Son #2 is a Captain and paramedic with the Newton Fire Department, his dad's alma mater. And I have no idea how our daughter's-in-law would portray their lives as firefighter wives.

But for me,

On the 15th of this month, we will celebrate our 56th wedding anniversary, and I'd marry the man again in a heartbeat.

IT'S BEEN GOOD!!



Monday, November 10, 2014

Mundane Matters

I Sure Do Wish…

One by one they grow—these grands of ours. Healthy, happy, busy kiddos whose ever-widening circle of life moves us farther away from being their center. And while we've always loved and looked forward to every minute we could have with them, we now treasure each visit knowing all too well that the time will come when those minutes will turn into hours, hours into days, days into weeks, months, and perhaps even years before the 'next time'.

After an appointment last Friday, I went to visit Rob and his family, (you can meet them on the Family page).  I especially wanted to hug the grands. After school turned into supper time. One grand was busy at school with musical practice, one was getting ready to go to an all-night lock-in with her youth group, and the youngest grand was going to stay home!!

It was dark when we stepped onto their back deck to say our goodbyes. Rob was cautioning me to watch for deer, I was thanking Tami for supper, and the young one—destined to be all alone—hugged me around the waist and whispered, "I sure do wish I could come home with you."

Now, if you know any sweeter words than that, I challenge you to post them!!  After discussing the pros (there were no cons), I went back in while he quickly packed the essentials—you know, stuff like legos and pocket knife, etc..

As he clamped his seat belt he said,  "I'm so excited my tummy feels all jumpy. I always get this way when I know I'm coming to your house."

We NEVER consider time with out family as mundane. Never. But believe me, that hug and whispered plea

MATTERED!!




Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Tales From the Tailboard

The Call You Never Want to Receive

Spring break, and all the grandkids were here at the lake. Even though it was still quite cool, they assured me it wasn't too cold to fish or be in the fishing boat or paddle boat. Weather is very subjective when you're a kid. Remember?

When the phone rang and the caller ID showed 'Becky' as the caller, I thought she was just checking on the kids. Instead she said "are you where you can talk?"  I went into the bedroom and shut the door to take her message--still thinking it was probably going to be a surprise for the grands.

Instead: "I just got a call and Kip has been hurt at a fire. They don't know for sure, but he may have a broken neck. I've called Rob and he is going to meet me at the hospital in Wichita.  But, please don't say anything to the kids until we know more."

Need I say that day surely had more than 24 hours?

The scenario: He'd been training a crew. they had the basement full of smoke, and there was a 'victim' in the basement. Their part was to enter the house and find the 'victim'.  When they didn't come when he thought they should, he stepped onto the landing that was between the door and steep flight of steps into the basement with the intent of finding out why they were hesitating. He was in full gear, which included a SCBA pak, which weighed around 30 lbs. or so.

Just when he stepped onto the landing, the crew came through the door and he was knocked down the entire flight of steps.  Because they were so steep, he actually didn't hit a step and only stopped when his head hit the cement floor at the bottom of the steps. He hit with such force that the brass eagle on the front of his helmet was flattened. Teeth were broken. There was instant pain, and he couldn't move.

After hours of x-rays, MRI, CAT scans, etc., they did send him home that same day, but the ER doctor told him he had taken the kind of fall that a lot of people didn't survive. He was off duty for six weeks. To this day he has pain that will probably always be present. But he's alive!!

I have to think of the many, many wives, mothers, sisters, sweethearts, etc., who receive such a call and the outcome is entirely different. Their loved one doesn't come home that day, and will never come home again. Today is 'voting' day, and I'm reminded of the men and woman who daily put their lives on the line so that we can enjoy the freedom that we have in this wonderful United State of America.

Yet, knowing all that doesn't take away the heart-stopping feeling that comes when a mama gets the call she hoped she'd  never receive.






Monday, November 3, 2014

Mundane Matters

The Art of Listening

Not long ago, I was in a group of people I didn't particularly care to be with. There! I said it. But there is a moral to this story.

In the past, some of the people in this particular group have made unkind statements about situations they really knew nothing about...mainly where and why we chose to send our children to a particular school, went to church, and the 'crippled' condition of our girls. I always went into  this crowd defensively, my mind full of  'vain imaginary responses' should they say—

At this particular outing, I went with a new attitude. I would not allow myself to 'go there'...I wasn't going to prepare a come-back or defend anything. I was going, albeit reluctantly, determined to stay quiet and allow others to have an opinion totally different than my own.

I spent most of the day 'listening' to one lady. And I learned so very, very much. Not from what she said,  but by  actually hearing what she said…and didn't say. I watched her. I observed her graciously give up the chair she normally sits in to support her back and legs, so that another person in the group could be comfortable. I 'listened' as she showed me pictures of her daughter's wedding, and saw the shine in her eyes with each description. And I witnessed her countenance fall when she asked her husband a question and he was short and dismissive with her.

On the way home, Bob said "She just needs someone to talk to, doesn't she?"

No, she's always talked and talked and talked.  What she needed is no different than what we all desire—someone to hear beyond what is uttered. I learned words are only part of a conversation.

I'll not dread the next outing. Next time I will show her pictures of my kids and grandkids, and we'll smile and exchange 'momisms' and hug when we say goodbye.

This time, I 'saw' every word—and that matters.



Friday, October 31, 2014

Fun Friday

And the Winners Are:

Didn't get as many actually signed up as I hoped, but that may be because not everyone understands how to do that little task.

So--I do have winners!!

The first to sign up on my actual blog was--bjames.

Jody--is the other one who is now officially on my blog site.

I also have two other ladies who have contacted me, either through face-book or through the contact feature on the home page of my blog:  Lois, and Mary.

I will PM Lois and Mary for their addresses  (I already have the others) and your prizes will be mailed on Monday!!

Thank you for following me.


Watch for more FUN stuff on Friday!!


Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Tales From the Tailboard

First Time Behind the Wheel.

When one was on the job for 32 years, and has been retired for 18, it means 50 years of memories. It also means trying to fully recall events that were firsts.  But we all know--some things you just never forget.  Such is the first time Bob drove an engine on a fire run.

There was a six-month probation period for new firefighters. During that time you were the probee--the new guy, the flunkie, etc., and you prayed for someone else to be hired so you would no longer be the low man on the ladder. That time was also an intense learning time. Before you were allowed to drive an engine on an actual fire call you had to know where all the streets in town were located, which streets were your area, and where the fire hydrants were located on said streets.  Station #1 went north and west of the train tracks which dissected the town, and station #2 went south and east. However, if it was a structure fire, then an engine from each station responded, and hoped there wasn't a train on the tracks at the time.

Since the first engine a probee would drive (the one they trained on) was the one that responded to car and trash fires in the city limits and all fires outside city limits, whether car, trash, grass or structure, plus the one that was sent on mutual aid, each man also had to know the location of the various county roads, by number (naming of county roads didn't come into being until the 9-1-1- system), and whether the address was an east/west/ or north/south road. (no Google maps 50 years ago)

The day Bob made his debut drive was also the day they were assigned to paint the running boards and the tailboard of this particular engine--with aluminum paint. He remembers thinking that even if an alarm did ring, he'd be able to step over the running board.

Well, the alarm rang and it was dispatched as a fire along the railroad tracks. He recognized the location as being in his territory-and in his excitement he stepped on the running board anyway.

The officer in charge always rode shotgun.  Chief at that time was  Elvin Warhurst. He set high standards for himself, and for his men. One of his goals was that the driver knew his streets before he ever responded, behind the wheel, to an alarm. He didn't want the driver talking to the officer en route to the fire. Some officers were adamant about this rule. Others were cautious enough not to be driven to the wrong address, so would allow talking.

Bob doesn't remember if he asked questions. He does remember being very nervous, and his leg shaking so badly, he didn't think  he was even going to be able to hold the clutch in to shift gears.  Now--lest you think this was a simple 1-2-3 shift, it wasn't!!  In fact, this engine was probably one of the most difficult to drive. (This will only make sense to men, but it is interesting to note) This GMC truck had a two-speed axle.  So one would shift into gear #1, then into high-axle #1, then back to gear #2, and then high-axle #2. And somewhere in this shifting you would break sequence between high and low axles. If you happened to miss that shift, it was very difficult to get into any gear, and would sometimes require coming to a complete halt and starting all over again. Need I say it was a probee's nightmare. No firefighter, or his officer, wanted to be stalled in the middle of the street, sirens howling, and gears grinding.

They did get to the fire, and it was only a kerosene smudge pot that the railroad was using to keep their switches thawed.  Some passerby saw it and called it in as a fire.

I asked him, while we were talking this morning, if he kept that day in mind when he was the officer and had a probee driving for the first time.  He just smiled, and said he didn't remember.

So, anybody out there who drove, for the fist time, with Bob riding shotgun?  Let's hear your side of the story!!

That's the tale for this week!





Monday, October 27, 2014

Mundane Matters

The Lowly Hedge Apple



Whether standing in line at a checkout counter, sitting in a doctor's waiting room, or even waiting for the light to change, one can see visuals of a person's relationship with God. Okay, I'll not get into whether or not it's real or just popular. That's not for me, or you, to judge. But think about it and take note how many times just observing one of the visuals make you think about your own commitment: Crosses, worn in  many ways; bracelets with a verse or acronym; bumper stickers, 'honk if you love Jesus'; tattoos with a scripture reference, T-shirts that boldly proclaim Jesus as 'my life saver walks on water'.  And many more.

One you won't see (or if you do, please let me know) is the hedge apple. The fruit of what we know as the hedge tree, or osage orange, or various other names depending on where one lives, is pretty useless.  You can't eat it. You wouldn't wear it. It's not something you'd put on the bumper of your car, or the front of a T-shirt.

But if I can believe that all things were made by Him; and without him was not anything made that was made (and I DO believe this with all my heart) then I can see Him  in even an ugly hedge apple.

It's my own visual of the hedge he puts around me. The strength of the parent plant reminds me how important my hedge of prayers is for our children and grandchildren--our 'fruit' if you will.  The heat and the light the wood of a hedge tree produces is a reminder of how I'm to be warm, welcoming safe place for those close to me, and a light to those who seek. And the sparks which are produced by even the slightest whisper of wind, remind me not to 'give up' when life storms come my way, but rather to continue to burn and perhaps start new fires along the way

When the flesh of the lowly hedge apple rots, it reveals the seeds for new growth.  Oh, if that can be said of my life.


And to me...that matters.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Fun Friday

I'm Not Above Bribing


You who have already joined my blog site will be receiving a message shortly. Wait for it!

Now--the next three (and it won't be hard to tell who you are) to join will receive a pretty little brass Christmas ornament which depicts Kansas!!  



Have a Fantastic Fun Friday!!

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Tuesday's Tale From the Tailboard

FIREHOUSE BROTHERHOOD

There is a certain type of relationship that grows among the men in a firehouse, not unlike the military. Personalities either blend, or not, but the bottom line--when the alarm rings, or a fellow firefighter is in need, they work as one. 

Christmas 1983: Bob and our sons went to Michigan to bring our youngest daughter home for Christmas and on the way home they were stopping in Chicago to pick up Bob's niece. Simple enough--if things hadn't gotten so complicated.  

It was the day before Christmas Eve, early evening traffic around Chicago, already dark, and they got headed the wrong direction on the toll road. Finally were able to get turned around, and then the fuel pump gave out. It was so cold the windows frosted over on the inside of the car. Fortunately, they hadn't been stopped long before a Highway Patrol came along and loaded them all into his car and took them to a service station, and had the car towed in and a new fuel pump installed. 

They made it to Chicago, much later, much colder and with much less money. We didn't use credit cards and not a lot of money in the bank. They made it to near Springfield, Illinois, and the alternator light came on.  It was now near midnight and very, very cold. After the light came on, Bob took the next exit hoping they could find someplace to check it out. They couldn't find anything open, and the car was running fine, so they decided to continue on. Then--on the 'on' ramp to get back onto the interstate the transmission gave out and the car quit moving. He could go backward but not forward. There was snow everywhere, but from their vantage point on the ramp they could see the lights of a motel in the far distance. This was before cell phones, and a fence separated the interstate from any businesses, but their only recourse was to walk. To make matters a bit more complicated--Lori's normal mode of transportation was a wheelchair, and for her to keep breathing at night she required the use of a respirator, a turtle-shell type of contraption that had a suitcase size power supply that had to be plugged in. 

They wrapped Lori completely up in blankets, even her head (pneumonia was a real danger for our daughters), put her in her wheelchair and Bob sent the 'kids' on ahead while he gathered the respirator, etc., they would need.  I can't even imagine how they must have appeared. And it must have aroused the suspicion of another Highway Patrol as well. He stopped them and asked what was in the chair. When Kip replied, "my sister", they were once again loaded into a patrol car and this time taken to a motel.  Bob witnessed this 'taking away' from behind...but the patrolman did come back after him. :) 

This time, the call was a bit more frantic. They probably weren't going to make it home Christmas Eve. And since he wasn't going to make it home, could I pick up his paycheck? Problem--he had the car. Well, sort of a car. 

I called the station the next morning, explained the mess, and that's when the 'brotherhood' kicked in. Before noon there was a knock at our door, and two firefighters delivered not only the paycheck, but a collection of money they'd taken among the others.  It was Christmas. Every one of those men needed that paycheck as badly as we did. 

But they gave...because. 

P.S.--They went beyond the giving of money. Bob was working at the airport for his part time job.  Two other 'brothers' also worked there. We never found out how, or who arranged it,  but one of the pilots (with Bob along)  flew Lori back to South Bend, Indiana where her fellow workers met her.  And this same pilot bought Bob's niece a commercial ticket to fly on into Chicago. 

We'll never forget.






Kip and Lori 







Monday, October 20, 2014

Monday's Mundane Matters


There's a tendency to think of mudane as common, ho-hum, nothing spectacular, boring, routine,

But the older I get, the more I realize that IN the mundane is where most of life happens

In today's tech-frenzied world, my biggest fear is losing the excitement of the simple, everyday happenings. Don't get me wrong--I love the new 'stuff' that is available. I have a smart phone, I text, I tweet, and I face book. I also Skype and face-time.  Yet, to me nothing can ever replace the actual presence of a friend. The conversations that happen around a kitchen table. The look-you-in the eye kind of fellowship that accompanies real flesh you can reach out and touch. The actual moving of the mouth to form words that express themselves not only in the hearing, but the watching. The face, the eyes, the body language that fills in the blanks between what is uttered.

Today, I accompanied granddaughter #2 to her doctor's appointment. She's not too young to go alone, but she didn't want to be by herself. Then she came and spent most of the day lying on the couch at our house. We watched old Christmas movies...and talked!

I know, from experience, these kind of days we pass all too soon. And there will come a day when, because of college, distance, and time, we will be satisfied with texting, etc..  But today was mundane. I did laundry while she was here. But above the chug of the washing machine, and the hum of the dryer, our voices mingled.

Boring? NO  Spectacular? NO, unless you count going through half a bag of fun-size Snickers!!

But life happened. And I'm truly grateful for the mundaneness of  today, because it DOES matter.




Tuesday, October 14, 2014

I'm starting a new blog--as you can see. It should be up and running by Monday, October 20.  Please join me!!  I'll look forward to our visits.